NEGROS Oriental – Deaths in Negros Oriental rose to 21 as more bodies were retrieved during the retrieval operation Sunday, November 9. The 20 deaths are victims of the flashflood in Canlaon while 1 died in Vallehermoso. Meanwhile, 7 are still missing but authorities said they are expecting more reports to missing individuals as communication is back. Many families outside Canlaon are now reporting that their family members are missing since the onslaught of typhoon. As residents of Canlaon City continue to recover from the devastation left by Typhoon Tino—which cost many their homes and even loved ones—they now brace for another threat: Typhoon Uwan. […]... Keep on reading: NegOr deaths rose to 21; Canlaon faces new threat: Uwan

• Inquirer
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 45 dakika

MORE than a million people were evacuated, and at least one person was killed, as floodwaters rose in the Philippines on Sunday before Super Typhoon Uwan’s expected landfall on the east coast. The super typhoon, which comes just days after another storm ravaged the country, had a radius spanning nearly the whole of the Philippines. On Sunday, one of the already storm-stricken provinces in the central Philippines recorded the first known death from Uwan. Rescuer Juniel Tagarino in Catbalogan City told Agence France-Presse the body of a 64-year-old woman attempting to evacuate had been pulled from under debris and fallen trees. Schools and government offices were ordered closed Monday across Luzon, including Metro Manila, where nearly 300 flights have so far been canceled. The island province of Catanduanes, directly in the path of Uwan, was lashed by wind and rain early Sunday, with storm surges sending waves hurtling over streets along the coast and floodwaters rising in some areas. “As we speak, they are feeling the impact of the typhoon, especially in Catanduanes, because the storm’s eye is closest there,” Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Rafaelito Alejandro said at a press briefing, adding that 916,863 people had been evacuated nationwide. Video verified by Agence France-Presse showed a church in Virac town surrounded by floodwaters that reached halfway up its entrance. Flooding was also reported in the Bicol region. In its 5 p.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Uwan had maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. In Guinobatan, a town of about 80,000 in Albay province, video showed streets that had become a raging torrent of floodwaters. The super typhoon was expected to bring about 200 millimeters or more rain in many places. Only days earlier, Typhoon Tino sent floodwaters rushing through the towns and cities of Cebu and Negros islands, sweeping away cars, riverside shanties and massive shipping containers. The typhoon, the deadliest in 2025 according to disaster database EM-DAT, killed at least 224 people and left 109 missing, according to government figures updated Sunday morning. A number of commercial buildings and the road leading to Catbalogan were washed out and damaged by the strong winds. In Catarman, Northern Samar, huge waves forced hundreds of residents from the coastal barangay of Baybay to leave their homes. In the island town of Laoang, Northern Samar, villagers fleeing from storm surges sought shelter in the parish church. In Jipapad, Eastern Samar, Mayor Benjamin Ver reported that floods forced a number of residents out of their homes. The Office of Civil Defense said 315,835 families — or 1,083,289 individuals — had been evacuated to safer areas. With WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL and Franco Jose C. Baroña

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 53 dakika

AROUND 17,500 barangay (villages) across the country are vulnerable to rain-induced landslides and flooding due to Super Typhoon Uwan, according to a geohazard advisory released Sunday by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). Among those at risk are some 1,403 barangay in Metro Manila. The rest are in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Soccsksargen. The bureau said around 455 Metro Manila barangay have a very high susceptibility to flooding, 735 have high susceptibility, and 1,323 moderate susceptibility. Thirty-nine barangay in Quezon City, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Taguig are moderately susceptible to rain-induced landslides. Areas with very high flood susceptibility could experience floods of over two meters that may last for over three days. These areas are also prone to flash floods. Those with high flood susceptibility could experience one to two-meter flood heights that may last for over three days. These areas also suffer from immediate flooding after several hours of heavy rain. Areas with moderate susceptibility could experience half a meter or one-meter floods that may last for one to three days. Areas that are moderately susceptible to rain-induced landslides include stable areas with the presence of occasional or localized movement to mass movement. Local government units (LGUs) in areas moderately at risk of flooding were advised to field Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office personnel to monitor the rise of flood waters from river systems. Preemptive evacuation is recommended if floodwaters are almost at half a meter, especially for households located along riverbanks threatened by bank erosion and slope undercutting. LGUs with high to very high susceptibility areas were advised to clear rivers and other waterways of obstructions to allow flood waters to pass freely. Residents were advised to raise the level of electrical appliances, move to higher ground, and follow evacuation instructions. In landslide-prone areas, LGUs were told to report cracks on streets, walls, floors, and around windows or doors, as well as tilting of floors, posts, or walls for immediate assessment. Residents living near or at the foot of gullies or creeks should consider preemptive evacuation to avoid being caught in the path of landslides and debris flows.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 54 dakika

THE death toll from Typhoon Tino has climbed to 224, with 79 individuals still missing and 503 injured, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday. The storm also left hundreds of thousands displaced and caused extensive damage to homes, agriculture, and infrastructure across multiple regions. The NDRRMC said that as of Nov. 9, Central Visayas suffered the heaviest casualties, recording 138 deaths. The Negros Island Region reported 12 fatalities, while Eastern and Western Visayas recorded four and six deaths, respectively.Caraga reported two deaths. These regions also accounted for the majority of the injured and missing. Over 3.3 million people, or nearly 947,000 families, were affected by Tino. Of these, 340,239 individuals remain displaced, with tens of thousands seeking shelter in evacuation centers and others staying with relatives. Pre-emptive evacuation measures saved lives, with 377,300 people safely moved to temporary shelters before the storm hit. A total of 74,781 houses were damaged, and 11,056 were completely destroyed. Eastern Visayas was among the hardest hit. Preliminary estimates put infrastructure damage at around P17 million, agricultural losses at P43 million. Critical services have been severely disrupted. Power remains out in 104 cities and municipalities, while the water supply was compromised in 11 areas. Transportation networks suffered heavily, with 77 road sections and 14 bridges affected; 20 roads and four bridges remain impassable. Operations at two airports are still suspended. Authorities continue search, rescue, and recovery operations in the hardest-hit areas. Relief efforts are underway, with assistance worth over P250 million already provided to affected families. A state of calamity has been declared in 106 cities and municipalities to expedite relief and rehabilitation, highlighting the long road ahead for communities devastated by the typhoon.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 55 dakika

SUPPORT for the Marcos administration has plunged dramatically, from 51 percent at the end of 2022 to just 18 percent in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest nationwide survey by Pahayag. The decline was attributed to growing discontent over governance challenges, corruption controversies, and political infighting. The survey also showed a significant rise in neutrality toward the opposition, increasing from 42 percent to 46 percent, while anti-opposition sentiment fell from 40 percent to 29 percent. Together, these trends suggest a broad shift among Filipino voters toward political moderation and growing disenchantment with entrenched partisan conflicts. The data revealed marked regional differences. Anti-administration sentiment was most pronounced in Mindanao and the Visayas, reflecting the lasting influence of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Pro-administration support remains strongest in North-Central Luzon, the Marcos family’s traditional stronghold. Visayas is emerging as a critical battleground, showing both anti-administration and pro-opposition leanings, while the National Capital Region and South Luzon display high levels of political neutrality. Generational and gender divides also shape political attitudes. Women make up a large proportion of both neutral and anti-administration groups, suggesting a more critical view of governance. Younger voters, particularly those aged 18 to 24, lean heavily against both the administration and the opposition, while senior citizens were evenly split between pro-administration and pro-opposition positions. Middle-aged voters, in contrast, tend to remain neutral, highlighting a generational divide between reform-minded youth and older voters who favor the status quo. Economic and educational factors further influence voter behavior. Upper- and middle-income households are more likely to express anti-administration views, reflecting frustration over economic management, whereas lower-income households tend to remain neutral, possibly due to political disengagement or lack of perceived benefit from government programs. Vocational graduates dominate neutral and pro-opposition categories, while those with no formal education are mostly anti-administration. Religious affiliation, employment, and overseas exposure also shape political preferences. Catholics form the majority of anti-administration supporters, while non-Catholics are more likely to remain nonpartisan. Government employees generally favor the administration, whereas private-sector workers were anti-administration or neutral. Families with members working abroad tend to adopt stronger anti-establishment positions, both against the administration and the opposition, reflecting wider global exposure and political awareness. Stages The erosion of pro-administration support has occurred in stages, beginning in 2023, when rising food prices under President Marcos’ brief tenure as Agriculture secretary coincided with the first noticeable decline. Public backlash over initiatives linked to former speaker Martin Romualdez and the push for economic charter change drove further declines in early 2024. Subsequent controversies over West Philippine Sea tensions and corruption in government offices reinforced the downward trend, which culminated in early 2025 with the surrender of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court and the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. During this period, anti-administration sentiment surged, signaling growing public dissatisfaction and political polarization. At the same time, neutrality toward the opposition has strengthened, reflecting voter fatigue with partisan conflict and a shift toward pragmatic, solution-oriented politics. Fragmentation among opposition groups and a focus on governance issues rather than political rivalry appear to have encouraged this rise of the political center. The survey was conducted from Sept. 27 to 30, among 1,500 registered Filipino voters randomly selected from the PureSpectrum panel. The survey carries a national margin of error of plus or minus three percent. Pahayag, a corporate social responsibility initiative of PUBLiCUS Asia Inc., has monitored key political metrics since 2017, with Vox Opinion Research serving as its commissioned research arm.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 56 dakika

