CRYSTALWEED CANNABIS-UNSPLASHBAGUIO CITY — Authorities razed down two cannabis plantations in Kibungan, Benguet on Monday.Kibungan town policemen together with Benguet provincial police operatives, Cordillera police intelligence operatives and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Cordillera Administrative Region agents uprooted then burned down at least 10,200 fully grown

COTABATO CITY — Close to a hundred marginalized Moro villagers in Bangsamoro town in Cotabato benefited from an eye care mission on Monday.Municipal officials and barangay leaders in Kapalawan, one of the eight newly established Bangsamoro towns in Cotabato said on Tuesday that 95 residents

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCASBy Adrian H. Halili, ReporterTHE SALE of rice reserves to local government units (LGUs) during the food security emergency could generate losses of P2.25 billion for the government, the National Food Authority (NFA) said.In a briefing on Tuesday, NFA acting Department Manager for

REUTERSTHE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday that the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) scheme on imported rice will take effect nationwide starting Feb. 15.Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel V. de Mesa said at a briefing that the DA will also lower the MSRP

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTOA LOCAL-CONTENT requirement of 30% for vehicles assembled in the Philippines and tax incentives will potentially attract $500 million in investments in the auto industry, the Philippine Parts Maker Association (PPMA) said.In a statement on Tuesday, PPMA said one of its proposals to

REUTERSTHE PHILIPPINES and Chile are expected to start the first round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in April, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.“The first round will be (in Chile),” Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty told reporters last week.“We

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTOA JAPANESE travel reservation application and a travel company named Cebu as among the top international destinations for the Japanese market, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said.Cebu ranked third in the Area Category for the NEWT Awards and was the seventh most booked

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMANTHE PHILIPPINE Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said it supports delaying the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) new import clearance fees for some non-sugar sweeteners.“We are glad that the Sugar Regulatory Administration has listened to and considered valid the concerns of the

FACEBOOK.COM/CFSI.REBUILDINGLIVESTHE PHILIPPINES is seeking a four-month extension for the $4-million project loan from the World Bank to transform former separatist guerilla bases into economic engines for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.The extension requests seek a new closing date of June 30 from the