7 days. Dozens of headlines. One clear picture.

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Authorities shut down a suspected drug den and arrested 12 individuals during a raid on Friday night, April 17, in Barangay Sto. Niño.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera, the search warrant was served at an eatery, locally known as a “turo-turo,” located inside the slaughterhouse compound that is being used as a drug den.

Operatives seized 10 sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 21 grams, with an estimated street value of ₱142,800 and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Authorities identified the primary targets only by their aliases: “Stong/Estong,” 39; “Jay,” 33; and “Kiday,” 40—all residents of Sto. Niño.  The other suspects were from various barangays in Baguio City and nearby provinces.

PDEA said those arrested are facing charges for violations of Sections 6, 7, 11, and 12 of Republic Act No. 9165.

𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo’s troubles with the law has deepened after the Department of Justice indicted her anew for alleged violations of the Anti-Dummy Law, after an earlier reversal that had dropped the charge.

In a resolution dated March 3, 2026 only released recently, state prosecutors granted a motion for reconsideration filed by the National Bureau of Investigation’s Dagupan District Office (NBI-DADO), recommending that Guo—also identified as Guo Hua Ping—and several associates be charged with simulation of minimum capital stock under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 108.

The case stems from the incorporation and operations of 3LIN Q-Farm Inc. in Pangasinan, where investigators found that some incorporators allegedly falsified their identities and nationalities to skirt constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership of land. Earlier, the DOJ had already indicted the respondents on seven counts of falsification of public documents but initially dismissed the Anti-Dummy Law complaints.

NBI-Dagupan District Office however argued that the alleged falsification and simulated stock ownership were part of a broader scheme to make the firm appear compliant with Philippine laws, allowing it to enjoy the privileges of a domestic corporation. The NBI-DADO warned that letting the dismissal stand could create a loophole, enabling violators to acquire land prior to incorporation to evade liability.

State prosecutors agreed with the NBI’s position, reopening the Anti-Dummy Law angle and reinforcing the government’s stance against schemes that attempt to bypass nationality restrictions embedded in the Constitution and related statutes. NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag praised his Dagupan-based NBI agents for their “meticulous investigation and case-building,” saying, “the development underscores the bureau’s commitment to holding suspects accountable and strengthening public trust in the justice system.”

 A 41-year-old police training instructor is accused of raping a 23-year-old trainee twice at the PNP Training Center at Teachers Camp here. The alleged incidents took place on January 20, 2026 at around 2:00 a.m. and again on February 8 at about 1:00 p.m. within the Cordillera Administrative Region Training Center (CARTC).

Investigators said the trainee had allegedly been summoned to the suspect’s barracks on both occasions. The complainant, whose identity was withheld, reported the incidents to authorities on April 11 and formally filed a complaint on April 13.

Authorities said the suspect, a married police officer assigned as an assistant instructor and a resident of La Union, has not been publicly identified too. He has been placed under restrictive custody, disarmed, and transferred to the PNP training headquarters in Canlubang, Laguna, pending the filing of criminal and administrative charges.

According to Major Marcy Grace Marron of the Baguio City police information office, case documentation is still being completed for regular filing. She added that the complainant has executed a sworn statement and is undergoing psychological evaluation as part of the evidentiary and support process. CARTC Academic Chief Lieutenant Colonel Maila Alog said the training center maintains a “zero tolerance” policy for any form of abuse involving trainees.

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is against a proposal to deploy 100 electric taxis in the city, saying it must first undergo public consultation and consider Baguio’s traffic limits.

The proposal, submitted by Design Green and Smart Corporation through its subsidiary Romansa Mobility Land Transport Service, seeks the city government’s endorsement to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board–Cordillera for the operation of full electric sedan taxis.

Magalong said he will not allow the plan in its current form, stressing that the city already has too many taxis. He added that any new units should follow a strict “one-in, one-out” policy to avoid worsening traffic congestion.

