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The total damage to schools caused by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu is expected to exceed P1 billion, the Department of Education (Deped) said Thursday.

‘The total damage to schools across the province is projected to exceed P1 billion, with more than 50,000 learners and over 1,400 teaching and non-teaching personnel affected, including nearly 900 in Bogo City,’ DepEd said in a statement, citing its regional director for Central Visayas, Salustiano Jimenez. Due to this, DepEd said it has already reinforced its disaster preparedness and response systems through the deployment of rapid assessment teams and the launch of new tools and facilities aimed at strengthening education resilience.

Among these major initiatives, said DepEd, is the ‘PlanSmart for Safe Schools,’ a web-based contingency planning application developed to enable schools to create evidence-based contingency plans.

DepEd said a series of training sessions for the project will begin in November 2025 for 3,012 schools in the Greater Metro Manila area, before its nationwide rollout.

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The Department said it is also set to pilot the ‘M7X School Ready Program,’ which refers to the initiative aimed at strengthening earthquake preparedness in public schools and DepEd offices.

West Valley Fault

The pilot phase of the program will prioritize schools in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, particularly those situated along or near the West Valley Fault.

DepEd also unveiled its Pillar 1: Safer Learning Facilities Guidebook, a reference manual which aims to empower schools to adopt inclusive, climate-resilient, and child-safe construction standards. Furthermore, DepEd rolled out the ‘Upgraded Temporary Learning Spaces’ program to improve modular classrooms designed to support continued education while permanent school structures undergo repair or reconstruction.

‘Preparedness is the foundation of resilience. When our schools have adequate equipment, training, and facilities, we can ensure that learning continues even in the midst of disaster,’ Angara added in Filipino.

Profit taking early in the trading day quickly snapped the two-day winning streak of the benchmark stock index on Thursday, with the surprise interest rate cut optimism coming in too late.

By the end of the session, the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) lost 0.68 percent, or 41.34 points, to 6,057.40.

Likewise, the broader All Shares Index shed 0.48 percent, or 17.64 points, to close at 3,667.01. A total of 5.35 billion shares worth P6.51 billion changed hands, stock exchange data showed.

The index ended its brief stay in the green territory as investors took advantage of the price surge, opting to sell their stocks and pocket gains, said Luis Limlingan, head of sales at stock brokerage house Regina Capital Development Corp.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ surprise move to cut rates by 25 basis points to 4.75 percent came just before the market closed. However, optimism from this will be felt moving forward, according to Limlingan.

BDO Unibank Inc. was the top-traded stock as it shed 2.57 percent to P136.40. It was followed by: International Container Terminal Services Inc., down 0.38 percent to P526; Philex Mining Corp., a rare gainer that went up by 3.17 percent to P10.42; SM Investments Corp., down 0.14 percent to P734; and Bank of the Philippine Islands, down 1.1 percent to P107.50 each.

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Others were: DigiPlus Interactive Corp., down 4.13 percent to P24.40; Ayala Land Inc., down 1.27 percent to P23.25; Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., down 2.42 percent to P68.50; Ayala Corp., down 1.02 percent to P485; and PLDT Inc., down 0.36 percent to P1,106 per share.

Losers overpowered gainers, 135 to 72, while 55 companies closed flat, stock exchange data also showed.

New Petro Gazz coach Gary Van Sickle relished his first win with the Angels and the warm reception he’s received in the Premier Volleyball League.

The head of the Van Sickle family made a winning start as the Angels coach after his daughter Brooke conspired with import Lindsey Vander Weide to sweep Galeries, 25-21, 25-19, 25-14, in the 2025 Reinforced Conference on Thursday at Dasmariñas Arena here. More than the victory itself, with Brooke executing his system and wife Lisa serving as assistant coach, Gary was thrilled to experience the league’s energy firsthand.

