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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has released a statement from Sec. Banoy, telling his position about the proposal to permit carpooling on the EDSA Busway.
Sec. Banoy disagrees with the proposal as he believes that the busways must be solely dedicated to bus commuters, providing them with a faster and uninterrupted travel experience.
If the bus lane will be open for private vehicles, it will slow down the traffic flow for the buses, making it more hassle for commuters.
“Any move to open this lane to private vehicles, even under the guise of carpooling, will inevitably slow down bus operations and defeat the very purpose for which the busway was created,” based on the statement issued by the DOTr.
Furthermore, the transportation department is open to communicating with other agencies and organizations to discover more feasible and innovative solutions for traffic problems.
The Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Ted Herbosa, accompanied by DOH–Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development Regional Director Dr. Exuperia B. Sabalberino, headed the inauguration of the newly launched DOH Wellness Clinic in Robinsons North Mall, Abucay, Tacloban City.
The DOH mentioned that this clinic aims to make the free healthcare services more accessible and safer for the public.
Sec. Ted Herbosa explains that the reason the wellness clinic was launched in a mall is to target youth, making it more accessible to them since many youth go to malls, especially on weekends.
He further expressed that the wellness clinic is open for raising awareness about a healthy diet and living, reproductive health, and providing mental health support, etc.
He also plans to align the clinic’s operations with DOH’s monthly campaigns. For instance, during National Heart Month every February, the clinic can provide blood pressure monitoring.
The following health care services provided by the clinic are as follows:
These services are available in Robinsons North Mall in Tacloban City.
Additionally, Sec. Herbosa mentioned that the first launch of the DOH Wellness Clinic was in the SM Mall of Asia. Then, yesterday (January 29, 2026), this is the first Robinson mall where the clinic was launched.
Hence, he is looking forward to the expansion of this service in different areas of the country, making it more accessible for many Filipinos.
The wellness clinic is open every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The Department of Health (DOH) did not recommend travel restrictions amid the reported cases of Nipah virus in India.
Although this is transmissible from animal to human or human to human, the Bureau of Quarantine recommended strengthening awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of the virus and its detrimental effect on the community.
Hence, the health department is disseminating information at points of entry and enforces stricter airport screening at the borders of the country.
Furthermore, DOH Spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo said that the Philippines is equipped to protect the Filipinos against the virus. He also reminded us to be cautious in choosing the right meat and to cook meals well to prevent contamination.
OWWA Deputy Administrator Jasmine Gapatan cautions OFWs in Bahrain about reported scam incidents.
“The Philippine Embassy [to] the Kingdom of Bahrain warns the public about a scam phone calls and messages from individuals falsely claiming to be from the embassy,” she said
Based on the Embassy’s report, one of the scammers’ schemes in Manama is to use the Embassy’s emblem on WhatsApp to appear legitimate.
The scammers will offer Assistance-to-Nationals Services in exchange for money.
However, the Embassy emphasized that they will never ask for money to provide this kind of assistance.
They also reiterate that they only use their official accounts to provide information and assistance.
With reports from Evan Alvarez
Some airports in Asian countries like Thailand and Nepal implemented stricter airport screening due to reported incidents of a deadly outbreak, the Nipah Virus in West Bengal, India.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the Nipah Virus is commonly found in bats, but it can be transmitted in other animals like pigs.
“In this first outbreak, bats initially spread the Nipah virus to pigs. People who worked closely with the infected pigs got sick, as well,” they said
Moreover, WHO mentioned that the virus is also transmissible from animals to humans through contaminated food. Human-to-human transmission is also possible.
The fatality rate ranges from 40% to 70%.
The following symptoms include:
In the Philippines, the last recorded case of Nipah Virus was in 2014 in Sultan Kudarat.
Recently, there have been no recorded cases of the virus in our country.
However, DOH Spokesperson Asec. Albert Domingo mentioned that the Philippines is ready for the Nipah virus and other diseases, and its epidemiology bureau is consistently monitoring the cases.
He also stated to be cautious in picking the right meat for your meal.
“Pinakamainam na kumain ng karne na aprubado ng ating National Meat Inspection Service o NMIS, at palaging lutuin nang maigi ang pagkain.” he said
[“The best choice is to eat meat that is approved by our National Meat Inspection Service or NMIS, and always cook your meals well.”]
There are no vaccines or medicines that may cure against the virus.
With reports from Gladys Toabi
