Mag. 2.3 Quake Strikes 8.6 km West of Wao, Philippines, on April 15, 2025

As Holy Week Approaches, Agdao Public Market Sees Price Increases on Select Goods

As Holy Week draws near, vendors at Agdao Public Market are reporting slight price hikes on certain goods, particularly fish and produce commonly used during the season.

Fish prices have risen, with Matambaka now selling at ₱260 per kilo, up from ₱240, and Moromoro reaching ₱60 per kilo. Vendors attribute the increases to heightened demand and expect prices to rise further before the weekend.

Tilapia remains stable at ₱100 per kilo, while other popular fish like danggit and bangus are priced at ₱200 and ₱220 per kilo, respectively.

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Coconuts, often used in Holy Week dishes like binignit, have increased to ₱21 each, a noticeable rise from previous weeks. While sellers don’t anticipate further hikes, they note that supplies are tight.

Chicken prices have remained steady at ₱195 per kilo since January, and pork prices have seen a slight drop. Live pork is now priced at around ₱200 per kilo, while dressed pork ranges from ₱340 to ₱360, depending on supply and transport costs.

Fruit prices are mostly stable. Mangoes are selling for ₱120 per kilo, while watermelon and oranges are priced at ₱50. Apples are at ₱25 each, and kamote, another common binignit ingredient, is priced at ₱60 per kilo, with a slight potential increase during the week.

Vegetable prices are mixed. Ampalaya has doubled in price to ₱80 per kilo, while items like carrots, eggplants, and potatoes have seen price reductions in recent days.

Despite these fluctuations, vendors report that overall supply remains steady.

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MANILA, Philippines — No Low-Pressure Areas or Storms in PAR on Holy Tuesday, but Two Weather Systems to Affect the Country, Says Pagasa

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that there are no low-pressure areas or storms currently within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) as of Holy Tuesday. However, two weather systems are expected to influence the country in the coming days.

In its latest weather forecast, Pagasa said that a frontal system will bring rain and cooler conditions to parts of Northern Luzon, particularly in the Batanes, Cagayan, and Ilocos regions. Meanwhile, the easterlies, or winds coming from the Pacific, will affect the rest of the country, leading to warm and humid conditions along with isolated rain showers, particularly in the afternoon.

Pagasa also advised the public to stay updated on weather conditions, especially in areas where the easterlies and frontal system may bring varying levels of rainfall.

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“We are not monitoring any storms or low-pressure areas, either inside or outside the PAR, at the moment. However, two weather systems are currently affecting our country,” said Pagasa weather specialist Chenel Dominguez.

According to Dominguez, the frontal system is expected to bring cloudy skies and rainfall to Batanes, Cagayan, and Apayao in Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, the easterlies are forecast to persist, causing hot and humid conditions across the rest of the country, with possible rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Metro Manila: 27 to 35 degrees Celsius

Baguio City: 18 to 25 degrees Celsius

Laoag City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

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Tuguegarao: 25 to 34 degrees Celsius

Legazpi City: 24 to 32 degrees Celsius

Puerto Princesa City: 26 to 34 degrees Celsius

Tagaytay: 24 to 33 degrees Celsius

Kalayaan Islands: 26 to 34 degrees Celsius

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Iloilo City: 23 to 32 degrees Celsius

Cebu: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Tacloban City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius

Cagayan De Oro City: 26 to 32 degrees Celsius

Zamboanga City: 26 to 33 degrees Celsius

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reported that the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project has made significant progress, achieving over 12 percent physical accomplishment and is on track for completion by 2028.

In an inspection report submitted to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain highlighted that construction efforts for the 4.76-kilometer SIDC are currently focused on the foundation and substructure. He emphasized that strict control measures are being enforced to ensure the structural integrity and safety of the bridge.

“In line with President Marcos’ directive to accelerate critical infrastructure projects, DPWH is committed to pushing forward with the SIDC to ensure timely and transparent delivery, all while adhering to the project’s budget,” said Sadain on April 11, 2025.

Additionally, DPWH reported that the first bi-directional static load test for the offshore pile on the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) has been successfully conducted. This test, using a load cell installed within a reinforced cage, is crucial for verifying the strength and safety of the deep foundation.

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Significant progress has been made in the structural development of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge, with all 74 board piles for the east lands viaduct on the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) side now completed. On the Davao City side, 73 out of 110 board piles have been poured, along with four of the 26 columns, each standing at 10 meters high. Additionally, four bored piles for the navigation bridge on both sides have been completed.

Work on the bridge ramps is also underway, with 40 out of 133 bored piles already poured. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that preparatory activities are also in progress for road widening along Daang Maharlika, including the relocation of utility poles, installation of fencing, and the clearing of structures and obstructions.

To ensure marine safety, four registered navigational buoys were installed offshore, in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Furthermore, land acquisition is progressing steadily, with about 83 percent of the required properties already acquired, while the remaining properties are in the process of finalization.

Once completed, the SIDC will feature a four-lane extradosed bridge with a 530-meter main span, a 570-meter land viaduct on the Davao side, and a 395-meter land viaduct on the Samal side. The project will also include marine viaducts measuring 350 meters on the west side and 510 meters on the east side, as well as ramps connecting to the R. Castillo–Daang Maharlika junction in Davao City. Additionally, there will be a 24-meter-wide at-grade road with a roundabout in Barangay Limao, Igacos.

According to DPWH, the completed bridge is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, stimulate economic growth, and boost tourism in the Davao Region, serving as a symbol of progress under the Bagong Pilipinas vision.

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The project is funded through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan from China and is being implemented under a contract with the China Road and Bridge Corporation. The design and build contract is valued at P20.84 billion.