BULAKAN, Bulacan—A body of an unidentified woman was found by local fisher folks and residents floating in a fishpond near a river in Barangay Taliptip in this town early Wednesday afternoon.

Rosario Mariano, Bulakan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) chief said the body was recovered floating in Kakayasan fishpond area near the river of Taliptip bound to Bocaue waters. 

Mariano could not provide immediate details to NEWSCORE Bulacan as Bulakan police, she said still awaits report by the Bulacan Provincial Forensic Unit for possible identification of the victim.

Initially, she said, the woman looks to be between 35-40 years old. 

Mariano said they are checking reports if the woman was the one reported missing in Caloocan City at the height of strong rains and flood few days ago. 

CITY OF MALOLOS—The Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) reported on Tuesday the death of a Barangay Health Worker in City of Meycauayan who was electrocuted while on her way to the health station to check the safety from flood of medical supplies for the village. 

Based on the PDRRMO report, the victim was identified as Christina Abisate Padora, 49, a Health Worker in Barangay Bayugo. 

She was headed to the Barangay Health Station at around 8:18 a.m. to secure from flood the equipment and instrument as well as vaccines. 

While approaching the health station, a covered with tent flooded area that has a live wire unknowingly caught Padora.

Most from the 26 barangays in Meycauayan are in 1-4 ft. flood waters due to rains and high tide. 

Mayor Henry Villarica and Congresswoman Linabelle Ruth Villarica have already expressed their sicnerest sympathies and assistance to the family of the victim.

CITY OF MAOLOS—Bishop Dennis Villarojo of the Diocese of Malolos calls on all church officals in Bulacan including in Valenzuela City, Metro Manila that is also under the diocese to open their respective churches as evacuation centers of those who are in need of safety from days of heavy flooding due to the recent typhoons, southwest monsoon and high tide. 

In a statement released late night on Tuesday, the  Bishop said the Diocesan Commission on Social Action (CSA) has already provided help to the residents affected of flooding. He said all chapels and parishes must do the same. 

According to the Bishop, the CSA of all parishes should also do their obligations to help those affected of the floods and that chapels and churches should be opened for those who needed shelter. 

“Nauna nang nagpaabot ng tulong ang ating Diocese at pinapanawagan kong ipagpatuloy natin ito sa pamamagitan ng mga CSA sa bawat parokya. Buksan natin ang ating mga kapilya at simbahan para sa mga walang matuluyan,” the statement reads. 

He said that while the victims of flood from the recent typhoons and southwest monsoon are still  reeling to recover, typhoon Dante is here to also bring havoc to the residents. 

The Bishop acknowleged the works of the other churches that continue to conduct masses amid the flooding. By doing sp, he said, It is Jesus Christ whom is continued to be accepted in our midst especially during the masses held despite the flooding. “Si Hesus na patuloy nating tinatanggap lalo na sa Banal na Misang ipinagdiriwang kahit 

lubog sa baha ang ilan nating simbahan”. 

Villarojo said that at these trying moments, while many have yet to understand the meaning of hope during these times of calamaities, it is Jesus Christ who is our hope.

“Sa mga sandaling ito, maaaring inuunawa natin kung ano ang kahulugan ng pag-asa dahil tila walang katapusan ang ating pagdurusa, lalo na ang mga lubos na nasalanta,” (During these moments, we are trying to understand what is the meaning of hope because it seems that our sufferings seems to be endless particualrly those who are devastated of the floods). 

The Bishop reminds everyone that is is Jesus Christ who is  working on each of averyone who help the victims of flooding, who provides clothes and food, provides shelter and those who rescue those in danger. 

He also thanked those who have opened their doors and hands for the needy and the flood victims and our officials who already responded to tue need of our people. You are the faces of hope that Jesus Christ brings to everone”. 

The Bishop also calls on eveyone to pray together similar to what the apostoles did amidst the storms, when they cross the other path, everyone must all walk together to rise again. He asked for solemn and deep prayer of everyone and putting our hope to Jesus Christ who remove and eases the storms and the strong einds. 

“Katulad ng ligtas na pagtawid ng mga alagad sa ibayo sa kabila ng unos, sama-sama nawa tayong maglakbay patungo sa pagbangon. Manalangin tayong taimtim, taglay ang pag-asa kay Hesus na siyang pumapawi ng unos at malakas na hangin”. 

CITY OF MALOLOS—Up to 6 ft. high level of flood waters are still up in several towns in Bulacan as of Wednesday due to rains brought by Habagat, high tide waters, backflooding and partially due to dam releases.

Francis Clara, head of the Water Control Coordinating Unit (WCCU) of the Irrigation Monitoring Office of Bulacan under the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said that they released 460 cubic meter per second (cms) water at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday after Ipo dam spilled 323 cms at 10:00 p. m. on Monday. 

At around 12:00 midnight, Ipo dam decreased its releases to 263 cms which prompted Bustos dam to also decrease its discharges to 306 cms at 1:00 pm on Tuesday. 

However, Bustos dam closed its main irrigation canal for the water requirements of Bulacan and Pampanga farmers to avoid the standing crops from being soaked with waters due to moderate to heavy downpour brought by typhoon Crising and Habagat. 

