Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

More than 500,000 hectares of farmlands has been distributed to beneficiaries ever since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III said on Thursday.

During the deliberations on the the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Estrella told members of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations that his agency had distributed 410,179 titles covering 556,088 hectares to 376,738 agrarian reform beneficiaries identified.

‘The years 2022 to 2026 may aptly be described as banner years for the Department of Agrarian Reform,’ Estrella told lawmakers.

From the January to August 2026 period, DAR distributed 16,032 titles covering 23,574 hectares to 14,032 beneficiaries. In 2025, the agency had apportioned 199,838 titles over 23,574 hectares to 176,202 farmers, according to its presentation.

In 2024, 88,310 farmers received 102,546 land titles over 120,772 hectares of land. The agency gave away 69,897 titles for 84,044 hectares to 73,399 beneficiaries in 2023.

In the first year of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s government, DAR released 21,876 titles over 25,159 hectares to 24,804 farmers, based on the presentation.

Land reform is a contentious issue in the Philippines, a traditionally agricultural nation where vestiges of Spanish colonial land ownership have been inherited and sustained across decades.

About 5.4 million hectares of land were earmarked for distribution to farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform law, which aimed to reduce inequality by diffusing farmlands to tillers.

The Department of Education (DepEd) spearheaded the National Simultaneous School Safety Drill on Thursday to strengthen the emergency preparedness of public and private schools.

The drill aims to enhance multi-agency coordination during active threat scenarios with localized school contingency plans to ensure the safety and psychosocial well-being of students, teachers, and other school personnel.

According to a DepEd statement, the safety drill at Carlos F. Gonzales High School in Bulacan was attended by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and DepEd officials, led by Undersecretary for Governance and Operations Malcolm Garma.

In a message, which was read on his behalf, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said: ‘We want our schools to be places where a learner’s biggest concern is an upcoming exam, a missed assignment, or simply getting through another busy day at school, not whether they are safe inside their own classroom.’

‘This drill is not about dwelling on frightening situations. It is about making sure that when an emergency happens, our school community knows how to respond. The purpose of a drill is not to look perfect. It is to help us become better prepared,’ added Angara.

Angara also thanked teachers for their steadfast commitment to protecting students during any emergency.

Updated drill guidelines

DepEd conducted the drill after extensive consultations with medical and mental health experts, including the Philippine Psychiatric Association, the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Philippine Pediatric Society.

The result is updated drill guidelines to align with trauma-informed, child-centered standards under a strict ‘Do No Harm’ directive, which strictly prohibits ‘hyper-realistic elements, active aggressor role-playing, and graphic threat simulations.’

‘Instead, drills are triggered by a distinct early warning alarm, separate from standard fire or earthquake signals, to build procedural muscle memory without creating distress,’ the DepEd statement said.

At Carlos F. Gonzales High School, the drill began with an emergency alert via a public address system and calls to the 911 emergency hotline and local police, prompting teachers and students to execute protective actions inside classrooms.

Then police officers arrived – operating under strict safety protocols, with firearms concealed – and cleared response teams to conduct first aid while the school started reunification procedures.

Observers from various agencies were present, including representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices. They evaluated the simulation to identify operational gaps and refine localized contingency plans.

School Contingency Plan

To ensure campus readiness, DepEd is also doing a nationwide rollout of the new School Contingency Plan integrating active threat responses, such as lockout, lockdown, evacuation, and reunification procedures, into the school’s existing disaster management frameworks.

Schools are mandated to implement physical site hardening, capacity-building, and localized preparations in coordination with local government and law enforcement authorities.

Site hardening measures include the following:

single-entry points for visitors

secure perimeter gates

routine inspections of perimeter fencing

internal classroom locking or barricading mechanisms

In the event of a threat, the School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (SDRRM) Committee automatically reconstitutes into an Incident Management Team (IMT). School personnel and students are given orientations and drills in localized, age-appropriate protective actions.

Comprehensive response and reunification guidelines detail strict behavioral compliance during police tactical interventions, multi-agency emergency dispatch, integrated Emergency Medical Services triage, and secure family reunification procedures.

Post-incident protocols call for immediate Psychological First Aid (PFA) and structured learning continuity under DepEd’s 4H (Hinto, Hinga, Hinay, Hayo) Framework for a safe, phased recovery after any active threat has been resolved.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has urged residents in flood-prone areas to prioritize early evacuation as the country continues to experience the rainy season.

During the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Kapihan forum Thursday, Fire Supt. Anthony Arroyo, chief of the BFP Public Information Service, said proactive measures remain crucial to preventing loss of life, particularly in low-lying areas prone to flooding.

