TOP STORIES – Saturday, March 25, 2023

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online news monitoring)

25 March 2023, Saturday, as of 4:00 p.m.

1. Gov’t urges Filipinos to join Earth Hour

- PBBM to lead PH switch-off for Earth Hour 2023

- DBM backs Earth Hour, says Marcos admin allotted P464.5-B budget for climate change projects

[Philippine Star, Inquirer, ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, CNN Philippines, News5, Rappler]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/25/23/marcos-urges-filipinos-to-join-2023-earth-hour

2. Gov't to increase police visibility in Masbate schools amid clashes

- Fear over Masbate fighting affects classes of 55k students, says DepEd

[CNN Philippines, Inquirer, GMA News, Philippine Star, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/25/gov-t-eyes-containment-of-terrorist-activities-in-masbate

3. Mindoro oil spill

- 12 Mindoro towns affected by oil spill

- Korean coast guard joining Mindoro oil spill cleanup

- US Coast Guard cites PCG oil slick response

- PCG official opposes Remulla's proposal to send divers to MT Princess Empress

- 15 crew members of sunken tanker in Mindoro oil spill appear before NBI

- Compensation for Mindoro oil spill victims to be processed starting March 27

[Rappler, Philippine Star, ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Inquirer]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1748048/12-mindoro-towns-affected-by-oil-spill

4. PH to China: Maritime issues remain ‘serious’ concern

[ABS-CBN News, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin]

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/03/25/2254327/philippines-china-scs-issues-remain-serious-concern

5. Biz groups to Congress: Consider high Con-Con costs, effect to economy

[Rappler, Philippine Star, Manila Times]

https://www.rappler.com/business/constitutional-convention-derail-economic-reforms-scare-investors-business-groups/

6. Laguna school fire drill

- DepEd: Inquiry launched after 100 fall ill in Laguna school fire drill

- Laguna school didn't coordinate with LGU on fire drill —officials

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, CNN Philippines, Manila Bulletin]

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/03/25/23/laguna-school-didnt-coordinate-with-lgu-on-fire-drill-officials

7. Authorities seize high-caliber weapons from ex-guv Teves’ property

[CNN Philippines, ABS-CBN News, Inquirer, GMA News, Manila Bulletin]

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/3/25/teves-sugar-mill-cash-guns-seized.html

8. City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan holds plebiscite for division of barangay

[Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Rappler, Manila Times]

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/25/news/regions/csjdm-to-hold-plebiscite-today/1884185

9. Antipolo Cathedral formally assumed status as ‘international shrine’

[GMA News, ABS-CBN News, Manila Bulletin, News5]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/864997/antipolo-cathedral-now-an-international-shrine-as-declared-by-vatican/story/

10. Humanity must chart new course on water use —UN chief

[Manila Bulletin, ABS-CBN News, Philippine Star, Inquirer]

https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/25/humanity-must-chart-new-course-on-water-use-un-chief

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit