Category: Philippine Star

Sanitec officially unveiled JOMOO in the Philippines through a landmark event themed, ‘JOMOO: The Eos of Smart Living,’ marking the opening of its first showroom in Metro Manila and strategic partnership with Sanitec, the Bath and Kitchen Specialist.

The launch introduces one of the world’s leading sanitaryware brands to the local market, strengthening Sanitec’s portfolio of world-class bathroom solutions for Filipino homes and developments.

JOMOO is recognized as the #1 sanitaryware brand in China, with a brand value exceeding $25.22 billion and the World’s No.1 in Smart Toilet Sales.

With more than 350 global design awards-including “Best of Bath” in the iF Design Awards, ranked No. 1 globally in total awards for five consecutive years-JOMOO has contributed to projects such as the Great Wall of China, Ritz Carlton Residences in Jordan, Indonesian High-Speed Railway, The Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Madagascar.

Behind its success is an advanced manufacturing network: 15 high-end Smart Factories, 16 R and D centers and 10,000 high-end showrooms across 120 countries.

Its most groundbreaking achievement is the industry’s first “eco-friendly Dark Factory”-a fully automated, robotic facility that conserves energy, reduces waste and redefines sustainable manufacturing operating with precision and efficiency at a level impossible for traditional manufacturing.

Through Sanitec, JOMOO brings a full range of intelligent, sustainable and user-friendly bathroom solutions-from smart toilets to cabinets, showers and faucets-designed to elevate everyday living while remaining accessible.

‘Tonight, we are unveiling what tomorrow’s bathrooms can be and will be,’ said Jensen Go, vice president of Sanitec Import Ventures Inc.

‘This partnership with JOMOO is a testament to our mission of providing Filipinos with carefully selected brands and products that empower us to build bigger, better and wiser.’

Adding star power to the occasion, celebrity guest Alden Richards graced the event, highlighting the significance of the launch in ushering in a new era of smart living for Filipino homes. As he shared, ‘It’s like owning a piece of the future.”

With its proven expertise, award-winning innovation and global presence, JOMOO is poised to become the top choice of developers, architects, designers and homeowners seeking modern and intelligent bathroom solutions.

This launch marks the beginning of a new era in bathroom design-where technology, sustainability, and style converge with a clear invitation: to ‘Start Your Smart Life’

Amid a series of earthquakes in Mindanao, Sen. Bong Go visited Mati City in Davao Oriental to help affected residents and check on the extent of damage to infrastructure.

‘I am personally monitoring the situation. The Malasakit team is also standing by to provide assistance,’ Go said.

Accompanied by Lupon vice mayor Christian Go and Mati city councilor Xander Alcantara, Go visited the wake of Teresita Narsico, one of the fatalities in the Oct. 10 quake, and provided financial assistance to the bereaved family.

Go also visited the Davao Provincial Medical Center to check on 201 patients who were stationed outside the hospital as a precaution measure.

As Senate health committee vice chair, Go called on the Department of Health and PhilHealth to restore normalcy in the lives of residents, especially when it comes to public service delivery.

Two anecdotes about Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla, 64, the new ombudsman:

In the morning of Jan. 20, 2001, then executive secretary Edgardo Angara managed to convince Joseph Ejercito Estrada to sign a letter of resignation as president. Boying Remulla, then 40 and a deputy executive secretary, saw the letter, tore it up, drafted another letter; this time, Estrada was to go on leave, not resign. The President signed it. Remulla sent the letter to Congress.

That is why VP Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took her oath of office as ‘acting’ president on Jan. 20, 2001 because Estrada did not resign. The president merely went on leave. Not resigning gave Estrada formidable leverage. He was, of course, convicted for plunder in 2007 but president Arroyo pardoned him six weeks later and restored his civil and political life. Estrada served two terms as Manila mayor and today, has two sons as incumbent senators.

As a young Cavite politician, Boying bought a piece of property but he could not get the title because a corrupt barangay chairman wanted to be bribed before giving his clearance. Boying invited the official to a cliff in Tagaytay to view Taal Lake. Suddenly, Boying drew his caliber .45 and pointed it at the skull of the barangay chief. ‘Your life or your clearance to my property.’ The barangay guy chose life and Boying got his property titled.

