Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) has placed its firefighting equipment on standby as it anticipates a possible increase in grass fires amid the extreme heat associated with super El Niño, according to the Provincial Information Office Mimaropa- Palawan on Friday, Oct. 2.

CDRRMO chief Earl Timbancaya said the city currently records an average of three grass-fire incidents daily, but the number could increase as temperatures rise and vegetation dries out.

Timbancaya warned that dried leaves and grass that had been cleared and burned could pose a fire hazard during periods of excessive heat. Even debris left by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021 could still fuel grass fires, he said.

High temperatures and dry grass could trigger fires in grasslands, potentially threatening forested areas and other communities across the city, Timbancaya added.

The CDRRMO said its firefighting equipment, including a lorry truck equipped for firefighting, is ready for deployment.

To strengthen disaster response in far-flung communities, the CDRRMO has also established forward operating centers at mini city halls maintained by the Puerto Princesa city government.

Timbancaya said the centers would bring disaster-response services closer to residents and help address community needs as the city prepares for the possible effects of Super El Niño on health, agriculture and other livelihood activities.

The CDRRMO urged residents to exercise caution in handling dried vegetation and other combustible materials, particularly during periods of extreme heat.

Starting today, Oct. 2, subscribers can pre-order the iPhone 18 Pro with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1499 starting at P3,713 per month, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at P4,050 per month, with zero-interest credit card installment for up to 24 months with select banks.

Under this plan, subscribers can enjoy the freedom of having an open-line device, along with their preferred Unli App bundle, UNLI 5G for 12 months, Open Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

Smart Postpaid subscribers renewing their plan can also enjoy more flexible payment options for up to 36 months conveniently charged to their Postpaid bill. Customers who successfully pre-order the iPhone 18 Series can enjoy exclusive Smart Postpaid offers, including 18GB of FREE Open Access Data valid for three months, FREE P5,000 discount voucher for select Smart Accessories, and 18% off select third-party Digimap accessories.

Customers who successfully pre-order via the Smart Online Store will also receive a complimentary AirTag.

Smart Postpaid customers can pre-order at Smart Stores nationwide and online via https://smart.com.ph/iphone18-preorder.

For customers looking for a more premium experience, Smart Infinity offers the latest iPhone starting from Infinity Plan 5000, now enhanced with the Infinity Roam+ Plans for a more seamless connectivity experience while travelling abroad. Members can also explore the Infinity Plus Plan 9500, a multi-line plan with one Primary Line and two Supplementary Lines, extending the Infinity experience to the people who matter most.

Smart Infinity members who pre-order the iPhone 18 Series can get a FREE P5,000 discount voucher for select Smart Accessories, plus a complimentary PowerMac e-voucher.

Smart will also offer the new Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 starting Oct. 9, giving subscribers more ways to stay connected.

Smart subscribers can get the Apple Watch Series 12 for P1,521 per month at zero-interest installment as a Device Add-On, or for a one-time cashout of P28,900 with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 999. Smart also offers the Apple Watch Ultra 4 for P2,467 per month at zero-interest installment as a Device Add-On, or for a one-time cashout.

Monster Hunter Outlanders will launch globally on October 29, 2026, (excluding mainland China), bringing Capcom’s iconic monster-hunting franchise to mobile devices. The game is positioned as a more accessible entry point for both longtime fans and newcomers.

While Monster Hunter Outlanders marks a significant shift for a franchise traditionally associated with PC and console gaming, both TiMi Studio Group and Capcom stressed that preserving the essence of Monster Hunter remained one of the project’s biggest priorities.

Bringing the Monster Hunter experience to mobile

According to Capcom producer Ichiro Kiyokawa, the team was particularly focused on retaining the sense of decision-making that defines encounters throughout the series.

‘You need to observe the behavior of monsters and you need to judge whether to dodge or whether to attack. So by observing and making different judgments, depending on the behavior of monsters, you need to make different actions and you can also choose different weapon types as well.’ said Kiyokawa, in an interview with Tech INQ during Tokyo Game Show 2026, as Monster Hunter Outlanders gave fans a chance to play a demo of the upcoming game.

