Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. leads other officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in a “boodle fight” featuring the main food staple of rice sold at P20 per kilo, during Thursday’s launching of the aptly titled food program “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” (We Have P20 Rice) at the Bureau of Animal Industry in Quezon City. “Well-milled rice” was also being sold at that price during that event. Affordable quality rice became a hot-button issue during the recent election campaign, with Vice President Sara Duterte challenging the government to make sure its P20 rice “can be eaten by people. Filipinos are not animals.” Given how the commodity has become politically charged, the Commission on Elections discouraged the government from distributing its rice supply, which the DA heeded until Election Day. On May 13, the department resumed its pilot test of the rice subsidy program in the Visayas, its goal being the national distribution of the P20/kilo rice by next year. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
SEASONED LABOR LAWYER
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac in this undated photo swears in Patricia Yvonne Caunan, as the new administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. Caunan, whom President Marcos appointed last week, is a seasoned lawyer specializing in labor, civil, administrative and criminal law. Cacdac calls her a “trailblazer” whose role in “opening the frontier of bilateral and international cooperation has been amazing.” Caunan said she will carry out programs to strengthen the health and literacy of overseas workers. —PHOTO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MIGRANT WORKERS
ELECTION CAMPAIGN TRASH
Personnel from the Marikina City Environmental Management Office on Thursday gather what seem to be tons of trash from the recent election campaign. These will be turned over to the city’s Materials Recovery Facility where they will be recycled into school armchairs, eco-bags and other objects with functional uses. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
NO UNFIT DONOR
A person with disability (PWD) and a police officer donate their blood on Thursday during a blood drive in Quezon City called “Beyond Limits: PWDs Giving the Gift of Life.” Health authorities have repeatedly emphasized the health benefits of donating blood, including improved blood quality, and heart and liver health. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