SEN. Kiko Pangilinan has urged concerned government agencies to directly purchase farmers’ produce for use in relief operations in evacuation centers. He directed his appeal to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and local government units (LGUs) in line with the Sagip Saka Act. The senator on Saturday also asked the DSWD, DILG, and LGUs to encourage farmers to harvest their crops early. Pangilinan, author of the Sagip Saka Act, said that both farmers and LGUs benefited from this initiative. Farmers were able to sell their early-harvested crops at just prices instead of suffering losses from typhoon damage, while LGUs gained access to fresh, locally sourced vegetables for their relief efforts — ensuring healthier, freshly cooked meals for evacuees, he said. Pangilinan said that the executive orders implementing the floor price on palay (unhusked rice) and the Sagip Saka Act would ensure that farmers are “protected from losses and continue to earn fair income when properly implemented.” Pangilinan recalled how, during a previous typhoon, farmers were forced to harvest their crops early to avoid losing them entirely. However, the challenge then was where to sell their produce, said Pangilinan, Senate Committee on Agriculture chairman. He said that to address this, he coordinated with the Quezon City government during the typhoon, which operated 12 to 14 hot meals kitchens serving evacuees in various centers. “What happened was, the farmers’ early vegetable harvest: squash, string beans, okra, and tomatoes were bought (by the Quezon City LGU) and these were distributed in evacuation centers as part of the relief operations,” Pangilinan said. “The farmers benefited because he conducted early harvest and his produce was purchased at a fair price. The local government, which bought the fresh produce, also benefited because it was able to provide hot meals for those in the evacuation centers,” he added. Pangilinan also urged national government agencies and LGUs to continue supporting local farmers, especially during these challenging times, reminding everyone that crises can also open opportunities for meaningful action.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 57 dakika

MUNTINLUPA City Mayor Ruffy Biazon will file an appeal before the Supreme Court after the Sandiganbayan upheld its decision to convict him of graft in connection with pork barrel funds. “The Constitution ensures that you are innocent until due process is exhausted with finality. I will avail of the legal remedies provided under the law and bring the case before the Supreme Court so that the truth will prevail,” Biazon said in a statement on Sunday. “I am innocent of the charges hurled against me. I did not steal from the Filipino people,” he said. In a Nov. 5 resolution, the Sandiganbayan Special Seventh Division denied “for lack of merit” his motion to partially reconsider its May 30, 2025 decision. Three of the five associate justices ruled to convict Biazon. “I have faith that the Supreme Court will exhaustively review the application of the law on the facts of the case, and I have confidence that they will find basis to clear me of the remaining issue, just as I was cleared of bribery and malversation by the Sandiganbayan,” Biazon said. In the case filed before the Sandiganbayan in 2016, Biazon was accused of endorsing the Philippine Development Foundation, Inc. (PSDFI) “as ‘project partner’ in implementing a livelihood project for barangay” in Muntinlupa when he was the city’s congressional representative. “The evidence is unequivocal that PSDFI received the funds. [...] Documentary evidence duly corroborated by bank records insofar as PSDFI’s account is concerned, as well as the testimonies of various witnesses, especially Luy, also established that these funds were not used to conduct any livelihood seminar in Muntinlupa,” the court ruled, referring to whistleblower Benhur Luy. “For utterly disregarding his responsibility under the MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) and Circular No. 2007-001, [...] Biazon invariably allowed PSDFI to submit fake liquidation documents in the guise of project implementation. This amounts to gross inexcusable negligence as it is Biazon’s bounden duty to ascertain the completion and termination of the project,” it said. Biazon and his co-respondents were acquitted of malversation. In 2023, the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division acquitted him of direct bribery. The charge sheet filed before the Sandiganbayan in 2016 alleged that he received P1.95 million from Janet Lim Napoles in 2007. However, the court found that the alleged receipt “was not established.”

