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.

Representatives from a total of 13 municipalities and cities across Bulacan gathered for this year’s Indakan sa Kalye, one of the highlights of the Singkaban Festival 2026.

Dubbed the “mother of all fiestas,” Indakan sa Kalye brings together groups from across the province, with each delegation showcasing its local festival through their street dance performances.

The dance showdown is set to take place at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Gymnasium later today at 3 pm.

Singkaban, short for Sining at Kalinangan ng Bulacan, is the province’s annual celebration of its arts, culture, and history.

Inspiring Philippines 2026 to highlight community empowerment through microfilms

The awards ceremony and screening for the Inspiring Philippines 2026 Micro Film Festival, the local leg of the Inspiring Asia, commenced on Monday, September 14, putting the spotlight on community storytelling and social impact.

The film festival serves as the country’s grant platform dedicated to micro short films, project films, and AI-assisted films that are 3 to 6 minutes long. Featured films highlight diverse and marginalized sectors, including Indigenous Peoples, dumpsite and island communities, farmers and agricultural groups, victims of flood control corruption, women, LGBTQIA+, among others.

A total of 12 grantees out of 115 total entries were chosen. | via Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler

Pampang Public Market sections temporarily closed after fire

The Angeles City Government has temporarily closed the sari-sari and wet sections of the Pampang Public Market following a fire incident on September 16.

Firefighters and safety personnel are assessing the affected areas, while vendors, customers, and the public are advised to avoid the sections until authorities declare them safe for reopening.

Further updates are expected from the city government as the assessment continues.

A loud explosion was heard over the skies of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan at around 8:46 a.m. on Thursday, September 17, with residents reporting hearing the sound. The cause has yet to be confirmed.

In an August 16 advisory, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) said debris from China’s Long March 12 rocket was projected to fall within a drop zone about 25 nautical miles from Puerto Princesa and 19 nautical miles from Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.

PhilSA warned that rocket debris and possible uncontrolled re-entry of upper stages could pose risks to vessels and communities.

Hello Rappler team, please investigate almost 48 hours of power outage in Vista Taft and negligence here. Reports from residents in this public FB group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1HmJKpQiq5/?mibextid=wwXIfr. Students and working professionals are being inconvenienced here.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1QY8x1Zwaa/?mibextid=wwXIfr