Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is calling for stricter enforcement of ‘no-build zone’ policies and other measures aimed at reducing flooding and protecting communities from the effects of climate change, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Tuesday.

He issued the directive during a Central Luzon and Metro Manila Response Meeting with key Cabinet officials and local chief executives on Monday in Malacañang.

‘According to the president, the law must be enforced, including the ‘no-build zone’ policy. Let us stop politicizing the issue. Enforce the law. It must be explained to everyone that stricter enforcement of the law is necessary for our safety,’ Castro said during a briefing.

‘For LGUs, enforce the ‘no-build zones.’ Ensure that your respective jurisdictions are properly maintained, work together to clear obstructions from waterways, and make sure that garbage is collected and disposed of at proper disposal sites,’ she added.

In the same briefing, Castro said Marcos wants greater focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

‘There is no need for us to blame one another. Whatever shortcomings may have occurred under the previous administration will not be tolerated by the president,’ she said.

‘The president is particularly focused on the effects of climate change, as we are increasingly witnessing and experiencing the full force of nature’s fury,’ she added.

She said the government will also strengthen coordination with the Climate Change Commission, which is chaired by Marcos, to identify gaps in the implementation of climate policies and ensure that its recommendations reach the president.

The UAAP is adjusting its September basketball schedule to accommodate the Gilas Pilipinas’ campaigns in the Asian Games and Fiba 3×3 Under-23 World Cup.

There will be only five gamedays for the collegiate men’s and women’s basketball tournaments from Sept. 13 to 30, the UAAP announced.

The Season 89 opening ceremony is set for September 12 at Mall of Asia Arena, with the first men’s basketball games scheduled the following day at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Far Eastern University will face Adamson at noon, followed by defending champion La Salle against National University at 2:30 p.m. University of the Philippines will then take on University of Santo Tomas at 6 p.m.

The men’s schedule will continue on September 16 at MOA Arena, September 19 at Smart Araneta Coliseum, September 26 at MOA Asia Arena and September 30 at the same venue.

The schedule adjustments were made as several UAAP players are set to represent the Philippines in September.

‘We have always believed that the UAAP’s mission goes beyond the competition. We are here to develop student-athletes who can represent our schools, but we are equally proud when they get the opportunity to represent the country,’ said UAAP Season 89 President Mark Molina of FEU.

FEU’s Cabs Cabonilas and Jedric Daa and Adamson’s Earl Medina are scheduled to compete in the Fiba 3×3 Under-23 World Cup in Wuhan, China, from September 15 to 19.

La Salle’s Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo and UST’s Koji Buenaflor are set to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 in the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, from September 21 to 25.

The collegiate women’s basketball tournament will also start later as the national teams for the Asian Games and the U23 World Cup are expected to include several UAAP student-athletes.

‘The support of the UAAP is important to our national team programs, especially with so many of our student-athletes being called up to represent the country,’ Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Erika Dy said.

‘We appreciate the UAAP for working closely with us and for making the necessary adjustments to accommodate our national team commitments.’

Thailand’s women’s national volleyball team made history after defeating hosts China 3-2 in the final of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Asian Championship, successfully defending their continental title and securing their first-ever place at the Olympic Games.

The five-set victory earned Thailand direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, marking the first time the women’s national volleyball team will compete on the Olympic stage.

Thailand made an impressive start to the final, carrying their confidence from the previous round into a strong opening set. Solid defence combined with an effective attack allowed them to control the contest and take the first set 25-20.

China responded emphatically in the second. Thailand began to struggle with their serve reception, while the hosts found greater consistency in both attack and defence. China dominated the set 25-11 to level the match at 1-1.

Thailand regrouped in the third and produced a much tighter contest, taking the lead at stages during the middle and latter part of the set. China, however, raised their level at the decisive moments and overturned the deficit to win 25-23, moving 2-1 ahead.

Needing the fourth set to keep the match alive, Thailand responded strongly. Their attacking rhythm returned, while improved defence created opportunities to dictate play. A 25-18 victory levelled the match at 2-2 and forced a deciding fifth set.

The two teams remained locked in a tense battle in the decider amid strong support for the hosts. Thailand maintained their composure under pressure and won the decisive points to close out the set 15-10, completing a 3-2 victory.

The result secured another Asian championship for Thailand and, more significantly, delivered direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

After generations of Thai players pursued the Olympic dream, Thailand’s women’s national volleyball team will now compete at the Games for the first time in its history.

