General

Manila: Consumers can expect significantly lower petroleum prices on Tuesday, providing much-needed relief for motorists traveling this Holy Week. According to Philippines News Agency, in separate advisories, Caltex, Cleanfuel, Seaoil, and Shell have announced plans to slash gasoline prices by PHP3.60 per liter and PHP2.90 per liter for diesel. Additionally, Caltex, Seaoil, and Shell will cut kerosene prices by PHP3.30 per liter. The oil firms will begin reducing pump prices as early as 6 a.m. on April 15, and other industry players are expected to follow suit. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), current prices of gasoline in Metro

Manila: Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino on Monday hailed the growing global recognition of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) following its latest inclusion on Google Maps. Tolentino described it as a ‘victory for all Filipinos’ and a testament to the country’s firm stance in asserting its sovereign rights under international law. According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino emphasized that the move by Google reflects how the Philippines’ claim over its exclusive economic zone is gaining traction among reputable international institutions. He called this a legacy for future generations, highlighting the importance of the inclusion on digital maps. Tolentino, who is

Abra: The political group Asenso, spearheaded by Governor Dominic Valera and Vice Governor Joy Valera-Bernos, has formally requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the province of Abra under its control for the upcoming elections on May 12. According to Philippines News Agency, Vice Governor Valera-Bernos expressed that Comelec control would ensure a more secure environment for supporters, allowing them to move freely without fear in a stable political climate. In a statement submitted to Comelec, she emphasized that such measures would involve deploying additional personnel, establishing monitoring systems, and enforcing strict regulations to prevent electoral fraud and violence.

Manila: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is providing psychosocial assistance to individuals in crisis through the Wireless Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (WiSupport) program, a senior agency official said on Monday. ‘WiSupport is a psychosocial support program of DSWD designed to address the mental health and psychosocial needs of our kababayans (people). From the very start, this program was pursued to provide those in need access to platforms where they can express their mental health concerns and seek psychosocial support,’ Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release. According to Philippines News Agency, the program was

Mt. Kanlaon: Mt. Kanlaon erupted again on Monday and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said “a highly explosive eruption” is likely due to the shorter intervals between the recent episodes. According to Philippines News Agency, Mariton Bornas, head of Phivolcs’ Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division, reported that based on current monitoring parameters and in the absence of significant changes, there is a possibility of a lava eruption or a highly explosive eruption. Bornas explained that the recent eruptions are just a precursor and that major eruptions are occurring at shorter intervals. Bornas mentioned that Mt. Kanlaon