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Pro-environmental group EcoWaste Coalition has called on Congress to enact a law that would phase out and eventually ban single-use plastics (SUPs) to help reduce the country’s growing volume of garbage, following this year’s observance of Undas (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day).

The group issued the call after monitoring plastic waste scattered across public and private cemeteries in Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Metro Manila – including the Manila North and South cemeteries – from October 31 to November 2.

Among the single-use plastics observed were plastic bags, bottles, cups, cutlery, straws, and polystyrene food and beverage containers, according to EcoWaste.

‘We urge our lawmakers to prioritize the enactment of a law that will phase out and eventually ban the production and consumption of SUPs,’ EcoWaste campaigner Ochie Tolentino said in a statement on Monday.

‘This long-overdue pollution prevention legislation will surely help reduce the volume as well as the toxicity of what we throw away every day, especially during Undas and other cultural celebrations,’ he added.

EcoWaste noted that while less litter was observed inside cemeteries due to the efforts of street sweepers and regular cleanups, streets outside cemetery compounds from November 1 to 2 were still littered with assorted garbage, including food packaging and leftovers.

‘Less litter and less garbage will be generated in the future Undas if SUPs are phased out, if local government units effectively enforce existing plastic ban ordinances, and if RA 9003-compliant waste management systems are implemented inside and outside cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria,’ the group said.

Republic Act No. 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, aims to protect public health and the environment by promoting sustainable waste prevention and reduction practices, including source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and proper disposal.

But Tolentino emphasized that simply placing trash bins for mixed waste in cemeteries is not enough, as garbage still needs to be properly segregated to ensure efficient recycling, prevent contamination, and minimize the amount of residual waste that ends up in landfills.

‘As most cemeteries lack ecological solid waste management plans and adequate personnel to carry them out, especially during Undas when thousands visit their departed loved ones, it is best for visitors not to leave any trash behind, no matter how little,’ he added.

Uncle Ben’s immortal quote, ‘With great power comes great responsibility,’ doesn’t only apply to superheroes and people in power but also to content creators and influencers.

In a country with 90.8 million social media users, having a platform, no matter how small, comes with its own set of responsibilities-especially when social media remains a key source of information for a majority of Filipinos. A 2024 survey by Publicus Asia revealed that 67 percent of their respondents relied on the internet as their primary source of information. Not to mention, the 2023 study, ‘Beyond the Headphones: The Portrait of a Podcast Listener,’ reveals a growing number of Filipino listeners and a high level of trust in podcasts from its audience.

Bini Jhoanna recently came under fire for her review of ‘Sunshine,’ starring Maris Racal, a film that tackles sensitive issues such as abortion, safe sex, and reproductive health. Meanwhile, Christine Reyes was subject to public scrutiny for her tribute to Barbie Hsu, where she self-inserted an announcement of her own birthday.

Personalities and content creators are now held to higher standards in how they curate and present their opinions. But despite that, being mindful of your content isn’t necessarily rewarded in the economics of social media-particularly when involving financial factors such as monetization and viewer engagement.

And when internet slop is the way to go, is it still worth spending time making quality content?

Diminishing returns

Abroad in Japan, an English YouTube content creator recently came out with a video condemning foreign nuisance content creators.

In his video, he highlighted content ranging from sensationalist slop to dishonest clickbait that paints Japan in an untruthful manner. He warned that such content furthers Japan’s anti-foreigner stance-bringing to mind the Logan Paul incident, when he showed the body of a suicide victim during his visit to Aokigahara Forest.

He also emphasized diminishing returns in content creation, where such easy-to-produce videos could earn them just as much, if not more attention and money, than a video with a month’s worth of work.

It’s not a matter of jealousy as it is concern over a seemingly misplaced priority. After all, how can we expect more from our content creators when they’re incentivized to produce more clutter than quality?

Between content and news

As a writer, my most-read article of all time was a breaking news story I gave no care to writing. Meanwhile, several stories I took great pride in producing were left overlooked, with a few of them reaching a few thousand readers every so often.

Videographers I currently work with have experienced the same. Videos they spent hours conceptualizing, shooting, and editing would only catch the attention of a few thousand viewers, while a TikTok shot on the phone without much thought reaches hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of views and impressions.

