A community of writers, students, and local officials in Dumaguete City gathered to kick-off the third edition of Dumaguete Literary Festival on Friday, April 17

The opening day featured music and poetry performances, panel discussion, and a talk on the case of literature in Negros Island Region.

Divine Caraecle of National Book Development Board expressed their support to the organizers, noting that the event will further expand access to books and support readership in the region.

The three-day festival spans from April 17 to 19 and also marks the declaration of Dumaguete as UNESCO Creative City of Literature. via Kean Bagaipo/Mover @here

DUMAGUETE NAMED UNESCO CITY OF LITERATURE

Dumaguete City officially claimed the UNESCO Creative City of Literature title following a formal declaration by the UN National Commission of the Philippines at the Presidencia Grounds on Friday, April 17.

City Mayor Manuel Chiquiting Sagarbarria and Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Chaco Sagarbarria received the plaque of designation from UNACOM Secretary-General Ivan Henares.

“This honor is built from both told and untold stories from decades ago, picking at the establishment of the first and oldest writing workshop of its kind in Asia,” Henares cited.

Dumaguete is the second city to receive the said designation in Southeast Asia following Jakarta, Indonesia.

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Have you heard about SMC trying to stifle criticism with a cyberlibel suit?

DENR: Air quality in Metro Cebu is ‘very unhealthy’

The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-EMB 7) reported that since April 17, the metropolitan area of Cebu has been blanketed by a persistent haze, with data from the Talisay City Station highlighting a worrying spike in fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

“While the Air Quality Index (AQI) saw a slight improvement—dropping from 199 yesterday (April 19) to 177 as of 8:00 AM today, April 20—the situation remains critical. Even with this decrease, the air quality is still classified as " 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗬,” the DENR-EMB 7 said.

According to the agency, while the AQI numbers are moving downward, the current PM2.5 levels continue to pose significant health risks.

HAPPENING NOW: Angat Buhay, ASA Philippines, and Maginhawa Food Community launches "Kusina ng Pag-asa" at the Novotel Manila, Quezon City, this afternoon, April 20.

10 years in the making, Kusina ng Pag-asa seeks to build and coordinate with a wide network of food establishments, karinderyas, and food kiosks aiming to provide safe, dignified, and hot meals in times of emergency.

Rafael Lopa, the president of ASA Philippines Foundation Inc. and Angat Buhay mentioned that the Kusina ng Pag-asa’s goal is not to simply keep whoever is easiest to reach, but to make sure that no one is left behind.

Lopa explains that the sectors most vulnerable to disasters are often the least equipped to cope with their impacts, and Kusina ng Pag-asa serves as a response to this reality.

As the Kusina ng Pag-asa officially launches, the organizations are accepting partnerships from different food establishments across the country to help in this initiative.

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.