TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Wednesday, 1 July 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

01 July 2026, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m.

1. INC RALLY:

-QC gov’t: INC sought 4-day rally permit, approved only for July 1 so far; Warns permit may be revoked if terms are breached

-AFP declares red alert in NCR amid Iglesia Ni Cristo rally at EDSA-White Plains

-NCRPO: 4 nabbed at INC rally now freed

-Leviste supporters call for scrapping VAT, fuel excise taxes at INC rally

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2255832/qc-govt-inc-asked-for-permit-til-july-3-but-only-given-til-july-1-for-now

2. Palace to INC: Beware of those seeking to use you to oust Marcos

[ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, NewsWatchPlus]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/01/palace-to-inc-beware-of-those-seeking-to-use-you-to-oust-marcos

3. Palace: No basis for Imee to call government useless, accuse brother of drug use

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/1/palace-no-basis-for-imee-to-call-government-useless-accuse-brother-of-drug-use-1509

4. Marcos to PAF: Remain loyal to constitutional duty, safeguard freedom

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2255882/fwd-marcos-on-philippine-air-force-anniversary

5. Marcos extends over P1-M aid to Tacloban school shooting victims, vows justice

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/01/marcos-extends-over-p1-m-aid-to-tacloban-school-shooting-victims-vows-justice

6. Suspected ‘groomer’ of Tacloban school shooters tagged in Senate hearing

-Tacloban shooting: Victim’s mom wants separate detention for suspects; Calls for lower age of criminal liability

-Cop says Tacloban school shooter ‘unlawfully’ entered her house, ‘forcibly damaged’ locker to get gun

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2255895/suspected-groomer-of-tacloban-school-shooters-tagged-in-senate-hearing

7. DepEd reiterates ban on students' gadget use during class hours

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/993318/deped-reiterates-ban-on-students-gadget-use-during-class-hours/story/

8. PH extends visa-free entry to Taiwan passport holders

[BusinessMirror, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/lifestyle/travel/135129/ph-extends-visa-free-privilege-for-taiwan-passport-holders/story

9. 3 surrender, confess to murder of ex-Leyte vice mayor, son

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philstar]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/7/1/3-suspects-in-ex-abuyog-vice-mayor-son-s-slay-surrender-1302

10. LPA turns Tropical Depression Henry; Signal 1 up over 3 Luzon areas

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/07/01/news/lpa-turns-to-tropical-depression-henry-signal-1-up-over-3-luzon-areas/2376325

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

DepEd Caraga brings relief to earthquake-stricken Sarangani schools, community

By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — ‘CaraCares: Mission Compassion’– an initiative of the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga, under the leadership of Regional Director Maria Ines C. Asuncion – has extended assistance to hundreds of beneficiaries affected by previous natural disasters. 

This time, the mission expands to Malapatan in Sarangani province – a municipality roughly an hour and a half away from the epicenter of the devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake on June 8. 

A convoy of 11 vehicles loaded with relief goods and school supplies endured an eight-hour journey from Butuan City to Malapatan, Sarangani, bringing much-needed aid to teachers, learners, and local communities.

Director Asuncion, together with DepEd Caraga regional office division chiefs and schools division superintendents, personally led the distribution to embody the Caraganons’ values of hospitality and genuine care, especially for those most affected by the recent earthquake. 

A total of 200 teachers and 600 learners from Malapatan Central Elementary School (MCES) and Malapatan National High School (MNHS) received food packs, rice, hygiene kits, and school supplies—critical sustenance for families displaced and homes destroyed by the disaster.

Beyond the schools, 80 residents from the Muslim community of Napu Sapu Masla were also given rice, groceries, household items, and cash assistance amounting to ₱85,000.

DepEd’s strengthened partnership with private stakeholders further amplified relief efforts, with contributions (in cash and kind) augmenting the agency’s resources.

“In times of crisis, education extends beyond the classroom. Through CaraCares, we bring not only relief goods but also hope, healing, and reassurance that our learners, teachers, and communities are not alone,” said Asuncion, striving to bring comfort to the beneficiaries as mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 

Recognizing the importance of holistic recovery, CaraCares also deployed mental health professionals to provide psycho-social support to students, ensuring that both physical and emotional wellness were addressed after the trauma brought by the quake. 

As the convoy departed Malapatan, it left behind more than supplies—it left a renewed sense of hope. In the faces of children clutching their new school supplies, in the gratitude of teachers who felt seen and supported, and in the quiet relief of families who received food and care, the journey became more than just eight hours on the road. It became a powerful reminder that compassion travels any distance, and that in the heart of every crisis, solidarity lights the way forward. (NJGD, PIA Caraga; Photo courtesy of Dr. Violeta Nuñez of DepEd Caraga)

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Caraga reactivates El Niño team to strengthen frontline defenses

By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) — The members of the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) convened for a special coordination meeting on June 22 to strengthen unified preparedness and response to feared impacts of the El Niño phenomenon across the region.

