INQToday: Cigarettes blamed for causing most of 3,044 fires in 2024 – BFP

Here’s a quick roundup of today’s top stories:

Senate eyes probe into anomalous sale of NFA rice at low prices

The Senate will investigate the reported sale of rice by the National Food Authority (NFA) to certain traders at low prices disadvantageous to the government, Sen. Cynthia Villar said on Friday.

“We will investigate that. I have personal experience concerning that. That’s why I am not happy about it,” Villar said in Filipino in an ambush interview.

8 cops in Jemboy Baltazar killing case appeals dismissal from service

Eight former police officers who were dismissed from service in connection with the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar appealed their discharge in November last year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, revealed this after reporters asked if the acquittal of Staff Sgt. Antonio Balcita Bugayong — one of the eight policemen — could mean he could return from police service.

DepEd: Sale of booklets, workbook for ‘Catch-up Fridays’ not allowed

Booklets and workbooks for “Catch-up Fridays”— a Department of Education (DepEd) program to improve student’s reading comprehension skills — should not be for sale.

Since January, all learners from Kinder to Grade 12 are immersed in the printed text to sharpen their reading comprehension every Friday throughout the school year.

Cigarettes blamed for causing most of 3,044 fires in 2024 – BFP

As many as 3,044 fire incidents have been recorded in 2024 so far, according to Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) spokesperson Annalee Atienza on Friday, with cigarettes blamed for most of the blaze.

Amid the worrisome statistics, Atienza appealed to the public to take necessary measures to prevent fires.

DOE sees hike in gasoline prices, cut in diesel and kerosene

The Department of Energy (DOE) expects mixed movements in the prices of petroleum products next week.

DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau (DOE-OIMB) Director Rino Abad said gasoline prices will likely increase by P0.40 to P0.50 per liter on Tuesday, March 5. However, he said there will likely be cuts in the prices of diesel and kerosene.