Sulfur emissions from Mayon Volcano have surged to more than twice their average level since Aug. 5, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to warn of possible renewed eruptive activity.

In its bulletin on Tuesday, Sept. 1, the agency said Mayon released 7,115 tons of sulfur dioxide on Aug. 31, the second-highest emission recorded since volcanic gas concentrations began declining on July 16.

Since Mayon was placed under Alert Level 2, or moderate unrest, on Aug. 5, its sulfur emissions have averaged 3,844 tons a day, Phivolcs said.

The surge in gas emissions coincided with a slight increase in low-frequency volcanic earthquakes, with 12 recorded as of midnight Tuesday. Phivolcs attributed the earthquakes to volcanic degassing, while real-time seismic energy release remained at background levels.

The agency also detected short-term swelling or pressurization in Mayon’s northern and eastern flanks based on electronic tilt monitoring.

‘Elevated volcanic sulfur dioxide emissions could forewarn of a potential shift to renewed eruptive activity at the summit crater,’ it said.

A renewed eruption could generate pyroclastic density currents or uson, rockfall, ballistic fragments, and widespread ashfall, it added.

Phivolcs said Mayon remained under Alert Level 2 but urged residents and local governments to prepare for a possible escalation to Alert Level 3, particularly those in areas vulnerable to pyroclastic density currents.

It reiterated that entry into the six-kilometerPermanent Danger Zone is prohibited and warned of possible lahars and sediment-laden streamflows along channels draining Mayon, particularly during prolonged heavy rains or a simultaneous explosive eruption.

Pilots were also advised to avoid flying near the summit, as ash and ballistic fragments from a sudden eruption could endanger aircraft

Foreign investors dumped government securities in July but turned buyers in the local stock market, resulting in a significantly smaller net inflow of portfolio investments for the month.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed foreign portfolio inflows (FPI) surpassed outflows by $66 million in July, plummeting 91 percent from the net inflow recorded a year earlier.

Month-on-month, net inflow of FPIs fell by 61 percent. This brought the seven-month tally to a net outflow of $4 billion, a reversal from nearly $2.3 billion in net gain seen in the same period last year.

Such investments, often referred to as ‘hot money,’ are prone to swift reversals at the first sign of unfavorable conditions.

These funds-often invested in liquid instruments like stocks and bonds-are far more sensitive to shifts in domestic and global sentiment than foreign direct investments, which tend to stay for longer term and are more closely tied to job creation.

By type of instrument, government securities-including Treasury bonds and Treasury bills-posted a net outflow of $20 million in July, a turnaround from the $540 million net inflow in the preceding month.

The shift came as the benchmark 10-year government bond yield remained above 7 percent during the month.

Foreign investors, meanwhile, bought $86 million more Philippine stocks than they sold, ending a four-month streak of net outflows from the local stock market.

In its monthly report, the Philippine Stock Exchange said the local bourse closed the trading month of July at 6,236.44, up 3.3 percent from its June close, as foreign investors returned to the local market amid easing US inflation pressures and a shift toward ‘proactive’ local monetary policy. Foreign transactions accounted for 44.3 percent of the total market trades during the month.

Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at UnionBank of the Philippines, said the latest hot money data indicated that foreign investors remained ‘selectively constructive’ on Philippine assets despite a more challenging global environment.

‘The continued inflow likely reflected pockets of opportunity in local financial markets, supported by still-resilient domestic economic activity and investor search for returns, even as concerns over global growth, geopolitical tensions, elevated oil prices, and inflation risks tempered risk appetite,’ Asuncion said.

‘Foreign portfolio flows may continue to swing between inflows and outflows depending on global market developments and investor sentiment,’ he added.

Looking ahead, the central bank now expects total FPIs-including transactions not registered with the BSP-to post a net inflow of $1.8 billion in 2026, far lower than its previous estimate of $3.7 billion. The BSP said portfolio flows were expected to remain volatile and sensitive to global risk sentiment and financial conditions.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently studying the possible impact of the proposed Pax Silica projec to farmers in Capas, Tarlac, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday.

During the House committee on appropriations’ briefing on the DA’s proposed budget in 2027, Rep. Sarah Elago asked Tiu Laurel if his agency is assessing the possible effects of the proposed initiative to farmers, noting that around 15,200 farmers might lose their agricultural land due to the project.

