National

Philippines warns of tsunami, orders evacuation of coastal areas after 7.4-magnitude quake in Taiwan

MANILA, April 3, 2024 (AFP) – The Philippines warned of “high tsunami waves” and called for the evacuation of coastal areas in the country’s north on Wednesday, lowering an earlier warning after a major quake struck neighbouring Taiwan. “The people in the coastal areas of the following provinces are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland,” the state seismology institute said in an advisory. Coastal areas in the provinces of […]

Inter-agency committee to streamline right-of-way activities for national railway projects created

  (Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos has created an Inter-Agency Committee for Right-of Way (ROW) Activities for National Railway Project. In issuing Administrative Order No. 19 dated March 25 that created the committee, the President said the body shall “study and devise an efficient and collaborative mechanism to streamline the process of land acquisition necessary for the implementation of all railway projects.” The Presidential Communications Office said the committee’s powers and functions  include coordinating the implementation […]

4.2-magnitude earthquake strikes off Occidental Mindoro

(Eagle News)–A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck off Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday, April 2. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake hit at 2:36 p.m. Its epicenter was 19 kilometers southwest of Mamburao. The depth of focus was 20 kilometers. The following instrumental intensities were reported: Instrumental Intensities: Intensity III – Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro; Intensity II – City of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Intensity I – Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro […]

Marbil is new PNP chief

(Eagle News)–Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil is the new Philippine National Police chief. The Palace made the announcement shortly after Police Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Baloloy Peralta was designated PNP officer-in-charge. Peralta effectively replaced Police Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., who ended his term as the PNP Chief on March 31. “Ang pangarap ko, ay pangarap niyo rin. Matatag na ekonomiya, maayos na lipunan at maayos na kapulisan – ‘yan po unang kataga na sinabi ng Presidente during […]

Peralta is PNP officer-in-charge

(Eagle News)–Police Lt. Emmanuel Baloloy Peralta has been designated as officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police. A memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and dated March 27 said Peralta will hold the post effective March 31 “until a replacement is appointed or until otherwise directed by this office.” The memorandum was addressed to Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos. Peralta effectively replaced General Benjamin Acorda, whose term ended on Sunday, March 31.    

NIA: At least 23 dam projects expected to be completed by 2028

(Eagle News)–The National Irrigation Administration has said it expects to complete 20 medium-term projects and three to five long-term projects until 2028. NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen said these include the Tumauini Dam in Isabela, as well as dam projects in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. In the Visayas, meanwhile, he said NIA was  building the Jalaur Dam. Other projects in the Panay River Basin, in addition to smaller or medium-sized dams, are also to be […]

Some NCR roads closed for reblocking, repair from March 29-April 1

(Eagle News)–Several roads will be temporarily closed for reblocking and repair starting March 29. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said the following will be closed starting 11 p.m.: Taft Avenue corner Pedro Gil (2nd Lane), Manila City ESDA (SB) J.P. Rizal Avenue to Orense 3rd Lane from sidewalk, Makati City ESDA (NB), Between General Malvar Street to D. Arellano Street 2nd Lane from sidewalk, Caloocan City The MMDA said the roads will be opened  by […]

“We will not be cowed into silence,” says President Marcos after China sea clash

President Ferdinand Marcos said Thursday the Philippines will not be “cowed into silence” by Beijing after confrontations in the South China Sea that injured Filipino troops and damaged vessels. Marcos’s remarks came as China blamed the Philippines for raising tensions in the hotly contested waterway, which Beijing claims almost entirely. Beijing and Manila have a long history of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea and there have been repeated confrontations between their vessels […]

PAGASA: Easterlies affecting eastern section of the country

(Eagle News)–The easterlies are affecting the eastern section of the country. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said, as a result, Metro Manila will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. Flashfloods or landslides during severe thunderstorms are possible. The rest of the country will experience the same conditions. According to the weather bureau, the entire country will have light to moderate winds and slight to moderate coastal […]

PBBM on recent Ayungin Shoal incident: ‘Filipinos do not yield’

(Eagle News)–“Filipinos do not yield.” President Bongbong Marcos issued the statement after another Philippine vessel on a resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal figured in an incident with the Chinese Coast Guard, leaving at least three Philippine Navy personnel injured and the Philippine vessel damaged. The Philippine government said two vessels of the China Coast Guard water-cannoned  the Unaizah May 4 (UM4) which carried the Navy personnel over the weekend. The UM4 was also carrying supplies […]

PAGASA: Easterlies affecting eastern section of PHL

(Eagle News)–The easterlies are affecting the eastern section of the country. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said, as a result, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. Metro Manila, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. According to the weather bureau, the […]