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Continuous rains from Typhoon Paolo caused the collapse of a portion of a riprap beside a house in Sitio Oit, Barangay Sta. Fe, San Marcelino town, on Friday.

The San Marcelino Public Information Office reported that no one was injured, but large rocks and mud spilled onto the road, rendering it impassable.

The Municipal Engineering Office immediately deployed a backhoe to assist in clearing operations.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Paolo intensified into a typhoon as it made landfall in Dinapigue, Isabela.

Since Friday morning, nonstop rains have drenched the whole of Zambales and nearby Olongapo City, prompting the issuance of an orange rainfall warning.

An orange warning is raised in areas where intense rainfall-typically 15 to 30 millimeters per hour-is observed or expected to persist for at least two hours./coa

Friday was a whirlwind for Letran big man Mark Omega.

First, his Knights fell to Jose Rizal University, 73-69, in their opening game of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena.

Earlier that day, he found out that Rain or Shine, which drafted him in the 2025 PBA Rookie Draft, dealt his rights to Converge for a future pick before even signing a contract.

If you ask him, though, he’s not even thinking about the PBA just yet.

‘For me, I’m not even thinking about that. I’m not even there yet. My focus is here in the NCAA,’ said Omega, who actually made his debut for the Knights from Perpetual.

‘I just found out about it earlier too. Our cellphones are hidden every night and one of my coaches just told me about it when I woke up.

Omega’s NCAA debut was cut short after running into foul trouble. He picked up three fouls in just five minutes of play and finished with only two points and three rebounds.

The Knights’ center hopes to bounce back and make a bigger impact when Letran faces longtime rival San Beda on Sunday at the same venue.

A magnitude 5.1 aftershock struck northern Cebu, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Friday, October 3.

In its Facebook update, Phivolcs said the aftershock occurred at 5:39 a.m., with a magnitude of 5.1, located 18 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at a depth of 10 km.

The quake was felt with varying intensities across northern Cebu and nearby areas:

Intensity IV (moderately strong)

City of Bogo, Cebu

Villaba, Leyte

Tabango, Leyte

San Isidro, Leyte

This level is generally felt by people indoors and some outdoors, often causing windows to rattle and hanging objects to sway slightly.

Intensity III (weak)

Tabuelan, Cebu

Calubian, Leyte

Palompon, Leyte

This level is slightly weaker, but the tremor remains noticeable and may cause dizziness or nausea in some people.

Intensity II (slightly felt)

Argao, Cebu

This level is barely perceptible, usually felt only by a few people at rest indoors.

Instrumental intensities were also detected in other areas, particularly:

Intensity III

City of Cebu

Hilongos, Leyte

Ormoc City, Leyte

Intensity II

Kawayan, Biliran

Talibon, Bohol

Danao, Cebu

Asturias, Cebu

Lapu-lapu City, Cebu

Talisay, Cebu

Abuyog, Leyte

Leyte, Leyte

Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

The aftershock follows the magnitude 6.9 offshore earthquake that struck Cebu on Sept. 30. As of 4 a.m., Phivolcs reported 3,685 aftershocks. /mcm

Transport group Manibela has opposed the call by its co-transport group, the Magnificent 7, for Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chair Teofilo Gaudiz III to resign from his post.

Magnificent 7 earlier said that Guadiz must step down from the LTFRB’s top post, emphasizing that he did not do better to implement the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

Manibela, in an earlier Facebook post, reacted to the said appeal, saying in Filipino: ‘We are with Guadiz.’ It then criticized Magnificent 7 for allegedly only slamming the LTRFB chair now that they did not get what they personally wanted.

Explaining their remark in support of Guadiz, Manibela chair Mar Valbuena said in an interview with INQUIRER that they do not support the call for the LTFRB chair to resign simply because he is set to push the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP).

‘We support humane modernization that leaves no one behind and does not include units made in China, and will not be included in consolidation as long as they are single franchise owners,’ Valbuena said, adding that they expect Guadiz to implement the PTMP that way.

Ongoing dialogue

He noted that Manibela is currently in ongoing dialogue with the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) regarding their calls to reinstate their franchises and provide provisional authority for jeepneys.

‘Your call is so that we can better serve the people, the passengers,’ he said.

The Manibela chair also mentioned that their dialogue with the transportation agencies started in April this year, under the leadership of former DOTr chief and now Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon.

‘We are in the middle of the dialogue between the DOTr and LTFRB,’ Valbuena said.

‘If everything is replaced again, it will be difficult because the conversation that started now is back to zero, at least we are being heard,’ he emphasized. ‘If they fail us, we’ll back at streets.’

Valbuena pointed out that, as their dialogue is still in progress, they decided to trust Guadiz and hope that their calls will be granted in the end.

But, according to him, if the LTFRB chair also fails them after the series of talks, the transport group will return to the street, as they themselves will call for his resignation.

‘We need to test to see if they are sincere. And if the day comes when we can only hope, we will go back to the streets and once again call for the resignation of everyone in the agency,’ said Valbuena.

A resolution expressing condolences to the families who lost their loved ones after a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the northeastern portion of Cebu province last Tuesday has been adopted by the House of Representatives.

During the session on Thursday, which lapsed into early Friday morning, House Resolution (HR) No. 325 authored by Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos Jr., and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan was adopted via viva voce (communicated orally rather than in written form).

‘Whereas, the House of Representatives extends its heartfelt condolences and profound empathy to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy, and stands in unwavering solidarity with the Province of Cebu and all other stricken communities in their time of great need and collective recovery,’ HR No. 325 said.

‘Resolved, further, that the Members of the House of Representatives collectively and individually rise up to meet the challenges of relief and rehabilitation in the earthquake-stricken areas for the purpose of providing any form of assistance to the earthquake victims,’ it added.

Late Tuesday night, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck waters northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, damaging heritage churches and other structures, and knocking out power in parts of the central Philippines.

Latest reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) showed that the death toll from the Cebu earthquake is at 68.

Initially, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) measured the quake at magnitude 6.7 before upgrading it to a 6.9. The movement was tectonic in nature, and was recorded at a shallow depth of five kilometers below the ground.

Phivolcs then warned of a possible ‘minor sea-level disturbance’ and urged residents of Leyte, Cebu and Biliran to stay away from the coast. The warning was eventually lifted.

Previously, Dy assured the public that the House leadership is also discussing with district representatives how assistance can be provided for residents in quake-stricken areas. Dy also said the House extends its sympathies to families who lost their loved ones.

‘We are currently conducting coordination talks with agencies and local government units to ensure that the assistance needed would be immediately provided, particularly quick medical service and basic needs for areas hard hit by the earthquake,’ Dy said.

‘We are currently coordinating with the representatives of affected districts to support their goal of bringing help to their constituents,’ he added.

Just a day after a powerful earthquake struck northern Cebu, Valencia City conducted a surprise simultaneous earthquake drill across its barangays on Thursday.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief June Ray Valero said the drill was part of the city’s initiative to emphasize the importance of building disaster-resilient communities and ensuring that residents are always prepared for emergencies such as earthquakes.

Participants included city employees, students, teachers, and barangay officials, even as Valencia-the center of Bukidnon’s economic hub-continues to recover from the September 17 flash floods that devastated several areas of the city. The floods killed five residents, while three others remain missing as of October 2. Search and retrieval operations are still ongoing.

The country, with over 7,000 islands and many coastal cities, is considered one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.

It experiences around 20 typhoons annually, some of which intensify into destructive storms.

The country is also highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire.’/coa

Sen. Loren Legarda was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Education, Major in Educational Management, Honoris Causa, by Nueva Vizcaya State University on October 3, 2025, in recognition of her decades-long commitment to education reform and national transformation.

This marks the third honorary doctorate conferred upon Legarda by leading state universities. In 2018, the University of the Philippines awarded her the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, in recognition of her service as a lawmaker, journalist, and advocate for social justice, human rights, peace, cultural diversity, environmental protection, education, and inclusive development. In 2025, the University of Antique also conferred its first-ever Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, upon Legarda, honoring her legacy as a proud daughter of Antique, her transformative support for the university, and in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the nation and inclusive public service to the Filipino people.

