Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Philippine Blu Girls saw their three-game winning streak snapped by unbeaten China with a 7-0 defeat in five innings on Thursday in women’s softball of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The Blu Girls could only produce two hits even as the Chinese bats went on a tear, capping things off with a four-run fifth that forced a quick end to the contest held at Anjo Softball Ground.

With the loss, the Blu Girls dropped to a 3-3 win-loss slate to share fourth spot with South Korea going into the final day of the preliminary round.

They finish the preliminaries against Hong Kong, hoping to secure their place in Saturday’s bronze-medal match.

Pitchers Glory Alonzo, Sydney Vitangcol and Royevel Palma were rocked by China’s eight hits in the game that ended after five because of a seven-run mercy rule.

China got on the board in the bottom half of the second when Kailin Xi scored from third after Mengrun Wang grounded out.

Min Reng made it 3-0 for the Chinese in the third, drilling a two-run homer past the right-center fence off Alonzo.

Jiaxin Xie gave China its second home run of the game, a three-run shot in the fifth off Vitangcol. Palma came in relief and walked the first two batters she faced before she hit Yujuan Sang with the bases-loaded that allowed another run and the abbreviated win for China.

Malacañang on Thursday told the public that there is no need to hoard potable water as the government is preparing to prevent a water supply shortage amid the possible impact of a super El Niño.

The state weather bureau recently warned that a ‘very strong El Niño’ is likely to emerge between October and December 2026 and may continue until the first half of 2027.

At a briefing, Palace press officer Claire Castro warned that hoarding could fuel fear and panic, while an artificial shortage caused by stockpiling could also drive up prices.

‘Ang unang-una po kasi, bakit kailangang mag-hoard ng tubig para pang-inom? Hindi po tayo mawawalan ng tubig para mainom. At kung alam ninyo naman ang tubig kapag ito ay bottled water, mayroon din po itong panahon na dapat ito ay i-consume,’ she said.

(First of all, why do you need to hoard water for drinking? We will not run out of drinking water. And as you know, bottled water also has a period within which it should be consumed.)

‘So hindi po advisable na kayo ay magtago, mag-hoard ng mga tubig ngayon para iniisip ninyong mawawalan tayo ng tubig na maiinom. Ang sabi nga po natin madalas, taun-taon na po nating nararanasan ang El Niño; mayroon po tayong Task Force El Niño,’ the Palace official also said.

(So, it is not advisable to stockpile or hoard water now out of fear that we will run out of drinking water. As we have often said, we experience El Niño every year, and we have a Task Force El Niño in place.)

Citing previous statements from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that climate change is worsening the effects of the phenomenon, Castro said the public should also prepare alongside the government’s efforts to assist those who may be affected.

‘Handa po ang gobyerno at marami na pong mga programa ang naumpisahan na, pati ang mga ayuda para sa ating mga fisherfolk at mga farmers ay maaayudahan na rin po sila,’ she said.

(The government is prepared, and many programs have already been put in place. Assistance will also be provided to our fisherfolk and farmers who may be affected.)

Government agencies concerned are also coordinating with the Climate Change Commission, headed by Marcos, on preparations for the impact of El Niño.

Among the agencies involved are the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, National Water Resources Board, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

‘Ang pondo po ay talagang pinaglaanan para po mas magkaroon tayo ng tamang pagprepara dahil nga binabanggit ito na super El Niño,’ Castro said.

(Funding has been allocated to ensure that we are properly prepared, especially since this has been identified as a potential Super El Niño.)

‘So, marami na pong mga napag-usapan na gagawin para sa climate information, agriculture and food, irrigation, water supply and social protection. So, makakaasa po kayo na ang gobyerno ay tumatalima sa kanilang tungkulin,’ she also said.

(So, many measures have already been discussed covering climate information, agriculture and food, irrigation, water supply, and social protection. So, you can be assured that the government is fulfilling its responsibilities.)

Urdaneta City in Pangasinan has declared alternate work arrangements (work from home) on Friday (Oct. 2) for all teachers in the city in observance of the Family Day and National Teachers Day 2026.

Executive Order No 23 issued on Thursday (Oct. 1) by Mayor Julius Parayno says since Monday next week (Oct. 5) is the culmination of the National Teachers Month and World Teachers Day, it would be best to grant them alternate work arrangement on Friday in preparation for weekend rest day.

‘It is but fitting to give the teachers time to celebrate their achievements with their families in the observance of Family Day and National/World Teachers Day,’ the order said.

Alternative Work Arrangements for teachers at all levels for both public and private schools will be implemented, and Alternative Learning Mode (ALM) will be used to deliver education outside the classroom during this day.

