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At least nine farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth P125 million were identified as ‘ghost’ projects by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency has submitted the initial audit report of FMRs to the Office of the President, where nine of the over 4,700 projects from 2021 to 2025 were considered ghost projects.

He noted that seven of the FMRs were in Davao Occidental, while the remaining two were in Lanao del Sur.

‘In our audit, those projects were not started, but in the Department of Public Works and Highways [DPWH] report, those projects were listed as completed,’ De Mesa told reporters on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in Pasay on Wednesday.

While these were a relatively small percentage of the FMR projects, the DA official said this remains crucial to the farmers who were meant to benefit from them.

‘Even though the percentage of this was small, we still don’t want to have this kind of problem. These nine kilometers could have benefitted our farmers. Sayang,’ De Mesa said.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the audit of every FMR project since 2021 amid the ongoing clamor on controversial flood control works.

The DA explained that even though FMR schemes are identified and validated by the agency, these road projects are commissioned, bid out, and constructed by the DPWH.

‘We must make sure they are done properly, that taxpayers’ money were spent to provide farmers with market access and not squandered for farm-to-pocket projects,’ Laurel said.

Given the 61,000 kilometers considered backlog or pending validation as of July, the DA chief called on lawmakers to pass legislation that mandates a priority list for FMR projects.

Such a move would veer away from the arbitrary selection of where to build those roads, often merely to satisfy parochial concerns.

He also recommended reviewing that priority list every three years to keep it aligned with agricultural needs.

However, the DA noted that funding remains a concern.

To stretch resources, Laurel proposed redesigning road dimensions, such as narrower roadways of 3 meters instead of 5 meters, with shoulders every 300 meters to facilitate traffic movement. This is expected to cut costs and build more roads faster.

Over P100 million will be released by the national government to Masbate to help in the rehabilitation of the island province after it was devastated by Severe Tropical Storm ‘Opong’ (international name: Bualoi) last week.

President Ferdinand Marcos made the announcement during his visit in Masbate City last Wednesday to lead in the distribution of government aid to the typhoon victims in the province.

‘I already instructed the DBM [Department of Budget and Management]before I left Manila to download 100 million [pesos] to the LGSF (Local Government Support Fund) [of Masbate] so you can use it,’ he told the provincial government of Masbate in Filipino in his speech during the distribution event.

He noted the provincial government of Masbate needed the financial support since the province is still recovering from the effects of Typhoon ‘Emong’ (international name: Co-may).

The national government, Marcos said, will continue to extend aid to Masbate to help in its recovery from the effects of Opong.

‘Don’t worry, the government’s support will continue as long as you need it. Even if it takes us a little longer because you haven’t repaired your homes yet, we are already supporting you,’ he told the beneficiaries in Filipino at the distribution event.

During the event, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed P10,000 each of the 600 families through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided P28-million worth of cash-for-work assistance to 6,455 beneficiaries.

The local government of Masbate placed the province under a state of calamity after Opong killed three of its constituents and affected 57,113 others. Some parts of the Masbate also became isolated as the recent weather disturbance left them without power and mobile phone signals.

Opong also destroyed over 800 classrooms in the province. Marcos said the repairs of the said classroom will take around a month to complete.

The local officials from the typhoon-hit areas are currently seeking additional funding to help in the recovery of their respective localities.

Pressing concerns

After attending a situation briefing from the provincial government of Masbate, Marcos said among the pressing concerns in the province was lack of access to cash in the affected communities due to lack of power in many of its banks as well as the significant damage to agriculture by Opong.

He said two operational branches of Land Bank of the Philippines will try to provide for the cash withdrawal needs in Masbate.

As for the typhoon-affected farmers, the President said they will be given financial assistance, seedlings, as well as help in the processing of their crop insurance so they can continue planting crops.

During his visit to Masbate, Marcos helped in the distribution of family food packs from the DSWD and the hygiene kits from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

He said the Department of Health (DOH) also deployed medical teams to ensure the health of people in the affected communities.

Generator sets and satellite internet, the President said, were also sent to help restore power in hospitals and communications lines, respectively, in Masbate.