‘It’s been positive, not just because we won, but everyone’s friendly, the environment is electric, so that makes it fun to coach. The competition is pretty good. Coaches on the other side are tough, so we’re making adjustments as we go,’ said Gary. Gary admitted that the team is still adjusting to his coaching style, but he’s pleased how the Angels worked as one unit to dominate their first game.

‘We’re trying to implement little things here and there, but overall, the team is pretty well balanced,’ he said. ‘We’re just coming in, trying to make a little adjustments here and there, and we’ll go as, by mid-season, I think we’ll have adjusted what we want to do. But overall, I think the coaching staff has done a great job with that.’ Brooke, the two-time All-Filipino MVP, believes her experience from her parents coaching her for 10 years before college made it easier for them to call the shots for the Angels.

‘They taught me all my fundamentals, everything about volleyball, my volleyball IQ and everything. So it’s like picking up where we left off. I don’t feel anything weird about it. It’s actually nice to have the feedback right away because they watch every single game. They know the team very well,’ said Brooke.

Brooke is grateful to have her parents on her side and get instant feedback from them about the game.

‘I’m the type of volleyball player who breaks things down and really analyzes games. So I feel like it’s nice to finally have them right then and there versus having to wait until they wake up and watch the game and then get feedback on what I can improve on and stuff in the moment. So it’s really helpful,’ she said.

Gary faces a big test against defending champion Creamline on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. ‘At least we have one runner in the belt, but Creamline’s going to be tough. That’s like a rival for us, so we’re going to practice tough the next couple of days. We have tomorrow off, and then we’ll get ready for Creamline, and hopefully we play a good match,’ the new Petro Gazz said.

On the night NLEX was missing the services of a grieving Robert Bolick, one of its sophomores stood up to the challenge and made true what the Road Warriors’ ace scorer had been saying before the PBA Philippine Cup tipped off.

Jonnel Policarpio’s 16 points were one of the reasons why they were able to come from a 13-point deficit to survive defending champion San Miguel Beer, 85-84, on Wednesday at Ynares Center here. ‘We all contributed to this win,’ Policarpio said in Filipino after posting 16 points with three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Road Warriors.

Brandon Ramirez and JB Bahio were instrumental as well on both ends to cap off the crucial performances of coach Jong Uichico’s three sophomore frontcourt players.

But Policarpio’s showing seems to be an indication that the words Bolick made before the start of the season are holding true, at least for one game.

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Bolick had mentioned Policarpio, who averaged 6.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in 40 games with an average playing time of 14 minutes, as among those on the NLEX roster who are expected to ‘do big things’ this season. One indication was Policarpio’s part in NLEX’s triumphant run in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament in Davao City during the offseason, which ended with the Road Warriors taking home the crown after beating the Blackwater Bossing in the championship game.

His play also became doubly important, with Bolick skipping the season-opener to mourn the loss of his father in the United States. ‘The trust that Coach Jong [Uichico] has given to me is really important,’ said Policarpio. ‘Kuya Bert also reminds me to just do my best everytime I’m on the court. Their faith really helps boost my confidence.’

NLEX could end the opening week of the PBA season at 2-0, with Terrafirma next on Sunday at the same venue.

Policarpio, Ramirez, Bahio, as well as Enoch Valdez, Matt Nieto and veteran Kevin Alas are expected to put the Road Warriors on the winning side once more.

Ramirez scored baskets underneath while holding his own against June Mar Fajardo while Bahio had 12 points and 12 rebounds and made a stop in the final seconds when he forced Don Trollano to go for an errant pass instead of a shot before time expired. Valdez and Nieto made most of their playing time even as Alas contributed 12 points and showed the form that replicated the time before he went down with an ACL injury for the third time in 2023.

MANILA, Philippines-In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month this October, Sen. Loren Legarda paid tribute to the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) to the country’s cultural heritage, national identity and sustainable development.

‘The Philippines is home to scores of ethnolinguistic groups, many of which have maintained their unique pre-colonial cultures and practices. This is not a mere point of pride, but it represents a wealth of knowledge we can depend on for the future,’ Legarda said.

