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Relief operations in response to the onslaught of Typhoon Tino have been expanded to other towns in Leyte province, according to Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and the Tingog party-list, who announced this on Tuesday.

Romualdez, in a statement, said that Baybay City and Silago town in Southern Leyte have been included in the relief operations, as these are two of the hardest-hit areas in Eastern Visayas.

Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre and Romualdez said they directed the expansion of relief operations after reports from the state weather bureau that both Baybay City and Silago suffered severe damage from strong winds and heavy rains.

‘The people of Baybay and Silago have always shown resilience in the face of calamities. We want to make sure they get the immediate support they need to recover and rebuild after the storm,’ Romualdez said.

According to Acidre, a total of 3,750 kilograms of rice, 30 boxes of noodles, 10 boxes of biscuits, 10 boxes of coffee, 20 boxes of bottled water, and 30 boxes of canned goods were dispatched to Baybay City.

Silago, on the other hand, received 2,500 kilograms of rice, 20 boxes of noodles, 10 boxes of biscuits, 10 boxes of coffee, 20 boxes of bottled water, and 20 boxes of canned goods.

‘These relief goods are not just supplies-they represent our commitment to be there for every family affected by the typhoon,’ Acidre said. ‘We want our kababayans to know that they are not alone in this recovery.’

‘Our priority is to reach the farthest communities and make sure help arrives where it is most needed,’ he added.

On Monday night, Romualdez and Tingog announced that relief goods and rice have been prepositioned in Tacloban City and seven other Leyte towns, which may be affected by Typhoon Tino.

Relief stocks, Romualdez said, have been delivered to the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Sta. Fe, Alang-alang, San Miguel, and Babatngon as part of their preparations. Tingog said each municipality will receive noodles, sardines, biscuits, coffee, while the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Alang-alang, Tolosa, Sta. Fe, San Miguel, will also receive rice in addition to Babatngon.

Hot meals were also given to evacuees who arrived at various evacuation centers in Tacloban City on Monday afternoon.

Aside from the relief operations, Romualdez, Tingog, and Mayor Norman Sabdao also opened a ‘family-friendly evacuation hub’ in San Miguel, Leyte, which provides evacuees with dignity and comfort simultaneously.

According to Romualdez and Tingog, the San Miguel evacuation complex features amenities not typically found in temporary shelters – separate family rooms, breastfeeding corners, clean and comfortable restrooms, proper lighting, sleeping quarters, and storage for relief goods.

Acidre said that Sabdao has informed them that 549 families, or around 2,072 individuals, have taken refuge in the San Miguel evacuation centers following heavy rains brought by Tino.

‘We want our evacuees to feel safe, cared for, and treated humanely even in crisis,’ Acidre said.

‘This is more than an evacuation site – it’s a home in times of need,’ he added.

Romualdez said that the evacuation hub was conceptualized as part of the lessons learned from Super Typhoon Yolanda’s impact on Eastern Visayas, particularly Leyte and Tacloban, in November 2013.

‘Our aim is simple – every Filipino family must have a safe and decent place to stay when disaster strikes,’ Romualdez said.

‘We built the evacuation center to protect lives and restore dignity – that’s the essence of true preparedness,’ Acidre added.

Latest updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration showed that Tino was last seen in the vicinity of Patnongon, Antique, moving northwestward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour (kph).

It has slightly weakened, now packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 180 kph. However, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 is still raised over the following areas:

Calamian and Cuyo Islands

central and southern portions of Antique (Patnongon, Sibalom, Valderrama, Hamtic, San Jose, Bugasong, Anini-Y, San Remigio, Belison, Tobias Fornier, Laua-An)

central and southern portions of Iloilo (Calinog, New Lucena, Maasin, Oton, Pavia, Dueñas, Barotac Nuevo, Guimbal,

Iloilo City, Tigbauan, San Miguel, Leon, Mina, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Dingle, Zarraga, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Alimodian, Dumangas, San Joaquin, Badiangan, Pototan, Lambunao, Tubungan, Igbaras, Janiuay, Miagao)

LANDBANK continues to make agricultural financing more accessible with the integration of online applications under the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, allowing farmers to conveniently apply for loans anytime and anywhere, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to simplify access to affordable credit. LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. led the launch on 30 October 2025 at the Cadiz City Arena, attended by more than 1,700 farmers from Cadiz and neighboring towns.

