Day: October 23, 2025

Manila: Local rice farmers across Northern Samar are set to receive stronger agricultural support with the official inclusion of the province in the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). The Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office here said this marks a major milestone for the province’s agricultural sector, as it opens access to increased financial assistance, modern machinery and equipment, high-quality rice seeds, credit support, and capacity-building training for farmers. According to Philippines News Agency, DA Eastern Visayas officer-in-charge Rodel Macapa±as emphasized that with the official inclusion of Northern Samar under the RCEF program, local rice farmers are now eligible to

Quezon city: Employees of the News and Information Bureau (NIB) and the Bureau of Communications Services (BCS) recently participated in Maynilad Water Services, Inc.’s ‘Plant for Life’ tree-planting initiative at the La Mesa Nature Reserve. This activity is part of an ongoing effort to safeguard the La Mesa Dam, a vital water source for Metro Manila. According to Philippines News Agency, 400 seedlings of Dungon and Makaasim were planted during the event. These efforts are a segment of Maynilad’s extensive watershed protection program, which seeks to preserve the water quality of Metro Manila’s remaining rainforest. The program has been a

Kanlaon: Kanlaon Volcano erupted twice on Thursday, releasing ash into the atmosphere, as confirmed by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). According to Philippines News Agency, the first eruption occurred between 5:30 a.m. and 7:29 a.m., followed by a second eruption from 7:39 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. These eruptions produced grayish ash plumes that ascended to a height of 600 meters. The volcano remains under Alert Level 2, indicating a moderate level of unrest. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol mentioned that ash emissions are anticipated under this alert level, as they occur when volcanic gas and pressure are released.

Albay: The provincial government of Albay will establish a 911 command center to strengthen disaster resilience and response efforts during calamities and emergencies. Governor Noel Rosal stated that the province has allocated PHP78 million for the project, aimed at ensuring accurate, timely, and factual reporting during disasters. According to Philippines News Agency, the governor emphasized the necessity of the command center, noting that Albay is a typhoon-prone and calamity-prone area. He highlighted the need for connecting the province’s 15 local government units (LGUs) and three cities to effectively manage incidents, traffic, and accidents. The installation of software and hardware, including

Legazpi: The Diocese of Legazpi condemned on Thursday the killing of radio broadcaster Noel Samar, who died after he was shot by an unidentified gunman along Maharlika Highway in Guinobatan, Albay, earlier this week. According to Philippines News Agency, Bishop Joel Baylon expressed the diocese’s grief and solidarity with those denouncing the act and demanding justice and accountability for this violent episode. The clergy and laity of the Diocese of Legazpi have extended their condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and colleagues of Samar. Baylon emphasized the importance of defending the sanctity of life, pursuing truth, and working toward

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has introduced revised guidelines for its Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program, aiming to enhance its responsiveness in the wake of multiple disasters across the country. The new measures are set to better align the program with disaster response and early recovery initiatives for internally displaced persons (IDPs). According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) highlighted the versatility of the ECT program in addressing the immediate and post-impact needs of disaster-affected families. The cash assistance is intended to cover essential items such