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There’s still no need to mandate face mask use despite the ongoing flu season, Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, spokesperson of the Department of Health (DOH), said on Tuesday

That was Domingo’s answer when asked if face masks should be required in Metro Manila and nearby areas after Quezon made mask-wearing mandatory following the rise of influenza-like cases in the province.

According to Domingo, the agency considers severe hospitalization and the influx of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of hospitals as factors before deciding on the mandatory mask use.

‘Not yet. What we look at when we’re thinking of a mandate is the increase in severe hospitalization. We also see if the ICUs are congested, and we haven’t seen anything like that,’ Domingo said in an interview with DZMM ‘Teleradyo.’

Domingo added that determining the penalties for non-compliance would be difficult, noting that some individuals might wear masks improperly.

He also warned that some traders may exploit the situation to hike face mask prices amid rising demand.

According to the DOH official, while the country remains in the flu season, there’s no outbreak of the disease.

The health department earlier reported that it logged a total of 6,457 cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) nationwide from Sept. 28, 2025, to Oct. 11, 2025.

This is 39 percent lower than the 10,740 cases recorded from Sept. 14 to 27, 2025.

‘What we’re saying here is that there is no reason to say that there is an outbreak because the data show that. But we don’t want to be complicit because we know this is flu season, and cases may rise if we won’t take care of ourselves,’ Domingo added.

When asked if the DOH was ready for the surge of ILI cases, he answered yes. He said that this is included in their surge capacity, under which DOH hospitals allot an additional 10 percent of bed capacity to accommodate patients.

Domingo also reminded that while the department had not mandated face mask use, anyone can wear one as a precautionary measure to protect themselves and their loved ones from sickness.

However, he noted that wearing face masks is mandatory in hospitals to avoid contracting different kinds of diseases. /apl/abc

The highly anticipated Agrilink, Foodlink, and Aqualink 2025 officially opened last October 2 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, bringing together farmers, agripreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers, international partners, and consumers for three days of exhibits, seminars, and networking opportunities.

Now on its 30th year, Agrilink, Foodlink, and Aqualink remains the country’s largest and most influential international trade exhibition on agriculture, food, aquaculture, and agribusiness. This year’s theme, ‘Logistics: The Key to an Efficient Market and Value Chain,’ underscores the critical role of efficient distribution systems in strengthening Philippine agriculture and food security.

The event’s opening ceremony was led by Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, Inc. (FRLD) directors, co-organizers, and dignitaries from the Congress of the Philippines, including Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Glinoga Horibata, Chairman for Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources. Joining them were representatives and the diplomatic corps from various embassies and this year’s Agrilink Chairperson, Maria Teresa ‘Timmy’ Roa-Antonio, who together cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the opening of the country’s largest international trade exhibition on agriculture, food, aquaculture, and agribusiness.

Adding a regional dimension to this year’s edition, Agrilink 2025 also coincided with the 47th Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF), which took place on October 3. Through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), visiting ASEAN ministers and representatives from Japan, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Indonesia toured the triple exhibit.

In previous reports, the Department of Agriculture (DA) noted that nearly 30% of the country’s agricultural produce is wasted due to poor logistics systems, particularly in transporting vegetables and high-value crops. In response, the DA established the Agricultural and Fisheries Logistics Office (AFLO) to spearhead initiatives and projects to modernize the country’s agricultural logistics network. These include expanding cold storage and ice plants, building monorail and tram systems for farm transport, developing advanced warehousing, and establishing integrated food hubs to ensure that products reach consumers efficiently and affordably.

Agrilink 2025 provides a vital platform to highlight these challenges and showcase solutions, from cold chain systems and digital logistics platforms to mechanization and sustainable transport, that help reduce waste, boost farmer incomes, and improve market access.

Organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, Inc. (FRLD) and supported by over 30 co-organizers from the public and private sectors, Agrilink 2025 featured exhibition halls filled with local and international exhibitors presenting innovations in agriculture, aquaculture, food processing, logistics, sustainability, and smart farming technologies.

