ORMOC CITY– A joint operation led by the City Drug Enforcement Team of the Maasin City police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) resulted in the arrest of a suspected drug peddler and the recovery of six sachets of suspected shabu in Barangay Guadalupe, Maasin City on December 21 t 8:41 am.
The suspect, identified as alias “Jepoy,” a 40-year-old single private employee and resident of said barangay was apprehended during the operation.
Authorities recovered from the suspect two sachets of suspected shabu, purchased by an undercover operative for P1,000 during the transaction.
Four additional sachets of suspected shabu were found during a body search conducted in the presence of witnesses.
The suspect was informed of his arrest and his constitutional rights in a language he fully understood, as mandated by the Miranda Doctrine.
Charges for violating Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against the suspect who is currently detained at the Maasin City Police Station.
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it would remove brand labels on imported rice to combat alleged price manipulation in local markets.
In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the plan will cover “premium” and “special” imported rice labels which are being used to justify the increase in prices.
“After conducting a series of market visits, we now have reason to believe that some retailers and traders are intentionally confusing Filipino consumers with branded imports to justify the high prices of rice,” he said.
Tiu Laurel said local rice would be exempted from the brand label removal to protect farmers and traders.
The decision was made after the DA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted joint market inspections on Dec. 19.
During the event, Tiu Laurel said he noticed the high retail prices of branded rice which show possible “profiteering” of some rice importers.
Meanwhile, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the plan may be implemented next year.
Other plans to lower the price of imported rice include invoking a food security emergency under the amended Rice Tariffication Law which will allow the release of buffer stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA); and possible rice importation by the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) to compete with private importers.
In dealing with profiteering, Tiu Laurel ordered the DA’s legal division to look into the Price Act and explore possible actions on profiteering in retail rice. (PNA)
TACLOBAN CITY– The Commission on Higher Education (ChEd) in the region has distributed the first-semester allowances for new scholars under the Scholarship for Coconut Farmers and their Families (CoScho) program.
The ceremonial event, led by ChEd Regional Director Maximo Aljibe, was held on December 18 at Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) and its external campuses for Academic Year 2024-2025.
A total of 173 scholars were awarded financial assistance, with each receiving P70,000, amounting to a total distribution of P12.11 million.
Aljibe emphasized the transformative power of education, particularly in uplifting the lives of coconut farmers and their families.
He urged the scholars to make the most of this opportunity, excel academically, and contribute to the progress of their communities.
CoScho is a government initiative led by the ChED in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
This program is designed to provide educational opportunities to coconut farmers and their families, aiming to improve their quality of life and empower them through higher education.
The target beneficiaries of the program are children or immediate family members of coconut farmers, and even coconut farmers themselves who wish to pursue higher education.
The program seeks to uplift the socioeconomic conditions of coconut farming communities by enabling access to quality education, which is seen as a pathway to better livelihood opportunities.
While scholars can enroll in any recognized program, there is a particular emphasis on agricultural or coconut-related studies to benefit the coconut farming industry directly. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Eastern Visayas has lifted the local red tide warnings in Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City, and the coastal waters of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
This decision follows laboratory results from its fisheries laboratory, confirming that seawater samples from these areas tested negative for Pyrodinium bahamense, a dinoflagellate responsible for producing red tide toxin or saxitoxin).
The lifting of the warnings allows for the resumption of shellfish harvesting and consumption in Cancabato Bay and Guiuan, bringing relief to local communities dependent on these resources for livelihood.
However, BFAR emphasized that the coastal waters of Calbayog City, Samar, remain under a red tide alert. Filtered seawater samples from the area continue to test positive for Pyrodinium bahamense.
Residents are strictly advised to avoid gathering, selling, and consuming all types of shellfish and the shrimp species Acetes (locally known as “alamang” or “hipon”) from the affected waters to prevent paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
Other areas in the region also remain positive for PSP or toxic red tide beyond regulatory limits, with a shellfish ban still in effect. These areas include Daram Island, Zumarraga Island, and Irong-Irong Bay, Catbalogan City, all in Samar; Matarinao Bay, Eastern Samar (covering General MacArthur, Quinapondan, Hernani, and Salcedo); and Biliran Island, Biliran.
Despite the bans, fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs from these areas are deemed safe for consumption, provided they are fresh and thoroughly cleaned.
BFAR advises removing internal organs such as intestines and gills and washing the seafood properly to ensure safety.
BFAR reminds the public that harvesting, selling, or consuming shellfish and Acetes from prohibited areas is strictly prohibited. Violators of the shellfish ban will face penalties in accordance with regulations. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
As the clock strikes midnight and we usher in 2025, Filipinos across the archipelago are once again reminded of the resilience and optimism that define us as a people. The past year has been a whirlwind of challenges, from economic recovery efforts to the impact of natural calamities, yet we have emerged stronger and more united in our pursuit of a better future.
The New Year is always a time of hope and reflection, a moment to celebrate milestones and learn from our struggles. For the Philippines, it’s also an opportunity to set our collective sights on the goals that matter most—sustainable development, inclusive growth, and a more equitable society.
