QBO Innovation Hub, US Embassy tie up to encourage interest in STEM

April 23, 2025 | 11:59 pm

PUBLIC-PRIVATE STARTUP platform QBO Innovation Hub, teamed up with the US Embassy in the Philippines to encourage more interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

“The US Embassy, through the 2024 American Spaces Small Grants Program, is committed to equipping young Filipinos with 21st century skills essential for success in an evolving digital landscape,” Kevin Punzalan, the embassy’s specialist at the American Spaces Program, said in a statement.

The program, “Step Juan: Young Technopreneurs in Training,” seeks to expose high school and university students to startup initiatives with accessible, beginner-friendly learning opportunities in entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation.

“Step Juan envisions a future where Filipino youth are empowered to pursue STEM and technopreneurship, with educators playing a crucial role in shaping innovative thinkers,” QBO Executive Director Alwyn Joy E. Ro-sel said.

QBO is a division of the MVP Group’s startup arm IdeaSpace Ventures.

In 2020, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies forecast shortages in the STEM workforce by 2025, particularly in life sciences (13,964 positions), engineering (569,903), physical sciences (9,689), and math and statistics (13,285).

For its first cycle, the Step Juan program will be rolled out in the University of Makati and the Maximo Estrella Senior High School. Cycles 2 and 3 will continue throughout the year across Metro Manila. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Fan 88235: Pope Francis honored by hometown soccer team in Argentina

April 23, 2025 | 11:59 pm

BUENOS AIRES — Argentina-born Pope Francis, who died on Monday, is being honored at his local hometown soccer club in Buenos Aires, San Lorenzo de Almagro, where the football-loving head of the Roman Catholic Church remained a member during his 12-year papacy.

Fans from the first-tier Primera División club started gathering from Monday at the club’s chapel to the south-west of the Argentine capital to bid farewell to their best-known member.

“The pope leaves an unbreakable legacy,” San Lorenzo Club President Marcelo Moretti told Reuters. “For all San Lorenzo fans, he was a source of great pride. It is a very sad day.”

At the chapel fans lit candles near a statue of Francis adorned with the team’s red and navy blue colors.

San Lorenzo fans took to social media on news of the pope’s death to point out that his club membership number — 88235N-0 — coincided exactly with his age and the time of death.

“He died at 88 years old, at 2:35am (in Buenos Aires, 0535 GMT) and was member 88235. It really caught my attention,” wrote one San Lorenzo fan on X.

The club confirmed the pope’s membership number to Reuters.

Special commemorative jerseys will be worn for Saturday’s match against Rosario Central, Mr. Moretti said, with players hoping to secure victory for the pontiff, whose funeral will be held in the Vatican on the same day.

Several other Argentine teams suspended matches on Monday as a mark of respect.

Oscar Lucchini, who runs the club’s chapel, showed Reuters old photos of Francis holding a San Lorenzo jersey as well as a print-out of his club membership card. Mr. Lucchini’s colleague Laura Magrino held up a team shirt made in honor of the pope.

‘GREAT EMOTION’
Mr. Moretti said he had met Francis several times, most recently last September to ask permission to name a new stadium after him in the Boedo neighborhood where the club is based.

“He accepted, with great emotion,” Mr. Moretti told Reuters.

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio into an Italian migrant family in Buenos Aires in 1936, at a time when soccer had already become Argentina’s most popular sport, said author Jimmy Burns, biographer of Francis: The Pope of Good Promise.

Soccer was especially popular in less affluent neighborhoods of Buenos Aires through clubs like San Lorenzo, which had been founded by a Catholic priest in 1908 and was Francis’ chosen team growing up.

The club became the 1946 champions, Mr. Moretti said, going on to secure several stunning victories during a European tour the following year which brought the team international attention.

Francis became a life-long soccer fan despite rarely playing himself in his younger days due to health issues.

“He tended to read rather than play sport,” Mr. Burns told Reuters, but he liked watching games live at San Lorenzo or catching the occasional World Cup match on TV.

After becoming pope in 2013, Francis never returned to Argentina but he hosted many of the country’s sporting greats at the Vatican, including soccer icons Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. Sport is a great leveler, Francis once said.

Mr. Maradona, who died in 2020, said Pope Francis had restored his Catholic faith after they met in 2014. Mr. Messi would later be granted a papal audience of his own from which he said he also emerged spiritu-ally refreshed. — Reuters

PHL tourism ambitions to hinge on infra quality, safety

April 23, 2025 | 11:59 pm

airplanes silhouette — STOCK PHOTO | Image from Pixabay

THE PHILIPPINES needs to improve its infrastructure and ensure the safety of its visitors to solidify its spot as a promising tourism destination, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said.

