Dev Flores

The Department of Agriculture is plannning to revive the coffee sector as consumption continues to rise while the production lags behind.

“Coffee consumption is booming both globally and in Philippine cities, yet local production has lagged,” the DA said in a statement.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said coffee has long been treated a minor crop but now demands full government attention due to sustained market demand.

“Coffee, long treated as a minor crop, now demands full attention,” the agency added.

The DA acknowledged the challenges faced by the local coffee industry and is proposing system to address these gaps.

As part of this effort, the department will establish the Coffee Industry Development Office (CIDO), which will consolidate coffee-related programs, funding, and policies under one unit.

“CIDO will centralize coffee programs, funding, and policies that were previously scattered across multiple units, giving the crop its first true headquarters,” the agency said.

The DA said CIDO will lead program planning and prioritization, track accomplishments across DA bureaus and regional offices, and ensure initiatives align with national agricultural priorities and Official Development Assistance (ODA)-funded projects.

The office will also coordinate with local governments, universities, private firms, and farmer groups, and recommend reforms to address policy or implementation gaps.

Under Department Order No. 06, CIDO will be placed under the Office of the Undersecretary for Special Concerns and Official Development Assistance.

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The Baguio City Local Government Unit (LGU), in coordination with Megawide Construction Corporation, recently conducted a site inspection of the designated area for the construction of the Baguio City Integrated Terminal. 

Megawide Construction Corporation is the company behind the construction and operation of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) in Pasay City. 

The company has received the Notice of Award, securing the 40-year lease agreement for the construction and management of the upcoming terminal facility in Baguio.

The terminal will rise on a five-hectare property in Brgy. Dontongan along Marcos Highway.

The construction is targeted to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

According to the LGU’s statement, the terminal project aims to improve the city’s transportation system and decongest major roads.

The facility is expected to accommodate up to 25,000 passengers and 400 buses daily. It will also serve southbound routes connecting Baguio City to La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, and Cavite.

Authorities also confirmed that 28 families residing in the area will be affected by the construction of the terminal.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer III Liza Bulayungan assured that affected residents will receive assistance and will not be displaced without support.

“Tutulungan ng company na they will be staying in temporary housing siguro and some of them will engage in the construction work here. Depende kung ano yung mga skills nila na pwedeng makatulong. Continuous ang assistance sa kanila ever since. May mga training na kinonduct.”

[“The company will assist them, possibly through temporary housing arrangements. Some may also be employed in the construction project, depending on their skills. Assistance has been continuous, and training programs have already been conducted for them.”]

With reports from Grace Doctolero

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Former President Rodrigo Duterte has declined to attend the hearing on the confirmation of charges in the International Criminal Court (ICC), scheduled from February 23 to 27, 2026.

In his letter addressed to the ICC, he waived his right to attend the hearing, acknowledging the consequences of his decision, as previously explained by his counsel.

I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, wish to waive my right to attend the hearing on the confirmation of charges currently fixed for 23-27 February 2026. I understand the consequences of my waiving this right which has been thoroughly explained to me by my Counsel and I trust him and his team to challenge the sufficiency of the Prosecution’s evidence on my behalf.

Duterte also challenged the ICC's jurisdiction over him, claiming he was forcibly brought to The Hague, Netherlands, on March 11, 2025, to face crimes against humanity charges.

I do not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over my person. I am a Filipino citizen forcibly pushed into a jet and renditioned to The Hague in the Netherlands in flagrant contravention of my country's Constitution and of national sovereignty

The former President dismissed allegations of his involvement in extrajudicial killings as “outrageous lies” asserting they were propagated by political opponents and unreliable witnesses.

The claim that I oversaw a policy of extra-judicial killings is an outrageous lie. These claims have been peddled by my political opponents for many years and, as my nation knows, they are based on the word of individuals whose credibility has been thoroughly discredited.

He also cited his physical condition, stating that he is unfit to attend the proceedings and asked the Court to respect his peace in detention.

I do not wish to attend legal proceedings that I will forget withinminutes. I am old, tired, and frail. I wish for this Court to respectmy peace inside the cell it has placed me.

Despite the ongoing challenges, Duterte expressed pride in his legacy and service to the country.

I am proud of my legacy and of my service to my countrymenaround the world. Let no one doubt my love for and loyalty to theFilipino nation.

With reports from Dante Amento

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PAMPANGA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Customs (BOC), found the three illegal tobacco factories in Pampanga.

The factories are located in San Fernando, San Simon, and Mexico, Pampanga.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the three illegal factories are connected, based on findings from the PNP and BOC.

“They all started January 1, and they all ended this January 29,” he said.

Authorities found the facilities abandoned on February 16, 2026, with only raw tobacco leaves and machines left on the site.

Investigators discovered that the processing of raw tobacco began in San Simon, while manufacturing, drying, packing, and storage of cigarette boxes were conducted in San Fernando. The operation allegedly had the capacity to produce at least P160 million worth of cigarettes per day.

Remulla also revealed suspicions of a so-called “tobacco lord” allegedly behind the illegal operations. 

“Pero tingin namin may tobacco lord dito na nag-ooperate at ang hinala namin, hinala pa lang naman, ay dalawang Central Luzon Congressman.”

[“We believe there is a tobacco lord operating here, and we suspect, though it remains a suspicion, that two Central Luzon congressman may be involved.”]

Meanwhile, the DILG and PNP clarified that the illegal tobacco operations are not linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

“Pumasok po yung mga tao rito mga 2025 na eh. Sarado na lahat ng POGO nun,” Remulla said.

[“They came here in 2025. All POGOs had already been shut down at that time.”]

Authorities have initiated a case build-up against the syndicates behind the illegal tobacco operations. 

With reports from Lea Ylagan.

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Commercial fishers may now resume fishing activities in Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula. 

According to the advisory issued by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the three-month annual ban in the area ends on February 16, 2026.

The closed fishing season is regularly implemented for three months per year. This measure aims to protect fish species during the peak of the spawning and reproduction period.

Fishing operations have officially resumed today (February 17, 2026), authorizing the harvest of sardines, herrings, and mackerels in Visayan Sea and Zamboanga Peninsula (including East Sulu Sea, Basilan Strait, and Sibuguey Bay).

With reports from Lalaine Moreno

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