178 areas under state of calamity as storms, southwest monsoon affect 9.1 million

Good day. Welcome to The Manila Times where we bring you stories that shape our world. Today is September 1st. Our top story. At least 178 areas have been placed under a state of calamity due to the combined effects of tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon. That’s according to the latest data from the NDRRMC. A state of calamity declaration allows authorities to mobilize resources and expedite relief, response and recovery efforts. Pangasinan recorded the highest number of state-of-calamity declarations at 47. Bulacan has 24, followed by Cavite with 23. Pampanga – one of the hardest hit areas - has 21. The weather disturbances have affected more than nine million people across ten regions. Read more: https://tmt.ph/2415566 Senate Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero clarifies that a witness from the Office of the Vice President or OVP was not wearing an earpiece during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Escudero was referring to photos circulating online showing OVP Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio allegedly wearing an earpiece while testifying. The Presiding Officer said the photos are AI-generated. He said that what appeared to be an earpiece in the circulated images was actually an earring. Escudero, at the same time, stressed that witnesses who are testifying are prohibited from possessing devices capable of transmitting or receiving information or communication. These devices include headsets, cellphones, smartwatches, and smart glasses. Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno is urging residents to wear face masks outdoors. He disclosed that three city air quality sensors recorded “very unhealthy” levels. Moreno said those with pre-existing health conditions, senior citizens, pregnant women and students should take additional precautions when going outdoors. He also advised residents without urgent outdoor activities to stay indoors and, when possible, keep their windows closed. The city government said the poor air quality may be linked to forest and land fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Two sculptures by prominent Filipino sculptor Eduardo Castrillo were reported stolen from a storage facility in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan. The stolen pieces were identified as “Bringing Up Parents” and “The Last Supper.” Both works were believed to have been made in 1970. The complainant who reported the theft said the sculptures were valuable because of their artistic and historical significance. Castrillo died in 2014. He was known for large-scale works dealing with Philippine history, national identity and religious themes. For more news and information, read The Manila Times on print, subscribe to its digital edition or log on to www.manilatimes.net. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and LinkedIn; and be part of our communities on Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp and Mastodon. That's all for now on The Manila Times Newscast. Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day, and remember to stay safe, stay informed, and stay connected. Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein