Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus, Author at newswatchplus.ph

Two Filipino seafarers killed in Black Sea drone attacks; 12 injured, 1 missing — DMW

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:53:58 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Two Filipino seafarers were killed in separate drone attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea off southern Ukraine, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Monday, July 20. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said one was killed on July 6, the other on July 19. The DMW said it

The post Two Filipino seafarers killed in Black Sea drone attacks; 12 injured, 1 missing — DMW appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

Big-time fuel price hikes set for July 14 amid renewed Middle East tensions

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:15:09 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Motorists brace for another round of fuel price hikes starting Tuesday, July 14, as renewed tensions in the Middle East continue to push global oil prices higher, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE said gasoline prices may either go up or down by as much as ₱1 per

The post Big-time fuel price hikes set for July 14 amid renewed Middle East tensions appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

Aquino calls for school safety bill to be a gov’t priority

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:32:18 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – A School Safety Bill gained fresh momentum in the Senate on Wednesday, July 9, as lawmakers examined gaps in campus security and emergency response following the Tacloban City, Leyte school shooting and the deaths of two Ateneo de Manila University basketball players in Aurora. The Senate committee on basic education, chaired

The post Aquino calls for school safety bill to be a gov’t priority appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

INC moves Day 3 protest to Manila after QC permit withdrawal

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:10:50 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines — A freedom park with unhampered use in Manila was the alternate rally site of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) on its third day of protests on Thursday, July 2, after the Quezon City government revoked the permit for the People Power Monument. Authorities gave different crowd estimates at the Liwasang Bonifacio.

The post INC moves Day 3 protest to Manila after QC permit withdrawal appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

38 Filipinos on board hantavirus-hit ship safe – DOH

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Tue, 05 May 2026 11:57:45 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, May 5, said 38 Filipino seafarers are among those on board a cruise ship quarantined off Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean due to a hantavirus outbreak. Quoting the World Health Organization (WHO), the DOH said the Filipino crew of the M/V Hondius remains

The post 38 Filipinos on board hantavirus-hit ship safe – DOH appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

LTFRB orders 21 ride-hailing groups to explain TNVS cap violation

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Mon, 04 May 2026 12:24:09 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – The transport regulator has issued show cause orders to 21 transport network companies (TNCs) for exceeding the limit of number of drivers and vehicles. In a briefing, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chief Vigor Mendoza said the companies have five days to explain why their authority to operate should

The post LTFRB orders 21 ride-hailing groups to explain TNVS cap violation appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

PISTON files P10 jeepney fare hike petition

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:43:46 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Transport group PISTON on Monday, April 20, filed a petition before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) seeking a P10 increase in the minimum jeepney fare–from P13 to P23–citing continued financial losses among drivers. The group said recent diesel rollbacks are not enough to offset high operating costs and

The post PISTON files P10 jeepney fare hike petition appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

Cardinal Advincula: Clergy mental health concern can no longer be ignored

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:58:03 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Warning of a growing but often unspoken crisis, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jose Advincula on Maundy Thursday, April 2, urged priests to confront mental and emotional struggles within the clergy. Speaking at the Chrism Mass at Manila Cathedral, Advincula cited a recent study that showed a growing number of priests are experiencing

The post Cardinal Advincula: Clergy mental health concern can no longer be ignored appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

Survival mode drivers grapple with making ends meet

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:44:00 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines – Ride-hailing drivers joined the second week of a nationwide transport strike in a snowballing movement of discontent over what they claimed as slow government aid while grappling with making ends meet as fuel gets expensive by the week. They are part of a growing coalition of public utility drivers protesting the

The post Survival mode drivers grapple with making ends meet appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.

Transport groups eye bigger protest ahead of Holy Week

Sophia Sioco, NewsWatch Plus — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 12:50:17 +0000

Metro Manila, Philippines — Transport group Piston is warning of a larger, multi-sectoral strike just days before Holy Week, as it ramps up pressure on what it calls the government’s lack of response to rising fuel costs. Its two-day nationwide transport strike ended Friday, March 20, but the group said it is coordinating with other

The post Transport groups eye bigger protest ahead of Holy Week appeared first on newswatchplus.ph.