Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Marcos: Start of classes set July 29, flood-hit schools may need more time
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. said the opening of classes will continue on Monday, July 29, but administrators of schools affected by the recent flooding have the discretion to decide whether or not they need more time to recover.
Marcos shared his directive to the Department of Education (DepEd) after conducting a situation briefing involving the effects of Super Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon on Rizal province.
DepEd: At least 90 schools won’t start SY 2024-2025 on July 29
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara said at least 90 schools nationwide postponed the opening of their classes for School Year (SY) 2024-2025 on Monday, July 29, following the onslaught of typhoon-boosted southwest monsoon, locally termed “habagat,” which resulted in floods around Metro Manila and nearby areas.
DepEd did not list the schools that postponed their opening, but Angara said schools in Malabon City and Valenzuela City will push through with it on July 31 and August 5, respectively.
NDRRMC: At least 1.3 million people affected by Carina, Butchoy
The last two typhoons that hit the Philippines — Carina and Butchoy — affected more than 1.3 million people nationwide, according to a situation issued at 8 a.m. on Friday by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The report said 1,319,467 people — or 299,344 families — were affected. Of those affected, 211,396 people — or 53,414 families — sought shelter in evacuation centers.
Sara Duterte’s PNP security reduced as no threat seen on VP – Marbil
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reduced Vice President Sara Duterte’s police security because no threat against her has been observed, its chief General Rommel Marbil explained Friday.
“We don’t see any threat against the vice president so we need to reduce the people,” the PNP boss said in a radio interview over dwPM.
Hontiveros: Pogo probe ‘not over yet’, not just about Alice Guo
Senator Risa Hontiveros said their investigation of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) will continue, stressing that it was not only about suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo.
She issued the remark even as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the ban on Pogos during his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasang Pambansa last July 22.
Man dies after falling from New Senate Building in Taguig City
A man fell off the New Senate Building and died in Taguig City, the police said Friday, July 26.
In a report, the Philippine National Police-Southern Police District (PNP-SPD) said the 23-year-old man was a Philippine Navy applicant.