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THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has summoned Senator Mark Villar to ‘discuss and shed light’ in relation to its ongoing probe into the anomalous flood control and other infrastructure of the government.

The invitation, dated October 2 and signed by ICI Chair Andres Reyes, was sent to Villar’s office in the Senate.

Villar was asked to testify under oath about the planning, budgeting, supervisions and monitoring of flood control and other infrastructure projects undertaken during his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

He served as DPWH chief under the administration of former President Duterte from 2016 to 2021.

The ICI has scheduled Villar’s appearance before the commission on October 7 at its headquarters inside the Department of Energy Compound, in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The ICI issued the summon a day after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that the justice department will will be looking into the alleged ‘prohibited interest’ of the Villar family in the estimated P18.5 billion infrastructure projects in Las Piñas City.

Remulla said the investigation is necessary following a news report that a close relative of the Villars owns a construction firm that undertook several infrastructure projects, including flood-control projects, in the city.

Aside from Villar, Remulla said the agency will also investigate Senator Camille Villar, who also served as congresswoman of the lone district of Las Piñas in the 19th Congress and former businesswoman Cynthia VIllar, who served as a senator from 2013 to 2025 and congresswoman for the city’s lone district from 2001 to 2010.

At a press briefing yesterday, Remulla disclosed that the camp of Villars has sought a meeting with him but he has yet to respond to the request.

‘There was an effort to set a meeting. But, I have not given my response because I would rather it be done officially,’ he said.

THE Department of Finance (DOF) announced last Thursday of having maintained its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification for its compliance with global standards.

A statement issued by the DOF read that the department sustained its ISO 9001:2015 certification for eight years, following a third surveillance audit conducted in September 2025.

By securing an ISO certification, an organization’s management system, process, service, or documentation procedure has met all the global requirements for standardization and quality assurance set by the International Organization for Standardization.

According to the non-governmental body, ISO 9001 is a standard ‘that sets out the requirements for a quality management system. It helps businesses and organizations to be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.’

‘This stamp of approval from the ISO is evidence of the kind of public service that we at the DOF are committed to delivering. At the DOF, there is no room for ‘just good enough.’ Everything must be aligned with global standards,’ Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto was quoted as saying in the statement.

The ISO 9001:2015 Certification for its Quality Management System is the most widely recognized quality management standard in the world.

An external team regularly conducts surveillance audits to verify continuous adherence to ISO standards. The third Surveillance Audit on the DOF was carried out on September 17 and 18, 2025.

The audit covered the DOF’s core processes, such as the granting of tax exemptions on importations by the Revenue Office (RO), the support services provided by the Policy Development and Management Services Group, and the functions of the Legal Affairs Office.

The DOF received a feedback score of 99.55 percent in the service quality dimension during the second quarter of 2025.

In 2017, the DOF secured its first ISO 9001 certification (2008 version), covering the core processes of the RO and the Municipal Development Fund Office, and the updated 2015 version later that same year.

Since then, the DOF has maintained its certification through successful recertification audits conducted in 2021 and 2024, alongside annual surveillance audits.

THE Sandiganbayan’s Special Fifth Division has affirmed its decision, denying Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s motion to immediately dismiss the 11 graft charges filed against him in connection with alleged irregularities in the disbursement of his P231.5 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2008 to 2010.

In a 22-page resolution, signed by Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses and Maryann Corpus-Mañalac and Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, the Sandiganbayan held that Estrada failed to raise arguments that would warrant the reversal of its ruling issued last March 26, 2025 denying the senator’s demurrer to evidence.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion filed by an accused after the prosecution rests its case, asserting that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a conviction.

If the demurrer to evidence is granted, the accused is acquitted.

‘After a careful perusal of the arguments raised by accused Estrada in his motion for reconsideration, the Court finds no cogent reason to disturb its findings in the assailed resolution denying his demurrer to evidence,’ the anti-graft court declared.

With the denial of his demurrer to evidence, the Sandiganbayan said Estrada’s lawyers may present their evidence during the continuation of the trial on October 2, 2025.

The Sandiganbayan did not give credence to Estrada’s claim that the graft cases should be dismissed as the acts alleged in these cases were the same acts cited in the plunder case filed against him which had already been dismissed.

