Dev Flores

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to procure and install mobile pumping stations in flood-prone areas in Metro Manila to ensure a cost-effective and rapid installation process.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon reveals that the agency lacks sufficient funds to establish a permanent pumping station. Hence, a mobile pumping station will be installed temporarily, in preparation for the rainy season in June. The permanent structure is expected to be established by 2027.

“280 million yung budget niya. Ang problema lang, wala tayong pondo ngayong 2026. So magagawa natin yung permanenteng pumping station sa 2027 pa,” Sec. Vince Dizon said

[“The budget for that is 280 million. The problem is, we have no funds for that in 2026. So, the permanent pumping station will be installed in 2027.”]

Sec. Dizon also assured that the quality of the permanent structure will not be compromised upon the installation of temporary structures.

“Maglagay muna tayo ng mobile pumping station na yung lakas niya, yung bilis ng higop at lakas ng higop ng tubig niya ay kapareho lang ng permanente.” he said

[“We’ll first install a mobile pumping station where its strength, the suction speed, the force of suction of water is the same as the permanent.”]

Each machine will cost 7 million pesos.

With reports from JP / Benedict Samson

RELATED VIDEO:

Today, February 25, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. This day commemorates the Filipino’s blazing power to fight for freedom.

Amidst this commemoration, fake news and disinformation about the EDSA Revolution are still circulating. 

Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno advocates to make initiatives to make everyone, especially the youth, enlightened about the historical truths about Martial Law and the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

“Magkaroon tayo ng mga paraan para malaman ng lahat lalo na mga kabataang Pilipino kung ano yung tunay na nangyari noong panahon ng Batas Militar lalong lalo na nung EDSA Revolution. Ang dami kasing kumakalat na fake news at disinformation tungkol dyan,” he said

[“Let us make ways to inform everyone, especially the Filipino youth, on what truly happened during Martial Law, especially in EDSA Revolution. Much fake news and disinformation are circulating about that,”]

Nevertheless, Malacañang clarified that what happened before is part of history, and that will never change.

“It’s part of the history. Hindi ito mabubura. Hindi mabubura kung anong naganap noon. Ang katapangan ng mga Pilipino, ang pagtanggap sa pangyayari, hindi po ‘yan mabubura sa history,” according to Usec. Claire Castro

[“It’s part of the history. It will never be erased. It will never be erased what happened. The courage of the Filipino, the acceptance of what happened, will never be erased in history.”]

With reports from Evan Alvarez

RELATED VIDEO:

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reported the completion of the expanded drainage system in G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City.

This initiative is part of the agency’s program, Oplan Kontra Baha.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon mentioned that the new drainage system is triple the size of the previous structure.

“So, times 3 na ngayon yung laki ng drainage dito, so, hopefully malaki yung mabawas nito sa baha,” he said

[“So, the new drainage is times 3 larger than the previous, so, hopefully, this may help to lower flood levels.”]

Following the completion of G. Araneta, the agency will also pay attention to the rehabilitation of the drainage system in E. Rodriguez. This project is expected to be completed in May. 

They also plan to install a pumping station in San Juan River to ensure faster subsidence of floodwaters in G. Araneta Ave.

“Malaki na yung drainage. Tapos magdadagdag tayo ng pumping station para mas bibilis pa yung daloy ng tubig para mas mabilis mawala.”

[“The drainage has been expanded. Then, we’ll add a pumping station to make the water flow faster, so the flooding will subside quickly.”]

Sec. Dizon highlighted the urgency to accomplish these projects on time as a preparation for the expected extreme rainfall and flooding in June. 

“Ang sabi lang ni Presidente, kailangan paspasan natin ‘yung trabaho, kasi pagdating ng Hunyo, uulan na naman. Magbabaha na naman.”

[“The President just said, it’s necessary to speed up the work, because come June, it will be raining and flooding again.”] 

With reports from Benedict Samson

‍RELATED VIDEO:

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) cautions the public against job offers abroad from a fake email address, falsely attributed to DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. 

According to the agency, this is a scam and the public is strongly advised to be vigilant and not to trust unverified entities to avoid confusion and struggles for those who aspire to work overseas.

The agency clarifies that the email address casdacdmw.gov.ph@gmail.com is not the official email of the Department Secretary. They never authorized using that email to offer job positions or process necessary documents for employment.

For those who want to work abroad, make sure to get verified and accurate information by reaching out to the Facebook page, official website, and contact numbers: (02) 8722-11-44 and (02) 8722-11-55

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has filed formal administrative charges against 12 officials from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) linked to a slot-for-sale scheme and fire safety inspection irregularities.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla expressed his determination to end the alleged long-standing corruption in the bureau.

“For the last 20 years, ganito ang sistema sa BFP, wala lang pumapansin. Enough is enough. We have to break the culture of corruption inside the BFP,”  he said via online issued statement of DILG

Slot-for-sale scheme

The department reported that eleven officers were liable for their involvement in the slot-for-scale scheme.

Among them, four former officials from Region VIII were charged due to alleged involvement in recruitment for Fire Officer 1 in 2025. The department revealed that applicants reported that they had to pay between ₱400,000 and ₱800,000 to secure the position. 

“Ginawa nilang negosyo ang serbisyo publiko. Para lang sa isang slot, makapasok lang sa BFP, ₱400,000 hanggang ₱800,000 ang bawat aplikante.” SILG Remulla revealed

In Region X, six officials were reported to be involved in recruitment irregularities, where applicants were approved but failed to present Medical, Physical, and Dental clearances and results.

One officer from Region I is allegedly demanding ₱90,000 to facilitate a recruitment slot. 

Inspection irregularities

SILG Remulla also revealed that anomaly is not only limited to recruitment but also happens in fire safety inspections.

Two personnel from Region IV-A were allegedly involved in irregularities in fire safety inspection. 

“Two personnel were charged for alleged irregularities in fire safety inspection practices, involving violations of established inspection protocols,” according to DILG

Sec. Remulla also revealed that business owners are also affected by the misconduct.

“Ang BFP, sa ginagawa nila, targets the middle class, the small and medium scale industries. Pinipilit nilang bumili ng fire extinguisher. Pinipilit nilang magpalagay ng sprinkler. Sa bawat condominium na nakikita niyo, sila nangongontrata,” he said

The agency also revealed that they received 40 complaints;  21 of them have already been referred to PNP - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), while the remaining 19 are currently under verification.

With reports from Joan Nano

RELATED VIDEO:

‍