Author: gqSbgCfmna

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  Sustainability advocates and food industry players are seeing stronger momentum for organic farming in the country as more producers and consumers turn toward traceable and responsibly sourced food systems.

Alexandra Castillo, Naturland’s coordinator for promotions and market linkages in the Philippines, said more local farmers and businesses are starting to align with organic standards as part of efforts to build stronger and more transparent food systems.

“Organic is one of the ways sustainability can be achieved,” Castillo said during the recent 10th anniversary of the Philippine Sustainability Movement held in Pasay City.

“At Naturland, we help bring this to life by equipping farmers with practical knowledge, supporting businesses meet organic standards and empowering consumers to make responsible choices with their food,” she added.

Naturland is an international association based in Germany that promotes organic agriculture, aquaculture and sustainable forestry across more than 60 countries.

It certifies producers and processors that follow strict organic and fair-trade standards, working with farmers, businesses and organizations to ensure environmentally sound and socially responsible production practices.

The event organized by sustainability firm Pristine Solutions gathered representatives from the hospitality, retail and advocacy sectors to discuss the next phase of sustainable food operations.

Pristine Solutions founder Christian Schmidradner said the movement has grown into a collaborative platform linking private firms, non-government organizations and government agencies promoting ethical sourcing and transparency.

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

EASL has upheld Meralco’s 85-76 win over Taoyuan in Ilagan, Isabela, last Saturday even as the Bolts offered a rematch in the spirit of sportsmanship. Under EASL rules, a team may enlist two world imports, a naturalized player and an Asian heritage recruit but only three are allowed to be on the court at the same time. A misunderstanding of the rule led to Meralco leaving Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Ismael Romero, Sina Vahedi and Ange Kouame on the floor for 4:58 minutes in the first quarter and 4:22 minutes in the second. EASL noted that Meralco scored 22 points and Taoyuan 15 during the total 9:20 minutes that the four played together.

“I have spoken directly with coach Luigi (Trillo) and coach (Lurgi) Caminos, both of whom acknowledge that this was not an intentional act but rather an oversight by the FIBA game official who failed to recognize or enforce the rule at the moment,” said EASL CEO Henry Kerins. “Meralco has proactively offered to schedule a rematch against Taoyuan but considering the score differential, Taoyuan has expressed satisfaction with the outcome as it stood. We have also requested FIBA that we do not have the same game commissioner as the rules need to be enforced in real time during these games. I have personally spoken with FIBA to ensure they understand that EASL considers the incident in Isabela was unintentional and did not have a significant impact on the game. We are committed to supporting both teams while affirming that our games uphold fair play and sportsmanship standards. Our focus now is to resolve these issues swiftly, ensuring clarity and fairness on and off the court. We will continue to reinforce the importance of good sportsmanship and proper conduct to all our teams and officials.”

Kerins, however, reprimanded Meralco for violations before and after the Bolts’ previous game against Taoyuan in Taipei and imposed fines. RHJ was meted a fine of $1,000 for refusing to participate in a pre-game interview and another $1,000 for failing to attend a post-game press conference. Additionally, EASL fined Meralco coach Nenad Vucinic $5,000 for gestures “in grave violation of sportsmanship and professional ethics.” Vucinic was warned that a recurrence will mean an automatic two-game suspension.

Meralco’s EASL record is now 1-2 with its next game against Macau at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday. “All proceeds from the game are matched by Cebu City and Cebu Governor for relief,” said Kerins. EASL called it a “landmark night for the league (with) its first charity game for disaster relief…all ticket revenue will go directly to those affected by the earthquakes and flooding that hit Cebu.”

The Black Bears will play their first contest this season led by 5-8 spitfire Damian Chong Qui who averaged 24.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 9.0 assists last campaign. He’ll be backed up by 6-6 Omar Peek Green of Alabama A&M, 6-5 Torrance Watson of Elon University and 6-2 Phoenix Shackelford of Cal State Poly at Pomona.

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  The government has used nearly P18 billion from the national calamity fund to support disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts across the country from January to Nov. 9, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

In a statement released yesterday, the DOF said up to P17.85 billion under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) have been disbursed for calamity and other response efforts. 

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said it is important to maintain a readily available fund to ensure swift government response to emergencies. 

“As the national fund raiser, we at the DOF ensure that the government has sufficient funds and the capacity to immediately respond to the needs of every Filipino during times of calamity,” Recto said. 

Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that the NDRRMF has an appropriated budget of P21 billion, with P20 billion allocated for the NDRRM program and P1 billion for the People’s Survival Fund. 

This means that the government can still tap around P3.2 billion from the NDRRMF until the end of this year. 

“Appropriated every year, the NDRRMF supports disaster risk reduction, prevention and preparedness activities, as well as immediate aid, relief and rehabilitation services after a calamity,” the DOF said. 