The declaration said the city government seeks to boost their morale and enhance the teachers’ welfare by giving them opportunity to accomplish their tasks in their preferred work environments and arrangements.

‘This declaration seeks to implement progressive approach to ensure the delivery of quality education through improved performance utilizing effective Flexible Work Arrangement,’ the order said.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday said it summoned 19 ride-hailing platform providers after they allegedly failed to implement the required fare adjustments.

According to the LTFRB, it issued a show-cause order to at least 19 Transport Network Companies (TNCs) for failing to implement the approved fare increase, which took effect on Monday, Sept. 28.

Acting LTFRB Chairman Atty. Greg G. Pua, Jr. said Thursday that it received complaints from ride-hailing drivers about some TNCs’ failure to implement the new fare rates for Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS).

They allegedly continued the old fare system despite the Department of Transportation’s newly implemented fare adjustments for public utility vehicles.

‘Para sa kaalaman ng lahat, ang TNVS partner po ang gumagastos sa gasolina at diesel, at hindi ang mga TNCs. Kaya kapag hindi na-implement ang fare increase para sa kanila, sila po ang maaapektuhan at hindi ang mga TNCs,’ Pua explained in the same press release.

(‘For everyone’s information, it is the TNVS partner who shoulders the cost of gasoline and diesel, not the TNCs. Therefore, if the fare increase for them is not implemented, they are the ones who will be affected, not the TNCs.’)

Under the approved fare hikes, the base fare for TNVS sedan increased to P65 from P45, while rates for AUVs climbed to P75 from P55. Hatchback rates also increased to P55 from P35, while premium TNVS fares were adjusted to P165 from P145.

Their alleged ‘defiance’ resulted in unfair charges that did not align with the newly authorized fare adjustments, which the agency said violates applicable LTFRB rules and regulations.

The 19 platform providers were tasked to explain in writing within three working days upon receipt why their respective accreditations should not be suspended or canceled.

Meanwhile, their hearing was set on Oct. 7, Wednesday.

‘Failure on the part of the respondent to appear before the Hearing Officer and file an Answer, shall be considered as a waiver on its part to be heard and shall cause the imposition of a penalty,’ as stated in the order

With farmers in Caraga (Region 13) feeling the crunch of the prolonged drought, the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office has sought funding of P6.2 million for cloud seeding operations to alleviate the impact of the dry spell that has already affected water sources in some parts of the region.

The mitigation measure, backed by the Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), is intended to induce rainfall in drought-affected areas in October and November, including Agusan del Sur, where over 26,000 hectares of agricultural lands have been damaged, affecting thousands of farmers.

Several local government units in Caraga have already declared states of calamity as the dry conditions continue to affect farming communities and household water supplies.

Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. earlier sought a cloud seeding operation after the province declared a state of calamity in August because of severe dry conditions, Gerlie Antipaso, DA-Caraga agriculturist II, said.

But a technical assessment by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) from Sept. 14 to 17 found that only about 300 hectares of agricultural lands in Dinagat Islands qualified for the operation, below the 1,000-hectare minimum required for a standalone cloud-seeding operation.

DA-Caraga subsequently proposed expanding the target area to cover the rest of the region during a Sept. 18 exit conference with local stakeholders, including Agusan del Norte Rep. Dale B. Corvera, the Butuan City agriculturist and representatives of the city’s lone congressional district.

Butuan City had declared a state of calamity because of the continuing dry conditions, which affected water supplies to consumers.

The DA-Caraga expanded proposal would cover the five provinces of Region 13, allowing the cloud seeding operation to meet the minimum area requirement while extending potential benefits to more drought-affected communities.

Local officials in Dinagat Islands welcomed the proposal, particularly in communities with limited natural water sources.

‘In dire need of rain’

‘San Jose is in dire need of rain, especially after we found out that we have no natural water source within our municipal territory,’ said San Jose Mayor Ruben Zuniega.

‘Cloud seeding would be a very timely intervention and an immediate remedy to our need for rainwater. It will significantly help in sustaining our water sources,’ he added.

DA-Caraga presented the regional cloud-seeding plan during the third-quarter full council meeting of the Caraga RDRRMC on Sept. 24.

The agency, however, faces budget realignment constraints in funding the proposed P6.2-million cloud seeding operation.

Lorene Sia-Catedral, Caraga RDRRMC acting chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Caraga officer-in-charge, advised DA Caraga to seek assistance from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund.

‘Given that we are facing a crisis needing immediate intervention, and with the impending threat of Super El Niño later this year, we encourage our fellow national government agencies to seek financial assistance through our NDRRM Fund to augment their respective response operations,’ Catedral said.

She also recommended that the council pass a resolution to help expedite the funding request.