The mayor also raised concern over franchising decisions being made by the LTFRB central office without sufficient consultation with local governments, noting that city officials directly manage traffic conditions. He said he recently met with LTFRB-CAR Regional Director Dumlao to discuss the issue. Meanwhile, the City Council will hold a consultative meeting on April 22 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, led by the committee chaired by Councilor Fred Bagbagen, to gather feedback from transport groups and stakeholders on the proposed e-taxi deployment.

𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀, 𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓) — Authorities torched down about ₱12 million worth of marijuana plants in a joint operation on Saturday, April 18, 2026, along the boundary of Saclit, Sadanga and Tinglayan, Kalinga.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Cordillera (PDEA-CAR), with police units, found around 60,000 fully grown marijuana plants spread across a 5,000-square-meter plantation.

PDEA said they buried the ashes of the marijuana plants following proper disposal procedures.

prooted and burned the plants on-site, then buried the ashes following proper disposal procedures.

No one was arrested, but authorities are working to identify those behind the plantation.

𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Authorities are digging deeper into the possible involvement of government officials in the anomalous registration and transfer of 13 parcels of land in Mangatarem, Pangasinan to a private firm used by dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo (Guo Hwa Ping).

“Were now tracing how the transactions were processed and approved,” said NBI Dagupan District Office (NBI-DADO) Agent-in-Charge Mamerto B. Tello Jr., without naming the government officials possibly involved in the anomaly.

The expanding probe comes as the legal troubles of Guo continue to mount, following the very recent reinstatement of charges against her for alleged violations of the Anti-Dummy Law.

In the March 3, 2026 resolution released only recently, the DOJ granted a motion for reconsideration filed by the NBI-DADO, recommending that Guo and several associates be charged with simulation of minimum capital stock under Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 108.

The charges stemmed from the incorporation and operations of 3LIN Q-Farm Inc., which investigators say may have been used as a vehicle to circumvent constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership of land through falsified corporate structures.

NBI investigators found that some incorporators allegedly misrepresented their identities and nationalities, raising red flags that the firm’s ownership may have been structured to appear compliant with Philippine laws while concealing foreign control. Earlier, the DOJ had indicted the same respondents on seven counts of falsification of public documents but initially dismissed the Anti-Dummy Law complaints. 

The NBI-DADO however pushed back and argued that the falsification and simulated stock ownership were integral to a broader scheme designed to legitimize otherwise prohibited landholdings. NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag commended NBI-DADO agents for their “meticulous investigation and case-building,” warning that failure to prosecute such scheme could create dangerous loopholes allowing foreign entities to acquire land through dummy arrangements while evading legal accountability.

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — An 82-year-old man died after a residential fire broke out early Tuesday morning, April 21, in North Sanitary Camp in Baguio City. According to Baguio City Public Information Office chief Aileen Paguio-Refuerzo, Baguio City Fire Marshal Fire Supt. Mark Anthony Dangatan said the fire started at around 1:02 a.m. at a single and two-family dwelling in Purok 3, with an estimated floor area of about 60 square meters. Firefighters declared the blaze under control by 1:35 a.m. and fully extinguished it at around 2 a.m. The victim, who owned the structure, was unable to escape during the incident, according to Dangatan. Two families, or six individuals, were affected by the fire.  Three structures were involved—one was totally destroyed while two others sustained partial damage, authorities added. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire.

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐀𝐍, 𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐎 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Authorities have suspended starting Tuesday, April 21, 2026, all tourism activities at Mt. Sicapoo after forest fires spread along its hiking trails, posing risks to visitors and the environment. The affected site in Barangay Butao, a popular destination for hikers in Northern Luzon, was ordered closed as fires continue to move across sections of the trail, threatening public safety and forest cover. Tourists and trekkers have been urged to defer travel plans and comply with the suspension. This amidst a spike in forest fire incidents also in Bontoc, Mt. Province’s capital town, where Mayor Franklin Chaokas Odsey warned that the situation has reached a critical level.  He said all 16 barangays in the Mt. Province capital have been affected, with cases rising in recent months.

