Davao City power, water rate hikes due to regulatory decisions: Councilor

By Ivy Tejano

Published Feb 3, 2026 10:26 pm

BONGUYAN

DAVAO CITY – A Davao City councilor said on Tuesday that the increase in water and electricity rates here is primarily driven by national regulatory decisions, leaving the city government with limited authority to stop the rate hike.

Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, chairman of the Committee on Energy and Water, said residents began the year facing higher utility costs.

Bonguyan said the Davao City Water District proposed another 30 percent water rate hike while the Davao Light and Power Co. implemented an about P2 per kilowatt hour increase in electricity rates in January.

The councilor said that the DCWD has raised water rates by 60 percent since 2022, with the increases approved by the Local Water Utilities Administration. The final tranche was implemented in 2024.

Late last year, Bonguyan said the DCWD again sought LWUA approval for an additional 30 percent increase, to be implemented in two tranches—15 percent in 2026 and another 15 percent in 2027.

He said the DCWD justified the proposal in a public hearing with concerned agencies by citing the need to develop new water sources, expand production wells, upgrade pipelines, and address high non-revenue water or system losses.

Bonguyan questioned the request. He said DCWD has not yet fully used the previously approved rate hike and has lowered some costs since the Apo Agua surface water project began, supplying parts of the city through gravity-fed systems.

"The water district has already shut down several production wells and shifted to paperless billing, which should mean savings," Bonguyan said, adding that these were raised during DCWD's public hearing attended by LWUA officials.

Bonguyan said he had initial discussions with DCWD. He added that the agency stated its reasons and that, ultimately, the LWUA holds the final decision, with DCWD justifying its request for a rate increase.

According to DCWD spokesperson JC Duhaylungsod, the agency acknowledged the general public's concern and prioritized water access for all residents, especially the most vulnerable.

Duhaylungsod explained that revenue from customer payments is reinvested to maintain service quality and ensure sustainability. He said the rates are allocated to support the water district's operations and development.

According to the DCWD, around 96 percent of its 270,000 connections receive 24/7 water with sufficient pressure. It noted that it is the only water provider in the Philippines with a climate-resilient supply.

The DCWD also highlighted that it has kept water losses low even after integrating bulk water supply, which demonstrates the reliability of its infrastructure and the effectiveness of its management strategies.

Duhaylungsod stressed the DCWD's need for continued investments to maintain current service levels, improve supply for the remaining four percent of our connections, and extend service to new areas.

"We must develop additional water sources and infrastructure, optimize operations, enhance customer care, safeguard water sources, and maintain strong financial health," Duhaylungsod said.

He added that the most practical way to support these development plans is through a carefully planned and regulated water rate adjustment that balances financial realities with social responsibility.

Duhaylungsod said the proposed 30 percent increase over two years is the minimum necessary to maintain operations. He added that delaying this adjustment could compromise service reliability and long-term sustainability.

Bonguyan said that the P2 per kWh increase in January was caused by higher generation costs from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, following a series of power plant maintenance shutdowns late last year.

He said the increase was not due to DLPC's distribution charge, which the city council can review, but to generation charges regulated under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and overseen by agencies such as the Department of Energy.

Davao Light President and Chief Operating Officer Engr. Enriczar Tia said the P2 per kWh increase from Jan. 11 to Feb. 10 was not due to PSALM's planned supply cut but to WESM prices rising after several power plant outages.

Will Barbie Forteza say yes to love again?

 

By Robert Requintina

Published Feb 4, 2026 12:17 am

Kapuso actress Barbie Forteza is gearing up to celebrate Valentine’s Day solo once more, and she’s perfectly fine with her own company.

Barbie Forteza (Images courtesy of Facebook)

For Barbie, flying solo on Valentine’s isn’t an issue—she relishes her cherished ‘me’ time and sees it as a special way to mark the occasion.

"I do have plans for Valentine's Day, but I will spend it by myself, as I did last year. Mahilig ako mag 'me' time. Parang yun na rin ang way ko to celebrate Valentine's Day. (I like to have 'me' time. That's my way of celebrating Valentine's Day)," said Barbie during an interview at the 81st birthday bash of veteran star Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo in Greenhills recently.

Asked if she’s ready for romance, Barbie revealed, “I’m definitely open to love again. My heart is full, and I’m always ready to give and receive love. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you’re capable of loving and being loved.”

Barbie, 28, expressed gratitude for 2026, calling it a continuation of the good things that came her way in 2025

Charo Santos, Boots Anson Roa, and Barbie Forteza

"I am happy. Maganda naman ang umpisa ng taon ko. Ipapalabas na siya (Until She Remembers) on Feb. 25. (My year is off to a good start. 'Until She Remembers' will be released on Feb. 25.) We will have our Red Carpet premiere on Feb. 19 at SM North EDSA The Block at 5 p.m.

