Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) on Tuesday urged residents along the shores of Laguna de Bay to remain vigilant as the lake’s water level continued to rise above its critical high-water mark amid persistent rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon and a low-pressure area (LPA).

‘Due to persistent torrential rains brought by the southwest monsoon and a Low Pressure Area, the water level of Laguna de Bay has exceeded its critical high mark of 12.50 meters, reaching 12.67 meters,’ the LLDA said in an advisory issued at 10:15 a.m.

The agency said the recorded 12.67-meter water level was at 10 a.m. The LLDA considers 10.50 meters as the lake’s critical low-water level and 12.50 meters as its critical high-water level.

According to the LLDA, Laguna de Bay reached the critical high-water level of 12.50 meters last week before rising further to 12.58 meters on Saturday, August 29.

‘Residents living along the shores of Laguna de Bay are strongly advised to remain vigilant and closely monitor official public announcements,’ the agency said.

The LLDA also urged lakeshore residents to prepare for possible flooding and strictly follow local evacuation protocols if heavy rainfall persists.

The agency noted that Laguna de Bay serves as a natural catch basin for water from watersheds in Laguna and Rizal provinces, as well as parts of Metro Manila. Rising lake levels therefore increase the risk of flooding in low-lying communities along its shores.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said heavy rainfall was expected in parts of Luzon from Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon due to the southwest monsoon, which in turn was being enhanced by Tropical Storm Pilandok.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau monitored three other weather disturbances outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The LLDA urged local governments and residents in vulnerable areas to remain prepared and closely monitor weather developments.

Authorities were also advised to keep drainage systems and tributary rivers leading to the lake free of obstruction to help minimize flood risks.

Located between Laguna province to the south and Rizal province to the north, Laguna de Bay is the Philippines’ largest lake and one of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lakes by surface area, covering approximately 911 to 949 square kilometers.

Local stocks snapped a four-day losing streak on Tuesday as investors hunted for bargains, while stronger manufacturing data eased concerns about the domestic economy.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) jumped 2.31 percent, or 137.56 points, to close at 6,093.89, recovering above the 6,000 level after last week’s selloff.

Philstocks Financial Inc. said investors bought battered shares after four straight sessions of declines.

Sentiment also improved after the SandP Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 54.9 in August from 51.8 in July.

The higher reading signaled a stronger expansion in the country’s manufacturing sector, helping temper worries over the economy, according to Philstocks.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Development Corp., said the local index closed higher following strong buying pressure after last week’s selling.

‘Market participants took advantage of attractive valuations, particularly among blue-chip stocks, supporting the broad-based recovery,’ Limlingan said.

Strong trading

Trading activity was strong, with net value turnover reaching P8.24 billion.

Foreign investors, however, remained on the selling side. Net foreign outflows stood at P92.52 million.

Sectoral indices ended mixed. Services led the market’s advance, surging 5.45 percent, while mining and oil posted the steepest decline at 1.20 percent.

Among index members, DigiPlus Interactive Corp. was the session’s top performer, jumping 7.91 percent to P10.78.

Meanwhile, JG Summit Holdings Inc. was the biggest index laggard. Its shares fell 5.88 percent to P20 each.

Analysts noted that the rebound occurred after concerns about the domestic economic outlook and persistent foreign selling pressured the PSEi in recent sessions.

Tuesday’s recovery brought the benchmark back above the psychologically important 6,000 mark, with investors finding some relief from the latest manufacturing data despite continued foreign outflows.

A record-setting 25th Grand Slam title looks even further from Novak Djokovic’s grasp after the Serb great’s brutal first-round exit from the US Open.

The 39-year-old was reduced to tears by an Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd trying to will him to victory on Sunday night, but his physical distress left him powerless against determined Argentinian Mariano Navone, who triumphed 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Djokovic, knocked out in the first round of a major for the first time in 20 years, said the vomiting, cramping and back pain that hindered him throughout were symptoms that had plagued him for much of the year – and so far he’s found no solution.

