Waste spill at protected Tañon Strait widens 

BY CARLA GOMEZ

NOVEMBER 1, 2025

MURKY WATER Mangroves close to the shore of Manjugod, Negros Oriental, is surrounded by murky water on Thursday due to a wastewater spill triggered by a collapsed wall of the 20-hectare wastewater lagoon of Universal Robina Corp.’s Bais Distillery on Sunday. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Gospel: November 1, 2025

BACOLOD CITY—The area at the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape polluted by the wastewater spill caused by a breached lagoon of a distillery company has increased to about 3,000 hectares, from the initial estimated 400-hectare affected site, the Environment Management Bureau-Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) reported.

This developed as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas (BFAR-7) has advised against collecting and consuming dead fish and other aquatic organisms from the affected coastal waters off Bais City and Manjuyod town in Negros Oriental.

Vicente Losbañes, EMB-NIR acting director, said that a boat survey conducted on Thursday of the strait’s discolored waters determined the increase in the affected area.

NATION REMEMBERS

 

View in browser | Download our app ­ November 1, 2025 ­ NATION REMEMBERS   A girl scout is given the privilege of being in the midst of heroes, lighting candles and planting the Philippine flag in honor of the soldiers and other individuals interred at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Friday, the eve of All Saints’ Day. Similar homages, albeit in more crowded settings, are expected in cemeteries nationwide today.  —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA Nation

Tropical depression forms east of Mindanao, to enter PAR as 'Tino' on November 2 — PAGASA

By Merlina Hernando-Malipot

Published Nov 1, 2025 08:30 am

A tropical depression has formed east of Mindanao and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on November 2, 2025. (PAGASA)

The low-pressure area east of Northeastern Mindanao has intensified into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Saturday, November 1.

In its latest tropical cyclone advisory issued at 5 a.m., PAGASA said the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 1,430 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), as of 4 a.m.

It currently packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h, moving westward at 15 km/h.

Once it enters the PAR, the weather disturbance will be given the local name “Tino.”

Forecast and possible track

According to PAGASA’s Tropical Cyclone Advisory No. 1, “Tino” is expected to enter PAR on Sunday, November 2, either in the morning or afternoon.

Afterward, it will move generally westward across the Philippine Sea, with a possible landfall over the Caraga or Eastern Visayas regions by Tuesday morning, November 4.

The system is forecast to cross the Visayas and Palawan between Tuesday and Wednesday (November 4–5) before emerging over the West Philippine Sea.

“Tino will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category by Tuesday (November 4),” PAGASA said.

The highest possible alert level that may be raised is Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4, depending on the storm’s eventual strength and track.

“Further intensification prior to its landfall is not ruled out. Based on the intensity forecast, the highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4,” the weather bureau added.

Early warnings and expected impact

While still outside PAR, PAGASA said the tropical depression is not expected to directly affect local weather or sea conditions within the next 24 hours.

However, Wind Signal No. 1 may already be hoisted over Eastern Visayas and Caraga by Sunday morning or afternoon.

Residents in these regions are advised to prepare for heavy rains starting Sunday evening or Monday morning, with gale warnings possibly in effect by Monday.

PAGASA urged the public, local government units, and disaster risk reduction offices to closely monitor official weather bulletins as “Tino” continues to develop.

“Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to continue monitoring for updates related to this tropical cyclone,” PAGASA said.

Quake victims in Davao Oriental receive aid

 

By Ivy Tejano

Published Oct 31, 2025 05:31 pm

DAVAO CITY – Around 1,000 food packs and boxes of brand-new clothes were distributed on Thursday, Oct. 30, to families affected by the recent earthquake in Manay town in Davao Oriental.

The relief operation was jointly organized by Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte's office, in partnership with BRENT International School Manila and its humanitarian arm, BRENT CARES.

The distribution was held at the barangay hall of Barangay Central, Manay, and was led by Barangay Captain Kim Motalizon, who thanked the timely assistance extended to his community.

“We are deeply thankful for the help that came at a very crucial time for our residents who lost so much because of the earthquake,” Motalizon said.

Donated goods include food packs containing essential groceries and brand-new clothing items collected through the BRENT CARES donation drive, an outreach initiative spearheaded by BRENT ISM’s Green Earth Ambassador Club.

According to the organizers, the drive mobilized students, parents, and faculty members to gather much-needed relief supplies for disaster-affected communities in Mindanao.

The initiative brought immediate relief to thousands of displaced residents, offering both hope and comfort to families still recovering from the devastation.

Barangay officials and local volunteers assisted in ensuring the orderly distribution of aid so that every affected household received support.

Through this collaboration between a Metro Manila-based educational institution and Davao’s local public service network, the spirit of ‘’bayanihan’’ once again shone bright, proving that compassion and solidarity know no boundaries when Filipinos come together to help those in need.

 

Nation gears up for ‘Undas’

Families and individuals visit their departed loved ones at the Valenzuela Public Cemetery in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. (Photo by Santi San Juan)

Palace Press Officer and Communication Undersecretary Claire Castro said that agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been directed to make the necessary preparations for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Read more

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said on Friday, Oct. 31, that it has intensified its complaint response operations to ensure commuter safety as millions of Filipinos head to provinces for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Read more