Inside Laguna

𝟏𝟏 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞

NAGCARLAN, Laguna — At least 11 families were left homeless after a fire razed a residential area in Barangay Taytay, Nagcarlan on Sunday, January 25.

Based on the latest report from the local government, around 10 houses were destroyed by the blaze, leaving several residents with little time to save their belongings. The fire quickly spread through the tightly packed homes, causing extensive damage.

Affected families are now temporarily staying at the Taytay barangay hall, where the municipal government has begun providing immediate assistance, including food, shelter, and basic necessities.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the cause of the fire, while local officials are coordinating additional aid for displaced residents.

Photo credit: page of Mayor Elmor “Vita” Vitangcol Vita.

𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐃 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚

LAGUNA, Philippines — Residents no longer need to travel far to apply for a Philippine National ID, as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has expanded registration sites across several cities and municipalities in Laguna to make the process more accessible.

Designated registration venues are now operating in nine locations throughout the province, allowing applicants to complete their registration closer to home.

Among the fixed and scheduled sites are:

San Pablo City – Fixed registration center along Maharlika Highway

Calamba City – SM City

Santa Rosa City – City Hall (Monday–Wednesday), Victory Mall (Thursday–Saturday)

Biñan City – City Hall (Monday–Wednesday)

San Pedro City – City Hall (Monday–Tuesday)

Siniloan – Municipal Hall (Monday–Tuesday)

Mabitac – Municipal Hall (Wednesday)

Pangil – Municipal Hall (Thursday)

Cabuyao City – Retail Plaza (Monday–Wednesday)

The PSA also continues to conduct mobile registration drives in various barangays to reach more residents, particularly those in remote communities.

Officials encourage unregistered individuals to follow their town or city’s schedule and take advantage of the convenient services. Those who have already registered are advised to check on the status and release of their physical National ID cards.

The initiative forms part of the government’s ongoing effort to strengthen identification services and ensure broader access to public and financial transactions.

𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐢ñ𝐚𝐧, 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐚, 𝐒𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨

LAGUNA — Continued construction of the North–South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and related rail modernization efforts are shaping developments in several Laguna cities, including Biñan, Santa Rosa, and San Pedro, as part of the national push to improve rail connectivity across southern Luzon.

In Biñan City, the historic Biñan station — originally part of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Main Line — has been closed since March 28, 2024 to make way for rail modernization works. The facility is being rebuilt as an elevated station, with plans to relocate it slightly to align with the new NSCR design.

Similarly, the Santa Rosa station on Rizal Boulevard has also been temporarily closed to accommodate construction of the NSCR’s elevated rail system. The upgraded station is expected to improve accessibility and commuter experience once the rail line begins operations in the future.

In San Pedro City, the Pacita Main Gate station — another former stop on the South Main Line — ceased operations in March 2024 and is slated for redevelopment into an elevated NSCR station, consistent with the larger project’s plan to modernize rail infrastructure throughout the southern corridor.

The NSCR project, a major rail initiative designed to improve connectivity between Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Laguna, aims to significantly cut travel time and support economic growth. Right-of-way acquisitions and utility relocation work in key areas — including Laguna — remain ongoing as construction advances toward partial operations.

Officials say these rail developments are part of a long-term strategy to enhance commuter accessibility, reduce road congestion, and modernize the country’s aging rail system.

𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

STA. CRUZ, Laguna — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has confirmed that a district jail in Sta. Cruz, Laguna is prepared to accommodate businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang should he be arrested in connection with the high-profile missing sabungeros case.

BJMP officials said the facility has begun logistical and security preparations in anticipation of Ang’s possible transfer, even as concerns remain about overcrowding inside the jail. Authorities acknowledged that congestion remains a challenge but assured the public that necessary adjustments will be made to ensure safe and secure detention.

The preparation follows ongoing nationwide efforts to locate Ang, who remains the only major accused still at large among several suspects linked to the disappearance of cockfighting enthusiasts between 2021 and 2022. Law enforcement agencies continue to conduct search operations while coordinating with immigration and other security units.

BJMP said it is standard procedure to designate holding facilities early for high-profile detainees to ensure orderly processing and tighter security measures once an arrest is made.

The Sta. Cruz district jail serves as one of the primary detention facilities for court cases filed in Laguna, including those connected to the sabungeros investigation.