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The National Food Authority (NFA) on Friday unveiled a new bagging system to improve its efforts to maintain a buffer stock while reducing costs and improving the quality of palay.

The grains agency is projecting to save as much as P3.9 million-or P1.1 million to P1.3 million per warehouse-from piloting the one-ton bagging system in Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro and Davao del Sur.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the bagging system, also known as a jumbo bag or bulk bag, was a first in NFA history. Each ‘tonner’ bag can accommodate 12 sacks worth of palay.

Lacson said the trial period for this system will provide the NFA with crucial data to determine whether the technology is viable for a nationwide implementation.

The NFA said the new packing method is estimated to boost warehouse capacity by up to 30 percent. It is also expected to deliver savings in expenses for manpower, fumigation, storage, transport and sacks.

The new bagging system costs P325 apiece. For instance, the NFA is spending P682,000 to procure 2,100 pieces of tonner bags for its Cabanatuan warehouse.

Although the new tonner bag is more expensive, Lacson said it can be reused up to five times.

At present, the NFA spends P15 each on printed sacks, plus additional labor costs, to store palay purchased from local farmers. Each sack can only be used once for this purpose.

Airtight

‘This is part of our broader effort to upgrade NFA’s storage capacity with minimal cost to the government,’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

‘By maximizing existing warehouse space, we can procure more palay from farmers and help address postharvest losses,’ said Tiu Laurel, concurrently the NFA Council chair.

Aside from the projected savings, the airtight bags help preserve grain quality by protecting against moisture, heat, insects and rodents.

Lacson said the NFA adopted this method following Tiu Laurel’s visit to Cambodia. The agriculture chief recognized the need to fast-track its implementation in the Philippines.

The NFA operates more than 300 warehouses across the archipelago. Upgrades are underway in some facilities to accommodate larger volumes of palay and milled rice.

At full capacity, an NFA warehouse built for a maximum of eight piles can store up to 55,440 bags of 50-kg sacks.

Lacson said the adoption of the new packing system is part of the NFA’s broader modernization efforts.

‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 20 champion Jessica Sanchez has officially entered motherhood as she gave birth to her baby girl, Eliana Mae.

The Filipino-American singer revealed the arrival of her and her husband Rickie Gallardo’s firstborn through her Instagram page on Saturday, Oct. 18.

‘Eliana Mae Gallardo, October 13, 2025,’ she wrote, showing a photo of the child.

‘From one dream season to the next. This time, the most precious one yet,’ she continued. ‘We are grateful beyond words for our baby girl, for the gift of motherhood, and for the love that grows deeper every day.’

In a separate post shared by People magazine, the couple were seen at the hospital while lovingly gazing at their newborn.

Sanchez’s childbirth came over two weeks after she won the American reality competition. She was nine months pregnant when she competed at the final round of the show, delivering her rendition of Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga’s ‘Die with a Smile.’

After her win, Sanchez admitted she initially had second thoughts about continuing her ‘AGT’ journey because of her pregnancy. But despite the vocal, emotional, mental and physical challenge, she said she was able to power through because of the support from fans and the staff of the show.

They don’t have to say it out loud. I’ve learned to recognize the silence. Every time a professor mentions ‘Isis,’ ‘Abu Sayyaf,’ or ‘al-Qaeda,’ I can feel the glances, the subtle shift in energy-the microscopic judgment in the air. The moment they know I’m Muslim, the perception shifts. Suddenly, I’m no longer pragmatic, realistic, or grounded. All the rapport I’ve built, all the ideas I’ve articulated in class, gone. Replaced by a whisper that echoes louder than words: terrorist.

It doesn’t matter that I’m defending myself. That I spend my days reading, writing, advocating not just for Muslims, but for all marginalized people. That my Islam is rooted in gentleness, discipline, humility, and peace. It doesn’t matter that Islamic civilization once nourished science, mathematics, and philosophy, foundations now falsely claimed as Western.

Once they find out I’m Muslim, the stains settle in: I must be uncivilized. I must be too political, don’t believe in science, secretly sympathize with violence. If I speak of self-determination, I must be justifying terrorism.

But we are a product of survival. I carry the blood of the Cordillera and the struggles of Mindanao. I come from peoples who’ve resisted erasure, first by colonizers, now by their own countrymen. I am Muslim not because I reject the nation, but because I reject the lie that this nation has treated us equally. I speak not to provoke guilt but because silence is a privilege reserved for those shielded from the violence of history.

