Day: July 3, 2025

Manila: The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday convened a virtual emergency operations center (EOC) in preparation for the possible effects of a low pressure area (LPA) spotted east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon. The virtual EOC, created in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen national disaster preparedness, will be active 24/7 and serve as a central coordination platform for all relevant government agencies and uniformed services, the OCD said in a statement. According to Philippines News Agency, “There is no room for complacency. We are already working with all stakeholders to prepare for the worst-case

Malaca±ang: Malaca±ang on Thursday warned rice traders against exploiting the government’s PHP20 per kg. rice program to justify lowering their buying price of palay (unhusked rice), urging farmers to report any abusive practices to authorities. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said reports have reached the Department of Agriculture (DA) that some traders are citing the “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” (BBM Na) program to buy palay at unfairly low prices from farmers. She urged farmers who experience such abuse to report directly to the DA, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), or the Department

Manila: The Philippine government remains relentless in assisting affected Filipinos amid the conflict between Israel and Iran, Malaca±ang said on Thursday. In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro highlighted ongoing efforts to repatriate distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the region. According to Philippines News Agency, around eight distressed OFWs from Israel are expected to return home on Thursday night. Additionally, plans are underway for about 12 OFWs to depart Tel Aviv on July 4, with another 25 scheduled to return on July 6, as detailed by Castro. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has been actively providing

Manila: No one will be spared in the investigation into the case of the disappearance of ‘sabungeros’ (cockfight aficionados), Malaca±ang said on Thursday. This announcement follows the serious allegations made by Julie ‘Dondon’ Patidongan, also known as ‘Alyas Totoy,’ who implicated business tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto in the abduction and murder of over 100 sabungeros. According to Philippines News Agency, when asked if President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued a new directive following the latest revelation, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated that the case will be handled by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and

Manila: A Saudia Airlines flight destined for Saudi Arabia was forced to return to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) roughly an hour after takeoff due to a technical issue, authorities confirmed. According to Philippines News Agency, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported that flight SVA 871 departed NAIA at 11:52 p.m. on Wednesday. The Manila Area Control Center received a notification at 12:51 a.m. on Thursday that the flight was returning due to a malfunction in the weather radar system. The aircraft, carrying 263 passengers, landed safely at NAIA at 1:25 a.m. It is currently stationed