Only 1 tropical cyclone seen this monthThe tropical cyclone may cross the eastern side of the Visayas or Mindanao, or make a U-turn going out of the Philippine area of responsibility, based on the model from the state weather bureau. MANILA, Philippines — A lone tropical cyclone may enter the country this month, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The tropical cyclone may cross the eastern side of the Visayas or Mindanao, or make a U-turn going out of the Philippine area of responsibility, based on the model from the state weather bureau. From February to July this year, PAGASA projects four to 11 tropical cyclones may visit the Philippines. Moderate to strong winds and coastal waters may hit Luzon and the Visayas, with light to moderate winds and coastal waters over Mindanao.

Sewers do not attract attention when they work. By November 2025, all 28 wastewater treatment facilities operated by Manila Water were fully compliant with government effluent standards, surpassing regulatory targets. When sewers work, cities breathe easier. But in a country long frustrated by projects that never seem to end, work that is finished, and works, quietly matters. A global safety system built for decisive action can trigger a localized communication crisis that demands an immediate, empathetic response.

EDITORIAL - Ensure enforcementAs part of continuing efforts to stop epal or self-promoting credit-grabbing by politicians at taxpayers’ expense, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered its offices nationwide and local government units to remove the names, images and likenesses of public officials from all state-funded projects. Remulla should include a prohibition on the display of greetings by politicians in public spaces, unless in registered advertising spots. Public spaces nationwide are littered with streamers and billboards of politicians, greeting the public for every imaginable occasion including fiestas and graduations. Politicians’ billboards and streamers bearing Christmas greetings have not yet been taken down, even in Metro Manila. Aside from the DILG circular, Remulla stressed that the prohibition on politicians’ self-promoting materials is in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

NYC allocates P5 million for HIV awareness campaignNYC chairman Joseph Francisco Ortega said the amount highlights the agency’s active role in national HIV policy discussions and community-based interventions focused on the youth sector. MANILA, Philippines — The National Youth Commission (NYC) has allocated P5 million to boost youth-led initiatives on the human immunodeficiency virus or HIV awareness and stigma reduction campaign. NYC chairman Joseph Francisco Ortega said the amount highlights the agency’s active role in national HIV policy discussions and community-based interventions focused on the youth sector. To further combat HIV-related stigma, Ortega said the NYC is collaborating with an AIDS organization to launch a nationwide anti-stigma campaign. The NYC is an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government that addresses issues surrounding the Filipino youth.

Power distributors given more time to file AWATThe regulator granted DUs until March 22 to file their applications, extending the original 60-day deadline to 120 days from the effectivity of ERC Resolution 23, Series of 2025, which was issued last November. MANILA, Philippines — The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is giving distribution utilities (DUs) 60 more days to complete and file their actual weighted average tariff (AWAT) applications. For instance, if residential customers pay higher rates but use less power than industrial customers, AWAT balances these differences to show the true overall average price. Likewise, the ERC adjusted the timelines for the filing of rate reset applications for the second, third and fourth entry groups in the first regulatory period. The rate reset process sets the rules and parameters for the investment, operations and pricing mechanisms of DUs to determine how much should be charged to consumers.

PRC distributes aid in 15 provincesThe nationwide activity formed part of the PRC’s P301.8-million humanitarian assistance program for 23,242 families affected by the Cebu and Davao Oriental earthquakes in October 2025 as well as by Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan in November 2025. MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Friday conducted simultaneous relief distributions in 15 provinces, providing food packs and essential household items to 4,078 families affected by earthquakes and successive typhoons. Richard Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive officer, said the assistance drive aims to help families begin recovery and rebuilding. PRC secretary general Gwen Pang said the simultaneous distribution ensured a coordinated and timely support across affected regions. The distribution also covered the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Palawan, Catanduanes, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Cebu.

BSP to roll out cross-bank auto-debit this yearBy enabling cross-bank auto debits, the central bank expects to reduce friction for consumers and improve collection efficiency for billers. MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is preparing to roll out an interoperable auto-debit facility for bill payments this year, building on a pilot conducted in 2025 and expanding the system beyond same-bank arrangements. He noted that while some billers already offer auto-debit functions, the new facility is designed to work across different banks. Under the current setup, auto-debit arrangements usually require the customer’s deposit account and the biller’s bank to be the same. Beyond domestic payments, Tangonan also pointed to cross-border initiatives that will be rolled out this year as the Philippines holds the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship.

Not a project but a lifestylePersonal branding is not a project. One in particular stood out: “Building your personal brand isn’t a project. However, quitting prematurely is the most common mistake in personal branding. Ultimately, your personal brand is not defined by your profile photo or tagline. Your personal brand is not a side project; it is reflected in your daily actions and choices.