Marcos said DOH will release P3 million to help in the repairs of the Masbate Provincial Hospital in Masbate City, which was damaged by Opong.

As of September 30, a total of 339 patients have been admitted to the hospital which has 364 hospital personnel.

Pneumonia-related deaths became the fourth-biggest cause of death for Filipinos last year, overtaking diabetes mellitus, according to the latest data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The report showed that the total deaths from January to December 2024 as of July this year totaled to 697,602, around 2,781 or 0.4 percent more than the 694,821 deaths recorded in 2023.

Deaths from pneumonia rose by 3,159 to 46,718 deaths in 2024, while diabetes-related deaths slightly declined by 158 to 43,690.

Ischaemic heart diseases remained the leading cause of death in the Philippines last year with 133,373 deaths or about 19 percent of the total, which was 4,296 higher than reported in 2023 at 129,077.

This is followed by neoplasms at 76,971 deaths or 11 percent of the total, 2,987 higher than last year at 73,984, and cerebrovascular diseases at 68,345 deaths or 9.8 percent of all deaths, 1,457 less than that recorded in 2023.

In terms of deaths caused by unspecified, external causes in 2024 totaled to about 2 percent of all deaths at 14,028, up 544 from 2023. This is followed by transport accidents at 13,724 deaths which also has a 2 percent share, which increased by 687 from the total in 2023.

Among the regions, Calabarzon had the highest number of deaths at 105,091, amounting to 15.1 percent of all deaths throughout 2024.

Cavite, meanwhile, recorded the highest number of deaths in a province at 26,835 or 3.8 percent of all deaths in the Philippines.

The National Capital Region or Metro Manila logged 83,930 deaths, increasing by 1.8 percent from the 82,410 reported in 2023. Within it, Quezon City had the highest number of deaths at 18,357, almost 22 percent of all deaths within the region.

The data was obtained from on-time or late registered deaths submitted at city offices or Municipal Civil Registrars nationwide and forwarded to the Office of the Civil Registrar through the Provincial Statistical Offices for processing.

The report includes deaths of Filipinos whose usual residence is abroad, as well as deaths of foreign nationals that occurred within the country. However, deaths of Filipinos abroad are not included.

In January 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Surveillance System logged a total of 179,227 cases as of December 31, 2024, which is still 17 percent lower than the 216,786 cases logged in the previous year.

This decrease may be attributed to better health-seeking behaviors and practices and better preparations by the health sector. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/09/doh-allays-fears-on-respiratory-virus-surge-in-china-says-no-cause-for-alarm/)

ILI is characterized by coughs, colds, and fever. It is commonly due to respiratory viruses with Rhinovirus (1,257/4,921 or 25.5 percent of positive samples), Enterovirus (1,140/4,921 or 23.2 percent), Influenza A (1,072/4,921 or 21.8 percent), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (560/4,921 or 11.4 percent), and Adenovirus (527/4,921 or 10.7 percent) being the top 5 causative agents of ILI in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, hMPV is being tested as part of panel 2 (expanded panel) for specimens that test negative on panel 1 (for Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV) as part of the ILI and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) surveillance of the DOH.

SENATORS showered with accolades members of the Alas Pilipinas Men with Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano sponsoring Senate Resolution No. 143 that congratulates and commends the team for its milestone 19th-place finish in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.

‘Sports brings Filipinos together. This team not only made us proud during the SEA Games, but they also made sure they will pleasantly surprise us,’ Cayetano said during his sponsorship speech.

Cayetano said the team’s breakthrough run ‘brought immense pride and honor’ to the country and proved that Filipino athletes can excel when given the right opportunities.

The senator emphasized that sports is a ‘God-given activity’ that promotes health and well-being, fosters unity even in the midst of political divides, and elevates the Philippines’ global image through international success.

The Senate resolution emphasized that the achievement was made even more significant by the Philippines’ role as the tournament’s sole host.

All 24 Senators supported and adopted the resolution with Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri and Senators Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan, Joel Villanueva and Erwin Tulfo making their manifestations congratulating the national team.

Present at the Senate were Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal and members of Alas Pilipinas led by head coach Angiolino Frigoni and deputy coach Ogie Mamon and team captain Bryan Bagunas.

