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In May, authorities confiscated a range of watches from the brand because of the presence of the letters LGBTQ on them.

Suspended Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. (Negros Oriental) has asked the Department of Justice to dismiss the murder complaint filed against him over the brazen assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo.

THE Lapu-Lapu City Government launched on Saturday, July 15, 2023, the iBarangay Project, which aims to transform communities into intelligent barangays.

The launching was led by Mayor Junard Chan, along with Mactan Barangay Captain Evaristo Dihayco and the village councilors.

Chan thanked the officials of B.E.D. Global Holdings Corp. for choosing Barangay Mactan as the first iBarangay in Cebu.

In the whole Philippines, Lapu-Lapu City was the second to launch the iBarangay. The first one was in Iloilo City.

According to the Lapu-Lapu City Government, the iBarangay Project will make individual lives easier, as it provides computers to the barangay with internet connectivity. The source of electricity would come from a hybrid solar power that will also be installed.

It has an “iWater” component, which will provide access to clean and safe water to barangay constituents through "Kangen water (alkaline)," and rainwater harvesting and filtration.

The program has five key pillars; Internet Connectivity (iConnect), Solar Power (iPower), Water (iWater), Distant learning (iLearning) and Telemedicine (iHealth), all with the intention of reducing poverty and improving the entire barangay, particularly in the remote parts of the nation.

Through the aid of B.E.D Global Holdings Corp., Chan’s goal is to implement the project in all villages in Lapu-Lapu so that Oponganons will experience the benefits of technology.

“Gani, usa kini sa atong mga lakang aron padayon ang atong pangandoy nga mamahimong smart city,” he said in a Facebook post.

(In fact, this is one of our steps to make Lapu-Lapu a smart city.)

“Congratulations kanatong tanan, mga Oponganon sa pinaka-unang iBarangay dinhi sa atong syudad. Hutdon nato kini og launch sa tanang barangay aron padayon ang atong paglambo,” Chan said.

(Congratulations to all of us, Oponganons, for the first ever iBarangay project in the city. We will launch this in all barangays to continue our development.) (Judie Liza Alantoson, CNU intern)

July 17, 2023 4:45 PM

The Taiwanese government said it saw no reason to overreact to mere transit stops.

THE public has been advised to follow certain guidelines imposed by the Municipal Government of Cordova on Mactan Island as it opened to swimmers on Sunday, July 16, 2023, the Bantayan Bay.

Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan said visitors from Cordova and other areas must follow the town’s regulations, including proper hygiene, when using the public beach to ensure a clean and orderly environment.

Prohibited activities include drinking and smoking alcoholic beverages, gambling, carrying weapons, using illegal drugs, and playing loud music or audio systems.

The use of utensils made of glass, grilling, and cooking outside designated areas, unauthorized camping or overnight stays, and littering are also strictly prohibited.

The town has also provided designated parking areas for vehicles and motorcycles to avoid parking in the public beach area.

As of Monday, July 17, 2023, no entrance fee has been required for visitors and this would be until August 16, as Suan foresees possible ecological and maintenance fees in the future, subject to a municipal ordinance.

Suan led on Sunday, July 16, the official opening of Bantayan Bay, along with Vice Mayor Boyet Tago and Catarman Barangay Captain Alejandro Aro.

The beach is open to the public from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The Bantayan Bay has previously been closed due to high levels of fecal coliform in its waters. (ANV/LMY)

MANILA, July 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 1,624 people displaced by the unrest of the most active Mayon volcano in the Philippines have suffered from acute respiratory infections, the Philippines' Department of Health said on Monday.

Health Undersecretary Enrique Tayag said health authorities in Albay province have reported that some people in temporary shelters have been sick with coughs, colds, and sore throats.

CEBU City joined the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-Central Visayas in launching the annual Nutrition Month with a series of activities.

This month-long celebration, which carries the theme "Healthy diet gawing affordable for all," celebrates NNC’s 49th year in advocating for health and wellness.

Among the activities lined up for the celebration is a Nutrition Caravan, said Nutrition Officer III Norre Jean Delos Santos.

The caravan will happen in different barangays in Cebu, as it aims to reach out to families in need of proper food and diet.

Along with this are outreach programs for the citizens.

Breastfeeding programs have also been initiated to educate mothers about what they should do and eat during the first 1,000 days of their babies, as mandated by Republic Act 11148, which covers nutritionally at-risk mothers and babies aging 0-2 years old.

