Unprogrammed appropriations were a magnet for corruption, a source of billions in kickbacks for legislators and other officials. By Guinevere Latoza Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism The term “unprogrammed appropriations,” known as UAs, sounds innocent enough. But to politicians, public
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 07 November) – A consumer advocacy group in Davao City on Friday called on the city government, civil society, and the public to “report early signs of infrastructure damage” and to “take stronger measures to ensure
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 7 November) — The sea is a storyteller. Yes, it was a storyteller and has always been so. It carries memories, not just ships. It holds the whispers of travelers who once dared to cross its
TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 07 November) – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Northeastern Mindanao has temporarily suspended all sea voyages for vessels and watercraft of any type or tonnage from mainland Surigao del Norte, Siargao, Bucas Grande, Dinagat
BTO and CAAP BARMM personnel collect P10 as travel tax from outgoing passengers at the Sanga-Sanga Airport in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Friday morning, Nov. 7. The airport services flights to areas like Zamboanga City and Cotabato City. MindaNews photo by YAS D OCAMPO
CAGAYAN DE ORO (MindaNews / 07 November) – A concrete ladder complete with solar lights is being constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in landslide-hit Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palapacao in Quezon town, Bukidnon to ease the
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 07 November) – A farmer in Barangay Sto. Niño, Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur has turned the 600-square meter plot behind his house into a flourishing tilapia farm. What started as a
Part 3: Eight Hours That Changed Everything CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 7 Nov) — I’m Limeya, and this is Part 3 of the journey of how our family left the familiar and found faith in the Philippines. If
NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 07 November) – The prosecution of corruption cases needs to speed up for justice to triumph. Speed is justice. It is comforting that Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has assured the public that he would act
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 07 November) – A fire at a two-story prayer house along Aurora Quezon Street, Barangay 33-D, Davao City early Friday morning claimed the life of a 65-year-old woman and left her 73-year-old sibling injured, according to
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 7 November) – Social welfare investments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) reached P71 billion in the last six years, mostly funded by the national government, data from the Ministry of Social
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 07 November) – Solar-powered streetlights have been installed in 13 out of 20 barangays of Maluso town in Basilan Thursday, according to provincial information officer Richard Falcatan. In a phone interview, Falcatan said the installation of
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 07 November)— The five governors of the provinces under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) signed Wednesday a “unity declaration” of support for Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua. The BARMM governors are
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 Nov) — Two days after the crash of a Philippine Air Force helicopter in Loreto in Agusan del Sur, the remains of the crew members were sent home aboard PAF planes after being given departure
Part 2: The first time our souls recognized each other CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 6 Nov) — I’m Limeya, and this is Part 2 of our journey from American comfort to Philippine sunshine, from fear to faith. If
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 Nov) — The remains of six Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel who perished in a helicopter crash in Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Nov. 4 while on a humanitarian mission in areas affected by Tropical
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 6 Nov) — Two renewable energy companies — one based in Mindanao — have expressed interest to rehabilitate the state-run hydropower plants in Bukidnon and Lanao provinces. Cerael Donggay, president and chief executive officer of
SAN FRANCISO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 6 Nov) — Amid the destruction left by Typhoon Tino, residents in Dinagat Islands, especially those in the municipality of Loreto, face a worsening water crisis as damaged pipes have left many without
The bodies of Airman Ameer Khaidar T. Apion of Zamboanga City and Sgt Yves B. Sijub of General Santos City are given departure honors before being airlifted to their respective cities on Thursday (6 November 2025). MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 Nov) — The Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) intercepted 1,107 boxes of smuggled cigarette brand Bosqu valued at ₱43.5 million from North Sulawesi, Indonesia, off the coast of Barangay Bato, Sta. Cruz town, Davao del
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 Nov) — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Davao arrested on Wednesday two workers caught in the act of refilling butane canisters in Purok Tambis, Barangay Gredo, Panabo City. Ely Leano, spokesperson for NBI-Davao, told reporters
TAGANAK ISLAND, Tawi-Tawi (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — With reports that some of the sea otters found here were being hurt or killed by locals, the municipal government is considering captive breeding to help promote awareness and protect the species
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — So, it finally happened. A Muslim. A democratic socialist. A son of Ugandan immigrants. The mayor of New York City. If this were a movie, it would open with a young man walking
Workers clean the Chinese Pier in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, early Saturday morning (1 November 2025). The busy pier serves as a docking point for both commercial and passenger boats. MindaNews photo by BENJAMIN CASPILLO III
TANDAG CITY (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — After the devastating effects of Typhoon Tino, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Dinagat Islands has officially placed the entire province under a state of calamity. The SP passed Resolution No. 25-2666 following the recommendation
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) inspected two infrastructure projects in Barangay Matina Crossing here Wednesday, including a flood control project along the Davao River where a pedestrian bridge collapsed last year. The
