Category: Philippine Star

In today’s higher education landscape, the obsession with standards, metrics and targets has become an unquestioned norm. Accreditation agencies, ranking systems and government-mandated indicators dictate the rhythms of academic life.

Faculty and administrators chase numbers such as publications, citations, completion rates, grants and partnerships on the assumption that these equate to excellence. Yet behind the glossy annual reports and compliance checklists, higher education institutions risk losing their soul. They appear dynamic on paper but stagnant in practice, reproducing the very inequalities they claim to dismantle.

This culture of compliance is not accidental but structural. It reflects a neoliberal logic that reduces education to measurable outputs, as though intellectual inquiry and social responsibility can be quantified like factory production.

Compliance regimes impose rigid frameworks that flatten diverse institutional contexts, producing homogenized universities where the creation of distinct identities is discouraged. Whether a university is urban or rural, globally oriented or locally rooted, all are judged against the same uniform criteria. In such a system, innovation is not rewarded; conformity is.

One of the most serious consequences of compliance culture is the reduction of complex educational goals into simplistic indicators. Accreditation and quality assurance processes ask how many papers have been published, how many patents filed, or how many partnerships signed. These questions rarely probe deeper: Do these outputs matter to society? Do they address inequities or transform communities?

When institutions chase metrics, innovation suffers. Faculty are discouraged from pursuing interdisciplinary or community-oriented work because it may not yield ‘publishable’ outputs in high-impact journals. They learn to play safe, producing formulaic studies that check boxes but lack depth. Students, too, are molded into compliant performers, trained to memorize for standardized tests rather than to think critically or question assumptions. The result is an education system that rewards efficiency but punishes creativity.

Compliance culture also widens inequality. Well-resourced universities with strong administrative machinery can easily meet accreditation requirements and climb rankings. Smaller or rural institutions, by contrast, struggle to cope with bureaucratic demands that divert scarce resources away from faculty development, student support, or community engagement.

In contexts like the Philippines, where resource disparities are stark, compliance becomes an additional burden for those already marginalized. Urban universities accumulate citations and visibility, while provincial colleges, often serving the most underserved populations, are penalized for failing to meet standards designed for privileged institutions.

Instead of leveling the field, compliance deepens the divide, creating a two-tier system of elite universities that thrive on metrics and struggling colleges left behind. The tragedy is that those closest to marginalized communities are least empowered to serve them, trapped in endless cycles of paperwork and performance audits.

The rhetoric of ‘world-class’ education further entrenches this problem. Institutions proudly market global competitiveness, touting rankings, international linkages and foreign faculty hires as markers of prestige.

Yet this pursuit often disconnects them from their local responsibilities. Universities pour resources into meeting global benchmarks while neglecting the needs of nearby communities. Faculty are rewarded for publishing in Western-indexed journals but not for engaging in public scholarship or collaborative work with communities.

Even acts of service are bureaucratized. Faculty are expected to secure memoranda of agreement before extending help, and without such documents their contributions are unrecognized. The cumbersome process discourages genuine engagement.

Ironically, in trying to formalize accountability, institutions end up stifling compassion and initiative. The marginalized remain invisible, their needs sidelined by the imperatives of rankings and reputation. Higher education becomes less a vehicle of social transformation than a machinery for institutional branding.

Defenders of compliance argue that metrics ensure accountability, that without standards, universities would become complacent. But there is a profound difference between accountability and bureaucracy.

True accountability builds trust and growth, while bureaucracy breeds fear and fatigue. Quality assurance mechanisms should function as developmental tools, not punitive instruments. Instead, faculty now spend disproportionate time documenting their worth, assembling teaching portfolios, compiling research outputs, and filling out forms.

The labor of proving productivity often outweighs the labor of actual teaching and scholarship. Students, too, are burdened with rigid requirements that measure conformity more than creativity. Rather than fostering excellence, this system breeds cynicism and burnout. The irony is painful: an education system that prides itself on innovation has institutionalized mediocrity through paperwork. The more an institution documents its excellence, the less time it has to practice it.

