DENR ramps up forest protection, reforestation amid El Niño risk

Inquirer.net - Oct 18, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Forests help keep water flowing to communities, particularly during prolonged dry spells. As El Niño recurs every few years, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is expanding forest protection patrols and accelerating targeted reforestation across critical watersheds nationwide to help forests retain water, regulate streamflow, reduce soil erosion and recharge

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PHILTHRA urges harm reduction: Studies back lower-risk nicotine products

Oct 18, 2026

PHILTHRA urges harm reduction: Studies back lower-risk nicotine products

MANILA, Philippines — Citing studies that suggest lower risks from nicotine products other than traditional cigarettes, the Philippine Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (PHILTHRA) identified e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches as less harmful alternatives for smokers who switch completely, based on what it described as current scientific evidence. PHILTHRA convened the 2nd National Summit

Floodwaters submerge graves in South Cotabato cemetery ahead of Undas

Oct 18, 2026

Floodwaters submerge graves in South Cotabato cemetery ahead of Undas

BANGA, South Cotabato — Several graves at the Banga Public Cemetery remain submerged in floodwaters on Sunday following several days of rain, posing a challenge to families preparing to clean and tidy the burial sites of their loved ones ahead of Undas. Some parts of the cemetery have also become muddy and difficult to walk

2 alleged fixers nabbed over disorderly behavior in LTO central office

Oct 18, 2026

2 alleged fixers nabbed over disorderly behavior in LTO central office

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected fixers were arrested by Highway Patrol Group (HPG) personnel assigned to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) over their disorderly behavior in the agency’s central office. According to the LTO on Saturday, the two men were arrested after they were not allowed to proceed with their transactions in changing license plates

PDEA seizes P415.6-M illegal drugs, arrests 126 suspects

Oct 18, 2026

PDEA seizes P415.6-M illegal drugs, arrests 126 suspects

MANILA — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seized P415.63 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 126 suspects in 81 nationwide operations Oct. 8 to 14. In a news release Sunday, the PDEA said the operations included buy-busts, interdiction activities, marijuana eradication, search and seizure operations, and the implementation of search warrants. Of those

AFAB, Bataan officials seek solution to long-standing housing row

Oct 18, 2026

AFAB, Bataan officials seek solution to long-standing housing row

MARIVELES, Bataan — A long-standing housing dispute affecting hundreds of residents, mostly former employees of the Bataan Export Processing Zone (BEPZ) and their dependents, may soon be resolved following discussions between the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and local officials. AFAB Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Hussein Pangandaman met with Bataan third

LTFRB: Over 600 TNVS partners under ‘tempo’ status to be regularized

Oct 18, 2026

LTFRB: Over 600 TNVS partners under ‘tempo’ status to be regularized

MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday said 638 transport network vehicle service (TNVS) partners would be granted regularized status, having already been issued provisional authority. According to the LTFRB, it had received 9,036 applications from TNVS partners with “tempo” status, a practice in which transport network companies (TNCs)

No winner of major lotto games on Sunday as Ultra Lotto jackpot reaches P410 million

Oct 18, 2026

No winner of major lotto games on Sunday as Ultra Lotto jackpot reaches P410 million

There were no winners of either of the major lotto games played on Sunday, October 18, 2026, with one jackpot now well over P400 million.

Nueva Ecija farmers raise concerns over land near MTerraSolar project

Oct 18, 2026

Nueva Ecija farmers raise concerns over land near MTerraSolar project

Farmers in Sitio Sangilo, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija are raising concerns over the MTerra Solar project, saying their livelihood has been affected by road blocks restricting access to their farms.

China urged to copy Pentagon’s hi-tech warfare project without US conflicts of interest

Oct 18, 2026

China urged to copy Pentagon’s hi-tech warfare project without US conflicts of interest

China has been urged to learn from a Pentagon project to assess future warfare but warned to avoid the potential conflicts of interest and other shortcomings of the US defence review. Project Meridian, launched late last month, is designed to identify future battlefield requirements and prioritise investment, with a focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, directed energy, robotics and biotechnology. In an analysis published on Friday, the Beijing-based think tank Blue...

DepEd, DILG to deploy barangay tanods in schools, link up with 911

Oct 18, 2026

DepEd, DILG to deploy barangay tanods in schools, link up with 911

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have forged a partnership to strengthen school safety by deploying barangay tanods within school premises and integrating the agency into the country’s unified 911 emergency system amid incidents of school shootings and other threats. The agreement is

Katie Zacharia and Mao Ning – a study in contrasts in US and China media strategies

Oct 18, 2026

Katie Zacharia and Mao Ning – a study in contrasts in US and China media strategies

Katie Zacharia may have lasted just five days as the White House press secretary but still managed to set off a diplomatic incident with China. In an interview with a conservative commentator on Thursday, Zacharia referred to China as a place that “doesn’t even have proper toilets”. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning responded a day later with a smile and a brief, pointed invitation. “We welcome her to visit China more often when she has the opportunity,” said Mao, a veteran...

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