TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Thursday, 29 October 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

29 October 2026, Thursday, 5:00 p.m

1. JBC submits shortlist of chief justice, associate justice candidates to Marcos

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Mindanao Times, NewsWatchplus, Philstar, Rappler, TV5 News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1007605/jbc-submits-shortlist-of-chief-justice-associate-justice-candidates-to-marcos/story

2. SC asks Senate, House to comment on Sara Duterte impeachment vote rule

[BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, NewsWatchPlus, Mindanao Times, Philstar, TV5 News]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1007589/sc-orders-senate-house-to-comment-on-impeachment-voting-threshold-petition/story/

3. Sara Duterte’s camp calls replacement talks ‘premature,’ a ‘distraction’

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Sunstar, TV5 News]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2332082/sara-dutertes-camp-calls-replacement-talks-premature-a-distraction

4. Marcos inaugurates NLEX link cutting travel time to 5 minutes; toll-free until year-end

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZBB, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, TV5 News]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/10/29/new-nlex-segment-from-valenzuela-to-quezon-city-toll-free-until-end-of-2026-marcos-1204

5. Marcos inaugurates EV manufacturing plant in Laguna, urges firms to invest in EV industry

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Mindanao Times, Philstar, TV5 News]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2332293/marcos-urges-firms-to-invest-in-ph-electric-vehicle-industry

6. Marcos: MVP group investing P120-B for QC-Bulacan elevated road network

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, NewsWatchPlus, TV5 News]

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/10/29/marcos-mvp-group-investing-p120-b-for-qc-bulacan-elevated-road-network-1018

7. ASEAN DEFENSE MINISTERS' MEETING:

-Teodoro skips personal welcome for Chinese exec at Asean defense talks

-US War Secretary Pete Hegseth proposes US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework

-US boosts funding for AFP modernization after Hegseth-Teodoro talks

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler, South China Morning Post, TV5 News]

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/344387/teodoro-skips-personal-welcome-for-chinese-exec-at-asean-defense-talks

8. BATO DELA ROSA MANHUNT:

-Malacañang: Dela Rosa's world is 'shrinking'

-No wanted poster yet for Dela Rosa as PNP continues manhunt

-No sightings of Dela Rosa in Davao region—local police

-‘Let’s end this with dignity,’ PNP appeals to Dela Rosa to surrender as ultimatum looms

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Times, Mindanao Times, NewsWatchplus, Philstar, TV5 News]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/10/29/news/malacaang-dela-rosas-world-is-shrinking/2456907

9. Filipino hurt in Spain train crash that killed 68 – PH embassy

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

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/344344/filipino-hurt-in-spain-train-crash-that-killed-68-ph-embassy

10. Bernardo: All of DPWH projects nationwide have alleged kickbacks

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, TV5 News]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2332245/bernardo-all-of-dpwh-projects-nationwide-have-alleged-kickbacks

11. Magnitude 5.7 quake hits Lingig, Surigao del Sur

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Mindanao Times, Philstar, TV5 News]

https://www.dzrh.com.ph/post/magnitude-57-quake-hits-lingig-surigao-del-sur

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Thursday, 29 October 2026

DOH brings life-saving vaccines to Caraga learners  

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Schoolchildren in government and participating private schools across Caraga will have better access to vaccines against preventable diseases as the Department of Health (DOH) intensifies its School-Based Immunization Program from October to December this year.

The initiative supports the national government’s commitment to protecting children’s health, strengthening preventive healthcare, and ensuring learners can participate in face-to-face classes in a safer and healthier environment, consistent with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration’s priorities on public health and human capital development.

Doctor Karen Mae C. Durac, medical officer IV of DOH Caraga, said the annual program targets eligible learners in Grades 1, 4, 5, and 7, with vaccination based on applicable DOH guidelines and parental consent.

Speaking during the Kapihan sa PIA at SM City Butuan on Oct. 15, Durac explained that the program was temporarily suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now being strengthened to improve immunization coverage and protect children as they return to classroom learning.

The DOH aims to achieve 95% immunization coverage to help build community protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Sharon S. Coja, nurse V and focal person of the National Immunization Program of DOH Caraga, said trained medical personnel will administer the vaccines to ensure the proper implementation of the program.

Coja added that vaccines are monitored to maintain their quality and potency throughout the immunization process. Vaccination activities in identified schools will be conducted from Monday to Friday, with administration scheduled until 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, Doctor Camille Antonette U. Secote, a general pediatrician at Allied Care Experts Medical Center-Butuan and Cabadbaran Diagnostics Center Medical Clinic, urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children are well before vaccination and monitor them afterward.

