BARMM voter registration resumes Feb. 9

 

By Philippine News Agency

Published Feb 8, 2026 08:53 pm

Voter registration in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for the November 2026 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) resumes on Monday, Feb. 9.

In a social media post, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) called on those qualified to be voters in the barangay and youth polls to visit local Comelec offices or designated satellite registration centers in their city and municipality to list up.

The offices of the Election Officers are ready to accept applications for registration from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, including holidays, unless there is an announcement from the Comelec.

BARMM provinces are Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Special Geographic Areas.

Those who are eligible to register as regular voters must be 18-years-old and above, residing in the Philippines for at least one year, and residing in the area where he/she is looking to get registered for at least six months before Election Day.

For SK voters, those eligible to register are at least 15 but not more than 30 years of age, and residing in the barangay for at least six months on or before Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Aside from application for voter registration, the poll body is also accepting applications for change of name and status, correction of entries, reactivation of registration records, inclusion of registration records and reinstatement of name in the list of voters.

Also accepted are applications for updating the records of persons with disabilities, senior citizens and members of indigenous peoples and indigenous cultural communities, and transfer from overseas to local.

The registration period will end on March 31. (PNA)

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)

E-trikes barred from major Davao roads

 

By Philippine News Agency

 

CTTMO head Dionisio Abude clarified that, unlike motorcycles-for-hire (MTH), which adhere to licensing and registration rules, e-trikes do not meet these standards.

“There is still no local ordinance allowing e-trikes to accept passengers or ply national highways and major streets within the city,” Abude said in an interview.

He also mentioned that if e-trikes are allowed on city roads, they should be categorized as “unconventional” and must meet particular standards, such as having a closed cab, to guarantee passenger safety.

“Currently, they are used to carrying passengers without a closed cab, so almost everything is a violation,” Abude said.

Meanwhile, the Davao City Police destroyed 296 modified mufflers (bora-bora) and 270 “lantakas” (improvised pipes made from tin cans) that were confiscated during a series of operations aimed at curbing noise pollution and ensuring public safety.

City Ordinance 0334-12, enacted on Aug. 7, 2012, prohibits the installation of modified mufflers on all vehicles.

Police Col. Mannan Muarip, acting city police director, noted that the ordinance strictly prohibits such modifications because of their harmful impact on community peace and order.

He said police are investigating the sources of illegal mufflers to dismantle the supply chain and prevent additional violations.

“Our operations will continue with barangay-level raids and checkpoints to intercept violators and cut off the supply chain,” Muarip said.

He appealed to motorcycle owners, particularly the youth, to voluntarily surrender their modified mufflers.

“You can turn them over to your barangay captains, and we will collect them there,” he said. (PNA)

Davao City Council OKs P15.8-B budget for 2026

By Philippine News Agency

Published Nov 14, 2025 05:09 pm

DAVAO CITY – The 21st Davao City Council approved the P15.8-billion budget for 2026 on Thursday.

Council members unanimously passed the spending plan after reviewing a 17-page committee report detailing fund sources and expenditure breakdowns, the City Information Office (CIO) said in a news release Friday.

The 2026 budget is 10.8 percent or P1.54 billion higher than this year's P14.3-billion allocation.

The CIO said the bulk of the budget, P13.65 billion (86.16 percent), will go to the general fund. Another P2.02 billion (12.80 percent) is earmarked for the development fund, and P165.8 million (1.04 percent) will fund economic enterprises.

The general fund covers personnel services, operational expenses, and capital outlays for most city government offices.

The development fund will finance infrastructure projects, while the economic enterprises fund will support public markets, slaughterhouses, Santa Ana Port, public cemeteries, Davao City Recreation Center, and Magsaysay Park.

CIO attributed the budget increase to a 14.86 percent rise in the national tax allotment (NTA), adding PP1.31 billion and a projected 4.26 percent increase in local revenues, contributing P230.77 million.

“This upward trend in NTA share is attributed to the continued recovery from the adverse impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the CIO said. (PNA)

Davao City sends relief, medicines to 'Tino' victims in Cebu

By Philippine News Agency

Published Nov 12, 2025 05:42 pm

DAVAO CITY – The city government dispatched 16 trucks carrying food packs and medicines to Cebu province Wednesday to assist communities affected by typhoon ‘’Tino.’’

