Dev Flores

Fines for improper garbage disposal will increase across all local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced the adjustment amid persistent issues in improper garbage disposal that contribute to severe flooding.

According to MMDA Chairman Atty.  Romando Artes, fines for improper waste disposal will be raised to P5,000 across 16 cities in Metro Manila, while the penalty in the municipality of Pateros will be P2,500.

“May Metro Manila Council resolution na tayo increasing the penalty of 5,000 for cities and 2,500 sa Pateros,” Atty. Artes said

[“We already have a Metro Manila Council resolution increasing the penalty to P5,000 for cities and P2,500 for Pateros.”]

The MMDA Chairman noted that the agency is currently awaiting for ordinances from each city, and that will be followed up during their meeting on August 18, 2026.

“Hinihintay na lang po namin yung mga individual ordinance po ng bawat lungsod at ifa-follow up po natin yan sa next Metro Manila Council Meeting on August 18,” he said

[“We are just waiting for the individual ordinances from each city and will follow this up during the next Metro Manila Council Meeting on August 18.”]

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stressed that the public is aware of penalties for improper waste disposal.

“People are aware that there are fines. Nobody wants to be fined. Wala namang gusto ng mamumultahan. Pero kailangan bigyan din natin ng facilities na kung saan pwede itapon yung basura,” he said

[“People are aware that there are fines. Nobody wants to be fined. But it is also necessary to provide facilities for proper waste disposal.”]

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Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong mentioned the possibility of declaring the Guisad-Surong landslide area as a ‘no building zone’ after necessary assessments.

“There's a big possibility na ide-declare na namin na ‘no build zone’ yung lugar,” he said

[“There’s a big possibility that we will declare the area a ‘no build zone.”]

According to the Mayor, authorities detected cracks and soil stress above the affected area.

As a precaution, the residents were directed to evacuate, while the officials were instructed to inspect the building permits of the established properties in the area.

“Nakita na namin na stress yung soil doon sa taas. May mga cracks na kaming nakita doon. Kaya pinalikas na natin yung mga bahay doon,” the Mayor said

[“We saw that the soil above is stressed, and we already spotted cracks there. That’s why we directed the residents to evacuate.”]

Magalong noted that while many parts of Baguio are identified as hazard zones, it does not automatically mean all residents must be relocated. He explained that there are engineering solutions that may help to address the concern.

The Mayor also mentioned that it is also necessary to do the proper planning, structural design, and secure a building permit prior to construction.

Following the landslide, authorities continue to monitor soil conditions, particularly in sections where cracks and soil stress were detected.

With reports from Grace Doctolero

The House Committee on Appropriations will begin the discussion on the proposed 2027 national budget on August 17, 2026. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) is invited to the upcoming event.

The committee will conduct the budget briefings and hearings to discuss sources of financing, expenditure levels, and budget proposals from government departments, agencies, and state-owned corporations.

The House aims to wrap up committee-level budget briefings on September 8, 2026. In budget briefings, each agency presents the requested funds and its intended allocations.

Lawmakers will then review the proposals to determine whether the allocation is reasonable and aligns with the priorities of the government.

House Committee on Appropriations Chairperson, Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Suansing stated that after committee hearings, the plenary deliberations will be next, before the lawmakers vote for the proposed budget.

The House targets to approve the House General Appropriations Bill in third reading on October 9, 2026.

With reports from Evan Alvarez

Amid persistent heavy rainfall, a river wall in Brgy. Prensa Dos, Marilao, Bulacan collapsed on Monday, August 10, 2026.

The collapsed structure measured approximately 45 meters in length and 12 meters in height. The project was funded with P5 million from the local government unit.

Prensa Dos Barangay Chairman Herbert Clemente explained that the project served as an additional wall to protect the area against overflowing river currents.

However, the wall unexpectedly gave way due to continuous strong currents following four consecutive days of heavy rain.

A contractor from JB Construction emphasized that the materials used in the project are not substandard. They strictly complied with the approved program of works and attributed the collapse to the heavy water volume caused by the severe weather.

The municipal and barangay officials have urged residents to be cautious. Children are strictly prohibited from swimming in the river or approaching the site of the collapsed wall.

With reports from Nestor Torres

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has revoked the work permits of six Chinese nationals over illegal labor concerns.

“Ito yung sinasabi na dumating na lang, sinundo sa airport, pumunta roon, nagkaroon na lang ng AEP (Alien Employment Permit). Wala kaming records dito na mayroon silang AEP,” DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said

[“This is what we’re saying: it just arrived, picked up at the airport, go there, and suddenly possessed an AEP. We have no record that they hold an AEP.”]

“Hindi ko na ma-pronounce 'yung mga pangalan nung anim. So nakakuha sila kung saan man, so we revoke that,” he added

[“I’ll not be able to pronounce the name of the six individuals. So, they obtained them wherever, so we revoke that.”]

Sec. Tolentino emphasized the gravity of illegal foreign labor following the revelations that some workers were directly brought into the country from mainland China without necessary legal documentation or employment permits.

The Secretary also raised concerns over potential health and safety hazards due to the possible presence of nuclear waste and radioactive material in the facility of Chuangxing Steel Inc.

He also requested a company representative in the hearing to assist the government in locating the other 33 missing Chinese nationals, because the agency fears that some of them may have been exposed to radiation.

“So para mapadali po ito, pwede ba matulungan niyo kami to locate to find their whereabouts? Kasi unang-una natatakot ang Department of Health na baka may sakit na rin ito ng radiation,” he said to the official

[“To expedite this, could you help us to locate and find their whereabouts? First and foremost, the Department of Health is concerned that they might already be suffering from radiation illness.”]

In response, a representative from Chuangxing Steel Inc. stated that they need to coordinate with the other officials of the company because they are not sure of the exact location of those missing Chinese nationals.

The DOLE continues to coordinate with concerned agencies to profile the workforce, verify the records, and determine the potentially affected workers.

With reports from Mia Alonzo