“The Philippines, while a promising destination, faces challenges in advancing alongside regional counterparts, particularly in expanding hotel infrastructure,” ECCP President Paulo Duarte at a luncheon meeting on Wednes-day.

According to Mr. Duarte, improving digital and physical connectivity is also crucial in linking Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

“However, infrastructure alone is not enough. To truly elevate the tourism sector, we must also focus on ensuring the safety and security of visitors, a critical element for building long-term trust and attracting repeat travelers,” he added.

Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco concurred about the need to elevate the quality of infrastructure.

“We do not enjoy the advantage that our neighbors have in the ASEAN in terms of international land travel. Over 99% of our international tourists are dependent on air travel,” she said.

“Hence, it has been an advocacy of the DoT to work with our fellow government agencies, including the Department of Transportation, to focus on building up infrastructure and connectivity,” she added.

According to Ms. Frasco, the Philippines is expecting Air India flights to begin later this year.

“The National Government is in full support of welcoming this inaugural flight from India,” she said.

“We are looking at India as a huge potential source market for the Philippines,” she added.

Citing the recently launched direct flights by Air France, she said there is encouraging momentum in building up a European source market.

“We’re hopeful that other destinations from Europe and other carriers can follow suit,” she said.

“We’re also hoping to be able to further increase routes to the Middle East,” she added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Philippines to get 2^nd batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India

April 23, 2025 | 10:35 pm

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES will soon take delivery of the second batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India to bolster its anti-ship capabilities, with the military already preparing for its strategic deployment, its top Defense official said on Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. did not say when the latest BrahMos missile system would be delivered, but Indian media reported that the ship carrying the missiles had sailed from India earlier this week.

“They’re on their way,” he told reporters in Filipino after meeting Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in a courtesy call in Manila. “We’re taking all the steps needed to use them properly.”

The Philippines placed three orders for Indian-made BrahMos cruise missile batteries worth $375 million (P19.8 billion) in 2022 as part of its military modernization efforts, and received the first batch last year.

The BrahMos missile system, with a range of 290 kilometers, can achieve supersonic speeds and can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land-based platforms.

The Philippine military is seeking to modernize its equipment and has earmarked at least $35 billion for its build-up amid clashes with Beijing’s naval and coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, where the two nations have competing claims over disputed maritime features such as the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.

The South China Sea has become a regional flashpoint as China continues to assert sovereignty over almost the entire sea, seen as a vital global trade route that is believed to be also rich in undersea gas and oil deposits.

Mr. Teodoro said the Philippine military is preparing where to base the Indian-made missile systems, since no planning had been made before their purchase.

“What I’ve been working on is ensuring where they will be placed and stored, as these preparations weren’t ready before,” he said. “We rushed to catch up and make the necessary arrangements.”

The Philippines is looking to buy more BrahMos missile systems this year, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. told reporters in February.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has yet to receive a formal offer for the possible sale of F-16 fighter jets that the US Department of State approved early this month, Mr. Teodoro said.

“We are still waiting for a formal offer and proposal. So far, we haven’t received any,” he said in Filipino.

The US government greenlit the Philippines’ request for 20 F-16 fighters from Lockheed Martin Corp. worth $5.58 billion (P315 billion), in a possible deal that includes missiles, bombs, radar units and backup jet engines.

Mr. Teodoro told lawmakers last year the Philippines started soliciting offers for 40 new, multi-role fighter aircraft to boost its territorial defense capabilities. The government is willing to shell out about P400 billion for the pur-chase, he said in August.

Manila is eyeing much needed upgrades to its aging air force, whose arsenal mostly consists of turboprops. The Philippine Air Force only has 11 Korean-made FA-50 light fighter jets, its most advanced aircraft, after one crashed in early March.

Meanwhile, Mr. Teodoro and Mr. Sjamsoeddin exchanged views on regional security, maritime cooperation and bilateral defense initiatives during their meeting in Manila, the Defense department said in a separate statement.

“The Defense ministers discussed security developments in the Indo-Pacific region and affirmed their shared interests as archipelagic nations,” it said. “They acknowledged that this fundamental similarity as neighbors can further deepen defense and military cooperation through sustained interaction and engagements at multiple levels.”

Mr. Teodoro also expressed interest in learning from Indonesia’s experience in indigenous defense production, in line with the recently enacted Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, which seeks to bolster the Philip-pine defense industry.

