El Niño-powered drought leaves Indonesian palm farmers high and dry as river recedes

Rappler - Oct 19, 2026

Farmers are struggling financially, with some unable to sell their fruit and resorting to drastic measures like cutting fertilizer use by up to 70% to save costs, while others seek alternative income sources

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SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — A 27-year-old motorcycle driver was killed while his 21-year-old passenger was injured in a road crash in Barangay Manangat, Caoayan town, in this province on Sunday, Oct. 18. Police said the two victims, both residents of Barangay Fuerte in Caoayan, were riding a white-and-blue Honda Click 125 motorcycle along the

P4.6-M suspected shabu, smuggled cigarettes seized in BARMM

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COTABATO CITY — Authorities seized suspected shabu worth P3.4 million and allegedly smuggled cigarettes valued at more than P1.24 million, or a total of P4.6 million, in separate operations in Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Oct. 16 and 17, respectively. Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, regional

PCG transfers remains of 10 M/V June Aster victims to El Nido

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CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) transported on Sunday the remains of 10 identified victims of the fire-ravaged passenger vessel M/V June Aster from Coron to El Nido, Palawan, as authorities continued efforts to return the dead to their families. The PCG vessel BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) left the Port of Coron

Teduray tribal leader slain in Maguindanao del Sur

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COTABATO CITY — A Teduray tribal leader who also served as a village councilor was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen along the national highway in Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur, on Saturday evening, police said. Capt. Steffi Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), identified the victim as

VP Duterte told: You only have yourself to blame for impeachment trial

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MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has only herself to blame for the impeachment trial she is facing, House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Sunday, arguing that the proceedings would not have taken place had she not committed any wrongdoing. Alonto Adiong reminded the public that the impeachment proceedings

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PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Security measures have been tightened at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) Grade School Department, even as school authorities assured the public on Sunday that no substantiated threat had been identified following the circulation of messages alleging a violent attack on the school on Monday, Oct. 19. In an

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MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel expects the Office of the Ombudsman to file criminal cases against Vice President Sara Duterte over the alleged misuse of confidential funds, following the agency’s announcement Friday that it has begun evaluating the evidence. House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Sunday that the

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ILIGAN CITY — Cancer may have changed their lives, but it did not take away their hope. Two breast cancer survivors shared how faith, medical treatment and family support helped them navigate years of uncertainty, urging women to seek early detection and patients to remain hopeful. Grace Lao Isidro, a retired pharmacist who has lived

DENR ramps up forest protection, reforestation amid El Niño risk

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MANILA, Philippines — Forests help keep water flowing to communities, particularly during prolonged dry spells. As El Niño recurs every few years, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is expanding forest protection patrols and accelerating targeted reforestation across critical watersheds nationwide to help forests retain water, regulate streamflow, reduce soil erosion and recharge

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MANILA, Philippines — Citing studies that suggest lower risks from nicotine products other than traditional cigarettes, the Philippine Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (PHILTHRA) identified e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and nicotine pouches as less harmful alternatives for smokers who switch completely, based on what it described as current scientific evidence. PHILTHRA convened the 2nd National Summit

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Floodwaters submerge graves in South Cotabato cemetery ahead of Undas

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BANGA, South Cotabato — Several graves at the Banga Public Cemetery remain submerged in floodwaters on Sunday following several days of rain, posing a challenge to families preparing to clean and tidy the burial sites of their loved ones ahead of Undas. Some parts of the cemetery have also become muddy and difficult to walk

El Niño-powered drought leaves Indonesian palm farmers high and dry as river recedes

More News

Motorcycle crash kills driver, injures passenger in Ilocos Sur

P4.6-M suspected shabu, smuggled cigarettes seized in BARMM

PCG transfers remains of 10 M/V June Aster victims to El Nido

Teduray tribal leader slain in Maguindanao del Sur

VP Duterte told: You only have yourself to blame for impeachment trial

Ateneo de Zamboanga grade school beefs up security amid threat messages

Prosecution expects Ombudsman to file raps vs VP over fund misuse

Hope, faith, family support fan breast cancer patients’ path to recovery

DENR ramps up forest protection, reforestation amid El Niño risk

PHILTHRA urges harm reduction: Studies back lower-risk nicotine products

Defense reporters reject Chinese's embassy swipe at Filipino journalists

Floodwaters submerge graves in South Cotabato cemetery ahead of Undas

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