Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday urged government agencies to prioritize education-related projects and initiatives, emphasizing that this is how Filipinos can truly experience the country’s progress.

Speaking at the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) 2025 in Mandaluyong City, the president highlighted the importance of placing quality education at the center of each agency’s agenda.

‘We have achieved significant milestones in improving our country’s education system, but of course, we recognize that we still have a long way to go,’ he said.

‘The goal is clear: a Philippines where every child-regardless of background or circumstance-has access to quality, future-proof education,’ he added.

Marcos urged the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Finance, and all relevant government agencies to ensure that the administration’s top priorities-particularly education-receive adequate funding and support.

‘To the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and the DepEd (Department of Education), speed up the planning and implementation process so we can meet our target of building and rehabilitating thousands of classrooms by 2028,’ he said. ‘And to the DEPDev, accelerate the review of PPP proposals for school buildings.’

‘No child should be forced to learn in makeshift spaces, and no teacher should be burdened by a system that does not support them,’ he added.

The PDF 2025 is a platform for dialogue between the government and its development partners.

With this year’s theme, ‘Bringing Together Progress for All: Services that Matter, Results that Last,’ the forum aims to promote collaboration on policy and financing priorities, guided by the outcomes of key high-level policy reviews in 2025.

The PDF also provides a venue to address urgent development challenges and explore emerging opportunities./mcm

The collapse of Piggatan Bridge in Alcala, Cagayan, on Monday afternoon was likely triggered by four heavily loaded trucks carrying rice and corn.

The bridge, a vital link to downstream towns, collapsed at around 5 p.m., leaving the trucks stranded at the site.

Witnesses Jay-ar Apao and Jovel Dellosa, who captured video footage of the incident, said the drivers and helpers sustained injuries.

Personnel from Task Force Lingkod Cagayan-Quick Response Team (TFLC-QRT) in Amulung were immediately dispatched to assist in rescue operations and guide motorists to alternate routes.

Warning signs have since been placed in the area to prevent further accidents.

Built in 1974, the 74.7-meter steel bridge was described as being in ‘good overall condition’ in a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) inspection conducted in October 2024.

The incident marks the second bridge collapse in Cagayan Valley in recent months.

Earlier, the newly retrofitted Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge in Isabela province also gave way, causing four vehicles to plunge and injuring six people.

A mass action against corruption for the month of October is currently being discussed, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chair Teodoro ‘Teddy’ Casiño revealed on Monday afternoon.

‘There are suggestions that aside from the one on November 30, that this month [October] there should be a big centralized rally. So these are the things that are being discussed now. The various sectors are also preparing their own big actions, so we are encouraging that because of what we are seeing,’ Casiño said in an interview with the Inquirer.

The Bayan chair also urged local communities to hold their own mass actions, highlighting the importance of ‘public pressure’ to continue the ongoing clamor against corruption.

‘We are encouraging the various communities including schools and churches, the homeowners associations to organize their own [mass] actions. Let’s start with local actions, and then let’s make them bigger and bigger,’ Casiño pressed.

Furthermore, the Bayan chair also revealed that suggestions have been made to ‘delay paying of taxes’ or even the ‘non-paying of taxes,’ but these moves, Casiño admitted, are still being studied.

Bayan is among the many groups organizing and encouraging anti-corruption protests by various groups and sectors.

In an earlier statement, Bayan said that it is ‘only through the people’s collective action that we can exact accountability from corrupt officials.’

Church Leaders Council for National Transformation, the organizers of the September 21 ‘Trillion Peso March’ anti-corruption protest, announced that it will hold another rally on November 30 in commemoration of Bonifacio Day.

According to the religious group, 100 groups are expected to attend the November rally.

A series of Black Friday protests and academic walkouts have also commenced since the investigations into the supposed flood control anomalies began in September.

Venezuelan beauty Andrea Rubio is making history for the Miss International pageant two years after she won her country’s ninth title in the competition.

The 2023 winner will return to the pageant stage, this time as a host, marking three straight years of appearing in the global tilt – first as a winning delegate, second as a reigning queen, and this time as a presenter.

She also becomes the first non-Japanese host for the international pageant in a long time. She will be joined by a yet-to-be-named former Miss International Japan onstage, the organizers said.

The Miss International pageant had earlier teased the return of a former titleholder to the pageant, and later revealed that it was Rubio, but did not yet mention that she was to host the finale show.