With the Philippine economy showing signs of recovery, 2025 offers a chance to build on the progress made. The focus must remain on creating jobs, attracting investments, and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are the backbone of our economy. It is also a critical time to invest in industries that promote innovation, such as renewable energy and technology, ensuring the Philippines remains competitive on the global stage.
But economic recovery must be inclusive. Poverty alleviation should remain at the forefront of the government’s agenda, with programs that uplift marginalized communities, ensure food security, and improve access to quality education and healthcare.
The recent years have underscored the importance of unity in navigating crises, whether it’s addressing a pandemic or combating misinformation. In 2025, let us strive for a deeper sense of community and national identity. Political divisions may persist, but they should not define us. Constructive dialogue and collaboration across sectors will be crucial in tackling the complex issues we face as a nation.
This year is not just a fresh start—it is a call to action. Filipinos have long been known for their bayanihan spirit, and 2025 is the time to channel this collective energy toward building a nation we can all be proud of. Whether it’s planting trees, supporting local businesses, or volunteering for community programs, every small effort contributes to the bigger picture.
As we light our fireworks and gather with loved ones this New Year, let us carry forward not just the joy of the season but also the determination to make 2025 a turning point for the Philippines. With resilience, hope, and a shared vision for progress, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.
The year 2025 looms ahead like an unfinished painting—sketched outlines, but uncertain colors. From where we sit, the Philippines stands at a crossroads with old wounds and fresh dilemmas. My take? Unless we learn to balance short-term distractions with long-term resilience, we will be spinning our wheels in the mud as the world speeds ahead.
Let us consider our politics. It’s like watching a teleserye with too many plot twists: dynasties locking horns, opportunists switching alliances faster than you can say “balimbing,” and citizens left with nothing but popcorn and rising cynicism. Expect more of this soap opera in 2025, as new power players jockey for position ahead of the 2028 elections. But here comes my gripe: where are the leaders with vision, who don’t just throw cash at crises but build systems that outlast their term limits? We need less drama and more policy substance, but convincing politicians to think beyond their three years in office feels like teaching a cat to fetch—possible but rare.
Next, the economy. On paper, things might look promising: GDP projections, remittance numbers, foreign investment pledges. But try telling that to the Manong selling balut or the Ate sweating over her sewing machine. Inflation, especially for essentials like rice, feels like a cruel prank, and wages barely keep pace. The big challenge of 2025 will be ensuring that economic growth trickles down to the people. We are talking about decent jobs and affordable food, access to basic services that do not require standing in line for hours. But will the powers that be give these mundane realities the concentration they deserve? Or is it going to be more adrenalin in shiny infrastructure projects and celebrity ribbon-cutting?
Look at education—a sector that could either be our secret weapon or our Achilles’ heel. Post-pandemic, the learning gaps are glaring; let’s not sugarcoat it: many of our students cannot write even a coherent essay, let alone compete globally. The rollout of DepEd’s MATATAG curriculum reforms puts 2025 in stark relief as a do-or-die moment for our schools. Will these changes stick, or will they go the way of other good but poorly implemented initiatives? Personally, I’m rooting for the teachers, those overworked and underpaid heroes who keep the system afloat, but they need more than just encouragement; they need resources and respect.
On the climate front, the signs are not just ominous—they’re loud and wet. Every typhoon season reminds us that our readiness is still lacking, despite countless lessons from Yolanda, Ulysses, and Paeng. For all the talk of “resilience,” we cannot afford to continue treating the disasters as if they were just a test of Filipino grit. What’s needed is actual flood controls, smarter urban planning, and a national mindset where preparedness is valued over pity parties. It’s 2025, and we should have been done with the days when Bayanihan was the only defense against the wrath of Mother Nature.
We are at a culturally strange juncture. Social media keeps on reshaping how we view ourselves, more often than not in ways that feel out of touch with the real Philippines. We get so fixated on viral dances and outrage trends, but how often do we stop and reflect on what it really means to be Filipino in this fast-changing world? Is our identity something we wear only during Independence Day parades and fiestas? Or should it tell us how to handle life’s deeper questions: justice, fairness, and compassion? To my mind, 2025 will require a mass awakening, a return to reality, and away from the shallow curations on our screens.
Public health, meanwhile, feels like a neglected middle child. COVID might be yesterday’s monster, but its aftermath lingers in our overcrowded hospitals and strained healthcare workers. The Department of Health needs a clear vision for 2025—not just catchy slogans but real reforms in rural clinics, mental health services, and medical supply chains. Otherwise, we’ll keep seeing lives cut short not by rare diseases but by treatable conditions that fell through the cracks.
So, 2025 isn’t just another page in the calendar; it’s a litmus test for how much we’ve learned—or failed to learn—from the past. The problems are big, yes, but they’re not insurmountable. If anything, our perennial underdog status should inspire us to try harder, aim higher, and refuse to settle for mediocrity. After all, what’s the point of survival if we never truly thrive?
