AGrainofHopeoraSack ofDoubt?
In a small town in Davao del Sur, mothers lined up under the scorching sun, holding empty rice sacks and heavy hopes
The National Food Authority (NFA) truck had finally arrived, offering what many had been waiting for rice priced at ₱20 per kilogram For some it was a lifeline For others, it was a reminder of promises that seemed too good to be true
The ₱20 Rice Program was one of the most talked-about promises made by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr a vision of affordable rice for every Filipino table According to the Department of Agriculture (DA) the program uses governmentsubsidized stocks and local palay purchases to make rice available at only ₱20 per kilo in selected areas
Based on reports from The Philipp ne Star (2025), the pilot rollout started in Visayas and Mindanao, with plans for national expansion The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the rice comes from local farmers harvests, purchased at ₱19–₱23 per kilo of palay and milled for public sale
GrappleswithEarthquakeDamage andExtendsAidtoAffected Communities
Tuburan, Cebu – Following a magnitude 6 9 earthquake on September 30, 2025, at 9:59 p m , the Cebu Technological University (CTU) Tuburan campus has suspended classes to ensure the safety of all students and staff
The earthquake has caused significant damage to several school buildings, prompting immediate action from university officials This decision a ms to prioritize the well-being of the academic community amidst concerns over structural integrity The suspension will remain in effect until a thorough assessment of the buildings is completed Students and faculty are urged to stay informed through official university channels
The earthquake caused cracks in the walls and ceilings of multiple buildings, including the College of Education building raising concerns about their structural soundness University officials are diligently assessing the structura integrity of all campus buildings to determine the extent of the damage
This assessment is crucial for planning the necessary repairs and ensuring the safety of everyone on campus The administration is working closely with engineers and experts to expedite the evaluation process
AFTERTHERUMBLE
6.9-MAGNITUDE QUAKE ROCKS NORTHERN CEBU
magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Cebu at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, September
30, 2025, sending residents rushing outdoors and prompting emergency response efforts across the province.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the quake had a depth of five kilometers, with its epicenter located 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City The tremor was felt at Intensity VII (Destructive) in parts of northern Cebu and Intensity VI in nearby provinces such as Leyte and Negros Occidental
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that dozens of people were killed and hundreds injured, while thousands of families were displaced across the northern municipalities of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan Several homes, schools, and government structures sustained varying levels of damage
PHIVOLCS confirmed that no tsunami warning was raised but urged the public to remain cautious due to ongoing aftershocks Authorities continue to inspect infrastructure, including bridges and coastal roads, to ensure safety
Authoritiescontinuetoinspect infrastructure,including bridgesandcoastalroads,to ensuresafety”
By:JOELLEPADOR
By:JOELLEPADOR
hewaveofdonationsandvolunteerism highlightsCebu’sstrongsenseofsolidarityand
compassionamiddisaster
Intheaftermathofthepowerful69-magnitude earthquakethatstrucknorthernCebuonSeptember 30,communitiesfromacrosstheprovincehavecome togethertodelivermuch-neededaidtothose affected
Volunteers,civicorganizations,andprivate companieshavelaunchedwidespreadrelief operations,providingfoodpacks,bottledwater,and otheressentialsuppliestothousandsofdisplaced residentsinBogo,Medellin,Borbon,SanRemigio, andDaanbantayan
OneofthenotablecontributorsisPacificPrime, whichdonatedover₱318,000andmobilizeddozens ofvolunteerstodeliverreliefgoodstohard-hit communities Thecompany’sinitiativeprovided assistancetomorethan450families,offeringboth materialandmoralsupporttothosestrugglingto recover
Localuniversitieshavealsojoinedtheeffort StudentsfromtheUniversityofCebu–Lapu-Lapuand Mandaueparticipatedindonationdrives,
repackingfooditemsandbasicnecessitiesfor distributioninnortherntowns Theyouth’s involvementunderscoresthegrowingcivic awarenessamongCebuanostudents
Transportationoperatorsandvolunteerdrivers haveplayedacrucialroleinensuringaidreaches remoteareas Despitedamagedroadsand continuingaftershocks,theycontinuetodeliver goodstoevacuationcentersandisolatedbarangays
Authoritieshaveexpressedgratitudeforthe overwhelmingpublicresponse Asrehabilitation effortscontinue,theheartofCebubeatsstronger throughunityandgenerosity Inatimeofcrisis, Cebuanosonceagainprovethattheircompassion andresilienceremainunshaken
Astheprovincemovestowardrecovery,experts emphasizetheimportanceofearthquake preparednessandresilientconstructionpractices PHIVOLCShasreiterateditscallforstrictadherence tobuildingcodesandcontinuedcommunity educationondisasterresponse TheCebu experienceservesasareminderoftheregion’s vulnerabilitytonaturalhazards butalsoofits people’sremarkableabilitytorecover,rebuild,and standunitedinthefaceofadversity
CTUTuburanCampus;GrappleswithEarthquake DamageandExtendsAidtoAffectedCommunities
By:NeniaEhlicaL Moniera
By:JOELLEPADOR
Tcampushassuspendedclassestoensurethesafetyofallstudentsand staff.
