Category: Business Mirror

A total of 10,936 suspected leptospirosis cases have been reported as of September 16, 2026, according to the Department of Health (DOH). The figure is 38 percent higher than the 7,931 cases recorded during the same period in 2025, the DOH said.

Over the past three to four weeks, cases were 116 percent higher than those recorded during the preceding five to six weeks, pushing the national figures beyond the epidemic threshold.

At present, 46 Philippine Health Information System (PHIS) facilities across 10 regions have breached the epidemic threshold and are showing increasing growth rates. The National Capital Region, Region II, and Calabarzon have the highest number of PHIS facilities included on the list.

Flooding drives increase

Continuous rains and flooding brought about by climate change remain the primary drivers of the increase in cases, accounting for 66 percent, or 7,242, of the cumulative cases.

Males accounted for a larger proportion of cases, with 8,640, or 79 percent, affected. Most were from the working-age group, with a median age of 33 years, reflecting increased exposure to floodwaters.

The cumulative case fatality rate (CFR) stands at 5.1 percent, lower than the 10.55-percent CFR recorded in 2025.

Despite the lower CFR this year, 42 percent of the total deaths occurred during the morbidity weeks when the epidemic threshold was breached.

The DOH cautioned the public to immediately seek medical advice after exposure to floodwaters, whether symptoms are present.

Cases must be identified as early as possible, and treatment should be initiated even without laboratory confirmation when leptospirosis is clinically suspected, as delays in treatment can rapidly lead to complications, including death.

DOH strengthens response

The DOH said it continues to strengthen patient navigation and referral coordination across its hospitals and partner government health facilities, including the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, San Lazaro Hospital, and East Avenue Medical Center.

The measures are intended to facilitate timely admission and access to appropriate levels of care.

The existing DOH Leptospirosis Tracker has also been expanded into a Unified Leptospirosis and Dengue Case Tracker to support:

monitoring of hospital capacity and caseload;

identification of referral, surge, and resource requirements; and

timely operational decision-making and response.

Hospital bed occupancy and patients’ clinical status are also being continuously monitored to identify facilities that are at or approaching capacity and guide patient referrals, surge measures, and resource augmentation.

The DOH underscored the need for intensified public health advisories on preventing leptospirosis, including avoiding exposure to floodwaters and seeking early medical consultation following exposure.

It also called for continued coordination with respective Centers for Health Development (CHDs) to assess needs and provide technical assistance, particularly in areas at increased risk of exposure and leptospirosis cases.

The DOH is also prepositioning doxycycline stocks in CHDs, particularly in flood-prone and high-risk areas, to ensure timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment when indicated.

Understanding Primary Health Care (PHC) has become a focus of the World Health Organization (WHO), which recently launched a free, short online course on the subject through its learning platform.

Described by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as ‘one of the most misunderstood concepts in public health,’ PHC encompasses ‘action across sectors to address the social, economic, commercial and environmental determinants of health,’ according to remarks he delivered at a WHO plenary session in 2023.

Tedros noted that even within the public health community, PHC is sometimes misunderstood as simply referring to health service delivery at the local level. The WHO course seeks to address this knowledge gap by providing a basic understanding of the PHC approach and its role in strengthening health systems.

Three core components

TITTLED ‘The Primary Health Care Approach: A Short Course,’ the course covers PHC principles, its three core components, and evidence-informed strategies for strengthening PHC-oriented health systems. The content is based on WHO guidelines and frameworks on the subject.

The course requires approximately 1.5 hours to complete and consists of five core modules. According to WHO, the modules cover the fundamentals of PHC, evidence-informed strategies for its core components, and how health systems can adapt and apply the PHC approach.

The new course was adapted from an earlier program launched in 2024, ‘Strengthening Primary Health Care Leadership: Global Capacity Building Course.’

WHO emphasizes that a shared understanding of PHC can help translate the approach into improvements in health systems and health outcomes.

‘The strong consensus among WHO Member States to strengthen PHC-oriented health systems is an important opportunity to accelerate progress,’ said Dr. Kalipso Chalkidou, Director of the Department of Performance, Financing and Delivery.

Share responsibility

CHALKIDOU also emphasized that strengthening PHC is a shared responsibility that extends beyond health professionals and institutions.

