[BANGKOK, February 2024] – The Philippines proudly presented its innovative prowess on the global stage as a distinguished delegate who participated in the prestigious Thailand Inventors’ Expo. The event, which ran from the 2nd to the 6th of February 2024, brought together inventors, researchers, and industry leaders from around the world to celebrate groundbreaking advancements…
H5N1 bird flu outbreak detected in Laos. (Photo from VNA/VNS) VIENTIANE – The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Department of Livestock and Fisheries recently reported an H5N1 bird flu outbreak in a Vientiane market. The Lao centre for animal disease research said, of the 65 poultry samples it received from Danxang market in Saythani district, 30 were…
BOGOTA, Colombia – At least 99 people have been killed and 1,600 have been left homeless by forest fires in central Chile’s Valparaiso region, authorities said. Chile’s Legal Medical Service, the state coroner said “its forensic institution delivers its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.” There are 161 active fires across Chile, according to Alvaro Hormazabal, director…
The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has called for heightened vigilance against adolescent pregnancies noted in its monitor records for young girls between 2021 and 2022. In a recent news release, CPD executive director Lisa Grace Bersales noted that the hike in total live births among girls under 15 years old went up by 35.13% based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures — from 2,320 in…
By Gladys Serafica DARAGA, Albay – In case you haven’t checked your February 2024 calendar yet, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day. With two seemingly contrasting holidays sharing the same date—as the start of the liturgical 40-day season of Lent requires fasting and abstinence while the most romantic day of the year encourages luxurious indulgences—this…
State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) said its loans to agriculture and rural development recorded double-digit growth in 2023. In a statement Monday, LandBank said outstanding loans to the entire agricultural value chain amounted to P755.1 billion as of end-December 2023, higher by 23% than the P614.8 billion recorded in the third quarter. The amount accounts for about…
MANILA – The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is pioneering the country’s consumer loan for “green” purchases. The bank launched on Monday the BPI Green Solutions providing solar mortgage, eco-build financing and electric vehicle (EV) financing. In line with the Marcos administration’s commitment to the Paris Agreement to pursue initiatives on clean energy and promote sustainability across…
MANILA – The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) will be providing patent services to Brunei Darussalam IP Office (BruIPO), processing a maximum of 200 applications a year over the next five years. In a statement Monday, IPOPHL director general Rowel Barba said the BruIPO is outsourcing patent services following the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in…
NEW LIGHTHOUSE. The new Cadiz City lighthouse operated by the Philippine Coast Guard in northern Negros Occidental. It uses solar energy to aid navigation among fishermen and vessels. (Photo courtesy of Cadiz City government) BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has harnessed and now uses solar power to operate the newly-inaugurated lighthouse in Cadiz…
LEGAZPI CITY – The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) on Monday said no direct damage was reported by local government units after Mayon Volcano’s phreatic eruption on Sunday afternoon. In an interview, Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD Bicol spokesperson, said they are now monitoring and coordinating with the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) and…
