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The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office IV-A attended the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Media Information Session for Batangas Media and Information Officers held on September 04, 2025 in Batangas.
The activity served as a platform for media partners and government information officers in the region to gain deeper insights into BSP’s key initiatives. The discussions focused on the digitalization of financial services; currency-related topics such as the proper handling of banknotes and the introduction of the first-ever polymer banknote series; and fundamental central banking concepts and statistics. The session also provided updates on the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), a landmark measure aimed at protecting the public from fraudulent schemes in today’s increasingly digital financial landscape.
PSA RSSO IV-A’s participation underscored its close collaboration with BSP, particularly through the Consumer Expectation Survey (CES), which PSA regularly conducts on behalf of the central bank. The CES provides vital information on consumer outlook, confidence, and spending patterns, serving as a key input for BSP in crafting evidence-based monetary policies, understanding inflationary pressures, and addressing consumer concerns in a rapidly evolving financial environment.
By ensuring quality and reliable statistical inputs, PSA strengthens BSP’s data-driven initiatives and supports efforts in promoting financial literacy, inclusivity, and economic stability. The engagement also emphasized PSA’s commitment to fostering stronger partnerships with institutions like BSP to better inform the public through accurate and timely information.
The PSA RSSO IV-A recognizes the importance of initiatives such as this session in enhancing knowledge exchange among stakeholders, bridging gaps between policy and public awareness, and ultimately contributing to the shared goal of building a more resilient, informed, and financially aware citizenry.
The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office IV-A (PSA RSSO IV-A) conducted a dedicated National ID registration activity for senior citizens in Barangay San Juan, Malvar, Batangas on 04 September 2025, as part of its ongoing advocacy to ensure that elderly Filipinos are included in the National Identification System.
This activity also forms part of the 12th PSA anniversary celebration, aligned with the theme “Building a Resilient, Agile, and Future-Fit PSA.” The initiative highlights PSA’s commitment to making public services more inclusive, accessible, and adaptive to the needs of all Filipinos, particularly vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens.
To make the registration process more accessible, PSA RSSO IV-A brought the National ID services directly to the community, addressing challenges faced by senior citizens such as mobility limitations and transportation barriers. The National ID serves as a valid proof of identity, helping seniors more easily access healthcare, social services, and government assistance.
A total of 39 senior citizens were registered during the event, with 13 (33.3%) males and 26 (66.7%) females. This demographic breakdown underscores the agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure that both male and female senior citizens benefit equally from the National ID system.
This effort is a key part of PSA’s ongoing mission to build a resilient and future-fit public service that caters to the evolving needs of the Filipino population.
For more information, visit https://philsys.gov.ph/
On September 5, 2025, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. led the agency’s delegation to the Strategic Partnership Forum with the Provincial Government of Cagayan, where they were warmly welcomed by Governor Edgar B. Aglipay.
Sec. Solidum presented DOST’s major programs and identified strong opportunities for collaboration and intervention in the province. He was joined by Usec. Sancho Mabborang, who introduced the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program, and Dr. Virginia Bilgera, who highlighted the accomplishments and initiatives of DOST Region II. Also present was Asec. Maria Teresa de Guzman, lending support through her role in advancing countryside development.
In his Opening Remarks, Governor Aglipay affirmed that DOST’s aspirations—promoting human well-being, fostering wealth creation, reinforcing wealth protection, and institutionalizing sustainability—are also the aspirations of Cagayan.
To further inspire innovation to the officials and representatives of the Province, DOST also invited Balik Scientists and inventors specializing in robotics, traffic management, and waste management. They shared forward-looking solutions for possible interventions in the province.
This strong alignment between DOST and the Provincial Government of Cagayan reflects a shared vision for growth and sustainability anchored on science, technology, and innovation to build a future-ready Cagayan.( Karen Vivien Conducto, Office of DOST Secretary)
The Department of Science and Technology Region VIII (DOST VIII) continued its celebration of the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) with a series of engaging activities on its second day, highlighting the theme of “Agham na Ramdam”, science that is felt through youth engagement, local enterprise support, and strengthened innovation spaces across Leyte.
