Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Championing equity in education, the Department of Education (DepEd) has officially activated the Bayang Bumabasa Initiative, allotting P131 million in Needs-Based Program Support Funds to assist 131 priority schools in accelerating literacy gains.

The initiative, unveiled during the 2025 National Literacy Conference, will provide up to P1 million per school to implement locally responsive and contextualized reading programs.

The 131 recipient schools – including 25 located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas – were identified through the School Year (SY) 2024-2025 Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) as priority areas for additional support. Using this data, DepEd moved beyond random allocation to pinpoint schools where foundational literacy intervention is most critical, ensuring support reaches even the farthest communities across the archipelago.

Recipient schools reflect the country’s diverse and challenging landscapes. In the north, the initiative reaches upland agricultural communities served by Capissayan Norte Elementary School in Gattaran, Cagayan. In the Visayas, it extends to interior highlands such as Hiduroma Elementary School in San Jose de Buan, Samar. In the south, it reaches coastal areas like Maguid Elementary School in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

‘The Bayang Bumabasa Initiative is about equity. We are directing resources specifically to the schools that require the most support – from municipal centers to the most far-flung communities – to ensure that no school is left behind,’ said Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

‘We trust our school leaders to know what their students need. Whether it is more books, better reading nooks, or specific teaching tools, this grant empowers them to build the right environment for their learners with the support of their communities,’ he added.

Instead of a top-down approach, schools will utilize the funds based on their own Literacy Improvement Plans, giving them the autonomy to tailor strategies – including integration with the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program – to their specific community contexts.

To ensure direct classroom impact, recipient schools may use the funds for Grade 1 to 3 literacy interventions identified in their School Improvement Plan and Annual Implementation Plan for SY 2025-2026. These may include:

Developing localized learning resources – printing and binding storybooks featuring local folklore and mother-tongue materials;

Revitalizing learning spaces – converting classrooms into child-friendly reading nooks with carpets, beanbags, and shelving (up to P50,000); and

Procuring remedial tools – purchasing semi-expendable instructional materials such as magnetic letters, flashcards, and reading aids (below P15,000) for after-school programs.

The initiative also activates a ‘whole-of-nation’ support system involving local government units (LGUs), Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs), and civil society organizations.

To access the funds, schools must coordinate with their Local Literacy Councils (LLCs) or Local School Boards (LSBs). Partner organizations such as the Synergia Foundation will help schools work with LLCs and LSBs. Mayors are encouraged to provide counterpart funding through the Special Education Fund (SEF).

Meanwhile, TEIs – including University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology – will serve as academic partners by deploying pre-service teachers to provide on-the-ground literacy instruction and classroom support.

This combined effort – DepEd funding, LGU political will, and TEI technical mentoring – forms the backbone of the Bayang Bumabasa Initiative, strengthening the country’s strategy to ensure that every Filipino learner catches up in reading and literacy skills.

Ang pinagpe-pray natin is, of course, makamit natin ang hustisya.’

(What we’re praying for, of course, is that we attain justice.)

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. answered this when asked if he was wishing for anything this Christmas in an interview with reporters after Camp Crame’s tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday night.

‘This is especially true now that our focus is the investigation being conducted by the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure),’ he added.

Nine individuals were arrested last week, while seven remain at large. The 16 were accused of graft and malversation over their alleged involvement in the anomalous flood control project-the first batch of cases brought before the Sandiganbayan since the scandal broke out.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously vowed that the culprits behind the alleged corruption would be jailed by Christmas.

Apart from its service of arrest warrants against the accused, the PNP has been tapped by the ICI for technical support, particularly in ‘engineering verification, forensic validation, and information systems development.’

‘Transformation’

Nartatez further wished for a ‘transformation’ of the national police force.

‘The PNP can only serve well if we truly transform the Philippine National Police and expect that there will be honor,’ he explained.

‘The Philippine National Police will do everything it can to either eliminate or reduce crime, if it can’t be put down to zero. And if a crime is committed, it will arrest all involved as soon as possible, investigate them, and arrest them so that they can pay for what they’ve done,’ he added.

The top cop previously maintained that the national police force’s morale ‘remained high’ amid cases made against erring officers.

He touted that the agency’s internal cleansing drive has led to the dismissal of 428 personnel between Aug. 26 and Nov. 26, 2025.

Over P180 billion has likely been lost to ghost flood control projects dating back to 2016, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson.

He said the figure does not include substandard projects.

According to Lacson, he and Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian arrived at this estimate based on some 10,000 projects inspected so far, where more than 600 were found to be ghost or nonexistent.