The latest blaze on April 19 in Barangay Samoki, spread dangerously close to residential areas. Odsey has called for an emergency meeting on Wednesday, April 22, with barangay leaders, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the Bontoc Fire Station to coordinate containment efforts.  He stressed the need for urgent collective action, warning that continued neglect could lead to irreversible damage to the town’s natural landscape.*

𝐁𝐀𝐘𝐎𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐍𝐆, 𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐕𝐀 𝐕𝐈𝐙𝐂𝐀𝐘𝐀 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — The Nueva Vizcaya provincial government has recognized its first successful graduate of the Doktor ti Umili Scholarship Program after she passed the March 2026 Physician Licensure Examination.

Lai Man Dasha Rhae Elaise Acosta-Ng of Ibung, Villaverde town was honored during a flag-raising rites led by Governor Jose Gambito, with Rep. Timothy Joseph Cayton and other officials, who presented her a certificate of commendation and token of recognition.

Acosta-Ng completed her internship at Southern Isabela Medical Center in January 2026 and passed the licensure exam this March. 

According Gambito, Acosta-Ng took the exam without informing her family out of fear she might fail and was unable to attend formal review classes while finishing her internship. Before earning her medical degree, she studied Dentistry at Centro Escolar University but shifted to Medical Technology at St. Paul University–Tuguegarao, passing the board exam in 2019.    She later enrolled at PLT College of Medicine in 2020 and graduated in 2024, supporting her studies by selling artworks and secondhand clothes. Under the Doktor ti Umili program, she received a P15,000 monthly allowance, 75 percent tuition subsidy, and a P70,000 review subsidy.  Gambito said the provincial government has allocated P4.5 million this year for 18 scholars and plans to expand the program to 25, aiming to address the shortage of doctors in government hospitals in Nueva Vizcaya.

𝐋𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐃, 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐓 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Pride swept across Benguet as Governor Melchor Diclas congratulated fellow i-Benguet, Dr. Erwin Ken A. Parchaso, for emerging as the top performer in the March 2026 Physicians Licensure Examination.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) formally released the name of the topnotcher after initially withholding it pending further verification, putting an end to days of anticipation within the medical and academic communities.

Earlier, Lyceum-Northwestern University (LNU) had already expressed pride over the achievement of Parchaso, a graduate of its Dr. Francisco Q. Duque College of Medicine in Dagupan City. LNU described Parchaso’s feat as a reflection of “outstanding excellence, dedication, and the strong foundation of medical education within the Lycean community,” highlighting the institution’s continued commitment to producing top-caliber physicians.

Parchaso’s achievement not only brings honor to his alma mater but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring doctors across Benguet and the rest of the country, underscoring the region’s growing presence in the field of medicine, Diclas said.

𝐋𝐀 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐃, 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐓 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Authorities seized nearly ₱1 million worth of marijuana and arrested a 21-year-old suspect in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Shilan, La Trinidad, Benguet’s capital, on Tuesday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera (PDEA-CAR) agents in coordination with policemen seized 7,720.63 grams of dried marijuana valued at ₱926,475.60. The illegal drugs were packed in eight elongated bundles wrapped in brown packing tape.  Laboratory examination confirmed these as marijuana leaves, stalks and fruiting tops.

The suspect, a native of Kibungan, Benguet, was arrested after selling the contraband to an undercover agent.  Authorities also impounded a vehicle believed used in the transaction. Charges for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, are being prepared against the suspect, a non-bailable offense. In Baguio City, four more suspects — two men and two women — were arrested in a separate sting operation by the Baguio City police Station 2 along Purok 1, Victoria Village, Quezon Hill, early morning Wednesday.The suspects, who reportedly had prior drug cases, were closely monitored for two days before transacting with an undercover operative. Seized during the operation were three sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱4,500. The four will also face charges for violation of Section 5, Article II of RA 9165.

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘  (𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Vigor Mendoza reportedly assured Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong that no new transport franchises will be issued in the city without prior consultation and endorsement from the local government.

In a message to Magalong, Baguio Public Information Office chief Aileen Paguio-Refuerzo said, Mendoza vowed the LTFRB has not opened any new franchises, including taxis, in Baguio since he assumed office in October 2025, stressing that future decisions would require the city’s approval.

“I assure you that we will not open any new franchise without consulting and getting your favorable endorsement,” Mendoza reportedly told the mayor as quoted by Paguio-Refuerzo. Magalong welcomed this assurance and called on the LTFRB to revisit the city’s Local Public Transport Route Plan, emphasizing the need for data-driven measures in determining the appropriate number of public utility jeepneys and routes.

He also pushed for a reduction in taxi units while increasing higher-capacity public transport vehicles to ease congestion, citing a 2023 study showing taxis account for 42 percent of vehicles on city roads, followed by private cars at 31 percent, motorcycles at 16 percent, public utility jeepneys at 8 percent, and trucks and buses at 3 percent. The exchange came after Magalong opposed a proposal to deploy 100 electric taxis in the city, saying the plan must undergo local consultation and adhere to a “one-in, one-out” policy, as the city already has a high number of taxi units.

𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐎𝐍, 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐓 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — The local government of Itogon, Benguet has temporarily suspended all tourism activities due to forest fires affecting several eco-tourism sites in the town. 

Mayor Bernard Waclin issued Executive Order No. 21, series of 2026, stopping trekking, running, camping, and other outdoor activities starting April 20. Affected areas include Mount Ulap, Mount Ugo, Mount Pigingan, Mount Cotcot, Mount Bidawan, and Ave Maria. 

The LGU said the fires, caused by hot weather, have damaged large parts of the mountains. Officials said the suspension aims to protect residents and tourists and prevent injuries while fires continue in these areas.

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — The proposed Quirino Hill–Pinget bypass road is expected to have minimal environmental impact and is not covered by mandatory environmental impact assessment requirements, the Environmental Management Bureau in the Cordillera assured. In a letter dated April 6, EMB-CAR OIC regional director Engr. Jean Borromeo told Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan that the 218-meter road project linking Quezon Hill Road 1 to Magsaysay West Service Road lies outside any protected area. Because of this, the project is not required to undergo the Environmental Impact Assessment process under the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, the agency said. EMB-CAR classified the project as Category D, indicating that any environmental effects would be minimal, short-term and largely limited to construction-related disturbances such as dust, noise and soil disruption.

The agency added that these impacts can be mitigated through standard measures, including proper waste disposal, dust suppression and erosion control. Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways–Baguio City District Engineering Office said five trees will be affected by the project, including three fruit-bearing trees and two alnus trees.

𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐀, 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday dismissed long-standing allegations raised by Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, calling them recycled claims unsupported by evidence.

In a statement, the Vice President said the accusations of hidden billions in bank accounts have remained unchanged for nearly a decade, but are now being amplified by what she described as a coordinated political effort involving key government institutions.

She maintained that her record in public service remains “clean,” stressing that all her assets are declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and sourced from legitimate means.

The Vice President also linked the timing of the allegations to her refusal to support a national budget she could not defend, following her departure from the Cabinet.

Duterte further criticized the administration, questioning its handling of major national issues such as rising prices, flood control funds, peace efforts in Mindanao, and public safety.

She urged the public not to be distracted by what she called “political noise,” emphasizing that the real struggle is addressing the daily challenges faced by Filipinos.

𝐒𝐀𝐍 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐋𝐀 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) —  Tobacco industry regulator National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is calling for local governments tighter support for contract growing as it warned of a production glut in flue-cured Virginia tobacco threatening farmers’ earnings.