One of the key highlights was STEM Connect: Students Meet the Secretary, held at the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC). Students from different schools across Leyte had the rare opportunity to meet DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr., a geologist, former PHIVOLCS Director, and now the country’s “fault-finder.” Hosted by PSHS-EVC Campus Director Ms. Yvonne M. Esperas, the event featured interactive STEM-focused activities such as the DOST-Science Education Institute’s NuLab: STEM in Motion and the Indie Siyensya Film Festival. In his message, Secretary Solidum encouraged young learners to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to help build a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future. The Department of Education Regional Office VIII (DepEd VIII), represented by Dr. Gertrudes C. Mabutin, expressed its commitment to work with DOST VIII in further strengthening STEM education and nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.
Secretary Solidum also led a project visit to the Ice Cream Making Facility at the Palo Livelihood Center, a DOST-assisted initiative that uses science-based food processing technologies to help local producers improve product quality, expand operations, and create sustainable livelihoods. Palo Mayor Hon. Remedios Matin Petilla thanked DOST for its continued support and expressed interest in acquiring additional technologies for the municipality. Commending Palo’s proactive approach, Secretary Solidum emphasized, “The Local Government Units that are interested and willing to partner with DOST can truly benefit from our assistance. We want leaders who want science and technology.”
Capping the day’s events, the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Leyte inaugurated its newly renovated office building and Innovation Hub (iHub) at the DOST Compound, Government Center, Brgy. Candahug, Palo, Leyte. The iHub is a dedicated collaborative space where students, researchers, startups, industries, and communities can access science, technology, and innovation resources to develop creative solutions and drive local development. With the facility in place, PSTO Leyte is expected to further empower MSMEs, strengthen community-based initiatives, and advance the delivery of STI services across Leyte and the Eastern Visayas region.
The second day of RSTW was graced by DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, DOST VIII Regional Director Dr. John Glenn D. Ocaña, and other officials, reflecting the department’s unified drive of “One DOST 4 U: Solutions and Opportunities for All.” (Nelson Santos)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that unused funds for flood control projects under the 2025 national budget will be reallocated to other priority sectors such as health and education.
Speaking to reporters before returning to Manila following his three-day State Visit to Cambodia, President Marcos said that of the PhP350 billion allotted for flood control in the 2025 national budget, about PhP225 billion will not be utilized.
“Then we will spend it on other things,” the President said when asked where the savings would be spent. “There is a budget of 350 billion for 2025. Because of all of these allegations, investigations that are occurring, na-delay lahat ‘yan.”
The President explained that the flood control budget for next year will be about PhP275 billion, noting that allocations for foreign-asssted projects will remain as planned.
President Marcos, meanwhile, said that the locally funded portion of the budget estimated at PhP225 billion could be redirected to other key government priorities.
“Pero ‘yung locally funded kung tawagin na project that amounts to about 225 billion, we will reappropriate it to education, to health, and other departments that are in need of this funding,” the President said.
President Marcos earlier noted that no new funds will be allocated for flood control in the proposed 2026 national budget, stressing that the 2025 allocation remains sufficient and should be fully utilized first. | PND
The Department of Science and Technology Region 1 (DOST Region 1), in partnership with the DOST–Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST–STII), officially held the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) Media Kickoff on September 8, 2025, at Harolds Hotel, Quezon City.
The event was graced by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., alongside Undersecretaries Maridon O. Sahagun, Leah J. Buendia, and Sancho A. Mabborang; Assistant Secretaries Maria Theresa De Guzman and Napoleon K. Juanillo Jr.; and DOST Region 1 Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog.
This year’s NSTW is set on November 18–21, 2025, in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, marking the first time that DOST Region 1 will host this national milestone celebration.
In his message, Secretary Solidum emphasized the department’s thrust of “Agham na Ramdam”—ensuring that the benefits of science, technology, and innovation (STI) are genuinely experienced by local communities. “We want science to be felt at the local level by our kababayans. This is what we call Agham na Ramdam. We are not only showcasing locally developed technologies and outputs; we are also opening doors for their transfer, adoption, and integration into everyday life,” he said.
With the theme “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities,” NSTW 2025 seeks to raise public awareness and appreciation of STI, highlight its role in driving socio-economic growth, and recognize the valuable contributions of Filipino scientists, researchers, and innovators.
The kickoff was attended by the DOST OneSTIGlat family led by Dir. Teresita A. Tabaog, together with DOST–Ilocos Sur Provincial Director Jordan L. Abad, DOST–Ilocos Norte Provincial Director Brian U. Rasco, Regional S&T Promotion Program Center Head Carla Joyce B. Cajala, and Mr. Lemuel Castigo. Special numbers were also presented by Mr. Edrussell Castillo, Ms. Monette Vicente, and Mr. Nikko Ofo-ob.
