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Earthquake victims in some towns in northern Cebu province call for help as they battle rain, the cold weather at night and their desperate need for food while still waiting for relief goods to reach their area.

Arg De Real, a resident of Sitio Pandan, Barangay Mahawak in Medellin town, uploaded photos on Wednesday showing some of his family members and other evacuees sleeping under a blanket of transparent plastic to shield them from the rain.

De Real shared that there are currently an estimate of 400 families there who evacuated after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu on Tuesday evening, September 30, 2025.

‘Duol ra man mi og dagat sad. Ni bakwit lang mi sa bukid (We are living near the sea. That’s why we evacuated here to the hilly area),’ he told Business Mirror in an interview on Thursday.

Most of them, he shared, only brought plastic bags so they can use it to shield them from the rain while some were fortunate enough to have some tents.

Fear prevents them from going back to their houses, especially at night, as the town continues to experience aftershocks.

They called on authorities to help them as they are running out of food to eat.

‘Untag hatagan tanan peru ug kamu mang hatag unaha tawn amoa kay murag dili kaabot sa amoa [We hope that everyone gets to receive it, but if you can help us, please prioritize us as we haven’t received any help yet],’ he added.

He emphasized that they currently need food, water to drink, and tents there.

Amidst the tragedy, De Real still keeps a positive mind saying they are all ‘good’.

Different photos spread all over social media where evacuees seek help in order for relief goods and aid to reach them.

An uploader also posted a photo of kids photographed along the highway in San Remigio town raising cardboards with the words printed, ‘Walay tarong kaon’ (Have not eaten well) and ‘Help us. More food, water’.

The Cebu Provincial Government reported they have sent 7,622 food packs to Medellin town and 300 food packs to San Remigio as of 5pm on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

This is apart from the water bottles and other relief items that were also sent there.

In a video interview by local station MyTV Cebu, Mayor Edwin Salimbangon said the quake left many residents traumatized such that they opted to stay on the roadside and open fields.

Salimbangon said the town has received initial relief good,s but it could only last up to two days.

The municipality has opened its Tourist Rest Area to serve as a 24/7 drop-off site for donations.

No permit needed to bring aid

Private individuals and groups who wish to directly send their donations to affected areas don’t need to get a permit.

The Cebu Provincial Government clarified this, even as it advised the volunteers to ‘proceed with extra caution and remain vigilant’ since there are still aftershocks there.

‘Donations coursed through the Capitol will be received and recorded at the Command Center to ensure transparency, proper documentation, and accountability, and to guarantee that assistance reaches those in need.,’ the Cebu Provincial Government said in a statement.

Team North delivered solid performances despite the heavy rain and strong winds from Typhoon Paolo, winning the International Container Terminal Services Inc. North vs South Elite Junior Philippine Golf Tour Championship crown on Friday in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Needing just 10 wins on the last day, North added an extra for good measure.

In the final singles matches, North secured 11 wins and 2 halves out of 24 games, surpassing the 24.5-point mark to seal a 26½-21½ victory at The Country Club.

North led from the start, winning the Four-ball format 8-4 and edging South 6½-5½ in Foursomes.

South rallied late, winning 11 matches and narrowing the gap to 21-23 with several matches still in play.

Then came the turning point.

Vito Sarines, tied with South’s Ralph Batican, chipped in from 20 yards on the rain-soaked 18th hole for birdie, sealing a 2-up win in the boys’ 11-14 division and pushing North to 24 points.

The clincher came quietly at hole 15, where Jakob Taruc defeated Eric Jeon 4 and 3 in the boys’ 15-18 division, securing the title with North’s 25th point.

Rafa Anciano pulled off a comeback 3 and 2 win over Precious Zaragosa, and Zach Villaroman halved his match with Alexis Nailga to finalize the score.

‘The lead in Day 1 was very, very important,’ said Team North captain’s representative Joey Anciano. ‘It’s like a step inside the door already. Day 2 was to maintain or increase the lead and we also won, leaving us with 10 matches and a draw to win the cup.’