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — In the face of mounting corruption scandals and economic instability, the Philippines finds itself at a crossroads. The public is angry, institutions are shaken, and the demand for moral leadership has never been
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — The remains of six Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel who perished in a helicopter crash in Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Tuesday arrived in Davao City at 2:55 p.m. on Wednesday. Lt. Col.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY ( MindaNews / 5 November) — The Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) has placed the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) under heightened biosecurity protocols following confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in nearby Cotabato provinces as reported by the Department
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — Investigation and retrieval operations are now underway in Loreto town following the crash of a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Super Huey helicopter on Tuesday. A report from provincial government-run PTV
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 5 Nov) — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) announced Wednesday funds worth ₱2.2 trillion are needed to finance 236 priority projects across Mindanao to further bolster the development of the island. Secretary Leo Tereso Magno,
MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 5 November) — Corruption in flood control projects has been primarily blamed for the massive floods in Cebu and elsewhere. What’s forgotten is that this isn’t the only factor. We can build flood control infra that
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 4 November) – Across the Philippines, it has become a familiar sight: tarpaulins with smiling faces beside public infrastructure, relief packs bearing officials’ names, even certificates stamped with a politician’s image. Despite years of criticism
I was 21 years old when Super Typhoon “Odette” wreaked havoc on our city on the afternoon of December 16, 2021. Despite living in a typhoon-prone area in the northeastern part of Mindanao, I had never fully grown accustomed to
QUEZON CITY (MindaNews/ November 4) — Nickel mining operations in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Sur in the Caraga Region are causing environmental destruction and alleged human rights violations, according to a report released Tuesday, November 4, by Climate Rights
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/ November 4) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Davao Region has identified 388 children in earthquake-affected areas in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental who need psychosocial support. Rachel M. Guerrero, section head of the
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews/4 November)— A Philippine Air Force Super Huey helicopter on a humanitarian mission to communities affected by Severe Tropical Storm Tino crashed Tuesday, November 4 near Loreto, Agusan del Sur. In a statement posted in
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/4 November) – Poverty is forcing some parents of minors to exploit their children through online sexual trafficking, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Davao said. In an interview at the sidelines of the
Two young boys sit in front of a boat named “Sandakan” in Taganak, Turtle Islands, Tawi-Tawi, on Monday morning, November 3, 2025. Closer to Malaysia than mainland Philippines, the island lies about 40 minutes by speedboat from the mouth of Sandakan Bay. MindaNews photo by Benjamin Caspillo III
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews/4 November) — Power has been restored in Surigao City as of 8:30 AM Tuesday following an overnight outage caused by the onslaught of Typhoon Tino. According to the Public Information Office of the city government,
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 4 November) – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBPC) has named six new martyrs from Mindanao who were prosecuted for their faith. CBCP News, the media arm of the CBCP, reported Monday, November 3,
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 03 November) – Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal 4 has been hoisted across areas in Mindanao that were hardest hit by super typhoon Odette (Rai) in December 2021 — Dinagat Islands, Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands –
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 03 November) – Maitum, Sarangani province’s western-most coastal town, has bared plans to build a modern municipal center with an eco-inspired architecture, including a rooftop lined with gardens and solar panels. Maitum Mayor James Mark
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews/3 November) — Local governments in Siargao are taking proactive steps to strengthen disaster preparedness as Severe Tropical Storm Tino (international name Kalmaegi) advances toward the Caraga Region, prompting the activation of response teams, preemptive
Reunions of families and friends are a common sight at the memorial parks and cemeteries during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2. Photo taken at Serenity Park in Mati City, Davao Oriental on 2
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur (MindaNews / 02 November) – Officials and residents of the Caraga region, particularly in Dinagat Islands province and Surigao del Norte are busy preparing for ‘Tino’ which has intensified into a severe tropical storm as
TACURONG CITY (MindaNews / 02 November) – Nestle Philippines, Inc. has assured continued market support for coffee produced in Mindanao, which provides the bulk of domestic coffee beans processed by the multinational food and beverage manufacturer. Mauricio Alarcon, Nestle Philippines
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 02 November) — In one of my graduate school courses in Development and Security, I was posed a question. As a native of Mindanao and someone deeply acquainted with grassroots struggles, I perceive circumstances through a distinctive
NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 02 November) — Senator Jinggoy Estrada has shown that greed is timeless and bottomless. Charged in 2014 with eleven counts of graft involving fund anomalous releases from his PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) estimated at
Residents and visitors take photos and bask in the town’s underrated sunset from the viewing deck of the Yalus Beach House in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Saturday, 1 November 2025. MindaNews photo by YAS D. OCAMPO