‘This course is for everyone. Translating the PHC approach into our clinics, classrooms, communities, meeting rooms and workplaces-it is a shared responsibility. We all play a part in making PHC a reality,’ she said.

Those interested in learning more about Primary Health Care can access the course through the WHO Academy at whoacademy.org.

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will start detention basin works in flood-prone towns along Northern Manila Bay as early as January, its chief said on Wednesday.

Public Works Secretary Vivencio Dizon added that the agency is also targeting the second quarter of next year to begin implementing a nature-based earth dike, as the agency moves away from what its chief called a ‘concrete, concrete, concrete’ approach to flood control.

Dizon said the shift will favor hybrid solutions that combine conventional engineering with nature-based interventions such as mangroves, bamboo cribs, and gabions. The effort covers the towns of Hagonoy, Obando, Macabebe, Masantol, and Sasmuan, as well as parts of Malolos City, in Bulacan and Pampanga.

‘The problem is mindset. The problem is right now, if you talk to DPWH engineers, when you ask them, flood control, flood mitigation, they will always say, ‘Let’s build a dike,” Dizon said in a mix of English and Tagalog, recounting what he told the Dutch deputy ambassador.

He said the agency is drawing on the experience of countries that have gone through the same process.

‘They also used to be all concrete, all concrete. But in some cases, they’ve even torn down the concrete, and they’re moving towards more nature-based solutions,’ Dizon said. ‘It can’t be purely nature-based, because there are things where we need concrete. But we need to study this carefully and learn from those who know and have done this before, so we don’t waste money again. We’ve already approved so much money for this, and it was just wasted.’

The earth dike is still being designed, Dizon said, noting that the government’s partners told him a plan could be ready in six months.

‘So, hopefully by the second quarter of next year, we can begin… we can already begin the process of implementing that project,’ he said.

The detention basins could move sooner because they have already been studied.

‘We can start already as early as January,’ Dizon said.

The DPWH is now only seeking help from its partners on the final conceptual designs.

‘This is not simple, like when we were kids building sandcastles on the beach. This is a complex intervention, but it’s a nature-based intervention,’ he said. ‘Let’s wait for the final designs and concepts that will come from Haskoning and ADB [Asian Development Bank] before we comment.’

Dizon cited an existing pilot in Malolos City, where bamboo cribs have been installed. He said Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad told him the cribs have been ‘very effective.’

The cribs trap sediment carried in by waves, which allows mangroves to take root naturally. Dizon said former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson had suggested speeding this up by filling the cribs with suitable material dredged from the Pampanga River and other rivers, and he agreed with the idea.

EXPERIENCE NEW ZEALAND returns to the heart of Manila this September, bringing the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Oceanic country in a premier two-day celebration, which is open and free for the public.

Hosted by the New Zealand Embassy, alongside Education New Zealand (ENZ) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the immersive showcase takes over The Concourse at One Ayala, Makati City on September 26 and 27, 2026.

Marking a milestone in diplomatic relations, the event celebrates six decades of partnership by showcasing New Zealand as a world-class destination for education, sustainable trade, and premium food and beverage.

A breathtaking musical collaboration between acclaimed New Zealand artist Bic Runga, known for the global hit song Sway, and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will headline the opening ceremony on the 26th, alongside powerful cultural performances by the Maori performing arts group Nga Hau E Wha from Tokyo. Hosted by Kiwi-Filipino entertainer and host Eric ‘Eruption’ Tai, the program will also feature official remarks from Ambassador Dr. Catherine McIntosh.

Across both days, guests can expect the following:

World-class education: Representatives from Education New Zealand and 12 tertiary institutions will be on-site, offering free consultations for students and parents. Attendees can explore innovative study pathways and learn why more Filipinos are choosing New Zealand for their international education.

Premium food and beverage: Attendees can sample and purchase a diverse range of Kiwi favorites from trusted NZTE partners. The showcase will feature premium dairy products, world-renowned wines, grass-fed meats, and authentic Manuka honey-all celebrated globally for being safe, sustainably-produced, and of the highest quality.

Family-friendly activities and games: The public can visit the face-painting booth, try their hand at passing a rugby ball to win prizes, and take a photo with a larger-than-life kiwi bird.

Tourism and cultural exchange: Alongside the live entertainment, the event features inspiring travel showcases, offering attendees inspiration for planning their next big adventure to New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes.

