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

Inquirer.net - Oct 18, 2026

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

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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)

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.

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

Ejercito: Senate ready to extend courtesy to OVP at budget hearing

Oct 18, 2026

Ejercito: Senate ready to extend courtesy to OVP at budget hearing

MANILA, Philippines — Whether or not Vice President Sara Duterte attends the hearing to defend her office’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, the Senate finance committee assured the Office of the Vice President (OVP) that it would extend the traditional parliamentary courtesy. “Why not? The granting of parliamentary courtesy has long been practiced even

NIA turns over 3 solar-powered irrigation projects in Leyte, Samar

Oct 18, 2026

NIA turns over 3 solar-powered irrigation projects in Leyte, Samar

TACLOBAN CITY — Three solar-powered irrigation projects in Leyte and Samar were turned over to local farmers early this week, providing a more reliable water supply for 42 hectares of farmland as Eastern Visayas faces agricultural challenges from climate change and El Niño. The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 8 said the projects are located

Heavy rains expected in NCR, other Luzon areas Sunday afternoon

Oct 18, 2026

Heavy rains expected in NCR, other Luzon areas Sunday afternoon

MANILA, Philippines — Moderate to heavy rain showers, lightning, and strong winds are expected over parts of Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon on Sunday afternoon, according to the weather bureau. In a thunderstorm advisory issued at 11:20 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the following areas would experience

Barobo marks 10th Sarapang Festival in celebration of 66th charter day

Oct 18, 2026

Barobo marks 10th Sarapang Festival in celebration of 66th charter day

BAROBO, Surigao del Sur — A decade of cultural pride and ancestral maritime lore takes center stage as this coastal gateway celebrates the 10th Sarapang Festival alongside its 66th founding anniversary from Oct. 17 to 24. The municipal government officially began the countdown to the weeklong celebration following the release of its promotional slate on

Laoag City ramps up preparations for Super El Niño

Oct 18, 2026

Laoag City ramps up preparations for Super El Niño

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — The Laoag City government is stepping up preparations for Super El Niño, providing assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and transport workers through March 2027. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Laoag City Government Information, Communications and Media Office said Mayor James Bryan Alcid met with heads of local government offices

Pedestrian bridge shaped like coconut leaf transported by sea to Ho Chi Minh City center

Oct 18, 2026

Pedestrian bridge shaped like coconut leaf transported by sea to Ho Chi Minh City center

A barge carrying a coconut leaf-shaped pedestrian bridge and its supporting framework, weighing a combined 3,400 tons, began a 124-km sea journey on Sunday morning from Vung Tau toward the center of Ho Chi Minh City for final assembly.

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