‘We have long regarded IPs as the bedrock of our nation, for it was them who laid the foundation of many of our traditions and practices that we Filipinos have embraced throughout the centuries.’

Legarda, principal author of the law declaring Aug. 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day, underscored that despite decades of advocacy, many indigenous communities continue to face major challenges, including threats to their ancestral domains from various commercial entities, the worsening impacts of climate change and the erosion of traditions and values due to globalization.

‘True nation-building means celebrating and learning from the traditions of our Indigenous Peoples, and ensuring that their communities are safe, thriving and respected,’ Legarda said.

‘We must integrate indigenous knowledge systems into national strategies on climate change adaptation, food security and biodiversity conservation. These are time-tested systems that have long sustained our people and our environment.’

‘Celebrating and learning from the traditions of the IPs, recognizing their inherent rights and partnering with them is to build a prosperous future that is also culturally vibrant and environmentally sound,’ she added.

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‘Hindi sila ang may pangangailangan sa atin, dahil nagmumula sa kanila ang ating pagka-Pilipino, at natutuklasan natin ito sa araw-araw, salamat sa kanilang mga naiambag.’

Legarda has long championed legislation that uplifts and empowers indigenous communities. She authored key measures such as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 and its amendatory measure, the Cultural Mapping Law, which mandates every local government unit to document and safeguard its cultural wealth.

She has also supported the Schools of Living Traditions, which pass on traditional methods indigenous people have used in the manufacture of various products such as textiles.

As principal author and co-sponsor of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law, Legarda also advanced the use of local textiles for official uniforms in government service-helping preserve indigenous weaving traditions and promote local livelihoods.

More than 20 environmental and civil society organizations are calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Congress to abandon ‘concrete-centric, corruption-riddled, and environmentally blind’ flood control projects in favor of nature-based solutions that are proven, cheaper, and more resilient.

In a joint statement sent to the President and Congressional leaders on Wednesday, the groups said they were united ‘in collective outrage and profound disgust over the systemic corruption plaguing the nation’s flood control infrastructure program.’ ‘The era of pouring billions into concrete-centric, corruption-riddled, and environmentally blind infrastructure must end,’ the statement read.

‘We do not simply call for the immediate prosecution and arrest of those responsible, though that is paramount-we demand a fundamental and transformative shift in the nation’s approach to disaster risk reduction including flood control,’ it added.

Invest in nature, not kickbacks

The coalition urged Congress to restore public confidence by reallocating scrapped or realigned flood control funds toward long-overdue government obligations that remain severely underfunded.

These include expansive reforestation and watershed management efforts; restoring mangrove and beach forests, as well as wetlands, to serve as natural shields against storm surges and erosion; rehabilitating rivers and creeks through ecological methods to regulate water flow, improve water quality, and create green public spaces; and enforcing Republic Act 11195 or the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS), which integrates the economic value of the country’s natural resources into national development and policy decisions.

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The coalition also called on lawmakers to urgently enact key environmental legislation aimed at addressing flooding risks-particularly the National Coastal Greenbelt Bill, which seeks to safeguard mangrove forests, and a nationwide ban on single-use and disposable plastics that often block drainage systems and waterways. The groups also urged national leaders to look to successful examples at the local level, citing how communities in Batanes, Busuanga (Palawan), Camarines Sur, Dumaguete, and Negros Island have adopted cost-efficient nature-based solutions that restore ecosystems while addressing local needs.

‘These solutions are less prone to corruption and abuse, they also create green jobs, while enhancing biodiversity and protecting nature,’ said Von Hernandez, Vice President of Oceana Philippines. ‘Nature does not expect or ask for kickbacks – but it will push back if you destroy and abuse it.’

Call to halt destructive reclamation projects

Fisherfolk leaders joined the growing call to end environmentally destructive projects, particularly reclamation activities that have worsened flooding in coastal communities. Pablo Rosales, president of PANGISDA Pilipinas, said these projects have damaged natural coastal defenses and disrupted water pathways.

