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Increasing price of oil and natural gas in the global market - that’s one of the domestic repercussions faced by the Philippines due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In response, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed concern over the potential impact on the agricultural sector, including the fertilizer costs, fuel for machinery, and transportation of agricultural products from the province to markets.
The agency sees the fuel subsidy distribution as an immediate response to concern if the war between the US and Iran persists.
“Ito yung immediate na pwede natin na ipamahagi sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na pwedeng maapektuhan kung sakaling magpatuloy itong problema natin,” DA Asec. Arnel De Mesa said
The DA has currently allocated a ₱100 million fuel subsidy for the farmers and fisherfolk.
“Sa ngayon, meron tayong ₱100 million na allocation,” he added
Under this initiative, farmers will receive ₱5,000 in a one-time subsidy, while ₱3,000 will be given to the fisherfolk.
To receive a fuel subsidy, farmers and fisherfolk must consider the following requirements recommended by DA:
Farmers
Fisherfolk
DA Asec. De Mesa assured that the next batch of subsidy distribution will be made if the ₱ 100 million runs out.
“So pag naubos itong 100 million, 50 million para sa farmers, 50 million para sa fishers, meron pang 50 million. Tag-25 million uli yung mga farmers and fishers natin,” he said
In the initial distribution target, the DA aims to reach 9,700 farmers and 15,800 fisherfolk.
With reports from Mia Alonzo
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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has announced the agency's aim to complete the flood mitigation project in the Marikina River by mid 2027.
“By 2027, mid 2027, itong buong project natin ng flood mitigation for Pasig-Marikina, matatapos na,” he said
[“By 2027, mid 2027, our whole project in flood mitigation for Pasig-Marikina would be completed”]
The Department Secretary admitted that the fund for this project is currently insufficient, but he assured that the agency is working on alternative solutions to mitigate flooding during the rainy season.
The actions initiated by the agency include dredging, cleaning and widening of creeks, canals, and other waterways.
Sec. Dizon also mentioned to fast-track the working system before the rainy season begins.
“Tapusin natin as much as we can, and kaya nga lahat ng ginagawa natin ngayon, nagde-dredge tayo, inaayos natin yung mga gaps sa mga dike, inaayos natin ang mga drainage para mas mabilis yung daloy ng tubig papunta sa mga ilog. Lahat ‘yan kailangan sabay-sabay nating gawin at gawin nating nang mabilis,” he said
[“Let us finish as much as we can, and that’s why what we are doing now, dredging, we fix the gaps in the dike, we fix the drainage for easier flow of water going to rivers. All of that must be done simultaneously and be done quickly.”]
With reports from Asher Capapan Jr.
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) refutes fake claims on social media regarding class and work suspensions from March 4 to 6, 2026, due to an alleged security threat.
In a Facebook post, the PNP clarified that those claims have no official basis and did not come from the authorized sources.
Hence, authorities call on the public to remain calm and rely exclusively on the verified information.
“We urge the public to remain calm and rely only on announcements released through official government channels,” the PNP said
The PNP also emphasized that there is no verified security threat in the country, and they maintain close coordination with the concerned agencies.
PNP Public Information Office Chief PBGen. Randulf Tuaño confirmed that in an exclusive interview with Annie Rentoy on March 3, 2026.
“Sa ngayon, wala tayong nade-detect na credible threat pero nananatiling vigilant at proactive ang ating mga personnel.” he said
Currently, the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP - ACG) is probing the source of the misleading post to hold the responsible party accountable.
“The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is monitoring the source of this misleading post, and appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible,” the PNP added
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The Philippine National Police (PNP) heightens alert amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Although there is no credible threat detected in the Philippines, the PNP decides to raise the alert level to ensure security and order amidst the potential domestic repercussions.
“With or without the conflict in the Middle East, the Philippine National Police is standing firm, especially in our commitment to keep the public safe,” PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said
One of the primary focuses of the PNP is to ensure the security of the US officials and staff, and also the Israel embassy in the Philippines.
“So nandyan ang ating US embassy. Nandyan ang ating Israel embassy. Nandyan ang US and Israel VIPs, the ambassador, etc, and yung establishment nila, and the activities, so kailangan nating i-secure,” according to PNP chief Nartatez Jr.
[“So our US embassy is there. The Israel embassy is also there. The US and Israel VIPs, the ambassador, etc, and their establishments and the activities are also there, so we need to secure.”]
The PNP also wants to intensify police visibility in major urban centers and transport hubs. Random security inspections will also be conducted nationwide, in coordination with local police.
The PNP Intelligence Group will also strengthen the monitoring of extremist narratives and online radicalization.
Authorities also clarified that the presence of Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites is not a sufficient reason to include the Philippines in the conflict.
Philippine Navy Spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad mentioned that “what is happening in the Middle East right now is a regional conflict.”
He also confirmed that there is no credible threat detected against our country.
“Iran has been attacking the gulf states within the range of their missile capability - 2000 km. We are 7,500 km away, so wala tayong threat. Maliban non, walang na-monitor na credible threat against us,” he said
[“Iran has been attacking the gulf states within the range of their missile capability - 2000 km. We are 7,500 km away, so we have no threat. Except for that, no monitored credible threat against us.”]
In an exclusive interview of UNTV with PNP Public Information Office Chief PBGen. Randulf Tuaño, he mentioned that the PNP has close coordination with the AFP and other agencies.
He also noted that although there is no credible threat detected, the PNP remains vigilant and proactive.
With reports from Lea Ylagan and Ryan Lacanlale
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The dry season has not yet been officially declared, but rising temperatures are already being felt across various regions in the Philippines.
Hence, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) begins issuing heat index forecasts ahead of the formal declaration of the dry season.
In a social media post on March 2, 2026, DOST-PAGASA released a five-day heat index report from February 26 to March 2, 2026.
According to the records, Coron, Palawan, gets the highest temperature of 45°C, which falls within the “Danger” heat index category.
Under this category, an individual may experience heat cramps or heat exposure. Heat stroke is also possible if the exposure to heat is continuous.
In an exclusive interview with Annie Rentoy, DOST-PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Jorybell Masallo confirmed the onset of rising temperatures. She noted that the agency begins the daily monitoring of the heat index, which will continue until June or until the formal declaration of the rainy season.
Masallo clarified that the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) is still present, but expected to terminate soon.
“Maaaring sa mga susunod na linggo ay ide-declare na po natin ang pagtatapos nitong Amihan,” she said
[Next week, we can declare the end of the Amihan season.]
She also noted that in 2026, it is possible to experience the “extreme danger” heat index category in several areas of the country.
In preparation for the approaching dry season, the public is strongly advised to consider the following precautions according to PAGASA:
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