Day: September 17, 2025

Albay: The Department of Health (DOH) is expanding the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center, a project expected to increase patient capacity by 1,500 once completed. In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the DOH reported that Health Secretary Ted Herbosa personally inspected the construction site in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive. According to Philippines News Agency, Herbosa said the expansion is a key step toward improving access to advanced healthcare in the region. The development includes the construction of a 20-storey Integrated Specialty Center and Wellness Hub, a 15-storey Central Ward Building, a 10-floor Outpatient Department, and

Manila: The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) is seeking PHP1.38 billion under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), 44.5 percent lower than its original proposal of PHP2.49 billion. The allocation, presented before the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee ‘L’ on Wednesday, will cover programs in space science, national security, and environmental monitoring. According to Philippines News Agency, among PhilSA’s target milestones for 2026 are the production of a Nationwide Benthic Habitat Map in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the release of the 2025 Mangrove Map, the launch of the Maya-7 satellite, and the celebration of Philippine Space

Manila: Police arrested three high-value individuals (HVIs) and confiscated suspected ‘shabu’ worth PHP1.7 million in a buy-bust operation in Dasmari±as City, Cavite early Wednesday. According to Philippines News Agency, Col. Ariel Red, acting director of the Cavite Police Provincial Office, identified the suspects through their aliases as ‘Owen,’ ‘Sop,’ and ‘Jen,’ all residents of Dasmari±as City. Recovered during the operation in Barangay Datu Esmael were two knot-tied plastic ice bags and two heat-sealed sachets containing around 250 grams of suspected shabu, along with the buy-bust money. Col. Red stated that the Cavite police remain committed to shielding communities from illegal

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered intensified disaster preparedness measures for the onslaught of Tropical Depression (TD) Mirasol, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) announcing Wednesday that over 2.5 million family food packs and relief items are on standby for deployment. According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the prepositioning of aid is in line with the President’s directive to ensure a swift government response to the effects of the cyclone. The DSWD added it has also stockpiled more than 100,000 ready-to-eat food boxes for stranded residents, and over 300,000 non-food

Manila: House Speaker Martin Romualdez will not be spared from accountability if evidence links him to anomalies in flood control projects, Malaca±ang said Wednesday, stressing that resignation or a change in congressional leadership will not shield him from investigation. Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement amid rumblings in the House of Representatives about a possible change in leadership, fueled in part by Romualdez’s name being mentioned in connection with the infrastructure mess. According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated that whether Romualdez resigns or not, he can still be investigated. She added that if