Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

More than 700 residents fled their homes and sought shelter in evacuation centers as nonstop heavy rains triggered flooding in low-lying areas of Cabangan town on Friday, Aug. 28.

Champ del Rosario, head of the Cabangan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said 245 families, or 719 individuals, were staying in 10 evacuation centers as of 4 p.m.

More than half of the evacuees were from Barangay Mabanglit, where 180 families, or 518 individuals, were forced to leave their homes.

Other affected villages were Apo-Apo, San Rafael, Anonang, Casabaan, Cadmang and Sta. Rita.

‘The flooding was considered significant in the said areas where floodwaters reached above knee level,’ del Rosario said in a phone interview.

Rice fields and other farmlands in several areas were also inundated, he said.

Floodwaters had significantly receded in the affected barangays as of the latest update, with only light to moderate rain reported in the town.

A portion of the National Highway in Mabanglit that was earlier impassable to all types of vehicles due to flooding had also become passable.

The Department of Energy (DOE) hopes major power players will invest in the country’s first coal blending terminal to maximize domestic coal supply and reduce the Philippines’ vulnerability to foreign policy changes.

On Thursday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin told reporters that the DOE is mulling building a centralized blending facility to reduce local coal power plants’ imports from Indonesia.

The ideal location is Mindanao due to its coal sites and port terminals, with Garin expressing optimism that private sector development will occur with minimal government oversight.

The blending terminal will source both domestic and foreign coal, combining high- and low-grade varieties for industrial needs.

The Philippines relies on Indonesia for over 90 percent of its coal needs. However, Indonesia will revise its export guidelines in January, potentially impacting the Philippines.

‘We don’t have energy security as far as coal is concerned, because 95 percent of our coal is imported from Indonesia. Anything can happen,’ she said on the sidelines of the 15th Energy Smart Forum in Makati City.

‘So what we need is to have a diversification of our risk. So we need to source it from different countries if there’s an option, or the best option is to source it in our country. Most of our coal, they say, is not good enough for our coal power plants. But there’s a way to do that: we can mix our coal with something that can be useful for our coal power plants,’ Garin added.

Garin said the government is negotiating with Australia, Russia, and others for new supplies since the blending facility won’t be operational soon.

At the same time, the DOE is preparing for a coal mine auction, including the Semirara site, before the year ends

The Romblon State University (RSU) has warned its suppliers, contractors, service providers and other stakeholders against individuals allegedly soliciting money, gifts, favors or other benefits while invoking the name or association of the state university.

In an Aug. 27 official statement, RSU said it had received reports of alleged solicitation activities involving individuals who purportedly approached entities doing business or seeking to do business with the university.

The university stressed that unauthorized solicitation from its suppliers, contractors, partners and stakeholders is strictly prohibited.

‘No official, employee, representative, or other individual has authority to use the name, office, position, influence, or institutional relationship of Romblon State University to seek personal favors or benefits,’ RSU said.

The university said its policy is anchored on Republic Acts No. 6713 and 3019, as well as Presidential Decree 46, which prohibit public officials and employees from soliciting or receiving gifts, favors or benefits connected with their official duties or government transactions.

RSU also cited Republic Act No 12009 (the New Government Procurement Act) , which promotes transparency, accountability, integrity and professionalism in government procurement.

The university urged suppliers, contractors, partners and other stakeholders to immediately report anyone soliciting money, gifts, contributions, favors or other benefits while claiming to represent RSU, a university official or any university office.

It also advised complainants to preserve evidence, including messages, screenshots, names, contact details, receipts and other information that could help in the verification and investigation of reports.

RSU said it would promptly investigate complaints brought to its attention. University officials or employees found liable, after due process, would face appropriate action under university rules, civil service regulations and existing laws.

Cases may also be referred to the proper authorities for administrative, civil or criminal action, when warranted.

‘RSU remains firm in protecting the integrity of its transactions and procurement processes,’ it said, calling on its community and partners to help safeguard transparency, accountability and public trust in all transactions involving the university.

The Philippines may post its weakest growth in nearly two decades this year, outside of the Covid-19 pandemic, as high inflation bites the economy where it hurts the most: consumer spending.

Gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to expand 3.4 percent in 2026 from a year earlier, officials of the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) said on Thursday after completing their annual consultation visit to the Philippines.

That was lower than Amro’s previous estimate of 4.1 percent back in July. Excluding the pandemic-led meltdown in 2020, the revised forecast would mark the slowest pace of expansion since 2009-back when the onslaught of typhoons and the aftermath of the global financial crisis dragged GDP growth to just 1.4 percent.

The updated projection also suggested that the Marcos administration may miss its watered-down growth target of 3.5 percent to 4.5 percent for this year. The Philippines, a net energy importer, has been among the economies in the region hardest hit by the global oil shock stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, Amro said.

Inflation is expected to rise sharply to 5.4 percent in 2026 from 1.7 percent in 2025, before moderating to 3.8 percent in 2027, Amro said. This, in turn, could weigh on household spending, which historically accounts for about 70 percent of GDP.

