Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has tagged Siargao Island as a model for tourism-driven infrastructure, citing its rise from a remote surf town to a marquee destination at home and abroad.

Tourism Regional Director Ivonnie B. Dumadag said Siargao shows how sustained investment in access, connectivity, and adaptive capacity can lift local economies-especially in geographically isolated provinces.

‘Siargao shows how community-led rebuilding and targeted infrastructure bring islands back stronger. Better access and amenities-without losing nature and culture-can serve to guide tourism boosting work in emerging destinations like Siquijor and Romblon,’ Dumadag said.

Over the past decade, the island saw major upgrades: a circumferential road network, the expansion of Sayak Airport that opened regular commercial flights, and the Siargao Island Medical Center. Officials say these moves made the island more accessible, livable, and disaster-ready.

‘All roads, bridges, and terminals built here are not just for tourists-these are for Siargaonons to move, trade, and live better. Tourism grew because life here improved first,’ said former Rep. Bingo Matugas, who cited the island’s first national hospital and hundreds of access and farm-to-market roads built during his term. More capacity is on the way. The planned Sayak Airport expansion is expected to double passenger throughput, while the proposed Siargao International Cruise Port aims to open maritime tourism and new livelihood.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has likewise prioritized road widening and flood-mitigation links to coastal barangays. Officials stressed that Siargao’s rise followed a long-view plan rather than chance.

‘From day one, I believed Siargao could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best islands. But for that to happen, people first had to reach it. Every airport, every road, every bridge we built was a seed for that future,’ said Rep. Lalo Matugas, often credited by local officials for early access projects.

DOT-Caraga data show tourist arrivals climbed from under 100,000 a decade ago to more than 400,000 pre-pandemic, with domestic travel powering the rebound after Typhoon Odette. Stakeholders point to infrastructure-roads, power lines, airports-as key to the fast recovery.

Local leaders say the next chapter is about making progress endure at the barangay level. ‘Our goal is simple: make sure the progress we’ve built endures-and that it belongs to the people of Siargao,’ said former Rep. Bingo Matugas.

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte has dared ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio to visit Davao and ask residents there if they have experienced flooding – to debunk claims of irregularities in the city’s flood control projects.

Duterte, in a statement on Wednesday night, urged Tinio to ‘stop using Davao for your political drama’ after the latter said he and his team found red flags in 80 of 120 flood control projects along the Davao River and Matina River.

‘We build, we deliver, we protect our people – while others just talk and pretend to investigate. So here’s my advice to Tinio: come to Davao, walk the riverbanks, see the projects, and talk to the people whose homes no longer flood because of those structures. Then maybe you’ll realize the only thing missing in your so-called investigation is the truth,’ Duterte said.

‘Until then, stop using Davao as your political punching bag. We don’t owe anyone an apology for doing our job right,’ he added.

According to Duterte, Davao City has nothing to hide, saying that the projects that Tinio mentioned have been checked and inspected by both the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Commission on Audit (COA).

‘Every single flood-control project along the Davao and Matina Rivers was implemented, inspected, and validated by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Commission on Audit (COA). The structures exist. They are serving the people. They are not ‘ghosts’ – unlike the kind of politics some people keep reviving every time they need attention,’ Duterte said.

‘Tinio’s so-called exposé is nothing but a desperate and ignorant attempt to drag Davao into another circus of baseless accusations. You claim to have ‘uncovered’ anomalies – but did you ever question DPWH with your so-called facts? Or did you just piece together numbers to sound relevant again?’ he asked.

In a press briefing earlier, Tinio said alleged irregularities in Davao River and Matina River flood control projects merit an investigation as they found ‘red flags.’

The said irregularities in the projects, said to be worth over P4 billion, were discovered by Tinio after skimming through documents requested from DPWH, the said agency’s website, and the National Expenditures Program and General Appropriations Act from 2019 to 2022.

Tinio gave five categories for classifying the red-flagged projects:

Total Overlap: Two contracts worth P135.14 million funded construction on identical river sections, with one 2019 project covering a section of the Davao river, while a 2020 project covered the same section plus additional areas

Double Funding: Two contracts worth P115.09 million were awarded to different contractors for the exact same project location (‘revetment along Davao River at the Davao River Bridge upstream section’)

Changed Location and Shortchanging: Nine contracts worth P484.04 million were implemented at different locations than specified in the General Appropriations Act (GAA), often with significantly reduced coverage. For example, one GAA item allocated P30 million for 375 meters of revetment, but the actual contract covered only 120 meters-a shortfall of 255 meters while charging P161,250 per meter instead of the budgeted P80,000

Awarded Contracts Without Details: A staggering 62 contracts worth P3.44 billion were awarded without proper specifications (such as exact location and length) in official records, making verification and accountability difficult

Awarded Contracts Not in GAA: Ten contracts worth P622.57 million were implemented despite having no corresponding line items in the approved national budget

Tinio and Duterte have been engaged in a verbal spat since the ACT Teachers solon backed the House committee on public accounts’ looming probe of the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach project.

The said project was implemented during the time of Duterte’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, particularly in September 2020, during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte on Monday night claimed Tinio has been ironically silent on corruption within the current administration despite his calls for a probe on the controversial Manila Bay Dolomite Beach project, which was implemented during the term of former president Duterte.

According to Rep. Duterte, such silence shows that Makabayan is subservient to the current administration.

But Tinio on Tuesday said it appears Rep. Duterte is ignorant of what Makabayan has stood for, telling him that the use of Google as a search engine is free of charge, so that he can check their previous statements and initiatives against corruption.

A quick search on social media and search engines would show that Makabayan has called out the government, including both the House of Representatives and the Senate, over issues involving the 2025 budget – and even voted against the budget bills.

In December 2024, Makabayan – particularly former ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and Tinio – said that the 2025 budget failed to give priority to the education sector, contradicting provisions in the 1987 Constitution.

Castro and Tinio said Marcos’ veto of P194 billion line items in the budget was just a ‘deceptive maneuver to create an illusion of constitutional compliance.’

Rain or Shine shoots for a share of the PBA Philippine Cup lead, while two struggling squads-Titan Ultra and Blackwater-look to climb out of early slumps in a pivotal Wednesday triple-header at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Elasto Painters hope to stretch their win streak to four and improve to an impressive 5-1 card as they face the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 7:30 p.m. With TNT and Magnolia also sitting at 4-1, a win gives Rain or Shine a temporary solo hold of the top spot.

Despite their record, coach Yeng Guiao isn’t getting carried away.

‘We cannot win close games every time,’ he said, referring to back-to-back escapes-a 96-95 edging of Meralco and a thrilling 112-111 decision over Titan Ultra. ‘If we rely on breaks or we rely on getting lucky, there will be a day that luck won’t be on our side.’

Sides collide

Meanwhile, Titan and Blackwater collide earlier in the day, both carrying the weight of recent setbacks and desperately seeking momentum. The Giant Risers are mired in a four-game skid, their latest loss being the gut-wrenching one-point heartbreaker to Rain or Shine. Now at 1-4, Titan aims to stop the bleeding.

Blackwater, for its part, has dropped three straight after a 1-0 start and comes into the 4:30 p.m. clash with fresher legs, having had a full week to regroup following a 99-88 loss to NLEX

The construction industry continues to evolve – shaped by new technologies, modern materials, and a shared commitment to excellence. Now in its 36th year, PHILCONSTRUCT returns on November 6-9, 2025, taking over both the SMX Convention Center Manila and World Trade Center Metro Manila to once again gather the nation’s top builders, engineers, architects, suppliers, and innovators under one roof.

As the country’s premier construction event, PHILCONSTRUCT remains the defining meeting point for professionals and businesses driving transformation in the built environment. More than a showcase, it is a platform where innovation meets opportunity – where products are launched, partnerships are forged, and ideas come to life. Visitors can expect a vibrant experience featuring interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and exclusive product showcases that highlight the latest breakthroughs in the industry.

This year’s theme, ‘Shaping the Future of Construction,’ reflects the expo’s focus on sustainability, efficiency, and modernization. Attendees will discover a comprehensive range of solutions – from smart machinery and digital construction tools to sustainable building technologies that redefine project delivery. The show also features HVAC/R Philippines, the country’s leading platform for advanced heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, showcasing the latest in energy-efficient and climate-responsive innovations for modern spaces.

Complementing the exhibits is TechnoForum, a series of technical sessions where industry experts share best practices and innovations that enhance productivity, safety, and competitiveness in construction. Also featured is Estilo De Vida, a student interior design competition celebrating Filipino creativity under the theme ‘Hospitality: Design Lokal – Filipino Roots, Global Form.’

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a business owner, or a newcomer eager to explore the industry, PHILCONSTRUCT 2025 is the ultimate destination to connect with industry leaders, discover future-ready solutions, and gain valuable insights that inspire progress.

Organized by the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. (PCA), PHILCONSTRUCT 2025 continues to serve as the cornerstone of the country’s construction community – bringing people together to build smarter, safer, and stronger for the years ahead.

Event Details:

November 6-9, 2025

SMX Convention Center Manila and World Trade Center Metro Manila

Walk-in entrance fee is Php 200. Pre-Register for FREE until November 5, 11:59PM: https://philconstructevents.com/registration-manila

Show Schedule:

NOV 6: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

NOV 7: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

NOV 8: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

NOV 9: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

The inquiry into the controversial Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project is not about former President Rodrigo Duterte as the initiative would have been questioned also if another administration spearheaded it, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Wednesday.

