Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A 35-year-old nurse died after a concrete slab from a waiting shed collapsed on him while he was waiting for a boat ride home in Sierra Island, Barangay Canhawan Gote, Catbalogan City, Samar, on Thursday afternoon.

The victim was identified as Kelvin Castro, 35, a Department of Health nurse assigned to the Catbalogan City Health Office and a resident of Purok 3, Barangay Canlapwas, Catbalogan City.

Police said Castro and his colleague, also a nurse at the City Health Office, had just completed a measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity in Barangay Canhawan Gote.

After the activity, the two went to the docking area for motorboats to wait for their ride back to Catbalogan City.

While waiting, Castro sat under a waiting shed when the structure suddenly collapsed, causing a concrete slab to fall directly on him.

Castro sustained multiple injuries to different parts of his body, particularly to his head.

Cañete, along with several residents in the area and daycare teachers from the City Social Welfare and Development Office, helped pull Castro from underneath the collapsed structure.

They immediately brought him to Samar Provincial Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Doctors and other medical personnel performed resuscitation procedures upon his arrival, but despite their efforts, Castro was declared dead on arrival.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc.’s sprawling data center in Angeles City, Pampanga, has secured ‘green lane’ status from the government. This makes the nearly P5-billion facility eligible for expedited processing of permits and other regulatory requirements.

This classification also recognizes the Angeles Data Center, which was formally unveiled only in March, as a ‘strategic investment’ under the Board of Investments (BOI), which administers the green lane program.

Converge CEO Dennis Uy said he expects the classification to help ease regulatory hurdles as the company positions itself to capture rising demand for cloud computing, data storage and other digital services.

‘Securing Green Lane status for our Angeles Data Center underscores the vital role digital infrastructure plays in nation-building,’ Uy said in a statement.

‘This facility isn’t just expanding our enterprise portfolio-it is building the core digital foundation required to power the Philippines’ booming digital economy,’ he added.

With such status, the Converge facility becomes eligible for government assistance in expediting permits, licenses and other regulatory requirements, including the renewal of clearances.

The addition of the Angeles facility also bolsters the green lane program’s digital infrastructure pipeline, currently its second-largest investment sector with 10 projects worth a combined P405.12 billion.

These projects are expected to generate 20,393 jobs.

The BOI said it expects the project to support the Marcos administration’s industrial development priorities, particularly those identified under the revised Strategic Investment Priority Plan.

‘Investors are looking for predictability and ease of doing business, which is precisely what this endorsement provides,’ BOI director Ernesto de los Reyes said.

The Angeles facility is Converge’s fourth and largest data center, adding to its existing sites in Caloocan City and Pasig City in Metro Manila and Clark in Pampanga.

While the facility began operations with a 3-megawatt (MW) load, Uy earlier said the site has enough room to scale up to as much as 36 MW.

The facility currently serves private-sector clients in industries such as banking and logistics. Local government units are also exploring its use for disaster recovery, while offices under the executive and judicial branches of government are already using the site.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted the red heavy rainfall warning over parts of Zambales and Bataan on Friday morning, Aug. 28.

The red heavy rainfall warning means at least 30 millimeters (mm) of rain is expected in the affected areas within an hour and it will continue in the next two hours, which may bring severe flooding in low-lying areas.

In an advisory at 8 a.m. on Friday, Pagasa said the following areas were covered by the red heavy rainfall warning:

Zambales (Cabangan, Botolan, Subic, San Antonio, San Marcelino, Castillejos, San Narciso, San Felipe, and Olongapo); and

Bataan (Morong, Dinalupihan, and Hermosa)

The state weather bureau also raised the orange heavy rainfall warning over the following:

Tarlac

Pampanga

Bulacan

The rest of Zambales (Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Santa Cruz, Iba), Bataan(Abucay, Bagac, Balanga, Limay, Mariveles, Orani, Orion, Pilar, Samal); and

Nueva Ecija (San Antonio, Cabiao, San Isidro, Gapan, General Tinio, Penaranda, Jaen, San Leonardo, Guimba, Santo Domingo, Quezon, Licab, Zaragoza, Aliaga, Santa Rosa, Cabanatuan, Gabaldon, Laur, Palayan, Bongabon, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Llanera, and Talavera)

The orange heavy rainfall warning means between 15 to 30 mm of rain is expected in the affected areas within an hour and it will continue in the next two hours.

