President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday hailed the public listing of Maynilad Water Services, Inc., which allows investors to own shares of the company, as a significant milestone for the country’s water sector, stock market, and overall economy.

In his speech during the Maynilad Water Services, Inc. Initial Public Offering (IPO) Listing Ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange in Taguig City, President Marcos said Maynilad’s listing reflects the growing confidence in the Philippine market and underscores the great partnership between public and private entities in providing essential services.

Maynilad currently serves the West Zone of the Greater Metro Manila, benefitting millions of Filipinos.

“We mark today a milestone for our country’s water sector, our stock market, and for our economy. The listing of Maynilad Water Services on the Philippine Stock Exchange is a sign of confidence in our markets and in our people,” President Marcos said.

The President added that with its IPO, Maynilad opens itself to scrutiny and accountability, which strengthens investor trust and helps expand the country’s capital markets.

According to the President, Maynilad’s IPO encourages more investors while promoting transparency and responsible management of water resources.

The listing contributes to water security and sustainability through Maynilad’s role in improving water access and sanitation.

“So truly, Maynilad’s public listing signals what I have been telling the world: that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to do business with you,” the President said.

President Marcos also highlighted some of the Maynilad’s sustainability programs, including a climate-resilient water system, investments in renewable energy and waste management, and watershed protection, which all aligned with the administration’s goal of building an adaptive economy guided by good governance.

The President likewise assured Maynilad of government support as they enter its new phase of service and remind them to remain focused on serving the people.

“To our partners in Maynilad, never lose sight of the people you serve. Be assured the government is always in support of your initiatives, especially now that you have entered this new phase in your service,” the President said.

Maynilad’s IPO is considered to be the largest listing in 2025 and the second largest IPO in the Philippines. | PND

“Hindi namin iiwanan ang Cebu hangga’t hindi pa ayos ang lahat!”

Ito ang ipinangako ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. nitong Huwebes para sa tuloy-tuloy na tulong at suporta sa Cebu matapos ang matinding pinsalang dulot ng Bagyong Tino.

Sa panayam matapos ang briefing ng NDRRMC sa Camp Aguinaldo, sinabi ng Pangulo na kailangang balansehin ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno ang pagpapadala ng tulong sa mga lugar na tinamaan ni Tino at sa mga probinsiyang posibleng tamaan ng paparating na Super Typhoon Uwan sa hilagang Luzon.

“The same thing. But we will do as much as we can to anticipate dahil marami sa -marami tayong- if we anticipate well, and we prepare well, marami tayong- nagagawa para medyo mas mabawasan Ang effect .”

Batid din ng Pangulo ang matinding epekto ng Bagyong Tino, lalo na ang mataas na bilang ng nasawi sa Visayas.

Ayon sa kanya, wala pang maibigay na kabuuang bilang ng pinsala at nasawi dahil patuloy pa ang pag-beripika sa mga apektado.

Dagdag pa ng Pangulo, mahalagang ideklara ang state of national calamity dahil sa lawak ng mga lugar na tinamaan at bilang paghahanda na rin sa paparating na bagyo. Sa ganitong paraan, mas mabilis na makakagamit ng pondo at makakabili ng mga kailangang kagamitan para sa relief operations. | PND

Malacañang assured the public on Thursday that the government has enough funds to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already ordered the release of financial assistance to the affected LGUs, particularly in MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Negros Island Region.

“Sa ngayon ay mayroon pa tayong pondo para sa ganitong mga klaseng sitwasyon,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Castro said frontline agencies have quick response funds that can be replenished.

“At kung ito ay kukulangin lalong-lalo na sa mga LGUs, makakaasa sila na sila ay bibigyan po ng tulong mula sa Office of the President,” she added.

Various countries have expressed their sympathies to the survivors of the recent disaster.

Castro also said that several foreign partners have already expressed readiness to assist in recovery efforts on the ground.

On Thursday, President Marcos approved the proposal of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a state of national calamity due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino and the preparation for the impact of incoming Typhoon Uwan.

The President said the government is continuing rescue and relief efforts for all those affected by Typhoon Tino, while preparing for Typhoon Uwan. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the release of PhP1.307 trillion in programmed funds for the fourth quarter of the year to support disaster relief, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts for communities affected by recent calamities, Malacañang announced Thursday.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos’ directive aims to ensure that government resources are mobilized efficiently to help affected Filipinos rebuild their lives.

“Ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagpapalabas sa 1.307 trillion pesos programmed budget para sa fourth quarter ng taon. Layunin nitong matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga kababayang sinalanta ng mga sakuna at sa mga kanilang agarang pagbangon at makapagsimulang muli,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

The Palace Press Officer added that the President also instructed all government agencies to utilize the funds with integrity and effectiveness to stimulate economic growth and ensure that every peso contributes to the country’s continued recovery and development.

“Inatasan din ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang lahat ng tanggapan ng pamahalaan na gamitin ang pondo sa pamamagitan ng matuwid at epektibong paraan upang mapalago ang ekonomiya ng bansa,” Castro added.

Citing the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Castro said that a large portion of the budget will be allocated to social services to ensure that all Filipinos benefit from government spending.

Castro added that proper government spending, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and direct subsidies, generates more profits that help grow the economy and boost both consumption and investment.

“Naniniwala ang pamahalaan na kapag nagagamit nang tama ang pera ng bayan para sa imprastruktura, kalusugan, edukasyon o mga direktang subsidiya — mas maraming pera ang pumapasok — na tutulong sa pagpapalago ng ekonomiya ng bansa,” Castro said.

“Lumalakas ang konsumo at pamumuhunan dahil nakikita ng mga investors na tumataas ang pangangailangan para sa kanilang mga produkto at serbisyo,” Castro added.

Castro likewise reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to improving the quality of life of Filipinos, while ensuring economic development under the vision of a “Bagong Pilipinas”. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains focused on his mandate to enhance the quality of life for all Filipinos and will continue working to improve the living conditions of Filipinos, a Palace official said on Thursday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, who was asked to comment on President Marcos’ trust and performance rating, said: “Nandodoon pa rin po iyong majority po ay nandoon pa rin po iyong kanilang trust sa ating Pangulo.”

“Sabi nga po natin anuman ang numero, mataas, mababa at hangga’t nagtatrabaho ang ating Pangulo at ang gobyerno o para sa taumbayan tuluy-tuloy pa rin po at hindi po tayo maaapektuhan ng anuman pong numero,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

Castro also noted the recent changes in the country’s hunger incidence, acknowledging them while emphasizing the government’s continued efforts to address the issue.

The Palace Press Officer added that the series of typhoons that recently hit the country had affected the government’s ongoing efforts to lower the national hunger rate.

“Huwag po natin kalimutan na sunud-sunod ang kalamidad na naranasan ng mga kababayan po natin – nakaapekto po ito sa patuloy po na pagtatrabaho ng ating pamahalaan lalung-lalo na po ang DSWD para po maipababa ang hunger rate ng bansa,” Castro said.

“At tandaan po natin, hindi naman po tumitigil ang ating pamahalaan sa mga programa tulad ng mga Walang Gutom Program, Special Feeding Program.”

Castro acknowledged that survey results help compare data with government data. | PND

Inaprubahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. nitong Huwebes ang deklarasyon ng state of national calamity bunsod ng matinding pinsalang idinulot ng Bagyong Tino sa ilang rehiyon, at bilang paghahanda sa pananalasa ng paparating na malakas na Bagyong Uwan.

Sa isinagawang situation briefing sa punong tanggapan ng National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) sa Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, inaprubahan ng Pangulo ang rekomendasyon ng NDRRMC na ideklara ang state of calamity.

Ayon kay Pangulong Marcos, nagpapatuloy ang mga operasyon ng pamahalaan para sa rescue at relief ng mga naapektuhan ng Bagyong Tino, habang kasabay ding pinag-iigting ang paghahanda para sa pagdating ng Bagyong Uwan.

“Mabigat talaga ang pagkatama sa Cebu. Actually, Regions VI, VII, VIII, MIMAROPA, umabot sa Negros Island Region dahil tumawid ang Tino – the damage is heavy,” ani ng Pangulo sa panayam matapos ang briefing.

“And so, we are doing our usual relief and support activities para lahat nung mga na-displace, lahat nung naging biktima, ay matutulungan ng pamahalaan, together with national government, together with the first responders, of course, the LGUs,” dagdag niya.

Ipinaliwanag ng Pangulo na dahil sa lawak ng pinsala ng Bagyong Tino at ng mga lugar na posibleng tamaan ni Uwan, inaprubahan niya ang mungkahi ng NDRRMC na magdeklara ng state of national calamity.

Tinatayang 10 hanggang 12 rehiyon ang maaapektuhan ng magkasunod na bagyo. “Because of the scope of, shall we say, problem areas that has been hit by Tino and will be hit by Uwan, there was a proposal from the NDRRMC, which I approved, that we will declare a national calamity because ilang regions na ‘yan,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos.

Ang deklarasyon ng state of national calamity ay magpapabilis sa mga aksyon ng pamahalaan at pribadong sektor sa rescue, recovery, relief, at rehabilitation ng mga apektadong lugar.

“That gives us quicker access to some of the emergency funds, number one. Secondly, mapapabilis ang ating procurement so that, we don’t have to go to the usual bureaucratic procedures and we can immediately provide assistance to the victims of the storms,” paliwanag ng Pangulo.

Matapos ang pananalasa ni Bagyong Tino, nagkaloob ang Office of the President (OP) ng kabuuang PhP760 milyon bilang tulong pinansyal sa mga apektadong lokal na pamahalaan:

PhP50 milyon bawat isa sa mga lalawigan ng Cebu, Capiz, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo, Bohol, at Negros Occidental;

PhP40 milyon bawat isa sa Eastern Samar, Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte, Antique, at Aklan;

PhP30 milyon bawat isa sa Leyte at Masbate;

PhP20 milyon bawat isa sa Guimaras, Agusan del Norte, at Dinagat Islands;

PhP10 milyon bawat isa sa Biliran, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Misamis Oriental, Negros Oriental, at Palawan; at

PhP5 milyon bawat isa sa Albay, Romblon, Batangas, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Quezon, Samar, Agusan del Sur, Laguna, Zamboanga City, Lungsod ng Maynila (para sa mga stranded na pasahero), Camiguin, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, at Iligan City.

Dagdag pa ng Pangulo, kasalukuyang sinusuri ng pamahalaan ang deployment ng mga tauhan para sa rescue at relief operations sa mga lugar na sinalanta ni Tino at maghanda sa posibleng pinsala ni Uwan sa Hilagang Luzon.

“Kaya’t ‘yun ang aming binabalanse. Siyempre, hindi namin iiwanan ang Cebu hangga’t lahat na ay in place na. But we will do as much as we can to anticipate – if we anticipate well and we prepare well, marami tayong nagagawa para medyo mas mabawasan ang effect,” ani Pangulong Marcos. | PND

“Hindi namin iiwanan ang Cebu hangga’t lahat na ay in place na!”

Thus declared President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday and vowed to continue relief and support for Cebu following Typhoon Tino’s impact across various regions of the country.

In an interview following the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) situation briefing at Camp Emilio Aguinaldo on Thursday, President Marcos said government agencies must balance sending personnel to Typhoon Tino-affected areas and to provinces expected to be hit by Super Typhoon Uwan, particularly in northern Luzon.

“The same thing. But we will do as much as we can to anticipate dahil marami sa – marami tayong – if we anticipate well, and we prepare well, marami tayong nagagawa para medyo mas mabawasan ang effect.”

The President likewise acknowledged the devastating effects of Typhoon Tino, particularly the high number of casualties in the Visayas region.

The government can’t provide the total damage and casualty figures at this time because it is still validating the identities of all those affected, the Chief Executive said.

The President added that declaring a state of national calamity is essential due to the broad scope of affected areas and to prepare for the incoming typhoon, while acknowledging that the declaration would give the government quicker access to emergency funds and expedite the procurement process. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday approved the declaration of a state of national calamity due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino in several regions, and the impact of another incoming powerful typhoon.

President Marcos approved the proposal of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to declare a state of calamity, during a situation briefing held at the NDRRMC headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The President said the government is continuing rescue and relief efforts for all those affected by Typhoon Tino, while preparing for Typhoon Uwan.

“Mabigat talaga ang pagkatama sa Cebu. Actually, Regions VI, VII, VIII, MIMAROPA, umabot sa Negros Island Region dahil tumawid ang Tino – the damage is heavy,” President Marcos said in a media interview after the briefing.

“And so, we are doing our usual relief and support activities para lahat nung mga na-displace, lahat nung naging biktima, ay matutulungan ng pamahalaan, together with national government, together with the first responders, of course, the LGUs.”

“Because of the scope of, shall we say, problem areas that has been hit by Tino and will be hit by Uwan, there was a proposal from the NDRRMC, which I approved, that we will declare a national calamity because ilang regions na ‘yan,” President Marcos continued.

