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Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson is stepping down as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, saying he has sensed some of his colleagues in the majority bloc no longer agree with how he has handled the committee’s investigations.

Lacson, whose leadership of the Blue Ribbon committee led to the implication of senators and government officials in the flood control corruption scandal, said he was drafting a letter of resignation to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, although he intended to first announce his decision on the Senate floor before the session adjourns for recess.

‘All committee chairpersons, whether in the Senate or in the House, we serve at the pleasure of our peers, particularly the members of our majority bloc,’ Lacson said yesterday in an interview over radio dzBB.

‘When my peers already lack faith in me, especially when a majority of them are unhappy over how the Blue Ribbon is being handled, maybe stepping down is an option,’ he added.

He said he has heard expressions of disappointment from majority senators such as JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian, which prompted him to reflect on whether it was time to yield his post.

Ejercito had earlier said he and four other members of the majority have started mulling over leaving the bloc, citing how senators are ‘burning down our own house’ by focusing on the alleged involvement of its members in flood control corruption while neglecting accountability for members of the House of

Representatives.

He issued the statement after Lacson revealed in interviews that almost all senators of the 19th Congress had questionable insertions into the 2025 national budget.

Gatchalian, meanwhile, voiced his wishes to leave the investigation of the flood control corruption scandal to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), saying ‘political agenda’ has tainted the Senate’s own probe.

Despite these, Lacson believes he has handled the hearings properly, though perceptions have been colored by frequent disruptions at the start of proceedings.

He also denied claims that the inquiry was selectively targeting certain senators – including former Senate president Chiz Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva – while sparing other figures linked to the alleged ‘architects’ of the controversy in the House of Representatives.

Lacson also addressed criticisms that his comments on the P100-billion budget insertions were dividing the chamber, saying his remarks were not meant to ‘burn the house down’ but to wake the Senate to public anger over questionable allocations.

‘I did not say the insertions were illegal. What’s wrong is if you inserted projects in the amendments, meddled with the implementation and earned a commission – that’s what’s wrong,’ he explained, saying he himself would introduce insertions into the budget of the Anti-Money Laundering Council due to its insufficient funding.

Lacson said he also took offense at remarks of some senators who insinuated to his face that he was grandstanding to build political capital, saying his fresh term would be his last.

‘I don’t have any political ambition or plan after 2031,’ he said.

Asked about the possibility of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta taking back the chairmanship of the Blue Ribbon panel if he steps down, Lacson said he would respect the decision of his peers.

Sotto’s leadership

Lacson said his respect and support for Sotto’s Senate presidency remain intact, stressing that his leadership has been marked by consensus and stability.

‘He governs smoothly, there is consensus, he does not dictate, he does not decide by himself,’ Lacson said. ‘If you will ask me, I will continue to support him.’

He also credited Sotto for reforms in the ongoing budget process, including the agreement not to certify the appropriations bill as urgent and to allow senators at least three days to review the budget between second and third readings – a move Lacson said promotes transparency.

Senate coup

Lacson also rejected talk of an alleged Senate coup to replace Sotto with Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

‘It’s the same old rehashed psy war tactic all over again intended to confuse and sow intrigue among the members of the majority,’ Lacson said in a message to reporters yesterday.

He said the rumor had nothing to do with his decision to resign as Blue Ribbon chair.

‘All I can say is – I can handle all the pressure. It’s frustration that’s hard to bear,’ he said.

‘Rest assured, there’s no waver ing in my advocacy against the corrupt and rotten system, particu larly the misuse and abuse of public funds,’ he added.

‘Turning point’

For House committee on public accounts chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, Lacson’s exit ‘leaves a significant vacuum in the fight for accountability in public infrastructure spending.’

Ridon highlighted that under Lacson’s stewardship, the Blue Ribbon committee has uncovered a broad conspiracy involving multiple layers of government and the private sector.

‘His leadership of the panel has yielded the most consequential testimonies and evidence among all proceedings,’ Ridon said.

Key admissions from individuals such as Henry Alcantara and Roberto Bernardo before the Senate panel were instrumental in exposing a complex network of corruption, Ridon noted.

These testimonies built upon earlier confessions from Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza at the House infrastructure committee, pointing to collusion among contractors, Department of Public Works and Highways officials, lawmakers, and even members of the executive branch.