They were joined by Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) President Atty. Jovy C. Bernabe, Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) Deputy Executive Director Ma. Cristina G. Lopez, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador G. Escalante, Jr. and Vice Mayor John Vincent I. Escalante, EB Magalona Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon, Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva, Silay City Mayor Joedith C. Gallego, and Valladolid Mayor Ricardo P. Presbitero, Jr.

‘Sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulungan sa LANDBANK at iba pa nating katuwang, titiyakin natin na ang benepisyo ng AGRISENSO Plus ay makarating sa lahat ng magsasaka at mangingisda, saan mang sulok ng bansa,’ said DA Sec. Laurel.

In 2024, Mayor Escalante shared his vision of transforming Cadiz and its neighboring towns into a primary agricultural hub in Negros Occidental, with the AGRISENSO Plus Program expected to

play a vital role in realizing this vision by improving farmers’ access to affordable financing and agribusiness support.

‘LANDBANK has seen how our farmers continue to face so many challenges – from the recent eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, to the impact of climate change, unstable farmgate prices, and market access. This is why we designed AGRISENSO Plus to provide holistic and practical solutions to the challenges faced by our farmers and fisherfolk,’ LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz emphasized.

Inclusive and holistic agri financing

The Program, developed in partnership with the DA, ACPC, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and private sector partners, is a value chain-based financing initiative that provides holistic support to agricultural stakeholders, with simplified documentary requirements, free life and credit life insurance, and expanded access to technical and market support to help boost productivity and profitability.

It offers a lowered fixed interest rate of only 3.0% per annum – down from 4.0% – for small farmers, fishers, and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), with competitive rates for their associations, cooperatives, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), large enterprises, anchor firms, and agriculture graduates.

Complementing the Lending Program is the LANDBANK ASCEND (Agri-Fishery Support through Capability Enhancement for Nationwide Development), a capacity-building initiative that equips farmers and fishers with training in digital financial literacy, sustainable agriculture, and enterprise development.

As of August 2025, LANDBANK has released ?1.78 billion in loans under the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program, supporting over 12,000 borrowers nationwide. The Negros Occidental rollout follows successful launches in Pampanga, Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Bukidnon, Iloilo, and Palawan.

Expanding digital convenience for farmers and MSMEs

Further advancing its digitalization efforts, LANDBANK successfully piloted the first provincial rollout of its Person-to-Merchant (P2M) QR payment facility in Negros Occidental.

The P2M facility delivers a two-fold benefit for both consumers and LANDBANK-accredited merchants. It is an interoperable payment channel that allows consumers to avail of free transfer fees for purchases worth ?500 and below when paying via QRPh-P2M using the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App (MBA), other banking apps, or digital wallets. Meanwhile, participating merchants benefit from waived merchant fees for every transaction.

This digital innovation further empowers farmers and MSMEs by offering a faster, more convenient, and secure way to receive payments, while reducing their reliance on cash transactions and promoting wider digital adoption across agricultural communities. Business owners can enroll their existing LANDBANK accounts, with P2M activation completed within just 24 to 48 hours.

Enhanced reach in Negros Occidental with new one-stop hub

LANDBANK also strengthened its presence in Southern Negros with the opening of the Negros Occidental South Corporate Center in Kabankalan City, highlighting the Bank’s commitment to accessible and inclusive financial services.

The new facility will serve as a one-stop hub for farmers, fishers, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local government units (LGUs), and private depositors from the cities of Kabankalan, Sipalay, and Himamaylan, and the municipalities of Ilog, Cauayan, Candoni, Hinoba-an, Hinigaran, and Binalbagan.

LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz and Negros Occidental 6th District Representative Mercedes K. Alvarez led the inauguration ceremony on 29 October 2025, joined by Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie M. Miranda and Vice Mayor Divina Gracia S. Miranda, Candoni Mayor Ray R. Ruiz, Sipalay City Mayor Maria Gina M. Lizares, other local partners, and LANDBANK senior officials. ‘Today’s inauguration of the LANDBANK Negros Occidental South Corporate Center reaffirms our deep commitment to stand with Kabankalan and the entire Negros Occidental. This new facility strengthens our presence in Southern Negros – so that together, we can continue providing every Negrense with better, more efficient, and more inclusive financial services,’ said LANDBANK President and CEO Ortiz.

