Day: November 27, 2025

Manila: The Senate has increased the 2026 budget for the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) to PHP2.5 billion, nearly doubling the allocation to strengthen nationwide route rationalization and technical planning under the Department of Transportation (DOTr). According to Philippines News Agency, during Thursday’s deliberations, Senator JV Ejercito, sponsor of the DOTr budget, stated that the Senate raised the PTMP allocation from PHP1.3 billion in the original General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Ejercito emphasized that the additional support would help address long-standing gaps in transport planning. Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed the augmentation, noting the need for sufficient funding to accelerate Local Public

Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is set to acquire additional vessels and equipment to strengthen its presence in the West Philippine Sea after the Senate augmented the agency’s 2026 budget by PHP8.6 billion, transportation officials said during budget deliberations on Thursday. According to Philippines News Agency, Senator JV Ejercito, sponsor of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) budget, stated that the augmentation would allow the PCG to procure new vessels, including a 97-meter multi-role response vessel (MRV) from Japan and three 87-meter vessels to expand the country’s maritime patrol capability. The PCG will also receive around 40 aluminum boats for

Manila: The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently reported the return of seven Filipino nationals who fell victim to scam operations in Myanmar. These individuals, consisting of four women and three men, aged between their 20s and 30s, were repatriated on a Philippine Airlines flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Their arrival was facilitated by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force on Anti-Trafficking (NAIA-FAT). According to Philippines News Agency, six of the victims had exited the country through an illegal migration route known as the “backdoor,” while one traveled under the guise of a tourist heading to Thailand. The BI revealed that

Cagayan: A total of 13,135 individuals were affected by the massive flooding in Cagayan triggered by incessant rains, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said Thursday. In its latest situational report, the PDRRMO indicated that the affected residents were from 50 barangays across nine towns in the province. According to Philippines News Agency, 2,429 individuals were staying in evacuation centers as of Thursday afternoon, while others have chosen to temporarily stay with neighbors or relatives. In a media interview, Cesar Cuntapay, acting head of the PDRRMO, mentioned that personnel from the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan – Quick

Bicol: The Department of Education in Bicol (DepEd-5) will allocate over PHP143 million for school divisions in the six provinces affected by Super Typhoon Uwan, also known internationally as Fung-wong. DepEd Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad announced that the funds from the DepEd Central Office would be utilized for minor repairs and cleanup efforts in the affected areas. According to Philippines News Agency, the funds will be distributed among the school divisions as follows: Albay will receive PHP32.39 million, Camarines Norte PHP7.38 million, Camarines Sur PHP29.17 million, Catanduanes PHP20.24 million, Masbate PHP19.81 million, and Sorsogon PHP14.18 million. Additional allocations include Iriga