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.

The Provincial Government of Laguna has suspended classes at all levels in both public and private schools on Saturday, September 5, due to the expected heavy rainfall in the province.

Governor Sol Aragones announced that schools will shift to alternative learning modes amid the continuing Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning in several areas of Laguna as of 8 pm this Friday.

🖼: Sol Aragones

Bushfire reported in Barangay Tubod, Silago, Southern Leyte

A bushfire is currently being responded to in Barangay Tubod, Silago, Southern Leyte, tonight, September 4. This marks the second grassfire reported in the municipality in recent days, following a fire in Sitio Guimbaolan on August 31.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO)–Silago said in a Facebook post that all available manpower has been deployed and resources are already being utilized in the ongoing response. MDRRMO continues to remind residents to exercise caution and properly handle materials that may ignite fires.

Screenshot from a video posted by MDRRMO Silago

A flood-control structure (specifically the concrete slope/riverbank protection along the Lucong River) was damaged in Sta. Maria, Concepcion, Tarlac on August 31, 2026.

Puerto Princesa air quality returns to ‘very unhealthy’ level

Air quality in Puerto Princesa City returned to a very unhealthy level on Monday, September 7, after improving in recent days, according to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Mimaropa.

The city's air quality was last classified as very unhealthy on September 2 before improving to fair from September 3 to 4 and good from September 5 to 6. On September 7 at 8:00 a.m., the agency again recorded an Air Quality Index of 167, classified as very unhealthy.

EMB Mimaropa advised residents to take precautions as poor air quality may pose health risks, particularly to sensitive groups.

The Provincial Government of Laguna has suspended face to face classes from 1 pm onwards on Monday, September 7, in all levels of both public and private schools due to the Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning covering the entire province.

Alternative learning modes will be implemented in place of in-person classes.

🖼: Sol Aragones

The Provincial Government of Laguna has suspended face-to-face classes at all levels in both public and private schools tomorrow, September 8, due to the continuing Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning over the province.

As of 8 pm today, several areas in Laguna remain under the Yellow Heavy Rainfall Warning, with more rainfall expected in the province tomorrow, according to PAGASA.

Schools will shift to alternative learning modes in lieu of in-person classes.

🖼: Sol Aragones/Facebook

The Department of Education has launched the results of the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) at Caloocan City Science High School in Caloocan City.

The department claims that Filipino learners' performance improved due to its support in the education sector and to reforms it implemented. It added that among the improvements of the Philippines are: highest performance since 2018, one of the fastest improving education systems in the world, and number 1 improver in reading from 2015 to 2025.

PISA is a global study by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to evaluate the educational systems worldwide.

It was in 2018 when the Philippines first participated in the PISA, ranking lowest among 79 countries in terms of reading comprehension and second lowest in terms of science and mathematics.

Photo by DepEd Philippines/Facebook

Watch the livestream here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Lkbt1XTPb/

As of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, Puerto Princesa City’s PM2.5 Air Quality Index reached 205, classified as “acutely unhealthy” by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Mimaropa.

The reading rose from 167 on September 7, when air quality was classified as “very unhealthy.” EMB Mimaropa advised the public to remain alert and avoid prolonged outdoor activities amid the deteriorating air quality.

NGCP MANUAL LOAD DROPPING IN VISAYAS

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced manual load dropping in parts of the Visayas, including Leyte power cooperatives DORELCO, LEYECO II, III, IV, and V, today, September 9.

Manual Load Dropping (MLD) is a rotational power interruption implemented when electricity supply falls short of demand.

Photo Courtesy of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)

Passenger vessel catches fire off Coron, 28 rescued

A passenger vessel operated by Atienza Interisland Shipping Line caught fire in the waters about 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla, Coron, Palawan on Wednesday, September 9, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Palawan District.

The MV June Aster, reportedly had 117 passengers and 17 crew members on board when the incident occurred. As of 9 p.m., the PCG said 28 individuals had been rescued and brought safely to the Barangay Turda covered court.

Photo courtesy of Coast Guard District Palawan

As of 11:10 p.m., September 9, 42 people have been rescued while five have died following the fire involving MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Facebook page.

The fatalities include three men, one woman, and one male child. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Smoke rises from MV June Aster as the passenger vessel remains offshore of Coron, Palawan following the fire incident on Wednesday night, September 9.

As of the latest update, 42 individuals have been rescued and five have died, while 87 remain unaccounted for based on the ship’s manifest, with search and rescue operations still ongoing.

Photo courtesy of Harlyclark Cachero

DPWH Eastern Visayas commits to continue Tacloban Causeway Project

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office VIII (RO8) assures the public of its commitment to continue the 2.550-kilometer Tacloban City Causeway Project through a Facebook post dated September 10.

The causeway is envisioned to serve as an alternative route from the city proper to the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (DZR Airport) in San Jose District.

Six of the eight project contracts have been terminated, while one FY 2022 contract has been completed. The Commission on Audit (COA) is set to conduct a joint inventory inspection to check the actual accomplishments under the terminated contracts.

Photo courtesy of DPWH Region VIII

Convenors of the Stop SALEX Movement lead a forum today, September 12, on the proposed Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) at the Ramon Magsaysay Center.

The forum seeks to discuss the potential impacts of SALEX on communities in Ermita, Malate, and other areas in the City of Manila, including its effects on livelihoods, the environment, and heritage.