‘The Court must stress that even granting hypothetically that the present charges for violation of Section 3 [ e ] of R.A. 3019 are indeed the same predicate acts for which accused was charged in the plunder case, the same does not, by itself, warrant the dismissal of the present cases,’ the Sandiganbayan said.

It added that the Rules of Court or jurisprudence does not mandate the dismissal of a separate graft case on account of the charge being a predicate act in a prior case for plunder.

‘The only reason to sustain such an argument would be if the same places the accused in double jeopardy, which is not the case herein.,’ it added. But, the Sandiganbayan said the double jeopardy rule does not apply to Estrada’s graft case, noting the difference in the elements of graft and plunder.

It noted that in the plunder case, Estrada was accused of ‘unjust enrichment’ and amassing ‘ill-gotten wealth’ while the graft cases rest on the issue of ‘causing undue injury to the government’ and ‘giving unwarranted benefits and advantage to private persons.’

Furthermore, the Sandiganbayan said the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against Estrada to support a verdict of guilt in the graft cases, thus, warranting the defense presentation of evidence.

‘With the denial of his demurrer to evidence and the instant motion for reconsideration, accused Estrada is now given the chance to rebut the pieces of evidence and the prima facie case built by the prosecution against him,’ the anti-graft court stressed.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman accusing Estrada of receiving kickbacks by endorsing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) owned and controlled by pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to the appropriate government agencies as partners-implementers of his PDAF-funded projects which turned out to be fictitious.

It can be recalled that last year the Sandiganbayan acquitted Estrada of plunder in the P183 million PDAF but was convicted of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery.

He was sentenced to eight to nine years imprisonment for direct bribery and meted out a special temporary disqualification from holding public office and perpetual disqualification to vote.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of P3 million.

However, the anti-graft court eventually reversed its decision and cleared Estrada of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery due to lack of evidence.

President Ferdinand Marcos said he will ask Congress to replenish the fast dwindling Quick Response Fund (QRF) of some government agencies.

During a situation briefing in Bogo City in Cebu after it was hit by a magnitude-6.9 quake earlier this week, the chief executive said the additional QRF will ensure the government will be ready for disasters this year.

He said the quake, which struck Cebu, as well as tropical cyclones Nando and Opong(international name: Bualoi) has led to government agencies to use a considerable portion of their QRFs.

Aside from Cebu, the President also visited Masbate, which also suffered heavy damage from Opong to also lead in government relief operations in the island province.

‘I will be going to Congress because after the – coming from Masbate, coming from Cebu, I will be going to the Congress, the House and the Senate, I will ask-so they can give more emergency funds,’ Marcos said in Filipino.

He said he already instructed Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman to make the necessary preparations for the fund request to Congress.

‘I spoke to Sec. Menah already yesterday and this morning and she’s making all of those arrangements,’ the President said.

He has yet to disclose how much funding DBM will request from Congress for the QRF replenishment.

Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the government has allocated P7.73 billion for the QRF, which is included in the National Risk Reduction and Management Fund or also known as Calamity Fund.

The QRF was distributed to the following agencies: Department of Agriculture (P1 billion); Department of Education (P3 billion); Department of Health (P500 million); Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Bureau of Fire Protection (P50 million); DILG-Philippine National Police (P50 million); Department of National Defense-Office of Civil Defense (P500 million); Department of Public Works and Highways (P1 billion); Department of Social Welfare and Development (P1.25 billion); and Department of Transportation (P75 million).

The QRF for Budgetary Support for Government Corporations was pegged at P300 million.

Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the country is expected to be hit by 5 to 9 more tropical cyclones before the end of the year.

In a significant step toward enhancing accountability in public infrastructure spending, Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 1438, titled the ‘Government Construction Project Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025.’ This pioneering legislation mandates comprehensive drone monitoring for all government construction projects as a mandatory requirement before any payments are processed.

The bill represents a comprehensive approach to oversight, applying to all national government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations involved in construction. This includes key infrastructure bodies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, and Bases Conversion and Development Authority, ensuring widespread coverage across the government’s infrastructure portfolio.

Sen. Villar emphasized the critical need for this reform, stating, ‘Persistent challenges including project delays, quality issues, and financial irregularities in public works demand innovative solutions. This legislation harnesses modern technology to establish an unwavering standard of accountability for every peso of public funds invested in infrastructure.’

