Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela met with regional officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to resolve environmental concerns delaying the Victoria-Sablayan Bypass Road Project.

The Victoria-Sablayan road project has drawn environmental scrutiny because of its potential proximity to areas inhabited by tamaraws, whose remaining population is concentrated in protected areas in Mindoro.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Tarriela said he met with DPWH Mimaropa Regional Director Rosita Tinawin and DENR Mimaropa Regional Director Felix Mirasol, along with their technical staff, to discuss the project’s pending issues.

Tarriela said the proposed bypass road would connect the towns of Victoria in Oriental Mindoro and Sablayan in Occidental Mindoro, serving as a bypass between the two provinces.

The project has been in the works for some time but encountered delays due to environmental concerns, particularly the possibility that road construction could affect the tamaraw, the critically endangered wild buffalo endemic to Mindoro.

‘We need to find solutions on how the project can proceed while still protecting the environment,’ Tarriela said in Filipino.

He stressed that infrastructure projects are important to the development of the province but should be implemented in a way that protects the environment for future generations.

The meeting also covered other projects that require an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the DENR, including several coastal road projects, the Lipitan Reservoir Irrigation Projects, and proposed footbridges and bridges in various towns in the province.

Tropical Depression Pilandok will not directly affect the country, while the southwest monsoon, or habagat, will continue to prevail over Luzon and the western part of Visayas on Tuesday, according to the state weather bureau.

In the 5 a.m. weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, weather specialist Veronica Torres said that Pilandok was last estimated 1,050 kilometers east of Extreme Northern Luzon. It maintained its strength as it was carrying a maximum wind speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 70 kph.

‘Walang direktang epekto sa ating bansa at napakababa naman ng tyansang maglandfall sa anumang parte ng bansa,’ Torres said.

(This does not have a direct effect over the country and it has a low chance of making landfall in any part of the country.)

Torres also said that Pilandok will move east-northeastward and then northeastward in the next 24 hours. It may also traverse northwestward and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

It is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours.

Meanwhile, Torres noted that the habagat will bring heavy rains in the western portion of Luzon. She added that Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan will experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall on Tuesday due to habagat.

Weather disturbances outside the country

Torres also shared that there are currently three weather disturbances being monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR.

Tropical Storm Saudel, formerly locally named Obet, was last located 965 kilometers west of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 a.m. Torres said that because of its east-southeast movement, its chance of re-entering the PAR is not ruled out.

A tropical depression seen 645 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes is not forecast to enter the PAR.

Lastly, a low pressure area 3,000 kilometers east of Southern Luzon has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours. Its possibility of entering the PAR is not ruled out.

Malacañang on Tuesday advised motorists to avoid the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) for now after scores were left stranded along sections of the expressway due to severe flooding.

At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed proposals to temporarily suspend toll fees on NLEX, saying that doing so could result in heavier traffic.

‘Bakit ka pa papasok kung traffic na? Wag mo na gamitin muna. I mean, diba? For the meantime, huwag na muna kayong dumaan doon kung hindi naman din siya makakalusot,’ she said.

(Why would you still go there if there’s already heavy traffic? Don’t use it for now. I mean, right? In the meantime, avoid passing through there if you won’t be able to get through anyway.)

‘So anong purpose ng libre? Tanong ko lang. Magandang adhikain ‘yung libre, pero kung ililibre natin, mas maraming sasakyan na papasok. So pag mas maraming papasok na sasakyan mas lalong magkakaroon ng traffic, so dapat nga iwasan muna nila tong NLEX,’ the Palace official continued.

(So what’s the point of making it free? I’m just asking. It’s a good initiative to make it free, but if we make it free, more vehicles will enter. And the more vehicles that enter, the worse the traffic will get. So for now, they should.)

Castro said there was no order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sanction NLEX operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, as the President was focused on finding ways to ease the traffic congestion.

The heavy traffic was caused by severe flooding in the Tulaoc and San Simon Interchange sections in Pampanga, triggered by the overflowing Pampanga River due to persistent monsoon rains.

As of 6:15 p.m. on September 1, heavy traffic was still reported in the northbound and southbound lanes of the Tulaoc (San Simon) and San Simon Interchange.

Despite the heavy traffic, the NLEX corporation said all types of vehicles could pass through Lane 1, while Class 2 and 3 vehicles could pass through Lane 2 of Tulaoc (San Simon).