With Lacson’s departure, Ridon called on the ICI to ramp up its efforts. ‘This should now compel the Independent Commission to conduct a broad, unrelenting and open sweep of all individuals named in both Senate and House hearings,’ he said, urging that accountability must not be derailed by the senator’s exit.

World Chess Olympiad veteran Idel Datu delivered a vintage performance and topped the inaugural Daily Fantasy Chess Grand Prix held on lichess.org over the weekend.

The 53-year-old Datu won his first six games including the sixth and penultimate-round upset over Grandmaster Darwin Laylo before splitting the point with Homer Cunanan in the final round to rule the one-day event with 6.5 points.

Cunanan finished second with six points while Laylo wound up third with 5.5 points while earning 48, 47 and 46 grand prix points, respectively, of this first of a 10-leg series.

The top 100 players after 10 stages will then qualify to the grand finale set January 11 next year.

Ronald Dableo, who is rating points away from breaching the 2500-mark and snaring the GM title, wound up at No. 4 with five points while FIDE Masters Noel dela Cruz and Arden Reyes, Mark Gerald Reyes, Eric Mordido, Stephen Manzanero, Jr. and Jake Tumaliuan rounding out the top 10.

Greenfield District Chess Club is organizing the event and is supported by Daily Fantasy, a sports fantasy app that emphasizes the importance of strategy in every battle.

Registration is free and participants only need to sign up with Daily Fantasy and use the code CHESS100.

An outpouring of support has flooded Northern Cebu after the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake, but the sheer volume of donations transported to affected areas is creating a new crisis: crippling traffic gridlock, and increasing threat of geological instability.

Due to the heavy traffic going to Northern Cebu, the Cebu Provincial Government, together with the Danao City Government, is urging all donors and volunteer groups to deliver their donations through the established donation hub in Danao City instead of going directly to the affected areas.

This hub was established to help decongest the roads, consolidate all donations, and ensure a faster and more organized distribution of aid to the areas affected by the earthquake. Vehicles heading north were also urged to turn back and drop off their donations in Danao City instead.

Over the weekend, travel to the affected areas took up to 10 hours, further delaying the delivery of relief assistance.

As aid continues to arrive in large volumes to northern Cebu, Liza Socorro Manzano, a retired chief geologist from the Lands Geological Survey Division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau’s central office, has raised concerns. She warned that the increasing weight of vehicles on the already fragile roads could lead to collapses and sinkhole formations.

Manzano’s concerns are amplified by the caution she made earlier about post-quake sinkholes, making her latest warning particularly urgent.

Hours before the hub was established in Danao City, the Cebu Provincial Government reported that donors had begun to drop off relief goods and essential items at the Provincial Donation Hub. This hub, located at the City Boardwalk near the port serving the Camotes route, aims to decongest roads, streamline distribution, and speed up delivery of aid to quake-hit towns.

However, the influx of donations resulted in hours-long traffic jams, hindering the delivery of aid to those who need it most and potentially weakening compromised road structures.

Manzano explained in brief via social media that the weight of these heavy vehicles is causing subsidence, where the ground compacts and sinks.

“Ang trak trak na donasyon paingon sa Northern Cebu dako kaayo na katabang, pero makabalaka kay modugang sa peligro ug disgrasya … Ang mga dalan kay apil man sa naapektuhan sa linog ug naay posibilidad na mahugno,” Manzano cautioned, suggesting alternative transport ways, such as via air or RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels to alleviate pressure on roadways.

She stressed the importance of prioritizing access for emergency responders and geologists assessing the ongoing risks.

The Capitol assured the public that the initiative aims to dispel concerns about donations being left idle. Items received at the provincial hub in Danao will be promptly loaded onto dump trucks and container vans for immediate delivery to the affected towns.

The Capitol said that using the large-capacity vehicles makes the operation more practical and efficient, capable in transporting far more goods than private cars. They added that this also eases the burden on individuals who might otherwise face long, traffic-congested trips to personally deliver their donations.

Authorities are urging donors to coordinate through official drop-off points, noting that the influx of private vehicles traveling north has caused heavy traffic, which in turn hampers relief and emergency operations.

Donations may also be dropped off at the Capitol Warehouse on M. Velez Street and the Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu Gym (General Maxilom Avenue Campus), as well as through other government offices and reputable organizations with established logistical capacity.