During the visit, Mr. Brawner also met with his counterpart, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces General Agus Subiyanto, the Defense department said.

“The meeting underscored the shared vision of the Philippines and Indonesia in promoting a stable, secure, and rules-based regional order,” it added.

In a related development, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement on security cooperation against crime, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

“The agreement seeks to enhance cooperation in addressing security threats through the exchange of information and the implementation of joint initiatives designed to prevent, detect and combat various forms of transna-tional and organized crime,” it said.

It added that the deal would focus on cybercrime, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other serious crimes. — with Adrian H. Halili

Marcos, Ishiba meeting set

April 23, 2025 | 10:29 pm

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

JAPANESE Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will meet with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in Manila next week to deepen economic, defense and political ties, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said Mr. Ishiba would conduct an official visit to the Philippines on April 29 and 30. The President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will welcome Mr. Ishiba and his wife Yoshiko at Malacañan Palace on April 29.

“The meeting of President Marcos and Prime Minister Ishiba will aim to deepen and improve economic and development cooperation, political and defense engagements and people-to-people exchanges,” the palace said.

Security ties between the two US allies have strengthened in the past two years as Japan and the Philippines share common concerns over China’s increasingly assertive actions in the region.

Last year, Manila and Tokyo signed a landmark reciprocal access agreement allowing the deployment of their forces on each other’s soil.

The agreement is the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia and coincides with increased Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive claims conflict with those of several Southeast Asian nations.

The presidential palace said both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and global developments and explore new pathways toward peace and stability under Tokyo and Manila’s strengthened strategic partnership.

In December, the two countries signed a second security deal in which Japan agreed to provide the Philippine Navy with rigid hull inflatable boats and more coastal radar systems.

The two leaders previously met on the sidelines of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summits in Vientiane, Laos in October.

“The exchange of high-level visits is a main feature of Philippines-Japan relations,” the palace said. “President Marcos undertook an official visit to Japan in February 2023, which was returned by Japan’s then Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in an official visit in November 2023.”

Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of Manila-based think tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said the meeting of the two leaders is a milestone in Philippine-Japan relations.

“This is a good sign while waiting for the final approval and signatory of the Japanese National Diet on the reciprocal access agreement,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “It shows that Manila is a reliable partner of Tokyo in the In-do-Pacific region.”

The military pact, which the Philippine Senate ratified in December, would let both countries expand military cooperation, build trust and address shared security challenges.

Manila was one of the first recipients of Tokyo’s official security assistance, a program that seeks to boost deterrence capabilities of partner countries.

“This meeting is an imperative not just to bolster, but more importantly to further expand the partnership between the Philippines and Japan,” Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy instructor at the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said via Messenger chat.

Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, said the meeting could pave the way for Japanese investments in the Southeast Asian nation’s defense industry.

Lakas-CMD machinery could help Marcos-backed Senate bets

April 23, 2025 | 10:26 pm

Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas — PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. attended a party convention in Pasay City where the administration’s senatorial bets for the 2025 elections were announced. The alliance comprises the country’s five major political parties — Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party and National Unity Party. — PPA POOL/ RYAN BALDEMOR

The machinery of the Philippines’ dominant political party would boost its senatorial candidates’ chances in the midterm elections next month, its campaign manager said on Wednesday.

“We are deeply grateful to Speaker Romualdez and the entire Lakas-CMD for their trust and commitment,” Navotas Rep. Tobias Reynald M. Tiangco, campaign manager of the Senate ticket, said in a statement. “Their support gives our campaign the strength and organization needed to reach more voters across the country.”

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday ordered his political party, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), to support senatorial bets under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas (Alliance for a New Philippines) for a “sweeping victory.”

The Commission on Elections has declared Lakas-CMD as the dominant majority political party in the May 12 elections, based on the number of its incumbent elective officials and its capacity to field candidates across all government levels.

The political party, which holds a majority at the House of Representatives, is fielding more than 6,000 candidates across national and local levels in this year’s elections.

In a separate statement, Lakas-CMD said provincial governors linked with the party have pledged to secure millions of votes for the 11 senatorial candidates backed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The party has 14 governors representing provinces with more than 9 million voters.

“With Lakas-CMD’s help, we are confident that the people will elect leaders who will work with the administration to deliver real progress,” Mr. Tiangco said.

Meanwhile, a coalition of more than 50 party-list groups at the House also backed the administration’s Senate bets, saying the move is “necessary and strategic” to ensure that Mr. Marcos’ policy agenda won’t be sidelined at the Senate.