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 58 dakika

MALACAÑANG on Sunday released Executive Order 105 extending the 15 percent tax on imported rice until Dec. 31, 2025, and establishing the Inter-Agency Group on Rice Tariff Adjustment to adjust rice import taxes in response to changes in world market prices. Signed on Nov. 7, EO 105 also paves the way for tariff adjustments, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, based on movements in international rice prices, with rates ranging from 15 to 35 percent. “Section 2 provides that the MFN (Most Favored Nation) rates of duty on rice, both in-quota and out-quota, under EO No. 62 (modifying the nomenclature and rates of import duty on various products) shall be maintained until 31 December 2025,” the Palace said in a statement. “Beginning 01 January 2026, the MFN rates of duty on rice shall be: increased by five (5) percentage points per five percent (5%) decrease in international rice prices; or decreased by five (5) percentage points per five percent (5%) increase in international rice prices,” it added. MFN rates of duty on rice, both in-quota and out-quota, will not be allowed to fall below 15 percent or above 35 percent. It also established an Inter-Agency Group on Rice Tariff Adjustment (GRTA) that will formulate the guidelines necessary to implement the order. The group will be made up of representatives from the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, and Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs. It will determine price thresholds, certification of trigger levels by the DA, monitoring periods, and other operational details for tariff adjustments. The EO was anchored on the constitutional provision that the State shall pursue a trade policy that serves the general welfare, as well as on the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (Republic Act 10863) and the Agricultural Tariffication Act (RA 8178). The two laws give the president the power to adjust import duties, including rice, within limits set by the World Trade Organization and the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 59 dakika

Destructive typhoon-force winds continued to batter Northern and Central Luzon late Sunday evening, Nov. 9, as Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) crossed the Luzon landmass after making landfall over Dinalungan, Aurora earlier in the evening. As of 10 p.m., the