President Marcos said 10 to 12 regions are expected to be affected by the twin typhoons. “So, pagka ganoon karami, ganoon ang scope, then we really have to, then it is a national calamity.”

The declaration of a state of national calamity will accelerate the government’s and the private sector’s rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. The declaration will also facilitate the use of calamity funds in affected areas.

“That gives us quicker access to some of the emergency funds. Secondly, mapapabilis ang ating procurement so that we don’t have to go to the usual bureaucratic procedures and we can immediately provide assistance to the victims,” President Marcos said.

Following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino, the Office of the President (OP) has provided a total of PhP760 million in financial assistance to the affected local government units:

PhP50 million each for the provinces of Cebu, Capiz, Surigao del Norte, Iloilo, Bohol, and Negros Occidental; PhP40 million each for Eastern Samar, Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte, Antique, and Aklan;

PhP30 million each for Leyte and Masbate; PhP20 million each for Guimaras, Agusan del Norte, and Dinagat Islands; PhP10 million each for Biliran, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Misamis Oriental, Negros Oriental, and Palawan; and

PhP5 million to Albay, Romblon, Batangas, Northern Samar, Siquijor, Quezon, Samar, Agusan del Sur, Laguna, Zamboanga City, City of Manila (due to stranded passengers), Camiguin, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, and Iligan City.

President Marcos said the government is evaluating the deployment of personnel to cover ongoing rescue and relief operations in the Typhoon Tino-affected areas and prepare for the impact of Typhoon Uwan in Northern Luzon.

“Kaya’t ‘yun ang aming binabalanse. Siyempre, hindi namin iiwanan ang Cebu hangga’t lahat na ay in place na. But we will do as much as we can to anticipate – if we anticipate well and we prepare well, marami tayong nagagawa para medyo mas mabawasan ang effect,” said the President. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed the nation’s condolences to the families of the six Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel who died in a helicopter crash in Agusan Del Sur at the height of Typhoon Tino on Tuesday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Marcos extended his condolences and assistance to the families of the nation’s heroes.

“Ayon po sa Pangulo, ipinapaabot niya ang kanyang pakikiramay sa pamilya ng mga nasawi na mga bayani ng ating bansa at lahat ng tulong na nararapat ay dapat na iparating sa mga naapektuhan na pamilya,” Castro said in a Palace press briefing on Wednesday.

In a statement on Tuesday, PAF confirmed that one of its Super Huey helicopters encountered a mishap near the vicinity of the 60th Infantry Battalion in Agusan Del Sur.

The helicopter was heading to Butuan to conduct a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis (RDANA) mission following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino.

PAF said a thorough investigation is being conducted to determine the circumstances and cause of the accident.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, the Department of National Defense (DND) hailed the dedication to duty and sacrifice of the six PAF pilots and crew in the service of fellow Filipinos facing the effects of Typhoon Tino.

The DND said it shall extend all available support to the families of the fallen airmen. | PND

“Walang Pilipinong mai-scam ngayong Pasko.”

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Wednesday that it is working with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), banks, and law enforcers to protect the public from online scams this Christmas season.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the initiative is under the agency’s Oplan Paskong Sigurado that aims to shield the public from online scammers.

“Ilang beses ko na sigurong nabanggit sa inyo, inutos po ng Presidente sa akin at sa DICT itong Pasko na ito walang Pilipinong mai-scam,” Aguda said.

“So, tuloy-tuloy po iyan at were making sure, we’re working with BSP, with the banks, with the law enforcers matiwasay po dapat ang Pasko natin. So tuloy-tuloy lang po kayong mag-e-commerce, e-transaction,” the DICT chief added.

Aguda asserted that there has been no data breach involving e-wallet services, citing the verification done by the National Privacy Commission (NPC).

“Habang nagpapatuloy po na mag-verify kami doon sa mga report kasi kailangan naming gawin, gusto lang po namin linawin, we concluded—fake news po iyon, parang may na-recycle na news in the past na lumutang na lang,” he said.

“And sinabi naman ng website mismo, it’s unverified. So out of abundance of prudence and caution, NPC thought of checking it out and lumabas naman po wala pong problema,” Aguda emphasized.

In the past, authorities recorded a spike in online scams during the Christmas season, driven by increased online shopping and a focus on giving during the holidays, making people more vulnerable to phishing, fake websites, and other fraudulent activities. | PND