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Sugarcane pest infestation spreads to 2,027 hectares

REUTERS

THE red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation in the Visayas, mostly on Negros island, is now affecting 2,027 hectares of sugarland, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).

Some 1,097 farmers are affected by the infestation of RSSI, which has the potential of reducing sugar content by 50%, it said via Viber.

The areas affected include 1,980 hectares in Negros Occidental, 24.75 hectares in Iloilo, 19.1 hectares in Capiz, and 3.5 hectares in Negros Oriental.

The SRA said Administrator Pablo Luis S. Azcona had recommended that local government units, especially in Negros Occidental, declare states of emergency to boost quarantine procedures and to speed up pesticide procurement and the release of aid to affected farmers.

No emergencies have been declared so far.

It said it asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) for additional pesticide assistance.

About P10 million in funding was approved by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu, Laurel, Jr.

“We continue to utilize and exhaust our current available pesticide supplies (which are held by) our Mill District Development Councils,” the SRA said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Government to fast-track transport modernization amid fuel price spikes

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE PHILIPPINE government will fast-track its modernization program for public utility vehicles amid rising global oil prices due to the war between Israel and Iran, according to its Transportation chief.

But structural economic challenges continue to hinder the transition from traditional fuel-powered vehicles to electric and modern fleets, Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon told reporters at a virtual news briefing on Thursday.

“We’re trying our best to implement this as fast as we can,” he said in mixed English and Filipino. “But as we have already said in the past, there are too many issues that need fixing before we can fast-track the program.”

“We cannot just fast-track this without addressing those very basic problems, which essentially involve economic viability,” he added.

The push to modernize the country’s aging transport fleet has taken on fresh urgency amid volatile oil prices because of the Middle Eastern war.

Brent crude briefly spiked to $79 per barrel amid geopolitical jitters but fell back to about $69 after US President Donald J. Trump announced a cease-fire, easing concerns over potential disruptions to the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor, Reuters reported.

The transport modernization program, launched in 2017, seeks to replace old jeepneys and buses with environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient models, many of which run on electric or hybrid power.

The plan seeks to professionalize the sector, while promising to make it more profitable, by calling on more than 30,000 drivers and operators in Metro Manila to consolidate.

Critics say the plan is anti-poor, and the new business model that it seeks to spawn is a case of corporate capture.

The modernization program seeks to establish a state-of-the-art public transport system that induces operators to renew their fleets using higher-capacity vehicles that are also more efficient.

It also lays the groundwork for the electrification of the public transport fleet toward full decarbonization.

Mr. Dizon cited high vehicle costs, scarce spare parts and maintenance options and limited financing.

“Many of our modernized operators are now struggling to pay their debts,” he said. “That just means they are losing money.”

A modern jeepney could cost P900,000 to P3.3 million, compared with traditional ones that are worth P150,000 to P400,000.

The agency is planning to roll out “major changes” in the coming weeks, Mr. Dizon said, without elaborating.

He said there would be funding support next year.

“There is space there, there are subsidies in place,” he said. “But the problem is we cannot rely on subsidies alone to modernize our public utility vehicles.”

He said a market-driven approach is needed to ensure the sustainability of the modernization plan, adding that operators and drivers must have an incentive to modernize.

“If they don’t make money, no matter what we do, it will be difficult to incentivize transport groups to modernize,” he added.

The modernization drive has been repeatedly delayed amid criticism from transport groups, many of which argue that the costs and loan terms are unaffordable for small-scale jeepney and bus operators.

The government had set multiple deadlines for compliance, but these have been pushed back amid consultations and protests.

The Philippine jeepney operates under a “boundary system,” where the driver, usually male, pays the jeepney owner called the operator a fixed daily amount called the boundary.

Jeepneys have been known as the king of the road, mainly due to the aggressive driving behavior of their drivers.

They have been called both a public convenience and nuisance because they suddenly stop in the middle of the road to load and unload passengers. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Philippine military ready versus foreign aggression

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deployed two PCG vessels and an aircraft in response to reports of illegal swarming by Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) in Rozul Reef on June 20, 2025. — PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

THE PHILIPPINE military is ready to defend the country against foreign aggression, its top general said on Thursday, in what appeared to be a response to Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s remarks that the country is not prepared for war.