Located along Justice JY Perez Highway, the center houses the upgraded LANDBANK Kabankalan Branch – the first ‘phygital’ branch in Negros Occidental, with modern facilities and ample space that offers a comfortable environment for clients and staff.

It combines physical and digital banking, featuring LEA (LANDBANK Easy Access) for paperless queuing, the LANDBANK Digital Online Banking System (DOBS) for faster account opening, four ATMs, a cash deposit machine, and meeting pods for client consultations.

The second floor hosts the LANDBANK Negros Occidental South Lending Center, offering easier access to loans and credit assistance, eliminating the need to travel to Bacolod City. Other LANDBANK units such as the Loan Operations Field Unit (LOFU), Field Support Services Center (FSSC), and Field Legal Services (FLS) are also housed in the building to provide integrated services.

LANDBANK currently operates 16 branches, two lending centers, 76 ATMs, four CDMs, and 51 LANDBANKasama partners in Negros Occidental, plus 80 ATMs in 7-Eleven stores where customers can withdraw cash free of charge.

The nation again stands at a dangerous crossroads. Billions meant to keep floods at bay were instead washed away by greed. As rivers rise, so does the anger of a people who have seen this movie too many times-grand projects, padded contracts, and the familiar procession of denials and excuses. The country seethes, yet the institutions meant to deliver justice move at the pace of mud. In this vacuum between outrage and impunity, we risk sliding toward the one outcome nobody truly wants: violence.

But there is another way-peaceful, lawful, and deeply moral. It begins with a simple act that does not need a court order or a revolution: resignation.

Resignation is not surrender. It is the highest expression of accountability in a democracy where public trust is the real mandate. A senator, a congressman, or a Cabinet secretary who steps aside while being investigated for corruption does not admit guilt. He or she merely acknowledges that the position is a public trust, not private property, and that trust must be preserved even while innocence is being proven. It is, in Filipino terms, ‘delicadeza’-a word that has almost vanished from our political vocabulary but still beats in the nation’s moral memory.

We are caught between the devil of impunity and the deep blue sea of mob anger. The justice system, itself riddled with delay and influence, offers little hope of swift punishment. People’s patience runs thin. Yet a violent uprising would only burn what is left of the republic. The challenge is to find a nonviolent outlet for moral energy-to create visible accountability before judicial accountability.

That outlet exists. Around the world, resignation has served as the pressure valve that prevents societies from exploding.

In Japan, ministers routinely resign for far smaller infractions-an unreported donation, an accounting lapse, a dinner with lobbyists. They do so not because they are proven guilty, but because they understand that leadership demands moral clarity.

In Iceland, the prime minister resigned within days of the Panama Papers revelations. Peaceful street demonstrations achieved in a week what endless court cases could not.

In Britain, the doctrine of ministerial responsibility obliges Cabinet members to leave once they mislead parliament. The resignation of dozens of ministers in 2022 forced a prime minister from office without a single riot.

Even in Malaysia, where the 1MDB scandal dwarfed ours, public outrage was channeled into elections. The ruling coalition fell, and a former prime minister went to prison. The path was democratic, not bloody.

The Philippine Constitution already provides the tools. The Ombudsman can suspend any public officer under investigation when the evidence is strong. Congress can suspend or expel its own members for disorderly conduct by a two-thirds vote. The Commission on Elections can immediately call special elections to fill vacated seats. None of these requires new laws-only political will and public insistence.

Imagine the moral power of that sequence: senators, representatives, and Cabinet officials implicated in the flood-control scandal publicly resign or accept preventive suspension. They declare, ‘I will not hide behind the slow wheels of justice. I will seek the people’s verdict at the next election.’

Resignation would also free investigations from interference and intimidation. It would show that we are still capable of shame, the first step toward healing. We cannot rebuild a moral nation if every accused official clings to office in the name of ‘due process.’ Due process is the shield of the innocent; it was never meant to be the refuge of the shameless.