CDRRMO head Alfredo Baloran said the convoy carries approximately 4,000 food packs, 2,000 bottles of drinking water, and assorted medicines for typhoon-affected residents.

“Same with what we did before, we will bring the relief goods to Cebu for the typhoon-affected residents,” Baloran said in an interview Wednesday.

The city will also provide P3.9 million in financial assistance to Cebu, Bogo City, and eight municipalities hardest hit by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Sept. 30.

Last month, Davao City deployed 57 personnel, including medical staff, social workers, and disaster responders, to support earthquake-affected areas in Cebu, along with 5,000 food packs, 5,000 bottles of water, and 30 boxes of medicine. (PNA)

Dawlah Islamiyah member killed in Maguindanao del Sur

By Philippine News Agency

Published Sep 30, 2025 08:52 pm

KORONADAL CITY – A suspected member of the Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist group was killed after resisting arrest during the serving of six warrants in Maguindanao del Sur on Monday afternoon.

Police Capt. Joel Lebrilla, Rajah Buayan police chief, identified the fatality as Moner Usman, a resident of Barangay Darampua, Sultan sa Barongis, Maguindanao del Sur.

Citing intelligence information, Lebrilla said Usman belonged to the Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassa Group operating in the province and nearby areas.

Lebrilla said Usman quickly pulled his home-made Uzi machine pistol and opened fire on the approaching lawmen during the 4 p.m. operation in Barangay Sapakan, Rajah Buayan.

"He sensed the presence of lawmen and opened fire, forcing police to return fire,” Lebrilla said in a radio interview.

Usman died on the spot. One police officer was wounded and is now recuperating in a hospital.

Police were armed with six warrants of arrest against Usman for murder and frustrated murder.

Seized from him were the homemade Uzi machine pistol, ammunition, and suspected shabu. (PNA)

3-month closed fishing season in Davao Gulf begins

By Philippine News Agency

Published Jun 2, 2025 04:19 pm

DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Davao (BFAR-11) announced on Monday the start of this year’s three-month closed fishing season at the Davao Gulf, from June 1 to August 31.

In a press briefing, Elaine Vera Belvis, BFAR-11 Fisheries Management and Regulatory Enforcement Division chief, said the fishing ban is crucial for protecting small pelagic fish species and ensuring their recovery and reproduction in the region's waters.

“During this season, we specifically protect key fish species such as big-eyed scad (matang baka), mackerel (alumahan), and round scad (galunggong),” Belvis explained. “According to a study, the fish catch trend is either increasing or has shown positive results following the consistent implementation of this closed season.”

As the program enters its 12th year, the use of ring nets and bag nets (basligan) – the two main fishing gears, regardless of tonnage, or modified gears with similar operations – is strictly prohibited.

The fishing ban is enforced in accordance with the Department of Agriculture-Department of the Interior and Local Government (DA-DILG) joint administrative order for the conservation of small fishes in Davao Gulf and the country’s existing fisheries code.

The Davao Gulf, which extends from Cape San Agustin in Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental, to Talagotong Point in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental, is recognized as a vital spawning ground for various small pelagic species.

Violations of the ban will incur severe penalties, including fines ranging from P20,000 to P500,000, imprisonment, confiscation of catches and fishing equipment, and revocation of fishing licenses.

Mount Apo annual rehab starts

The majestic Mount Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, will temporarily close its trails to trekkers from June to August for its annual rehabilitation and preservation, the Digos City Tourism Office (DCTO) said.

In an online post, the DCTO said the annual closure coincides with the mating season of Mount Apo's diverse fauna, allowing the mountain to rejuvenate and recover naturally.

“This crucial conservation effort ensures the protection of its rich biodiversity and delicate ecosystem, helping preserve the natural wonders of Mount Apo for generations to come,” it said.

The DCTO assured trekkers that Mount Apo, standing at 9,692 feet above sea level, will reopen its doors to adventurers in September.

