(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 08, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

08 February 2023, Wednesday, as of 5PM

1. Unemployment slightly up at 4.3 percent in December but underemployment eases

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, News5, Philstar, Rappler, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/08/23/unemployment-up-at-43-pct-in-dec-underemployment-eases

2. Bongbong Marcos arrives in Japan for five-day official visit

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Rappler, DZRH, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL, GMA News]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/210459/bongbong-marcos-arrives-in-japan-for-five-day-state-visit

3. DMW halts deployment of first-time domestic helpers to Kuwait

[ABS-CBN News, Philstar, Rappler, GMA News, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/2/8/dmw-targeted-deployment-ban-kuwait.html

4. Major quake in Türkiye

-PHL embassy in Türkiye reaches out to 248 Filipinos in quake-hit areas

-PHIVOLCS urges Filipinos to join quake drills, assess houses

-Cold weather, language to pose challenge for PH rescue contingent in Türkiye, Syria

[CNN PHL, PhilStar, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/02/08/news/ph-embassy-in-turkey-reaches-outto-248-filipinos-in-quake-hit-areas/1877766

5. PHL seeks to block resumption of ICC drug war probe

[Inquirer, Rappler, ABS-CBN News, CNN PHL]

https://twitter.com/ABSCBNNews/status/1623222887716126722

6. Japanese fugitives: 

-Japan commends PHL for deportation of two local fugitives

-PHL to push through deportation of Watanabe, Saito tonight

[ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/08/japan-commends-ph-for-deportation-of-two-local-fugitives/

7. Drama ensues as House revives SOGIE bill discussions

[Inquirer, Rappler, CNN PHL]

https://www.rappler.com/nation/drama-house-revives-sogie-bill-discussions/

8. DA allots over P326M to boost local onion production

[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/02/08/da-allots-over-p326m-to-boost-local-onion-production/

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit