World Bank approves loans for Mindanao transport, health projects

March 6, 2025 | 9:43 pm

THE World Bank said on Thursday that it approved two loans worth a combined $950.54 million for transport connectivity and health projects in Mindanao.

The two projects were approved by the bank’s Board of Executive Directors, the bank said in a statement.

“The World Bank is committed to support the Philippines in its journey towards inclusive growth and its aspiration to become an upper middle-income country,” according to Zafer Mustafaoğlu, World Bank Country Director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam.

One of these is the $454.94-million Mindanao Transport Connectivity Improvement Project.

It aims to improve connectivity, sustainable transport infrastructure and services for 1.16 million residents along the Cagayan de Oro- Davao-General Santos corridor.

The project will fund rehabilitation and upgrading of the 428.2-kilometer main road corridor connecting the mentioned cities, which hosts key ports and airports in Mindanao.

“This road network comprises four highways —Sayre Highway, Bukidnon-Davao Highway, Digos-Makar Highway, and the Davao-Cotabato Road — traversing six provinces, 14 municipalities, seven cities, and 168 barangays,” the World Bank said.

Meanwhile, World Bank Senior Transport Specialist Pratap Tvgssshrk noted that connecting rural and remote areas to urban centers benefit agricultural growth.

The Food and Agriculture Organization said Mindanao supplies 40% of the country’s food and accounts for more than 30% of the national food trade.

Meanwhile, the $495.6-million Philippines Health System Resilience Project aims to strengthen provincial health systems, invest in disease surveillance, public health laboratories, and emergency response systems, the World Bank said.

“This project will prioritize 17 provinces with low healthcare access capacity, benefiting 17.9 million people, including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Eleven of these provinces are in Mindanao,” it said.

“This project is vital as it aims to empower these low-capacity LGUs to deliver high-quality health services, thereby driving socioeconomic progress through improved health outcomes,” World Bank Senior Economist Wei Han said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Marcos says cost-cutting led to collapse of P1.2-B bridge in Isabela province

March 6, 2025 | 9:38 pm

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporters

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., on Thursday, attributed the collapse of the Cabagan-Santa Maria bridge in Isabela province to critical design flaws, citing cost-cutting measures that compromised the bridge’s structural integrity.

During an inspection with Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, the President cited the need to overhaul the bridge to ensure public safety.

“The root cause of this failure is a design flaw,” Mr. Marcos told reporters during the inspection in Isabela, based on a video posted on social media. “The bridge was initially budgeted at P1.8 billion, but funding was reduced to under P1 billion, leading to weaknesses in the design.”

The structure was originally intended to be a suspension bridge, but key support elements were omitted, the President said.

“This is the only suspension bridge I have seen without cables,” he said in Filipino. “Had it been properly designed, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Mr. Marcos added that concerns were raised during construction, prompting a refit that pushed costs up to P1.2 billion.

Despite the design specifications, the bridge ultimately failed under the weight of two overloaded trucks, each exceeding 100 tons — far beyond the 44-ton capacity limit.

“Cutting costs from P1.8 billion was pointless,” the President said. “Now, we have to spend even more to rebuild it.”

When asked about responsibility, he emphasized problem-solving over blame.

“Fix the problem, not the blame,” he said, though he acknowledged that the designers should bear responsibility for the weak structure.

He also called for stricter monitoring of vehicle loads, stressing that exceeding weight limits by such extreme margins poses severe risks.

“If a bridge is rated for 44 tons and you overload it with over 200 tons, this outcome is hardly surprising.”

The bridge, which was opened to the public last month, collapsed on Feb. 27 while a dump truck carrying boulders was crossing it, according to the Department of Public Workers and Highways.

The agency said it had tapped experts to assess the cause for the collapse of the bridge.

Its regional office was still trying to determine the cause of the collapse but its initial assessment points to the weight of the dump truck exceeding the limit as the cause, it said in a statement.

“As for the cause of the collapse, during our initial assessment, a dump truck carrying boulders with an approximate gross weight of limit 102 tons passed on it,” it said.

It added that it had tapped experts from the Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction to conduct further evaluation.

Nigel Paul C. Villarete, senior adviser on public-private partnerships (PPP) at technical advisory group Libra Konsult, Inc., said the bridge’s design should be reviewed for completed staff work although the possibility of design issue being the cause for collapse is unlikely.

“The more probable cause would be a construction failure, which are of two kinds — material failure or methodology failure, resulting in structural members with less than their designed strength,” he said in a Viber message.

The P1.23-billion bridge started construction in 2014, DPWH said, adding that it was completed on Feb. 1, 2025.

The project had a total length of 990 meters, consisting of 12 arch bridges with a span of 60 meters and nine pans of pre-stressed concrete girder. It was by RD Interior Jr. Construction.

“At any rate, there is really a need to continually review design and construction management procedures, practices and methodologies, which are continually evolving and improving,” Mr. Villarete said. “Becoming better often leads us to shortcuts and makes us forget the basics.”

He said the government should look at the possibility that substandard materials and construction procedures were used.

Senate chooses not to comment on VP lawsuit against her impeachment

March 6, 2025 | 9:38 pm

THE PHILIPPINE Senate on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to excuse it from commenting on by Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio’s lawsuit seeking to stop her trial and void her impeachment by the House of Representatives.

“Respondent Senate, which has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment under the Constitution, cannot therefore possibly make a comment on the petition, and thus asks the honorable court that it be excused from submitting the comment,” it said in a manifestation.

It was signed by Office of the Senate Legal Counsel Maria Valentina S. Santana-Cruz.

In a resolution on Feb. 25, the full court gave the Senate 10 days to comment on the petition filed by the Ms. Duterte against her impeachment trial.

The Senate requested that the manifestation be considered its response in lieu of the required comment. A manifestation ad cautelam is a declaration made “out of caution” as a response to a petition filed in court.

Ms. Duterte earlier impleaded the Senate, represented by its president Francis G. Escudero, and the House under Speaker Martin G. Romualdez and its secretary general.

“A reading of the body of the above captioned petition reveals that it has actually no allegations against respondent Senate,” according to the pleading.

The House of Representatives impeached Ms. Duterte before it went on a four-month break on Feb. 5, alleging misuse of secret funds, unexplained wealth, acts of destabilization and plotting the assassination of the President, the First Lady and the Speaker.

The Impeachment complaint was filed and signed by more than 200 congressmen, more than the one-third legal requirement before it could be sent to the Senate, which will try her as an impeachment court. Under the 1987 Constitution, several congressmen will be serving as impeachment prosecutors.

Congress will reconvene for a two-week session on June 2.

The Senate plans to present the articles of impeachment and approve the revised impeachment rules once it reconvenes in June.

The proposes to start the trial on July 30, once 12 newly elected senators join the chamber and take their oath as impeachment judges with the 12 old members on July 29. — Adrian H. Halili

Stricter food labeling sought in PHL to fight obesity

March 6, 2025 | 9:38 pm

THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and health organizations urged the Philippines to increase funding for obesity prevention and impose stricter food policies.

This includes stricter regulations in package labeling, sugar regulations and tighter food marketing laws, sentiments shared by the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Nutrition Council.

“Policies must ban unhealthy food in schools, curb misleading advertising and ensure public food programs prioritize nutrition and sustainability,” it said in a statement on March 4.

UNICEF said one of 10 Filipino children and four of 10 adults are overweight or obese — considered high by global standards.

A bill on health food marketing is pending at a House of Representatives committee. The measure mandates warning labels in front of the package so consumers know nutrition information and prescribed thresholds for energy, fat, sodium and sugar.

It also regulates marketing on various media and in locations frequented by children.

“We must work hand in hand in rethinking how food is produced, marketed and made available to create an environment where nutritious options are within reach for every child, everywhere,” UNICEF Philippines Acting Representative Behzad Noubary said in the statement.

Misleading nutrition claims make it difficult for Filipino families to opt for nutritious food. Some products that target to children often hide their nutritional content.

However, labeling alone is enough, UNICEF said, suggesting limiting sales in schools and imposing higher penalties on companies that violate the labeling laws.

“Additionally, sustained government funding for nutrition programs and regulatory enforcement is crucial for long-term impact,” it said.

UNICEF also urged food manufacturers and retailers to improve product selection, pricing and placement for healthier options.

Restaurants and food outlets, including fast-food chains, should expand nutritious meal choices and adjust portion sizes, it added. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

P200-M SHS subsidies withheld in 2024 due to questionable claims, DepEd says

March 6, 2025 | 9:38 pm

AROUND P200 million in government subsidies were withheld last year due to “questionable” claims from some private schools for the voucher program for senior high school (SHS) students, an Education department official said on Thursday.