“The AFP stands united and future-ready, not to provoke war but to deter conflict and defend the nation with valor, vigilance and vital partnerships across the globe,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. said in a statement.

Ms. Duterte at a rally for her supporters in Melbourne, Australia last week said the Philippines should not lean on the US amid its sea dispute with China.

“Her statements undermine our national interest and betray her constitutional duty to protect the security and welfare of the Filipino people,” think-tank Stratbase Institute said in a separate statement.

The Office of the Vice-President did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment.

“The Philippines is not acting on behalf of any foreign power; we are asserting our sovereign rights under international law and the 2016 arbitral award — something she, as a duly elected public official, should be defending,” Stratbase President Victor Andres Manhit said in the statement.

A United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 voided China’s sweeping claims for being illegal, a ruling that Beijing does not recognize.

Stratbase also condemned China’s “latest act of aggression,” after its coast guard harassed Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels near Scarborough Shoal on June 20 using water cannons and dangerous maneuvers.

“This is not an isolated event but only the latest in a series of unprovoked actions that demonstrate China’s blatant disregard for the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.

“These acts are unacceptable, reckless and a direct threat to the safety of Filipino personnel conducting legitimate and peaceful activities in our own waters,” he added.

The Philippine Coast Guard last week said two BFAR ships were harassed by the Chinese Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal, with authorities monitoring two Chinese navy vessels loitering nearby.

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel hit a BFAR ship with a water cannon on June 20 while it was delivering supplies to Filipino fishermen near the shoal.

Chinese ships have repeatedly barred Filipino fishermen from accessing Scarborough Shoal, which lies within Manila’s exclusive economic zone. The atoll is a vast fishing lagoon near major shipping lanes that China seized in 2012 after a standoff with Philippine troops.

The shoal is 240 kilometers west of the main Philippine island of Luzon and is nearly 900 kilometers from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese landmass.

‘DESTABILIZING ACTIONS’
Mr. Brawner on Wednesday met with Malaysia’s navy chief in Manila, where they talked about how to deepen security cooperation between and stressed the need to keep regional stability.

The AFP chief met with Malaysia Admiral Datuk Zulhelmy bin Ithnain during his courtesy visit to Camp Aguinaldo, the Philippine military headquarters near the Philippine capital, according to a separate statement from the AFP.

“The courtesy call reflects the shared commitment of the Philippines and Malaysia to uphold strong defense relations and promote cooperation in addressing common maritime challenges,” it said.

“Both leaders engaged in a constructive discussion on regional security, interoperability and mutual interests in maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia,” it added.

Also on Thursday, the Group of Seven (G7) countries cited the need to deepen security cooperation among its members to keep the peace in the Indo-Pacific region, the US Department of State said.

US Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio met with foreign ministers of the G7 member states on the sidelines of a military summit in The Netherlands, where they talked about the grouping’s importance in maintaining regional peace in the South China Sea.

“They spoke about the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, deepening cooperation on China’s destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and the role of G7 countries in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” US State department spokeswoman Tammy K. Bruce said in a readout posted on the agency’s website.

China claims virtually the entire South China Sea via a U-shaped, 1940s nine-dash line map that overlaps with the exclusive waters of the Philippines.

Western countries have also voiced concerns over a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Beijing has threatened to annex the self-ruled island, which it views as a breakaway province.

Manila has since diversified its defense alliances with the west and its regional neighbors amid worsening tensions with China in the water way, which is believed to be rich in gas and mineral resources.

“The strengthening of alliances with the United States, Japan, Australia and the European Union is crucial in countering China’s assertive behavior,” 1Sambayan coalition said in a separate statement.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Thursday urged “certain individuals within the Philippine military” to stop “malicious accusations,” after a Philippine military spokesman linked China to a recent influx of illegal drugs.

“China has the toughest resolve and policy against drugs, and we have one of the best counternarcotics track records in the world,” the Chinese Embassy said.

“We firmly oppose the baseless and malicious accusations made by certain individuals with intention to smear China,” it added.