‘In this way, we keep roads clear for essential services, and ready to respond to emergencies especially that aftershocks are still felt causing landslides and road collapses,’ the Capitol said.

Capitol Public Information Office head Ainjeliz dela Torre-Orong assured the public that all relief goods delivered to the Provincial Hub in Danao City are immediately loaded onto trucks and dispatched to the affected towns. ‘It is the same situation and assurance for the relief dropped off at the Capitol Warehouse,’ she said.

However, she said that those who may be hesitant to entrust their donations to the government can instead coordinate with trusted non-government organizations (NGOs) or established private groups such as the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Philippine Red Cross, Junior Chamber International (JCI), Lions Club International, Rotary International, Eagles Club, and the Council of Evangelical Churches.

Orong emphasized that while the generosity of donors is deeply appreciated and encouraged, the province is appealing for a more strategic and coordinated approach to ensure that well-intentioned efforts do not unintentionally cause further challenges.

Through a centralized system, she said, traffic congestion can be reduced, resources can be maximized, and assistance can be delivered more efficiently to those who need it most.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Central Visayas, under Regional Director Joel Erestain, is also pleading for a more organized approach to donation distribution.

Erestain is urging donors to coordinate with local government units or the Incident Management Team (IMT) in Bogo City to manage the flow of traffic and ensure aid reaches safely to all affected communities.

The Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) has issued a public advisory emphasizing the need for coordination.

“For an organized distribution of relief goods and to reach the areas most in need, we encourage the public to coordinate with the local government units affected, or directly coordinate with the Incident Management Team (IMT),” the advisory states, highlighting the strain the uncoordinated influx is placing on local infrastructure.

Erestain also warned against spontaneous roadside distributions, which exacerbate traffic congestion and create potential safety hazards.

“Nakikiusap tayo. May nakikita ako na mga truck, biglang titigil sa gitna ng daan–namimigay. Sana ayusin na lang natin… Delikado ‘yan,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a structured and safe distribution system.

For those seeking to coordinate donation efforts and help alleviate the traffic crisis, the IMT can be reached at 0926-327-6397.

DSWD FOOD PACKS DISTRIBUTION

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 Field has distributed a total of 158,150 family food packs (FFPs) as of 4 am yesterday (October 5) to assist quake-affected families.

The relief packs were distributed to the hardest-hit areas in northern Cebu, covering the municipalities of Bantayan, Borbon, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Sogod, Tabogon, and Tabuelan, as well as the City of Bogo.

Each family food pack contains two three-kilograms of vacuum-sealed rice, four cans of corned beef, four cans of tuna, two cans of sardines, and sachets of coffee and chocolate malt drink. These provisions are designed to supply the basic food needs of a family for two to three days while awaiting further assistance or recovery.

Nicasio Armamento, a farmer from Borbon, Cebu, said the family food packs he received are a big help, even if only a temporary relief to their situation.

DSWD-7 Regional Director Shalaine Marie Lucero, in a statement, said the immediate distribution of food packs demonstrates the department’s commitment to respond to the urgent needs of earthquake-affected families and to augment the efforts of the affected LGUs.

‘Our priority is to ensure that no family goes hungry during this difficult time. The deployment of food packs to Cebu communities is part of our intensified relief efforts as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,’ said Lucero

The food packs were prepositioned at the Visayas Disaster Response Center (VDRC) in Mandaue City, which continues to produce additional relief goods daily to sustain the needs of affected families.

In situations where cooking is not possible, such as during evacuations or in areas with limited access to fuel or water, DSWD also provides ready-to-eat food boxes to ensure that immediate nourishment is available to displaced families.

Meanwhile, DSWD-7 has activated its Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to coordinate closely with LGUs and ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of assistance to affected communities.

Aside from relief distribution, the DSWD has assured families of continued resource augmentation, including non-food items, financial assistance, and psychosocial support, as part of its comprehensive disaster response.

‘We stand with the people of Cebu as they recover from the devastation of the earthquake. The Department will continue to work closely with LGUs to ensure that timely assistance reaches every affected family,’ Lucero added. –

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Halong, which may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and potentially become the second typhoon of October.

Halong, which will be locally named Quedan, was located approximately 2,150 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon yesterday afternoon, generating winds of up to 75 kilometers per hour near its center and waves reaching 90 kph.

