Month: February 2026
Negros Occidental Placed Under Red Alert As TD Basyang Threatens Province
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The provincial government of Negros Occidental placed the province under red alert status on Wednesday, putting all disaster response teams on standby as Tropical Depression Basyang threatens parts of the Visayas. The red alert status took effect at 5 p.m. for the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and
CM Macacua Assures Aid As Fire Razes 1,000 Homes In Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua expressed sympathy on Wednesday for residents of Barangay Lamion in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, after a massive fire destroyed about 1,000 homes and displaced thousands. Macacua said no lives were lost in the blaze, which broke out late Tuesday night, calling it “a blessing we must never take
Massive Fire In Bongao Leaves 5,000 Homeless
BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi (February 4, 2026) — Nearly 1,000 homes were reduced to ashes after a massive fire swept through the coastal residential area of Barangay Lamion in Bongao late Tuesday, leaving around 5,000 residents homeless. The fire, which started around 10 p.m., raged for four hours, fueled by strong winds that allowed the flames to
PH Fisheries In Freefall: 45M Kilos Of Fish Lost Yearly – Report
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is losing tens of millions of kilos of fish annually as its once-bountiful waters steadily shrink, a new report from international ocean advocacy group Oceana Philippines warned Monday. According to the study The Philippine Fisheries Assessment, the nation has lost an estimated 45 million kilograms — roughly 45,000 metric tons
Total Lunar Eclipse On March 3 To Light Up Skies Across Pacific Rim
Skywatchers from the Americas to Asia-Pacific will witness a rare celestial event early Tuesday. That is if skies are clear early Tuesday morning, March 3, skywatchers will be treated to one of the night sky’s most striking spectacles: a total lunar eclipse. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes completely into Earth’s shadow,
China Sends Butterfly Into Orbit, Tests Life Support In Space
MANILA, Philippines – Scientists from China’s Chongqing University have successfully raised a butterfly from its chrysalis while orbiting Earth, a rare biological milestone that offers new insights into how life can survive and develop in the microgravity environment of space. The butterfly was sealed inside a compact, self-sustaining experimental ecosystem developed by the university’s research
Explainer: Why A Zamboanga del Norte Water Pump Appeared To Move On Its Own
A video of a hand water pump in Manukan, Zamboanga del Norte appearing to operate by itself has gone viral, stirring fear and speculation among residents. The footage, aired on 24 Oras in a report by Kuya Kim, shows the pump handle moving up and down with water dripping out—despite no one using it—before the
Fact Check: Marcoleta Wrong On West Philippine Sea, EEZ Coordinates
Senator Rodante Marcoleta said there are no clear coordinates defining the West Philippine Sea (WPS) or the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), suggesting the country should first determine these before asserting its maritime claims. “Wala po talagang malinaw na coordinates kung ano ba talaga ang pinaka-area ng ating West Philippine Sea o Exclusive Economic Zone.
BSP: LGUs Using Paleng-QR Ph Plus More Than Double In 2025
MANILA, Philippines – The number of local government units (LGUs) that have adopted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) QR code–based digital payment program for public markets more than doubled in 2025, the central bank said. BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said 922 LGUs rolled out Paleng-QR Ph Plus last year, up from 408 in
DepEd Urges Public Schools To Maximize Digital Tools Under Learner-Centered Reforms
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday urged public schools to fully utilize digital tools as it advances learner-centered reforms aimed at making classrooms more engaging and inclusive. Education Secretary Sonny Angara made the call during the celebration of the International Day of Education at Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School
Can Chatbots Affect Mental Health? What Studies Reveal About Loneliness And AI Use
TAKEAWAY: Chatbots can support daily life—but they work best as assistants, not companions. Chatbots are increasingly woven into daily life. They become more humanlike—responsive, personalized, and always available. Millions now turn to conversational AI not just for information, but for comfort, advice, and companionship. This raises a pressing question: Does frequent interaction with chatbots change
IEMOP: Power Supply Improves In December, But Visayas And Mindanao See Higher Prices
MANILA, Philippines – Power supply across the Philippine electricity grid improved in December 2025, but tighter conditions in the Visayas and Mindanao pushed electricity prices higher, the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) said. In a report, IEMOP said average system-wide supply rose to 20,233 megawatts (MW) in December, up 1.2% from November,
