Category: Politics

Politics

135,834 4Ps Families in Central Visayas Get ₱2,000 UPLIFT Aid—But Who’s Next in Line?

135,834 4Ps Beneficiaries in Central Visayas Get ₱2,000 UPLIFT Aid—But Who Gets the Next Payout? CEBU CITY, Philippines — More than 135,000 families enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Central Visayas have received a one-time ₱2,000 cash assistance under the government's expanded Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food and Transport (UPLIFT) program. The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7 (DSWD-7) reported that 135,834 4Ps beneficiaries

August 15, 2026

Politics

4Ps Families in Romblon Exit the Program—Then Calatrava Gives Them a New Way to Earn

CALATRAVA, Romblon — Leaving the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is being treated not as the end of government support, but as a new beginning for families working toward more sustainable livelihoods. Former 4Ps beneficiaries in Calatrava, Romblon underwent Bread and Pastry Production skills training on August 4, 2026, as the local government and partner agencies sought to help them build additional sources of income after exiting the national poverty-reduction program. The training

August 15, 2026

Politics

179 Landslides in Just 12 Days: Why Roads Across the Cordillera Are Becoming a Growing Danger

179 Landslides in Just 12 Days: Why Roads Across the Cordillera Are Becoming a Growing Danger BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Cordillera is facing an alarming road-safety crisis as landslides continue to batter its mountainous road network, with 179 landslides recorded in the first 12 days of August—already surpassing the region’s historical average for the entire month. The Department of Public Works and Highways–Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) reported that 186 road sections acros

August 15, 2026

Politics

Baguio Rains Displace 1,012 as 220 Families Get Aid — But Authorities Face a Bigger Problem

Baguio Landslide Crisis: 220 Families Get Aid as Rains Push More Residents From Their Homes BAGUIO CITY — At least 220 families, or 1,012 individuals, affected by days of relentless rain and landslides in Baguio City are receiving assistance from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), as authorities continue to manage evacuations and assess areas threatened by unstable slopes. The figure, reported by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on August 14, includes families displ

August 15, 2026

Politics

TESDA Opens 300 Scholarship Slots in Oriental Mindoro—But the ₱8 Million Assistance Could Mean More Than Free Training

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Hundreds of residents in Oriental Mindoro are being given a fresh opportunity to gain job-ready skills as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) opens around 300 scholarship slots while making available more than ₱8 million in assistance for technical-vocational education and livelihood support. The initiative was highlighted during an awarding ceremony in Roxas town on August 14, where TESDA partnered with the congressional office of O

August 15, 2026

Business

₱6.3 Million Livestock Project Lands in Surigao Norte—But What Happens Next Could Change Local Egg Supply

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte — Three farmers’ cooperatives in Surigao del Norte are getting a major boost to their poultry businesses as the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga turns over a combined ₱6.3-million egg production project designed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while strengthening the province’s local food supply. The project, implemented under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) program, provides each beneficiary cooperative with a package wor

August 15, 2026

Politics

Palawan Wants DOE to Restart Hydrogen Hunt—What Scientists Found Underground Could Change the Philippines’ Energy Future

Palawan Wants DOE to Restart Hydrogen Hunt as ‘White Hydrogen’ Raises New Energy Hopes PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Palawan is pushing the national government to get back to work on what could become one of the Philippines’ most closely watched clean-energy prospects: naturally occurring, or “white,” hydrogen. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Palawan has called on the Department of Energy (DOE) to resume and accelerate exploration and research into the province’s potential hydrogen resources

August 15, 2026

Politics

46°C Heat Index Triggers School Suspensions Across Mindanao—Here’s What Authorities Are Warning Next

MINDANAO, Philippines — The extreme heat gripping parts of Mindanao is forcing local governments and schools to take increasingly urgent measures as heat indices reach dangerous levels, with one area recording a 46°C heat index. The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) reported on August 13 that several local government units (LGUs) and schools in the Caraga region had modified class schedules, suspended face-to-face classes or adopted alternative learning arrangements to protect students and sc

August 15, 2026

Politics

₱6.1-M Relief Deployed Across Cordillera—But the Worst May Not Be Over

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released more than ₱6.11 million in relief and financial assistance to families in the Cordillera Administrative Region affected by relentless rains from the southwest monsoon, or Habagat, and recent tropical cyclones. The aid, released through DSWD-CAR as of August 12, 2026, includes food packs, drinking water, emergency supplies, non-food items and cash assistance for families whose homes and livelihoods we

August 15, 2026

Politics

Marcos Vows to Defend Press Freedom—But Will His Government’s Actions Match the Promise?

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has renewed his pledge to protect press freedom in the Philippines, telling foreign correspondents that his administration will defend the media rather than diminish its role in a democratic society. Speaking at the Presidential Luncheon of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) in Manila on Friday, August 14, Marcos said his position on press freedom had not changed. “Two years ago, I spoke of a principle that I d

August 15, 2026