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AS the Department of Education (DepEd) detailed its continuing response to restore learning in the most affected areas, the agency on Monday reported that the estimated total cost of repair and reconstruction stood at P4 billion for a total of 1,140 schools that sustained damage from recent earthquakes across eight regions.

On Monday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on led national officials in Davao Oriental to assess the aftermath of the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao.

Based on the October 13, 12am report from the DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), a total of 1,140 schools sustained damage across eight regions, with 7,575 classrooms affected. Of these, 1,297 were totally damaged, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage.

The hardest hit was Region XI (Davao Region), accounting for 764 damaged schools and over 5,350 totally damaged classrooms.

Marcos and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara joined the situation briefing in Tarragona, Davao Oriental, following their visit to Manay National High School, one of the severely affected schools.

The school faces an estimated P73.3 million worth of repairs and replacements for damaged classrooms and laboratories.

Angara assured the public that the Department is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for structural integrity assessments and with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for possible Quick Response Fund (QRF) replenishment.

‘We will work with [Public Works and Highways] Sec. Vince [Dizon] on the QRF and also on new classrooms. If we can build bigger ones – so it’s anticipatory – it’s like build back better,’ Angara said.

DepEd has activated alternative learning modes, including modular distance learning and Edukahon, to ensure that learning continues even in damaged schools.

Temporary learning spaces and tent classrooms are being deployed in coordination with local governments and partner agencies.

The Department is also coordinating the replacement of damaged learning materials and ICT equipment, as well as the provision of psychosocial support for affected teachers and students.

Meanwhile, 14,925 teaching and non-teaching personnel were affected, with 57 reported injuries, while 168,945 learners were affected, including 187 injured students.

To support personnel, DepEd has activated financial assistance mechanisms, including the P150,000 Provident Fund loan and the GSIS emergency loan, and allowed flexible work arrangements until buildings are declared safe.

DepEd also confirmed that structural engineers from the DPWH Central Office have been on the ground since October 11 to conduct building integrity tests, following instructions from Angara and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon during their initial inspection.

CONSUMERS will have to pay more for electricity and gasoline.

The price of gasoline per liter will go up by P0.30, starting Tuesday. Meanwhile, kerosene prices will go down by P0.20 per liter while diesel price remain unchanged.

For power rates, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) announced an increase of P0.2331 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for October. This brings the overall rate for a typical household to P13.3182 per kWh this month from P13.0851 per kWh.

For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, the adjustment is equivalent to an additional P47 in their total electricity bill.

Generation charge, which is a major component of an electric bill, went up by P0.1903 per kWh.

Charges from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Power Supply Agreements (PSAs) increased by P0.3622 and P0.3567 per kWh, respectively, primarily due to the depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar, which affected 99 percent and 48 percent of their respective costs.

The increase was tempered by lower charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) that went down by P2.0688 per kWh owing to a decrease of about 1,000 MW in Luzon’s peak demand.

IPPs, PSAs, and WESM accounted for 21 percent, 74 percent, and 5 percent, respectively, of Meralco’s total energy requirement for the period.

Transmission, taxes, and other charges also registered a total increase of P0.0428 per kWh.

Pass-through charges for generation and transmission are paid by Meralco to the power suppliers and the grid operator, respectively, while taxes, universal charges, and Feed-in Tariff Allowance are all remitted to the government.

Meralco reiterates that its distribution charge, on the other hand, has not moved since the P0.0360 per kWh reduction for a typical residential customer beginning August 2022.

Customers also continue to benefit from the ongoing implementation of the distribution-related true-up adjustment, equivalent to a reduction of P0.2024 per kWh for residential customers.

With the recent earthquakes affecting parts of the country, Meralco assured its customers that it continuously safeguards its distribution facilities from potential hazards to ensure the safety of both of its crews and customers.

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) has launched an intensified inspection campaign all over the country to ensure the seaworthiness of passenger vessels ahead of the expected surge in travelers for the All Saints-All Souls Days commemoration, when Filipinos traditionally visit the graves of their departed loved ones.

The simultaneous inspections, which will run until October 17, involve 14 inspection teams deployed from Luzon to Mindanao. As of October 12, the Marina reported that 132 vessels had already undergone compliance checks under the ‘Intensified Compliance Inspection’ program.

Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan said the initiative is not a routine activity but part of the agency’s broader ‘Ligtas Biyaheng Dagat’ campaign to safeguard passengers and strengthen the culture of maritime safety nationwide.

‘The safety of life at sea should never be taken lightly. These inspections ensure that every operating vessel is safe, reliable, and compliant with regulations-not just for the Undas period but throughout the year,’ she said.

She noted that ships found with deficiencies during the inspections will be subject to monitoring and follow-up checks.

Malaluan emphasized that the agency will impose punitive actions against vessels or operators that fail to meet safety standards.

THE current Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was signed in 2020, initially running through 2027.

In October 2024, the Women’s National Basketball Players’ Association (WNBPA) opted out of that agreement, which started a renegotiation such that the current deal will now expire on October 31, 2025.

The opt-out was a strategic move because the union wants a new deal to better reflect the league’s growth and the value players are bringing.

As of mid-2025, the two sides are reportedly be far apart in their proposals, with tension over how revenue should be shared, how much salary growth is built in, and rules around players’ offseason obligations like overseas play.

The clock is ticking and there is increasing pressure and risk, including talk of a work stoppage like a lockout or strike if no deal is reached.

The league wants to avoid a work stoppage and maintain momentum like rising viewership, the new media deal and expansion.

The union must balance pushing hard with preserving goodwill, avoiding alienating fans or sponsors.

Financial terms are sensitive, distrust can become a major obstacle. Each side may accuse the other of negotiating in bad faith or inflating costs/revenue.

Owners are making long-term investments, and disruptions tarnish valuations; for players, missing a season is more immediately painful like income loss and crucial career stage.

The players arguably have more moral leverage as they are the ‘product’ and growing public support.

The league will stress that revenue is not guaranteed, expenses may rise and macroeconomic conditions may affect the business.

The union will counter that recent growth, media rights,and increasing franchise valuations show sustainable upside that should benefit players.

A well-negotiated CBA could redefine the economics of the WNBA, enabling players to capture more upside from league growth, make the league more sustainable for top talent that reduces reliance on overseas play and raise the floor for lower-tier players.

A failure to agree or a weak deal risks player discontent, potential departures or diminished commitment, brand damage, and possibly a labor stoppage that could disrupt seasons, media contracts and fan support.

If the union succeeds in getting a deal with a greater share of revenue and more guarantees, it might set a new standard for women’s sports and strengthen the bargaining position of other women’s-league players like women’s football, women’s volleyball, and softball.

If the league successfully resists structural change, it may retain more control and financial flexibility-but risk dissatisfaction, talent exodus, or reputation damage.

MILITANT fishermen on Monday slammed an offshore dredging project in Ilocos Sur because of its alleged adverse environmental and economic impact on coastal communities.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (Pamalakaya) said the dredging project of Isla Verde Mining and Development Company (IVMDC) has affected 9,538 fisherfolk from the coastal towns of Santa and Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

Before the dredging started in 2024, small fishermen used to harvest at least 100 cans, equivalent to 17 liters each, of ipon, a species of gobies found in freshwater streams. But nowadays, they are only able to gather around 30 cans, the group said.

Another report said that fishermen can catch at least 10 kilograms of kapiged or spotted scad on a good day before the operation, and sell it at P160 per kilogram, earning at least P1600 per fishing trip. Today, they catch almost nothing while the dredging barges are operating within the mouth of the Abra River.

‘Because of the noise and pollution and the disturbance created by the dredging operation, these dredging vessels are driving the fish away from the mouth of the Abra River. This results in the steep drop in the income of small fishers,’ Pamalakaya said in a statement.

‘Nagresulta ito ng malubhang pagbagsak ng kinikita ng mga maliliit na mangingisda.

‘Mahigit isang taon na ang perwisyong dala ng dredging operation sa mga residente sa tabing-dagat, subalit wala pa ring tugon ang mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na nauna nang nilapitan ng mga apektadong mangingisda,’ Fernando Hicap, P amalakaya national chairperson said in a statement.

Pamalakaya urged Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla to look into the ongoing dredging in Ilocos Sur, and order its provincial environment office to inspect the operational site for a ‘cumulative impact assessment.’

‘Kailangang siyasatin ng DENR ang nagaganap na dredging sa Ilocos Sur, para mabigyan ng karampatang aksyon tulad ng agarang kanselasyon ng environment permit ng naturang proyekto,’ Hicap also said.