North took early control in nine of the first 15 pairings, while four matches remained tied in the 7-10 and 11-14 age groups.

South’s top juniors from Visayas and Mindanao fought back. In boys’ 11-14, four South players led early, but North’s Edoc and Sarines clawed back to halve their matches, slowing South’s momentum.

North held firm in the younger divisions, showing poise under pressure. Even after standout Patrick Tambalque withdrew due to injury while leading his match, North’s depth carried them through.

‘Every match the players did their best and that’s what’s important. That’s why we have this kind of tournament. Golf is an individual sport, but we are blessed to have this event which is also all about teamwork,’ Anciano said.

‘All our players are gifted-they’re talented, strong hitters, and strong in their individual games,’ Anciano said. ‘Actually, it can go both ways, but again we had a strategy through all three days and it worked. So we’re happy to win this one.’

In singles, Halo Pangilinan opened with a 6 and 5 win over James Rolida in boys’ 7-10. Mavis Espedido followed with a 5 and 3 win, countering South’s early point from Kvan Alburo. Ronee Dungca, Zach Guico, and Jacob Casuga added dominant wins in boys’ 11-14. Winter Serapio and twins Lisa and Mona Sarines swept their matches in the girls’ divisions.

South responded with wins from Lucas Revilleza, Denise Mendoza, Zuri Bagaloyos, Rafella Batican, Crista Miñoza, and Tashanah Balangauan. Marcus Dueñas, Jared Saban, and Mhark Fernando added late victories, leveling the singles at 8 wins each.

But North’s five-point cushion from team play proved decisive.

Tiffany Bernardino’s late collapse allowed Mikela Guillermo to halve their match, briefly delaying North’s celebration.

Standout players for North included Espedido, Dungca, Casuga, Serapio, and the Sarines twins, who swept all their matches. For South, Balangauan and Miñoza went unbeaten.

Fortune Life Insurance Company, one of the Hole Sponsors, joined the Philippine Insurance Cup Golf Tournament on September 4, 2025 at the Riviera Golf Club in Silang, Cavite.

Organized by the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association (PIRA), in partnership with the Insurance Institute for Asia and the Pacific (IIAP) and the Philippine Insurers Club (PIC), the event brought together industry leaders for a day of camaraderie and competition.

Representing Fortune Life was Business Development Director George Mercado, building connections and championing our commitment to meaningful partnerships and industry engagement.

Fortune Life is part of the ALC Group of Companies, founded by the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua.

BingoPlus turned dreams into reality as ten of its players are now proud owners of brand-new BYD Sealion 6 DM-i cars. The lucky winners won through the platform’s exciting lucky draw and officially received their dream cars during the awarding ceremony on September 27 and October 1 in Taguig City.

One of the winners, a family man from Laguna, works at a factory and only plays during his free time using extra money. He has been an avid player for almost two years. He expressed his joy after winning his first car, saying, ‘For the first time, magkasasakyan. Ang pangarap ko lang noong isang taon, motor lang. Ngayon, sasakyan ang binigay. Kaya masaya po.’

Another winner, who has only been playing for five months, previously worked abroad and now takes on welding jobs on the side. He became emotional as he recalled his experience during a fire disaster, expressing deep gratitude for this life-changing turn of events. ‘Actually sir, talagang nasunugan talaga kami, buong bahay namin. Tsaka nadamay din po yung paupahan ng aking mga magulang. Talagang totally zero kami eh, lahat eh. Nakakalungkot nga, sir. Eto, malaking tulong ‘tong BingoPlus sa amin. para mabawi namin yung nawala sa amin,’

A senior citizen who has been a BingoPlus player for only over three months is also a new car owner. She used to enjoy playing traditional bingo, then her grandchild introduced her to BingoPlus so she could enjoy the game online from the comfort of her home. She emphasized that her grandchild assured her it’s a safe platform, and in this digital age, it’s also efficient.

