Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Citizens may start submitting complaints or reports on idle super health centers with the launch of the Department of Health (DOH) ‘Oplan Bantay Super Health’ on Monday.

Health Promotion Bureau Director Tina Marasigan on Saturday said that this complaint desk is part of DOH’s Citizen Participatory Audit.

‘The Department of Health receives reports about idle super health centers, that’s why the agency will launch Oplan Bantay Super Health on Lunes that will serve as a citizens’ complaint desk,’ Marasigan, speaking in Filipino, said in a segment on DZMM Teleradyo.

Marasigan said that citizens can send pictures or videos of what they observe as ‘idle’ hospitals in their areas. After his appearance at an inter-agency coordination meeting with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on Friday, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said that the number of non-operational super health centers across the country rose to 300. Herbosa submitted the list of these facilities to the probe body for further investigation.

During an inspection of a super health center in Marikina City, which he tagged as ‘non-operational,’ Herbosa revealed that 297 super health centers across the country are ‘non-operational or non-functional.’ He said that only phase one of the project, worth 21.5 million, was completed. The DOH also inspected another super health center in Antipolo City, which the agency tagged as completed but non-functional. The agency said that the over P18 million facility only began operating on Thursday, ahead of Herbosa’s visi,t despite being completed in 2024. /mr

Filipino publicist and publisher Josh Yugen has scored another Miss Universe franchise, and has brought in four international delegates to Manila for training.

At a gathering with journalists and content creators at the headquarters of his House of Yugen in Taguig City on Oct. 17, he presented the delegates from Egypt, Pakistan, Denmark and Sweden.

In the two previous pageant editions, Yugen fielded three delegates in both years, the representatives from Bahrain, Egypt and Pakistan. He Initially held the franchise for the Arab nation, then added the north African country to his list, followed by the South Asian nation.

Appearing before the assembly were Miss Universe Egypt Sabrina Maged, Miss Universe Pakistan Roma Riaz, Miss Universe Denmark Moni Sonne and Miss Universe Sweden Daniella Lundqvist.

Maged and Riaz are aiming to post the first win for their respective countries, while Sonne hopes to record a second consecutive victory for hers. Lundqvist wants to reclaim her nation’s lost Miss Universe glory and be the fourth Swedish queen.

Yugen earlier reported that he had secured the franchise for Denmark, home country of reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig, after mounting events in the Scandinavian nation.

The Swedish franchise was the biggest surprise to many, another franchise for a Scandinavian country. Yugen is bringing Sweden back to the international pageant after a three-year hiatus, similar to what he did with Egypt which also had a break in the competition.

The four ladies will have a smile makeover with Filipino dentist Jonas Apostol, and will undergo ‘pasarela’ (pageant walk) sessions with international Filipino mentor Ian Mendajar. Yugen said his four Miss Universe entries will also have a Filipino mentor for the interview round, and will be under the guidance of a glam team composed of Filipino stylists.

Filipino fashion designers are also expected to lend their talents to help assemble the respective wardrobes of the delegates from Egypt, Pakistan, Denmark and Sweden.

The ladies expressed their confidence getting under Filipino mentors for the competition, recognizing the Philippines as an international pageant powerhouse.

The 74th Miss Universe pageant will be held in Thailand next month, with the coronation show set at the IMPACT Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi, northwest of Bangkok, on Nov. 21. /ra

Talk about not giving anyone a chance.

Reymon Jaraula put the pedal to the metal and never let up on Friday in Bukidnon, shooting a course record nine-under-par 63 to turn what was a tight start to the final round of the ICTSI Del Monte Championship into a nine-shot victory over Rupert Zaragosa.

‘I didn’t expect it to be this convincing,’ Jaraula said in Filipino, almost in disbelief at how he gunned down seven birdies in 17 holes before putting the finishing touches on his fourth PGT win with an eagle 3 on the 72nd. ‘Everything just clicked for me today. Everything.’

After shooting a couple of 68s that sandwiched a second-round 66, Jaraula tallied an eye-popping 265 over the tree-lined layout, with Zaragosa not able to do anything about it after a second straight 71 had him salvaging second by a shot over Japan’s Atsushi Ueda, who fired a 68.

But more than the score, Jaraula, who started the day just one shot up on Zaragosa, is happiest about another thing.

‘It’s nice to win where it (love for golf and career) started,’ he said as a big gallery followed the final flight and cheered every shot of the homegrown bet. ‘This could go down as the best win of my career.’

Jaraula’s fourth win came after he opened the round with the bitter loss in 2023 to Clyde Mondilla in mind.

‘I just told myself not to be reckless out there,’ he said as he now erased the course standard Mondilla established two years ago in beating him by a shot. ‘Even if I had the lead, I really had to stay focused.’

