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The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is planning to set new thresholds not just for large cash withdrawals but also for digital and other fund transfers, as part of efforts to prevent the misuse of public funds and strengthen banks’ ability to detect suspicious transactions.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the move aims to help banks guard against questionable withdrawals and transfers, especially those involving government disbursements to private contractors, without having to make difficult judgment calls on their own.

‘We’re looking very carefully into this. One will be a threshold on how much can be withdrawn. We have a threshold on how much cash can be withdrawn. But now, there will be a threshold on transfers in general – it could be cash, it could be digital,’ Remolona said in a press briefing yesterday.

The BSP’s ongoing review forms part of broader efforts to tighten financial integrity safeguards following past corruption controversies and to ensure banks can act decisively against suspicious activity without fear of liability.

State-owned lenders, such as the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, have faced scrutiny for allowing large withdrawals tied to flood control accounts.

Landbank earlier rejected allegations of irregular activity following reports of unusually large cash withdrawals by contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways involved in flood control projects, saying all questioned transactions were legitimate and fully compliant with banking laws.

Remolona explained the BSP is studying transaction patterns to determine appropriate limits and may also introduce new rules ‘that would make it hard for this thing to continue,’ referring to instances where public funds end up in questionable hands.

Banks, he noted, often found themselves in a bind when asked to release funds that appeared suspicious but were technically legitimate transfers from government agencies.

‘These banks were not comfortable with releasing the funds, but they couldn’t refuse,’ he said. ‘The money that got into their account was from our Treasury. So that was a legitimate transfer. As a bank, how do you say no to that?’

The central bank now intends to ‘take that decision out of their hands’ by clearly defining when banks can refuse transactions based on suspicion of corruption.

‘We’re going to figure out when the banks can actually refuse based on suspicion of corruption. The banks, I think, would appreciate that,’ he said.

Remolona added that applying uniform rules across all financial institutions would prevent depositors from simply moving their funds elsewhere.

Last month, the BSP required financial institutions to cap large-value cash transactions at P500,000 per banking day unless the amount is processed through traceable channels.

The BSP chief said all banks are currently complying with existing cash withdrawal limits and that lenders themselves welcome clearer guidance.

For now, the planned thresholds will likely cover government-related transactions, particularly those involving transfers from the state to private individuals or contractors.

Jose Rizal University was never given a chance in NCAA Season 101 after finishing 10th and dead last a season ago and undergoing a major revamp that saw it changing its former coach early in the year.

But armed with sheer guts and perseverance, the Bombers turned it around and slew the beast in the San Beda Lions, 67-66, on Friday to jump back into contention at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was the second win for JRU in three starts, with its first coming at the expense of another big fish in Letran, 73-69, last week.

Allan Laurenaria came out of nowhere and delivered the game-winning shot in the dying seconds that hammered in the dagger straight into the hearts of the Lions, who absorbed their first defeat after two wins in a row.

‘This was a huge win for us because it gave us confidence,’ said JRU’s new mentor Nani Epondulan, who spent college ball on this same team he’s now coaching. ‘We’re small but our hearts are big,’ he added.

The result also forged a three-way logjam atop Group B among JRU, San Beda and College of St. Benilde.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for San Beda, which practically lost two important points in the clutch – the first when John Sajonia’s triple was reduced to a long-two after he was seen on a video replays stepping on the three-point line and the other when rookie Agjanti Miller’s second made foul shot was nullified due to lane violation.

Earlier, San Sebastian claimed its first win in three outings by outgunning Lyceum of the Philippines, 100-94.

The Pirates fell to 0-3.

The scores:

First Game

SSC-R 100 – Cuajao 25, Ricio 25, Dela Rama 15, Castor 12, Felebrico 8, Lumanag 6, Gabat 6, Nepacena 3, Velasco 0, Cabilla 0, Dimaunahan 0, Are 0.

LPU 94 – Barba 32, Moralejo 19, Villegas 15, Versoza 6, Daileg 6, Peñafiel 6, Abregana 6, Montaño 2, Casiño 2, Aurige 0, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Dural 0, Gordon 0.

