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The national budget should be a testament to our aspirations-a financial blueprint for progress, health, education, and shared prosperity. Yet, the recent revelations emerging from Congress paint a different picture. The 2026 budget, it appears, is not just a plan for development, but a meticulously crafted blueprint for plunder.

What the ongoing budget deliberations for 2026 reveal is a well-oiled machine designed to siphon public funds with alarming efficiency. The mechanism is deceptively simple and tragically effective. It begins with budgetary sleights of hand, such as the massive P243.22 billion in ‘unprogrammed appropriations.’ As Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno rightly argued, if these projects were genuine national priorities, they would be transparently programmed into departmental budgets. Instead, they exist in a shadowy fiscal realm, lump-sum funds that lack specificity and are notoriously difficult to track, making them ripe for manipulation by politically connected individuals. The swift rejection of the proposal to eliminate these funds speaks volumes about the political will to maintain this opaque system.

The corruption cascades through a complex and insidious web of inter-agency collusion. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) may be the primary implementing body, but the funds are strategically lodged in various other departments-the Department of Agriculture (DA) for farm-to-market roads (FMRs), the Department of National Defense for security structures, and the Department of Education for school buildings. This diffusion of responsibility creates a bureaucratic maze where accountability is easily lost. As Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. admitted, billions in FMR projects were being implemented by the DPWH without his agency’s concurrence, effectively making the DA a bystander in the use of its own allocated funds.

Political patronage fuels this system. It is no coincidence, as Senator Sherwin Gatchalian pointed out, that the Bicol region and Leyte-hometowns of the former House Appropriations chairman and the former Speaker, respectively-received the lion’s share of funding for questionable FMRs, while the nation’s actual rice granaries were left behind. The same contractors flagged for ‘ghost’ flood-control projects magically reappear as top awardees for FMR contracts.

The consequences for the people are devastating. When a farm-to-market road is priced at an astronomical P348,432 per meter-a 96 percent markup from the standard cost-it is a direct theft from the public treasury. When a planned 10-kilometer road is truncated to just 2 kilometers to accommodate kickbacks, it is the farmer who is robbed of the opportunity to bring his produce to market. Every peso stolen for a ‘ghost’ project is a peso not spent on textbooks, hospital beds, or social aid.

To their credit, lawmakers like Senator Gatchalian and cabinet members like Secretary Laurel are sounding the alarm. The Senate’s forensic budget review, and the proposal to return project implementation to the originating agencies are commendable first steps.

However, we must not be naive. This is not a problem that can be solved by simply transferring funds or auditing a few projects. The corruption is systemic, and the roots run deep. As Senator Gatchalian himself fears, a few months of cleanup at the DPWH may not be enough to purge an agency where such practices have become institutionalized.

Tackling this menace requires more than just investigations; it demands fundamental structural reform. It requires a radical commitment to budget transparency, starting with the complete abolition of opaque lump-sum and unprogrammed funds.

The battle over the national budget is a battle for the nation’s future. The people deserve infrastructure that connects communities, not enriches cronies. The question now is whether the country’s leaders have the political courage to dismantle this blueprint for systematic plunder.

Lawmakers should avoid abusing public trust by misappropriating the P243.22 billion in unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget. The world has seen how public outrage against corrupt officials can lead to severe consequences, including civil unrest. Corruption weakens democratic institutions, stunts economic development, and deepens social inequality.

‘We have to discover solutions together, so let the suggestions come,’ said Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera, addressing stakeholders from the maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) and aviation industries during a focus group discussion (FGD) held at the Clark Visitors Center last week.

The dialogue formed part of CDC’s continuing efforts to engage locators in shaping responsive policies for the Freeport Zone.

Among the updates shared was the rollout of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul-Facilitated Access for Services and Trade (MRO-FAST) System-a streamlined mechanism jointly developed by CDC and the Bureau of Customs-Port of Clark to support aviation-related businesses operating within the zone.

