The Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation’s (SAICT) Special Operation Group (SOG), with operatives from the Philippine Coast Guard and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), confronted the persistent issue of “colorum” or unauthorized public transport vehicles in the Tabang area of Guiguinto, Bulacan. On the morning of January 22, 2025, SAICT’s Special Operation Group (SOG) swooped down …

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) broke ground for a new bridge to be constructed by the Coast Guard Base Taguig (CGBT). According to the CGBT Commander, Captain Victorino Ronaldo Acosta IV, the bridge will strengthen operational capabilities of the base by improving access to key areas, facilitate smoother mobility for personnel and vehicles, increase safety by addressing outdated infrastructure, and …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) of its required resources and infrastructure as well as policy measures to further improve its maritime capability and capacity in performing its mandate. “We aim to provide the PCG with the resources, infrastructure, and policy backing it needs to fulfill its mission. Let us continue to work hand in …

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), private operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), opened the main arrival curbside at Terminal 1 to all private vehicles, making the once-restricted area accessible to all passengers—not just VIPs. The change provides a more inclusive and convenient experience for arriving travelers and their loved ones, as part of a broader effort to improve traffic …

The Philippines has officially lost the 3rd spot in the global banana export market to Colombia in 2024, which shipped out 29,000 metric tons more than the Philippines. Colombia exported 2.31 million metric tons to the world while the Philippines ssent only 2.28 MMT, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Ecuador remained the world’s top exporter of bananas, with …

Last January 10, the Department of Agriculture reported a thin supply of red onions, causing spikes in its local retail prices, ranging from P100 to P180 per kg in Manila markets, or an increase from P70 to P150/kg a month ago. DA Undersecretary for high value crops  Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero said this could be due to factors like high demand, …

By Rose de la Cruz With  a record importation of 4.78 million metric tons of rice last year, it would not be surprising that P34 -billion tariff was collected from the  legitimate arrivals of the grains.  The Bureau of Customs said total rice tariff collected in 2024 rose by 13.11 percent year-on-year to P34 billion from just P30 billion in …

Climate  change and declining productivity due to high production costs and the impact of smuggling of agricultural products made farming and fishing jobs the top job decliners, local economists said. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said that while unemployment and underemployment improved, the number of employed Filipinos declined leading to joblessness in farming and fishing subsectors. The decline in jobs …

Ateneo  de Manila University researchers have discovered that milkfish (bangus) skin– a product of aquaculture– could provide a low-cost option  for treating patients with major burns and other serious injuries.  With bangus being widely farmed across the country, the team, led by Janice Alano Ragaza and Bianca Patrice Go from the Ateneo Department of Biology’s Aquatic and Fisheries Resources Laboratory, …

Reacting to  the recent ruling by the Supreme Court allowing commercial fishers unrestricted access to municipal fishing grounds,  Bicol Saro Rep. Brin Yamsuan is now discussing with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources a possible law to protect the welfare of fishermen. Yamsuan, who chairs the House Committee on Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources, called the meeting with BFAR  in …