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The local government here has launched ‘Tabang Kauban,’ a relief drive for the province of Cebu many of whose residents were affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on September 30.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) chief Nick Jabagat said the city will send non-food relief items, including mats, tarpaulins, and ropes for setting up tents and sleeping arrangements. The items are expected to be dispatched as soon as possible.

Jabagat said residents who wish to contribute may coordinate with the CDRRMD.

Jabagat added that they hope to provide sleeping-related supplies amid the dire need for shelter, especially among those who were left homeless.

University of the Philippines stifled National University for a 66-59 win on Saturday in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-2 and handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the young season after a 3-0 start. UP clamped down defensively when it mattered most, holding the Bulldogs to just 10 points in the fourth quarter after trailing by one entering the period, 49-48.

Fighting Maroons’ assistant coach Christian Luanzon credited the squad’s defensive showcase to their stellar communication inside the court.

‘What’s important was, everyone was involved in communication, everybody was on the same page with our coverages,’ Luanzon said. ‘I thought we did a better job in the second half for being on the same page.’

At one point in the final frame, the Fighting Maroons built a 13-point cushion, 65-53, off a Reyland Torres mid-range jumper with 34 seconds remaining.

NU tried to rally late but never got close enough to threaten a deadlock before the final buzzer.

The Fighing Maroons’ twin towers of Francis Nnoruka and Gani Stevens finished with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Steve Nash Enriquez paced NU with 16 points, while Gelo Santiago added 10 in the losing effort.

The passing of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong is a ‘tremendous loss’ for the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), according to a top presidential aide.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo described Balindong as a ‘pillar of the Bangsamoro government’ whose contributions are ‘deeply etched in the history of the region.’

Lagdameo pointed out that the Speaker’s commitment to peace and the welfare of the Bangsamoro people should guide current and future regional leaders. ‘Speaker Balindong’s efforts and legacy must not only be honored but also carried forward by those in leadership. His vision for peace, reform, and development in the Bangsamoro should continue to inspire governance in Barmm,’ Lagdameo said in a statement.

He added that the reforms and initiatives championed by the late Speaker in the Bangsamoro Parliament are foundational to the region’s current peace and progress.

Balindong, who died on October 2 at age 85, left behind a long legacy of public service. He represented Lanao del Sur in Congress, first from 1995 to 1998, and then from 2007 to 2016, and served as a member of the BTA Parliament from 2019 until his death.

He was also a prominent advocate for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the landmark legislation that established the Barmm.

In the aftermath of the Magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu province, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) urged local government units (LGUs) nationwide to adopt advanced disaster preparedness technologies developed by its partner institutions.

Speaking on Friday at the close of the Regional Science and Technology Week in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said earthquakes cannot be predicted but their impacts can be mitigated.

‘We already have tools and technologies to assess risks and reduce potential loss of life and property,’ he said.

Solidum highlighted accessible technologies designed to aid LGUs and the public in disaster risk reduction and management:

HazardHunterPH: A one-stop platform for multi-hazard assessment that provides data on various natural risks;

How Safe is My House?: A mobile application that allows homeowners to self-assess the structural safety of their homes against earthquakes;

GeoRiskPH: A geospatial data system that provides accurate hazard and risk assessments;

Project OMEGA (Deterministic Ground Shaking and Earthquake-Induced Landslide Hazard Modeling Using Geophysics, Remote Sensing, and Artificial Intelligence): Designed to help citizens better understand their exposure to hazards such as fault lines, flood zones, and tsunami risks;

REDAS (Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System): A software tool for simulating and estimating the potential impacts of earthquakes immediately after they occur.

Misamis Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal expressed his enthusiasm for the ‘game-changing’ technologies.

He committed to organize province-wide training for all DRRM stakeholders, particularly in the cities of Oroquieta, Ozamiz and Tangub.

‘We are lucky that there are no identified fault lines in our province, but that should not make us complacent,’ he said

US-based outsourcing company TaskUs Inc. has unveiled its 11th site in Las Piñas City, as it further expands its presence in the Philippines.

TaskUs said it is targeting to increase the number of ‘teammates’ or employees at its Las Piñas office to 1,500 from the current 700 by the end of this year.

The latest site is called Hiraya, named after the Filipino term for the fulfilment of hopes and dreams. It will support global customers through expertise across multiple work types, including customer service, sales, technical support, non-voice operations and content moderation.

