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Some local government units in Luzon declared class suspensions on Thursday due to the inclement weather brought by Tropical Storm Paolo.

Listed below are the areas that have announced class suspensions:

ILOCOS REGION

La Union

All municipalities: all levels (public and private)

Pangasinan

All municipalities: all levels (public and private)

CAGAYAN VALLEY

Cagayan

Aparri: all levels (public and private)

Baggao: all levels (public and private)

Tuguegarao: all levels (public and private)

Peñablanca: all levels (public and private)

Sto. Niño: all levels (public and private)

Isabela

All municipalities: all levels (public and private); government work

Nueva Vizcaya

Bambang: all levels (public and private)

CENTRAL LUZON

Nueva Ecija

Cabanatuan: all levels (public and private)

Santa Rosa: all levels (public and private)

Muñoz: all levels (public and private)

Peñaranda: until high school level; shift to Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM)

Aurora

All municipalities: all levels (public and private)

BICOL REGION

Masbate: all levels (public and private)

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

Benguet: until senior high school; all face-to-face classes (public and private)

Meanwhile, the following municipalities in Cebu have also suspended classes due to the effects of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake and its aftershocks:

San Fernando: all levels (public and private)

Talisay: all face-to-face classes (public and private); shift to ADM

Lapu-Lapu City: all face-to-face classes (public and private)

Cebu City: until high school level (public only)

The poor, or the bottom 30 percent of the population, spend most of their limited resources on everyday essentials such as food, house rent, and education.

This was pointed out by Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao, INQUIRER Metrics data scientist and associate professor at the University of the Philippines, who said that latest data on consumer spending ‘challenges long-held beliefs about Filipino spending habits.’

Panao, in his analysis of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2021 Consumer Finance Survey, stated that among the bottom 30 percent, almost three-fifths of every peso, or 58.2 percent is swallowed by essential food.

‘[This is] proof that survival still dictates daily choices,’ he said.

Even the richest 30 percent and middle 40 percent spend half their resources on food. However, ‘the gradual drop’ – 51 percent and 57 percent – ‘shows how rising incomes slowly loosen the grip on the dining table.’

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‘As earnings climb, families channel more to housing, utilities, and transportation, upgrading homes and gaining mobility,’ he explained, stressing that the wealthiest spend the most on furnishings and maintenance, a quiet signal of comfort and stability.’

Yet education flips the script: the poorest devote 5.7 percent of their budget to schooling – over twice what the richest spend – suggesting that among the poor more particularly, education is the surest escape from poverty.

‘The biggest surprise though appears to be in the pesos spent on life’s little luxuries,’ Panao said, pointing out that contrary to the cliché that the poor waste spare pesos on vices, they actually spend the least on non-essential food and alcohol, just 1 and 1.4 percent respectively.

Middle and upper groups indulge more at 1.9 percent and 2.4 percent respectively.

‘For policymakers, the message should be clear-make food affordable, housing livable, and education accessible. The poorest are not squanderers-they are disciplined survivors fighting to get through,’ he said

Each year, the Philippines generates 14.6 million tons of municipal solid waste, based on data from the 2025 World Bank What a Waste Global Database.

With close to 15 million tons of municipal solid waste, the Philippines landed 27th out of 50 countries in the database, which covers almost all countries and 330 major cities.

RELATED STORY: Risks loom as worsening garbage mess pushes deep PH dive into waste-to-energy

Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao, INQUIRER Metrics data scientist and associate professor at the University of the Philippines, said in his analysis that ‘this places the country ahead of wealthier economies such as Australia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands in terms of waste produced.’

He pointed out that in the Philippines, ‘the link between garbage and flooding is often underscored, with clogged waterways worsening inundations during heavy rains.’

This, especially since the Philippines is once again on the top of the World Risk Index, the yardstick for being highly exposed to extreme weather effects, like flooding.

The World Risk Report 2025, published last week, discussed the disaster risk for 193 countries worldwide, covering all member states of the United Nations and over 99 percent of the population.

As pointed out by Panao, ‘globally, the problem [of waste generation] is even more pronounced, with China on the lead at 398.08 million tons, followed by the United States (265.22 million) and India (189.75 million).

