Latest news with #P10
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
P10 worth of 'shabu' inside fishing vessel seized by PH Navy in Zambales
More than P10 billion worth of alleged shabu was seized in a fishing vessel in the waters of Zambales by the Philippine Navy. According to Mark Makalalad's report on Super Radyo dzBB, the fishing vessel was manned by foreign nationals. FLASH REPORT: Mahigit ?10 billion na halaga ng hinihinalang shabu, nasabat sa isang fishing vessel sa karagatang sakop ng Zambales, ayon sa Philippine Navy (PN). | via @MMakalalad — DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) June 20, 2025 The report added the seizure took place at around 1 a.m. and that this is one of the biggest seizures of illegal drugs by the Philippine Navy. The seized items will be brought to the naval operating base in Subic, Zambales for proper documentation and turnover. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
DepEd eyes using Taguig's scholarship program for other LGUs
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara said that Taguig City's learners' certificate scholarship could be used as a model initiative for other local government units amid their congestion problems. The Taguig Learners' Certificate (TLC) Scholarship gives graduating public elementary school students in the city the opportunity to pursue high school in partner private schools within the locality to decongest public schools and provide a more conducive learning environment. 'Maganda sa Taguig kasi may TLC Scholarship sila. Kapag masikip na 'yung public school, binibigyan ng voucher ang bata para makapili ng private school na malapit,' Angara said in a press release on Tuesday. (It's good here in Taguig because they have the TLC Scholarship. If the public school is already crowded, they will give a voucher to students so that they can choose which private school they can transfer to.) 'Pinag-aaralan na rin namin ito ngayon para sa ibang lugar tulad ng Cavite at Laguna kung saan masisikip na ang mga pampublikong paaralan,' he added. (We are studying if this can be applicable in other areas such as Cavite and Laguna, where some public schools are crowded.) Under the program, the city government shoulders both tuition and miscellaneous fees and a P10,000 allowance for other school-related needs. So far, the program has 61 partner private high schools across the city. Growing numbers Angara visited the Tenement Elementary School during the opening of classes on Monday for School Year 2025-2026. With the enrollment reaching over 7,000 students by 7 a.m. on the first day of School Year 2025–2026, Tenement Elementary School in the city was forced to split some of its classrooms using temporary partitions to accommodate the growing number of learners. According to Dr. Maria Fernandez, School Principal IV of Tenement Elementary School, the school had already recorded 7,222 students from Grade 1 to Grade 6 by early morning, and the number is expected to increase. Meanwhile, Angara also commended Taguig's collaborative approach to education, highlighting the support of local officials and private sector partners. 'Here in Taguig, very helpful ang local government, ang legislators, even private partners. Sana ganoon sa lahat ng dako ng bansa (I wish this could be applicable in other parts of the country.),' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
LRT-2 West extension delayed as LRTA prioritizes relocation, right-of-way clearance
The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is shifting its focus to resolving right-of-way and relocation issues as the primary bottlenecks delaying the LRT-2 West Extension project, LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera said at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on June 11, 2025. The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is shifting its focus to resolving right-of-way and relocation issues which it says are the primary bottlenecks delaying the LRT-2 West Extension project. Originally estimated at just over P10 billion, the project's cost has ballooned to P17 billion due to inflation, expansion, and relocation needs. The 5-kilometer extension—set to connect Recto to the Manila North Harbor area with three new stations—has yet to begin construction as the agency grapples with land clearance and informal settler relocation. "Ang ginagawa natin based sa marching orders we received from the OTR, nagko-concentrate kami ngayon sa aayos ng ating right-of-way,' LRTA Administrator Hernando Cabrera said during his Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview. (Based on the marching orders we received from the Department of Transportation, we're currently focused on resolving right-of-way issues.) He emphasized the need to fully clear the route before construction can proceed, citing potential obstructions like utility lines and informal settlements. Coordination with Meralco, Maynilad, and local government units is underway to expedite this process. "So by the time na makuha natin ang funding or magkaroon tayo ng tamang modality how to implement the project, clear na lahat iyong right-of-way na kailangan natin," he said. (So by the time we secure the funding or decide on the implementation modality, the entire right-of-way will already be cleared.) One of the most challenging aspects of the project is the in-city relocation of affected residents, especially in the congested pier area, Cabrera also said. Unlike previous relocation efforts that transferred