The winners in this compliance-driven ecosystem are not students, not communities, and certainly not most faculty. They are regulatory agencies, accrediting bodies and ranking organizations whose authority depends on perpetual institutional dependence.

Globally, Western publishing houses and ranking institutions profit from universities desperate to prove their ‘world-class’ credentials. Locally, bureaucrats consolidate power as gatekeepers of compliance. This dynamic exposes the political economy of higher education.

Compliance is not just a technical process; it is a system of control. It reproduces global hierarchies where the standards of excellence are defined by those already in power. Marginalized institutions and scholars have little say in shaping these standards. Their exclusion is not an accident, it is the very mechanism through which compliance culture maintains order.

Escaping this tyranny requires reclaiming the purpose of education. Higher education must move beyond the narrow logic of performance metrics toward a vision rooted in equity, creativity and social transformation.

Evaluation systems should reward diversity of outputs and recognize contributions that matter locally as well as globally. Community engagement, participatory research and public scholarship must be valued alongside publication counts.

Redefining excellence means rejecting the shallow pursuit of ‘world-class’ status and instead addressing world-class problems such as climate change, inequality, digital exclusion and social injustice. Universities that tackle these through interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusive pedagogy are truly excellent, even if they score low on conventional metrics. This shift also requires amplifying marginalized voices in academia.

Compliance culture silences them; transformative education must empower them. Investment in underfunded institutions, recognition of nontraditional scholarship and democratization of access are crucial. The key question should no longer be whether universities meet targets, but whether they change lives.

Compliance culture endures because it offers the illusion of progress. Numbers, rankings and certifications provide a comforting narrative of success. But beneath the surface lies a hollow core, an education system obsessed with ticking boxes while neglecting its moral and social mission.

Unless higher education confronts this tyranny, it will remain a factory of credentials rather than a crucible of change. True accountability lies not in hitting targets but in answering to society. True excellence demands courage, the courage to innovate, disrupt, and serve those left behind even without bureaucratic validation.

Universities must reclaim their autonomy to think, imagine, and act beyond the confines of compliance. Only then can they fulfill their promise as spaces of emancipation where knowledge is not merely produced but lived, shared, and used to transform the world.

As Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro marked her first 100 days in office last October 8, there was also the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 59, creating the Provincial Animal Welfare Council (PAWC) to institutionalize programs on animal welfare, rabies control, and marine life conservation in Cebu Province.

The order establishes the PAWC as the primary policy-making, coordinating, and monitoring body for all animal welfare and marine conservation initiatives across the province.

It aims to promote sustainable governance that benefits both humans and animals.

Baricuatro said the creation of the council reflects her administration s long-term commitment to environmental protection and humane animal treatment.

Under EO No. 59, the PAWC will be chaired by the governor and vice-chaired by the provincial veterinarian, Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy.

Members include the chairman of the Provincial Board s Committee on Agriculture, currently Board Member Cesar Baricuatro, representatives from city and municipal Agriculture and Veterinary Offices, accredited animal welfare organizations, and a representative from a veterinary college.

The council is mandated to formulate and update policies and programs on animal welfare, rabies prevention, and marine life protection consistent with national and local standards.

It will also monitor the compliance of local government units with animal welfare laws, pound management, and vaccination programs.

A major component of the order is the conduct of sustained information and education campaigns on responsible pet ownership, rabies control, and marine conservation. These will be implemented through seminars, community outreach, and media campaigns led by the PAWC in coordination with animal welfare groups.

EO No. 59 also mandates the establishment of provincial animal and dog sanctuaries that will serve as shelters for rescued, impounded, or abandoned animals. The sanctuaries will be jointly managed by the provincial government and accredited organizations under the technical supervision of PAWC.