The event is open to the public from 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, and runs through to 10 p.m. on Sunday, September 27. For updates, performance schedules, and more information, follow the New Zealand Embassy in Manila on its official Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Wednesday that electric vehicle (EV) sales accounted for 24.7 percent of total vehicle sales in the Philippines in January to August, with 66,685 EVs sold out of an estimated 270,124 total vehicles.

The 66,685 EVs sold include 29,649 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), 20,716 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and 16,320 battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

As of August, the country has 949 recognized EV models and 1,876 registered EV charging stations nationwide.

The DOE said it will strengthen safety and emergency-response preparedness to ensure that the country’s rapidly growing EV fleet is supported by safe charging, responsible vehicle use, and trained first responders. Additionally, the government is offering up to P60 billion in fiscal support via the Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) to boost domestic industry investments.

‘As adoption increases, our responsibility is to make sure that the infrastructure, policies, and safety capabilities needed to support these vehicles keep pace,’ DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said.

‘The growth of electric mobility must go hand in hand with safety. Drivers need to know how to charge and operate EVs properly, while our first responders must be equipped to act safely and effectively during emergencies. These capabilities are essential to building public confidence in electric mobility.’

The expansion supports the objectives of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) and the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry (CREVI), including the Clean Energy Scenario target of a 50-percent EV fleet share by 2040.

The DOE said it will continue working with industry stakeholders, local government units, and emergency-response teams to expand consumer safety information and roll out regional responder workshops across the country, while advancing the infrastructure and investments needed to support the continued growth of electric mobility in the Philippines.

Healthcare continues to evolve, driven by advances in medical knowledge, technology and a growing understanding of what patients need across the continuum of care. From keeping healthcare professionals updated on emerging innovations to strengthening patient safety and promoting greater awareness of health conditions, continuous learning and collaboration remain essential to improving outcomes.

These efforts are reflected in a range of initiatives of Asian Hospital and Medical Center-from medical education and clinical safety programs to community health campaigns and scientific forums-that seek to translate knowledge into better, safer and more patient-centered care.

ASIAN Hospital, through the Department of Internal Medicine, held its 17th Postgraduate Course, ‘Beyond the Present: Redefining the Holistic Internist in the Digital Era,’ at Acacia Hotel Manila.

Led by Department of Internal Medicine Chairman Dr. Eric Amante and Postgraduate Course Lead Dr. Lenora Fernandez, the course brought together medical professionals for learning, collaboration and knowledge-sharing on the evolving practice of Internal Medicine.

The program featured sessions from various specialists covering timely topics in healthcare, including artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, modern clinical strategies, biologics and other developments relevant to Internal Medicine. It also included group discussions and hands-on workshops that allowed participants to engage with the topics and explore their practical applications.

Amante said the course was designed to bridge current practice with future developments in healthcare.

‘The vision behind this year’s postgraduate course, our 17th postgraduate course, for the Department of Medicine in Asian Hospital, is really just looking at combining the present with the future. We know that it’s the digital age, it’s the age of artificial intelligence and other innovations. And our vision for today is to educate people on what’s available now and how we can integrate all of these technologies that are here and coming in the future in our medical practice,’ he said.

He added that the program featured group discussions and hands-on workshops focused on the latest developments in healthcare, including artificial intelligence, new technologies, biologics and other innovations relevant to internists, subspecialists and trainees.

The course provided internists, subspecialists and trainees with opportunities to expand their knowledge and explore new approaches to delivering better patient care.

Making every step in surgery safer

ASIAN Hospital received the Gold Award, the highest recognition in the Infection Control Excellence category, at the 2026 Hospital Management Asia (HMA) Awards held in Bangkok, Thailand.

The award recognized the initiative ‘Timing is Everything: AHMC Surgical Safety Practice through Timed Antibiotic Prophylaxis,’ which highlighted the importance of timely antibiotic administration in promoting patient safety during surgical procedures.

The recognition reflected the institution’s commitment to safe, quality and clinically excellent care, guided by its ‘Alagang Deserve, Alagang Sulit’ commitment.

Accepting the award on behalf of the hospital were Dr. Carmen B. Nievera, Chief Medical Officer; Arvin Mark T. Pascual, MAS, RN, Director for Quality Management, Medical Records and Compliance; Dr. Jemelyn U. Garcia, Chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee; Dr. Joseph Adrian L. Buensalido, Chair of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee; Joselle May Lanzar-Dioneo, RPh, Senior Manager for Inpatient Pharmacy; Justine Emma Rose V. Silvano, MN, RN, Manager of the Infection Prevention and Control Unit; and Lorenzo V. Bisquera, RPh, Assistant Manager for Clinical Pharmacy.