What do these stories say about Remulla? In the first anecdote, Remulla displayed remarkable presence of mind. He knows his law (UP Law and passed the Bar in 1987). He knows how to execute gambits. He thinks long term. And he is loyal to the boss and won’t let him down, even if everybody has jumped ship.

In the second anecdote, Boying showed he is a stickler for legal protocols and niceties. But when push comes to shove, he knows when to draw the ultimate weapon of conviction. Tall, dark, often unflappable and always exuding confidence, Boying can be unconventional but he gets things done.

Today, Boying is Jesus, the savior, of an incredibly corrupt structure of government.

In the 19th and 20th Congress, you have the most corrupt generation of senators and congressmen that ever lived. At least 67 congressmen are cong-tractors. Almost all the 24 senators are corrupt, according to Ping Lacson.

In the Department of Public Works and Highways, you have the most corrupt generation of licensed professionals that ever served in government. DPWH projects are overpriced, employ substandard materials and methods, with many flood control projects fully paid for but are undone, with some built in the wrong places.

In the private construction business, you have the most corrupt, venal and rapacious class of contractors Filipinos have come to know, with lifestyles and tastes that show they are callous, insensitive as nails and dumb as a slow loris.

Only hours after his oathtaking Oct. 9, 2025, Ombudsman Remulla told journalists that his investigators are already looking at around 100 to 200 people involved in the P1-trillion flood project scam. The 67 cong-tractors will be easier to pin down, he indicated.

‘Of the 67, there are about 12 to 15 low-hanging fruits ready for plucking,’ Remulla said at his first press briefing over the weekend at the ombudsman’s suburban Quezon City headquarters. ‘We may have to build up the cases far more,’ he admitted about the others.

‘The cases are there,’ he said, ‘but how do we prove it? That’s our job, to prove charges that stand in court.’

As justice secretary, Remulla had a hand in initiating investigations and case buildup against the suspects in preparation for their filing before the ombudsman. Now that he is the ombudsman, the cases in effect have reached stage two. Ready for prosecution are cases involving ghost or substandard flood control projects in Bulacan involving 20 DPWH personnel and five private contractors. These cases were developed by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon as part of his in-house cleaning.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, the ombudsman is supposed to issue an order making more liberal the rules for making public the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of government personnel. Filed annually by the president down to the lowliest of public servants, SALNs are prima facie evidence of unexplained wealth against the corrupt. That is why the previous ombudsman, the unlamented Duterte diehard Samuel Martires, made SALNs the most top secret of all public documents.

Under the Constitution, the independent OMB is the ‘protector of the people.’ It shall ‘investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient.’

Relates former Chief Justice Art Panganiban in his Inquirer column yesterday: ‘Remulla vowed to be independent, transparent and accountable. Equally important, he said that his first order of business would be case buildup and the securing of evidence to forestall any ‘delaying tactics’ that hampered cases in the past. Moreover, he vowed, ‘There are no sacred cows here. So, whoever is involved, even a senator, we’ll make sure to finish the job.

‘I believe that if Remulla, his deputies and assistants would be transparent, open and accountable in their investigations, hearings and gathering of sufficient verifiable evidence, and to speed up the trials in the Sandiganbayan, he could be the hero that our people need and want. He could be the white knight who would rescue us from plunderers and scammers.

‘By doing his job well and using his enormous powers and resources adeptly, he could skillfully render irrelevant the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, because his investigators could easily perform the ICI’s duties and functions. In this way, one more layer of the bureaucracy would be eliminated and the controversies hounding the commission and its members would cease.’

In adherence to Malacananang’s directive, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of an additional P5 billion to fund the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program, targeting to benefit another 411,188 needy Filipinos from October until this year ends.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the allocation aims to address the budget deficiency under the Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances component of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The approved allotment and corresponding Notice of Cash Allocation are chargeable against the Fiscal Year 2025 General Appropriations Act.

‘This latest fund release underscores the importance of unprogrammed appropriations as fiscal buffers that enable the government to respond swiftly to social and humanitarian emergencies,’ Pangandaman said.