Metrojet Engineering (Clark) Ltd. Finance Manager Javy Mandap presented the implications of recent Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issuances, citing Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 005-2024, which classifies services performed abroad but enjoyed in the Philippines as Philippine-sourced. The measure subjects payments to foreign providers to withholding tax and a 12 percent value-added tax.

Mandap also noted RMC 081-2025, which places restrictions on expense deductibility. Taken together, the issuances could result in higher costs when availing of foreign consultancy or training services, potentially affecting the cost competitiveness of incentivized industries such as MROs.

SIA Engineering (Philippines) General Manager Bruno Bousquet acknowledged CDC’s proactive stance.

‘CDC has been very helpful and proactive. It listens to locators’ concerns and acts on them promptly,’ he said.

Joining Devanadera were CDC Vice President for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group (BDBEG) Atty. Noelle Meneses, Vice President for Legal Affairs Group Atty. Gloria Victoria Taruc, Assistant Vice President for Business Enhancement Department Rodem Perez, Atty. Bonifacio Tarenio Jr., Assistant Vice President for Administration, and other officers from BDBEG.

The FGD forms part of CDC’s broader commitment to participatory governance and sectoral collaboration.

GOVERNMENT relief operations for quake-affected communities are now in full swing across Mindanao following successive strong earthquakes that struck the island, including a 6.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Surigao on Saturday.

The earthquake’s epicenter, 22 kilometers north-east of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, occurred at 10:48 p.m. generating Intensity IV in Davao City, Cagwait and Carmen.

Instrumental intensities IV were also recorded in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Nabunturan,Davao de Oro; Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, and City of Tandag in Surigao del Sur.

Authorities were still assessing structural damage in affected towns, including Tago, Surigao del Sur, where access to the Tago-Lapaz Bridge remained limited to light vehicles.

In an advisory issued Sunday by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the bridge remained passable, but at one-at-a-time passage for all vehicles and with observance of no stopping while passing.

‘Heavy six-wheeler trucks are allowed only if unloaded, while 10-wheeler trucks are advised to take alternate routes or wait for clearance,’ the advisory read.

The earthquake occurred just two days after a twin earthquake with magnitudes of 7.4 and 6.8 rocked Manay, Davao Oriental, on October 10.

8 dead, 146 injured in Davao Oriental

THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its 6:00 a.m. Situation Report on Sunday on the effect of the doublet earthquake that the casualty has climbed to 8 dead, and 146 others injured.

The NDRRMC said a total of 74,649 families or 91,224 persons were affected, of which 1,600 families or 2,400 persons were served inside 17 evacuation centers, and 72 families or 267 persons were served outside evacuation centers.

The earthquakes damaged 13 road sections and 3 bridges, and also affected the operation of at least seven seaports.

The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure amounting to P600,000 was reported in Southern Mindanao. A total of 1,149 houses, all in the Caraga Region, were also damaged.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, meanwhile, reported that it has recorded a total of 1,111 aftershocks, of which 511 were plotted and 14 were felt. The aftershocks’ magnitude range from 1.2 to 5.8.

Phivolcs said Davao Oriental has experienced strong and major earthquakes before.

At least six significant earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from M7.1 to M8.3 affected Davao Oriental and nearby provinces between 1885 and 2023, based on historical records.

Phivolcs said the most recent damaging earthquakes were the Magnitude 7.1 and Magnitude 7.5 earthquakes in Manay, Davao Oriental, on May 17, 1992.

In both earthquakes, several buildings and infrastructure were damaged in Davao Oriental. A tsunami hit the eastern coast of Mindanao as well.

Phivolcs said Davao Oriental and neighboring provinces are situated in one of the seismically active regions in the country.

Among the earthquake sources are the Philippine Trench and the Philippine Fault’s East Compostela Valley, West Compostela Valley, Central Compostela Valley, Nabunturan, Caraga River, and Mati Segments. There are also local inland and offshore faults, some concealed by recent deposits, capable of generating earthquakes ranging from minor to strong magnitudes.