‘We are looking at 30,000 flood control projects since 2016. If we extrapolate based on earlier findings that more than 600 out of 10,000 projects were ghost, Sen. Gatchalian and I estimated that 6 percent or higher of 30,000 projects could mean P180 billion or higher went to ghost projects,’ he said in an interview with radio dzBB.

‘Imagine, we likely lost P180 billion to ghost projects and we have not yet started counting our losses to substandard projects,’ he added, noting that this renders minuscule the number of projects uncovered and tackled so far by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which he chairs.

Lacson also detailed the corruption behind substandard and ghost flood control projects in privilege speeches last August and September.

The Senate leader further noted that the P110 million ‘returned’ by former Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Henry Alcantara last week was a ‘pittance,’ even if he is expected to return an additional P200 million in the coming weeks.

He also assured that the Blue Ribbon Committee remains committed to investigating all irregularities.

Flavius Dulce became the most sought-after person in volleyball on Tuesday, even if most fans have no idea who he is.

But the moment news of Chery Tiggo’s disbandment, which the Inquirer broke early Tuesday morning, made its rounds on the Internet, Dulce’s phone was the one that blew up.

The chief executive officer of Hustle and Groove Management Inc., which handles the careers of several volleyball standouts, notably those from Chery Tiggo, has begun the process of finding new teams for his clients, like much-sought-after hitter Ara Galang.

‘I asked her which team to go to, she jokingly said, ‘any team as long as it won’t disband,” Dulce told the Inquirer.

Even if she were serious, Galang’s quip would have been understandable.

Galang used to star for F2 Logistics, the powerhouse squad made up of ex-La Salle standouts, before the team also disbanded. The former Lady Spikers ace later joined F2 teammate Aby Maraño at Chery Tiggo, where they settled well in their new home.

And now this.

‘Right now, Ara is still surprised and would rather not talk to other teams yet,’ she said. ‘She’s contemplating how to move forward, like which is the best team she should go to.’

‘We are looking for a team that is not overloaded with [players in] her position . Ara still wants to play as much as she can. The offers are coming in as of the moment.’

Busiest day

Tuesday marked the busiest day of Dulce’s agency. Among Galang’s teammates who are now on the lookout for jobs include Jasmine Nabor and Shaya Adorador, who were part of Chery’s 2021 title run and recent finals appearance in the On Tour, as well as steal of the draft Ren Peñafiel, Seth Rodriguez,Joyme Cagande, Cza Caradang, Daps Dapol and Erika Deloria.

‘This happened before with F2, and I know I was able to place them all in different teams. I have a two-way communication with the team managers, and I make sure it is a mutual agreement between the player and the interested team,’ said Dulce.

‘We avoid bidding, out of courtesy to the team owners. There are teams, however, that really like a specific player, so I let the player weigh her options.’

Inquirer broke the news of the disbandment, with multiple sources revealing the heartbreaking meeting between the management and its team members. Moments later, Chery Tiggo confirmed its departure. INQ

Paolo Contis declared that while it took some time, his friendship with his former wife Lian Paz and her husband John Cabahug came in ‘God’s perfect timing.’

The actor spoke about this and his reconciliation with Xonia and Xalene, his daughters with Paz, during his ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’ interview on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

‘It was a very long process at ang isa sa pinakatamang ginawa ko was I kept it private. Before kasi, tuwing natatanong ako, naku-kwento ko kung anong nangyari so nagkakaroon ng malice siguro on their part on what I do,’ he said.

(It was a very long process and one of the right things I did was to keep it private. Because before, I tend to talk about it publicly whenever someone asks me. Maybe, they found malice in what I did.)

‘It was a long process pero masasabi ko na hindi siya nahilaw-ngayon, hinog na hinog na. I can say na with Lian and John, hindi kami civil, friends kami,’ he continued.

(It was a long process but I can say that it was not in vain. I can say that Lian and John are not just civil-we’re friends.)

Contis then expressed his appreciation for Paz and Cabahug for being ‘open’ about their renewed relationship.

‘Feel na feel ko ‘yung sincerity kaya ang saya. And walang awkwardness,’ he remarked. (I can really feel the sincerity and it makes me happy. There is no awkwardness.)

Contis noted how Cabahug exerts effort and even recently accompanied Xalene to visit the set of ‘Bubble Gang.’

The actor further underscored the mutual respect between him and Cabahug which the former is grateful for.

‘It’s God’s perfect timing,’ he continued, speaking about their reconciliation. ‘Kung napaaga siya, baka hindi pa ako gano’ng ka-mature when it comes to seeing us in public.’

(If it happened a bit earlier, maybe we would not have been mature enough when it comes to seeing us in public.)

Contis added that Xonia and Xalene are very happy with their current setup, although he admitted that the three of them are still in the ‘getting to know’ phase.