The resolution also cited standouts led by captain Bryan Bagunas, who finished third among the tournament’s top scorers, and Marck Espejo, who ranked fourth among receivers, with Cayetano saying their feats prove the grit and talent of Filipino athletes on the world stage.

The senator likewise credited the coaching staff led by Angiolino Frigoni and the reforms implemented by the PNVF under Suzara, which opened doors to overseas tournaments and strengthened training programs for national players.

Cayetano, who also serves as Co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee and Chairman Emeritus of the PNVF, added that honoring Alas Pilipinas is not only about celebrating their success but also about sustaining momentum for long-term sports development.

‘Honoring Filipino athletes serves a public purpose because their achievements inspire national pride, set standards for sports programs, and justify sustained investment in facilities, training, and athlete support nationwide,’ he said.

This success, Cayetano said, set the stage for the Philippines to host the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2029, with greater readiness and confidence.

‘Because of their performance and because of the successful hosting, two years from now, iyon namang Women’s Volleyball Championship will be held in the Philippines and this time around we have much more time to prepare,’ he said.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved House Resolution 320, formally requesting the Senate’s consent to extend its plenary session until October 13, 2025, to pass the 2026 P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB).

The move seeks to provide lawmakers additional time to deliberate on and approve the 2026 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) on third and final reading.

‘The leadership of the House of Representatives, representing both the majority and minority, have agreed to request the consent of the Senate for the extension of its session beyond the date indicated in the adopted Concurrent Resolution on the Legislative Calendar. There is a need to conduct one additional session day on October 13, 2025, to vote on the third and final reading of the General Appropriations Bill,’ the resolution said.

‘Following the expected approval of the GAB on second reading on October 10, 2025, members of the House of Representatives will require the constitutionally mandated period of three days to study and review the final version of the bill prior to nominal voting on the third and final reading, in accordance with the legislative process and to ensure informed and deliberate decision-making,’ it added.

Under Section 26(2) of Article VI of the Constitution, ‘No bill passed by either House shall become a law unless it has passed three readings on separate days and printed copies thereof in its final form had been distributed to its Members three days before its passage, except when the President certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment.’

Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III explained that the chamber needs more session days to ensure the passage of a ‘clean’ budget before transmitting it to the Senate. He emphasized that budget legislation remains Congress’ top priority despite ongoing controversies surrounding alleged irregular projects and insertions.

Originally, the House planned to conclude plenary deliberations this week, with October 10 earmarked for the period of amendments to House Bill (HB) 4058, or the proposed 2026 GAB.

The extension will allow the chamber to complete its work on agency budgets and finalize the measure before adjournment. The GAB will then be transmitted to the Senate, with a bicameral conference committee later convened to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions.

Under the 1987 Constitution, failure by Congress to pass the budget before year-end would result in the automatic reenactment of the previous year’s appropriations.

All of the 12 Filipino crew of the Dutch-flagged cargo ship, MV Minervagracht, which was damaged by an unidentified explosive device, are safe, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

In a brief social media post last Wednesday, DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac confirmed the status of the Filipino sailors after coordinating with their ship operator, employer, manning agency, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

‘Two were injured and are undergoing medical treatment,’ he said.

In a separate statement, he said one of the injured sailor has minor injuries and another with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

He clarified that only the 10 crew members, including those with minor injuries, are expected to return home soon.

The DMW, in close coordination with the DFA and the shipowners, are now working for the safe transfer and repatriation of the 10 sailors.

‘So far, the families, of course, want them home,’ Cacdac said.

Last Tuesday, it was reported that the Minervagracht was set on fire after it was attacked with an explosive by suspected Houthi rebels.

The European Union maritime mission Aspides rescued the crew of the Dutch-flagged ship before they were transported to Djibouti.

Aside from Filipinos, the multinational crew of MV Minervagracht, includes Russian, Ukrainian, and Sri Lankan nationals, were moved to secure location after their rescue.

DMW earlier assured it will provide medical aid, repatriation, counseling, and legal aid to the affected Filipino sailors.

It also said it will enhance the protection and welfare of Filipino seafarers on board ships, which are passing through dangerous waters such as the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.