Also sharing his story of perseverance is a vendor of clothes and shoes who has been a BingoPlus user for a year. Without a permanent store to sell his goods, he often faces challenges, especially during rainy days. Hence, he expressed how grateful he is for the unexpected win, he said, ‘Di ko naman hinihingi yun kay Lord eh pero binigay na sa’kin. Sobrang thankful po ako kay Lord kasi sobrang blessings po yung binigay niya sa’kin.’ He shared that through this blessing, it will help him invest in his business, build a house, and support his family.

From the province of Lanao del Sur, another BingoPlus player’s life changed in an instant. He shared that the first thing he plans to do is take a vacation with his friends and travel in his new car to celebrate the win. Meanwhile, another winner of a brand-new car is a gardener from Baguio, who had always dreamed of owning one-and now, his dream has finally come true.

Although they all have different stories, all of them were initially skeptical about winning such a huge reward. But after confirming their prize, they proudly attested to how legitimate and reliable BingoPlus truly is.

Grateful to BingoPlus, the lucky winners shared heartfelt messages for the brand. Likewise, they all advocated for responsible gaming, emphasizing the importance of knowing one’s limits-something they personally practice.

The grand prize, a BYD Sealion 6 DM-i car, can be acquired by a lucky draw daily. To earn draws, simply log in to a BingoPlus account and place a ?500 bet or make a ?100 deposit. New users also earn free draws upon their first log-in. In partnership with the International Series Philippines, the daily free car campaign also offers other exciting rewards, including an iPhone 17 Pro Max, Suzuki Burgman, AirPods Max, and ISP Music Festival tickets. The promo runs from September 9 through October 6.

Through the life-changing stories of its winners, BingoPlus proves that beyond entertainment, it is a platform that brings hope, joy, and new opportunities to Filipinos. Thus, BingoPlus continues to redefine entertainment and elevate its purpose-turning ordinary moments into extraordinary milestones in one’s life.

SUPER typhoons developing in the western North Pacific, including those that pass through the Philippines, are now forming with heavier rains and stronger winds than those recorded in past decades, a new climate study has found.

In a September report, climate research group Climameter said storms similar to Super Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa) have become around 1°C warmer.

A typical storm now carries up to 10 millimeters more rainfall per day and blows about 4 kilometers per hour faster than comparable typhoons in the past, the study indicated.

‘They contribute to more extreme rainfall and flooding risks, particularly in the Philippines’ mountainous terrain and neighboring coastal regions,’ climate scientists Davide Faranda, Tommaso Alberti and Gianmarco Mengaldo said.

The researchers analyzed weather patterns linked to Nando’s rapid intensification, comparing how similar storms would behave under current conditions.

They are based on data from 1987 to 2023 versus how they might have developed in an earlier climate, from 1950 to 1986.

Results showed that recent super typhoons have shallower surface pressures by about 1 hectopascal, which marks stronger storm systems. Warmer sea and air temperatures also add more moisture to the atmosphere, meaning increased rainfall along the typhoon’s track.

Further, the report added that precipitation changes show up to 10 millimeters more rain each day, while winds are slightly faster near coastlines and offshore areas.

The study also compared conditions across several locations. Urban areas such as Kaohsiung in Taiwan and Calayan in northern Luzon now experience significantly wetter storms, while Hong Kong recorded minimal changes in temperature and a slight dip in wind intensity.

Some shifts in storm paths or rainfall distribution, they noted, could be influenced by natural climate cycles, such as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, or a decades-long natural warming and cooling cycle of the North Atlantic Ocean

‘However, the long-term changes in pressure, precipitation and temperature strongly suggest that the event’s severity is largely consistent with human-driven climate change,’ Faranda, Alberti and Mengaldo explained.

Projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific may become more intense even if they occur less frequently.

The panel also anticipates heavier rainfall and higher storm surges in the region, posing increasing threats to countries like the Philippines.