‘The most important thing there is really taking proactive measures,’ Arroyo said.

He said authorities are anticipating the need for residents in flood-prone communities to evacuate before conditions worsen.

However, the BFP official acknowledged that authorities continue to encounter resistance from some residents who are being urged to leave their homes.

He said the BFP is working with other law enforcement agencies, local government units and the DILG to ensure vulnerable communities are properly evacuated.

For residents who cannot evacuate on their own, Arroyo said the BFP will conduct rescue operations and transport them to safer areas.

‘If they are unable to evacuate, that is when rescue operations will be conducted to transport them to safe areas using our water assets,’ he said.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo on Thursday questioned Hiraya Water Corporation over its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings that listed restaurants, parlors, beer houses and snack bars as its nature of business despite its operation of water utilities.

Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Services, asked Hiraya President Jose Paulino Santamarina about the company’s corporate records.

‘According to your SEC records, ang nature of business ninyo ay beer house and beauty parlor. So kung expert kayo sa pagpapatakbo ng mga GRO, mamasan, beauty parlor, paano pa kaya itong patubig?’ Tulfo said during Thursday’s hearing.

(According to your SEC records, your nature of business are beer houses and beauty parlors. So if you’re an expert in operating GROs, pimps, and beauty parlors, how will you be able to handle water concerns?)

Santamarina said he was unaware of the discrepancy and that he would have to check the company’s SEC filings with its legal counsel.

Tulfo said Santamarina, as president of the company, should have been aware of the contents of its SEC filing.

‘I apologize po. Ang alam ko lang po, nagbago na ang management at bagong direksyon at bago na ang investment para po sa Prime. Kailangan naming palitan dahil nagbago na po lahat. Hindi ko alam na ganito ‘yung finile,’ Santamarina said.

(I apologize. All I know is that the management has changed, and there is a new direction and new investment for Prime. We needed to change it because everything had changed. I did not know that this was what had been filed)

Page 2 says otherwise

According to Santamarina, the company’s primary purpose is establishing, maintaining, operating, managing or administering and supervising a waterworks system, including authority to own and operate drilling rigs, machinery, pumps and other equipment necessary for the operation.

SEC Representative lawyer Ria Alexandra Castillo later clarified that the company’s latest General Information Sheet (GIS), filed on May 29, 2026, reflected waterworks as its primary purpose.

On the second page, however, under the description of the nature of business, the filing listed ‘restaurants, refreshment centers, parlors, bars, beer houses, snack bars, fast-food centers, and other similar establishment.’

‘Maybe it’s an oversight on your part?’ Tulfo asked the SEC.

Castillo then said they will further validate the matter.

The exchange came amid the committee’s broader inquiry into the transition from PrimeWater to Hiraya Water Corporation, including the company’s service obligations, capital expenditures and contracts with local water districts.

SEC asked to look into Hiraya Water name

Meanwhile, Tulfo also raised concerns over Hiraya Water Corporation’s registered name, which was causing confusion with a tech company also using the ‘Hiraya Water’ name.

Hiraya Technology Solutions, Inc., a smart water management company, is registered with the SEC as ‘Hiraya Water.’

The tech company’s CEO, Stephen Larcia, told the Senate panel that the similarity in names had resulted in consumers mistakenly sending complaints intended for Hiraya Water Corporation to their tech company.

This, he said, was causing problems for their company, particularly with its after-sales and customer-related concerns.

Tulfo then instructed the SEC to look into the possibility of requiring Hiraya Water Corporation to change its corporate name, or taking other appropriate action, to prevent further confusion.

Castillo supported Tulfo’s position.

The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) intensified its campaign against criminality and other law violations across Eastern Visayas in August, arresting 1,145 violators and confiscating contraband and other illegal items valued at P18.96 million in 1,012 law enforcement operations.

The PRO-8 sustained its focused and intelligence-driven operations against illegal drugs, insurgency, wanted persons, smuggling, illegal fishing, illegal logging, loose firearms and explosives, and illegal gambling.

The campaign against illegal drugs remained among PRO-8’s top priorities. A total of 105 anti-drug operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 126 drug personalities and the seizure of 1,145.80 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P7.79 million.

PRO-8 also continued its anti-insurgency efforts, resulting in the surrender of 19 New People’s Army members and the arrest of two others. The operations also led to the recovery of nine firearms and two explosives, contributing to government efforts to weaken the armed group’s presence and activities in the region.

