General

Manila: The Department of Health (DOH) has activated a code white alert over the weekend for the safe and healthy observance of the Holy Week. According to Philippines News Agency, this is part of proactive measures to ensure the readiness of health facilities and personnel to respond to any potential health emergencies during this period of increased public activity. Under the code white alert which is in effect until April 20, all medical personnel, especially those in emergency rooms and critical care units, are prepared for a potential increase in patient volume due to accidents, injuries, or other health-related incidents

Cebu: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday commended private organizations for their donation of computer tablets and Starlink internet devices to select remote schools in Cebu. This donation is a part of the collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing digital accessibility in underserved regions. According to Philippines News Agency, this development follows DepEd’s partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), iACADEMY, and Republic Asia under the Pay IT Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy initiative. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of this project, highlighting how it bridges the digital divide by providing essential tools to learners

Manila: Holy Week travelers have started their exodus to the provinces on Monday, with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) logging over 100,000 passengers in all ports nationwide. According to Philippines News Agency, in a situation update, the PCG monitored 55,269 outbound passengers and 46,724 inbound passengers in all ports nationwide from 6 a.m. to 12 noon. Moreover, 4,102 deployed frontline personnel in 16 PCG Districts have inspected 734 vessels and 804 motor bancas. In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview over PTV, PCG spokesperson Commander Michael John Encina said all ports nationwide are on heightened alert from April 13 (Palm Sunday)

Abu Dhabi: The Philippine Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported a positive turnout on the first day of online voting for overseas Filipinos over the weekend. In a statement on Monday, Philippine Ambassador to UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver said the online voting, however, started with some technical issues. “But we were not deterred and these issues were addressed by the 24/7 tech support of the Comelec (Commission on Elections),” he said. According to Philippines News Agency, Ambassador Ver commented on the initial results of the online voting process, expressing a sense of optimism regarding the level of participation.

Leyte: After years of shattered lives as armed rebels in the mountains of Leyte, two siblings found true freedom after leaving the New People’s Army (NPA). Jessica Darantinao, 35, said life has finally been peaceful since she formally surrendered to authorities and applied for amnesty last year. According to Philippines News Agency, her elder sister, Janeth, persuaded her to support the NPA as a member of a left-leaning youth organization in 2013. She became a full-time rebel after three years. After fighting the government between 2016 and 2017, Jessica realized that all promises of the NPA are lies, prompting her