The earthquake has caused significant damage to several school buildings, prompting immediate action from university officials This decision aims to prioritize the well-being of the academic community amidst concerns over structural integrity The suspension will remain in effect until a thorough assessment of the buildings is completed Students and faculty are urged to stay informed through official university channels
Students and faculty are reminded to be careful and also as repairs are underway to ensure the safety of the buildings The university is taking all necessary precautions to create a secure environment for everyone Regularupdates will be provided regarding the progress of the repairs and the timeline for reopening the campus The safety of the students and staff remains the top priority Everyone is encouraged to adhere to these safety guidelines
Despite the damage and ongoing repairs to its own facilities, CTUTuburan is demonstrating its commitment tocommunity support by extending aid to areas affected by the earthquake Relief goods are being distributed tocommunities in Hagnaya,Tabuelan, and San Remigio, providing essential supplies to those in need This initiative reflects the university's dedication to its social responsibility Faculty, staff, and students are actively involved in organizing and delivering the aid The university hopes to alleviate the challenges faced by neighboring communities during this difficult time
Furthermore, CebuTechTuburan continues to collect donations for a second delivery aimed at supporting the municipalities ofTabuelan and Tabogon, with all donations meticulously recorded by the University Extension Office and accepted at the covered court on the CTU-Tuburan campus
On Saturday, October 4, 2025, more than 50 dedicated volunteers composed of faculty members, employees, and students from CebuTechTuburan joined forces in a humanitarian effort following a request from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) The team traveled to Hagnaya Port in San Remigio to assist in the ongoing relief operations for earthquake victims in Northern Cebu
To continue academic activities, online synchronous and asynchronous classes are being implemented, ensuring minimal disruption to the academic calendar University employees and teachers are required to work on-site and will be observed to facilitate the smooth transition to online learning This blended approach aims to provide flexibility while maintaining the quality of education The university is committed to supporting both students and faculty during this transition
CTUTuburan's commitment extends beyond its own campus, with a dedicated response to aiding affected communities innorthern Cebu The university launched "Halad-Tabang," mobilizing aid for San Remigiofollowing the September 30 quake Afirst batch of relief supplies was sent to the Municipality of San Remigio,coordinated with CTU-San Remigio Extension Campus, demonstrating the university's rapid response capabilities This initiative, led by Campus Director Dr Ma CarlaAbaquita, FacultyAssociation President Dr Alona Ordoña, and Extension Office Chair Dr Devonna Celedonio, was launched just a day after the earthquake
Further details regarding online class schedules and resources will be available onthe university website The class suspension will remain in effect until further notice, and updates will be available on the university's official website and social media channels Additionally, due to the earthquake, the intramurals have been postponed and will be rescheduled for the second semester
Despite power and internet outages hindering initial efforts, the donation drive quickly garnered support from CTU-Tuburan’s faculty, staff, and the local community The relief items, valued at around ₱32,000 and consisting primarily of bottled water, rice, and canned goods, were handed over to CTU-San Remigio Campus Director DrRoda Larga, ensuring direct and efficient aid distribution
For approximately four hours, the volunteers worked tirelessly to unload 2,031 rescue kits from PCG barges onto wing vans and trucks These rescue kits contained essential items such as tents, mats, and flashlights crucial supplies for displaced families affected by the quake Due to earthquake damage, Hagnaya Port had become unsafe for regular truck operations, making the volunteers’manual labor vital in ensuring the swift transfer of goods to their intended destinations
