FORTRESS AMERICA: WHY THE PENTAGON IS PREPARING U.S. BASES FOR A REPORTED 90 DAYS WITHOUT ANY HELP SITREP/Defense: The Pentagon wants every major military base in the continental United States to be able to run essential operations independently for at least 90 days, according to documents reviewed by Fox News. In its October 25 report based on documents it reviewed, Fox News headlined the story “Inside the Pentagon’s doomsday plan to keep America fighting if global war erupts.” The reported 90-day standard covers electricity, water, fuel and communications, according to Fox News. “The next conflict will likely be fought on multiple fronts,” Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News, adding that “global supply chains will break” when that happens. U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced "FORTRESS America" in a September 30 speech at Marine Corps Base Quantico, and the department’s release calls it “the Department of War’s national insurance policy for the American homeland.” The release says the program ends decades of dependence on foreign mines for rare earths, overseas factories for microchips, foreign supply chains for weapons and the civilian power grid to keep bases operational. In a September 30 memorandum to senior Pentagon leadership and combatant commanders, Hegseth wrote “Effective immediately, I establish FORTRESS America as a program of the Department of War.” The memo organizes the program around five pillars, which are energy independence, supply-chain and defense-industrial base resilience, a strategic defense reserve, installation hardening and cyber resilience, and resilience in space and spectrum. The release says every major U.S. military installation will generate its own independent power so bases remain lit and command centers stay online even if the civilian grid is taken down by cyberattack or sabotage. Fox News reported that the power plan envisions portable nuclear reactors, large-scale battery storage and microgrids that can disconnect bases from the civilian grid, details that do not appear in the release or the memo. It also says critical supply chains for rare earths, specialty metals, semiconductors and propellants will come home, with deep reserves of munitions, fuel, medicine and blood to fight through disruption when global supply lines break. In its exclusive report, Fox News said the reserves would include munitions, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts and medical supplies, with targets depending on consumption rates in a conflict and how long manufacturers need to replace stock. For the most critical defense dependencies, the program would require at least two qualified supply or production pathways, Fox News reported. Through a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network, the Pentagon plans to identify commercial factories that could switch to defense production, with technical specifications, cybersecurity protections, contracts and conversion procedures set in advance, Fox News reported. The plan also calls for recurring industrial stress tests and mobilization exercises, along with hardening military communications, navigation and satellite systems against interference, including GPS jamming, according to Fox News. “We don’t want to rely on standard civilian municipal infrastructure to run our national defense,” Parnell told Fox News, describing the aim of the power plan. The FORTRESS America memo directs the Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment to stand up a FORTRESS America Program Office within 30 days, with the office to scale to full operating capability within months. “This is not a retreat,” Hegseth wrote, calling FORTRESS America the foundation for “a homeland that cannot be starved out, shut down, or cut off.” “Power is combat now. Without electricity, you lose communications, water, logistics, assembly lines, and just basic military command structures,” Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell told Fox News. #TheSituationReport

