Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:
Enteng intensifies into severe tropical storm
Enteng will intensify into a severe tropical storm on Tuesday, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 11:00 a.m. report, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Enteng is forecast to reach severe tropical storm by this afternoon or evening, and typhoon category by Thursday.”
Government debt hits highest at P15.69T in July
Government debt rose to a fresh high of P15.69 trillion at the end of July, primarily driven by new issuance of government securities and project loans, albeit partially offset by stronger peso, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Tuesday.
The BTr showed that total state obligations increased by P206.49 billion in July, up by 1.3 percent from the previous month.
PH Navy logs largest presence of Chinese ships in West Philippine Sea
The Philippine Navy has logged the biggest-ever presence of Chinese ships and warships in the West Philippine Sea since it began publishing its weekly tallies.
A total of 203 ships of China Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese maritime militia (CMM) as well as Chinese warships were recorded from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, according to Navy data released on Tuesday.
COA flags P5.6-B DepEd feeding program in 2023
State auditors have flagged the Department of Education (DepEd) over its feeding program in 2023 after it discovered delays in the delivery, or at times, the nondelivery, of nutribun and milk intended for students in three regions. Some of the food items were also found to be unfit for consumption due to molds, pests, or because these were past their expiration date.
Based on the Commission on Audit’s (COA) audit observation for the fiscal year 2023 on DepEd, which was then still headed by Vice President Sara Duterte, at least 21 Schools Division Offices (SDOs) reported delays or even the nondelivery of food products and pasteurized milk for the School Based Feeding Program (SBFP).
VP Sara: Donate to storm victims instead of OVP
Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday urged supporters to extend aid and donate to Tropical Storm Enteng victims instead of her office.
Office of the Vice President (OVP) spokesperson Michael Poa told INQUIRER.net that Duterte made the pronouncement after seeing several social media posts aimed at initiating donation drives for Duterte’s office.