Between September 21 and 23, 2025, Super Typhoon Nando rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm before striking northern Luzon and eastern Taiwan with torrential rain, floods and landslides.

Philippine authorities reported at least 11 deaths as floodwaters and slope failures hit several provinces.

Krelz Gecosala and Kresthan Belacas stole the spotlight in the boys’ division of the Gov. Edwin Jubahib National Juniors Tennis Championships held over the weekend at the DavNor Sports Complex and Tagum City courts in Davao del Norte.

Gecosala, seeded fifth, stunned the field in the boys’ 18-and-under category, winning three straight matches before overpowering No. 4 seed Kurt Alcantara, 6-1, 6-3, in the final. The 16-year-old from Midsayap, North Cotabato also dominated the 16-and-under division, dropping just eight games in three matches, capped by a 6-4, 6-1 win over Wallaen Cabigas.

Belacas, from Mlang, Cotabato, excelled in the younger age groups. He edged Tyronne Caro, 7-5, 6-3, to win the 12-and-under title, then claimed the 14-and-under crown after Caro retired in the second set, trailing 3-6, 4-2.

Their twin victories earned them co-MVP honors, joined by Faith Lazaro of Tagum City, who impressed in the girls’ division.

Lazaro ended Ayl Gonzaga’s winning streak in the Palawan Pawnshop junior circuit with a gritty 0-6, 6-4, 6-2 semifinal comeback. She went on to win the 16-and-under title, 6-2, 6-2, over Telko Ello. Though she lost the 18-and-under finals to Sultan Kudarat’s Sanschena Francisco, 6-3, 6-3, her overall performance secured her a share of the MVP award.

Gonzaga bounced back by winning the girls’ 14-and-under title, 6-2, 6-2, over doubles partner Justine Gumbao, repeating her success in Sultan Kudarat.

Maureen Mamaba (Davao de Oro) upset Alexandrea Bendoy, 6-3, 6-3, to win the girls’ 12-and-under title.

Brandon Luchavez, unseeded, captured the 10-and-under unisex crown, beating top seed Storm Tozer, 5-4(3), 4-0.

Gonzaga also bagged two doubles titles. With Gumbao, she routed Sam Rodriguez and Shan Tuyor, 8-1, in the 14-and-under finals.

She then teamed up with Francisco to defeat Ello and Yana Reyes, 8-3, in the 18-and-under finals.

In boys’ doubles, Alcantara and Cabigas won the 18-and-under title, 8-5, over Harinne Antiola and Jaime Gultiano.

Caro and Gecosala took the 14-and-under crown, beating Belacas and Dimzon, 8-3.

The Group 2 tournament, presented by Dunlop and sanctioned by Philta, was supported by Universal Tennis and ICON Golf and Sports.

A steady pouring of rain flooded several towns in Zambales, rendering parts of the national highway impassable to light vehicles and causing some residents to evacuate, as Typhoon ‘Paolo’ (‘Matmo’) drenched Northern and Western Luzon on Friday, Oct. 3.

The Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said heavy floodings occurred in the central towns of San Felipe, Cabangan, Botolan, and Iba, as well as parts of Palauig and Masinloc towns up north.

PDRRMO head Rolex Estella said that as of 6:00 p.m. on Friday, a total of 128 families composed of 388 individuals have evacuated to safety because of the floods. Most of these are in Masinloc with 84 families, and Iba with 33 families having relocated to barangay halls, schools, and health centers.

Traffic build-up was also reported along the highway at Barangay Sindol in San Felipe, Barangay Binoclutan in Botolan, Barangay Mabanglit in Cabangan, and Barangays San Lorenzo and Bamban in Masinloc, where severe flooding made the roads impassable to light vehicles, Estella said.

Northern Zambales was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 on Friday, according to the 2:00 p.m. bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The Zambales provincial government ordered the day before the suspension of classes in all levels in the province on Friday, as well as the pre-emptive evacuation of residents in low-lying areas in anticipation of heavy rainfall from Typhoon Paolo, Estella said.