Ipo dam with 101.00 meters spilling level was at 100.34 meters on Tuesday trigering its continued discharges. Bustos dam elevation also rose to 16.05 meters on Tueaday morning. 

Bustos dam deflated all its Rubber Gates 1. 2, 4, 5 and 6 to allow the spillage of Ipo dam to flow to Angat River and prevent bursting of the rubber gates. 

Angat dam which has a 210.00 meters above sea level (masl) elevation from 191.88 on Saturday morning rose to 6 meters woth its latest 198.03 masl elevation. But it is still several meters away from ita current 210.00 masl normal high water elevation and spilling level. 

Despite the decreasing volume of discharges in Ipo dams, continued moderate to heavy downpours brought by the southwest mobsoon and backflooding of flood waters from Nueva Ecija and Pampanga have also caused Bulacan rivers to swell and caused flood in low lying communities inciuding high tide waters from Manila Bay. 

Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head Manuel Lukban said high tide waters remain in 4.13 ft level and would remain in the same elevation until Friday, July 25. 

At least 9,608 individuals from 2,787 families were evacuated in almost all the 24 towns and four cities in the province. 

CARD SME Bank, a thrift bank under CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), was recognized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as one of its 18 outstanding institutional partners during the 2025 Outstanding BSP Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony (OBSAC) held on July 18, 2025. The award underscores the bank’s ongoing commitment to financial inclusion and empowering MSMEs through responsive banking services.

Started in 2004, OBSAC is BSP’s initiative to honor institutions that significantly contribute to its advocacies that include financial inclusion, price stability, and a secure financial system. CARD SME Bank’s recognition shows its support for these advocacies through its effective and efficient banking programs for MSMEs.

“This award reflects our dedication to providing inclusive and responsible banking. Whether reaching MSMEs in far-flung areas or introducing digital financial tools, we remain steadfast in serving Filipinos with integrity,” said CARD SME Bank President Julius Adrian Alip.

Founded in 2011, CARD SME Bank provides savings, deposits, and loan services. In addition to offering financial products, the bank promotes financial literacy and discipline to empower individuals and businesses toward achieving long-term success.

To learn more about CARD SME Bank’s programs and how it supports communities through inclusive banking, visit www.cardmri.com/cardsmebank or follow them on Facebook at @CARDSMEBankOfficialPage.

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Senator Joel Villanueva, a staunch advocate for the total ban of online gambling, lauded the recent initiative of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Meta Philippines, and advocacy group Digital Pinoys for taking down the social media pages of influencers found promoting illegal online gambling.

“This is a significant step forward in our campaign to push for a total ban on online gambling,” Villanueva said. “Public figures have a huge responsibility, especially when it comes to promoting what is morally right.”

Villanueva emphasized that endorsements of online gambling should be covered under the morality clauses in the contracts of influencers and other public figures to discourage such promotions.

The senator is the author of Senate Bill No. 47 or the Anti-Online Gambling Act, which seeks to prohibit all forms of online gambling operations in the country.

“Una po tayong nag-file noong 19th Congress. Sa mahabang panahon, para tayong nag iisang boses sa kawalan, kaya sa pagdami ng mga may panukalang itigil na ang online gambling at anumang uri ng sugal na lalong naglulugmok sa ating mga kababayan sa kahirapan at pagkawasak ng mga pamilya, atin pong pakatututukan ito ngayong 20th Congress,” Villanueva said.

According to reports, Meta took down around 20 influencer pages, some with hundreds of thousands to millions of followers, after receiving reports that they were actively promoting illegal online gambling content.

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CITY OF MALOLOS—Gov. Daniel Fernando on Monday suspended all classes in all levels in all public and private schools in Bulacan tomorrow, July 22 as heavy downpour brought by southwest monsoon (Habagat) continue to whip the province.

Fernando said Bulacan remains in orange warning rainfall advisory by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The governor told the media that he thwarted his earlier plan to recommend to the Department of Education (DepEd) to hold classes in blended—online and modular modalities but many areas have been flooded and the rains may disrupt the internet connectivity in many sites in the province.

The chief executive of Bulacan also ordered Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) Head Manuel Lukban Jr. to coordinate with all the 20 municipal and 4 city disaster risk reduction management officers in the province to implement preventive evacuations to all residents living in the low-lying communities.

The continious release of water of Ipo dam and Bustos dam and the more than 3.6 ft level of flood water aggravate the flooding in many areas in the province.

Early during the day, the governor distributed relief goods to residents in evacuation centers in Bocaue and Balagtas town.

He assured all evacuated residents receive similar relief packs from the provincial government.

Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando sets a clear direction and unveiling a comprehensive agenda focused on health, education, livelihood and development, environment and waste management, and flood control for the province of Bulacan in his State of the Province Address during the Inaugural Session of the 12th Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, that was held at the Benigno Aquino, Jr. Session Hall, Provincial Capitol Building, City of Malolos, Bulacan last Friday. Now on his third term, Fernando is aiming to empower Bulakenyos to live better lives through programs that will give them more opportunities.