The agency also imposed stricter measures for shipowners and manning agencies, which have sea vessels with Filipino sailors passing through said area.

This after Houthi rebels attacked the ships Magic Seas and Eternity C, which have Filipino crew members.

DE LA SALLE University scrambled past Far Eastern University (FEU), 74-72, to return to the win column of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Tamaraws had a golden opportunity to tie the game when Jorick Bautista found himself wide open for a baseline layup, but the shooting guard misfired with seven seconds left.

De La Salle burned the remaining time to snatch their second win in three games for solo fourth place in the standings and bounce back from their previous loss to UST.

‘Coming off a loss you really want to win,’ Green Archers deputy coach Caloy Garcia said.

‘We had a part in the game where we’re playing really, really well but in the UAAP, you cannot say that you’re going to have an easy win.’

‘FEU came back in the fourth and we just have to figure out our struggles in the fourth quarter,’ he added.

The Green Archers, who also went through the wringer before beating the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in their season opener, now brace for a showdown with the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday.

FEU trailed 51-64 entering the fourth but clawed back to 69-70 with 2:25 left through Mo Konateh, Janrey Pasaol, Bautista and Jedric Daa.

But Mason Amos and Doy Dungo delivered back-to-back baskets to stretch De La Salle’s lead to 74-69 with 1:32 remaining.

Bautista answered with a clutch triple at the 54.4-second mark to trim it to 72-74, only to miss what would have been the game-tying layup in the dying seconds.

‘I stepped up because the team needs everyone to do so,’ said Dungo, who delivered up in the absence of Kean Baclaan (sprained ankle).

Dungo, a former UST Tiger Cub, showed his comfort inside the Quadricentennial Pavilion by scoring 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting to lead De La Salle.

Amos added 14 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Jacob Cortez also tallied 14 points with four assists and three boards.

EJ Gollena chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds, half of them on the offensive glass, while Mike Phillips, despite being limited to six points on 1-of-7 shooting, anchored the Archers with 13 rebounds and nine assists.

The Tamaraws fell to 0-3 joining idle University of the East at the bottom of the standings.

Pasaol paced FEU with 25 points, five rebounds and four assists, while Konateh contributed a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, Kirby Mongcopa posted 13 points and seven boards and Bautista finished with 10 points.

FEU will try to break into the win column when it faces Adamson University on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The National Food Authority (NFA) is seeking about P3 billion in additional funds to rent private warehouses and buy more unmilled rice following the damage caused by recent typhoons.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said Malacañang is expected to issue an executive order ‘soon’ that will authorize the release of the budget under emergency procurement.

‘We already discussed this with the Department of Agriculture last week.it’s now in Malacañang. I think they’re polishing it.It’s not within the year. It’s the soonest possible time,’ Lacson told reporters on Tuesday.

He said NFA warehouses are already ‘almost full,’ making it difficult to expand procurement without additional government support.

‘Right now, to be honest, we don’t have funds for renting warehouses because the NFA as a [government-owned or -controlled corporation] relies only on rice sales to cover expenses. And our expenses are bigger than the money coming in.’

Lacson said the situation has been compounded by recent storms that left some NFA facilities with minor damage. In Masbate, one warehouse had its doors blown off, while several warehouses in Region 8 reported leaks.

The NFA compound in Occidental Mindoro was also flooded, although no significant stock losses were recorded.

He described these as ‘minor repairs,’ but noted they added pressure to free up storage space for new procurement

To address this, NFA has instructed its field officers to identify private warehouses in every region that can be rented.

In 2024, the agency reported 288 warehouses nationwide, 136 of which underwent repairs earlier this year.

Palay purchases

With the new order, Lacson also said the NFA’s procurement of wet season palay could rise by 8 percent, higher than the 5 percent it usually manages under regular conditions.

He noted, however, that the impact on traders’ prices will be limited-‘probably in some areas’ and only ‘spot by spot.’

Still, he said ‘at least with the additional 3 percent, more farmers will benefit than if there was no intervention.’

The mandate will also allow NFA to purchase storm-damaged palay, which farmers often cannot sell.

Lacson said, however, that the agency would still prefer to buy dry palay since the agency lacks drying facilities.

