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Manila Water maintained an average non-revenue water (NRW) level of 14.35 percent from January to September 2025, a figure comparable to standards in developed countries, the company said.

This performance reflects Manila Water’s consistent efforts in controlling water losses through proactive leak detection and swift response systems.

In September alone, the company delivered 44.32 million cubic meters of potable water to more than 1.2 million connections across its East Zone concession area.

During the same month, all 57 reported mainline pipe bursts (300mm and below) were repaired within 24 hours, surpassing the 95 percent target set by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Regulatory Office (MWSS-RO).

‘Our ability to keep NRW below 15% is a result of continuous investments in network monitoring and leak detection technologies, coupled with the dedication of our field teams who respond promptly to pipe bursts,’ said Dittie Galang, Corporate Communications Department Head at Manila Water.

Between 2022 and 2025, the company consistently maintained NRW levels close to or below its benchmark of 15 percent. NRW refers to water produced but not billed to customers due to leaks or illegal connections.

The firm noted that even a one-percent improvement in NRW can translate to savings of up to 14 million liters of water daily. It said the operational efficiency aligns with its broader objectives of water conservation, service reliability, and environmental stewardship.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it was studying possible ‘threat groups’ as part of preparations for the Nov. 30 anti-corruption protests.

Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. made the pronouncement in a press briefing at Camp Crame in response to a question about what steps they were taking to avoid a repeat of violent incidents during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protests.

‘The PNP is still collecting data. How many people will be rallying? Where will they rally? Who are the threat groups that we need to monitor and prepare for?’ Nartatez said, speaking in Filipino.

‘Our PNP is continuously collating all the data so that we can make a solid plan to maintain security and order. Then, we deploy our resources and provide appropriate funding for this operation so that we can prevent violence,’ he added.

The violence on Sept. 21 erupted at the Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch after the Baha Sa Luneta rally in Rizal Park in Manila and the Trillion Peso March at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.

The riots led to at least two deaths and the arrest of over 200 people – 90 of whom were minors – prompting human rights groups to condemn the police for not exercising maximum tolerance.

Nonetheless, the Trillion Peso March organizers announced that they will be holding another major protest action on Nov. 30, the anniversary of the birth of revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, to sustain their anti-corruption campaign.

The protests were sparked by the surfacing of alleged anomalies in flood control projects and infrastructure projects in general.

Relief goods and rice have been prepositioned in Tacloban City and seven other Leyte towns, which may be affected by Typhoon Tino, Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and the Tingog party-list said on Monday.

Romualdez, in a statement, said that his office and Tingog have made the said preparations in light of the possibility that Tino will bring strong winds and heavy rains to Eastern Visayas.

Relief stocks, Romualdez said, have been delivered to the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Sta. Fe, Alang-alang, San Miguel, and Babatngon as part of their preparations. Tingog said each municipality will receive noodles, sardines, biscuits, coffee, while the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Alang-alang, Tolosa, Sta. Fe, San Miguel, and Babatngon will also receive rice in addition.

‘Preparedness remains a top priority to protect vulnerable communities, especially in coastal and low-lying barangays,’ Romualdez said.

‘We want every family to be ready and no one left struggling when bad weather comes,’ he added

Latest updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday night showed that Tino is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

Tino’s eye was last seen 95 kilometers southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

According to Romualdez and Tingog, 15,000 kilograms of rice have been prepositioned, while delivery of hot meals have started at various evacuation centers in Tacloban City-with 3,000 Tacloban evacuees benefitting from the program.

‘The food distribution aims to provide comfort and sustenance to families seeking temporary shelter due to bad weather,’ Tingog said.

‘The feeding operation will continue on Tuesday in the city and nearby towns to ensure that displaced residents receive warm meals and immediate support during the weather disturbance,’ it added.

Tingog has three representatives in the House-Romualdez’s wife Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, their son, Rep. Andrew Julian Romualdez, and Rep. Jude Acidre.

‘We want to move fast and be present even before the storm arrives,’ Rep. Andrew Romualdez said.

‘We prepositioned these supplies to ensure families will not go hungry and to enable immediate delivery of support during emergencies,’ Acidre added.