Under the DA exhibits, Agrilink 2025 highlighted the Young Farmers Challenge Pavilion, celebrating youth-led agribusiness ventures and promoting agri-entrepreneurship. The DA’s regional showcases spotlight local products, innovations, and community-driven solutions. The event also included dedicated international and industry pavilions, such as the South Korea Pavilion, organized by the Korea Agri Machinery Industry Complex (KAMICO), which showcasing advanced farm mechanization solutions. The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) Seed Pavilion showcased seed science innovations and technologies from 27 members across multinational, local, private, government, and academic sectors. Agrilink 2025 featured live plant and animal exhibits, aquaculture displays, and food product demonstrations. The event also offered free technical seminars, workshops, and investment forums tackling industry trends and opportunities.

‘Agrilink has always been about building bridges – between farmers and markets, innovators and communities, government and private enterprises,’ said Antonio V. Roces, President of FRLD. ‘By putting logistics at the center of this year’s discussion, we recognize that efficiency in movement is just as important as productivity in the field. Reducing losses, lowering costs, and strengthening value chains all begin with better logistics.’

Maria Teresa ‘Timmy’ Roa-Antonio, Agrilink 2025 Chairperson, Inland Corporation President, and Coconut Industry Investment Fund Oil Mills Group (CIIF OMG) Chairwoman, added, ‘This year’s theme reflects both urgency and opportunity. If our harvest is lost to weak logistics, it is clear where transformation must begin. Agrilink 2025 shines a spotlight on solutions that can change how food moves from farm to consumer. Through partnerships and innovation, we can empower farmers, fisherfolk, and agripreneurs to thrive in a more competitive market.’

For nearly three decades, Agrilink has served as a meeting point for stakeholders across the agricultural spectrum. From its beginnings as a trade exhibition, it has evolved into a forum for collaboration, market expansion, and innovation-linking Philippine agriculture to global opportunities. For more information, visit agrilink.com.ph, or follow facebook.com/AgrilinkPH.

Restive Kanlaon Volcano emitted ash three times on Monday, with a total duration of nearly four hours, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The first ash emission occurred from 7:28 a.m. to 7:38 a.m., producing grayish plumes that rose 300 meters above the crater before drifting westward.

The second emission, from 9:20 a.m. to 10:54 a.m., saw grayish plumes rising to 300 meters above the crater, drifting to the west-northwest.

The third and final emission of the day happened at 4:56 p.m. to 6:59 p.m., generating grayish plumes that rose 450 meters above the crater before drifting westward.

Phivolcs also reported that Kanlaon was affected by 25 volcanic earthquakes on Monday./coa

Cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) in Quezon province have surged by 149 percent this year compared to the previous year, the Quezon Provincial Health Office (QPHO) said in a statement Tuesday morning.

The QPHO data showed that the province reported a total of 2,887 ILIs from January 1 to October 20 this year, significantly higher than the 1,157 cases recorded during the same period last year.

As many as 1,382 children aged 1 to 10 were the most affected by ILIs, or illnesses such as cough, cold, and flu, followed by infants under one year with 552 recorded cases, data showed.

The elderly, aged 60 and above, registered 166 ILI cases during the period.

No fatalities were recorded this year in Quezon, the QPHO said.

The QPHO appealed to the public: ‘Be cautious – make it a habit to wash your hands, wear a mask, and get vaccinated.’

However, the Department of Health (DOH) assured the public last week that there is currently no outbreak of flu in the country.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa explained that the seasonal increase in influenza-like illnesses is not an outbreak, which he said refers to a ‘sudden increase in the number of [influenza cases] in a specific geographic area, such as a community, city, or region.’

The agency attributed the surge in cases to the rainy season, when an increase in ILI is expected./coa/abc

Maynilad Water Services Inc. has priced its initial public offering (IPO) at P15 per share, valuing its stock market debut this month at P34.33 billion.

In a notice on Tuesday morning, the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) said this would be the total IPO size if Maynilad fully exercised its over-allotment and upsize options.

