Despite the strong El Niño prevailing in the country these past months, the drought in Catanduanes is at least bearable due to the occasional rains brought by localized thunderstorms.
According to PAGASA Virac chief meteorological officer Jun Pantino, the total precipitation for October 2026 came up to just 204.9 millimeters.
More than half of the much needed rain is attributed to localized thunderstorms which occurred on 17 days last month.
This is about 49.5 percent less than the 406.1 mm recorded in the same month last year when Super Typhoon Uwan made landfall in Catanduanes and two other cyclones – Typhoon Paolo and Severe Tropical Storm Ramil – also brought rainfall.
Compared to the 538 mm average of the October precipitation from 2020 to 2025, last month’s rainfall is about 62 percent below this average.
The same reduction in rainfall was observed in September 2026 compared to the same month last year.
We should be thankful to the Almighty for the rain that the Northeast monsoon and the easterlies bring at this time of the year. Without it, we would be cursing our water districts and stocking up on water at night.
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TGP Congressman Jose “Bong” Teves Jr., whose youngest son Atty. Jose Oliver Teves Jr. was recently appointed as Director for Special Concerns of the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), has warned of a stronger move against illegal mining in Catanduanes.
The solon has already asked Acting DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna to assist in reviewing the permits granted to Adelbert Almario, who has secured a Small-Scale Coal Mining Permit from the Department of Energy on the basis of the required documents from the local government units and other government agencies like the DENR.
If present moves against the coal mining does not result in the cessation of mining activities, Rep. Teves said he could be forced to ask the House Committee on Natural Resources and other concerned committees to conduct an investigation into the grant of the permit to Almario.
Almario and other involved personalities as well as the civil servants who signed off on the permits could be called to testify before the committees during the probe.
Whether the investigation would unmask the financier behind the operation is another matter.
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Pursuant to Commission on Audit Circular No. 75-6A issued in December 1975 that clarified regulations for the proper use of government vehicles, government vehicles must be kept in government garages.
The only exception is when the office or agency does not does not maintain a garage, in which case the vehicle may be kept elsewhere, provided that the official to whom the vehicle is assigned assumes complete responsibility therefor.
In Administrative Order No. 239 issued by then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on September 15, 2008, Section 3 states that government vehicles “shall be used strictly for official business, bear government plates only, and after office hours or during weekends and holidays kept in a garage designated/provided therefor by the bureau or office to avoid their unauthorized use.”
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A REAL GENTLEMAN. A salesman found himself stranded in the country and knocked on the door of the only pub in town.
“Well, we don’t have a spare room,” said the proprietor. “But you are welcome to share with the little red-headed school teacher if you like.”
The salesman could hardly contain his excitement. “Oh thanks, I will be a real gentleman.”
“That’s good,” said the farmer. “So’s the little red-headed school teacher.”