Due to Tino’s intensity, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 has been raised in the following areas:

extreme southeastern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Mercedes)

western and southern portion of Leyte (Mahaplag, Abuyog, City of Baybay, Inopacan, Hilongos, Hindang, Bato, Matalom, Javier, Macarthur, La Paz, Mayorga, Burauen, Isabel, Merida, Albuera, Dulag, Julita, Palompon)

Southern Leyte

northern portion of Cebu (Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Balamban, Asturias, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Borbon, Carmen, Tuburan, Catmon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tabogon, San Remigio, City of Bogo), including Camotes Islands

northeastern portion of Bohol (Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Getafe, Trinidad, Ubay, Bien Unido, Talibon)

Dinagat Islands, Siargao, and Bucas Grande Islands

The following areas are under Signal No. 3:

southern portion of Eastern Samar (Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, Salcedo)

southern portion of Samar (Marabut)

central portion of Leyte (Tanauan, Palo, Tabontabon, Ormoc City, Dagami, Pastrana, Tolosa, Matag-Ob, Villaba, Kananga, Jaro, Alangalang, Santa Fe)

extreme northern and central portions of Cebu (City of Talisay, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Sibonga, City of Carcar, San Fernando, City of Naga, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Aloguinsan, Pinamungahan, Barili, Dumanjug, Argao, Alcantara, Moalboal, Ronda), including Bantayan Islands

central and eastern portions of Bohol (San Miguel, Mabini, Buenavista, Inabanga, Danao, Dagohoy, Guindulman, Pilar, Alicia, Candijay, Anda, Jagna, Duero, Sierra Bullones, Carmen, Sagbayan, Clarin, Tubigon, Batuan, Catigbian, San Isidro, Calape, Loon)

northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City, City of Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud)

northern portion of Negros Occidental (Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Isabela, La Castellana, Pontevedra, San Enrique, La Carlota City, Cadiz City, Bago City, Enrique B. Magalona, Toboso, Valladolid, Salvador Benedicto, Sagay City, Bacolod City, Murcia, City of Escalante, Calatrava, San Carlos City, Silay City, Pulupandan, City of Victorias, City of Talisay, Manapla, Binalbagan)

Guimaras

Iloilo

southern portion of Capiz (Tapaz, Mambusao, Jamindan, Dumalag, Dumarao, Cuartero, Dao, Panitan, Pontevedra, Sigma, President Roxas, Ma-Ayon, Pilar)

central and southern portions of Antique ( Tobias Fornier, Anini-Y, Hamtic, San Jose, Sibalom, Belison, Patnongon, San Remigio, Valderrama, Bugasong, Tibiao, Laua-An, Barbaza)

rest of Surigao del Norte

According to Pagasa, Tino may intensify into a super typhoon as it approaches land, drawing comparisons to Super Typhoon Yolanda, which wreaked havoc over Leyte in 2013, also in November.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region X has identified 289 barangays across Bukidnon as susceptible to rain-induced landslides and flooding ahead of the expected landfall of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said.

The latest geohazard advisory, issued at 2 a.m. on November 2, was based on the 72-hour rainfall forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) using the Global Spectral Model (GSM) and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, with projected rainfall accumulation of up to 50 millimeters.

The MGB said the list supersedes earlier advisories but remains subject to change as new data emerge.

It also warned that areas not included in the list but located near or downstream of high-risk zones may still experience runoff and debris flow.

Towns with barangays classified under Very High Landslide (VHL) and Very High Flooding (VHF) categories include Valencia City, Impasug-ong, Quezon, Malitbog and Manolo Fortich – areas forecast to receive intense rainfall within the monitoring period.

In Valencia City, at least 15 barangays-including Banlag, Dagat-Kidavao, Guinoyuran, Kahapunan, Lumbayao, Sinabuagan, and Vintar-were listed under multiple hazard categories.

Barangay Banlag was flagged under all risk levels, including VHL, HL (High Landslide), ML (Moderate Landslide), DF (Debris Flow), VHF, HF (High Flooding), and MF (Moderate Flooding).

The upland town of Impasug-ong also recorded several barangays under very high landslide risk, such as Bulonay, Hagpa and Kalabugao, while Quezon’s Lumintao and Kipaypayon were listed under both very high landslide and flooding categories.

