Dev Flores

The Navotas Sanitary Landfill is fully extinguished, according to the declaration of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on May 10, 2026. 

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has recognized the collaborative efforts to solve this challenge and has noted that the site is now smoke-free.

“Nagtulong-tulong po lahat para talagang maapula natin nang mabilis itong napakalaking sunog dito na nangyari noong Abril. At kita niyo naman ngayon, klaro na, wala ng usok. Dati hindi natin makita yung Obondo, ngayon nakikita na natin,” he said

[“We worked together to quickly extinguish this huge fire that happened last April. And as you can see, it’s already cleared, no more smoke. Previously, we couldn’t see Obando; now it’s visible.”]

Despite the fire out declaration, the Secretary confirmed that the backfill operation is still continuous as part of the maintenance.

“Yung buo, natakpan na. Pero kagaya nung sinabi natin kanina, tuloy-tuloy ito. Hindi i'o pwedeng huminto. Critical dito yung pag-maintain kasi yung nasusunog na gas, yung methane, meron pa yan sa ilalim,” he said

[“The entire area, it’s covered already. But like what we said earlier, it’s continuous. It cannot stop. The maintenance is critical because the flammable gas, the methane, is still present.”]

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.

The Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) clarified that they are “not against the adoption of renewable energy.”

According to a report by UNTV Correspondent Asher Cadapan Jr., the Energy Regulatory Board (ERC) is responsible for regulations on solar panel use and installation.

ERC Legal Service Director Atty. Maria Corazon Gines explains that if a solar panel is to be connected to the meter or distribution utility, it must first be applied to the commission. 

“Kung kakabit din nila doon sa metro o kaya doon sa distribution system, ‘yun yung kailangan talaga nilang i-apply sa amin ‘yun. Kasi baka may impact ‘yun doon sa distribution system. Pwede mag-overload yung transformer,” she explained

[“If they are going to connect it to the meter or the distribution system, they really need to apply with us. This is because it might have an impact on the distribution system. The transformer could potentially overload.”]

However, if the solar panel is connected directly to the appliances, the commission no longer intervenes.

“Meron yung mga solar panels kasi na pwedeng direkta doon sa mga appliances. Kusto kami,hindi na namin masyadong pinakikialaman yun. Kasi direkta naman yun, risk na rin naman nila,” she said

[“There are solar panels that can be linked directly to appliances. In those cases, we do not interfere. Since it is a direct connection, the risk falls on the user.”]

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has responded to the circulating video content on social media regarding cash or rice subsidy and free electricity monthly costs for National ID holders.

The PSA strongly stated that this is not true, and it doesn’t legitimately come from the authority or even from other government agencies. 

According to the PSA, these contents might be AI-generated and intentionally made and deceive the public.

“Maaaring ginamitan ng Artificial Intelligence (AI) ang mga nasabing video at sadyang ginawa upang magpakalat ng maling impormasyon at manlinlang ng publiko,” according to the online-issued statement of PSA

The PSA clarified that the purpose of the National ID is to use that for an official and valid document for government programs and service applications. They also stated that being a holder doesn’t mean that they automatically receive aid or assistance.

“Ang pagkakaroon nito ay hindi nangangahulugan ng awtomatikong pagtangggap ng anumang uri ng ayuda o assistance,” they added

To stop the spread of fake news, the PSA calls on the public to avoid interacting with such content through liking, sharing, or putting comments. 

Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Atty. Rino Abad has announced the oil price adjustments that will take effect on May 12, 2026.

There will be a 9-peso per liter rollback for Diesel and a 12-peso decrease in Kerosene. In contrast, there will be a P1.60 to P1.70 per liter increase in Gasoline.

The adjustments are based on four trading days and may still change by the weekend.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is encouraging the public to report gas stations that refuse to sell fuel. The advisory was made following the reports that some gasoline stations allegedly refuse to sell fuel products when a price hike is expected the following week.

According to DOE Secretary Sharon Garin, the report can be submitted through the Citizens’ E-report System via e-Gov app.

The Department of Health warns the public against the health risks from swimming at Baseco Beach.

According to DOH Officer in-charge Chief of Environmental and Occupational Health Division Dr. Clarito Cairo Jr., swimming at that beach has long been prohibited because it’s not only safe and dangerous but extremely dangerous. 

“Ang Baseco Beach na yan, talagang matagal ng pinagbabawal ang paglangoy ng ating mga kababayan kasi ang tubig dyan talagang hindi lang po unsafe, hindi lang po dangerous, kundi extremely dangerous,” he said

[“That Baseco Beach, swimming there has been prohibited because the water there is not just unsafe, not just dangerous, but extremely dangerous.”]

According to the DOH, the water at the Baseco Beach contains E. coli bacteria, which brings serious health risks to anyone who swims there.

“Ang common po dyan ay yung tinatawag na E. coli. Ayan po yung common na bacteria sa dumi ng tao at ganun din po, dumi ng hayop, and kasama rin po yung bacteria na nagdudulot po ng typhoid fever, hepatitis A, nandyan din po yung leptospirosis,” Dr. Cairo said

[“The common thing there is what we call E. coli. That is the common bacteria from the stool of humans, as well as from the stool of an animal, and also it includes the bacteria that can cause typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and leptospirosis.”]

Despite the restrictions, some people continue to swim amid the warm and dry season.

Barangay. 649, Baseco Chairperson Diana Espinosa emphasized that they do not allow anyone to swim there.

“Ay hindi po natin yan pinapayagan. Pinagbabawalan po natin sila,” she said

The DOH advised that individuals may eventually experience the effects of exposure to contaminated water.

“Pero darating yung time na talagang magkakasakit po sila sa balat, magkakasakit po sila sa mata, impeksyon sa mata, impeksyon sa tenga, sa pagtatae, pagsusuka. Madami pong sakit ang pwede nilang makuha dyan dahil sa maduming tubig,”

[“The time will come that they will suffer from skin diseases, eye and ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting. There are many illnesses they can get from the dirty water.”]

With reports from Dante Amento