Further, Pagasa raised the yellow heavy rainfall warning over the following areas:

Metro Manila

Rizal; and

The rest of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Cuyapo, Lupao, Nampicuan, Pantabangan, San Jose, Munoz, and Talugtug)

The yellow heavy rainfall warning means between 7.5 to 15 mm of rain is expected in the affected areas within an hour and it will continue in the next two hours.

Meanwhile, according to Pagasa, light to moderate rains were expected over the following areas in the next three hours:

Cavite

Batangas (Balayan, Calatagan, Laurel, Lian, Nasugbu, Talisay, Tuy, Tanauan, Calaca, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Lemery, Taal, Batangas City, Santo Tomas, Malvar, Balete, Lipa, Mataasnakahoy, Ibaan, San Jose, Cuenca, San Pascual, Alitagtag, Bauan, Santa Teresita, San Luis, and Mabini)

Quezon (General Nakar and Infanta); and

Laguna (Santa Maria)

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

The Ironman 70.3 series goes deep in the north for the first time next year when Laoag City hosts a leg on March 14, underscoring the popularity the sport is gaining in the country.

Ilocos Norte’s capital will put its heritage and legendary Ilocano spirit on full display when the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike and 21.1-kilometer run race is flagged off.

Also known as the Sunshine City, Laoag’s appeal as a race venue extends beyond its roads and coastline as it offers a warm, almost always-summer character that lends itself naturally to a race weekend.

Laoag also brings together heritage and contemporary city life with its historic streets, local markets and long-standing Ilocano traditions coexisting with a growing modernity which will give athletes and their families plenty of reasons to stay longer and explore beyond race day.

Registration is now open. For details, visit www.ironman.com/races/im703-laoag.

For the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., the race represents an opportunity to expand the Philippine Ironman experience into a destination with its own distinct character.

The addition of Laoag as a venue further strengthens the Philippines’ position as a major destination for endurance racing in the region. With Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events having been held in the country since 2009, the arrival of a new host city reflects both the continued growth of the local triathlon community and the enduring appeal of the Philippines to international athletes.

With its oceanfront start, fast northern roads, historic urban setting and easy access to the cultural and culinary attractions of Ilocos Norte, the Laoag stop is poised to offer more than a new race on the calendar. It is also an invitation to experience the north from the saddle, on foot and beyond the finish line.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued and assisted a distressed woman in the Batangas town of Balete on Thursday (Aug. 27).

The PCG Batangas Station said its personnel from the Balete sub-station received a report from the village chief of Barangay San Sebastian about a woman near a cliff along the shoreline of Taal Lake who required immediate assistance to prevent a potential accident, because of the hazardous rocky terrain and rough conditions on the lake.

During the rescue operation, however, the woman evaded the responding Coast Guard personnel, climbed the cliff, and then scampered towards the lake where she dove before the Coast Guard and members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) managed to secure her.

The woman was identified through documents found among her belongings. She had no apparent physical injuries but was unable to communicate coherently.

Photo courtesy of PCG Batangas station

She was temporarily sheltered at the barangay hall while authorities coordinated with the concerned local government offices and her family.

The woman was later turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for appropriate intervention and further assistance

Bella Belen is excited for Capital1’s future, as she and Premier Volleyball League MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos have started forming a strong connection while serving national cause for Alas Pilipinas.

Capital1 may have lost its two preseason games, capped by a 20-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-12, 15-10 defeat to Farm Fresh in the PVL on Tour’s Victorias City stop on Saturday, but Belen believes the best is yet to come.

‘We haven’t been able to visit their training that much because we’ve been busy with Alas and the league just recently ended,’ Belen said in Filipino.

The former Rookie of the Year and Capital1 newcomers Santos and Gandler missed the On Tour as they continue to train with the Alas squad that is preparing for the Asian Games next month.

A three-time UAAP MVP out of National University, Belen relishes the chance of building their teamwork as a trio while with the national team, which earned a historic silver in the second leg of the SEA V Cup a few weeks back.

