Latest news with #Crising
GMA Network
an hour ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH: Price freeze for 148 medicines in areas under state of calamity
The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday announced a price freeze for a total of 148 medicines in areas under a state of calamity. Consumers are encouraged to report overpriced medicine to the DOH Hotline ((02) 8651-7800), and the DTI Hotline (1384). As of Thursday, 40 areas have declared a state of calamity due to the effects of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong, as well as the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat. Under the Price Act, a 60-day automatic price freeze is implemented when a state of calamity is declared, covering goods such as rice, corn, bread, fresh vegetables, root crops, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, milk, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergent, firewood, charcoal, candles, and certain medicines classified as essential by the DOH. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
an hour ago
- Climate
- Time of India
From wedding to wading: This Filipino couple got married in a submerged church; here's why
Just like a traditional wedding, this Filipino wedding had everything, a white dress, proud parents, church and guests ready to witness it all. But what set this wedding apart was that the couple exchanged vows while standing in nearly knee-deep floodwaters. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In the north of capital city Manila, Jamaica Aguilar walked down the aisle of the 19th-century Barasoain Church in Bulacan, on Sunday, arm-in-arm with her father and draped in a cathedral-length veil. But instead of a red carpet, she waded through murky water brought in by heavy monsoon rains and Typhoon Wipha, known locally as Crising. Despite the submerged altar, she and her groom, Jade Rick Verdillo, carried on. "It was challenging," said the 27-year-old groom, "but we focused on what's really important – our relationship and the people who love us." Their decision to proceed struck a chord online, with video clips of the flooded ceremony quickly going viral, praised by many as yet another example of Filipino resilience. Though strange, this was not the first wedding of its kind, as two years ago, another couple walked down the same aisle, at the same time of the year. But why are these couples are choosing to get married midst floodwaters instead of a red carpet and floor to welcome them? Behind weddings like this one, lies a deeper issue, chronic flooding made worse by decades of poor urban planning, crumbling drainage systems, and increasingly severe weather patterns. Barasoain Church itself is no stranger to such scenes, similar waterlogged weddings were held in 2022 and 2018. For Aguilar, the toughest moment was the night before the wedding. "It was 50/50 for me — I was considering cancelling," she told BBC. In the end, the couple pushed ahead, and celebrated their union with a dose of doxycycline, an antibiotic given by the local clinic to prevent waterborne infections such as leptospirosis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Later that day, the still-flooded church hosted a funeral. The white coffin, perched on wooden stilts, stood as a quiet reminder of the storm's wider toll. Typhoon Wipha is the third storm to hit the Philippines this year, already claiming six lives and displacing tens of thousands. And the rainy season is far from over, two more tropical systems are forecast to hit the country in the coming weeks. Historically, the most powerful typhoons arrive near the year's end. The situation has also placed fresh pressure on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who is set to deliver his annual State of the Nation Address next week. Critics have slammed his administration's priorities after images of workers installing presidential banners in a flooded Manila sparked backlash. Marcos, currently in Washington for trade talks with US President Donald Trump, has defended his decision to travel, saying he left disaster agencies fully prepared. Metro Manila, home to over 13 million people, bears the brunt of the flooding. Its sewage network, dating back to the early 1900s, is ageing, overburdened and 70% clogged with silt, according to public works secretary Manuel Bonoan, cited by BBC. Experts like geologist Dr Mahar Lagmay have pointed to unregulated construction and roads built over natural waterways as further aggravating the problem. He argues that effective flood control must consider Manila Bay's tides, storm surges, and dam safety. The government says a master plan, drawn up with support from the World Bank, is in the works. In the short term, officials aim to refurbish 32 pumping stations across the capital. "We have to sit down once and for all, at the soonest possible time, to find a solution," said Mr Bonoan. Newlywed Verdillo agrees, and hopes future couples won't have to walk down a flooded aisle like he did. 'Improvements cannot be done in a day, but could be done in years... I'm positive about it, as long as we all focus on the mitigation.'