The proposed measure requires systematic aerial documentation through unmanned aerial vehicles, to be conducted by independent accredited third-party entities. It establishes a framework for capturing detailed project progress through high-resolution geotagged imagery, comprehensive video footage, and orthomosaic mapping. All collected data will be made accessible to citizens through a centralized public transparency portal, creating unprecedented visibility into government project execution.

The legislation includes strong enforcement mechanisms, specifically prohibiting any payment processing without the required drone verification documentation. It also stipulates serious penalties for both contractors and government personnel involved in submitting or approving falsified monitoring data, with violations being prosecuted under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

‘This initiative transforms how we monitor and manage public infrastructure projects,’ the Senator added. ‘It empowers citizens with tangible evidence of project progress while ensuring that government expenditures correspond directly to actual, verified accomplishments. We are committed to restoring public confidence in how infrastructure projects are implemented and delivered.’

The bill provides for a coordinated implementation timeline, with relevant agencies required to establish accreditation standards for monitoring entities within sixty days of enactment. The Department of Science and Technology and Department of Information and Communications Technology will provide technical support in developing the implementing rules and regulations.

The Makabayan Bloc on Thursday strongly condemned the Senate’s recent resolution urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place former President Rodrigo Duterte under house arrest, calling it a political maneuver that undermines justice for thousands of victims of the government’s anti-drug campaign.

‘The Senate resolution is not about mercy or rights, but a clear cover-up of Duterte’s crimes. It is an affront to justice for the families of the victims of his drug war,’ said ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio.

Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise Co underscored the political nature of the resolution. ‘This is nothing more than a political maneuver designed to protect Duterte and his cohorts from facing the full weight of international justice. The Senate is more concerned with protecting a former president than delivering justice to thousands of victims of state-sponsored killings.’

Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago echoed the criticism, calling the resolution ‘an insult to the families who lost loved ones in Duterte’s ruthless drug war. It is not about compassion but about perpetuating impunity.’

The bloc highlighted the irony that one of the resolution’s sponsors, Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, was named as a potential co-perpetrator in the ICC document detailing three counts of murder against Duterte.

‘How can someone implicated in these crimes pass a resolution that benefits him and his former boss? This just proves that the Dutertes remain highly influential in the Philippines, and justice cannot be achieved if trials are conducted here,’ Tinio added.

The Makabayan Bloc also rejected the Senate’s humanitarian claims, noting the double standard.

‘There are numerous elderly and sick political prisoners today, yet none have been granted any Senate resolution because they lack wealth or influence. This shows a glaring imbalance and hypocrisy,’ said Elago.

‘Justice demands that Duterte face trial for his crimes. House arrest is nothing but a mockery of the legal process and an insult to the families who continue to seek accountability,’ Co stressed.

The bloc urged the ICC to proceed with prosecution without compromise, reaffirming its solidarity with families of drug war victims and commitment to genuine justice.

Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte on Thursday filed before the Supreme Court a disbarment case against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and three other ranking government officials who were involved in the not connection with the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte and subsequent turn-over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands last March.

Aside from Remulla, Duterte, through his lawyer Israelito Torreon, sought the disbarment of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, and Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.

Torreon, however, did not provide more details citing the confidentiality nature of disbarment proceedings.

He, however, admitted that the case was filed in relation to the arrest of the former president.

‘As to the content and the specifics, I think you know that I could not expound on the same but this is related to the kidnapping and expulsion of former president Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, Netherlands,’ Torreon told reporters.

Last September 15, the younger Duterte filed a criminal complaint against Remulla and several other government officials also in connection with his father’s arrest.

The disbarment complaint alleges the officials’ alleged role in the handover of the former president to the ICC, where Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity linked to his bloody anti-drug campaign.

Voting 15 affirmative with 3 negative and 2 abstentions, the Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution asking the International Criminal Court (ICC) to consider allowing former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to be placed on house arrest for humanitarian reasons.

Senate Resolution 144, initiated by Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano-Duterte’s vice presidential running mate in the 2016 elections-came days after Duterte’s daughter Sara claimed that he was ‘found unconscious’ in his detention cell in The Hague.

All nine minority senators voted in the affirmative for SR 144.

The negative votes were cast by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Raffy Tulfo abstained.

