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The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has identified 9,366 barangays nationwide as vulnerable to rain-induced landslides and flooding, as Tropical Depression Dante and the enhanced southwest monsoon continue to bring heavy rains. This comes just weeks after the country dealt with Tropical Cyclone Crising.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) confirmed on Wednesday that pilot operations of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (Cebu BRT) will launch in September, marking a major milestone for urban transport in the province. The system is expected to significantly ease daily commutes for around 70,000 passengers.

The First Philippine Industrial Park (FPIP), a special economic zone developed by the Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings Corp. and Japan’s Sumitomo Corp., along with 17 of its locators, emerged as top contributors to Tanauan City’s 2024 tax revenue program, reinforcing the ecozone’s critical role in the city’s economic and fiscal development.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised its growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.6 percent in 2025 and 5.8 percent in 2026, down from earlier projections of 6.0 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively. The recalibration, the ADB said, reflects the impact of external headwinds and highlights the growing importance of responsive economic policy.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed officer-in-charge undersecretary for operations Roger Navarro and Undersecretary Chris Morales, who oversees the country’s National Rice Program, to immediately visit areas devastated by Tropical Storm Crising and the Southwest Monsoon to provide urgent support to affected farmers and fisherfolk.