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Gov’t to hasten disaster aid release

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel evacuating people in Cebu province on Nov. 4, 2025. — COAST GUARD DISTRICT CENTRAL VISAYAS FB PAGE

THE Philippine government is working to speed up the release of disaster aid, with officials signaling changes to funding and approval processes to ensure faster assistance for communities hit by natural calamities.

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto met with officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday to push for quicker government response, citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive that support must reach affected families without delay.

Mr. Recto said procedures for reviewing and approving requests from local governments need to be simplified to remove bottlenecks that slow the release of aid.

He added that allocation mechanisms under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund’s Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program should facilitate rapid implementation on the ground rather than hinder it.

Officials from DBM, OCD and DILG agreed to strengthen coordination to ensure timely and efficient delivery of assistance, as the government prepares for future disasters. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

DoJ to file tax evasion cases vs Discaya couple

CONSTRACTORS Pacifico F. Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya attends a Senate investigation on anomalous flood control projects, Sept. 8, 2025. — SENATE PRIB FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Justice (DoJ) is set to file two tax evasion cases before the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) against spouses Pacifico “Curlee” F. Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” C. Discaya, following the resolution of five complaints initiated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Justice spokesperson Raphael Niccolo L. Martinez on Tuesday said the department recently completed its review of the cases, which involved alleged violations of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

“A total of five tax evasion complaints were resolved in the past weeks against Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya,” Mr. Martinez told reporters in a Viber group chat.

“We can report that two will be filed with the CTA. Sarah and Curlee [Discaya] respectively are respondents in each,” he said, though no schedule has yet been set for the filing of the cases.

The complaints stem from Sections 254 and 255 of the NIRC, which cover willful attempts to evade or defeat taxes and willful failure to supply correct and accurate information, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mr. Martinez confirmed that subpoenas have been issued for Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, former Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, and former Senator Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla, Jr., along with other respondents, over plunder complaints.

“PI (preliminary investigation) hearings for the plunder cases are scheduled on Feb. 2 and 12,” he said, adding that the first hearing is set for the formal receipt of the complaint. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

FDA seizes P56.8-M fake medicines

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ABOUT P56.8 million worth of unregistered and counterfeit medicines were confiscated in the last eight months, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said amid doubts over the agency’s ability to enforce its mandate.

“In the last eight months, the FDA has seized a total of P56.89 million worth of violative and counterfeit health products,” FDA Director General Paolo S. Teston told a Senate hearing, covering a period from June to December.

Mr. Teston said that from November 2025 to January 2026, the agency had monitored 3,307 online listings for unregistered and counterfeit products and taken down 1,531 online listings.

“Operations jointly with law enforcement agencies confidentially are still ongoing as we speak,” he added.

However, Senator Rafael T. Tulfo called out the agency for its alleged failure to address the proliferation of counterfeit and unregistered health products in social media.

“FDA, if we are serious about consumer protection, content creators who promote unregistered products should be held accountable,” he said.

Mr. Tulfo added that his team was able to purchase unsafe and unregistered health products in establishments inspected by the FDA last Oct. 17.

“The FDA is not perfect but the FDA and its people are working over and above of its limits. We are enforcing the law with the resource entrusted to us,” Mr. Teston said in his response. — Adrian H. Halili

DPWH orders widening of Mananga River

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered the widening of the Mananga River and other waterways in Cebu to increase their capacity and reduce flood risk in the province.

“Let’s help the local government to fence downstream, and then go upstream. We can already recover the river, that is the key now. The priority is to recover the river because if we can widen the river and intervene, then we have more capacity,” Public Works Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said in a statement on Tuesday.

This came after the agency ordered the no-build and fencing zone around Mananga River and other waterways in Cebu, it said, noting that the agency will also ramp up dredging and cleaning in all waterways to mitigate flooding in the province.

“One of the major priorities of the President is to fix the flood management situation in Cebu because we already saw the effects of the recent flooding and we cannot allow that to happen again,” he said.

