Dev Flores

Heavy rains in Metro Manila have dumped 201.7 mm of rain in just five hours, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The MMDA released the data, citing reports from the DOST PAGASA’s Science Garden in Quezon City.

This occurrence pushes floodwaters to rise quickly across Metro Manila.

The MMDA also noted that on September 26, 2009, Tropical Storm Ondoy dumped 455 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, causing widespread flooding across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

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Water levels at Angat Dam rose by over one meter following the recent heavy rains.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the water level increased from 183.73 meters on August 17 to 184.86 meters today (August  18)

The dam’s water supply is now back at its minimum operating level. PAGASA attributed the rise to continuous rainfall brought by recent tropical cyclones and the prevailing southwest monsoon.

Amid continuous rainfall brought by recent typhoons and prevailing southwest monsoon, public schools are also affected.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), as of August 16, 2026, a total of 4,890 classrooms have been damaged —1,730 were recorded as majorly damaged, while 1,655 were listed as totally damaged.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed concern over this situation as students' learning suffers the most during these situations, particularly in areas enduring heavy rains and class suspensions.

Aside from that, ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo calls on the government to build separate facilities for evacuation centers.

“Kaya matagal na nating call talaga na hindi na gawin evacuation center 'yung ating mga schools at magtayo ng sarili,” she said

[“That has long been our call; stop using the schools as evacuation centers and build dedicated facilities.”]

“Marami sa mga teachers and education personnel natin, natutulak din na maging volunteer na mag-conduct ng mga psychosocial na mga gawain,” she added

[“Many of our teachers and education personnel are also pushed to volunteer for psychosocial support activities.”]

“Syempre yung pag paglilinis din pagkatapos bagyo o habagat kaya gusto rin talaga natin na magkaroon ng ibang lugar para diyan,” she added

[“They were also tasked with cleanup operations after every typhoon of monsoon, which is why we really want a separate venue for evacuees.”]

DepEd noted that data collection remains ongoing to ensure accurate monitoring of affected schools and areas enforcing class suspensions.

The agency is also implementing learning continuity measures in affected areas, including alternative learning modes, while continuously monitoring schools affected by the southwest monsoon.

With reports from Mia Alonzo

Farmers have dumped tons of harvested carrots and cabbage in a vacant lot in Barangay Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet.

According to a farmer, Grail Polig, the vegetables dumped in the area came from other municipalities.

“Yung gulay na tinatapon dito, hindi po galing dito sa Tublay. Galing sa mountain, kabayan, sa ibang munisipyo pero yung dumadaan lang po dito kasi dito lang po kasi yung daanan nila,” she said

[“The vegetables dumped here are not from Tublay. They come from the mountains, kabayans, and other municipalities. They just pass through here because this is their route.”]

Tons of carrots and cabbage were allegedly discarded due to an oversupply and a lack of buyers. At the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post, large volumes of carrots are struggling to sell.

League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas Incorporated Advisor II Lorna Menzi explained that more farmers planted carrots after suffering losses from cabbage crops.

“Malaking dagok sa kanila kasi nagkalugi-lugi sila sa repolyo. Ngayon, nagtanim ulit sila ng carrots para makabawi sana. Ganito na naman. Masyadong maraming nagtanim ng carrots,” she said.

[“It’s a heavy blow to them because they already lost money on cabbage. They planted carrots hoping to recover, but this happened again. Too many planted carrots.”]

High-grade carrots previously sold at P18 to P20 per kilogram. Prices have now plummeted by P5 per kilo. Hence, farmers are struggling to find buyers.

The association of La Trinidad Vegetable Traders noted that buyers often prefer higher-grade options, including imported carrots. Successive bad weather in Benguet has further damaged local crops.

Transportation is also a challenge for farmers due to landslides and road disruptions. Hence, farmers are often forced to take longer routes, incurring additional fuel costs.

With reports from Grace Doctolero

Authorities have arrested the alleged mastermind of a massive illegal recruitment scheme that victimized at least 1,700 aspiring Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

The suspect was identified as Mazhoor Khusin y Ubongin or alias Maz, from ALJU International Manpower Services, Inc. 

According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW),  he was apprehended in a joint operation by the Quezon City Police District and Project 4 Police Station in his residence in Mexico, Pampanga.

The suspect’s modus operandi reportedly involved recruiting aspiring OFWs and offering them factory jobs in Europe in exchange for placement fees ranging from P80,000 to P130,000.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also revealed several deceptive tactics, including:

First, the Few Slots Left Scheme where applicants were pressured into making immediate payments because of limited remaining slots.

Next is the False Permanent Residency Promise, which falsely assured victims that they could secure permanent residency in Europe for themselves and their families.

The Schengen Visa Misrepresentation is when the applicants were told they could freely travel across Europe using their visa.

Hence, the DMW urges the public to verify agencies before paying placement fees. Aspiring OFWs are advised to check whether the recruitment agency holds a valid license from the DMW.