Context Dispatch

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level on Bulusan Volcano to 1 (low-level unrest) after a phreatic eruption at dawn Monday that lasted 24 minutes. The event produced a bent plume that rose 4,500 meters above the crater, with ash fall reported in severs barangays in Irosin, Jubqn, and Magallanes—all towns in Sorsogon. Local government units and the public are reminded that entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone must be strictly prohibited and that vigilance in the 2-kilometer Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast sector must be exercised due to the possible impacts of volcanic hazards such as PDCs, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, avalanches and ashfall on these danger areas.

In a continued show of support for the Philippines’ development goals, Japan has committed a grant worth JPY 389 million (approximately P150 million) to fund graduate studies for young Filipino government employees.

Major players in the tobacco industry have expressed relief and gratitude following the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) successful seizure of P83.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a warehouse raid in Barangay Batia, Bocaue, Bulacan.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has seized approximately P83.7 million worth of smuggled cigarettes from a warehouse in Bocaue, Bulacan, highlighting the agency’s commitment to combating illegal trade.

Manila Electric Co., the country’s largest power distributor, said its new 25-year franchise will commence upon the expiration of its current license on June 28, 2028. Better known as Meralco, the company said Republic Act 12146 that grants it a new franchise will take effect 15 days from its publication of at least two newspapers of general circulation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the law on April 11.