‘Sinira at tinambakan ng reklamasyon ang mga baybayin at karagatang panangga namin sa daluyong sa panahon ng bagyo,’ Rosales said, stressing how these interventions have blocked natural water flows and left many low-lying towns submerged during storms.

(Reclamation has destroyed and filled in our coastlines and seas that served as barriers against storm surges during typhoons.)

He warned that many of these ventures benefit only business interests while placing vulnerable communities in even greater danger.

‘Kailangang itigil na ang mga proyektong ito na nagtataguyod ng mas malaking kita para lamang sa mga negosyante habang iniiwang naghihirap at nasa panganib ang mga mamamayan,’ he added.

(These projects must be stopped. They only serve to enrich a few businessmen while leaving ordinary citizens poor and in harm’s way.) The coalition emphasized that this is no longer just a question of infrastructure, but a defining choice for government leaders-one that will test their integrity, foresight, and true commitment to a resilient future.

‘We can continue to line the pockets of the corrupt with expensive, failing concrete or we can invest in proven natural systems that have protected us for centuries,’ the groups said. Aside from Oceana and PANGISDA Pilipinas, the signatories include:

Alyansa Tigil Mina

BAN Toxics

Center for Conservation and Innovations

Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation, Inc.

EcoWaste Coalition

Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC)

Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA Philippines)

Greenpeace Philippines

Health Care Without Harm – Southeast Asia

Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS)

Kalasag (Kabitenyong Alyansa Laban sa Seabed Quarrying)

Mother Earth Foundation

Resources, Environment and Economics Center for Studies (REECS), Inc.

Solidarity of Oppressed Filipino People, Inc. (DAMPA-SOFP)

Wetlands International

World Wide Fund for Nature – Philippines

Zoological Society of London/tsb

Three of the 15 contractors earlier tagged in the corrupt flood control projects in the Philippines are also involved in the allegedly anomalous farm-to-market road (FMR) projects, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

In a Kapihan sa Senado forum on Thursday, Gatchalian noted a pattern in these alleged anomalies, disclosing that from 2023 to 2024, the regions with the most FMR projects were Region 5 (Bicol Region) and Region 8 (Eastern Visayas). ‘When we were looking at the contractors for 2024, we saw that three of the 10 are part of the top 15 contractors in the flood control scandal. One of these is the Hi-tone [Construction and Development Corp], which is linked to Zaldy Co’s sibling,’ said Gatchalian speaking mostly in Filipino.

‘For me, all of these are not coincidental,’ said the senator who noted that when it comes to corruption, nothing is impossible.

‘When we talk about corruption, these culprits will make ghost projects, they will make it overpriced just to bag money,’ he added in Filipino.

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Gatchalian, during the Senate’s hearing on the proposed 2026 funding of the Department of Agriculture, revealed that over P10 billion worth of FMRs programmed under the 2023 and 2024 national budgets have been ‘extremely overpriced.’

One project, for example, cost 23 times more than the standard price set by the DPWH, while others saw markups of up to 70 percent, further bloating the project cost.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., meanwhile, said the DPWH set a standard cost of P15,000 per meter for FMRs, but this could be as low as P10,000 if the ’30 percent’ markup were trimmed.

Due to the gravity of these alleged overpriced FMRs, Gatchalian himself said he would recommend to the Senate blue ribbon committee to look into the scheme as well. ‘I would recommend the blue ribbon panel to look at these FMRs because of similar contractors involved. I would recommend the ICI to look at these FMRs because it is highly overpriced. From P15,000 per meter, they will increase it to P300,000 per meter. They are shameless when it comes to overpricing,’ said Gatchalian. /jpv

Artists and youth groups here staged a series of cultural performances on Tuesday, calling for an end to what they described as the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza.

The event featured workshops on theater, placard-making, poetry, and zine creation. It culminated in a small protest rally, where participants showcased the performances and artworks produced during the workshops.