“It appears that it is not far-fetched that this could be another effort of the Chinese Communist Party to destroy the future generation of Filipinos by flooding our country with illicit drugs,” Philippine Navy spokesman Roy Vincent T. Trinidad told a news briefing on Tuesday. — KCLB with Reuters

Over 100 villages to get P309M for child development centers

PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL B. PABALATE

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday approved the release of P309 million to 103 barangays for the construction of Child Development Centers (CDCs).

In a statement on Thursday, the DBM said the establishment of more CDCs in the country, which aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive, will be executed through multi-purpose building (MPB) projects.

“This is part of our continuing support for Child Development Centers, aimed at giving our children a fair start even before they step into classrooms,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.

This forms part of a joint circular between the DBM and the Department of Education (DepEd), which prioritized funding of about P1 billion to build CDCs in 328 low-income local government units (LGUs).

Of the 328 low-income LGUs, 89 will be installed in Luzon, 106 will be in the Visayas, and 133 in Mindanao, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The program will be charged under the Local Government Support Fund — Financial Assistance to LGUs in the P6.352 trillion 2025 national budget.

The DBM the program mandate LGUs to allot at least 150 square meters of land, sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council, and take on operational responsibilities to ensure the long-term viability of the CDCs, it said.

“The DBM, DepEd, DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), and the ECCD Council continue to work closely with local governments to monitor implementation and deliver results where they matter most—at the community level,” the DBM said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Support for Marcos agenda urged

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

HOUSE SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday urged incoming lawmakers to back President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s legislative agenda when the 20th Congress convenes next month.

In a statement on Thursday, Mr. Romualdez called for the newly elected congressmen to support the reforms and measures that the Marcos administration would want to be prioritized, pointing to the need for their “full support” to the government’s “reform-driven agenda.”

“We want to make sure that the 20th Congress is much in sync with the administration’s policies, his Philippine Development Plan, his Fiscal Medium-Term Framework for the economy and the vision for the Bagong Pilipinas,” he said.

Mr. Romualdez hosted the 40 newly elected congressmen at the Presidential Palace after their three-day orientation for the upcoming Congress. Lawmakers would meet for a new congressional session in late July. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Seized gasoline donated to PCG

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will receive fuel seized by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to support its maritime operations, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

In a statement on Thursday, the DoF said Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto approved the donation of 1,251.68 liters of gasoline forfeited by the BoC to the PCG.

This came after the agency intercepted gasoline, which violated the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, particularly fuel marking regulations.

The law also authorizes the donation of goods subject to disposition to another government agency, upon the approval of the Secretary of Finance.

“This donation not only shows our commitment to bolstering our defense sector but is a clear warning to all businesses that any illicit act will not go unpunished,” Mr. Recto said.

The fuel marking program was launched in 2019. Fuel is marked with a special dye to signify tax compliance, while the absence of the dye is considered an indication that the fuel may be smuggled.

The program is authorized by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

BARMM wage hike approved

COTABATO CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the Bangsamoro region approved on Thursday a new salary scale for private sector workers in five southern provinces and the three cities under its jurisdiction.

Members of the RTWPB-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), led by its chairperson, Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin G. Sema, signed the new wage order during a symbolic rite at their office in Cotabato City, in the presence of reporters.

The RTWPB-BARMM had set a P411 mandatory daily wage for non-agricultural workers and P386 for agricultural workers in Cotabato City, the capital of the Bangsamoro region.

The board, composed representatives from the employer and labor sectors in the autonomous region, approved a P376 and P386 daily rate for agriculture and non-agricultural workers, respectively, in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi provinces and in the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

Under the new wage order, agricultural workers and non-agricultural workers in the Bangsamoro Special Geographic Area, comprising eight newly created towns in Cotabato province, will be entitled to P366 and P391 daily wages, respectively. 

The rates were P50 higher than the daily wages for agricultural and non-agricultural workers stated in the wage order that officials of the board approved on Feb. 28, 2024.

“That is an across-the-board increase in the rate of wages we approved last year,” Mr. Sema said.