Quarterscores: 19-27; 41-50; 62-63; 75-75; 87-87 (OT); 100-94 (2OT)

Second Game

JRU 67 – Salvador 15, Lozano 13, Panapanaan 9, Argente 8, Garupil 7, Laurenaria 6, Herrera 5, Sarmiento 3, Castillo 1, Benitez 0, Peñaverde 0, Duque 0.

San Beda 66 – Sajonia 16, Miller 13, Lina 13, Etulle 8, Gonzales 6, Reyes 4, Celzo 2, Culdora 2, Puno 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Calimag 0, Jalbuena 0, Vailoces 0, Songcuya 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16; 37-33; 55-46; 67-66

Education Secretary Sonny Angara yesterday asked members of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) to give senior high school graduates a fighting chance amid efforts of the government to ensure the employability of students who will finish SHS.

In his speech during the MAP General Membership Meeting in Taguig City, Angara cited efforts of the Department of Education to improve the curriculum of the K to 12 program.

‘Give our graduates a fighting chance. Let us examine our entry-level requirements and ask: does this job truly require a four-year degree, or does it require grit and trainability? By valuing demonstrated competency, you unlock a vast, eager and capable talent pool of Senior High School graduates,’ Angara said.

He noted that the DepEd is shifting toward structured apprenticeships and high-quality work immersion programs as genuine pathways to employment.

He also asked the MAP to help the DepEd about emerging technologies and the skills that companies need.

‘With artificial intelligence on the rise, we cannot afford both a learning and digital gap for our youngest citizens. Our next generation of movers, thinkers and builders must go beyond finding jobs in our future economy. They must help create that economy alongside all of you,’ he said.

He noted that the DepEd started this year the pilot implementation of the Strengthened Senior High School Program to make the graduates more aligned with industry demands.

‘We have reduced the core subjects to five, allowing our students more time for work immersion, based on your insights and recommendations. This ensures that a learner in Romblon can strengthen their grasp of the basics while preparing for employment opportunities in their province,’ he noted.

Promotion system

Teachers’ group Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) is seeking a dialogue with DepEd amid issues on the program and the promotion system for teachers under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.

TDC chairperson Benjo Basas expressed confidence that the DepEd will address the concerns of the teachers following the Angara’s directive to refine the implementation of the ECP.

‘We need to engage the DepEd on this issue. Next week, we have a scheduled meeting with the DepEd, together with the leaders of TDC in Calabarzon, Metro Manila and Central Luzon,’ Basas added.

President Marcos recently signed into law Republic Act 12288 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, which aims to provide a clearer career path for teachers.

Angara has issued DepEd Order No. 24 on the ECP System to provide teachers with clearer, fairer, and competency-based pathways for growth.

Under this order additional teaching positions will be available for Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V and offers two career tracks, the classroom teaching and school administration.

Meanwhile, Speaker Faustino Dy III joined the Schools Division Office of Cauayan City’s Teachers’ Day Celebration, honoring the country’s educators as the pillars of nation-building and reaffirming his commitment to their welfare and professional growth.

Dy stressed the House of Representatives’ efforts to ensure that the education sector receives sufficient funding in the 2026 national budget.

He also cited the P928.52 billion allocation for DepEd in the 2026 national budget — equivalent to a historic four percent of the country’s GDP — as proof of the administration’s commitment to addressing classroom congestion, child malnutrition and the lack of learning materials nationwide.

In another development, Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula has led the filing of House Bill 5332 or the Lakambini Bill, which seeks to institutionalize the teaching of Filipino heroines across all public and private educational levels in the country.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Markus Lacanilao as the new chair of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), replacing Vigor Mendoza in a reshuffle that affected two other transportation agencies.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed the appointments on Friday, October 10, saying Mendoza will now be the chair of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, replacing Teofilo Guadiz III.

Guadiz, meanwhile, has been designated chair of the Office of Transport Coop.