‘I’m trying, man, I’m trying,’ he said in comments made available to media. ‘I’m just trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.’

It has been three years since Djokovic secured his 24th Grand Slam triumph at the 2023 US Open.

Since then he’s had 12 chances to break the record he shares with Australian Margaret Court, reaching two finals and half a dozen other semifinals.

He’d been tantalizingly close this year, beating Jannik Sinner on the way to the Australian Open final, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.

He reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, but Djokovic said he’s battled his body throughout 2026.

‘It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year,’ he said. ‘You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there.

‘Then my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out, you know?’

Djokovic said at Wimbledon he wanted to play the grass court classic ‘at least one more time.’

He turned back the clock there with an epic win over third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest Wimbledon quarterfinal ever before falling to Sinner in straight sets.

But Djokovic has shown little of his vintage brilliance in his abbreviated US hardcourt season.

He was sick and slow in an opening loss in Cincinnati, saying the early exit had given him more time to ‘get my body and mind into the right state’ for Flushing Meadows.

In his diminished physical state he still managed to rally from a set down to seize a two-set-to-one lead against 49th-ranked Navone before it all became too much.

Navone, 25, was aware of the magnitude of the moment.

‘I don’t know what can I say more because Novak is the GOAT in this sport. I beat him in US Open, Arthur Ashe, night session.

‘I got up many times so early to see Novak in Australia, to see Novak in French Open, to see Novak in US open and going late before school … it means a lot.’

The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) flagged the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) deteriorating spending efficiency, saying further increases in its budget warrant serious reconsideration as unused appropriations reached nearly three times its proposed funding increase for 2027.

In its latest Agency Budget Notes, the CPBRD said the DPWH left P303.6 billion in unused appropriations in 2025, nearly three times the P113-billion increase proposed for its 2027 budget.

The DPWH’s proposed expenditure program for 2027 stands at P643.9 billion, up 21.3 percent from P530.9 billion in 2026.

‘The agency’s disbursement rates have steadily declined in FY (fiscal year) 2023 (60.5%), FY 2024 (53.3%), and FY 2025 (35.6%). This deterioration has correspondingly increased unused appropriations: P93.9 billion in 2023, P167.3 billion in 2024, and P303.6 billion in 2025,’ the CPBRD said.

This means the DPWH managed to disburse only about P0.35 for every P1 appropriated to it in 2025, compared with roughly P0.61 two years earlier.

‘This marked decline in spending efficiency, compounded by systemic corruption within the Department, warrants serious reconsideration of whether budget increases for the DPWH are justified,’ the CPBRD said.

‘Rather than additional allocations, improvements in spending efficiency could themselves generate the financial resources implied in the agency’s budget proposal,’ it added.

Already, all eyes are still on the DPWH budget as it grapples with the lingering fallout from the flood control corruption scandal, which has since markedly slowed disbursements and dragged economic growth to just 2.6 percent from January to June.

As it is, infrastructure spending remained in a major slump in the first half of 2026, falling 40.8 percent to P367.4 billion during the period amid tighter oversight of DPWH projects.

The CPBRD likewise flagged the Flood Management Program (FMP), which posted the highest disbursement rate among the DPWH’s major programs but remains the agency’s most controversial.

‘Revelations regarding the corruption and misappropriation of these funds place the disbursement rate in a different light,’ CPBRD said.

‘Had the President not exposed the corruption in flood-control projects, one can argue that the disbursement rates for the FMP could be even higher-but with an even greater loss of funds to fraudulent activities,’ it added.

Flood control funds were allotted P107.4 billion for next year, the lowest allocation for the program since 2019.

Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon has since defended the allocation despite the flood control scandal that has hounded the DPWH.

Stan Wawrinka’s Grand Slam career ended Monday when the 2016 U.S. Open champion lost 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-0 to Matteo Berrettini.