The Davao Oriental doublet earthquakes happened 10 days after a 6.9 earthquake hit Bogo City, Cebu, which killed 74 people and injured 559 others. The earthquake, which generated Intensity VII, affected 201,686 families or 724,843 persons in 18 cities and municipalities in Cebu. The earthquake damaged 774 public and private infrastructure,

DSWD response

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that relief assistance will remain uninterrupted to help families recover.

DSWD-Caraga Region (DSWD-13) reported that more than 70,000 families or 253,938 individuals from 199 barangays across Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands were affected by the series of tremors.

‘As of 4 a.m. on Oct. 12, all 2,933 families [11,317 individuals] who sought refuge in 58 evacuation centers have returned home, while nearly 7,000 families continue to stay with relatives and friends,’ the DSWD said in its latest update.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara meanwhile said that the Department of Education (DepEd) has frontloaded and accelerated the release of the agency’s Quick Response Funds (QRF)-a process that previously took up to two years-to provide faster assistance to schools hit by recent calamities in Masbate, Cebu, and, most recently, quake-hit Davao Oriental.

Angara joined national government officials in Davao Oriental on Saturday to assess the impact of the 7.6-magnitude and 6.8-magnitude twin earthquakes, and to oversee DepEd rapid response operations for affected schools.

As of 9:00 a.m. on October 11, DepEd reported that 1,006 schools have been affected by the doublet earthquakes near Manay, Davao Oriental, affecting around 100,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in different regions.

Among those affected, 139 learners and 50 teachers sustained injuries. To ensure safety, 97 percent of the affected schools suspended classes on Friday to allow structural inspections.

Initial visual assessments found 575 schools with varying degrees of damage, with estimated repair costs reaching P2.23 billion.

DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), engineers, and DRR coordinators are conducting rapid site inspections in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local governments.

US aid for victims

THE United States government has prepositioned 137,000 food packs and shelter kits for the victims of the ‘doublet’ earthquake that struck Davao Oriental on Friday.

US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson announced the humanitarian aid on Saturday through a post on X, tagging it with ‘#EDCAinAction,’ referring to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries.

‘My heart goes out to all those affected by the Mindanao earthquake and recent natural disasters,’ she said.

‘The US has provided 137K+ family food packs and 500 emergency shelter kits as we coordinate with DSWD to assess additional needs in Davao Oriental,’ she added.

Messages of solidarity and support for the families affected by the tremors continue to pour in from foreign missions and ambassadors based in the Philippines, including Japan, Australia, China, and the European Union.

In a post on X, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya conveyed hopes for the speedy recovery of communities in the region.

‘In this moment of uncertainty, Japan stands with the Philippines people with hope, strength, and solidarity. Praying for the safety and quick recovery of communities across the region,’ he said.

In a separate statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila on Saturday announced that it will provide emergency relief to the victims of the recent earthquake that devastated northern Cebu.

‘On October 10, upon the request of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, the Government of Japan has decided to provide emergency relief goods through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to the Philippines in response to the damages caused by the earthquake,’ it said.

‘We hope that this emergency assistance serves to support the people affected by the earthquake,’ it added.

The donation includes tents, blankets, plastic sheets, sleeping pads, portable jerry cans, and portable water purifiers.

Stable security

THE security situation in quake-battered areas of Davao Oriental remains manageable, the acting National Police (PNP) Chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said on Sunday.

Nartatez added that this is due to the prompt deployment of police units for rescue, evacuation, and relief operations.

Nartatez said this action is in line with the directive of President Marcos who earlier directed all concerned government agencies to mobilize resources for the safety and welfare of affected communities following the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 doublet earthquakes that rocked the province on October 10.

‘The situation is now under control and remains manageable. The quick response of our police personnel, in coordination with local authorities and government agencies, has helped prevent panic and maintain public order,’ Nartatez said.

‘Our personnel on the ground are securing the residents while supporting ongoing humanitarian and recovery operations,’ he said.

