Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) on Wednesday maintained that the government’s Barangay Development Program (BDP), designed to eliminate communist influence at the community level, has no ‘ghost’ projects.

At a Palace briefing, NFT-ELCAC executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr. explained the strict guidelines and monitoring taken by stakeholders to ensure that BDP projects are implemented properly ‘They have ownership in the implementation of the project. That’s why it’s really good. We really don’t have any ghost projects,’ Torres said.

‘Even though we are not engineers, we have an idea on what to inspect. So that is a very good system, that everybody is involved in seeing to it that these projects are implemented properly,’ he also said.

Meanwhile, Torres also expressed support for Senate Bill No. 1366, also known as the Terror Grooming and Radicalization Prevention Act, which seeks to stop radicalization and recruitment of vulnerable Filipinos to communist groups.

‘The Execom expressed support to the passage of the Terror-Grooming Prevention Act because this will strengthen our preventive mechanism against radicalization, recruitment, and indoctrination, especially among the youth and vulnerable sectors of our society,’ he said.

‘It is a critical shield to protect vulnerable Filipinos, youth, indigenous communities, and farmers from being exploited and radicalized by terrorists,’ he added.

Fight against communist insurgency

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jimmy Larida reported a decline in the number of communist guerrilla fronts in the country.

‘Based on the parameters on the clearing, we have seen a steady decline in all the insurgency parameters,’ he said.

In terms of manpower, Larida said that in 2022 there were 2,008 communist terrorist groups monitored. By the end of the first semester of 2025, the number of CTGs had gone down to 901.

Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and Senator Mark Villar are set to be subpoenaed by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to attend its investigation on the flood control anomalies.

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said this in an ambush interview on Wednesday.

According to Hosaka, the ICI will invite Villar since he is a former secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Meanwhile, Hosaka said the ICI already has the subpoena for Romualdez during the first part of the commission’s hearings earlier in September.

‘In fact, I think, according to our secretariat, he was invited already, but I just have to find out if the summons or the subpoena was actually received,’ Hosaka said.

The ICI is currently investigating the alleged anomalies on flood control projects.

Starting Wednesday, Oct. 1, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) adopted InstaPay for all its inter-institution cash-in transactions for a P15 fee as part of efforts to enhance interoperability of digital financial services in the country.

The Ayala-backed bank said the standard service fee would also apply to transfers to affiliate e-wallet platform GCash.

‘This transition ensures compliance with regulatory standards while continuing to offer customers flexible and affordable ways to manage their finances,’ BPI said in a statement. Standard fee

BPI earlier implemented the same fee for ShopeePay and SeaBank. This will likewise apply to other applications as they comply with a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas directive.

Currently, fund transfers made to GCash via the BPI app carry a P10 fee, although select customer segments and merchant payments enjoy free transfers.

Meanwhile, clients with BPI #MySaveUp accounts in GCash also benefit from zero fees for funds transferred from the BPI app to GSave.

It seems even the Department of Health (DOH) has its own ‘flood control version’ after the agency revealed that most of the health centers built under its health facilities enhancement program (HFEP) remained idle due to a lack of personnel.

During the House plenary debates on the DOH’s proposed P253-billion budget for 2026, Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno questioned why only 200 out of the 600 health centers built under the HFEP were functional as of 2025.

He noted that this was despite the allocation of more than P170 billion for its infrastructure and equipment in the past decade.

The figure rises to P400 billion if its funding for commodities and human resources are included.

‘Is the reason why the secretary of health described the HFEP as the flood control version of the DOH, was because only a few, according to him, of the health centers are actually functioning?’ he asked.

Diokno was referring to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa’s comment at the committee-level briefings for the DOH budget, where he likened their travails over the HFEP-which aims to improve delivery of basic, essential and specialized health services-to the DPWH’s own troubled flood control program.

Lack of personnel

Budget sponsor and Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia clarified, however, that the HFEP had no ‘ghost health facilities.’

‘They exist, but because of the lack of personnel and health-care professionals who could run them, they are not functioning,’ he explained.