Meanwhile, intensified manhunt operations led to the arrest of 445 wanted persons, including 74 most wanted persons, as PRO-8 continued its efforts to locate and apprehend individuals with standing warrants of arrest.

Anti-smuggling operations likewise yielded significant results. Four operations targeting cigarette smuggling resulted in the confiscation of five packs and 14 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P10,450.00. In separate anti-petroleum smuggling operations, authorities arrested five individuals and seized 108 containers holding 140 liters of petroleum products worth P174,680.00.

In support of environmental protection and the enforcement of fisheries laws, PRO-8 conducted anti-illegal fishing operations that resulted in the apprehension of 292 violators. Authorities also confiscated fishing paraphernalia valued at P10.15 million along with fish catch worth P130,735.00.

Anti-illegal logging operations, meanwhile, led to the arrest of 21 individuals and the seizure of 11,495.10 board feet of illegally sourced lumber with an estimated value of P682,266.00.

PRO-8 also intensified its campaign against loose firearms and explosives through 203 operations, resulting in the confiscation, surrender, and recovery of 191 firearms and two explosives.

The police regional office likewise sustained its crackdown on illegal gambling. A total of 71 operations were conducted, leading to the arrest of 180 individuals and the confiscation of P27,771 in bet money.

B/Gen. Jason Capoy, police regional director, commended the operating units for their dedication and commitment to PRO-8’s intensified law enforcement campaign.

‘These accomplishments reflect the hard work, professionalism, and teamwork of our personnel in fulfilling our duty to protect the people of Eastern Visayas. We will continue to strengthen our law enforcement operations through focused and intelligence-driven efforts to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable. Together, we will continue to maintain peace, order, and public safety throughout the region,’ he said in a statement.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Romando Artes on Thursday said General Manager Nicolas Torre has admitted to owning the vehicle that was recently caught plying the busway at Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (Edsa).

‘I think may admission naman po si GM Torre na kanya po yung sasakyan na navideohan na dumaan po sa busway. I cannot confirm kung sakay siya at that time,’ he said in Filipino during a press briefing.

(I think there was an admission already from GM Torre that the vehicle caught on video going through the busway was his. I cannot confirm if he was inside at the time.)

According to Artes, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has already issued a show cause order to the MMDA because the license plate attached to the vehicle appeared to be owned by the agency.

‘Pursuant naman po doon sa show cause order, sinurrender na po ni GM Torre yung sasakyan na involved, at binibigyan po siya ng opportunity na magpaliwanag. So, kami po dito sa MMDA, we will leave it up to the LTO para mag-conduct ng impartial investigation regarding this matter,’ he said.

(Pursuant to the show cause order, GM Torre has already surrendered the vehicle involved, and he is given the opportunity to explain. So, for us at the MMDA, we will leave it up to the LTO to conduct an impartial investigation regarding this matter.)

With the ongoing investigation by the LTO, Artes said this will not affect Torre’s work at the MMDA since a suspension order was not issued against him.In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the LTO said Torre ‘voluntarily surrendered’ an MMDA patrol vehicle following the issuance of a show cause order. The unit was caught passing through the Edsa Busway lane and was using a license plate registered to a different vehicle.The LTO said the vehicle is now currently under its custody while it conducts its investigation

High-grade marijuana, often called ‘kush,’ worth P162.2 million was seized from a yacht docked at the Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) inside the Subic Bay Freeport on Wednesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed on Thursday.

The illegal drugs were discovered hidden aboard Sailing Yacht (SY) ‘Lindsy’ during a boarding and dismantling operation conducted by a composite team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Authorities were tipped off about the contraband on Sept. 1 after mechanics repairing the yacht’s generator and engine reportedly discovered the hidden compartment containing suspected illegal substances, according to a report from the PCG Intelligence Unit (CGIU) in Zambales.

The yacht had arrived at SBYC on Aug. 28 from Thailand and was bound for Taiwan when it experienced engine trouble. Authorities have yet to disclose the identity and whereabouts of the yacht’s owner or any other persons linked to the vessel.

On Wednesday, CGIU Zambales and Coast Guard Sub-Station Olongapo personnel conducted covert verification of the vessel while BOC and PDEA personnel prepared for boarding and inspection at 7 p.m.

The operating team seized approximately 89 kilos or packs of suspected kush. The team brought the confiscated items to the SBYC boathouse for inventory.

The CGS Zambales also served as a blocking force aboard a Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary rigid-hull inflatable boat during the seaborne operation. It later provided security escort during the transport of the seized items.