At a national student congress in Baguio, I was initially excited to be in the mountains of my Igorot ancestry, but soon felt the weight of my identity in a non-Muslim space. I skipped meals out of caution, unsure if the food was halal, until the cafeteria staff began directing me to a separate table ‘for Muslims.’ At first, it seemed accommodating, but as I was repeatedly moved away from peers, the kindness began to feel like quiet segregation.

The final dinner confirmed it: the halal food was deliberately placed to keep us apart. What seemed like courtesy masked discomfort with our presence. The staff said, ‘The halal food was just placed there so you’d stay in that corner.’ Another said, ‘Maybe you should sit, then we won’t have any problem.’

We were being herded. Not with slurs or shouts, but with invisible lines as if our presence was an inconvenience. It wasn’t just about food. It was about being seen as less than Filipino. About being made to feel like a threat in the archipelago where my people bled, farmed, and prayed long before a republic ever existed.

Then a professor once said, ‘There were no religious persecutions in the Philippines, unlike in Myanmar. Here it’s just political.’

Do I need to remind non-Muslims that innocent Muslims were massacred solely because they were stereotyped as sympathizers of Muslim separatists, or accused of being separatists themselves just because they were Muslims? And don’t get me started on why Muslim separatists formed in the first place. It’s because we were treated as second-class citizens. We were betrayed, displaced, and silenced, and no one cared to listen. Jabidah, Palimbang, Manlili, Malisbong, Tacub massacres where innocent Muslims were killed, tortured, even during Ramadan, even in mosques. Tell me again that religion had nothing to do with it.

Why must we always explain ourselves? Condemn attacks we didn’t commit? But when the state bombs our towns, displaces our families, violates our rights, no one else has to answer.

We’re told to say ‘Not all Muslims’ just to be seen as human. But who ever says ‘Not all Christians’ when atrocities are committed in the name of the cross? Who says ‘Not all Filipinos’ when injustice is carried out by the state?

This is the double standard: our prayers are threats, our identities suspect, our resistance criminal, our rights treated as favors.

When we ask for halal food, we’re ‘demanding special treatment.’ When we ask for prayer spaces, we’re ‘imposing religion.’ When we advocate for autonomy, we’re ‘separatists.’ When we reclaim land, we’re called ‘terrorists.’

But what do you call a state that burned Muslim villages? That exploited Igorot lands? That erase our memory with textbooks and someone else’s history? Is that not terror? And still, we’re told faith was never part of the struggle. But history says otherwise. Muslim separatists didn’t emerge from a vacuum. They rose from betrayal. From a republic that only recognizes us if we delude ourselves, erase our pain, and stay quiet.

They reduce us. They stereotype us. And when we speak, we’re called divisive. But I will not apologize for being Muslim, Igorot, and unafraid. And if speaking the truth makes me ‘extreme,’ then maybe the real extremism is the centuries-long silence imposed on our pain.

‘Quezon’ was always going to be a political commentary. But between ‘Heneral Luna’ and its criticism of those who choose personal interests over the common good, and how ‘Goyo’ depicted blind loyalty, ‘Quezon’ didn’t have to beat around the bush to land its mark. There are no allegories, symbolisms, or wisecrack quips secretly aimed at the political elite. Instead, cold hard reality in the open-an unsightly reflection of the Philippines we live in today that makes the conclusion of the Bayaniverse trilogy as infuriating as it is entertaining.

In Nolisoli’s August cover story with Jericho Rosales, the ‘Quezon’ lead had this to say about the film: ‘Expect to be shaken. Expect to be entertained. But expect that once you step out of the cinema, you will be a different person. You will carry with you a lot of questions. You will carry with you a sense of pride.’

‘Quezon’ follows former President Manuel L. Quezon’s (MLQ) fight for Philippine independence under the United States. But where such a struggle should reflect the Filipino’s collective will and desire for freedom-rather than collaborate and join forces-Quezon instead divides and conquers in a political game only meant to satiate his lust for power.

Sounds familiar? It’s been almost a hundred years, and we’re all still playing by the same rules. Isn’t that getting a bit old by now?

The tragedy of MLQ

Photos from TBA Studios/YouTube

As someone who stepped into Quezon’s shoes and fit in them, Rosales hit the nail on the head, showing the former president’s cunning and wit that made him so beloved to the masses, yet so polarizing and terrifying to all who opposed him.

