Author: WWC NEWSDESK

Lifestyle

₱20,000 Aid Reaches Negrense Students—Now They’re Asking Marcos for Something More

NEGROS OCCIDENTAL — For students struggling to stay in college, ₱20,000 can mean the difference between continuing their studies and putting their education on hold. That is the message emerging from Negros Occidental as student beneficiaries expressed gratitude for financial assistance under the Marcos administration’s Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program, while also calling for the initiative to reach more students who are facing financial barriers to completing college. The assistance forms

August 18, 2026

Politics

OVER 17,000 BARANGAYS ON FLOOD, LANDSLIDE WATCH — THEN PAGASA REVEALS WHAT’S NOW DEVELOPING

MANILA, Philippines — More than 17,000 barangays nationwide are facing moderate to very high susceptibility to flooding and rain-induced landslides as the southwest monsoon, or habagat, continues to bring heavy rains across parts of the country. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered local government units (LGUs) to intensify preventive measures and act before weather conditions deteriorate further. The warning covers the period August 17 to 19, based on hazard

August 18, 2026

Politics

TAGUIG DRUG DEN BUST: 5 High-Value Suspects Arrested—Then Police Found This Inside

TAGUIG CITY, Philippines — A police operation in Taguig City led to the arrest of five alleged high-value drug suspects and the seizure of around 160 grams of suspected shabu reportedly valued at more than ₱1.08 million, authorities said Tuesday, August 18. The operation was carried out by the Taguig City Police and Southern Police District (SPD) at Villa Street in Barangay Central Bicutan, where authorities said they dismantled an alleged drug den. According to the Taguig police report cited

August 18, 2026

Politics

₱20,000 Aid Reaches Negrense Scholars—But Thousands More Students Could Be Next

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — For hundreds of students in Negros Oriental, financial assistance from the national government is offering more than immediate relief—it could mean one less obstacle standing between them and a college diploma. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial distribution of ₱20,000 in educational assistance to student scholars during his visit to Negros Oriental on August 17, as the administration expanded its Bawat Barangay Makikinabang initiative

August 18, 2026

Asia

Singapore’s Bus Interchanges Are Getting a Major Makeover in 2027 — But There’s One Catch Commuters Need to Know

SINGAPORE — Six well-used bus interchanges across Singapore are set for major upgrades from 2027, promising more comfortable, accessible and family-friendly facilities for commuters. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Aug. 18 that upgrading works will be carried out at Bishan, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Eunos, Punggol and Tampines bus interchanges. The improvements will target some of the everyday pain points faced by commuters, including ventilation, lighting, seating, accessibili

August 18, 2026

Lifestyle

Benguet Vegetables Keep Rotting in the Rain—Now 7 Cold Storage Facilities Are Being Built, But Is It Enough?

The government is moving to address one of the Cordillera’s most persistent agricultural problems as the Department of Agriculture (DA) begins constructing seven cold-storage facilities across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to help prevent vegetables and other perishable crops from going to waste. The development was announced on August 18, 2026, as Malacañang responded to reports of farmers in Benguet suffering losses after heavy rains and landslides disrupted the movement of agric

August 18, 2026

Politics

Palace Orders Alternative Work Setup in NCR, 17 Provinces on Aug. 19—But Here’s Who’s Still Required to Report

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has ordered government offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 17 provinces to adopt appropriate alternative work arrangements on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as persistent rains from the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, continue to affect large parts of Luzon. The directive, issued under Memorandum Circular No. 129, covers 18 areas nationwide: NCR, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, B

August 18, 2026

Politics

NCCA, UNESCO Give Filipino Teachers a New Challenge—And the August 31 Deadline Could Change How Students Learn Culture

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino teachers are being challenged to bring the country’s living cultural heritage beyond museums, festivals and community traditions—and directly into the classroom. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has opened a national competition encouraging Grade 7 to Grade 12 teachers to develop lesson plans that use Filipino living heritage—or intangible cul

August 18, 2026

Politics

Marcos Orders Waste-to-Energy Push as DOE Targets 400 MW—But the Biggest Battle May Come Before the Plants Are Built

MANILA, Philippines — The government is accelerating its waste-to-energy (WTE) program as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. renews his push to transform the country’s growing volume of residual waste into electricity while reducing pressure on landfills and waterways. The Department of Energy (DOE) said it is moving the WTE program from policy toward actual project implementation, with a 400-megawatt (MW) installation target now being pursued under the government’s Green Energy Auction Program. T

August 18, 2026

Politics

DOST Unveils New Science Push in Zamboanga—But the Bigger Goal Goes Beyond the Exhibits

DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — Science and technology took center stage in the Zamboanga Peninsula as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) brought its latest innovations closer to students, businesses and communities through the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW). Held from August 12 to 14 at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Sports Center, the regional celebration featured interactive exhibits, competitions, technology demonstrations and forums f

August 18, 2026