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PBBM: PH poised for upper middle-income status

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippines is ready for its transition to upper middle-income country status, urging stronger collaboration with partners to ensure inclusive and sustained growth.

In his keynote speech at the Philippine Development Forum (PDF) 2025 held at the EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City, President Marcos said the country’s economic progress must be matched with reforms that reflect accountability, alignment, and national ownership.

“This Forum also marks our readiness for the next step: our transition to upper middle-income country status,” President Marcos said.

The President explained that the milestone demands deeper partnerships based on shared goals, improved coordination, and stronger synergy between government, development partners, and the private sector.

President Marcos also expressed gratitude to international development partners for their continued support in helping the Philippines meet its aspirations.

“Your continued trust, expertise, and support help transform our vision into tangible outcomes,” the Chief Executive said.

President Marcos urged all government agencies and stakeholders to translate the Forum’s discussions into concrete action, ensuring a fair, strong, and future-ready Bagong Pilipinas.
“So, while we conclude this Forum with a Joint Declaration, we must remember:

Declarations by themselves do not create results – they do set the direction of what our collective actions will be… So long as we work together. (PR)

Calbayog mayor, advocates oppose wind farm in protected landscape

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PROTECTED AREA. One of the scenic waterfalls inside the Calbayog Pan-as Hahibayan Protected Landscape, a vital watershed and biodiversity haven now at the center of debates over a proposed wind power project. (CPHPL FACEBOOK)

Sec. Garin says all environmental laws must be complied

PROTECTED AREA. One of the scenic waterfalls inside the Calbayog Pan-as Hahibayan Protected Landscape, a vital watershed and biodiversity haven now at the center of debates over a proposed wind power project. (CPHPL FACEBOOK)

TACLOBAN CITY – Environment advocates and local officials in Calbayog City have raised strong opposition to the construction of a P20-billion wind power farm inside the Calbayog Pan-as Hayiban Protected Landscape (CPHPL), warning of its potential ecological and community impacts.

The Save Calbayog Rivers Foundation–a Concerted Effort (SACRIFICE) said the project, which will involve the installation of 38 wind turbines across 13 barangays, would cause irreversible damage to the 7,832-hectare protected area. Two barangays in the town of San Isidro, Northern Samar will also be included in proposed project.

“Turbines are sources of noise pollution. Wildlife habitats will be disturbed or destroyed. Our watershed, which supplies communities with water, will suffer collateral damage,” the group said in a statement. “Clearing old growth forest and conducting construction and drilling operations will increase risks of landslides, rockslides, and flooding.”

Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy also voiced his opposition, stressing that activities inside the CPHPL—which was declared a protected area under Republic Act 11038 on June 18, 2018—should not be allowed. He urged the revocation of a 2023 city council resolution endorsing the project.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in a statement issued on Thursday, October 2, said the government is supportive of renewable energy but emphasized that all projects must undergo strict environmental scrutiny.

“Renewable energy projects may be developed in any location, including protected areas, so long as all regulatory requirements have been complied with, including crucially, an environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Garin said.

The Singapore-based Vena Energy, through its local subsidiary Gemini Wind Power Project, proposed the development, which will not only install wind turbines but also build access roads, drainage systems, bunkhouses, and other facilities. The project aims to generate 304 megawatts of renewable energy.

The project has been endorsed by Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan and Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan, who earlier said it would boost local energy supply, create jobs, and generate income for the provinces.

However, environment groups and city officials maintain that placing the project inside a protected landscape poses long-term threats to biodiversity, water resources, and community safety.

JOEY A. GABIETA

Tingog party-list celebrates 13th year, highlights legislative gains

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TACLOBAN CITY – Tingog party-list marked its 13th founding anniversary with a reaffirmation of its commitment to resilient and people-centered governance, highlighting key laws and ongoing measures that benefit Filipinos across the country.

From its roots in Eastern Visayas, Tingog has expanded into a national movement in Congress, currently represented by Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Jude Acidre, and Andrew Romualdez. Over the years, it has sought to amplify the voices of the marginalized through both legislation and direct community service.

Among its major legislative accomplishments are 71 laws passed, including Republic Act (RA) 12288 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act; RA 12199 or the Early Childhood Care and Development System Act; RA 12124, which institutionalizes the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP); and RA 12076 or the Ligtas Pinoy Centers Act, which establishes disaster preparedness and response facilities.

Tingog has also filed several landmark measures in education such as the proposed Higher Education Development and Innovation Act, the Local Universities and Colleges Governance Act, and amendments to existing laws including RA 8292 (Higher Education Modernization Act) and RA 7796 (TESDA Charter).

Aside from education reforms, Tingog has pushed bills aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, including the Magna Carta of Children and the Magna Carta of Workers in the Informal Economy (MACWIE).

Beyond legislation, the party-list has also extended its services to communities nationwide through medical and livelihood assistance, scholarships, disaster relief, and grassroots programs for women, children, and senior citizens.

Rep. Yedda Romualdez described Tingog’s work as “lifelines and opportunities for countless Filipino families.”