communities to distant provinces, affected residents have requested to stay within Manila. "Lumalabas na ang relocation natin in-city ang gusto ng ating mga kababayan na apektado," he said. (It turns out that our affected fellow citizens prefer in-city relocation.) This preference significantly increases the cost, but Cabrera says it minimizes the social and economic impact on communities. Despite a completed feasibility study—funded by a grant from the Korean government—progress remains slow. The LRTA cannot begin procurement without the full project budget. "You cannot start any procurement kung hindi kompleto ang pera mo, ang budget mo. So yan ang nag-delay hanggang ngayon," he said. (You can't start any procurement if you don't have the full funds or budget. That's what's been causing the delay.) Once completed, the LRT-2 West Extension is expected to significantly improve connectivity across Metro Manila. It will link with the Philippine National Railways (PNR) in Tutuban and provide direct access to inter-island ferries at the North Harbor. "Very convenient doon sa mga kababayan natin na bumabyahi doon using ang inter-island ferry kasi from there pwede silang sumakay ng L2 all the way sa Antipolo." (It will be very convenient for our fellow citizens using the inter-island ferry, since from there they can take the LRT-2 all the way to Antipolo.) The extension is part of a broader effort to enhance intermodal transport integration in Metro Manila, along with the ongoing Line 1 Cavite extension which is currently moving into Phase 2. Meanwhile, the LRTA's '1+3 Pamilya Pass' program—which allows one paying adult to bring up to three family members for free every Sunday—has seen a dramatic rise in ridership. "Noong June 1, mga 700 plus lang ang family na nag-avail. But June 8 naging 4,000 na yan." (On June 1, only around 700 families availed. But by June 8, it grew to 4,000.) — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
06-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DA releases P10M for pest containment efforts in Negros sugar farms
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday has released P10 million for pesticide procurement in support of pest containment efforts amid the red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) infestation threatening sugar production on Negros Island. 'We have ongoing pesticide spraying operations. With the support of the SRA (Sugar Regulatory Administration) and our regional office here, I'm confident we can quickly contain the infestation,' Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. The Agriculture chief said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DA to act swiftly to contain the infestation and prevent it from spreading across the island — the country's top sugar-producing region. Tiu Laurel ordered the Bureau of Plant Industry to trace the origin of planting materials suspected of carrying the pest from Luzon. 'This situation underscores the importance of following quarantine protocols to prevent similar outbreaks,' the DA chief said. Tiu Laurel and SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona inspected sugarcane fields in Bacolod City on Thursday as part of intensified efforts to combat RSSI. Azcona said SRA researchers have identified a parasite that can naturally control the RSSI population. 'But that solution will take time. For now, we must act immediately, so we are using chemical pesticides,' said the SRA chief. Moving forward, Tiu Laurel said the DA is eyeing to boost sugar production in the country through expanded irrigation, soil improvement using agricultural lime, and finding sources of higher-yielding planting materials. 'Increasing sugar production will allow us to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, the need for sugar imports,' the Agriculture chief said. According to SRA data, the Visayas region accounts for 71% of national sugar output, with Negros Island alone contributing 63% of that total. Sugar plantations in Panay, Cebu, and Leyte make up the remainder. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
LTO: Motorcycles most of 18k unregistered vehicles apprehended in May 2025
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) said Tuesday it apprehended 18,934 unregistered motor vehicle, most of which are motorcycles, for the month of May. According to a statement, the majority were motorcycles with 12,206. There were 3,105 tricycles, at least 1,800 vans, and over 1,000 private vehicles. The remainder is divided between passenger jeepneys, buses and trucks. LTO data revealed that most of the apprehensions occurred in the jurisdiction of LTO- Region 4A with 9,906 apprehensions. This area covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. 'Our campaign will remain aggressive until such time that we compel these motor vehicles to comply with their obligation to have their motor vehicles registered because it is through registration that motor vehicles are checked for road worthiness… This is not only part of your obligation as motor vehicle owners, it is part of your responsibility not only for your safety but also of your family,' said LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II. The LTO official urged motor vehicle owners to register their cars to avoid hefty fines, adding that driving an unregistered motor vehicle has a P10,000 fine. The agency's campaign against unregistered vehicles is being conducted by the LTO with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News
