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Typhoon-hit families get P3-M aid

Aboitiz Group provides clean drinking water as part of its relief efforts for communities affected by Typhoon Tino.

ABOITIZ FOUNDATION and Aboitiz business units, through their OneAboitiz initiative, mobilized over P3 million worth of relief and recovery operations in disaster-stricken communities in Cebu and other parts of Visayas and Mindanao following the onslaught of Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally called Tino.

In partnership with local government units, Aboitiz Foundation distributed 7,200 food packs and non-food items and delivered 158,000 liters of drinking water to more than 12,500 families in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and Dinagat Islands.

“Our collective action shows what OneAboitiz is all about standing together for our people and our communities,” Sabin M. Aboitiz, chairman of the Aboitiz Foundation, was quoted as saying in a media release on Thursday.

“These floods remind us that while we can’t control nature, we can control how we respond with compassion, courage, and care. Let’s look out for one another, not just today but through the recovery that follows.”

Aboitiz Foundation, which kicked off relief distribution on Wednesday, will continue extending support this week to areas such as Cebu City, Mandaue, Liloan, Toledo, Talisay, and Balambang among others.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Water will particularly provide potable water, while AboitizPower distribution utilities, including Visayan Electric, Davao Light and Cotabato Light teams, will work to restore power lines downed by the typhoon.

Also among the Aboitiz units that supported the operations were: Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., Aboitiz Land, Aboitiz Economic Estates (Cebu), Aboitiz Foods and Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz. — CAT

PMA boosts education standards

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City — The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) promised to continue strengthening its academic standards after joining the 9th ASEAN University Network-Education Quality International (AUN-EQI) Outcome-Based Education Training-Workshop.

The PMA delegation, led by Col. Jesus Francisco M. Torbela, Director of the Center for Leadership and Excellence, attended the 4-day training in Bangkok, seeking to enhance the Academy’s programs on curriculum design, teaching methods, and outcome-based assessment.

The workshop focused on Future-Ready Education, which helps institutions create measurable and adaptive learning outcomes.

The training forms part of PMA’s ongoing efforts to improve its academic quality assurance systems through the AUN Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) framework.

Since 2024, the Academy has participated in several AUN-QA activities to align its standards with global benchmarks.

In April this year, PMA made history as the first military school in Southeast Asia to be recognized as an AUN-QA associate member.

PMA Public Affairs Office chief Lt. Jesse Saludo explained that these initiatives seek to make PMA’s education system more competitive and relevant to modern challenges. PMA seeks to produce graduates who are not only skilled in military leadership but also capable of critical thinking, innovation, and adaptability, he stressed.

PMA’s active participation in ASEAN academic programs also highlights the Philippines’ support for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing.

The Academy believes that military schools can play an important role in promoting education and leadership development across the region.

By investing in international partnerships and training, PMA continues to move toward becoming a globally competitive defense learning institution, dedicated to producing future-ready leaders for the Armed Forces of the Philippines. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Citizen action, accountable leaders vital in curbing corruption

GROUPS gathered at the People Power Monument in Quezon City for the Trillion Peso March on Sunday, amid calls for accountability and action against widespread corruption in the government. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION and accountable leadership remain central to curbing corruption amid scandals and growing public distrust, as institutions renew efforts to strengthen transparency, reform systems, and restore confidence in government, public officials said on Thursday.

“Every peso lost to corruption is a peso stolen from our people’s future. This is why integrity is not just a principle — it is an economic imperative,” former Vice-President and Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo said at a public governance summit.

“Citizen participation is not an afterthought — it is a constitutional duty,” added former Interior Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento, who also served as mayor of Calbayog City. “If this process were properly followed, many controversies in local governance could have been prevented.” 

The call for stronger accountability and reform comes as the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) marks its 25th year through the “ISAng Bansa, ISAng Pangarap: National Summit for Public Governance,” a gathering of reform advocates, leaders, and integrity champions from both the public and private sectors held in Makati City.

