Dev Flores

Many schools across the country have been affected by Tropical Storm Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat). Consequently, classes in several areas have been suspended due to damaged school facilities.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), an estimated P165.2 million fund is needed for the repair and cleanup operations to more than 800 disaster-hit schools.

The operations aim to restore and repair facilities before classes resume once the weather improves.

Aside from school building repairs, the agency reports several damages in equipment and materials, including over 600 chairs, more than 400 ICT equipment unit, and over 7,000 learning materials.

Currently, more than 100 schools are being utilized as evacuation centers, and 387 classrooms serve as temporary shelters for affected families.

Amid disasters, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the welfare and safety of students and teachers must always be considered.

According to DepEd, the learning provisions are set to be deployed for schools that are unable to conduct regular classes amid disaster; the provisions include printed learning pockets, alternative delivery materials, and emergency learning resources.

Schools have also been instructed to coordinate with local government units (LGUs), disaster risk reduction and management offices, and DepEd field offices to determine the appropriate learning continuity level in their respective areas.

With reports from Mia Alonzo

The House Committee on Ways and Means has approved a measure that raises the annual tax exemption ceiling from ₱250,000 to ₱350,000.

The legislative measure aims to set the income tax exemption to ₱350,000, allowing Filipino workers to take the higher amount from their salaries.

“Napprove na po natin yung pagtaas ng exemption sa income tax ng ating mga compensation earners,” House Committee Ways and Means Chairperson Rep. Miro Quimbo confirmed

[“The higher exemption on income tax for compensation earners has been approved.”]

“Dati po, ₱250,000 na taxable income ang exempted lang. Ngayon ay ginagawa na po nating ₱350,000,” he added

[“Previously, the ₱250,000 taxable income is the exemption. Now, we make it ₱350,000.”]

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), there would be an estimated ₱70 billion revenue loss once the proposed income tax relief is effective.

To offset the loss, the House committee eyes raising taxes on tobacco and vape.

“Yung isa sa mga potential compensatory taxes ay yung tax sa sigarilyo at tsaka sa vape dahil ito yung isa sa mga pinakanakakapinsala talaga,” Rep. Quimbo said

[“One of the potential compensatory taxes is the tax on cigarettes and vapes because these are among the most harmful.”]

The panel also approved the exemption of micro and small enterprises from the minimum corporate income tax.

The Congress plans to consolidate the bill for the second reading before the congressional break in October, so that it can be fully enacted into law by January 2027.

With reports from Rosalie Coz

A transport group, Manibela, has postponed its three-day transport strike, which was originally scheduled to begin on Monday, August 10.

Manibela Chairperson Mar Valbuena explained that the postponement was decided to ensure the safety of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers, operators, and their families.

The decision was made following the reported flooding and the continued impact of weather conditions across various regions.

Manibela will announce a new schedule for the transport strike, which aims to protest the rising prices of petroleum products.

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Several regions may still experience heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat); however, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) says that the rainfall intensity will gradually ease in the coming days.

The southwest monsoon will continue to bring rainy weather to various parts of Luzon, particularly in Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan. Heavy rains are also expected in Metro Manila, Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Laguna.

DOST-PAGASA Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda noted that rainfall has eased compared to this past weekend. However, she emphasized that the public must remain alert due to risks of flooding and landslides.

PAGASA added that despite the ongoing El  Niño phenomenon, the potential rainfall remains high in Western Luzon and Visayas.

PAGASA also explains that when El Niño coincides with the southwest monsoon season, it can contribute to increased rainfall.

The southwest monsoon season is expected to persist until October or November.

With reports from Mia Alonzo

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Kennon Road is temporarily closed to non-Baguio residents due to risk of slope failures, rockfalls, and landslides, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road is also impassable due to a roadslip. Motorists are advised to take Marlboro Beckel Road or Labey - Lacamen Road for an alternative route.

Meanwhile, the Nueva Vizcaya–Pangasinan Road in Brgy. Baracbac, Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya is also impassable due to a reported landslide. The DPWH-Nueva Vizcaya 2nd District Engineering Office has already deployed teams to conduct clearing operations. Maharlika Highway is recommended as an alternative route.

Motorists are advised to remain patient, expect delays, and strictly follow instructions from local or national authorities.

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