New generation of farmers, agri innovators take spotlightMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture, through the Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), recently feted outstanding college students who developed digital technologies and services for the agriculture and fisheries sector. The young agri innovators were recognized during the Agri Tech Innovate: Accelerating Digital Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture and Fisheries (Digi Agri Hacki) early last month. Launched in March by the DA-ATI, the Digi Agri Hacki project was piloted in Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao. The DA said it would scale up Digi Agri Hacki nationwide, with increased funding to encourage more youth-led innovations. Second place: OnioNet Team composed of Ken Quiambao, Jericho Pineda, MC Osmund Espejo and coach Rocel Batara from Saint Mary’s University – Bayombong.

Digital payments gaining ground as PhilPaSSplus transactions climbDigital payments continue to rise due to the BSP‘s digitalization efforts and ongoing financial literacy initiatives. By value, large-value transactions dominated at 84.8 percent of total PhilPaSSplus activity. Retail payments accounted for 13 percent of total value, with customer payments representing the largest share at 6.3 percent. Transactions between the BSP and PhilPaSSplus participants also grew by 12.8 percent, further lifting large-value payment volumes. Retail payments posted a more modest 2.9 percent increase, buoyed by higher check transactions at nine percent, automated teller machine transactions at 4.5 percent, customer payments at 2.8 percent as well as automated clearing house transactions at 2.4 percent.

The January 2026 priority datesEach month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month for the various family and employment-based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off dates listed below in the Visa Issuance or Final Action Date column. If your priority date was current but later retrogressed (or moved backwards and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the US), you would have to wait until it becomes current again. Caution: if your Final Action/Visa Issuance date has been current for more than a year and you were notified by the NVC but did not respond, you could risk your case being canceled or terminated. The priority dates for the Philippines for January 2026 are:* * *WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.comFollow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram.com/gurfinkellawFour offices to serve you: Los Angeles; San Francisco; New York: Toll free number: 1-866-GURFINKEL (1-866-487-3465); Philippines: +632 88940258 or +632 88940239

SC resolves controversial cases in 2025In this February 2025 file photo, the Health Alliance for Democracy, together with other health organizations, protest in front of the Supreme Court in Ermita, Manila, to oppose the transfer of PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. In August, the House asked the SC to reconsider its decision, an appeal that is still pending. BARMM pollsAnother election-related ruling involved the first parliamentary elections in the BARMM, which was originally scheduled on Oct. 13, 2025. The SC said a new valid redistricting law must be passed consistent with the Bangsamoro Organic Law, national laws and the Constitution. Also pending is the petition that seeks to declare unconstitutional the P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025.

4-year-old loses 4 fingers due to fireworksMANILA, Philippines — A four-year-old boy entered the new year with four fingers less following another case of firework-related injury (FWRI). According to the Department of Health (DOH), the little boy sustained blast injuries from an unknown type of fireworks. The child is the youngest of the 19 victims whose fingers or hands were cut off after suffering from injuries caused by different kinds of lit fireworks. “Imagine a four-year-old who lost four fingers… That’s permanent, that’s for life. The victims sustained varying degrees of burns and wounds in different parts of the body.

LTO to expand e-trikes, e-bikes banMembers of the LTO Central Office perform a stop-and-inform operation for e-trike and e-bike drivers crossing Quirino Avenue from Leveriza Street in Manila on January 2, 2026 as they enforce the ban of e-trikes and e-bikes on national roads. MANILA, Philippines — More highways will be covered by the ban on electric bicycles and tricycles (e-bikes and e-trikes) starting this week, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) said yesterday. He warned LTO agents may start issuing tickets and impounding e-bikes and e-trikes spotted along the said highways this week, when classes and work will resume. On the first day of the ban last Friday, 67 e-bike and e-trike users were caught along EDSA and 30 others along Quirino Avenue. Minors caught driving e-bikes and e-trikes might risk having their vehicles impounded and having their parents or guardians liable as well, warned Lacanilao.

Why remembering matters more than resolutionsEvery January – somewhere between the last firework drifting into smoke and the first unread email of the year – the Philippines performs its most underrated civic ritual: we forget everything. Psychologist John Norcross found that most New Year’s resolutions collapse quickly. Resolutions mean nothing without memory. Let us remember not just what we wish for, but what we owe each other. And if we must write resolutions, as we surely will, let them be fewer, steadier and carried with more discipline than optimism.