The protest marked the second anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict’s escalation into intense airstrikes and ground assaults, which Palestinian health authorities say have claimed around 60,000 lives.

Earlier this year, the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association (PPFA) condemned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for continuing trade relations with Israel despite the reported atrocities. Anna Patricia Adiaz, a representative of the newly formed group Baguio for Palestine, explained that focusing on protest art was a conscious decision aimed at broadening the movement beyond traditional mass rallies.

‘Creative dimension’ ‘In Baguio, many artists actively engage in social issues, so it made sense to add a creative dimension to our advocacy,’ she told the Inquirer.

‘Artists are there, and we’re trying to make our campaign more creative and palatable to the public, so their participation is important,’ she added in Filipino.

The program featured cultural performances, including children singing an original song created during the workshop. An exhibit displaying information on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict was also set up.

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Gabriel Siscar, one of the event’s organizers, noted the importance of inclusivity in pro-Palestinian campaigns, especially since Baguio for Palestine had only been established a few days prior.

‘We’re trying to build connections with more groups, including artist collectives and students,’ he said in Filipino.

Siscar noted that art provides a powerful tool to amplify calls against Israeli and US aggression.

Sen. Camille Villar, the youngest member of the 20th Congress, has filed a bill seeking stronger protection for business process outsourcing (BPO) workers.

The earthquake that hit Cebu province last week underscored the urgency of the measure, as she called out Cebu-based firms that forced employees back to work amid the disaster.

Cebu-based BPO workers decried unsafe return-to-work policies, harassment and threats of job loss for prioritizing their safety after they were required to report back to work shortly following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

‘No worker should ever have to choose between their safety and their job. The welfare of our BPO employees must always come first,’ Villar said, reiterating her call for swift passage of the measure.

Senate Bill 1401, or the BPO Workers’ Welfare and Protection Act, seeks to institutionalize comprehensive safeguards for employees in the outsourcing sector.

A key provision directs the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to establish and strictly enforce Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) for BPO work, aligned with International Labor Organization (ILO) recommendations.

These standards must be reviewed annually and applied in all establishments, with compliance subject to regular inspections.

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Villar said these events emphasize why her measure is crucial: ‘BPO workers are at the frontline of our global service industry. Protecting their welfare means protecting the dignity of Filipino labor and ensuring shared prosperity.’

The bill also requires each company to craft its own Workplace Occupational Safety and Health (WOSH) policy, consistent with national standards but adaptable to local conditions.

Employers must review these policies annually with input from a designated Workplace Occupational Safety and Health Officer (WOSHO), enforcement officers and other authorized representatives, ensuring safeguards evolve with emerging risks and workplace realities.

Beyond workplace safety, the proposed measure prohibits the imposition of excessive company bonds and fees on employees who leave before a set period and explicitly protects them from discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability or any other status recognized under human rights standards.

The Samar Provincial Hospital (SPH), a 100-bed Level 1 facility based in the provincial capital of Catbalogan City, has reached full capacity as of October 7, 2025, with 275 patients currently admitted – nearly triple its intended capacity – as the province grapples with increasing healthcare demands.

In an advisory, hospital management confirmed that all wards are fully occupied, forcing staff to place new admissions in temporary holding areas while awaiting available beds.

Doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and other health personnel continue to provide care despite limited space and resources. ‘We are ensuring that all patients receive proper attention even with the shortage of hospital beds,’ the hospital said in a statement.

The advisory also urged the public to seek early medical consultation at the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD) to avoid worsening conditions that could require admission.

The overcrowding at the Samar Provincial Hospital reflects the broader strain on healthcare facilities across Eastern Visayas.

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Earlier, the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City – the region’s largest government hospital – issued a similar advisory, warning that its wards and emergency rooms were accommodating more patients than their capacity allows.

Aside from the 100-bed provincial hospital, the Samar provincial government also operates one 75-bed district hospital, two 25-bed district hospitals, and a 10-bed municipal hospital – totaling just 235 government hospital beds for the entire province.