In an Air Quality Status Report on Wednesday, April 22, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR EMB) in Central Visayas says that the haze blanketing Metro Cebu has largely dissipated.

According to the DENR EMB’s Talisay City Station, the previously-recorded peak levels of 199 (Very Unhealthy) on April 19 has dropped to an Air Quality Index rating of 98, moving the air quality classification into the "FAIR" (Moderate) category.

“The improvement is driven by sustained local wind speeds and natural ventilation, which have effectively dispersed the trapped PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) that had reached critical levels on April 19,” DENR EMB Central Visayas said.

While the air is much clearer, DENR EMB Central Visayas urged residents to take extra precautions and to refrain from burning garbage, leaves, or agricultural waste outside.

Cebu Pacific cancels Dubai flights until May 31 due to Middle East conflict

Cebu Pacific on Thursday, April 23, announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Dubai until May 31 due to the ongoing security situation in the Middle East.

Affected passengers may rebook their flights free of charge, convert their tickets into a travel fund, or opt for a refund.

Edsa-Ortigas flyover closed after bus fire, reopening set on April 27

The EDSA-Ortigas Interchange remains closed as of Sunday, April 26, after a bus caught fire and was gutted in the area, damaging portions of the flyover.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is conducting clearing operations, replacing damaged road safety devices, and performing load testing.
The flyover is expected to reopen to light vehicles on Monday, April 27. @here

Manila, Makati LGUs urge mask use as air quality hits ‘very unhealthy’ levels

The local governments of Manila and Makati have advised the public to wear face masks as air quality reached “very unhealthy” levels.
The Manila city government said the poor air quality may still be linked to the Navotas landfill fire, which has continued to emit smoke since it broke out on April 10.

Good morning! We’re on our way to Navotas Landfill, which continues to emit smoke days after a fire broke out in the area.

Here’s the situation in the Navotas landfill 18 days since the fire broke out @here

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said there is still no timeline for when the Navotas landfill fire will be put out.

Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna during an inspection visit at the Navotas sanitary landfill on Tuesday, April 28. With Cuna is DWPH chief Vince Dizon and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco. DENR says its working with the Office of the Solicitor General in a potential case against former landfill operator Phil Ecology Systems Corporation. Photos from DENR

DENR-EMB previously issued notices of violation to Phil Ecology Systems Corp, the former operator of Navotas sanitary landfill, since 2024.

EMB-NCR regional director Janice Pammit said she issued two more notices to Phileco after the fire.

According to Pammit, some of Phileco’s violations are non-compliance to daily soil coverage, incomplete gas vents, and late submission of safe closure and rehabilitation plan.

Bakit kaya wala sa usapan ng Navotas Landfill Fire ang San Miguel? Hindi ba sila ang nagpaalis sa PhilEco? Ang alam ko, February 2026 pinasok ng San Miguel yung lugar tapos April 10, nagkasunog na. Sinabihan din daw ng PhilEco ang San Miguel na hindi angkop para tayuan ng cloverleaf interchange ang landfill dahil nga sa ganitong peligro. Kahit pa legal ang ginawa ng San Miguel, alam nila na hindi pa tapos yung Safe Closure and Rehabilitation ng landfill pero pinaalis na ng San Miguel ang PhilEco at inilagay sa alanganin ang kalusugan ng maraming tao. Untouchable talaga itong si Ramon Ang, ano? Maski yung nangyaring pagpalya ng bollard sa NAIA na nauwi sa pagkamatay ng 2 tao, may nangyari bang pananagutan ang San Miguel dito?

Sana may mas magandang coverage ang Rappler tungkol dito.

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/04/24/landfill-land-grab-burning-questions-2

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) records a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in the vicinity of San Julian, Eastern Samar, at 2:09 pm on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Phivolcs says damage is expected. Aftershocks have also been felt in the Eastern Visayas region.

Photo from Phivolcs

Continued poor service from water utility company PrimeWater has led the San Jose del Monte (SJDM) city government to take over the city's local water district effective Tuesday, May 5.

The takeover gives the SJDM city government, led by Mayor Florida Robes, authority over the facilities and assets of the local water district and PrimeWater that are related to water supply and wastewater systems, in accordance with City Ordinance No. 2026-03-012.

The ordinance also allows the city government to appoint an interim water utility operator.

“The city government is committed to restore adequate and reliable water supply to every household within one year,” the city's public information office said in a press release.

The Villar group, last December 2025, sold 100% of PrimeWater to Crystal Bridges Holding Corporation, the investment firm of Puregold tycoon Lucio Co. Crystal Bridges is owned by Co’s children, with Puregold heir Vincent Co as chairman and president, according to the company’s 2025 general information sheet.

PrimeWater SJDM's response to the takeover?

"Received with objections" was apparently written on their copy of the takeover notice, city administrator Rizaldy Mendoza told media during today's press conference.

While no representatives from PrimeWater faced the public today, Mendoza described to the media how officials from the troubled water utility reacted to the takeover notice, which was served to them by city officials during a closed door meeting that happened right before the press conference.

PrimeWater SJDM officials also said they would send the takeover notice to their central office, according to Mendoza.

He noted that this was the first time PrimeWater SJDM had communicated with the city government since the water utility company's joint venture agreement with the local water district was officially terminated in November 2025.

Navotas landfill fire nearly 80% contained as of May 5

After nearly a month, at least 79.6% of the burning Navotas landfill has been put out as of Tuesday, May 5, the Municipality of Navotas reported. | via Patrick Cruz

Nearly a month since a fire broke out at the Navotas landfill, it has yet to be fully extinguished. In this report, we visited the landfill and the surrounding community. We also analyzed air quality data and satellite images to paint a clearer picture of how severe the situation in Navotas has become. Read the story @here https://www.rappler.com/features/newsbreak/in-depth/navotas-landfill-fire-impact/index.html