Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, by the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) during its 58th Commencement Exercises on Thursday.

The award recognized Marcos’ efforts to advance economic development, improve access to education, strengthen public health services, and promote social equity.

‘Today, I stand before you, humbled as the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila confers upon me the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa-its highest honorary degree,’ the president said in his speech delivered at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall.

‘This recognition affirms a principle that my administration shares with the PLM – that education must remain a pathway to opportunity, a catalyst for progress, and a cornerstone of nation-building,’ he noted.

Marcos also received a memento from the university-a miniature replica of PLM’s seated statue of Dr. Jose Rizal.

According to him, the said PLM holds a special place in his family, as First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos once taught at its College of Law.

Moreover, he said the government remains committed to making tertiary education accessible to vulnerable sectors through the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.

‘We are ensuring that more students from disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors receive support through free college education and technical-vocational education and training programs,’ Marcos said.

The Free Higher Education program has benefited 2.62 million students, while scholarship and financial assistance programs, such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy and the Tulong Dunong Program, continue to provide support, the president remarked.

‘Every Filipino who completes higher education or training represents far more than a diploma or a certificate earned,’ the president said.

‘This achievement gives someone a fairer chance to succeed, brings a family closer to a better future, equips a worker with the knowledge and skills for greater opportunities,’ Marcos added.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Manila Office invites Filipinos to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Japan through the ‘Arigathanks Japan! Photo Contest.’

The contest highlights the beauty, culture, and memorable experiences that have made Japan a favorite destination among Filipino travelers. Through photography and storytelling, participants are encouraged to share meaningful moments from their journeys and showcase the special connections they have formed with Japan.

To mark 70 years of friendship between the Philippines and Japan, the contest will award 70 exciting prizes, giving participants the opportunity to share their Japan travel memories while competing for memorable rewards. Entries will be evaluated based on their creativity, storytelling, and ability to capture unique experiences in Japan. The grand prize winner will receive a roundtrip flight to Tokyo, inspiring even more travelers to discover the many wonders Japan has to offer.

Entries will be accepted from August 3 to September 30, 2026.

Winners will be announced through the official social media channels of JNTO Manila.

For complete contest mechanics and details, visit: https://arigathanksjapan.jnto.go.jp/

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is Japan’s official tourism organization, dedicated to promoting Japan as a premier travel destination and strengthening tourism exchange through information, marketing, and partnership initiatives around the world.

Join the celebration, share your love for Japan, and be part of this milestone year honoring 70 years of Philippines-Japan friendship!

A low pressure area (LPA) entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) early Thursday and may develop into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours, according to the state weather bureau.

In the 5 a.m. weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, weather specialist Leanne Loreto said that the LPA entered the country around 2 a.m. It was last estimated 1,030 kilometers east of Northern Luzon as of 3 a.m.

‘Posibleng maging bagyo itong LPA within the next 48 hours at kung maging bagyo dahil nasa loob na ito ng PAR, tatawagin itong Pilandok,’ Loreto said.

(This LPA may become a tropical depression within the next 48 hours and if it becomes one because it is already inside PAR, it will be named Pilandok.)

Loreto said that while it has a low chance of making landfall in any parts of the country once it becomes a tropical depression, it will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat starting Friday until Tuesday next week.

‘Sa nakikita natin, in the next few days, mas lalakas pa yung habagat habang kumikilos pa west-northwestward itong LPA kaya magiging maulan sa Luzon maging sa western section ng Visayas in the next 4-5 days,’ Loreto added.

(From what we can see, in the next few days, the habagat will strengthen as the LPA moves west-northwestward, that’s why we expect rains over Luzon and western section of Visayas in the next 4-5 days.)

Meanwhile, Loreto shared that the habagat will continue to affect Luzon and the western section of Visayas on Thursday. She noted that the former tropical cyclone Obet still enhances the habagat as it moves towards mainland China.

She added that cloudy skies are expected over the western part of Luzon while there is a high chance of scattered rainshowers over Batanes, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Batangas, and Mindoro.

The eastern section of Luzon will experience hot weather with chances of thunderstorm activities in the afternoon and evening.

Western Visayas will also see a high chance of rains and overcast skies while hot and humid weather will prevail over the rest of Visayas and Mindanao.