The meeting focused on streamlining inter-agency coordination, assessing the current El Niño situation, identifying high-risk areas, and discussing proactive measures to mitigate its effects on water resources, agriculture, food security, public health, energy supply, and other critical sectors. Participating agencies also reviewed contingency plans, resource mobilization strategies, and coordinated interventions to ensure a timely and effective government response.

Lorene Sia-Catedral, officer-in-charge of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga and acting Caraga RDRRMC chairperson, announced during the meeting that the Regional El Niño Team has officially been reactivated to strengthen the region’s preparedness and response efforts, in adherence to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.

“The Regional El Niño Team is officially reactivated through the RDRRMC resolution dated May 20, 2026, to ensure the timely coordination and implementation of preparedness and response measures across the region,” said Sia-Catedral.

“We are optimistic that this coordination meeting will serve as our starting point in crafting a comprehensive regional action plan that outlines strategic interventions to mitigate and address the anticipated effects of El Niño,” she added.

Catedral emphasized that the reactivation aims to facilitate the timely monitoring of El Niño-related updates and ensure the effective implementation of mitigation and response measures to minimize the impacts of prolonged dry conditions on agriculture, water resources, public health, and other critical sectors across the Caraga region.

Engr. Ver Lancer D. Galanida, chief meteorological officer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Caraga, presented a comparative discussion on the 2023–2024 El Niño and the feared impacts of the same weather phenomenon hitting late 2026 and early 2027.

“The previous El Niño phenomenon started in July 2023 and ended in June 2024. Another El Niño event has now developed in the Pacific Ocean and began in June 2026. This is expected to affect the country by causing a significant reduction in rainfall, which means we may experience below-normal precipitation and prolonged dry conditions that could severely impact our water sources,” he said.

He reported that the developing 2026–2027 El Niño is expected to begin as a weak event and gradually intensify into a strong El Niño, with sea surface temperature anomalies ranging from 1.5°C to 1.9°C above normal during the September–October–November 2026 season.

According to PAGASA’s climate outlook, the probability of the phenomenon reaching the very strong El Niño category, characterized by sea surface temperature anomalies of 2.0°C or higher, is expected to increase during the October–November–December 2026 season, with a greater than 30% probability. The likelihood of a very strong El Niño is projected to persist through the November–December–January season.

Galanida emphasized that while a stronger El Niño increases the likelihood of significant impacts such as prolonged dry conditions, reduced rainfall, water shortages, agricultural losses, and heightened risks to public health and other climate-sensitive sectors, a stronger El Niño does not always translate to more severe weather and climate impacts. Instead, it increases the probability that these impacts may occur, underscoring the importance of early preparedness, continuous monitoring, and coordinated mitigation efforts among government agencies and local government units.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga, as the lead of the Regional El Niño Team, with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga serving as co-lead for preparedness actions, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga as co-lead for response actions.

It also outlined the team’s five key sectors – Food Security, Water Security, Energy Security, Health Security, and Public Safety – each with members from concerned national government agencies responsible for implementing coordinated interventions.

In addition, the Strategic Management Unit led by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Caraga, and the Strategic Communication Unit led by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga were presented to ensure effective planning, coordination, and public information dissemination throughout the implementation of the Regional El Niño Action Plan.

The special coordination meeting highlighted the roles, responsibilities, and organizational structure of the Regional El Niño Team, emphasizing different key sectors and support units tasked to strengthen Caraga region’s preparedness, mitigation, and response efforts against the anticipated impacts of the 2026–2027 El Niño phenomenon. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur)

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

President Marcos supports final school year of SCPF scholar

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) —  A ray of hope appeared before Chrizzel Mae Golez, a 4th-year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) student at North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU)-Cantilan campus, Surigao del Sur, after her family received P20,000 from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s educational assistance under the Socio-Civic Project Fund (SCPF). 

The program dubbed Bawat Bayan Makikinabang (BBM) supports underprivileged youth and ensures they complete college despite financial challenges. 

Golez is a resident of Barangay San Pablo in the municipality of Sison, Surigao del Norte, and is the eldest of four siblings.  She shared that her mother is currently undergoing life-threatening and costly regular dialysis treatments, while her father works long hours as a security guard to keep and meet the household’s basic needs. 

As a beneficiary, she has long felt the pressure of balancing her academic goals with the present realities at home. “Her father’s salary is rarely enough to cover necessities at home, let alone the specialized medical care required for her mother, who has chronic kidney illness, and the educational needs of four growing siblings.”

