Author: ltadmin

MANILA: The Philippines on Friday created the Guinness World Record for the most variety of pork dishes on display, the first in such category.

Guinness official adjudicator Sonia Usjirohochi said a total of 313 unique pork dishes were served by the participants.

The announcement of the world record coincided with the celebration of National Hog Day at Gateway 2 in Cubao, Quezon City.

“More than 323 have participated in this festival, each bringing unique pork dishes nationwide,” National Federation of Hog Farmers vice chairman Alfred Ng said.

The participants included restaurant owners, chefs, culinary schools and students, and cooking moms.

“We’re hoping that the hog festival could intensify tourism in the country, focusing on our rich tradition of cooking Filipino dishes using pork,” he said.

He added that the festival also allows hog producers to connect and network with the institutional market like restaurants and hotels to reduce the importation of pork.

The festival runs from March 1 to 5. The
culminating event will be held at the Marikina Convention Center.

Faster recovery

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., meanwhile, assured the hog industry of the government’s support, particularly in speeding up its recovery against the effects of African swine fever (ASF).

In a statement, Laurel said it is imperative to ensure early detection and swift response to control its spread.

“Our immediate focus involves reinforcing biosecurity measures, enhancing quarantine protocols, and implementing robust sanitation practices in hog farms nationwide to prevent further outbreaks,” Laurel said as he joined the celebration of Hog Festival 2024.

He also underscored the need to work with technical and industry experts, as well as with counterparts abroad to maximize innovative solutions and apply their best practices against ASF.

“Extensive public awareness campaign is a priority to educate farmers, industry stakeholders, and the public about preventive measures against ASF. Knowledge is a powerful t
ool, and through awareness, we aim to empower everyone to contribute to the eradication of ASF,’ he added.

Likewise, Laurel vowed to continue financial aid and recovery programs for affected farmers.

In September last year, the country’s total inventory of pig heads dropped to 9.86 million, lower than 10.1 million pig heads in the same period in 2022.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippines manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) for February 2024 continued to post improvement, the S and P Global reported Friday.

S and P Global said the country’s manufacturing score in February was at 51, better than January 2024’s index of 50.9.

The country’s manufacturing PMI last month was also better than the regional score of 50.4.

S and P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said the country’s manufacturing score last month improved on the fresh rise in employment and sustained growth in manufacturing activity.

The S and P said new orders rose last month compared to the start of the year, signaling that demand conditions have improved.

On the other hand, the slowdown in the performance of factories last month was due to continued pressures on supply chains, raw materials shortage, and higher input costs and output charges.

‘These concerns also clouded sentiment, with confidence for the year ahead weakening,” Baluch said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Education (DepEd) said Friday it has begun investigating the alleged illegal sale of “Catch-up Fridays” and other school activity materials.

Catch-up Friday is a learning mechanism which aims to strengthen learners’ capacity in reading, writing, critical thinking, and analysis, among others, as part of the department’s learning recovery efforts.

In a statement, the DepEd said some school personnel were reportedly requiring learners to buy booklets and workbooks.

‘DepEd has already commenced an investigation on the matter. Any individual found guilty of such (a) scheme shall face appropriate administrative sanctions,’ the DepEd said.

The DepEd said these materials are free, urging parents to be vigilant against such schemes.

‘The Department reiterates that such acts are strictly prohibited. Catch-Up Fridays and other school activities must not involve out-of-pocket costs,’ it said.

‘Parents and learners are reminded not to accommodate and patronize such unauthorized transactions
,’ it added.

Victims or concerned individuals, meanwhile, may directly send their complaints to the Office of the Secretary via email at osec@deped.gov.ph. (

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Authorities discovered about PHP3.72 billion worth of smuggled vapes (e-cigarettes) from China during inspections of several warehouses in the cities of Parañaque and Malabon, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) reported on Friday.

In a statement, the BOC said agents of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (BOC-CIIS) served letters of authority (LOA) to the warehouses on Thursday.

‘This is an ongoing, an active investigation and inspection. We are not yet done examining these warehouses, but we will be able to determine at the soonest time possible the exact amount of smuggled vapes they contain,’ he said in a statement.

BOC-CIIS Director Verne Enciso said the warehouse located in Olivares Compound, San Dionisio, Parañaque City was found with an estimated 1.5 million pieces of ‘Flava’ e-cigarettes in assorted flavors.

‘To be more precise, there were around 15,000 boxes of vapes, with 100 pieces per box. That’s a total of 1.5 million pieces of vapes. The current market value is PHP500 per pie
ce, so that’s a total of PHP750 million. Add to that the excise tax that should be collected, and the total estimated sum-up value would be PHP1.53 billion,’ Enciso said.

He added that the excise tax is worth PHP520 per 10 ml. or one piece, which means the government should have collected about PHP780 million from the 1.5 million pieces of smuggled vapes.