WHAT ARE THEY PREPARING FOR? SPECIAL REPORT: Governments in North America, Europe and Asia are telling citizens to keep food and water at home for days. At least 19 governments and the European Union, across three continents, are urging citizens to prepare, which invites an obvious question about what is behind the calls. Britain launched its “Be Ready” campaign on Thursday, October 22, asking households to keep a small supply of non-perishable food and bottled water to cover three days of disruption, according to the Cabinet Office. “The threats we face are real, and they are closer to home,” Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the same day in a speech at the opening of the UK Gun Hall in Telford. Asked on BBC One’s Question Time whether the campaign amounted to scaremongering, Streeting said the government wants “people to be alert but not alarmed.” In Japan, Minister in charge of Disaster Management Goshi Hosono plans an urgent request to the public on November 2, when a new agency for responding to major quakes and other disasters opens. “Please prepare at least three days’ worth of food, and ideally a week’s worth, as well as toilets and water,” Hosono said on a Fuji TV online program on October 26. The European Commission’s Preparedness Union Strategy seeks guidelines “to reach a population self-sufficiency of minimum 72 hours” against threats from natural disasters to hybrid threats, as a non-binding goal. The recommended time varies, with Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Finland and Canada advising 72 hours, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Switzerland and Taiwan about a week, and Germany up to 10 days. Sweden’s government wants everyone, according to ability, to manage at least a week without outside support, and its civil defence authority has said security has deteriorated and there is war in its neighbourhood. Public Safety Canada’s guidance reads “Assemble essential items to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours,” while Ready.gov tells Americans “you may need to survive on your own for several days” after an emergency. Japan’s Cabinet Office advises households to stockpile at least three days of food, and a week if possible, along with three litres of water per person per day. Germany’s federal civil protection office says households should ideally be able to supply themselves for 10 days, with at least three days already a big help and two litres of water per person each day. The BBC reported that the UK campaign also lists a flashlights, first aid items and an FM radio for updates during outages. In Washington, the Pentagon announced a separate program called FORTRESS America on September 30 for military bases to generate their own power and build supply reserves, and it is aimed at bases, not households. “Every major military installation in America will generate its own power,” Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a September 30 post on X, adding that critical supply chains would be brought home. U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the program on September 30, calling FORTRESS America “a national insurance policy for the American homeland.” The name stands for Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability, and the Pentagon describes it as an effort to keep installations running through disruption. Fox News, citing documents it reviewed, reported on October 25 that every major base in the continental United States would be expected to run essential operations independently for at least 90 days. The reported 90-day standard covers electricity, water, fuel and communications, Fox News reported, and the figure comes from internal documents and not a formal public announcement. According to Fox News, the power plan includes portable nuclear reactors, large-scale battery storage and microgrids that can disconnect bases from the civilian grid, with no deployment schedule given. Fox News reported that the plan also calls for strategic reserves of munitions, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts and medical supplies, and at least two qualified supply or production pathways for the most critical defense dependencies. Through a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network, the Pentagon plans to identify commercial factories that could switch to defense production in a crisis, with contracts and conversion procedures set in advance, Fox reported. “Power is combat now. Without electricity, you lose communications, water, logistics, assembly lines, and just basic military command structures,” Parnell told Fox News Digital. #TheSituationReport

TSR REPORT: PCSO hindi na nag-renew ng tulong, obligasyon sa ilang NGOs dahil sa kapabayaan sa pagre-report — GM Robles #TheSituationReport

“Minsan na nga lang mag-birthday, may kahati pa.” Ito ang comment ng isang netizen sa nag-viral na birthday greeting pubmat ng Junior Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (JPICE) Liceo de Cagayan University Student Chapter para sa mga opisyal nito. Sa naturang pubmat, hindi lang pagbati para sa 4th Year Representative at sa Vice President-Internal nito ang pinagsama, kundi pati na rin ang kanilang mga litrato. “Happy birthday Rigen and advance happy birthday Steven!🎊idungan nalang namo post kay busy nata ugma,” sabi ng organisasyon sa caption nito. #TheSituationReport

COSTS BEYOND CLEFT SURGERY FUNDED BY PCSO SITREP/Charity: The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds the hidden costs of cleft surgery for indigent children, including labs, dental treatment and titanium plates, Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation's Patrisse Ancajas said. Ancajas, the foundation's Communication and Resource Development Officer, told @DZRHNews program “The Situation Report” on Monday, October 26, that its surgeries involve both seen and unseen costs. “Mayroon kasing seen costs at unseen costs. Ang seen costs ay iyong surgery mismo. Ang unseen costs ay iyong labs, dental treatments ng mga bata, at gamit sa operasyon na mahirap gawan ng partnerships. PCSO po ang nagpo-pondo niyan, pati titanium plates for orthodontic surgeries,” Ancajas said. Ancajas said the foundation has a case rate of ₱28,000 depending on the surgery, which is usually covered by PhilHealth. “Nagkakaroon po kami ng case rate na 28,000 pesos depende sa surgery, na kadalasang covered ng PhilHealth,” Ancajas said. Ancajas said the foundation, which started in 2006, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and has served 6,000 patients, 243 of whom were funded by PCSO. Ancajas said the foundation's medical professionals are all volunteers who are not paid, and that the children it operates on are not charged for the procedure. “Yes po, all are volunteers at we don't pay the medical professionals. Hindi rin namin chinacharge ang mga bata,” Ancajas said. PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles said cleft palate care is expertise PCSO cannot match, so the agency shares the resources it has and the foundation lacks. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Inanunsyo ni Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Social Welfare Office III Leslee Deabanico na inaprubahan ng ahensya ang P1.5 milyong tulong sa Hospicio de San Jose. Lubos naman ang pasasalamat dito ng Hospici de San Jose dahil sa tuloy-tuloy na tulong ng PCSO sa kanila at sa iba pang nangangailangan. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Hindi lang basta recipient kundi katuwang ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ang kanilang partners. Ito ang sinabi ni General Manager Mel Robles ukol sa kanyang pananaw sa kanilang charity partners. Kasabay nito, nagpasalamat din si Hospicio de San Jose Administrator Sister Martha Gamolo sa PCSO dahil naramdaman nilang partner nila ng ahensya at hindi lamang bilang mga recipients. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Inihayag ni Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles na may ilang non-governmental organizations (NGO0s) na hindi na sila nag-renew ng tulong dahil napabayaan nilang mag-report pabalik sa kanila. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Handang sagutin ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ang balanse ng isang pasyente kahit pa lumapit na siya sa kanilang lokal na pamahalaan o sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), ayon kay General Manager Mel Robles. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