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
40 areas under state of calamity as Crising, Dante, Emong, Habagat whip PH
A man wades through a flooded area amid monsoon rains in Cainta, Rizal on July 22, 2025. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez A total of 40 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity as of Thursday morning due to the impact of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong as well as the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. In its 6 a.m. report on Thursday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said these areas include the entire province of Cavite covering 23 cities and municipalities, as well as 17 areas in other provinces and Metro Manila. These are: Cavite province Mangaldan, Umingan in Pangasinan Meycauayan, Paombong, Balagtas (Bigaa), and Calumpit in Bulacan Masantol, Pampanga Paniqui, Tarlac Agoncillo, Batangas San Mateo, Rodriguez (Montalban), and Cainta in Rizal Roxas, Palawan Barbaza and Sebaste in Antique Malabon City Quezon City Aside from these 40 areas, GMA Integrated News' Saksi on Wednesday reported nine other areas under a state of calamity including: Marikina, Manila, and Las Piñas in Metro Manila Dagupan City, Calasiao, Lingayen, Malasiqui, and Sta. Barbara in Pangasinan Cebu City A total of 2,733,646 people or 765,869 families have been affected by the bad weather in all regions except Eastern Visayas. Floods, landslides, collapsed structures, and tornadoes were reported in the affected areas. The region with the most number of affected individuals was Central Luzon with 1,545,370, followed by Negros Island Region with 178,781 and Calabarzon with 173,108. Of the total affected population, 147,521 people or 40,487 families were staying in evacuation centers, while 97,958 people or 23,830 families were taking shelter in other places. The death toll due to Crising, Dante, Emong, and Habagat is now 12. Three fatalities were reported each in Calabarzon and Northern Mindanao. Two deaths were reported in Western Visayas. One fatality was reported each in Mimaropa, Davao Region, Caraga, and Metro Manila. Only two of the total reported deaths have been confirmed so far, according to the NDRRMC. Fatalities In Barangay Poblacion in Mambajao, Camiguin, the victim was hit by a falling tree on July 19. She was brought to a hospital but she was declared dead on arrival due to trauma secondary to external injury. In Barangay Matin-ao in Mainit, Surigao del Norte, another victim was riding his motorcycle from a friend's house when a tree collapsed and hit him. Eight people were reported missing while eight others were reported injured, the NDRRMC said. The extent of damage was reported at P3,770,744,291 for infrastructure, P366,377,015 for agriculture, P281,660,000 for irrigation systems. A total of 2,431 houses were damaged—2,008 partially and 423 totally. Transport, utilities Two affected airports have returned to normal operations. A total of 93 passengers, five rolling cargoes, and four vessels remained stranded as only 35 of 62 affected seaports have returned to normal operations so far. Only 203 of 307 affected road sections and seven of 21 affected bridges became passable again to motorists. Power has been restored in 113 of 126 affected areas. Water service is now operational in three of four affected areas. Meanwhile, communications lines are back in 27 of 28 affected areas. Classes in 1,049 areas and work schedules in 812 areas were suspended due to the threat of the bad weather. Assistance worth P181,461,510 has been provided to the victims so far, according to the NDRRMC. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Mika Salamanca, Will Ashley volunteer in soup kitchens for families affected by inclement weather
Mika Salamanca and Will Ashley braved the weather to extend help to those affected by Typhoon Crising and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). On Instagram Wednesday, Sparkle GMA Artist Center shared photos showing the 'Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition' housemates taking part in food preparations. 'From the PBB kitchen to kitchens for-a-cause. Despite the heavy rains and in the spirit of bayanihan, Mika Salamanca and Will Ashley stepped up to serve — volunteering in two soup kitchens in Quezon City and Marikina for families affected by Typhoon Crising and the Southwest Monsoon,' Sparkle wrote in the caption. Aside from preparing hot meals, Mika and Will also helped in raising funds online to support more communities in need. Their efforts were made in partnership with the Angat Bayanihan Volunteer Network of the Angat Buhay Foundation. The triple threat of Crising, Habagat-induced rains, and low-pressure areas contributed to heavy rains — and heavy flooding — in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. On Wednesday, PAGASA said three dams in Luzon continued to release water amid heavy rains due to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and a low-pressure area. For those looking to donate to the victims of the heavy rains, here is a list of organizations with relief operations. —Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18 hours ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
2,300 families affected by floods in Bulacan, Rizal receive aid from GMA Kapuso Foundation
A total of 2,300 families in Bulacan and Rizal who were affected by the floods caused by the inclement weather have received aid from GMA Kapuso Foundation under its Operation Bayanihan project. According to "24 Oras" Wednesday, among those who received assistance were residents of Barangay Wawa in Balagtas, Bulacan, where the floods have been leg-deep since Tuesday. Residents, including Rodrigo Boado and his family, have been staying in an evacuation center for the past four days. "Nako napakahirap unang-una, syempre sa pagkain dahil wala naman kaming trabaho. Punta kami sa palengke, dadaan ka sa hanggang bewang na tubig," said Rodrigo, whose livelihood as a street food vendor was disrupted due to the heavy rains. The GMA Kapuso Foundation, along with the National Capital Region Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines headed to Brgy. Wawa to distribute relief goods and bread to the residents. "Maraming, maraming salamat sa GMA [Kapuso] Foundation sa pagpunta lalona dito sa amin, makakatulong nang malaki ito sa amin," said Rodrigo. Relief was also brought to the residents who were affected by the floods in San Mateo, Rizal. Among those who were part of the mercy mission in San Mateo were Sparkle star and Army reservist Ronnie Liang and Kapuso comedian Marites "Tessbomb" Marañon. For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information. Meanwhile, the GMA Kapuso Foundation is set to give free prescription glasses to 100 beneficiaries through its Kapuso 20/20 Eye Project 2025. To register, you may call 8928 4299 and 8982 7777 local 9904 from July 24 to 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday, more than 1.4 million people in the Philippines have been affected by tropical cyclone Crising, the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), and a low pressure area (LPA), with floods, landslides, collapsed structures, and tornadoes reported in several areas. The death toll due to Crising, the Habagat, and LPA had gone up to seven, with fatalities reported in Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa, Davao Region, Caraga, and Metro Manila. Tropical cyclone Emong is also expected to bring rains over the Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administration Region, according to PAGASA's forecast on Wednesday afternoon, while tropical storm Dante may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday afternoon or evening. Monsoon rains are expected in the coming days throughout Metro Manila and Luzon due to the Habagat, while occasional rains will occur over Western Visayas, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Quezon, and MIMAROPA. The Bicol Region and the rest of the Visayas, on the other hand, are expected to experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, and isolated rain showers over Mindanao. —CDC, GMA Integrated News
