Abbey M.

MANILA, Philippines — Several provinces and local governments have declared a state of calamity following widespread flooding and damage caused by more than two weeks of heavy rains.

Among the areas under a state of calamity are Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga and Cavite.

Bulacan placed the entire province under a state of calamity after floods damaged homes, farms, businesses and infrastructure. Pampanga made a similar declaration after hundreds of barangays were affected by flooding.

Other municipalities and cities in Pangasinan, Zambales, Rizal and Batangas have also been affected by severe weather conditions.

A state of calamity allows local governments to quickly use emergency funds for rescue, relief and recovery operations.

It also triggers measures such as a price freeze on basic necessities in affected areas and may allow access to government assistance and emergency loans.

The flooding was brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon, or Habagat, and recent tropical cyclones that affected large parts of Luzon.

‍

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said 13 pumping stations will be built or upgraded across Metro Manila to help reduce flooding in the capital region.

Marcos announced the plan during an inspection of the Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station in Pasay City.

He said the government aims to complete the projects by the end of 2026 or in early 2027.

The President said additional pumping stations are needed as Metro Manila continues to experience heavy rains and frequent flooding.

Marcos also said the government is looking for ways to address improper waste disposal, which can clog waterways and disrupt pumping station operations.

‍

MANILA, Philippines — The student behind the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University acted alone, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said initial findings showed the student planned and carried out the attack on his own, with no identified accomplices, organized group or family influence.

“As we can determine, Mr. Jalani acted alone,” Remulla said during a press conference in Zamboanga City.

Authorities are still investigating what may have influenced the student and are examining his digital activity for possible clues.

Remulla earlier raised the possibility that online communities may have played a role, but clarified that investigators are looking beyond Roblox itself and into chat groups and other online spaces the student may have accessed.

The student opened fire inside the school on August 18, killing another student before dying himself. Other students were also injured in the attack.

The Philippine National Police is continuing its forensic examination of the student’s devices to determine the motive behind the shooting.

‍

MANILA, Philippines — The student behind the August 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University allegedly used a ramp for persons with disabilities to bypass the school’s regular security checkpoint, a Senate inquiry found.

Ateneo de Zamboanga University said the ramp is normally closed and is only opened for students with disabilities or those carrying heavy items.

At the time of the incident, the ramp had been opened for a student, allowing the shooter to use it as an entry point without passing through the usual security screening.

The university said it has 25 security guards assigned across the campus, including at school gates, building floors and surrounding areas. However, no guard was stationed at the ramp when the shooter entered.

Zamboanga City Police Chief PCOL Fidel Fortaleza Jr. said the student was dropped off by vehicle, walked directly to the ramp and entered the building carrying a bag containing the firearms later used in the shooting.

During the Senate hearing, lawmakers also questioned possible gaps in the school’s security procedures, including differences in screening between students arriving on foot and those dropped off by vehicles.

Ateneo de Zamboanga University is continuing its investigation into how the student entered the junior high school building with firearms.

The school is also reviewing CCTV footage to determine the exact sequence of events.

‍

MANILA, Philippines — New PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho is pushing five key reforms aimed at making health benefits easier to access and reducing unexpected medical expenses for members.

Among her priorities is expanding PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program, or Yakap, to schools and workplaces so members can access primary care services closer to where they live, study or work.

Ho also wants more public health services included under Yakap and a more organized primary care system.

Another priority is expanding access to no-balance billing, including through private hospitals willing to offer services at PhilHealth-covered rates.

Ho said patients should have more options instead of relying only on public hospitals to avoid high out-of-pocket costs.

She also plans to simplify the licensing and accreditation process for healthcare providers by exploring a single application platform for both the Department of Health and PhilHealth.

The move is intended to shorten processing times and reduce red tape.

Ho also wants to strengthen PhilHealth’s workforce and improve support and compensation for healthcare workers.

Another focus is preventing “bill shock” by making hospital costs and PhilHealth benefits clearer to patients before treatment.

Ho said patients should know in advance how much they may need to pay and what expenses PhilHealth will cover.

“Malaking bagay na hindi ka magugulat, na hindi bill shock,” Ho said.

The reforms are part of PhilHealth’s broader effort to make benefits more accessible and easier for members to understand.

‍