News Briefs

Pagasa launches free mobile weather app

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday launched a free mobile app that the weather bureau said would bring climate forecasts straight into mobile phones or tablets. Downloadable on Android operating systems and soon on IOS, the app called Payong Pagasa offers real-time weather information specific to locations via an interactive map. The app features had been oriented for farming and fishing. The app would serve as a more handy version of information available on Pagasa’s website https://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph. Pagasa and its mother agency, Department of Science and Technology, said weather information would be important for farmers, fishermen and policy makers.—JAYMEE T. GAMIL

FDA warns vs buying food, drugs online

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautioned the public against buying unregistered drug, food and beauty products from online sellers who may not have the FDA licenses to operate. In a statement, FDA regulatory enforcement unit officer in charge Allen Bantolo said online shops could not be held accountable if their products had adverse effects on one’s health. The FDA issued the warning following a series of raids in Quezon City, which led to the confiscation of P50 million worth of unregistered beauty and skin-whitening products.—JULIE M. AURELIO

Coast Guard offers free lifeguard training

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was training lifeguards in beach resorts across the country in preparation for the surge of tourists during the Holy Week break. Capt. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesperson, said PCG districts nationwide were tasked with giving lifeguard training to workers of beach and pool resorts. The training program goes with the PCG’s public information campaign on dos and don’ts in resorts and the deployment of PCG units near coastlines. Commodore Lyndon Latorre, of the PCG Central Visayas District, said the training program was free. The PCG training program would require would-be lifeguards to complete a one-kilometer swim and basic life-saving courses in one week. “We want all resorts to have lifeguards,” Latorre said.—JULIE M. AURELIO

CBCP reminds Catholics of Palm Sunday’s symbols

As the country ushers in the Holy Week, an official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded the faithful of the richness of the symbolism that come with Palm Sunday. Fr. Jerome Secillano said such symbolism stresses the truthfulness that can be found only in believing in Jesus Christ, the Savior. “Our commemoration today should lead us to the realization that truth hurts but lies kill. They killed Jesus with lies because they were hurt by the truth,” he said. Secillano is executive secretary of the CBCP’s permanent committee on public affairs. Palm Sunday is a moveable feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where he was welcomed by a crowd waving palm branches. The palm, said Secillano, is a symbol of victory while the donkey, which Jesus rode on his way to Jerusalem, was a symbol of peace.—JULIE M. AURELIO