Contis has been spending time with his kids along with Paz and Cabahug, who are based in Cebu. They recently reunited to watch the concert of K-pop girl group Blackpink in Bulacan.

Rep. Danilo Domingo, a representative of Bulacan’s 1st District, on Wednesday sought a closed-door meeting before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) because he believes a public proceeding can cause ‘undue pressure and influence’ in the ongoing investigation.

Domingo was named by Brice Hernandez, former Department of Public Works and Highways 1st District Engineering Office’s assistant district engineer, as one of politicians who allegedly got a cut from the projects in the province’s first district engineering office.

The lawmaker has since denied Hernandez’s allegation.

During the hearing, Domingo appeared to have misspoken when he initially told the ICI that he would leave it to them if it wanted to livestream the hearing.

His lawyer Alex Lopez interjected, saying: ‘We would just like to put it on record that we filed a request for an executive session.’

Domingo’s camp has previously submitted the letter requesting for an executive session.

ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. approved the executive session after Lopez explained the grounds behind this plea.

‘As we all know, Bulacan is the epicenter of this flood control controversy. In this regard, Congressman Domingo has already been maligned and received significant backlash despite the fact that there was no credible or any categorical allegation made against him,’ Lopez said.

‘Likewise, as we understand it, anything that the good congressman will say in these proceedings can and could be used against him,’ the counsel noted.

‘Unfortunately, we cannot control how the public could misconstrue or misinterpret any of the information that would be elicited during this hearing,’ he added.

‘Hence, the good congressman could be unduly prejudiced by livestreaming this proceedings. Further, the hearings today, if live-streamed, could cause undue pressure and influence on the pending investigations in the pending cases involving the first district of Bulacan,’ Lopez continued.

Hernandez, who made the allegation against Domingo before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, also revealed during the same hearing that all infrastructure projects in Bulacan’s first district have been substandard since 2019.

According to Hernandez, this is because they were bound to give ‘obligations’ or kickbacks to the proponents of the projects in the provincial district.

Manila Water, through its East Zone Business Operations (EZBO) Accounts Development and Demand Creation Department, launched EcoSpark: Igniting Synergies for the Environment, a pioneering initiative that brings together business partners to champion environmental stewardship and sustainability.

The event featured a tree planting activity at La Mesa Ecopark, where 250 seedlings were planted in a dedicated area named in honor of Rockwell Property Management Corporation (RPMC) and Rockwell Workspaces.

This symbolic gesture underscores the shared commitment of Manila Water and its partners to environmental conservation and responsible growth.

Following the tree planting, a fellowship lunch at the Quirino Guest House Pavilion provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue.

Messages of partnership were shared by Manila Water President and CEO Jocot de Dios and Chief Administrative Officer Boj Locsin through video, alongside remarks from EZBO Group Director Shoebe Hazel Caong. RPMC’s Senior Manager, Engr. Adan Neil Lacap, who leads the RPMC’s sustainability efforts, reciprocated with a message affirming RPMC and Rockwell Workspaces’ dedication to collaborative environmental initiatives.

The event gathered 45 participants from RPMC and Rockwell Workspaces, including senior management.

A certificate of appreciation was presented for their active participation in the inaugural EcoSpark event.

EcoSpark is envisioned as a platform for fostering sustainability within business partnerships.

By integrating conservation efforts into collaborative engagements, the initiative aims to inspire collective action and create a community that prioritizes environmental responsibility alongside growth.

Manila Water plans to sustain EcoSpark as a recurring engagement, with more planting partnerships and initiatives that align with its sustainability goals.

Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) is weighing the possibility of taking up upcoming stock market offerings, its top officials said.

In an interview on Tuesday, MIC vice president for investments Kheed Ng said the state-run firm has looked at some initial public offerings (IPOs). But he noted that the process is difficult because management is tied up with investor meetings, limiting due diligence that MIC needs before investing.

‘For us, [we are] making sure that we do the proper due diligence, take our time, make sure we go through everything and everything’s settled, before we make an investment,’ Ng said.

He noted that while IPOs are under consideration, they are not high on MIC’s agenda.

Still, Ng said MIC is building a robust pipeline across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, mining, climate, social infrastructure, digital infrastructure, health care and agriculture. He said several investment deals are expected to materialize in the next six months.

‘As you know, deals come and go. We are very excited about the pipeline. We think there’s a good chunk that will be going out next year, in the next six months,’ Ng said.

MIC general counsel Paul Salanga said the firm was exercising prudence, highlighting the firm’s multilayered oversight and due diligence process.