The relief operation was successfully led by Dr Devonna Celedonio, Extension Service Office Chair, and Dr Ingersol Ed Guias, NSTPChair, who coordinated the CebuTech team’s efforts Gratitude was extended to the Local Government Unit ofTuburan, represented by Prof Siegfried Mendoza, for providing transportation support The initiative reflected CebuTechTuburan’s commitment to community service, unity, and compassion in times of crisis
By:JosuenGalupo
heIndependentCommissionforInfrastructure(ICI)hasuncoveredanextensiveandsystematic "kickbackscheme"primarilyinvolvinglegislatorsandengineersfromtheDepartmentofPublicWorks
andHighways(DPWH)inanomalousfloodcontrolprojects.Thisintricateschemeinvolvedlawmakers, actingasprojectproponents,insertingfloodcontrolprojectsintothenationalbudgetinexchangeforhefty commissions
WhistleblowertestimoniesfromformerDPWH engineersHenryAlcantara,BriceHernandez,and JaypeeMendozaserveastheprimarysourceof evidence,detailingthatthesekickbacks,or"standard operatingprocedure"(SOP),rangedfrom20%to 30%oftheprojectcosts TheICI’sInterimReport andRecommendations,submittedtotheOfficeofthe OmbudsmanonOctober29,2025,laysoutthe mechanicsofthescheme,confirmingthehigher kickbackpercentageforfloodcontrolworksandthat cashpaymentswerefunneledthroughDPWH officialsandcontractors
Amongthehigh-profileindividualsimplicatedinthe ICI'sinterimreportareSenatorsJinggoyEstradaand JoelVillanueva,andformerAkoBicolParty-list RepresentativeElizaldy"Zaldy"Co,alongwithformer DPWHUndersecretaryRobertoBernardoand others Accordingtotheswornaffidavitsoftheformer DPWHengineers,EstradaandVillanuevawere allegedlyinvolvedinchannelingnearlyabillionpesos worthoffloodcontrolprojectsinBulacan,receiving anestimated30%inkickbacks
Specifically,Alcantaratestifiedtopersonally deliveringapproximatelyP125milliontoanaide ofSenatorVillanuevaataresidenceinBocaue, Bulacan,connectedtoP600millionworthof projects,aclaimcorroboratedbyHernandezand supportedbyrecordsofcommunicationsusing disappearingmessages.
ZaldyCo,whoseairassetswerereportedtohaveleft thecountry,isaccusedofprofitingfromaneven largerscaleofprojectstotalingoverP35billionfrom 2022to2025,withtestimonydetailingmultiplecash deliveries,sometimesinvolvingbundlesofP50 millionpackedintosuitcases,tohisresidencesin TaguigandPasig
Thecorruptionscandalhashadacatastrophic impact,underminingthePhilippines'climate resilienceandpublicfinance.Billionsofpesos intendedforcrucialfloodcontrolstructureslike dikesanddrainagesystemshavebeendiverted orresultedinsubstandard"ghostprojects," leavingcommunitieshighlyvulnerabletothe escalatingthreatoftyphoonsandextreme weathereventsbroughtbyclimatechange
ReportsfromtheCommissiononAudit(COA), submittedtotheICI,havecorroboratedthese claims,detailingfully-paidprojectsthatareeither nonexistent,have"mismatched"locations,orfall drasticallyshortofapprovedspecifications The severelong-termconsequencesarehighlighted byGreenpeacePhilippinesandurbanplanning experts,whohavereferredtothelossofclimate adaptationfundsasan"obsceneplunder"that hasfatallyerodedthecountry'sdefenseagainst climatechange
ThepublicandpoliticalreactiontotheIntegrity CommissionofInquiry(ICI)findingshasbeenoneof shock,outrage,anddisbelief Thesheermagnitude oftheallegedcorruptionhasshakenpublic confidenceingovernmentinstitutions ICIofficials, ledbyretiredJusticeAndresReyes,personally submittedthe19-pageinterimreporttotheOfficeof theOmbudsman,callingforimmediatechargesof plunder,bribery,andviolationsoftheAnti-Graftand CorruptPracticesAct(RA3019) amovethat underscorestheurgencyofjustice
TheOmbudsmanwelcomedthereport,citingstrong evidencethatcouldspeedupthepreliminary investigation,buttheresponsehasbeenfarfrom unanimous Lawmakersandadvocacygroupshave calledforgreatertransparencyandmoredecisive action,includingtheissuanceofarrestandholddepartureorders FormanyFilipinos,thescandal representsmorethanjustanothercaseofcorruption it’satestofwhetherthejusticesystemstillworks forordinarycitizensorremainsashieldforthe powerful
Ultimately,thiscontroversyrevealsadeepercrisisof trust Everynewscandalchipsawayatthenation’s faithinpublicservice,especiallywhenaccountability appearsselectiveordelayed Thegovernmentnow facesadefiningmoment:eitheractdecisivelyto provethatnooneisabovethelaw,orriskdeepening thepublic’scynicism Inthefightagainstcorruption, silenceandinactionarenolongerneutralchoices theyarepartoftheproblem