The Filipino word delicadeza once carried the force of law. Presidents and generals resigned when scandal touched their names because they understood that honor, not tenure, is the true measure of leadership. It is time to revive that code. Let the churches, universities, business councils, and civil organizations join in a delicadeza pledge, calling on all officials under credible investigation to step aside until cleared. Let the President himself lead by example, welcoming resignations not as weakness but as acts of patriotism.

The floodwaters of corruption have risen to our necks. We can no longer wait for courts to drain them drop by drop. The most courageous act today is not defiance but departure-the voluntary relinquishing of power so that honor, trust, and governance can breathe again. Let those implicated resign, not because they are forced to, but because they still remember what it means to serve with conscience.

President Marcos has approved the ‘Tatak Pinoy’ Strategy (TPS), a multiyear national industrial road map that aims to strengthen key sectors, create jobs and lift Filipino products and services to global standards.

Governed by Memorandum Circular No. 104, signed on Oct. 24, it directs all government agencies to prioritize local products and services in their procurement.

Under this policy, local suppliers can be awarded contracts if their bids are within 25 percent of the lowest foreign offer, thus ensuring that the government’s purchasing power directly supports Filipino enterprises.

Framework

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the lead blueprint implementor, the TPS serves as a national framework for industrial transformation anchored on five pillars: people, infrastructure, technology and innovation, investments and sound financial management.

‘The TPS empowers our MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and industries to innovate with purpose, produce with pride, and compete globally with confidence,’ Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a statement on Monday.

The agency noted that the multiyear blueprint operationalizes the Tatak Pinoy Act and supports the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

Signed in February last year, the law calls for supporting and promoting the production and offering of Philippine products and services that are increasingly diverse, sophisticated and globally competitive.

Priority sectors

The law created the Tatak Pinoy Council, chaired by the DTI secretary, which is tasked with crafting objectives and targets, conducting the necessary consultations and ensuring the proper implementation of the multiyear national road map.

Based on a prepublication copy detailing the TPS, it focuses on six major programs: upgrade key industries, help MSMEs; support local suppliers through government procurement; invest in infrastructure, skills and innovation; streamline government programs and boost high-potential businesses and regions.

It has identified nine priority sectors due to their potential to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth and industrial development, such as information technology and business process management, food and agro-processing; cement, steel and construction Materials, and semiconductors.

Completing the list are electronics and electrical devices; automotive, electric vehicles and automotive components; pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and health products; defense manufacturing; and chemicals and industrial inputs.

If fully implemented, the TPS can create 11.3 million jobs, add P6 trillion to P8 trillion to the economy and generate up to P900 billion in new government revenue.

The municipality of Manjuyod in Negros Oriental has declared a state of calamity following the massive spill that engulfed its seas caused by the collapse of the wastewater lagoon of the Universal Robina Corp. (URC) Bais Distillery.

The declaration, passed by the municipal council on Monday, would remain in effect for 90 days, unless lifted or extended upon the recommendation of the Local Risk Reduction and Management Council, based on its assessment and validation of the environmental condition.

The Bais City Council has also earlier declared a state of calamity, stating that the consequences of the disaster have severely impacted the economic stability and livelihoods of local fishermen and others relying on aquatic resources in several barangays in the city.

The spill, which occurred on Oct. 26, spread to about 3,000 hectares of sea that formed part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape and within the immediate environs of Bais City and Manjuyod town.

A spill came from a breach in the 20-hectare wastewater lagoon of the ethanol distillery company, leaving cores of dead fish and affecting thousands of families in Manjuyod and Bais City, it said.

The dike of the wastewater lagoon collapsed reportedly on the evening of Oct. 26, but an investigation by the local government of Manjuyod found that the leak happened on Friday, Oct. 24.

Not the first time

Bais City Mayor Luigi Marcel Goñi said this was not the first time the distillery had been involved in such an environmental incident.

‘This has been recurring for several years,’ he revealed on Monday.

Bais City is nestled along the Tañon Strait, a protected seascape and deemed the largest protected seascape in the Philippines.

Tañon Strait serves as a feeding, breeding, and nesting ground for marine mammals. It is also known for its diversity of fish, mollusks, and crustacean species.

Tourism activities, including dolphin watching in Bais Bay and sandbar hopping in Manjuyod, have since been halted.

URC Bais Distillery, in a statement, said it expected the repair of its collapsed lagoon wall that caused the spill of wastewater into the Tañon Strait by Nov. 4. /cb

The government was able to raise its target amount of long-dated local debt from Tuesday’s dual Treasury bond (T-bond) sale, as yields eased amid growing expectations of further rate cuts.

The Bureau of the Treasury raised P20 billion via reissued T-bonds with a remaining life of four years and seven months.

Demand for the five-year debt paper reached P71.687 billion, exceeding the original offer size by 3.5 times.

The T-bond’s average rate eased to 5.649 percent from the 5.772 percent seen in the previous auction of the five-year debt note last Sept. 9.

The average yield was also lower than the 5.7045 percent quoted for the same tenor in the secondary market, bringing it close to a one-year low.

‘The 5-year T-bond average auction yields are lower amid dovish signals from local monetary authorities on another rate cut, leading investors to lock in yields before they go down further in the coming months amid strong demand,’ said Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

He added that economic growth was expected to slow from the 5.5 percent recorded in the second quarter, largely due to the decline in government infrastructure spending, giving the central bank more room to cut policy rates.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) lowered its benchmark interest rate to 4.75 percent last month, with further reductions expected to 4.5 percent by year-end. Analysts also project more monetary easing through 2026.

Last October’s interest rate was BSP’s fourth consecutive rate cut this year.

Meanwhile, the Treasury also borrowed P15 billion via T-bonds with a remaining maturity of nine years and five months.

Total bids reached P66.431 billion, exceeding the original offer by 4.4 times.

In turn, the T-bonds fetched an average rate of 5.894 percent, slightly down from the 6.043 percent recorded in the last offering of the 10-year debt note on Oct. 7.

The latest yield was also below the 5.9437 percent quoted for the same tenor in the secondary market.

Still, according to Ricafort, the drop in yields was offset by investor caution on longer-term bonds amid a weaker peso and lingering global inflation risks.

This year, the government plans to borrow P2.6 trillion from lenders to plug a projected budget deficit of P1.6 trillion, equivalent to 5.5 percent of GDP. The funding drive is expected to push the debt stock to P17.36 trillion by year’s end.

Capital1 swept Choco Mucho, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19, to seize the third seed in Pool A in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Sasha Bytsenko continued to dazzle for the Solar Spikers, dropping 17 points off 15 kills and two aces to finish the first round with back-to-back wins for a 3-2 record. They will face the bottom three of Pool B, Petro Gazz, Chery Tiggo EV, and Galeries Tower in the next round.

‘This kind of process is super good that we [won] in straight sets. But we need more, and we’re gonna fight for more. The next part of the tournament is super, super important and the focus now is to recover these guys and [be] back to show up again,’ said Capital1 coach Jorge Souza De Brito.

Top overall pick Bella Belen also delivered with 11 points before she suffered from cramps when Capital1 held a 15-14 lead in the third.

Still, Bytsenko and middle blocker Rachel Austero got the job done for the Solar Spikers changing the result of their straight-set loss to Choco Mucho in the supposed opener last Oct.7., which was ordered to be replayed following the absence of imports due to ITC (International Transfer Certificates) issues.

‘We’re really happy because today’s win was a total team effort. We studied Choco Mucho and came up with a solid game plan for this match. It wasn’t just the first six players. The whole team worked together and set our goals as one,’ said Belen in Filipino.

Austero had eight points and six digs, while rookie middle blocker Pia Abbu and Leila Cruz had six points each.

‘When we were getting closer to the end, I really saw everyone’s fighting spirit and camaraderie. It just felt so good,’ said Austero.

Marlee Smith led the Flying Titans with 12 points. Maddie Madayag had six kill blocks for 11 points, while Isa Molde added 10 only for them to finish with a 2-3 card in the first round.

Choco Mucho will face the top teams of Pool B, the unbeaten ZUS Coffee, Creamline, and Akari.

The third of four brand-new Airbus A330neo aircraft that Cebu Pacific expects to add to its fleet this year arrived over the weekend from Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France, strengthening the Gokongwei-led airline’s hold on the title as the largest A330neo operator in Asia.

‘Being the largest A330neo operator in Asia reflects our strong commitment to enhancing connectivity across the region. This aircraft enables us to serve more passengers while keeping costs low, which is a key part of our mission to offer affordable fares for every Juan,’ said Xander Lao, CEB president and chief commercial officer.

Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15-percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions.

The first two A330neos ordered by Cebu Pacific-recognized as Asia’s Low-Cost Airline of the Year by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation-arrived last March 28 and July 18, with even more to be added in the years ahead.

The latest 459-seater wide-body aircraft has been deployed for domestic routes that Cebu Pacific will expand as it cashes in on resilient demand for more local and international flights in this busy last quarter of the year. -Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Ayala gets more arrows

Ayala Group has just struck gold with a Five Golden Arrow win for good corporate governance.

The conglomerate received its first five-arrow distinction, a prestigious honor given to publicly listed firms in the Philippines that display excellent corporate governance.

This means that Ayala Corp.’s marks were within the highest score bracket in the Asean Governance Scorecard. This highlights a company’s performance on sustainability, resilience, stakeholder management, transparency, accountability, and board strategy and management.

For its boss, success isn’t just about a blockbuster financial win.

‘At Ayala, we believe that the highest standards of corporate governance are a prerequisite for a sustainable business. We strive to be an institution that our stakeholders can always rely on,’ said Ayala Corp. president and CEO Cezar Consing.

‘Strong corporate governance is key to building and keeping this trust,’ he added.

Eight more Ayala firms earned Golden Arrow Awards, with telco giant Globe Telecom leading the pack with its fourth consecutive 5 Golden Arrow Award.

Ayala Land, the Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Integrated Micro-electronics, Inc. each won the 4 Golden Arrow Award. AREIT and AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. got the 3 Golden Arrow Award, while ENEX received a 1 Golden Arrow Award.

BPI unit BPI AIA won a 3 Golden Arrow Award, while BPI MS won a 1 Golden Arrow Award.

On October 25, 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 100, prescribing a floor price for palay (unmilled rice) and mandating the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act.

The EO was framed as a landmark intervention to protect Filipino rice farmers from volatile farmgate prices, which had plunged to as low as ?8/kg in some regions during the wet season harvest.

However, the timing, fiscal feasibility, and institutional capacity surrounding EO 100 raise serious questions about its actual impact.

Critically, EO 100 was issued after most rice fields had already been harvested, particularly in Luzon and Visayas, where the wet season harvest typically peaks between September and October.

This means the EO’s implementation will only take effect in the next cropping cycle, targeting the March-April 2026 dry season harvest.

As of early November 2025, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) have not yet been released, further delaying operational clarity.

The EO’s effectiveness hinges on government procurement volume. Economists warn that unless the government buys at least 20% of total palay production, the floor price will remain symbolic, with private traders continuing to dictate market rates.

At a procurement price of ?20-?25/kg, this would require a budget of ?80-?100 billion. Yet, the National Food Authority’s (NFA) proposed 2026 budget remains unclear, with no public indication that it approaches this scale

Historically, NFA’s budget has hovered below ?10 billion, mostly allocated for buffer stocking and logistics-not direct procurement under the Rice Tarrification Act.

Three interpretations of EO 100 emerge:

Symbolic Propaganda: Without budgetary muscle or IRR, EO 100 risks being a performative gesture-an ‘inutil’ policy that offers political optics but no real protection for farmers.

Trader-Dominated Continuity: In the absence of substantial government buying, private traders will continue to dominate the palay market, using the floor price as a reference only when convenient.

LGU Burden-Shifting: The EO hints at devolving procurement to Local Government Units (LGUs), but most LGUs lack the fiscal space or institutional capacity to buy palay at scale. This risks deepening regional inequalities and placing undue pressure on local governments.

Beyond Symbolism

While EO 100 signals a political commitment to shield farmers from exploitative farmgate prices, its actual impact depends on fiscal capacity, institutional readiness, and strategic procurement design.

Modeling fiscal scenarios reveals that for EO 100 to meaningfully influence market behavior, the government must procure at least 20% of national palay output.

With total production estimated at 20 million metric tons annually, this translates to 4 million metric tons of procurement.

At a price range of ?20-?25 per kilogram, the required budget would fall between ?80 billion and ?150 billion as shown in the Table below.

This figure dwarfs historical allocations to the National Food Authority (NFA), which have typically remained below ?10 billion, primarily for buffer stocking and logistics. Without a dramatic budget increase, EO 100 risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a structural intervention.