Russell Bautista closed out with a 69 to finish fourth, 11 shots off, with Mondilla winding up another shot back, also after a 69 to be tied with Korean Jung Jae-hyun (69) and Arnold Villacencio (67).

‘This is definitely something nice that I hope I can take all the way to Davao,’ said the 33-year-old.

The provincial government of Albay ordered work suspensions and the evacuation of families in vulnerable areas on Saturday, October 18, due to Tropical Storm Ramil.

Governor Noel Rosal said work in all government offices in the province was suspended, except for those related to public safety, health, and disaster response. Suspension of work in private companies was left to the discretion of their management.

Rosal also directed that the evacuation of families in areas prone to flooding, debris flow, lahar, landslides, and storm surge be completed before 10 a.m. Saturday. The public was advised to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in high-risk areas.

In Pio Duran town, local officials preemptively evacuated about 84 families, or 287 people, from low-lying areas.

Earlier, the Catanduanes government also suspended work and school activities to minimize risks and ensure the safety of government workers, students, and the public. Officials prepositioned 10,611 food packs and 400 non-food items and advised farmers and fisherfolk to conduct emergency rice harvesting to prevent crop losses.

In an 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Ramil had slowed while moving west-northwest over the sea east of Sorsogon province.

The storm’s center was over the coastal waters of Palapag, Northern Samar, with sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 90 kph. It was moving west-southwest at 20 kph.

Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over the following areas:

Northern Aurora: Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan

Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

Northern Camarines Sur: Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion

Extreme eastern Albay: Rapu-Rapu

Northeastern Sorsogon: Prieto Diaz

Northeastern Northern Samar: Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Pambujan, San Roque, Mondragon, Gamay

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the following areas:

Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands)

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

Rest of Aurora

Nueva Ecija

Eastern Bulacan: Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat

Eastern Tarlac: Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona

Eastern Pampanga: Magalang, Arayat, Candaba

Northern and Eastern Quezon: Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc

Rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Northern Samar

Northern Eastern Samar: San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid

Northern Samar: Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño, Tarangnan, Paranas, City of Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong

Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste clarified on Saturday, October 18 that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arrey Perez was not the only appointee of Secretary Vince Dizon reportedly linked to contractors.

Perez resigned on Friday, October 17 after Leviste suggested that a background check be done on him and questioned his fitness to oversee the bidding of projects at DPWH.

‘People have asked if it’s true that I denied that USec Perez has links with contractors – I did not. What I said was: There are more members of Secretary Dizon’s team linked to contractors, and one in particular was photographed with contractors in a recent meeting in a restaurant. This one photographed, was another member of Secretary Dizon’s team,’ Leviste said.

In recent interviews, Dizon has confirmed that members of his team have had meetings with contractors outside the DPWH office, but said: ‘It is not disallowed, pero siyempre. ‘It seems a bit improper, right? But it’s not illegal. But it would have been better if it was done in the office. What’s important here is that they’re talking for work, that’s what matters, and not because they’re asking each other for favors or giving something to each other.’

Leviste responded to Dizon: ‘While I am thankful for what Secretary Dizon has already done, I also hope he will respond to these 3 points that I’ve been raising: (1) Disclose each DPWH official’s connections and meetings with contractors, and how we will ensure they do not get kickbacks; (2) Release the DPWH budget per legislative district (NEP and GAB), as committed in the September 17 budget hearing, and list of proponents, as requested by others and are readily available; and (3) Lower prices by 25%.’

In response to a question about a phone call reportedly from DPWH during Leviste’s press briefing on Thursday, October 16, Dizon confirmed that he had a member of his team call Leviste during his press conference. ‘I called our mutual friend so I could hopefully find out the details. I want to know who,’ Dizon said.

‘I did not ask for the resignation of any DPWH official, I only named USec Perez after Secretary Dizon asked me to give an example. My press briefing was to follow up on Secretary Dizon to lower the prices of DPWH projects and release information on the data per district in the 2026 budget, and I hope that Secretary Dizon can address this, because it is in changing the budget and not just the team that we can show that we are doing all that we can to end kickbacks in DPWH,’ Leviste said.

Leviste ended by appealing to Dizon: ‘Given how many DPWH officials are connected with contractors, let us release the list of projects and remove all insertions by contractors in the DPWH budget.’

Food for Thought: Living the Statistics of P64/Day,’ was last Monday’s topic for discussion by a panel formed by the Ateneo de Manila’s council of [college-student] organizations. I was invited to the panel, on account of Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) long history of hunger-surveys. The discussion took place in the Loyola Heights campus, in a building where I was a sophomore high school student, eons ago, and is now used for college activities.

