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The Department of Migrant Workers is working to confirm whether a Filipino seafarer was among crew members injured after a suspected Houthi attack on the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden.

Several crew members were hurt and evacuated following the attack, and a Filipino sailor may be among them, the DMW said in a statement Tuesday, September 30.

The agency is coordinating with the ship operator, employer, manning agencies, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, including Philippine consulates, to verify whether Filipinos were aboard the affected vessel.

If confirmed, the DMW says it will provide medical assistance and repatriation, if needed. It will also provide counseling and psychological support, and legal aid for the seafarer and family.

‘Para sa ating mga tripulante at kanilang pamilya: hindi po kayo nag-iisa (To our sailors and their families: you are not alone),’ the DMW statement said. ‘Kasama ninyo ang pamahalaan, kasama ninyo ang DMW (The government and DMW is with you.)

The DMW said it is strengthening protection for seafarers in high-risk areas like the Gulf of Aden

The department will release updates once details are confirmed.

Dangerous route. The Gulf of Aden connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and sits between Yemen and Somalia, regions that have seen armed conflict and piracy for years.

Houthi rebels in Yemen have been launching missile and drone attacks on Israel and on ships in the Red Sea in retaliation for its assault on Gaza, saying these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians.

Filipinos make up over a quarter of seafarers globally. In 2024, at least half a million Filipino seafarers were deployed overseas.

It was almost a year ago that MREIT first talked about diversifying its portfolio with some retail assets, and while shareholders would obviously prefer to have had this deal completed in the first half of the year, late is better than never. Unfortunately for MREIT holders, nothing has changed. At its heart, this is just a press release that reiterates MREIT’s interest in acquiring retail assets. There’s no approved deal, and in fact, just more hype about MEG’s massive bag of commercial real estate and half-massive portfolio of mall assets. I’m not an MREIT shareholder, but if I were, I’d obviously prefer my management team to spend the REIT’s value on acquiring high-value mall assets as opposed to a massive batch of commercial office buildings amid the long-term decline of the commercial sector. MREIT shareholders are basically flat (excluding dividends) in terms of stock price action since that original announcement was made, far below its non-Villar office/mall combo rivals like AREIT (+8% since November 2024) and RCR (+26% since November 2024).

Amid travel disruptions due to successive typhoons, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has extended the validity of motor vehicle registration and driver’s licenses which expired on Sept. 30.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II announced the extension on Tuesday to assist those affected by typhoons.

‘I issued a memorandum to regional LTO directors down to the district offices regarding the deadline extension,’ Mendoza said.

Under the memorandum, the validity of vehicle registrations and driver’s licenses due on Sept. 30 is extended until Oct. 3, with no fines to be collected during the period.

The order also extended the settlement period for traffic violations that took effect on Sept. 26, giving motorists until Friday to comply.

Mendoza said the extension was necessary after government work in Metro Manila and other affected regions was suspended due to Typhoons Opong, Mirasol and Nando.

Even the houses of God were not spared by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu late night on September 30, including a century-old church.

Videos and photos of church facades and interiors collapsing or partially damaged surfaced on social media in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu posted a series of photos that showed the damages it has incurred due to the tremors, including photos of a ceiling partially damaged and rubbles off its century-old walls.

The Daanbantayan church said that while there were damages to structures, its tabernacle and some religious images, such as the Image of Santa Rosa de Lima, Virgen del Carmen and the Immaculate Conception, were unscathed.

‘The image is wrapped around some unused plastic Bags for protection from heavy rains and dust,’ the church said about its Image of Santa Rosa de Lima in its Facebook post.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima was built in 1886. The 139-year-old church is declared the first archdiocesan shrine in the Philippines dedicated to St. Rose of Lima in 2022.

The Parroquia de San Pedro Apostol in Bantayan, meanwhile, was captured in videos with its outer lights exploding and its facade with a cross breaking and falling apart. The church was completed in 1863. It was built with coral stones found on the island.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines has posted a seven-point guidance on how to safely move historic objects, which includes a reminder to check the safety and stability of the premises from the aftershocks and wearing protective gear.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) said the earthquake’s epicenter was located at sea about 21 kilometers (10.5 miles) northeast of Bogo City.

The Cebu government has put the entire province under a state of calamity, with the death toll at 31 as of press time.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines at 5.6 percent this year, but trimmed its projection for 2026 amid heightened uncertainties from global trade policy changes.

In a report, the ADB said it expects the Philippine economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year, unchanged from its July forecast.

If realized, Philippine economic growth would fall within the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent growth target for the year.

The ADB also expects the Philippines to remain a bright spot in Southeast Asia this year, posting the second-fastest growth in the region, next to Vietnam’s 6.7 percent.