THE country’s industry association for IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) said its dialogue with the IT-BPM firms organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led to a ‘constructive’ outcome which will help protect the integrity of the industry.

‘The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines [IBPAP] welcomes the positive and constructive outcome of the dialogue with the IT-BPM companies organized by the Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE] in Cebu last Friday, October 10, 2025,’ IBPAP said in a statement Monday night.

The industry group said the meeting with DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Regional Director Roy Buenafe, and BPO companies in the region ‘affirmed one clear truth: our industry and government are united in safeguarding the welfare of Filipino workers and the integrity of the IT-BPM sector.’

IBPAP said DOLE clarified the circumstances regarding the earlier release of company names, which the industry group sees as ‘a step we consider essential in restoring confidence and protecting the reputations of responsible employers.’

This developed after IBPAP denounced the ‘irresponsible declaration’ made by DOLE in Region 7 which ‘prematurely’ identified several IT-BPM firms that have been ordered to halt operations for alleged labor rights violations.

In its earlier statement, the industry group said none of the accounts of its four member companies named by the BPO Industry Employee Network (BIEN) confirmed that employees were prevented from leaving the production area despite the earthquake, particularly regarding the blocking of exits, and forced to return to their workstations without safety clearance.

IBPAP underscored that this collaboration with the government ‘matters deeply’ because the Philippines is ‘home to nearly 1.9 million Digital Filipino Workers, whose dedication powers an industry that contributes close to USD 40 billion annually to the economy.’

‘Their safety, welfare, and livelihoods must never be put at risk by misinformation. Our workforce deserves nothing less than certainty, fairness, and respect,’ added the industry group.

IBPAP said its members ‘uphold the highest standards, guided by laws that require full compliance with Philippine laws and regulations.’

Beyond membership, the industry group said every IT-BPM company operating in the country has the responsibility to uphold the same standards of compliance, safety, and integrity.

‘Worker welfare and business continuity must never be compromised, and we stand ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure these principles are upheld,’ IBPAP said.

‘Together with the government and our members, we will continue to strengthen safety standards, safeguard jobs, and reinforce the Philippines’ position as a trusted global hub for IT-BPM for the benefit of every worker, every family, and the future of our nation,’ it also noted.

Former broadcaster and Cainta Mayor Ramon ‘Mon’ Ilagan will join the Marcos administration as the new undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

PCO Acting Secretary Dave M. Gomez made the confirmation in an announcement last Monday.

However, he clarified that Ilagan will not replace PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro as Palace Press Officer.

‘He will not replace undersecretary Claire. Claire is still spokesperson and Press Office,’ Gomez said in Filipino.

He said Ilagan will focus on the operations of PCO.

Aside from being a local chief executive in Cainta from 2004 to 2013, Ilagan also served as assistant secretary and spokesperson of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

He previously worked as a broadcast journalist for ABS-CBN. (Samuel Medenilla)

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) announced that its C-130 and NC-212i transport aircraft on Sunday airlifted relief items for communities still reeling from the effects of two powerful earthquakes in Davao Oriental last Oct. 10.

In a statement Monday, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Castillo said this airlift mission is in support of the government’s ongoing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations for quake-affected communities in Davao Oriental.

She added that these military aircraft took off from Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and landed with their cargo in Mati Airport, Davao Oriental.

Basco said the relief goods, carried by the PAF aircraft, were provided by the Philippine Red Cross and consists of 147 portable tents, 10 family tents, and assorted relief items including mosquito nets, blankets, plastic mats, and kitchen sets.

Personnel from the Tactical Operations Group 11, 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army, 11th Aviation Security Unit of the Philippine National Police, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Davao, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Davao Oriental, Bureau of Fire Protection-Region 11, and Philippine Red Cross- Davao Oriental Chapter assisted in the unloading and transport of goods.

‘These sustained efforts highlight the PAF’s steadfast commitment to provide rapid airlift support and ensure the timely delivery of life-saving aid to disaster-stricken communities, in close coordination with partner agencies and humanitarian organizations,’ Basco said.

UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA remains the only undefeated team in National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101 seniors basketball action and Patrick Sleat is one reason why.

Averaging 10.75 points, 5.25 rebounds, 3.5 assists, one steal and 1.75 blocks in the Altas’ first four games, Sleat made an immediate impact in his first season in the grand old league.