According to the MGB, areas with VHL classification have steep, unstable slopes with a history of soil movement, where heavy rainfall can easily trigger landslides.

HL areas are those with steep terrain or disturbed slopes highly prone to collapse during continuous rain, while ML zones may experience landslides only under prolonged or extreme rainfall.

DF areas, meanwhile, are vulnerable to sudden flows of mud, rocks, and logs along gullies and rivers.

For flooding, VHF areas are low-lying communities near river channels at risk of deep, fast-moving inundation, while HF zones are floodplains or riverbanks that may overflow during storms.

MF areas experience shallow or temporary flooding that can still damage crops and small structures.

The OCD and MGB urged local disaster risk reduction and management councils to conduct preemptive evacuations, monitor rainfall levels, and issue timely warnings to residents in vulnerable areas.

‘Even if your barangay is not listed, but you are near riverbanks or foot slopes, stay alert. Water and debris will naturally flow to lower grounds,’ the MGB’s Geohazards Operations Center said.

Authorities also reminded the public to prepare emergency kits, monitor radio and social media updates, and avoid crossing rivers or mountain roads during heavy rain.

Residents are warned of possible flash floods and landslides in areas experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall, particularly across the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, including Bukidnon.

Senator Loren Legarda on Monday called for systems-based reforms in the Department of Education (DepEd) to align classroom conditions with the country’s development targets, during the Second Congressional Commission on Education’s (EDCOM II) sectoral review.

‘Education is the system that enables every other reform to work,’ said Legarda, who co-chairs EDCOM II and chairs the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education. ‘It is the mind that guides every hand that builds. From health to livelihood, from industry to defense, every pillar of progress stands on the strength of an educated people.’

Citing findings from EDCOM II’s review, Legarda highlighted persistent structural inefficiencies within the education system. These include a backlog of about 165,000 classrooms, only 30 percent of existing school buildings being in good condition, and staffing shortages amounting to 32,916 teachers and 22,124 principals.

Additionally, 1,338 school head positions remain vacant. Legarda also pointed to the overstretched local education bureaucracy, noting that each School Division Office staff supports an average of 1,237 learners and 33 schools.

She acknowledged DepEd’s recent efforts to address these issues, including the creation of 20,000 new teacher items and 10,000 Administrative Officer II positions. She also welcomed the department’s One School, One Principal initiative aimed at professionalizing school leadership.

Other notable measures included the issuance of the first Medical Allowance Guidelines, an increase in the Teaching Support Subsidy for private school teachers from P18,000 to P24,000, and the doubling of the Teaching Supplies Allowance to P10,000 through the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, a law championed by Legarda.

DepEd reported ongoing projects such as the construction of 328 Child Development Centers in collaboration with local governments, Project Ligtas for geohazard mapping, and Project Talino, which facilitates data-driven partner matching for schools.

The agency has also launched Project SIGLA to monitor nutrition outcomes and expanded early childhood and feeding programs for learners.

Legarda pushed for the full implementation of the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008, which she authored, and inquired into how culture and history are taught in schools. DepEd affirmed that environmental literacy and cultural identity are integrated across the curriculum.

She further called for increased and sustained funding for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) programs, citing that only 46 percent of ALS learners completed the program in School Year 2023-2024.

‘When education fails to reach the poor, the loss is not only in learning but in productivity, opportunity, and national growth,’ she said.

Legarda reiterated that EDCOM II’s mandate is to align education governance with measurable human development goals.

‘Our goal is to build an education system that expands capability, reduces inequality, and prepares every learner to participate fully in national life,’ she added.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Monday said it is planning to deploy at least 15,000 officers to secure the upcoming Nov. 30 anti-corruption rally.

The Trillion Peso March Movement announced the next mass protest-action-which coincides with the birth anniversary of revolutionary Andres Bonifacio-in a bid to sustain its campaign against government corruption, following the Sept. 21 demonstrations.

‘As part of our preparations for the second Trillion Peso March on November 30, we have an allocated number of people to deploy. In fact, we have 15,000 personnel to be deployed,’ NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on state television PTV.

