Gov't agencies to fast-track 'Basyang' recovery efforts in Iligan City

By Philippine News Agency

Published Feb 7, 2026 05:47 pm

PEOPLE flee flooding triggered by 'Basyang' in Iiligan City. (FB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – National government agencies are working for the speedy recovery of Iligan City after it declared a state of calamity due to the damage caused by tropical cyclone ‘’Basyang’’ (international name ‘’Penha’’) this week.

On Saturday, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and Mayor Frederick Siao visited evacuation centers and checked on the progress of relief operations.

"President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sent me here to see to it no one will get hungry and (everybody is) taken care of," Gatchalian told evacuees.

DSWD recorded more than 21,700 evacuees in 33 centers, but affected individuals from the flooding on Feb. 5 reached 24,540.

The agency has released P8.5-million worth of food and non-food relief packs to more than 5,500 families, with a standby fund of P2.2 million.

The Department of Public Works and Highways is conducting inspection and assessment of key infrastructures affected by the flood, including bridges and dikes.

On Friday, the Iligan City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 26-101 which declared a state of calamity and authorized the utilization of calamity fund for relief assistance and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. (PNA)

Rescued PH hawk-eagle released in Agusan Marsh

 

By Philippine News Agency

Published Feb 5, 2026 06:41 pm

BUTUAN CITY – Personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-13 (Caraga) have released a rescued Philippine hawk-eagle (Nisaetus philippensis) at the buffer zone of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.

A resident of Barangay Magaud, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, Benjie Geral Dumogoy, rescued the raptor and turned it over to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Loreto on Wednesday.

CENRO personnel assessed the bird, weighing approximately 1.1 kilos, and found it physically fit for immediate release in the designated area. The raptor is classified as vulnerable under DENR Administrative Order 2019-09.

“The release of the Philippine hawk-eagle at the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary reinforced the ongoing efforts to protect the region’s rich wildlife and forest ecosystem,” the DENR-13 said in a statement Thursday.

Agency officials commended Dumogoy for turning over the hawk-eagle and CENRO-Loreto for its immediate action.

“Community participation is crucial to the success of wildlife conservation initiatives, and such cooperation helps ensure the safety of threatened species while upholding national laws that protect wildlife,” the statement added.

Considered an important indicator of healthy forest ecosystems, the Philippine hawk-eagle thrives in the Agusan Marsh, a key wetland and ecological landscape in Mindanao.

The DENR-13 encourages the public to immediately report sightings of injured, distressed, or illegally held wildlife to the nearest DENR office to ensure proper handling, rehabilitation, and lawful release. (PNA)

Rare jade vine discovered in Apayao forest

 

By Philippine News Agency

Published Feb 5, 2026 09:23 pm

TAYABAK

CALANASAN, Apayao – Forest guards in Apayao province, along with personnel of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) in mountainous Calanasan town, discovered clusters of thriving rare wild jade vine, or most commonly known as Tayabak (Strongylodon macrobotrys), in remote Barangays Tanglagan and Langnao.

Municipal environment and natural resources officer Sarah Mae Batil said on Thursday that they were conducting regular biodiversity monitoring a day earlier when they sighted the jade vine's blooming flower.

“We have documented this in past years but it is only now that we found it in perfect bloom,” she said.

According to Batil, the presence of the species in Calanasan is a strong indicator of a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem.

The public was advised to report sightings of the species to the MENRO for monitoring and documentation and is reminded not to gather the plants for cultivation.

Authorities said this is endemic to the tropical rainforests of the Philippines. The climbing plant is known for its spectacular hanging clusters of claw-shaped flowers in a rare turquoise to jade-green color, which can grow up to a meter long.

It is generally regarded as endangered or vulnerable in the wild and is a rare find because it is pollinated by bats.

Considered a national treasure and a symbol of natural beauty, the plant is even featured on the Philippine five peso coin.

“We are strictly implementing the Wildlife Act and the Lapat Ordinance, which prohibits the gathering of wild plants,” she added.

Lapat (meaning prohibited or off-limits) is a customary belief practiced by the Isnag people for generations. In this practice, a specific area is designated by community members as sacred.

This public declaration happens after the death of its owner or occupant, making an area off-limits to the public, including immediate family members. (PNA)

Bukidnon to impose stricter measures vs racing events on highways

 

By Philippine News Agency

Published Feb 2, 2026 09:50 pm

AN ACCIDENT caused by the BIMC in Mindanao. (FB)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The provincial government of Bukidnon is set to implement stricter regulations for highway travel within its jurisdiction during major race events.

During Monday's convocation program, Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque said he is delegating to the Provincial Legal Office, in coordination with the Provincial Legislative Board, the task of studying possible ordinances and other forms of regulations involving any form of vehicle or motorcycle race.

"I will issue an executive order that any form of race, or something that has become a form of race, be prohibited in our province," he said.

Roque noted that he received reports of accidents on the road during the BMW Owners Society of Saferiders (BOSS) event period, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, with one death reported on one of the circuits in Bukidnon.

On Monday, the municipality of Lantapan in Bukidnon also drafted a resolution banning the BOSS event within its territory. It cited the dangers posed by participating motorists.

Before the event period, the provincial government of Davao del Sur imposed an 80-kilometer per hour speed limit for riders participating in the event, warning that violators would be penalized.

The event is organized by the BOSS group, which annually holds the BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Challenge nationwide.

In previous statements, BOSS organizers said they will abide by the laws and ordinances of every local government unit and that the event promotes safety and awareness for the motoring community.

In Mindanao, participants aim to complete 1,200 kilometers in 24 hours. The Land Transportation Office was reported to have summoned event organizers. (PNA)

General Santos City - Unsolved Killings Here?

 

Concerned with the rising unsolved cases of killings here and the neighboring areas, Mindanao Development Authority chair person Secretary Luwalhati Antonio has pushed for the assignment of additional policemen in the area. 

Antonio, who hails from this city, said in a radio interview that the recent killings perpetrated by motorcycle-riding gunmen were considered alaring and showed the need for more intensified law enforcement and security operations.

She specifically cited the killing of local newspaper publisher Christopher Guarin and of city traffic enforcer Oliver Dayap.

God bless Mindanao and the Philippines!