NTA Administrator Belinda S. Sanchez led the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting on April 21 at the Francisco Ortega Convention Center in San Fernando City, La Union, warning that unchecked overproduction is already disrupting tobacco trading across main growing areas.

NTA Deputy Administrator for Operations Nestor C. Casela said the agency is holding consultations across the Ilocos provinces and Abra to address the glut, noting that surplus output has left many non-contracted farmers struggling to sell their harvest. “With too much supply, accredited traders may no longer accommodate all produce, especially from those outside contract arrangements,” Casela said, stressing that market access is now a pressing issue. He urged LGUs to push farmers into contract growing schemes, where tobacco firms guarantee purchase of crops that meet quality standards, offering a more stable safety net amid volatile market conditions. Casela bared that the NTA is negotiating with manufacturers and traders to absorb excess production, but emphasized that long-term stability will require stronger coordination among LGUs, industry players, and farmers. Sanchez underscored that contract growing not only ensures a ready market but also provides farmers with inputs, technical support, and financing which are key in boosting both yield and income while promoting fair trade in the industry.

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟑, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) —  Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered a sweeping review of the city’s drug situation, saying he doubts several barangays still deserve their “drug-free” status amid fresh police and anti-drug operations.

Magalong asked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police to reassess conditions on the ground, warning of a creeping resurgence driven by repeat offenders.

“𝑯𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊 𝒏𝒂 𝒂𝒌𝒐 𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒂 𝒏𝒂 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒈-𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒑𝒂 𝒓𝒊𝒏 ‘𝒚𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒃𝒂. 𝑲𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏—𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒚𝒐 𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒂,” 

he said, though stressing the problem has not reached rampant levels.

The move follows discussions with PDEA officials at a recent Regional Peace and Order Council meeting, where authorities agreed to revalidate the status of all 128 barangays using standard protocols.

PDEA said it is now coordinating closely with city officials and police to carry out the review, aimed at producing a more accurate map of drug-affected areas. Rosel Sarmiento, PDEA-Cordillera spokesperson said of Baguio City’s 128 barangays, 124 has so far been drug cleared, thus pointing out there are still 4 barangays undergoing drug-clearing efforts.  At total of 54 barangays though were monitored for presence of drug personalities in those areas. Magalong vowed relentless operations and issued a blunt warning to drug players:  “𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨—𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐨 𝐤𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧.” Sarmiento said they will not argue against Magalong’s doubts on the drug- affectation situation, instead continue efforts to rid Baguio City of the drug menace. | 𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐋𝐀𝐎

𝐓𝐔𝐆𝐔𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐂𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Cagayan province is under dry spell, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) confirmed. The province had been suffering from a three consecutive months below-normal rainfall.  PAGASA senior weather specialist Engr. Remedios Ciervo during Wednesday’s 195th Climate Forum said, Cagayan has met the criteria for a dry spell, defined as three straight months of below-normal rainfall.   She added that two months of low rainfall indicate dry conditions, while five months would already be classified as drought.

On April 20, provincial government has placed Cagayan under a state of calamity due to the combined effects of prolonged drought and rising fuel costs. 

The Cagayan Provincial Agriculture Office pegged the total losses could reaching P10.29 billion already.  PAGASA Administrator Dr. Nathaniel Servando also raised concern over worsening climate conditions, saying the likelihood of El Niño developing has climbed to 79 percent, thus upgrading the status from El Niño Watch to El Niño Alert.

The phenomenon could begin as early as June and last until the first quarter of 2027, bringing hotter and drier conditions that may intensify drought in affected areas, Servando had added. PAGASA Urged agriculture and water sectors to prepare early mitigation measures. Data showed major agricultural damage in Cagayan included P1.4 billion in corn and over ₱4 billion in rice, while fisherfolk losses reached ₱4.8 billion due to soaring fuel costs that sharply reduced income from fishing operations.

𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐀 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐍 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Engr. Geffrey B. Catulin, acting regional manager of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region I, was named “Public Servant of the Year” at the 10th Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards held April 22 at Okada Manila. Catulin framed the recognition as a testament to collective effort, underscoring the importance of unity in public service. “Through our unity and the spirit of bayanihan, we will continue to serve with heart, integrity, and purpose for a more prosperous and resilient future,” he said.

He credited the agency’s leadership for helping steer his work, thanking NIA top management for their guidance and steady support. The honor highlights Catulin’s role in advancing irrigation development across Region I, where agriculture remains a major economic driver. He dedicated the award to farmers, describing them as the inspiration behind efforts to expand and improve irrigation systems aimed at boosting crop yields and livelihoods. The NIA continues to play a key role in strengthening the country’s food security by building and maintaining irrigation infrastructure to support farming communities. | 𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐋𝐀𝐎

𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐙𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — A hot meal is now doing double duty—feeding struggling drivers while supporting farmers—as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ramps up its Walang Gutom Kitchen (WGK) through a new partnership with Rural Rising Philippines.

On Thursday at the Pasay City site, PUV drivers hit hard by the ongoing energy emergency queued for free, nutritious meals—an intervention DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian says, “can ease daily expenses by cutting at least one or two meals from their budget.”

Launched in 2024, the WGK serves breakfast and lunch daily, including holidays, to anyone experiencing hunger. The program is fast becoming a lifeline for two vulnerable sectors at once.

Rural Rising Philippines said it sources vegetables directly from farmers—produce often left unsold due to high transport costs—and channels them straight to the WGK, thus, less food waste, fair income for farmers, and fresher meals for beneficiaries like jeepney and UV Express drivers.

Gatchalian said the partnership has already kicked off with vegetable donations from Benguet, with the DSWD set to begin regular purchases—locking in a steady farm-to-table supply chain. “Malaking ginhawa,” said Rizalino Villaraza of United Twelve Corporation, noting it was the first direct government help they received since the energy crisis began. DSWD said expansion plans are underway for Cebu and Zamboanga City. WGK is shaping up as more than a feeding program—it’s a fast-moving model of relief where every meal feeds both the hungry and the hands that grow the food.

𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐎, 𝐋𝐀 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐍 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) together with social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) rescued 27 sexually-trafficked women, including two minors, from at least five night clubs in Barangay San Francisco, Agoo town in La Union on Wednesday evening April 22.

The entrapment and rescue mission was carried out by a composite team from the NBI’s Ilocos Regional Office and its Laoag, Vigan, Dagupan and Alaminos district offices, targeting suspected violations of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended.

The operation stemmed from intelligence shared by non-government organization Destiny Rescue Pilipinas Inc., which has been assisting in monitoring and documenting human trafficking activities involving vulnerable individuals, particularly minors, NBI-Ilocos Region Regional Director Victor John Paul Ronquillo said.   He further detailed that prior to Wednesday’s raids, agents conducted case build-up and surveillance operations that confirmed at least five bars along Marcos Highway in the village were engaged in trafficking schemes like offering guest relations officers (GROs)—some reportedly underage—for sexual services for a fee. Two establishment owners and two floor managers or cashiers, whose names were withheld, are now facing inquest proceedings for qualified human trafficking under the amended Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, Atty. Ronquillo added. All rescued victims have been turned over to the DSWD-Region 1 for protective custody, documentation, and psychosocial support interventions as authorities pursue further investigation and prosecution of the two nightclub owners and floor managers-cashiers.

𝐁𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐎 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)  — Baguio City has emerged as the country’s top regional city economy in per capita terms, posting the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita among regional cities in 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority–Cordillera. PSA Cordillera (PSA-CAR) data showed the Summer Capital leading all cities around the country with a GDP per capita of P485,400, signaling Baguio City’s strong consumer-driven economy and resilience amid economic challenges. Trailing Baguio were Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao with P389,500 and Iloilo City in Western Visayas with P362,200, reflecting sustained economic activity across key urban centers outside Metro Manila.