The summit underscored the growing urgency for systemic reform as the Philippines grapples with recurring governance crises, misuse of public funds, and eroding public trust.

“For 25 years, ISA has been building the architecture of integrity in our institutions,” said ISA Executive Director Christian P. Zaens. “But integrity is not a one-time act — it is a culture that must be built, lived, and sustained.”

At the summit, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. said the military’s ongoing transformation program has strengthened accountability, transparency, and innovation within the institution.

“The adoption of the Performance Governance System framework has significantly shaped our culture and way of working,” Mr. Brawner said. “It enabled us to institutionalize systems and processes that promote integrity, transparency, and operational excellence.”

Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of PHINMA Corporation, said education is a concrete tool for empowering citizens and strengthening governance. He highlighted PHINMA’s programs that provide accessible quality education to disadvantaged communities.

“When students from underprivileged areas gain access to higher education, they not only improve their own lives but also elevate their families and communities, becoming citizens who can hold government accountable,” he said.

Mr. Del Rosario also said that sustainable reform requires active government leadership, partnership with the private sector, and institutional oversight.

He called for continued investment in education as a national priority and urged all stakeholders to ensure that resources are properly used, scholarships are granted, and schools are equipped. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Insurers project medical cost growth of 16% in 2025, 2026

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

INSURERS said the affordability of medical insurance could be at risk with growth in the cost of medical treatment expected to rise 16% in 2025 and 2026.

Mercer Marsh Benefits said the projection was based on the results of a survey of eight insurers.

Growth in the cost of treatment far outstrips the inflation forecasts of 2.6% for 2025 and 2.9% for 2026.

In 2024, treatment costs rose 18%, also exceeding the 3.2% inflation rate.

“Another year of widespread double-digit medical trends across Asia is a wake-up call: cutting benefits may ease budgets now, but it shifts financial risk to employees and undermines retention.

“Employers should partner with insurers on data-driven plan design and targeted funding for high-cost claimants, tackle inefficiency and waste, and prioritize preventive care and mental health to preserve long-term affordability,” Mercer Marsh Benefits Asia Leader Steven Yu said.

In the Philippines, the firm surveyed First Life Financial Co., Inc., Generali Life Assurance Philippines, Inc., Insular Health Care, Inc. (iCare), Maxicare Healthcare Corp., PhilhealthCare, Inc., The Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd., United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp., and Value Care Health Systems, Inc.

The projected rise in medical costs in the Philippines exceeds the average growth projections for Asia of 12.4% for 2025 and 12.5% for 2026.

Globally, medical costs are expected to increase 10.7% this year and by 11% next year, according to 268 insurers across 67 markets surveyed.

The report said insurers expect plan utilization to rise due to ageing populations and the prevalence of chronic health conditions; healthcare staff shortages delaying access to primary care and greater reliance on virtual care, urgent care, or hospital treatment; pressures on public health systems, particularly in Europe, leading more people to use  private health plan benefits; higher-cost treatments, notably advanced cancer therapies, adding complexity to care delivery and management; and dependence on imported medical goods and services in many markets, creating delays and disruptions in supply chains.

Trade policy shifts in the US are also a factor in rising medical costs, with more than half (52%) of surveyed insurers expecting tariffs and supply chain disruptions to have a significant or very significant effect on the cost of treatment in 2026.

“On average, insurers are adding between 1.0 to 2.5 percentage points into their trend projections to reflect market uncertainty created by these policy shifts,” the firm said. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Fourth round of Green Energy Auction awards top 10,159 MW, 96% of target

REUTERS

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said on Thursday that updated totals from the fourth round of the green energy auction (GEA-4) now show awards of 10,195.49 megawatts (MW) worth of projects, or 96% of the installation target.

In a statement on Thursday, the DoE said the awarded projects are committed for delivery between 2026 and 2029.

“This overwhelming response reflects the growing confidence of investors in the Philippines’ renewable energy sector and underscores the country’s commitment to achieving its clean energy goals,” the agency said.

