Latest news with #Balitanghali
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
UP geologist Lagmay: Metro Manila hit by floods as roads built over waterways
Geologist Mahar Lagmay, executive director the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI), on Wednesday pointed to the construction of roads over natural waterways as a key factor in the perennial flooding woes of Metro Manila. Lagmay, who also serves as executive director of the UP Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) Project, cited the ill effects of global warming but stressed that its impact to Metro Manila was worsened by the approach on road construction. "Pinapalala pa natin… Nilalagyan natin ng kalye ang mga sapa. Tuyo pero 'pag umulan, nag-o-overflow. Gusto dumaan ng tubig papunta sa kabilang dulo ng kalye… Saan siya dadaan? Sa ibabaw ng kalye," Lagmay told Balitanghali. (We are worsening the situation. Roads were built over creeks. These are dry when there are no rains. But when it does, the water overflows. The water seeks to go to the other end of th street... Where will the water flow? Above the road.) Floods have marred multiple parts of Metro Manila amid the continuous heavy rains triggered by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and a low pressure area (LPA). On Wednesday alone, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) issued flood warnings for six cities across Metro Manila. Lagmay said masterplans for Metro Manila can be improved by taking into consideration the smaller waterways, and not just the major rivers. "'Yung tumbok ay Marikina River at San Juan River, eh papano ang ibang sanga-sanga ng mga river arteries, 'yung maliliit na sapa? 'Pag nag-overflow 'yan, mayroong mga taong naapektuhan at marami rin ang naapektuhan. 'Yun siguro ang dapat i-improve sa mga paggawa ng mga solusyon patungkol sa flood control na problem," Lagmay added. (The government has focused on Marikina River and San Juan River. But what about the branches of the river arteries, the small creeks that also affect Filipinos when these overflow? Perhaps that is one thing that can be improved upon when coming up with solutions to the flood control problem.) Seen more frequently The UPRI chief said the huge volume of rains, which supposedly "only happens every 100 years," is being observed more frequently. He warned that the situation may worsen over the years as countries like the Philippines suffer from global warming and climate change. "Unang-una dyan, ang ulan malakas talaga. 'Yung dating pag-ulan na minsan lang nangyayari, kada 100 taon, ngayon nagiging mas madalas na… Baka mas maging malala pa 'yan kapag magtuloy ang global warming na siyang nagpapabago ng ating klima," Lagmay said. (First, the rains are really strong. Rains that are supposed to happen only once in 100 years are becoming more frequent... We might experience these more often if global warming persists and the climate continues to change.) The UP Resilience Institute led the development of Project NOAH, a hazard database map which aims to inform the public about the hazards—including floods, landslides, and storm surges—in their real-time locations. The application may be accessed here: — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
MMDA, Manila LGU open floodgate to Manila Bay
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Manila government on Wednesday opened a floodgate to Manila Bay to ease the flooding in nearby areas. 'Inimbitahan po tayo ngayong araw ni MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes sa pagbubukas ng floodgate at paglalagay ng trash trap sa Manila Yacht Club sa Roxas Boulevard upang maibsan ang pagbabaha at mga basurang inaanod papunta sa sewerage ng Maynila,' Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said in a statement. (MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes invited us today to the opening of the floodgate and installation of a trash trap at the Manila Yacht Club on Roxas Boulevard to address the flooding and trash into the Manila sewerage.) 'Ito po ay inisyatibo ng MMDA kasama ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila upang mabawasan ang pag-apaw ng tubig sa ating mga kanal tuwing umuulan na dulot ng mga basurang nanggagaling sa Dolomite Beach,' he added. (This is an initiative of the MMDA together with the City Government of Manila to reduce the overflowing water in our drainage system during the rainy season caused by trash coming from the Dolomite Beach.) More sewage treatment plants are needed to prevent flooding in Manila, according to a report by Dano Tingcungco on GTV's Balitanghali. For the meantime, the floodgate to Manila Bay will be opened on rainy days to avoid flooding in nearby Kalaw Avenue, Padre Faura Street, and Taft Avenue. The floodgate to Manila Bay had been closed due to a Supreme Court order to concerned agencies to ensure that the water that will be released to the body of water is clean. A sewage treatment plant has been established in the area to clean the water before it flows to Manila Bay. The MMDA is hoping that the funds of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will be increased to create more sewage treatment plants in Manila Bay. Meanwhile, the Manila government said it has approved a drainage master plan for the city. —Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
