HOUSING PROGRAM. Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Acuzar (right) and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas (center) visit the city's relocation site in San Isidro, Jaro on Sept. 3, 2022. Iloilo City is one of the areas identified for the priority housing program of the department to address the housing gap in the country.(Photo courtesy of Arnold Almacen/City Mayor's Office) ILOILO CITY - The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) will be implementing the current administration's "Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino: Zero ISF Program for 2028" projected to benefit around 11,000 Ilonggo families with no permanent dwellings. Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office (ICUPAO) head Roy Firmeza, in an interview on Wednesday, said the local government is committed to joining the challenge of building six million houses nationwide in six years to address the housing backlog in the country with the DHSUD at the helm. &quo
OUTSTANDING MSME. From a small-scale business, Prangel's Bakeshoppe has grown to become a landmark destination for locals and tourists passing through Davao del Sur province. The Department of Science and Technology on Tuesday (Aug. 16, 2022) congratulated Prangel's, a DOST assisted MSME, for exemplifying how research, development, and innovation can improve a business. (Photo courtesy of Prangel's Bakeshoppe) DAVAO CITY - A Davao del Sur bakeshop assisted by the Department of Science and Technology in the Davao Region (DOST-11) has been recognized as the most outstanding small enterprise in the region. "Congratulations to Prangel's Bakeshoppe for exemplifying how research, development, and innovation can help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)," Dr. Anthony Sales, DOST-11 director, said in a statement Tuesday. The recognition, which came from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), said the award handed out late last month was based on the firm&
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (Photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora) MANILA - The Department of Tourism (DOT) has lauded the naming of the country's three island destinations among "The 25 Best Islands in the World" by the New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure (T+L). Boracay Island featuring its postcard-perfect sunset ranked 9th in the T+L World's Best Island list, followed by Palawan at 11th with a photo of an idyllic lagoon in El Nido, and Cebu at 16th with Taoist Temple, in Cebu City. According to T+L, readers were asked to "weigh in on travel experiences around the globe - to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value." "The Philippines is truly blessed with the unrivaled beauty of our natural resources coupled by the warmth and endless talent of t
SECURITY COOPERATION. Army Brig. Gen. Leonardo Pena, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, receives a memento from Negros Oriental provincial police director Col. Germano Mallari during the May 16, 2022 flag-raising ceremony at the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office. The two security officials continued the joint security plan for Negros Oriental until the end of the election period on June 30, 2022. (Photo courtesy of NOPPO) DUMAGUETE CITY - Police and military authorities in Negros Oriental are still on guard against possible post-election violence. Provincial police director Col. Germano Mallari and Brig. Gen. Leonardo Pena, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in Tanjay City, told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that except for minor changes, the joint security plan is still in effect. Both security officials said it is crucial to monitor the "brewing political tension" between opposing camps regarding the election results o
DISASTER RESPONSE UNIT. Mayor Ernesto Evangelista of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte says Wednesday (Feb. 23, 2022) they have bought a mobile kitchen for disaster response that will provide hot meals to disaster victims. The mobile kitchen features a public address system, a water dispenser, a waste tank, a food burner among others. (Photo courtesy of Sto. Tomas MIO) DAVAO CITY - The town of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte has acquired a mobile kitchen as part of the municipality's disaster response to provide hot meals to disaster victims. In a statement Wednesday, Mayor Ernesto Evangelista said the PHP2.4 million worth mobile kitchen will be used by the town during a disaster operation to ensure the victims will be provided with safe and hot food. "We purchased the mobile kitchen to strengthen our interventions to the Tomasinos especially when disaster comes," he said. Evangelista said the mobile kitchen features a public address system, a water dispenser, a waste tank, a food