https://www.philstar.com/rss/the-freeman Philippine News for the Filipino Global Community (c) 2026, philstar.com. All rights reserved. 15Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:32:11 +0800 en https://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2026/08/17/2549844/camotes-host-national-age-group-triathlon-seriesEmmanuel B. Villaruel A big-time triathlon event will again take place in Camotes Island with the staging of the 2026 National Age Group Triathlon Series on October 24-25. With its scenic coastline, challenging roads, and vibrant communities, Camotes offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend where sport, tourism, and youth development come together. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2026/08/17/2549844/camotes-host-national-age-group-triathlon-series https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549848/lapu-lapu-gives-outp5k-livelihood-aidKristin De Dios The Lapu-Lapu City government released P695,000 from its local budget for livelihood assistance to 139 residents, with each beneficiary receiving P5,000. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549848/lapu-lapu-gives-outp5k-livelihood-aid https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549849/fire-safety-measure-okd-2nd-readingKristin De Dios The Mandaue City Council has approved on second reading a proposed ordinance requiring lodging houses, boarding houses, apartments, rooms for rent, and similar residential rentals in the city to provide at least one fire extinguisher in every rented room. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549849/fire-safety-measure-okd-2nd-reading https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549851/envoy-highlights-filipino-pakistani-friendship-cebuMitchelle L. Palaubsanon Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to the Philippines Dr. Asima Rabbani underscored the importance of protecting national sovereignty as she joined the Pakistani community in Cebu in celebrating Pakistan’s 80th Independence Day on August 14. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549851/envoy-highlights-filipino-pakistani-friendship-cebu https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549853/over-200-presidential-scholars-get-p20k-aidCaecent No-ot Magsumbol Over 200 students from Cebu City have each received educational assistance under the Bagong Pilipinas Barangay Presidential Scholars Program in a ceremony held late last week at the Cordova Sports Complex in Poblacion, Cordova. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549853/over-200-presidential-scholars-get-p20k-aid https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549854/cebu-inks-partnership-dswd-unicef-stronger-4ps-supportCaecent No-ot Magsumbol The Cebu City government has formalized a tripartite partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII and UNICEF to strengthen support for families under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549854/cebu-inks-partnership-dswd-unicef-stronger-4ps-support https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549856/lawmakers-call-affordable-and-accessible-power-supplyMitchelle L. Palaubsanon Senate President Win Gatchalian and House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan have called for measures to make electricity more affordable and accessible to Filipino consumers. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549856/lawmakers-call-affordable-and-accessible-power-supply https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549857/senate-requires-gps-2027-flood-projects To prevent the funding of "ghost projects," the Senate will require the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit exact geographic coordinates and station numbers for the proposed P107 billion in flood control funds for 2027. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549857/senate-requires-gps-2027-flood-projects https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549859/jv-backs-cebu-mass-transit Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said Cebu needs to accelerate the development of a mass transportation system to address the problems brought by rapid urbanization. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549859/jv-backs-cebu-mass-transit https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549860/erc-move-cut-visayas-power-rates Power rates in the Visayas are expected to decrease after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered the suspension of the erroneous collection of excessive Line Loss and Congestion Cost  charges, an opposition lawmaker said yesterday. Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2026/08/17/2549860/erc-move-cut-visayas-power-rates