The achievement recognized the collective efforts of the teams behind the initiative and underscored the importance of every detail in advancing patient safety and clinical excellence.

Understanding pain that cannot always be seen

PAIN may not always be visible, but it deserves to be understood.

Asian Hospital kicked off Pain Awareness Week with ‘Kirot na Walang Sugat: Understanding Neuropathic Pain,’ bringing together participants for discussions and shared learning about neuropathic pain.

Led by Dr. Frank Nacario, Head of the Asian Pain Management Center, the activity highlighted the importance of recognizing and understanding pain, particularly when its symptoms may not always be visible.

The discussions provided insights into neuropathic pain, its possible manifestations, and the importance of seeking appropriate care and guidance. The event also encouraged open conversations about pain and promoted greater awareness of the experiences of people living with pain.

By creating a better understanding of neuropathic pain, the activity emphasized the importance of listening to what the body communicates and seeking appropriate care when needed.

The observance of Pain Awareness Week also highlighted the role of health education in promoting greater awareness, understanding and better pain care.

Taking a closer look at heart health

ASIAN Hospital brought its Ate Rose campaign to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Health and Wellness Fair to raise awareness about atherosclerosis, a condition that can affect the heart and blood vessels.

Led by Hennesy Miranda, Director of Marketing and Patient Experience, the initiative encouraged ADB employees to take an active role in protecting their heart health and reducing cardiovascular risks.

The campaign highlighted the importance of knowing and monitoring cholesterol levels, maintaining an active lifestyle and making heart-healthy choices as part of everyday life. Through the health and wellness fair, participants had an opportunity to learn more about atherosclerosis and the steps they could take to support better cardiovascular health.

The initiative also reinforced the importance of early awareness and regular health monitoring in addressing potential risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Through Ate Rose, the institution continued to make conversations about heart and vascular health more relatable and accessible to the community.

The campaign reminded participants that taking care of heart health starts with simple, informed choices.

Beat ATHEROSCLEROSIS!

Strengthening stroke care through knowledge and collaboration

THE Asian Brain Institute held a scientific forum at the Azumi Workspace in Alabang, Muntinlupa, that brought together healthcare professionals for discussions on the evolving approach to stroke care.

Titled ‘The Next Frontier Stroke Care,’ the forum highlighted the importance of every step in the stroke care journey-from recognizing the signs early and providing timely intervention to preventing recurrence and supporting recovery. Speakers shared insights on acute stroke care, advanced interventions, secondary prevention and rehabilitation, providing participants with updated knowledge and perspectives relevant to clinical practice.

The discussions emphasized the importance of timely and coordinated care in helping patients achieve better outcomes following a stroke. The forum also provided an opportunity for healthcare professionals to exchange experiences, learn from experts and strengthen their understanding of comprehensive stroke management.

Through the learning exchange, the institution supported continued education and collaboration among healthcare professionals. The activity underscored the importance of advancing knowledge across the different stages of stroke care, from the acute phase through recovery and long-term prevention.

The forum brought together speakers and participants in a shared commitment to strengthening stroke care and promoting better outcomes for patients and their families.

For people undergoing radiation therapy, precision is more than a technical consideration. It can mean targeting a tumor more accurately while limiting radiation exposure to the healthy tissues surrounding it. And for patients who may need repeated treatments, it can also mean fewer trips to the hospital and shorter, more comfortable treatment sessions.

These are among the potential benefits of a new TrueBeam radiotherapy system recently launched at St. Luke’s Medical Center Global City. The system combines advanced imaging, motion tracking and radiation-delivery technologies designed to give radiation oncologists greater control over how treatment is planned and delivered.

According to Dr. Angela Camacho, Head of Radiation Oncology at St. Luke’s Global City, the new system gives doctors greater flexibility in shaping and controlling the radiation beam, allowing them to deliver higher doses to the target while reducing doses to surrounding tissues.

‘The essence of it is it gives us doctors more flexibility and more control over the shape and the dose of the radiation beam that is being delivered to the patient,’ Camacho said.