Ridon in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex was asked about allegations that the investigation into the dolomite beach issue is mere politicking, as it is supposedly being used to hit Duterte – who was president when the project was initiated.

According to Ridon, the project being conducted under Duterte’s term is merely coincidental, as it would have been subject to criticisms if it were taken by his predecessors or successors.

‘The truth is that for the dolomite , it is only coincidental (that Duterte was president) because irrespective of whichever regime it is, irrespective of whichever government it is, if the dolomite project was made in the Aquino administration, in the Duterte administration, in the current administration, I think people will still have an objection to it,’ Ridon explained.

‘Because the question has always been, first, is it consistent with the Manila Bay master plan? And second is it consistent with the supreme court continuing mandamus. So the question of who the president is is actually irrelevant,’ he added.

Ridon said Duterte is not being targeted – believing that the former president did not make the proposal to rehabilitate Manila Bay using dolomite.

‘There’s no targeting. I think the former president has many other more important concerns that he needs to deal with instead of worrying about the dolomite beach project,’ he said.

‘The truth is, like what we had stated earlier, this is not about the former president, what we want to know is who is the official who proposed for this Dolomite Beach Project. And I am telling you now, it is not the former president,’ he added.

The dolomite project which costs around P349 million has been widely criticized for allegedly being an unnecessary project, especially since it was started in September 2020 – at the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic – while Duterte claimed the government was losing funds.

Officials like Vice President Leni Robredo said that the funds could have been used for other more pressing needs, like financial aid for poor families or gadgets for students enrolling in distance and blended learning modes.

Ridon, for his part, has been critical of the project even before returning to the House of Representatives under Bicol Saro party-list. In September 2020, Ridon, as convener of non-government organization Infrawatch PH, said that the Manila Bay rehabilitation project lacks an environment compliance certificate (ECC) and is allegedly marred by corruption issues.

Ridon said this as several groups believe that dumping crushed dolomite sand over the Manila Bay poses dangers on human health and biodiversity – as pro-environment activists claimed that the sand caused a fish kill.

Other groups also said that dolomite can actually contain heavy metals like lead and mercury, which are both dangerous for humans. Some individuals also pointed out that several American companies have conducted studies on dolomite, warning about higher risks for cancer.

On Monday, Ridon said that the House committee on public accounts, which he chairs, will start the dolomite beach probe by the third week of November. Earlier, the lawmaker said the exact date will be November 19.

According to Ridon, the investigation will focus on whether the project was necessary, and check if the dolomite beach fits the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan and the Supreme Court (SC) writ of continuing mandamus on the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio has thrown his support for the congressional probe, but Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte – Duterte’s son – has accused the lawmaker of being subservient to the current administration.

According to the younger Duterte, it was only during his father’s time that Manila Bay was cleaned.

‘How many decades has it been and there were no officials from the government who gave the right attention to the problems of Manila Bay, and we were accustomed to the dirt and garbage floating on it. Now, a President from Mindanao did something so that Manila Bay could be useful, and many were happy that finally, Manila Bay is clean,’ he said.

Around 1.4 million households, mostly residing in the Visayas, experienced power interruptions on Wednesday due to heavy rains and winds brought by Typhoon Tino.

This is according to data from the National Electrification Administration and National Power Corp., Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said during a virtual briefing.

The official said they were still waiting for more information from private distribution utilities.

The DOE, however, could not provide an estimate on how soon electricity services could be restored.

‘We’re asking the public, especially those who were badly affected, to please wait until the roads are cleared for our personnel or linemen to restore the power lines,’ DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said.

Government data as of Wednesday afternoon showed that 66 had died dead, with 26 more missing.

The Cebu province, in particular, was hardly hit, as it suffered widespread flooding and property destruction.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III believed the upper chamber was not demoralized even after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) recommendation to file criminal and administrative charges against several individuals, including two senators, over suspected ‘ghost’ flood-control projects.

‘No. As long as we’re doing our work. That’s the most important thing,’ he said, noting that passing a clean 2026 budget is the ‘single most important piece of legislation’ they need to pursue.

The ICI had earlier recommended filing charges against several personalities, including Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva.

This came after the commission received the affidavits and corroborating evidence from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara, and former DPWH Bulacan Assistant District Engineers Brice Ericson Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.

‘We have yet to see how it evolves.that’s just what we heard in the news.it’s very difficult to react to something that is not concrete yet,’ Sotto said at the sidelines of the formal turnover of a fully equipped Mobile Clinic to the Senate on Wednesday.

Pressed further on how the Senate leadership is looking at it following speculations that it was an attack against the Senate, he said: ‘I don’t look at it. I concentrate on my work as a Senate president.’