‘Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio will be hosting the 63rd Miss International Beauty Pageant to be held on November 27th, 2025, with a live telecast starting at 6:00 PM Tokyo time,’ the pageant said on social media.

‘Andrea will be reporting the daily activities live from Japan through her channel, and will also help in sharing the inside information and tidbits leading to the final night!’ the Miss International pageant added.

Around 80 delegates are expected to compete this year, which also marks the Miss International pageant’s 65th anniversary.

Changes will also be made to how the winner will be chosen this year, something the Miss International pageant has repeatedly shared with the public. A Miss International theme song will also be introduced this year.

‘More details about this year’s pageant will be revealed in our social media accounts, so stay tuned for more updates!’ the organizers said.

The delegates are expected to arrive on Nov. 12, with the national costume competition scheduled on Nov. 16. The Miss International pageant will also ‘reformat’ its preliminary judging on Nov. 24.

The 2025 Miss International final ceremonies will be held at the Yoyogi National Stadium’s 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward on Nov. 27.

Manila-based Aika Events and Productions will mount the final competition show, the same team responsible for staging the three recent grand coronation ceremonies of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said he is considering stepping down from his post as chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee (BRC).

‘If my colleagues are no longer trusting me enough and they are not happy anymore with my handling of the blue ribbon committee, I’ve already thought of stepping down as an option,’ Lacson said in an interview with radio dzBB.

He noted the sentiments expressed by some of his colleagues in the upper chamber as the main reason.

‘All chairpersons of the committee in the Senate or in the House, we serve at the pleasure of our peers, because we were elected by our peers, particular members of the majority bloc. There were disappointments expressed by my colleagues in the Senate. We heard Sen. JV (Ejercito), also Sen. Sherwin (Gatchalian) has also expressed his sentiments,’ he said.

‘I’m not serving as chair of the blue ribbon committee at the pleasure of the president of the Philippines, at the pleasure of netizens, at the pleasure of bashers, not even at the pleasure of the public. I serve at the pleasure of my peers,’ he added.

‘One of the considerations is to move on or submit a resignation as chair of the blue ribbon committee and they just look for whoever can take over my place,’ said Lacson.

According to him, he is now crafting a letter for Senate President Vicente Sotto III regarding his intention. The Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on alleged flood control anomalies set for next week has been cancelled ‘until further notice.’ According to Lacson, he initially scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, October 8, upon the request of Sen. JV Ejercito to summon former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa regional director Gerald Pacanan.

Pacanan was included among 10 DPWH officials who received a show-cause order from Secretary Vince Dizon to explain their reported lavish lifestyle and involvement in substandard projects.

‘To maximize the discussions, I checked with the DOJ if the supposed ‘tell-all’ affidavit/s of the Discayas were already available. Corollary to that, I also checked with the office of the executive judge of Manila [Regional Trial Court] if they have concluded the investigation on the possible violations of the notarized document involving TSgt Guteza and Atty Espera,’ Lacson likewise said in the message om Saturday.

Lawyer Petchie Espera denied notarizing an affidavit submitted by Orly Guteza, a former aide of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. Guteza, presented as a surprise witness in the Senate blue ribbon panel hearings, alleged that he delivered cash to the homes of certain lawmakers.

The senator said both of the affidavits and the notarized document would not be ready within a week. ‘Having been informed that both would not be ready within one week, not to mention that the BRC hearing will conflict with the budget and [Commission on Appointment] hearings, I informed SP Sotto of the cancellation until further notice,’ said Lacson. /

Kanlaon Volcano logged an increase in seismic activity on Saturday, based on the 24-hour monitoring of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs’ Sunday bulletin said that Kanlaon Volcano recorded 65 volcanic earthquakes, a sharp increase from Saturday’s 11. The volcano also emitted 1,805 tons of sulfur dioxide, which is a slight increase from Saturday’s 1,531 tons. Aside from this, Phivolcs said that the volcano generated a plume that rose 650 meters tall that drifted west-northwestward and northwestward.

The state seismologist also observed that the volcano’s edifice is still inflated.

The volcano, which sits between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, remains under Alert Level 2 or increased unrest. The agency still prohibits entry into the four-kilometer radius, or the permanent danger zone. Flying any aircraft close to the volcano is also not allowed.

It also reminded nearby communities that possible hazards such as sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions and precursor magmatic activity might occur.

Tropical Storm Halong, spotted far from the country, may soon enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Halong’s last location was recorded around 2,150 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, slowly moving northwestward.