I quickly went over two basic SWS findings: (1) the long-term national trend in hunger is flat-unlike poverty, which has a slight downward tendency; and (2) the area most vulnerable to hunger is the National Capital Region-whose residents have almost no means to grow their own food-rather than the much poorer area of Mindanao. SWS has many other statistics pertinent to hunger. But the 64-pesos-per-day is not one of them.

The number that sparked the students is an official one-‘NEDA chief: persons spending P64 below for 3 meals a day considered ‘food-poor” (gmanetwork.com, 8/13/2024). This report says: ‘At the first day of the Senate hearing on the proposed 2025 budget, [National Economic and Development, now Department of Economy, Planning and Development) Secretary Arsenio] Balisacan was asked the current threshold for one to be classified as ‘food poor.’ ‘As of 2023, a monthly food threshold for a family of five is 9,581 pesos. It comes out about P64 per person,’ Balisacan said.’ (The arithmetic is: 9,581 pesos/5 persons = 1,916.20 pesos per person, and 1,916.20/30 days = 63.87 pesos/person/day).

The news report continues: ‘This amount has increased since 2021 where the ‘food-poor’ threshold was P55 per person and it is expected to increase to P67 in 2025, according to Balisacan.’ When the senators complained that such a low threshold must surely be out of date, Balisacan confirmed that the 2021 threshold is only being adjusted by an annual general price index, rather than reestimated by new research. ‘The basket has not been changed for some time. . kasi medyo matagal na rin, more than a decade na ‘yon since it was set. . I think the changes in the economy warrant a revisit already of the threshold,’ he said.

That same Monday evening, I happened to see my old friend Arsi Balisacan, at the 90th birthday party of Dr. Gerardo P. Sicat at the University of the Philippines School of Economics (UPSE). (Gerry Sicat is a former UPSE faculty colleague of Arsi and myself; he and Arsi are both marathon-runners, physically fit.) When I told Arsi that the government’s food threshold was sparking discussion among Ateneo students, he remarked that the students should bear in mind that the threshold is actually per month, not per day. Also, it’s the cost of food prepared at home, not the cost of buying it at a public place.

My point here is that an official food threshold can trigger students in an elite school, who don’t know hunger, except from the distance of stories and, yes, statistics. By the way, Ateneo is not where the wealthiest students go. But it certainly has a long tradition of socially-conscious students and teachers.

I once had a UPSE thesis advisee who thought of surveying the wealth of students in exclusive schools, and was able to get the cooperation of several schools. She took random samples of high-school class-sections and distributed a questionnaire to the students of the samples to take home, for their parents to fill out. The parents were given a letter from the school authorities, confirming the school’s cooperation with the study; and the parents cooperated as well.

Among the schools surveyed, the one with the wealthiest students turned out to be the Colegio de San Agustin (CSA), in Dasmariñas Village, Makati City. I recall that the Ateneo de Manila, UP Diliman, and Philippine Science High School were among those included. But the first two were not close to CSA in terms of the wealth of the students’ families.

The thesis topic was the student’s idea, not mine, though of course I was very pleased by it. Some years later, with her doctorate, she became a professor of economics at the Ateneo, where she served until retirement.

Statistics are not only for statisticians.

Police are investigating an alleged shooting incident that occurred shortly after midnight on October 16 at the ranch of Bukidnon 3rd District Board Member Jose Miguel Fortich in Purok 12, Barangay San Jose, Quezon town.

The municipal government of Quezon has condemned in the strongest terms the incident that occurred around 12:15 a.m.

According to initial reports, unidentified suspects fired multiple gunshots at Fortich and his family while they were attending a private gathering.

Fortich immediately reported the incident to the Quezon Municipal Police Station, prompting Police Lt. Col. Erwin Nelga, the town police’s officer in charge, to lead an investigation and launch pursuit operations to identify and apprehend the suspects.

Authorities said no one was hurt in the attack.

In a statement, the local government denounced the act of violence, emphasizing that it goes against the values of peace and safety that the town upholds.

‘The Municipal Government of Quezon condemns in the strongest terms the alleged shooting incident involving Board Member Jomic Fortich and his family. Violence and crime have no place in our municipality. These contradict the values we uphold and our vision of a peaceful town where everyone can thrive,’ the statement reads in part.

Municipal officials said they are working closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

‘Our Municipal Public Safety Office also continues to take measures to prevent further untoward incidents,’ the local government said.

Authorities urged the public to remain calm and cooperative as investigations continue.

Police have yet to identify the suspects and determine the motive behind the shooting.