"Parang naging continuance ng aking 2025 ang 2026 kasi itong Until She Remembers, I shot this last year. Thankfully, may mga movie pa na in the works. May TV show rin. (2026 is like a continuation of my 2025 because of 'Until She Remembers,' I shot this last year. Thankfully, there are more movies in the works. There's also a TV show)," she added.

Barbie also shared what she enjoyed most about working with Boots on their upcoming movie.

"The grace that she provides everyone and her professionalism. Up until now, her enthusiasm for the craft and pag-arte. Yung pakikisama rin niya sa lahat. Bukod sa natutunan ko, yun ang na-enjoy ko. Nakatrabaho na siya sa 'Mano Po: Legacy' pero hindi po kami nagkaroon ng eksena. "His company with everyone. Aside from what I learned, that's what I enjoyed. He worked with me in 'Mano Po: Legacy' but we didn't have a scene together. (How she deals with everyone. Aside from what I learned, that's what I enjoyed. I worked with her in 'Mano Po: Legacy' but we didn't have a scene together)," she said.

Barbie said she was starstruck when she learned she'll be working with Boots and Charo Santos.

"Noong una kong nalaman kung sino ang mga makakasama ko, sa bahay pa la ng siyempre starstruck na ako agad kung paano ko gagawin ito. I made sure that once I stepped on the set, dapat talagang ready na ako. Mahirap na hindi ma starstruck, but I really did my best na maging professional sa shoot. (When I first found out who my cast would be, right at home, of course, I was immediately starstruck about how I would do it. I made sure that once I stepped onto the set, I was fully ready. It's hard not to be starstruck, but I really did my best to be professional on the shoot.)"

On working with Charo, Barbie said she learned several things. "Natutunan ko sa kanya omn how to handle people on the set. Bukod sa napakahusay niyang actress, mahusay din siyang producer. So, how to manage people on the set and everyone's expectations? Kahit na artista sya dito, nakikita ko ang kanyang pagiging producer on the set. Nakikita ko kung gaano siya ka-organize, strict in the best way. She keeps everyone on their toes. Sa set lahat kami parang ready to work. (I learned from her how to handle people on the set. Aside from being a great actress, she's also a great producer. So, how to manage people on the set and everyone's expectations? Even though she's an actress here, I see her being a producer on the set. I see how organized she is, strict in the best way. On set, we all seem ready to work.)"

"I hope to achieve lahat ng na-achieve kahit half lang. Pero sa ngayon, I am enjoying my journey in showbiz. (I hope to achieve everything they achieved, even if it's only half. But for now, I am enjoying my journey in showbiz)," Barbie added.

What poetry can teach us about love, money and things that last

 

FQ (Financial Quotient) - Rose Fres Fausto - Philstar.com

February 4, 2026 | 7:00am   

Listening to her, I realized that poetry and FQ have more in common than we might think.

We often imagine poetry as purely involving our Emotional Emong and finance as cold calculation by our Makatwirang Mak. But real poetry is not indulgent. It is restrained. It chooses what to include—and what to leave out. The same is true of sound financial decisions. Financial Intelligence is not so much about having more money. It is about giving meaning to the money we already have.

Poetry values clarity. It asks, What is essential?

So does FQ.

Martin Nievera, OPM stars banner Valentine's show 'Champions of the Heart'

The Valentine’s Day concert ‘Champions of the Heart’ is headlined by (clockwise, from top center) Martin Nievera, Jed Madela, Klarisse de Guzman, Sofronio Vasquez and Jona.

Jan Milo Severo - Philstar.com

February 4, 2026 | 10:21am

MANILA, Philippines — Martin Nievera, Sofronio Vasquez, Jed Madela, Jona, and Klarisse de Guzman headline the upcoming "Champions of the Heart" concert taking place on Valentine's Day.

The show brings together icons of OPM and winners of the world's biggest singing competitions into a one-night concert of classic love songs, standout solo performances, and special collaborations.

The "Concert King" Nievera, whose romantic ballads and commanding stage presence have made him an enduring icon of Philippine music, leads the line-up of the Marriott Grand Ballroom concert starting at 8 p.m.

Joining him is Vasquez, the first Asian artist to win "The Voice USA," whose international success has brought Filipino talent to the global stage.

Also taking center stage is Madela, who stands out as a power belter renowned for his countertenor range and global competition triumphs that launched his career.

Related: 'It's Showtime' taps Sofronio Vasquez as new 'Tawag ng Tanghalan' judge

Audiences will also be treated to performances by Jona, the first grand champion of "Pinoy Pop Superstar" and one of today's most respected divas.

Completing the lineup is de Guzman, the "Soul Diva," whose emotionally rich performances and recent major concert milestones have solidified her status as a premier live performer.

Ticket prices range from P3,800 to P13,500 via Ticketworld outlets and Newport World Resorts Box Office.