He is a reflection of everything wrong with Philippine politics today. And like the chameleon he’s described as being, he will welcome you to his circle and show you what you can achieve if you stand by his side. But once he does not need you anymore, he will toss you by the roadside without so much as a second thought.

But for a man as thirsty for power as Quezon was-and despite how he got what he wanted, whenever he did-having everything was never enough for him. In the end, mortality was his greatest enemy: the final, insurmountable roadblock to a man on the cusp of complete and total victory.

‘Look at that man, why did God give him such a body when I am here struggling for my life? I am Manuel L. Quezon-I am the Filipino people, I am the Philippines,’ was allegedly said by the former president, referring to Sergio Osmeña, towards the end of his life.

How much of an ego do you need to have to be able to say such a thing? How can one say that they are not only the reflection, but in fact the collective will of a nation personified? It’s hubris. ‘Quezon’ today In a political landscape driven by blame, the epic conclusion to the Bayaniverse questions our place in all of it. As much as the corruption, theft, and incompetence that have overcome our political systems are controlled by forces beyond ourselves, ‘Quezon’ shows that we have been complicit in it, whether through silence or cooperation.

When the people we’ve elected ourselves are responsible for the hardships our countrymen face every day, how can we blame anyone but ourselves? Why do we expect those who are corrupt to act any differently when we’ve repeatedly ignored those with honest intentions for our nation?

Whether it be the billions of pesos government officials and contractors have pocketed through flood control projects, or the endless and pointless quarreling in the Senate and Congress that don’t amount to anything meaningful for the ordinary Filipino-this is all but a result of our very actions.

‘You know you have everything that you need to help make a change,’ Rosales said during our interview back then.

Times have changed, and we’re no longer the same Filipinos who didn’t even understand the meaning of the word ‘independence’ during Quezon’s time. And if that’s the case, why are we still living under the conditions we were living in 100 years ago?

Tropical Depression Ramil has intensified into a tropical storm Saturday morning, with Tropocal Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 raised in three areas in the Bicol region, according to the state weather bureau.

In its 5 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) was tracked some 305 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gusts of up to 80 kph and moving west at 20 kph.

‘Ramil is forecast to move generally west northwestward towards the area of Central-Southern Luzon. On the forecast track, the center of RAMIL may make landfall or pass close to Catanduanes this afternoon or evening. Afterwards, it will continue moving west northwestward passing close to Vinzons, Camarines Norte and Polillo Islands tomorrow (19 October) morning,’ Pagasa said.

‘It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone,’ it added.

Pagasa also warned of rough seas in the Bicol region and the Cagayan – Isabela area.

‘Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside,’ said Pagasa.

Areas under Signal No. 2

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

Northern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion)

Areas under Signal No. 1

Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Aurora

Nueva Ecija

Eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat),

Eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona), the eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba)

Northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc) including Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Rest of Camarines Sur

Albay

Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Northern Samar

Northern part of of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge) /gsg

Emma Tiglao secured a spot in the Top 20 Best National Costume competition of Miss Grand International 2025 ahead of the coronation night.

According to the official announcement posted by Miss Grand International on Friday, Oct. 17, Tiglao was among the 10 candidates who advanced through fan votes.

The Philippine representative joined representatives from Vietnam, Bolivia, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela and Ecuador in the fan vote category.

The other 10 delegates were chosen by the judges, namely Brazil, Egypt, Japan, France, India, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, USA and Zambia.

Three of these 20 costumes will be crowned Best National Costume during the coronation night on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Bangkok, Thailand, where CJ Opiaza is also set to crown her successor.

For her national costume, Tiglao showcased a dazzling creation inspired by the Kapampangan moon goddess Mayari, designed by Patrick Isorena.

The silver-and-blue ensemble featured intricate embellishments, celestial details, and a dramatic headpiece that highlighted her hometown pride and Filipino artistry.

Tiglao, a former Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2019 titleholder and news anchor, has been gaining attention for her strong performances in the preliminaries.

The Filipino beauty queen made it to the final round of voting for this year’s Miss Grand International Country’s Power of the Year award. She also made it to the Top 10 of Miss Popular.

The provincial government of Albay ordered work suspensions and the evacuation of families in vulnerable areas on Saturday, October 18, due to Tropical Storm Ramil.