‘I think that will be a big help because I’ve already played with [Gandler and Santos],’ she said. ‘I already know how they play and what they’re like outside the court. I’m excited to see what they can bring to the team, and at the same time, what we can learn from them.’

Capital1 has more time to prepare ahead of the PVL All-Filipino Conference starting in October when the league celebrates its 10th year.

Belen puts a premium on team chemistry with several newcomers joining their team after landing Santos and Gandler from defunct Cignal, tabbing free agent setter Jaja Maraguinot while drafting Detdet Pepito second overall and Khy Cepada in the second round.

‘One of the things we need to improve on is our chemistry. Just because we have talented players doesn’t mean everything will be easy,’ Belen said. ‘We still have to [work hard] and take it one day at a time, get to know each other and learn how to play together as a team.’

Belen is also happy with the growing fan base of the team, which they witnessed when the Ilonggos gave them a warm welcome in Negros Occidental.

‘Of course, I’m really happy because I didn’t expect Capital1’s fanbase to grow this much. I hope they continue to support us, especially in the upcoming season,’ Belen said.

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s medical check-up was authorized by a court order, dismissing the ‘special treatment’ remark from two political prisoner support groups.

‘The medical check-up of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was covered by a court order,’ Bustinera told the Inquirer on Friday.

‘BJMP was implementing a lawful court directive, not extending special treatment,’ he said, adding that the court order was issued by the Fifth Division of Sandiganbayan.

On Thursday, Danilo dela Fuente, vice chair for Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto said the senator’s condition is ‘not generally considered an emergency.’

Amanda Echanis, spokesperson of Laya Campaign for the Release of All Political Prisoners, said ‘plunderers are treated with kid gloves.’

Meanwhile, Dr. Fernando Syquia, an orthopedic surgeon, recommended surgery to treat the meniscus tear in Estrada’s left knee, saying ‘it’s pretty bad.’

After securing permission from the Sandiganbayan on Monday, Estrada underwent a knee X-ray.

He was brought to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Wednesday.

Estrada said in his motion before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division that he had been experiencing joint effusion even before his June 1 detention at a jail facility in Quezon City.

He also disclosed that he had previously been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

The senator has been accused of receiving as much as P573 million in kickbacks from budget insertions and allocations for government infrastructure projects under the 2025 national budget

The strong monsoon rains that have been pouring in the Cordillera region for nearly three weeks now have cost vegetable-producing Benguet province up to P446.55 million in farm losses, according to data consolidated by the Regional Development Council on Wednesday.

Benguet’s losses accounted for some 94.31 percent of the total P473.474 million in agricultural damage throughout the mountain region.

Benguet supplies between 70 and 80 percent of salad vegetables like broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower and beans that are sold in markets in Luzon provinces, including Metro Manila. Prior to the monsoon season, Benguet farmers and food truckers were already struggling due to high fuel costs triggered by the already six-month-long war in the Middle East.

On Monday, the Benguet provincial board placed the province under a state of calamity due to the impact of the heavy rains on Benguet’s vegetable farms.

More than 13,000 families in Benguet’s 14 towns have been affected by weeks of heavy rains, landslides and flooding, with the provincial government estimating damage to both agriculture and infrastructure at over P1 billion.

Benguet’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 2026-0999, which contained the state of calamity declaration, noted that 40,121 residents belonging to 13,000 families were heavily impacted by the weather disturbances. Of these, 470 families had been displaced.

The declaration cited the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, which pegged Benguet’s overall damage at P1,067,973,728.32.

Vice Gov. Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes said the declaration was made after the board noted the severity of the prolonged and intensified monsoon on farms and mountain roads and many critical transport routes across the province.

Veggie hub

The provincial declaration came days after La Trinidad, the capital town, was placed under a state of calamity on Aug. 18.

A vegetable trading hub, the La Trinidad local government reported P57 million in infrastructure damage, including blockages along the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road. Rehabilitation costs were estimated at P220 million.

Damage to houses in La Trinidad was placed at P1.609 million, while initial agricultural losses were estimated at nearly P25 million.

Crop losses in Mountain Province accounted for P16.592 million; some P100,000 in major rice producer Kalinga; P3.114 million in Abra; and P7.1 million in Baguio City’s urban farms.