All LGUs are directed to maintain humane and properly managed dog pounds. The Provincial Veterinary Office, together with the PAWC, will conduct regular inspections and require quarterly compliance reports from local governments to ensure humane standards are met.

The executive order further strengthens rabies control measures through annual mass vaccination drives and a continuous spay-and-neuter program as part of humane population management. Funds will be allocated for vaccines, feeds, medicines, and other logistical needs to sustain these initiatives.

Beyond terrestrial animal welfare, the PAWC will also focus on marine conservation.

In partnership with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, DENR-BMB, DA-BFAR, and the Philippine Coast Guard, the council will enhance protection for marine species such as thresher sharks, marine mammals, and other threatened aquatic wildlife.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s hearings on the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal are set to conclude with two remaining sessions next month, acting chairman Sen. Erwin Tulfo said yesterday.

Tulfo said the next hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Nov. 10, after the Senate’s month-long break, to ensure the attendance of senators who are currently on official trips or attending public events.

The upcoming sessions will culminate in a partial committee report, which will be followed by a new round of inquiries – this time into the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)’s spending on farm-to-market road (FMR) projects.

‘I’ll make sure the hearings proceed continuously, almost every week,’ Tulfo said over radio dwIZ.

Tulfo intends to continue the line of inquiry pursued by former chairman Sen. Panfilo Lacson, particularly in summoning former speaker Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who are key figures linked to the alleged project corruption.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III backed this move so the two lawmakers can face their accuser, Co’s alleged security consultant Orly Guteza, who claimed to have delivered cash-filled suitcases containing kickbacks to their residences.

According to Sotto, Co may be compelled to appear before the Senate and could face arrest for contempt if he repeatedly ignores the summons, while Romualdez may be invited directly in accordance with inter-parliamentary courtesy.

Aside from the flood control project anomalies, Co is also expected to account for his connections to Hi-Tone Construction, the contractor allegedly tied to the Department of Agriculture’s FMR projects, which were earlier flagged as ‘overpriced by P10 billion.’

Due to this, the panel will also invite Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to answer questions related to the matter.

‘I’ve already instructed the Senate Blue Ribbon secretariat to send invitations to Romualdez, the contractors and the DA secretary for the farm-to-market road hearings,’ Tulfo said.

Explaining the committee’s shift in focus, Tulfo emphasized that the Blue Ribbon’s role is not to prosecute but to craft laws that prevent lawmakers and their allies from manipulating the national budget for personal gain.

‘Our hearings are not for conviction. They are in aid of legislation,’ he said.

He added that the committee’s forthcoming recommendations may include penalties such as perpetual disqualification for public officials caught interfering in the National Expenditure Program or diverting unprogrammed funds for political purposes.

Where is Guteza?

Tulfo urged Guteza yesterday to resurface and stand by his allegations that Co and Romualdez received cash-filled suitcases in an alleged multibillion-peso flood control kickback scheme.

Tulfo said Guteza has not been seen since his appearance before the committee and that he would coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to locate him.

‘At this point, we have to find Guteza. I’ll coordinate with director Santiago of the NBI,’ Tulfo said. ‘If you’re listening, Mr. Guteza, it’s better for you to come forward. You testified under oath – now you’re missing. It looks like you’re hiding, or you made it up. You need to stand by your words.’

He added that Guteza should be ready to face those he accused, saying both Co and Romualdez may appear in upcoming hearings.

Filipino scientists who returned home under the Department of Science and Technology’s Balik Scientist Program are proving that world-class innovation can come from Filipino minds and can change lives on the ground.

The DOST recently honored the achievements of these scientists during the 11th Annual Balik Scientist Program Convention in Pasay City, highlighting how their work is transforming key sectors such as health, agriculture, energy and coastal resilience.

‘It highlights that the true strength of the Balik Scientist Program lies not only in bringing back globally trained experts, but also in transforming their expertise into concrete actions, policies, technologies and solutions that directly uplift and benefit our people,’ said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.