The last time that the Las Piñas-based crew went 4-0 won-lost was in 2015 when Scottie Thompson and Bright Akhuetie were running the show.

Sleat’s consistent performance in Perpetual’s best start in a decade earned him the first Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week award this season-presented by the Philippine Sports Commission-for the period of October 1 to 12.

The former Far Eastern University Tamaraw’s highlight in the four-game run was a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds on top of five assists, three blocks and a steal in their 75-65 win over defending champion Mapua University last Wednesday.

With the game tied at 65 with four minutes left, Sleat sealed the Altas’ late 10-0 run to claim the victory.

Before that, Sleat had 10 points in a 67-54 win against San Sebastian, followed by a nine-point outing against Lyceum of the Philippines University which they won, 73-61.

After that win against Mapua, Perpetual Help notched its fourth straight win against Arellano University, 72-67, where Sleat making 12 points, three rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal.

Sleat edged teammate Mark Gojo Cruz, Janti Miller of San Beda University, Sean Salvador of Jose Rizal University, Justine Sanchez of College of Saint Benilde and JC Recto of Mapua University for the citation supported by Discovery Suites and Buffalo Wings N’ Things.

The 24-year-old Sleat admitted he felt at home in Perpetual, especially with head coach Olsen Racela, his former coach at FEU, calling the shots.

Racela said Sleat’s veteran presence will be one of their key factors in Season 101.

‘We need his experience,’ Racela said.

YIELDS of Treasury bills (T-bills) dipped again for the 14th time in the last 15 weeks as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) focuses on governance issues negatively impacting the economy and investor sentiment.

Last Monday the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) auction committee awarded the full P22 billion short-dated debt papers up for sale.

Demand for T-bills was as much as 4.4 times oversubscribed, attracting P97.185 billion in total bids, as investors displayed strong demand for government securities.

According to Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), investors are locking in yields before they drop further in the coming months amid dovish signals by the central bank.

Broken down, the government generated P7 billion by fully awarding the 91-day T-bills, with demand amounting to P25.210 billion.

The 91-day debt papers fetched an average rate of 4.880 percent, down by 16.7 basis points (bps) from the previous auction’s 5.047 percent. Rates ranged from a low of 4.870 percent to a high of 4.893 percent.

The 182-day T-bills capped at a 5.072 percent average rate, lower by 5.6 basis points from 5.128 percent in the last auction.

Posted bids for the government IOUs reached P36.760 billion, of which P7.5 billion was fully awarded.

As for the 364-day instruments, the average rate dropped by 10.9 basis points, settling at 5.119 percent from 5.228 percent a week ago.

The government awarded the full P7.5 billion as bids for the T-bills amounted to P35.215 billion.

Ricafort pointed to the ‘October 9 surprise,’ wherein monetary authorities cut key policy rates by 25bps and hinted at a possible rate cut in December.

The Monetary Board lowered the policy rates to 4.75 percent, the lowest policy rate recorded by the country since September 2022. That was the time when rates were raised by 50bps to 4.25 percent.

BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chairman Eli M. Remolona Jr. has said there may be room for monetary authorities to further reduce rates in the near future.

The dovishness of MB members may have been influenced by a weak outlook on the growth of the domestic economy, a stance Remolona linked to governance concerns surrounding public infrastructure spending, which has also weighed on business sentiment.

The central bank governor added that the stock market has declined with fewer and fewer companies pushing through with planned expansion. Remolona also noted there were days when the stock market and the peso declined at the same time, signifying that investors are leaving the country.

Nonetheless, the MB sees scope for a ‘more accommodative’ monetary policy stance, as the favorable inflation outlook and moderating domestic demand provide room to further support economic activity.

Hence, Ricafort sees a possible 25-basis points rate cut on December 11, matching the total 50-bps additional cuts the US Federal Reserve is expected to undertake before the year ends.

‘[This will] maintain healthy interest rate differentials as well, provided inflation remains relatively benign and the US dollar/peso exchange rate remains relatively stable,’ added the RCBC executive.

For this month, the Treasury will borrow a total of P88 billion by issuing T-bills of various tenors.

The government is also set to borrow this year a total of P2.6 trillion, of which around P2.112 trillion is expected to come from domestic sources and the remaining from foreign financiers.

As of end-August this year, the government’s outstanding debt reached P17.468 trillion.