Day: July 17, 2025

Manila: Employers in Metro Manila who fail to adhere to the new PHP50 daily minimum wage increase, effective from July 18, will face severe consequences, including a PHP25,000 fine and up to two years of imprisonment, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada announced on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, Estrada plans to re-file a bill to amend Republic Act 6727, also known as the Wage Rationalization Act, with the goal of reinforcing the implementation of wage laws. Estrada emphasized the constitutional mandate for a living wage and the need to enforce the minimum wage effectively. He stated that

Bicol: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) has ensured that over 254,000 family food packs are on standby across various warehouses in the region. This preparation is in response to the anticipated impact of Tropical Depression Crising. According to Philippines News Agency, Claudio Villareal, the chief of DSWD-5’s Disaster Response Management Division, stated that the total value of available relief resources has reached PHP273 million, including food items ready for immediate distribution. “Following the blue alert status issued by the Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, we have activated our quick response team. Under

Eastern visayas: Several local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas have suspended classes on Thursday due to heavy rains dumped by Tropical Depression Crising. These areas include the towns of Naval, Almeria, Culaba, Cabucgayan, Kawayan, and Caibiran in Biliran province, as well as Baybay City, Matalom, Matag-ob, Palompon, Villaba, Tabango, and Leyte towns in Leyte province. According to Philippines News Agency, apart from the suspension of classes, tourism-related activities have also been halted in major island destinations in Leyte province due to the adverse weather conditions. The affected tourist spots include Kalanggaman Island, Cuatro Islas, and Canigao Island in Leyte.

Surigao del norte: Several local government units (LGUs) in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands provinces have suspended classes due to the trough of Tropical Depression (TD) Crising. Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers issued a localized class suspension order for the province on Thursday morning. According to Philippines News Agency, the order grants LGUs, from barangay up to city and municipal levels, the authority to suspend classes based on the advisories of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and their local assessment. Local school officials may also suspend classes under Department of Education Order 022,

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed veteran energy lawyer Francis Saturnino Juan as the new chairperson of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), effective Aug. 8, following the resignation of Monalisa Dimalanta. The announcement was made by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a Malaca±ang briefing. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated, “Appointed as chairperson of the ERC is Attorney Francis Saturnino C. Juan, a seasoned energy expert. He brings with him decades of experience in regulatory affairs.” Juan currently serves as president of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines and has held key positions at