She emphasized that unprogrammed funds matter most for rapid disaster response, serving as the government’s financial lifeline in times of devastating calamities.

‘Unprogrammed appropriations are not discretionary or secret funds, but standby allocations duly authorized and approved by Congress. These funds can only be accessed when there are excess or windfall revenues, new revenue measures, or valid loan agreements for foreign-assisted projects,’ the DBM chief explained.

Pangandaman is scheduled to appear before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Tuesday, October 14, to provide expert insights into the National Expenditure Program and General Appropriations Act processes.

The ICI invited her to elucidate on how unprogrammed funds are released, and to clarify the nature of requests and proposals submitted to the DBM by the Department of Public Works and Highways for inclusion in the NEP.

‘UAs usually serve as fiscal buffers, enabling the government to respond to unforeseen needs or urgent national priorities without breaching the fiscal program approved by Congress,’ Pangandaman reiterated.

She added that in normal circumstances, unprogrammed funds support key programs such as assistance to rice farmers, social protection initiatives like DSWD’s AICS and Food Stamp Program, higher education subsidies, health infrastructure, personnel benefits, renewable energy, and national defense modernization.

‘But unprogrammed funds matter most in times of catastrophes when tapping UAs become the gov’t financial lifeline for quick relief and recovery response,’ she said.

Pangandaman cited the government’s rapid mobilization of unprogrammed appropriations during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in 2024, when these funds supported crucial projects in agriculture, social protection, education, health, and infrastructure – all authorized under the GAA.

In today’s ICI session, the DBM chief is also expected to clarify the national budget processes – covering preparation, legislation, execution, and accountability – which, she noted, provide no room for DBM to participate in the so-called ‘budget insertion’.

‘The DBM does not have the authority to introduce insertions into the national budget. Referred to as Congress-Introduced Changes and Adjustments (CICAs), such insertions occur not during NEP preparation, but during the Bicameral Conference Committee deliberations between the two Houses of Congress,’ she explained.

She reiterated that under the Constitution, Congress retains the ‘power of the purse.’

‘Once the President submits the proposed NEP to Congress, the Executive’s role – through the DBM – is limited to explaining, clarifying, and defending the proposed allocations. The authority to introduce, realign, or amend items rests solely with the legislative branch,’ Pangandaman emphasized.

The deadliest natural calamity is a powerful earthquake. Worse, in some instances, tsunami is also unleashed after a major ground tremor. Earthquakes and tsunamis have taken the lives of thousands of victims in our recorded history due to collapsed structures, landslides, simultaneous fires and mass hysteria.

In the Philippines, we have witnessed the devastation and havoc of the magnitude 7.7 Nueva Ecija killer quake in 1990 when several buildings were heavily damaged, including the Hyatt Hotel in Baguio City. More than 2,000 lives were instantly lost in that catastrophe. Similar traumatic incidents were experienced during the Bohol earthquake in 2013 and the Luzon earthquake of August 1968 which triggered the destruction of the Ruby Tower in Manila that killed 268 of its residents.

The biggest fear that haunt many residents of Metro Manila these days is the dreaded ‘Big One’ because of the tremors that recently happened one after the other in Cebu and Western Visayas, Surigao, La Union and Davao region. This ‘Big One’ refers to the possible movement of the Valley Fault System that runs from Bulacan, the National Capital Region (NCR) to Laguna. The said fault system last moved in 1650 and, according to scientists, it moves every 400-600 years. Hence, we are nearing the lower margin of its movement cycle, though these are just estimates.

According to the comprehensive study done in 2004 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the number of casualties is alarming. Possibly at least 30,000 can perish while more than 160,000 can be seriously injured with a magnitude 7.2 earthquake. Fires will happen and bridges will be destroyed and isolate communities. Millions of houses will be affected, and social unrest will follow. If this happens, the tremor will be felt not only in Metro Manila but also in the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

Level up the preparations for strong earthquakes. To minimize the number of casualties and the damage that earthquakes can cause, we must significantly improve our preparations. First of all, the best are engineering solutions. Drills such as the ‘duck, cover and hold’ are crucial, but they are not enough. And these drills are mere reactions that are being harnessed as muscle memory during and after destructive tremors which usually are magnitude 6.5 or higher.