Initial assessments showed minor structural damage in police stations and public buildings such as cathedrals, schools, bridges, and road networks.

Despite power and signal interruptions in several towns, Nartatez said police units have maintained communication through phone patches and coordinated efforts with local disaster offices and engineering teams to assess damaged roads and bridges, particularly in Manay town, the epicenter of the doublet quakes, where a cracked bridge remains under inspection.

Nartatez commended the swift action of local police who were among the first responders in affected areas, assisting in hospital evacuations, conducting rescue operations, and facilitating the safe movement of residents to higher ground following the issuance of temporary tsunami warnings.

Nartatez also thanked the public for their cooperation and solidarity during the emergency as he assured that the PNP remains on full alert and continues to monitor the situation on the ground.

‘We thank our communities in Davao Oriental for their cooperation and trust. Rest assured that your police are on the ground, managing the situation and ensuring everyone’s safety,’ he said.

October 22, 2025 | Tower One and Exchange Plaza, Ayala Triangle Gardens. Bang Pineda has always been a disruptor in the Philippine fashion scene – a designer unafraid to push boundaries, blur lines, and question the very rules of style. This October 22, 2025, he returns with his much-anticipated fashion show, State of Bang, staged at the iconic Tower One and Exchange Plaza, Ayala Triangle Gardens.

This new collection is not just about clothes. It’s a trilogy of thought, movement, and rebellion. Three narratives – White Noise, In the Gray, and Off Grid – each capturing a state of being, a question of identity, and a challenge to convention.

White Noise: The Shape of Curiosity

Pineda opens with purity – but not the fragile kind. His all-white series asks: what does it mean to wonder?

The silhouettes sculpt armor out of innocence, while draped fabrics become visual metaphors for questions taking shape. White becomes less about absence and more about potential – a blank canvas for discovery. Sheer layers expose the bravery of vulnerability, while cutouts symbolize gaps in knowledge waiting to be filled.

It’s not silence, and it’s not chaos. It’s curiosity, raw and awake.

In the Gray: The Art of Becoming

The second act is a meditation on limbo – that uncomfortable, unresolved middle ground between what was and what will be.

Here, shades of gray dominate: from soft ash to deep charcoal. The garments are intentionally imperfect, with raw seams, asymmetry, and unfinished drapes. These choices reflect the beauty of transition, the strength of uncertainty, and the elegance of being ‘in progress.’

This is fashion that doesn’t demand answers – it simply honors the tension of becoming.

Off Grid: Rules Rewritten in Denim

The finale is loud, rebellious, and unapologetic. Streetwear at its most evolved, Off Grid reimagines denim not as tradition, but as a manifesto. Distressed, patched, oversized, and splashed with unexpected colors, denim here becomes the uniform of refusal – a refusal to be boxed in or defined.

Silhouettes are broken and rebuilt. Jackets move like questions. Pants twist with perspective. Hoodies carry unexpected structures. The language is clear: freedom, disruption, and unapologetic individuality.

It’s streetwear not as nostalgia, but as mindset: unboxed, unbothered, and unapologetic.

The State of Bang

Together, the three narratives form a conversation: the spark of curiosity, the tension of transition, and the rebellion of self-definition. State of Bang is less a fashion collection and more an exploration of the human condition – how we ask, how we change, and how we claim space.

On October 22, Pineda isn’t just showing clothes. He’s showing states of being. And true to his form, he’s showing us that fashion is not just about what we wear – it’s about how we move through the world.

FOLLOWING the awarding of eight petroleum service contracts (PSCs) in Malacañang last week, three more are being evaluated by the Palace for approval.

A Department of Energy (DOE) official said there are another three contracts that are being evaluated by the Office of the President. Moreover, DOE Undersecretary Alessandro Sales said, the agency itself is also reviewing similar applications. ‘There are another three that are under application and evaluation in the department,’ he said.

The eight PSCs worth around $207 million covers exploration areas at the Sulu Sea, Cagayan, Cebu, Northwest Palawan, East Palawan, and Central Luzon. The service contractors are expected to discover native hydrogen reservoirs and new petroleum fields during the seven-year exploration period.