Meanwhile, the office highlighted a recent achievement involving a senior citizen who successfully reached the summit of Mount Apo on May 20.

Leticia Sobebe, 70, from Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, demonstrated that age is no barrier to achieving ambitious goals.

“With firm determination and remarkable strength, Nanay Leticia completed the challenging climb, inspiring adventurers of all ages to keep chasing their dreams,” the DCTO said. (PNA)

Rains to continue over parts of PH due to 3 weather systems

Philippine News Agency   November 29,2024 - 09:23 AM

MANILA – The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the shear line, and the northeast monsoon or “amihan” will continue to bring cloudy skies with rains over parts of the country, the weather bureau said Friday.

In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, and the Negros Island Region will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the ITCZ.

The shear line will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Quezon, Laguna, and the Bicol region.

2 weather systems to bring rains over parts of PH

Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera region, and Aurora will have cloudy skies with rains while Metro Manila and the rest of Central Luzon will experience isolated light rains due to the amihan.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Read more: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/608976/rains-to-continue-over-parts-of-ph-due-to-3-weather-systems#ixzz8svyp7lkP

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Davaoeños urged to follow 8 rules

By Philippine News Agency

January 5, 2024 40

DAVAO CITY: The city government has called on residents to observe road discipline and community safety through eight rules as the new year starts.

The local government said Davaoeños should adhere to the use of pedestrian lanes for safe crossing of the streets to avoid "jaywalking penalties" as embodied under the Comprehensive Transport and Traffic Code of Davao City.

"Secondly, the public should also use overpasses to ensure safe crossing of roads," the city government said in a statement Thursday.

It also emphasized the proper parking of vehicles in designated areas to avoid inconvenience to other motorists and ensure safe sidewalks for pedestrians.

Fourth on the list is the "don't drink and drive" rule under the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Law or RA 10586, and fifth is the observance of the city's Speed Limit Ordinance.

Meanwhile, for community safety, Davaoeños are urged to practice proper waste disposal in designated areas.

"Davaoeños are urged to avoid littering and to only throw waste in garbage cans," the statement said, adding that the measure aligns with the prevention of dengue under the locality's Mosquito-Borne Viral Disease Prevention Program.

"If our environment is clean, we can lessen bacteria. Also, if our environment is clean we will not have open containers which can be a breeding place for mosquitos," Tomas Ababon, the city health officer in charge, said.

Davaoeños are also urged to follow the Anti-Nuisance Ordinance, which limits loud noise until 10 p.m.

Census finds 32 water bird species thriving in 2 Agusan del Norte towns

by Philippine News Agency

BUTUAN CITY (PNA) – At least 32 water bird species are found thriving inside the monitoring site in Lake Mainit stretching across the towns of Jabonga and Kitcharao in Agusan del Norte province, highlighting the need for sustained ecological preservation.

WHITE Browed Crake (DENR CENRO Tubay FB)

“The census also recorded 12 new water bird species foraging and taking refuge inside the monitoring site in Lake Mainit,” the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Tubay, Agusan del Norte (CENRO-Tubay) said in a statement on Thursday, Jan. 19. 

It was referring to the Annual Asian Water Bird Census (AWC) launched on Wednesday, Jan. 18, which is conducted during the second and third week of every January not only in the country but also in other parts of the world, particularly in Asia.

The Top 5 water bird species with the highest number found inside the monitoring site in Lake Mainit include the Tufted Duck, Whiskered Tern, Intermediate Egret, Common Tern, and the Javan Pond Heron.

“The census also recorded 12 new water bird species foraging and taking refuge inside the monitoring site in Lake Mainit,” the CENRO-Tubay said.

The new bird species include the Yellow Bittern, Purple Swamphen, Wood Swallow, White Throated Kingfisher, Philippine Duck, White Browed Crake, Common Tern, Slender-billed Crow, Swiftlets, Short-Billed Brown Dove, Olive Backed Sunbird, Yellow Vented Bulbul, and Spotted Dove.

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The CENRO-Tubay noted the number of thriving bird species inside the sites this year decreased compared to 2022.

“Last year’s total individual count was 44,508 water birds. We recorded an almost 17 percent of decrease in their number this year,” it said.