Role in Duterte’s handover. Prior to his appointment as new LTO chief, Lacanilao was the government’s special envoy on transnational crime. He was among the officials who accompanied former president Rodrigo Duterte to the Hague, Netherlands, when Duterte was handed over to the International Criminal Court to face charges of crimes against humanity.

Lacanilao was questioned in the Senate over his role in the handover, and was briefly detained during the hearings.

Leadership shuffle

The reshuffle comes amid mounting pressure from Magnificent 7 transport groups for faster implementation of the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP). They called for Guadiz’s resignation over the delays as LTFRB chair. Other members of the Magnificent 7, however, did not back the calls for his dismissal.

The Palace has yet to explain the reason behind the shakeup in three transportation agencies.

The modernization, which was first introduced during the Duterte administration, aims to replace traditional jeepneys for modern, environmentally compliant models.While the plan has been widely supported in its main goals, many operators and drivers have lamented the lack of aid during the transition to the newer, pricier models in what is supposed to be an improvement in public transportation.

Officials have repeatedly assured that the modernization program will proceed gradually to prevent disruption of public transport services.

It has been a few years since Blackwater has made the PBA playoffs.

The Bossing’s last playoff run was back in the Season 47 Philippine Cup, where the team lost to San Miguel in the quarterfinals.

Since then, it has been seven conferences where the Bossing have failed to reach the quarterfinal round.

On Friday evening, big man Christian David said he wants to end that playoff drought for the Bossing, as he steered Blackwater to a dominant 107-87 win over the Terrafirma Dyip to usher in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.

David had 24 points and seven rebounds against the Dyip, as he had a game-high +- of +31. He shot 8-of-17 from the field and had a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line.

After the game, the third-year big man said he aims to win more with the Bossing.

‘Just you know, try to lead this team to more wins. I felt like last year it was kind of disappointing. I felt like we felt confident going into last year,’ David, the second overall pick of the PBA Season 48 draft, told reporters following the win at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

‘This year I want to you know take take this team to the playoffs so that’s a goal,’ he added.

In last season’s Governors’ Cup, the Bossing almost made the playoffs. However, their inferior head-to-head record against the NLEX Road Warriors dropped them to fifth place of Group B, where only the top four punched a ticket to the quarterfinals.

They could not replicate that finish, though, as they won just three games in the Commissioner’s Cup and two games in the Philippine Cup.

But now, the Bossing had a strong start in the All-Filipino Cup in a game where super scorer Sedrick Barefield did not play.

In Barefield’s place, RK Ilagan provided the spark with 22 points and 10 rebounds, to go with four steals and three assists.

Rookie Dalph Panopio had an impressive debut with 13 markers, six boards, four dimes, two steals and a block, while Abu Tratter had 12 points and eight rebounds.

It was a close game through the half, with Blackwater leading by just eight, 50-42, after the first two quarters.

But the Bossing broke the game wide open in the third quarter, as a 3-pointer by Richard Escoto gave them a 23 point spread, 79-56.

The Dyip tried to storm back, cutting the deficit to 12 multiple times, but it was the nearest they got to.

Blackwater head coach Jeff Cariaso, for his part, said that while they are happy to get the win, they still have a lot of improvements to do.

‘You want to always try to start on a good note and today was a good first step. There’s still lots to learn, lots to improve on but you know we’re happy that we were able to do enough tonight to get a win,’ he stressed.

Panopio echoed this, as he tipped his hat to his teammates.

‘Masarap po yung feeling kasi we won and I want to appreciate the coach and the teammates for helping you know like being together and working this out. I feel like yeah like Coach Jeff said like we got a lot of things to do still improve on and work on and definitely, we’re gonna do that,’ he said.

“We’ll go back to practice and fix things that we didn’t do today. I think you know I think we just gotta do better next time. We can’t, we can’t just be satisfied about this game, this win. We gotta keep working and be hungry for the next games.’

New Terrafirma player Jerrick Ahanmisi powered the Dyip with 25 points and seven rebounds, while Paolo Hernandez had 19 markers. Louie Sangalang chipped in 12 points.