Large middle-income nations such as Brazil (79.06 million) and Indonesia (65.20 million) also add substantially to the world’s total, alongside industrialized countries like Germany (50.63 million) and Japan (42.72 million).

For Panao, ‘these figures reveal a universal challenge: growing volumes of waste are straining both rich and developing nations alike.’

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However, in the case of the Philippines, ‘the crisis is compounded-solid waste remains a driver of flooding even as longstanding issues of corruption and inefficiency in flood control projects continue to hinder effective solutions.’

Last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned corruption in the government’s multi-billion flood control projects, lamenting how these could have helped mitigate flooding, especially during the onslaught of typhoons and monsoon rains.

The Office of the President (OP) pledged to donate more than P200 million to Cebu province and its local government units to help them in rehabilitation works following the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the donation during a situation briefing with members of the Cabinet and officials of the local government of Cebu province outside the city hall of Bogo City on Thursday.

‘I know at this point that the [quick response] funds of the provincial government and the local governments are already depleted or about to run out. Because you were compelled to realign the money that you were supposed to use for other purposes to help your people,’ he said.

According to the President, P50 million of the OP’s donation would go to Cebu provincial government, while another P20 million would be provided for Bogo City, which was the epicenter of the powerful earthquake.

The OP would also provide assistance to nine of Cebu province’s towns affected by the earthquake.

These were in San Remigio and Sogod, which would receive P20 million each; and the municipalities of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan, which would get P10 million each.

According to President Marcos, the national government would also provide P20 million for Department of Health-retained hospitals in the province, and P5 million each for each provincial hospital.

More funds from DBM

Furthermore, the President also ordered the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release a government support fund worth P150 million for Cebu and P75 million for San Remigio, Bogo, and Medellin.

‘This is only an initial release; we are contemplating further releases that will be in the pipeline,’ he said of the fund from the DBM.

At least 72 individuals reportedly died and 294 were injured due to the temblor, which damaged several heritage churches, billions worth of roads and bridges, many residential houses, and hundreds of classrooms, while causing widespread power outages in the province.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Five ships and 10 K9 teams have been deployed to Cebu to assist in search and rescue operations for victims still missing after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province on Sept. 30, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said ships carrying doctors and medics have been dispatched to Cebu since the quake occurred.

‘We sent responders, five ships, and 10 K9 teams to assist in search operations for those who are missing. We also deployed desalinator machines to evacuation centers in Cebu,’ Gavan told reporters aboard the BRP Gabriela Silang on Thursday.

‘We also sent doctors, nurses, medics, and communication specialists to help local government units recover more quickly and provide assistance for ongoing activities,’ he added.

According to the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), 72 people have died due to the magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

The agency also reported 294 injuries, although all figures remain subject to verification. No missing persons have been recorded.

The NDRRMC added that assessments of damaged infrastructure are ongoing as search and rescue operations continue.

As of 7 a.m. Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 2,613 aftershocks.

At least 17 people were injured when a public utility jeepney plunged into a six-meter ravine in Calauag town, Quezon province, on Wednesday.

Police said the driver, identified only as ‘Luisito,’ 45, lost control of the steering wheel after the jeepney’s brakes failed while negotiating a descending and curved section of the road in Barangay Pinagsakayan at around 2 p.m.

The jeepney, carrying 16 passengers – three of them elderly – veered off the road and fell into the ravine.

The driver and all passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to different hospitals for treatment.

Authorities said an investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Authorities have ended search and rescue operations in northern Cebu after confirming that no residents remain missing following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City and nearby towns on Tuesday night.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson Junie Castillo said Thursday that local governments reported no unaccounted residents during a morning briefing at the Incident Command Post.

‘As of today, there are no reported missing, even from the LGUs. The assumption is all are accounted for,’ Castillo said in a phone interview.

‘Some private rescue teams have already been told they may demobilize unless they want to continue helping with relief or debris clearing,’ he added.

PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuano said search-and-retrieval operations were officially terminated on Wednesday night after authorities accounted for all missing persons.

He added that deployed officers’ concentration is now on ‘relief and rehabilitation operations.’

The OCD said the official death toll has risen to 72, up from 69 the previous night. At least 30 of the fatalities were in Bogo City, the hardest-hit area.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed the development in a press briefing in Quezon City on Thursday.