In the first semester, the Philippine economy posted an average growth of 5.4 percent.

For 2026, the ADB’s new growth projection is 5.7 percent, slightly lower than the previous forecast of 5.8 percent.

The forecast is also below the government’s target of six to seven percent growth for 2026.

The ADB adjusted the 2026 forecast due to a more challenging external environment, heightened uncertainty, shifting trade and investment policies, as well as a lower growth forecast in major advanced economies, which could weigh on trade and investment prospects.

Despite the risks, ADB country director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries said the country’s growth outlook remains resilient.

‘Though these uncertainties pose increased risk, we see strong domestic demand anchoring growth, with sustained investments and an accommodative monetary policy supporting the economy’s expansion,’ he said.

The report also showed that the ADB expects inflation to ease further this year to 1.8 percent, slower than the 2.2 percent forecast it provided in July.

Inflation averaged 1.7 percent from January to August.

For next year, the ADB expects inflation to rise to three percent and return to the government’s target range of two to four percent.

Inflation is expected to remain low due to slower global commodity prices and muted food prices, as well as improvements in the local rice supply.

The ADB noted, however, that adverse weather conditions and climate shocks could put pressure on commodity prices.

Corruption issues in the government’s flood control projects also pose risks to the economic projections.

‘Corruption has broad impacts on economic growth in general and investment sentiment. So we’re monitoring that and how that may be affected going forward,’ Jeffries said.

With the economy driven mainly by domestic consumption, he said the ADB did not reduce the GDP forecasts due to the recently exposed corruption issues.

‘But it’s certainly a heightened risk. Between now and our December update, there may be more quantifiable data available that may alter our projections,’ he said.

Despite the corruption issues, he reiterated the ADB’s continued support for projects in the country.

‘We don’t anticipate backing off if the government requests more of our assistance,’ he said.

He emphasized that the ADB has strict oversight measures in place to ensure that loan disbursements are used for their intended purpose.

The ADB also has strict technical and financial qualifications in the procurement of projects.

While the government has flagged contractors that cornered a significant amount of flood control projects, the ADB said an officially sanctioned government blacklist would be needed to debar firms from its projects.

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) vowed to intensify the monitoring and evaluation (M and E) of the country’s policies and programs to ensure these help improve the lives of Filipinos.

Speaking at the 12th M and E Network Forum, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized how progress should be measured not just by growth figures, but by looking at the impact of government actions on ordinary Filipinos.

‘Impactful growth means better public services, more secure and sustainable livelihoods and stronger public trust in government. M and E plays a central role here. It helps us see whether commitments are being met, whether resources are used wisely, and most importantly, whether programs are delivering real benefits to our people,’ Balisacan said.

The recent enactment of Republic Act 12145, which reorganized the National Economic and Development Authority into the DEPDev, strengthens the development planning agency’s mandate for evidence-based policymaking.

During the M and E Forum, discussions covered how M and E can guide budget and planning decisions and ensure that evaluation findings are used to improve government programs and policies.

The event also emphasized how M and E can help bridge gaps between data and decision-making.

The DEPDev said institutionalizing M and E at the project and program level is also expected to strengthen accountability.

This has become more important amid recent corruption issues that have surfaced in the government’s flood control projects.

In addition, M and E is seen to help prioritize limited resources to maximize impact.

‘That is why this forum is so important. It brings all of us together to turn the President’s mandate into action-to ensure that growth and public expenditure are translated into measurable outcomes and tangible benefits for every citizen,’ Balisacan said.

The DEPDev, in collaboration with development partners, has been conducting several M and E initiatives across critical growth sectors, including agriculture, labor, health and social protection.

To expand the pool of evaluators in the country, the DEPDev said capacity-building initiatives are being undertaken in the regions, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Balisacan said M and E should not just be a compliance tool, but a genuine driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.

A group of ship operators is demanding the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to look into possible violations of some vessels on gross tonnage that could be risky for passengers.

In a letter, the Bicol Roro Shipping Operators Association asked MARINA to investigate what it views as a proliferating practice among some shipowners to underreport their tonnage.

The letter, addressed to MARINA administrator Sonia Malaluan, detailed how some shipowners are misreporting their tonnage to place their vessels on lower regulation.

The association, represented by legal counsel Lyndon Ancajas Jr., said such a practice allows the shipowners to avoid stricter rules on manning and safety protocols. It also reduces statutory fees that they have to pay to regulators.

Based on the group’s monitoring, several cargo vessels were found to be underreporting tonnage compared to its actual weight on voyage.

Ancajas said MARINA could no longer dismiss this as a clerical error given how many times it has happened.

‘Accurate declaration of vessel size and engine power is fundamental to seaworthiness, correct manning, proper safety equipment and equitable fee assessment,’ Ancajas said.