Like Abroad in Japan, news outlets are also constantly competing against internet slop. Well-produced and thought-out content isn’t given the same attention as that made without a second thought. Oftentimes, it’s not about what’s right or accurate, but which sticks its landing first-what is posted first and what is the most clickbait.

The burden of adaptation has been placed on news outlets, with traditional media companies having openings for content creators instead of just writers and editors. But in reality, it is a burden that should also be shared with readers and consumers-a challenge to be judicious and selective of the content that’s worthy of their attention.

After all, from media outlets to influencers, they’re all simply vying for your time. If anything, might as well make it worth yours.

Twenty-eight fishermen from this province are now safely back in Subic after being rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) when their fishing vessel suffered an engine failure while at sea.

Cmdr. Euphraim Jayson Diciano, PCG Zambales station commander, said in a phone interview that the BRP Cabra successfully towed the distressed fishing boat FB Ervy 8 back to Subic town.

The fishermen arrived at around 8 p.m. Sunday, Diciano said.

According to reports, the PCG responded to a distress call from FB Ervy 8 after its engine failed about 199 nautical miles west by south of Capon Grande, San Antonio, on Friday.

On Saturday, BRP Cabra personnel used a skiff boat to inspect the vessel and confirmed that its main engine could not be repaired at sea and required a complete overhaul at port.

The Coast Guard vessel then initiated towing operations to bring FB Ervy 8 and its 28 crew members safely back to Subic

The Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas has shifted all public schools in the region to Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) effective 7 a.m. Monday, as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) continues to pose threats of heavy rain, flooding, and power disruptions across the Visayas.

According to a summary report from the DepEd Regional Office VI, the shift affects 884,415 public school learners across 2,714 public schools in 99 municipalities and cities in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo province, Iloilo City, Passi City, and Roxas City.

Under ADM, learning continues through self-learning modules, online instruction, or parent-assisted learning-depending on the capacity and context of each school and community. ADM ensures that learners can continue their studies safely even when in-person classes are suspended due to disasters or other emergencies.

Capiz, with 141,676 public learners across 463 schools, recorded the highest number of affected students, followed by Iloilo province with 334,945 learners in 1,094 schools and Antique with 130,879 learners in 538 schools. Guimaras, the smallest division, has 40,420 learners in 116 schools under ADM.

DepEd Western Visayas said that the measure aligns with its continuity learning plan and disaster preparedness protocol, ensuring that ‘no learner is left behind’ despite weather-related disruptions. The regional office has coordinated with Schools Division Superintendents to monitor learning activities and provide technical assistance to teachers and parents implementing ADM at home.

Local government units across the region earlier suspended in-person classes and work in government offices as a precautionary measure against Tino, which is expected to hit Panay Island by Tuesday

The Miss Earth pageant is celebrating 25 years of promoting environmental awareness this year, and the new queen will be crowned on Nov. 5 at the Cove Manila club of Okada Manila in Parañaque City.

Eighty-two delegates from different countries and territories are competing in this year’s pageant, hoping to succeed last year’s winner, Jessica Lane from Australia.

The ceremonies will be streamed live on the Miss Earth Facebook page and YouTube channel at 6:30 P.M. A delayed telecast is scheduled on Nov. 7 on the Kapamilya Channel.

Aside from the new Miss Earth titleholder, three more ‘elemental queens’ will be proclaimed, and will receive the Miss Earth-Air, Miss Earth-Water, and Miss Earth-Fire titles.

One delegate may get closer to the crown through the help of fans via an online poll for ‘Miss People’s Choice’ on the Eventista platform. The winner will earn a guaranteed slot in the semifinal round.

As this is the 25th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, 25 delegates will be chosen to advance to the next round of competition during the finale.

Since its inception in 2001, the Miss Earth pageant has served as a platform for promoting environmental awareness, and pushing for projects that encourage a more sustainable lifestyle.

The winners and the delegates are dubbed ‘beauties for a cause’ and are expected to champion the pageant’s cause for the environment.

The Philippines is the most successful country in the Miss Earth pageant with four winners-Karla Henry (2008), Jamie Herrell (2014), Angelia Ong (2015), and Karen Ibasco (2017).