“We are backing candidates who share the same legislative priorities, the same aspirations for a more progressive, more stable and more inclusive Philippines,” Party-list Rep. Jose J. Teves, Jr., vice-president of the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc., said in a separate statement.

Their support for the Marcos-backed senatorial candidates comes after Mr. Romualdez met with the party-list coalition on Tuesday.

“We are appealing to you to go straight Alyansa,” the Speaker told the 40 party-list representatives who attended the luncheon meeting. “If we can go straight… we will showcase the political clout of party-list lawmakers.”

“When the party-list acts together… we are talking conservatively of 15 million votes that you can command easily,” he added.

Mr. Romualdez’s move to campaign and mobilize support for the administration’s senatorial candidates reeks of political insecurity, Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “If the supermajority was consistent, that alone would have sufficed.”

Backing political coalitions and heavyweights won’t guarantee voter support for Alyansa candidates, Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, an associate political science professor at De La Salle University, said via Messenger chat.

He added that some Duterte supporters might still be persuaded not to come up with a solid vote and pick some candidates not allied with the clan. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Marcos urged to pass FOI law

April 23, 2025 | 10:18 pm

Marcos-ICIC-event-PHILSTAR-KRIZ-JOHN-ROSALES — PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the 14th Edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) held in Manila on June 19, 2023. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should prioritize the approval of a long-awaited Freedom of Information (FOI) law to strengthen Filipinos’ right to access information, a civil group said on Wednesday.

Mr. Marcos should put into motion the legislative process for an FOI measure by endorsing it in his annual state address, certifying it as urgent and engaging with congressional leaders to ensure its progress, transparency advocacy group Right to Know, Right Now Coalition said.

“The Constitution already guarantees the right to information,” it said in a statement. “The task of legislation is to strengthen and operationalize that right — not restrict or dilute it.”

The statement followed a roundtable discussion, convened by the Philippine Open Government Partnership and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in which the Coalition presented its position on the proposed FOI bills for the 20th Congress.

Two draft FOI bills from the DBM and the Presidential Communications Office are being presented to civil society groups, business organizations and academic institutions for discussion, according to the transparency advocacy group.

“The proposed FOI bills must recognize the right to information as self-executory, grounded in the Constitution, not dependent on enabling legislation,” the group said. “The FOI regime must go beyond passive compliance.”

“Agencies must proactively publish high-value datasets in accessible… formats with mechanisms for public input,” it added.

Attempts to enact an FOI law in the Philippines have repeatedly faltered in Congress despite the right to information being enshrined in the 1987 Constitution and even with the backing of the late former President Benigno S.C. Aquino III during his administration.

Six FOI bills pending in the Senate have been consolidated and now await second reading approval. No counterpart bill has so far been filed at the House of Representatives.

POLITICAL WILL

The Philippines has not enacted an FOI law due to a lack of political will stemming from the need by politicians to keep the government opaque from public scrutiny, said Aljon Patrick C. Acupan, convener of transparency group FOI Youth Initiative.

“A robust FOI law would pave the way for genuine transparency — shedding light on inefficiencies, and in some cases, uncovering corruption or abuse of power,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat on Wednesday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in February said that having a transparent government is key to stability and prosperity.

“If transparency is truly a cornerstone of the administration, the strongest proof would be the enactment of the FOI law within his term,” said Mr. Acupan.

“If governance is honest and competent, transparency should be seen not as a threat but as a badge of trustworthiness. This is especially critical now, as recent polls show declining satisfaction with the administration’s performance,” he added.

Mr. Marcos’ public approval rating fell to a record low in March, according to a Pulse Asia Research, Inc. poll. The President’s approval rating plummeted to 25% from 42% in February, while 54% of Filipinos expressed distrust toward him, up from 32%.

Marcos to attend Pope’s funeral

April 23, 2025 | 10:17 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City, alongside other world leaders, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed on Wednesday.

In a Viber message to reporters, PCO Undersecretary Claire A. Castro said that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos will also join the President.

She did not provide details regarding when Mr. Marcos and the First Lady will fly to Vatican City for the funeral.

The Pope’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10 a.m. Vatican time in St. Peter’s Square.

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis died on Monday after suffering from a stroke and cardiac arrest. He was 88.

Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he was elected the Supreme Pontiff on March 13, 2013. He became the first pope from Latin America and the first pontiff from the Jesuit Order.