Palace: 2026 budget in final stages of reviewMalacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, as seen from the Pasig River. President Marcos and his Cabinet were still studying the budget bill passed by Congress as of yesterday afternoon. Although Congress ratified the 2026 budget bill last Dec. 29, the executive branch had deemed it needed about a week to examine the spending bill. Congress tackled the 2026 budget bill in the midst of the flood control controversy. “And further, I am willing to do this even if we end up with a reenacted budget.”

Accept overlapping claims in West Philippine Sea – ChinaReacting to Sen. Francis Pangilinans latest statement demanding that China respect the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Chinese embassy claimed China is not infringing on Philippine territory. MANILA, Philippines — Despite the 2016 Arbitral Award invalidating China’s vast maritime claims in the South China Sea, the Chinese embassy in Manila again urged the Philippines to accept the supposed reality that Manila and Beijing have overlapping maritime claims and should resolve the issue. Reacting to Sen. Francis Pangilinans latest statement demanding that China respect the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Chinese embassy claimed China is not infringing on Philippine territory. China also has the right to claim its EEZ based on Nansha Qundao and Zhongsha Qundao,” the Chinese embassy asserted. “Our two countries have overlapping maritime claims in the South China Sea.

Eala seeded fourth in WTA ASB ClassicAlexandra Eala of Philippines celebrates her win against Madison Keys during Day 6 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 23, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. MANILA, Philippines -- Alex Eala is seeded fourth in the WTA ASB Classic starting Monday at the ASB tennis Center in Auckland, New Zealand. The tournament serves as one of Eala's warm-up tournaments for the highly anticipated Australian Open in Melbourne next week. 15 and 2025 ASB Classic champion Clara Tauson of Denmark, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11). Eala won the Australian Open girls' doubles crown in 2020, teaming up with Indonesian pal Priska Madelyn Nugroho.

Fragile confidence, hard choices: What 2026 demands from usIt is always good to have big aspirations for the new year. This reduction may impact infrastructure projects, as the DPWH will need to reassess and potentially delay some initiatives due to limited funding. With substandard and “ghost” infrastructure projects exposed over the past few months, the focus now must be on delivering projects that truly benefit Filipinos. **A direct result of the revelation of massive corruption is the increased public awareness of the need to monitor how public funds are being spent. This empowers citizens to monitor government projects, ensures public funds are used properly, and gives investors confidence that large projects will be executed fairly and efficiently.

More details about Park Na Rae's alleged workplace harassment against her ex-managers have been revealed. Previously, local media reported that Park allegedly threw a glass of alcohol on a former manager's face in August 2023, resulting in bruises and a deep injury that required stitches. They clarified that there was only one instance where Park threw a glass and noted that the managers assisted in cleaning up the mess. In December 2025, Na-rae posted a statement claiming that she has now resolved the issue with her former managers who sued her for workplace harassment, aggravated assault, proxy prescriptions, and unpaid production expenses. One of her more popular roles is in the romantic comedy series What's Wrong with Secretary Kim.

But the ballet sneaker changes everything—it combines the feminine silhouette of a dancer's flat with the cushioned, high-performance sole of a trainer. While classic ballet flats are a staple for the "coquette" aesthetic, most of them are designed for looks rather than long walks. Drawing inspiration from classic ballet flats, this version offers a more feminine look with a sophisticated slip-on design and elastic bands for a snug fit. Charles & Keith Tiggy Metallic Mesh Two-Tone Ballet SneakersCharles & Keith Tiggy Mesh Two-Tone Ballet SneakersGo for "simple with a twist" in the Charles & Keith Tiggy Mesh Two-Tone Ballet Sneakers (P4,299). GVN Ballet SneakersGVN Ballet SneakersTake your style cues from this soft, flexible hybrid.

Eala warms up for Australian OpenMANILA, Philippines — Alex Eala is taking her act to Oceania. It will be a short stop for Eala in NZ, spending more time with her family to celebrate the New Year while flexing her muscles for the Australian Open main draw which starts on Jan. 18. In the Australian Open, Eala doesn’t need to go through the qualifiers. A winner of the Australian Open junior doubles in 2020, Eala leveled up in the women’s pro. The Australian Open main draw remains as the only major Eala has not played in after doing it at Wimbledon, French Open and US Open last year following her WTA rise.

How much will gov't workers get in 3rd tranche of salary increase? 64, the third tranche raises the basic salary of civilian personnel with Salary Grade 1 to P14,634, reflecting a P573 increase from the previous year. Salary Grade 31 officials, which include department heads earning at least P293,191, will receive a 2.65% increase in 2026, raising their pay to P300,961. For example, an employee in a second-class city could receive 95% of the updated salary schedule. Under the 1987 Constitution, the president, vice president and members of Congress also do not receive salary increases while in office.