SEAFDEC/AQD distributed 2.16 tons of tissue-cultured Kappaphycus alvarezii seedlings, known locally as “guso” or “tambalang,” to coastal communities in Northern Iloilo on May 6 and 12 to support seaweed farming and strengthen local livelihoods.

Beneficiaries in the municipalities of Concepcion, Ajuy, and San Dionisio received the seedlings grown for four months by SEAFDEC/AQD in Pandan, Antique. The plantlets used in Pandan originated from tissue cultures at the Seaweed Laboratory in Tigbauan, Iloilo.

Tissue-cultured seaweeds have been shown to be more robust and grow faster compared with cuttings repeatedly propagated from older stocks. With this advantage, seaweed harvests at Pandan reached about 1.05 tons on 6 May and another 1.11 tons on May 12.

Among the recipient municipalities, Concepcion received 850 kilograms of planting materials for 85 beneficiaries from five barangays. Ajuy received 200 kilograms of seaweed for 23 farmers from two barangays.

San Dionisio received the largest allocation of 1.11 tons, shared to 139 members from five seaweed growers’ associations.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Iloilo requested plantlets for seaweed growers in the northern towns and assisted with the distribution activities.

Jomar Arbigoso, barangay captain of Tiabas in San Dionisio, said seaweed farming has become an important livelihood source for many residents in their community.

“Okay man diri ang planting subong diri sang seaweeds. Ang aktibidades nga ini makabulig gid ni siya sa mga tao diri sa ila pangabuhi (The seaweed planting here is going well. This activity greatly helps the people in their livelihood),” Arbigoso said.

Seaweed farmer Simeon Luntao from San Dionisio also thanked the research center for reintroducing the Kappaphycus alvarezii variety in their area.

“Dugay na ni nga nadula sa amon. Ti subong basi magbalik, basi nga mas maayo pa gid ang amon mga production diri (It has long been lost in our area. Now, hopefully it will return, and our production here will improve even more),” Luntao said.

SEAFDEC/AQD Chief Dan Baliao said the initiative reflects the department’s continuing commitment to helping coastal communities improve productivity and strengthen livelihood opportunities through science-based aquaculture technologies.

“We hope that through improved seaweed seedlings and continued collaboration with local stakeholders, more coastal communities will benefit from sustainable seaweed farming,” Baliao said.

The activity is part of a project, “Seaweed Production Using Tissue-Cultured Kappaphycus alvarezii Plantlets in Pandan, Antique,” being implemented by SEAFDEC/AQD in collaboration with the local government of Pandan and the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR 6).

The post SEAFDEC/AQD boosts Northern Iloilo seaweed farming with improved seedlings first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Citing price developments during the first four trading days this week, Department of Energy (DOE) Director Rino Abad on Friday. May 29, said gasoline prices may decrease by as much as P4 per liter, diesel by as much as P8 per liter, and kerosene by as much as P10 per liter.

The projected rollback would reverse this week’s price increases of around P1.90 per liter for diesel, P1.95 per liter for gasoline and P1.45 per liter for kerosene.

Abad said that while fuel prices remain elevated, they have eased to around P70 to P80 per liter from nearly P140 per liter recorded a few weeks after the Middle East conflict began in late February.

“Ito’y dahil maganda ho ang naging resulta sa mga pronouncement ng negotiation between U.S.-Iran (This is due to the results and pronouncement on the negotiation between U.S. and Iran),” he said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

To help mitigate the impact of higher oil prices, Abad said the government has disbursed around P40 million worth of assistance to public utility vehicle drivers under the P10-per-liter Fuel Subsidy Program.

The initiative, which forms part of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program, grants qualified drivers up to P1,500 per vehicle per week for three months.

Abad said around 1,263 gasoline stations nationwide have already joined the program, with more expected to be onboarded in the coming weeks.PNA

The post Fuel prices seen to drop by up to P10/liter next week first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Led by NCSC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez, the commission joined the submission of nearly two million signatures gathered nationwide in support of the measure.

Gutierrez said the proposed universal pension would help provide financial security for elderly Filipinos struggling with rising living costs.

She added that the signatures reflected growing public support for stronger social protection for senior citizens.

The campaign, dubbed “Labing-Dalawang Milyong Lagda Para Sa Matatanda,” is being led by the House Committee on Senior Citizens chaired by United Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay.