DOST Region 1 reaffirms its commitment to harnessing STI to build resilient, environmentally responsible, digitally connected, and economically vibrant communities.
Ipinahayag ni Senador Loren Legarda ang kanyang pagsuporta, tiwala, at paggalang sa bagong liderato ng Senado, sa pangunguna ni Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, at Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.
Idiniin ni Legarda sa katatapos na sesyon ng Senado ngayong Lunes, ang kahalagahan ng integridad, pagiging matiyaga, at pagkakaisa sa Mataas na Kapulungan, na siyang magiging gabay nito upang makapaghatid ng mabisang mga polisya at programa para sa kaunlaran ng mga Pilipino.
Kinilala ni Legarda ang mahahalagang katangian at uri ng pamumuno ni Senate President Sotto.
“Mataas ang paggalang ng mga kapwa senador kay Sen. Sotto dahil sa kaniyang pagiging patas, mapagkumbaba, at ang abilidad nito na mapagkaisa kaming lahat. Ang kaniyang pamumuno ay nagpapaalala sa atin na ang pagdedebate ay nakakapagpatalas ng pag-iisip at ang pagkakaisa ay nakukuha sa paninindigan. Ito ay napatunayan na ng panahon.” pahayag ni Legarda.
Kinilala rin ni Legarda ang katapatan ni Senador Lacson sa serbisyo publiko, at isinaad na “Ang kaniyang pagtatrabaho ay hindi nakabase sa retorika, kundi sa tama, na hindi matatahimik, at matiyaga sa imbestigasyon, at may uri ng disiplina na hindi mapapantayan.”
Pinatutunayan din ni Legarda, na ang bagong Senate Majority Floor Leader naman na si Sen. Zubiri ay isang consensus builder, isang nalalapitan na lider, at mambabatas na may dalawang dekada na ng pagpupunyagi at perfect attendance.
Nagpahayag ng tiwala ang four-term senator sa kinabukasan ng Senado, dahil inaasahang magiging matibay, mabilis at may pagkakaisa ito sa pangunguna ng bagong liderato upang gampanan ang kanilang mandato, na napapatnubayan ng integridad, pagkakaisa, at pagiging tapat para sa mga Pilipino.
ISANG wanted sa kasong estafa ang naaresto ng kapulisan kamakailan sa GMA, Cavite.
Ang akusado na si alyas Andrew, residente ng Barangay San Gabriel, GMA, ay isang Municipal Level Most Wanted Person Rank No. 10.
Ang operasyon ay isinagawa ng mga operatiba ng warrant ng General Mariano Alvarez Municipal Police Station dakong alas-11:20 ng gabi nitong Setyembre 9 sa nasabing barangay gamit ang Alternative Recording Device.
Si Andrew ay inaresto sa bisa ng warrant of arrest na inilabas ng Municipal Trial Court (MTC) para sa kasong Estafa Through Falsification of Public Document.
May kabuuang inirekomendang piyansa na P108,000.00.
KUMPISKADO sa dalawa katao ang nasa halos P30K na halaga ng hinihinalang shabu at baril matapos ang matagumpay na buy bust operation ng pulisya kamakailan sa General Trias City, Cavite.
Nakilala ang dalawang suspek na sina alyas Uwe at Mida, kapwa residente ng Barangay Tejero, General Trias City na parehong Street Level Individuals.
Isinagawa ang operasyon ng mga tauhan ng Drug Enforcement Unit ng General Trias Component City Police Station dakong alas-9:00 ng gabi nitong Setyembre 9 sa Muslim Compound, ng naturang barangay.
Nagresulta ito sa pagkakakumpiska ng 4 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet ng hinihinalang shabu na tumitimbang ng humigit-kumulang 4.41 gramo na may standard drug price na P29,988.00; tatlong piraso ng isang daang piso bilang buy-bust money; isang black coin purse; at isang Caliber 7.65 pistol na may kasamang magazine at tatlong bala.
ISANG Most Wanted Person (MWP)-Provincial Level, Top 6 ang naaresto ng pulisya ng Maragondon sa Las Piñas City kamakailan.
Ang akusado na si alyas Mark, residente ng Barangay Bucal 1, Maragondon, Cavite ay naaresto dakong alas-2:40 ng hapon sa Barangay Talon 1, Las Piñas City, nitong Setyembre 9 gamit ang Alternative Recording Device.