The proposed cloud-seeding operation comes as DA Caraga prepares interventions for the December 2026 to March 2027cropping season, with the agency seeking to restore farm productivity in areas affected by prolonged dry conditions.

Beyond providing immediate relief, the interventions are intended to strengthen climate resilience, protect farmers’ livelihoods and help maintain food production in the region

Manila will host a WTA 250 tournament in 2027, adding a second WTA event in the country alongside the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open scheduled for January.

In a Facebook post, the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) confirmed that a WTA 250 tournament will be held in November 2027.

Philta officials clarified in a separate press release that the WTA 250 will not replace the WTA 125, which will remain on the January calendar. Camila Osorio of Colombia was the champion of the inaugural Philippine Women’s Open earlier this year.

‘To clarify, we won’t be replacing the 125. We will still have the WTA 125 in January,’ Philta Secretary General John Rey Tiangco said.

‘We’re having a WTA 125 still in January, the second week of the Australian Open. And then we’re going to have a 250 end of October, first week of November,’ board member Dyan Castillejo said.

The WTA approved Manila’s hosting application last week, according to Philta.

According to international tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, the Manila tournament will be a relocation of the WTA 250 event previously held in Chennai, India. The final edition in Chennai is scheduled for November.

Castillejo invited international players to include the Philippines in their 2027 schedules.

‘So even now, we’d like to invite all the international players, hopefully to put the Philippines in your calendar,’ Castillejo said. ‘The Philippines is very excited to be hosting you again.’

Philta said details about the WTA 250 event will be announced in the coming days.

Urdaneta City in Pangasinan has declared alternate work arrangements (work from home) on Friday (Oct. 2) for all teachers in the city in observance of the Family Day and National Teachers Day 2026.

Executive Order No 23 issued on Thursday (Oct. 1) by Mayor Julius Parayno says since Monday next week (Oct. 5) is the culmination of the National Teachers Month and World Teachers Day, it would be best to grant them alternate work arrangement on Friday in preparation for weekend rest day.

‘It is but fitting to give the teachers time to celebrate their achievements with their families in the observance of Family Day and National/World Teachers Day,’ the order said.

Alternative Work Arrangements for teachers at all levels for both public and private schools will be implemented, and Alternative Learning Mode (ALM) will be used to deliver education outside the classroom during this day.

The declaration said the city government seeks to boost their morale and enhance the teachers’ welfare by giving them opportunity to accomplish their tasks in their preferred work environments and arrangements.

‘This declaration seeks to implement progressive approach to ensure the delivery of quality education through improved performance utilizing effective Flexible Work Arrangement,’ the order said.

The provincial government of Lanao del Sur has extended the four-day workweek schedule for its workforce in keeping with the government’s energy austerity measures amid high fuel prices.

Under Executive Order No. 019, Series of 2026, offices and agencies under the provincial government will continue the four-day workweek scheme, from Monday to Thursday, from October 5 to 30, 2026.

Under the revised schedule, office hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., maintaining the required 40-hour workweek while promoting operational efficiency and the economical use of government resources, a public advisory issued on Wednesday said.

Provincial government employees have no work on Fridays, except for essential offices and personnel providing health, emergency, disaster response, public safety, security and other critical frontline services.

Online platforms, electronic transactions and digital government services will remain accessible during the arrangement.

In March, Malacañang directed sweeping energy austerity measures, ordering all government agencies to sharply cut power and fuel consumption as the country grapples with rising oil prices brought by the conflict in the Middle East

Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores serves as one of the House panel prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Born April 16, 1972, Flores notably serves as the lead prosecutor of the panel on Article III, or Duterte’s alleged bribery of Department of Education (DepEd) officials.

However, his first foray leading the prosecution’s direct examination was on Thursday, Oct. 1 as Davao City Register of Deeds Atty. Kathy Florence Baldonado stood as one of the witnesses for Article II.

Article II covers Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth, failure to truthfully disclose assets in statements of assets, liabilities and net worth or SALNs from 2022 to 2024, as well as her supposed failure to divest from her private business interests after being elected vice president.

Meanwhile, prior to being one of the prosecutors against Duterte, Flores began his political career in 2019 when he was first elected as representative of Bukidnon’s second legislative district.

Before becoming a politician, he was a partner at Europa, Dacanay, Cubelo, Europa, Flores Law Office.

He is also the son of Florencio Flores Jr., who once served as congressman and mayor of Malaybalay, Bukidnon

Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the mass oath-taking ceremony of newly promoted teachers and principals of the Department of Education in the Davao region on Thursday.

The ceremony followed the culmination of the three-day Regional Assembly of Education Leaders (RAEL).

Some 1,811 teachers took their oath.

The teachers took quick selfies with Angara shortly after he arrived at SMX Convention Center in Lanang