He added that the DOH had entered into memorandums of agreement with local governments ‘in good faith,’ expecting them to provide personnel for the facilities they requested.

‘Probably some of our LGUs (local government units) lacked the funds to hire doctors and midwives, which is beyond the jurisdiction of the secretary,’ Garcia said, pointing out that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) may need to step in since it oversees LGUs.

‘But they are there waiting to be activated and hopefully we can assign personnel to them so they could provide services to our countrymen,’ Garcia said.

Denial of service

Diokno challenged the DOH to address the persistent problems in the program implementation as its inefficiencies deny poor Filipino families of essential health services.

‘They’re already at a disadvantage because of high prices of food, lack of jobs. If the HFEP is a failure, they would also be at a disadvantage in terms of health,’ he lamented.

Launched in 2008, the HFEP is a banner program under the DOH that aims to ensure that the poor and marginalized sectors of society have access to appropriate health facilities.

Specifically, it provides funding assistance for infrastructure and equipment of government health facilities nationwide, including barangay health stations, rural health units, district and provincial hospitals, and specialty centers.

In a 2017 performance audit, the Commission on Audit (COA) had already flagged deficiencies in HFEP implementation, including problems with procurement of equipment not aligned with the actual needs; undistributed equipment at DOH regional offices; and the construction of health stations on ineligible and nonworkable project sites.

Catch-up plan

Diokno noted that it had been seven years since the findings but only now was the DOH enforcing stricter controls.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies, in a 2025 study, likewise found inequities in the HFEP’s grant distribution, with some LGUs receiving funds despite not being among those most in need.

To address gaps, the DOH said it had launched a ‘catch-up plan’ in the second half of 2025 by revising HFEP guidelines to expand implementation modes, and opening 55 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service centers nationwide to temporarily provide primary care while idle facilities await personnel.

Priority project

Data from the DOH’s National Health Facilities Registry show that as of March 2025, the country has 41,963 health facilities.

Of these, 1,338 are hospitals, 630 are infirmaries, 2,674 are rural health units (RHUs), 26,239 are barangay health stations (BHS), and 11,082 are other health-related facilities.

According to the HFEP Management Office, of the total BHS, RHUs and hospitals, the HFEP-funded infrastructure accounted for 8.6 percent, 2.6 percent and 31.5 percent, respectively.

The report of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of the House of Representatives, released in July 2025, showed that the HFEP has also recently funded the establishment of super health centers (SHCs) to help decongest hospitals and expand access to outpatient services.

SHCs are larger than traditional RHUs and serve as intermediate facilities that offer a wide range of services. The rollout of SHCs has gained momentum, with allocations made for 307 centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023.

The HFEP was assigned as a separate line item in the General Appropriations Act starting in 2007, highlighting its significance as a priority initiative of the DOH in line with broader health sector reforms.

Positive results from the government’s investigation into corrupted flood control projects may be the only savior of the stock market after dipping to a six-month low, according to the operator of the local bourse.

Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) president and CEO Ramon Monzon told reporters on Wednesday that the market’s ‘very bad’ performance was due to the weak investor sentiment.

‘The market’s No. 1 ally is confidence,’ Monzon said on the sidelines of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines’ digital library launch.

What could trigger the benchmark index’s recovery, Monzon noted, would be ‘very positive results’ from Congress’ probe into anomalous flood control projects. Relief after 7 days

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) managed to snap its seven-day losing streak and reclaim 6,000 on Wednesday, mostly because of bargain hunters taking advantage of cheap prices.

Local stocks also tracked the upbeat Wall Street sentiment overnight despite the shutdown of the U.S. government. By the end of the session, the PSEi surged by 1.22 percent, or 72.57 points, to close at 6,026.03.

Likewise, the broader All Shares Index added 0.93 percent, or 33.83 points, to end at 3,654.62.

A total of 2.46 billion shares worth P6.8 billion changed hands, stock exchange data showed.