Governor Noel Rosal said work in all government offices in the province was suspended, except for those related to public safety, health, and disaster response. Suspension of work in private companies was left to the discretion of their management.

Rosal also directed that the evacuation of families in areas prone to flooding, debris flow, lahar, landslides, and storm surge be completed before 10 a.m. Saturday. The public was advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in high-risk areas.

In Pio Duran town, local officials preemptively evacuated about 84 families, or 287 people, from low-lying areas.

Earlier, the Catanduanes government also suspended work and school activities to minimize risks and ensure the safety of government workers, students, and the public. Officials prepositioned 10,611 food packs and 400 non-food items and advised farmers and fisherfolk to conduct emergency rice harvesting to prevent crop losses.

In an 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Ramil had slowed while moving west-northwest over the sea east of Sorsogon province.

The storm’s center was over the coastal waters of Palapag, Northern Samar, with sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 90 kph. It was moving west-southwest at 20 kph.

Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over the following areas:

Northern Aurora: Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan

Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

Northern Camarines Sur: Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion

Extreme eastern Albay: Rapu-Rapu

Northeastern Sorsogon: Prieto Diaz

Northeastern Northern Samar: Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Pambujan, San Roque, Mondragon, Gamay

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the following areas:

Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands)

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Rest of Aurora

Nueva Ecija

Eastern Bulacan: Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat

Eastern Tarlac: Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona

Eastern Pampanga: Magalang, Arayat, Candaba

Northern and Eastern Quezon: Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc

Rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Northern Samar

Northern Eastern Samar: San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid

Northern Samar: Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño, Tarangnan, Paranas, City of Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong

Joint pacesetters National U and University of Santo Tomas try to keep in step as they close out their first round stints in Season 88 of the UAAP men’s basketball tournament eliminations, but it won’t be easy for both, even as they face struggling sides.

The Bulldogs battle Ateneo in the 2 p.m. game, with the Blue Eagles shooting to put behind the bitter taste of a three-overtime loss to the Growling Tigers last week, with Santo Tomas looking for a follow-up to that triumph against the defense-oriented Adamson Falcons in the 4:30 p.m. match.

‘We will play with more intensity because for us, this is it,’ National U assistant coach Vic Ycasiano said in Filipino. ‘I think the players are ready, and we’ve been working much harder in practice lately. Our preparations have been more intense, too, so they know what to do and don’t panic in different situations.’

The Eagles have actually lost their last two games after a 4-0 start, but coach Tab Baldwin knows that better things are up for his squad.

‘A little hard to think about right now. You know, this is the kind of game that, win or lose, you’ve got to kind of absorb it,’ Baldwin had said after the marathon loss. ‘It takes a bit of time. Fortunately, we have a week to prepare for NU.

‘This has been one of the toughest weeks that I can remember in my time in the UAAP. We have to face La Salle, UP and UST in six days,’ he went on. ‘We were hoping to get two out of this week. You know, we came pretty bloody close.

‘But it’s disappointing not to get two. But we’ve got a week now to prepare for NU. So, we’ll be good. We’ll have our energy back,’ Baldwin said. ‘We’ll put this one behind us. And focus on really the only thing that matters now [and that] is NU.’

Meanwhile, University of the East forward Wello Lingolingo on Thursday and said he had no intention to hurt La Salle guard Kean Baclaan.

‘I would like to sincerely apologize to Kean Baclaan, to his family, to his team and to everyone affected by the incident. I am truly sorry sa nangyari,’ wrote the UE shooter.

‘It was never my intention to hurt anyone. I was simply going for a usual loose-ball dive, something we players instinctively do in the heat of the game.’

Lingolingo was slapped with a three-game suspension because of the play that happened at the 4:20 mark of the fourth quarter of La Salle’s 111-110 overtime win over UE.

Lingolingo also apologized to the league for his actions even as Baclaan as the La Salle faithful and his fans to end the bashing of Lingolingo.

‘Guys! Please ‘wag niyo bash si (Wello), sadya man or hindi kasama talaga ‘yan sa larangan na ginagalawan namin, (Guys, please stop bashing Wello. Whether he meant it or not, it’s part of the game.)’ wrote Baclaan. -With a report from Rommel R. Fuertes

The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded fewer cases of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in the first two weeks of October, reiterating that there is no outbreak or need for a lockdown.