• Manila Bulletin News
• 3 gün, 11 saat, 59 dakika

AFTER more than five decades of quiet diplomacy, Uruguay is seeking to revitalize its ties with the Philippines, with a renewed focus on cooperation in agriculture, trade, peacebuilding, and education. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Valeria Csukasi visited Manila this week for the first bilateral consultations between the two countries since they established diplomatic relations 50 years ago. In an interview with The Manila Times following her meetings with senior Philippine officials, Csukasi said her two-day visit on Nov. 6 to 7, 2025, marked “the start of a more engaged and purposeful relationship” between the two nations. “This is a long overdue but very fruitful step,” she said, describing the talks as a milestone that will help define concrete areas of collaboration. Turning shared values into action During meetings with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Csukasi said Uruguay aims to translate shared values into tangible cooperation, particularly in food security and agricultural innovation, where her country has established expertise. “Uruguay produces food for 30 million people while having a population of only three and a half million,” she noted. “We are an exporting country with strict food safety standards, and we see the Philippines as a promising partner as it diversifies its food sources.” Uruguay’s exports to the Philippines are currently dominated by dairy products, but with the recent approval of beef imports, trade officials are now looking to expand the market for Uruguayan agricultural goods. A “beef and wine tasting” event held in Manila on Nov. 6 introduced local restaurateurs and importers to Uruguayan produce, generating what Csukasi described as “encouraging interest” in future trade opportunities. Both sides agreed to draft a three-year action plan to guide cooperation, including a memorandum of understanding on agricultural and rural development, joint research projects, and exchanges between agribusiness sectors. Complementary economies According to Csukasi, the Philippines and Uruguay have “complementary economies,” with each producing what the other needs. Uruguay can supply livestock, citrus, timber, and wine, while it also imports mangoes, bananas, and coconuts — key Filipino exports. “Uruguay is a respected entry point to the rest of South America,” she said, adding that Filipino exporters could use Uruguay as a gateway to Latin American markets. Uruguay’s Foreign Minister is expected to visit Manila in 2026 for the Asean Ministerial Conference, to build on the outcomes of this week’s meetings. Shared vision for peace and multilateralism In her discussions with DFA officials, Csukasi said Uruguay and the Philippines share a common commitment to peace, democracy, and multilateral diplomacy. Both nations, she said, believe in “a rules-based system and dialogue over division.” As one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, Uruguay proposed closer cooperation with the Philippines in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. “If we want peace to be sustainable, women must be part of the process,” she said. Csukasi also expressed support for “minilateral” cooperation — smaller, values-driven alliances among medium-sized countries that defend democracy and human rights amid global polarization. Climate cooperation and disaster resilience While Uruguay is largely spared from natural disasters, Csukasi said the country has built regional emergency response systems under the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac) to address wildfires, floods, and other crises. “Sometimes it’s easier to bring aircraft and equipment from a neighboring country than from within the affected one,” she explained. “That kind of mutual assistance could be adapted here.” She said Uruguay could also share expertise in food and water security, including portable water systems used in flood-stricken areas. Digital education model Education and digital innovation were also key discussion points in her visit to Manila. Csukasi introduced Uruguay’s Plan Ceibal, a pioneering program that provides every public school student with a laptop and customized learning software, as a model for digital education in rural Philippine communities. “Every child in our public schools receives a laptop when they start the school year,” she said. “We would be happy to share this experience, especially as the Philippines seeks to improve access to education outside major cities.” Exchanges To mark the golden anniversary of bilateral relations, Uruguay and the Philippines are preparing cultural and artistic exchanges, including film screenings, educational partnerships, and astronomy programs. “For the first time, a Uruguayan movie was screened in Manila this year,” Csukasi noted. “We want to build on that momentum and help both countries learn more about each other.” She acknowledged that distance and limited flight connections remain a challenge but said there is growing interest among Uruguayan travelers to explore the Philippines’ beaches and heritage sites. Uruguay recently acceded to the Asean Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and intends to deepen its regional engagement when the Philippines assumes the Asean chairmanship in 2026. Csukasi also proposed launching a dialogue between Asean and Celac to strengthen political and economic links between Southeast Asia and Latin America. “Both regions face similar challenges and share the same goals,” she said. “It’s time to bring Asean and Celac together.” To solidify its growing engagement, Uruguay plans to open an embassy in the Philippines within a year — a move Csukasi described as “crucial to building a stronger framework for our relationship.” Reflecting on the renewed momentum behind the partnership, she said Uruguay’s outreach to Asia stems from the realization that “friendships once overlooked must now be revived.” “In these uncertain times, we’ve learned that we cannot look inward forever,” Csukasi said. “Uruguay and the Philippines — though small and far apart — share the same belief in cooperation, peace, and progress. This visit is not the end, but the beginning of a deeper friendship.”