Dietary supplementation feeding programs have also been carried out for pregnant women to learn what foods will make them and their babies strong and healthy, Delos Santos added.

Volunteers are also recruited through the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Program, which caters to over 200 students to help NNC-7, under the Department of Health (DOH), in monitoring children's health and nutrition.

The BNS Program includes teaching volunteers basic health tasks such as caring for the malnourished, mobilizing the community, and other forms of assistance.

NNC-7 has asked local government units (LGUs) to help it fulfill its programs all throughout Cebu.

Efforts and interventions must be done even after the month of July to continuously support the needy and improve the region's nutritional status, Delos Santos said.

This year's Nutrition Month was launched last July 4, 2023 at the Plaza Sugbo, highlighting affordable healthy foods from local markets through cooking contests and food fairs. (Chrys Chelsea Bernales, UP Cebu intern)

The country is less used to dealing with the severe effects of a warming planet.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Monday said their city government will coordinate with national agencies to continue support to more than 300,000 former residents of Makati City that have been transferred to the jurisdiction of Taguig following a Supreme Court ruling on the territory dispute.

MISS Supranational 2023 First Runner-up Pauline Amelinckx highlighted “dedication” as what pushed her to move forward after successfully representing the Philippines internationally at Strzelecki Park Amphitheater, Poland on Friday, July 14, 2023.

In a Facebook post on July 16, 2023, two days after the coronation, Amelinckx said it was the training, hard work, heart work, and dedication that made her conquer the ups and downs in her journey.

“It felt so surreal to go through all the challenges and ups and downs of this journey and still have been able to make it this far, and it’s all the training, hard work, heart work and yes, DEDICATION, that made this happen,” she said.

She stressed how dedication played a huge role in the numerous times she tried competing to represent the country.

“It takes a great amount of dedication toward your own personal growth and belief in your own worth to see rejection as redirection,” she said.

The value of this dedication can also be recognized in her response during the question and answer portion.

“It would be dedication. Dedication to this journey, dedication to the people who have brought her up to this journey and dedication of course with the organization that she’ll end up working with. This is such a beautiful experience. And she has to be someone who can bring people, together. Someone who knows that this is not a one-woman journey. We all have differences but we also realize that we have so much in common. And we are now gathered here on this stage transcending our own borders, bringing nations together,” said Amelinckx when asked what makes a good brand ambassador for the organization.

The beauty queen from Bohol also pointed out that representing the Philippines internationally has been her greatest dream, and she considered it an honor and pleasure to turn it into a reality.

“Ever since I stepped on our national stage it has been my greatest ambition to represent the PH internationally. It has been my greatest honor and pleasure to turn that ambition into reality and finally have been able to attach Philippines to my name,” she said.

Amelinckx also said that she felt so blessed and filled with gratitude, thanking everybody who sent every single vote, view, like, comment, and prayer for her.

“I will be looking back and reflecting some more for a bit. But for now, know that I am immensely proud of our victory, grateful for the love and excited to be back home,” she said.

Amelinckx is the second Filipino to get a crown in Miss Supranational, winning the Supra Chat challenge, after Mutya Johanna Fontiveros Datul, who was crowned Miss Supranational 10 years ago.

Miss Supranational 2023 is Andrea Aguilera from Ecuador. She replaced Miss Lalela Mswane of South Africa.

Second runner-up was Sancler Frantz from Brazil, followed by Emma Collingridge from the United Kingdom, and Ngan Dang Thanh from Vietnam. (GK Marie Dejacto, CNU intern)

"We have always been used by the government as an excuse to counter the calls of public school teachers for salary increase as such may purportedly cause the shutting down of many private schools," ACT Private Schools Secretary General Jerome Geronimo said.

Sale of privately built homes fell to 278 units in June, the lowest since 170 homes were sold last December, after the government recently doubled stamp duties for foreign buyers to 60 per cent and increased levies for second-home buyers.

POP-UP stores from various Cebu-based farmer groups and cooperatives occupied the atrium of the Robinsons Galleria Cebu as part of the simultaneous launching of Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) outlets across the country on Monday, July 17, 2023.

The KNP pop-up stores allow farmers to sell directly to consumers, making agricultural and fishery commodities accessible at affordable prices to consumers.

The KNP pop-up stores in Robinsons Galleria Cebu will run for three days, until July 19.

Simultaneous launches also took place in Central Visayas at the Tagbilaran Old City Airport in Bohol, HPG Grounds, Lamberto Macias Sports Complex, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental and Siquijor Capital Square.

