The Situation Report

BREAKING: BIG OIL PRICE ROLLBACK Energy Secretary Sharon Garin announced that oil prices are expected to go down on April 14, following the recent trends in global oil prices. For April 14-20, 2026, she said diesel is set to go down by P20.89 per liter, gasoline by P4.43 per liter and kerosene by P8.50 per liter. #TheSituationReport

AGRICULTURAL CROPS FOR BAKING #ICYMI: Para kay Chito Chavez, pangulo ng Asosasyon ng Panaderong Pilipino, isa sa nakikita niyang long-term solution upang magtuloy-tuloy ang operasyon ng mga tinapayan sa bansa sa gitna ng oil crisis ay ang paghahanap ng ibang mga pamamaraan sa paggawa ng tinapay. Ibinahagi ni Chavez sa #SpecialOnSaturday, mahalagang mabigyan ng edukasyon ang maliit na magtitinapay gaya ng paggamit ng agricultural crops. "Ang ube, kamote, kamoteng-kahoy, ang malunggay, ang kalabasa—pwedeng gamitin ito sa tinapay, sa pandesal. Magkakaroon pa tayo ng new product na makakatulong sa agrikulturang Pilipino at sa ating industriya," sabi ni Chavez. #TheSituationReport

FIRE UPDATE (April 12, 2026) | The Navotas sanitary landfill fire is now under control after burning for more than 20 hours since it started at 8:23 p.m. on Friday, April 10. Citing the Navotas City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) at 9:17 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, Mayor John Rey Tiangco said suppression operations are still ongoing to fully extinguish the blaze. Tiangco noted that the landfill, located on an island approximately 2.6 kilometers from residential areas in Navotas, has already been closed. To speed up firefighting efforts, the mayor said the city coordinated with the Philippine Air Force to address remaining hotspots at the landfill and has depolyed to helicopters for aerial water bucket drop operations. Due to the massive fire, air quality in nearby cities has been affected, prompting local government units to urge residents to wear face masks when going outdoors. Meanwhile, the Environmental Management Bureau–National Capital Region (EMB-NCR) also advised the public to wear face masks to protect against harmful air pollutants. It also recommended that residents remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed. The bureau further advised the temporary suspension of outdoor activities, sports events, and classes in affected areas where smoke or strong odors persist to ensure public safety. #TheSituationReport

BREAKING: US Vice President JD Vance says talks between the US and Iran have ended after 21 hours without reaching an agreement. | via AP #TheSituationReport

KRUDO HALOS IMPOSIBLE NANG BUMABA SA ORIGINAL PRICE WATCH: Ipinaliwanag ni dating Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla na maraming factors ang nakakaapekto sa presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo — at hindi ito kontrolado ng Pilipinas. Dahil nagpapatuloy pa ang gulo sa Middle East, sinabi ng ngayo'y Leyte governor na mahirap nang maibalik pa sa dati ang presyo ng krudo. #TheSituationReport

ABILITY TO PAY AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY WATCH: Ipinaliwanag ni Michael Ricafort, chief economist ng RCBC na tinitingnan ng credit card firms ang kakayahan ng isang tao na makapagbayad kapag iisyuhan ng credit card. Ayon kay Ricafort, nakikita rin kasi ng mga bangko ang credit card holders kung sila ay may magandang standing at kung late magbayad. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

MAGING WAIS SA PAGGAMIT NG CREDIT CARD Ngayong lumalakas ang paggamit ng mga Pilipino sa credit card, nagpayo ang chief economist ng RCBC na si Michael Ricafort na maging maingat sa paggamit nito. Sabi ni Ricafort, kaakibat ng paggamit ng credit card ay ang pagkakaroon ng disiplina. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

Several Philippine media outlets are reporting that diesel prices could drop by up to ₱10.80 per liter next week, while gasoline may ease by ₱1.50 per liter. #TheSituationReport

WEATHER ALERT: The tropical storm outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a severe tropical storm, state weather bureau PAGASA said. In its latest advisory, the weather system was located 2,715 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao. PAGASA said the severe tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h, with gusts of up to 115 km/h, and is currently almost stationary. Once it enters the PAR, the weather system will be given the local name #CaloyPH. #TheSituationReport

Authorities across the Philippines have intensified enforcement of ordinances, including prohibiting individuals from roaming shirtless in public areas, as part of the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) "Safer Cities" initiative. Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla had issued a stern warning to the public earlier this week, urging everyone to wear at least a tank top in public spaces or risk being apprehended by police. In CALABARZON, the Police Regional Office 4A reported that 1,225 violators were nabbed in a regionwide Safer Cities operation spanning Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, with the ban on shirtless individuals among the enforced measures. In Lubao, Pampanga, the municipal police likewise implemented the directive on April 9, 2026, alongside other public order measures such as banning street drinking, restricting late-night videoke use, and enforcing curfew hours for minors. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has since deployed additional personnel to key areas nationwide to ensure sustained compliance, underscoring the government's commitment to building safer and more disciplined communities. #TheSituationReport

Incoming Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay has been handed a clear mandate: make tourism work not just for popular destinations, but for local economies across the country. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appointed the veteran trade diplomat to lead the Department of Tourism (DOT) with an explicit push to align travel with job creation, business growth, and regional development. "Her appointment reflects the administration’s push to position tourism not only as a cultural showcase, but as a strong driver of jobs, businesses , and regional development," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement. "With her appointment, the administration aims to further align tourism with economic growth attracting more investments, supporting local industries, and ensuring that the gains from tourism are felt across the regions," it added. Angara-Mathay previously headed the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, where she secured P51 billion in Japanese investment pledges and championed programs expanding opportunities for Filipino MSMEs. The PCO said her decades of experience in international trade and investment will be vital as the country enters "a new phase of tourism development." #TheSituationReport

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has appointed veteran trade diplomat Dita Angara-Mathay as the new Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT). Secretary Mathay previously served as head of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, where she led efforts to promote Philippine exports and attract Japanese investments. #TheSituationReport

READ: Former President and Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo denied allegations on the supposed ouster plot against House Speaker Bodjie Dy. “I reaffirm my confidence in his leadership of the House of Representatives. Our mutual support, which began many years ago with his late father, remains unbroken,” she said in a statement. 📷: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo/Facebook #TheSituationReport

NEWS ALERT: The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it will issue a show cause order within the day against the TNVS driver who posted lewd comments about actress Xyriel Manabat. In a press conference, the LTFRB said it has already identified the driver and the operator and will issue the order as soon as possible. #TheSituationReport

NEWS ALERT: Inanunsyo ng Department of Transportation na magkakaroon ng 20% na pasahe sa ilalim ng net service contracting program simula sa Miyerkules, April 15. Ayon sa DOTr, makikinabang dito ang mga komyuter sa 823 ruta, 1,000 operators, at 50,000 PUV units. Pero sabi ng ahensya ang P800 milyong pondong inilaan para rito ay posibleng tumagal lamang ng hanggang dalawang linggo. #TheSituationReport

BAKA MAS MALUBOG SA UTANG Nagbabala ang ilang analysts na baka mas malubog sa utang ang maraming Pilipino sa gitna ng oil crisis na resulta ng gulo sa Middle East. Sa report ng South China Morning Post, sinabi ng chief economist ng RCBC na si Michael Ricafort na pinipili ng mga Pilipino ang credit card kapag kinukulang sa budget. Paliwanag ni Ricafort, bagaman mababa ang credit card ownership sa Pilipinas, lumalabas sa datos ang mas malakas na paggamit ng mga Pilipino ngayon dahil hindi tugma ang tumataas na presyo ng bilihin kumpara sa kanilang kinikita o income. Sabi naman ni Jonathan Ravelas sa parehong interview, unti-unti nang nagiging "survival tools" mula sa pagiging "convenience tools" ang credit cards ngayong may krisis. #TheSituationReport

JUST IN: President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. appoints Dita Angara-Mathay as the new Secretary of the Department of Tourism. Prior to her appointment, Mathay served as the country’s commercial counselor at the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, Japan. Mathay replaced former Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who now serves as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. #TheSituationReport

NAPAKAINIT! Ang Dumangas, Iloilo ang nakapagtala ng pinakamaraming datos ng danger levels na heat index sa loob ng isang linggo. Batay sa datos ng PAGASA, naitala ang 43°C na heat index Dumangas noong Linggo, na sinundan ng sunod-sunod na 42°C na heat index simula noong Lunes hanggang Huwebes, April 9. Sa forecast ng weather bureau, 42°C din ang magiging heat index sa Dumangas ngayong Biyernes, April 10, at bukas, April 11. Samantala, sa ngayon, ang Catarman ang nakapagtala ng pinakamataas na heat index para sa linggong ito na 44°C. Naitala ang nasabing heat index sa Catarman noong Miyerkules, April 8. #TheSituationReport