Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Travelers must brace for pricier airfares again in early September as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised the allowable fuel surcharge, which airlines add to the base fare to account for volatility in jet fuel prices.

In an advisory dated Aug. 27, the regulator said the fuel surcharge will revert to Level 13 from Sept. 1 to 15 after dropping to Level 12 in the earlier cycle from Aug. 16 to 31, as global jet fuel prices drifted higher.

Under Level 13, airlines may collect an additional P423 to P1,237 for domestic trips, up from the P389 to P1,137 in allowable surcharges under Level 12.

That same increase will apply to international flights, with allowable fuel surcharges rising to between P1,396.74 to P10,385.42 from P1,284.40 and P9,550.13 in the previous cycle.

CAB said these charges will be implemented at a conversion rate of P61.39 per US dollar.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is pushing for further network buildout in New Clark City, with its board approving investments in a P15-billion joint venture with a Korean firm.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, the Pangilinan-led group said its board of directors gave the green light for new investments in a public-private partnership project with Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Earlier this year, BCDA said it was gearing up for a deal with Maynilad and K-Water, following both parties’ unsolicited offer submitted in October 2025.

According to BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang, the deal could be valued at about P15 billion and may run for 50 years.

The project is expected to boost New Clark City’s water capacity to about 150 million liters per day from the current 20 to 30 million liters per day.

However, Maynilad said in the disclosure the project ‘contemplates a 25-year term.’

No other details on the proposed deal were disclosed.

Bingcang said in February the investment would help boost infrastructure in the area, subsequently supporting water-intensive sectors such as data centers.

In March, Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez also reiterated the group’s plan to inject more capital to improve water supply services inside New Clark City. Currently, Maynilad is operating deep wells in the area.

The group is the water and wastewater services provider for the West Zone concession area of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, which covers 17 cities and towns in Metro Manila and Cavite.

Fernandez said that while the firm remains focused on serving commercial and industrial consumers in the West Zone, Maynilad is also looking at emerging hubs for expansion.

In the first six months of 2026, Maynilad saw its profit climb 14 percent to P8.51 billion on stronger water sales and customer growth.

The firm’s revenues in the period also increased by 4.1 percent to P19.11 billion against the previous P18.35 billion.

The Department of Energy (DOE) hopes major power players will invest in the country’s first coal blending terminal to maximize domestic coal supply and reduce the Philippines’ vulnerability to foreign policy changes.

On Thursday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin told reporters that the DOE is mulling building a centralized blending facility to reduce local coal power plants’ imports from Indonesia.

The ideal location is Mindanao due to its coal sites and port terminals, with Garin expressing optimism that private sector development will occur with minimal government oversight.

The blending terminal will source both domestic and foreign coal, combining high- and low-grade varieties for industrial needs.

The Philippines relies on Indonesia for over 90 percent of its coal needs. However, Indonesia will revise its export guidelines in January, potentially impacting the Philippines.

‘We don’t have energy security as far as coal is concerned, because 95 percent of our coal is imported from Indonesia. Anything can happen,’ she said on the sidelines of the 15th Energy Smart Forum in Makati City.

‘So what we need is to have a diversification of our risk. So we need to source it from different countries if there’s an option, or the best option is to source it in our country. Most of our coal, they say, is not good enough for our coal power plants. But there’s a way to do that: we can mix our coal with something that can be useful for our coal power plants,’ Garin added.

Garin said the government is negotiating with Australia, Russia, and others for new supplies since the blending facility won’t be operational soon.

At the same time, the DOE is preparing for a coal mine auction, including the Semirara site, before the year ends

Yuchengco-led PetroEnergy Resources Corp. (PERC) is teaming up with a new investor: Japanese financial services provider SMFL Mirai Partners Company Ltd. will gain a 35 percent stake in its wind assets for P1.7 billion.

In a disclosure on Thursday, PERC said its board of directors had approved the sale of 6.84 million common shares out of the outstanding capital stock of PetroWind Energy Inc. (PWEI).

To formalize the deal, both groups would still need to ink a term sheet, share purchase agreement, and shareholders’ agreement.

‘The closing of the proposed transaction will be subject to the execution of the definitive agreements, the satisfaction of conditions precedents, and the receipt of the necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Philippine Competition Commission, if required,’ the firm said.

After closing the transaction, PERC will retain a 25 percent stake, while its subsidiary PetroGreen Energy Corp. will hold 40 percent.