‘The NCRPO is continuously preparing. We have a ready reserve force. We also have deployed personnel at the identified areas where there will be gatherings,’ Asilo added.

She further noted that the Metro Manila police was also coordinating with the organizers and the local government units with jurisdiction over the areas in which the protests are planned.

Asilo added that the NCRPO was also monitoring the groups it suspects to have ‘instigated’ the violent incidents during the Sept. 21 rallies.

The violence erupted at the Ayala Bridge and the Mendiola Peace Arch, leaving two dead and over 200 arrested – 90 of whom were minors, which prompted human rights groups to condemn the police for not exercising maximum tolerance.

The Trillion Peso March also said it was holding weekly protest actions leading up to the Nov. 30 rally, for which the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it was on alert.

The Coast Guard Station Occidental Mindoro has temporarily suspended vessel trips in six towns due to the threat of Typhoon Tino.

In its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 7, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Tino is affecting the southern portions of Occidental Mindoro, particularly the towns of San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan, Magsaysay, Sablayan, and Santa Cruz.

All vessels were advised to take precautionary measures and remain vigilant in monitoring the movement of the typhoon, especially if operating in affected areas.

The suspension of voyages will remain in effect until further notice and will only be lifted once weather and sea conditions improve, the Coast Guard said in its advisory.

It added that vessels seeking shelter will be permitted to do so upon proper request; however, no passengers or cargo will be allowed on board during the suspension period.

Criminal and administrative complaints were filed against Energy Secretary Sharon Garin before the Office of the Ombudsman for her alleged violation of a coal moratorium after she reportedly approved a 1,200-Megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant project in Atimonan, Quezon, in July this year.

The 30-page complaint was lodged by various church leaders and residents from the province, along with the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) on Monday, accusing Garin of violating Section 3 (e) and (j) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and for purportedly committing grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.

According to PMCJ and other groups, Garin reportedly exempted the 1,200-MW Atimonan One Energy Inc. (A1E) coal-fired power plant project from the moratorium, despite it not meeting the requirements necessary for exemption.

Under the coal moratorium issued by the Department of Energy (DOE) in 2020, concerned stakeholders were notified that the agency would not process applications for greenfield coal-fired power generation facility projects requesting for endorsements and existing and operational coal-fired power generation facilities, among others.

‘There is overwhelming opposition against the construction of the Atimonan coal plant.

It is not just the church but the people of Atimonan and Quezon Province. Besides, the economic and financial arguments are clearly against it,’ said Fr. Warren Puno, lead convenor of Quezon for Environment (QUEEN) in a statement handed out to the media during the filing.

‘No one is interested in investing in the construction of coal plants anymore, as their era has passed. Even the past DOE leadership has given up on it. DOE Secretary Garin has created a mess, and now she has to face the consequences,’ he added.

For his part, PMCJ chief legal counsel Aaron Pedrosa stressed that even DOE’s October 14 advisory expanding the exemptions to the moratorium ‘cannot be retroactively applied to justify the Atimonan coal plant project.’

‘In the face of ongoing protests and. investigation into the flood control issue, Garin should be investigated for facilitating the endorsement and approval of projects supposedly banned by the government,’ Aaron Pedrosa said.

Aside from the moratorium, the lawyer noted that the project also violates the Department of Health (DOH) – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2021-0001, also known as guidelines for the operationalization of the health impact assessment (HIA) review process for development projects, as the project proponent has yet to send an application for Health Impact Clearance Certificate.

Puno said they were trying to talk to Garin about the concerns plaguing the project and even staged a protest, but the DOE chief did not respond to them.

Garin’s camp, on the other hand, said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint.

Some local government units and schools across the country suspended classes on Tuesday, Nov. 4, amid the effects of Typhoon Tino (international name ‘Kalmaegi’).

Tino was last spotted 170 kilometers (kms) east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar while moving westward at 25 km per hour (kph).

Many places in Visayas and Mindanao are now already at Signal No. 4, as Tino is expected to make landfall in Homonhon Island or Dinagat Islands by Monday evening.