Temperature forecast for the following areas:

Metro Manila: 26°C to 32°C

Baguio: 18°C to 22°C

Laoag: 26°C to 32°C

Tagaytay: 22°C to 30°C

Tuguegarao: 26°C to 34°C

Legazpi: 27°C to 33°C

Kalayaan Islands: 26°C to 31°C

Puerto Princesa: 25°C to 32°C

Iloilo: 25°C to 32°C

Cebu: 27°C to 33°C

Tacloban: 27°C to 33°C

Cagayan de Oro: 26°C to 33°C

Davao: 26°C to 33°C

Zamboanga: 25°C to 34°C

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday (Aug. 26) turned over three fire trucks to the Batangas provincial government to boost its fire response and emergency preparedness.

‘The new vehicles will serve as additional assets in strengthening fire response and emergency preparedness in the province,’ the provincial government’s Public Information Office (PIO) said in a Thursday report (Aug. 27).

Governor Vilma Santos-Recto personally received the fire trucks during a turnover ceremony at the provincial capitol compound in Batangas City.

Santos-Recto said the additional fire trucks would help ensure faster and more efficient responses to fires and other emergencies in local communities.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has ramped up its peacebuilding and economic initiatives through the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) program, distributing millions in livelihood seed capital and launching cultural preservation efforts across multiple provinces.

The formal launching ceremony took place on Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Folk Arts Theatre, Kaamulan Grounds here, bringing together local government units (LGUs), Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, and people’s organizations (POs).

The ceremony featured the inauguration of the Pamana LGU-Led Indigenous Peoples’ Sacred Rituals and Cultural Rites and the ceremonial check turnover to local POs.

Miramel Garcia-Laxa, DSWD Central Office National Program Management director, said the Pamana program highlighted a whole-of-government approach aimed at reaching vulnerable sectors in conflict-vulnerable areas, safeguarding cultural heritage, and promoting inclusive, sustainable development.

As part of the rollout, the DSWD awarded P10.2 million in seed capital for Bukidnon’s PO based in the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, and in the towns of Pangantucan, Impasugong, Kibawe, San Fernando, and Baungon.

In this city, nine POs each received P300,000 for livelihood venture such as corn farming.

An additional P300,000 will follow once project growth is verified.

Prior to disbursement, these groups underwent rigorous social preparation and capacity-building on financial management and project administration alongside partner agencies like Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

For Misamis Oriental, P5.1 million in seed capital has been turned over to 17 POs spanning five municipalities and two cities.

In Misamis Occidental, P3.6 million has been slated for distribution to 12 POs this September.

Several POs in Lanao del Sur are also slated to each receive P300,000 to assist their identified projects

Through these synchronized financial interventions and cultural initiatives, the DSWD-Pamana program continues to solidify community resilience, ensuring that marginalized and conflict-affected sectors achieve long-term economic independence while preserving their ancestral traditions, Garcia-Laxa said.

Pierre Abellana may not always get the spotlight, but Farm Fresh knows the value of having a reliable service specialist who can deliver when called upon.

Abellana has embraced that role for the Foxies over the past three years, providing steady defense and timely serves whenever she enters the court.

In Farm Fresh’s final PVL on Tour game, Abellana nailed two aces on top of her steady floor defense as they eked out a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-12, 15-10 win over Capital1 on Saturday at the Victorias City Coliseum in Negros Occidental.

Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara brought Abellana and hometown player Maicah Larroza in the postgame interview to praise his unheralded duo alongside Ara Galang and Ces Molina.

Tsuzurabara has been impressed by the University of Santo Tomas product’s consistency.

‘Pierre had her best performance. Her progress has been great,’ said Tsuzurabara.

Abellana, the 16th overall pick of Farm Fresh in the inaugural Rookie Draft in 2024, was honored by the praise from her coach, saying it reflected the work she has put in since earning her place in the professional ranks.

‘I really want to thank coach Koji because he rarely gives compliments,’ Abellana said in Filipino. ‘He’s not really the type to give praise, but he rewards you when he sees that you’re working hard.’

‘I know I worked hard for this, and I don’t want to discredit myself either. I’m really thankful to coach for the opportunity.’

Ahead of the Invitationals, where they will face the Jaja Santiago-Minowa-led Creamline, defending champion PLDT, Nxled, and guest teams EST Cola from Thailand and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, Abellana hopes to continue thriving in her role.

