Citing Philippine National Police data, Gatchalian noted 59 drowning cases were recorded from March 29 to April 5, a 136% jump from the previous week, with several victims involving children, including two students in Bataan and a five-year-old girl in Negros Occidental.

“Nakakalungkot na may mga kabataan tayong binawian ng buhay dahil sa pagkalunod… maaari sana nating maiwasan kung sapat ang mga hakbang na ginagawa natin upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan nila,” he said, stressing the need for stronger safety measures.

The senator is pushing anew his Lifeguard Act (Senate Bill No. 1517), which seeks to require public swimming facilities to have at least one certified lifeguard on duty during operating hours to prevent similar tragedies.IMT

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The President emphasized that returning OFWs are being prioritized, with agencies now fast-tracking employment matching and skills training to ensure quicker reintegration into local jobs.

“Yung inuna natin dyan ay para doon sa mga nakauwi na OFW… hinahanapan namin ng mga paraan para kung ready sila, makahanap sila ng bagong trabaho,” said Marcos Jr.

Training programs have also been accelerated to shorten the transition period for workers seeking employment, while those opting to start businesses are being offered financing access and other support mechanisms under the expanded assistance program.IMT

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The suspect, identified by police as alias “Edwin,” a 26-year-old resident of Barangay 8, was traversing Nietes Street in Barangay 8 when he was flagged down at approximately 9 a.m.

According to police reports, law enforcement initially stopped Edwin’s Rusi Macho 150 motorcycle with a sidecar due to overloading.

However, during the routine visual inspection, officers noticed several partially exposed boxes inside the vehicle. A closer examination of the cargo revealed 360 reams of suspected illegal cigarettes.

Authorities noted that the confiscated tobacco products lacked the mandatory Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) excise tax stamps.

Furthermore, the packaging failed to comply with the graphic health warning requirements stipulated under Republic Act 10643.

The detained suspect will face charges for violating Republic Act 11346 (Tobacco Tax Law) and Republic Act 8424 (National Internal Revenue Code).

Meanwhile, the confiscated boxes of illicit cigarettes were officially turned over to the Antique Maritime Police Station (MARPSTA) for secure handling and proper disposition.

The operation was executed through the coordination of the San Jose Municipal Police Station (MPS), MARPSTA, and the Provincial Highway Patrol Team (PHPT) Antique.

Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan, Police Regional Office (PRO-6) director, commended the quick thinking and coordination of the operating units on the ground.

“As we continue to ramp up our efforts against smuggling and the illegal sale of goods, I commend the operating units for their unwavering dedication in upholding the law. This operation reflects our firm commitment to eradicating illicit activities in Western Visayas,” he said in a statement.

“We remain steadfast in our mission to protect public health and ensure that violators face the full force of the law,” he continued.

The regional director also called on communities to assist law enforcement in their ongoing campaigns against contraband.

“I continuously urge the public to remain vigilant and report any illegal activities to help us achieve a safer region for all,” he said.IMT

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In a press briefing, Garin explained that higher delivery costs, damage to oil sites, and other global factors will continue to keep fuel prices elevated despite Iran’s assurance for the safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz of Philippine-bound vessels.

“This price went up in one month, triple na tayo. It went up day, week-on-week. [Why?] Because they kept on bombing the oil fields, all the infrastructures in the Middle East, and those are our sources,” she  told reporters.

Garin said the Philippines is heavily dependent on imports from the Middle East, noting that “99 percent of our oil comes from there, and 20% of the whole world.”

The Ilongga official also shared that the DOE recorded a 25-percent drop in fuel demand in the country, which helped stabilized domestic supply.

“We’re at a level where we don’t need rationing because there’s enough supply, and in fact, the demand is going low. Mga 20 to 25 percent ang decrease ng demand ngayon,” Garin said.

Former DOE secretary Jericho Petilla also shared the same sentiment, advising Filipinos to prepare for a prolonged period of high pump prices.

“Fearless forecast: There is no more, huwag na kayong umasang babalik pa ng P61 ‘yan,” Petilla said in a TV interview

“Ang diesel will be P100 or a little over P100, and then gasoline is a little under P100 kapag nag-normalize na lahat dahil maraming infrastructure na nasira sa ating mga refineries at mga oil extraction sa Middle East,” he added.IMT

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Citing estimates from her office, Hontiveros said farmers in regions like Central Luzon may earn as low as P7,275 a month, far below the roughly P16,200 minimum wage for agricultural workers, amid soaring input costs and declining farmgate prices.

“Rising costs and limited fertilizer supply threaten lower yields, higher food prices, and rock-bottom earnings for our farmers,” she said, urging Congress and Malacañang to pass a proposed P52.8-billion supplemental budget, which includes an initial P2.8-billion subsidy for fertilizer.

She noted that global tensions have pushed fertilizer prices up by as much as 30 to 40 percent, while increased rice imports continue to drag down farmgate prices, squeezing farmers’ already thin margins.

