The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has released its latest report on the Volume of Production of Agriculture and Fisheries for the first quarter of 2025, revealing notable trends across key sectors. The data highlights a 7.4% increase in crops production, a 9.3% rise in poultry output, and a 1.5% growth in fisheries compared to the same period in 2024. These figures underscore the resilience and evolving dynamics of the country’s agri-fishery industry.   Crops Production: Sugarcane and Tobacco Lead Expansion The total volume of crops production reached 26.94 million metric tons, marking a 7.4% year-on-year increase. Sugarcane emerged as the top performer, with output surging by 19% to 12.10 million metric tons, accounting for nearly 45% of total crops production. Tobacco also saw an extraordinary 80.4% growth, though its overall volume remained modest at 20.49 thousand metric tons. Other gainers included cacao (up 23.6%) and rubber (up 13.6%), signaling dive...

National security officials and lawmakers are sounding the alarm over an alleged plot by two Chinese researchers—reportedly in a romantic relationship—to smuggle samples of a destructive crop-killing fungus into the United States.   The FBI has accused Yunqing Jian, 33, a lab researcher at the University of Michigan and a Communist Party loyalist who received Chinese government funding, of conspiring with her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, 34, to illegally transport the pathogen.   Liu was intercepted at Detroit Metropolitan Airport last July after allegedly attempting to bring packages of Fusarium graminearum into the country, according to federal authorities.   Court documents filed Monday in Michigan federal court reveal that the couple discussed ways to sneak the fungus into the U.S. Fusarium graminearum is classified as a serious biological threat, capable of devastating crops and posing risks to livestock and humans. Experts have labeled it a "po...

Manila, Philippines – In a striking display of advocacy, members of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) took to Rizal Park on Thursday, June 5, clad in traditional Filipino attire and animal masks to deliver a powerful message: "Freedom is for all." Dressed in Barong Tagalog and Baro’t Saya, and adorned with flower wreaths and animal head masks, the activists marched toward the Jose Rizal monument, symbolizing their call for the liberation of animals held in captivity at Manila Zoo and other zoos nationwide. The demonstration, timed days before the country’s Independence Day celebrations, drew attention to the plight of captive wildlife, urging the public to reconsider the ethics of confining animals for entertainment.   A Visual Protest with a Deeper Message   The protest blended cultural symbolism with animal rights advocacy. The traditional attire honored Filipino heritage, while the animal masks—representing species often kept in zo...

Registering as a Pag-IBIG Fund member has never been easier, thanks to its convenient online process. Whether you're using a smartphone, laptop, or tablet, you can complete your membership registration in just a few simple steps. Here’s everything you need to know to sign up through Virtual Pag-IBIG .  Accessing the Pag-IBIG Online Registration Portal There are three ways to begin your registration:    1. Via the Official Pag-IBIG Fund Website Visit the https://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/ . Hover over the E-Services tab and select Membership Registration . You will be redirected to the Online Membership Registration page.   2. Through Virtual Pag-IBIG     - Go to the https://www.virtualpagibig.pagibigfund.gov.ph/ .      - Click " Be a Member ", then select Continue to proceed.   3. Direct Link    - You may also go straight to the registration page at: https://www.pagibigfundservices.com/PubReg/Ne...

Why Join SSS? If you're working in the private sector, self-employed, a non-working spouse, or an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), being an SSS member ensures you and your family get support when you need it. The SSS provides benefits for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, and even unemployment.   Types of SSS Membership  There are two kinds:    1. Compulsory – Required for employees in private companies.   2.  Voluntary – For self-employed, freelancers, OFWs, and non-working spouses.   How to Get an SSS Number (Online Registration) Since July 15, 2020, SSS requires all new members to register online. This makes the process faster and easier.   Steps to Apply for an SSS Number Online 1. Go to the SSS Website    Visit the [SSS website]( https://www.sss.gov.ph ) and click " Apply for an SS Number Online ." Read the instructions, then click " Start ." 2. Fill Out the Registration Form Enter ...

PayPal announced on May 2025, the discontinuing of the standalone PayPal Business App. The PayPal Business App is more useful than other fintech around the world. Businesses accepting payment online are prepared to use PayPal payment methods as a more convenient integration to business, accepted in any part of the world, supporting multi-currency, and accepting card payment such as Credit Card and Debit Card. PayPal said that the Business App will be discontinued this June 30, 2025; after this date, business accounts can still log in to the paypal.com website, where you can still access your account. However, for you to have a seamless experience between your consumer and business accounts, they advised you to connect your business account to your personal account. How do I link my accounts? Here’s how to link your accounts from the web: 1.Go to Settings . 2.Click Link your accounts on the left. 3.Follow the steps to complete the process. Here’s how to link your accounts o...

  One of the common problems in GCash transactions is that the debited amount is not reflected in the recipient's account or is not credited to the biller. Someone who has this problem feels frustrated and alarmed by what they need to do. They worry about the overdue charge for the biller that had a failed transaction and about possibly losing money to an unknown. GCash is always on the go; you have nothing to worry about with all failed transactions as long as there's valid proof of your transaction, specific time, and exact date. As the most reputable and trusted fintech app in the Philippines, GCash customer service will always be on the act to serve you better and solve the problem you are facing in their application. However, if your failed transaction is about bill payment, there is a possibility that you will be overdue to the biller. But if the failed transaction is reconciled by GCash and the biller, all possible overdue charges because of your delayed pay...

  TikTok users who already have activated the TikTok PayLater offered by the TikTok shop to their loyal customers are wishing to convert the offer into cash, as they are more prepared to spend the money on other daily needs or bill payments. However, TikTok just came on to the purpose of the financier as “buy now pay later” for the products that users prepared to check out. All e-commerce offered Buy Now Pay Later options are naturally not convertible to cash, though users are still looking anyways to make the credit limit more useful and viable. Like GGives , Spaylater , and Lazada PayLater, all of the offer limits are spendable to purchase goods and services within the e-commerce shops and partners. Though Spaylater has an option to convert your limits without risks and additional service fees, we have no guarantee when the last time it will work to become convertible as before. GGives is easily convertible into cash using Shopee Shop through canceling the checkout. But when Sho...

On the latest blog of Bill Gates, he shares a plan on how his net worth will go for the next 20 years. This year the Gates Foundation is celebrating its 25th founding anniversary. Over the 25 years, they disclosed that they are giving away more than $100 billion—in parts of Warren Buffett's generosity—to save and improve children's lives. The Gates Foundation was partnered with different organizations worldwide to reach children in every corner of the world. One of these organizations is Rotary International, with over 1.4 million members. In the Philippines in 1979, Rotary club International administered the polio vaccine to children in Guadalupe for the first time, and until now the club has been promoting the polio vaccine to help ease the life burden of Filipino children. Bill Gates will return his wealth to society. Bill Gates' quoted from The Gospel of Wealth by Andrew Carnegie this phrase: " The man who dies rich dies disgraced. " He said that...