‘Sa ngayon, inaassess pa naming mabuti yung full effects ng Pax Silica. But initial reports na nakikita ko is hindi ganon karami yung ma-aaffect,’ Tiu Laurel said.

(We are thoroughly assessing the full effects of Pax Silica. But from initial reports, I can say that not too many will be affected.)

‘Di pa tapos yung assessment namin dito but more or less kung from what I understand, what I see on TV, sa lupa lang actually ng Clark area na 1,600 mukhang hindi naman ganon karami yung directly affected na farmer,’ he added.

(Our assessment is not yet done but more or less from what I understand, what I see on TV, on the 1,600 [hectare land] in Clark, it seems that there will not be many farmers who will be directly affected.)

The secretary also shared that the study will be completed in 30 days.

Elago recommended for the assessment to be finished before the start of the budget deliberations in the plenary level of the lower chamber.

The lawmaker also emphasized that development should not compromise the capacity of the country to produce its own food.

‘Kung tunay na priority ang food security, food sufficiency, dapat kasama sa prayoridad ang mahigpit na pangangalaga sa lupang agrikultural lalo sa rice granary dito sa Pilipinas,’ Elago added.

(If food security and food sufficiency is a genuine priority, taking care of agricultural land should be a priority in the country.)

In the same hearing, Rep. Renee Co made the same recommendation as Elago for the lawmakers to have informed decisions.

Co also suggested for the study to include reclassification, hydrologic and irrigation impact assessment, joint monitoring mechanisms to prevent metal contamination and toxic runoff into nearby agricultural soil, among others.

Tiu-laurel then said that the agency will consider the suggestions raised in the hearing.

The controversial Pax Silica hub is set to occupy a 1,620-hectare site at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The project has drawn criticisms from many sectors, citing the large volume of water needed r and gigawatts of electricity daily.

Inquirer data scientist Dr. Alicor Panao warned that the Pax Silica poses an energy challenge, ‘which would require a substantial and reliable power supply to support AI-related infrastructure,’ pointing out that the Philippines does not have the same level of electricity capacity unlike other countries.

Despite these contentions, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. , in his fifth State of the Nation Address said that the initiative will bring more quality jobs, enhance the country’s competitiveness through an AI-focused industrial hub, and improve the economy.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) said it has secured a court order to immobilize the assets of a lawmaker linked to government contracts for projects worth billions of pesos, as authorities step up efforts to trace money tied to illicit activities.

The AMLC did not identify the lawmaker or provide details on ownership of the frozen assets, consistent with its practice in previous cases

Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga was sworn in as Cavite 4th District representative on Tuesday, replacing her son, Francisco ‘Kiko’ Barzaga, who was expelled from the House of Representatives for unruly behavior.

House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III administered the elder Barzaga’s oath of office at the chamber’s plenary session, two days after she won the special election to fill her expelled son’s seat in a landslide.

Barzaga’s victory extended their family’s dominance in Dasmariñas since their patriarch, lawmaker Elpidio ‘Pidi’ Barzaga Jr., first became mayor in 1998.

The younger Barzaga, 27, was elected to Congress in 2025 but was then suspended twice over accusations leveled on social media posts against fellow lawmakers and top government officials.

Barzaga was expelled by the House last June

Lyann De Guzman remains a reliable hitter off the bench, helping Nxled deliver the team’s first win in the PVL Invitational Conference.

With the Chameleons looking for a spark less than 24 hours after losing to the Jaja Santiago-Minowa-led Creamline, De Guzman stepped up and nailed the clutch hits in the third to complete a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of defending champion PLDT.

‘Coach told us to always be ready because Ate Chiara (Permentilla) and Ate Brooke (Van Sickle) won’t be playing. So whenever an opportunity comes, I have to grab it and give everything I have to help the team,’ said De Guzman in Filipino on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

De Guzman, who started in the last two sets, connected with MJ Phillips’ superb service to help Nxled recover from a 14-16 deficit in the third and unleash an 8-0 run en route to their first win.

Last year’s fourth overall pick was inspired by her teammates’ mentality this conference, as they are all eager to make the most of the opportunity to play in the Invitational against the top three teams in the All-Filipino Conference and a pair of guest teams.

‘Everyone is really willing to step up. Even when the score is far apart, whoever comes in tries to do everything they can to help the team. I’m happy because everyone is willing to embrace the opportunity, no matter what position they play,’ said the former Ateneo captain.