Explaining his vote, Sotto said, ‘I am faced with two difficult’ choices that both align with his principles: affording the former president a comfortable surroundings, while taking into consideration the plight of families seeking justice for crimes against humanity-the charge in the ICC against Duterte, for his dirty war on drugs that reportedly killed thousands without due process.

While he described himself as ‘supportive’ of any efforts to afford the former president – whom his family and lawyer claims suffers a host of medical issues, Sotto worried that ‘my choice’ in the vote on SR 144 might even further divide the nation. Hence, his abstention.

Explaining her negative vote, Hontiveros said that while the senators push for an interim release has been couched in humanitarian terms, its flipside is that it further signals the selective justice system in the country, where other suspects who have not been adjudged guilty are detained for years, despite health issues.

Hontiveros added that the resolution was premature because it was not based on facts, as there is no showing that the ICC has been remiss in caring for Duterte in detention.

Despite Vice President Sara Duterte’s claims about the ‘found unconscious’ and related circumstances, other video reports had other family members who visited the former President as saying ‘he is well, even jolly,’ at kaya pa ngang makipag-usap tungkol sa maraming topic kasama ang politika, flood control at love life [and can even discuss many topics including politics, flood control and love life],’ Hontiveros added.

Besides Alan Cayetano, those who voted for the resolution are Senators Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, Christopher Lawrence Go, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Sherwin Gatchalian, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, Erwin Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, Loren Legarda, Mark Villar, Panfilo Lacson and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

THE Move As One Coalition on Thursday criticized what it called the ‘crumbs’ allocated for active transport and public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization in the 2026 National Expenditure Program, warning that Filipinos who rely on walking and public transport continue to be treated as ‘second-class citizens.’

In a statement, the group said that despite repeated pronouncements from Malacañang identifying walking and public transport as priorities, active transport was given just P700 million and service contracting P1.3 billion under the spending plan.

‘These are crumbs compared to the billions poured into car-centric infrastructure,’ the coalition said. ‘This budget signals that pedestrians, commuters, and cyclists are still treated as second-class citizens.’

The coalition’s own proposal calls for far larger allocations: more than P101 billion for service contracting, P17.6 billion for public transport modernization, and P20.2 billion for active transport programs such as bike share systems and safe pathways.

In contrast, the National Expenditure Program for 2026 earmarked just P1.3 billion for service contracting, P1.2 billion for modernization, and P69 million for active transport.

Move As One argued that underfunding has left pedestrians vulnerable on roads that remain unsafe and undignified. It cited examples such as the towering ‘Mt. Kamuning’ footbridge in Quezon City, cracked or missing sidewalks, and intersections designed to move vehicles faster rather than prioritize people crossing.

‘This is unacceptable. Laws and policies already recognize walking as a priority-from the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, to the National Transport Policy, to Batas Pambansa 344 on accessibility. But without strong political will, sufficient and strategic funding, and updated standards, they remain empty promises, and pedestrians will suffer daily miseries and indignities,’ the group said.

A 2020 Social Weather Stations survey showed that 77.5 percent of Metro Manila residents walk during their regular travels, with 44 percent walking to work.

‘In truth, every Filipino walks at some point of their day. Yet our streets remain hostile to pedestrians,’ the coalition said.

The group added that persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, children, and workers carrying heavy packages are disproportionately exposed to risks due to poor road design and lack of universal accessibility.

Move As One urged lawmakers to substantially realign the 2026 budget to better reflect national transport priorities. It also pressed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to update its outdated Road and Bridge Design Manuals so streets can finally meet accessibility standards set by existing laws, including Batas Pambansa 344.

‘Congress must fund active transport and public transport properly. DPWH must modernize its road manuals. And we call on every Filipino to join us in walking and working together until our streets put people, not cars, first,’ the group said.

EXECUTIVES of the BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. (DBA BPI Wealth) are reviewing the company’s targets for 2030 after ending the second quarter with P1.63 trillion in assets under management.

‘[But] That’s just for BPI wealth,’ BPI Wealth President and CEO Maria Theresa D. Marcial said last Thursday. ‘So if we look at the total asset and wealth management business of the whole BPI group, that’s P1.9 trillion.’

Marcial earlier said that the asset and wealth management arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) is targeting assets under management of P3 trillion.

The whole asset and wealth management segment of BPI which includes other legal entities with assets under management that it has in Hong Kong, Singapore and private banking clients whose assets are maintained with a parent bank.

