Latest news with #JPSoriano
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Some Calumpit residents hop on boats amid neck-deep floods
Residents in some parts of Calumpit, Bulacan have to use boats on the streets amid the neck-deep floods brought by the inclement weather. In JP Soriano's report in 'Saksi' on Thursday, the people of Barangay San Miguel are already used to floods, but the effects of the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, and the series of typhoons hitting the country have worsened their situation. 'Wala po kaming lilipatan, sir,' said George, who is a longtime resident of the barangay. (We don't know where to move.) Likewise, Barangay Meysulao is also submerged in neck-deep waters. But there are some who cannot afford to get out of their flooded homes. For instance, Elmer chose to stay in his house as he cannot leave his pet dog. However, there are caged dogs that seem to have been left behind by their owners, according to the report. Meanwhile, residents who have to evacuate need to ride on boats to go to the evacuation center. 'Eh sabi po magagawan daw ng paraan. Eh hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nagagawan ng paraan,' said Girlie, a resident of Barangay Meysulao. 'Marami ng beses ipinangako 'yan. Wala pong natutupad.' (They keep on telling us that it will be resolved, but nothing has happened until promised us several times, but none of it came true.) For his part, the barangay is hoping that at least the level of the floodwaters will be lessened. 'Hindi man totally matanggal ang tubig, kahit mabawasan lang, okay na kami doon,' said Barangay Chairperson Roland Ramos. (Even if the water can't be completely subsided, at least it can be reduced, we're okay with that.) Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino was criticized after she posted on social media encouraging her constituents to take a selfie in the floods in a chance for raffle entry for ayuda or aid. But Faustino explained that the local government took care of the residents. 'Bago po kami mag-'e-ayuda' ay una naming pinuntahan ang mga [evacuation] centers namin. So, mayroon po kaming 43,000 families na affected… Inaabot po nang personal ang aming relief goods sa aming mga binahang kababayan,' she said. (Before the "e-ayuda", we first went to our [evacuation] centers. So, we have 43,000 families affected… We are personally delivering our relief goods to our flooded constituents.) 'Ito pong 'e-ayuda' na ito, siyempre po sa Facebook po namin pinost para lang maiwasan 'yung scammers po,' the mayor added. (We posted the "e-ayuda" on Facebook to avoid scammers.) However, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that providing assistance during calamities 'must be based on empathy, compassion, and equity.' 'Making it a game of chance, making it a competition removes all three components from the propriety of helping people during times of crisis,' he added. The municipality of Calumpit is currently under the state of calamity. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Calumpit mayor explains after going viral with ayuda promo amid rains, floods
The mayor of Calumpit, Bulacan, went viral after she encouraged her constituents to post selfies of themselves in the floods to be included in a raffle for ayuda or aid. According to JP Soriano's Thursday report on '24 Oras,' Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino said that the local government had not neglected the residents. 'Bago po kami mag 'e-ayuda' ay una naming pinuntahan ang mga [evacuation] centers namin. So, mayroon po kaming 430,000 families na affected. Inaabot po namin nang personal ang aming relief goods sa aming mga binahang kababayan. Ito pong 'e-ayuda,' siyempre po sa Facebook po namin pinost para lang maiwasan yung scammers po,' Faustino said. (We prioritized our residents in evacuation centers before the 'e-ayuda.' We have 430,000 affected families, and we personally handed out the relief goods. We posted the 'e-ayuda' on Facebook to avoid scammers.) Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said helping during a calamity must be based on 'empathy, compassion, and equity.' 'Lahat, as much as possible, matulungan mo (Everyone should be given aid as much as possible). Making it a game of chance, making it a competition removes all three components from the propriety of helping people during times of crisis,' Remulla said. Meanwhile, aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development has been distributed to the affected families. Some residents also cooked food and handed it out to their neighbors. Floods persist in some Bulacan areas According to some residents in Barangay San Miguel in Calumpit, their area has been experiencing floods for decades. However, the flooding seems to have worsened this time due to the Southwest Monsoon and consecutive tropical cyclones. At around 2 p.m., some areas in the barangay reached above head level. In Barangay Meysulao, also in Calumpit, the flood is neck-deep. Residents used boats to get to their destination since it was dangerous to cross the flooded streets. Some houses and vehicles were also submerged in floodwater. While a resident refused to evacuate because he could not leave his pet dog, some dogs were seen in cages despite the flood. Residents also used boats to get to evacuation centers. Some areas in Bulacan, Bulacan were also flooded. –Mariel Celine Serquiña/NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
WATCH: Provinces hit by floods due to Crising