BARMM Chief Minister Abdulrauf A. Macacua watched Mr. Sema, the board’s vice chairman, Trade and Investment Minister Abuamri A. Taddik, the entrepreneur Haron U. Bandila, representing the employers’ sector in the autonomous region, and his counterparts from the labor sector, Norlyn A. Odin and Jonathan P. Acosta, sign the wage order in an event organized by officials of the regional labor ministry.

“These pay schemes were programmed by members of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the autonomous region after extensive consultations with the labor sector and employers in the autonomous region,” Mr. Sema said.

Mr. Sema and Mr. Macacua, who is also figurehead of the 80 seat Bangsamoro parliament, separately told reporters that they are thankful to the sectors that helped the RTWPB-BARMM set a new daily pay matrix for this year for agricultural and non-agricultural workers in the autonomous region. — John Felix M. Unson

IBM, DSWD to hold tech training

BAGUIO CITY — IBM-Philippines and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have linked up to sign up young girls at care facilities to tech-based training and short courses by IBM’s “SkillsBuild” learning program.

The initiative was introduced on Wednesday to the beneficiaries of the Marillac Hills-National Training School for Girls (NTSG) as IBM Philippines and DSWD signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the Skills Build System.

This tie-up project will bring out the best of the department and IBM Philippines’ intention to extend hope to the most vulnerable groups, said social welfare chief Rex Gatchalian in a statement.

“Fourteen young ladies (victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation) currently living in one of DSWD’s care facilities are now part of the IBM Philippines’ SkillsBuild System,” Mr. Gatchalian said in his official Facebook page.

Under the IBM Philippines-DSWD partnership, the children, particularly from the Marillac Hills-NTSG will be the first batch from the agency-managed center and residential care facilities (CRCFs) who will undergo skills upgrade and earn digital certificates in tech-based fields.

IBM Philippines President and Country General Manager Aileen Judan-Jiao explained that the certificates and micro-credentials that the young girls will earn through the training program will be recognized by prospective employers both in the local and global landscapes.

IBM SkillsBuild offers over 1,000 courses in 20 languages in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, programming and coding and many other technical disciplines, as well as workplace skills.

Both IBM and DSWD see this initiative as crucial in preparing children, who are approaching legal age, as they will eventually leave the facilities and journey toward independent living. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Three miners, rescuer die in Nueva Vizcaya tunnel

BAGUIO CITY — The bodies of the three remaining miners and a 20-year-old rescuer were recovered from a mine tunnel in Quezon town, Nueva Vizcaya.

Daniel Segundo, 47, was retrieved at around 9:53 p.m. on Wednesday, while Florencio Indopia, 63, and Lipihon Ayudan, 56, were recovered at past midnight, Thursday.

Quezon town health officer Dr. Julie Ann Cepeda Bingayan officially declared them dead.

The three fatalities, including Alfred Dulnuan and Joval Bantiyan, were among the five small-scale miners who went into the mining tunnel on Monday evening.

Mr. Dulnuan and Mr. Bantiyan, who were initially reported dead, were found alive on Tuesday.

One of the rescue volunteers, local resident John Philip Guinihid, 20, however, died while helping in the rescue operations. He was pulled out from the tunnel at around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Pastor Mario dela Cruz of the Philippine Bethel Church, Inc., one of the volunteer rescuers, said the miners likely succumbed to oxygen deprivation, which caused dizziness and loss of consciousness inside the tunnel.

Members from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, FCF Minerals Corp., Barangay Local Government Unit, Municipal Local Government Unit, OceanaGold Philippines Inc. and other volunteer groups joined the 3-night, 2-day rescue and retrieval efforts. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Eala soars to No. 68 live ranking in beating Ostapenko in Eastbourne

ALEX EALA — WTATENNIS.COM

FILIPINO tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s rise in the world ranking just reached a new high.

On the heels of another giant win against a former Grand Slam champion, the 20-year-old Filipina sensation soared to No. 68 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) live rankings ahead of her quarterfinal stint in the 2025 Lexus Eastbourne Open in England.

Ms. Eala now sports 932 points, up from 875 at No. 74 before the tourney to reset her previous high at No. 69 following her Miami Open semifinal run three months ago.

The live rankings will be officially updated by the WTA next week with Ms. Eala having a pretty chance to rise even higher.