That philosophy sits at the heart of Monster Hunter Outlanders, even as the game introduces systems specifically designed for mobile players.

Rather than creating a direct adaptation of existing entries, the developers sought to build a title that could stand alongside the broader franchise while offering its own identity.

For the team at TiMi Studio Group, one of the biggest challenges was finding a way to deliver the series’ signature action gameplay on smartphones without overwhelming players unfamiliar with Monster Hunter.

‘To realize the gameplay of Monster Hunter IP in this brand new mobile game, especially the action experience, the biggest challenge we have faced is how we can simplify the whole mechanics and controls inside a mobile phone.’ said Dong Huang, producer at Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group.

The challenge extended beyond controls. Ensuring stable performance across a broad range of mobile devices required extensive optimization work throughout development.

‘It’s a mobile game, so smartphones’ performance and functionality and compatibility, that can be a challenge. So to be compatible with a smartphone, we have made a lot of optimization in terms of functionality and performance.’ added Dong Huang.

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Lowering Monster Hunter’s barrier to entry

Accessibility emerged as a recurring theme throughout the beta tests of the game. Both TiMi Studio Group and Capcom recognized that the series had a high barrier to entry because of its complex systems and demanding hunts.

For those players, Monster Hunter Outlanders is intended to serve as a gateway into the series.

‘When new players come to play Monster Hunter Outlanders, they can [hopefully] say, ‘Finally, I can play Monster Hunter, even though I’m not really good at action games.” said Dong Huang.

Capcom noted that the game includes a dedicated Adventure Mode designed to simplify controls and help newcomers become comfortable with the experience.

Kiyokawa said the mobile title occupies a unique position within the franchise by lowering the barrier to entry while maintaining core Monster Hunter gameplay.

‘Because it’s a mobile game, it doesn’t require any dedicated computer or dedicated console. So starting to play Monster Hunter Outlanders is much easier. So the starting hurdle will be much lower.’ said Kiyokawa.

What players can expect from Monster Hunter Outlanders

Beyond adapting the franchise for mobile, the developers also highlighted content created specifically for Monster Hunter Outlanders. During the Tokyo Game Show, players were able to take on Ruger Aidal, a new Elder Dragon introduced exclusively for the game.

‘We have added new elements, new monsters, original monsters inside Monster Hunter Outlanders, and we are very confident about delivering those new elements to even more users. So, after we officially release this game, please look forward to having a battle against different monsters, including this brand new original monster, Ruger Aidal, and please enjoy these new challenges.’ added Kiyokawa.

TiMi Studio Group also confirmed support for controllers and joysticks, allowing players to use alternative control options during hunts.

Together with the new Elder Dragon Ruger Aidal, the developers said players can look forward to original content created specifically for Monster Hunter Outlanders, including a new story, new Adventurers, and new challenges distinct from previous entries in the franchise.

Monster Hunter Outlanders will launch globally on October 29, 2026, for iOS and Android devices, excluding mainland China.

Pre-registration is now available in both the App Store and Google Play Store.

The Philippine government has granted Hungary bilateral recognition of its bird flu status, ensuring safe and continuous poultry trade between the two nations.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has formalized the removal of countrywide import restrictions on domestic and wild birds and their products, as stated in Department Circular No. 52.

Hungary will permit poultry exports only from regions free of bird flu (HPAI)

All poultry shipments from Hungary must adhere to regionalization import terms, Administrative Circular No. 09 for HPAI, and current DA regulations.

Exporting countries can secure bilateral bird flu regionalization recognition to protect food security amid rising poultry demand.

‘The occurrence of HPAI from exporting countries and the imposition of a whole-country temporary ban limits the sources of day-old chicks, parent stocks and poultry meat, which in turn affects the prices,’ the circular read.

Hungary applied for bilateral recognition of its HPAI regionalization to export live poultry and meat to the Philippines.