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 12 saat

THE Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has issued a strong warning against those who facilitate fraudulent unions between Filipinos and foreign nationals. CFO Secretary Dante “Klink” Ang II issued the warning on Sunday following the discovery of numerous dubious documents, including fake birth and marriage certificates submitted by some Camarines Sur residents. As a result, the CFO leadership urged the local government units, specifically barangay officials, to be vigilant against the so-called “fixers” and illegal marriage brokers who engage in facilitating fraudulent unions between Filipinos and foreigners. The warning was delivered at a recent training workshop for over 400 barangay officials and local civil registrars at the Villa Caceres Hotel in the province. During the event, CFO representative Janet Ramos highlighted the commission’s mandate to protect Filipinos in intermarriages as she cited its discovery of numerous dubious documents, including fake birth and marriage certificates. “These violations appear to be facilitated by brokers who exploit the system,” Ramos said. The CFO cited Republic Act 10906 or the Anti-Mail Order Spouse Act which prohibits the business of matchmaking Filipinos with foreign nationals for a fee, whether for marriage or common-law partnership. The CFO’s participation in the event, spearheaded by the Local Civil Registrars Alliance of Camarines Sur and the Philippine Statistics Authority, was part of its efforts to promote the Guidance and Counseling Program (GCP), a required step for Filipinos in intermarriages that empowers them and promotes safe migration. Ramos emphasized that accurate civil registration is the crucial first step to ensuring the legal identity and protection of these individuals when they move abroad. The two-day workshop was designed to promote resilient and inclusive civil registration practices throughout the province, according to CFO, which was established primarily for the welfare and empowerment of Filipinos permanently residing abroad. Its primary stakeholders include Filipino permanent migrants, dual citizens, spouses and partners of foreign nationals, individuals under the Exchange Visitor Program, au pair participants bound for Europe, and Filipino descendants overseas.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 12 saat, 1 dakika

SEN. Bong Go vowed to look into the housing budget for proper urban planning and development and to help poor families avail affordable homes. The senator on Sunday reiterated the need to prioritize adequate funding for housing programs benefiting the country’s most vulnerable sectors. Go said that poor families are often the hardest hit whenever typhoons and floods strike. He said many urban poor households live in unsafe and flood-prone areas, making them particularly exposed to disasters. “Most of them live along the creek. That’s why there must be enough budget for urban poor housing,” Go said in a statement in Filipino. “We will look into how much had been allotted for them (urban poor dwellers) during the budget deliberations.” The vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement said that providing safe and affordable housing was “essential to breaking the cycle of vulnerability faced by millions of Filipinos.” He said that the government should ensure that sufficient resources are allocated for long-term shelter solutions that protect lives and preserve human dignity. Go filed Senate Bill (SB) 415 or the Rental Housing Subsidy Program which seeks to provide rental assistance to informal settlers and displaced families to help them transition into the formal housing market. He also filed SB 685, or the National Housing Development Production and Financing Program, seeking to establish a long-term framework for housing development and financing, ensuring the sustainability and continuity of the country’s housing initiatives. He also filed SB 671, or the National Housing for Filipinos Program, which aims at institutionalizing the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program to ensure that it remains a core pillar of the government’s efforts to provide decent housing for all Filipinos.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 12 saat, 2 dakika

AT COP30 in Belem, in Brazil’s Amazon region, the country’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, hopes Indigenous peoples will play a leading role in the international climate conference that begins Monday. Without them, “there is no future for humanity,” she told Agence France-Presse (AFP) in an interview. Guajajara, a member of the Guajajara Tenetehara ethnic group who was born in an Indigenous reserve in Maranhao state, is the first person to hold the portfolio created by leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva when he returned to power in 2023. On the eve of the UN climate conference, Guajajara, 51, anticipates “the best COP in terms of Indigenous participation,” but denounces the “racism” suffered by Indigenous peoples. She laments that Brazil’s government has not been able to approve more Indigenous reserves. According to the minister, this effort has been hindered by a law passed by the predominantly conservative parliament, which restricts the recognition of lands that belong to Indigenous peoples. Brazil, Latin America’s largest country, is home to 1.7 million Indigenous people, divided into 391 ethnic groups speaking 295 languages, out of a total population of over 200 million. The COP can contribute significantly to greater understanding and interest from society as a whole regarding Indigenous peoples — especially regarding the role that Indigenous peoples and Indigenous territories play in maintaining climate balance. It has been proven that the presence of Indigenous peoples, whether in demarcated territories or not, ensures clean water, protected biodiversity, pesticide-free food, and standing forests. “And all of this is what humanity needs to continue to exist. Therefore, we say, without Indigenous peoples, without these voices, there is no future for humanity,” Guajajara said. “In 2009, when I participated in my first COP, which was COP15 in Copenhagen, there was one or two Indigenous individuals present, but they were not participating. Since then, we have been working on building this inclusion, increasing representation, and creating spaces for dialogue. From then until now, there has been tremendous progress. I was very excited to participate in the summit of presidents, during the launch of the TFFF (the Tropical Forest Forever Fund), as well as the session addressing the topic of climate and nature,” she said. AFP “Although there is already recognition that we, Indigenous peoples, are the greatest guardians of the forest, the environment, and biodiversity due to our way of life, we are the first and most impacted. Because when there is a flood, for example, it affects food security, when fish die, when water is contaminated, when there is drought, roads become inaccessible, as rivers are also a means of transportation for us. It affects schools, when children cannot move from one place to another to attend school, it affects education,” the official said.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 12 saat, 3 dakika

VICE President Sara Duterte on Sunday called for a strong campaign against child sexual abuse. “Every Filipino child has a right to grow up safe, with dignity, and full of dreams,” Duterte said in her message for the National Children’s Month. “This National Children’s Month let us strengthen our campaign against sexual abuse or exploitation of children,” she said in Filipino and English. Duterte lamented that “many children face risks from online predators, cyberbullying, and exploitation.” “Parents and citizens have a responsibility to protect them and make sure they are in a safe community,” she added. “To ensure their safety, let us bridge digital safety gaps, empower parents and caregivers with tools to guide safe internet use, and strengthen family values to protect our youth,” she pointed out. Duterte appealed to all local government units “to have a strict policy for the protection of children.” “The process of reporting, response and the next important steps must be fast and clear,” she said. “We should also promote the participation of the children in our campaign for us to understand their thoughts and aspirations, so that their best interest and welfare will be ensured — online or offline. The fate of every child is also the fate of our country.”

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 12 saat, 4 dakika

THE Catholic Church has mobilized its parishes and institutions across Metro Manila and the Bicol Region to serve as temporary shelters for those displaced by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong), which continues to unleash heavy rains and powerful winds across Luzon. In separate announcements on Sunday, the Archdiocese of Manila, Archdiocese of Caceres, Diocese of Kalookan, and Diocese of Virac directed all parishes, schools, and church facilities under their jurisdictions to open their doors to evacuees. “The Archdiocese of Caceres encourages everyone to prepare for Super Typhoon Uwan with prudence, calmness and a spirit of prayer. We are called to walk together in mutual care. This is a time for co-responsibility,” the Caceres archdiocese said in a statement. In Catanduanes, one of the areas first hit by the super typhoon, the Diocese of Virac instructed priests to open parish churches to provide safe and prayerful refuge for families seeking shelter. “This initiative aims to offer warmth, prayer and hope to evacuees during the storm,” the diocese said. The Bicol Region remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5, while Metro Manila has been placed under Signal No. 3, according to the latest advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. In the capital, the Archdiocese of Manila called on schools, churches and institutions with available safe spaces to welcome those seeking refuge from Uwan’s impact. Similarly, the Diocese of Kalookan urged its parishes to open their facilities, saying, “in times of rain and fear, let us trust in God, who always cares for His people.” Meanwhile, Caritas Philippines, the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, said that it is closely monitoring the situation and has begun coordinating with diocesan social action centers for emergency response efforts. “Let us remain alert, prepared and follow the advisories of local government authorities,” Caritas Philippines said.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 12 saat, 5 dakika

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched an investigation into reported fraudulent solicitation for victims of Typhoon Tino using the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). “Upon receiving the advisory from the Office of Civil Defense, our units immediately coordinated with the agency to gather information about the suspect,” PNP acting chief LtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Sunday. “We are now tracing the digital footprint and communication channels used to solicit donations.” The OCD earlier issued an advisory warning the public about Jennifer Santos who claims to be a staff member of Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV to solicit donations for those affected by Typhoon Tino in Cebu. Nartatez said he directed the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to identify and locate the woman. He said the PNP’s specialized units are now tracing digital communications, online accounts, and financial channels possibly linked to the scam in coordination with OCD and other concerned agencies. “If it is proven that fraud has occurred, those involved will be held responsible. Fraud and identity theft are serious offenses, especially when the names of government officials and disaster victims are used,” the PNP chief said. The OCD said it does not request donations through officials and urged people to coordinate with OCD or the Department of Social Welfare and Development directly for donations. The PNP, meanwhile, urged the public to report any suspicious solicitation activities to the PNP-ACG or to the nearest police station.

• The Manila Times
• 3 gün, 12 saat, 6 dakika