Context Dispatch

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco will remain in the Cabinet of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but will step down as head of the Department of Tourism to become Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Malacañang said tourism Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso will serve as officer in charge of the agency until a new tourism secretary is appointed. The Palace did not immediately explain the leadership change, and it remains unclear whether recent criticism surrounding the tourism department’s promotional campaign had any bearing on Frasco’s reassignment. Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos expressed his appreciation for Frasco’s leadership at the tourism department.

Australia and the Philippines expanded their maritime cooperation as the Australian Border Force conducted vessel search training for Philippine Coast Guard officers in Sydney for the first time.

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure expanding the franchise area of More Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), sending the bill to the Senate for further deliberation and moving a step closer to widening electricity distribution coverage in Iloilo province.

Japan has provided 13 generators with trailers to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to help improve the operational readiness of its patrol vessels.

Japan Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya, on Friday attended a symposium on maritime security titled “Safeguarding the Maritime Domain for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” The event was co-hosted by the Japan Institute of International Affairs and the Stratbase Institute for Strategic and International Studies in Makati City.