Day: September 29, 2025

Masbate: Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is set to visit Masbate to assess the communication and internet connectivity needs of the storm-hit province. According to Philippines News Agency, Secretary Aguda will meet with Masbate Governor Richard Kho to deliver 10 more Starlink units. During the visit, Aguda, along with telecommunications representatives, will inspect several key areas, including the Masbate provincial office, to assess free charging sites and evaluate Wi-Fi connectivity in the region. In a phone interview, DICT officer in charge regional director Rachel Ann Grabador revealed that three Starlink units, 10 routers, and a

Manila: Gasoline prices will be reduced effective Tuesday, but prices of diesel and kerosene will increase anew. In an advisory Monday, Seaoil, Jetti Petroleum, PTT Philippines, and Petron announced a decrease in the price of their gasoline products by PHP0.20 per liter, starting at 6 a.m. According to Philippines News Agency, the prices of diesel and kerosene will see an increase of PHP0.90 per liter. Caltex is set to implement the same adjustments for its fuel products, beginning at 6:01 a.m. This change aligns with earlier projections by an executive from another oil company, attributing the adjustments to an adequate

La carlota city: A total of 5,000 beneficiaries from seven local government units in Negros Occidental, affected by the eruptions of Mt. Kanlaon over the past year, have received PHP25 million in calamity assistance from the Office of the President. According to Philippines News Agency, the financial aid, amounting to PHP5,000 each, was distributed by the Presidential Action Center during the Presidential Help Desk on Wheels activities held over the weekend in La Carlota City and La Castellana town. The recipients were from La Carlota City, Bago City, and La Castellana, 1,500 each; Pontevedra, 300; San Carlos City, 100; and

Masbate: About 40 percent of Masbate Electric Cooperative’s (Maselco) distribution lines across its coverage area have been damaged by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi). Maselco said the ongoing repairs to the distribution lines are prioritized in Masbate City, with a targeted power restoration timeline of one week. According to Philippines News Agency, for other affected areas, restoration may take up to 30 days, depending on the extent of the damage. The cooperative mentioned that a full evaluation of the situation is hampered by road blockages and communication challenges. Meanwhile, various electric cooperatives from the Bicol region have arrived

Manila: Inflation will continue to settle within the lower end of the government’s target despite the projected acceleration in September, an economist said. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation chief economist Michael Ricafort indicated that inflation likely reached 2.1 percent in September, up from 1.5 percent in August this year. According to Philippines News Agency, the forecast remains within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s target range of 2 to 4 percent. Ricafort noted that volatility in global crude oil prices, influenced by increased tensions in the Middle East and other geopolitical uncertainties, along with storm damage, could cause a temporary rise