In an interview on DZMM Teleradyo, Health Promotion Bureau Director Tina Marasigan said a total of 6,457 ILI cases were recorded nationwide from Sept. 28 to Oct. 11.

‘This is 39% lower than the 10,740 cases recorded from Sept. 14 to 27, 2025,’ she said in Filipino.

She added that the latest figures are 25% lower than the 8,628 cases logged during the same period in 2024. However, she noted the numbers may still change due to ongoing surveillance.

In a press briefing on Friday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the DOH has no plans to implement a lockdown in response to ILI.

‘There is no planned lockdown; that is fake news. What we have are seasonal respiratory illnesses, so it’s not a flu outbreak. We do not have a flu outbreak,’ Herbosa said.

He noted that ILI, or illnesses such as cough and flu, tend to spread quickly during the rainy season. He added that the DOH recommends wearing face masks or staying home for those who contract ILI.

The DOH also reminded the public of the following:

Regular handwashing using clean water and soap

Cover the mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing

Get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and drink plenty of water

For those who have symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, and body ache, the following must be observed:

Stay at home to prevent spreading the disease

Take medicine like paracetamol for a fever

Consult a doctor or go to the nearest health center

The Department of Education – National Capital Region (DepEd NCR) noted an increase in ILI cases among students, as well as the recent earthquakes that struck the country.

As a precaution, it suspended face-to-face classes from October 13 to 14 ‘to allow time for disinfection, sanitation, and building inspections’ in all public schools in Metro Manila

The University of the Philippines Los Baños has been allowed to hold limited and essential in-person classes after the Laguna provincial government approved its request for exemption from the provincewide suspension of face-to-face learning imposed because of earthquake risks.

Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr., in a memorandum issued Oct. 16, informed all deans, directors, department chairs and unit heads that UPLB could resume select in-person activities.

These include scheduled examinations, laboratory classes, fieldwork, clinical and internship rotations, human kinetics courses requiring physical participation and exchange-student programs that cannot be effectively conducted online.

The chancellor’s order also covers the UP Rural High School, a laboratory high school under the College of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty members in charge of classes were advised to determine whether their lectures could be delivered online through synchronous or asynchronous modes, with the option to shift to in-person instruction if necessary.

Powerful quakes

A series of powerful earthquakes in various parts of the country prompted Gov. Marisol Aragones Sampelo to suspend face-to-face classes in Laguna from Oct. 14 to 31.

She later convened local officials from the health, education and disaster risk sectors to discuss the potential impact of a major earthquake on the province and to coordinate precautionary measures across affected areas.

Aragones said several communities were found to lie along the West Valley Fault and could be severely affected should a major quake occur. These include San Pedro (Calendola, GSIS, Sampaguita Village, San Antonio, San Vicente, United Bayanihan), Santa Rosa (Santo Domingo), Cabuyao (Casile), Calamba (Canlubang) and Biñan (Poblacion, Malamig, San Francisco).

The governor said that while these areas must remain especially alert because of their proximity to the fault, nearby communities could still feel strong shaking during an earthquake.

‘This is in preparation for the worst-case scenario, but we are hoping that it doesn’t happen at all,’ Aragones said in a video posted on social media.

Last week, two quakes measuring magnitude 7.4 and 6.7 struck the eastern section of Mindanao, killing at least eight people. These followed a magnitude 6.9 earthquake days earlier that killed 76 people and destroyed or damaged 72,000 houses in Cebu province, according to government figures.

Limited but essential on-campus activities

Camacho promptly asked the governor to allow the conduct of limited and essential face-to-face activities on campus.

Sampelo on Oct. 15 granted UPLB’s request for exemption from the provincewide suspension of on-site classes, permitting the conduct of essential and limited on-campus activities under strict safety conditions.

The provincial government required full compliance with safety advisories from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. It also ordered strict enforcement of building inspections, emergency preparedness measures and coordination with local authorities for any incidents or safety concerns.

Aragones said the approval was granted with the understanding that ‘the protection of human life remains the foremost consideration.’

She added that with safeguards in place, both the university and the provincial government ‘can take comfort that we have done our part to protect our learners while allowing them to learn and serve in a safe, responsible environment.’

PH prone to earthquakes

Earthquakes occur almost daily in the Philippines, which lies along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

In 1976, an 8.0-magnitude quake off Mindanao’s southwest coast triggered a tsunami that left 8,000 people dead or missing, the country’s deadliest natural disaster.