He lauded the diverse contributions of returning scientists, from developing vaccines to advancing coastal engineering and renewable energy, saying these show how Filipino innovation can address urgent national challenges.

The two-day event featured poster exhibits, TED-style BSP Talks and a Kapihan Session on policy innovation.

Returning scientists presented breakthroughs in neurogenetics, aquaculture, biotechnology and renewable energy.

Among them was Dr. Angelo Bañares, currently working with the University of Mindanao and Pampanga State Agricultural University, whose research focuses on metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.

His current project involves converting used plastics into glycolic acid, an ingredient in cosmetic exfoliants, through microbial processes.

Rev. Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, a Balik Scientist hosted by the University of Santo Tomas, shared his pioneering work in biotechnology, including a COVID-19 oral vaccine developed from probiotic yeast.

A member of the Private Sector Advisory Council for Healthcare, Austriaco also advises President Marcos on national health care reforms and vaccine policies.

Meanwhile, Dr. Joemel Quisumbing presented a modeling framework for sustainable cage aquaculture and coastal pollution control, a comprehensive tool integrating environmental, social and technological factors to promote ecosystem-based management and protect marine resources.

Since its inception in 1975, the Balik Scientist Program has brought home 697 scientists across various fields, with 933 engagements recorded to date.

The program continues to attract more Filipino experts abroad to return and contribute to national development.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is studying the possible reimposition of a suggested retail price (SRP) on pork nearly four months after the government lifted the price cap intended to temper soaring meat costs.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday that the department would review the matter and adjust profit margins to make them more reasonable and ensure they remain worthwhile for retailers and producers.

‘What the DA was planning when prices went out of control was to implement an MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) on pork, especially on imported pork. That is still an option,’ Tiu Laurel told lawmakers during the budget hearing of the agency for 2026.

To illustrate, Tiu Laurel said the landed cost of imported frozen liempo is at around P220 per kilo, while retail prices in local markets is P315 per kg.

He added that pork imports charged with lower tariffs cost around P250 per kg, while those taxed at higher rates are priced between P268 and P279 per kg.

The gap between import and retail prices shows a margin of roughly P65 per kilo.

‘I used to do this business. That (price markup) is high. It should just be around P260 per kg (instead of P315 per kg),’ said the agriculture chief.

Last May, the DA scrapped the MSRP on pork after traders and meat processors appealed for its suspension, citing the continuing shortage of hogs due to African swine fever (ASF).

The agency said market conditions at the time made it difficult for retailers to comply with the price ceiling as supply tightened while demand stayed strong.

Before the price cap was lifted, the DA had set the MSRP at P380 per kilo for liempo, P350 for pigue and kasim and P300 for sabit-ulo or fresh carcass.

The DA said these rates were meant to balance fair returns for producers and traders while shielding consumers from steep markups in wet markets.

The country’s hog inventory has fallen sharply to just about eight million as of this year from around 13 million heads in 2019, according to the DA, leaving local production well below pre-outbreak levels.

E-wallet pioneer GCash has rolled out a new insurance product designed for commuters as accidents are becoming more prevalent in public transport, particularly on the road.

GCash yesterday said it has teamed up with BPI MS Insurance Corp. to bring PasaHERO Protect into the insurance market with the aim of catering to millions of commuters.

The policy is available on GCash’s insurance platform, GInsure, and is being marketed as one of the most affordable accident coverage on the e-wallet.

PasaHERO Protect extends accident insurance for passengers of all kinds of public transport like buses, jeepneys and trains. The policy also covers commuters taking motorcycle-for-hire offered by transport network vehicle services, which is now one of the most popular transport modes.

PasaHERO Protect provides as much as P500,000 of coverage for death and disability caused by an accident while using public transport. The policy also renders up to P250,000 of coverage for other kinds of accidents.

On top of this, the policy comes with a double indemnity feature, meaning the insurer pays twice the coverage if the insured dies from a covered accident.

GCash head for GInsure Wilfrido de Ocampo said Filipinos can subscribe to PasaHERO Protect for as low as P15 a month.

