Amid heavy rainfall, voters in Dasmariñas City line up at Francisco E. Barzaga Memorial High School to cast their vote in the special election to elect Cavite’s 4th District representative, replacing expelled Kiko Barzaga.

Five candidates compete in the congressional seat including Kiko’s mother and current mayor Jenny Barzaga.

Voting precincts will be open until 3 pm today. | via Axel Cainglet/Rappler

LOW VISIBILITY ALONG SCTEX AS OF 12:30 P.M.

Low visibility is currently experienced along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) near Dinalupihan, Bataan, amid heavy rain and strong winds.

The conditions were observed along the expressway as vehicles navigated through the downpour.

As of PAGASA’s 11:00 a.m. bulletin today, August 29, Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, portions of Tarlac and Batangas, as well as parts of Cavite and Rizal, were under a red rainfall warning due to the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Motorists are advised to slow down, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and exercise caution due to reduced visibility and slippery road conditions. | via Ahyenne Neleah Estacio/Rappler

Red tide alert remains in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa Bay

Shellfish and Acetes spp., or alamang, from Honda Bay and Puerto Princesa Bay in Palawan remain unsafe for consumption after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) detected Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), commonly known as toxic red tide.

In Shellfish Bulletin No. 20, Series of 2026, released on August 27, BFAR-Mimaropa advised the public against harvesting, selling, buying, or consuming shellfish and alamang from the affected waters.

Fish, squid, shrimp, and crabs may still be consumed if fresh and properly cleaned before cooking.

Sections of the seawall in Barangay Pugad, Hagonoy, Bulacan were damaged following continuous rains.

Pugad, is Hagonoy’s primary inhabited island community, surrounded by coastal and delta areas like Tibaguin.

Photos from Emil Lunes Ramirez/Facebook

The two groups of the KILOS BULACAN protest have converged in front of the Bulacan Provincial Capitol for their joint program.

In today’s 5 pm regional weather forecast, PAGASA said Laguna will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, accompanied by moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest.

For the City of Santa Rosa, however, no rainfall is expected to affect the city, according to the latest local forecast from the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

🖼: NCR-PAGASA Regional Services Division

Fire hits mountainous areas of Barangays Sto. Niño 1, Manalog in Hinunangan

A fire broke out in the mountainous areas of Barangays Sto. Niño 1 and Manalog in Hinunangan, Leyte, today, August 31. Locals reportedly spotted the fire at around 9 a.m., and the blaze remained unextinguished as of press time.

Residents and local authorities said the cause of the fire remains undetermined. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Hinunangan continues to conduct firefighting operations to contain the blaze.

Photo Courtesy of Angelica Tabaranza and Yohan Anacta of The Harbinger

Silago So. Leyte battles bush fire amid prolonged lack of rain

A bush fire broke out at around 3 p.m. on August 31 in Sitio Guimbaolan (Burias and Homestead Area), Barangay Poblacion District 1, Silago, Southern Leyte.

The fire, which locals attributed to the prolonged lack of rainfall, remained under control efforts as of press time.

In an interview with Rappler on August 31, Silago Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) officer Alfie C. Almine said bush fires are common in Southern Leyte during extreme heat, particularly in farmlands.

He noted that firefighting assistance from nearby Hinunangan has also been affected as the municipality is simultaneously dealing with a bush fire.

“Noong una, sila [Hinunangan] ’yong tumutulong sa amin pag may bush fire, pero ngayon may sunog din sa kanila,” Almine said.

Photo Courtesy of MDRRMO Silago

DENR advises the public to minimize outdoor activities or wear a mask in areas with noticeable haze. The observed haze, according to the Environment Management Bureau, is “possibly associated with smoke and transboundary haze from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia.” 

Makati, Navotas, and Pateros’ air quality are “very unhealthy,” according to monitoring of the EMB as of Tuesday morning, September 1. Air quality in Quezon City is deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups. 

Haze from Kalimantan possibly affects air quality in Puerto Princesa

Air quality in Puerto Princesa City reached an unhealthy level on Monday, September 1, as haze continued to affect parts of Palawan, according to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Mimaropa.

As of 8 a.m., the agency recorded a PM2.5 Air Quality Index of 167, classified as unhealthy.

Based on monitoring by the Philippine Space Agency (PHILSA) and the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC), the haze may be linked to forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, with smoke potentially carried toward the southern ASEAN region depending on wind conditions.

EMB Mimaropa advised residents to take precautions, especially children, older persons, and those with respiratory conditions, as prolonged exposure to polluted air may cause health concerns.

Haze may continue to affect parts of the Philippines until September 3, according to Jundy del Socorro of the Environment Management Bureau. Air quality may improve in the days after “if rainfall remains widespread and wind patterns begin to shift.” 

NLEX toll fees waived amid flooding. Which areas are covered?

Toll fees for vehicles traveling between Pulilan, Bulacan, and San Fernando, Pampanga (vice versa), will be waived starting Wednesday, September 2, amid heavy traffic caused by flooding along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

This comes amid heavy traffic along portions of NLEX in San Simon, Pampanga, caused by flooding.


DOTr did not specify until when the toll fees in these areas will be waived. @here

Waist-deep floods force Calumpit evacuees upstairs

Floodwaters reached waist level at Northville 9 Elementary School in Calumpit, forcing evacuees to move to the second floor.

Electricity was cut following a reported electrocution incident that reportedly killed one person. Some evacuees transferred to other centers, while others, particularly elderly residents, said they could not afford the roughly ₱500 boat fare.

Residents also raised concerns over relief goods, saying they sometimes have to leave the area themselves to claim assistance.