Latest news with #Batangas
Al Arabiya
17 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
Philippine navy seizes $175 million worth of meth at sea
The Philippine Navy seized an illegal drug shipment worth 10 billion pesos ($175 million) on Friday in one of the country's biggest narcotics hauls on record, officials said. A pair of naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tons of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of main island Luzon just before dawn, Commodore Edward de Sagon told a press conference. Four people, including one foreigner, were arrested in the joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, according to de Sagon. 'We still don't have the details of where (the drugs originated),' he said, saying they believed the haul had been transferred from a larger vessel to the fishing ship. 'That was when it was intercepted. There was information and (maneuvers) that made us suspicious,' de Sagon said. Meth, known locally as shabu, is the most prevalent illegal drug in the Philippines. 'This is one of the largest illegal drug apprehensions in the history of the Philippine Navy,' navy spokesman John Percie Alcos said in a statement. Earlier this month, a large volume of drugs was found adrift just north of the area where Wednesday's arrests were made. The Philippines' biggest-ever drug seizure came in April last year when more than two tons of meth was seized at a police checkpoint on a road in Batangas province south of the capital, according to the presidential palace.
Arab News
17 hours ago
- Arab News
Philippine Navy seizes $175 million meth haul at sea
MANILA: The Philippine Navy seized an illegal drug shipment worth $175 million (10 billion pesos) on Friday in one of the country's biggest narcotics hauls on record, officials said. A pair of naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of main island Luzon just before dawn, Commodore Edward de Sagon told a press conference. Four people, including one foreigner, were arrested in the joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, according to de Sagon. 'We still don't have the details of where (the drugs originated),' he said, saying they believed the haul had been transferred from a larger vessel to the fishing ship. 'That was when it was intercepted. There was information and (maneuvers) that made us suspicious,' de Sagon said. Meth, known locally as shabu, is the most prevalent illegal drug in the Philippines. 'This is one of the largest illegal drug apprehensions in the history of the Philippine Navy,' navy spokesman John Percie Alcos said in a statement. Earlier this month, a large volume of drugs was found adrift just north of the area where Wednesday's arrests were made. The Philippines' biggest-ever drug seizure came in April last year when more than two tonnes of meth was seized at a police checkpoint on a road in Batangas province south of the capital, according to the presidential palace.
Coin Geek
a day ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
President Marcos Jr. approves 4 ecozones for H1 2025
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Pasay City — Strengthening its vision of eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) continues to spur countryside development through the creation of more ecozones, seen to facilitate the growth and development of our regions and attract new and strategic investments in the country. PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said, 'As a medium-term strategy under the Philippine Development Plan, the ecozones will play a vital role in attracting the much-needed investments in the country, generating more jobs for Filipinos, and contributing in accelerating the nation's socio-economic progress.' For the first half of the year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved four (4) ecozones—two (2) expansions of a manufacturing zone in Batangas, and two (2) new IT Parks in Tagbilaran City and Bacolod City. Aboitiz-led Lima Technology Center Expansions President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. approved the expansion of Lima Technology Center in Batangas and the creation of a new IT Park in Bacolod City. On 21 May 2025, Proclamation No. 910 was issued by the Office of the President, designating 23.49 hectares of land located in Barangays Bagong Pook and Luta Sur, Malvar, Batangas to be included in the existing Lima Technology Center (LTC). More than PhP 980 million will be invested in the development of the area, which is expected to be completed by June 2027. Additionally, another expansion area for LTC was also approved by the Office of the President in March under Proclamation No. 846, adding 19.23 hectares to the ecozone. These expansions are expected to further amplify Aboitiz InfraCapital's contributions and better enable PEZA to execute its commitment to sustainable economic progress and national development. Megaworld's The Upper East IT Park Meanwhile, President Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation No. 919 last 02 June 2025 which creates and tagbilarandesignates 33.96 hectares of land in Barangay 41, Bacolod City as an IT Park to be called The Upper East. The IT Park, to be operated by Megaworld, is projected to attract over PhP 1 billion in investments for the construction of two IT buildings. Five (5) IT-BPO companies are expected to operate in the park, creating over 2,500 local jobs. The development of this IT park solidifies the position of Bacolod City as an emerging IT-BPM hub in the country and will further create opportunities for innovation and development. Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 Apart from these new ecozones, PEZA also formalized the proclamation of Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 as an IT Park in Bohol with the signing of its registration agreement on May 08. The President signed Proclamation No. 821 designating three parcels of land in Brgy. Dampas, Tagbilaran City with an area of about 11,237 sqm as an IT Park. Building on the success of the 1.4-hectare Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 1, the zone significantly boosted local economic activity and employment. With a projected investment of over PhP 200 million, the expansion aims to generate additional jobs and attract more IT-BPM locators. A prospective locator has already expressed interest in investing upwards of PhP 70 million and hiring over 500 Filipinos. PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga and TURC President Albert M. Uy following the signing of the Registration Agreement for the Tagbilaran Uptown IT Hub 2 According to the latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the majority of the top 10 local government units (LGUs) outside of Metro Manila—ranked by GDP contribution and foreign investment inflows—are home to economic zones (ecozones), highlighting their role as key drivers of regional economic growth. PEZA continues to engage with local governments and developers in advancing ecozone development in the country. With PEZA's pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of these zones, this further solidify the Philippines' position as a premier investment destination in the region. 'At PEZA, under my watch, we continue to engage with our partner developers like Aboitiz and Megaworld in creating more ecozones that attract investments and drive growth, prosperity, and innovation nationwide. Together, we strengthen our shared commitment to eco-zoning the Philippines toward inclusive and sustainable development— para sa Bagong Pilipinas! ' said DG Panga. Under the Marcos Jr. Administration, a total of 32 ecozones have been proclaimed, bringing in PhP 13.406 billion in committed investments. PEZA is also working to establish the Palawan Mega Ecozone—the first of its kind in the country—and the Pantao Ecozone, eyed as the fifth public ecozone, both targeted for proclamation within the current administration.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mega Sardines: 50 Years of Serving Nutrient-Rich Meals — Primed To Go Global
A legacy of nutrition, innovation, and malasakit fuels Mega Prime Foods' next chapter as a global wellness leader The founders of Mega Prime Foods, flanked by their children as the second-generation braintrust leading the company into the next 50 years MANILA, Philippines, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, Mega Prime Foods Inc. reflects on a remarkable journey—one that began with a simple mission to provide affordable, nutritious food to Filipino families. What started as a humble fishing company has now become one of the most innovative and socially driven food manufacturers in Southeast Asia, producing over 3 million cans of sardines daily from its advanced facilities in Batangas and Zamboanga. Sardines, long a staple in Filipino households, are among the most nutritionally dense foods in the world—rich in Omega-3 fatty acids for brain and heart health, vitamin B12 for metabolic support, and a host of other essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and selenium. Mega Sardines ensures these health benefits are preserved through its industry-leading 'catch to can in 12 hours' process—setting it apart in freshness, quality, and care. For Chairman and Founder William Tiu Lim, the journey has not been easy. From natural disasters like the devastating 1970s typhoon that destroyed much of their fishing fleet, to political and economic crises, Mega has endured and grown stronger. Through it all, Tiu Lim held fast to three core values: Quality, Innovation, and Malasakit—a uniquely Filipino term meaning selfless concern for others. 'We've always aimed for the best possible quality,' said Tiu Lim. 'Our fish go from sea to can in just 12 hours, compared to the industry's usual 1–3 days. That freshness is our edge.' This commitment to innovation and excellence recently culminated in a global milestone: Mega Sardines was designated a 'Superfood' by the Medical Wellness Association (MWA), becoming the first seafood product ever to receive the distinction. The recognition was awarded during Mega's 50th anniversary celebration by MWA Board Member and faculty member James Michael Lafferty, underscoring the brand's role in promoting global wellness. 'I was honored to announce Mega Sardines as the world's first seafood Superfood,' said Lafferty. 'It's a testament to their quality, innovation, and mission to improve health outcomes.' As the company transitions into its second generation of leadership under President and CEO Michelle Tiu Lim-Chan, the vision for global expansion is clear—but rooted in the same human values that built the brand. 'We are people-first,' said Lim-Chan. 'We serve our customers, support our employees, and provide opportunities to improve lives. Growth is not just about geography—it's about purpose.' Mega Prime Foods is already expanding its product lines, offering not only sardines but also tuna, mackerel, fruit cocktails, coconut gel, Primo non-alcoholic sparkling juices, and the Jimm's Coffee functional beverage line. 'Our proudest achievement is our ability to turn compassion into tangible, quality products,' Lim-Chan added. 'We're not done yet. The next 50 years will be even more exciting.' About Mega Prime Foods Inc. Mega Prime Foods Inc. is a leading food manufacturing company in the Philippines dedicated to providing high-quality, nutritious products for every Filipino home. With vertically integrated operations, state-of-the-art technology, and a deep sense of social responsibility, Mega continues to redefine what it means to be a purpose-driven global brand. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at CONTACT: CONTACT Marvin Tiu Lim COMPANY Mega Prime Foods Inc. PHONE +639988888600 EMAIL marvin@ WEB Media Contact Katapult Digital Email: info@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Mint
02-06-2025
- Health
- Mint
Want to recover fast from injury? Quit fizzy drinks and alcohol