The eight PSCs that were unveiled by President Marcos are:

PSC 80 and 81 were awarded to a consortium composed of Triangle Energy (Global) Limited, an Australian company; Sunda Energy Plc, registered in the United Kingdom; and the Philippine-based firms PXP Energy Corp. and the Philodrill Corp.

These are co-managed by the DOE and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM-MENRE). SC80 covers approximately 780,000 hectares while SC 81 spans about 532,000 hectares.

PSC 82, located in Cagayan Basin and has an area of 480,000 hectares, was awarded to Triangle Energy (Global) Limited.

PSC 83 and 84, both for native hydrogen exploration in Central Luzon, were awarded to US-based Koloma, Inc.. SC 83 covers 126,645 hectares while SC 84 covers 85,082 hectares.

PSC 85, covering 127,475 hectares in onshore Cebu, was awarded to Gas 2 Grid Pte. Ltd.

PSC 86, awarded to consortium of Filipino companies composed of The Philodrill, Anglo Philippine Holdings Corp., PXP Energy Corporation, and Forum Energy Philippines Corp., covers 132,000 hectares in the Northwest Palawan Basin.

PSC 87, located in the East Palawan Basin, was awarded to Ratio Petroleum Ltd. of Israel. This marks the company’s second PSC, following PSC 78, also situated in the East Palawan Basin, where Ratio successfully conducted a 3D seismic survey last year.

The next steps to be undertaken by the service contractors include permitting with local governments and other government agencies, information campaign, geological and geophysical studies, seismic survey, sand drilling activities, among others.

These work programs are designed to assess the petroleum and hydrogen potential of the contract areas while ensuring strict adherence to environmental and safety standards.

Beyond exploration, service contractors will fund and undertake educational scholarships, capacity building, and community development programs even during the early exploration phase. Once production begins, host communities will further benefit through infrastructure development, social programs, and local employment opportunities generated by these projects.

AT least 20 spray paint brands have been found to contain lead, making the products illegal for import, sale, and distribution in light of a nationwide ban being implemented in the Philippines.

This was disclosed by EcoWaste Coalition, which submitted samples it aquired to a private laboratory for confirmatory tests recently.

The disclosure was made ahead of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) on October 19 to 25 to emphasize the obvious need to fix enforcement gaps that have allowed lead paints from abroad to penetrate the local market.

Lead paints refer to paints and other similar surface coatings containing lead compounds greater than 90 parts per million (ppm), which have been added to give the product its color, make it dry faster or inhibit rusting, or which may be present as a contaminant in the ingredients used in making it.

The 20 paints, mostly marked made in China or Thailand, were all found laden with lead above 90 ppm of which 12 contained lead higher than 10,000 ppm. A counterfeit yellow Bosny Spray that claims to be made in Thailand topped the list with 116,000 ppm of lead.

Also found with extremely high concentrations of lead were Easyman Spray Paint All Purpose Enamel with 78,600 ppm (green), 87,700 ppm (orange) and 95,500 ppm (yellow); JM Spray Paint with 89,900 ppm (medium yellow); Standard JR Spray Paint with 79,800 ppm; and JMJAFA Spray Paint with 67,900 ppm (Jialing red) of lead.

Of the 20 analyzed paints with lead, 13 paints representing three brands (counterfeit Bosny Spray Paint, Easyman Spray Paint All Purpose Enamel and Standard JR Spray Paint) carried the ‘No Pb’ pictogram.

Contrary to expectation, the 13 paints marked ‘No Pb’ (Pb is the chemical symbol for lead from the Latin word plumbum) contained outrageous levels of lead, including five with lead in excess of 50,000 ppm.

In August 2025, the EcoWaste Coalition also announced the detection of violative levels of lead in 27 imported spray paints as per laboratory analyses.

The non-compliant paints were not produced, imported or distributed by companies belonging to the Philippine Paint and Coatings Association, Inc. (PPCAI), a partner of the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint, together with the Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc., Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and the EcoWaste Coalition.

