Day: April 28, 2025

Sorsogon: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday assured Bicolanos it is ready to respond if the restiveness of Mt. Bulusan continues and intensifies. According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) announced that over 180,000 family food packs (FFPs) have been prepositioned at the DSWD Field Office 5-Bicol Region. Of these, more than 25,000 boxes of FFPs are stationed in Sorsogon province, prepared for immediate distribution to families potentially affected by the volcanic activity. Upon receiving initial reports of the incident, DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio

Vancouver: Concerned Philippine government agencies have pledged support and solidarity with the Filipino community in Vancouver, Canada, where a vehicle plowed into a crowd of attendees at the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party on Saturday night (Sunday, Philippine time), leaving 11 dead and dozens injured. According to Philippines News Agency, in a statement on Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) expressed profound sorrow and sympathy for the victims. “As we await further details about the incident, we ask for prayers of healing, safety, comfort, solidarity, and justice for those affected by this unspeakable tragedy,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac

San Jose del Monte: The San Jose del Monte City Water District Board of Directors has formally moved to pre-terminate its joint venture agreement with Villar-owned PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation (PWIC) amid the water crisis affecting thousands of city residents. According to Philippines News Agency, in a letter to Mayor Arturo Robes dated April 10, 2025, San Jose Water Chairman Aurelio Jose Jr. disclosed that the Board had passed Board Resolution No. 15, Series of 2025 on April 3. This resolution directs the issuance of a notice of intent to pre-terminate the joint venture agreement with PrimeWater. The notice was issued

Cebu: The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced plans to roll out a PHP20 per kilogram rice sale in Cebu province at the beginning of May. This initiative is part of a pilot program aimed at enhancing food security, accessibility, and affordability, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration targets. According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the launch date for the program in Cebu, describing the province as “the readiest” for this initiative. Laurel stated that 600,000 sacks of rice would be allocated to Cebu and dispatched in batches, with initial deliveries expected

Quezon City: Anton “The Dragon” Raga ruled the Sharks Billiards Association (SBA) Philippine Open Sunday night at the Sharks Arena and Sports Bar along Tomas Morato Avenue in Quezon City. The 28-year-old Cebuano from Talisay defeated Jerico ‘Panday’ Ba±ares, 13-7, in the race-to-13 championship duel of the event by the best Filipino cue artists. According to Philippines News Agency, SBA founder and commissioner Hadley Mariano described this as a testament to the rising standard of Philippine billiards. Mariano stated, ‘This isn’t just a tournament win — it’s a statement. The Philippine Open was designed to raise the bar and discover