“For school year 2023 to 2024, around P200 million was not released due to discrepancies,” Department of Education (DepEd) project manager Tara C. Rama told a House of Representatives panel in Filipino.

“When private schools submit their billing statements, we process them through the learner’s information system before making any payments. If the billing statements do not match the data in our learner’s information system, the funds are not disbursed,” she added.

Ms. Rama was speaking before the House Committee of Basic Education, which launched an investigation into alleged “ghost students that plague DepEd’s SHS voucher program.

The program aims to subsidize the education of SHS students enrolled in private schools, with the subsidy being provided directly to participating schools.

In mid-February, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara halted the release of close to P52 million in supposed private school subsidies.

Ghost students refer to beneficiaries that do not have school records or do not attend classes anymore, and unqualified students, said Ms. Rama.

“[Some are] unqualified because they’re supposed to apply via the voucher application program, but they did not apply. Private schools then categorize them as automatic grantees.”

Only high school graduates of government schools and private schools participating in the Education Service Contracting program are automatically qualified for DepEd’s SHS voucher assistance, according to its website.

Ms. Rama said they had terminated 55 schools so far from participating in the subsidy program, with 12 schools under investigation this year.

“For school year 2021 to 2022, a total of 22 schools were terminated. For the 2022 to 2023 school year, an additional 32 schools were terminated. Moving into school year 2023 to 2024, one school has already been terminated, while another 12 are currently under investigation,” she said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Marcos accepts Uy’s resignation

March 6, 2025 | 9:34 pm

Ivan John E. Uy — IVAN JOHN E. UY — FACEBOOK.COM/DICTGOVPH

PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has accepted the resignation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) chief, the Palace confirmed on Thursday.

In a Viber chat with reporters, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire B. Castro said Mr. Marcos has accepted the resignation of DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy.

“Department of Information and Communications Technology Sec. Ivan John Uy’s resignation was accepted by the President today,” she said.

“An officer-in-charge will fill the position until the President appoints a secretary,” she added.

The Palace has not yet provided information on the reason behind Mr. Uy’s resignation.

Under his leadership, the SIM Card Registration Act, which aims to curb spam calls and texts, was implemented.

He is the third cabinet secretary to resign, after Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista and PCO Secretary Cesar B. Chavez. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Palace still studying PIGO ban

March 6, 2025 | 9:30 pm

MALACAÑANG on Thursday said it is still evaluating if a ban on Philippine inland gaming operators (PIGOs) is in order.

In a briefing in the Palace, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire B. Castro said they are still comparing PIGOs with the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), which had been linked to crimes, such as human trafficking.

“POGO was banned because many crimes were occurring due to POGO operations. However, based on current studies, PIGO has not been found to cause or contribute to any crimes,” she told reporters in Filipino.

She also noted that POGO employed mostly foreigners, while PIGOs reportedly employed 90% Filipinos.

“POGO advertisements result in money flowing out of the country, while PIGO spends its marketing and advertising budget within the Philippines, keeping the funds within the country,” she added.

She also differentiated the tax revenue between POGOs and PIGOs, noting the latter contribute a significant amount of tax revenue.

“Nevertheless, if the issues that arose with POGOs were to happen with PIGOs, the President would not hesitate to impose a total ban on PIGOs as well. However, we will need data to support such a decision,” she added.

Discussions on a potential PIGO ban arose due to concerns that it might lead to similar issues as POGO, such as illegal activities and tax evasion.

The Philippines banned POGOs on Dec. 31, following an order from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

80% back pro-PhilHealth bets

March 6, 2025 | 9:30 pm

MOST FILIPINOS would likely vote for Senate candidates addressing issues of public healthcare funding, education and soaring costs of basic goods, according to the latest poll by public opinion research firm WR Numero Research.

In a February survey, 80% of Filipinos said they would vote for senatorial candidates backing the restoration of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.’s (PhilHealth) subsidy, with only 7% saying otherwise.

More than two in three (67%) voters support candidates prioritizing solutions to the country’s education crisis, while 12% are opposed.

Over half of Filipinos (54%) also said they would support candidates that would address inflation, it added. Almost 30% of Filipinos said they’re against them.

