Rising fuel, other costs led to failed classroom construction bids – DPWH

Inquirer.net - Oct 16, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Rising fuel prices and contractors’ concerns over project costs have contributed to failed bidding attempts for classroom construction projects under a P21.4-billion agreement between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). This was reported by DPWH Undersecretary Lara Marisse Esquibil during the Senate finance subcommittee

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Oct 16, 2026

Rising fuel, other costs led to failed classroom construction bids – DPWH

Oct 16, 2026

Baligod, 14 others arrested over ‘unjust vexation’ case

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Levito Baligod, counsel for 18 individuals known as the “maleta boys,” and 14 others were arrested in San Juan City on Friday over an “unjust vexation” case, police said. San Juan City Police Chief Police Col. Anthony Gantang confirmed the arrests in a phone interview with reporters. He said the Zambales

Oct 16, 2026

WATCH: Marcos to summon Chinese envoy, fuel price changes top INQToday

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s plan to summon Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over his remarks that the Philippines could easily lose in a conflict with China topped INQToday’s afternoon newscast. Also in the lineup were the expected rollback in gasoline prices and a slight hike in diesel prices next week, as well as

Oct 16, 2026

2 dead in separate road accidents in Quezon

LUCENA CITY – Two motorists died in separate road accidents along the Maharlika Highway in Quezon province on Thursday and Friday, police reported. In Sariaya town, a 25-year-old motorcycle rider died after his vehicle crashed into the rear of a parked dump truck along the highway in Barangay Sto. Cristo at around 11 p.m. on

Oct 16, 2026

2,200 bamboo seedlings planted in Zambales reforestation drive

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — To help restore vegetation cover and protect the local ecosystem, 2,200 Kawayan Bayog seedlings have been planted in a 69.8-hectare forest plantation in Barangay Guinabon in Sta. Cruz, Zambales. In a statement on Friday, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Luzon said that the planting activity brought

Oct 16, 2026

NBI summons ‘Machong Chismisan’ hosts over derogatory remark

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday said it has already issued subpoenas to the hosts of the now-terminated podcast, “Machong Chismisan,” which drew widespread criticism after their derogatory remarks about actress Kris Aquino’s eldest son, Josh. READ: ‘Macho’ hosts turn meek, apologize for mocking Kris Aquino son Josh NBI Director

Oct 16, 2026

Mindanao politician linked to Laos drug case faced past drug cases – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — The politician from Mindanao who allegedly financed the chartered flight linked to the 521-kilogram shabu seizure in Laos had previously been involved in illegal drug cases, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) earlier dentified the financier behind the drug operation as being based in Mindanao.

Oct 16, 2026

Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle

South Korea's defense ministry on Thursday refuted a claim by North Korea's missile chief that questions Seoul's recent test launch of a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV). Earlier in the day, Jang Chang-ha, director-general of North Korea's Missile Administration, claimed that South Korea's test of the HGV may not have achieved hypersonic flight because its outside appearance was "not stained with any soot," according to the North's Korean Central News Agency. Jang cited photos provided by South Korea after last Thursday's test, but Seoul's defense ministry countered by saying the vehicle has advanced thermal-protection technology and the visible appearance of "soot" is impossible during hypersonic flight. South Korea's military "plans to further develop technologies involved in the weaponization process of the HGV," the ministry said. In a rare public disclosure of the development of key military assets, Cheong Wa Dae unveiled South Korea's first test launch of the HGV. The test came amid rising inter-Korean tensions following the recent explosion of a land mine in the border area that inju

Oct 16, 2026

Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction

A fierce battle over artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, which are increasingly being seen as unwanted facilities, is erupting around the world among governments, companies and local residents. Korea, which is also moving quickly to expand AI data centers as one of the government's three megaprojects, is no exception. Where can we find clues to resolving these conflicts? To find answers, a Hankook Ilbo reporting team traveled to Australia Aug. 7-14 for a field investigation into how the country is preparing for the future with AI data centers. Australia is seeking to make AI data centers its next major growth industry after minerals and wool. Residents are banding together to make their voices heard and searching for rules that will allow people and AI data centers to coexist. In August, winter fog in the Southern Hemisphere swallowed the morning sunlight, leaving a farm in darkness as cattle awoke to the familiar voices of an elderly couple. "Did you have any trouble during the night?" "Did you sleep well?" Every morning at 7 a.m., Paul Brackenreg, 61, and Rosalind "Rose" Murphy, 7

