Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Factory activity in the Philippines slipped into contraction in September, underscoring a rare postpandemic setback for the country’s manufacturers.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index, a widely tracked gauge of manufacturing health, fell to 49.9 last month from 50.8 in August, SandP Global said on Wednesday.

A reading below 50 signals a decline in activity.

The drop was ‘highly unusual’ in the sector’s post-pandemic trajectory, SandP noted, citing a renewed-though modest-fall in new orders.

Sales slipped for the first time in half a year, as firms pointed to weaker demand and fewer customers. /dda

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has directed its field office in Central Visayas to increase its coordination with local government units (LGUs) following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off the coast of Cebu on Tuesday night, resulting in at least 26 deaths.

‘Our disaster quick response teams (QRTs) at the Central and Field Offices are on alert and have already reached out to the LGUs to assist the affected families,’ DSWD chief Rex Gatchalian said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

‘We know that our fellow Filipinos who had been affected are in need of urgent assistance,’ the secretary added.

He likewise said that food and non-food relief supplies are already on standby for distribution to the affected LGUs.

To date, Gatchalian disclosed that the agency maintains P379 million in standby funds and has 2.4 million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) for affected communities.

‘Yesterday, we were already on alert as we are preparing for an approaching low-pressure area that may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility. And disaster operations for ‘Opong’ are still ongoing, so our DSWD QRTs have already been on high alert,’ he noted.

‘We will ensure that all hands are on deck to help with the victims of the earthquake,’ he added.

DSWD Field Offices are also monitoring areas affected by the earthquake with the coordination of their LGUs for possible assistance.

Based on reports, the quake had damaged heritage churches and other structures and knocked out power in parts of the central Philippines.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially measured the quake at magnitude 6.7 before upgrading it to 6.9.

It occurred at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers. The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded a magnitude 7.0 before revising it downward.

Authorities on Wednesday said the death toll has risen to at least 26, with more fatalities feared as rescue operations continue.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) instructed local government units (LGUs) affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook several areas of Cebu province to ensure the continuity of their services.

The quake struck 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu province on Tuesday night.

‘LGUs are reminded to activate their contingency and public service continuity plans, conduct resource inventories, preposition emergency supplies, and coordinate with neighboring LGUs, national government agencies, and the private sector for humanitarian support,’ the DILG said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

The department also asked affected LGUs to evacuate communities and suspend small-scale mining operations in high-risk areas.

‘LGUs must ensure the structural safety of evacuation centers and public buildings, and utilize open spaces as temporary shelters where needed,’ the DILG stressed.

In a subsequent statement on Wednesday, the DILG announced that it had ordered its attached agencies, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police, to assist in the rescue efforts.

‘The DILG extends its sympathies to the families of those who died due to the earthquake in Cebu last night. We also pray for the quick recovery of the strength and health of the wounded.’

At least 26 were reported dead and 147 were reported injured due to the earthquake as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest situational report.

No casualties in Central Visayas jails – BJMP

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – Central Visayas (BJMP 7) reported that there were no casualties among persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in jails across the region following the earthquake.

‘All persons deprived of liberty and personnel are safe and accounted for,’ the BJMP 7 said in a statement on Wednesday.

The jail bureau, however, did report that detainees and staff at its facilities in Bogo City and Medellin town were briefly evacuated before returning after confirming their safety.

Minor cracks were seen in both the Bogo City and Medellin jails, prompting the BJMP 7 to raise a red alert status over the two units.

‘The jails immediately activated Oplan Lindol, mobilized standby generators and solar lights, and placed all facilities under close monitoring,’ the BJMP explained./cb

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito expressed full support for the Common Legislative Agenda (CLA) after five of his priority bills and advocacies were included in the list of 44 bills in the 20th Congress identified by the Marcos administration and Congress leaders during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting.

The said bills include the Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development (MIND) Act, the amendments to the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Law, Magna Carta for Barangays, amendments to Masustansyang Pagkain or the Expanded Feeding Program, and the proposal to regulate online gambling.

‘It is truly the right time for these proposals, and it is also good to see that the administration considers them important-especially when it comes to improving our infrastructure. Once we immediately pass the master plan, we can avoid unplanned and piecemeal projectso,’ Ejercito said.

‘I am determined to work closely with my colleagues and the Executive branch to deliver reforms that matter most to our people,’ he added.

With the MIND Act, Ejercito said the long-term blueprint will have a clear and institutionalized direction for infrastructure development that will transcend political terms.

On the UHC Act amendments, Ejercito stressed that the implementation and funding of the UHC Act must be strengthened to ensure that every Filipino truly benefits from quality and accessible healthcare.

The lawmaker from San Juan also underscored the importance of empowering local communities through the Magna Carta for Barangays.

‘The barangay is the heart of governance. By giving our barangays the right tools, resources, and autonomy, we are strengthening the very foundation of our democracy.’

Ejercito likewise emphasized that child nutrition and protection from social harms remain central to his priorities. ‘No child should go hungry. The goal is to expand our feeding program.’

Ejercito also supports the effort of the Marcos administration to regulate online gambling in the Philippines. He emphasized that stronger safeguards and regulations are needed to protect Filipino families and communities from these risks.

Strong aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4 to 5 were recorded in Cebu following a magnitude 6.9 quake that struck the province Tuesday evening.

At 9:59 p.m., the magnitude 6.9 earthquake jolted Cebu, with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City. Following that, the subsequent earthquakes were recorded in Bogo City from Tuesday evening to early Wednesday morning:

Magnitude 5 – 10:24 p.m.

