(UPDATE) SEVERAL schools and universities in and outside Metro Manila suspended classes in anticipation of the nationwide transport strike on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, Malacañang said Sunday. ABALOS MEETS TRANSPORT LEADERS Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos meets with representatives of transport groups on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, in Quezon City. Abalos said that a vast majority or 95 percent of transport groups will continue to operate and will not participate. Abalos said they discussed other matters besides the transport strike, including concerns on "kotong." "We will create a technical working group to address the issues being raised by our transport group leaders," he said.

Groups push through with transport strike todayCommuters wait for alternative modes of transportation along Aurora Boulevard in Cubao, Quezon City as public utility jeepneys (PUJs) are rarely seen due to the three-day transport strike on July 24, 2023. Valbuena said at least 500 routes out of the total 785 routes in Metro Manila will join the transport strike. While the transport strike will be concentrated in Metro Manila, provincial transport groups will hold their protest in front of the regional offices of the LTFRB, according to Valbuena. Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos gave assurance that there will be no transport paralysis today as 95 percent of transport groups will continue to operate. She also reminded protesters joining the transport strike not to harass people who have decided to use public roads and transport services.

Eight people were arrested after a huge brawl broke out in Shek Kip Mei early Sunday, with police officers arriving at the scene with shields. Police received multiple reports around midnight that two groups of people were seen fighting on the first floor of a market in Shek Kip Mei. According to sources, those involved in the fight were construction workers who did not know each other. They engaged in a verbal argument that escalated to an all-out physical conflict, with some under the influence of alcohol. Two injured, suffering from scrapes and bleeding wounds, were taken to the hospital for medical attention.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) raised Alert Level 4 in Gaza, which means the mandatory repatriation of Filipinos there because of the worsening security situation. "The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the public that, due to the current situation in Gaza, we have placed Gaza under Alert Level 4 (mandatory repatriation)," DFA spokesman Ma. AFP PHOTO A fireball erupts during Israeli bombardment in the northern Gaza Strip on October 14, 2023. AFP PHOTO"All the rest have left northern Gaza or Gaza City, which is expected to be the main site for hostilities," Daza said in a statement. Gaza remains under a strict blockade.

A 43-year-old male patient has gone missing after leaving United Christian Hospital on Saturday (Oct 14). The man left the hospital without notification after consultation and is pending further assessment. Security guards were deployed to search for the patient within the hospital and the surrounding areas but did not manage to find him. After checking CCTV footage, it was confirmed that the man left the hospital at about 5.30 pm. He wore a green and white short-sleeved top, black shorts, and white shoes when he left the hospital.

MANILA, Philippines — Several local government units (LGUs) and universities have announced suspensions of face-to-face classes and a shift to distance learning due to the impending transport strike on Monday, October 16. Transport group Manibela said on October 9 that it will be holding a nationwide strike to protest the alleged corruption within the transportation sector and call for the deferment and review of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. ADVERTISEMENTREAD: Transport strike starting October 16 to push through, says groupManibela Chairman Mar Valbuena said about 240,000 traditional jeepneys are expected to join the strike. Here is the list of local governments and schools that announced a suspension of in-person classes and a temporary shift to distance learning:ADVERTISEMENTLGUsSta. Subscribe to our daily newsletter SIGN ME UPUniversity of Santo Tomas (October 16): shift to Enriched Virtual Mode of Instruction, with synchronous and asynchronous sessions, and remote work arrangementskga

GET ready to rock the night away with the undisputed Prince of Philippine Rock, Bamboo, as he takes center stage at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Quezon City for an electrifying performance on Oct. 20, 2023. The vocal rock maestro is all set to bring the house down with a musical spectacle, celebrating the essence of Philippine rock music. CONTRIBUTED POSTERLas Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Quezon City is an events space known for its timeless architectural beauty and historical significance. Get the latest newsdelivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyFor ticket inquiries and reservations, email [email protected]. You may also buy tickets online at http://bit.ly/ticketing-reservation or at any Marivent Hotels and Resorts Inc. Quezon City sales offices.

Airports bracing for Undas surge“OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos: Barangay and SK Elections and Undas 2023” has been activated by the two authorities who expect about 1.2 million passengers to pass through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) over the ten-day period starting Oct. 27. “OPLAN Biyaheng Ayos: Barangay and SK Elections and Undas 2023” has been activated by the two authorities who expect about 1.2 million passengers to pass through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) over the ten-day period starting Oct. 27. Co stated that daily passenger traffic during this period could exceed 130,000, surpassing last year’s average of 94,000 passengers daily and totaling 945,156 for the entire 2022 Undas season. In 2019, there was an average of 129,000 passengers daily, reaching a season total of 1,427,805. CAAP is also preparing their 42 airports nationwide ensuring the safety of traveling public, CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said.