The Philippine Coast Guard office in Zambales likewise cancelled all marine activities in the province and urged residents and visitors to stay away from beach areas after PAGASA warned of moderate to high risks of storm surge in coastal communities.

Motorcycle taxi platform MOVE IT is elevating industry standards with a Driver-Led, Tech-Reinforced Safety Commitment – a comprehensive program that pairs professionalized rider training with live safety technologies at scale.

The company reported a 99.999% incident-free completion rate across thousands of daily rides, and says its priorities are now squarely on the remaining ~0.001% trips.

‘Near-perfect isn’t the finish line,’ said MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto. ‘Leadership in safety means raising the bar every day – professional riders, real-time protection, and transparent accountability on every single trip.’

At the MOVE IT Moto-Taxi Road Safety Dialogue, 31 MOVE IT rider-partner communities signed the Katuwang sa Kaligtasan sa Kalsada, a pledge that anchors a community-led safety culture across the motorcycle taxi sector.

Driver-Led Safety: Professional Standards by Design

MOVE IT’s Pasado Bago Pasada framework subjects every rider to rigorous onboarding, continuous upskilling, and bi-annual retraining.

Highlights of the Pasado Bago Pasada Framework:

Every rider undergoes full government clearance verification. MOVE IT reports 100% compliance with document requirements.

Almost 60% of motorcycles pass inspection on the first attempt, underscoring the strict compliance standards for roadworthiness before deployment.

More than 80% of applicants clear the initial skills test, with the remainder retrained until they meet safety benchmarks.

All riders are mandated to retrain every six months, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.

MOVE IT also collaborated with Ateneo’s Bulatao Center for Psychological Services to produce a first-of-its-kind Behavioral Assessment Tool for the motorcycle taxi industry, set to roll out this quarter. Unlike conventional tests that focus solely on technical skills, the tool is designed to measure how riders make decisions, manage stress, and respond to high-pressure or unexpected situations on the road. By grounding assessments in behavioral science, MOVE IT raises the bar on rider professionalism, ensuring that safety is defined not just by ability, but by judgment and conduct in real-world conditions.

Tech-Reinforced: Progressive Safety Innovations

While professional standards are central, MOVE IT said technology is equally critical in keeping roads safe. Through its strategic partnership with Grab, the platform has strengthened its safety infrastructure to support thousands of rides in real time.

In its relaunch in 2023, MOVE IT rolled out first-of-its-kind safety tools in the industry – from live location sharing and in-app SOS integration, to passenger and driver verification selfies and AI-driven trip monitoring.

The platform has since expanded its safety stack with additional tools designed to address some of the most common risks on Philippine roads:

Overspeeding Alerts provide real-time reminders when riders exceed safe limits, reinforcing responsible driving behavior and reducing accident risk.

Fatigue Nudges monitor trip patterns to detect signs of overwork, prompting riders to take breaks and ensuring they are alert before going on the road.

AudioProtect records trip audio in the background, giving both riders and passengers added security by providing clear context for investigations and ensuring fairness in resolving disputes or safety-related reports. Audio Protect will be live on MOVE IT in Q4 2025.

Together, these features aim to prevent accidents before they happen, protect riders and passengers during trips, and deliver greater transparency when incidents occur.

Fair Accountability: Shared Protection and Rapid Response

MOVE IT said professional riders and advanced technology must be backed by transparent accountability.

Reports filed through the app prompt swift investigation, with high-risk cases leading to preventive suspension pending due process. The same standards apply to complaints from riders against passengers.

An Emergency Response Unit of volunteer riders serves as first responders, reaching incidents within 30 minutes to provide aid and coordinate with hospitals and authorities.

All trips are insured, covering both passengers and riders, through partnerships with providers including AIG and Cocolife.