FDA, CICC warn public vs fake vaccines, miracle drugs“These (fake vaccines) are being distributed through unauthorized channels, including social media, online marketing platforms and unlicensed sources. MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public and healthcare professionals against unregistered and counterfeit dengue vaccines being sold in the market. “These (fake vaccines) are being distributed through unauthorized channels, including social media, online marketing platforms and unlicensed sources. Renato Paraiso, CICC executive director, said scammers are using artificial intelligence and have sponsored social media advertisements to give fraudulent products an image of legitimacy. To stay safe, Paraiso urged the public to purchase health products from legitimate and licensed sellers.

OVP: Free rides served 3 million passengersAccording to the OVP, the Libreng Sakay program assisted 1,036,927 passengers across various routes in Luzon, Visayas,and Mindanao, including Metro Manila, Naic (Cavite), Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban and Davao last year. MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Vice President on Friday said the free rides being offered by the OVP served over three million passengers nationwide since it was launched on Aug. 3, 2022. According to the OVP, the Libreng Sakay program assisted 1,036,927 passengers across various routes in Luzon, Visayas,and Mindanao, including Metro Manila, Naic (Cavite), Cebu, Bacolod, Tacloban and Davao last year. The free ride program operates nine buses in high-demand areas across the country, the OVP added. “As the program surpasses the three-million-passengers mark, the OVP reaffirms its commitment to people-centered initiatives that deliver timely and practical assistance, which reflect a responsive and compassionate approach to public service,” it added.

Cruise tourism among ASEAN’s most important marketsTourism ministers from the regional bloc “highlighted the growing potential of cruise tourism as an important market segment,” read the joint media statement from the 29th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers read by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on Jan. 30. MANILA, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has recognized the potential of cruise tourism in attracting more foreign travelers to the region’s tourist destinations. Tourism ministers from the regional bloc “highlighted the growing potential of cruise tourism as an important market segment,” read the joint media statement from the 29th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers read by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on Jan. 30. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the BI launched the cruise visa waiver program in 2024 aimed to simplify visa processes for tourists onboard cruise ships that dock in the country. Aside from cruise tourism, ASEAN tourism ministers also “recognized the continued development of new and innovative tourism products, including nature-based, cultural, gastronomy, wellness, adventure and creative tourism experiences,” their joint statement said.

Architect, designer Lor Calma, 97MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine architecture and interior design communities are mourning the passing of architect Lor Calma, a quiet pillar whose career became a cornerstone of Philippine interior design. Calma died on Jan. 27 at the age of 97, his firm Lor Calma & Partners announced. “A pioneering Filipino architect and designer, he leaves behind an enduring legacy that helped shape modern Philippine architecture,” the firm said in a statement. The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), for its part, also paid tribute, describing Calma as a visionary whose influence helped elevate the profession. “We mourn the passing of architect Lor Calma – a visionary, mentor and one of the quiet pillars who helped shape the soul of Philippine interior design.

Seized flood scam assets near P25 billion – AMLCMANILA, Philippines — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured another freeze order as it intensifies its probe into alleged ghost flood control projects, bringing the total value of frozen assets linked to the controversy to nearly P25 billion. The freeze order also covers the assets of a prominent businessman, along with other individuals and entities allegedly connected to the anomalous projects, according to the AMLC. Investigators said the breadth of assets underscores the complex financial trail surrounding the alleged misuse of funds intended for flood control works. To date, the AMLC said the total value of frozen assets has reached P24.7 billion, covering bank accounts, insurance policies, motor vehicles, air assets, real properties, e-wallet accounts, securities accounts and investment accounts. Remulla also warned against what he described as the indiscriminate inclusion of individuals and entities in freeze order petitions, saying transactions must be thoroughly analyzed.

Senator backs DILG’s anti-epal policySenator Ping Lacson addresses the Senate's ongoing flood control investigation and other matters concerning the upper chamber during the "Kapihan sa Senado" on January 14, 2026. Reacting to DILG Memorandum Circular 2026-006, Lacson said the ubiquity of epal materials – a colloquialism for credit-grabbing by public officials – often signals deeper irregularities in infrastructure spending. While surely, there are no ghost billboards, most likely the ‘epal’ billboards are as overpriced as the projects,” Lacson said in a post on X. The DILG directive, issued on Jan. 29, explicitly prohibits the display of any public official’s “name, image and likeness” on government projects and signboards. However, the senator acknowledged that the fight against the politicization of public funds is far from over.

No Cha-cha talks yet – PalaceMalacañang Palace, the official residence of the president of the Philippines, as seen from the Pasig River. “But, if they (Cha-cha proponents) have already taken steps toward this end, then the President will study it,” she said in Filipino. But the high court maintained that the fourth impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate had already violated the one-year bar. When the law is clear, there is nothing to interpret, as any first year law student knows,” the Senate President said in a statement. “In fact, the Senate President said he agreed because of the new changes happening.