On Monday, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation said it understood the public’s frustration and apologized for what motorists-especially those traveling with children, elderly passengers, or individuals needing medical attention-had to go through.

Lane 1 of San Simon Interchange is passable by Class 2 and 3 vehicles, except for Class 1 vehicles. Meanwhile, the corporation said that the Libtong, Sta. Rita Northbound Entry, and Pulilan Northbound Entry are temporarily closed to all vehicles while approximately two-kilometer traffic buildup is observed at the Sta. Rita Northbound Exit.

The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) said the ‘Kadiwa on Wheels’ featuring the region’s produce opened at the main office in Quezon City on Tuesday, marking the start of its Metro Manila run.

‘There’s durian, mangosteen, pomelo and various other fruits from Davao being displayed,’ DA-11 said in a public post.

The initiative aims to bring the region’s harvests closer to consumers in Metro Manila and other parts of the country while expanding market opportunities for farmers.

The DA central office will host the first leg of sales until Sept. 3, followed by ‘Kartilya ng Katipunan’ near the Manila city hall on Sept. 4.

Subsequent stops include Cebu City on Sept. 10 to 16, Baguio City on Sept. 25 to 28, and World Trade Center in Pasay City on Oct. 8 to 10.

DA-11’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division aims to strengthen market linkages, expand consumer access, and create better opportunities for local growers.

Based on data, the participating farmer cooperatives and associations are the Davao City Durian Industry Development Council and the Durian Industry Association of Davao City.

The target volume of the Kadiwa on Wheels initiative is 70 metric tons.

The NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament will see two experienced coaches call the shots for Lyceum and Mapua.

First, former Magnolia coach Chito Victolero was appointed as the newest shot-caller for the Cardinals, replacing champion tactician Randy Alcantara.

Not long after that, Lyceum tapped former Phoenix mentor Jamike Jarin to return to the collegiate basketball scene and steer the Pirates.

With both tacticians holding pedigrees in the PBA, the competition just got a lot tougher. Just ask San Beda coach Yuri Escueta and Benilde’s Charles Tiu.

‘It’s such a big thing for college basketball and the NCAA to have coaches of their caliber. For me as a a coach, it’ll be a pleasure to play against them and learn from them,’ Escueta told the Inquirer after the Season 102 press conference at Mall of Asia Arena on Monday.

‘You really have to prepare when you face these kinds of coaches. They’re not just ex-professional league coaches but they’re champions as well. They know how to win titles.’

Victolero made a name for himself in the PBA after helping the Hotshots win the 2018 Governors’ Cup title.

Jarin, meanwhile, is definitely no stranger to the NCAA as he steered the Red Lions to the Season 92 title in 2016 via a sweep of Arellano in the Finals.

Now, both coaches are heading back to the Grand Old League, and while Tiu feels it’ll be a challenge for the Blazers, it will also be a welcome addition to the NCAA.

‘They’re great experienced champion coaches. They will all raise the level of basketball in the NCAA,’ said the Fuel Masters mentor.

‘[It] may be bad for us in our chances to win but good for the league overall,’ he added.

The NCAA officially opens the curtain for Season 102 on September 13 at the same venue.

The Department of Education (DepEd) will push through with the national simultaneous school safety drill for active threat scenarios on Sept. 3 to build ‘calm operational confidence,’ noting fear-inducing elements will be strictly banned.

‘Our goal for September 3 is to build calm operational confidence and muscle memory through proper orientation, not fear,’ said Education Secretary Sonny Angara in a statement on Tuesday.

‘Preparedness saves lives, and trauma-informed execution protects our learners,’ Angara added.

The drills followed school shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga City.

Earlier, the department postponed the Aug. 25 drill to provide ample time to align its simulation with the child-centered and trauma-informed standards of medical and mental health professionals.

Angara emphasized that school safety policies must treat physical security and mental health as inseparable priorities, with the drills now following health professionals’ suggestions.

‘Safety is not just about physical security; it is equally about protecting our children’s peace of mind,’ said Angara on Tuesday.

‘We are working closely with our medical experts and psychiatric societies to ensure our shared priority for the total well-being of our children remains at the center of our implementation,’ he added.

Under existing disaster risk reduction guidelines, DepEd reiterated that the drill will strictly ban all hyper-realistic or fear-inducing elements such as threat simulations, active aggressor role-players, weapons, and graphic elements.

The first active shooter simulation in July featured a mock role-play attacker using a plastic toy pistol.