Also just this month, the group got a hold of Thailand’s BCPG Public Co. Ltd in PWEI for P1.9 billion, representing a 40 percent stake.

In an earlier filing, PERC explained that it aims to simplify its ownership structure and increase its direct economic participation in its renewable energy portfolio.

Additionally, PWEI is the owner and developer of a 49.2-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Nabas and Malay, Aklan. The first phase of the project, involving 36 MW of capacity, has been injecting power into the grid since June 2015. In May, the Nabas-2 expansion also achieved commercial operation.

Previously, it obtained a permit to connect the added capacity to the grid network. PWEI still needs to get a certificate of compliance from the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Meanwhile, PERC has interests in upstream oil exploration and development, renewable energy assets, and power generation.

In the January to June period, the company booked a 7.8-percent improvement in its consolidated net income, reaching P498 million from 464 million a year ago, boosted by its clean power assets and oil operations.

OPM icon Celeste Legaspi sparked discussions among netizens after she praised P-pop boy group SB19 while seemingly expressing less enthusiasm for BINI.

The veteran singer-actress shared her thoughts on the two groups when asked about her take on the state of the music industry, during an interview vlog for ‘Senior Moments with Louie Montalbo’ last May.

‘I like the SB19 a lot. They are really, really good. I’m not so crazy about the BINI kasi parang… Hindi sila masyadong… Anyway…,’ Legaspi said, opting not to continue her statement. ‘SB19-they’re really, really good. I’m so proud of them when I see them next to the Koreans.’

Legaspi also singled out SB19 member Stell whom she praised for his performance at the 70th birthday concert of OPM icon and National Artist Ryan Cayabyab in 2024. She also noted that she and the group’s leader, Pablo, are both Caviteños.

‘Ang galing galing nila (SB19). I love watching them,’ she said.

Clips from the YouTube vlog recently resurfaced on X, with fans drawing attention to the veteran actress-singer’s remark about the girl group. While some netizens acknowledged Legaspi’s personal preference, others expressed disappointment over the OPM veteran’s statement.

‘I still have respect for her as one of the pillars of OPM. So I don’t take it against her, and I disagree with the current negative sentiment against her. Iba-iba naman talaga ang preferences ng mga tao eh,’ one netizen said. ‘But for me, what her statement shows is that BINI is really the current standard for OPM. They become part of the conversation (in that case, as a point of comparison) even if they were not even initially mentioned.’

We’ve all seen the old video of Ms. Celeste Legaspi talking about BINI. Understandably, some Blooms are upset with her comments. But for me at least, I don’t mind them. I still have respect for her as one of the pillars of OPM. So I don’t take it against her, and I disagree with…

‘So ayaw niya sa Bini, period. Baka hindi talaga para sa kanya ang music ng Bini. Hindi naman talaga need na iplease lahat. Music is a personal taste,’ an X user wrote.

Okay? So ayaw niya sa Bini, period. Baka hindi talaga para sa kanya ang music ng Bini. Hindi naman talaga need na iplease lahat. Music is a personal taste. Kung fan siya ng SB19, then good for her. Di na para gamitin yang statement niya to hate on Bini. Kasi clearly she said…

‘With all due respect to Ms. Celeste Legaspi, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But comparing BINI to SB19 was so unnecessary. You didn’t have to drag them into this interview. This is so disappointing, coming from a well-respected icon in Philippine music industry,’ one netizen lamented.

With all due respect to Ms. Celeste Legaspi, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But comparing BINI to SB19 was so unnecessary. You didn’t have to drag them into this interview. This is so disappointing, coming from a well-respected icon in Philippine music industry. https://t.co/pbniiKCiCj

‘To Madam Celeste Legaspi, as an OPM fan, I have huge respect for you as one of the pillars of OPM. I also want to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with not being into BINI’s music,’ another BINI fan wrote. ‘Yes, we are all entitled to our own choices and preferences, but being entitled to your opinion doesn’t mean you’re exempt from being respectful when expressing it.’

‘What bothered many people wasn’t simply the fact that you mentioned BINI, but the tone and expressions that came with it. It came across as though you were speaking about them with disdain, as if you were disgusted by their music or didn’t even want to acknowledge them,’ the netizen pointed out. ‘You don’t have to love BINI. You just have to respect them as fellow artists.’

To Madam Celeste Legaspi, as an OPM fan, I have huge respect for you as one of the pillars of OPM. I also want to say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with not being into BINI’s music. We, as Blooms, can respect that. It’s also completely fine for you to mention BINI in… pic.twitter.com/r4xkpdJpxP

Legaspi as well as BINI has yet to publicly address the fans’ sentiments as of this writing.