“For 13 years, Tingog has been a steadfast advocate for healthcare, education, women, and children. Our legislative victories and ongoing measures are not just accomplishments on paper, they are lifelines and opportunities for countless Filipino families. Each challenge we faced only strengthened our determination to serve with integrity and compassion,” she said.

Rep. Acidre underscored that its strength lies in “listening to communities” and crafting long-term solutions.’

“Our journey has never been without trials, but Tingog has endured and emerged stronger because our foundation has always been the people we represent,” he said.

For his part, Rep. Andrew Romualdez emphasized the importance of partnerships with government agencies, local government units, and civic groups in ensuring inclusive reforms.

“As we celebrate 13 years, Tingog looks forward to deepening reforms in health, education, and social protection,” he said.

Now entering its 13th year, Tingog vowed to continue pursuing reforms in health, education, social protection, and workers’ welfare.

“Nakikinig. Nagsisilbi,” the group said in a statement, stressing that the voice of the people remains its driving force in Congress.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

Eastern Visayas police deployed to aid Cebu earthquake response

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BOGO CITY MISSION. Personnel from the PNP, BFP,and AFP in the region were dispatched to quake-hit Bogo City, Cebu as part of a humanitarian mission. OCD Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion (center) supervised the kick-off send off last Thursday, Oct. 2. (PRO-8)
BOGO CITY MISSION. Personnel from the PNP, BFP,and AFP in the region were dispatched to quake-hit Bogo City, Cebu as part of a humanitarian mission. OCD Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion (center) supervised the kick-off send off last Thursday, Oct. 2. (PRO-8)

TACLOBAN CITY – Police personnel from Eastern Visayas have been mobilized to augment disaster response operations in Cebu following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that rocked the province and nearby regions on September 30, 2025, leaving casualties, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted services in its wake.

On Thursday, October 2, the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), under Regional Director PB/Gen, Jason Capoy, joined the inter-agency send-off ceremony of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) VIII’s Regional Incident Management Team (RIMT) and other responders at the Headquarters Tactical Operations Group 8 (HTOG-8) of the Philippine Air Force in San Jose, Tacloban City.

From PRO-8, 22 personnel were dispatched during the ceremony, consisting of 17 security personnel, one emergency management officer, and four medical team members. This brings to 40 the total number of PRO-8 responders sent to Cebu, including the 18 personnel deployed on October 1.

Their mission includes assisting local units in maintaining public safety and restoring essential services.

The send-off also gathered representatives from partner agencies, among them the 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, Office of Civil Defense Region 8, Bureau of Fire Protection Regional Office 8, Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VIII, Department of Information and Communications Technology 8, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 8.

Capoy lauded the coordinated response, emphasizing that the joint deployment reflects the government’s “unity and shared responsibility in responding to disasters.” He underscored that the police’s involvement is not only in law enforcement but also in humanitarian work, aimed at helping Cebu communities recover from the disaster’s impact.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA /(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

NGCP report of full restoration of power in Eastern Visayas following the 6.9 magnitude quake in Cebu

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TACLOBAN CITY – Power has been fully restored in Eastern Visayas after the devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu, on Tuesday night, October 1, and was felt across the region, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced.

In an advisory, NGCP reported that the Leyte-Samar sub-grid was completely restored by 7:12 p.m., ensuring stable electricity supply in the region despite several transmission lines in other parts of the Visayas remaining out of service.

The earthquake had earlier forced four power plants to shut down, cutting off 348.2 megawatts from the supply. On the transmission side, the Tabango-Kananga 230kV Line 1 was restored at 9:18 p.m., but other major lines remain offline, including the Daanbantayan-Tabango and Daanbantayan-Compostela 230kV Lines, as well as the Leyte-Luzon 350kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Line.

The Visayas grid was briefly placed on yellow alert after reserves fell below the required level. This was lifted at 9:00 p.m. once available capacity reached 2,239 megawatts against a peak demand of 1,950 megawatts.

A yellow alert is declared when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the contingency requirements of the transmission grid.

NGCP assured that transmission services in the Visayas grid are now under normal operations, with restoration work continuing on remaining affected facilities.

(JOEY A. GABIETA)

DILG hails Eastern Visayas LGUs for full compliance with disclosure policy

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TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Eastern Visayas commended all 149 local government units (LGUs) in the region for being fully compliant with the Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) covering the 2nd to 4th quarters of 2024 and the 1st quarter of 2025.

The FDP requires LGUs to make financial documents available in at least three public places and in the FDP Portal to ensure constituents are informed on how local budgets are allocated, disbursed, and utilized.

DILG said the region’s 100 percent compliance reflects the LGUs’ commitment to transparency and accountability.

The policy also plays a vital role in national performance assessments, particularly the Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) and the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) under the Financial Administration and Sustainability Governance Area.

The DILG added that such compliance boosts public trust in local governments and demonstrates Region 8’s continuing advocacy for good governance practices.

Eastern Visayas, composed of six provinces, 136 municipalities, seven cities, and six provincial governments, has consistently been cited in recent years for improving governance standards.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

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