“What I see is these are the ‘bread and butter’ or ‘rice and fish’ issues in the Philippines… the closest issues to the hearts of our countrymen,” Cleve V. Arguelles, chief executive officer and president of Philippine think-tank WR Numero Research, said in a press briefer on Thursday.

“These are the daily issues that may affect them,” he added.

The Philippines has long grappled with perennial issues of costly healthcare, worsening education quality, and rising prices — challenges that weigh heavily on a population already burdened by economic constraints.

Nearly one in two (48%) Filipinos said they would vote for candidates pushing for discussions on comprehensive sexual education, while a quarter said they’re against them.

Measures seeking to make sexuality education a mainstay in the school curriculum have faced backlash from conservative sectors of the predominantly catholic country. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. linked a Senate bill seeking to address teenage pregnancy through the “woke” mentality in January.

SOUTH CHINA SEA
Filipinos remain split on candidates endorsing cooperation with China to address South China Sea tensions, a pollster said, with around 40% of voters supporting such candidates, and 33% opposing them, while 27% remaining undecided.

Moreover, 35% of Filipinos expressed support for candidates advocating military modernization amid rising sea tensions. Nearly half (48%) opposed candidates perceived as steering the Philippines toward a war footing, while 24% remained undecided.

The Philippines and China have been at loggerheads over disputed features in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

“What we see here is that there is no national consensus on how we should approach our problem, our challenge with China,” said Mr. Arguelles. “For an ordinary Filipino, it is a bit confusing because different policy and political elites have been offering different options for the public to consider.”

ANTI-DYNASTY
Filipinos are also divided on senatorial candidates supportive of anti-political dynasty bill, with 39% saying they are in support, 29% against, and 32% still unsure.

The split in public opinion could be due to the disenchantment of some voters to dynastic politicians, said Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University.

“Many of them are dependent on it, but they are beginning to think this can’t be sustainable especially when the dynasty in their hometown is only dominant because there is no strong opposition or they’re very incompetent,” he said in a Facebook chat.

Meanwhile, 33% of Filipinos said they would back candidates advocating for a divorce law. Around 40% of voters opposed them and 28% are undecided, according to the poll results. About half (49%) of Filipinos are also against candidates pushing for same-sex marriage, with only 26% willing to vote for one.

“Filipino families continue to remain conservative in their norms and beliefs,” Mr. Juliano said.

The nationwide, non-commissioned survey was conducted from Feb. 10-18, 2025, through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,814 Filipinos aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

72% concerned over trade war

March 6, 2025 | 9:28 pm

THE MAJORITY (72%) of Filipinos said they are concerned with the trade war between the United States and China, believing it could affect themselves and their families, according to the latest poll by public opinion research firm WR Numero Research.

The February report also found that only one in ten did not care about the issue, while 17% were unsure.

US President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday triggered a trade war with China by hiking the duties of imported Beijing goods to 20%, such as Chinese-made smartphones, laptops, smart watches and Bluetooth devices.

China swiftly retaliated with import levies covering about $21 billion worth of US agricultural and food products, Reuters reported, a move that could spark an all-out trade war between two of the world’s largest economies.

The Republican leader has dangled the threat of rolling out a universal tariff on all US imports, a key plank of his reelection bid, in an effort to protect American businesses from what he described as unfair foreign competition.

Moreover, four out of 10 Filipinos said they are uncertain about Mr. Trump’s presidency, with 32% expressing confidence in the US leader. A quarter of the respondents said they are opposed to him, according to the poll results.

The public opinion divide could be attributed to the “disinformation ecosystem” some Filipinos are engaged with, said Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University. “If people are plugged into it, they believe it and they will say so.”

Cleve V. Arguelles, WR Numero chief executive officer and president, noted the uncertainty is notable seen among those in the lowest income group, which he linked to a low level of awareness and lack of access to related information.

Mr. Trump’s foreign policy may see the US become isolated from the rest of the world, said Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a lecturer at the School of Diplomacy and Governance of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

“This is because the second Trump regime seems to lean more towards isolationism or inward focus and are displaying some realist strategies,” he said via Facebook chat.

“This is understandable given that Washington seemed to have sacrificed its own national interests and order to ensure global peace and stability, hence this pivot to focus on activities where its interests can be best promoted,” he added.