NFA currently buys dry palay at P23 per kilo and wet palay at P17 per kilo, although prices can change depending on market conditions.

He assured farmers that the agency will not buy palay at single-digit prices.

‘That will not happen. The national government, the NFA in particular, will not do that. Because we would like to really help our farmers that are in distress right now. Their situation is already very difficult. We will not buy at a single-digit price per kilo, definitely not.’

Floor price

Lacson added that there is also a ‘good chance’ the executive order will include the establishment of a floor price for palay, in line with President Marcos’ directive to prevent traders from taking advantage of farmers during harvest season.

The floor price will be set per province to reflect differences in local costs.

‘The DA has already directed its regional field offices to compute the local production cost. Because each province has a different production cost. So that’s the first step-to determine the production cost of every area. And then we can set, from that production cost, what would be the acceptable floor price so our farmers won’t incur losses.’

A new era in Philippines-India connectivity took flight Wednesday as Air India inaugurated its direct New Delhi-Manila service, restoring non-stop air links between the two countries after more than a decade.

Flight AI 2362 departed from Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), carrying Indian tourists, media personalities, business travelers, and India-based Filipino expatriates-many visiting the Philippines for the first time.

The return leg, AI 2361, completes the roundtrip service, which will operate five times weekly, excluding Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The non-stop flight has a duration of approximately six and a half hours-significantly shorter than the usual 9 to 12 hours required for connecting flights via Bangkok, Hong Kong, or other hubs.

The launch ceremony was led by Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio and Air India Group Head for Governance, Risk Compliance and Corporate Affairs, P. Balaji, joined by senior officials from the Philippine Embassy, IGIA, and other stakeholders.

Ignacio and Balaji lit a ceremonial lamp to mark the occasion.

‘According to a Filipino proverb, ‘the prompt beats the industrious.’ Sincere thanks therefore go to Air India and its leadership, for this big, bold step – less a leap of faith than a show of confidence in the viability of this route.

‘It is an expression as well of Air India’s confidence in the upward trajectory of our larger relations, as expressed in tourism, business, people-to-people contacts, MICE, and other purposes that warrant direct, seamless, and comfortable air connectivity,’ Ambassador Ignacio said.

With the addition of Manila, Air India now operates to eight destinations across seven countries in Southeast Asia, further strengthening its regional footprint. The new route not only boosts direct travel between India and the Philippines but also opens new connections for Filipino travelers to access Air India’s expanding network across Europe and North America via Delhi.

Flights between Delhi and Manila are operated using Airbus A321LR aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration-Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class.

Air India is among the few carriers in Southeast Asia offering fully flat beds in Business Class on single-aisle aircraft.

‘The launch of non-stop flights to Manila unlocks the immense potential for tourism to the Philippines,’ Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India said. ‘Indian travelers, with their growing appetite for leisure and increasing spending power, are seeking new destinations. These services will showcase the Philippines’ vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, while fostering greater trade and cultural exchange.’

The launch follows recent visa policy reforms that have made travel easier: the Philippines now offers 14-day visa-free entry to Indian tourists, while India grants gratis e-visas to Filipino visitors.

It also builds on the elevation of Philippines-India ties to a Strategic Partnership, formalized during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s State Visit to India in July 2025.

Flight AI 2362 is expected to arrive at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 10:40pm Manila time Wednesday.

MILITARY personnel accused of espionage should be tried by a general court martial and not a civilian court, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said.

Teodoro made the suggestion during a Senate briefing on the planned amendment of the Espionage Act of 1941.

‘I think if it is a military individual having possessed military secrets, it is best tried under a general court martial to prevent further leakage of classified information to unauthorized people,’ Teodoro said.

In 2024, Teodoro first called for the amendment of the espionage law to make the measure applicable during times of peace amid reports of alleged Chinese spies in the country.

‘Ang mahalaga ngayon parusahan natin ang espionage sa panahon ng peace kasi ang espionage law sa Pilipinas ay epektibo lamang during times of war,’ Teodoro earlier said.

This is a call to action, our lawmakers know that they should amend the espionage law soonest so that the government can impose punishment and act to suppress it, Teodoro added.