Day: October 18, 2025

Bicol: The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) 5 has condoned PHP246 million in unpaid Irrigation Service Fees (ISF), benefiting 2,230 farmers across six provinces in the Bicol region. NIA-5 Manager, Engineer Gaudencio John De Vera, announced this initiative as an effort to alleviate the financial burdens on farmers and enhance agricultural productivity. According to Philippines News Agency, De Vera emphasized that the condonation is part of the ongoing implementation of Republic Act 10969, commonly known as the Free Irrigation Service Act (FISA). This act aims to relieve farmers owning not more than eight hectares of land from unpaid irrigation service fees,

Manila: Tropical Storm Ramil has intensified as it approaches the coastal waters of Northern Samar, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). As of 10 a.m., Ramil was located over the coastal waters of Palapag, Northern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, moving west-southwestward at 20 kph. According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 has been raised over several areas, including the northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag, and Dinalungan), Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, the northern portion of Camarines

Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reappointed former Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Jose Mendoza to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the body tasked with screening nominees to the judiciary. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Mendoza’s appointment as a JBC member in a text message to Palace reporters Saturday. According to Philippines News Agency, Mendoza initially assumed his post at the JBC in July 2025, but his ad interim appointment was deferred by the Commission on Appointments on Oct. 7. After passing the 1971 Bar Examinations, Mendoza served as a legal officer of organizations including the Philippine

Bicol region: At least 3,000 passengers were stranded in various ports across the Bicol Region due to Tropical Storm Ramil, known internationally as Fengshen, the Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol (PCG-5) reported. According to Philippines News Agency, PCG-5 Commander Commodore Ivan Roldan stated that 3,142 passengers, along with 1,004 rolling cargo units and six roll-on/roll-off ships, were stranded at the ports of Pioduran and Tabaco in Albay; Mobo in Masbate province; Pasacao in Camarines Sur; and Matnog, Pilar, and Castilla in Sorsogon province. Roldan emphasized that PCG personnel at all ports in the region are on heightened alert to respond

Northern samar: Tropical Storm Ramil (international name Fengshen) has slightly weakened over the coastal waters of Northern Samar, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Saturday. As of 1 p.m., Ramil’s center was located over the coastal waters of Laoang, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph, moving westward at 25 kph. According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted over the northern portion of Aurora, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, the northern portion of Camarines Sur, the extreme eastern