Maynilad will offer up to 2.3 billion shares from Oct. 23 to Oct. 29. The concessionaire will list under the ticker ‘MYNLD’ on Nov. 7, just over a year ahead of its January 2027 deadline with the government.

Its final price comes after its cornerstone investment agreement with International Finance Corp. and Asian Development Bank, both of which committed to invest $245 million into Maynilad’s IPO if the offer price did not exceed P15 each.

Apart from IFC and ADB, the United Kingdom government is also pledging its support for Maynilad’s IPO.

Dr. Gay Jane Perez has been appointed officer-in-charge of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Tuesday.

Castro confirmed the appointment in a Viber message to reporters.

Perez replaces Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano Jr., who resigned in September.

The new PhilSA chief has served as deputy director general for the agency’s Space Science and Technology department since 2021.

She earned her doctorate in physics from the University of the Philippines and conducted postdoctoral research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center./mcm

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) have inked partnership to strengthen measures to combat smuggling in the country, such as tightening controls for registration of imported vehicles.

The two agencies made this happen through a signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Tuesday.

‘This mutual cooperation with the LTO reinforces our shared goal of ensuring transparency, efficiency, and strict compliance with customs laws and other government regulations. By working together, we want to make sure that every vehicle import and registration process is handled with the highest standards of integrity,’ BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said in a statement.

According to the BOC, the MOA will allow the two agencies to improve data sharing for documents such as Certificates of Payment, Certificates of Registration, and Official Receipts.

In a separate statement, the LTO also said that the agreement aims to streamline tracking of imported vehicles and establish a system between vehicle importation and registration.

‘They will also form a joint task force to lead enforcement operations against unlawfully imported vehicles, including those misclassified or misdeclared, in violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and other related violations,’ the BOC added.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao said that they aim for the government to not lose revenue.

‘I will make sure that every imported vehicle will pay the right taxes. I will make sure that registered vehicles under the Land Transportation Office are roadworthy,’ Lacanilao said, speaking mosty in Filipino, in a separate statement.

The BOC shared that a technical working group will be formed to develop the implementing rules and guidelines to make the partnership effective.

The BOC also reported that the LTO turned over one unit of Lamborghini Urus to the BOC apprehended in the Bonifacio Global City to undergo customs processes. /jpv

Theirs was supposed to be a budding power rivalry. Two heavy hitters with the ability to take command of a game with their offense.

But Trisha Tubu eventually turned out to be a one-and-done star for Adamson, and her matchup against National U’s Bella Belen was short-lived at the college level.

Tubu, in fact, remembers the last time the two clashed in the UAAP.

‘The last time I played against [Belen] was back in Season 85. That was also my last game [in the UAAP],’ Tubu told the Inquirer in Filipino. ‘They were the ones who knocked us out [in the Final Four]. She was the last opponent I faced in my final game for Adamson.’

They have a chance to rekindle their rivalry again.

Tubu, now playing with Farm Fresh and having collected trophies as one of the league’s finest hitters, collides with Belen and Capital1 at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the PVL Reinforced Conference. And while both teams have amazing imports and are fighting to remain in the win column, the sideshow between the top two young local heroes will be as much of a treat.

‘I’m excited [to play against] Bella,’ Tubu said.

The feeling seems mutual.

Top overall pick

‘It’s a different kind of matchup. That’s why I’m excited. I want to see how we’ll perform against a strong team,’ Belen said.

Farm Fresh seeks to stay unbeaten in three games in the Reinforced Conference against a Capital1 side that is fresh from a first win to improve to a 1-1 record.

Belen is starting to make a name for herself as this year’s top overall pick of Capital1 after a decorated UAAP career with three titles and as many as Season MVPs. She also helped Alas Pilipinas reach the AVC Nations Cup final and bag two SEA V-League bronze medals.

Tubu scored 21 points to beat Cignal for Farm Fresh’s best franchise start, 2-0, while Belen showcased her all-around game of 15 points and 14 digs for her first-ever PVL win with Capital1 after fending off Nxled in four sets.