‘I’m really happy because it’s not an easy role, but I’ve still been given playing time,’ she said. ‘That has been a big factor in building my confidence, and I’ve learned a lot from this role, especially about how to regain my confidence.’

Farm Fresh opens its campaign against EST Cola on Monday next week at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The top two teams in the round-robin format will clash in a winner-take-all final.

La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City switched to online synchronous classes on Thursday, August 27, following a ‘security concern.’

In an advisory posted on Wednesday night, the La Salle Green Hills administration said, ‘All classes from Preschool to Grade 12, including IB (International Baccalaureate) and Alternative Education, will be conducted online synchronously tomorrow as a precautionary measure.’

It noted that it received a ‘security concern’ on Wednesday night, but it did not expound.

‘The school administration has already identified the source,’ La Salle Greenhills said.

‘However, given the late hour, a thorough safety protocol and onsite investigation cannot be properly completed before school starts tomorrow (Thursday) morning,’ it added.

‘In light of this, and in deep respect, empathy, and solidarity regarding the recent heartbreaking incidents in the news, we refuse to leave our campus vulnerable or take any security risks with our students’ safety,’ it further explained.

The school administration added that classes on Friday, August 28, will be held asynchronously online as previously scheduled.

On Wednesday, San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa City likewise suspended face-to-face classes due to an ‘unverified safety concern.’

Later on Wednesday, the Southern Police District (SPD) said the San Beda Alabang campus had been declared cleared and safe following a security sweep

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic on Thursday continued condemning and disposing of 10 containers of abandoned cigarettes valued at about P413 million, following the destruction of the first three containers worth P129.065 million at the end of July.

The first batch, consisting of three 40-foot containers containing about 3,000 cases of assorted-brand cigarettes, was destroyed from July 28 to Aug. 3 at the Legaxy 88 Recyclable Materials Collection Services in Santa Maria, Bulacan, an accredited disposal facility of the Port of Subic.

The cigarettes underwent shredding and pyrolysis, or the use of intense heat to break down molecules in accordance with established customs disposal procedures, the BOC said in an August 25 statement.

The agency then disposed of the remaining seven containers.

The agency said it coordinated with the appropriate committees and accredited disposal facilities to ensure the abandoned goods are properly accounted for, rendered unusable, and disposed of in accordance with the law.

About 3,000 cases of assorted-brand cigarettes from three 40-foot containers are destroyed through shredding and pyrolysis as part of the BOC Port of Subic’s continuing disposal of abandoned goods (Photos courtesy of BOC Port of Subic)

The latest operation came weeks after the BOC Port of Subic oversaw the destruction of about P430 million worth of cigarettes in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Police seized the shipment in separate operations and later declared the items abandoned before destroying them.

The Port of Subic said the continuing disposal is part of its ‘efforts to safeguard government revenue, secure the country’s borders and promote transparency and accountability in customs operations

Justin de Dios of SB19 recalled being treated disrespectfully by a Filipino airport employee in Los Angeles while the group was traveling to the US for their historic Lollapalooza performance.

De Dios shared the encounter in SB19’s latest YouTube vlog, recalling how the incident happened after the group arrived in Los Angeles and was waiting for their luggage.

According to de Dios, an elderly Filipino woman approached the group’s manager, Leah, to ask for a photo. Leah politely asked if they could take the picture later, once the members had collected their luggage and were ready to leave the airport.

‘Siyempre, as manager, lumapit siya. Parang sabi ni Ate Leah, ‘Ay, okay lang po ba mamaya na lang po pagka-settle?’ So, meaning pag pagka-settle, pag nakuha na lahat ng luggage before we go, pa-picture kami with Nanay,’ he recalled.

De Dios said the elderly woman understood Leah’s request and eventually took photos with the other SB19 members, including him, when they were available.

However, a Filipino airport employee allegedly overheard Leah’s earlier conversation and approached the manager after the elderly woman had left.

‘Tapos nung umalis na si Nanay, may lumapit na nagta-trabaho sa airport. Parang narinig niya ata na sabi ni Ate Leah na mamaya na, later na lang po magpa-picture. Kasi nakapagpa-picture naman na si Nanay,’ he recalled.

De Dios said the employee asked Leah for her name before telling her, ‘Suplada ka, ah.’ The remark upset the singer, who said Leah had spoken politely and was not even directly addressing the employee.