At least 7,777 families or 21,945 people were evacuated in the Bicol provinces of Albay, Masbate and Catanduanes on Saturday, October 18, amid heavy rains and strong winds spawned by Tropical Storm Ramil, which made landfall over Gubat, Sorsogon on Saturday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said ‘Ramil’ – which packed a maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 90 kph, was projected to make another landfall in Aurora province by Sunday morning.

Gremil Alexis Naz, spokesperson of Office of Civil Defense Bicol said 4,782 families or 12,677 people were evacuated in the towns of Daraga, Guinobatan, Jovellar, Libon, Malilipot and Pio Duran in Albay province.

In Baras town in Catanduanes, 2,957 families or 9,135 people were evacuated, while 38 families or 133 people were moved to safer grounds inUson town in Masbate. As of noon Saturday, 3,142 passengers were stranded in the various ports in the region after the Philippine Coast Guard ordered the suspension of sea travel.

About 1,004 rolling cargoes, six vessels, and two motorized banca were also stranded. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was hoisted in northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan), Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, (Presentacion), the extreme eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu), and the northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz); and in the northeastern portion of Northern Samar (Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Pambujan, San Roque, Mondragon, Gamay) in Eastern Visayas.

Under TCWS No. 1 in Luzon were Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, the eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat), the eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona), the eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba), the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc), the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay, the rest of Sorsogon, Burias Island, and Ticao Island

Those in the Visayas were the rest of Northern Samar, the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid), and the northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tagapul-An8

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake jolted Ilocos Norte on Saturday evening, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). In its latest update, the Phivolcs said the quake, which was of tectonic origin, occurred at 6:50 p.m.

Its epicenter was spotted 9 kilometers northwest of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, with a depth of 10 kilometers.

Intensity II was reported in Pasuquin and Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

No aftershocks nor damage to properties are expected from the tremor.

The final countdown has begun as the deadline for Samsung Philippines’ Solve for Tomorrow is fast approaching!

For over 15 years, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow has empowered over 2.8 million students across 68 countries to innovate with purpose, generating over 400,000 ideas and championing real-world change through science and technology.

The nationwide innovation challenge is once again rallying young minds to transform big ideas into tangible solutions that can change communities – and possibly, the world. With more than ?2 million worth of prizes at stake, Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow competition continues to inspire students to use science, technology, and creativity as tools for real-world impact.

The competition is open to students from Grades 8 to 10 enrolled in government-managed science high schools across the country. Participants are encouraged to form teams of up to four (4) members, guided by one (1) teacher adviser. Together, they must identify pressing issues within their communities and propose science and tech-driven solutions that address them.

Whether it’s championing environmental sustainability, driving social change through sports and technology, or tackling local challenges with the help of artificial intelligence, the goal is to create an innovation that makes an impact, not only on the country, but on the world.

Entries must be submitted on or before October 26, 2025, marking the final opportunity for aspiring young heroes to take part in this year’s challenge.

While the journey of innovation is a victory in itself, Samsung has ensured that the rewards are just as extraordinary. The grand champion will receive ?500,000 worth of Samsung devices for their school, along with ?250,000 worth of gadgets for the team and adviser. They will also take home ?100,000 in cash, with an additional ?30,000 for the teacher adviser.

The second-place winners will receive ?300,000 worth of Samsung devices for their school, ?250,000 worth of gadgets for the team, ?70,000 in cash for the members, and ?25,000 for their adviser. Third-place winners will bring home ?200,000 worth of Samsung devices for their school, ?250,000 worth of gadgets for the team, ?50,000 in cash for the members, and ?15,000 for their adviser.

Even those who make it to the Top 10 will not leave empty-handed. Each finalist team will be awarded ?15,000 in cash, while their dedicated teacher advisers will receive ?5,000 each – a fitting tribute to their mentorship and support throughout the competition.

Together for Tomorrow across the region

Across Southeast Asia, the Solve for Tomorrow program has already sparked waves of innovation.

In Singapore, last year’s champions, Team redbluegold from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), designed smart glasses called ‘SilentGuide’ that used artificial intelligence or AI to transcribe speech into subtitles, empowering the hearing impaired to connect with the world more easily.

Back in 2024, Solve for Tomorrow Malaysia crowned Team TerraInovators, from SMK Sultan Ismail, who created ‘Eco Pulse,’ an AI-driven image recognition app designed to streamline the recycling process. Powered by advanced data science and algorithms, it estimates the value and weight of recyclable items with precision, driving the public to recycle waste.

These inspiring stories prove that when young minds are given a platform, creativity can transcend classrooms and transform lives.

Don’t miss your shot to change the future – win big while making a difference through Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow! Interested participants can learn more about the program by visiting www.samsung.com/ph/solve-for-tomorrow or following Samsung Philippines on social media via Facebook, X, and Instagram.