GEA-4 projects involve technologies like ground-mounted, roof-mounted, and floating solar; onshore wind, and integrated solar with energy storage systems (IRESS).

Ground-mounted solar projects accounted for over 4,179.09 MW, floating solar 2,284 MW, onshore wind 2,518.29 MW, IRESS 1,189.29 MW, and roof-mounted solar 24.82 MW.

The updated totals exceed the preliminary auction results of 9,423.622 MW announced in September.

Winning bidders include Citicore Renewable Energy Corp., San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., ACEN Corp., Aboitiz Power Corp., and Basic Energy Corp.

The DoE requires all successful bidders to submit key compliance documents, including affidavits of undertaking, performance bonds, system impact studies, and proof of financial obligations by Dec. 6.

The GEA program aims to build up renewables as a primary source of energy. The supply contract for winning renewable energy projects will run for 20 years, starting from the start of commercial operations.

The Philippines hopes to hit a 35% share of RE in the power generation mix by 2030. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Gov’t agencies urged to directly procure palay

A farmer threshes newly harvested palay grains at a ricefield in Mogpog, Marinduque in central Philippines, March 22, 2016. — REUTERS

THE departments of Agriculture (DA) and Agrarian Reform called on government agencies and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) to procure palay (unmilled rice) directly from farmers in compliance with their legal obligations.

In a joint briefing, the two departments cited the importance of harnessing government procurement to support farmers and ensure they obtain fair prices for their grain.

The briefing was convened to discuss Executive Order (EO) 100, which directs officials to establish regional floor prices for palay, and EO 101, which pushes for the full implementation of the Sagip Saka Act to boost enterprise development among farmers and fisherfolk.

Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act, requires government agencies and GOCCs to procure agricultural and fishery products directly from accredited Farmers and Fisherfolk Cooperatives and Enterprises.

The Sagip Saka process exempts procuring entities from public bidding rules.

“Kinakailangan kung mamimili ng mga bigas na gagamitin para sa mga feeding program, disaster response, at iba pa, kinakailangan itong magmumula sa palay na itinanim ng mga kamay ng magsasakang Filipino (When buying rice for feeding programs, disaster response, and other government initiatives, it should come from palay grown by Filipino farmers),” Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella said at the briefing.

EO 100 also tasks the DA and a yet-to-be-formed steering committee to set and adjust the palay floor price per region.

While specific guidelines are still being developed, the floor price is expected to align with current National Food Authority regional price levels, which range from P17 to P23 per kilo for fresh palay and P23 to P30 per kilo for clean, dry palay.

Sen. Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan, principal author of the Sagip Saka Act, said the two EOs will help local farmers and consumers.

“These measures are timely lifelines for Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers amid surging fuel costs and successive calamities affecting quake- and typhoon-affected provinces,” Mr. Pangilinan said in a statement.

The DA will also set up Sagip Saka Desks in its regional field offices to register farmers and fisherfolk to qualify them to sell to government agencies.

Farmer groups raised concerns over the limitations of the executive orders.

“EO No. 100 covers only government procurement of palay, but without a substantial increase in the government’s procurement budget, the state can purchase only 2–4% of the harvest, leaving approximately 95% of our palay under the control of private traders and trader-importers,” Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura Executive Director Jayson H. Cainglet said in a statement.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the goal is to increase government procurement to have a better influence over prevailing rice prices.

“Ang target natin next year is 20% ang government procurement (Our target next year is 20% of the rice trade accounted for by government procurement). We will have new facilities, silos, that will be more than double our capacity to store (rice),” Mr. Laurel told reporters. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Price freeze in place for Cebu City, Dinagat until Jan. due to Typhoon Tino

FACEBOOK.COM/COASTGUARDPH

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said a price freeze will be in place for Cebu City and Dinagat Islands following Typhoon Tino.

In a Facebook post, the DTI said the order follows the declaration of a State of Calamity in the two areas.