De Ocampo said PasaHERO Protect can be procured for up to five people, including family and friends, through a single account for ease of transaction.

‘We believe protection should be part of everyday life – not a luxury, but a basic need that every Filipino and their families can access. Together with BPI MS Insurance and through PasaHERO Protect, we are making insurance more relevant, affordable and inclusive for the daily realities of commuters,’ De Ocampo said.

BPI MS Insurance president and CEO Noriyuki Kobayashi said PasaHERO Protect was created to make insurance closer to the daily needs of Filipinos. For PasaHERO Protect, the objective is to recognize the vulnerability commuters go through when they take public transport.

Recently, the Philippines has seen a rise in the number of fatalities resulting from car crashes and road-based accidents.

In May a bus crash at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway led to the death of 10 people, including four children, forcing the Department of Transportation to raise driving and transport standards.

As I was preparing to write this column yesterday morning, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental, at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, according to Al Jazeera. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) immediately issued a tsunami warning, urging residents in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland.

These days, videos of people’s horrifying experiences of quakes are posted on social media shortly after the incident. I saw people screaming and praying, in moments of seeming helplessness, while the person holding the camera kept recording. Indeed for many of us, earthquakes feel like the scariest of disasters.

A volcanic eruption shows warning signs, giving authorities time to raise alerts. Typhoons are tracked days ahead, so people can prepare. We can often escape fires with timely detection and clear exits. But earthquakes are different; they strike without warning. You can run to open areas, which are considered safer than buildings during a strong one. But the thing you trust most –the ground– is moving, leaving you feeling defenseless.

In Cebu, where the shaking was also felt yesterday, I saw on social media people standing outside buildings, waiting for clearance to go back in. The experience here may have felt especially unsettling, as we had just gone through a magnitude 6.9 earthquake last week, with northern Cebu hardest hit.

With that, I’d like to share this beautiful prayer posted on the GMA Public Affairs social media page two years ago: ‘O God, who set the earth on its firm foundation, spare those who are fearful and show favor to those who implore You, so that, with all dangers of earthquake entirely gone, we may continue to experience Your mercy and serve You in thankfulness, safe under Your protection. Amen.’

The tremors we have been experiencing over the past few weeks are a stark reminder that our archipelago sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Earthquakes occur regularly in the country, an average of about 30 ground-shaking ones daily, according to PHIVOLCS. Of these, only a fraction are strong enough for people to notice, and even fewer make the news for causing damage or posing a real threat. But still, one felt tremor is one too many.

A 2016 study by Pailoplee and Boonchaluay, published in the Geosciences Journal, identified six locations along the Manila Trench and nearby subduction zones as having a high chance of generating a major earthquake within our lifetime. These areas are close to large cities such as Taipei, Manila, Davao, and Manado in Indonesia.

In the Davao and eastern Indonesia area (including Manado), where several fault zones meet, quakes as strong as magnitude 6.8 to 7.1 could occur every five to 10 years. Meanwhile, Palawan and the Sulu Archipelago are considered ‘quiet zones’ with little to no recorded earthquake activity, according to the study.

It’s one thing to know where the next big one might hit; it’s another to know whether we’re ready when it does. A study in 2019 (Villano, et al.) found that we are moderately resilient overall but underprepared before disasters hit. Although the study focused on flood and landslide impacts, its resilience framework (coping vs. adaptive capacities) applies across hazards.

Data suggest that our biggest gap lies before a disaster strikes –that is, in strengthening homes and infrastructure, improving risk education, and securing resources– rather than after, when relief and social support often arrive. In other words, we are a resilient people, but much of that resilience comes only after disasters hit. We recover quickly through community spirit and the support of government, foreign aid, and relief groups, but we are still not well-prepared beforehand.

Another study notes that while the Philippines has one of the most comprehensive disaster laws in the region, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (DRRM Law), implementation remains uneven at the local level (Alcayna, et al., 2016). Many local disaster councils exist mostly on paper, often understaffed and lacking technical training.

On the positive side, according to the study, Filipino community networks and bayanihan remain powerful social safety nets, helping families cope and recover faster. Yet, experts caution that such support often fades during long-term recovery, and those outside extended family networks, such as the poorest or displaced, may be left out.

More than a week after a strong earthquake jolted Cebu, another powerful magnitude 7.4 temblor struck off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. yesterday, shaking wide areas of Mindanao and the Visayas, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

At least three people were reported killed as of last night while many houses and buildings including schools sustained heavy damage.

The quake, which originated 43 kilometers northeast of Manay at a depth of 23 kilometers, prompted Phivolcs to issue a tsunami warning for several eastern coastal provinces before it was lifted in the early afternoon.

The quake was felt strongest at Intensity 5 in parts of Davao de Oro, including Compostela, Maco, Mawab, Monkayo, Montevista, Nabunturan and Pantukan; in Davao del Norte, covering Asuncion, Braulio E. Dujali, Carmen, New Corella, Panabo City, Island Garden City of Samal, Santo Tomas and Tagum City as well as in Davao Oriental’s Cateel and Mati City.

Strong shaking was also reported in Davao City, Davao Occidental’s Jose Abad Santos, and parts of Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte, including Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tupi, Tampakan, Alabel, Glan, Malungon, Butuan, Claver, Gigaquit and Mainit, along with General Santos City.

Moderately strong tremors (Intensity IV) were recorded in Tacloban City and several municipalities in Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Surigao del Norte and Cotabato City, while Intensity III shaking reached parts of the Visayas, including Eastern Samar, Leyte, Ormoc City, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte, as well as Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat. Weaker intensities were experienced in Negros Oriental, Biliran, Sorsogon, Zamboanga Peninsula, and parts of South Cotabato, where residents reported gentle swaying movements.

Instrumental readings showed Intensity V in Davao City, Nabunturan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tupi, Alabel, Malungon and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte, while Intensity IV was recorded in Cebu City, Malaybalay, Digos, Surigao City, Bislig and General Santos City.

Lower intensities were registered across the central and southern Philippines, including parts of Leyte, Bukidnon, Cebu, Northern Samar, Zamboanga and Iloilo.

Tsunami alert

The US Tsunami Warning System issued an advisory shortly after the earthquake, warning that hazardous waves could threaten coastal areas within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. It initially warned of possible tsunami waves in the Philippines, Indonesia and the island nation of Palau following the earthquake.

In Tandag, Surigao del Sur, the Tsunami Detection Station recorded a 30-centimeter wave height at 10:20 a.m., confirming minor sea-level changes.

At 1:43 p.m., Phivolcs lifted the tsunami warning, saying any potential tsunami effects ‘have largely passed.’

Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. explained that the relatively low tsunami height despite the earthquake’s strong magnitude was due to the type of sea floor movement involved.

‘The height of the tsunami is related to the actual vertical displacement of the sea floor as a result of subduction in trenches,’ Solidum said.

He also clarified that the recent quakes in Cebu, La Union and Davao Oriental are unrelated. ‘There is no connection as the faults that triggered the Cebu and La Union quakes and the Philippine Trench that caused the quake in Davao Oriental are not connected and far apart,’ he added.

Following the Office of Civil Defense’s issuance of a Red Alert Status for the Davao Region, the Davao City CDRRMO likewise raised its alert status to Red, prepositioning all emergency assets in preparation for possible aftershocks.

As of 5 p.m., a total of 339 aftershocks were recorded. Of these, 88 aftershocks have been plotted, while 13 were reported as felt by residents. The recorded magnitudes ranged from 1.3 to 5.8, based on data from the Mati (Davao Oriental) reference station.

Casualties

The strong earthquake that jolted Davao City and nearby areas on Friday morning killed three people and injured over 300 individuals.