Roghelin Pañares, from Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative of Pinamungajan, stated how significant the establishment of “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” is in showcasing local products and commodities of farmers.

“Dako gyod ni siyag tabang para mabaligya sad lagi ilang commodities. Pamaagi sad aning Kadiwa, ma-display namo ilahang products nya ma-known kon unsa ilahang commodity nga naa didto. Ug usa sad, matabangan namo sila nga mabaligya ang ilahang products,” she said.

(It really is a huge help with regards to getting their commodities sold. Through Kadiwa, we are able to display their products and give the exposure they need. Another thing is that we are actually able to help them sell their products.)

All of the profits go to the farmers and small entrepreneurs.

Rosemarie Roma, a 35-year-old vendor selling mangoes, bitter gourd, tomatoes and chili peppers, said everything being sold at her pop-up store is fresh and purely organic.

“Kani tanan gibaligya diri kay organic gyod ni, natural kaayo. Wala’y bisa’g unsang sagol nga makapabati sa lawas,” she said.

(All of the goods being sold here are organic and natural. No toxic additives that could harm the body are mixed.)

Sierra Mae Delposo, a tourism staff from Dalaguete, said the event not only showcased local products, but also promoted the livelihood and tourism destinations of their municipality.

She added that the launching of the program helps in boosting the sale of local products from various municipalities.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry and other government agencies on Monday, July 17, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the establishment of KNP outlets in all local government units nationwide.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also serves as DA secretary, witnessed the MOA signing in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

The MOA aims to strengthen cooperation between local government units and national government departments to increase the number of KNP outlets and support farmers, shoppers, and small business owners.

As of 16 June 2023, there were 342 KNP outlets nationwide.

The MOA was likewise signed by representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Presidential Management Staff, and the Philippine Communications Office. (CNU interns Miguel Angelu Lumen and Camille Erika Butas)

POP-UP stores from various Cebu-based farmer groups and cooperatives can be found at the Robinson Galleria Cebu Atrium for three days, July 17-19, 2023, as the government launched the Kadiwa ng Pangulo in local government units (LGUs) nationwide.

The program allows farmers and manufacturers to sell their produce directly, offering more affordable prices.

Pop-up stores are designated by city or municipality, including Boljoon, Dalaguete, Mandaue City, Samboan and Santander.

The launching Monday, July 17, also simultaneously took place at Old Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol, Siquijor Capitol Square of Siquijor and HPG Area, and Capitol Site in Dumaguete City.

Roghelin Pañares, from Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative of Pinamungajan, stated how significant the establishment of "Kadiwa ng Pangulo" is in showcasing local products and commodities of farmers.

"Dako jud ni siyag tabang noh kay para mabaligya sad lagi ilang commodities. Pamaagi sad aning Kadiwa, madisplay namo ilahang products nya ma known kung unsa ilahang commodity nga naa didto, ug usa sad, matabangan namo sila nga mabaligya ang ilahang products," she said.

(It really is a huge help with regards to getting their commodities sold. Through Kadiwa, we are able to display their products, allowing their commodities to have the exposure it needs. Another thing is that we are actually able to help them sell their products.)

All of the profits go to the farmers and small entrepreneurs, without any percentage of the profits whatsoever going to the local government.

Rosemarie Roma, a 35-year-old vendor selling mangoes, bittergourd, tomatoes and chili peppers, said everything being sold is fresh and purely organic.

"Kani tanan gibaligya diri kay organic jud ni, natural kaayo. Wala'y bisa'g unsang sagol nga makapabati sa lawas," she said.

(All of the goods being sold here are organic and natural. No toxic additives that could harm the body are mixed.)

Sierra Mae Delposo, a tourism staff from Dalaguete, said the event not only showcased local products, but also promote the livelihood and tourism destinations of their municipality.

She added that the launching of the program helps in boosting the profits of local products sold from various municipalities.

The farmer groups and cooperatives were invited to participate in the three-day event through an official letter sent to them by the Cebu Provincial Government.

Inocencia Gerona, Agricultural Technologist of Mandaue City Agriculture's Office, said the Casili Farmers' Association has been invited to install a pop-up store again at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on August 1, 2023.

This is in celebration of the Cebu Provincial Government's 454th Founding Anniversary. (Miguel Angelu Lumen and Camille Erika Butas, CNU Interns)

Tim Shaddock and his dog, Bella were found in good health by a tuna trawler off the coast of Mexico this week, after they were lost at sea for two months.