Police Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. formally assumed leadership of the Northern Mindanao regional police during turnover rites on Thursday at Camp 1Lt. Vicente Alagar here.

Babagay, who served as Bicol regional police director, is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy ‘Patnubay’ Class of 1995.

He succeeded Brig. Gen. Aaron Mandia, who was designated acting regional police director after Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano was named as officer-in-charge director of the National Capital Region Police Office.

Heavy rains were forecast to persist in parts of Luzon until Sunday, Aug. 30, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

In its heavy rainfall outlook as of 5 a.m. on Friday, Pagasa said these areas will experience the following rainfall levels:

Friday, August 28

100 to 200 millimeters (mm) of rain

La Union, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, and Occidental Mindoro

50 to 100 mm of rain

Metro Manila, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique

Saturday, August 29

100 to 200 mm of rain

La Union, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, and Occidental Mindoro

50 to 100 mm of rain

Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Oriental Mindoro

Sunday, August 30

100 to 200 mm of rain

La Union, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan

50 to 100 mm of rain

Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Abra, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and Batangas

In the agency’s forecast on Friday morning, Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said the southwest monsoon, locally known as the habagat, continued to affect parts of Luzon.

Badrina also noted that the state weather bureau was monitoring a low pressure area within the Philippine area of responsibility, but it was forecast not to make landfall in the country.

Carlos Alcaraz will open the defense of his U.S. Open title against an opponent who made a strong run at Wimbledon while the Spaniard was sidelined with an injury.

Main draw play at the final Grand Slam tournament of the season begins Sunday.

Alcaraz is the No. 2 seed and will face Roman Safiullin. It will be Alcaraz’s first singles match since April, after the two-time U.S. Open champion was forced to miss the French Open and Wimbledon because of a right wrist injury.

The Spaniard returned to play with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles tournament and looked rusty. He may have to be sharper against Safiullin, who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, upsetting Andrey Rublev and Joao Fonseca along the way before falling to 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic in four sets.

Safiullin also upset Alcaraz, ranked No. 2 at the time, in the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris in 2023. Alcaraz avenged that loss the following year at the Paris Olympics in their lone other meeting.

Alexander Zverev, the French Open champion who became the No. 1 seed in New York when Jannik Sinner pulled out with a knee injury, will open against Italian Lorenzo Sonego.

The potential men’s quarters: No. 1 Zverev vs. No. 6 Alex de Minaur, No. 2 Alcaraz vs. No. 8 Ben Shelton, No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. No. 5 Flavio Cobolli, and No. 4 Djokovic vs. No. 7 Daniil Medvedev.

No. 10 seed Arthur Fils, coming off the title in the Cincinnati Open, faces two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was once ranked No. 3, in the first round. Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 U.S. Open champion who received a wild card to play in his final Grand Slam tournament before retiring, faces Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon runner-up, to open a second straight major tournament. Berrettini won in four sets – all tiebreakers – at the All England Club.

Rublev, the No. 23 seed, faces 2014 U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic. No. 13 Lorenzo Musetti, who reached the quarterfinals in New York last year, opens against Britain’s Arthur Fery, who lost to Zverev in the Wimbledon semifinals.

The Visayas grid continues to suffer from a power supply crunch, prompting the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to place the region under red alert for three hours on Friday.

In an advisory, the red alert would be up from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Likewise, a yellow alert would take effect from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A yellow alert indicates that available power reserves are thinning, meaning any unexpected plant outage could trigger service interruptions. A red alert means that supply cannot meet demand, which increases the likelihood of rotational brownouts unless we manage consumption effectively.

The available capacity remained thin at 2,307 megawatts (MW) as of 8 a.m., while peak demand was 2,402 MW

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is conducting laboratory observations on lacewing larvae to evaluate their potential as a biological control agent against red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) that have caused widespread damage to sugarcane plantations on Negros Island.

The study being done by the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) in Negros Island Region is focusing on documenting the predatory behavior and feeding activity of the larvae against RSSI, as they are voracious predators known for their role in controlling aphid populations in agricultural fields.

The initiative forms part of the agency’s broader efforts to develop sustainable, science-based integrated pest management strategies using natural predators to suppress pest populations.

The RCPC laboratory, according to the DA, is preparing for the mass production of lacewing larvae, with distribution to pest-affected areas planned to begin later this year.