(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 28 May 2023) At 3:00 AM today, the center of the eye of Typhoon "BETTY" {MAWAR} was estimated based on all available data at 825 km East of Northern Luzon (17.1°N, 129.5°E), with maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 215 km/h. It is moving West Northwestward at 20 km/h. Southwesterly Windflow affecting the western sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Trough of TY BETTY / Southwesterly Windflow. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to Strong winds coming from West to Southwest will prevail with Moderate to Rough seas / (2.5 to 5.0 meters).


TOP STORIES - Wednesday, February 01, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

01 February 2023, Wednesday, as of 9AM

1. New Social Welfare chief: 

-Marcos appoints Rex Gatchalian as DSWD chief

-Gatchalian assures 'business as usual' in Valenzuela despite new post

-Senators, ex-chief Tulfo welcome Gatchalian’s DSWD appointment 

[ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News, Business Mirror, Inquirer, Philstar, Rappler, Manila Times, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/31/marcos-appoints-rex-gatchalian-as-dswd-chief/

2. Maharlika bill a priority but won’t be rushed in Senate – Zubiri [ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News, Philstar, Inquirer]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1723772/maharlika-bill-a-priority-but-wont-be-rushed-in-senate-zubiri

3. US Defense chief Austin arrives in PH to meet with Galvez [Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/859277/us-defense-chief-austin-arrives-in-ph-to-meet-with-galvez/story/

4. House renews IBC-13’s franchise for 25 years [Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/31/House-approves-IBC-13-franchise-.html

5. House OKs lowering optional retirement age for gov't workers to 56 [Manila Bulletin, News5, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/31/House-approves-lowering-retirement-age-government-workers-.html

6. DOJ junks Bantag's bid to transfer complaint to Ombudsman [Philstar, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/1/31/DOJ-junks-Bantag-motion-for-reconsideration-transfer-complaint.html

7. Student suicides on the rise —DepEd [GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/02/01/2241662/student-suicides-rise-deped

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit