Day: September 15, 2025

Canlaon city: The local government unit (LGU) of Canlaon City in Negros Oriental is prepared to respond anytime in the event Mt. Kanlaon will erupt anew, an official said Monday. Seth Bariga, information officer of Canlaon City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), stated that the series of earthquakes felt in the past days has alerted authorities to prepare for a worst-case scenario. According to Philippines News Agency, the LGU is ready to execute Oplan Exodus in case a volcanic eruption warrants mass evacuation of residents in the extended permanent danger zone (PDZ). Bariga mentioned that while Oplan Exodus is a contingency

Manila: Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia announced his intention to recuse himself from any potential case filed against Senator Francis Escudero concerning allegedly prohibited campaign contributions received during the 2022 elections. Garcia, who previously served as Escudero’s election lawyer, made this declaration during an interview at the Comelec main office in Intramuros. According to Philippines News Agency, Garcia stated, “[I] will inhibit, especially in the case of Sen. Chiz Escudero, because I have served before as his lawyer. We will do that when he is officially and formally required to respond to the invitation to provide a counter-affidavit.”

Manila: Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Monday urged the House Committee on Appropriations to approve the agency’s proposed PHP176.7 billion budget for 2026 without cuts, saying it would boost investment in farmers and fishers while addressing long-standing gaps in the sector. Speaking during the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) budget deliberations, Tiu Laurel emphasized that agricultural support must go beyond food security under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., stressing the importance of raising farmers’ income to strengthen local production. According to Philippines News Agency, the DA chief lamented the ‘chronic neglect’ of the agriculture sector, calling

Manila: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday called on Filipinos to embrace empathy in their daily lives, during an exhibit for National Peace Consciousness Month at the DSWD head office in Quezon City. According to Philippines News Agency, in his message delivered by Undersecretary Alan Tanjusay of the DSWD’s Peace and Development Group (PDG), Gatchalian emphasized the importance of compassion and understanding, which, according to the Secretary, could create a ripple effect to strengthen families, close gaps, and sustain the dividends of peace across the country. Gatchalian stated, “Peace, as we know, is not

Batangas: Energy Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized the critical role of the private sector in advancing the government’s transition to clean energy. This statement came following her participation in the ceremonial switch-on event for Citicore Renewable Energy Corporation’s (CRED) 125 megawatts (MW) Lumbangan solar power project and the 72-MW Luntal solar power project in Tuy, Batangas, alongside President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that these projects are the country’s first hybrid agro-solar and battery energy storage facilities. “By putting in place utility-scale solar facilities with battery storage and agrivoltaics, these projects