Our buildings, homes, infrastructure such as bridges must be able to withstand at least a magnitude 8.2 earthquake. This is only possible with the right architectural and engineering designs that must be compliant with the National Building Code of the Philippines. Meaning, qualified professionals must do the job of ensuring that designs strictly follow the required parameters that will safeguard the welfare of residents and travelers. Coupled with these designs is the quality of construction materials such as the steel reinforcements, cement and gravel used. There’s no room for sub-standard materials because of safety issues.

People are vulnerable to the killer weight of debris that would fall on them during the strong shaking that can destroy their roofs and walls. It’s not the movement that kills but the solid materials that are detached mainly because of poor design and inferior quality. Most susceptible are the houses of the informal settlers, which could number in the millions.

We must strictly enforce scientifically determined zonal plans. We have enough data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Phivolcs, the Department of Science and Technology which can guide us to safety in determining where to build communities. ‘No build zones’ means not to allow houses and other establishments to be constructed on them because of possible landslide, liquefaction and tsunamis. The warning must be taken literally. ‘No build zones’ do not mean otherwise. However, in our country, expediency overrules safety.

The logic here is clear: even if you have the proper design and quality of construction materials, your homes or buildings can still collapse if they are built in hazardous areas. And no amount of drills can save you from a structure that can collapse in a few seconds. Usually, killer quakes last less than a minute. Very seldom do strong tremors last for more than 60 seconds, though this happened in some areas such as in Chile during the magnitude 9.5 killer quake of 1960 where it lasted for more than 10 minutes.

The local government units must not compromise their obligation to fully inspect the construction of homes and buildings in their jurisdictions. They must approve only those construction applications that are going to be safe for their constituents. During construction also, the LGUs must have the capacity to efficiently inspect the compliance of actual works that must be based on the approved plans. And the ‘no build zones’ must be fully respected.

I’ve written several times already about this. I shall always still do so as long as it’s needed because people must be constantly reminded. Same with our officials, both in the national and local governments, they must be pushed to be vigilant with their sworn duty.

The Department of Education is working closely with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) after back-to-back earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental showed the need for data-driven decisions on suspending face-to-face classes.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move to partner with state seismologists seeks to balance student safety with the goal of maintaining learning continuity during disasters, while making sure decisions are not driven by mere “fear.”

DepEd, according to its statement Tuesday, October 14, is coordinating with Phivolcs to make class suspension decisions more grounded in “scientific data, localized risk assessments, and safety standards.”

‘Sa usapin ng kalamidad, bukod sa maagap, dapat eksakto rin ang kilos. Kaya mahalaga ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa PHIVOLCS para ang bawat desisyon. ay nakabatay sa siyensya at hindi sa pangamba,’ Angara said in a DepEd statement.

(In the case of disasters, besides being prompt, action must also be precise. That is why it is important to coordinate with PHIVOLCS so that every decision. is based on science and not on fear.)

DepEd said it is working with Phivolcs, led by Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., to identify and strengthen schools located near fault lines. These facilities, Angara said, should be ‘over-engineered’ to better withstand strong earthquakes.

There are also discussions now of setting up a “DepEd Command Center” that would serve as a monitoring hub for early warnings and disaster response.

Training programs are also being developed for regional and field offices to assess school building integrity and manage on-the-ground response actions, DepEd said.

Personnel at DepEd can be “trained to use checklist-based procedures that trigger automatic alerts once certain safety conditions are met-ensuring faster and more coordinated responses during emergencies,” the department said.

Both DepEd and Phivolcs are also looking to coordinate on “science-based advisories and information materials” to prevent the spread of misinformation during crises.

A magnitude 6.9 quake in Cebu on September 30 and a 7.4-magnitude quake off Davao Oriental on October 10 have prompted renewed attention on the structural integrity of school buildings, among other public works.

DepEd – National Capital Region suspended in-person classes today and yesterday due to a rise in the number of students with influenza-like symptoms and to conduct structural integrity checks on buildings.