“The coverage period will be from Nov. 5 to Jan. 4, or for 60 days, unless sooner lifted by the President,” it said.

“This measure ensures that the prices of basic necessities remain stable and accessible to consumers during the period of rehabilitation,” it added.

In a separate post, the DTI announced that a price freeze on basic necessities was also in effect in the Municipality of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

“(This is) pursuant to the declaration of a State of Calamity due to the life-threatening conditions brought about by Typhoon Tino, which affected safety, livelihoods, and economic activities in the municipality, including its island barangays,” it added.

The price freeze in the municipality took effect on Nov. 4 and is expected to be in place until Jan. 3, unless lifted sooner.

According to an advisory, price controls in Guiuan cover 555 Bonus Pack Sardines (Green), Atama Sardines Easy-Open-Can and Regular Lid (Green), Lucky 7 Sardines (Green), Mikado Sardines Regular Lid (Green), and Sallenas Sardines Regular Lid (Green).

The price freeze also covers 3-in-1 packs of Blend 45 and San Mig Super Coffee Original, 350 ml, 500 ml, and 6-liter bottles of Absolute Pure Distilled Water, and 7-liter bottles of Wilkins Distilled Water.

Prices of 350 ml Summit Natural Drinking Water, one-liter Wilkins Pure Purified Water, 250- and 500-gram Fidel Refined Salt, and 500-gram Fidel Coarse Salt were included in the price freeze list.

Liwanag Esperma numbers 3, 5, and 18 candles are subject to price freezes at P62.25, P83, and P72, respectively.

Also covered are laundry soaps like Champion Bar Citrus Fresh and Supra Clean Original Scent and Surf Active Clean Kalamansi and Power Bula Power Puti.

Also subject to price controls are chicken- and beef-flavored instant noodles under the Ho-Mi, Lucky Me!, Payless, and Quick Chow brands. — Justine Irish D. Table

Carbon pricing framework seen attracting overseas green funds

FREEPIK

LEGISLATION requiring enterprises to draft their own decarbonization plans and establishing a carbon emission pricing framework will help attract more green investment into the country, a member of the House of Representatives said.

On the sidelines of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ Luncheon Meeting, Rep. Jose Manuel F. Alba said the proposed Low Carbon Economy Investment Act will be a catalyst for investments.

“If you look at the situation right now globally, the direction is supporting businesses and projects that are geared towards sustainability,” he said on Thursday.

“There’s a huge wave of investment right now … and the question is, are we able to access the resources that are available? Without clear policy guidelines, it will be very hard for the private sector,” he added.

Filed as House Bill No. 2055, the measure seeks to establish a comprehensive carbon emission pricing framework and implement mechanisms that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance climate resilience, and foster sustainable economic growth.

A similar bill was introduced in the 19th Congress and was approved on third reading at the House, but the Senate was unable to deliberate on it.

“I refiled it in the 20th Congress, but we’re not able to deliberate on the bill yet because we prioritized the budget. Now that we’re done with the budget, this November, I think that (will be) a priority measure of the Committee on Climate Change,” he said.

“I’m actually more positive this time around because we have more legislators that are actually supportive of this measure,” he added.

A Senate bill, the proposed Low Carbon Economy Act, was filed by Sen. Loren B. Legarda on July 7, which is still in committee.

“Aside from mandating the private sector to come up with their respective decarbonization plans, we are also giving them several options to comply with the requirements of the law,” he said.

He said that the bill has the potential to allow enterprises to tap international funds meant to address climate change.

“There are so much financial resources at the international level that we are not able to access because of policy limitations. This is an opportunity for the Philippines to access that financing internationally,” he said.

He said the Philippines is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% with about 72% of the reduction not possible without international support.

“The Green Climate Fund and all these resources are just waiting to be tapped. But you need a local framework. So this is the framework that we’re trying to introduce,” he added.

Currently, the Philippines has a Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), under which the private sector engages with international partners to sell or buy credits.