Oct 16, 2026

[WEEKENDER] 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

About 20 people gather every morning in front of Geumcheon District Office in southwestern Seoul, holding signs and staging protests. Most are in their 50s and 60s and live in a large apartment complex identified only as "L," home to more than 1,700 households. Their protest, which they say is the first demonstration they have ever taken part in, marked its 203rd consecutive day on Sept. 21. They might be expected to be tired by now, but it is anger rather than fatigue that shows on their faces. The protesters are vehemently opposed to a data center. About 100 meters from the entrance to their apartment complex, construction of an eight-story data center has been underway for 11 months. Ko Young-chan, 33, a two-term member of the Geumcheon District Council who lives in L Apartment, said, "It seems data center developers came here thinking, 'Land prices in a place like Geumcheon District make the project worth trying.'" He also claimed that the data center itself would not generate tax revenue for the district. The situation is not unique to Geumcheon District. Data center projects are

Oct 16, 2026

President Lee's approval rating rises after dipping to lowest level: poll

President Lee Jae Myung's approval rating rose slightly to 39 percent after weeks of decline, a weekly poll showed Friday. The survey, conducted by Gallup Korea from Tuesday through Thursday on 1,003 people aged 18 and older, showed that positive assessments of Lee's performance increased 2 percentage points from the previous week. The figure marks a slight recovery from his record low of 37 percent recorded in the previous two Gallup polls, following a downward trend since late August. Those who disapproved of Lee's handling of state affairs rose by 1 percentage point on-week to 52 percent. Among those who positively assessed Lee's performance, 20 percent cited diplomacy, followed by economic and livelihood issues at 11 percent. Real estate policies, along with economic and livelihood concerns, were among the main reasons cited by those who disapproved of Lee's performance. Support for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea rose 1 percentage point to 36 percent after marking the lowest figure since the launch of Lee's administration last week. Support for the main opposition People Power Par

Oct 16, 2026

Seoul city blames ex-mayor's policies for weak long-term housing supply

The Seoul city government on Friday blamed policies pursued under late former Mayor Park Won-soon for weakening the foundation for long-term housing supply in the capital. The municipality made the assessment in a report analyzing the city's housing policies over the past 20 years, as recent shortages in the capital have contributed to sharply rising home prices. The report said that between 2012 and 2020, while the late Park served as mayor, 389 of the 683 areas designated for city improvement projects were canceled, eliminating the opportunity to supply roughly 430,000 homes. Park, who was a member of the now ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), prioritized "urban regeneration" projects that focused on preservation over large-scale redevelopment or reconstruction. The report comes as current Mayor Oh Se-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party has faced criticism from DPK lawmakers over his private-led housing supply policy. The city government under Oh plans to break ground on about 310,000 housing units by 2031 through redevelopment and reconstruction projects to respond to t

Rising fuel, other costs led to failed classroom construction bids – DPWH

MORE NEWS

Rising fuel, other costs led to failed classroom construction bids – DPWH

Baligod, 14 others arrested over ‘unjust vexation’ case

WATCH: Marcos to summon Chinese envoy, fuel price changes top INQToday

2 dead in separate road accidents in Quezon

2,200 bamboo seedlings planted in Zambales reforestation drive

NBI summons ‘Machong Chismisan’ hosts over derogatory remark

Mindanao politician linked to Laos drug case faced past drug cases – PNP

Defense ministry refutes Pyongyang's claim questioning Seoul's test of hypersonic glide vehicle

Farm raising beef for tables around the world faces threat from data center construction

[WEEKENDER] 'Why not Gangnam?': Data center boom fuels fear in neighborhoods kept in the dark

President Lee's approval rating rises after dipping to lowest level: poll

Seoul city blames ex-mayor's policies for weak long-term housing supply

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