When sporting heroes and celebrities do something, they inspire common folk to do the same. That's how 10-year-old Arjun Mehta gave up junk food two years ago after meeting his hero Sunil Chhetri, Indian football's highest goal scorer, at a football camp. 'I want to play football like Chhetri. When he told us at the camp that he doesn't eat junk food, I told my parents that I too wouldn't eat junk food anymore. It's been two years since I ate chips, Maggi, biscuits or other similar food," says Mehta, who plays football for his school team in Mumbai. Such behavioural changes inspired by a role model are backed up by plenty of research. Findings of a 2023 study, Celebrity Endorsements in Public Health Campaigns, revealed that exposure to celebrity-endorsed messages led to increased awareness and intention to engage in healthy behaviours. Also read: Want to counter cancer's side-effects? Get exercising Now, as the football season winds down and the English cricket season begins, many sports stars have publicly adopted healthier habits. The English Test cricket captain Ben Stokes recently said he had given up drinking in order to recover faster and more robustly from his hamstring injury. Elsewhere in the sporting world, Manchester United's Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui revealed that he has stopped consuming fizzy drinks and that it has made a huge difference to his energy levels and the way he feels. If one is to follow Stokes and Mazraoui, it's time to say goodbye to all the rum-colas, gin-tonics and vodka-lemonades... and it certainly means no more Batangas (tequila-cola-lime) at Soka in Bengaluru. This entire week, I have stayed inspired and abstained from both alcohol and fizzy drinks as I try to recover from a gluteus muscle pull that I sustained while performing kindergarten-level high knees. It is a good thing to follow Stokes and go off alcohol when trying to recover from an injury, medical and fitness experts assure me. One needn't even get into the widely known health risks of alcohol to know that it hampers athletic performance and recovery. Fiona Sampat, clinical dietitian at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, says, 'Alcohol interferes with protein synthesis, a process by which the body builds and repairs muscle tissues. This may lead to reduced muscle growth and slower recovery after workouts or injuries. Also, alcohol hinders the absorption of various nutrients and may lead to malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies." For those recovering from an injury, alcohol intake suppresses the body's antioxidant defences which could increase inflammation and swelling at the site of injury by opening the blood vessels. It also interferes with the immune system, which leads to slower recovery and increases risk of infections. EMPTY CALORIES For Mazraoui, a small dietary change did wonders for his fitness and helped him make 55 appearances in top flight football. 'I'm not drinking sodas anymore. Fizzy drinks. It changes a lot, I think, because of the sugar, you don't get it in your body anymore. So just water makes a huge difference eventually," Mazraoui told news outlets recently, 'I know sugar is really bad for your body." Also read: How Indian distance runner Gulveer Singh trains for speed and endurance Fizzy drinks come packed with empty calories thanks to the large amounts of sugar they contain. So, cutting them out can help you avoid weight gain , explains Sampat. Additionally, she adds, 'excluding fizzy drinks from your diet helps improve overall fitness and athletic performance as it reduces the prevalence of fat accumulation leading to improved muscle mass." Reduced calorie intake also boosts the fat mass to lean mass ratio providing sustained and improved strength to weight performance. 'No fizzy drinks also means no sugar crashes which lead to fatigue, thereby, leading to better and sustained energy levels. Replacing fizzy drinks with water enhances thermoregulation, circulation, and athletic recovery," says Sampat. While the sales of fizzy drinks have consistently dropped over the last decade, sales of their diet and zero sugar versions have increased manifold. This is due to a widely held misconception that diet drinks have no sugar and are, therefore not harmful, observes Dr Sreenivasa D, consultant for gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital, Hebbal and Old Airport Road in Bengaluru. The zero sugar and diet alternatives of fizzy drinks use artificial sugar substitutes such as aspartame, which has been linked to various metabolic disorders. It also impacts the gut microbiome causing an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria leading to gastric discomfort such as bloating, nausea and diarrhoea. Artificial sweeteners trick your body into thinking sugar has been consumed. This causes insulin levels to rise, says Sreenivasa elaborating on how they harm the body. 'When insulin goes up, the liver responds by releasing more glucose and glycogen, which then gets stored as fat. This process contributes to increased obesity and leaky gut, a condition where the intestinal lining becomes more permeable allowing toxins to pass from the intestine into the bloodstream leading to disorders such as fatty liver disease and other liver-related problems." He follows this with a stern warning: 'Please do not believe that diet drinks are safe just because they are labelled 'zero calorie.' They are actually bad for your health." Stokes is a World Cup-winning all-rounder while Mazraoui is a football World Cup semi-finalist — both established and successful athletes. Now, you might not care for either Stokes or Mazraoui but there is no way anyone can deny their superior fitness levels and athleticism. So, if a 10-year-old Mehta can get the message when delivered by a sporting hero, what's stopping you, who is undoubtedly much older and more experienced, from following their lead? Shrenik Avlani is a writer and editor and the co-author of The Shivfit Way, a book on functional fitness. Also read: How to turn your home into a gym with just one kettlebell and 5 great workouts
