Day: October 30, 2025

Manila: Nearly 12 years after Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) devastated this city, families gathered at a mass grave site to honor their loved ones by placing flowers and lighting candles, though many remain uncertain of the precise locations of their relatives’ final resting places. According to Philippines News Agency, John Ray Dumilon, 27, visited on Thursday to clear weeds from a spot traditionally honored for his uncle, Oscar Nerja, who was lost to the deadly waves. Dumilon shared, “This is not the exact place where my uncle was buried, but my grandma told us to offer flowers and

Para±aque city: The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said it is taking a proactive stance in cracking down on illegal online lotteries as it aims to achieve a higher standards certification from the World Lottery Association (WLA). According to Philippines News Agency, at a media conference in Para±aque City, PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles stated that they are collaborating with law enforcement agencies to identify and shut down illegal lottery operations in the country. Simultaneously, the PCSO is enhancing its systems to make PCSO games more accessible and user-friendly through digital modernization. Robles emphasized the importance of educating the public

Quezon city: The Free Funeral Services Act (Republic Act No. 12309) will serve as the basis of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide standard burial aid to poor families, as well as those who are in crisis, under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program. Director Edwin Morata of the DSWD’s Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) highlighted the department’s role in establishing a standardized amount of burial assistance through the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). According to Philippines News Agency, Morata stated that the DSWD will determine the standard package of burial assistance as

Manila: Government troops will remain stationed in the town center to reassure residents of their safety and protection as they begin to return home following the cessation of recent clan hostilities. According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Frederick Sales, the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade commander, stated that troops deployed to defuse tensions in Barangay Tipo-Tipo Poblacion will stay until normalcy is fully restored. Sales emphasized the need to secure the area due to ongoing speculation that the conflict may reignite. Sales, alongside Col. Cerrazid Umabong, the provincial police director, met with Mayor Ingatun Istarul at the town hall on

Busan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in South Korea on Thursday ahead of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, where he is expected to push for stronger trade and investment ties across the region. The presidential plane carrying Marcos and his delegation landed at Gimhae International Airport in Busan at 5 p.m. (local time). According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos will proceed to a meeting with members of the Filipino community before joining APEC-related events on Friday. Marcos is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and deliver a keynote address