Also on Wednesday, Malacañang issued Proclamation no. 871, declaring a period of national mourning over the death of Pope Francis, effective immediately until his burial on Saturday.

The Philippine flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings and installations throughout the country and abroad, the proclamation, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, read.— Adrian H. Halili

Talks on steel mill revival in Northern Mindanao under way

April 23, 2025 | 10:15 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said that foreign and local groups have shown interest in reviving a 500-hectare steel mill in Northern Mindanao.

“There are already discussions among certain groups, both foreign and local, that would ensure a partnership to revive the steel mill,” Mr. Marcos said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr. Marcos on Tuesday attended the Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao meeting in Cagayan de Oro City, which tackled plans of local and foreign groups to form ties to revive the National Steel Corp.

The steel mill located in Iligan, Lanao del Norte was previously operated by the National Steel Corp., which went bankrupt in 2000.

He added that the revival of the defunct steel mill may be “critical for any industrialization that we are planning.”

Mr. Marcos added that he will also order the Department of Energy to evaluate the capability of the 1,000-megawatt (MW) Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex to supply power for the steel mill.

“We need to do a technical analysis to determine if we can meet the 1,500 MW power production threshold,” he added. — Adrian H. Halili

SC warns against scammers

April 23, 2025 | 10:13 pm

BAGUIO CITY — The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday warned against fake court orders, notices, issuances, and advisories, misleading the public.

“Do not just believe the notices or subpoenas you receive and see on social media postings that you are ordered to go to court to explain anything. Make sure the notice is true and correct, verify with the court,” Chief Jus-tice Alexander G. Gesmundo told reporters on the sidelines of a briefing in Baguio City.

Mr. Gesmundo added the High Court will coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police to identify the individuals responsible for spreading the fake documents.

In a press briefing, SC Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting said that the fake court documents are from scammers usually seeking to collect money.

“The public is always advised to always double check and verify the authenticity of these documents by just calling or e-mailing the court, trial courts, SC, (Court of Appeals [CA]),” she added.

Ms. Ting added that the SC has received complaints through e-mails or social media posts of alleged individuals sending fake court documents.

“They see posts on social media and we’re getting complaints through e-mail that there are people sending them these fake e-mails, so they ask for verification,” she said.

All official orders, notices, and other court-related documents are typically issued on official channels and should be verified with the SC, CA, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan. — Adrian H. Halili

Comelec issues 5 show cause orders

April 23, 2025 | 10:07 pm

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday issued show cause orders to senatorial candidate Las Piñas Rep. Camille A. Villar and four other candidates running for local posts in the May 12 elections.

In a show cause order sent to reporters, the poll body said Ms. Villar “participated in activities that involve the distribution of prizes by the candidates or their supporters or by any person in which the names of the candidates are mentioned.”

It added that videos and photos of the event showed banners and signages of her bearing her name and image, along with the banners of Villar Group companies.

The poll body had given Ms. Villar a non-extendible period of three (3) days from receipt to explain why she should not be disqualified.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ms. Villar denied any allegation or insinuation of vote buying or any other election offense, explaining that the event took place on Feb. 9 before the official start of the campaign period.

Comelec has also issued show cause orders to four other candidates due to their alleged involvement in vote buying or the use of social welfare programs during campaign activities.

Among them were Palawan congressional candidate Abraham Mitra, Nueva Ecija congressional candidate Emersion Pascual, and Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro mayoral candidate and vice-mayoral candidate Edna Cantos Villas.

Article 12 of the Omnibus Election Code penalizes vote-buying and vote-selling with not less than one year to six years of imprisonment. — Adrian H. Halili

44°C heat index hits Tuguegarao City

April 23, 2025 | 10:04 pm

High school students-wc — STUDENTS were sent home after classes were suspended in Marikina City following reports that Metro Manila could experience a “danger level” heat index of up to 46°C. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

BAGUIO CITY — A 44°C heat index was monitored in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) Northern Luzon Regional Services Division reported.

The same heat index was felt earlier on Tuesday.

Aparri, also in Cagayan, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, and the rest of North Luzon are also experiencing such heat.

PAGASA added that Easterlies coming from the Pacific Ocean are also affecting Cagayan province and nearby provinces bringing scorching hot weather.

No rainfall is expected in Cagayan, except for localized thunderstorms that may bring rain showers.

The public was strongly urged to drink water regularly and avoid long exposure to the sun, especially from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PAGASA explained that the heat index is under the dangerous category as it may cause people to suffer from heat stroke. — Artemio A. Dumlao