(Eagle News)–Four minor successive phreatic or steam-driven eruptions were monitored at Taal on Friday, May 10. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the eruptions at the volcano, which remains on alert level 1, occurred between 7:03 a.m. and 7:09 a.m., between 7:17 a.m. and 7:18 a.m., 7:52 a.m. and 7:54 a.m., and between 7:57 a.m. and 8 a.m. The event produced white steam-laden plumes that rose between 100 and 300 meters above the ..read more

(Eagle News)–One Filipino crew member of the container ship recently seized by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz has been released, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. According to the DFA, the crew member–who is one of 25 individuals on board MSC Aries when it was seized by Iran on April 13–is set to arrive in the Philippines on Friday. Apart from the Filipino, five Indians and an Estonian were released. Prior to this, one ..read more

(Eagle News)–The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has announced the completion of the rehabilitation of the Davao International Airport runway. While “minor rectifications” were still being done, the notice to airmen is set to be lifted ahead of the original target date of May 31, with flight operations set to return to normal, CAAP said. The “minor rectifications,” CAAP Area Center Manager Rex Obcena said, are to be conducted during the daytime “when there ..read more

(Eagle News)–A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Sorsogon early Friday, May 10. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake hit at 3:07 a.m. Its epicenter was eight kilometers southwest of Donson. The depth of focus was two kilometers. The following instrumental intensities were reported: Intensity III – Donsol and Castilla, Sorsogon Intensity II – City of Legazpi, Albay Intensity I – Tabaco, Albay; Pili and City of Iriga, Camarines Sur No damage to property ..read more

(Eagle News)–The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Thursday, May 9, said it was pushing for adjustments to 4Ps grants amid inflationary pressures. “I would like to reiterate what DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said that adjusting the cash grants of 4Ps beneficiaries is not just timely but that it also preserves the value of the grants,” Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao said. Dumlao, who is also the DSWD spokesperson ..read more

Rest of PHL affected by easterlies (Eagle News)–The frontal system is affecting extreme Northern Luzon. According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the easterlies are also affecting the rest of the country. As a result, Batanes and Cagayan will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are possible. Metro Manila and the rest of the country, meanwhile, is forecast ..read more

(Eagle News)–The Department of Transportation called out 32 vehicles on Thursday, May 9, for reportedly illegally passing through the Edsa Busway primarily meant for public utility buses. The DOTr’s Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation said of these 32, 29 were motorcycles, two were private vehicles and public vehicles that don’t fall under the PUB category, and one was under the government vehicle and/or ambulance that doesn’t carry patients category. With the development, the ..read more

(Eagle News)–The Philippine economy grew by 5.7 percent in the first quarter of 2024. Based on Philippine Statistics Authority data, this was slightly higher than the  5.5% growth recorded the previous quarter. According to the PSA, the main contributors to the first quarter growth were the following: Financial and insurance activities: 10.0 percent Wholesale and retail trade Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles: 6.4 percent Manufacturing: 4.5 percent The PSA said all major economic sectors—agriculture ..read more

(Eagle News)–The easterlies are still affecting the country. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Batanes and Cagayan will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Flashfloods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains are expected. Metro Manila, meanwhile, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will experience the same conditions. According to PAGASA, the northern and ..read more

(Eagle News)–Motorists should expect a “traffic slowdown” along several Metro Manila roads from May 10 to 12, the Department of Transportation said. According to the DOTr, the slowdown is expected along the following due to the transport of the tunnel boring machine (TBM) used for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) from the Manila Harbour Center to the MMSP’s Camp Aguinaldo Station: Port/ R-10 (between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.) C3 Road (between 10:30 p.m ..read more