The agency earlier formed a new task force to conduct clearing and cleaning efforts in all waterways in the country to help prevent flooding. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

DoE expands solar public program to Iloilo, Bacolod

REUTERS/SUSANA VERA

THE Department of Energy (DoE) has teamed up with the local government of Iloilo and Bacolod for the deployment of solar panels on top of public buildings as part of the government’s energy efficiency efforts.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DoE said it inked deals with the two local agencies to implement solar photovoltaics complemented by energy efficiency measures in public buildings under the Solar Solutions for Government: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Public Buildings program.

The initiative supports the Government Energy Management Program and contributes to the national target of achieving at least 10% energy savings in government operations.

“Through these agreements, we are demonstrating practical, measurable pathways for government facilities to cut electricity use, strengthen resiliency, and model responsible energy use for communities and the private sector alike,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.

Under the partnerships, the DoE will provide technical assistance on the deployment of solar panels and energy-efficient equipment.

To date, the DoE has entered into partnership with 10 local government units, including Manila, Quezon City, Pasay, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Navotas, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, and the province of Siquijor.

The DoE has also partnered with the Department of Health to advance energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in the Philippine healthcare sector, particularly in government hospitals. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Two soldiers wounded in Basilan gun attack

COTABATO CITY — Gunmen wounded two off-duty soldiers while at a roadside store in Tipo-Tipo town in Basilan on Monday.

Officials of the Basilan Provincial Police Office and the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) identified the wounded soldiers as Pfc. Mark Antony D. Libo and Pfc. Jomare L. Sadjail of the Army’s 45th Infantry Battalion (IB), now both confined to a hospital.

Citing reports by police units in Basilan, Brig. Gen. Jaysen C. De Guzman, director of PRO-BAR, said on Monday that Mr. Libo and Mr. Sadjail were about to leave the store where they procured some provisions, when one of two men riding a motorcycle came close to shoot them repeatedly with a pistol. The duo immediately left amid the commotion.

The wounded Mr. Lido and Mr. Sadjail, both assigned to the nearby base of the Bravo Company of the 45th IB, were immediately brought by emergency responders to a hospital in Lamitan City for treatment.

Governor Mujiv S. Hataman, chairman of the multi-sector Basilan Provincial Peace and Order Council, has condemned the incident and ordered local executives to help investigators from the Tipo-Tipo Municipal Police Station and Army intelligence agents identify the perpetrators of the atrocity for prosecution.

Mr. De Guzman said barangay officials in Tipo-Tipo have assured to help the police put a closure to the incident. — John Felix M. Unson

P1.19-T National Tax Allotment released to local governments

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO/ RELEASE JBROS CONSTRUCTION CORP.

THE National Tax Allotment (NTA) of P1.19 trillion has been released to local government units (LGUs), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

Acting Budget Secretary Rolando U. Toledo approved the NTA Special Allotment Release Order and the corresponding Notices of Cash Allocation on Jan. 26.

The funds represent the LGU share of taxes earned by the National Government three years earlier.

“The timely release of the FY 2026 National Tax Allotment ensures that local governments have the resources they need to deliver services without delay,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

The NTA, which is directly credited to the authorized government service banks of LGUs, is intended to fund local services like healthcare, education support, disaster preparedness and response, and infrastructure upkeep, it said.

“By releasing the NTA in full and on time, we are enabling LGUs to act decisively, respond to local needs, and bring immediate benefits to their constituents,” Mr. Toledo said.

The DBM also urged the LGUs to comply with reporting requirements, consistent with transparency and accountability standards, and use the NTA strictly for “authorized purposes.”

Under the Local Government Code, LGUs are entitled to 40% of National Government tax revenue. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

EDCOM II proposes education spending of at least 5.5% of GDP

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) is pushing for a 10-year education development plan that will set minimum education spending at 5.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.

In its final report, EDCOM II said the government needs to sustain the upward trajectory of education spending beyond current budget trends.

According to the Constitution, education receives the biggest budget allocation, which was set at P1.015 trillion in 2026, equivalent to 4.36% of GDP.