De Guzman and the Chameleons hope their victory over the High Speed Hitters is a sign of bigger things to come as they look to make it to the finals.

They face Thailand’s EST Cola on Thursday before wrapping up the elimination round against Ho Chi Minh City on Friday and Farm Fresh on Sunday.

‘We’re playing almost every day, so after each game, we really have to move on right away and focus on the next one. I think that’s good for our team,’ said De Guzman.

‘We lost yesterday, but we carried the good things from that game into today, especially our defense and how we committed fewer errors. Hopefully, that will give us even more confidence and motivation heading into our next games.’

Eleven antimining villagers arrested during a police dispersal of a human barricade in Kasibu in this province appealed for financial assistance to post bail after they were detained on Aug. 28.

Antimining leader Florentino Daynos made the appeal on behalf of the 11 villagers, one of whom was hospitalized after sustaining injuries during the dispersal in Barangay Paquet.

The protesters had set up a human barricade to oppose the entry of mining company vehicles carrying crude oil for exploration activities.

Daynos said residents were opposing the mining exploration because of what they claimed was a lack of adequate consultation and necessary permits.

‘The residents are opposing mining exploration due to the alleged lack of adequate consultation and the necessary permit process, but they were violently dispersed and arrested,’ he said in a statement.

Daynos himself and six others were arrested on Jan. 23 for defying a court order and forming a human barricade to block access to the mining exploration site of Woggle Corporation in Nueva Vizcaya.

He thanked residents who gathered at the site and showed solidarity and moral support for those opposing mining activities in defense of the environment and their livelihoods.

Kasibu police said the protesters came from the villages of Paquet, Dine and Catarawan. Police said those at the frontline of the blockade put up the strongest resistance as vehicles carrying oil products attempted to enter the mining site.

The protesters were facing charges of grave coercion; resistance and disobedience to a person in authority and their agents.

Brutality?

The arrests and dispersal drew condemnation from residents and other groups online, with some describing the police action as brutality.

Loreta Ramel-Galima, a former government official, said the protesters were peacefully exercising their rights.

For Atos Margie Kidsolan, police should uphold their mandate to enforce the law, prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order and ensure public safety.

Nueva Vizcaya police director Col. Paul Bometivo acknowledged the criticism and said police understood the frustration in the community following their response to a 911 emergency call in Kasibu.

‘We understand that emotions are high and that public trust feels fragile,’ Bometivo said, adding that police remained committed to protecting the community despite the backlash.

He said police were required to respond to the 911 call, regardless of who made it, because the road had been obstructed.

Bometivo said the road was a municipal road certified by the municipal government and was therefore open to the public.

He said barricades preventing passage were not allowed and that police had the authority to regulate access when necessary to maintain public safety and order.

‘Rights must coexist,’ Bometivo said, adding that the right to protest should coexist with the right of others to pass through and use a public road.

Bometivo said police officers involved in the dispersal were only performing their duty to uphold the law, maintain peace and prevent further harm.

Kasibu police chief Capt. Lloyd Guillermo also denied that officers had escorted the mining company’s vehicles through the barricade.

Guillermo said police responded solely to the emergency call because the vehicles had the right to use the municipal road.

The protesters’ lawyer, Fidel Santos, said the dispersal occurred before he could speak with them.

Antimining protests and community-led barricades have been held in Barangay Paquet, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, since May 2026 to block exploration and drilling activities of North Luzon Mineral Resources Corp. (NLMRC).

Local farmers, Indigenous communities and environmental groups have raised concerns over possible environmental damage, threats to livelihoods and water security and alleged lack of genuine consultation and Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

Three Indigenous leaders were arrested on Aug. 19 over alleged grave coercion and disobedience but later posted bail. On Aug. 28, tensions escalated when police moved to clear a blockade against fuel trucks, resulting in the arrest of 11 to 13 protesters.

Provincial and municipal officials, including Gov. Jose Gambito and Kasibu Vice Mayor Alberto Bumolo Jr., have since negotiated with protesters for a temporary agreement to keep NLMRC personnel and equipment out of the site while talks continue. Religious leaders have also called for dialogue.

NLMRC holds an exploration permit covering a 4,456-hectare gold and copper exploration area in Barangay Paquet, Kasibu, approved in 2025.