The American firm chose Las Piñas as the location of its new site since 80 percent of workers reside in the city or its immediate vicinity. Another reason is the city’s accessibility to major highways and thoroughfares.

‘Plus, with 14 colleges and universities nearby, our investment here will provide employment opportunities to a highly educated talent pool,’ said Dean Van Ormer, senior vice president for Southeast Asia at TaskUs.

The Las Piñas site features purpose-built spaces such as a day care center, mother’s rooms, 24/7 clinic access, wellness coaching areas, a gym and a cafeteria.

Ormer said TaskUs has potential to expand its footprint in the metropolis. But he did not provide additional details about expansion plans as these are being studied.

‘I think we do have the ability to grow in the metro,’ Ormer said. ‘Now, whether it’s on the outskirts of the metro or in the provincial (areas), this is something we need to be able to look at.’ /rwd

TNT finally signed Jio Jalalon to a contract after he was not offered an extension by Titan Ultra, the new team that took over the franchise of NorthPort.

Jalalon inked on the dotted line before his agent Danny Espiritu and Tropang 5G team manager Jojo Lastimosa, finding a PBA team on the eve of the 50th season opener.

His move to TNT has been an open secret for weeks after Jalalon was spotted taking part in practices. Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes said Jalalon was free to try out after his NorthPort contract expired last Aug. 31.

But Jalalon had to wait before he could become an unrestricted free agent as NorthPort, later Titan Ultra after the PBA approved Pureblends Corporation’s franchise acquisition, was given a 30-day period to make an offer.

NorthPort was supposed to actually trade Jalalon to Blackwater for Justin Chua but the league scrapped the proposed deal due to a moratorium related to the pending Pureblends purchase.

Titan Ultra, however, opted otherwise until the period lapsed after Sept. 30, opening the door for Jalalon to go to any team he chooses.

Jalalon is the latest free agent to join a TNT side eager to build on its near-Grand Slam season after the Tropang 5G signed Kevin Ferrer and Tyrus Hill in the offseason.

He also bolsters a loaded backcourt composed of Jordan Heading, RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac and veteran Jayson Castro.

The Tropang 5G are Jalalon’s third team in a PBA career that began in 2016 with Magnolia. He joined NorthPort last season in a multi-player trade that sent Zavier Lucero to the Hotshots.

University of Santo Tomas stretched its unbeaten run to three games after a 99-42 rout of the University of the East in the UAAP Season 88 women’s basketball tournament Saturday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Growling Tigresses took control early, pouring in 25 points in the first quarter while holding the Lady Warriors to just five to set up the 57-point blowout. UST now sits alone atop the standings at 3-0.

Coach Haydee Ong credited her team’s focus and discipline, especially after UE’s close overtime loss to the University of the Philippines last week.

‘We’re happy that our game plan was followed,’ Ong said. ‘At the start of the season, I told my team that we need to focus on individual and team defense. We want our opponents to perform below their average every time we face them.’

UST dominated both ends, forcing 32 turnovers that led to 30 points off UE miscues, while also tallying 28 steals. Nigerian center Oma Onianwa continued her solid play with 17 points and six rebounds in just 19 minutes. Kent Pastrana had 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Breana Pineda added 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

Karylle Sierba also chipped in 11 points as Ong rotated all 15 active players, except guard Eka Soriano, who sat out with an ankle injury.

UE dropped to 0-3, extending its losing streak to 13 games dating back to last season. Ivy Yañez led the Lady Warriors with 12 points, while former UST high school standout Rachel Lacayanga scored 10.

Both teams return to action next Saturday at the newly renovated Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym-the first women’s division game there since Season 82.

Sea travel for all vessels in Quezon province resumed at Friday midnight after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) lifted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) over the area.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Quezon’s Real town lifted the sea travel ban after Pagasa issued Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 17 at 11 p.m. on October 3 announcing that the TCWS over the Polillo Group of Islands in the northern part of the province has also been lifted.

‘In this regard, all trips of vessels plying the route within the area of responsibility of Quezon province are now resumed to their normal operations,’ the PCG said in a public notice signed by Lieutenant Dawn Baterbonia, commander of PCG-Northern Quezon.