Event host and development consultant Joy Barcoma hopes to post the Philippines’ fifth win in the competition this year.

Local governments across the Caraga region have gone on high alert as Typhoon Tino-which weather authorities warned could intensify into a super typhoon-moves closer to the country and is expected to affect parts of the Visayas and Northern Mindanao by Monday.

Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers told the Inquirer in a text message that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) would convene on Sunday afternoon to prepare contingency plans in response to any eventualities should Tino land in their province.

‘We are still on blue alert status, meaning we are on heightened monitoring,’ Barbers said.

In General Luna, Surigao del Norte, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) convened an emergency meeting on Saturday, Nov. 1, to finalize contingency plans and activate the Incident Command System (ICS).

The meeting, presided over by Vice Mayor Romina Rusillon Sajulga instead of Mayor Johnson Sajulga, also aimed to coordinate with barangays, civil society groups, and government agencies to ensure community preparedness and safety for residents, workers, and tourists.

The Philippine Coast Guard Station Surigao del Norte (PCG-SDN) has temporarily suspended all sea travel in the province and surrounding island routes, including to Siargao Island, due to deteriorating sea and weather conditions caused by Typhoon Tino.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has likewise placed all its field offices on full alert, with 558,098 family food packs (FFPs) prepositioned in warehouses nationwide-including 81,989 packs in the Caraga Region-under the ‘Buong Bansa Handa (BBH)’ program.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group said the agency had strengthened its dual supply chain system to speed up relief distribution in coordination with private distributors.

Following the October 31 flash floods in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, that displaced 97 families in Sitio Sumagayad, Barangay Culit, DSWD-Caraga personnel immediately distributed family food packs and sleeping kits to evacuees taking shelter at the barangay evacuation center.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga issued a travel advisory urging tourists to avoid island-hopping and water activities beginning Monday as Tino is projected to make landfall by Tuesday, November 4. Tourists were advised to stay updated through the official DOT and channels of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and contact the agency’s regional hotlines for assistance.

Both the Disaster Response Management Bureau (DRMB) and local disaster councils remain on heightened monitoring during the Undas 2025 observance. Authorities called on the public to stay alert, prepare essential supplies, follow government advisories, and remain calm as weather conditions are expected to worsen over the next 48 hours

Pangilinan-led Philex Mining Corp. reported a nine-month net income of P481.8 million, down 24.2 percent from P636.03 million in the same period a year ago due to mixed metal prices and lower output.

In a disclosure on Monday, the listed mining company said revenues rose by 2 percent to P6.28 billion.

Metal prices moved in opposite directions. Realized gold prices reached $2,874 per ounce, up 35 percent but copper prices dropped by 5.3 percent to $4.28 per pound.

For the reference period, gold and copper output totaled 19,534 ounces and 14.3 million pounds, respectively, down 17.1 percent and 3 percent.

‘The Silangan Copper and Gold Project in Surigao del Norte is progressing steadily and is now in its final stages of development, on track for first metal production in the first quarter of 2026,’ the firm said.

Vacancy across retail spaces in Metro Manila is seen to decline back to prepandemic levels by next year, especially with foreign brands accelerating their expansion in the Philippines.

Real estate broker Colliers Philippines found that vacancy among retail spaces in the capital region had reached 11.4 percent as of end-September. This is already near the 9.3-percent vacancy recorded in the third quarter of 2019.

By the fourth quarter of next year, Colliers is anticipating this level to further shrink to 9.5 percent and 8.2 percent by 2027.

Colliers research director Joey Bondoc attributed this improvement to the entry of foreign retail brands that typically occupy up to three floors of shopping mall space.

‘Foreign brands have been coming to the Philippines. Some of them already left [previously], but they’re now returning, so it’s a huge comeback for them,’ Bondoc said during a press briefing last week.

A prominent returning entrant is grocery chain Makro, which first debuted in the Philippines in 1996 before officially exiting in 2009.

Ayala Corp. subsidiary ACX Holdings Corp. recently signed a partnership deal with Thai firm Makro ROH Co. Ltd. to launch a new entity, MandCo Corp., which will operate Makro stores in the Philippines. The first branch is set to open within the Ayala Cloverleaf Estate in Quezon City.