Magnitude 5.1 – 10:33 p.m.

Magnitude 4.4. – 11:59 p.m. Magnitude 4.5 – 12:01 p.m. (Wednesday)

Magnitude 4.1 – 12:04 a.m.

Magnitude 4.9 – 12:34 a.m. Phivolcs earlier issued an advisory for possible minor sea-level disturbances following Tuesday evening’s quake.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will prohibit and penalize the use of improvised and temporary vehicle plates starting November 1, 2025, the LTO announced on Wednesday.

According to LTO Chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, the agency no longer has backlogs of license plates for both four-wheel vehicles and motorcycles, which means ‘there is no more justification in the use of either the improvised or temporary plates.’

Once the policy is implemented, the LTO will impose a P5,000 fine and confiscate the temporary and improvised plates of vehicles that continue to use them.

Following this, Mendoza advised motorists who have yet to claim their plates to do so in October ‘to avoid any inconvenience with regard to the strict implementation of this policy.’

Additionally, Mendoza warned that improvised and temporary plates will no longer be accepted for the renewal of vehicle registration.

The initiative is in line with the LTO’s plans to implement a policy that requires official receipts, certificates of registration, and license plates to be released on the same day of a motor vehicle’s purchase.

However, Mendoza also stated that some improvised plates will be permitted, provided they are authorized and signed by the relevant LTO offices responsible for processing such requests.

These authorized plates shall ‘contain the assigned plate number of the vehicle with the words ‘Improvised Plate’ below it,’ Mendoza explained.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been addressing its backlog of motorcycle plates through its plate distribution initiatives.

The DOTr said it aims to distribute around 5.4 million motorcycle plates by the end of October.

A male motorcycle rider was gunned down by unidentified assailants in front of a school along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, the police said.

Quezon City Police District (QCPD) public information chief Maj. Jennifer Gannaban confirmed the incident in a message to the Inquirer, saying officers recovered an identification card from the victim but are still investigating his identity.

‘The victim was on a motorcycle and when the suspects shot the victim, they also took the victim’s motorcycle,’ Gannaban explained, citing a police report of the shooting.

The victim’s body was discovered and reported to the authorities by a concerned citizen early Wednesday morning, according to a QCPD statement.

‘Acting on this, QCPD immediately activated its Special Investigation Team (SIT) to ensure a thorough and focused probe,’ the police said.

‘As part of the investigation, QCPD is conducting CCTV (closed circuit television) forward and backtracking of possible suspect movements while also coordinating with specialized units for evidence gathering,’ it added

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the distribution of financial aid and livelihood assistance in Masbate, one of the provinces hardest hit by Typhoon Opong.

During the event at Nursery Elementary School, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided P10,000 each to 600 families through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V also released two checks totaling over P34.8 million to the provincial government of Masbate. The funds will support the agency’s Livelihood Assistance and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers programs, benefiting 6,455 individuals in 11 municipalities.

Aside from these, Marcos also oversaw the distribution of family food packs, hygiene kits, malongs, 10-meter laminated sacks, and water filtration kits from the DSWD.

In addition, two Starlink units were turned over to Nursery Elementary School to provide internet connectivity for the evacuees.

As of Tuesday, the school shelters 41 families or 121 individuals, displaced by Typhoon Opong.

In his speech, Marcos told the typhoon victims that the government will provide continuous assistance to help them return to their normal lives.

‘Do not worry, the government’s support will continue for as long as you are in need,’ the President said in Filipino.

‘Even if it takes us a little longer because your homes are not yet repaired, we are already providing support,’ he added.

Aside from the distribution of aid, Marcos also visited Masbate Provincial Hospital to personally inspect its damaged facilities and turned over a facsimile check worth P3 million from the Department of Health to the provincial government for repair works.

Three Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel died following the collapse of the San Remigio Sports Complex in Cebu amidst the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Tuesday evening.

The PCG identified the fatalities as Seaman Second Class Lawrence Palomo PCG, Apprentice Seaman Jujay Mahusay PCG, and Apprentice Seaman Ert Cart Dacunes, PCG.

According to the PCG, the three were brought to the Bogo General Hospital, but were declared dead despite efforts to revive them.

‘We extend our sincere condolences to the families of our fallen personnel. Their dedication to the service and camaraderie with our fellow uniformed men and women will always be remembered. The PCG stands in full solidarity with their loved ones and will ensure that they receive the utmost support,’ PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said. ‘Department of Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez likewise extended his condolences to the officers’ families.

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Seaman Second Class Palomo, Apprentice Seaman Mahusay at Apprentice Seaman Dacunes. The entire DOTr family commiserates with their families and the PCG family, losing 3 promising personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard.We join you in our sincere prayers,’ Lopez said.

He also recognized the service of the coast guard officers.

‘We are grateful for their faithful service to the people and their duty. [Their families] can be assured of continued support and assistance,’ Lopez added.

The Social Security System (SSS) officially launched the MySSS Card that has a dual function–an official ID and a debit card.

SSS President and CEO Robert Joseph De Claro said the MySSS Card acts would replace the long-standing Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) card.

It would also operate as a fully functional debit card linked to a savings account.

De Claro noted that the card is equipped with an EMV chip. It is integrated with the Philippine Identification System, or PhilSys, eVerify and biometric authentication.

SSS will accept applications for the MySSS Card starting Oct. 1.

RCBC, through its digital arm DiskarTech, will be the card’s first implementer. /dda