Three modeled scenarios based on government purchase volumes:

Assumptions:

National palay production: ~20 million metric tons (wet + dry season combined)Procurement price includes logistics, drying, and warehousing costsBudget excludes administrative overhead and LGU subsidies

Comparative procurement systems in Thailand and India offer valuable lessons.

Thailand’s Rice Pledging Scheme, though controversial, involved direct government purchase of rice at above-market prices, backed by central bank guarantees and a budget exceeding $10 billion annually.

While it temporarily boosted farmer incomes, it also led to fiscal strain and warehousing inefficiencies.

India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, on the other hand, is more institutionalized and sustainable.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) procures rice and other staples at fixed support prices, with a budget exceeding ?2 trillion annually (approximately ?1.4 trillion).

This system stabilizes farm incomes, supports national food security, and buffers inflation-backed by robust logistics and federal-state coordination.

For Philippine coalition advocacy, several actionable insights emerge.

First, demand transparency on the NFA’s 2026 budget and procurement targets, pushing for a minimum ?100 billion allocation to make EO 100 credible.

Second, advocate matching grants to empower Local Government Units (LGUs) to participate in palay procurement, especially in rice-producing provinces.

Third, simulate region-specific floor prices based on actual production costs to expose disparities and inform policy adjustments.

Fourth, develop SDG-tagged youth education modules comparing procurement systems in the Philippines, Thailand, and India to build civic literacy and coalition capacity.

Finally, use exposés to highlight how trader dominance persists when government procurement is weak or delayed, reinforcing the need for structural reform.

EO 100 can be a turning point-but only if backed by fiscal realism, institutional muscle, and coalition vigilance. Without these, it risks becoming another ‘inutil’ policy, offering political optics but no real protection for Filipino rice farmers.

Over 100 flights bound for Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao on Tuesday and Wednesday have been canceled due to inclement weather brought by Typhoon Tino, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) announced.

Listed below are the canceled flights as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to Caap:

