Day: October 20, 2025

Kanlaon: Kanlaon Volcano emitted grayish ash plumes reaching up to 300 meters high on Monday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Phivolcs said the ash plumes drifted west-northwest, likely due to volcanic gas release and pressure buildup within the volcano. According to Philippines News Agency, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol explained that ash emissions occur when there’s a release of volcanic gas and pressure. Degassing brings fine and dry materials or ash that can be found on the volcano’s crater. “This (ash emission) is expected for Kanlaon Volcano since it is under Alert Level 2 or moderate

Manila: A Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) official on Monday reported that its field offices along the path of Tropical Storm Ramil have already extended over PHP5.4 million worth of initial assistance to individuals and families affected by the weather disturbance. According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that the agency continues to extend the necessary assistance to the storm victims. ‘Patuloy ang pamamahagi ng DSWD sa mga naapektuhan ng Bagyong Ramil lalo na sa Western Visayas kung saan malaki ang naging pinsala. Kasama sa ibinahaging tulong

Leyte: Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla on Monday called for punishment of those behind the alleged anomalies in flood control projects as part of honoring the sacrifices of World War II veterans. Speaking to officials and war veterans during the commemoration of the 81st Leyte Gulf Landings here, Petilla said people could honor the past by protecting the future. According to Philippines News Agency, Petilla emphasized the importance of imposing sanctions to prevent the recurrence of such issues, comparing the flood control anomalies to the devastation of war. “We will never get tired of commemorating the Leyte Gulf Landings only

Manila: Senator Loren Legarda has filed a bill seeking to strengthen and restructure the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, filed Senate Bill (SB) 1413, or the TESDA Modernization Act of 2025, three decades after the enactment of Republic Act 77696 that created TESDA in 1994. According to Philippines News Agency, Legarda proposed to align TESDA’s mandate with the principles of lifelong learning, higher-level skills development, and the pursuit of a quality-assured Filipino workforce. Legarda emphasized the importance of equipping Filipinos with the right skills to thrive

Tacloban city: The state-run National Maritime Polytechnic (NMP) in this city has trained approximately 19,550 active and aspiring seafarers in the first nine months of 2025, reflecting a strong and sustained demand for maritime education in the country. According to Philippines News Agency, the figure represents 98 percent of the 19,851 total enrollees at NMP’s main campus in Tacloban City and its liaison office in Metro Manila from January to September this year. This number is nearly equal to the 19,652 trainees recorded for the entire 2024, underscoring the agency’s consistent training performance, the NMP stated in a recent announcement.