The proud graduate of the elite Rafael Nadal Academy in Spain did it by scoring a repeat win over injured Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 0-6, 6-2, 3-2, via walkover in Eastbourne late Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old Ms. Eala was to shoot for a seat in the Final Four at press time (9:30 p.m., Manila time) against WTA No. 52 Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine, who beat home bet and WTA No. 125 Francesca Jones, 6-2, 6-1, in the other quarterfinal pairing.

Winner marches on to the semis against either Varvara Gracheva (WTA No. 111) of France or world No. 17 and Eastbourne’s No. 2 seed Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic.

“Eastbourne quarterfinalist!,” said Ms. Eala, now 2-0 against world No. 20 Ms. Ostapenko, who was the French Open champion in 2017.

Ms. Eala, who’s bracing for her Wimbledon main draw debut on June 30 to July 11 in London, made it happen behind a great resolve, bouncing back from a shutout in the first set as she wore down the heavy favorite until her unfortunate injury in the decider. She unleashed 3-1 starts in both the second and third sets to steal the pace from the third-seeded Ms. Ostapenko, who later on tweaked her ankle and was forced to retire for the Filipina’s win in one hour and 37 minutes.

Ms. Eala back in the Miami Open also stunned Ms. Ostapenko, 7-6(2-), 7-5, to ignite a run against three Top-10 players and former Grand Slam champions including wins against the then world No. 2 Iga Swiatek of Poland and world No. 5 Madison Keys of the United States.

That stellar campaign ultimately landed Ms. Eala inside the Top 100 of the WTA rankings all the way from No. 140 to become eligible for all main draws of major and WTA 1000 tournaments.

And she’s just getting started. — John Bryan Ulanday

Palaro’s golden boy Amaro tops 50m butterfly in SEA age group swimming tilt

ALBERT JOSE AMARO II — FACEBOOK.COM/PHILIPPINEAQUATICS

PALARONG Pambansa golden boy and record breaker Albert Jose Amaro II splashed his way to the gold medal in the male 16-18 50-meter butterfly of the 47th Southeast Asian (SEA) Age Group Swimming Championships in Singapore on Thursday.

The 17-year-old Mr. Amaro, who scooped up seven gold medals in the Palaro in Cebu last year, clocked 25.15 seconds in edging Jason Donovan Yusuf of Indonesia and Tedd Windsor Chan of Singapore for the mint.

Mr. Yusuf clocked 25.16 while Mr. Chan 25.23 to settle for the silver and bronze, respectively.

Another Philippine bet, 13-year-old Sophia Rose Garra claimed the silver in the girls’ 13-and-under backstroke in 2:24.33, finishing behind eventual winner Oravee Intaporn-Udom of Thailand, who timed in 2:20.33.

Singaporean Ng Yeok Han copped the bronze in 2:24.68.

It was the second medal for both Mr. Amaro and Ms. Garra, who each had a bronze the day before. — Joey Villar

Philippines’ Amit, Centeno competing in two separate tourneys abroad next month

RUBILEN AMIT — PREDATOR PRO BILLIARD SERIES FILE PHOTO

RUBILEN AMIT and Chezka Centeno, Philippine women’s billiards’ two-headed dragon, will seek to write history as they wade into battle in two separate tournaments abroad next month.

Ms. Amit, the reigning world women’s nine-ball titlist, accepted the invitation to join the men’s World Nine-ball tilt slated July 21 to 26 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where she will face the planet’s best and brightest of the opposite sex.

If she finds her shots and the stars align, Ms. Amit, a two-time world 10-ball queen, could end up earning a shot at becoming the first female winner of the male-dominated event.

But the 43-year-old eight-time Southeast Asian Games gold winner isn’t thinking that far ahead.

“I was invited, being the world women’s nine-ball champion and I decided to join,” Ms. Amit told The STAR on Thursday.

For Ms. Centeno, the 25-year-old 2003 world 10-ball winner, she will embark on a mission for a crack at becoming the first world women’s eight-ball winner in the event set July 2 to 6 at the Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

“She (Ms. Centeno) has left already and she’s competing in the very first world championship for eight-ball,” said Ms. Centeno. — Joey Villar

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