An 80-year-old man died after a concrete wall collapsed on him during the earthquake. Another victim, a 54-year-old woman, was killed by a falling wall. Details from the third fatality have yet to be determined because the victim is from a far-flung barangay in Mati.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO)-Central 911 has responded to a total of 347 individuals who experienced fainting or sustained minor injuries. ‘All patients have received proper medical attention and are now in stable condition,’ it said in a statement.

The City Engineer’s Office (CEO), in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways, has completed structural assessments of Bankerohan Bridge, Bolton Bridge, Davao River Bridge and San Rafael Bridge.

According to the CEO, no major structural damage was found and all four bridges are declared safe for vehicular traffic.

Structural damage was reported at Mapua Malayan Colleges Mindanao and Ateneo de Davao University.

The Bureau of Fire Protection Region XI reported a chemical spill at the 6th floor of San Pedro College, which they already contained.

Several establishments closed down to check for damage from the shaking as there were buildings that sustained cracks and fallen ceilings.

Work in all government offices in the city was suspended, except for offices performing safety and security, health, social services and disaster and emergency response services.

Power interruptions were reported in some parts of Davao City and nearby municipalities shortly after the quake, but services have since been restored in most areas.

Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator for administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said there were initial reports of minor structural cracks in some schools in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, while there was a reported landslide in Camiguin.

Power outages were reported in Misamis Oriental.

‘There were observed cracks along Francisco Bangoy International Airport but the airport is still operational. There were no cancelled flights in Davao City,’ Alejandro said.

Damaged schools

The Department of Education said that at least 29 schools suffered major damage following the earthquake in Davao Oriental.

The DepEd added that 173 schools recorded minor damage while 12,399 others were exposed.

It added that reports from the Incident Management Response System from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and CARAGA indicate that 9,923 learners and 490 teachers were affected.

The DepEd added that five learners and a teacher were injured during the strong quake.

Coincidence

Although Metro Manila and surrounding areas are already ripe for the ‘Big One,’ the series of strong earthquakes that recently rocked different parts of the country is not a precursor for such an event, according to Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol.

In an interview with ‘Storycon’ on One News, Bacolcol described the strong earthquakes that recently jolted Cebu, La Union and Davao as ‘coincidence.’

‘Every day, we record at least 30 earthquakes. There’s always this possibility that several could occur close together because we have 180 active fault segments and six trenches,’ he said.

‘What happened in Cebu was generated by the Bogo Bay fault, the one in La Union (on Thursday) was generated by the Philippine fault and the one (on Friday) was generated by the Philippine trench,’ he added.

Bacolcol maintained that these earthquakes are not a ‘precursor’ of the Big One, a projected scenario when a magnitude 7.2 or stronger earthquake would hit Metro Manila due to a movement of the Marikina Valley fault.

Still, he stressed the need to be prepared for the possibility of strong earthquakes as the Philippines is tectonically and seismically active.

Forced evacuation

For its part, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday directed local officials in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao to conduct forced evacuations in coastal communities following the earthquake in Davao Oriental.

The DILG ordered local government units in Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental to immediately evacuate residents near shorelines and move them to higher ground or inland areas.

Boat owners were advised to secure their vessels or stay in deep waters, while residents in coastal houses were urged to move further inland.

Class, work suspension

The University of the Philippines Mindanao has suspended face-to-face classes until Monday following the quake.

UP Mindanao gave assurance that it is working with diligence to assess all buildings, adding that it will issue further announcements once inspections are completed and on-site work is confirmed safe to resume.

UP Cebu said the magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Davao was felt in Cebu City, adding that intensity 4 was recorded in the province.

‘In response, the University of the Philippines Cebu conducted an initial visual assessment of its facilities. The Lahug Campus remains safe, with no new structural damage observed following the inspections made after the September 30 earthquake,’ the UP Cebu said.

Classes in all levels, both public and private as well as work in government offices, were suspended in Davao City and Sultan Kudarat.