During the nationwide drill, classes will practice a step-by-step walkthrough on securing entry points, practicing silent concealment away from windows and reviewing evacuation safety routes.

Police authorities are also strictly prohibited from displaying tactical disarming drills and aggressive uniform displays.

Police were urged to conduct external perimeter security, emergency notification systems, testing dispatch response times, and post-incident learner tracking.

Schools will also provide alternative activities to learners with special needs, disabilities or sensory sensitivities recommended by their parents and guardians.

‘Every kid has their own level of strength and understanding, that’s why we can’t conduct a one-size-fits-all approach to safety,’ Angara said.

After the simulation, guidance personnel and school health officers will also provide first aid and post-drill debriefing sessions to students. -With a report from Sheridan Delfino /

The country’s rice supply is ‘quite secure’ until the end of the year, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., citing rice importation and start of harvest season.

He made the guarantee at the House committee on appropriations’ briefing on the proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Rep. Sarah Elago asked Tiu Laurel about the dangers of the country’s dependence on rice importation to our food security.

Tiu Laurel said that as the country aims to lessen its dependence on rice importation, there is a need to irrigate more lands for rice production.

‘As far as our food security for rice, for the year 2026, I’m happy to announce that we are quite secure in our rice requirements until the end of 2026,’ Tiu Laurel said.

He then told lawmakers that the country imported around 3.8 million tons of rice last week. He also attributed the rice security to the start of harvest in the country.

Meanwhile, the DA previously said that the agricultural damage from the effects of southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng rose to around P2.3 billion.

The agency last Thursday noted that 69,615 farmers and fishers were affected by the habagat.

The calamity victims are in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol and Western Visayas.

Despite over 60,000 hectares of farmland affected, Tiu Laurel said that the harvest can still suffice until the end of the year.

‘Our harvest seems to be going well this harvest season. That should carry us over until the end of the year,’ he added. The secretary also said that the country may import up to five million tons of rice this year due to the effects of El Niño.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. and state-owned Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) have secured the coveted original proponent status (OPS) for a P14.8-billion water and wastewater project in New Clark City, which they plan to develop in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

In a statement on Monday, the BCDA said it granted the two companies OPS on Aug. 28 following the evaluation and negotiation of their unsolicited proposal, which seeks to raise New Clark City’s water capacity to about 150 million liters per day (MLD) from the current 20 MLD to 30 MLD.

Securing OPS gives Maynilad and K-Water an advantage as the public-private partnership (PPP) project moves through the approval and competitive challenge process.

The OPS, which is valid for one year, gives the consortium the right to match the best competing offer during the Swiss Challenge. In case of a tie between the original proponent and a challenger, the PPP project will be awarded to the original proponent.

As the project advances, BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang said the planned infrastructure would help New Clark City meet growing demand for water and wastewater services as more investments move into the Tarlac site.

Among the largest developments being planned for the site is the Pax Silica hub, a 1,619-hectare artificial intelligence and industrial enclave expected to accommodate facilities such as semiconductor and electronics factories.

‘Growth requires infrastructure that can keep up with it. Water and wastewater are fundamental to that growth; and we want New Clark City to have a system that is reliable, sustainable and built to meet the needs of the metropolis for the long term,’ Bingcang said.

‘We are building New Clark City for the decades ahead. That means putting in place the basic systems that will allow businesses to invest, communities to grow and the city to manage its resources responsibly,’ he added.

The OPS award follows Maynilad’s board approval of its participation in the nearly P15-billion joint venture, which the water concessionaire said was being considered for a 25-year term.

Sen. Joel Villanueva on Tuesday urged the management of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to consider waiving or refunding toll fees paid by motorists who were stranded for hours amid severe flooding along NLEx in San Simon, Pampanga.

In his privilege speech before the Senate, Villanueva also called for a clear, funded and permanent solution to the recurring flooding that has repeatedly disrupted traffic along the major expressway.

‘Naniniwala rin tayo na dapat ikonsidera ng NLEx management ang pag-waive o pag-refund ng toll fees para sa mga motoristang matinding naapektuhan ng prolonged closure,’ Villanueva said.

(We also believe that the NLEx management should consider waiving or refunding toll fees for motorists severely affected by the prolonged closure.)

‘Nagbayad ka na ng toll, naipit ka pa sa baha. Hindi po iyon ang serbisyong binayaran ng ating mga kababayan,’ he added.

(You already paid the toll, only to get stuck in the flood. That is not the service our fellow Filipinos paid for.)