Pagasa also recorded that Halong carries maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts of up to 90 kph. While there’s a chance that a high-pressure area may pull Halong to avoid entering the PAR, Pagasa reported that another high-pressure area near Mainland China may also cause Halong to move westward and into the periphery of the PAR.

According to the state weather bureau, should it enter the PAR, the cyclone will be named Quedan.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Matmo, formerly Paolo, was reported to be strengthening the southwest monsoon, or ‘habagat,’ that is causing rains in the western section of southern Luzon. Paolo was last seen approximately 1,190 kilometers west of extreme northern Luzon as it continues to move west-northwestward at 20 kph, Pagasa said.

It has maximum sustained winds of 150 kph, and gusts of up to 205 kph.

At 7:05 p.m., Pagasa warned of ‘moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds’ in parts of Zambales and Bulacan.

The same weather conditions are already being experienced in Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia trades his guitar for the big screen in ‘Padamlagan,’ a Cinemalaya period film rooted in his native Bicol – and told entirely in the Bicolano language.

For Buendia, the film isn’t just another creative challenge. It’s personal. ‘It’s going back to my roots,’ he told Inquirer Entertainment. ‘I was there when it happened. I was two years old when it happened. I knew all these people-they were my parents, uncles, aunties. I knew exactly the world in which they lived. It’s my offering to them, to relive their experiences through this movie.’

‘Padamlagan’ revisits the Colgante Bridge tragedy in 1972, when over a hundred lives were lost just days before Martial Law was declared. Buendia plays Doring, a father searching for his missing son (Esteban Mara) amid the chaos. It’s ‘a heavy role,’ he admitted, one with ‘hardly any ray of sunlight’ in the character’s journey.

The story feels uncomfortably resonant today. ‘It could just be a coincidence,’ Buendia said, ‘but then I don’t believe in coincidences. This problem has been deep-seated in our culture for decades. The fact that Jenn (Romano, director) was drawn to it means it really has to be told.’

As a father, he drew from his own relationship with his child. ‘It’s something I don’t want to happen in real life, of course. Being a father to a son – and the dynamics between the two characters – I definitely put some of those emotions into the scenes with Esteban.’ Asked whether he prefers acting or music, Buendia saw no rivalry. ‘It’s two different industries, but collaboration is at the heart of both. In a band, you compromise, you work with others. Filmmaking is the same. That’s what I love about it.’

Language itself became both a challenge and a triumph. Romano noted how contemporary Bicolano had to be adapted for authenticity. Buendia, despite speaking the language, struggled with archaic words. ‘Some didn’t register because they were so old. We had one scene that took a long time because I couldn’t memorize the lines. Even though I speak the language, the deep words were still hard. It was like ‘Shogun,’ even the Japanese actors had a hard time because the language was archaic.’

For co-star Sue Prado, the difficulty was worth it. ‘So many things happen in this country that are metro-centric. But Martial Law happened nationwide. Some important stories are left behind. To be part of those who tell the truth – that’s my goal. It’s my duty as a human being.’

Mara added that regional stories deserve more attention. ‘Since it’s a Bicol film, hopefully, when people from other places see it, they’ll be inspired to tell their own regional stories. That’s also part of the advocacy of our producer (Kristine de Leon) with her work with regional filmmakers.’

De Leon admitted how difficult it was to fund the project. ‘This is very hard to finance because it’s regional and uses regional language. Cinemalaya is shown at the center, but our film is really for the Bicolano audience. People generally don’t like reading subtitles. I believe there are so many beautiful stories from regional filmmakers. Also, Jenn is a female filmmaker. She has a different perspective of history. Usually men are the ones telling history. One of our goals is the elevation of regional cinema.’

Buendia said the project was an easy yes. ‘The story really got me. They gave me a pitch deck, and it was like a thesis. I got to know the director through her objectives and passions, and I shared them. Obviously, it’s a Bicolano project so I just had to do it.’

Romano traced her inspiration back to archival research at the University of the Philippines. ‘I encountered a 1972 report on the tragedy in Naga. The last headline in September 1972 was the Colgante Bridge tragedy and then the declaration of Martial Law. After that, there was a media blackout. For someone who did not experience that period, it sparked my curiosity.’ Casting leaned toward actors with Bicolano roots: Buendia from Naga, Prado from Libmanan, and Mara from Sorsogon. De Leon recalled pitching to Buendia: ‘We were so nervous. But if you watch him here, you won’t see the Ely Buendia you know. As an actor, his portrayal of Doring is heartbreaking.’