‘To be conferred this degree is to be entrusted with a responsibility larger than oneself,’ Legarda said in her acceptance speech. ‘It affirms the truth that education is the most powerful tool we possess to dismantle inequality, empower communities, and shape a nation that is truly free and just.’

Legarda, a four-term senator and chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, emphasized that education has always been central to her legislative work. ‘Every measure I have authored or sponsored forms part of a larger design to secure the continuum of the Filipino learner’s journey, from early childhood to higher education, and to the unending pursuit of knowledge.’

She cited landmark laws such as RA 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act which she both authored and co-sponsored, RA 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education which she co-authored and co-sponsored, and RA 9512 or the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act which she authored. She also highlighted RA 10908 or the Integrated History Act, which affirms the plural identity of the Filipino nation.

Recent reforms under the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2, which Legarda now sits as co-chairperson, include RA 12199 or the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act, RA 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act and RA 12028 or the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program Act, which address the country’s learning crisis and promote safe, nurturing school environments.

Legarda also emphasized the importance of bridging education and employment through, RA 12063 or the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) Framework Act which she co-sponsored, and supporting adult learners through RA 12124 or the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Act which she also co-sponsored. ‘This law provides flexible pathways for our hardworking kababayans to earn their college degrees,’ she said.

In honor of Filipino teachers, Legarda co-authored and co-sponsored, RA 11997 or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which raises the teaching allowance to ?10,000 beginning 2025, and authored and co-sponsored, RA 12288 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, which removes outdated promotion barriers. ‘Para sa inyo ito, Ma’am at Sir, at sa lahat ng dakilang guro sa bansa,’ she said.

Legarda also reaffirmed her commitment to funding and accountability. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance in 2017, she allocated ?8 billion to begin funding free higher education even before it was signed into law.

Today, she continues to push for the correction of ?12.3 billion in deficiencies owed to state universities and colleges. ‘Beginning with the 2026 General Appropriations Act, this shortfall will no longer be allowed to stand.’ ‘This degree is not mine alone,’ Legarda concluded. ‘It honors the teachers who give more than they have, the parents who sacrifice, and the students who persevere despite hardship. When we invest in learning, we invest in the power of our nation to transform itself.’

Paolo (international name: Matmo) intensified into a typhoon as it neared landfall, prompting the state weather bureau to raise Signal No. 4 over parts of northern Luzon and Aurora on Friday, Oct. 3.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) also reported that Typhoon Paolo’s center was located over the coastal waters of Dilasag, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 180 kph and moving west-northwest at 25 kph.

Landfall is expected in either Dilasag, Aurora, or Dinapigue, Isabela, within the day. Pagasa has yet to release the specific list of areas under Signal No. 4 as of this posting time.

Areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals as of 8 a.m. are listed below:

Signal No. 3

The northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)

The central and southern portions of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Guillermo, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Cordon, City of Santiago, Ramon, San Isidro, Alicia, Angadanan, City of Cauayan, Benito Soliven, Naguilian, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Cabatuan, San Mateo, Aurora, San Manuel, Burgos, Gamu, Roxas, Palanan)

The northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Saguday, Diffun)

The northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Quezon, Solano, Bayombong)

Mountain Province

Ifugao

The southeastern portion of Abra (Tubo)

The northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan, Bakun, Kibungan, Atok, Kapangan)

The central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur (Sugpon, Alilem, Cervantes, Suyo, Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Sigay, Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Salcedo, Santa Lucia, City of Candon, San Emilio, Galimuyod, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, Santiago, San Esteban, Burgos)

The northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Santol, Balaoan, Luna, Bangar, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, San Juan)

Signal No. 2

The central and southern portions of mainland Cagayan (Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile, Solana, Iguig, Tuao, Piat, Rizal, Santo Niño, Alcala, Amulung)