‘Growth this year will be weighed down by weaker private consumption amid higher inflation and subdued investment, although a gradual recovery in public construction in the second half of the year and resilient exports should provide some support,’ said Jinho Choi, lead economist and head of the Amro visiting team.

The slowdown was already evident in the first quarter, when the economy expanded just 2.8 percent from a year earlier. Growth was weighed down by the fallout from the Middle East conflict, which hit an economy still recovering from a confidence shock linked to a major corruption scandal.

Amro said growth may rebound to 4.8 percent next year. But this was a less bullish outlook than the group’s previous estimate of 5.5 percent.

Looking ahead, Amro said the policy mix should balance the need to contain inflation with support for economic growth.

‘Fiscal policy should remain responsive to cyclical downturns by restoring well-governed infrastructure investment, while maintaining a firm commitment to medium-term fiscal consolidation,’ it said.

‘Monetary policy should remain data-dependent. Further rate hikes would be warranted if core inflation remains elevated and persistent or inflation expectations show signs of becoming de-anchored,’ it added. INQ

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Heavy rainfall will prevail over the western portion of Luzon on Friday, August 28, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

In the agency’s weather forecast on Friday morning, Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said heavy rains were expected over the regions of Metro Manila, Ilocos, Central Luzon-particularly Bataan and Zambales-and Calabarzon as well as the province of Occidental Mindoro.

‘Ang nalalabing bahagi ng Luzon ay makararanas naman ng maulap na kalangitan na may mga kalat-kalat na mga pag-ulan, pagkidlat at pagkulog, lalong-lalo na itong silangang bahagi ng Luzon,’ Badrina explained.

(The rest of Luzon will experience cloudy weather conditions with scattered rain showers, especially in the eastern section of Luzon.)

Palawan province and Visayas will likewise experience cloudy weather conditions with chances of scattered rain showers.

Meanwhile, according to the Pagasa weather specialist, Mindanao will experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather conditions with chances of isolated rain showers.

‘Kung mapapansin natin, sa Mindanao, walang masyadong namamataan tayong tuloy-tuloy na mga pag-ulan. Medyo mainit nga yung panahon dito sa may bahagi ng Mindanao,’ Badrina added.

(If you notice, we don’t see much rain in Mindanao. The weather now is rather hot in Mindanao.)

The state weather bureau also monitored a low pressure area (LPA) located 720 kilometers (km) east of Itbayat, Batanes as of 3 a.m. on Friday.

Badrina, however, noted that the LPA will not have a direct effect on the Philippines and will instead head in the direction of Taiwan.

Despite this development, the Pagasa weather specialist said the agency did not issue a gale warning over the Philippines’ seaboards.

‘Gayunpaman, mag-ingat pa rin kung may thunderstorms. Kung minsan, nagpapalakas yan ng alon ng karagatan. Kaya mag-ingat, lalong-lalo yung mga maliliit na bangka,’ he noted.

(Nonetheless, take caution when there are thunderstorms. Those can sometimes strengthen the waves in the seas. Be cautious, especially for the small vessels.)

Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co. Ltd. (SMFL) has completed its acquisition of a 30-percent stake in the leasing arm of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., giving the Japanese firm a bigger foothold in the Philippines.

On Thursday, the Yuchengco-led bank said SMFL had secured the necessary regulatory approvals and permits to complete the transaction.

Following the acquisition, RCBC Leasing and Finance Corp. (RLFC) is now an equity method affiliate company of SMFL. The leasing firm was previously wholly owned by RCBC.

RLFC president and CEO Jayson Mendoza said the investment would support the company’s expansion over the next three to five years.

The company is targeting growth in priority sectors such as manufacturing, construction, information technology, renewable energy-including electric vehicles and solar panels-healthcare, logistics and auto leasing.

‘This investment positions us well for the opportunities ahead and strengthens our capabilities that will drive our business forward,’ Mendoza said.

For SMFL, the investment expands its business base in the Philippines, where it expects strong economic growth and increasing demand for financial services.

The Japanese firm plans to combine its sales and management expertise with RCBC’s customer base and RLFC’s team structure as it grows its local operations.

The transaction also deepens RCBC’s ties with Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui group.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), another member of the group, currently owns a 24.46-percent stake in RCBC and serves as its partner bank in the Philippines.

SMFL said it remained committed to expanding its global business through collaboration with SMBC Group and other partners.

RLFC, which was incorporated in 1987, is engaged in financial leasing and operating leases through its wholly owned subsidiary.

It maintains a nationwide presence with five offices in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted the red heavy rainfall warning over parts of Zambales and Bataan on Friday morning, Aug. 28.

The red heavy rainfall warning means at least 30 millimeters (mm) of rain is expected in the affected areas within an hour and it will continue in the next two hours, which may bring severe flooding in low-lying areas.