The NCSC said it would continue gathering signatures through its regional offices, with organizers targeting at least five million signatures by July.

Gutierrez also called for the immediate passage of the proposed measure, saying the economic need and public clamor for a universal pension have already been clearly demonstrated.IMT

The post NCSC backs universal pension for seniors first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The investments cover shipbuilding, semiconductors, electronics, AI-driven technologies, and green maritime industries, with an estimated 10,300 jobs expected to be generated.

Marcos Jr. met with executives of Tsuneishi Group Corporation for the planned expansion of its shipbuilding facility in the Philippines.

Once completed, the Philippines could become the world’s fourth-largest shipbuilding nation next to China, Japan, and South Korea.

The President also held talks with Furukawa Electric, Sumitomo Electric, and MinebeaMitsumi on expansion projects involving advanced electronics, semiconductor production, and AI-related manufacturing operations in Laguna and Cebu.

In his speech before Japan’s National Diet, Marcos Jr. described the 70-year Philippines-Japan relationship as a “story of transformation” built on reconciliation, trust, and strategic cooperation.

He also met with former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to discuss energy security and renewable energy cooperation under the Asia Zero Emission Community framework.IMT

The post Marcos secures P56.3-B Japanese investments first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

THE Marcos Jr. administration is in total disarray.

Many of its officials have been tempted and tainted by graft and corruption, including former House speaker and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The law enforcement has become a sitcom in the Sesame Street. If they can’t hunt down a coward and overweight ex-cop in the homeland, they can never net the fugitives cloaking in Paris and Vienna.

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio has been impeached twice by the House of Representatives, and her trial is now scheduled in the Senate.

The Senate is in shambles. Both members in the majority and minority blocs behave like gangsters and characters in a mafia film. Many senators are facing arrest and jail terms for plunder and malversation of public funds.

Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who talks and acts like host of a late-night gossip talk show, is a sitting duck. No one respects him in the media.

 If you are part of the Marcos Jr. administration and you are not embarrassed, your face must be made of adobe.
 
-o0o-
 
We first heard the words “tyranny of the majority” when we covered the Iloilo capitol beat in 1989.

That was the time when some members of the provincial board “made life difficult” for then Governor Simplicio “Sim” Griño by flexing their muscles, so to speak, to derail some of the programs of the executive branch.

We also witnessed how dreaded was the “tyranny of the majority” in the city government when some members of the city council choked the administrations of then Mayor Rodolfo “Roding” Ganzon and Mayor Mansueto “Mansing” Malabor.

Tyranny of the majority surfaced once again when members of the Philippine senate minority bloc walked out from the regular session May 26 to protest a contentious proposal by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to amend chamber rules, allowing senators to attend sessions and cast votes remotely.

The minority accused the majority of “railroading” the institutional shift without proper debate, a tactic they claimed was designed specifically to accommodate absent or detained allies.
 
-o0o-
 
This time, the target of the tyranny of the majority was its own members, not the executive branch like in the cases we enumerated in the Iloilo capitol and city hall episodes.

Tyranny is an overbearing use of power as it affects other people. Those under tyranny are not in control of their immediate future and lack protections to ensure their safety. Tyranny may be exerted physically, psychologically, or both.

Tyranny of the majority occurs when the majority attempts to use their numbers to exclude the rights of the minority and suppress dissenters. The minority has little or no recourse.

Alex P. Vidal, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed

The post In shambles and disarray first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Speaking before members of the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League in Tokyo, Marcos Jr. stressed the need for stronger partnerships among nations committed to international law and regional stability.

“We meet at a time of profound transformation in the international system,” he said.

The President also highlighted the importance of maritime security and stronger defense ties through agreements like the Reciprocal Access Agreement and other security partnerships.

Marcos Jr. likewise thanked Japan for helping boost the Philippines’ maritime security capabilities.

Meanwhile, JPPFL chairman Moriyama Hiroshi said parliamentary exchanges between the two countries should continue to strengthen security and economic cooperation.IMT

The post Marcos pushes stronger PH-Japan ties amid global tensions first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The anti-illegal drug sweep, conducted by the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) from 6:00 a.m.on May 27 to 5:59 a.m. on May 28,  yielded a total standard drug price (SDP) of P1,455,200.00.