Below is the list of areas that have declared suspension of classes for Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Eastern Visayas

Samar – all levels (public and private)

Northern Samar – all levels (public and private)

Eastern Samar – all levels (public and private)

Southern Leyte – all levels (public and private)

Leyte – all levels (public and private)

Biliran

Culaba – all levels (public and private)

Cabucgayan – all levels (public and private)

Almeria – all levels (public and private)

Maripipi – all levels (public and private)

Caibiran – all levels (public and private)

Naval – all levels (public and private)

Central Visayas

Cebu province

Alcantara – all levels (public and private)

Alegria – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Aloguinsan – all levels (public and private

Argao – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Asturias – all levels (public and private)

Carcar City – all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Carmen – all levels (public and private)

Compostela – all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Consolacion – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Cordova – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Daanbantayan – all levels (public and private)

Dalaguete – all levels (public and private)

Ginatila – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Liloan – all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Malabuyoc – all levels (public and private)

Naga City – all levels (public and private)

Poro – all levels (public and private)

Ronda – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

San Fernando – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public only)

San Francisco – all levels (public and private)

Sibonga – all levels (public and private)

Talisay City – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Cebu City – all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Lapu-Lapu City – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Bohol – all levels (public and private)

Western Visayas

Aklan

Balete – all levels (public and private)

Ibajay – all levels (public and private)

Kalibo – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Malay – all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

New Washington – all levels (public and private)

Libertad – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Antique

Caluya – face-to-face classes only, preschool to senior high school (public and private)

Libertad – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Pandan – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Patnongon – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

San Jose de Buenavista – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Sibalom – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Anini-y – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Barbaza – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Bugasong – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Culasi – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Hamtic – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Tibiao – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Tobias Fornier – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Valderrama – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Capiz

Maayon – preschool to senior high school (public and private)

Panitan – all levels (public and private)

Pontevedra – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Roxas City – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Dumarao – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Ivisan – all levels (public and private)

Jamindan – all levels (public and private)

Iloilo province

Batad – all levels (public and private)

Carles – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Estancia – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Oton – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Pavia – all levels (public and private)

Sara – all levels (public and private)

Balasan – all levels (public and private)

Leon – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Concepcion – all levels (public and private)

Pototan – all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

San Dionisio – all levels (public and private)

Iloilo City – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private) until Nov. 5

Negros Island Region

Negros Occidental

Bago City – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Don Salvador Benedicto – all levels (public and private)

La Carlota City – all levels (public and private)

Manapla – all levels (public and private)

Moises Padilla – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Pulupandan – all levels (public and private)

Sagay City – all levels (public and private)

Toboso – all levels (public and private)

Cadiz City – all levels (public and private)

Enrique B. Magalona – all levels (public and private)

Sagay City – all levels (public and private)

Toboso – all levels (public and private)

Victorias City – all levels (public and private)

San Carlos City – all levels (public and private)

Calatrava – all levels (public and private) until Nov. 6

Silay City – all levels (public and private)

Talisay City – all levels (public and private)

Murcia – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Valladolid – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Pontevedra – all levels (public and private)

San Enrique – all levels (public and private)

Isabela – all levels (public and private)

Hinigaran – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

La Castellana – all levels (public and private)

Binalbagan – all levels (public and private)

Himamaylan City – all levels (public and private)

Cauayan – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Ilog – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Kabankalan City – all levels (public and private)

Candoni – all levels (public and private)

Hinoba-an – all levels (public and private)

Bacolod City – face-to-face classes only, all levels (public and private)

Caraga Region

Dinagat Island – all levels (public and private)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Monday that at least 569 police officers who violated law enforcement rules have been sanctioned since August 26.

Of the 569 police officers sanctioned, 184 were dismissed from the service.

Furthermore, 27 police officers were demoted from their positions, 118 were suspended from their posts, and 18 were reprimanded.

Meanwhile, 222 police officers had some of their privileges as police officers suspended as a result of their disciplinary cases.

The law enforcement agency did not expound on the nature of the disciplinary cases.

Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. maintained that the statistics were part of the police force’s integrity monitoring initiatives.

‘The PNP will not tolerate misconduct, abuse of authority or any act that undermines public trust,’ Nartatez said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday.

‘Discipline is not just an internal policy. It is a non-negotiable requirement for anyone who wears the PNP uniform,’ he added.