Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Monday, September 26, 2022.
SUPER Typhoon "Karding" (international name: "Noru") pounded Luzon with strong winds and heavy rain that forced hundreds of people to flee their homes. The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers an hour as it charged toward Luzon after an unprecedented "explosive intensification," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. Karding, the strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year, made landfall in Burdeos town on the Polillo Islands, part of Quezon, at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
READ: Be cautious, foreigners in typhoon areas told
FOREIGN governments advised their citizens in the Philippines to take caution and monitor the local news for any update on Super Typhoon "Karding" (international name: "Noru"). The embassies of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States in Manila advised their citizens to also follow the social media accounts of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), which is under the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), to get weather updates.
READ: DoH suspends jab launch in NCR
DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire announced on Sunday afternoon the postponement of the PinasLakas Bakunahang Bayan launch in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and the rest of Luzon on Monday because of Super Typhoon "Karding". In a memorandum, the DoH said the activity was suspended indefinitely, but the launch in other regions may proceed as scheduled upon the discretion of concerned executive committee members and regional directors.
READ: DepEd: Class cancellation guidelines now in effect
THE Department of Education (DepEd) has re-uploaded on its website Department Order 37, the new guidelines on class cancellation or suspension due to natural disasters or calamities, which is now in effect. DepEd spokesman Michael Poa said DO 37 took effect last September 20 after it was filed with the Office of the National Administrative Registrar (ONAR) and uploaded on the DepEd website. Based on the new guidelines, in-person and online classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and the Alternative Learning System (ALS) will be automatically canceled in areas with tropical cyclone wind Signal Nos. 1 to 5 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). Local chief executives may also decide on class suspension if their localities have prevailing strong winds but were not issued a TCWS. As Super Typhoon "Karding" passes through Central Luzon from Sunday to Tuesday, classes in areas that will be placed by Pagasa under TCWS signals 1 to 5 on Monday will be canceled, based on DO 37.
SPORTS: 'Karding' cancels PBA, NCAA, SSL
In the sporting arena, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the Shakey's Super League (SSL) suspended their respective games on Sunday due to the threat of Super Typhoon "Karding." Their games will be rescheduled to later dates.
READ: Marcos back from US visit
In other news, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. arrived Sunday from his week-long working visit to the United States, optimistic of a rebound in the Philippine economy. In his arrival statement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the 65-year-old Marcos recapped his activities while he was in New York City, the bulk of which were meetings with American business leaders, to be a part of the country's economic growth and development.
READ: Book publishing needs big govt push – NBDB
THE National Book Development Board (NBDB) urged the government to increase its support for the book publishing industry to improve literacy especially among youth by making more books available to them. In an interview on SMNI's "Business and Politics" hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and CEO Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd, NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade said providing subsidies and discounts to publishers enabled them to sell more books and explore e-commerce platforms. Scores of bookstores temporarily or permanently closed shop during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the industry is on its way to making a comeback.
BUSINESS: BSP vows to keep financial stability
Over to business, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Saturday reiterated its commitment to provide financial stability and a safe and efficient payment system to support the Philippine socioeconomic agenda. The central bank made the assurance after BSP Governor Felipe Medalla joined President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., and other government officials during the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in New York City.
Rigoberto Tiglao and Fr. Ranhilio Aquino are today's front page columnists. Tiglao tackles the Communists' murder of 30,000 men in uniform and civilians, while Fr. Aquino discusses the Mandanas vs. Ochoa case.
Today's editorial believes stable government policies can attract more foreign investors. Read a full version on the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe and dry week ahead.