Latest news with #DANNYPATA
GMA Network
5 days ago
- GMA Network
Classes open for SY 2025–2026 as DepEd braces for 27 million enrollees
Pupils line up as they are excited to return to school for the School Year 2025-2026 at Aurora Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Manila, on Monday, June 16, 2025. DANNY PATA Schools across the country reopened on Monday, June 16, marking the official start of School Year 2025–2026 with the Department of Education (DepEd) expecting around 27 million enrollees from preschool to senior high school. "All systems go po ang lahat sa pagbubukas ng ating klase," DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a Viber message. (All systems are go for the opening of classes.) As millions of students trooped back to classrooms, the country's education system continues to grapple with long-standing challenges—including learning gaps, infrastructure backlogs, and overcrowded facilities. One of the most urgent problems remains the massive shortage of classrooms, which currently stands at 165,000 nationwide. Education officials earlier admitted that, at the current rate of construction, it could take up to 55 years to completely eliminate the backlog. To help decongest packed schools, DepEd is exploring limited hybrid learning arrangements, particularly for senior high school students in overcrowded or high-density locations. The department also continues to modernize classrooms through the delivery of smart TVs, laptops, and updated textbooks, in line with the government's push for digital education. Meanwhile, DepEd clarified its policy on cellphones in the classroom ahead of the school opening. While the general rule discourages phone use during class hours, exceptions are made when gadgets are used under teacher supervision for learning-enhancing activities. DepEd officials said that despite the challenges, the department remains focused on improving learning outcomes and ensuring safe and inclusive education for all. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
12-06-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
PH experienced record-breaking temperatures, 'more than double the average' cyclones from Sept. to Nov. 2024: WMO report
A fishpond owner walks on a dried fishpond in Laur, Nueva Ecija on Saturday, April 27, 2024, as extreme heat brought about by El Niño caused some owners to stop operations. The Department of Agriculture earlier said that damage from El Niño has reached around P3.34 billion. DANNY PATA The Philippines experienced extreme weather events — a result of human-induced climate change — all throughout 2024, a report by the World Meteorological Organization revealed. January and February saw extreme rain fall in eastern Mindanao, which caused significant flooding as well as contributed to a landslide which killed 93. Between February and May meanwhile, extreme heat affected the country. It seared the Philippines most significantly in April, when 19 cars caught fire at the NAIA parking lot due to a grass fire. A few days later, on April 27, a 38.8C temperature was observed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which also happens to be the highest temperature on record for a site in Metro Manila, the WMO report said. From July to October, meanwhile the Philippines was impacted by the strongest typhoon of the season in the north-west Pacific, which poured 727.8mm of rain in Basco, Batanes in just 24 hours. The WMO report noted the unprecedented parade of 6 typhoons that battered the Philippines in just four weeks between October to November. According to the WMO, the Philippines saw more than double the cyclones the usually visits the country in the months of September, October and November (SON). Where six cyclones usually occur in the Philippines in SON, 12 storms were recorded in SON last year. "Persistently high ocean heat content in the Philippine sea from mid-April 2024 created ideal conditions for tropical cyclone development," read WMO's 2024 State of the Climate in the South-west Pacific report. "Across the sequence, over 13 million people were impacted in 17 of the Philippines' 18 regions, with more than 1.4million displaced," the report added. "These ocean extremes are alarming indicators of the escalating climate crisis and underscore the Philippines' high vulnerability," said Dr. Charina Lyn Amedo-Repollo, Assistant Professor and Physical Oceanographer at the Marine Science Institute - University of the Philippines Diliman in a statement. "We urge the global community to commit to cut emissions fast and shift from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy. Protecting the ocean must be at the heart of climate strategies, including expanding marine protected areas and restoring blue carbon ecosystems," she added. For congressman Edgar Chatto, chair of the House of Representatives committee on climate change, and author of the CLIMA Bill, 'This confirms what Filipinos are already living through—unbearable heat and a punishing parade of typhoons. These are not isolated events, but signs of a climate crisis accelerating before our eyes." "The Philippines is on the frontlines, and half-measures will no longer suffice. Locally, we must break away from our dependence on fossil fuels and invest in clean, resilient energy systems, strengthen local adaptation, and build climate-resilient systems. But we cannot do this alone—the world's biggest polluters must step up with the support and finance they owe to vulnerable countries like ours. The CLIMA Bill is a critical step toward a more coordinated, science-driven response. Delay is not an option—lives and futures are at stake," he added in a statement. In the report, the WMO noted the Philippines submitted its National Adaptation Plan in May 2024, where it said that "while the frequency of tropical cyclones is expected to decrease, their intensity will significantly increase. The occurrence of super typhoons is projected to rise." "The Government of the Philippines has successfully accessed the Green Climate fund for the first time, namely for the project Multi-hazard Impact-based Forecasting and Early Warning System for the Philippines," the WMO added. — GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
02-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Traffic advisory for 127th Independence Day celebration
Soldiers participate in the flag-raising rehearsal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park in Manila on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in preparation for the 126th Philippine Independence Day on June 12. DANNY PATA The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on Monday announced several road sections will be closed on June 12, 2025 as part of the celebration of the country's 127th Independence Day. In a press conference, the NHCP advised motorists to prepare for heavy traffic in the following road sections from June 8 to 12. • No road closure • Heavy traffic along Roxas Boulevard and Kalaw Avenue June 10-11, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. • No road closure • Heavy traffic along Roxas Blvd, Kalaw Ave and Burgos Drive June 11, 8 p.m. • Partial closure of Roxas Blvd (Kilometer Zero) • Full closure of Katigbak Road, Independence Road, South Road June 12, 5 a.m. - 12 p.m. • Full Closure of Roxas Blvd. Both sides from Burgos Rd to Buendia Ave • Full Closure of Bonifacio Dr., both sides from Burgos Rd to Anda Circle • Full Closure of Katigbak Rd, Independence Rd, and South Rd • Full Closure of Kalaw Ave and Burgos Rd from Roxas Blvd. to M. Orosa Street • Full Closure of Vicente Sotto both sides from M. Jalandoni to Roxas Blvd • Use of various roads as parking for visitors. (Roxas Blvd Service Rd, CCP Complex, etc.) Kalayaan 2025 The NCHP also unveiled the following activities to mark the country's Independence Day. May 28 - June 10 Flag in Stamp Exhibition at NHCP Central Office June 6, 6 p.m. Musikalayaan, with the performance of uniformed personnel at Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium June 8, 8 a.m. Parada ng Pag-anyaya at Rizal Monument and Roxas Blvd June 10 - 11, 9 a.m. Mga Pampamahalaang Programa at Serbisyo at Rizal Park, where more than 100 government agencies and the private sectors offer basic services. June 10, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Klikikalayaan at Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium, where the public may get free medical services June 12, starting at 7 a.m. Simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying at various areas in the country, such as the Rizal Monument in Manila; Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan; Andres Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan; and Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City. June 12, starting at 7:30 a.m. Parada ng Kalayaan 2025 along Roxas Blvd from KM Zero to CCP complex Independence Day Concert at the Metropolitan Museum The Philippines' independence from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898, with the unveiling of the Philippine flag at the house of Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
27-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Comelec seeks amendments to party-list system law
The representatives of 52 party-lists pose for a photo during the proclamation by the Commission on Elections in Manila on Monday, May 19, 2025. In front and center are the three nominees of top vote-getter Akbayan, all of whom will enter the House of Representatives. DANNY PATA The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday it is hoping that Republic Act 7941 or the 'Party-List System Act' will be soon amended to clear the computation of available seats to be allotted to party-lists during elections. 'Sabi nga namin, sana dumating na sa punto na magkaroon na ng amendments sa Republic Act 7941. Nang sa gayon hindi na ang Korte Suprema ang gumagawa ng formula kung hindi ang mismong batas na ang magsasabi papaano ba talaga ang distribution,' said Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing. (As we said, I hope it comes to the point where there will be amendments to Republic Act 7941. So that it will no longer be the Supreme Court that makes the formula but the law itself that will dictate how the distribution should be.) The Comelec official cited the basis for the computation of the seats for winning party-list groups was the BANAT vs. Comelec ruling, or the so-called 'Carpio formula.' Under Section 5, Article VI of the Constitution and the Party-List System Act, party-list representatives shall constitute 20% of the total members of the House including those under the party-list, giving them 63 seats. If party-list groups with 2% and higher votes are not able to fill up all the 63 seats, the next-in-line groups with the closest number of votes to 2% will get to secure one seat each until all party-list seats are filled. 'Una, ang tinitignan natin yung nakakamit ng 2% ng total partylist votes…hindi lang yung botong tinanggap…Sinong nakakuha ng 2%, automatic may guaranteed seats na sila…Sa unang latag po niyan, nakita natin na mayroong kaagad na anim na nakakuha,' said Laudiangco. (First, we are looking at those who achieved 2% of the total party-list votes…not just the votes received…Whoever achieved 2%, they automatically have guaranteed seats…In the first round, we saw that there were immediately six who achieved the threshold.) 'Dahil hindi nga po napunuan yung ating 63 pa, ginamit natin yung 'Carpio formula' kung saan ang basis niyan ay natitirang number of seats, yung total number of party-list votes, nagkaroon ng second round of distribution,' he added. 'Nung nakita natin na mayroong pang kulang, mayroon pang natitira, sa BANAT vs. Comelec, kailangan mapuno ang lahat ng ito. So nagkaroon ng third round ng computation.' (Since the 63 seats were not filled, we used the 'Carpio formula' where the basis is the remaining number of seats was the total number of partylist votes, and there was a second round of distribution,' he added. 'When we saw that there were still seats to be filled missing, we cited the BANAT vs. Comelec. So there was a third round of computation.) The Comelec was supposed to proclaim 54 groups, but it suspended the proclamation of Duterte Youth and Bagong Henerasyon party-lists, which won three and one seats in the House of Representatives, respectively. Akbayan Party-list, which received the most number of votes in the party-list race, secured three seats in the House of Representatives in the upcoming 20th Congress, along with Tingog Party-list. But the Comelec clarified that the suspension of the proclamation of the two party-list groups does not nullify their victory in the polls. —RF, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Landmark global pandemic agreement adopted by WHO members
A minor is inoculated against COVID-19 in Taguig City on November 2, 2021. DANNY PATA GENEVA — Members of the World Health Organization adopted a landmark agreement on Tuesday on how to prepare for future pandemics following the COVID-19 outbreak, which killed millions of people between the years of 2020 and 2022. After three years of negotiations, the legally binding pact was adopted by the World Health Assembly in Geneva. WHO member countries welcomed its passing with applause. The pact is widely seen as a victory for members of the global health agency at a time when multilateral organizations like the WHO have been battered by sharp cuts in US foreign funding. "The agreement is a victory for public health, science and multilateral action. It will ensure we, collectively, can better protect the world from future pandemic threats," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The treaty faced a late challenge on Monday when Slovakia called for a vote, as its COVID-19 vaccine-skeptic prime minister demanded that his country challenge the adoption of the agreement. One hundred and twenty-four countries voted in favor, no countries voted against, while 11 countries, including Poland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Slovakia and Iran, abstained. — Reuters