Wawrinka won the last of his three major titles in Flushing Meadows when he beat Novak Djokovic in the final 10 years ago. At 41, he was given a wild card into the event in what he has said will be his final season before retiring.

‘I’m going to miss it for sure. I’m going to miss it big time. I love the game,’ Wawrinka said before he was honored on the court by U.S. Tennis Association officials.

The match appeared remarkably similar to the meeting between the same players at Wimbledon, when Berrettini won a four-setter, with each going to a tiebreaker.

But after Wawrinka had his serve broken to start the third set – despite winning a key point when video review was used – Berrettini quickly pulled away.

Wawrinka made his 18th U.S. Open appearance. He initially thought he wouldn’t get a goodbye to the tournament when the USTA gave its final men’s singles wild card to American Patrick Kypson, who is ranked No. 115.

Wawrinka had already come to New York, so decided to return home last Monday to Switzerland. When Kypson withdrew with an injury, Wawrinka learned Wednesday the wild card would be given to him, so he returned to New York, a city he said he learned to love.

‘I found a way to play my best tennis here,’ he said.

Wawrinka was ranked as high as No. 3 and also won titles at the Australian Open and French Open.

The video review was called for to see whether Wawrinka made contact twice on a volley. Following a lengthy review and protest from Berrettini, who was booed even after he and Wawrinka stood arm and arm and shared a laugh, the shot was confirmed as legal.

Berrettini had the fans cheering him again after the match ended, when he clapped his hand onto his racket and pointed it toward Wawrinka.

‘Delighted to share the court against this legend of our sport once again,’ Berrettini said.

A tornado tore off the roof of a house in Barangay Pudoc Norte here shortly after midnight Tuesday as tornadoes or tornado-like winds were reported in several other parts of the province over the past two days.

The tornado struck at about 12:10 a.m., according to initial reports. No injuries were immediately reported.

The latest incident followed tornadoes that swept through parts of Ilocos Sur on Monday afternoon, sending roofing materials and other debris flying.

In nearby Caoayan town, residents also reported another ‘ipo-ipo’ or twister, prompting warnings for residents to remain alert.

In Bantay town, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) conducted inspections and clearing operations in areas affected by a reported tornado.

Bantay Vice Mayor Samuel G.F Parilla II said the response team assessed the affected areas, removed debris and other obstructions, and monitored conditions to ensure residents’ safety and keep roads and public areas accessible.

On Monday, strong winds swept through the municipality of Cabugao at around 5 p.m., with videos shared by residents showing roofing materials and other debris being lifted by the winds.

A similar weather event was reported in Barangay Zapat, Sinait, while strong winds damaged five beach cottages in Barangay Sulvec, Narvaca.

A video posted by the Barangay Sulvec government showed barangay officials and police officers helping clear the damaged cottages.

Authorities were continuing to assess the extent of damage in the affected communities.

No fatalities or injuries were reported from the tornado incidents, according to the latest available reports

Creamline made quick work of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, 25-18, 25-16, 25-6, to stay unbeaten in the PVL Invitational Conference on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 11-time champion club, boosted by international player Jaja Santiago-Minowa, remained formidable for a 2-0 record in the week-long tournament.

The Cool Smashers unleashed a 10-0 start in the third and led as many as 17 points after Alyssa Valdez’s kill block, 18-1, en route to a 19-point domination that only lasted for 12 minutes.

Minowa led the collective effort with 12 points off nine attacks and three blocks. Jema Galanza had 12 points, 10 digs, and six excellent receptions, while Tots Carlos added 12.

Team captain Alyssa Valdez added nine points and had 10 digs, as Creamline leads the six-team field, as Nxled, PLDT, Farm Fresh, and Thailand’s EST Cola all tied at 1-1.

‘We’re really happy, especially with how we played in the third set,’ said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino.