‘It feels really good, honestly. I mean, Bella’s amazing too. It’s exciting to think about how it’ll be if we get to play against each other again. I am really looking forward to it,’ said Tubu.

The 23-year-old Belen already played Farm Fresh in tuneup games, but she has seen how the Foxies have grown under Italian coach Alessandro Lodi, who has been bringing out the best in Tubu and Co.

‘Their coach is really good, and when you look at their lineup, they’re solid and complete. I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can level up our game,’ said Belen.

Hard-hitting imports Eli Rousseaux, who set the bar with a 38-point debut for Farm Fresh, and Capital1’s Sasha Bytsenko, who eclipsed it with a season-high 39 in their previous win last week, will be the focus of both squads’ defense.

Other games

Capital1 and Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge De Brito will also be pinning his hopes on locals Leila Cruz, Sydney Niegos, Rachel Austero and veteran setter Iris Tolenada in his chess match against Lodi, who has Ces Molina, Rizza Cruz, Lorene Toring and rookie playmaker Alohi-Robins Hardy.

‘Of course, I’m also excited to play against the other Capital players and their foreign player as well,’ Tubu said.

Meanwhile, Choco Mucho (1-1) seeks to bounce back against the winless Nxled (0-2) at 4 p.m., while PLDT (2-0) tries to stay unbeaten against Cignal (0-2) at 6:30 p.m. INQ

Former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV filed plunder and several other criminal complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte and Sen. Bong Go over the alleged funneling of nearly P7 billion worth of government infrastructure projects to firms owned by the senator’s family.

Trillanes lodged the complaint against the two, as well as two of Go’s relatives, before the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday morning.

The complaint cites possible violations of the Plunder Law (Republic Act No. 7080), the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713).

Based on the 35-page document, Trillanes accused the two of awarding billions of pesos’ worth of infrastructure projects to two firms – CLTG Builders, owned by Go’s father, and Alfrego Builders, owned by the senator’s brother.

The former senator added that both firms ‘cornered approximately P6.95 billion in government infrastructure projects from 2016 to the present,’ which consists of over 200 projects mostly in the Davao Region.

According to Trillanes, the two had been committing these acts since Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City until his presidency.

‘Bong Go is the main plunderer because he was the central figure connecting his father and brother. His relationship with Duterte made this whole thing possible. Duterte was the one signing and approving, but behind him was Bong Go,’ Trillanes said in an ambush interview after he filed the complaint.

Trillanes reiterated this claim in his complaint, stating that the respondents’ actions and relationships ‘squarely fall under constitutional and statutory prohibitions against conflicts of interest in the public sector, undermining the integrity of government.’

He alleged that Go ‘took advantage of his public positions as aide and alter ego of Duterte to corner billions of pesos worth of public infrastructure projects for the sole proprietorship under his father and brother’s names, thereby enriching himself and his immediate family.’

The former senator likewise claimed that over P816 million of these contracts were secured through a joint venture between CLTG Builders and St. Gerrard Construction, a company owned by the Discaya family, who are now in hot water for their alleged involvement in the flood-control corruption anomalies.

Citing Commission on Audit (COA) data, Trillanes alleged that CLTG was awarded 125 projects in the Davao Region by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from March 2007 to May 2018.

He also claimed that some of the projects were under Duterte’s centerpiece ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program. As cited in the complaint, COA records showed that CLTG secured 27 projects worth approximately P3.2 billion in 2017 alone.

On the other hand, Alfrego Builders and Supply reportedly won 59 public works projects in the Davao Region from June 2007 to July 2018, amounting to P1.74 billion.

Trillanes pointed out that in 2018, Alfrego won contracts for 23 projects amounting to P1.3 billion.

Recent flood control projects

Apart from this, Trillanes noted that Alfrego was able to corner five flood control projects recently, which were all implemented in Davao del Sur.

‘These projects amounted to P327.2 million worth of flood control projects, all reported by the DPWH to have been completed within just a little over one year, ranging from August 2023 to November 2024,’ the senator said in the complaint.