Moreover, local authorities then requested several documents to evaluate Hungary’s public health control measures for avian influenza.

‘The review and evaluation of the application for bilateral recognition of regionalization for HPAI, completed by the Bureau of Animal Industry, concluded that Hungary maintains sufficient veterinary oversight and has established necessary control and mitigating measures against HPAI,’ the circular read.

This lowers the risk of importing domestic and wild birds and their products from recognition zones. Hungary exported 5,000 kilograms of meat to the archipelago from January to August, based on the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) data.

As the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts a ‘very strong’ El Niño that could persist until the first quarter of 2027, Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV), the Non-East Zone subsidiary of Manila Water Company, is intensifying its preparedness measures across its service areas nationwide to help ensure a reliable water supply amid projected prolonged dry weather.

According to Pagasa, up to 85 provinces across the country may experience dry conditions, dry spells, and drought from late October 2026 to March 2027 as the El Niño phenomenon continues to intensify. The weather bureau warned that the climatic event, characterized by unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean, could significantly impact rainfall patterns and place increasing pressure on water resources nationwide.

In response, MWPV has activated a range of proactive measures across its 13 operating units serving communities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, focusing on water source development, infrastructure resilience, operational readiness, and supply augmentation initiatives.

In the case of Cebu province, Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for the region through proactive preparedness measures and strategic infrastructure investments as Metropolitan Cebu continues to face water supply challenges posed by severe dry weather conditions and looming impacts of a very strong El Niño.

MWPV-Cebu is currently delivering 30.3 million liters of potable water per day and has the capability to provide additional 7.5 million liters of potable water per day for Metro Cebu for approximately 12,000 households, helping address increasing water demand and El Niño while maintaining service reliability across its partner water districts.

Despite prevailing dry season conditions, the Company’s water source remains stable, with water continuing to overflow from the weir, demonstrating the resilience of its supply system and the ability to consistently meet current production requirements while complying with water quality standards.

To strengthen water availability during periods of prolonged dry weather, MWPV has implemented a range of El Niño preparedness initiatives. These include continuous monitoring and rehabilitation of deep wells and surface water sources, preventive maintenance programs, optimization of reservoir utilization, and the exploration of new water source projects.

The company has also readied water tankers and mobile treatment plants, enhanced backwash recovery programs in its treatment facilities, and prepared standby deep wells to help augment supply when needed.

To address future water demand and reinforce supply resilience, MWPV is preparing to undertake a major water supply infrastructure project through the development of a new source facility, treatment, and pumping station facility

The new infrastructure is expected to deliver an additional of at least 12.5 million liters of water supply per day to approximately 20,000 households, further boosting the reliability and resilience of Metro Cebu’s water system. [RM1.1]

‘The combination of our current supply reliability, robust El Niño preparedness measures, and planned capacity expansion provides support to Metro Cebu’s growing water requirements. We are not only addressing today’s needs but also laying the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable water future for the region,’ said Ruby Rose Mercado, General Manager of MWPV-Cebu.

Through proactive planning, infrastructure development, and responsible resource management, MWPV continues to work closely with its partners to help secure the long-term water future of Metro Cebu and support the region’s residential, commercial, and industrial growth.

Similar to its parent company, Manila Water, which has long prepared Metro Manila’s East Zone for the potential impacts of a strong El Nino, MWPV remains committed to safeguarding water security through proactive planning, diversified water sources, operational readiness, and strategic infrastructure investments the way it has prepared its other operating units nationwide such as Metro Ilagan Water, Calasiao Water, Laguna Water, Laguna Aquatech and Tanauan Water in Luzon; Boracay Water and Calbayog Water in the Visayas and Tagum Water in Mindanao; as well as Manila Water’s B2B operating units Estate Water and Manila Water Infratech Solutions.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has provided more than P14 million in fisheries and aquaculture assistance to boost coastal communities in Sorsogon.

On Friday, BFAR said in a statement the interventions include fish cages, fiberglass boats, and seaweed-processing equipment.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said these interventions aim to address production and postharvest needs while helping coastal families build more sustainable livelihoods.