The storm is moving northwestward at a slow pace, with its path largely dependent on surrounding high-pressure systems. If northern high-pressure zones dominate, Halong may remain outside the PAR; if influenced by high pressure near mainland China, it could enter the northeastern periphery of Philippine waters.

While Halong is not expected to affect the entire country, authorities are monitoring its potential to influence local weather, particularly in northern and eastern Luzon.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Matmo, formerly Typhoon Paolo, was last located 1,190 kilometers north of the Philippines and was moving toward southern China.

Although it poses no direct threat to the Philippines, Matmo is enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing cloudy skies and scattered rains to Palawan and the Kalayaan Islands.

While I’m a huge fan of stock option plans and feel they’re an underused compensation tool, I also recognize the signal risk they introduce when insiders exercise those rights and the subsequent disclosures trigger negative-leaning stories on social media. PLUS shareholders are once bitten (and therefore twice shy), but these sales happened months ago, and the impact was basically unnoticeable through all of the insane noise coming from Senators Villanueva and Gatchalian. Well, at least until Villanueva got sat down by allegations of grotesque corruption, and Gatchalian couldn’t squeal above the volume of the public’s rage for what the ruling class had done with our money. Timing is key.

PNR general manager Deovanni Miranda is asking Congress for an additional budget so that his agency could revive Lucena-Naga trips, spanning more than 250 kilometers, by the end of 2026.

For 2026, the Department of Budget and Management is proposing to give the PNR an allocation of P351.62 million, far from the original request of P9.19 billion.

Right now, the PNR is repairing the bridges and tracks to the north of Sipocot, Camarines Sur. It is aiming to reconnect the line to Lucena to provide commuters with rail transit when traveling in Southern Tagalog and Bicol.

Without the requested capital, Miranda said it would be challenging to sustain train services.

The PNR will use the funding to procure maintenance equipment and new locomotives to ensure that trips are comfortable and reliable.

‘The PNR still does not have good maintenance equipment and a train workshop in our southern operations. We still use the same old style of manual maintenance. We don’t have a new fleet of trains which can provide comfortable and reliable long-haul travel,’ Miranda told The STAR.

Fortunately, the PNR is receiving offers from rail operators in Japan and Taiwan for the donation of narrow-gauge locomotives to boost its fleet for Lucena-Naga trips.

The PNR is also ready to spend as much as P143.84 million to migrate its old trainsets in Manila and Caloocan to serve the Lucena and Camarines Sur lines.

A new, improved railway is waiting to be built in the Bicol Region, called the South Long Haul Project. The SLH was supposed to be funded by a loan from China, but Manila withdrew its request in 2023 due to Beijing’s inaction.

The SLH will build a 557-kilometer line between Sucat, Muntinlupa and Matnog, Sorsogon, parallel to the old Bicol Express. Since the SLH will deploy high-speed trains, it will slash travel time from Manila to Bicol to just four hours.

Economist and former Albay lawmaker Joey Salceda is hoping France will take the project as conveyed by French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin during his April visit.

Salceda recognizes the funding issue faced by the SLH, especially as it would cost P175 billion to build, making it one of the most expensive projects in the government’s rail pipeline.

For comparison, the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 is estimated to cost P68.2 billion, while the Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension Project requires less at P64.9 billion.

Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon is asking the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to find the SLH a new financier immediately.

Given the scale of the SLH, it is banked on to bolster the economic prospects of Bicol, one of the country’s poorest regions.

Based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, poverty incidence in Bicol remains one of the highest at 20.3 percent as of 2023. This is nearly double the national average of 10.9 percent.

‘It (SLH) can provide more impactful outcomes for the regional corridors of Bicol and Southern Tagalog on economic growth, poverty reduction and reduced travel times,’ Ridon told The STAR.

President Marcos has framed his administration as a period for rail renaissance, initially eyeing to partially operate within his term the country’s largest rail projects: the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway Project.

Instead, the DOTr was burdened with troubles in right of way acquisition, delaying the timelines of ongoing projects, while proposed ones like SLH lost potential funders.

The government has begun deploying psychometricians and psychosocial responders across Northern Cebu to help earthquake survivors cope with trauma and stress, marking a crucial shift from rescue to recovery following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

Mental health care has become a top priority as communities continue to endure aftershocks and emotional distress.