Aftershocks

Castillo said aftershocks remain a major concern, preventing many residents from returning indoors, even if their homes are found to be structurally safe.

‘Even if their houses were not damaged, people are still afraid to go back inside because of the frequent tremors,’ he said.

‘It is traumatic for survivors who already experienced the quake,’ he added.

Instead of staying in evacuation centers, thousands have sought refuge in open areas away from falling debris.

The OCD reported 4,000 families, or about 20,000 people, remain displaced as of Thursday morning.

Clearing operations continue

Castillo said that road-clearing efforts have made most major routes in northern Cebu passable, although some local roads and damaged structures will take more time to clear.

‘Vehicles can now reach Bogo from Cebu City. The priority now is debris clearing in critical facilities and relief for affected families,’ he said.

Government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Public Works and Highways, are coordinating with local governments for continued relief distribution and shelter support.

‘The focus has now shifted fully to relief, rehabilitation, and supporting displaced communities,’ Castillo said.

Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 1438, or the ‘Government Construction Project Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025,’ which seeks to mandate drone monitoring for all government construction projects before any payments are processed.

The measure applies to all national government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations engaged in construction, including the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation and Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

‘Persistent challenges including project delays, quality issues, and financial irregularities in public works demand innovative solutions,’ Villar said. ‘This legislation harnesses modern technology to establish an unwavering standard of accountability for every peso of public funds invested in infrastructure.’

The proposal requires independent accredited third-party entities to conduct aerial documentation through unmanned aerial vehicles. It provides for high-resolution geotagged imagery, video footage and orthomosaic mapping of projects. The data will be uploaded to a centralized public transparency portal accessible to citizens.

Under the bill, payments cannot be processed without the required drone verification documentation. Contractors and government personnel who submit or approve falsified monitoring data face penalties under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

‘This initiative transforms how we monitor and manage public infrastructure projects,’ Villar said. ‘It empowers citizens with tangible evidence of project progress while ensuring that government expenditures correspond directly to actual, verified accomplishments.’

The bill also directs relevant agencies to set accreditation standards for monitoring entities within 60 days of enactment. The Department of Science and Technology and Department of Information and Communications Technology will provide technical support in drafting implementing rules and regulations.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30 has displaced more than 170,000 people, leaving families in urgent need of food, water and shelter.

Authorities said over 50 cities and municipalities have been placed under a state of calamity as aftershocks continue to shake the region. Power and water services were disrupted, and many residents remain outdoors for safety.

Survivors urgently need drinking water, ready-to-eat food, tents, blankets, clothes, sleeping mats and hygiene kits.

Responding to appeals for help, the Inquirer Foundation extends its relief and fund drive to the families affected by the earthquake.

Cash donations may be deposited in The Inquirer Foundation Corp. Banco de Oro (BDO) Current Account No. 007960018860 or donate any amount to the Philippine Daily INQUIRER via Gcash Pay Bills and indicate that the payment is for Cebu donation.

Inquiries may be addressed and emailed to Inquirer Foundation office: [email protected]

Romeo Migabon survived ‘Yolanda’ in 2013 but may now have to deal yet again with losing his home, one that was built for the victims of the supertyphoon.

Migabon looked despondently at his house, or what was left of it, after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu province on Tuesday night.

But the Bogo City resident said he was still grateful to see all his family members merely sustaining injuries during the quake.

‘We can’t do anything about it; I’m just thankful we only got wounded. We can probably recover from this,’ said Migabon, one of the hundreds of villagers at Barangay Pulambato who were rendered homeless.

Their houses at Pulambato were part of the resettlement projects for Yolanda victims in the city.

Elsewhere in Bogo, responders as of this writing were trying to reach at least three bodies from the collapsed Condor Pension House in Barangay Gairan.

Erwin Castañeda of the local fire department identified the three victims as receptionists Mercedita Balleta and Gemma Gilig, and Gemma’s 4-year-old son.

‘We can see them from under the rubble, but they [are] covered by debris and we can’t get near,’ Castañeda told the Inquirer when contacted on the phone around 6 p.m.

Most of the confirmed quake fatalities in Cebu as of press time were in Bogo City (30), followed by the towns of San Remigio (22), Medellin (10), Tabogon (5), and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

Many of the victims were crushed to death as they slept.