She said common reactions may include mild fever lasting one to two days, pain or swelling at the injection site, and rashes. Parents should inform healthcare professionals of their children’s health conditions and seek medical guidance if they have concerns about possible reactions.

Parents and guardians are urged to coordinate with their children’s schools to confirm vaccination schedules, check their children’s eligibility, and complete the required consent forms before the scheduled vaccination. They should also inform school health personnel of any existing illness, allergies, previous vaccine reactions, or other health concerns that may affect their children’s vaccination.

After vaccination, parents should observe their children for possible reactions, follow the advice of healthcare personnel, and seek prompt medical attention if their children experience severe or unusual symptoms. They are also encouraged to keep vaccination records and follow any recommended monitoring instructions.

Through the program, DOH Caraga aims to expand access to preventive healthcare, increase immunization coverage, and help protect schoolchildren and their communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)

Thursday, 29 October 2026

Surigao Sur ramps up preparations for safe Undas 2026

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — Local government units and concerned government agencies across Surigao del Sur are strengthening preparations for Undas 2026 to help ensure public safety as families visit cemeteries and reunite with loved ones during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

In Tandag City, the provincial capital, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel issued Executive Order No. 38, series of 2026, prescribing general guidelines for the observance of Undas and activating the Incident Management Team, Emergency Operations Center, and response clusters.

The order aims to strengthen coordination among concerned offices and ensure an organized response to emergencies during the observance.

As part of the preparations, members of the Tandag City Emergency Response Team (TCERT), together with concerned offices, participated in an online coordination meeting on October 23 to discuss safety measures and assess the readiness of emergency responders.

Other local government units are doing similar preparations in the province in coordination with concerned national government agencies to help ensure a safe, orderly, and peaceful observance in their respective communities.

With more people expected to visit cemeteries and travel to their hometowns, authorities are emphasizing the importance of preparedness and public cooperation to prevent road accidents, fire incidents, medical emergencies, and other safety risks.

The Tandag City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), headed by Reyveen John Geli, has provided emergency hotlines for residents and visitors who may need assistance during the observance.

The public may contact the Tandag City emergency response team through the following numbers: Smart:  0907-299-3793 and Globe: 0956-739-5623.

Residents are also advised to keep children under adult supervision, follow traffic regulations, exercise caution when lighting candles, and properly dispose of combustible materials to help prevent accidents and fires in cemeteries.

Beyond safety preparations, Undas remains a meaningful tradition for families across Surigao del Sur.

For Nanay Fermina, an elderly resident of Tandag City, returning home to visit the graves of departed loved ones is a tradition that brings family members together year after year.

“Many Catholic families make it a tradition to come home during Undas to visit the graves of their departed loved ones and gather at the cemetery. We light candles and offer prayers together, as this has become part of our way of life every year,” she shared.

Like many Catholic families, Nanay Fermina’s family observes the occasion through prayers, candle-lighting, and visits to the graves of loved ones. These practices provide opportunities for relatives to reunite, share memories, and pass family traditions on to younger generations.

As communities across the province prepare for Undas, the cooperation of local governments, emergency responders, national government agencies, and the public remains essential to maintaining safety and ensuring a timely response to emergencies.

Through strengthened coordination and responsible observance, authorities aim to help families honor their departed loved ones in a safe and peaceful environment while preserving the traditions that keep their memories alive. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)

Thursday, 29 October 2026

Del Carmen earns outstanding local governance recognition at Galing Pook Awards 

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — In a historic feat for island governance, the coastal municipality of Del Carmen in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, was recently recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Local Governance Programs at the 2026 Galing Pook Awards. 

Held on October 21 at the Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace, Del Carmen was the first local government unit in the Caraga region to earn this prestigious national recognition for its winning flagship initiative, the Farm-to-Spoon program that addresses food security, ecological balance, and livelihood sustainability in an island ecosystem vulnerable to extreme weather events.

By connecting smallholder farmers and local coastal fisherfolk directly to the island’s growing tourism market, the program creates a circular local economy. It reduces reliance on mainland shipments, guarantees fair pricing for producers, and ensures that vulnerable households retain access to affordable, nutritious food even during disaster recovery periods.

The Galing Pook Award follows the program’s inclusion in the top 10 outstanding entries at the national Walang Gutom Awards, reinforcing Del Carmen’s standing as a benchmark for local food security solutions.

