Philippines

FLOODWATER ALERT: DOH Warns of Deadly Leptospirosis — PhilHealth Coverage Now Reaches ₱411,000

MANILA, Philippines — As heavy monsoon rains continue to trigger flooding in parts of the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) is warning Filipinos not to underestimate the health risks hidden in floodwaters, particularly the potentially deadly bacterial infection leptospirosis. The warning comes as the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) rolls out a significantly expanded leptospirosis benefit package that can provide up to ₱411,000 in coverage for qualified patients wh

August 19, 2026

Philippines

66,000 Relief Packs Ready as Habagat Keeps Pounding Cordillera — But the Bigger Threat May Be Beneath the Ground

BAGUIO CITY — With persistent rains continuing to threaten flood- and landslide-prone communities in the Cordillera, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD-CAR) has positioned tens of thousands of relief supplies for possible deployment to local government units. As of 3 p.m. on August 18, DSWD-CAR reported 66,002 family food packs (FFPs), 8,120 ready-to-eat food items and 18,544 assorted non-food items, along with approximately P2.39 million in

August 19, 2026

Philippines

DOE Warns Visayas LGUs: Energy Efficiency Could Hold the Key as Power Supply Pressures Persist

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental — The Department of Energy (DOE) is stepping up its push for energy efficiency across local governments in the Visayas, urging LGUs to make smarter energy use a permanent part of public-sector operations as the region continues to face power-supply challenges. The DOE held its 3rd Government Energy Management Program (GEMP) Summit–Visayas Leg in Bacolod City, bringing together more than 100 energy-efficiency personnel and representatives from LGUs in Western, Cen

August 19, 2026

Philippines

PAGASA Warns of More Habagat Rain: These Areas Face Floods and Landslides as Weather Systems Intensify

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos in several parts of Luzon and the Visayas are being urged to remain vigilant as the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, continues to bring heavy rain, while localized thunderstorms add to the risk of flooding and landslides. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the Habagat will continue affecting Luzon and parts of the Visayas, with some areas facing potentially significant to heavy rainfall in the com

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Central Visayas Just Broke Its Drug-Destruction Record—Here’s What Authorities Burned

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Nearly ₱677 million worth of seized dangerous drugs has been permanently taken out of circulation in Central Visayas, marking the region’s largest drug-destruction operation since 2017, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). PDEA Regional Office 7 destroyed confiscated drugs and related evidence valued at ₱676,659,213.84 during a disposal ceremony in Cebu City on July 28, 2026. The biggest figure was the 99.45 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochlo

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Rice Aid Reaches 22,583 in Kidapawan as 30 Barangays Get Relief—Here’s Who Could Be Next

KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato — More than 22,000 residents in Kidapawan City have already received rice assistance under the national government’s Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, with distribution continuing across the city’s barangays. As of August 17, 2026, a total of 22,583 beneficiaries had received 10 kilograms of rice each, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). The assistance is funded through the national government’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), which has allocated ₱1

August 19, 2026

Philippines

Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road Remains Closed as Clearing Operations Continue in Benguet

TUBLAY, BENGUET — Motorists traveling through Benguet are being urged to take extra precautions as the Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road remains closed to all traffic following a major landslide that damaged a slope protection structure in Tublay. The closure affects the section in Bangho, Daclan, Tublay, where a slope protection structure collapsed after prolonged heavy rainfall triggered a massive soil movement on August 13, 2026. According to the Philippine Information Agency, authorities anno

August 19, 2026

Business

Philippines Unites Ube Industry in Push to Make Ube a Major Export

QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Philippines is taking a major step toward turning one of its most recognizable food crops into a globally competitive agricultural commodity as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and ube industry stakeholders unite under a new nationwide organization. The newly established United Ube PH Association Inc. brings together farmers, cooperatives, growers, processors, traders, exporters, researchers, academe representatives and government agencies from Luzon, Visayas an

August 19, 2026

Philippines

22,583 Kidapawan Residents Already Got Rice Aid — But 10 Barangays Are Still Waiting

KIDAPAWAN CITY, COTABATO — More than 22,000 residents of Kidapawan City have already received government rice assistance under the Bagong Pilipinas Rice Program, as authorities continue the distribution across the city’s remaining barangays. As of August 17, 2026, a total of 22,583 beneficiaries had received 10 kilograms of rice each, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). The distribution had reached 30 of Kidapawan’s 40 barangays, meaning the assistance rollout is still ongoing

August 19, 2026

Entertainment

From Beauty Queen to Future Doctor: Rabiya Mateo Begins UST Med School at 29—But Her Journey Started Long Before the Crown

From wearing a pageant crown to preparing for a career in medicine, Rabiya Mateo is proving that some dreams simply take time. The Miss Universe Philippines 2020 titleholder has officially begun her medical school journey at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), entering the university's Faculty of Medicine and Surgery as she works toward her longtime goal of becoming a doctor. Reports from ABS-CBN, GMA News, Philstar.com, The Varsitarian, and other Philippine outlets confirm that Mateo has star

August 19, 2026