The Davao City local government also ordered the suspension of classes and work in government. In central Mindanao, officials immediately cancelled classes in all schools after the quake.

Air traffic in the Philippines is projected to hit 66 million by 2028, driven by government efforts to put up new airports and industry push to expand flight coverage, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA country manager Samuel David said the Philippine aviation industry is on track for higher growth toward the close of the decade due to airport buildup and airline expansion.

Citing a forecast from IATA, David said the country’s air passenger volume is expected to grow by an average of 3.6 percent every year, until it climbs to 66 million by 2028.

David attributed the optimism to the bets made by low-cost carriers in the growth potential of the Philippines. Budget carrier Cebu Pacific, for instance, placed a $24-billion order for the addition of up to 152 jets from aerospace giant Airbus.

Similarly, David said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is busy building new airports and upgrading existing ones. This is driving confidence among carriers to widen their flight network locally and globally.

‘DOTr has been spearheading initiatives to upgrade airports and aviation infrastructure with the aim of creating world-class facilities that can accommodate the increasing demands of domestic and international air travel,’ David said.

Further, main gateway Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is seeing improvements in its facilities and services in line with its P170.6-billion upgrade led by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp.

Soon, NAIA will be equipped with facial recognition, powered by Collins Aerospace, that would allow travelers to check in their bags, clear security and board flights using their face.

As of 2024, David said the aviation industry is contributing $20.3 billion yearly to the economy, measured as gross domestic product. This translates to 4.6 percent of the GDP, and IATA anticipates this to become bigger.

Likewise, the industry is providing direct and indirect livelihoods to at least 1.9 million Filipinos. To date, the Philippines is also one of the most connected countries in Asia and the Pacific, as it sends off 184 outbound international flights every day.

However, David warned that geopolitical factors and regulatory limits could hinder growth, as he also flagged issues on human capital and red tape.

Based on data from the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Philippines grew its air passenger traffic by 11 percent to 59.91 million in 2024, with Cebu Pacific making up the largest market share of 38 percent.

Taking her concern to the podium, Manila District 4 Councilor Eunice Castro has accused fellow city councilor Ryan Ponce of acts of sexual harassment.

In a privilege speech on Thursday, Castro said, her voice shaking with emotion: ‘(Councilor) Ryan Ponce, shame on you for treating us women like an object.’

Castro said Ponce took advantage of her, even inside the session hall, as she revealed the contents of several chat messages the latter sent and later deleted.

The messages reportedly include: ‘Naka-see through ka kanina (You were wearing see-through),’ ‘Good morning sexy, inaabangan ko buhok at suot mo kanina (I was watching out for your hair and dress),’ and ‘Patingin ako ng ‘good morning face’ mo at pantulog mo para good morning talaga (Let me see your ‘good morning face’ and sleepwear so it will really be a good morning).’

Ponce also reportedly asked her to ‘reveal more’ when she was wearing a blouse that revealed her chest during a previous council session.

Aside from these instances, Ponce suggested that Castro take a yoni massage, which focuses on the female genitalia, when she told her fellow councilors that she wanted a massage.

Both Castro and Ponce joined the party of Mayor Isko Moreno in the May 12 midterm elections and are serving their first term as councilors.

Castro said she needed to drop her bombshell before the entire city council because she feared being stigmatized and isolated by certain fellow councilors.

‘Was it worth it? Yes, for my sanity!’ she said as she ended her speech.

She expressed hope that her experience would inspire other women to speak out against sexual harassment and abuse.

Ponce, who was present during the privilege speech, took the platform and apologized to Castro.

‘I stand here not to defend myself but to, in all humility, apologize for my actions, for my words that hurt her and her family,’ Ponce said in Filipino.

Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, who stressed that she would not condone harassment and misbehavior in and out of the session hall, said Castro could file charges before the committee on ethics and good government.

Atienza said charges for violations of civil service laws, code of conduct for public officials and Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos law) could also be filed.