More precision, less exposure

THE TrueBeam system is a linear accelerator used to deliver radiation therapy for a variety of cancers, including cancers of the brain, head and neck, lung, breast and pelvic areas, when radiation therapy is indicated. The new system comes with four upgrades: RapidArc Dynamic, ExacTrac Dynamic, HyperSight and HyperArc.

One of these, RapidArc Dynamic, combines hardware and software that allow doctors to adjust the shape and dose of the radiation beam with greater flexibility. This allows treatment plans to be tailored to individual patients while helping limit radiation exposure to nearby organs and tissues.

The hospital says the enhanced TrueBeam platform can reduce radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues by as much as 50 percent.

For patients, the difference can translate into fewer side effects, depending on the treatment site and individual treatment plan.

Camacho cited breast and pelvic cancer treatment as examples in which greater control over the radiation beam can help spare surrounding organs. In a breast cancer case, for instance, treatment can be planned to limit radiation reaching the heart. For pelvic treatment, the technology can help spare the bladder.

‘There are side effects, but we expect much lesser compared to the old plans that we get,’ Camacho said.

Fewer sessions for some patients

THE technology may also change how long some patients need to undergo radiation therapy.

Camacho cited breast cancer treatment as an example. Patients who previously received 30 sessions may, under appropriate treatment plans, receive 15 sessions through hypofractionation, a treatment approach that delivers a higher dose of radiation per session.

She noted that studies have shown comparable local control between 30- and 15-session breast cancer treatments, while her team’s experience has seen fewer skin reactions among patients receiving the shorter treatment schedule.

The number of sessions, however, depends on the type and site of cancer and the patient’s individual treatment plan. The technology does not mean every patient will automatically require fewer treatments.

From hours to minutes

FOR patients with certain brain tumors, the change can be even more striking.

HyperArc is designed for treating brain lesions with high-dose radiation. Previously, some patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery had to wear a rigid head frame that was pinned or screwed to the skull. The treatment process could take three to four hours.

With HyperArc, patients can instead use a frameless thermoplastic mask, with treatment taking about 10 to 15 minutes, according to Camacho.

‘It’s very comfortable for the patient. That’s the advantage of this,’ she said.

HyperArc, on the other hand, allows treatments for multiple brain lesions that previously took three to four hours to be delivered in about 10 to 15 minutes using a more comfortable mask.

When the patient moves, the treatment responds

ANOTHER challenge in radiation therapy is movement. The body does not remain completely still, and some organs move naturally as a person breathes.

ExacTrac Dynamic, described by the hospital as a first-in-the-country technology, uses thermal surface and X-ray tracking to detect even subtle movements during treatment. If the patient’s position shifts, the radiation beam can automatically pause until proper alignment is restored.

Camacho explained that this can be particularly useful when treating areas affected by movement, such as the breast, lungs and abdomen.

The system’s HyperSight imaging technology also provides clearer images before treatment, allowing the team to better align the patient and verify the treatment target. Camacho said the new images are much clearer than those previously obtained through cone-beam CT and can make it easier to see changes in a lesion.

Technology with the patient in mind

WHILE the new system represents a significant technological upgrade, Camacho emphasized that its value ultimately lies in how it can improve the treatment experience and give physicians greater confidence in delivering radiation.

‘With all of these technologies that are in store in our new machine, we get better treatment plans for the patient,’ she said.

The new TrueBeam system is the second TrueBeam machine in the department. Camacho said the additional capacity will allow the department to accommodate more patients, while the new system’s specialized technologies can be used for procedures such as treatment of brain lesions.

The investment is part of St. Luke’s effort to bring advanced cancer treatment closer to Filipino patients. The hospital says its goal is to combine advanced technology with specialized oncology care so patients and their families can access sophisticated cancer treatment locally.

For patients facing cancer, however, the significance of the technology may be measured in more personal terms: a treatment that takes minutes instead of hours, fewer sessions when clinically appropriate, greater protection for healthy tissues, and a treatment plan tailored more closely to their individual needs.

As Camacho put it, the goal is greater precision, accuracy and efficiency-ultimately helping doctors deliver the right treatment to the right target while keeping the patient’s safety and comfort at the center of care.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the 40 Filipino crew members of the Panama-flagged bulk carrier First Margaux were unhurt after their ship collided with the China-registered fishing vessel Lu Qing Yuan Yu.

