General

Manila: Families and individuals in Northern and Central Luzon affected by Typhoon ‘Bising’ and the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” have received PHP719,187 in relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), an agency official reported. According to Philippines News Agency, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group stated that the assistance includes 1,068 family food packs and emergency kits delivered to local government units impacted by Bising. These areas have experienced intense rains, flooding, and landslides. Dumlao emphasized that even when Bising was still a low-pressure area, the DSWD assured local government units

Manila: While communities around the Taal Volcano must stay vigilant, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Tuesday they have nothing to worry about. “They just have to stay vigilant and refrain from entering the permanent danger zone which is the whole Taal Volcano Island,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency in an interview. According to Philippines News Agency, based on the 24-hour observation from 12 a.m. Monday to 12 a.m. Tuesday, there is an ongoing volcanic tremor in Taal since 3:37 a.m. Sunday. Bacolcol said continuous volcanic tremor may last for

Manila: The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has summoned Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to formally express the Philippine government’s concern over Beijing’s decision to sanction former senator Francis Tolentino. This move by China has sparked a diplomatic conversation between the two countries, focusing on the wider issues surrounding the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea. According to Philippines News Agency, China has barred Tolentino from entering its mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, citing his ‘egregious conduct on China-related issues’. The sanctions specifically relate to his stance on the territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea. During a Palace briefing,

Ilocos norte: About 1,298 scholarship slots have been opened by the provincial government for senior high school students of Ilocos Norte. Willie Jake Sib-at, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Education Office, told the Philippine News Agency that the bulk of the slots, or 980, are for academic scholarships, while 340 are for agriculture and fisheries and 50 for arts, with the last two under the technical-vocational-livelihood strand. According to Philippines News Agency, scholars are given a stipend ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP10,000 per semester. The provincial government is currently accepting applications for these scholarship grants, reminding applicants to complete the requirements

Dinagat islands: Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo Demerey Jr. on Tuesday expressed his approval of the No Objection Letter (NOL1) granted by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to the island province. According to Philippines News Agency, the NOL1, which was presented by Laurel to Demerey at the DA Central Office on Monday, marks the beginning of the implementation of a PHP150 million farm-to-market road (FMR) in Libjo town. This letter covers procurement and other necessary steps required to initiate the project. Governor Demerey emphasized the collaborative efforts between the DA, the provincial government, and other relevant agencies,