DepEd to expedite school repairs as 139.4M released for Masbate; Cebu and Davao underway

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

DAVAO ORIENTAL, 11 October 2025 – Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order for an immediate response, Education Secretary Sonny Angara joined national government officials in Davao Oriental on Saturday to assess the impact of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake and to oversee the Department of Education’s (DepEd) rapid response operations for affected schools.

Angara said DepEd has frontloaded and accelerated the release of the agency’s Quick Response Funds (QRF)—a process that previously took up to two years—to provide faster assistance to schools hit by recent calamities in Masbate, Cebu, and most recent quake-hit Davao Oriental

To date, ₱139.4 million in aid has been released for typhoon-hit schools in Masbate, while validation and damage assessments are ongoing in Cebu and Davao Oriental.

“Hindi na puwedeng maghintay pa ng dalawang taon bago dumating ang tulong,” Angara said. “Kapag nasira ang paaralan, dapat mabilis ang aksyon, dahil bawat araw na nasasayang ay isang araw na hindi nakakapag-aral ang mga bata.”

As of 9:00 a.m. on October 11, DepEd reports that 1,006 schools have been affected by the magnitude 7.4 that struck offshore near Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday, impacting around 100,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in different regions. Among those affected, 139 learners and 50 teachers sustained injuries. To ensure safety, 97% of the affected schools suspended classes on Friday to allow structural inspections.

Initial visual assessments found 575 schools with varying degrees of damage, with estimated repair costs reaching ₱2.23 billion. DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), engineers, and DRR coordinators are conducting rapid site inspections in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local governments.

Angara emphasized DepEd’s commitment to strengthen its internal engineering capacity to complement national and local efforts for quicker recovery.

“Mayroon tayong 472 engineers sa buong bansa, at kailangan pa nating palawakin ang bilang at kakayahan nila,” Angara added. “Kasama ang DPWH at mga lokal na pamahalaan, gusto nating bumuo ng isang mas mabilis, mas matatag, at mas maaasahang sistema ng pagtugon.”

Angara reaffirmed that DepEd’s priority is ensuring the safety of learners and teachers while keeping education going, even in times of disaster.

“Our goal is simple: when disaster strikes, help should already be on the way,” he said.

The Farm at San Benito: Where Wellness Meets Sustainability, and Tourism Redefines Its Purpose

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Lipa, Batangas, The Farm at San Benito stands as a living testament to what sustainable tourism should look like in the Philippines. It’s more than a wellness retreat; it’s a working model of environmental stewardship, community partnership, and responsible luxury — a rare combination that proves tourism can indeed heal, rather than harm, the planet.

While many destinations claim to be “eco-friendly,” few demonstrate it as authentically as The Farm. Here, every breath of air feels cleaner, every dish served tells a story of mindful cultivation, and every experience reminds guests that wellness and sustainability are inseparable.

A Living Laboratory of Sustainability

From the moment visitors step through its gates, they are enveloped in a world that operates in harmony with nature. The Farm’s organic gardens supply the resort’s kitchens with vibrant vegetables, herbs, and fruits grown without synthetic chemicals. What doesn’t get eaten is composted and returned to the soil — completing a cycle of nourishment that sustains both people and the planet.

The resort’s farm-to-table philosophy goes beyond culinary excellence; it’s a statement of intent. By growing its own produce and sourcing locally, The Farm dramatically reduces its carbon footprint and supports surrounding farmers who share its values.

Energy efficiency is equally prioritized. The resort makes use of renewable energy initiatives, employs waste segregation and composting systems, and consistently invests in resource-conscious operations that minimize its environmental impact.

Even the design of the property — open-air structures, natural ventilation, and abundant greenery — reflects an architectural respect for the local ecosystem, allowing nature to be the resort’s greatest amenity.

A Partnership with the Community

Sustainability is not only about protecting the land — it’s about uplifting the people who live on it. The Farm at San Benito has become a source of livelihood and pride for nearby communities in Batangas. Local farmers are trained in organic practices and supplied with market access through the resort’s network. Suppliers are chosen for their ethical and eco-conscious methods, ensuring that every transaction nurtures both enterprise and environment.

By hiring and training local residents, The Farm creates jobs that don’t just provide income, but also dignity. Every staff member becomes an ambassador of the resort’s holistic philosophy, merging world-class hospitality with heartfelt Filipino warmth.

Wellness Beyond the Self

At its heart, The Farm is about healing — not only for the body, but for the environment and society. Its wellness programs, from detox retreats to plant-based cuisine, are grounded in the belief that personal health and planetary health are interconnected. When travelers experience this harmony firsthand, they carry its lessons back home, becoming advocates for more sustainable living.

A Vision for the Future of Philippine Tourism

For Ross Flores Del Rosario, founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, eco-tourism is not a niche — it’s the future. Having visited and featured numerous destinations across the country, he believes the Philippines has both the natural beauty and human heart to lead Asia in responsible tourism.

“Travelers today crave authenticity,” Ross shares. “They want to know their stay contributes to something meaningful — that their visit leaves a positive footprint. Resorts like The Farm at San Benito show that luxury and sustainability are not opposites, but partners in progress. When tourism uplifts communities, protects biodiversity, and offers genuine experiences, it becomes a force for national transformation.”