The PCG had suspended the voyages for all vessels and watercraft bound for the Polillo group of islands in the Pacific Ocean and General Nakar town last Thursday due to the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 and rough sea conditions caused by Typhoon Paolo (international name: Matmo), which weakened to a severe tropical storm after it passed the northern Luzon landmass on Friday afternoon.

Paolo has left the Philippine area of responsibility, Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. Saturday bulletin

Typhoon ‘Paolo’ (international name: Matmo) lashed Luzon on Friday, triggering widespread floods, power outages, evacuations and infrastructure damage across northern and central Luzon as it made landfall in Dinapigue, Isabela.

The latest weather disturbance happened while the country has yet to recover from the series of destructive storms that hit most of Luzon and the Visayas last month and while still coping with the deadly magnitude 6.9 earthquake that crippled northern Cebu province on Sept. 30.

‘Paolo’-packing sustained winds of up to 130 kilometers per hour and gust of up 201 km/h-when it hit Isabela, slightly weakened as it crossed the mountainous areas in northern Luzon but not before leaving a trail of damage across the Cagayan Valley Region, which is composed of the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.

In Mariveles, Bataan, rampaging floodwater rose as high as chest deep, or at least 4 feet, with many residents trapped in their houses, as shown in a viral video posted at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook by one of the residents, ‘MJ Martin,’ who was seeking rescue.

In Isabela and Cagayan, strong winds toppled trees and road signages, while thousands of sacks of palay and corn left out to dry were drenched by rain, adding to farmers’ losses.

Farmer Inocencio Bayucan, 50, lamented the sharp drop in farmgate prices due to the inclement weather caused by the recent tropical cyclones.

‘Lugi manen (we again suffered losses),’ he said, noting palay prices now fetch only P8 to P10 per kilo compared to the P20 average in past cropping seasons.

In Echague town, Isabela, at least 500 families were preemptively evacuated due to rising rivers, while another 500 families in northern Cagayan were moved to higher grounds and evacuation centers.

Dam release

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported power interruptions affecting Isabela Electric Cooperative 1 and Ifugao Electric Cooperative at 10:26 a.m. after the Santiago-Alicia 69kv line tripped. Restoration efforts were still ongoing.

In Quirino, heavy rains flooded roads and spillways in Diffun and Aglipay. The Diffun-Santiago road in Purok 6, Barangay Isidro Paredes was declared impassable to light vehicles, while the San Francisco spillway in Aglipay was submerged.

The National Irrigation Administration said Magat Dam, which straddles the boundary between Isabela and Ifugao. began releasing water through six spillway gates starting 1 p.m. on Friday, reaching a cumulative 12-meter-high release by 5 p.m.

Magat Dam’s total water discharge was estimated at 1,761 cubic meters per second, which could raise water levels by half a meter at Tuguegarao’s Buntun Bridge within 20 hours.

In Pampanga, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council raised alert levels from blue to red, requiring round-the-clock operations from local disaster councils. As of 2 p.m. on Friday, at least 60 villages in San Fernando, Sta. Ana, Apalit, Candaba, Macabebe, Minalin, and San Simon were flooded.

Class suspension

In Zambales, classes were suspended in several towns and Olongapo City while government offices in San Narciso town also suspended work starting 3 p.m. on Friday, except for essential services.

In Zambales’ San Marcelino town, a portion of a riprap collapsed beside a house in Sitio Oit, Barangay Sta. Fe, spilling rocks and mud onto the road and blocking passage. Clearing operations are underway.

In Olongapo City, the river level at Kalaklan Bridge rose to 1.6 meters by 3:20 p.m., breaching the warning threshold of 1.5 meters.

The Philippine Coast Guard earlier suspended sea travel across Zambales due to rough seas.

Floodwaters also submerged parts of Barangay Balon-Anito in Mariveles, Bataan, on Friday afternoon, while six other low-lying villages were inundated and rendered impassable to small vehicles.

Earlier that day, a landslide occurred in Zone 6, Barangay Camaya, also in Mariveles, amid heavy rains.

No one was reported injured.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 over the southwestern portion of Isabela, the northwestern portion of Quirino, northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the southern portion of Abra, the southern portion of Ilocos Sur and the northern portion of La Union. Warnings in effect

TCWS No. 3 was hoisted over the northern and central portions of Aurora, the rest of Isabela, the rest of Quirino, the central portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, the central portion of Abra, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and the rest of La Union.

