Day: December 4, 2025

Manila: The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has announced the release of PHP3.93 billion in Christmas cash gifts to 411,692 eligible pensioners on December 4. This marks the first year that pro-rata and Portability Law (RA 7699) pensioners are included in this annual benefit. According to Philippines News Agency, GSIS will also credit the December monthly pension earlier than usual, moving the date from December 8 to December 5, to provide pensioners with more time to prepare for the holidays. GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso explained that the expanded coverage aims to ensure that the institution’s senior members

Oas: The municipality of Oas in Albay province has approved a 50 percent waiver on water bills for residential consumers of the Oas Water System (OWS) for November and December. In a statement, Oas Mayor John Kenneth Trinidad said the initiative is part of the local government’s ongoing assistance to households recovering from recent calamities. According to Philippines News Agency, the two-month waiver aims to alleviate the financial burden of affected residents, allowing families to allocate more resources to basic needs and the rebuilding of their livelihood. Trinidad thanked the Sangguniang Bayan, under Vice Mayor Domingo Escoto Jr. and Finance

Manila: There is no imminent major eruption in Taal Volcano, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said on Thursday. His assurance came as two minor phreatic/phreatomagmatic eruptions occurred earlier at 12:58 and 1:04, both lasting two minutes. According to Philippines News Agency, the second eruption has ejected incandescent ballistics 300 meters above the lake, according to Phivolcs. “They (incandescent ballistics) did not reach any communities on the mainland, and this does not indicate an imminent major eruption,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency. Incandescent ballistics, he said, are very hot, glowing rocks

Davao city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced on Thursday that the 1.3-kilometer Bucana Bridge in Davao City will open to motorists on December 15. The bridge is anticipated to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city, particularly during the holiday season. According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos made this announcement following an inspection of the bridge, which is also known as the Davao River Bridge. The Bucana Bridge is part of the broader Davao City Bypass project and is expected to cut travel time from nearly two hours to just 20 to 25 minutes once it becomes operational. The

Samar: The Philippine Army (PA) has vowed relentless operations against New People’s Army (NPA) “remnants” following Wednesday’s clash in Samar that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers. In a statement Wednesday night, PA chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete called on the remaining NPA members to “abandon armed struggle and pursue peaceful reintegration.” According to Philippines News Agency, Nafarrete issued the statement following the clash between the 46th Infantry Battalion and NPA rebels in San Jose de Buan, Samar on the wee hours of Wednesday where two soldiers were killed. Initial information revealed that the two fatalities are both technical