Terrafirma will have a quick turnaround as it takes on NLEX Sunday at the Ynares Antipolo, while Blackwater will face Meralco next Wednesday at the Big Dome.

Nothing can be more moving and heartwarming than the sight of people from all walks of life doing their share to ease the pain of the victims of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on the evening of September 30, 2025 in the northern part of Cebu destroying houses, claiming lives, and leaving thousands with a sense of hopelessness and grief.

But once again, the Cebuanos have shown their capacity for resilience. Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro demonstrated strong leadership as she assembled her team to respond to the disaster. She was on the ground zero just hours after the earthquake. She called on everyone to help the victims, and many responded.

She showed grace and diplomacy when President Ferdinand Marcos visited the province. Her most loyal supporters should understand that, as governor, she must keep her communication lines open with the highest office in the land.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival led the Cebu City Government and called upon all city residents to help. Many responded enthusiastically. What’s worth noting in all this is the fact that many young people, students and non-students alike, volunteered in the repacking efforts.

Without fanfare, Vice President Sara Duterte arrived ahead of President Marcos. In areas of the country where there is an OVP satellite office, she has a team ready for disaster relief operations.

The Davao City Government brought trucks of relief goods, without any name of politicians on the tarpaulins –just the phrase ‘From the People of Davao City.’ Impressive! One may recall that it was also the same local government that was among the first to respond when Typhoon Yolanda hit Tacloban City many years ago.

More than the help from local government units, the contribution of many unsung heroes stood out, those who spent their last centavo just to buy food and water for donation. They may remain anonymous, but there is no doubt that they made a difference.

I am also proud of the media industry to which I belong. Radio stations and newspaper outlets did their part. Our stations dyHP RMN Cebu and Ifm raised more than ?3 million in cash as of this writing, excluding the in-kind donations. This is a huge help to the earthquake victims. This could not have been made possible, however, without the support of our thousands of listeners. We cannot thank them enough.

I can’t blame those who chose not to course through their reliefs donations through our government. Trust in government is at its lowest, aggravated in no small way by the perception that the investigation on the flood control corruption scandal is a moro-moro. It’s going to the dogs. So, despite the risks of aftershocks and heavy traffic in areas heading to northern Cebu, many insisted on handing over the relief goods themselves.

There were also those who braved traffic congestion not because they distrusted the government, but because they had to reach areas where their relatives and friends lived or they were aware that there were remote areas that relief goods have not yet reached. They took their own initiative, knowing that many were already hungry, thirsty, and exhausted.

One could only wish that the kind of unity we show during tragedies would be the same degree of unity we can show in all other facets of our national life, particularly in our fight against the plunder of public coffers. During calamities, we tend to dissolve our political colors and conflicting ideologies. Why can’t we do that when we choose the right leaders during elections?

An American fugitive has been arrested by agents of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Jordan, Guimaras.

Boyd Monte Murray, 64, was reportedly found in possession of several identification cards bearing different names, according to Rendel Ryan Sy, chief of the BI fugitive search unit.

Murray reportedly failed to present a valid passport or immigration documents. He was arrested in Barangay Rizal on Sept. 30, with the help of the Philippine Navy.

The arrest stemmed from information provided by the United States embassy that Murray has a pending arrest warrant for theft issued by the King County Superior Court in Seattle, Washington in December 1994.

The suspect is reportedly facing multiple charges in several US states, including possession of stolen vehicles, larceny and other felony offenses. His US passport has reportedly been revoked by the US Department of State.

The BI is reviewing Murray’s record of stay in the Philippines after complaints from the community and posts on social media revealed the suspect’s alleged criminal history, including prior convictions for fraud, theft and burglary.

The suspect allegedly engaged in repulsive online behavior, including posting lewd remarks on social media accounts of underage girls.

The worst social cancer is currently plaguing the whole nation. The people are losing trust and confidence in the government and institutions. And the people are impervious to what matters most at these critical times. If unabated, this could be the beginning of the nation’s end.