PCSO'S BRAND: 'HINDI UMUURONG SA PAGTULONG' WATCH: Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng tagline ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) na 'hindi umuurong sa pagtulong'? Narito ang paliwanag ni General Manager Mel Robles. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Umarangkada na ang pamamahagi ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ng ikalawang batch ng mga ambulansya sa mga lokal na pamahalaan. Ayon kay PCSO General Manager Mel Robles, pareho ang kalidad nito sa unang batch na kanilang binigay noon. "Ganoon din po ang specs ng aming na-bid out sapagkat we are getting very good feedback sa mga gumagamit nito," sabi ni Robles. #TheSituationReport

'ANG PCSO AY LUMAKAS NA PO ANG UMAHE NG PAGIGING INSTITUSYON NG PAGKAKAWANGGAWA' WATCH: Isinusulong ni Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles na ma-institutionalize ang pagkakawanggawa o charity kasabay ng kanilang ika-92 taong anibersaryo sa Biyernes, October 30. Ayon kay Robles, unti-unti nila itong nagagawa base sa katatapos lamang na National Charity Summit ng ahensya nitong October 15. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Anu-ano nga ba ang requirements para sa mga hihingi ng tulong pampaospital at lumapit sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)? Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

CHARITY O KAWANGGAWA MAY MAS MALALIM PANG HAMON — ROBLES WATCH: Hindi lang pagbibigay ng pera o sa pamamaraan ng social services ang ibig sabihin ng charity o pagkakawanggawa, ayon kay Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

PCSO APPROVES ₱1.5-MILLION AID FOR HOSPICIO DE SAN JOSE SITREP/Charity: The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has approved ₱1.5 million in aid for Hospicio de San Jose, and the check is now being processed, PCSO Social Welfare Officer III Leslee Deabanico said. Deabanico told @DZRHNews program “The Situation Report” on Monday, October 26, that the request of Hospicio de San Jose was just approved. “May maganda po tayong balita, sir, kasi kaka-approve lang po ng kanilang request na 1.5 million. On process na po ang tseke ngayon,” Deabanico said. Hospicio de San Jose Administrator Sister Martha Gamolo said the institution is sustained by the help of people, families, companies and groups like PCSO, along with its Daughters of Charity. Gamolo said Hospicio de San Jose is 216 years old this year, has more than 140 residents, and also helps many people in street-dwelling situations. Asked if the care of sick residents is covered by PCSO help, Gamolo said yes, including medical and dietary needs. “Opo, kasama na po talaga iyan sa tulong ng PCSO, pati ‘yung medical at dietary,” Gamolo said. “Bago po ako na-assign sa Hospicio de San Jose, may karatula na doon sa aming gate na ‘PCSO Assisted,’” Gamolo said. #TheSituationReport

WATCH: Umaabot na sa halos P450 milyon ang jackpot prize sa Ultra Lotto 6/58 habang mahigit P305 milyon naman ang pot Grand Lotto 6/55. Ayon kay Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles, habang patuloy ang paglaki ng papremyo sa lotto games, lalaki rin ang mapupuntang share sa charity. Panoorin ang video na ito. #TheSituationReport