Del Carmen’s triumph reflects years of community-led stewardship, driven by groundbreaking initiatives in environmental protection, climate resilience, and participatory governance. Home to over 4,000 hectares of continuous mangrove forest, one of the largest contiguous reserves in the Philippines, the municipality transformed former illegal loggers into dedicated eco-tour guides, boat operators, and sanctuary wardens. 

Building on this adaptive mindset in the wake of Super Typhoon Odette in 2021, Del Carmen prioritized disaster preparedness by establishing decentralized food networks and community-managed agricultural hubs to protect residents from future supply chain disruptions.

Underpinning all these efforts is a governance model rooted in direct civic empowerment, which has earned the municipality widespread acclaim, including the 2026 Freedom Flame Award for public sector innovation.

Del Carmen’s winning strategy is rooted on core initiative, farm- to- spoon supply chains, mangrove and marine sanctuary conservation, sustainable eco- tourism, and zero- hunger interventions.

Receiving the award at Malacañang Palace, Mayor Alfredo M. Coro II dedicated the honor to the people of Del Carmen. He underscored that this achievement serves as a blueprint for coastal and island communities across the Philippines, demonstrating that geographical isolation and vulnerability to climate shocks are not barriers to exceptional governance.

“The program on Farm-to-Spoon is about people whose community farms strengthen resilience and food security. They are empowered with social protection through community savings groups that fund dreams, sustain ecosystems, and where they collaborate for policies. Our goal is to ensure that every farmer and fisherfolk, every family who depends on them, has a present and a future to look forward to, on their own terms and based on their aspirations,” Mayor Coro said. 

He added that Siargao Island continues to balance rapid tourism growth with environmental conservation. Del Carmen proves that putting community welfare, local ecology, and food resilience at the heart of local policy can create a lasting, award-winning impact.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte has established itself as a standout performer in local governance, earning national recognition for its innovative community programs across three separate years. 

The town first captured the award in 2018 with its “Siargao It Up!” initiative, which integrated mangrove management with social tourism. Del Carmen continued its winning streak in 2023 by securing the Seal of Health Governance, and most recently, with its “Farm-to-Spoon” program, an enterprise dedicated to bolstering food security and extending social protection to local farmers and fisherfolk. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte) 

Thursday, 29 October 2026

Dinagat Islands rolls out Bawat Barangay Makikinabang program  

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Dinagat Islands, in collaboration with the provincial government of Dinagat Islands and the Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay, rolled out the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) program on October 26 at the Capitol dome, Barangay Cuarinta in San Jose, Dinagat Islands.

Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. threw his support for the program to improve services to the barangay and address community needs.

“Tumong sa programa ang paghatag og pinansyal nga tabang sa matag barangay aron masuportahan ang pagpatuman sa mga proyekto nga motubag sa panginahanglan sa mga residente (The program is intended to provide financial assistance to the barangays to help them fulfill projects that will address the needs of their residents),” Gov. Demerey said.

For Provincial Liga President Gretchen Ecleo Ang, the program reflected the importance of unity and collaboration in achieving the common goal of improving every barangay and the delivery of services to the people of Dinagat Islands.

Meanwhile, DILG Dinagat Islands Director John Reyl L. Mosquito said the remarkable program reflected President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s unwavering commitment to strengthening grassroots governance, empowering local leaders, and uplifting the lives of ordinary Filipinos right down to the community level.  

Funded by the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF), this visionary Presidential assistance initiative released the amount of P20 million to Dinagat Islands and distributed it to the 100 barangays in the province, namely: Basilisa with 27, Cagdianao with 14, Dinagat with 12, Libjo with 16, Loreto with 10, San Jose with 12, and Tubajon with 9 barangays. 

“Under this national directive, every single barangay across the country, including all 100 barangays in the province, is receiving a direct financial assistance grant of P200,000,” added Dir. Mosquito.

“This fund is thoughtfully split into two components: the P100,000 finisher fund, serving as a scholarship grant to five deserving college students to ensure they successfully finish their education,” he said.  “The P100,000 is dedicated to high-priority barangay development projects such as essential public service equipment, disaster risk reduction tools, and community infrastructure.”

Through partnerships among national government agencies, local chief executives and officials, and the DILG, the government continues to bring genuine and people-centered public service closer to every Dinagatnon under the Bagong Pilipinas. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DILG Dinagat Islands)