According to an October 13 report from the DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, 1,140 schools across eight regions were damaged by the recent earthquakes, affecting 7,575 classrooms.

Of these, 1,297 classrooms were completely destroyed, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage, with repair and reconstruction costs estimated at P4 billion.

The Davao Region was the worst hit, recording 764 damaged schools and more than 5,300 classrooms destroyed.

Affected schools have been instructed to shift to modular distance learning while DepEd works with local governments to put up temporary learning spaces.

DepEd earlier announced that structural engineers from Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office have been “on the ground” since October 11 to conduct building integrity tests.

The Palace asked the public to remain calm as calls for accountability continue to mount.

A recent survey from OCTA Research showed that a majority of Filipinos are enraged by the flood control corruption scandal, with many wanting jail time for offenders.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro appealed to the public to understand that there is a process.

‘Kalma lang muli. Hindi po kasi ito nadadaan sa agad-agaran,’ Castro said. (Remain calm. This cannot be solved right away.)

Castro, a lawyer herself, said that it was important to file strong cases.

Otherwise, she said, many cases could be filed but easily dismissed for being half-baked and lacking evidence.

‘Ang commitment po ng pangulo ay panagutin ang dapat na managot. Ito na po siguro ang pinakamabilis na pagsisiwalat ng mga diumanong anomalya sa flood control projects. So, hayaan lang po natin magtuluy-tuloy ang proseso at ang Pangulo po ay hindi po magsasawalang-bahala sa mga nadidinig niya na mga sentimyento ng ating mga kababayan,’ Castro said.

(The president’s commitment is to hold those responsible accountable. This may be the fastest revelation of alleged anomalies in flood control projects. So let us continue the process and the president is not disregarding anyone and he hears the sentiment of our citizens.)

Castro urged the public to allow the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to continue its investigation into the flood control corruption scandal.

The ICI hopes to file cases with the Ombudsman within four weeks. It is currently validating more than 400 suspected ghost flood control projects flagged by the Department of Public Works and Highways and other government agencies.

From these cases, the ICI is aiming to file 15 to 20 cases.

The Quezon Huskers rode on LJ Gonzales’ triple-double and Gab Banal’s clutch hits to subdue the Mindoro Tamaraws, 83-74, on Monday and rev up their South Division title-retention bid in Manny Pacquiao Presents MPBL 2025 Season at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

Gonzales posted 14 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists on top of two blocks to power the Huskers in the opener of their best-of-three quarterfinal series.

Banal wound up with 19 points, including a triple that derailed the Tamaraws’ rally, five assists and three steals, and put the Huskers within a win of advancing to the semifinal round of the tournament.

The Huskers, who repeated their 88-72 victory over the Tamaraws in the elimination round, also drew 15 points and five rebounds from Judel Fuentes, and nine points plus two rebounds from Will Gozum.

Mindoro, the eighth and last playoff qualifier in the South, got 14 points from Bam Gamalinda; 13 points and five rebounds from Joseph Sedurifa; 12 points plus four rebounds from Axel Inigo; and nine points from Ino Comboy, who converted only 3-of-12 field goal attempts.

The Gensan Warriors broke free late in the third quarter, then fended off the Basilan Starhorse Portmasters’ final assaults to prevail, 85-78, in their quarterfinal tussle earlier.

Gensan bunched nine points, the last four by Larry Rodriguez for a 64-52 lead, from which Basilan couldn’t recover.

Jackson Corpuz, formerly of the Philippine Christian University Dolphins, finished with 14 points, seven in the fourth quarter, plus eight rebounds; Kyle Tolentino with 17 points, six assists and three rebounds; and Larry Rodriguez 10 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Warriors.

Val Acuna and Eloie Tan also delivered for Gensan with 11 and nine points, respectively.

Basilan went down fighting, with Gab Dagangon pouring in 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter; followed by Adi Santos with 15 points, nine rebounds and three steals; and Arwind Santos with 15 points plus seven rebounds.

With Marwin Dionisio snagging nine rebounds, the Warriors ruled underneath, 50-42, but made fewer points than the Portmasters, 24-30, in the paint.