Many people don’t take government institutions seriously anymore. There’s no more genuine respect for authority because people see government officials as oppressors and exploiters. Taxpayers are no longer motivated to pay properly and on time because they’re convinced taxes are being stolen by the officials.

Gone are the days when members of Congress were truly honorable, men and women we can be truly proud of, who served the nation well and never stole a peso from the public coffers. Our senators today are “tinimbang, ngunit kulang”. And our congressmen are “tinimbang ngunit sobra”.

People today don’t respect legislators anymore. We cannot blame them for losing their trust and confidence in Congress because the men and women in the august halls of both the Senate and the House don’t inspire respect anymore.

Gone are the days when our women solons were exemplars of brilliance and integrity, in the likes of Geronima Pecson (the first female senator who was an educator), Tecla San Andres Ziga (the first woman Bar topnotcher), Pacita Madrigal Warns, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Helena Benitez, Magnolia Antonino, Letecia Ramos Shahani, Santanina Rasul, Nikki Coseteng, Loren Legarda, and the greatest of them all, Miriam Defensor Santiago. Today, we have family dynasties in the Senate, siblings coming from the same families monopolizing powers and protecting their family business empires.

During the golden era of Claro M. Recto and Lorenzo Tañada, you could not become a senator if you were not a highly-competent lawyer, a Bar topnotcher, or a famous Law dean, professor, or author of law books because you are supposed to make laws. Today, you can be a senator even if you were convicted and imprisoned for serious crimes and even incarcerated, having been accused of plunder and other high crimes. You can be a senator today even if you were only a high school student as long as you are an actor or you represent a well-entrenched family dynasty with a lot of campaign funds contributed allegedly by your favorite public work contractors.

The standards for electing public officials have gone down to the level of the dogs (with apologies to the dogs), and members of Congress are being insulted, defamed, and ridiculed in the social media as crocodiles (with due respect to the crocodiles). During my younger years, whenever a senator or congressman would enter a room, we all stood up and bowed our heads. Today, the effigies of senators and even presidents are burned and trapos are being seen as burdens to the people instead of being models for excellence and integrity. People don’t respect politicians anymore, and yet, on election day, they still vote for them in exchange for a few pesos and cans of cheap sardines.

The social cancer of the whole nation is reaching its terminal stage. Both those who govern and those who are governed are no longer imbued with a sense of nationalism and patriotism like the spirit that animated Rizal, Bonifacio, and Mabini. We have no more sense of dignity and pride like that sense which characterized Don Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Quezon. We don’t respect authorities anymore like the times of Carlos P. Romulo and Camilo Osias. We are a people with such malignant social cancer that the slightest touch would exacerbate the pains and anguish in our hearts and the woundedness of our souls.

The Philippines is a very sick nation with a people beset by a terminal cancer of distrust and a tumor of indifference. We no longer have respect, no more trust, and soon not even a feeling of shame. Ours is a nation that has lost our soul. Only a surgical operation, through another peaceful revolution may have the opportunity to save us all from total perdition. If the people don’t seize the day, I am afraid that the retired generals may take the law into their own hands. It is better that the people should opt for a bloodless transition.

And may that happen very soon, of course, within the framework of law and order, upholding bloodlessly and peacefully the sovereignty of the people over the government. That will be the day.

With an announcement of a live fire drill, a helicopter flying close to Filipino fishing boats and heavy presence of patrol ships, Chinese forces disrupted once again a humanitarian mission carried out by Philippine maritime authorities.

Both the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and Philippine Coast Guard deployed vessels to perform the ‘Kadiwa sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda’ humanitarian program at Panatag (Scarborough) and Escoda (Sabina) Shoals on Wednesday, according to a statement from PCG spokesman on West Philippine Sea issues Commodore Jay Tarriela.

PCG patrol ships BRP Teresa Magbanua and BRP Cape San Agustin joined the mission in Panatag Shoal, while the BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cabra accompanied the BFAR, he noted.