PARIS: Natural and man-made disasters have caused $3.8 trillion in crop and livestock losses over 30 years, the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said on Friday. Average annual grain losses hit 69 million tons, the equivalent of France's annual production. Some 40 million tons of fruit and vegetable production was lost and 16 million tons of meat, dairy and eggs. Asia is the worst-hit region, sustaining 45 percent of total agricultural losses due to disasters, and losing the equivalent of 4 percent of its agricultural output. Moreover, it was extremely cost-effective, with each dollar invested in prevention measures resulted in $15 of avoided crop losses.

JIL celebrates 45th anniversaryMANILA, Philippines — Reviving one’s passion for God is what every faithful needs to make him more compassionate as well as deepen his love for the country, Jesus Is Lord (JIL) founder Bro. Eddie Villanueva said last night during the celebration of the movement’s 45th anniversary. “We should be more intense in loving and serving God, even if it means more hardships,” he said. Also in attendance were Bocaue Mayor Jonjon Villanueva, Bocaue Vice Mayor Sherwin Tugna and JIL vice president Rev. With 15 students as his core group, Villanueva started the JIL in 1978.

Thousands of people — Israelis, Palestinians and foreigners — have been killed since Hamas militants attacked Israel from the Gaza Strip nearly a week ago. Hundreds of Hamas gunmen attacked Israel from Gaza at dawn on Saturday, on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Israel declared war on Hamas on Sunday and has since fired thousands of munitions at Gaza targets, flattening entire neighbourhoods and sending frightened residents fleeing for safety. The Israeli military called on residents of the northern Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, to evacuate their homes and head south “for their safety”. Washington has sent additional military support to Israel, including missiles for its “Iron Dome” interceptor system, and is deploying hostage experts.

THE United Kingdom (UK) is committed to strengthening defense relations with the Philippines, anchored on protecting the Indo-Pacific region that includes the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Baroness Annabel Goldie, UK Minister of State for Indo-Pacific Defense Engagement, gave this assurance when she met with Lt. Gen. William Gonzales, Armed Forces inspector general, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday. AFP Inspector General LtGen William Gonzales meets with Baroness Annabel Goldie during her visit to the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on October 12. (Photo by Sgt Ambay/PAO, AFP) AFP Inspector General LtGen William Gonzales meets with Baroness Annabel Goldie during her visit to the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on October 12. The naval contingent under Samasama that also includes the United States, France, Japan, UK, Australia and Canada held sea formations and shared information on maritime domain and security.

‘Leave Gaza in 24 hours’Smoke plumes billow following Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on Oct. 11, 2023 on the fifth day of fighting between Israel and the Hamas movement. GAZA CITY — Israel yesterday gave Palestinians 24 hours to leave Gaza City ahead of an expected ground offensive in retaliation against Hamas for the deadliest attack in Israeli history. The Israeli army confirmed yesterday it had called on Gaza City residents to move “to the area south of the Wadi Gaza,” which is just below Gaza City in the 40-kilometer-long territory. “In the following days, the IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians,” the army said. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel yesterday on a visit also aimed at showing solidarity, after Blinken’s stop.

Get the fresh looking K-Beauty vibe with WatsonsTo showcase its K-beauty line-up, Watsons brought the trending Photoism Korean photo booth to Watsons The Block SM North Edsa in September. To showcase its K-beauty line-up, Watsons brought the trending Photoism Korean photo booth to Watsons The Block SM North Edsa in September. Shoppers got the chance to strike their best Hallyu-inspired poses for free with any purchase of Watsons K-beauty brands. But the K-beauty vibe doesn’t end there! Watsons now also carries viral beauty products from Beauty of Joseon, Clean It Zero, Luxe Organix, Senka and Snail White!

A 60-year-old man was jailed for eight years on Friday for raping a 23-year-old foreign domestic helper who later got pregnant and underwent an abortion, with the judge blasting him for his crime where he plotted to take away her virginity. Kwok also rejected Lee saying that he committed the offense out of impulse and believes he plotted his crime beforehand. Kwok added he couldn’t understand how Lee’s financial burden would push him over the edge, saying that raping X wouldn’t have helped with his situation. X later got pregnant and underwent an abortion, which resulted in her severe anxiety disorder. The court heard that Lee demanded X to eat the tortoise jelly covered with brown sugar and X felt dizzy later.