The MPBL playoffs continue on Wednesday at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City, with North Division games featuring Pasay against San Juan at 4 p.m., and Nueva Ecija against Pangasinan at 6 p.m.

A bill that seeks to provide free funeral services to poor families who cannot afford a proper burial for their deceased has lapsed into law.

The indigent funeral package under Republic Act 12309 or the ‘Free Funeral Services Act’ includes the preparation of funeral documents, embalming, interment or burial services, transport, cremation and inurnment services.

The measure lapsed into law on Sept. 28.

RA 12309 defines poor families as those whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the Department of Economic Planning and Development.

The poor households are also those who cannot sustain or provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing or other essentials amenities of life as defined under RA 8425 or the Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act.

Free funeral services will be provided to families who are in crisis situations as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, including but not limited to indigent families or those affected by calamities, disasters or other emergency circumstances.

Free funeral services will be provided to poor families per death of a family member by accredited funeral establishments anywhere in the country, provided these establishments will have uniform indigent funeral package.

Families availing themselves of the funeral package need to present the following documents: valid identification card of the claimant or beneficiary; death certificate issued by the hospital or city/municipal health office or certification from the tribal chieftain and a funeral contract signed by the representative of the deceased’s family, the funeral establishment and an authorized DSWD personnel.

A social case study must also be prepared by any registered social worker.

The DSWD will be the lead agency in the implementation of the law.

Violators of RA 12309 will be penalized with a fine not exceeding P200,000 and a suspension of license to operate for a period not exceeding six months.

The Department of Education is working closely with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) after back-to-back earthquakes in Cebu and Davao Oriental showed the need for data-driven decisions on suspending face-to-face classes.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move to partner with state seismologists seeks to balance student safety with the goal of maintaining learning continuity during disasters, while making sure decisions are not driven by mere “fear.”

DepEd, according to its statement Tuesday, October 14, is coordinating with Phivolcs to make class suspension decisions more grounded in “scientific data, localized risk assessments, and safety standards.”

‘Sa usapin ng kalamidad, bukod sa maagap, dapat eksakto rin ang kilos. Kaya mahalaga ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa PHIVOLCS para ang bawat desisyon. ay nakabatay sa siyensya at hindi sa pangamba,’ Angara said in a DepEd statement.

(In the case of disasters, besides being prompt, action must also be precise. That is why it is important to coordinate with PHIVOLCS so that every decision. is based on science and not on fear.)

DepEd said it is working with Phivolcs, led by Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., to identify and strengthen schools located near fault lines. These facilities, Angara said, should be ‘over-engineered’ to better withstand strong earthquakes.

There are also discussions now of setting up a “DepEd Command Center” that would serve as a monitoring hub for early warnings and disaster response.

Training programs are also being developed for regional and field offices to assess school building integrity and manage on-the-ground response actions, DepEd said.

Personnel at DepEd can be “trained to use checklist-based procedures that trigger automatic alerts once certain safety conditions are met-ensuring faster and more coordinated responses during emergencies,” the department said.

Both DepEd and Phivolcs are also looking to coordinate on “science-based advisories and information materials” to prevent the spread of misinformation during crises.

A magnitude 6.9 quake in Cebu on September 30 and a 7.4-magnitude quake off Davao Oriental on October 10 have prompted renewed attention on the structural integrity of school buildings, among other public works.

DepEd – National Capital Region suspended in-person classes today and yesterday due to a rise in the number of students with influenza-like symptoms and to conduct structural integrity checks on buildings.

According to an October 13 report from the DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, 1,140 schools across eight regions were damaged by the recent earthquakes, affecting 7,575 classrooms.

Of these, 1,297 classrooms were completely destroyed, 1,004 sustained major damage, and 5,274 suffered minor damage, with repair and reconstruction costs estimated at P4 billion.

The Davao Region was the worst hit, recording 764 damaged schools and more than 5,300 classrooms destroyed.

Affected schools have been instructed to shift to modular distance learning while DepEd works with local governments to put up temporary learning spaces.

DepEd earlier announced that structural engineers from Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office have been “on the ground” since October 11 to conduct building integrity tests.