Day: October 2, 2025

Cebu: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dispatched an 18-person team to Cebu province in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to mobilize resources and deliver aid to quake-hit communities. The team aims to assist affected civilians and support relief and recovery efforts. According to Philippines News Agency, MMDA Chair Don Artes stated that the team comprises personnel from the Public Safety Division and Road Emergency Group. They were deployed in coordination with the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to ensure effective collaboration on the ground. In addition to human resources, the MMDA has

Eastern visayas: Eastern Visayas is sending a 90-man team to Bogo City, Cebu, to augment post-disaster humanitarian response after Tuesday night’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake. According to Philippines News Agency, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Eastern Visayas regional director Lord Byron Torrecarion announced that half of the team, along with necessary equipment, arrived in Cebu on Thursday, and the remainder will be dispatched on Friday. Torrecarion emphasized the region’s readiness to assist, highlighting their proximity to Cebu province as a strategic advantage in providing support. The team comprises personnel from OCD, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine

Manila: Tropical Storm Paolo (international name Matmo) has slightly intensified, now packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour (kph) near its center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, the weather bureau reported in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Thursday. The storm’s intensification raises concerns as it approaches the Luzon region. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts that Paolo could further strengthen to reach the severe tropical storm category by Thursday night or Friday. The storm was last tracked 480 km east of Infanta, Quezon, or 480 km east

Kiangan: The push to preserve the world-renowned Ifugao rice terraces has also helped protect another important cultural treasure – the province’s centuries-old weaving tradition. Marlon Martin, chief operating officer of the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMO), noted that weaving was introduced as an additional source of income for rice farmers, ensuring that they continue cultivating ‘tinawon,’ an heirloom rice variety used in rituals and for brewing bayah (rice wine). According to Philippines News Agency, Martin explained during a Department of Tourism-Cordillera familiarization tour in Kiangan, Ifugao, that the income from rice farming was no longer sufficient to meet the

Manila: Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Thursday addressed the recent administrative complaint filed against him before the Supreme Court by the camp of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Remulla stated that the disbarment case, filed by lawyer Israelito Torreon on behalf of Davao City Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte, was anticipated and represents a case of ‘forum shopping.’ According to Philippines News Agency, Torreon has initiated the disbarment proceedings against Remulla, citing his role as a legal representative for the Davao group. Remulla, in an interview, emphasized that this is not Torreon’s first attempt at such legal action. “Expected lang ‘yan.