The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is working with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in pushing for walkable infrastructure on EDSA amid fuel conservation efforts in the wake of the Middle East conflict.
At a media conference in Manila on Friday, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s directive was to ease the burden of commuters.
An economist warned of a “medical inflation” resulting from oil price hikes due to the tensions in the Middle East.
According to a "24 Oras" report by Maki Pulido on Friday, the effects of the conflict may soon be felt as prices increase for medical equipment and services.
Professor Emmanuel Leyco said that medical equipment like syringes, surgical equipment, oxygen masks, and gloves uses oil in their raw materials.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Friday sought closer coordination, including information-sharing, among members in conflict areas to ensure the protection and timely movement of its nationals who may be trapped in war and other emergency situations.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro, who convened a special foreign ministerial meeting online on the situation in the ongoing war in the Middle East, said the mechanism would allow ASEAN states to immediately respond to any crisis and provide aid to other members who do not have diplomatic posts in certain countries. The Philippines is the current chair of ASEAN.
The Philippine peso sank to its fresh historic low against the US dollar on Friday, hitting its weakest footing twice in only a week, amid uncertainties due to the Middle East conflict.
The local currency shed 35 centavos to close at P59.735:$1 from Thursday's close of P59.385:$1.
Israel’s Ambassador to the Philippines Dana Kursh described Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, as a “clone” of his slain father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In an exclusive interview with GMA Integrated News, Kursh said Israel is watching the new Iranian leader, who was reportedly injured amid the US-Israel attacks, closely.
“So I’m afraid that his son is a clone of his dad,” she said, adding that Israel has seen intelligence suggesting Mojtaba Khamenei had been shaped by the same ideology as his father. Kursh said Israel’s objective is not to choose Iran’s next leader but expressed hope that “the Iranian people will choose a different leader.”
Motorists should buckle up and tighten their belts more as another round of mega oil price hikes are expected to be implemented next week.
According to an oil industry source, based on the fuel trading in the past four days, the pump prices of diesel may increase by P19 to P22 per liter.
Gasoline may go up by P12 to P16 per liter.
At least 480 Filipinos in the Middle East are set to be repatriated amid the escalating tensions between Iran and the US and Israel, the Philippine Consulate in Dubai said Friday.
Consul General Ambrosio Brian Enciso III said the repatriates, composed of at least 36 tourists and 270 migrant workers, will depart Dubai on board a chartered flight.
The Philippines will grant visa relief to foreigners affected by the mass cancellation of outbound flights amid the unrest in the Middle East.
“This is the Philippine government’s simple way of extending relief not only to those directly affected by the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, but also a compassionate gesture of support to stand in solidarity with the whole world during this difficult time of socio-economic and political upheavals,” said DOJ Secretary Frederick Vida in a news release.
The Presidential Communications Office has adopted energy conservation protocols in line with the directive of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to save energy amid oil price shocks.
Under a memorandum dated March 8, 2026 and signed by Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, all PCO personnel shall adopt a four-day onsite and one common work-from-home day arrangement, except for output-based contract of service personnel.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that the expected increase in electricity rates amid the heightened tensions in the Middle East will be implemented in phases.
This, as the ERC announced that the “full impact” of the conflict in the Middle East on power bills will be felt by electricity consumers during the hot dry months of April and May.
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