With its mix of historical tragedy, heavy emotions, and deep Bicolano roots, ‘Padamlagan’ feels both timely and timeless. For Buendia, transitioning from music to acting isn’t just a side project, but a homecoming.

In the Philippines, which has one of the highest rates of stunting in children under five years old at 26.7 percent-higher than the global average of 22.3 percent-chronic hunger is a problem that threatens future generations.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), around 18 percent of children in the Philippines, or about 2 million, are severely ‘food poor.’ This not only points to a lack of calories but a deficiency in nutrients crucial to children’s growth and development.

Last July, Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan filed a bill seeking to address this problem by providing all public school learners from daycare centers, kindergarten to Grade 12 with fortified meals for breakfast directly sourced from the produce of local farmers and fisherfolk.

These meals could provide a lifeline for these poor children. They are not mere ‘ayuda’ nor ‘free food,’ but they create ripple effects on children’s health, well-being, and learning abilities.

Many countries have launched successful feeding programs: Thailand’s school lunch program, which is similar to Pangilinan’s measure, has reduced malnutrition and improved academic performance; South Korea’s free school meal program introduced in the early 2010s has been credited for significantly reducing behavioral issues in schools; and Brazil’s national school feeding program has been used as a benchmark for similar programs.

National feeding program

The country has a national feeding program policy under Republic Act No. 11037, but its scope is limited to undernourished children in daycare, kindergarten up to Grade 6. The Pangilinan proposal would expand the coverage up to Grade 12 and hit two birds with one stone: feed poor students and support local farmers and fishermen.

In its Year Two Report published last year titled ‘Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival,’ the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II) underscored the role of nutrition and feeding as the foundation of quality education.

The commission acknowledged that the Philippines has made strides in improving the well-being of Filipino children in recent years.

‘(However), millions of Filipino children remain chronically malnourished, facing challenges such as poor health, inadequate nutrition, and limited learning capacity,’ it stated, noting that one in four Filipino children under five years old still experiences stunting.

Social inequity

In August, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) backed Edcom II’s call to government agencies, legislators, and local government units to take immediate action. It said undernutrition and malnutrition are a stark manifestation of social inequity, where only 25 percent of Filipino children aged six to 12 months meet the recommended energy intake; the rest were deficient in protein and healthy fats, essential for their physical growth and development.

‘Socioeconomic disparities further exacerbate these challenges, limiting many children’s access to essential early childhood care and development services. These inequities hinder their ability to achieve optimal health, learning, and productivity outcomes,’ Edcom II said.

It added that addressing these disparities demands a comprehensive approach that integrates quality early childhood education, health, and nutrition programs.

The CBCP cited the grim consequences: 48 percent of Grade one to three students are not prepared for their grade level, 80 percent of Grade three students struggle with multiplication, division, and geometry, and 30 percent are not functionally literate.

Global labor market

This has manifested in the Philippines’ poor performance in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), where it ranked 76th out of 81 participating countries in reading, math, and science.

This would have a severe impact on the competitiveness of younger generations in the global labor market, which puts a premium on a higher skill set.

Pisa noted: ‘Raising quality of education and protecting health, especially in the early years, will equip the next generation with the skills they need to meet the demands of higher productivity and higher paying jobs. Investing in the skills of this young population is essential to fuel future growth and increase household incomes.’

Without institutional help, however, poor Filipino children will be trapped in an endless cycle of poverty.

While a ‘free meal’ may be inconsequential to others, it represents a lottery ticket to many poor Filipino families that could help them escape poverty.

Perpetual Help extended its winning start in Group A of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, defeating winless Lyceum, 73-61, on Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Altas, coming off a win over San Sebastian two days earlier, leaned on sophomore guard Mark Gojo Cruz, who finished with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. ‘I just prepared myself and my mind that even though I’m a sophomore, I need to lead,’ said Cruz. ‘My goal is to do good on defense and offense is just a bonus.

Jearico Nuñez added 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Royce Orgo and Jhan Sleat chipped in nine apiece for the Altas, who improved to 2-0.

Renz Villegas led the Pirates with 18 points as Lyceum dropped to 0-2.

Perpetual will face fellow unbeaten Mapua (2-0) on Wednesday for Group A leadership at the same venue.