Benign inflation

Apart from bargain hunting, the index was also able to break free from its losing streak because of expectations that September inflation remained within the government’s target range, said Japhet Tantiangco, research head at Philstocks Financial Inc. The PSEi recently slipped below 6,000 as investors took cover amid mounting corruption allegations involving high-ranking government officials.

This significantly affected confidence, said Monzon, who joined the Sept. 21 rally on EDSA with other PSE staff members. This was to show the PSE’s solidarity with the Filipino people in calling for an end to corruption.

‘A very good, credible investigation [is] the only thing that can bring back confidence,’ Monzon added. Active stocks

All subsectors emerged from the red territory, with mining stocks showing the best recovery.

International Container Terminal Services Inc. was the most actively traded stock as it jumped by 3.05 percent to P486 each, followed by Philippine Seven Corp., down 3.42 percent to P41; BDO Unibank Inc., up 4.06 percent to P138.30; Ayala Land Inc., up 0.21 percent to P24.40; and Bank of the Philippine Islands, down 2.61 percent to P112 per share.

Anytime Fitness Asia has achieved a historic milestone, celebrating the network’s growth to 500 clubs across the region. To mark the occasion, eight clubs across eight markets hosted synchronized grand openings on the same day, highlighting the scale and unity of the brand’s fast-growing network.

With Anytime Fitness Asia recently recognized as the Overall Winner – International Franchisor of the Year at the 2025 Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) Singapore Awards, the 500th club milestone further underscores the brand’s leadership and credibility in the region. ‘This milestone is a powerful symbol of our growth and unity,’ said Luke Guanlao, Group CEO of Inspire Brands Asia (IBA). ‘With more than 5,600 clubs across 42 countries, Anytime Fitness is the world’s largest 24-hour fitness franchise – and our purpose, Train For Your Life, drives us to be more than a gym. Reaching 500 clubs in Asia is just the beginning, and we’re committed to expanding further into new markets while continuing to be a lifetime partner in health and wellness.’ Johannes Raadsma, President and Co-Founder of Inspire Brands Asia (IBA), added: ‘Every one of our 500 clubs tells a story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community. This milestone highlights not only our growth, but also the trust of our members and the dedication of our staff, franchisees, and partners who make our network thrive and united across Asia.’

On 19 September, synchronized events took place at AF McKinley West in the Philippines, AF Tampines in Singapore, AF Austin Green in Malaysia, AF Hang Hau in Hong Kong, AF Citimall Cimanggis in Indonesia, AF Oasis Ratchapruek in Thailand, AF Taoyuan Yiwen in Taiwan, and AF Vincom Grand Park in Vietnam. The milestone celebrations were hosted across a mix of corporate-owned and independent franchisee clubs, reflecting the collective strength, entrepreneurship, and community spirit that drive Anytime Fitness’s growth across Asia.

The milestone was held at Anytime Fitness McKinley West, located in the heart of Taguig’s vibrant community in McKinley West community. Located near residential areas, offices, and commercial hubs, Anytime Fitness McKinley West makes it easy to prioritize your health and wellness without compromising your lifestyle. It offers 24/7 Access to accommodate you based on your schedule, Group Classes for a fun and engaging sessions to keep you energized and consistent. State of the art equipment in Cardio Equipements, free weights, functional training zones, and strength equipment.

Anytime Fitness continues to differentiate itself by combining global reach with local impact. With its 24-hour access model, integrated coaching ecosystem, and strong community ties, the brand has positioned itself as Asia’s most accessible and trusted fitness network.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) adopted blockchain technology in its budget release system, marking one of the first large-scale government implementations of its kind in Asia.

In partnership with BayaniChain and ExakIT Services, the DBM this quarter launched a platform that logs Special Allotment Release Orders and Notices of Cash Allocation on the Polygon blockchain.

The portal, accessible at blockchain.dbm.gov.ph, makes entries tamper-proof while allowing the public to verify how funds are authorized and released, BayaniChain said in a statement. The system is designed to bolster transparency, security, and public trust in fiscal management, it added.