DENR Administrative Order 2013-24, or the Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds, established a 90 ppm limit for lead in all paints and provided for a three-year phase-out period for lead-containing decorative paints and a longer six-year phase-out period for lead-containing industrial paints, which ended on December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

During the ILPPW, the EcoWaste Coalition will release the latest version of the Public Notice on Lead-Containing Paints that it has co-published with PPCAI and IPEN to alert and guide consumers in making informed purchasing decisions.

The theme for this year’s ILPPW ‘No safe level: Act now to end lead exposure’ is a reminder of the unacceptable risks of lead exposure and the need for action to protect the vulnerable populations, the children in particular.

Terrafirma upset NLEX, 97-91, for its first victory of Season 50 behind a well-balanced production by unfamiliar players who were grabbing the opportunity to make a name for themselves on Sunday in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Despite the threatening comeback by NLEX from 62-78 to 91-93 with 59 ticks to go, former Magnolia guard Jerrick Ahanmisi rescued the Dyip after making a layup with 37 seconds left before John Matthew Bravo sealed the deal with another layup.

It was Terrafirma’s first victory and rookie coach Ronald Tubid’s first ever triumph in his head coaching career after two games – a good bounce back win from an 87-107 loss to Blackwater last week.

Phoenix Super LPG, meanwhile, completed the Sunday upset at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City with an unlikely 109-103 win over reigning champion San Miguel Beer, 109-103, behind Ricci Rivero’s scoring prowess.

‘Everybody knows that this is a very young team. We fast track its preparations for almost a month. We relied on what we have and used our strong advantages . As long as we compete and fight, there is a chance to win,’ Tubid said.

Bravo, a 56th overall pick in this year’s draft, powered the Dyip with 18 points while Ahanmisi added 14 points with Paolo Hernandez and Didat Hanapi contributing 13 points each also for Terrafirma.

Louie Sangalang made 11 points and Mark Nonoy dished out 13 assists for Terrafirma.

The Road Warriors, after their close 85-84 victory over San Miguel Beer last week, fell to first defeat after two games.

Rivero, on the other hand, posted 16 points and seven rebounds while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay racked up 14 points apiece, and Jason Perkins had 13 points for the Fuel Masters, who improved their win-loss record to 1-1 after losing to TNT Tropang Giga, 78-93, last week.

SMB (0-2) dropped its first two games of the season conference.

Subsidies provided by the national government to government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) declined in January to August.

Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed that subsidies to state-run firms plunged by 19.27 percent to P70.251 billion as of end-August from P87.025 billion in the same period a year ago.

The budgetary support was extended to 39 GOCCs to fund their operations not supported by corporate revenues or to finance their specific programs or projects.

During the eight-month period, major non-financial government corporations received 54.71 percent of the total, or P38.434 billion, while other government corporations obtained 44.56 percent, or P31.308 billion.

The remaining 0.72 percent, or P509 million, went to government financial institutions.

Based on the data, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) obtained the highest amount of subsidies during the eight-month period at P24.528 billion.

NIA was followed by the National Food Authority (NFA) with P8.682 billion in subsidies and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (Psalm) with P8 billion.

Other top subsidy recipients were the Philippine Reclamation Authority (P4.433 billion), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) (P4.282 billion) and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (P1.967 billion).

For the month of August alone, government subsidies to GOCCs amounted to P8.018 billion, also down by 11.89 percent from P9.1 billion in the same month last year.

Cornering the highest amount of government subsidies handed out during the month was still NIA, which got P3.427 billion.

This was followed by the PCIC with P2.032 billion, NFA (P750 million), International Broadcasting Corporation (P337 million) and National Electrification Administration (P200 million).

Next year, subsidies for GOCCs are pegged at P149.654 billion. This is higher by 17.4 percent from this year’s allotment of P127.428 billion.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will finally receive subsidies next year after being stripped off of financial support this year.