‘Yesterday, our third set wasn’t very smooth, so we made sure to improve today. It was a lesson for us to play better in the third set. Everyone really helped each other to get the win.’

Creamline takes on Farm Fresh on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

The Cool Smashers dominated the Vietnamese in attacking, 49-19, and blocking, 11-4.

Ho Chi Minh remained winless in two games, taking on PLDT next, also on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Dang Thi Kim Thanh had eight points, while Le Thi My Xuyen added six.

A speeding van that allegedly lost its brakes caused the deaths of six people and wounded several others in a shocking road accident in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur at around 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

A police report said the crash at the national highway in Barangay Paglaum (not Poblacion as reported earlier) occurred when a speeding silver metallic passenger van lost its brakes, hit a motorcycle and rammed into a parked wing van.

The van was bound for Pagadian City from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The impact pushed the wing van forward, causing it to collide with a moving Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle with sidecar, whose driver sustained minor injuries.

Responders found the van’s front portion severely damaged, with its driver trapped in the wreckage.

Five victims – three men and two women – died on the spot due to severe injuries.

Dr. Patrick Kean Toledo, of the Dumalinao Rural Health Unit, confirmed the deaths of the five passengers and the van driver, who died in the hospital.

The other injured individuals, including passengers and motorcycle riders, were rushed to hospitals in Pagadian City for immediate medical treatment.

The total number of injured was still unknown as of posting time.

Authorities said all vehicles involved were secured as investigation continues to determine liability.

Digital lender JuanHand allows consumers take out additional loans within their credit limit without first settling their existing debt, boosting lending options as bank credit growth slows.

Loans extended by big Philippine banks grew 9.8 percent year-on-year in June, the slowest pace in four months, as borrowers become more cautious about taking on debt, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Bank lending growth fell to 12.1 percent in May, while outstanding loans reached ?17.33 trillion at the end of June.

Against this backdrop, JuanHand introduces a top-up loan that lets eligible borrowers apply for additional funds while they still have an existing loan.

The additional borrowing must remain within the borrower’s available credit limit and meet JuanHand’s eligibility requirements.

WeFund Lending Corp., which operates JuanHand, uses an artificial intelligence-powered underwriting tool to assess borrowers. The system can approve applications in as little as five minutes, the lender says.

Borrowers can take out loans of up to ?50,000, with daily interest rates starting at 0.025 percent, depending on the loan terms and the borrower’s eligibility.

‘As financial services become increasingly digital, our responsibility goes beyond providing access to credit. We also have a role in helping Filipinos become more informed, vigilant, and confident when navigating the digital financial ecosystem,’ WeFund president and CEO Francisco Roberto Mauricio said.

FinVolution Group, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, owns JuanHand’s Philippine operations. It has disbursed more than P116 billion in loans to over 20 million Filipinos.

The rollout comes as Filipinos increasingly use digital lenders, e-wallets and digital banks to access financial services outside traditional banking channels.

However, allowing borrowers to take out additional funds while an existing loan remains unpaid could also increase their debt burden. Borrowers remain subject to the interest rates, fees, and repayment terms of each loan.

JuanHand requires applicants to provide a registered mobile number and one valid identification card before its automated system evaluates their profile.

Philippine factory activity expanded to a near-decade high in August as easing inflationary pressures boosted new orders and renewed business confidence.

SandP Global said Tuesday the country’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 54.9 in August from 51.8 in July, marking its highest growth since December 2016.

‘The Filipino manufacturing sector continued to build momentum in August, moving on from the flat performance seen in the previous quarter, when activity was affected by the conflict in the Middle East,’ Maryum Baluch, SandP Global Market Intelligence economist, said.

‘Encouragingly, production rose at its fastest pace since 2016, helped by stronger demand conditions. Firms responded by increasing both purchasing and hiring to keep up with greater production needs. At the same time, cost pressures eased, and confidence about the year ahead improved to a 21-month high,’ she added.