Tropical Storm Crising brought heavy rains and caused flooding in some provinces in Luzon and the Visayas, according to reports on GMA Integrated News' Unang Balita on Friday. In Cagayan, where Crising is expected to make landfall, residents in coastal municipalities were ordered to evacuate from their homes due to the risks of the bad weather, James Agustin said in his report. Authorities in Ilocos Norte were monitoring the Padsan River, as it may overflow to the roads, according to a report by JP Soriano. Floods were reported in Negros Oriental after their spillways swelled. Some affected residents were rescued in Negros Occidental, according to a report of GMA Regional TV's Adrian Prietos. In Antique, one house was damaged due to a landslide. Meanwhile, in Cebu province, some residents also evacuated as floods hit their areas. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, state weather bureau PAGASA said Crising was located 335 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela or 325 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The tropical storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 80 kph, and moving northwestward at the speed of 20 kph. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is hoisted over the following areas: Batanes Cagayan including Babuyan Islands the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Palanan, Ilagan City, Divilacan, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Tumauini, Maconacon, Santa Maria, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santo Tomas, San Mariano, Dinapigue) Apayao the northern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Rizal) the northern portion of Abra (Malibcong, Lacub, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Danglas, Lagayan, San Juan, Tineg, La Paz, Dolores) Ilocos Norte the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait) Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is raised over the following areas: the rest of Isabela Quirino Nueva Vizcaya the rest of Kalinga Mountain Province Ifugao the rest of Abra Benguet the rest of Ilocos Sur La Union the northern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, San Manuel, Tayug, Sison, San Fabian, Pozorrubio, Laoac, Binalonan, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Mangaldan, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Labrador, Sual, City of Alaminos, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, Agno, Burgos, Mabini, Dasol, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, Bugallon) the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora) the northeastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan) Polillo Islands Camarines Norte Catanduanes the northeastern portion Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, San Jose, Presentacion, Tinambac, Siruma, Goa) —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
France expresses support for PH during Bastille Day
France reiterated their support for the Philippines' claim over the West Philippine Sea during the celebration of Bastille Day and launch of the Blue Nations Initiative. According to the "Unang Balita" report of JP Soriano on Tuesday, France expressed their support for the Philippines and said that they will continue to support and protect the country's rights to land and environment. French ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Marie Fontanel shared that the Blue Nations Initiative between France and the Philippines would help strengthen collaborations between the two countries on environmental protection, climate action, blue economy, and maritime security. 'Allow me to reiterate Frances' deep commitment to the Philippines. Our countries are like two blue sisters nations, along with our friendship and cooperation,' said Fontanel. The statements followed the statement of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea that Chinese military ships have caused environmental damage over coral reefs at Pag-asa Reef 1. Fontanel added that the celebration on Bastille Day or the French National Day also recognizes the Philippines' rights to the West Philippine Sea and respect to international law. 'We are deeply committed to multilateralism, respect for international law, particularly the UN Charter, and the defense of the rule of law everywhere without double standards,' she noted. 'We appreciate France's consistent support for the 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea which forms an important pillar of the rules-based international order that governs the peace nations not just on land but also at sea,' responded Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Hellen dela Vega. France is one of the countries that have allied with the Philippines in support of the 2016 arbitral ruling regarding the West Philippine Sea. Recently, France and the Philippines have partnered up to create a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) to conduct more Joint Military Exercises. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH Embassy in Tel Aviv recommends lowering Alert Level in Israel amid ceasefire
The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has recommended the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to downgrade the Alert Level in Israel from Level 3 to Level 2, following a ceasefire agreement between the Jewish state and Iran. This was according to the DFA's Office of Middle East and African Affairs, JP Soriano reported on X. JUST IN: The P.E. in Tel Aviv has recommended that the DFA lower the current Alert Level in Israel from Level 3 to Level 2, following the ceasefire agreement between #Israel & #Iran according to the DFA's Office of Middle East & African Affairs, @gmanews — JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) June 26, 2025 The recommendation is subject to the assessment and approval of the the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Alert Level 3, which currently covers Israel, calls for voluntary repatriation and the restriction of non-essential movement due to security concerns. Lowering it to Level 2 would indicate a reduced threat level, allowing for increased mobility and a return to normal activities with caution. The ceasefire between Israel and Iran was announced earlier this week, easing tensions after Israel launched a series of attacks on the Islamic republic that prompted the Philippine government to offer voluntary repatriation to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the region. While repatriation efforts continue, the DFA earlier confirmed that many of the 30,000 OFWs have chosen to remain in Israel despite the risks, citing stability in their communities and employment. The DFA said it will continue to monitor developments closely and conduct further risk assessments in coordination with Philippine missions and local authorities in Israel. On Wednesday, Iran reopened the airspace over the country's eastern portion, state media reported, following a ceasefire with Israel that ended 12 days of fighting. Iran had closed its skies since June 13 after Israel launched a major bombing campaign that prompted Iran to retaliate with waves of missile strikes. GMA News Online has reached out to the DFA for comment but the department has yet to respond as of the posting of this story. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
