Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Amid the constant thinning of power reserves in the Visayas region that leads to frequent brownouts since May, renewable energy plants are set to rise in Northern Samar and Negros Occidental provinces, raising hopes this could help ease the situation when these are completed.

In Northern Samar, a 200-megawatt (MW) wind power project is nearing construction phase, with its developer working with local governments on permits, site development and a proposed port facility to support it.

Representatives from Vivant Renewable Energy Corp. (VREC) recently met with Victoria Mayor Joey Ardales to discuss the latest developments in the Northern Samar Wind Project, which will cover parts of Victoria and the neighboring towns of Lavezares, Allen and Rosario.

The project plans to install wind turbines in coastal and mountainous areas of the four towns, with VREC partnering with global turbine manufacturer Envision Energy.

About 36 percent of the planned 200-MW capacity has already been covered by power off-take contracts under the government’s Green Energy Auction Program, according to a project information presented during the briefing.

VREC, the renewable-energy arm of Cebu-based Vivant Energy Corp., is targeting completion of construction and grid integration by 2028, subject to the completion of regulatory, technical and other development requirements.

Once operational, the wind farm is expected to generate about 695 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity annually, equivalent to the power needs of more than 190,000 households.

Geothermal source

Engineer Jary Evangelista of VREC said the project was projected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 487,000 metric tons each year, supporting Northern Samar’s efforts to expand renewable energy investments and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation.

In Negros Occidental, a 5.6-MW binary power plant in Mailum, Bago City, is expected to be operational by 2027, according to Erwin Magallanes, head of corporate relations of First Gen’s Energy Development Corp. (EDC).

The plant is being built on the former site of the Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant. The 5.6-MW binary power plant, which will tap into the area’s geothermal resource, is capable of supplying electricity to approximately 100,000 households, Magallanes said.

According to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, the Visayas region posted an all-time peak demand of 2,779.37 MW on May 14 this year. To meet the region’s surging electricity needs, the grid imports 200 MW from Luzon and 450 MW from Mindanao, mostly from coal-fed capacities that are currently on extended maintenance outage.

A 20-year-old man who was swept away by a strong current while crossing a river to gather vegetables was found dead.

The Philippine Coast Guard in Zambales confirmed on Thursday that Jasper Rosales, a resident of Sitio Dinuron, Barangay Burgos here, was found along the shoreline of Barangay San Miguel at around 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday.

His immediate family positively identified the remains.

Rosales went missing at around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday after he and his 32-year-old cousin, Darwin Milo, reportedly crossed Pamatawan River in Sitio Maligaya, Barangay Burgos, to gather vegetables.

The strong current dragged the men along the river, but Milo survived.

The recovered remains of Rosales were turned over to his family and concerned authorities for proper disposition and further investigation, according to the PCG.

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!

Consumers in the Visayas may face another wave of brownouts on Thursday, as the grid operator placed the region under red alert amid persistent tight electricity supply.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said the red alert status would be in effect from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The grid will also be under a yellow alert from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A yellow alert indicates that available power reserves are thinning, meaning any unexpected plant outage could trigger service interruptions. A red alert indicates that supply cannot meet demand, heightening the chances of rotational brownouts unless people manage their consumption.

For the past days the NGCP has placed the Visayas under a series of power alerts, as some large coal plants remain offline, worsened by the limited imports from Mindanao.

On Wednesday, the NGCP said it implemented manual load dropping (MLD) in Bohol and Panay. MLD is a controlled and temporary power interruption in selected areas that helps maintain grid stability. The utility typically uses it to prevent a total blackout when supply is insufficient or demand surges

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