The BOC-CIIS also has an ongoing inspection of some warehouses located in Superb Catch, Inc., Compound 46, Hernandez Street, Barangay Catmon, Malabon City where one warehouse yielded more or less 19,800 boxes, with 100 pieces of vapes per box, during an initial inventory.

Enciso added that at PHP550 each, the 1.98 million pieces of vape have a total market value of PHP1.089 billion. In addition, PHP520 worth of excise tax per item should have been collected for a total of PHP1.029 billion.

He noted that the market value and the excise tax of the smuggled vape products totaled PHP2.118 billion.

The team also found a temporary unplugged cold storage unit
being used as a storage facility to contain a still undetermined quantity of vape products and a wing van truck unloading stocks of vape products during the inspection.

P1-M smuggled cigarettes seized in Davao

Meanwhile, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) seized nearly PHP1 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in separate operations in Davao on Feb. 27.

In a statement Friday, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., said the operating teams confiscated a total of PHP998,700 worth of smuggled cigarettes from suspects identified as 54-year-old alias ‘Alih’ and 38-year-old alias ‘Jay.’

‘Alih’ was nabbed by the CIDG Davao Oriental in Barangay Dawan, Mati City, Davao Oriental while alias ‘Jay’ was apprehended by CIDG Davao City Field Unit in Barangay 5-A, Bankerohan Public Market, Davao City.

All confiscated pieces of evidence were properly inventoried and witnessed by officials of their respective barangay of arresting CIDG units.

The suspects would face charges for violation
s of Republic Act (RA) 10643 (Graphic Health Warnings Law) and RA 10863 (Customs Modernization and Tariff Act)

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The European Union (EU) is funding the construction of the Bangsamoro chief minister’s satellite office in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi as part of its support for the ongoing peace efforts and transition in the region.

The EU and the Bangsamoro government broke ground on March 1, with the EU describing the soon-to-rise office as a ‘clear signal of the Bangsamoro Government’s resolve to improve the delivery of government services throughout the region.’

“We are proud to stand with the Bangsamoro Government as they work towards peace and development. This office is a symbol of our solidarity and shared goals,’ EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron said as he reiterated the bloc’s support for the region’s aspirations.

The project is part of the EU’s Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) program, which accompanies the Bangsamoro Transition Authority’s work to set the legal and institutional framework for the governance of the region.

Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, meanwhile, spoke of the tran
sformative potential of the new office.

“With the EU and AECID’s (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation) support through the SUBATRA program, not only are we opening an office; we are renewing our pledge to serve the public with greater fervor and dedication in pursuit of Moral Governance,” he said.

Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. echoed this as he highlighted the national government’s support to the region.

“The opening of this satellite office underlines our dedication to peace, reconciliation, and unity in the Bangsamoro region. It’s about bringing the government closer to the people, making sure their voices are heard and their needs are met,” he said.

The SUBATRA is a five-year program funded by the European Union, through an agreement with the Philippine government. It has a value of about 26 million euros or over PHP1.5 billion.

The EU Delegation in Manila said the funding aimed to contribute to a smooth and timely transition
through capacity building of the three branches of the Bangsamoro government (executive, legislative, and judicial) and civil society organizations

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Australia is seeking a ‘new level of engagement’ with the Philippines in various areas of cooperation such as economy, education, agriculture, and defense, Malacañang said on Friday

The commitment was made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the second and last day of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Canberra on Thursday, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement.

‘The Philippines and Australia are taking a new level of engagement under the framework of the Strategic Partnership, anchored in a common vision of ‘a peaceful, secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Garafil said.

‘Albanese noted the two countries have set goals to attain said vision through strengthening economic ties, building connections on education and skills, continuing shared efforts on agriculture research, and deepening cooperation in defense,’ she added.

Garafil said Albanese is also confident that there is a ‘great potential’ for growth in the two countries’ trade and inve
stment.

This, as Albanese cited the deepening two-way trade and investment links between the two nations, noting that the Philippine-based company International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) will open this week its new USD235-million expanded facilities at the Port of Melbourne in Australia.

Albanese said the ICTSI’s business expansion is ‘a welcome example’ of available opportunities to grow both nations’ economic ties.

Considering that Australia’s economic future lies with Southeast Asia, Albanese said his government is determined to drive growth in trade and investment, in line with the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

Garafil said Albanese is committed to continue working with the Philippines to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries.

‘Australia has recognized the Philippines’ potential as one of the fastest growing economies in the Indo-Pacific region noting that the relationship between the two nations could still be enhanced further through the current Stra
tegic Partnership,’ she said.

Australian Governor-General David Hurley, who invited Marcos to visit Canberra as a ‘guest’ of the Australian government, also believes that the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia ‘looks bright,’ Garafil said.

Garafil said Hurley sees Marcos’ two-day visit to Canberra as an opportunity to further strengthen the relations of the two nations’ governments, economies, and peoples.

‘The Australian official also noted that the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia, which was officially signed by President Marcos and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in September 2023, will further deepen the engagement of the two countries on both bilateral and multilateral fronts,’ she said.

Source: Philippines News Agency