March, 2025

• 31 March

  Is bird flu about to become a global epidemic?

  

  By Rose de la Cruz Bird flu (or the H5N1 strain) was first detected in China in 2013. But now another strain H7N9 is wreaking havoc in the United States, which first detected it in 2017 and had since been moving heaven and earth to contain it. According to a Reuters report written by Sybille de La Hamaide, the US …

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• 31 March

  Farmers push for appointment of  brave tobacco czar

  

  Farmers belonging to the Philippine Tobacco Growers’ Association, led by Saturnino Distor, are pushing for the appointment of a tobacco czar who can combat the surge of illicit or smuggled cigarets into the country. Distor said “instead of our buyers purchasing more from us, smuggled products are taking a share of the market. Farmers are affected by this.” The illicit …

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• 31 March

  Hail to rice farmers’ practical sense

  

  BEYOND ELLIPTICALBy Rose Marie de la Cruz After more than a year, I finally got to visit and interview rice farmers from Nueva Ecija about  their experiences using the biofertilizer technology of AgriSpecialist Inc. (ASI), which was granted (after six months of waiting) the certificate of product registration(CPR) for rice and corn only last January. Biofertilizer is among the prescriptions …

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• 31 March

  ICTSI warns against  deepfake scam 

  

  International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is warning the public about online scams using manipulated videos and audio recordings to impersonate Chairman Enrique K. Razon Jr. and other senior executives. In a statement, ICTSI said he fraudulent materials, which have appeared on social media, falsely portray Mr. Razon promoting investment opportunities. Mr. Razon nor ICTSI has endorsed any such investments. …

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• 31 March

  LLFC-ULFC merger complete with SEC approval

  

  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the documents governing the merger between LandBank subsidiaries– LandBank Leasing and Finance Corporation (LLFC) and UCPB Leasing and Finance Corporation (ULFC)  last February 27. The operational turnover and transition activities immediately followed the SEC approval. The integration is in accordance with Executive Order (EO) 65 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. …

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• 31 March

  Businesses remain upbeat for Q1-Q2 2025 and the next 12 months

  

  Business sentiment in the Philippines was less optimistic in Q1 2025, with the overall confidence index (CI) dropping to 31.2 percent from 44.5 percent in Q4 2024.  This decline reflects a combination of a decreased percentage of optimists and an increased percentage of pessimists.  The firms’ less optimistic outlook for Q1 2025 was primarily driven by concerns regarding: (a) the …

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• 31 March

  Digital transformation center for the youth tops off in Silang, Cavite

  

  The Sisters of Mary School celebrated a topping-off ceremony for its Digital Transformation Center in Silang, Cavite, on Sunday, March 23.This event marks the completion of the building”s structural framework. The construction of the facility, named the Felicidad Sy Hall-Digital Transformation Center, is a collaboration between the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation Inc. (FTSFI), Fr. Al’s Children Foundation, Inc. (FACFI), and …

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• 31 March

  Manila Water activates summer mitigation plan fo dry season

  

  Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), the Non-East Zone subsidiary of Manila Water Company, has begun implementing its summer mitigation plan to ensure continuous water supply across its service areas. Although El Niño is not in effect this year, MWPV is proactively executing a comprehensive summer mitigation plan to address potential water availability issues, considering the impacts of global warming and …

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• 31 March

  Scenic Laguna town gets socio-civic center from PAGCOR

  

  The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) formally inaugurated  its 49th socio-civic center in Luisiana, which is expected to benefit more than 2,000 residents. The P50-million facility built in Barangay San Isidro can also serve 22 neighboring barangays in Luisiana, also known as the “Little Baguio of Laguna.” The two-story structure will function as a community hub and an evacuation …

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• 31 March

  2GO Launches first-ever Barista Workshop at sea

  

  2GO, the country’s leading sea travel provider, is brewing up an exciting new experience with the launch of its first-ever exclusive and limited-time Summer Barista Workshop, “Brew Like a Pro.” This limited-time onboard interactive barista experience offers a unique opportunity for passengers to immerse themselves in the art of coffee-making while enjoying their 2GO sea journey. This one-of-a-kind, full-day onboard activity …

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