The finance department said the government also allotted in the national budget resources for the quick response fund (QRF), providing key government agencies with a standby fund to support the rehabilitation and recovery of communities affected by calamities and other emergencies.

Recently, the DBM approved the release of P1.68 billion to replenish the QRF of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Coast Guard. 

Of the amount, P1 billion was released to the DA for recovery and rehabilitation programs in regions affected by African swine fever and tropical cyclones. 

Aside from securing funding for recovery programs, the DOF also directed government financial institutions and government-owned and controlled corporations to accelerate delivery of services as well as provide on-the-ground support in areas severely hit by calamities. 

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  A brief phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at the main crater of Taal Volcano in Batangas yesterday morning, producing grayish plumes that rose 2,800 meters, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said the activity lasted three minutes, from 6:51 to 6:54 a.m., and was captured by the agency’s Lower Calauit and Napayong IP cameras. The plumes drifted northeast after the brief eruption.

Phivolcs said that a phreatomagmatic eruption occurs when magma interacts with water, resulting in an explosive release of steam, ash and fragmented volcanic materials.

A phreatomagmatic eruption is different from a phreatic eruption, which occurs when water comes in contact with hot rocks or gases.

The last three phreatomagmatic activities in Taal were recorded between Oct. 25 and 26, with one phreatic event at the northeastern portion of the main crater.

The volcano remains under Alert Level 1, indicating an abnormal condition but no imminent eruption.

Despite the low alert status, Phivolcs warned the public that sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal gas emissions may still occur in and around the main crater

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

LINGAYEN , Philippines  – The provincial government of Pangasinan has recorded an initial damage of P411 million to infrastructure and agriculture due to Super Typhoon Uwan.

The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office said losses to agriculture included high-value crops at P137 million, palay at P78 million and corn at P8 million as well as fishery, 11.2 million and livestock, P224,000.

Initial damage to infrastructure was estimated at P176 million, with 4,220 houses beyond repair and 12,233 others destroyed in at least 28 towns and two cities, local disaster officials said.

Uwan displaced up to 200,914 families in 41 municipalities and four cities in Pangasinan.

More than 4,000 families are currently staying in temporary shelters after strong winds and floodwaters destroyed their homes.

The calamity prompted some local government units to suspend classes until tomorrow as some schools are being used as evacuation centers.

Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico visited the evacuees to assess their condition and identify needs to be prioritized.

Guico said power restoration and clearing operations continued in several typhoon-hit areas.

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Two police officers were killed in two shooting incidents that occurred in a police station in Bangued, Abra on Monday night.

S/Sgt. O’Neal Ryan Calica, officer-in-charge of the provincial explosive ordnance disposal and canine unit,  was allegedly shot dead by Lt. Jamieson Bulatao at the PECU office located in Barangay Zone 5.

Calica died from four gunshots to the chest, according to a report of the municipal police.

After shooting Calica, Bulatao allegedly fired at but missed Senior M/Sgt. Edwin Bandoc.

Bandoc fired back, hitting Bulatao in the chest.

Responding police officers rushed Calica and Bulatao to the Seares Memorial Hospital where they were declared dead on arrival. Investigation is ongoing.                                                          

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Insinuations that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is part of a supposed destabilization plot against the Marcos administration are fake news, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.

In an interview with dzMM, Remulla dismissed the allegations circulating online, stressing that he does not believe Marcoleta is involved in any attempt to oust President Marcos.

“Senator Marcoleta may be outspoken, but he’s just focused on doing his job,” he said in Filipino.

The claims originated from media personality Ramon Tulfo who, in a viral social media post, named Marcoleta among those allegedly behind the destabilization attempt.

Tulfo also accused Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson of financing the supposed plot.

“I do not believe that these personalities are behind it. I think it’s a lot of baloney, a lot of fake news,” Remulla said.

He likewise defended Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was also included in Tulfo’s list of officials “for confirmation.”

According to Remulla, the threat level of any destabilization move is minimal.

“From a scale of one to 10 with 10 as the highest, the threat has a rank of about 1.5,” he said.

The DILG secretary added that the Armed Forces of the Philippines remains fully supportive of the Marcos administration, making the likelihood of any plot succeeding very low.

The public is urged to verify information they encounter online, cautioning against the spread of misleading posts.

“Fake news is the hardest thing to deal with – it’s easy to believe, but their sources are unverifiable,” he said.

November 13, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  A bettor in Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija won the jackpot in the 6/49 Super Lotto draw on Tuesday night.

The player correctly guessed the six-digit winning combination 04-25-20-14-12-05, which had a total jackpot prize of P184.99 million, according to Melquiades Robles, general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Robles said 103 other players won P50,000 each for correctly guessing five of the six-digit winning combination.

The 6/49 Super Lotto is drawn every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.