He adds, “Eco-travel is not just a trend. It’s the next chapter of Philippine tourism — one where every resort, from the mountains of Luzon to the shores of Mindanao, can take inspiration from The Farm’s blueprint: connect your kitchen to your garden, your garden to your community, and your community to your purpose.”

An Invitation to Travel with Purpose

The Farm at San Benito isn’t merely a destination — it’s a demonstration of what happens when passion, purpose, and place align. It invites travelers to rest, recharge, and rethink what it means to travel well.

It challenges the industry to do better — to see sustainability not as an added feature but as the very foundation of hospitality. And it calls upon every Filipino to support and share stories of responsible tourism that uplift both people and planet.

In the end, the true measure of a resort’s luxury is not in its price tag or prestige, but in its power to preserve life — human, cultural, and environmental — for generations to come.

That is the legacy The Farm at San Benito continues to cultivate, one mindful stay at a time.

Philippines Secures ₱350M in Tourism Deals at Japan's Biggest Travel Expo

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

A four-day showcase in Aichi proves Japanese travelers are eager to discover Philippine shores—and they're bringing their wallets

AICHI, JAPAN — In a sprawling exhibition hall at the Aichi Sky Expo, the Philippines didn't just participate in Tourism Expo Japan 2025—it commanded attention. And the numbers tell a story of triumph: a staggering ₱349.9 million in sales leads, proof that the Land of the Rising Sun is setting its sights firmly on Philippine shores.

From September 25 to 28, the Philippine delegation transformed their booth into a portal to paradise, drawing from a crowd of over 127,000 trade professionals and travelers who descended upon Japan's largest travel marketplace. What unfolded was more than a tourism pitch—it was a cultural experience that left Japanese visitors captivated and reaching for their booking calendars.

Beyond Brochures: Creating an Experience

The Philippine booth didn't rely on glossy pamphlets and forced smiles. Instead, delegates orchestrated an immersive journey through the archipelago's most magnetic destinations. Intramuros's cobblestoned history met Boracay's powdery beaches. The otherworldly Chocolate Hills of Bohol stood alongside the vibrant marine sanctuaries of Moalboal—each destination carefully curated to resonate with Japanese travelers' well-documented passion for both historical exploration and natural beauty.

But the masterstroke came in the form of human connection. Japanese content creators Bonnie the Star and Miyuu took center stage at the Philippine Travel Talk Show, sharing authentic stories of Filipino cuisine and their adventures across the islands. Their enthusiasm was infectious, translating complex cultural nuances into relatable experiences for an audience eager to understand what makes the Philippines special.

Throughout the four-day event, the LUMAD group delivered regular performances that transformed the booth into a living gallery of indigenous culture. Visitors didn't just see the Philippines—they heard its rhythms, felt its energy, and glimpsed the soul of local communities.

The Art of the Deal

The first two days of TEJ 2025 belonged to business. Representatives from Philippine airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators, and government agencies engaged in intensive business-to-business meetings, forging partnerships that would eventually translate into flight routes, package tours, and strategic collaborations. These weren't casual conversations over coffee—they were high-stakes negotiations that laid the groundwork for the impressive sales figures.

When the doors opened to consumers on September 27 and 28, the strategy shifted from boardroom tactics to winning hearts. The delegation sweetened the deal with raffle prizes featuring accommodations, tours, and flights to premier Philippine destinations, giving potential visitors a tantalizing taste of what awaited them.

A Market Hungry for More

"The successful results from this year's TEJ serve as solid proof of the Japanese market's strong interest in visiting our country," declared Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines. Her words carried the weight of victory, but also recognition of strategic positioning.

The Japanese tourism market represents a goldmine for the Philippines—travelers known for their respect, spending power, and genuine interest in cultural authenticity. The ₱350 million in sales leads reflects not just momentary enthusiasm but sustained interest in a destination that offers something increasingly rare in an age of homogenized travel experiences: genuine, unfiltered cultural immersion.

Standing Tall Among Giants

TEJ 2025 wasn't a small gathering. Organized by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, the Japan Association of Travel Agents, and the Japan National Tourism Organization, the expo drew exhibitors from more than 82 countries and regions, all vying for attention in Japan's competitive travel market.

The Philippines held its ground, and then some. While tourism powerhouses showcased their credentials, the Philippine delegation leveraged something more valuable than infrastructure or marketing budgets—the authentic warmth that defines Filipino hospitality, what locals call "malasakit."

More Than Numbers

The ₱349.9 million figure represents more than potential revenue. It's a vindication of a tourism strategy that prioritizes meaningful partnerships over transactional relationships, cultural authenticity over manufactured experiences, and long-term engagement over quick wins.

Led by the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines in partnership with the Department of Tourism, the delegation demonstrated that effective tourism promotion in 2025 requires more than destination marketing—it demands storytelling, cultural exchange, and the courage to showcase not just picture-perfect beaches but the communities and traditions that make those destinations worth visiting.

As the Aichi Sky Expo closed its doors on September 28, the Philippine delegation packed more than promotional materials—they carried home concrete proof that the world, and particularly Japan, is ready to fall in love with the Philippines all over again. And this time, they're booking tickets to prove it.

The Tourism Promotions Board Philippines continues to position the country as a world-class tourism and MICE destination through strategic partnerships and authentic cultural engagement. For more information, visit www.tpb.gov.ph.