David Licauco gives Dustin Yu advice on dealing with bashers
Now that Dustin Yu has returned to the outside world, his real-life best friend, David Licauco has some words for him to ponder. In Aubrey Carampel's report in "Balitanghali" on Wednesday, the Pambansang Ginoo gave the former "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition" housemate some tips and advice on dealing with bashers. "Huwag mo ng isipin ang mga haters. Andiyan na 'yan. Control what you can control," David said. "Kailangan niyang gawin 'yung mga ginagawa niya dati. Kung sino siya," he added. David previously served as a house guest on "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition" in May. While there, he pranked Dustin and gave him relationship advice. Following his exit in PBB with his duo Bianca De Vera, Dustin reunited with David and dined out in a restaurant. —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
23 more Pinoys in Israel seek repatriation — OWWA
At least 23 more Filipinos in Israel have signed up for repatriation amid the ongoing tension in the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said Wednesday. 'Sa bansang Israel, 340 ang natanggap tawag at request for repatriation. Ini-isa-isa natin yung 340 at doon natin nakuha yung 26 na unang batch, 50 na susunod, at itong 23 na susunod pa,' OWWA administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan told 'Balitanghali.' (We receive 340 calls and requests for repatriation from Israel. From that, we identified the first batch of 26, the next 50, and the additional 23.) According to OWWA, there are about 30,000 Filipinos in Israel. On Tuesday evening, 31 Filipinos arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. They are the first batch of Pinoys who were repatriated since hostilities between Israel and Iran began on June 13. Meanwhile, the flight of 50 Filipinos in Israel, which was supposed to arrive this week, was delayed due to the temporary suspension of Qatari air traffic after Iran attacked a US military base in Doha. 'Yung 50 dapat darating sila either June 26 or 27, pero nagkaroon ng pagsasara ng airspace kaya iadjust sa schedule so in the next coming days may update tayo kung kelan darating yung batch two,' Caunan said. (The 50 Filipinos were supposed to arrive on June 26 or 27, but the airspace was temporarily closed. So, we will adjust the schedule and give an update on their arrival in the coming days.) The Philippine government has raised the crisis alert to level 3 in Israel and Iran, urging Filipinos in the affected areas to take advantage of the voluntary repatriation as armed hostilities between Israel and Iran continue. DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega earlier said eight Filipinos from Iran are expected to return to the Philippines this week.
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- GMA Network
Fight breaks out in San Juan's Wattah Wattah Festival
A fight broke out between two groups during the Wattah Wattah festival in San Juan City on Tuesday. According to a Balitanghali report by Oscar Oida, the fight led to broken glass bottles and injured individuals. First aid was immediately provided, while authorities are now conducting an investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the celebration still continued in several parts of the city under the leadership of Mayor Francis Zamora. Specific 'basaan zones' were designated along Pinaglabanan Road from N. Domingo to P. Guevarra, and around the Pinaglabanan Shrine. 'Basaan' was also limited to a specific time between 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants were also no longer allowed to open cars and blast unsuspecting drivers with water, or use dirty water, glass bottles, ice, plastic containers, high-pressure water sprayers, or any equipment that may cause harm. A liquor ban was also implemented in the city from 12:01 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Violators may face fines of P5,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 days. The Wattah Wattah Festival is an annual festival held every 24th of June in in San Juan City to celebrate their patron saint, St. John the Baptist. In commemoration of Jesus Christ's baptism, the festival includes 'Basaan,' or the spraying of water, as one of its defining traditions —Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