The report added that the 10-year National Education Plan (NatPlan) estimates an “indicative incremental cost… of P2.66 trillion over the plan period.”

It proposes that basic education make up 60% of incremental investment, including funding for classroom construction and repair, teacher deployment and training, instructional materials, and programs to address issues like mass promotion and achieving functional literacy.

About 30% was proposed for higher education, mainly in expanded scholarships.

The rest will go to early childhood care and development along with technical-vocation education training.

The 10-year plan also proposes a timetable for education spending increases of 4% of GDP in 2028, 5% in 2031, and 5.5% by 2035. The target years are aligned with national political cycles and local government election cycles.

“It is envisioned to be a shared roadmap that unites government, schools, local leaders, and communities around one goal: to rebuild trust in our education system and prepare every Filipino to learn, work, and thrive,” the commission said.

The report identified key priority areas that requires aggressive government action: early childhood development, functional literacy in early learners, critical thinking, digital skills, graduate readiness, and inclusive learning.

“This is intended to strengthen accountability, enable course corrections, and anchor reforms within realistic governance and budgeting windows,” it added.

The plan also recommends the full implementation of the government’s Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program, which provides free targeted interventions, tutorials, and resources for struggling learners. — Adrian H. Halili

Landfill inspections to be completed this quarter

THE FREEMAN/JOY TORREJOS

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it hopes to complete a comprehensive national review of landfill facilities by the end of the first quarter, following the recent collapse of a landfill in Cebu City.

At a briefing on Tuesday, Environment Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said the DENR is concerned about the impact of recent calamities on the stability and safety of waste disposal facilities.

“Inspections are conducted regularly at the regional and provincial levels, but in light of the Cebu incident and recent earthquakes and typhoons, we need a comprehensive nationwide review of all solid waste facilities to ensure this does not happen again,” Mr. Lotilla said.

On Jan. 8, a garbage pile estimated by local officials to be as tall as a 20-storey building, collapsed in Binaliw, Cebu City, crushing a materials recovery facility and killing 36 workers.

The DENR has formed an investigative body to look into the Binaliw incident. It also directed regional offices to enforce safety protocols.

Assistant Secretary and Environmental Management Bureau Director Jacqueline A. Caancan said the review will be more in-depth and will involve the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

“We will be involving the MGB because of the needed technical expertise. Previous geological assessments will be revisited, as site conditions may have changed due to heavy rains and seismic activities,” she said.

The DENR said the review is ongoing and is expected to be completed before the end of the first quarter.

Environmental groups have flagged insufficient monitoring of landfills, saying lax oversight has contributed to repeated safety and environmental risks.

Meanwhile, the DENR said it will also work closely with local government units (LGUs) to ensure compliance with Republic Act (RA) No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which requires LGUs to submit 10-year solid waste management plans.

While the number of LGUs with approved plans has increased in recent years, the degree of implementation still varies, the DENR said.

“Out of 1,642 LGUs, there is a high level of compliance at 1,515. That means 92% of them submitted their solid waste management plans. But the challenge is in implementation. We also have around 13,734 materials recovery facilities at the local level, but that does not cover all barangays,” Mr. Lotilla said.

The DENR said it will assist LGUs in identifying landfill expansion areas, evaluating the suitability of new sites, and exploring options such as clustering facilities to improve waste management efficiency.

“The MGB will help the LGUs by examining the suitability of the geology of the area. The LGU is the one that identifies the area, and we examine it,” Mr. Lotilla said.

The DENR said it is also exploring alternative waste disposal methods, including waste-to-energy projects and technologies that recycle or repurpose plastic waste.

Undersecretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna also told reporters that Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo plans to file an amendment to RA 9003, which she signed into law when she was president in 2001. Proposed changes could allow the use of waste-to-energy projects to help manage the disposal problem.

Mr. Lotilla said new incineration and waste-to-energy technologies developed since the law’s passage can now meet current environmental standards. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Funding for vetoed RACE program still under discussion — Trade department

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THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is still in discussions for funding a vetoed incentive program known as Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE).