Villanueva made the statement amid reports that traffic along the affected portion of NLEX stretched as far as 10 kilometers, with some motorists reportedly spending up to 22 hours on the road.

He also asked NLEx whether immediate assistance had been provided to stranded motorists.

‘May tubig, pagkain, portalets, at medical assistance po ba para sa mga nangangailangan?’ he said.

(Were there water, food, portalets, and medical assistance to those affected?)

Villanueva stressed that the situation should not be treated as a simple inconvenience, given the prolonged period motorists were trapped on the expressway.

‘Usapin po ito ng kaligtasan at kapakanan ng tao,’ he said.

(This is a matter of safety and welfare of the people,)

The Inquirer sought a comment from NLEx on the matter but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

Meanwhile, the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, operator of NLEx, has previously expressed its apologies to motorists who have been stranded in some sections of the expressway, which were rendered impassable because of severe flooding.

Recurring problem

Villanueva noted that the flooding in San Simon was not a new problem.

He recalled that following a similar flooding incident in 2023, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and NLEx identified the construction of the Tulaoc Overpass and the raising of portions of the expressway as a medium-term solution.

Since then, NLEx has raised a 0.7-meter section of a 200-meter stretch in the Tulaoc area, the senator noted.

But Villanueva said it was clear that simply raising the road was not enough to address the recurring flooding.

He also acknowledged that there were limitations to raising the expressway further because of existing bridges and required vehicle clearances.

While pumping equipment is being used to remove floodwaters, Villanueva said this should only be considered an emergency response, rather than a permanent solution.

‘Critical economic lifeline’

Villanueva described NLEx as a ‘critical economic lifeline,’ noting that the expressway handled an average of more than 350,000 vehicle entries every day in 2024, according to NLEx Corporation.

‘Kapag naparalisa ang NLEx, apektado ang trabaho, negosyo, supply chain, at oras ng ating mga kababayan,’ Villanueva said.

(When NLEx is paralyzed, jobs, businesses, the supply chain, and the time of our fellow Filipinos are affected.)

He also raised concerns over the rerouting of motorists to the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx). Villanueva said there were insufficient signs, traffic personnel, lighting, and clear directions to guide motorists through alternative routes.

He also noted that navigation apps may not immediately reflect road closures, potentially leaving motorists unaware of the flood.

‘Sa emergency, information is also a form of assistance. Hindi dapat makarating muna ang motorista sa baha bago niya malaman na hindi pala siya makakadaan dito,’ he said.

(In an emergency, information is also a form of assistance. Motorists should not have to reach the flooded area before finding out that they cannot pass through)

Beyond emergency measures, however, Villanueva said authorities should pursue a ‘clear, funded, time-bound, and permanent solution’ to the recurring flooding in San Simon.

‘Our people deserve an expressway that is not only fast when the weather is good, but safe, reliable, and resilient when they need it most,’ Villanueva said.

A group of criminologists has called for the dismissal of two police officers accused of acts of lasciviousness against two female criminology student-interns inside a police station here.

Gerry Caño, president of the Professional Criminologists Association of the Philippines (PCAP), said the group would provide legal assistance to the interns and help file administrative complaints.

‘We will lead and take charge of filing the administrative cases,’ Caño said in an online interview.

He said officers found guilty of misconduct and violations of the Safe Spaces Act should face administrative and criminal charges, including possible revocation of their professional licenses.

‘Touching or caressing the body parts of female interns must not be taken lightly or treated as a joke,’ Caño said, urging the Commission on Higher Education and other concerned agencies to strengthen safeguards against sexual harassment during student internships.

PCAP is prepared to assist the victims in filing complaints before the Professional Regulation Commission, National Police Commission, People’s Law Enforcement Board and Office of the Ombudsman, Caño said.

Confirmation

The call followed confirmation by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 that a police captain and a corporal allegedly committed acts of lasciviousness against two female interns inside Police Station 7 of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) on Aug. 8.

PRO-10 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. said the two officers had been placed under restrictive custody at the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit.

‘Misconduct will not be tolerated,’ Babagay said, stressing that police personnel must uphold professionalism, integrity and respect for the dignity and welfare of others.

He directed the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division to conduct a pre-charge evaluation, while COCPO director Col. Dexter Paje was instructed to assist the alleged victims through the Women and Children Protection Desk in filing criminal complaints.

The COCPO earlier formed an investigation team after a local higher education institution requested the withdrawal of its student-trainees following complaints of sexual harassment.