Below is the list of projects and their amounts, as reflected on the ‘Isumbong sa Pangulo’ (complaint to the president) website:

construction of concrete revetment along Talomo River (Balite Section), Calinan District, Davao City: P86,513,783.34

construction of concrete revetment along Talomo River (Los Amigos Section), Davao City’ P48,866,414.37

construction of concrete revetment along Davao River, Pangyan Section, Sta. 0 + 000 – Sta. 1 + 000, Davao City: P96,498,666.24

construction of concrete revetment along Talomo River, Los Amigos Section, Sta. 0 + 000 – Sta. 0 + 500, Davao City: P47,647,054.64

construction of concrete revetment along Talomo River, Balite Section, Sta. 0 + 000 – Sta. 0 + 500, Davao City P7,696,875.08

INQUIRER has reached out to Go, but he has yet to reply as of posting time.

This was not the first time Trillanes filed a plunder case against Duterte and the senator.

In July 2024, he lodged a similar complaint before the Department of Justice, which was endorsed by then Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento to the anti-graft body in the same month.

However, the complaint was dismissed by the office under the helm of Ombudsman Samuel Martires on June 2 this year. /apl

Around 1,000 farmers and members of multi-sectoral groups on Tuesday gathered in Liwasang Bonifacio, before marching to Mendiola, Manila to protest against corruption and to call for agrarian reform and farmers’ rights in commemoration of Peasant Month.

Farmers from Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog started their protest in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform early Tuesday morning before converging with multi-sectoral groups in Liwasang Bonifacio via caravan.

Luning Trinidad, a farmer from Hacienda Luisita in Central Luzon, claimed that the military is being used to intimidate the farmers who are protesting for their rights.

‘The military is being used to intimidate people who are fighting for their rights. But the people there, especially in Central Luzon, because land-use conversion is rampant there, will not stop fighting for their rights,’ Trinidad, speaking in Filipino, told the Liwasang Bonifacio crowd.

‘Let us not be afraid, and let us not stop. Because if we stop, who else will fight for the rights of our children, the next generation?’ she continued. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Secretary General Ronnie Manalo also rallied and marched alongside his fellow farmers from Liwasang Bonifacio to Mendiola.

‘The main problem of farmers is still the lack of land. There is no real land reform. The land they [farmers] farm is being converted, and then there is the lack of subsidy support to boost their production,’ Manalo told the Inquirer in Filipino.

He then pointed out the irony in the lack of funding for farmers affected by natural disasters, while billions of government funds are allegedly being misused.

‘There are no funds allocated for compensation for farmers affected by typhoons, floods, and droughts, but we know that billions of government funds are being embezzled, going only to corruption for the luxury and vices of those in power, especially traditional politicians,’ Manalo said in Filipino.

Manalo then suggested that the funds that were misused must be returned and re-allocated to agricultural productions, particularly in post-harvest facilities.

‘The funds that went to corruption should be given to farmers to develop our local production for post-harvest facilities. For example, the dryers, the warehouses, the rice mills, the irrigation, compensation for farmers who are victims of calamities. For us to develop, we must strengthen our local production and not rely on imports,’ he added in Filipino.

Former Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza was also in attendance at the rally, where she called for accountability from public officials.

She also highlighted the rights of farmers, whose livelihoods are affected by flooding in the country.

‘Attention is also being drawn to this kind of corruption in the lives and livelihoods of our farmers. Like the farm-to-market roads that were corrupted. Like the flood-control projects that were corrupted, where their crops were flooded, their livelihoods were really affected,’ Maza said in Filipino.

In July 2025, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that the cyclones and the monsoon rains damaged 43,741 hectares of farmland valued at P1.12 billion. It also reported that over 45,000 farmers and fisherfolk were affected.

According to the Department of Agriculture, it allocated P400 million in its Survival and Recovery program, which supposedly provides grants and zero-interest loans to calamity-affected agricultural households.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp also said it provided P268 million worth of compensation to nearly 46,000 farmers. /jpv