In an advisory at 8 a.m. on Friday, Pagasa said the following areas were covered by the red heavy rainfall warning:

Zambales (Cabangan, Botolan, Subic, San Antonio, San Marcelino, Castillejos, San Narciso, San Felipe, and Olongapo); and

Bataan (Morong, Dinalupihan, and Hermosa)

The state weather bureau also raised the orange heavy rainfall warning over the following:

Tarlac

Pampanga

Bulacan

The rest of Zambales (Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Santa Cruz, Iba), Bataan(Abucay, Bagac, Balanga, Limay, Mariveles, Orani, Orion, Pilar, Samal); and

Nueva Ecija (San Antonio, Cabiao, San Isidro, Gapan, General Tinio, Penaranda, Jaen, San Leonardo, Guimba, Santo Domingo, Quezon, Licab, Zaragoza, Aliaga, Santa Rosa, Cabanatuan, Gabaldon, Laur, Palayan, Bongabon, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Llanera, and Talavera)

The orange heavy rainfall warning means between 15 to 30 mm of rain is expected in the affected areas within an hour and it will continue in the next two hours.

Further, Pagasa raised the yellow heavy rainfall warning over the following areas:

Metro Manila

Rizal; and

The rest of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Cuyapo, Lupao, Nampicuan, Pantabangan, San Jose, Munoz, and Talugtug)

The yellow heavy rainfall warning means between 7.5 to 15 mm of rain is expected in the affected areas within an hour and it will continue in the next two hours.

Meanwhile, according to Pagasa, light to moderate rains were expected over the following areas in the next three hours:

Cavite

Batangas (Balayan, Calatagan, Laurel, Lian, Nasugbu, Talisay, Tuy, Tanauan, Calaca, San Nicolas, Agoncillo, Lemery, Taal, Batangas City, Santo Tomas, Malvar, Balete, Lipa, Mataasnakahoy, Ibaan, San Jose, Cuenca, San Pascual, Alitagtag, Bauan, Santa Teresita, San Luis, and Mabini)

Quezon (General Nakar and Infanta); and

Laguna (Santa Maria)

In the agency’s forecast on Friday morning, Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said the southwest monsoon, locally known as the habagat, continued to affect parts of Luzon

Motorists will save on expensive fuel costs as local oil companies plan to cut prices by as much as P4 per liter next week.

In an advisory, Jetti Petroleum Leo Bellas said the per-liter price of diesel may go down by P3.50 to P4.

On one hand, gasoline prices may also dip by 25 centavos to 75 centavos.

‘Prices declined this week as threatened US sanctions fell short of the market’s expectations and viewed the economic pressure as a lower-risk path for physical supply than a military escalation, reducing the oil market’s anxiety and easing immediate supply concerns,’ Bellas said.

Bellas’ estimates were based on the first four days of trading at the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), and foreign exchange movements. MOPS is the basis for the pricing of refined petroleum products in Southeast Asia.

Travelers must brace for pricier airfares again in early September as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) raised the allowable fuel surcharge, which airlines add to the base fare to account for volatility in jet fuel prices.

In an advisory dated Aug. 27, the regulator said the fuel surcharge will revert to Level 13 from Sept. 1 to 15 after dropping to Level 12 in the earlier cycle from Aug. 16 to 31, as global jet fuel prices drifted higher.

Under Level 13, airlines may collect an additional P423 to P1,237 for domestic trips, up from the P389 to P1,137 in allowable surcharges under Level 12.

That same increase will apply to international flights, with allowable fuel surcharges rising to between P1,396.74 to P10,385.42 from P1,284.40 and P9,550.13 in the previous cycle.

CAB said these charges will be implemented at a conversion rate of P61.39 per US dollar.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is pushing for further network buildout in New Clark City, with its board approving investments in a P15-billion joint venture with a Korean firm.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, the Pangilinan-led group said its board of directors gave the green light for new investments in a public-private partnership project with Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Earlier this year, BCDA said it was gearing up for a deal with Maynilad and K-Water, following both parties’ unsolicited offer submitted in October 2025.

According to BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang, the deal could be valued at about P15 billion and may run for 50 years.

The project is expected to boost New Clark City’s water capacity to about 150 million liters per day from the current 20 to 30 million liters per day.

However, Maynilad said in the disclosure the project ‘contemplates a 25-year term.’

No other details on the proposed deal were disclosed.

Bingcang said in February the investment would help boost infrastructure in the area, subsequently supporting water-intensive sectors such as data centers.

In March, Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez also reiterated the group’s plan to inject more capital to improve water supply services inside New Clark City. Currently, Maynilad is operating deep wells in the area.

The group is the water and wastewater services provider for the West Zone concession area of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, which covers 17 cities and towns in Metro Manila and Cavite.

Fernandez said that while the firm remains focused on serving commercial and industrial consumers in the West Zone, Maynilad is also looking at emerging hubs for expansion.

In the first six months of 2026, Maynilad saw its profit climb 14 percent to P8.51 billion on stronger water sales and customer growth.

The firm’s revenues in the period also increased by 4.1 percent to P19.11 billion against the previous P18.35 billion.