The rest of Isabela

The rest of Quirino

The rest of Nueva Vizcaya

The central portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis)

The northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Bongabon, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Lupao)

The central and southern portions of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao)

Kalinga

The rest of Abra

The rest of Benguet

The central and southern portions of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Bacarra, Piddig)

The rest of Ilocos Sur

The rest of La Union

The northern portion of Pangasinan (San Fabian, Sison, Pozorrubio, Umingan, San Jacinto, Laoac, Binalonan, San Nicolas, Natividad, Tayug, San Manuel, Asingan, Santa Maria, San Quintin, Dagupan City, Mangaldan, Manaoag, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, City of Alaminos, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, Calasiao, Mapandan, Santa Barbara, City of Urdaneta)

Signal No. 1

The rest of mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

The rest of Aurora

The northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta), including Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

The northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Goa, San Jose, Presentacion)

Catanduanes

The rest of Apayao

The rest of Ilocos Norte

The rest of Pangasinan

The rest of Nueva Ecija

The northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael, Angat)

Tarlac

The northeastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

The northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Wider effects

Pagasa warned Paolo’s periphery may bring gale-force gusts on Friday to Metro Manila and other provinces, including Batanes, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, Panay Island, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar.

It is also likely to affect Batanes, Cagayan-including the Babuyan Islands-Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan on Saturday, Oct. 4.

After crossing Northern Luzon, Paolo is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Friday evening./mcm/abc

Typhoon Paolo battered the Cagayan Valley region on Friday, toppling trees and signages, triggering power outages, and leaving widespread damage in its wake after making landfall in Dinapigue, Isabela.

Along major roads in Isabela and Cagayan, fallen Gmelina trees and signs littered the highways. Thousands of sacks of palay and corn left out to dry along road shoulders were drenched by downpours, adding to the woes of already struggling farmers.

In Echague town, at least 500 families were preemptively evacuated to higher ground due to swelling rivers. A similar number of families, mostly from northern Cagayan, were also moved to safety.

As rains and winds pummeled the region, brownouts hit parts of Isabela and Ifugao after the Santiago-Alicia 69kv line tripped at 10:26 a.m., affecting the Isabela Electric Cooperative I and the Ifugao Electric Cooperative, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported.

The NGCP said line patrols are ongoing, but did not specify when power would be restored. It appealed to consumers for patience and understanding.

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has raised an orange rainfall alert over Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, and Nueva Vizcaya as Paolo continues to dump heavy rain across northern Luzon

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has terminated a P101.32-million rehabilitation project for a creek in Lapuz district after repeated delays caused by obstructions and the presence of settlers.

In a letter to Mayor Raisa Treñas on Sept. 18, former DPWH Western Visayas regional director Joel Limpengco said the project involving Mansaya Creek had become ‘inaccessible’ and ‘beyond the agency’s control’ due to the failure to clear the site.

‘The primary challenges include the persistent presence of obstructions, notably the nonremoval of informal settlers, and the consequent inaccessibility of the project site,’ Limpengco wrote.

The termination took effect on Sept. 16, nearly two years after the contract was awarded to YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc., a firm owned by couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya.

Records showed the project started on Feb. 10, 2023, with a target completion of March 27, 2024. But as of its termination, work progress was pegged at only 0.02 percent. The DPWH, however, has yet to say whether any of the project funds were released prior to its termination.

The rehabilitation plan covered 2,396 lineal meters of the creek spanning the villages of Lapuz Norte, Don Esteban and Sinikway. The structure was designed at 14.5 meters wide and 3 meters high.

Relocation plan

A 2024 report from the City Local Housing Office identified at least 63 families as informal settlers along the creek, with plans to relocate them to Barangay San Isidro in Jaro district.

The project was also among eight flagged by the Environmental Management Bureau for review, resulting in a temporary suspension of permit processing by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Treñas lamented the cancellation, stressing that stronger coordination could have prevented the setback.

‘Stronger collaboration between national agencies and the local government, including barangay officials, is necessary and vital to ensure that projects intended for our people will not go to waste and are completed,’ she said.