National

PBBM orders review of workers’ minimum wage rates

(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos on Wednesday, May 1, ordered the government’s wage policy-making bodies to “immediately review” the minimum pay rates of workers in the country. The President, in particular, instructed the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards to initiate the review in their respective regions. He said this should be done within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order. The chief executive also asked the National Wages and Productivity Commission […]

PHIVOLCS warns of increased volcanic sulfur dioxide flux at Kanlaon

Alert level 1 still in place (Eagle News)–The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Tuesday, April 30, warned of an increase in volcanic sulfur dioxide flux at Kanlaon. In am advisory, PHIVOLCS noted SO2 gas emissions from the crater of the volcano, which remains on alert level 1, averaged 2707 tons on the day. It said this was the second-highest emission recorded this year, with the highest pegged at 3098 tons and recorded on […]

PBBM to DOE, other relevant agencies: Fast-track implementation of plans for country’s EV industry development

(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos has ordered the Department of Energy and other relevant agencies to fast-track the implementation of plans and strategies to ensure the development of the country’s electric vehicle industry. During a sectoral meeting to discuss updates on the Philippines’  EV industry development on Tuesday, April 30, the President  noted the relevant agencies should, in particular, first focus on finding ways to lower the cost of production, financing, and the charging infrastructure. Under […]

Philippines says China Coast Guard fired water cannon at its vessels

MANILA, April 30, 2024 (AFP) – The Philippines said the China Coast Guard fired water cannon Tuesday at two of its vessels, causing damage to one of them, during a patrol near a reef off the Southeast Asian country. The incident happened near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal, which has become a potential flashpoint in the disputed South China Sea, during a mission to resupply Filipino fishermen. “This damage serves as evidence of the forceful water […]

ITCZ affecting Southern Mindanao

Rest of PHL affected by easterlies (Eagle News)–The Intertropical Convergence Zone is affecting Southern Mindanao. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the easterlies are also affecting the rest of the country. As a result, PAGASA said Davao Region, Surigao del Sur, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to […]

DMW: No Filipinos hurt in Taiwan earthquakes on Saturday

(Eagle News)–No Filipinos were hurt in the series of earthquakes that shook Taiwan on Saturday, April 27, the Department of Migrant Workers said. According to the DMW, nevertheless, the Migrant Workers Offices in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung are on alert and monitoring the situation. They, in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, are working with Filipino leaders, local authorities, and employers, the DMW said. “DMW head office […]

Over 2 million int’l visitors received by PHL in April: DOT

(Eagle News)–Over two million international visitors have entered the country this month, the Department of Tourism has said. Of the total 2010522 as of April 24, the DOT said 94.21 percent or 1894076 were foreign tourists while 5.79 percent or 116446 were overseas Filipino workers. The DOT said the overall figure is 15.11 percent higher than the international arrivals reported in the same period last year. South Korea remains number one in terms of inbound […]

LRT-2, MRT-3 to offer free rides on May 1

(Eagle News)–The Light Rail Transit Line 2  and Metro Rail Transit Line 3 will offer free rides to workers on Labor Day, May 1. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the free rides will be from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. “Ipakita lamang ang inyong company ID (or government-issued ID para sa mga edad 18 pataas)” it said. DOLE said the initiative is in collaboration with the […]

PAGASA: Easterlies affecting the PHL

(Eagle News)–The easterlies are affecting the country. As a result, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Metro Manila will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. The rest of the country will experience the same conditions. The entire country will have light to moderate winds and slight to moderate coastal waters.

Hans Leo Cacdac is new DMW secretary

  (Eagle News)–Hans Leo Cacdac is the new Department of Migrant Workers secretary. President Bongbong Marcos appointed Cacdac to head the department months after he was designated officer-in-charge of the same in September 2023. Cacdac became OIC following the passing of then-Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople the month before. According to the Presidential Communications Office, Cacdac also served as executive director of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration. He also […]

End of the road? Philippine jeepneys face uncertain future

By Faith Brown and Allison Jackson MANILA, April 26, 2024 (AFP) – The first jeepneys rolled onto the streets of the Philippines just after World War II — noisy, smoke-belching vehicles initially made from leftover US Jeeps that became a national symbol. Seven decades later, the colourfully decorated vehicles face an existential threat from a plan to replace them with modern mini-buses. Easy to fix and cheap to ride, the vehicles grew in size and […]

Luzon, Visayas grids on yellow alert on Friday, April 26

(Eagle News)–The Luzon and Visayas grids will be on yellow alert on Friday, April 26, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said. The NGCP said the alert over Luzon, in particular, will be in place from 1 to 4 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Four plants have been on forced outage since 2023, four between January and March 2024, and 14 since April 2024, while two others are running on derated […]