Marcial said the bank would like to grow its share of between 20 percent and 21 percent of the entire trust industry.

‘Well, as in any business, we always want to grow our market share and take a bigger share of what we call bigger capture of the market. And we just want to continue to add each year, gain more market share. And also, the market is growing so all the other players will also continue to grow,’ she added.

BPI Wealth has about 1.3 million customers, compared with BPI’s entire customers of about 18 million.

‘The 50 million customers, I think that continues to be the goal. So we’ve run many aggressive campaigns across all segments. We want to grow to 50 million; the bigger share would be the core mass, the mass retail customers,’ Marcial told reporters in a forum on October 2.

For the entire October, the company will celebrate its Wealth Wellness Month, a call for Filipinos to rethink and reshape their relationship with money.

Wealth Wellness Month has become BPI Wealth’s flagship program to raise awareness and guide Filipinos through every stage of their financial journey. This year, it evolves under the theme ‘Own Your Future,’ a call to action for every Filipino to secure their tomorrow.

‘Financial wellness should not be a privilege reserved for a few-it must be accessible, practical, and transformative for all. We want to remind Filipinos that they have the power to take charge of their finances through informed, consistent, and confident decisions,’ Marcial said.

To bring the theme to life, Wealth Wellness Month 2025 will be anchored on four key events, each designed to influence a distinct audience segment to take charge of their financial journey: graduating students, young professionals, entrepreneurs and corporations.

By tailoring the conversation to the unique needs of these groups, Wealth Wellness Month creates a holistic platform where every Filipino can see themselves reflected in the call to own their futures.

The month culminates on October 25 with the Wealth Summit, a gathering designed for emerging professionals, with a special focus on Gen Z and Millennials.

AFTER surveying first hand the devastation caused by the magnitude 6.9-earthquake in Cebu on Thursday, President Marcos announced an initial P580 million worth of financial assistance for the island province.

The Chief Executive visited Bogo City, Cebu, which was close to the epicenter of the earthquake, which killed 72 people and left many parts of the city in ruins, when it struck on Monday night.

‘The biggest damage that the earthquake caused was damage to infrastructure, buildings, and then things like the hospital. Look at this city hall. That’s exactly the effect,’ he said in Filipino in his speech outside the Bogo City Hall.

With the assessment on structural integrity of the many buildings in the city still ongoing, many residents of the city will be forced to temporarily live in tent cities.

‘We’re just hurrying [establishing the tent city]. so they can find shelter here. Because many, rightly so, are afraid to go back to the building. They’d rather be outside,’ Marcos added.

He assured that the tent city will have sufficient food, water, and electricity supply as well as sanitation facilities.

As of Thursday morning, the Department of Energy (DOE) was working to restore power in Bogo City.

Those whose houses were destroyed by the earthquake will get P10,000 cash assistance, Marcos said.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported the earthquake in Cebu has affected 170,959 people and left 501 houses partially damaged and 96, which were totally damaged.

Financial support

TO help the provincial government of Cebu, which has declared a state of calamity, to manage the pressing concerns in its quake-affected areas, the President said the national government will provide it with financial support.

He said the Office of the President (OP) will release P180 million for its quake assistance, of which, P50 million will go to the Cebu provincial government and P20 million to Bogo City.

The remaining amount will be distributed to the following municipalities: Bantayan (P10 million); Daanbantayan (P10 million); Madridejos (P10 million); Medellin (P10 million); San Remigio (P20 million);Santa Fe (P10 million); Sogod (P20 million); Tabogon (P10 million); and Tabuelan (P10 million).

The provincial government of Cebu said the President also announced each of the local government unit-run hospitals will receive P5 million each and P20 million for a Department of Health-owned hospital in the province.

Marcos said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has deployed engineers to check on the status of the hospitals to determine if they can still accommodate patients after the recent earthquake.

The President also announced that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will release P375 Local Government Support Fund (LGSF). Cebu will get the bulk of the fund with P150 million while the towns of San Remigio and Medellin as well as Bogo City, will each receive P75 million.

The national government, Marcos said, will continue to extend aid to help in the ongoing rehabilitation efforts in the quake-hit areas.

