Manila: The Philippines is set to receive multibillion pesos worth of international aid from the European Union (EU), the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan in response to the devastation left by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami). The EU on Thursday said it has approved 1.5 million euros (approximately PHP94 million) in humanitarian aid to assist the most affected populations, especially in the regions of Bicol and Calabarzon. According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic expressed his concern, stating, “I am sad to see that only a few days after my visit to Manila, the

Laoag city: A magnitude 4.9 earthquake shook Cagayan and nearby provinces in northern Luzon at 5:39 a.m. Thursday, state seismologists said. With the epicenter located 20 kilometers northwest of Dalupiri Island (Calayan) in Cagayan, the earthquake was tectonic in origin with a depth of 16 kilometers. According to Philippines News Agency, residents in these areas are advised to take precautionary measures as aftershocks are expected. No damage has been recorded so far, authorities stated. Reported intensity is the traditional way of knowing the intensity based on reports of those who felt the earthquake, while instrumental intensity is measured using an

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is closely monitoring the government’s response to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Leon, which has affected Northern Luzon. According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos has no public engagements on Thursday and will only attend private meetings in Malacañang while overseeing all developments related to the super typhoon. The President earlier directed local government units (LGUs) to prepare for Leon. In its latest bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Leon has maintained its strength while moving northwestward near Batanes, which is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4.

Dumaguete city: Student leaders from various schools in Negros Oriental province are being tapped to help promote Filipino values formation and undertake voters’ education as the country prepares for the 2025 midterm elections. ‘You play a vital role in reaching out to the young people in the schools and even in the communities by setting a good example in values formation, something that unfortunately is now lacking in the younger generations and is being lost in the older ones,’ said Msgr. Julius Heruela, convenor of the Diocesan Electoral Board of the Diocese of Dumaguete and head of the local Parish

Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Thursday ordered all police units nationwide to intensify security measures and provide essential assistance to motorists and the public in preparation for the annual All Saints’ and All Souls’ holidays. According to Philippines News Agency, Marbil stated that the heightened deployment aims to secure communities and reinforce a sense of peace and safety across the nation. He announced the deployment of additional personnel to communities, cemeteries, transport terminals, and other areas where people traditionally gather to commemorate their loved ones. Marbil emphasized the importance of police visibility to ensure

Batanes: Strong winds and heavy rains continue across Northern Luzon as Super Typhoon Leon (international name Kong-rey) passes close to Batanes, the weather bureau said Thursday. Heavy rainfall over Batanes and the Babuyan Group of Islands could result in flooding and landslides in flood-prone areas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said as of 5 a.m. Batanes’ local disaster response bodies reported that the towns of Uyugan, Sabtang, and Mahatao are experiencing strong winds and heavy rains Thursday morning. According to Philippines News Agency, most areas in Northern Luzon are forecast to experience light to moderate, with