Dev Flores

Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Atty. Rino Abad has announced the oil price adjustments that will take effect on May 12, 2026.

There will be a 9-peso per liter rollback for Diesel and a 12-peso decrease in Kerosene. In contrast, there will be a P1.60 to P1.70 per liter increase in Gasoline.

The adjustments are based on four trading days and may still change by the weekend.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is encouraging the public to report gas stations that refuse to sell fuel. The advisory was made following the reports that some gasoline stations allegedly refuse to sell fuel products when a price hike is expected the following week.

According to DOE Secretary Sharon Garin, the report can be submitted through the Citizens’ E-report System via e-Gov app.

The Department of Health warns the public against the health risks from swimming at Baseco Beach.

According to DOH Officer in-charge Chief of Environmental and Occupational Health Division Dr. Clarito Cairo Jr., swimming at that beach has long been prohibited because it’s not only safe and dangerous but extremely dangerous. 

“Ang Baseco Beach na yan, talagang matagal ng pinagbabawal ang paglangoy ng ating mga kababayan kasi ang tubig dyan talagang hindi lang po unsafe, hindi lang po dangerous, kundi extremely dangerous,” he said

[“That Baseco Beach, swimming there has been prohibited because the water there is not just unsafe, not just dangerous, but extremely dangerous.”]

According to the DOH, the water at the Baseco Beach contains E. coli bacteria, which brings serious health risks to anyone who swims there.

“Ang common po dyan ay yung tinatawag na E. coli. Ayan po yung common na bacteria sa dumi ng tao at ganun din po, dumi ng hayop, and kasama rin po yung bacteria na nagdudulot po ng typhoid fever, hepatitis A, nandyan din po yung leptospirosis,” Dr. Cairo said

[“The common thing there is what we call E. coli. That is the common bacteria from the stool of humans, as well as from the stool of an animal, and also it includes the bacteria that can cause typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and leptospirosis.”]

Despite the restrictions, some people continue to swim amid the warm and dry season.

Barangay. 649, Baseco Chairperson Diana Espinosa emphasized that they do not allow anyone to swim there.

“Ay hindi po natin yan pinapayagan. Pinagbabawalan po natin sila,” she said

The DOH advised that individuals may eventually experience the effects of exposure to contaminated water.

“Pero darating yung time na talagang magkakasakit po sila sa balat, magkakasakit po sila sa mata, impeksyon sa mata, impeksyon sa tenga, sa pagtatae, pagsusuka. Madami pong sakit ang pwede nilang makuha dyan dahil sa maduming tubig,”

[“The time will come that they will suffer from skin diseases, eye and ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting. There are many illnesses they can get from the dirty water.”]

With reports from Dante Amento

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)  has deployed two water desalination units in Albay to provide clean drinking water for residents affected by Mayon Volcano’s unrest.

Due to ashfall, the supply of clean water is limited.

Each water desalination unit is capable of producing over 10,000 liters of clean water, according to PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab.

“Itong desalination unit natin ay may kakayahang makapagbigay ng mahigit 10,000 liters ng malinis na inuming tubig,” she said

[“Our desalination unit has the capacity to provide over 10,000 liters of clean drinking water.”]

Cayabyab also mentioned that the PCG is considering the safety of its personnel deployed to assist the affected residents in Albay.

“Sa pagsasagawa ng ating operasyon, ang priority pa rin po natin is yung kaligtasan po ng ating mga frontliners. Ang ating usually na reminder sa kanila is gumamit po ng N95 mask or mga basang panyo,” she said

[“In conducting our operation, our priority is the safety of our frontliners. Our usual reminder to them is to use N95 mask of wet handkerchiefs,” she added

The Mayon Volcano is currently under Alert Level 3.

With reports from Lalaine Moreno

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has committed to supporting the Department of Agriculture (DA) with the nationwide implementation of a price cap. The DA is also counting on support from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 

With this, the PNP has been deploying personnel to monitor public markets and grocery stores nationwide, aiming to ensure that retailers comply with the suggested product pricing.

The PNP has coordinated with the local government units to ensure the continuous and proper inspections.

With reports from Lea Ylagan

Three individuals were nabbed by the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) for the sale of an SMS blaster machine used in online scams. 

The machine is capable of sending thousands of messages within a 100-meter radius. These blasters allegedly came from the now-closed POGO operations.

PNP ACG Director PMGen. Wilson Asueta stated the detrimental effect of spreading this kind of machine.

“So kapag ito ay mapunta pa sa mga ibang tao na may balak na masama ito ay malaki ang magagawa nitong effect sa ating community. Gagamitin ito sa scam,” he said

[“So, if this falls into the hands of people who plan to do something bad, it will affect our community. It will be used for scams.”]

With reports from Lea Ylagan