BayaniChain CEO Paul Soliman said the project highlights how blockchain and artificial intelligence can ‘help institutions safeguard critical processes and deliver lasting value to their stakeholders.’ /dda

Factory activity in the Philippines slipped into contraction in September, underscoring a rare postpandemic setback for the country’s manufacturers.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index, a widely tracked gauge of manufacturing health, fell to 49.9 last month from 50.8 in August, SandP Global said on Wednesday.

A reading below 50 signals a decline in activity.

The drop was ‘highly unusual’ in the sector’s post-pandemic trajectory, SandP noted, citing a renewed-though modest-fall in new orders.

Sales slipped for the first time in half a year, as firms pointed to weaker demand and fewer customers. /dda

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has instructed building officials and municipal engineers of areas affected by the Cebu earthquake to conduct assessment on buildings under their jurisdiction.

Dizon issued this memorandum on Wednesday as he personally visited Bogo City in Cebu, the epicenter of the earthquake, to assess the situation, especially for roads and establishments that were damaged. ‘The president said that we should start with the most immediate needs of relief, clearing of roads, and make sure everything is okay, then we will just move from there,’ Dizon said in an interview.

The building officials and their respective offices are ordered to ‘immediately conduct rapid assessment, inspection, verification, and structural evaluation on all affected buildings/structures within their respective jurisdiction, in coordination with stakeholders and government agencies, to assess the extent of the damage to buildings and structures.’

With this, Dizon instructed the submission of a detailed report on the findings within 15 days.

The building officers and municipal engineers are also directed to ‘coordinate with the relevant government agencies and provide any necessary assistance in accordance with their mandate, including expediting the permitting process and releasing the corresponding permits for the necessary works to rectify the damage to the affected buildings/structures.’ The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially measured the earthquake’s magnitude at 6.7 before upgrading it to 6.9. The earthquake occurred at 9:59 p.m. with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu.

According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), at least 69 individuals reportedly died from the strong earthquake as authorities intensified its rescue operations.

OCD Assistant Secretary Rafael Alejandro IV said that 30 fatalities came from Bogo City, followed by 22 in San Remigio town; 10 in Medellin town; five in Tagogon town; and one each in the municipalities of Sogod and Tabuelan. Meanwhile, 147 individuals were injured, with 117 coming from Bogo, followed by San Francisco town with 14, Tabuelan and Catmon with five each, and four in Daanbantayan.

Mayor Greg Gasataya has suspended in-person classes at all levels in both public and private schools, as well as work in government offices in Bacolod City today, October 1, following a massive earthquake that rocked the Visayas Tuesday night.

Several other town and city mayors in Negros Occidental issued similar orders to allow for structural safety assessments of school and government buildings.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, and was felt across Bacolod City and Negros Occidental at varying intensities.

Gasataya said the suspension of classes and government work was based on the recommendation of the Bacolod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The earthquake was felt at Intensity 5 in the city.

Schools are encouraged to shift to synchronous and alternative modes of online learning, he added.

Work in government offices is suspended, except for offices providing basic, vital, and health services, as well as those performing preparedness and response functions.

Private establishments and offices are strongly encouraged to conduct a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis to safeguard their employees, he said.

The earthquake also triggered blackouts in some parts of Bacolod City Tuesday night. Negros Electric and Power Corp. reported that the Bacolod-Reclamation 69KV Transmission Line tripped, resulting in power interruptions.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the earthquake was felt at intensities ranging from I to VI across various parts of Negros Occidental:

Intensity VI: Murcia and Manapla

Intensity V: Bacolod City, Calatrava, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, San Carlos, Toboso, and Talisay City

Intensity IV: Bago City, Cadiz City, Cauayan, Ilog, Kabankalan City, La Castellana, Pontevedra, and parts of Binalbagan

Intensity III: Parts of Binalbagan

Intensity I: Hinoba-an and Sipalay City

Towns and cities that suspended both classes and government work include Binalbagan and Isabela.

Others that suspended classes only were Bago City, Escalante City, Sagay City, Toboso, EB Magalona, Kabankalan City, Victorias City, and Isabela./mcm