TCWS No.2 was raised over the central and southern portions of Cagayan, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, the rest of Abra, the central and southern portions of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Nueva Ecija, the northern portion of Tarlac and the northern portion of Zambales.

Batanes, the rest of mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Ecija, the rest of Tarlac, Bulacan, Pampanga, the rest of Zambales, the northern portion of Quezon, including Polillo Islands, and Camarines Norte remained under TCWS No.1.

According to Pagasa, Paolo’s center of the eye was estimated to be northeast of the vicinity of Mayoyao, Ifugao at 2 p.m on Friday while moving west northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour (kph). It packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph.

Three days after a devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu, survivors in coastal and upland villages continued to appeal for food, water, and shelter as relief operations remained slow in reaching far-flung areas.

The provincial government acknowledged that many have indeed not received help but said it was setting up incident command centers (ICCs) in every barangay to fast-track the distribution of urgent necessities, such as water and food.

Authorities have also begun redirecting its operations from clearing and relief work to assisting in rebuilding efforts, including conducting assessments on buildings and other critical infrastructure damaged by the quake.

With help slow in trickling in, some residents in Barangay Tacup, San Remigio, one of the hardest-hit areas, have been forced to barter the little that they have, such as bananas and sweet potatoes, in exchange for clean water.

In a coastal village in Sitio Takdan 2, Barangay Polambato of Bogo City, some families whose homes have been damaged or deemed unsafe have resorted to building makeshift tents. ‘Any help will do, even just for the children. Many households are here, but we feel forgotten compared to those along the main roads,’ said resident Daniela Pepito, noting that relief goods have largely been distributed in more accessible areas.

In Tabogon town, several families in Barangay Ilihan, have turned a cemetery into a temporary shelter for fear of aftershocks.

In Barangay Gairan, survivors have temporarily evacuated upland for safety. But Melvi Maris Rosales, one of the residents, said the aid they have received remained insufficient to cover their daily needs for food and water.

Centralize donations

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro noted that provincial operations only began on Thursday, Oct. 2, that’s why relief operations have yet to reach some of the victims.

‘We have to understand that our [local government units] are also affected, our mayors also have to deal with what happened to them, that’s why [the] Cebu [provincial government] has been there from Day One to help them out,’ Baricuatro said at a press briefing.

She assured that the provincial government has rushed the setting up of ICCs to coordinate the help pouring in.

Baricuatro also appealed to private donors to centralize their donations to prevent heavy traffic on northern roads and ensure safety amid continuing aftershocks. ‘We appreciate the overwhelming support, but we ask private individuals and organizations to centralize the donations. It is not advisable for everyone to go there and do their own distribution,’ she said.

Many survivors who have yet to receive any assistance expressed frustration over the distribution process.

‘It’s heartbreaking, it really crushes my heart. It’s so painful for people who haven’t eaten at this time,’ said one resident, who requested anonymity.

Along roads in Sogod, Borbon, Tabogon, Medellin, and Daanbantayan, survivors lined up holding cardboard signs begging for food and water, waving at passing cars in hopes of receiving aid.

The earthquake, which struck Cebu on Tuesday, left 68 people dead and caused widespread destruction, damaging homes, schools, churches, and vital infrastructure. The tremor was also strongly felt in Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, and Leyte, forcing thousands to flee their homes.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday amended the number of fatalities from 72 following a validation process by the Management of the Dead and Missing cluster, a subgroup under the disaster response cluster led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

OCD VII regional director Joel Erestain also explained that the discrepancy was due to duplicate entries in initial reports.

‘It’s a matter of double entry,’ he said. He also cautioned that the tally could still change.

Mobile, foot patrols Philippine National Police acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said personnel have been instructed to mobilize resources for disaster response and rehabilitation.

‘We maintain full coordination with the local government units and other agencies involved in the rebuilding process. All our personnel on the ground are actively doing their share to achieve this goal,’ Nartatez said.

He added that police presence in affected areas had been increased, with ‘mobile and foot patrols intensified, checkpoints established in key routes, and close coordination with disaster management teams’ to safeguard residents and act swiftly against any attempt to exploit the situation.

On Friday, a magnitude 5.1 aftershock struck northern Cebu, said the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

In its Facebook update, Phivolcs said the tremor occurred at 5:39 a.m., with a magnitude of 5.1, located 18 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at a depth of 10 km.