“We’re hoping for that, definitely. But I can’t really say when, we need to finish the discussion first,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday, when asked about the timetable for locking down the funding.

Nearly two weeks after the government restored funding for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program, its counterpart, funding for the RACE incentive scheme, remains unsettled.

Ms. Roque said CARS was given priority as the government still has obligations to enrolled investors, amounting to more than P4 billion.

The RACE program was designed to replicate CARS by providing fiscal support for capital expenditures on tooling and equipment, as well as for fixed investments.

Both incentive programs were to be funded by the unprogrammed appropriations vetoed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in the 2026 budget.

“We really have to continue giving the incentives to entice investors to the Philippines because they need to invest here,” she said.

The Philippine Parts Makers Association said only P125 million is needed to initiate and operationalize RACE. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Power distributors’ deadline for tariff proposals extended

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said private distribution utilities (PDUs) have been allowed more time to file their proposed electricity tariffs.

In a resolution approved on Jan. 14, the ERC directed all PDUs to file their actual weighted average tariff (AWAT) application by March 22. 

The deadline was extended from 60 calendar days to 120 days from the effectivity of ERC Resolution No. 23, Series of 2025.

The ERC said that the extension was granted following the commission’s review of its regulatory targets for the year and in consideration of requests from the industry. 

The extra time is also meant to ensure “orderly and efficient regulatory processing.”

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, the ERC is responsible for establishing a method for setting transmission and distribution wheeling rates. The rates must be set in a way that allows the recovery of “just and reasonable costs and a reasonable return on rate base” to enable the entity to operate viably.

AWAT — the average distribution rates across customer classes — is calculated and approved during the rate reset process, a forward-looking exercise that requires the regulated entity to submit expenditure forecasts and proposed projects.

Last year, the ERC initiated a major regulatory overhaul to address a decade-long backlog in rate resets for PDUs under performance-based regulation by issuing the rationalized rules for setting distribution wheeling rates (RRDWR).

The RRDWR defines new entry groups for the PDUs and establishes the first regulatory period. 

In the same resolution, the ERC also adjusted the deadlines for the filing of rate reset applications, by shortening the timeframe from 12 months to nine months before the start of their regulatory period.

“These amendments are intended to improve regulatory sequencing, facilitate the efficient conduct of hearings, and ensure the timely issuance of regulatory decisions, while upholding transparency and regulatory discipline,” the ERC said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

BIR establishes dedicated service counters for RBEs

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it established dedicated service counters to streamline tax filing and payment by registered business enterprises (RBEs).

“We are launching Special RBE Express Counters at 20 Revenue District Offices nationwide and at the Large Taxpayers Service,” BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said in a speech on Tuesday.

The Registered Business Enterprise Taxpayer Service (RBETS) will provide a centralized, consistent, and responsive approach to tax administration for RBEs, he said.

In preparation, the BIR trained personnel assigned to the new service counters, covering the RBE tax regime as outlined in the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.

“RBETS is not yet a full service as the necessary plantilla positions are still being finalized. But rather than wait, we move forward,” Mr. Mendoza said.

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go said RBETS will ensure the government’s incentive system is implemented in a fair, efficient, and responsive manner.

“By providing a centralized end-to-end taxpayer service for Registered Business Enterprises, to ensure a single, consistent interpretation and application of incentive rules across the tax system,” he said.

Mr. Go said the program will improve monitoring, enhance data quality, and curb revenue leakage.

“This allows the government to safeguard revenue collection, correctly identify high-risk cases, and focus enforcement where it matters most, while easing the burden on compliant taxpayers,” he said.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said reforms that streamline compliance build trust within the business community and show the administration’s commitment to an investor-friendly Philippines.

“We are currently finalizing the rules for the enhanced deduction regime alongside the BIR and the FIRB,” she added, referring to the Fiscal Incentives Review Board.

The BIR also extended the deadline for the filing of tax returns and the payment of the corresponding value-added tax by nonresident digital service providers to Jan. 25. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

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