Along with 11 other vessels, the PCG and BFAR were supposed to distribute supplies of fuel and ice as well as grocery packs to ‘nearly 100 vessels, enabling fishermen to extend their fishing expeditions’ at both Panatag and Escoda Shoals, he added.

Amid the mission, ‘a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) – Navy vessel 568 issued warnings from a distance regarding a live-fire exercise in the area, raising concerns among Filipino fishermen’ at Panatag, also called Bajo de Masinloc, reported Tarriela.

At Escoda Shoal, ‘a PLA Navy helicopter conducted low-altitude monitoring flights, further attempting to intimidate the fishermen,’ he also said.

Aside from PLA-Navy assets, a total of 15 China Coast Guard vessels and 19 Chinese maritime militia ships were also present during the PCG-BFAR operation. Panatag Shoal was reportedly guarded with seven CCG and 10 Chinese maritime militia vessels, and eight CCG and nine maritime militia ships at Escoda Shoal.

Some CCG personnel onboard speedboats also tried to block some of the Filipino fishing boats while a CCG patrol ship crossed the way of a PCG vessel, according to photos and videos from the PCG.

Despite the new episode of harassment by Chinese forces, the mission delivered a total of 98,000 liters of fuel to the crew of 55 Filipino fishing boats at Panatag Shoal and 45 more at Escoda Shoal, as well as five tons of crushed ice and 345 grocery packs, said Tarriela.

He said the BFAR also bought 35 tons of fish caught by fishermen at Panatag.

It would have been the second time since last month that the PLA-Navy announced a live fire drill at Panatag Shoal, which was not carried out.

‘The Philippine Coast Guard, alongside our partners at BFAR, will never back down in defending the rights and livelihoods of our Filipino fishermen,’ declared PCG Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan.

He added the Kadiwa program ‘exemplifies President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm policy: we will neither waver nor surrender a single square inch of our territory to any foreign power.’

Both Panatag and Escoda Shoals lie in the West Philippine Sea, within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and upheld in the landmark 2016 arbitral award.

Two more fatalities in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu last week have been reported, bringing the death toll to 74 as of yesterday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Office of Civil Defense said the additional fatalities were reported in the towns of Tabogon and Medellin.

The number of injured people remained at 559 with no one reported missing.

Houses damaged by the earthquake increased to 71,996 from 62,531 the other day, with close to 5,000 assessed to be beyond repair, according to the NDRRMC.

From 733 the other day, the agency yesterday lowered to 703 the number of infrastructure such as schools and government facilities that were damaged during the quake.

Up to 189,620 families were displaced by the calamity. Most of them are staying in six evacuation centers.

The government has spent more than P152.6 million for food and non-food assistance to affected communities, especially in Bogo City, the epicenter of the earthquake, and its neighboring municipalities.

More help arriving

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) yesterday airlifted 20 tons of humanitarian cargo for the earthquake victims in Cebu.

PAL transported 3,000 liters of water donated by the Lucio Tan Group and the Asia Brewery Corp., and 654 kilos of hygiene and psychosocial kits provided by the Philippine Red Cross.

The transport of humanitarian cargo was facilitated by the PAL Foundation Inc., the corporate social arm of the flag carrier, in coordination with teams from PAL Cargo in Manila and Cebu.

PAL said it stands in solidarity with the people of Cebu during this time of calamity, and remains committed to providing support where it is needed most.

Local government units (LGUs) in Bacolod, Navotas, Pasig as well as Negros Occidental and Pangasinan have pledged to donate financial assistance for victims of the temblor.

Bogo City Mayor Maria Cielo Martinez on Wednesday received the financial assistance and five emergency go-bags from Pasig Councilors Warren Inocencio, Volta delos Santos and Buboy Agustin.

Aside from financial assistance, the LGUs deployed teams to assist in the search and rescue operations in Cebu.

Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has fully restored the internet connection in Cebu, a few days after the temblor.

DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said the agency coordinated with leading telecommunications firms Globe, Smart and Dito to ensure the immediate restoration of internet connection in areas severely hit by the earthquake.

Aguda said that during calamities, communication is essential in saving lives.