Day: October 13, 2025

Masbate: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5), through its Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD), has initiated the distribution of financial assistance to families affected by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) in Masbate province last month. According to Philippines News Agency, Claudio Villareal, chief of DSWD-5’s DRMD, stated that the aid is part of the DSWD’s Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program. A total of PHP191 million has been allocated for a two-day payout, aimed at families whose houses were destroyed. Each family will receive 75 percent of the regional daily wage, which is PHP311,

Manila: The three-day Indigenous Peoples (IP) Games organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) successfully concluded on Sunday in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, marking unity and camaraderie among participants. According to Philippines News Agency, the PSC coordinated the Oct. 10 to 12 games with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Agusan del Norte provincial government. ‘Unity, camaraderie and cultural pride were in full display at the IP Games Mindanao leg,’ the provincial government said in a statement on Monday. Around 350 players from various IP communities in Agusan del Norte participated in

Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) has reassured the public that there is no need for alarm regarding recent reports of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in the country. The number of ILI cases recorded in recent months remains lower than the same period last year, indicating a controlled situation. According to Philippines News Agency, DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo conveyed through a Viber message to reporters that from January to September this year, 121,716 ILI cases were logged. This figure represents an 8 percent decrease compared to the 135,538 cases reported during the same period last year. Domingo further clarified that

Manila: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has instructed local government units (LGUs) to conduct inspections of structures within their jurisdictions after a series of earthquakes affected the country. This directive comes in response to recent seismic activities that have raised concerns about structural integrity and public safety. According to Philippines News Agency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered all national agencies to provide assistance to the affected areas and expedite recovery and rehabilitation efforts. The DILG expressed its commitment to supporting LGUs in ensuring the safety and swift recovery of communities impacted by the earthquakes.

Manila: A think tank on Monday condemned the latest act of aggression by Chinese maritime forces against a Philippine ship going about its lawful business near Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). In a statement, Stratbase Institute said it “strongly condemns these brazen acts of aggression by China,” referring to the firing of water cannon at Philippine ship BRP Datu Pagbuaya before deliberately ramming it. According to Philippines News Agency, BRP Datu Pagbuaya, operated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), was anchored at the territorial waters of Pag-asa Island to protect Filipino fishermen in the