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A total gun ban has been implemented in Cebu, in connection with the upcoming event, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and will remain effective until May 11, 2026.
Under the enforcement of a total ban, the following suspensions include:
In connection with the ban, the licenses of firecracker and pyrotechnic device manufacturers are temporarily suspended. The transport and purchase of explosives will also halt.
Only the personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other staff from law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry firearms.
With reports from Jaycel Valera
A bill has been filed in the Senate aiming to provide ₱5,000 cash assistance for college fresh graduates in their job-seeking journey.
This is a Senate Bill No. 1961, also known as the One-Time Cash Grant Act of 2026.
In an explanatory note, Senator JV Ejercito stated: “as fresh graduates who often have limited financial resources, they are faced with various expenses associated with job applications.”
Based on the bill, the challenges faced by a fresh graduate include transportation costs, printing of documents, and preparation of work attire. These expenses may be an additional to the financial burden and pressure.
“Such expenses add to the financial burden and pressure experienced by young job seekers as they begin their transition into the workforce,” based on the explanatory note
Once the bill becomes a law, a fresh graduate will be required to present proof of graduation, such as a diploma or a certification from the school where they studied.
With reports from Marje Pelayo
from Marje Pelayo
The Philippine National Police (PNP) plans to intensify security around Mayon Volcano, following the warning of potential extension of permanent danger zone (PDZ) to seven kilometers.
Aside from the 24-hour checkpoint operations and increased police presence from the entry point to the slope, the PNP is also coordinating with the barangay level to ensure public safety.
According to PNP Chief PBGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., they are working with the barangay to ensure the proper monitoring within the current 6-km PDZ.
“We have established a direct communication line between our local police stations and the barangay intelligence networks. Our officers are conducting joint foot patrols with barangay tanods to ensure that every alley and back-trail leading into the six-kilometer PDZ are monitored,” he said
The PNP also wants to make sure that no unauthorized entry will be attempted within the current danger zone.
With reports from Lea Ylagan
The Department of Energy (DOE) claims that there is a lack of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs).
According to the agency, one of the primary reasons is the slow and complex process.
“Nananatiling hamon ang kakulangan ng charging stations, na isa sa pangunahing dahilan ay ang mabagal at komplikadong proseso ng permits na umaabot ng 6 na buwan hanggang 1 taon bago maitayo ang isang pasilidad,” ayon sa DOE
[“The lack of charging stations remains a challenge, primarily due to slow and complicated permitting process, which takes 6 months to 1 year before a facility can be built.”]
The DOE also admitted that while it continues to promote cleaner and affordable transportation like EVs, it says that they are working to simplify the process of issuing permits for EV charging stations.
“Kaya naman kumikilos ang pamahalaan upang pasimplehin, pabilisin, at pag-isahin ang permitting process para sa pagtatayo ng EV charging stations,” according to the energy department
[“That is why the government is working to simplify, hasten, and unify the permitting process for the establishment of EV charging stations.”]
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) responds to the affected families of the volcanic eruption.
A total of 71,153 family food packs, 1,402 ready-to-eat food, and 7,634 non-food items (NFIs) have been distributed, according to the agency’s report.
The agency also disbursed over ₱45 million to more than 3,000 affected farmers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), which may serve as a cash-for-work assistance to enable them to maintain their livelihood.
The DSWD also allocated emergency cash assistance (ECT), amounting to more than ₱10,000 each family, according to DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.
“Ito naman pong emergency cash transfer, this is an unconditional cash transfer na pino-provide naman po natin. This is more than Php10,000 per family, para po matulungan tustusan ang iba pang mga pangangailangan nitong ating mga internally displaced persons,” she said via DSWD online press release
[“This emergency cash transfer, this is an unconditional cash transfer that we are providing. This is more than Php10,000 per family to help them sustain other necessities of our internally displaced persons.”]