‘We are now in the recovery phase, and that includes mental health-especially for those who lost loved ones and for our exhausted health workers,’ said Department of Health-Central Visayas (DOH-VII) Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brilliantes.

‘We’ve started deploying psychosocial teams to various areas. We urge everyone to remain vigilant, especially with the ongoing aftershocks.’

Teams of psychometricians and mental health professionals from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) Center for Behavioral Health have already arrived in San Remigio Gym to conduct psychological debriefings and post-earthquake interventions.

Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, daughter of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, confirmed that additional teams from DOH Manila will be deployed in the coming days to continue the mission of healing and support.

The initiative is part of the government’s expanded recovery operations after the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) officially terminated Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) operations on October 2 in San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Medellin, and Bogo City. All missing persons have been accounted for.

Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Harold Cabreros, who joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his visit to Bogo City, underscored that while the search phase has ended, the mission to sustain and protect lives continues.

‘The period of saving lives has now shifted into the period of sustaining lives,’ Cabreros said.

According to the latest data from the OCD and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the quake left 72 people dead, more than 500 injured, and around 171,000 individuals affected across 53 barangays in northern Cebu.

More than 4,000 families-about 20,000 individuals-remain displaced, many of them sheltering in open areas and tent cities.

Experts stressed that mental health care is not optional in disaster recovery but essential. Earthquakes can leave invisible wounds-anxiety, grief, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress that persist long after physical injuries have healed.

Children, the elderly, and those who witnessed death or destruction are especially vulnerable. Without proper intervention, these psychological impacts can hinder recovery, strain relationships, and deepen suffering.

Post-trauma care helps individuals process their experiences, regain a sense of safety, and rebuild emotional resilience. It also supports health workers and responders who face immense pressure and emotional fatigue.

By prioritizing psychological support, the government affirms that recovery is not just about rebuilding homes-it’s about restoring lives.

To further ensure access to care, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has directed PhilHealth to implement zero-balance billing for earthquake survivors and the families of the deceased.

Patients referred to private hospitals or DOH facilities-including VSMMC, Eversley Childs Sanitarium, Talisay District Hospital, and Cebu South Medical Center-will receive full coverage under this directive.

PhilHealth Regional Vice President Marjorie Cabrieto and officers from PRO VII have conducted hospital visits in Northern Cebu to assess urgent needs and validate patient data.

The Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package remains available for accredited hospitals treating quake-related injuries.

Meanwhile, relief efforts continue with the distribution of aquatabs, hygiene kits, water containers, and essential medicines.

For health emergencies, DOH-Central Visayas has activated its 24/7 Emergency Healthline, accessible via #0711 for Globe and TM users, with alternative numbers available for Smart and landline subscribers.

He’s virtually won every possible award in the PBA but nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo remains hungry for more.

And what he wants to win next isn’t another MVP run in Season 50, which would further his greatness, but something that benefits his San Miguel Beer teammates.

‘More championships pa,’ said Fajardo, who has 11 rings entering the league’s golden season.

‘Lahat naman ng players yun ang goal. Maraming championships pang darating bago ako mag-retiro,’ he said.

Fajardo was named MVP for the third straight season and led the achievers in yesterday’s Season 49 Leo Awards at the Novotel Manila.

JMF amassed 3,041 points from stats and votes from players and media to soundly beat NLEX’ Robert Bolick (1,914) and former NorthPort star Arvin Tolentino (1,901) for the top individual.

‘The Kraken’ also went home with trophies for First Mythical Team and All-Defensive Team.

SMB’s CJ Perez and TNT’s Calvin Oftana joined JMF, Bolick and Tolentino in the First Mythical Team while TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin, Magnolia’s Zav Lucero, Ginebra’s Stephen Holt and Titan’s Joshua Munzon shared the stage with Fajardo in the All-Defensive 5.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has ordered its key shelter agencies (KSAs) to implement a moratorium on housing amortization in areas hit by typhoons and the recent earthquake that struck Cebu province.

The directive, issued by DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, complies with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s instruction to extend all possible assistance to disaster victims.

‘Alinsunod sa utos ng Pangulo, handa ang DHSUD at aming mga attached agencies upang umagapay sa mga biktima ng kalamidad patungo sa kanilang pagbangon,’ Aliling said.

The moratorium applies to members of Pag-IBIG Fund, National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), National Housing Authority (NHA), and Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC)-all under DHSUD’s oversight.