However, Mr. Alba said the VCM is not enough for the Philippines, with the National Government having to spend large sums for rehabilitation after natural disasters.

“These will require more resources from the government in the years to come; I think we cannot keep on borrowing. This bill will help facilitate more foreign direct investment in all the initiatives addressing climate change,” he said. — Justine Irish D. Table

TESDA scholarship programs not reaching enough workers in poorest regions — PIDS

TESDA.GOV.PH

THE poorest workers are being left behind in the jobs market, even though Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) graduates were found to have improved their employability overall, according to a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

The report, released on Thursday, found that the share of poor and “disadvantaged” TESDA beneficiaries has declined in recent years.

Between 2018 and 2022, participation in TESDA training from wealthier demographics increased, while the number of poor beneficiaries fell, according to the “Assessing the Effectiveness of TESDA Scholarship Programs in Targeting the Poor” study, prepared by De La Salle University Assistant Professor Maribel Daño-Luna.

“The 2022 regional distribution of scholarship budgets does not necessarily align with regions with high poverty incidence, where most disadvantaged scholars are located,” the study found. “This limits the program’s reach among those who need it most.”

TESDA’s technical and vocational education and training programs have long been touted as a pathway to employment and entrepreneurship, particularly among out-of-school youth, informal workers and the unemployed. 

But the findings indicate that the program’s poverty-targeting mechanisms may not be reaching many potential beneficiaries, undermining efforts to promote inclusive growth, PIDS found.

The study warned of the “gradual exclusion of the poor” from the scholarships, noting that the allocation of funds has not consistently matched areas with the highest poverty levels.

Labor groups have long noted uneven access to training as a factor in persistent inequality in the labor market.

PIDS recommended that TESDA use poverty databases maintained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (Listahanan) and the Philippine Identification System to verify applicants’ eligibility and willingness to see the training through.

“Motivation has a significant positive partial effect on various outcomes across scholarship types,” the study said, suggesting that applicants undergo interviews or scorecard assessments to measure their drive to finish training.

The report also urged policymakers to align budget allocations with poverty data by directing more funds to provinces with higher poverty rates.

“Budget allocation could use a scorecard that gives higher weights to regions with elevated poverty rates,” it proposed.

Nevertheless, TESDA’s training programs were found to be delivering results in the labor market.

The study found that scholarships improved graduates’ chances of finding jobs — typically a year after completing their training, not immediately.

The Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) program resulted in the strongest short-term employment outcomes, while both PESFA and the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) scholarships led to higher employment after a year.

However, the study found that many graduates end up working in jobs unrelated to their training, highlighting a persistent skills mismatch in the labor market. Only UAQTEA graduates reported strong alignment between their training and current work.

“There is a significant negative association that the programs are not that useful in terms of the certification being required with the graduates’ jobs,” the study found.

PIDS called for closer coordination between TESDA, industries, and local governments to ensure that course offerings match labor market needs — a concern also shared by labor economists amid shifting demand towards digital and green skills.

The study concluded that continuous policy assessment is essential to prevent well-intentioned programs from reinforcing existing inequalities in the labor market. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

BIR’s Lumagui sees digital VAT revenue at P10B by year’s end

SOUVIK BANERJEE-UNSPLASH

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) expects to collect P10 billion in value-added tax (VAT) from digital services, according to Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr.

In chance remarks to reporters, Mr. Lumagui said the agency is expected to ramp up collections after having generated nearly P3 billion in the first six months.

“For the full year, I think we’ll reach P10 billion. That was the original projection when the law was enacted. If it falls short, it will be close to P10 billion,” Mr. Lumagui said on the sidelines of a case filing.

The government imposed a 12% VAT on digital services consumed in the Philippines on June 1. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed the digital services VAT law in October.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lumagui also said lower remittances from the Department of Public Works and Highways hurt the BIR’s overall collection after a solid first half.

“This is primarily because the DPWH ordered a halt to payments to contractors and suspended the projects to verify whether they were actually completed. Even the withholding taxes that DPWH remits to the BIR represent a significant amount,” he said.