‘Maayos naman ‘yung pagkakasabi nung manager namin, tapos hindi naman siya ‘yung kausap. Na-overheard lang… hindi naman technically pinipigilan, nakapagpa-picture na nga eh,’ he said.

De Dios said the employee continued making negative remarks about Leah and SB19, while also talking about his previous encounters with celebrities and showing photos of himself with famous personalities.

‘Ang dami niya nang sinabi bigla. Like sabi niya, ‘Di pa nga sikat, ‘di na nagpapa-picture. ‘Pag nasa harap na ng camera, doon kakaway-kaway. Pero mga suplado naman,” he recalled.

‘Tapos parang sinabi niya pa na Filipino mentality daw. Basta ang dami niyang sinabing mga offensive… disrespectful na bagay, [kahit na] nagta-trabaho ka doon. And wala namang ginawang mali or masama ‘yung tao,’ he added.

De Dios said he chose to listen to the rude remarks so he would know what to say if ever he decided to confront the employee.

‘But the thing is… parang ang hirap lang gumalaw kasi parang siyempre delikado and all, pero talagang as in super disrespectful,’ he continued.

While he, the other SB19 members and Leah decided not to engage further with the employee, de Dios remarked that the incident was particularly disappointing because it involved a fellow Filipino.

‘Sa mga past tours naman namin, hindi naman ganon ‘yung na-experience namin. Pero like sa Filipino pa namin mae-experience ‘yung ganon. Tapos parang, it’s very normal sa kanila. Tapos parang kami pa ‘yung mali,’ he said.

‘Grabe, wow, the welcome committee sa pag-land ng LA… Shoutout to you, kuya!’ he concluded the video.

SB19 recently made history as the first Filipino act to perform at Lollapalooza in Chicago. They also recently performed at Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival alongside fellow P-pop act BINI.

The cost of producing and moving rice rose much faster than the price of the staple in June, creating a widening gap that could put pressure on farmers and other players in the rice supply chain even as retail prices remained relatively stable.

University of the Philippines Diliman associate professor and Inquirer data scientist Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao based his finding on data from the International Rice Research Institute’s (IRRI) June 2026 Global Rice Market Brief, which showed the rice input-cost index at 143, compared with a rice-price index of 102.

‘In other words, the cost of producing and moving rice rose far faster than the price of rice itself,’ Panao said.

The resulting 41-point gap was the third-largest among the eight markets covered by the IRRI data, behind Indonesia at 46 points and Myanmar at 45.

The figures suggest that the price consumers see in the market does not necessarily reflect the costs incurred throughout the rice supply chain, Panao said.

Input costs rise faster

Panao said the gap was not driven by a shortage of rice but by higher costs of inputs and activities involved in producing and moving the staple.

‘Fuel prices remained elevated after the March-to-May shock linked to the Middle East conflict, while fertilizer (urea) prices also stayed high,’ he said.

At the same time, rice prices softened in May and June, which Panao said was presumably linked to the government’s P50-per-kilogram ceiling on imported rice under Executive Order No. 118.

The disparity between input costs and rice prices raises the question of where the cost is being absorbed along the supply chain, Panao said.

‘The cost-price gap implies that the real cost of rice is being absorbed somewhere along the supply chain, likely by farmers through lower returns, as well as by millers, traders and transporters through thinner margins, and even by government through subsidies,’ he said.

A wider gap

Panao said the increase in costs associated with producing and moving rice has outpaced the movement in rice prices, putting pressure on farmers, millers, traders and transporters, as well as the government.

He said the situation is significant because the price of rice at the consumer level does not necessarily capture the costs incurred throughout the supply chain.

‘The price of rice, a daily staple for millions of Filipinos, may have stabilized. But a stable retail price does not necessarily mean a healthy market,’ he said.

Beyond cheaper rice

Panao said the current system may be working for now, but a longer-term approach should look beyond bringing down the price paid by consumers.

‘While the current system may be working for now, a forward-looking government should look beyond bringing cheaper rice to consumers and build a rice system strong and sustainable enough to feed Filipino families tomorrow,’ he said.

Panao said the IRRI recommendations include stronger competition and closer monitoring of margins across the supply chain, along with targeted support when rising costs threaten production.

‘This includes helping farmers adopt higher-yielding and climate-resilient varieties, improving access to credit and inputs, and using NFA procurement more strategically.