‘Bilang paunang tulong ay sinuspinde na namin ang housing amortization sa mga members na naapektuhan ng mga bagyo at lindol sa Bicol at Cebu,’ Aliling added.

The Housing Secretary specifically instructed the heads of the four KSAs to immediately declare the suspension of amortization for members affected by typhoons ‘Nando’ and ‘Opong’ in Bicol, and the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that devastated parts of Cebu.

He emphasized that the moratorium would ease financial pressure on families struggling to recover. ‘Malaking bagay sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo at lindol ang hindi na muna alalahanin ang pagbayad ng buwanang amortization sa panahong ito,’ Aliling stressed.

As part of the broader whole-of-government response, DHSUD also mobilized its regional offices to conduct ground assessments of shelter damage and coordinate with other agencies and private sector partners for immediate housing assistance.

On Friday, Aliling sent a DHSUD team to Cebu to evaluate the situation on the ground. The following day, top officials joined an interagency meeting in Bogo City-one of the hardest-hit areas-to align government and NGO efforts.

Undersecretaries Ed Robles and Ramon Quintin Allado, and Assistant Secretary Hernando Caraig Jr. participated in the meeting alongside Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon and other national officials.

The DHSUD team also inspected residential areas in Barangay Dakit, Bogo City, believed to be near the fault line that triggered the quake.

They visited the proposed site for a ‘tent city’ that will temporarily shelter displaced residents who lost their homes or remain afraid to return.

‘Alinsunod po ito sa direktiba ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. para sa pagsasanib-pwersa ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno at pribadong sektor sa pagtulong sa pagbangon ng ating mga kababayang nabiktima ng lindol sa Cebu,’ Aliling said.

The moratorium stands as a critical first step in DHSUD’s disaster response, offering immediate financial reprieve, while longer-term shelter solutions are being mobilized.

It hits differently when a classroom full of curious school kids become engrossed in a game – not from a digital gadget, but from a classic board game.

The game, called Master of Disaster (MOD), features a map and play cards with images and icons indicating storms, floods, earthquakes and fires.

Morbid? Not for the kids and their teacher, who find the game as encouraging as it is educational. While the goal is to win just like in any game, MOD provides the kids with the opportunity to learn how to prepare and plan for various disasters, including the value of non-life insurance.

Each player recognizes the need to make choices, whether to spend available resources on rebuilding, or invest on preparing through insurance.

A winning partnership for the curriculum

The initiative is part of a new collaboration between the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC), through its affiliate Malayan Insurance Co. Inc. (Malayan) and the non-profit Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST).

ASSIST developed MOD and helped Malayan with the donation of the board games to select schools nationwide.

More than just a donation drive, the collaboration allows MOD to be integrated into the curriculum through a structured training and support program, ensuring that teachers can use it not only as entertainment but also as a real tool for learning.

This innovative approach aligns with the Department of Education’s emphasis on Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction and underscores the insurance industry’s role in protecting communities.

Why non-life insurance matters

YGC looks at the program beyond social responsibility and community development. It’s also about future-proofing the way the next generation makes decisions when disasters strike.

For Malayan, this is more than just a game – it’s a tool that builds a culture of preparedness and resilience at a very young age. By making complex concepts simple and engaging, the company is building disaster resilience from the ground up.

Children learn this in the classroom, then bring their new knowledge home where they can discuss disaster preparedness with the family and protect themselves and their property with insurance.

Strategic thinking from the game

Traditionally, schools teach kids how to react in case of disaster emergencies through evacuation drills and related lectures.

Information about financial aftermaths of disasters may be too much for young minds to absorb, so simulations make up for the possible overload.

MOD goes beyond the duck, cover and hold exercise and other similar drills and lectures. The game makes the players think like strategists, taking into consideration the protection of their family, their home and their community before disasters strike.

They develop forward thinking, making up ‘what-if’ scenarios in their heads if they prepare – or don’t.

Triumph from a disaster game

Rolling the dice for education is truly an extraordinary way for a young student to become a ‘master of disaster.’

Survival is no longer a scene from a disaster movie they watched on TV or the moviehouse, and the word ‘insurance’ is not just a word for adults to talk about.

For YGC, teaming Malayan with ASSIST is a triumph in turning a game into a strategic new skill and knowledge for the young generation toward disaster resilience.