To recall, the bicameral conference committee directed PhilHealth to use its surplus funds instead of allotting subsidies for the agency this year.

PHilHealth’s proposed subsidy for next year stands at P53.262 billion, which will fund the annual insurance premiums of indigent beneficiaries.

Jeeno Thitikul came from four shots down with five holes to play to force a playoff with Minami Katsu, before producing another extraordinary shot on the fifth playoff hole to claim the LPGA Shanghai and become the first two-time LPGA tournament winner of the season on Sunday.

Top-ranked Thitikul’s 63 was the round of the day and included seven birdies and an eagle. The Thai player’s 24-under 264 closed what had appeared to be a comfortable margin for overnight leader Katsu of Japan, who had started the day two shots ahead and extended that to four after the 13th.

But the Thai player reeled that in with birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th, before an incredible eagle with the ball bouncing along the mottled 17th green of Qizhong Garden Golf Club in Shanghai to draw level.

Katsu (65) could only respond with a birdie of her own at the 17th, but had another birdie chance on the final hole to claw back the victory only for the ball to slide past the hole and forcing the playoff.

Pars through the first four playoff holes, rotated between the 18th and the 10th, included Katsu having two birdie putts to win only to narrowly miss the hole on both.

On the fifth playoff hole the deadlock was broken as a brilliant approach by Thitikul placed the ball three feet away, while Katsu’s second shot fell short of the green at the par-4 18th.

Katsu’s chip for birdie was impressive but missed, leaving Thitikul a simple birdie putt to close out a remarkable victory nearly two years after losing in an epic nine-hole playoff to Celine Boutier at the LPGA Malaysia.

From disappointment to delight

It was Thitikul’s second win of the season after claiming the Mizuho Americas Open in May and helped ease the disappointment of her inexplicable four-putt meltdown on the final hole at the Kroger Queen City Championship last month.

‘What happened on the last event (was) definitely still in my mind, but like to be able to prove myself again this tournament, which is . like a dream come true and you know, I’m not carrying a thing on my shoulder,’ she said.

Minjee Lee, who won her third major title at the Women’s PGA Championship in June, shot 68 on Sunday for a 19-under 269 as her challenge faded through the middle part of the round for a third-place finish.

Jenny Bae of the United States had a round of 69 and finished in a tie for fourth with Miyu Yamashita (67) of Japan and Somi Lee (69) of South Korea at 17-under 271.

Defending champion Ruoning Yin of China carded a final round of 68 to finish in a tie for 26th.

The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia. There are two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and other tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.

The Department of Education -National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR) on Sunday announced that all face-to-face classes in public schools are suspended on October 13-14, 2025, in light of the increasing incidence of influenza-like illnesses among learners and personnel and the recent series of earthquakes affecting various parts of the country.

In an advisory signed by DepEd-NCR Regional Director and concurrent Officer-In-Charge, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Operations, Dr. Jocelyn Andaya, it stated that disinfection, sanitation, and building inspection will be conducted while classes are suspended.

‘The Department of Education – National Capital Region (DepEd NCR) issues this advisory to ensure the continuity of learning while prioritizing the health, safety, and structural security of all public schools,’ the advisory read.

During this period, schools shall implement Alternative Delivery Modalities (ADM), either synchronous or asynchronous, as provided under DepEd Order No. 54, s. 2012, to avoid disruption of learning.

All schools are directed to utilize the suspension period to:

a. Conduct cleaning and disinfection of classrooms and common areas;

b. Carry out structural and safety inspections of school buildings and facilities;

c. Prepare for the facilitation or implementation of drills on earthquake preparedness and other emergency protocols; and

d. Reinforce health and safety practices among learners, personnel, and parents.

Furthermore, this advisory reinforces DepEd Memorandum OUOPS-2025-06294, emphasizing earthquake preparedness and response procedures, including coordination with Division Engineers and Local Government Units (LGUs) for inspection and mitigation actions.

Private schools are also highly encouraged to observe and conduct these measures.