'WE CANNOT MAKE DO WITHOUT THEM' SITREP/Charity: The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) cannot make do without its charity partners in carrying out its work, General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles said. Robles told @DZRHNews program “The Situation Report” on Monday, October 26, that foundations are partners and not just recipients, as PCSO has the resources but needs them to carry out the work. “Yes, and I think we cannot make do without them. Our resources are there, pero how do we carry that out? In that aspect nagkakatulungan kami. That is only on the resources side,” Robles said. Robles said sharing best practices and inspiration with partners strengthens both PCSO and the groups it works with, and he described charity as madness from a business point of view. “Because if you look at it from a very business point of view, charity is madness. Kung sa negosyo mo titingnan, where do you give to receive? It’s only in charity,” Robles said. Hospicio de San Jose Administrator Sister Martha Gamolo said the Summit of Charity made institutions like hers feel like partners of the agencies, and not only recipients. “Ang maganda doon sa Summit of Charity, hindi namin naramdaman na kami ay recipient kundi partner ng iba’t ibang agencies,” Gamolo said. Robles thanked the partners and asking the public to spread what he called the "charity virus." “Please spread the 'charity virus,' because I was bitten already and it feels good,” Robles said. #TheSituationReport

NEGLECT OF REPORTING OBLIGATIONS SITREP/Charity: Many foundations are not renewed for assistance by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) because they neglect their reporting obligations. PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles told @DZRHNews program “The Situation Report” on Monday, October 26, that most foundations that were not renewed failed to submit the reports required of them. “Opo, marami. Kadalasan dahil napapabayaan nila ang reportorial obligations. Mahirap kasing sumunod sa requirements kung walang sapat na staff gaya ng accountant,” he said. Robles said PCSO guides the foundations, because the money it gives is government funds, which carries a heavy responsibility for everyone who handles it. “Ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit kami may Charity Summit, para magkaroon ng sharing sa mga ganitong bagay,” the PCSO general manager said. PCSO Social Welfare Officer III Leslee Deabanico said foundations seeking help must meet requirements that start with accreditation from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). “Kailangan po nila ng DSWD accreditation, project proposal na aligned sa misyon ng PCSO (medical at nutritional), application form, BIR form 2303, at accomplishment report,” Deabanico said. Deabanico said the Charity Fund has more than ₱30 million to distribute to agencies and NGOs, after ₱9 million was added this year to the earlier ₱25 million. #TheSituationReport

ALREADY GOT HELP FROM LGU OR DSWD? PCSO MAY STILL COVER YOUR BALANCE SITREP/Charity: Patients who already got help from their local government unit (LGU) or the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) may still get aid from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles told @DZRHNews program “The Situation Report” on Monday, October 26, that PCSO does not pick whom to help. “Opo, hindi po kami namimili. Hindi kami umuurong sa pagtulong. Kapag may balance pa sila sa final billing matapos bawasan ang tulong mula PhilHealth, LGU, at discounts, kami ang umaako,” Robles said. Robles said PCSO also shoulders the professional fees of doctors, which he said are not usually covered by other sources of assistance. “Sinasalo rin namin pati professional fee ng mga doktor, na hindi karaniwang sinasagot ng iba,” the PCSO general manager said. Robles said some hospitals, especially private ones, prefer cash over a guarantee letter, but that PCSO is the fastest to release funds, with checks sent directly to the hospital within 30 days. “Opo, may mga ospital, lalo na private, na gusto ng cash,” he said. #TheSituationReport

PCSO GUARANTEE LETTER CAN COME IN 24 HOURS IF DOCUMENTS ARE COMPLETE SITREP/Charity: A guarantee letter from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) can be released in as fast as 24 hours if the documents are complete. PCSO General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles told @DZRHNews program “The Situation Report” on Monday, October 26, that applicants should first secure a medical abstract and a final billing from the hospital before approaching the agency. “Kaya ang payo ko, kumuha muna kayo ng medical abstract at final billing bago lumapit sa PCSO, dahil iyon ang unang hahanapin. Iyan at valid ID lang ang mga kailangan. Kung kumpleto po, we can release the guarantee letter in as fast as 24 hours,” Robles said. PCSO Social Welfare Officer III Leslee Deabanico said the requirements are the medical abstract, the statement of account and the patient’s ID, and that the processing of assistance is now digitalized and online. “Sa aming official website po, sa e-services. Nandoon na rin kung paano ang pamamaraan para makapasok sa aming online application system,” Deabanico said. Robles said online applications are accepted from Monday to Sunday, and that PCSO releases checks directly to hospitals within 30 days. Deabanico said the statement of account submitted to PCSO must already show the PhilHealth deduction, whether the patient was treated in a private or a public hospital. “Medyo may struggle ang ating mga kababayan dito dahil hindi madaling gumawa ang mga doktor ng medical abstract; it takes several days,” Deabanico said. Deabanico said common problems are incomplete details, such as the doctor’s license missing from the abstract, and patients forgetting to attach the promissory note proving that a balance is still owed. #TheSituationReport