The nationwide, non-commissioned survey was conducted from Feb. 10-18, 2025, through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,814 Filipinos aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±2% at a 95% confidence level. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

DoH to set up tourism framework

March 6, 2025 | 9:27 pm

Beach-Tourist-foreigner_2 — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE HEALTH department on Thursday said that it is drafting an administrative order to establish a framework to ensure the safety of tourists in the country this year.

“We have an ongoing initiative by the Department of Health (DoH), which is to develop an administrative order on health in tourism strategic framework,” DoH Supervising Health Program Officer Haula Mohamad said in a Senate committee hearing.

“This framework aims to ensure the safety of tourists in the Philippines, regardless if it’s local or foreign,” she added.

Ms. Mohamad added that the health agency will draft the administrative order within the year.

She said that an interagency technical working group with the Tourism and Interior and Local Government departments would be created to support the creation of the framework.

“It’s very good to hear that this year (the DoH) will be coming out with an administrative order on a health and tourism strategic framework,” said Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel. “We need not only a one-off reaction but more of a preventive approach which underlines with the Universal Health Care system that is implemented by the DoH in terms of health and safety tourism.

Ms. Hontiveros had earlier filed Senate Bill 2971, the Child Tourist Safety Act, otherwise called the Sandy’s Act. This is named after six-year-old Sandy Garovillas, who died from a jellyfish sting after failing to receive medical attention.

A separate incident in Zambales had also occurred where four-year-old Kiera Maningding had died from a jellyfish sting.

The bill seeks to prevent, mitigate and respond to risks affecting children and other visitors to Philippine tourist sites by ensuring proper access to medical and emergency services as well as life-saving equipment, medicine, and facilities. — Adrian H. Halili

Senate president backs plan to build nickel plant

March 6, 2025 | 9:26 pm

SENATE PRESIDENT Francis G. Escudero on Thursday backed a plan by DMCI Mining Corp. and Nickel Asia Corp. to conduct a feasibility study to develop a nickel processing plant in the country, as the senate eyes banning ore exports.

“Not only does this align perfectly with our vision of reducing raw mineral exports, but it also paves the way for economic growth and job generation for our people,” Mr. Escudero said in a statement.

The Senate Chief last month introduced a provision to Senate Bill No. 2826, the Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining bill, which prohibits the exports of raw minerals to encourage mining operators to put up ore processing facilities in the country.

The bill, which secured third reading approval on Feb. 3, is up for bicameral conference approval when the Congressional session resumes in June.

The proposed ban on raw ore exports is said to take effect five years after its enactment.

However, Mr. Escudero said earlier that he was looking to propose an extended period to provide miners more time to construct processing facilities.

In a regulatory filing on Wednesday, the companies said that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the possibility of developing and operating a nickel processing plant in the Philippines.

The Philippines is among the biggest exporters of raw nickel, a key material used in electric vehicle batteries as well as in stainless steel. Most Philippine raw nickel exports go to China, with the remainder taken up by Japan. — Adrian H. Halili

NNIC, Collins Aerospace ink deal modernizing NAIA

March 6, 2025 | 9:25 pm

NEW NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), has partnered with Collins Aerospace to modernize existing systems at the country’s main gateway.

In a media release on Thursday, NNIC said its partnership with global airport technology company Collins Aerospace will advance and streamline operations at NAIA adhering to international aviation standards. The project will start in May and is expected to be completed by September. This will include the introduction of a common-use passenger processing system and common-use self-service kiosks allowing passengers to check-in and drop off their luggage.

NNIC said it also aims to replace multiple document checks and reduce wait times by introducing biometric screening at NAIA.

Further, real-time flight information will also be available through its upgraded flight information display system and its official website will also show timely updates.

The private operator of NAIA also aims to strengthen security systems at the airport with pre-security e-gates and passenger flow management systems.

The rollout of these upgrades is scheduled in phases starting in May with the deployment of Collins Aerospace on-site support team at the airport.

By August, core systems for passenger processing, baggage tracking and resource management will be operational, NNIC said, adding that the last phase will be completed in September.

The final phase of this upgrade will introduce self-service check-in kiosks, pre-security e-gates, self-bag drop stations, and biometric boarding gates.

The project will also optimize airport operations with the new airport operational database and resource management system.

This system will improve staff deployment and resource allocation while a new baggage reconciliation system to track luggage will also be deployed. — Ashley Erika O. Jose