Dev Flores

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) plans to consolidate and streamline the enforcement process of anti-littering across Metro Manila. This is part of the proposed unified ticketing system across the region.

According to MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes, the Office of the Executive Secretary called a meeting in connection with policy-making to fight illegal waste disposal. The meeting was attended by various agencies, league presidents of local government units, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The objective is to ensure proper imposition of sanctions or penalties against violators.

According to the MMDA Chairman, aside from Metro Manila, they also target to implement the plan nationwide.

“I think it will cover not just Metro Manila, but the entire country,” he said

The MMDA also emphasized the need to consider various ordinances from local government units, as well as the existing laws in clean water and solid waste management.

The agency hopes to speed up the development of the unified ticketing system for anti-littering as soon as possible.

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr.

Always consider youth welfare before publishing news content; this is what media practitioners should consider when reporting cases of child violence, according to Council for the Welfare of Children Executive Director Usec. Angelo Tapales.

Although he understands the media's duty to inform the public about what is happening, the welfare of the youth must also be considered.

The reminder follows the shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University where a minor student was involved.

According to Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), first to be protected in reporting is the identity of the youth, whether they are involved or a victim of a violent incident.

Usec. Tapales stated that the youth should not carry an identity tied to a violent incident they went through; that’s why it’s better to protect their identity to prevent them from being exposed in cyberspace.

“Maaari pa rin kasi siyang makilala. There are the other identifying circumstances. Kunyari, hindi kita ang mukha ng bata. Naka-blur 'yan pero kita naman sa likod kung saan siya nakatira, saan ang paaralan niya, ano ang pangalan ng magulang niya, anong itsura ng uniform niya kunyari, ano or yung kapaligiran niya,” Tapales said

Another reminder from the CWC is related to the responsible use of videos and photos because the the bitter experience of the victims might be relived the moment they see what they went through again in a video or photo.

The CWC also strictly reminds ordinary netizens not to share videos or photos related to the violent incident. Tapales said that reposting can expand the reach of audience, who sees the content related to the incident.

“And yung pagre-repost ay panibagong publication po kasi yan,” he said

“At of course, pinapalawak natin yung audience at pinapahaba natin yung staying power ng isang materyal,” he added

Irresposible users of sensitive videos or photos related to child violence to make it viral can be reported to the MAKABATA helpline 1383.

With reports from JP Nuñez

The San Juan River overflowed on August 17, 2026, following the persistent rainfall across Metro Manila, leaving parts of G. Araneta Avenue impassable to motorists for several hours due to floodwaters.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon stated that despite recent dredging operations along the San Juan River and drainage expansion efforts on G. Araneta Avenue in Quezon City, these remain insufficient to handle extreme rainfall volumes.

Hence, the agency plans to construct a detention basin in the city to minimize flooding.

“Nakikipag-coordinate lang kami sa LGU, sa QC. Kung pag na-identify na natin kung gaano kalaki 'yung lupa then madi-design na natin nang maayos,” Dizon said

[“We are coordinating with the local government unit in Quezon City. Once we identify the land area, we can finalize the design.”]

Authorities are considering Sitio Kaingin Bukid in Barangay Apolonio Samson as a potential site for the facility.

“Dito ang i-identify pa rin namin yung Kaingin Bukid, yung isa. So we have to work with that, pero mag-laki yon. Kaya lang kailangan tulungan kami ng LGU for the right of way,” Sec. Dizon said

[We are identifying here the Kaingin Bukid. So, we have to work with that, but it’s a large area. That’s  why we need the assistance of the LGU for the right of way.”]

A detention basin is an excavated catchment designed to temporarily store large volumes of water during heavy rains to prevent flooding in surrounding communities. A similar facility was previously constructed beneath a basketball court in Barangay Tandang Sora.

The DPWH plans to begin the expansion of drainage systems along both sides of G. Araneta Avenue next year.

The Department of Migrant Workers National Capital Region (DMW-NCR) successfully rescued 68 overseas workers applicants from an unsafe and inhumane accommodation facility in Parañaque City.

Authorities ordered the closure of the facility. According to the DMW, the operation was made through the joint efforts of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the OFW Hospital.

The facility was reportedly operated by ATC Human Resource Inc. at Rock Solid Manpower and Consultancy Inc.

“... Unregistered accommodation facility in Barangay San Antonio, Parañaque City, reportedly maintained and shared by two licensed recruitment agencies, ATC Human Resources, Inc. and Rock Solid Manpower & Consultancy, Inc.,” according to DMW NCR

Aside from the unsafe and inhumane accommodations, the DMW identified an alleged violation regarding ‘withholding of passports’.

“The passports of all 68 OFW applicants were confirmed being kept by the agencies instead of remaining in the possession of their respective owners,” according to DMW-NCR

The DMW NCR also discovered falsification of applicants’ documents

“The team encountered a 23-year-old OFW applicant whose identification documents were confirmed to have been falsified or altered by a representative of the agency, a matter requiring further investigation and appropriate legal action,” the DMW said

The rescued applicants are now under the care of OWWA.

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon stated to expand the existing drainage inlets near major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. 

In an interview earlier, the Secretary mentioned that EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, España Boulevard, Taft Avenue, and C5 Road will be included in the targets.

The construction to expand drainage inlets could possibly begin before the end of the year.

According to Dizon, the agency will utilize the maintenance funds for the expansion project.

“Kahit na walang flood control funds for 2026, meron naman tayong mga maintenance funds na pwedeng paggamitan non, so gagamitin na natin yung maintenance funds natin to lengthen and make the inlets bigger,” Sec. Dizon said

Sec. Dizon also inspected the Remedios Pumping Station in Roxas Boulevard and announced that the two new pumping machines have arrived and are ready to be installed once the weather improves.