Dev Flores

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approves 32, 916 teaching positions for the school year 2026 to 2027. 

The approved teaching positions are open at different levels, including Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High School, Senior High School, and Alternative Learning System.

The 32,916 vacant positions include 32,047 for Teacher I, 369 for Teacher III or Special Science Teacher I, and 500 Teacher IV for Special Needs Education (SNED).

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed this opportunity, as it addresses classroom needs and reduces the workload of public school teachers nationwide.

He also recognizes the support of the President and the DBM in empowering the education sector.

“Through the strong support of President Bongbong Marcos and the DBM under Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo, our request for these critical items has been granted, fundamentally expanding our teaching force so that our educators can focus on what they do best—nurturing the minds of our learners,” according to Angara via DepEd’s press release.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has announced the possibility of limiting water allocations to consumers due to the declining water level in Angat Dam, which is also linked to the anticipated effect of El Niño.

NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. stated that one of the interventions that they can do is to reduce water allocation.

“Isa sa mga pwede po nating intervention na pwede po nating ilatag ay yung pagbabawas ng alokasyon, hindi naman po dahil mababa na but para po mapangalagaan yung mga pangangailangan po natin sa mga susunod na buwan po,” he said

As of May 20 (8:00 AM), the water level of the dam has dropped to 177.05 meters; this is lower than the 177.41 reported on May 19. These figures are below the minimum operating level. 

NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. stated that the board has suspended water allocations for irrigation in Bulacan and Pampanga because the cropping season has ended.

PARAÑAQUE CITY – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has inspected flood-prone areas in Parañaque City.

Among the areas, the Secretary noted that the Don Galo Creek and Villanueva Creek need to be dredged. 

“Villanueva Creek at Don Galo Creek kailangang i-dredge,” he said

He added that the water flow in creeks is nearly at a standstill due to the garbage blocking the flow.

Also, the flooding that occurred on the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) last weekend may have been caused by blocked drainage due to construction debris or leftover cement from the expressway.

Secretary Dizon noted that the flood subsided in 30 minutes, which he claimed was a good sign, unlike in other areas, where it takes an hour to finally subside.

The agency will conduct declogging operations in partnership with San Miguel Corporation, the operator of SLEX.

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.

The House Basic Education Committee approves the House Bill 4531, seeking to increase the World Teacher’s Day incentive to ₱3,000.

The Department of Finance (DOF) responds, saying:

"The measure might exert pressure to the fiscal space available for other priority education expenditure like classroom construction and rehabilitation, hiring of personnel, digitalization, and learning among others,” according to DOF Dir. Karla Espinosa

The Department of Budget and Management also stated that the allocation would take ₱2.9 billion once the bill is enacted into law.

The Basic Education Committee will prepare a committee report.

PASAY CITY — Atty. Jose Luis Montales has been appointed as the new Senate Secretary today, May 18, 2026.

“Jose Luis Montales is hereby [declared] proclaimed as the Secretary of the Senate,” according to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano

He took his oath during the Senate session before the institution was officially convened as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.