Ifugao province, home of the World Heritage-inscribed rice terraces, had no report for farm damage at press time on Thursday.

The impact of constant rains also affected farms in other provinces in Luzon.

Other Luzon areas

In Pangasinan, the provincial agriculture office reported agriculture losses throughout the province at more than P508 million. Almost all of its coastal towns and communities along the path of rivers reported flooding.

In Oriental Mindoro, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended to the provincial board to place the entire province under a state of calamity.

The province has so far recorded more than P2 billion in estimated damage to infrastructure, livelihood, government projects, power supply and other sectors from Aug. 6 to Aug. 19.

In contrast to the deluge suffered by Luzon areas, the province of Dinagat Islands in Mindanao was placed under a state of calamity due to a prolonged dry spell.

According to Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr., at least 18,000 people, or some 15 percent of the province’s population, are affected by water shortage as traditional sources either significantly declined or dried up.

Most vulnerable are communities dependent on rainfall-sensitive springs and shallow groundwater sources

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s medical check-up was authorized by a court order, dismissing the ‘special treatment’ remark from two political prisoner support groups.

‘The medical check-up of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was covered by a court order,’ Bustinera told the Inquirer on Friday.

‘BJMP was implementing a lawful court directive, not extending special treatment,’ he said, adding that the court order was issued by the Fifth Division of Sandiganbayan.

On Thursday, Danilo dela Fuente, vice chair for Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto said the senator’s condition is ‘not generally considered an emergency.’

Amanda Echanis, spokesperson of Laya Campaign for the Release of All Political Prisoners, said ‘plunderers are treated with kid gloves.’

Meanwhile, Dr. Fernando Syquia, an orthopedic surgeon, recommended surgery to treat the meniscus tear in Estrada’s left knee, saying ‘it’s pretty bad.’

After securing permission from the Sandiganbayan on Monday, Estrada underwent a knee X-ray.

He was brought to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Wednesday.

Estrada said in his motion before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division that he had been experiencing joint effusion even before his June 1 detention at a jail facility in Quezon City.

He also disclosed that he had previously been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

The senator has been accused of receiving as much as P573 million in kickbacks from budget insertions and allocations for government infrastructure projects under the 2025 national budget

The government’s budget deficit ballooned by 461.7 percent to P106.3 billion in July from P18.9 billion last year as a sharp ramp-up in spending outpaced subdued revenue growth.

Total revenues modestly rose 2 percent to P482.3 billion from P472.3 billion.

Tax collections climbed 7 percent to P452.7 billion from P423 billion, while nontax revenues contracted by 40 percent to P29.6 billion from P49.3 billion.

Meanwhile, expenditures jumped nearly 20 percent to P588.6 billion from P491.2 billion amid the implementation of the Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, Food, and Transport framework, as well as higher disbursements for defense modernization and foreign-assisted rail projects.

From January to July, the fiscal shortfall now stands at P893.1 billion, equivalent to 53.9 percent of the government’s full-year ceiling of P1.658 trillion.

The jump in expenditures, however, did not extend to infrastructure.

Infra spending

A year into the fallout from the flood control corruption scandal, government infrastructure spending continued to slump after falling by 40 percent in the first half of 2026.

Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed infrastructure and other capital outlays plunged 40.8 percent to P367.4 billion from January to June, from P620.2 billion in the same period last year.

This was equivalent to only 39 percent of the P931.54-billion program for the period.

Including equity and capital transfers to local government units, total infrastructure-related spending reached P548.3 billion, down 26.3 percent from P743.6 billion a year earlier.

This was also less than half of the revised P1.272-trillion program.

Spending in June alone fell 34 percent to P98 billion from P148.8 billion a year earlier.

‘The decline in year-on-year spending partly reflected the implementation of strengthened review, audit, validation, and documentary safeguards intended to ensure that government payments are made only for properly verified and compliant infrastructure works,’ DBM said.

Recovery

The DBM is now eyeing a recovery in infrastructure spending in the third quarter on the back of higher DPWH allotments.

‘We are not proposing any relaxation of safeguards. In fact, we want more safeguards. What we are looking at is how we can hasten implementation and procurement,’ DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said on Thursday.