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Dev Flores

Health & Lifestyle

DOH warns the public vs endorsement of thyroid and goiter supplements from DOH fake accounts

January 20, 2026 8:41 PM
PST

The Department of Health cautions the public regarding the spread of advertisements endorsing thyroid and goiter supplements using the fake accounts of DOH and other doctors.

The agency emphasizes that they have no connections to any business or brands of supplements, and they never issued permissions to use their names for endorsements to maintain their neutrality.

“Nananatiling neutral ang Kagawaran at walang anumang ugnayan sa mga negosyo o komersyal na pag-eendorso.” according to the issued statement of DOH

[“The Department remains neutral and has no connections with businesses or commercial endorsements.”]

The DOH reminds the public to look only for the official platforms of the agency for health and lifestyle concerns. Do

Be vigilant and do not share unverified information online to ensure a safe and healthy lifestyle. 

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Lifestyle

OCTA: Self-rated poverty drops by 17 in the last quarter of 2025

January 20, 2026 3:37 PM
PST

The OCTA Research has reported a drop in self-rated poverty in the last quarter of 2025.

The survey was conducted from December 10 to 14, 2025, through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents nationwide.

According to the information reflected in the Tugon ng Masa survey, 37% of the Filipinos rated themselves as poor. This is 17% lower compared to the record from September, 54%. This decline means that about 4.5 million families are no longer declaring themselves poor.

The group considered this drop as the largest single-quarter decline recorded in the OCTA Tugon ng Masa series.

Additionally, self-rated food poverty also drops by 19%, from the 3rd quarter’s 49% down to 30%, meaning 5 million families have sufficient access to food. 

The OCTA also recognized that poverty and hunger rates remain high in Mindanao compared to Luzon and Visayas. 

Hence, the group suggests implementing continuous and targeted programs for the poor to achieve lower rates of poverty and hunger in the next quarter.

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Lifestyle
Politics

Oil price hike to start on January 20, 2026

January 20, 2026 3:31 PM
PST

Motorists have to prepare extra cash as the oil companies will implement the price hike for petroleum products starting this Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

The following increases are as follows:

  • Diesel - ₱2.00 per liter
  • Gasoline - ₱1.00 per liter
  • Kerosene - ₱1.50 per liter

The Oil Industry and Management Bureau reiterates the primary factors of increase, such as the increase in global crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions in some countries like Iran and Venezuela.

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Crime & Investigation

SoKor President Lee Jae Myung’s warning against overpriced hotel bookings in Busan

January 20, 2026 3:26 PM
PST

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has expressed his disappointment with the surge in hotel booking prices in Busan.

The statement was made due to reported incidents where bookings increased tenfold from the original price after the BTS world tour details were made public.

President Lee stated through his online post that “foreign tourism is the cornerstone of national economic development.”

But it is also important to ensure that fair treatment is maintained towards the tourists.

Hence, President Lee appointed the authorities to implement necessary actions against the reported incident.

“To eradicate scams and rudeness, which are fatal to tourism development, all government ministries will step up and devote their full efforts,” according to a statement issued by President Lee through the local language.

He also expressed his desire to curb excessive price increase in hotel price booking and inequalities towards tourists, as it brings detrimental effects on tourism and public trust.

With reports from Zarah

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Lifestyle

TRB approves NLEX toll hike from Jan. 20, 2026

January 20, 2026 7:38 PM
PST

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has approved the updated toll fees, effective January 20, 2026.

The hike is effective for both open and closed systems.

Open system: Balintawak, Caloocan, and Mindanao Avenue to North of Marilao 

Motorists will encounter the following increases:

  • Class 1 - ₱6.00
  • Class 2 - ₱14.00
  • Class 3 - ₱16.00

Closed system: North of Marilao to Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City 

  • Class 1 - ₱0.26
  • Class 2 - ₱0.65 
  • Class 3 - ₱0.78

Other routes:

Subic to Tipo

  • Class 1 - ₱3.00
  • Class 2 - ₱6.00
  • Class 3 - ₱7.00

NLEX End to End (Marilao to Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City)

  • Class 1 - ₱24.00
  • Class 2 - ₱60.00
  • Class 3 - ₱72.00

The TRB ensures that this initiative will help maintain the continuous operations, maintenance, and improvements of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). 

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