‘We are moving beyond quick fixes by pairing modern mariculture and sturdy vessels with critical postharvest assets to lift our coastal families out of vulnerability permanently,’ Tiu Laurel said.

BFAR provided the Triple B Fisherfolk Association in Bacon District with three high-density polyethylene (HDPE) marine fish cages, feeds and fingerlings, a floating house, and a fiberglass banca, amounting to P2.99 million.

These fish cages, situated in a 588-hectare mariculture zone in the area, will yield 18 metric tons of milkfish each year.

Through the FB Pagbabago Program, the Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed 20 36-foot fiberglass boats worth P4.02 million to registered fishers in Sorsogon City, Pilar, Castilla, Magallanes, Donsol, Casiguran, and Bulan. Postharvest facilities were provided as well.

The agency projects that fiberglass boats will yield approximately 88 metric tons (MT) of fish catch annually and will provide fisherfolk with larger vessels for their fishing operations.

Under the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program, the Samahang Mandaragat ng Barangay San Fernando in Prieto Diaz received a P1.03-million floating dryer designed to improve seaweed processing.

Meanwhile, the government awarded four 20-by-20-meter HDPE seaweed cages worth P5.96 million to the Bogña Self Help Group to support commercial seaweed production.

Sorsogon produced 32,643.37 MT of fish in 2025, a 28 percent decrease compared to a year ago, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Kaila Napolis emerged as the lone podium finisher for the Philippine national jiu jitsu team on Friday after winning bronze in the women’s -52kg division at the Asian Games 2026 at Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall.

Napolis, a gold medalist in the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, outlasted Mongolia’s Tsagaanbileg Altangerel, 2-0, in the bronze-medal match to give the Philippines its only jiu jitsu medal on Day 2 of the competition.

‘It’s an honor pa rin to win a bronze medal here in a big competition. I was happy I was able to pull the two points on this bronze medal,’ Napolis said.

Napolis reached the repechage after falling to Mongolia’s Mongoljin Gabaatar, 3-2, in the quarterfinals.

‘I’m so disappointed after the second match,’ said Napolis. ‘So I really wanted to bounce backwith the bronze medal. I wanna give it all. And thankfully, I was able to pull it off.’

Earlier, world champion Annie Ramirez, who won the -57kg gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, suffered a shock exit in the round of 16 after losing to Thailand’s Nuchanat Singchalad.

Napolis matched her bronze finish from Hangzhou and remained grateful for another Asian Games podium result.

‘This is still big for me. This is the Asian Games, and it happens every four years,’ said Napolis. ‘We’re a bit sad, of course, for others who couldn’t win a medal. But I’m super thankful for the support, especially the PSC, POC, and our federation.’

In other results, Luigi Dy lost to Mongolia’s Davaadorj Munkhtur, 3-0, in the men’s -77kg round of 32, while Mark Constance Vergel fell to Mongolia’s Shinezorig Bulgankhuu, 2-0, in the same round.

Romeo John Alfred Raphael Arellano also lost to United Arab Emirates’ Amaar Alhosani, 2-0, in the repechage.

Four more Filipinos will vie for medals on the final day Saturday: Vito Luisa Luzuriaga and David Miranda in men’s -85kg, and Andrea Lois Lao and Alenxandria Luz Enriquez in women’s -63kg.

Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III underscored on Thursday the efforts of the House of Representatives to turn bamboo into a sustainable source of livelihood and economic activity.

Dy spoke about this before developing partners and technical experts of the bamboo industry during the ‘Building the Future with Bamboo’ program at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

Dy highlighted the approval of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food of a substitute bill aiming to strengthen the country’s bamboo industry by recognizing bamboo as both a high-value and industrial crop and establishing a national framework linking farmers to processors, businesses, and markets.

Dy has been pushing for the development and modernization of the bamboo industry.

At the event, Dy toured the bamboo exhibit, taking a closer look at the products on display, and even tried out a bamboo bicycle.