Sunlight Air

November 3

2R 898 – Clark to Siargao

2R 990 – Siargao to Clark

2R 857 – Cebu to Siargao

2R 858 – Siargao to Cebu

Cebgo

November 3

DG6763 – Clark to Siargao

DG6764 – Siargao to Clark

DG6855 – Cebu to Siargao

DG6856 – Siargao to Cebu

DG6859 – Cebu to Siargao

DG6860 – Siargao to Cebu

DG6853 – Cebu to Siargao

DG6854 – Siargao to Cebu

DG6861 – Cebu to Siargao

DG6862 – Siargao to Cebu

DG6339 – Clark to San Jose

DG6340 – San Jose to Clark

DG6924 – Butuan to Cebu

DG6129 – Clark to Naga

DG6130 – Naga to Clark

DG6208 – Cebu to Bicol

DG6209 – Bicol to Cebu

DG6286 – Cebu to Caticlan

DG6287 – Caticlan to Cebu

DG6295 – Clark to Caticlan

DG6296 – Caticlan to Clark

DG6414 – Cebu to Iloilo

DG6415 – Iloilo to Cebu

DG6460 – Cebu to Bacolod

DG6461 – Bacolod to Cebu

DG6513 – Cebu to Dumaguete

DG6514 – Dumaguete to Cebu

DG6619 – Iloilo to Dumaguete

DG6620 – Dumaguete to Iloilo

DG6577 – Cebu to Tacloban

DG6578 – Tacloban to Cebu

DG6579 – Cebu to Tacloban

DG6580 – Tacloban to Cebu

DG6723 – Cebu to Cagayan de Oro

DG6724 – Cagayan de Oro to Cebu

DG6726 – Cagayan de Oro to Cebu

DG6985 – Clark to Cebu

Philippine Airlines

November 3

PR2875 – Clark to Siargao

PR2375 – Siargao to Cebu

PR2382 – Cebu to Siargao

PR2383 – Siargao to Cebu

PR2973 – Manila to Siargao

PR2974 – Siargao to Manila

PR2985 – Manila to Tacloban

PR2986 – Tacloban to Manila

PR2987 – Manila to Tacloban

PR2988 – Tacloban to Manila

PR2238 – Mactan to Tacloban

PR2239 – Tacloban to Manila

PR2651 – Mactan to Borongan

PR2652 – Borongan to Mactan

PR2335 – Cebu to Butuan

PR2336 – Butuan to Cebu

PR2938 – Manila to Butuan

PR2939 – Butuan to Manila

PR1316 – Cagayan de Oro to Cebu

PR2366 – Davao to Cebu

PR2941 – Manila to Butuan

PR2942 – Butuan to Manila

PR2863 – Manila to Cebu

PR2869 – Manila to Cebu

November 4

PR2981 – Manila to Tacloban

PR2982 – Tacloban to Manila

PR2129 – Manila to Bacolod

PR2131 – Manila to Bacolod

PR2139 – Manila to Iloilo

PR2141 – Manila to Iloilo

PR2203 – Manila to Roxas

PR2204 – Roxas to Manila

PR2519 – Manila to Cagayan de Oro

PR2520 – Cagayan de Oro to Manila

PR2557 – Manila to Dipolog

PR2558 – Dipolog to Manila

PR2771 – Manila to Panglao

PR2772 – Panglao to Manila

PR2773 – Manila to Panglao

PR2836 – Cebu to Manila

PR2849 – Manila to Cebu

PR2864 – Cebu to Manila

PR2889 – Manila to Ozamiz

PR2890 – Ozamiz to Manila

PR2905 – Manila to Antique

PR2906 – Antique to Manila

PR2967 – Manila to Butuan

PR2968 – Butuan to Manila

PR1145 – Manila to Iloilo

PR1146 – Iloilo to Manila

PR1279 – Cebu to Bacolod

PR1280 – Bacolod to Cebu

PR434 – Cebu to Tokyo Narita

PR433 – Tokyo Narita to Cebu

PR486 – Cebu to Seoul Incheon

PR487 – Seoul Incheon to Cebu

PR1835 – Manila to Cebu

PR1841 – Manila to Cebu

PR1842 – Cebu to Manila

PR1845 – Manila to Cebu

PR1846 – Cebu to Manila

PR1851 – Manila to Cebu

PR1852 – Cebu to Manila

Cebu Pacific

November 3

5J575 – Manila to Cebu

5J576 – Cebu to Manila

5J594 – Davao to Cebu

5J792 – Butuan to Manila

5J4580 – Butuan to Manila

5J357 – Manila to Roxas

5J358 – Roxas to Manila

5J791 – Manila to Butuan

5J789 – Manila to Butuan

5J790 – Butuan to Manila

November 4

5J576 – Cebu to Manila

AirAsia Philippines

November 3

Z2 327 – Manila to Tacloban

Z2 328 – Tacloban to Manila

Z2 329 – Manila to Tacloban

Z2 330 – Tacloban to Manila

November 4

Z2 213-Z2 228 – Manila to/from Caticlan

Z2 320-Z2 323 – Manila to/from Tacloban

Z2 763-Z2 784 – Manila to/from Cebu

Z2 350-Z2 359 – Manila to/from Bohol-Panglao

Z2 304-Z2 316 – Manila to/from Iloilo

Z2 605-Z2 608 – Manila to/from Bacolod

Z2 711-Z2 716 – Manila to/from Kalibo

Airswift

November 4

T65172 – Manila to El Nido

T65173 – El Nido to Manila

T65336 – El Nido to Cebu

T65337 – Cebu to El Nido

T65410 – El Nido to Caticlan

T65411 – Caticlan to El Nido

November 5

T65110 – Manila to El Nido

T65112 – Manila to El Nido

T65113 – El Nido to Manila

T65172 – Manila to El Nido

T65173 – El Nido to Manila

T65174 – Manila to El Nido

T65175 – El Nido to Manila

T65176 – Manila to El Nido

T65177 – El Nido to Manila

T65179 – El Nido to Manila

T65180 – Manila to El Nido

T65181 – El Nido to Manila

T65336 – El Nido to Cebu

T65337 – Cebu to El Nido

T65410 – El Nido to Caticlan

T65411 – Caticlan to El Nido

T65538 – El Nido to Coron

T65539 – Coron to El Nido

T65610 – El Nido to Bohol

T65611 – Bohol to El Nido

T’way Air

November 4

TW 125 – Seoul Incheon to Kalibo