At the end of October, overall BIR collections grew 10.88% to P2.323 trillion. Its revised target for the year is P2.85 trillion.

Mr. Lumagui said the target will be subject to variability because official projections assume 6% gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

“’Yan ang nire-request natin, na mag-adjust based on GDP. Especially with what happened, nag-slow down talaga. ’Yung bawas nga ng DPWH affected our collections (We have requested a target adjustment because of the likely GDP shortfall. Growth really slowed, with reductions in DPWH spending affecting our collections),” he said.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has said that the BIR and the Bureau of Customs are expected to miss their targets in light of the slowdown in growth and global trade. — Aubrey Rose A. Insane

WESM rates rise in Oct. as supply margins thin

BW FILE PHOTO

POWER PRICES on the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) rose by nearly 50% in October due to thinning supply margins, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

IEMOP reported that the average spot prices rose 49.4% to P4.54 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in October.

Between Sept. 26 and Oct. 25, available supply decreased 4% month on month to 19,889 megawatts (MW), while demand grew 1.8% to 13,881 MW.

“There were major plant outages affecting the October billing period, contributing to overall price increase. Additionally, the Visayas experienced an earthquake on Sept. 30, 2025, which led to multiple tripping incidents involving transmission lines and generators,” Christian Karla A. Rica, a member of the trading operations and market simulation and analysis staff at IEMOP, said at a virtual briefing on Thursday.

For Luzon, WESM rates rose 54.3% to P3.96 per kWh due to “lower supply and higher demand, even with reduced power export through high-voltage direct current.”

Demand rose 1.9% month on month to 9,777 MW, outpacing supply, which declined 6.1% to 13,790 MW.

“In the Visayas, prices rose as well accompanied by the limited power flow from Luzon,” Ms. Rica said.

The WESM rate in the region rose 45.3% to P5.85 per kWh, with supply decreasing 0.8% to 2,421 MW and demand falling 1% to 1,944 MW.

IEMOP said spot prices in Mindanao increased 40% to P5.87 per kWh.

Available supply improved 86% month on month to 3,678 MW. Demand rose 61% to 2,161 MW.

Isidro E. Cacho, Jr., IEMOP vice-president for trading operations, said prices are expected to be stable for the rest of the year due to the anticipated downward trend in demand.

“Barring unplanned plant outages, we do not see any increase in prices. The trend will more on the downward side from November to January,” he said.

IEMOP operates the WESM, where energy companies can buy power if their long-term contracted power deals prove inadequate for their needs. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Potential super typhoon may hit Isabela, Aurora 

DOST-PAGASA FB PAGE

Tropical Storm Fung-Wong (international name), which will be locally named Uwan once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), has a high chance of developing into a super typhoon and may hit Isabela or Aurora, according to the state weather bureau.  

The cyclone being monitored was located 1,660 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, with sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 90 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5:00 p.m. advisory. 

Due to its distance, it currently has no direct or indirect effects on any part of the country within the forecast period. 

PAGASA noted that Fung-Wong is in a ‘quasi-stationary state’, meaning it is not moving from its location due to the presence of a high-pressure area in the northern part of the country. 

On Friday, it is likely to intensify into a typhoon before entering PAR and may reach super typhoon strength before its initial landfall. 

The provinces of Isabela or Aurora are likely to be the first areas to be hit. Fung-Wong is then expected to move across northern Luzon, possibly impacting the regions of Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, and parts of Central Luzon. 

PAGASA said in an earlier press briefing that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 may be raised in some affected areas. 

This is the highest warning signal and is expected to bring extremely life-threatening winds of more than 185 kph. 

In Metro Manila, Signal No. 1 may be raised, where minimal to minor life-threatening winds are expected. 

PAGASA cautioned that the cyclone’s trajectory may still change while encouraging the public to continuously monitor their advisories, especially those in areas that could be affected. — Edg Adrian A. Eva 

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