Among the operations, the largest drug hauls were recorded in Iloilo City, Pavia in Iloilo province, and San Jose in Antique, resulting in the arrest of several high-value targets.

In Iloilo City, operatives of the Iloilo City Police Station 2 conducted a buy-bust operation in Zone 3, Barangay Lopez Jaena Norte, La Paz.

The sting resulted in the arrest of 49-year-old alias “Jingle,” classified as a high-value individual (HVI), and 31-year-old alias “Kim,” identified as a street-level individual (SLI).

Officers seized about 60 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P408,000.00.

In Pavia, local police arrested 39-year-old alias “Ry,” another HVI residing in Barangay Ungka 1.

Operatives recovered approximately 65 grams of suspected shabu valued at P442,000.00 during the operation.

Another major arrest took place in San Jose, Antique, where municipal police operatives apprehended alias “Toto,” 47, a resident of Barangay Inabasan.

The suspect, who is also listed as an HVI, was caught during a buy-bust operation in Barangay 1, San Jose.

Authorities recovered 65 grams of suspected shabu worth P442,000.00 from his possession.

The eight suspects are currently in police custody and will face formal charges for violating Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police Brigadier General Randulf T. Tuaño, acting regional director of PRO-6, commended the operating units for their successive victories and reiterated the regional office’s commitment to eradicating illegal drugs in the region.

“These significant drug recoveries are the result of the relentless efforts of our personnel to address the drug menace in the region,” he said.

“Rest assured that PRO-6 will continue to conduct intensified anti-drug operations to help make Western Visayas a drug-free region,” the region’s top cop added.

Tuaño also emphasized the crucial role of the community in sustaining these efforts, appealing to local residents to cooperate closely with law enforcement.

“We appeal to the public to continue supporting our efforts to keep the region safe and secure. The police force cannot do it alone,” he added.IMT

The post P1.45-M ‘shabu’ seized, 8 arrested in 24-hour WV ops first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

Cayetano clarified that senators were only voting on the procedural issue and not yet on the substance of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s proposal.

“We are not discussing the merits yet of the amendment,” Cayetano said.

Tensions rose after Sens. Ping Lacson and Francis Pangilinan questioned the move, eventually leading to a walkout by the minority bloc.

Cayetano maintained that the plenary had the authority to settle procedural questions through voting.IMT

The post Cayetano defends vote on remote Senate participation first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

“Talaga naman pagka ganyan mapapadalas ang bisita ko dito sa inyo,” Marcos Jr. told the crowd during the FilCom gathering.

“Napakainit naman po na salubong… Maraming, maraming salamat,” he added.

The event featured performances from NBC’s The Voice champion Sofronio Vasquez III and veteran singer Florante, with Filipinos joining in singing and dancing.

Marcos Jr. also assured overseas Filipinos in Japan of the government’s continued support and protection.

“Bago pa man kami makipagpulong sa mga pinuno ng Japan, minarapat naming unahin ang pakikipagkita sa inyo,” the President said.

An estimated 350,000 Filipinos are living and working in Japan.

The post Marcos thanks Pinoys in Japan for warm welcome first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

The program was officially rolled out on May 26, 2026, pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-335, authored by Board Member June Mondejar, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Public Order and Security.

The search seeks to assess the performance of local fire stations and highlight exemplary initiatives in fire prevention, protection, and suppression, while encouraging higher standards of service and strengthening community safety against fire-related incidents.

Participating fire stations will be evaluated based on several criteria, including operational effectiveness, administrative capability, community engagement, innovation, and the implementation of best practices.

The competition is divided into two categories. Category A covers Passi City and first-class municipalities, while Category B includes second- to fourth-class municipalities.

Under Category A, the champion will receive P250,000, while the first and second runners-up will receive P200,000 and P150,000, respectively.

For Category B, the winning fire station will take home P200,000, while the first runner-up will receive P150,000 and the second runner-up P100,000.

Provincial officials said the initiative is intended not only to reward outstanding performance but also to promote excellence, innovation, and stronger collaboration among fire stations in safeguarding communities throughout Iloilo.

The competition will be administered by a Technical Working Group composed of representatives from the Office of the Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Iloilo, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), and other partner agencies and organizations.IMT

The post Iloilo launches search for top-performing fire stations first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.