(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 02 June 2023) Southwest Monsoon affecting the country. ACTIVE TROPICAL CYCLONE AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY SEVERE TROPICAL STORM MAWAR {2302} (FORMERLY "BETTY") LOCATION: 945 KM NORTHEAST OF EXTREME NORTHERN LUZON (26.9°N, 128.3°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 95 KM/H GUSTINESS: UP TO 145 KM/H MOVEMENT: NORTHEASTWARD AT 25 KM/H FOR. 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 Southwest Monsoon. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Moderate to Strong winds coming from South to Southwest will prevail with Moderate to Rough seas (1.2 to 2.8 meters).


TOP STORIES –Thursday, May 04, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

4 May 2023, Thursday, as of 5:00 p.m.

1. COVID-19 update

-OCTA: Metro Manila positivity rate could reach same level as Delta wave by next week

-Vergeire allays House members' concerns on rising Covid cases

-DOH advises hospitals to boost Covid-19 bed capacity; Filipinos must learn to keep safe vs Covid-19

-Active COVID-19 cases in Olongapo City slightly up

-Despite Covid case uptick, solon wants eTravel requirement ditched

-UP Cebu reverts to online classes amid rising COVID-19 cases

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

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/4/Metro-Manila-positivity-rate.html

2. PHIVOLCS downgrades Isabela quake to 5.5 magnitude

-Mayor Ting-Que orders suspension of classes at all levels in Tuguegarao City due to quake

[ABS-CBN News, Philstar, CNN PHL, Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Times]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/04/news/magnitude-55-earthquake-jolts-isabela

3.  Marcos’ US visit

-Palace: Marcos’ meeting with US lawmakers ‘productive’; tackle defense, economic cooperation, agriculture

-Marcos pushes for GSP reauthorization during US visit

-US, PH vow stronger alliance through EDCA

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

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/4/marcos-us-senators-meeting.html

4. Mindoro oil spill disaster

-DILG names alternative fishing sites for oil spill-hit Oriental Mindoro fisherfolk

-DENR to work with shipping companies to avoid another oil spill disaster 

[GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Times, Philstar, CNN PHL]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/868939/dilg-eyes-designating-fishing-areas-in-oil-spill-hit-oriental-mindoro/story/

5. PHL airport system

-MIAA vows to improve airport system's resilience

-MIAA prepares for possible extension of 6-hour airspace shutdown on May 17

-Passengers advised to coordinate with airlines ahead of May 17 airspace shutdown

-Bong Go urges MIAA, airline execs to ensure contingency plans are in place

-MIAA clarifies: Electrical audit to determine if additional budget is needed [GMA News]

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

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/04/23/miaa-vows-to-improve-airport-resilience

6. El Niño update

-Gov't urged to create contingency plan for agri-fisheries sector amid dry spell

-BSP flags El Niño’s inflation impact

-DA-BFAR: Mitigating measures in place to ensure enough fish supply amid El Niño threat

-El Niño to hit 46 provinces

-Production subsidies for farmers, fishers sought amid looming El Niño

[GMA News, Business Mirror, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Malaya]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/4/gov-t-urged-to-create-contingency-plan-for-agri-fisheries-sector-amid-dry-spell

7. 4. SWS: 42% of Filipinos OK ‘optional’ ROTC, 35% want it mandatory for senior high 

[Inquirer, CNN PHL, Philstar]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1764706/sws-42-of-filipinos-ok-optional-rotc-35-want-it-mandatory-for-senior-high

8. Twin fires hit residential areas in Parañaque City; 1 hurt, hundreds displaced

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/4/two-fire-hits-residential-areas-in-paranaque

9. PAGASA: LPA southeast of Palawan may develop into tropical depression [CNN PHL]

LPA likely to develop into tropical depression, to be named 'Betty' [MT]

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

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/5/4/LPA-southeast-of-Palawan-may-develop-into-tropical-depression.html

10. LTO to shorten, customize exams for driver's license applicants

[CNN PHL, GMA News, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/4/lto-to-shorten-exam-for-driver-s-license-applicants

11. Comelec presents TOR for an automated election system

- Comelec sets wish list for new voting machines

[GMA News, Manila Bulletin, CNN PHL]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/868956/comelec-presents-tor-for-an-automated-election-system

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