DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines -- The cities of Dagupan and Alaminos in Pangasinan and San Fernando in La Union have agreed to establish a ferry system along the Lingayen Gulf to help strengthen and spur economic, tourism and cultural ties between them.

The bureau’s graft standing slid to number seven from 76, with 80 being the most corrupt, acting Immigration Commissioner Roy Almoro said Thursday, citing the results of a performance evaluation conducted by the Civil Service Commission among 80 government agencies.

LOS BAÑOS: A Filipino who shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with former US Vice-President Al Gore Jr. warned that the Philippines will be hard hit by “more intense” droughts and heavier rainfall if Filipinos go on with their “business as usual” attitude toward climate change.

BOLINAO, PANGASINAN – Fishery authorities warned fish cage operators here that oxygen level in waters where they culture bangus (milkfish) was dropping at alarming rates and could lead to another massive fishkill reminiscent of the one that all but wiped out cultured fish in the town six years ago.

A former administrator of the National Food Authority (NFA) on Friday said P2 billion in taxpayers’ money were lost to corruption after the food agency sold more than seven million bags of newly imported rice to private traders.

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Senate will soon be called upon to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These are the forgotten human rights, rarely the stuff of headlines, banners and mass protests but, when violated, cause pain and sadness just the same. We must support our senators in the righteous work of ratifying this Convention, and support them in palpable and unmistakable terms. Why are disability rights often relegated to the legislative backburner?