‘We will continue to monitor. We will continue to coordinate with the leaders-the local leadership to make sure that our rehabilitation and all the support we provide are going well,’ Marcos said.

Full arsenal

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has mobilized its ‘full arsenal’ of disaster relief to assist families affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday night.

Assistant Secretary Leo Quintilla, concurrent Officer-In-Charge of the DSWD’s National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), said the agency is providing food, water, shelter, and psychosocial support while preparing early recovery interventions, including the Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) program.

As of the latest report, at least 4,000 families-approximately 20,000 individuals-remain displaced outside evacuation centers due to ongoing aftershocks.

‘We have deployed the full arsenal of the DSWD for the 6.9-magnitude earthquake. We are utilizing all available resources to both mitigate its effects and respond to the needs in the affected areas,’ he said.

The relief operations follow the President’s directive to immediately reach out to affected families and ensure the delivery of adequate assistance.

Immediately after the earthquake, Quintilla said the DSWD partnered with the Philippine Coast Guard to deliver ready-to-eat meals to Bogo City, one of the hardest-hit areas in Northern Cebu, despite uncertain road access. The department also deployed mobile command centers, water filtration trucks, water tankers, mobile kitchens, and food packs.

‘Our trucks are already on-site, including water trucks with filtration machines to ensure the availability of water, as the earthquake also affected the local water systems. Our water filtration kits are there, along with food packs and ready-to-eat meals [Rtef],’ Quintilla added.

The DSWD has initially released 6,800 family food packs (FFPs) and 2,000 ready-to-eat meals, with numbers expected to rise as operations continue. Cebu’s Visayas Disaster Resource Center is producing thousands of additional FFPs, ensuring an adequate supply for the entire province. Nationwide, the Department maintains 2.3 million prepositioned FFPs across hubs and distribution points.

Beyond immediate relief, the DSWD official also said that it is providing psychosocial support services to help survivors cope with trauma. Neighboring field offices have deployed social workers to assist families in evacuation centers.

Burial assistance will also be extended to families of earthquake fatalities. Early recovery efforts include the rollout of the ECT program, which provides flexible financial aid for essentials such as food and home repairs.

‘Aside from immediate response, we are preparing for the ECT, which allows families to use the cash for urgent needs like rebuilding shelters or buying food,’ Quintilla explained.

The state weather bureau has placed 50 cities and municipalities in 6 Luzon provinces under the threat of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TWSC) No. 2 as ‘Paolo’ intensifies while hovering over the Philippine Sea.

Placed under TCWS No. 2 are the central and southern portions of Isabela (San Mariano, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Benito Soliven, Angadanan, Naguilian, Palanan, Ilagan City, Quirino, Mallig, Quezon, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Cordon, City of Santiago, San Isidro, Ramon, Alicia, San Mateo, Cabatuan, City of Cauayan, Reina Mercedes, Luna, Gamu, Burgos, San Manuel, Aurora, Roxas), the northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun), the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Kasibu), the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig), Ifugao, and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan).

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the rest of Mountain Province, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz), Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael), the northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City), the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Goa, San Jose, Presentacion), and Catanduanes.

In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued at 2 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Paolo maintains its strength while moving westward over the Philippine Sea.

PAGASA said aside from hazards affecting land areas due to the strong winds brought by Paolo, heavy rain is expected to affect Aurora today, October 2, and the provinces of La Union and Benguet on Friday. Heavy rains mean that rainfall will be dumping at least 200 mm of rain, causing widespread incidents of severe flooding and landslides.

In the next two days, 100 to 200 mm of rain is forecasted over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Zambales.

This means that numerous flooding events are likely, especially in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Landslide is likely in moderate to highly susceptible areas, PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, 50 to 100 mm of rain is forecasted to occur in Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan

These areas are likely to experience localized flooding, mainly in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Landslides is also possible in highly susceptible areas.

PAGASA said the highest Wind Signal that will likely be hoisted throughout Paolo’s passage is Wind Signal No. 3, or worse, Wind Signal No. 4, which is not being completely ruled out.

The state weather bureau said heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall.

Paolo will continue to intensify over the Philippine Sea and may reach severe tropical storm category tonight.

Currently, the eye of the storm was spotted 530 km. East of Infanta, Quezon, and is moving westward at 20 km/h.

It is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h.

The storm is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by 11 a.m. of October 4..