"Champions of the Heart" produced by Full House Theater Company in association with Starmedia Entertainment takes place on February 14.

Unrestricted mining is destroying communities and the environment

 

By Fr. Shay Cullen

The latest police action against anti-mining protestors in Barangay Bitnong, Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, last Jan. 23, 2026, has caused national concern as this is the latest protest after similar community actions in other towns such as Kasibu and Quezon against large-scale mining operations. They have been opposed by angry people protecting their forests, rivers, lands and livelihoods against the incursions of mining companies like Woggle Mining Corp. led by Tommy Alfonso as president. The general manager for operations is Lorne Harvey. Woggle is a subsidiary of the United Kingdom-based company Metals Exploration Plc, headed by Darren Bowden.

The 3,100-hectare site granted a national government exploration permit for gold and copper covers agricultural land tilled by smallholder farmers and Indigenous families. The local opposition groups describe the operations as “large-scale” and “destructive,” and point out that similar projects of open-pit mining in the region are destructive. Last October 2025, House Resolution 413 was filed in Congress calling for an investigation into Woggle’s alleged illegal exploration activities and potential permit cancellation. The protests have been supported by religious leaders and the Diocese of Bayombong. Groups like Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment have issued public statements condemning the project as a threat to “water security and cultural heritage.” Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Timothy Joseph Cayton and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima have called for congressional investigations into the legality of Woggle’s exploration permit. Bishop Jose Elmer Mangalinao and various social action commissions have publicly urged the Marcos administration to cancel the project.

There has been one strong and inspiring voice in defending the planet and the environment against the extractive mining industry, and that is the enduring words of the late pope Francis. In his historical and powerful instruction to the world in “Laudato Si,” “let there be praise to God” in his 2015 encyclical, “On Care for Our Common Home,” he said that “economic powers continue to justify the current global system where priority tends to be given to the pursuit of financial gain, which fail to take the context into account, let alone the effects on human dignity and the natural environment.”

He said on another occasion that mining activities should benefit every person, and respect and enhance his or her inalienable fundamental human rights, and not vice versa. “We need to ensure that mining activities lead to the integral human development of each and every person, and of the entire community.” He also said Indigenous people are being deprived and driven off their ancestral homelands for the interests of mining projects which are undertaken “without regard for the degradation of nature and culture.” He said, “I urge everyone to respect fundamental human rights.”

These clear guidelines put people first before profits, but with the price of gold, copper and nickel rising continually on world markets, the wealthy Filipinos with political power are opening up the Philippines to more local and foreign investments in extractive mining.

This would be beneficial to the Filipinos if the environment, forests, rivers and streams were not destroyed, cut down or polluted in the process, and if the local communities affected were consulted, and if they approved, and were the primary beneficiaries of the mining projects. However, the profits earned go mostly to the mining companies, their investors, local politicians and to the national government.

If these massive funds earned by mining were used to benefit the people and provide better health services, social housing, fair wage employment and the reduction of poverty, they could be justified. The earnings from mining products from October 2024 to September 2025 reached approximately $7.90 billion. Of that, $4.07 billion were for metals and $3.83 billion for minerals. The question is where does it all go? Certainly not to the poor. As of November 2025, approximately 51 percent of Filipino families (estimated 14.3 million) consider themselves “poor.” An additional 12 percent of families consider themselves “borderline” poor, meaning they are on the edge of falling into poverty.

The reduction of poverty is incremental. The government estimates that absolute poverty, and the shame of the rich that causes it, will be eliminated in 14 years. The official national goal is for the Philippines to become a “predominantly middle-class society” by 2040, where “no one is poor.” This dream of no poor presumes that the economy will grow by at least 6 percent, and while it looks optimistic on paper, it is unlikely in reality, since the national wealth, such as that from mining, flows to the pockets of the rich and not the poor, as we know from the ongoing investigation in to the gigantic corruption in government where, for example, billions of pesos were stolen through a “system of plunder” of the national flood control funds.

The Department of Finance has estimated that there were “ghost” flood control projects that cost the Filipino people about $2 billion, or 60 percent of flood control funds. For over 15 years, stolen funds amounted to P1.14 trillion ($16.92 billion). The investigators discovered that kickbacks and commissions often reach as high as 25 percent, leaving only 30–40 percent of the original budget for actual construction. For sure, if anyone is found guilty, they will buy their way out of criminal charges, and the corruption will be repeated. We can hope, but hope alone cannot fill an empty stomach.

So, when it comes to mining, the gigantic funds generated over the years in the sale of gold, copper, nickel and other minerals will likely be stolen or only benefit the rich, and leave communities with nothing but destroyed lands, rivers, forests and fields. So, let us not fool ourselves into believing that extractive open-pit mining is for the benefit of the Filipino people, it is not, and never will be if history is a lesson.