“The educational aid comes at a critical time for my family. Balancing the heavy expenses of my final year in college, while dealing with our family’s financial struggle, has been incredibly challenging. My mother is currently undergoing regular dialysis treatments, and a huge portion of our family’s income goes directly toward her lifesaving medical expenses,” she said. 

“Because of this assistance, the burden of my upcoming school fees, graduation expenses, and daily allowance are significantly lifted. It ensures that I can focus entirely on finishing my degree without burdening my parents,” she added.

“Thank you, Mr President, and to the offices involved, for providing this lifeline to students like me. This is not just a financial grant; it is a major boost that helps secure my future and supports my family during a very tough time,” Golez said during an interview.  

San Pablo Punong Barangay Danilo Maylon, on the other hand,  expressed gratitude to the national government for choosing his barangay as a beneficiary of the SCPF’s scholarship assistance for five college students in his barangay. 

“Our barangay received a total of P200,000 under the SCPF. On May 27, out of the said fund, P100,000 was given as a cash grant to five deserving fourth-year college students who each received the amount of P20,000,” he said. 

Maylon shared that the remaining P100,000 will be used to purchase new tables and chairs for barangay meetings and events, eliminating the cost of renting these items in the future. 

“The cash grant will be a massive relief for the family’s daily living and medical requirements. While the funds are designated as an educational scholarship to cover school-related expenses, graduation fees, and projects for her final year, it effectively frees up the family’s tightly strained budget,” he added. 

The Socio-Civic Projects Fund is a direct financial assistance program administered by the Office of the President. It bridges the gap between the national government and local communities by funding grassroots initiatives like educational scholarships, public service digitalization, and disaster relief. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte) 

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

LGSF-funded school building in La Paz, Agusan Sur 100% complete

By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — A newly constructed classroom worth P2.5 million has been completed at the Lope Cortes Valentina Integrated School (LCVIS), formerly Lope Cortes Elementary School (LCES), in Barangay Valentina, La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

Marking a significant milestone in the community’s pursuit of accessible and quality education, the project was funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Support to the Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) – in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that “no community is left behind” under the ‘Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang’ (BBM) program.

From Elementary to Integrated School

For 49 years, LCES served as a primary school offering Kindergarten to Grade 6 curriculum. On March 26 of this year, it was officially converted into an integrated school, expanding its services to include Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS). This transformation was crucial, as no other nearby JHS and SHS institutions existed then, forcing students to travel long distances to continue their education.

Students from two grade levels of Lope Cortes Valentina Integrated School (LCVIS) share one makeshift classroom due to the scarcity of school buildings. Unlike in other schools, teachers in LCVIS practice the art of multitasking—shifting their lessons from one grade level to another.

Addressing overcrowding and scarcity

The new building features a 50-student capacity classroom with its own comfort room, a welcome relief for the school community. Previously, overcrowding forced some students into makeshift classrooms—open spaces with only a roof overhead—or into shared rooms where two grade levels were taught simultaneously.

Enrollment has surged from 256 students last year to 399 this year, a 56% increase, following the school’s conversion to an integrated institution. The new classroom helps ease congestion, especially after a fire last year destroyed two classrooms, worsening the shortage.

Voices of gratitude

In expressing his heartfelt appreciation, Barangay Captain Derio Morino said: “As the father of the barangay, I am very much grateful that through the LGSF-SBDP, we have been given a new classroom. This will help us provide sufficient and quality education to our students.”

Parents also welcomed the development. Jay Tarande, father of an incoming JHS student, shared: “Now that Lope Cortes is already offering JHS and SHS, we parents understand the need for more classrooms not only for the convenience of our children, but also for the teachers. Although the total number of classrooms in LCVIS versus its population may still be insufficient, we are still very thankful for this big help for us.”

School Principal Matthew Ewa echoed the same sentiment: “Our school has already experienced several challenges, including the fire that broke out last year, destroying two of our classrooms. For a struggling school, classroom scarcity is a problem.” 

“We are beyond grateful for the new classroom. By decongesting the other classrooms, students will be more comfortable and will have more focus in listening to their teachers.”

The local government unit of La Paz, Agusan del Sur, expects to turn over the new school building within this year. According to Ewa, the Grade 3 students will occupy the new classroom after the said turnover.

A step toward educational equity

The new classroom is more than just infrastructure—it symbolizes resilience and hope for Barangay Valentina. It ensures that children can pursue education without the burden of long commutes and overcrowded learning spaces.

This project highlights the impact of government investment in education infrastructure and how programs like the LGSF-SBDP directly uplift communities by addressing urgent needs. (NJGD, PIA Caraga with a report from the Municipal Information Officer of La Paz, Agusan del Sur)