The incident happened September 17, 2026 at the Singapore Strait and is now being investigated by Singaporean authorities.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said the Lu Qing Yuan Yu took on water, but it remained afloat after the collision incident.

In an interview with reporters last Thursday, DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac said they have identified the 40 Filipino sailors of First Margaux.

‘Rest assured we have identified all the 40 Filipino seafarers by name and that we are reaching out to all of their families as we confirm their status,’ he said.

As of press time, Cacdac said they have yet to receive any report from the manning agency of the said sailors they were hurt from the incident.

He said they will provide the necessary aid to the affected sailors.

‘Of course rest assured because of the instructions of the President, we are reaching out to the families and we will assist them. Of course our number one priority is to bring them home,’ Cacdac said.

Authorities are actively pursuing a person suspected of influencing the minor involved in the deadly school shooting in Banga, South Cotabato, through online conversations, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.

The person, according to the DILG chief, is in the Philippines and authorities have identified his location.

He said the person preyed on the student’s insecurities and encouraged violence by promising that such an act would bring recognition.

‘They prey upon their insecurities, telling them that they will be glorified if they do something like this,’ he said. ‘It’s a very insidious way of inciting that kind of hate.’

Remulla earlier said investigators had linked the junior high school student’s actions to exposure to the deep dark web. ‘They now glorify violence through the deep dark web. It’s very alarming,’ he said.

Following school shootings in Tacloban, Zamboanga, and Cotabato, Remulla said authorities are taking online threats related to school shootings seriously. He cited four students previously caught over Facebook posts.

He said the government is pursuing a broader response to school violence, including measures to limit minors’ access to social media and websites, similar to the approach taken in Australia.

Remulla also urged parents to guide their children and watch for signs that they may be drawn into violence online.

‘We’re asking the parents to watch their children kaysa we discover it too late,’ he said.

The Cebu City Government is taking a closer look at the detention ponds and drainage system of the Monterrazas development after city councilors questioned whether the project can adequately handle runoff during extreme rainfall.

The review comes after the Cebu City Council referred back to the Technical Infrastructure Committee (TIC) its recommendation allowing construction and other ongoing activities at the development to continue.

Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, said the city is now reviewing the standards used to determine the size and capacity of Monterrazas’ detention ponds, including figures raised during the council’s discussions.

‘Initially, we are looking at the standards that became the basis of [work on] Monterrazas,’ Siasar said in Cebuano during a press briefing early this week.

He said the city is looking into the 300,000-cubic-meter volume cited during the council discussions and whether this is the appropriate basis for determining the required detention capacity.

The city is also examining the reported 6,000-cubic-meter capacity of a detention pond at the development and checking whether the facility is complete.

‘We will check how far are they in terms of the building and putting up of detention pond,’ Siasar said.

The review follows concerns raised by Cebu City vice mayor Tomas Osmeña over whether the detention ponds can accommodate the volume of water generated by the development during extreme rainfall.

Siasar said the city will consult the appropriate government agencies, offices and private entities to establish the applicable technical standards for detention ponds based on the expected runoff from the site.

‘If we have a standard that specifies the exact depth, height, and shape, then we’ll make sure that Monterrazas follows it,’ he said.

Siasar also said detention ponds are not necessarily required to have concrete bottoms.

Based on his observation of portions of the Monterrazas site, some areas had been excavated and left with soil at the bottom, which could allow water to seep into the ground.

But he stressed that the city still needs to determine the applicable standard before assessing whether the facilities comply.

The questions over Monterrazas’ drainage system stem from a technical review conducted by the TIC covering the development’s approximately 118-hectare property.

The committee identified 14 catchment areas and examined drainage routes, water-flow patterns, drainage outfalls, detention ponds, slope protection measures and road construction. The report documented ongoing earthmoving, road construction, slope protection and other development activities in several areas including The Rise and Montelago.

The committee, however, said its review was limited to fact-finding and technical assessment. It did not establish the cause of flooding in surrounding communities or make a final finding that Monterrazas was solely or directly responsible for any flooding incident or condition.

Despite the renewed review, the TIC has not recommended the issuance of a cease and desist order (CDO) against Monterrazas.

Siasar said the issuance of a CDO is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which gave the go-ahead for the project.

However, he said the city government could consider issuing one if there is a compelling basis, including a recommendation from the TIC or the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).