Day: August 25, 2025

Manila: After zeroing in on the backlog in its regulatory functions, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is now strengthening its efforts to better protect homebuyers as part of its mandate to look after the welfare of all housing stakeholders. According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling instructed Senior Undersecretary Sharon Faith Paquiz, head of the DHSUD Zero Backlog Program, to implement measures to immediately resolve issues and concerns being raised by homebuyers before various offices of the DHSUD. “Alinsunod sa utos ng Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. para sa mabilis at malinis na serbisyo,

Manila: The Philippine government has joined the international community in urgently calling for an end to the ‘ever-worsening humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza amid continuing conflict in the area. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) strongly urged Israel to accept the ceasefire proposal put forward by the international community, describing it as a ‘crucial step to protect civilians and revive the path to peace.’ The DFA expressed deep concern over the Israeli government’s planned full military takeover of Gaza, ongoing restrictions on access to essential humanitarian aid such as food and water, large-scale displacement, attacks affecting

Geneva: Extreme heat is fast becoming one of the biggest threats to workers’ health and livelihoods, the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned over the weekend. According to Philippines News Agency, the new joint report, “Climate Change and Workplace Heat Stress,” underscores the mounting risks as climate change fuels longer, more extreme, and more frequent heatwaves. The report stresses that workers in agriculture, construction, and fisheries are already suffering the impacts of dangerous temperatures. Vulnerable groups in developing countries, including children, older adults, and low-income communities, face increasing dangers. Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for

Taal: Police arrested a district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for attempting to bribe Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste to stop the lawmaker from investigating anomalous projects in the province. A police report to Camp Crame identified the suspect as Abelardo Calalo, 51, who was apprehended at Barangay Poblacion Zone 12 in Taal, Batangas on August 22. According to Philippines News Agency, Calalo is the officer in charge of the DPWH Batangas 1st District Engineering Office and a resident of Barangay San Roque, San Pablo City, Laguna. Batangas police director Col. Geovanny Emerick Sibalo

Iloilo city: Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Tre±as has welcomed the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for projects funded by the national government to secure approval from local government units before their implementation. “Local government units must never be bypassed in planning and implementation. We, as local officials, are directly accountable to our people and are in the best position to determine urgent, relevant, and safe solutions,” she said in a statement released on Sunday. According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Tre±as highlighted long-standing concerns about projects carried out by the Iloilo City District Engineering Office without proper coordination