‘If the allegations are proven, passengers and crew are being placed at unacceptable risks, while compliant operators and the state incur the unfair losses,’ he added.

For the government, Ancajas said tonnage misdeclaration leads to revenue losses, including for MARINA (coastwise charges) and the Philippine Ports Authority (port fees).

As such, the association wants MARINA to audit vessels to correctly identify their tonnage. The group said MARINA should conduct physical inspections to verify if a ship is complying or not.

The association is hoping that MARINA can suspend vessels that are guilty of misdeclaration until their documents are corrected. It also requested MARINA to properly classify these ships.

The group is also seeking to engage the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to relay concerns that some foreign regulators, particularly in China, are involved in the misdeclaration scheme.

The Bicol Roro Shipping Operators Association represents roll-on, roll-off and inter-island ferry operators in the Bicol Region, one of the most crucial regions for sea travel given its proximity to nautical highways.

The Philippines, barely past the triple storms of September, braces anew as the 16th tropical cyclone, ‘Paolo,’ formed east of Catanduanes on Wednesday morning, October 1.

According to PAGASA, Tropical Depression Paolo was last spotted 760 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 55 kph.

Paolo developed around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, only 12 hours after the low-pressure area entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

It is currently moving westward at 25 kph, with strong winds extending outwards up to 360 kilometers from the center.

No wind signals have been raised as of 11 a.m., but PAGASA said Signal No. 1 may be hoisted as early as Wednesday afternoon or evening.

Although the tropical depression is unlikely to affect local weather immediately within the next 24 hours, heavy rains are expected by Friday, October 3.

Forecast track

PAGASA said Paolo is projected to make landfall on Friday, either in Isabela or northern Aurora by morning or afternoon. While the current forecast shows the storm crossing Luzon, the weather bureau noted that its track could still shift southward.

The cyclone is expected to intensify further over Philippine waters, possibly reaching severe tropical storm strength by Friday and even strengthening into a typhoon before landfall.

Wind Signal No. 3 may be the highest warning raised as Paolo crosses the country, though Signal No. 4 is possible if it intensifies into a typhoon.

PAGASA also said as many as four tropical cyclones may enter PAR this October.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) told agencies to access their emergency response funds to address the devastation caused by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu.

The quick response funds (QRF) are standby provisions that first responder agencies like the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have.

‘We also have the NDRRM (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management) Fund on standby for larger-scale needs, including the repair of damaged facilities and heritage sites, to help ensure that our communities can rise again as quickly as possible,’ DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in a statement.

The NDRRM fund still stood at around P8 billion as of October 1, the DBM said.

Once agencies exhaust 50% of their QRFs, they can ask the DBM to replenish them.

The earthquake that struck Cebu late Tuesday night killed at least 20 people, with reports on the ground saying that the number has reached around 30.

Gokongwei-led real estate developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) plans to open more ‘work.able’ centers across its developments to address the growing demand for flexible workspaces, including in the provinces.

RLC, through its office development and leasing arm Robinsons Offices, recently opened its 14th work.able center at the GBF Center 1 in its Bridgetowne Destination Estate in Pasig and Quezon City.

RLC senior vice president and business unit general manager Jericho Go said that several more work.able centers are in the company’s pipeline, including at least three more within the year.

For next year, Go said that the company ‘will definitely build more,’ with work.able’s future expansion to include provincial locations as well.

‘That’s the plan because some of the demand is coming from the province already. So still Metro Manila, but also demand in the province,’ he said.

‘Be assured that we will continue to grow the business because there is demand for it. So we are not growing it for the sake of growing it. We have received demand for provincial work.able sites where we have a presence in as Robinson Land. So it will really depend on the demand, but as much as we can, we would like to have that presence to be able to bring offices closer to where people live,’ Go said.

Robinsons Offices intends to expand the work.able brand to high-growth areas to reinforce its position as a trusted partner for businesses and a catalyst for growth in the country.

Robinsons Offices’ work.able provides plug-and-play and build-to-suit workspaces, catering to clients seeking private offices, co-working spaces, conferencing facilities and event venues.

‘We are very demand-driven. So, we look at and listen to what the market needs, and then we supply it, because we also want to be conscious of our capital expenditures. We don’t want to speculate. We want to make sure that there’s a demand for space and then get into that space and serve that demand,’ Go said.

Robinsons Offices has also recently inaugurated GBF Center 2, a 30-story premier office development that will serve as a strategic gateway for global firms seeking a future-ready address in Metro Manila.

The 30-story premier office development in Bridgetowne Destination Estate will serve as a strategic gateway for global firms seeking a future ready address in Metro Manila, with each floor offering 2,800 square meters of flexible office space designed to cater to tenant layouts and evolving business needs.