The Coalition for Filipino Commuters, an advocacy group for passenger rights and interests, commended MOVE IT’s progress, calling it ‘inspiring to see how MOVE IT, together with other platforms, is proactively transforming and growing our industry for the better through their respective pioneering efforts.’ At the same time, the group stressed that ‘platforms can only go so far on their own. It is time to standardize these safety measures through the official legalization of motorcycle taxis.’

Jacinto closed with a call for collective action: ‘Safety is not a milestone but a daily mission. We will continue to raise the standards – through professional riders, progressive technology, and fair accountability – until every commuter embraces motorcycle taxis as a truly reliable and viable transport option for our nation.’

BESIDES the national government agencies and the police force, the Philippine Postal Corp., the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) have pulled in weight to help Masbate’s storm victims and earthquake survivors in Cebu. The Makati city government also sent volunteers and material aid.

The PCSO earlier said that it has already handed out millions worth of evacuation kits and relief goods to families impacted by Typhoon ‘Opong’ in Masbate, and the earthquake in Cebu.

Covering daily deliveries through C130 flights, and the Philippine Coast Guard vessel ‘Gabriela Silang’, a larger wave of assistance is set to follow by land with a PCSO caravan scheduled to leave Manila Sunday morning on October 5, delivering more aid to both regions.

The caravan will transport substantial quantities of relief supplies to the affected provinces.

Among the resources being dispatched are 11 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) for Cebu, alongside five dump trucks from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dedicated to carrying essential relief items.

To ensure a steady supply of aid, the convoy will also include at least five wing vans and one bus filled with crucial necessities for the families in need.

Masbate is under a state of calamity as it grapples with the aftermath of the typhoon that displaced thousands, destroyed homes, and severely impacted agricultural lands.

In Cebu, the magnitude 6.9 earthquake has left over 20,000 individuals displaced, with Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio among the most severely affected areas.

Thousands of residents remain in evacuation centers or have been forced to sleep outdoors due to ongoing aftershocks, highlighting the urgent need for immediate assistance.

‘We cannot turn away from the suffering of our fellow Filipinos in Masbate and Cebu,’ stated PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles.

PRC tents as shelter

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, had personally called Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon to seek the Red Cross’ assistance in deploying tents for displaced families in Northern Cebu.

Dizon, who closely worked with Gordon during the pandemic response, recalled the effectiveness of PRC tents as hospital extensions during the Covid-19 crisis.

Gordon swiftly mobilized PRC assets from warehouses in Manila, Cebu, and Subic, including prepositioned medical and family tents, food supplies, and emergency equipment ready for rapid dispatch to the hardest-hit communities.

Currently, PRC is on standby and awaiting the go-signal from the LGU, which is identifying an open area where the tent city can be set up. Once the site is confirmed, PRC will also assist in camp management to ensure safety, order, and proper living conditions for displaced families.

Dizon assured that DPWH, in coordination with DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, will provide full logistical support-including air transport via C-130s if necessary-to ensure the swift delivery of aid.

‘The President moved quickly and decisively. That kind of leadership is what our people need in times of crisis. His call to action allows the Red Cross and government agencies to work hand in hand in bringing immediate relief to the victims of this earthquake,’ Gordon said.

‘PRC is an auxiliary to the government. We stand ready to work with DOH, DSWD, DPWH, DND, and all agencies to ensure the welfare of our people,’ Gordon added.

PHLpost delivers hope

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has deployed its fleet of vehicles in Central and Eastern Visayas to support the DSWD in transporting relief supplies to families affected by the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu.

Postal trucks were used to deliver food packs, sleeping kits, and laminated sacks for temporary shelters to Bogo City and nearby municipalities. Postal Area 5 Director Marilyn Alcoy has been coordinating with DSWD Cebu to mobilize trucks and personnel, ensuring timely delivery of aid to evacuation centers and affected communities.

As the country’s universal service provider, PHLPost maintains a nationwide logistics and delivery network capable of reaching even the remotest barangays. The agency also keeps a standby fleet of trucks and has identified facilities nationwide that may serve as logistics hubs during disasters, enabling it to complement government relief operations.

