The provincial government of Negros Occidental is allocating P411 million for disaster risk reduction and management programs in 2027, including funds for cloud seeding to combat anticipated dry spells and pest infestations threatening sugarcane farms.
Transport groups in the Philippines have launched a two-day strike due to soaring fuel prices, expressing dissatisfaction with the government's response and demanding tax cuts and increased fuel subsidies. Concerns are rising over the impact on daily life.
Senator Raffy Tulfo urged labor officials to pursue in court the previous P85 wage order for Metro Manila workers, stating the newly approved P60 hike is insufficient amid rising prices and workers' right to a salary increase.
The remains of two Filipino seafarers killed in an attack in the Strait of Hormuz arrived in Manila on September 11. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) pledged support for the victims' families.
Suspected leptospirosis cases have surged in Bulacan, Philippines, following widespread flooding from recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon. Cases have more than doubled compared to the same period last year, with fatalities reported. Provincial authorities have ordered enhanced preventive measures.
The Philippines' Department of Transportation has launched a P20,000 monthly financial aid program for jeepney operators struggling with loan payments under the modernization program. The assistance aims to support continued operations amid rising fuel prices and other costs.
The Philippines' outstanding external debt reached $154.9 billion by the end of the second quarter of 2023, a 5.1% increase from the previous quarter. The central bank stated the debt-to-GDP ratio rose to 31.6%, but foreign exchange reserves remain sufficient, keeping the debt manageable.
A motorboat carrying 13 passengers sank in a river in Pangasinan, Philippines on Saturday night. While 10 individuals were rescued, three people, including one man and two women, remain missing. Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations.
Five paralegals arrested during a protest in Taguig against the US "Pax Silica" initiative, aimed at artificial intelligence and supply chain security, have been released on bail of P60,000 each. The incident highlights tensions between authorities and progressive groups over the right to protest and adherence to the law.
Room rates at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) are under scrutiny following the transfer of a former House Speaker. Daily rates range from P715 for the most affordable ward to P6,600 for the Presidential Suite, excluding medical fees.
Cardinal Pablo David has urged Catholics to become 'digital missionaries,' emphasizing the need to spread truth, foster discernment, and build relationships online rather than merely accumulating followers or creating content.
Acknowledgement receipts (AR) supporting Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential fund (CF) spending show that some were issued on the same day across 300 locations nationwide, according to Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, raising questions about the transparency of fund utilization.
A motorboat carrying 13 passengers sank in a river in Pangasinan, Philippines, leaving three people missing. Search operations are underway. Passengers reportedly panicked and jumped into the water due to sudden flooding.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded calmly to Vice President Sara Duterte's call for his resignation, stating, "You cannot force anyone to love you." The Vice President faces impeachment proceedings and a grave threats charge, having labeled the President the "problem of our nation."
The Philippine Supreme Court has overturned the graft conviction of former First Lady Imelda Marcos. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated he is 'happy' for his mother, noting the decision ends a 40-year legal battle. The court ruled the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Further delays to the Philippines' village and youth council elections could dampen voter and candidate participation, entrench incumbent officials, and waste billions of pesos already spent on preparations, analysts warn. Concerns are also raised about undermining opportunities for local governance.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has sought Indian support for major rail projects and investments from businesses in New Delhi. Several companies have expressed interest in fresh capital and expansion, signaling potential job creation.
The Philippines' defense pact with France, approved by the Senate, is seen as a boost to diversifying Manila's security relationships. However, experts stress the importance of enhancing indigenous military capabilities and a clear national strategy for true deterrence.
Philippine labor groups are urging the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) to clarify the confusion surrounding two wage orders in Metro Manila. Uncertainty over workers' entitlements and back pay between an order granting an P85 increase and another for P60 raises concerns of intensified protests.
The Philippine government is considering expanding an ongoing food security project to more regions to address hunger and improve nutrition. Discussions also covered infrastructure development and a human resource development scholarship.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set for its first parliamentary elections on September 14, following four postponements. Senators are urging for a peaceful and orderly conduct, calling for impartiality from electoral participants and authorities, and emphasizing the need for neutral security rather than excessive military presence.
The provincial government of Isabela, Philippines, is intensifying its response to the El Niño phenomenon as prolonged dry conditions have affected over 118,000 farmers and fisherfolk, threatening approximately 31,000 hectares of farmland. Measures include improving irrigation, introducing alternative crops, and providing fisheries support.
The African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in Isabela, Philippines, has spread to 18 towns and 85 villages, affecting 120 hog raisers. Provincial authorities are intensifying containment measures, posing a severe threat to small-scale farmers.
The Philippines' outstanding external debt reached a new record of $154.93 billion at the end of the second quarter of 2026, driven by new borrowings from the national government and the private sector. The debt-to-GDP ratio rose to 31.6%. The central bank maintains that the debt remains broadly manageable.
The Philippine government is reviewing an industry proposal to extend the zero import duty on electric vehicles (EVs) and their components beyond 2028, aiming to accelerate the domestic market's shift to EVs and align with the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS).
The Philippines' Department of Economic Planning and Development anticipates an employment rebound in the fourth quarter, driven by a partial resolution of construction sector slowdowns and seasonal hiring for the Christmas period. Concerns about AI's impact on jobs are also noted.
Philippine pork production is projected to rise 4.4% to 1.06 million metric tons in 2027, while beef output is expected to remain largely unchanged from its 2026 estimate, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Increased pork production is attributed to government repopulation efforts and biosecurity measures, though El Niño poses a potential risk.
Subsidies to Philippine government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) fell 30.52% year-on-year to P6.76 billion in July. However, the cumulative total for the first seven months surged 94.98% to P121.34 billion, nearing 39.3% of the full-year budget.
The Philippines is expected to maintain its coal consumption this year, continuing its reliance on coal-fired power plants for baseload electricity needs, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Increased demand from neighboring countries also contributes to this trend.
The Philippines' Bureau of Customs is promoting its Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program to enhance trade facilitation and build trust between customs and businesses. The country is also pursuing Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with ASEAN and China, aiming to strengthen international competitiveness.
Taal Volcano recorded seven volcanic earthquakes and a prolonged tremor in the past 24 hours. However, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) maintained Alert Level 1, citing weak sulfur dioxide emissions and no observed volcanic smog.
A boat operator was arrested in Mindoro, Philippines, for allegedly hiring unlicensed fishermen. Fishing gear and catch worth an estimated P940,000 were seized. The arrest is in connection with violating a law that prohibits commercial fishing vessel operators from employing unlicensed fisherfolk or crewmen.
The Philippine Coast Guard has expanded its search for survivors of a ferry fire off Palawan to the coastal areas of Mindoro. 41 more bodies were recovered, bringing the total death toll to 76.
The Marcos administration has released P154 million directly to 770 barangays in Cavite to fund public safety, development, and scholarships for college students, aligning with the President's view that education is key to poverty alleviation.
Bulacan province in the Philippines has recorded five deaths from leptospirosis, with cases nearing 400, attributed to ongoing flooding. Coastal towns are particularly affected, and authorities are distributing prophylactic medication to curb the spread.
A 40-hectare former landfill in Carmona, Cavite, Philippines, has been transformed into a multi-purpose public complex focusing on disaster preparedness, food security, environmental rehabilitation, and clean energy, with the Marcos administration aiming to make it a model for local government units nationwide.