Apart from this, many foreign brands have also been steadily widening their footprint across the country and establishing flagship stores in major cities.

For example, Japanese brand Muji, which opened its first Philippine store in 2010, now has 11 branches. It opened its first flagship store in Glorietta 3, taking up 2,600 square meters of retail space with its own bakery, coffee shop, as well as alteration and embroidery services.

Other similar brands expanding are Anko, Ikea, and Nitori.

The food and beverage and fast fashion industries are also among the biggest occupiers. According to Colliers, the former took up 43 percent of upcoming retailers in the third quarter, while the latter accounted for 34 percent.

In choosing to expand in the Philippines, these stores are attracted by the aggressive refurbishment of major developers and their focus on ‘experiential retail,’ Bondoc pointed out.

‘These concepts occupy humongous retail space and entice customers to stay longer and spend more,’ he said. -Meg J. Adonis

The provincial government of Cebu has suspended work in all national and local government offices throughout the province starting at noon on Monday until Tuesday, as Typhoon Tino brings heavy rains and strong winds over parts of the province.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, through Executive Order No. 67, ordered the work suspension to ensure the safety of government employees and the public. The suspension covers all government offices except those involved in emergency response, health, social welfare, and public safety services.

Baricuatro also ordered the suspension of all bus operations in Cebu starting Monday evening as a safety precaution due to Typhoon Tino, which continues to bring strong winds and heavy rains over the Visayas.

In an advisory, the governor said the last bus trips from Cebu City’s North Bus Terminal will depart at 3 p.m., while the last trips from the South Bus Terminal will leave at 8 p.m.

‘All bus operators are instructed to cease and desist operations after their final trips today until further notice,’ Baricuatro said.

The move aims to ensure the safety of commuters and transport personnel amid deteriorating weather conditions caused by Typhoon Tino.

Pagasa earlier placed parts of Cebu under Signal No. 2 as the storm continued to intensify while moving westward. The governor urged residents to remain alert, stay indoors, and monitor official advisories for updates

The province has also started preparing food and medical items for those who will be affected by the typhoon.

A Halloween partygoer who dressed up as a police officer appeared at the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to apologize on Monday.

Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Rafael Calinisan identified the partygoer as Daryll Isidro.

‘It was not my intention to disrespect the police force’s uniform. I have high respect for you,’ Isidro said in Filipino in a press conference at the Napolcom office in Quezon City.

Why did Isidro use a police officer’s uniform as a costume for Halloween?

He answered, ‘ The first thing that came to my mind was characters who defend society. I had no idea during that time, so sorry.’

Pressed on the source of the uniform, Isidro said he got the clothes from a tailor at a shopping center in Quiapo, Manila. He was unable to bring the uniform to his meeting with Calinisan, saying he wasn’t sure whether to surrender it.

The Napolcom executive officer identified the uniform as a Philippine National Police (PNP) general office attire type C uniform with the sleeves cut off.

‘That is very bothersome. The IMIS is here (Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service). I’m directing the IMIS right now to inspect,’ Calinisan said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Asked why he appeared before Napolcom, Isidro said, ‘A lot of people were bashing me already. It wasn’t okay for my mental health.’

Calinisan said he had already instructed the commission’s lawyers to file a case, but he withdrew the directive after Isidro visited him earlier on Monday morning, prompting the Napolcom executive officer to rip up the show-cause order for the partygoer in front of the media.

PNP to investigate

For its part, the PNP said it would look into the matter.

‘It will be investigated. He has a right to give his side. It will be investigated by the CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group],’ acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a press briefing in Camp Crame earlier on Monday.

Nartatez said Isidro could be held liable for violating Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to illegal use of uniforms or insignia, with a prescribed penalty of arresto mayor, or imprisonment from one month and one day to six months.

However, Calinisan appealed to the PNP not to pursue a case.

‘If the PNP wants to investigate, I won’t stop them. But I’m urging you, we have a remorseful person here. We can allocate our resources somewhere else,’ Calinisan said.

In either case, Isidro said he would be willing to cooperate with the CIDG’s investigation.