Meanwhile, Makati Mayor Nancy Binay has ordered the deployment of a Search and Rescue Team to Cebu. The team of 12 highly trained search and rescue personnel, including four licensed nurses and EMTs, arrived in Cebu on Wednesday, October 2, to assist in relief and recovery operations in the affected areas.

The team brought critical equipment including specialized search and rescue tools, a generator set, power tools, and a drone to support operations on the ground.

SHFC freezes loan payments

Meanwhile, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), an attached agency under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), has declared a one-month moratorium on housing amortization payments for partner-homeowners in communities affected by recent natural calamities.

The declaration of moratorium is in response to President Marcos, Jr.’s directive and DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling’s instruction to extend urgent support to disaster-affected communities.

The moratorium covers member-beneficiaries affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu, as well as Typhoons Nando and Typhoon Opong in Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region V (Bicol), and Region VI (Western Visayas).

SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa said the moratorium seeks to ease the financial burden of affected families so they can prioritize recovery and rebuilding.

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has filed four additional fraud audit reports before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), exposing cases of fully paid but non-existent or substandard flood control projects in Bulacan.

According to state auditors, the new filings involve projects in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO), ranging from P69 million to nearly P97 million.

The findings point to what the agency describes as another set of ‘ghost projects’ that were marked as completed and fully paid by the government.

COA flagged two projects awarded to SYMS Construction Trading: a P92.69-million flood control structure in Barangay San Roque, Baliuag, and another P92.71-million revetment project along Angat River in Barangay Taal, Pulilan.

Inspectors reported that the San Roque structure did not exist at the approved site, while an alternative location pointed out by DPWH officials contained a substandard facility that did not meet specifications.

For the Pulilan project, auditors found only an abandoned slope protection structure that predated the contract period.

Despite the irregularities and the absence of critical documents required under COA Circular No. 2009-001, the DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO had fully paid SYMS Construction.

‘This is another ghost project,’ state auditors said.

Among those initially held ‘liable’ are District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto Galang, Engineer John Michael E. Ramos, Project Engineer Lemuel Ephraim SD. Roque, Engineer Jolo Mari V. Tayao.

SYMS owner Sally Santos was also found to be liable.

Aside from SYMS, state auditors found a P69.48-million riverbank protection project awarded to Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. as anomalous.

The approved site in Plaridel showed no signs of a flood control structure, while the alternate site identified by DPWH contained an incomplete facility that fell short of approved standards.

‘Based on these findings, COA takes this to mean that the fully paid flood control project does not exist,’ the agency said.

Aside from Alcantara, Hernandez, and Galang, Construction Section Chief Jaypee D. Mendoza, Ramos, Engineer Irene DC. Otingco, Engineer Joshua Blitz S. Roxas, Engineer Bernardo Villafuerte, and Eumir S. Villanueva of Topnotch Catalyst Builders, Inc. as well as the company’s officers and members of the board, ‘were tagged as liable.’

The audit also covered a P96.5-million riverwall construction project in Barangay Pagala, Baliuag, contracted to Triple 8 Construction and Supply Inc. Similar to the other cases, the approved site showed no structure, while the alternate site presented a facility ‘drastically’ below plan specifications.

The project had nonetheless been fully paid, with COA citing the absence of supporting validation documents as another red flag.

Triple 8’s officers and members of the board, led by Wilfredo M. Natividad, along with Alcantara, Hernandez, Ramos, Galang, and Mendoza were found liable.

COA said individuals found liable may face graft and corruption charges under Republic Act 3019, malversation and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code, as well as violations of procurement laws and COA regulations.

‘The initial list of liable persons is not final and may expand as the audit progresses, or new information becomes available,’ the COA said.

To date, COA has filed a total of 17 Fraud Audit Reports: nine with the Office of the Ombudsman and eight with the ICI, including the four new cases.