As of 1:06 a.m. on Thursday, BOC and PDEA personnel were continuing the inventory of the confiscated marijuana. BOC turned over the drugs to PDEA for proper disposition and disposal

Persistent problems with power and water supply are affecting the tourism industry in Oriental Mindoro, according to the 2026 Local Tourism Product and Market Survey, which was presented at the Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum on September 2.

‘Our problem in power and water impact our tourism industry. Just like in Puerto Galera and other tourist destinations, the frequent brownouts and water shortage discourage tourist from coming back,’ said Dhon Calda, head of Oriental Mindoro’s Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) . In March, the local government of Puerto Galera declared a state of water emergency after its water sources were

declared non potable.

From January 1 to August 16 this year, a total of 684,622 tourists visited multiple destinations in the province, Calda said. The figure is lower than the 908,917 visitors in 2024 and the 1,035,705 guests in 2025.

The province’s total tourism sector revenue from 2024 to August 16 was P15,757,427,000, broken down to P6,251,413,000 in 2024, P6,392,732,500 last year, and P3,113,281,500 during the last 8 months.

Calda said the industry is expecting more tourist during the second peak season from October to December which could improve this year’s tourism performance.

Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco) Gen. Manager Engr. Humphrey Dolor conceded that power services has impacted tourism here. ‘It is correct that our power woes affect the industry but it is not the main contibutor. Look at Palawan, which has a worse power problem but their tourism industry is flourishing,’ Dolor said in a message to the Inquirer.

But he pressed for support in resolving the cooperative’s struggles and asked people to refrain from finger-pointing.

The word war between Sens. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and Alan Peter Cayetano over questioned infrastructure and reclamation projects in Taguig City continued on Thursday, with Lacson claiming evidence from his probe makes Cayetano ‘quake while quacking.’

‘Sen. Cayetano can accuse me all he wants of ‘politically motivated’ witch-hunt, fake news and trial by publicity, but I’m sure, he quakes in his shoes each time he sees every piece of evidence that I present each time he resorts to his trademark ‘quack-quack’ on Facebook Live,’ Lacson said.

‘PATHETIC. Imagine someone ‘quacking’ on FB Live with accusations of politically motivated demolition job, fake news and trial by publicity and at the same time ‘quaking in his boots’ every time each piece of evidence of corruption in his turf unfolds before his eyes,’ he added in a post on X.

His statement came as Cayetano on Wednesday maintained that the investigation into the projects in Taguig was politically motivated, accusing Lacson of conducting a ‘demolition job’ and ‘witch hunt’ against him.

Lacson, however, said the evidence gathered by his office had already been submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman, which is conducting a fact-finding investigation into the projects.

‘Marami na kaming naipadala,’ (We have sent in a lot) Lacson said, referring to testimonial and documentary evidence his staff had gathered from official records of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Reclamation Authority, Land Registration Authority and General Appropriations Acts, among others.

Earlier, Lacson said at least P3.713 billion in public funds may have been wasted on projects along portions of Laguna Lake in Taguig City that are subject to government action over alleged ‘illegal’ reclamation.

The amount does not include other allegedly anomalous slope protection and flood mitigation projects along the Taguig River, which Lacson said involved double appropriations and ‘ghost’ projects.

Meanwhile, Cayetano on Wednesday said the situation in Taguig had significantly improved, particularly in terms of flooding, under the leadership of the Cayetanos.

Cayetano said this was why it was ‘very unfair’ for the city to be subjected to what he called a ‘demolition job,’ ‘witch hunt’ and ‘trial by publicity.’

The Inquirer has sought Cayetano’s comment on Lacson’s latest statement but has yet to receive a response as of posting time

Public trust and satisfaction in the Senate declined in the second quarter of 2026, while both measures for the House of Representatives increased, based on the latest OCTA Research ‘Tugon ng Masa’ survey.

In its survey report released on Thursday, OCTA Research said trust in the Senate declined from 44 percent to 41 percent, while distrust increased from 24 percent to 27 percent.

Satisfaction with the Senate’s performance also declined from 42 percent to 38 percent, while dissatisfaction increased from 27 percent to 32 percent.

Meanwhile, trust in the House of Representatives increased from 36 percent to 38 percent, while distrust declined from 33 percent to 28 percent.

As for satisfaction with its performance, the lower chamber saw an increase from 35 percent to 37 percent, while dissatisfaction declined from 35 percent to 32 percent.

The poll was conducted among 1,200 adult Filipinos from July 4 to 11, with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.

OCTA Research noted that the survey period overlapped with the leadership row and eventual change in leadership in the Senate.

It also coincided with the opening days of the Senate’s impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which convened as an impeachment court on July 6