(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 30 August 2025) At 3:00 AM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 435 km West of Sangley Pt, Cavite City, Cavite (14.1°N, 116.9°E). Southwest Monsoon affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. π—”π—™π—™π—˜π—–π—§π—œπ—‘π—š π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—¦π—¬π—¦π—§π—˜π— : Southwest Monsoon ang makaapekto sa rehiyon sa Caraga.


TOP STORIES – Wednesday, 17 January 2024

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online and print media monitoring)

17 January 2023, Wednesday, as of 5:00 p.m.

1. PBBM reconsidering 5% Philhealth hike after Herbosa request

[GMA News, CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Philstar, News5 PH, Manila Times]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/17/Herbosa-suspend-PhilHealth-premium-hike.html

2. PHL-Taiwan relation

-Marcos greeting to new Taiwan leader irks China; Summons PH envoy

-Taiwan's multiple-entry visas now open for OFWs

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

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/01/17/news/china-files-diplomatic-protest-over-marcos-message-to-elected-taiwan-leader/1928480

3. Charter change

-Senate’s stand on Cha-cha puzzled Koko Pimentel: ‘Para kaming na-hostage’

-Marcos urged to harness economic reforms’ potential instead of ‘Cha-cha’ push

-Salceda says politicians are in no position to stop ongoing signature campaign in people's initiative to amend 1987 Constitution

-People's initiative forms with over 30,000 signatures submitted to Comelec in Mandaue

[Inquirer, Philstar, Manila Standard, People’s Journal, Daily Tribune, Manila Times, GMA News, CNN PHL, People’s Tonight, News5PH, Businessworld]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1890491/senates-stand-on-cha-cha-puzzled-koko-pimentel-para-kaming-na-hostage

4. National Budget

-Palace, DBM ready to defend constitutionality of unprogrammed funds in 2024 GAA

-DBM reiterates unprogrammed funds in 2024 national budget constitutional

-Minority solons assail P449.5 billion unprogrammed funds in 2024 budget

-2025 budget eyed at P6.2 trillion – DBM chief [CNN PHL]

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

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/no-infirmities-dbm-stands-by-constitutionality-of-unprogrammed-funds-in-national-budget

5. WPS tension

-8 in 10 Pinoys want US backing amid WPS tensions—survey

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

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/16/24/survey-79-pct-of-filipinos-favor-us-ph-partnership-in-west-ph-sea-row

 

6. Agriculture and food supply

-DA: 30% of agri produce wasted due to poor logistic system

-P1.3-T needed to augment Phl agri production, says DA chief

-P5M worth of suspected smuggled agri products seized in 2 Binondo warehouses

[Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philstar, Abante, Remate, Bulgar, Daily Tribune, CNN PHL, ABS-CBN News, GMA News]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/01/17/2326363/da-30-percent-crops-wasted-due-poor-logistics

7. Pag-IBIG doubles member contribution to P200/month

[Manila Standard, ABS-CBN News, Bulgat Online, Daily Tribune]

https://manilastandard.net/news/national/314407895/pag-ibig-doubles-member-contribution-to-p200-month.html

https://tribune.net.ph/2024/01/pag-ibig-members-to-gain-more-benefits-under-new-rates/

8. PNP clarifies no missing case folders of erring cops

PNP: No missing case folders of erring cops

[GMA News, Philstar, Inquirer, Abante, CNN PHL]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2024/1/17/pnp-clarifies-missing-case-folders.html

9. PUV modernization issue

-Jeepney groups plan new transport caravan this month

-SC asked to junk PISTON-led petition vs PUVMP

-LTO to expand impounding areas for busted 'colorum' PUVs in February

-PNP clarifies: No drivers’ protest blockage 

Jeepney groups plan new transport caravan this month

[CNN PHL, Daily Tribune, Inquirer, Philstar, ABS-CBN News]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/17/24/jeepney-groups-plan-new-transport-caravan-this-month

10. Insurgency

2 NPA perish in Negros gun battle; Army criticizes NPA for leaving comrade behind after clash in Agusan

[Manila Bulletin, Philstar, Bulgar, Daily Tribune]

https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/17/2-npa-perish-in-negros-gun-battle

11. COVID-19 cases on downward trend — DOH

[GMA News, Inquirer, CNN PHL]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1890180/doh-covid-19-variants-are-likely-extinct

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit