Year: 2024

DUMAGUETE CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has suspended sea travels in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor as a precautionary measure due to Tropical Storm Kristine. Ensign John Hoffer Olis, PCG-Negros Oriental station commander, and Ensign Richelito Arbis, PCG-Siquijor station commander, said in separate interviews Tuesday that the suspension took effect earlier in the day. The ban applies to vessels with a gross tonnage of 250 and below, although several shipping lines not covered by the advisory voluntarily halted operations, according to the officials. Strong gale-force winds associated with Kristine prompted the suspension, aiming to ensure the

Manila: The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Tuesday inaugurated a 120-bed capacity hospital inside the New Bilibid Prison compound in Muntinlupa City. The BuCor said Phase 1 of the facility, worth PHP187.2 million, commenced in August 2019 and was completed in April 2023. Phase 2 of the project worth PHP140 million started in March 2020 and is ongoing. ‘This is a tangible proof that BuCor aims to ensure that quality healthcare remains a fundamental right for all regardless of their circumstance and ensures that patients receive comprehensive care without the need for frequent referrals to external medical centers,’ BuCor Director

Manila: A total of 38 areas are considered hotspots and are currently being looked into by authorities ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday. In a Palace press briefing, Remulla said 27 of the identified election hotspots are in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He said the police are also monitoring the situation in Albuera, Leyte. ‘We will have a special meeting for that on Nov. 15 to discuss the contingencies on what must be done to ensure a safe and fair elections for everyone there,’ he added. The first parliamentary election

ILOILO CITY – A total of 2,253 public schools in Western Visayas shifted to alternative delivery mode (ADM) on Tuesday following the suspension of face-to-face classes by their respective local government units due to inclement weather brought about by Tropical Storm Kristine. ‘All were declared by local government units and due to inclement weather,’ said Hernani Escullar Jr., regional information officer of the Department of Education. The suspension of in-person classes resulted in some 982,359 learners shifting to ADM. Based on available data as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, the highest number of suspended in-person classes came from the various schools

TACLOBAN CITY – The PHP1-billion Hibulangan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Villaba, Leyte will be operational in 2025 after more than a decade of construction, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said Tuesday. NIA Leyte and Biliran irrigation management office manager Conrado Samson said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing they are on the final stages of the project before its inauguration next year. ‘We are waiting for good weather and clearance for plugging. We are also preparing our farmers for the full operation of the project,’ Samson said. Plugging reduces the water-holding capacity and drainage rate of soil.