‘We are very careful, because we are very mindful that this is public funds that we are investing . it’s not just a matter of returns,’ Salanga said.

‘It’s quite important that there is a national development impact,’ the lawyer added.

MIC’s tentative interest in public offerings comes as the local capital market experiences renewed momentum.

According to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), capital-raising activity in 2025 could reach up to a total of P186.3 billion, significantly higher than previous years.

In April, Cebu-based fuel retailer Top Line Business Development Corp. raised about P732.6 million in what became the first IPO of the year.

The biggest debut of 2025 was delivered by Maynilad, which successfully raised P34.33 billion when it listed on the PSE in November.

Industry watchers say the interest in IPO activities reflect growing investor appetite and a steady rebound in confidence after a period of sluggish listings. INQ

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should ensure that a capable replacement will fill the void left by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon made the statement on Wednesday as he called the resignation a major misfortune.

‘The resignation of former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is a serious setback to its fact-finding work, particularly as Sec. Singson had insider access, institutional memory and a deep understanding of the goings-on in the DPWH,’ he explained.

‘The president should appoint a replacement with the same level of expertise and integrity as Sec. Singson, as domain knowledge on infrastructure planning, budgeting and implementation is indispensable to the ICI’s mandate,’ he said.

Ridon thinks that Marcos should now appoint a replacement that will have the same level of expertise as Singson, a former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief during former President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III’s tenure.

Singson was credited for implementing reforms and transparency measures at the department.

ICI Chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. announced earlier that Singson resigned as a member of the body, citing stress and the toll that the mission is taking on his body.

Singson was appointed last September to the ICI, the independent body mandated to check the alleged corruption in the country’s infrastructure program, particularly flood control projects.

Palace press officer Claire Castro, who made the announcement on Singson’s appointment, said that Singson ‘led one of the most significant reform efforts in the agency’s history, introducing systems to promote transparency, eliminate ghost projects, and ensure proper use of public funds.’

Aside from concerns over Singson’s replacement, Ridon also said that the ICI should avoid going beyond its authority, as there are supposedly some instances where possible complaints have been referred to the Office of the Ombudsman without the independent body interviewing the lawmakers concerned first.

‘At the same time, the ICI should avoid any indication of due process overreach, which seemed apparent in its joint referral with the DPWH against alleged congressmen-contractors,’ he recommended.

‘We have noted that the ICI joined the referral to the Ombudsman, even though these alleged congressmen-contractors had not yet been invited by the ICI for deliberative proceedings,’ he recalled.

‘The ICI should also adopt strict rules on the availment of executive sessions by invited resource persons,’ Ridon said.

‘Only matters involving national security or legitimate state secrets should qualify as allowable grounds for executive sessions, to ensure that the public’s right to know, and the demands of accountability are not unduly curtailed,’ he added.

Last November, the ICI recommended to the ombudsman the filing of criminal and administrative cases against the following former and incumbent lawmakers who have alleged links with contractors:

Former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co (FS Co. Builders Supply)

CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola (Newington Builders, Inc., Lourel Development Corporation, S-Ang General Construction and Trading Inc.)

Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James Ang Jr. (IBC International Builders Corporation, Allencon Development Corporation)

Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Nisay (JVN Construction and Trading)

Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Augustina Pancho (C.M. Pancho Construction Inc.)

Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara (JLL Pulsar Construction)

Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas (Boometrix Development Corp.)

Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera (Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corporation)

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla also said that the investigation into the flood control project mess will affect more than 10 percent of the House members, as many lawmakers are also accused of being contractors.

‘Many will be affected. More than 10 percent of its members would be affected at the very least. Membership of the House,’ Remulla said.

‘But this is only low-hanging fruit. If this is eight, there will be around 12 to 15 more that have a conflict of interest. This will be painful, as I’ve said before. This entails a lot of sacrifice,’ he stressed.

Officials from the DPWH and ICI delivered boxes of their findings to the anti-graft body on November 26. The referral covers 1,300 infrastructure projects from 2016 to 2024.

Tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has completed its takeover of Franklin Baker, one of the leading coconut processors in the Philippines.

This comes just less than five months after the group’s agri-food unit Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. (MPAV) entered into a pact to buy Franklin Baker.

‘In our drive to build a stronger agricultural sector, this acquisition supports key industries such as coconut processing,’ said Pangilinan, chair and CEO of MPIC.

‘By bringing Franklin Baker into our portfolio, we are strengthening an important segment of the supply chain and helping ensure that thousands of Filipino farmers and communities benefit from a more efficient and stable industry,’ he added.

The group said the move injects Franklin Baker with ‘immediate capital and strategic support to clear pending export backlogs and stabilize the operations.’

MPIC did not disclose the transaction value.