He was accompanied by Bukidnon 1st District Rep. Jose Manuel Alba and other members of the House.

The exhibit showcased bamboo’s potential for a wide range of uses, highlighting the opportunities for Filipino farmers and enterprises as the House advances measures to support the industry.

An 81-year-old man died after reportedly slipping on rocks and hitting his head at Alcantara town in Romblon, early Wednesday.

The victim was found lying face down along the shoreline in Sitio Nipa, Barangay Tugdan, at around 5:15 a.m., according to the Philippine Information Agency in Romblon.

The Alcantara Municipal Police Station said a resident saw the victim lying on the beach and found him unresponsive, with blood pooled around his head. The incident was then reported to the police.

The victim was accustomed to bathing in the sea early mornings, the police were told.

A duty nurse from the Alcantara Rural Health Unit reportedly found no indication of foul play.

The victim’s family also believed that the incident was accidental and agreed to have his remains undergo a post-mortem examination before the wake.

When Quezon City Rep. Ysabel Zamora questioned a witness during recent House impeachment proceedings, much of the online reaction bypassed the legal relevance of the testimony. Instead, social media comment sections fixated on her speech pattern-specifically her soft, English-dominant cadence and her distinct pronunciation of Tagalog words like baril.

While public commentary quickly devolved into accusations of flirtation, ‘bedroom voices,’ and sexualized humor, the phenomenon points to two deeper, intersecting issues in modern Philippine public discourse: the social baggage attached to the ‘conyo’ speech register, and the troubling tendency to sexualize women when their public performance escapes familiar categories.

As commentator Paul S. Galutera (known online as Morning Coffee Thoughts) observed, what many labeled as an attempt at seduction was simply a familiar linguistic profile. For decades, sociolinguists have noted that conyo is not merely an accent; it is a recognized speech register historically tied to urban, private-school-educated, or upper-middle-class environments.

Public perception in the Philippines remains deeply sensitive to how authority figures speak. Years ago, in an essay later included in my recent book ‘I Was Hungry and… You Formed a Committee?’ I examined our long-standing struggle to establish a ‘standard Filipino English’-a form of clear, professional English accessible across regions and social classes without requiring citizens to mimic foreign accents or slip into disjointed ‘Taglish.’ Neighboring Singapore has since evidently developed its own ‘Singlish,’ a distinct local variety they seem entirely comfortable with, but our own path with English and Taglish remains far more conflicted.

The premise of developing a standard variety was straightforward: language should serve as a functional bridge for civic life, legal proceedings, and broad international understanding, rather than a marker of social division.

Instead, Philippine speech has continued to fracture along class and cultural lines. On one end is the derision faced by those who speak with regional accents; on the other is the instant suspicion directed at those who speak with elite conyo inflections. In politics, sounding ‘too English’ or ‘too elite’ can draw immediate public detachment.

However, the reaction to Zamora went beyond routine anti-elitist ribbing. Critique of her courtroom strategy or delivery quickly morphed into explicit gendered commentary. As research on online misogyny in Philippine politics continuously highlights, converting a female official’s professional presence into sexualized jokes diminishes her perceived legitimacy as a public actor.

The double standard becomes stark when contrasted with actual instances of inappropriate behavior in legislative halls. When male lawmakers have openly introduced explicit or suggestive remarks into official records, the reactions have often been treated as mere lapses in decorum or brushed off as humor. Yet when a female prosecutor simply delivers testimony in her natural, lifelong speaking voice, observers manage to project sexual intent onto her vocabulary.

Critiquing a lawmaker’s preparation, line of questioning, or political stance is fair game in a democracy. Even expressing distaste for a particular accent falls within ordinary public commentary. But when public assessment shifts from evaluating evidence to speculating on a speaker’s private motives or anatomy, the debate ceases to be about governance.

Our public sphere would benefit from greater discipline on two fronts: a more conscious effort to foster a clear, professional Standard Filipino English that unites rather than alienates, and a firm refusal to let gendered tropes replace substantive public critique.