The PSA-CAR report also noted that the Cordillera region posted a 4.4-percent economic growth in 2025, slightly slower than the 4.9-percent expansion recorded in 2024. 

Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)—the regional counterpart of national GDP—measures the total value of goods and services produced within a region and serves as a key gauge of economic performance. Government economists attribute the high per capita output in leading regional cities largely to robust household consumption, supported in part by steady remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which continue to fuel spending and local business activity. Other cities in the top tier include Lapu-Lapu City (P354,300), Cebu City (P346,500), Mandaue City (P345,900), Davao City (P320,800), Angeles City (P313,300), Bacolod City (P253,900), Iligan City (P240,400), Tacloban City (P229,700), Olongapo City (P223,500), and Puerto Princesa City (P203,800), highlighting the widening economic dynamism of regional growth hubs nationwide.

𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐀, 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Sara Duterte on Saturday lauded the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army for a recent successful combat operation under Lt. Col. Eric Alfonso.

In a statement dated April 25, the Vice President praised the unit’s courage, discipline, and commitment to maintaining peace, security, and the rule of law.

She also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant in guiding their children, warning against the risks of recruitment into violent extremist groups.

Duterte said the government recognizes the sacrifices of soldiers and expressed hope that the achievement would inspire unity and strengthen efforts toward lasting peace and development.

𝐁𝐀𝐔𝐊𝐎, 𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟓, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) — Villagers in the highland indigenous peoples village of Bagnen in Bauko town, Mountain Province have turned to an age-old tradition to confront forest fires. Following a series of blazes that have scarred their mountains and threatened vital watersheds with no identified culprits, community elders and officials convened a “sapata,” a traditional justice ritual among Igorots that invokes individuals to declare their innocence—or accept accountability—before the community and ancestral beliefs. Deeply rooted in indigenous culture, the sapata serves as a moral and spiritual mechanism of justice.   It involves invoking consequences upon the unseen offender, reflecting a collective belief that wrongdoing, even if unconfessed, will eventually be met with retribution. Leaders of Barangay Bagnen said the ritual was undertaken after fires damaged portions of the community’s forested areas, including sections identified as part of a proposed watershed.   With no one stepping forward, the community resorted to the practice as both a warning and a plea for truth. Elders led the indigenous justice ritual, directing a communal curse toward whoever may be responsible.  While such consequences may not be immediate or visible, IP villages believe justice will manifest in time—reinforcing accountability through cultural conviction rather than formal legal means. Local officials and residents stressed that the issue goes beyond burned trees. The fires threaten critical water sources and ecotourism sites that sustain livelihoods, underscoring how indigenous traditions continue to play a role in protecting both culture and the environment.

𝐂𝐀𝐔𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐍, 𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐀 (𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔) —  A small wind turbine could soon signal a big shift in how remote communities access power in Isabela, as the northern province prepares to host a pilot test of Japanese-developed clean energy technology under Tokyo’s Global South GX Promotion Project.

The project features an off-grid vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT), the first of its kind to be deployed in Isabela, aimed at supporting local efforts toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.

A delegation from Challenergy Inc. visited the Isabela Provincial Capitol last April 20 to formally introduce the project and coordinate with local officials, along with representatives from Abratique Construction.

Isabela Provincial planner Lalaine Delmendo said the team also conducted site inspections in Delfin Albano and Roxas towns to assess wind conditions, accessibility, and potential installation areas for the pilot unit.

The initiative goes back to discussions earlier in November 2025 at the Philippine Embassy in Japan, where Isabela Governor Rodito Albano met Japanese partners to explore small-scale renewable energy solutions for his province. Installation of a 1.5-meter turbine is set in July 2026. The turbine—designed with rotating cylinders instead of traditional blades—can better withstand strong winds and tropical cyclones.  It will be tested for off-grid uses such as lighting, CCTV systems, and communications, with hopes it could improve basic services in remote communities with limited electricity access.