The Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) stated that rainfall can temporarily alleviate air pollution caused by haze from Indonesia by washing out pollutants. However, the persistence of haze depends on wind patterns and fire activity in Indonesia.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has arrested a man in Bulacan for allegedly selling registered SIM cards online. He faces charges for violating the SIM Registration Act and other related laws.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Philippines is experiencing sluggish fund utilization, with its spending rate declining year-on-year from January to July. This comes as the agency faces heightened scrutiny over its infrastructure spending.
A man died after falling into an open drainage system in Angeles City, Pampanga, highlighting infrastructure deficiencies and inadequate flood control measures. Similar incidents have occurred, raising concerns about public safety.
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC), operator of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), is implementing flood mitigation measures including temporary barriers and enhanced pumping operations due to heavy monsoon rains. The company has apologized for the hours-long traffic congestion experienced by motorists.
Tropical Depression Pilandok maintained its strength as the southwest monsoon (habagat) is expected to bring heavy rains to parts of Luzon and the western Visayas. Pilandok itself is not directly affecting the Philippine mainland.
Experts in the Philippines attribute the recurring massive floods in Metro Manila to decades of ignoring a master plan drafted in 1941. They urge the implementation of science-based, long-term solutions.
The Philippines' Department of Health has recorded 5,835 leptospirosis cases nationwide this year, with a surge in the past two weeks due to heavy flooding raising public health concerns.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is monitoring four weather systems, including Tropical Depression Pilandok, which is expected to intensify into a tropical storm. While unlikely to make landfall in the Philippines, it is forecast to move towards southern Japan.
Philippine House prosecutors are set to question former Department of Education chief of staff Michael Poa in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Poa, also part of Duterte's defense team, may invoke lawyer-client privilege, making his testimony a key point of contention.
Philippine House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V highlighted potential staffing and accountability issues within the Office of the Vice President (OVP) regarding its use of confidential funds, citing officials' inability to recall crucial details.
Filipinos can expect a slight increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices by P2 to P3 per kilogram in September. This rise is attributed to higher shipping costs and a depreciating peso, while pump prices for gasoline and diesel are set to decrease.
The Philippine government has warned of severe legal consequences for those stealing parts of flood control infrastructure, calling it an act of "sabotage" amid widespread flooding. The Department of Public Works revealed that cables, valves, and manhole covers have been stolen, rendering several pumping stations inoperable.
As floods continue to plague Luzon, a Catholic Cardinal urged Filipinos to move beyond passive acceptance of corruption and incompetence, emphasizing that resilience should translate to demanding accountability for preventable suffering through organized civic action and legal means.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that Tropical Depression 'Pilandok' (international name: Krovanh) has intensified into a tropical storm. The storm is located far from the Philippines and is unlikely to make landfall. However, the southwest monsoon is expected to bring strong winds and rough seas to some parts of the country.
The Philippine Senate has resumed the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The proceedings could significantly impact the country's political landscape.
The Philippines' cacao industry is poised for expansion due to rising farmgate prices driven by global supply disruptions. However, low productivity remains a significant challenge, hindering the sector's ability to meet growing domestic and export demand.
Philippine property giant Megaworld is significantly expanding its hotel portfolio, planning to add nearly 12,000 rooms across key tourism and business hubs nationwide over the next five to seven years. This initiative aims to boost the country's tourism sector and create jobs.
Soaring electricity bills in the Philippines are straining household budgets, prompting a growing number of Filipinos to consider solar power. Despite high upfront costs, the long-term savings and increased energy freedom are driving interest. However, challenges with net metering processes, including delays and alleged corruption, persist.
Foreign portfolio investments in the Philippines, also known as "hot money," saw a net inflow of only $66.47 million in July, a steep 91% decline year-on-year, as outflows nearly matched inflows.
Tropical Depression Pilandok has entered the Philippine area of responsibility, expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon and bring heavy rains to much of Luzon. Concerns are rising for floods and landslides in areas still recovering from recent typhoons.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that three tropical cyclones are enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing intense rainfall to parts of Luzon and thunderstorms to the Visayas. Risks of landslides and floods are elevated, particularly in northern and western Luzon.
Angat Dam has recovered nearly 50 meters from its historic low, surpassing the 200-meter mark due to increased rainfall from the southwest monsoon. This eases immediate concerns over Metro Manila's water supply, though vigilance against potential El Niño-induced drought remains.
The Department of Education (DepEd) is expanding its 'Kaagapay Program' to empower parents in identifying early signs of behavioral changes in children, positioning them as the 'first line of defense' against school violence. The initiative will cover mental health, online safety, and bullying prevention, fostering stronger home-school collaboration.
The 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award has been conferred upon Singaporean diplomat Tommy Koh, Bangladeshi social development worker Runa Khan, and Myanmar human rights advocate Bo Kyi. The awards ceremony will take place in Manila on November 15.
An Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) official testified in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, concerning her confidential funds. The military had issued certifications to justify Department of Education expenses, a move now under scrutiny.
Fuel prices for gasoline, diesel, and kerosene saw a rollback in the Philippines during the first week of September, attributed to renewed hopes for an end to the Middle East conflict. However, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is expected to increase this month due to a weakening peso and higher shipping costs.
An Army Colonel testified during the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte that his unit did not receive confidential funds from the Department of Education (DepEd) for leadership seminars in 2023. While DepEd provided school information, fund disbursement details remain unknown.
Five senior justices have been invited by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to apply for the post of Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice, following the retirement of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. This has been a long-standing practice.
The agricultural sector in the Philippines has suffered over P2.84 billion (approximately $50 million USD) in damages and losses due to the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng. Rice and high-value crops sustained the most significant impacts, affecting over 72,000 farmers.
The Philippines House Committee on Appropriations swiftly approved the proposed P10.15 billion budget for the Office of the President (OP) for fiscal year 2027. Despite some dissent regarding transparency and fund utilization, the budget was ultimately passed under the banner of 'institutional courtesy.' The proposed amount represents a significant decrease from the previous year.
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA), once a formidable revolutionary force, have significantly lost influence. Their opposition to strategies like EDCA and Pax Silica mirrors Beijing's arguments, highlighting the ideological stagnation of the Philippine Left.
The Philippines' Department of Energy plans to introduce a coal transition policy allowing up to 5 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity from coal-fired power plants not covered by the current moratorium. This aims to replace aging facilities and ensure energy security.
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is prioritizing immediate aid to farmers and shifting production to less-affected areas to preempt food shortages and rising inflation due to El Niño. The department is also promoting drought-resistant crops and enhancing irrigation.
General retail price growth in Metro Manila (NCR) accelerated to a three-month high of 4.0% in July, primarily driven by price increases in machinery and transport equipment, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The Philippines' Department of Transportation (DoTr) aims to complete runway expansions at major provincial airports by 2027. This initiative seeks to accommodate larger aircraft, potentially leading to lower airfares.