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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced to offer free train rides or libreng sakay to different sectors from December 14, 2025 to December 25, 2025.
The agency provided the list of the following sectors to benefit from the free rides in 12 days:
The free train rides or libreng sakay will be effective on LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3.
The House of Representatives stays committed to livestream bicam meetings.
In the bicameral conference, different budget versions passed by the Senate and Congress will be reconciled.
House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing mentioned that the House of Representatives is committed to publicizing the bicameral conference for the 2026 proposed budget.
“The house has always been very firm on our commitment to opening the bicameral conference committee proceedings, more specifically livestreaming the bicam.” she said
This statement was made following the information disclosed by Sen. Erwin Tulfo that some House members are not in favor of livestreaming the conference.
Rep. Suansing mentioned the ongoing collaboration with her Senate counterpart regarding the livestreaming operations.
“Senator Win Gatchalian and I are already talking about how to operationalize the livestreaming of the bicam,” she added
Moreover, the civil society organization, Bantay Budget Network asks the Senate and the Congress to make public and fully disclose the following documents:
- All allocables and line-by-line amendments, and their proponents;
- All unprogrammed appropriations;
- All agency-level realignments and last-minute insertions;
- All reports, tables, and harmonized figures.
The organization calls to release all of them before the actual conference.
Bantay Budget Network also mentioned that transparency is not optional but a democratic obligation. Moreover, the organization also believes that secrecy leads to corruption, patronage, and abuse of power.
“Bantay Budget Network emphasizes that secrecy in the budget process breeds corruption, patronage, and abuse of power.” based on their issued statement.
Heavy traffic, on North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), recently began due to the upcoming holiday rush.
According to NLEX, the reason that has been seen is the large number of vehicles on the roads. Hence, motorists have difficulty passing through the entrance and exit points of NLEX, particularly in Balnitawak to Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Heavier traffic is anticipated from December 19, 2025 until January 5, 2026. NLEX Assistant Vice President for Traffic Operations, Robin Ignacio confirmed that, stating:
“We do understand na ‘yon nga po because of this holiday rush, talagang mataas po ‘yong volume and we’re expecting that until January 5"
[We do understand it because of this holiday rush. The volume is really high and we’re expecting that until January 5."]
Heavy traffic on NLEX usually happens from 10PM to 12AM. NLEX strongly advises the motorists to travel as early as possible.
"Kung kaya pa po nilang i-adjust ng time gawin na po nila siguro.” Ignacio said
[“If they can adjust the time [for travel], perhaps they must do it."]
Moreover, good condition on vehicles and motorists must be observed to prevent road accidents that also causes heavy traffic.
Natural disasters are one of the inevitable phenomena in the Philippines. Residents and communities in vulnerable areas are prone to experience the dangerous impact of disaster, which affects their livelihood status.
Hence, there are four Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) in the country that offer calamity loans for those residents or communities that are affected by typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc.; eventually declared in a state of calamity.
The Social Security System (SSS) provides calamity loans for employees from the private sector. The amount that can be loaned is equivalent to 1-month salary. This is payable within 2 years, meaning 24 monthly installments. The loan amortization starts on the 2nd month after the approval date of the loan. The interest rate is 10% per annum. The online application is available for registered members on their official site, My.SSS Portal.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) provides emergency assistance for government employees up to ₱20,000.00 net loan. The loan is payable for 3 years or 36 monthly installments. The interest rate is 6% per annum. Loan application is available via GSIS App or GSIS official website. GSIS E-card users are also allowed to file an application. They can go to the nearest GWAP kiosk to process that.
The Home Development Mutual Fund or PAG-IBIG allows the members to borrow up to 80% of the total savings, payable for 3 years. The interest rate is 5.95%. The first amortization shall be on a 3rd month after loan release. Applications for loan are available via Virtual PAG-IBIG (the official website) or over-the-counter.
Lastly, the Landbank offers a program called the Community Assistance and Reintegration Support Plus (CARES Plus). This program is intended to support farmers, fishermen, micro, small and medium enterprises, large corporations, and electric distribution utilities, providing them a capital or funds to repair the damaged facilities caused by the calamities.
For more details, take time to watch this video:
CALAMITY LOAN: Everything You Need to Know about Calamity Relief Assistance by the Government
https://youtu.be/6Cjbxjt2F6c?si=__uGZ8ChwKrzrjhJ
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The Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) released an advisory, warning the herders and businessmen of goat and sheep, and even veterinarians about the discovered disease in Southeast Asia called Peste des petits ruminants or PPR.
The PPR is a virus affecting goats or sheep and this is highly contagious. The following symptoms include:
If symptoms are observed, report immediately to the nearest veterinary or agricultural office for laboratory investigation and examination.
The Philippines is still PPR-free, according to the Agriculture Department. However, the agency reminds the herders and businessmen to maintain the safety measures to prevent the virus transmission in the country.
Significant maintenance of farm biosecurity, cleanliness, and disinfection is strongly advised.
Also, cautious exercise in bringing in and purchasing related products originating from the countries with reported cases of PPR virus must be maintained.
Moreover, the DA assures emergency preparedness, continuous monitoring of animal health in the region, in collaboration with the World Animal Organization for Health (WOAH) and stringent surveillance and border control.