Inihain sa kanya ang warrant of arrest na inisyu ng RTC, Fourth Judicial Region, Branch 15, Naic, Cavite na may petsang Marso 29, 2023.
Ito ay para sa dalawang bilang ng Rape sa ilalim ng Article 226-A, Paragraph 2 ng Revised Penal Code kaugnay ng RA 7610, na may tig-P200,000.00 na piyansa.
Bilang bahagi ng programang PagbaBAGo: A Million Trees Campaign ng Office of the Vice President, nagsagawa ng Tree Planting Activity ang mga kawani ng tanggapan sa Sitio Delta, Consuelo, Macabebe, Pampanga.
Sa pangunguna ng Special Projects Division ng OVP at sa pakikipagtulungan ng DENR-PENRO Pampanga, Philippine Coast Guard Substation Macabebe, 80th Infantry Battalion ng Philippine Army at BFP-Macabebe, umabot sa kabuuang 1,000 mangrove seedlings ang naitanim sa nasabing aktibidad.
Layunin ng OVP na makapagtanim ng 1 milyon na mga puno sa buong bansa upang palakasin pa ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan, at sa pagpapatuloy sa nasimulang kampanya sa environment conservation at climate change reduction. (OVP fb)
Matutuldukan lang ang korapsyon sa Pilipinas kung bawat Pilipino ay matututong gumawa ng tama kahit walang nakabantay o pumipilit na gawin ito.
Ito ang mensahe ni Senator Alan Peter Cayetano sa kanyang CIA 365 livestream nitong September 6, 2025.
Aniya, dapat mag-ugat ang reporma sa “self-governance” o kusang paninindigan para sa tama. Ikinumpara niya ito sa disiplina na madalas ay nakadepende aniya sa “external forces” gaya ng pagkakaroon ng istriktong pinuno.
“Y’ung self-governance, ibig sabihin, y’ung ‘di na kailangan y’ung iba pa magsabi sa’yo… ikaw na mismo ang gagawa n’ung pagbabagong iyon,” paliwanag ni Cayetano.
Halimbawa na lang ay ang ghost flood control projects ng Department of Public Works and Highways, na bunga aniya ng kawalan ng self-governance hindi lang ng isa kundi ng marami sa mga naroon.
“Napakaraming tao ang kailangang involved para magawa y’an (ghost projects). So it’s a failure of self-governance ng bawat isa,” aniya.
Giit niya, hindi tamang nakaasa lang tayo sa isang lider para baguhin ang buong sistema.
“Hindi pwedeng ngayon na si Sec. Vince [ang nasa DPWH] ay no corruption, pero kapag iba na ulit ang secretary, ayan na naman,” ani Cayetano.
“Bago natin tingnan y’ung pag-asa sa sistema o sa galing ng leader, dapat magsimula sa sarili natin,” dagdag niya.
Hinikayat ng senador ang lahat ng Pilipino na pagmuni-munihan ang kanilang “core values,” at hinimok ang lahat na gawing bahagi ng kanilang “identity” ang integridad at pagiging tapat.
Aniya, kailangang magtulong-tulong ang bawat henerasyon ng Pilipino na magkaroon ng “transformation” para maging pangmatagalan ang pagbabago, at mangyari ang “tunay na development” na inaasam ng lahat.
“Guys, we need generational change… Any nation na meron pong self-governance, sila po ay may tunay na pagbabago at tunay na development,” aniya.
Nagtapos si Cayetano sa panalangin at hinikayat ang publiko na ituloy ang panawagang mapanagot ang mga taong tunay na may kinalaman sa nasabing ghost projects.
“‘Wag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Tutok, tutok, tutok. At ‘pag sinabi nating ‘wag nating pakawalan, ‘wag nating pakawalan,” aniya.
Ilang oras matapos ito, nakipagpulong si Cayetano kay national budget expert at dating Jagna Mayor JR Rañola ng Bohol para busisiin ang panukalang 2026 budget ng DPWH.
“May mga nakita na kami – from flood control to maintenance [projects], to ano ang mga dapat may pondo at mga dapat na tanggalan… Makakatulong po ito sa DBM at kay Sec. Vince (Dizon) kasi they’re redoing the budget,” ani Cayetano.
“So hopefully, y’ung mga gumawa nito (ghost projects) ay isa-isa mawala [sa pwesto] para hindi nga ma-manipulate ito,” dagdag pa niya.