‘You can take it whatever way you want.that’s how it goes. There are those who will think of it as this or that, and there are those who will think about it badly. You can’t avoid it,’ added Sotto.

But what if warrants of arrest are issued against senators allegedly involved?

‘We’ll cross the bridge when we get there. There are legal means, there are ways. There are laws and legal ways we should handle things. Everything should be by the book or by the law,’ said the Senate leader.

Harold Alarcon came through in the clutch once more as University of the Philippines edged University of Santo Tomas, 89-88, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball second round on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Alarcon sank seven straight points down the stretch, including the go-ahead jumper with only 22 seconds left that pushed the Fighting Maroons to their third straight win and a 7-3 mark. ‘We’re prepared for situations like those,’ said Alarcon.

‘We’ve been prepared for these to help with our experience for the future games. If we have these experiences and situations, we’ll know what to do.’

The graduating guard was a man on a mission, finishing with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Alarcon’s heroics helped the Maroons complete their comeback after trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half. They also avenged their season-opening loss to the Growling Tigers.

Rey Remogat and Migs Yniguez also stepped up for UP with 19 and 11 points, respectively.

The losses continued to pile up for the Tigers, who were once one of the top teams in the league.

Collins Akowe registered 26 points and 16 rebounds, but accounted for 10 of UST’s 24 missed free throws. Akowe went 10-of-20 from the line. Nic Cabañero added 18 points.

Favorable domestic factors, such as easing inflation and a pickup in foreign investment in key infrastructure projects like clean energy, could help steady the peso against persistent market gloom, MUFG Global Markets Research said.

In a note to clients, the Japanese bank added that these tailwinds at home may align with supportive global trends, including a weaker dollar as the US Federal Reserve continues to lower interest rates.

That said, MUFG expects the peso to end the year at 58.70 to the dollar, above the Marcos administration’s 56-to-58 exchange rate assumption for 2025. Even so, that would mark a rebound from the record low of 59.13 seen in late October-a drop widely blamed on a corruption scandal that has rattled business confidence.

‘From a fundamental perspective, we continue to highlight other key offsetting domestic positives for the Philippines, apart from global factors such as our expectations for a weaker US dollar and US rate cuts,’ the bank said.

‘Domestic rice prices have remained low despite recent import bans, and with still decent domestic rice inventories that means that inflation should remain manageable,’ it added, noting that contained price pressures could help sustain household spending, a major growth driver.

‘The pipeline of infrastructure projects especially in renewable energy remains robust, and this should also support FX through some pick-up in FDI (foreign direct investment) from what we have seen in FDI approvals,’ it continued.

Impact on real economy

A weak peso cuts both ways for the Philippines. It can lift remittance inflows from migrant Filipino workers, fueling purchasing power in the consumption-reliant economy.

But it also risks fanning import costs and reigniting inflation. Prolonged currency weakness, meanwhile, could inflate the peso value of foreign debts held by both the government and private companies.

While the peso has since regained some ground from last month’s record slump, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it would allow market forces to determine the exchange rate, adding it won’t intervene to prevent day-to-day volatility.

Looking ahead, MUFG said it projected two more quarter-point rate cuts under the current easing cycle of the BSP, which would bring the policy rate to 4.25 percent by the second quarter of 2026. The central bank last month defied consensus with a 0.25 percentage point rate cut, which officials said was needed to shore up business confidence amid the graft probe.

Even so, MUFG said the likely inclusion of the Philippines in J.P. Morgan’s key emerging market debt gauge should bring around $2 billion to $3 billion in foreign inflows, something that could prop up the peso.

Filipino-Australian singer Justin Vasquez opened up about wanting a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ kind of love that feels peaceful in his new single ‘Yours,’ which showcases his RandB roots.

‘Yours’ – which talks about the beauty of a love that endures – is meant to be the singer-songwriter’s way of ‘ending the year’ in a song that hits in an ‘intimate and universal way.’

”Yours’ is really special to me. It’s about that calm kind of love – the one that feels safe, certain, and forever. I wanted to end the year with something that feels intimate but still universal. I hope people find themselves in it,’ he said in a press statement.

The singer-songwriter also described ‘Yours’ as a song that captures his love for ‘old-school soul and modern RandB.’

‘With its gentle, sincere lyrics and classic RandB melody, ‘Yours’ feels like a late-night confession whispered to someone who means everything. Whether you’re on a slow drive, lost in a quiet dance, or just vibing alone, this song is for every moment you’ve ever thought, ‘I’m never leaving,” he said.

Prior to ‘Yours,’ Vasquez also released the songs ‘What U Need’ and ‘Home’ in November 2024 and July 2025, respectively.

Vasquez, who started his music career by posting covers, currently has 1.2 million followers on TikTok