Without immediate government intervention, Hontiveros warned that many farmers may be forced to stop planting, putting the country’s food security at risk, as she called for expanded and sustained support beyond current assistance programs.IMT

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The President said he has been consistently following his fitness regimen for nearly three months, while also taking advice on maintaining a healthier lifestyle, including avoiding overly oily food.

“I’ve been back to my regular routine… magti-three months na ito,” Marcos Jr. said, brushing off lingering concerns about his condition.

He also downplayed speculation circulating online, saying such claims should not be taken seriously, as he continues to monitor his health to stay in shape for his duties.IMT

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Following talks with key officials, the government is moving to maximize the temporary truce by ramping up fuel imports and pushing through shipments that were previously delayed due to tensions in the region.

“We will take full advantage of the two weeks to increase our supply as much as possible,” the President said, expressing hope that the ceasefire would be extended if negotiations progress.

Marcos also noted that arrangements are in place to ensure the safe passage of Philippine-flagged vessels, including those carrying fuel supplies bound for the country, allowing deliveries to proceed amid easing hostilities.

Despite this, the President cautioned that the short pause may not be enough to immediately lower global oil prices, but said a longer ceasefire could eventually lead to better market conditions.IMT

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As head of the agriculture panel, Pangilinan said operators and traders will be summoned to explain complaints on limited access, steep fees, and alleged bias favoring big importers, leaving small farmers with no storage options.

Cold storage is key to keeping produce fresh and prices stable, he stressed, noting onions can last up to nine months if stored properly.

“Mukhang pinipuwera, sinasadyang hindi bigyan ng cold storage yung ating mga magsisibuyas… kaya bubusisiin natin yan,” he said, warning firms.

“Wag niyo kaming paikutin… sasampahan namin kayo ng kaso.”

Pangilinan also flagged continued onion imports during harvest season, saying this setup forces farmers to sell cheap to traders.IMT

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Of the victims, six were from Passi City, three each from Dumangas, Banate, San Enrique and Balasan, and one each from Dueñas and Mina, data from PHO’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit showed.

The 20 were brought to separate health facilities after experiencing symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, rashes, dizziness, and difficulty in breathing.

Meanwhile, more than 50 people in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, suffered allergic reactions from consuming “aloy.”

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources–Negros Island Region (BFAR-NIR) said it is “closely monitoring recent reports of food poisoning cases” in the city.

“Our technical team is currently investigating the incident. Based on preliminary reports, the symptoms are consistent with scombroid fish poisoning,” it said in a public advisory on Wednesday, April 8.

The agency explained that scombroid fish poisoning  is “not a naturally occurring toxin in the fish itself, but it happens when the fish is not properly kept chilled from the time it is caught until it reaches the market.”

“When fish like aloy or tulingan are left in the heat, they produce high levels of histamine, which cannot be removed even by cooking or frying,” it said.IMT

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Results of the PSA’s latest Labor Force Survey released on Wednesday, April 8, showed that the unemployment rate in February dropped to 5.1 percent from 5.8 percent the previous month.

In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the Labor Force Participation rate (LFPR) was recorded at 63.8 percent, higher than the 62.3 percent observed in January.

The February 2026 LFPR translates to a total of 52.09 million Filipinos aged 15 years and above who were in the labor force.

The employment rate in February 2026 was recorded at 94.9 percent.

In terms of magnitude, the number of employed persons in February was 49.43 million, up from 47.94 million in January.

Underemployed persons or those who expressed desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer hours of work was recorded at 5.84 million, translating to an underemployment rate of 11.8 percent.

In a statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government is stepping up efforts to protect jobs amid the Middle East conflict.

DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan noted that the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East will continue to affect global and domestic economic conditions and disrupt labor markets.

“Recent developments highlight the urgency to strengthen the resilience of our labor market. We must ensure that our policies and programs respond effectively to rapidly changing global conditions, especially for affected and displaced Filipino workers here and abroad,” he said.

In response to these risks, the government is implementing strategic measures identified by the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Committee under Executive Order 110.

“The measures aim to safeguard the national interest by mitigating the impact of the conflict and ensuring the stability or continuity of essential services, sustaining economic activity, and supporting incomes amid rising fuel costs,” Balisacan said.

Affected workers will receive timely support through cash assistance, rollout of the service contracting program, and fuel subsidy to vulnerable sectors.

The Department of Agriculture is also mobilizing its PHP1-billion quick response fund for fuel subsidies and biofertilizer procurement.

Public transport and farm workers can avail of emergency employment assistance through the Department of Transportation’s Service Contracting Program, and the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tulong Pang-hanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.

The government will also strengthen efforts to promote renewable energy and electric vehicle ecosystems to support long-term resilience and workforce readiness.

“We expect an accelerated transition towards other sources of fuel and energy. Thus, we are building the skills, investment, and innovation ecosystem to support this move. Skills training programs on the operations and maintenance of renewable energy facilities and electric vehicles, including the needed parts and components, will also be provided to displaced workers,” Balisacan said.PNA

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