Marje Pelayo

Exacum loheri (H. Hara) is a tiny, unusual plant found only in the Philippines. Unlike most plants, it does not rely on sunlight to grow. Instead, it survives by forming a special partnership with fungi, drawing nutrients from the underground network of life in the forest. This rare adaptation makes it one of the most intriguing plants in the country and shows how delicate and unique the Philippine ecosystems are.

For over 130 years, Exacum loheri was thought to have vanished from the wild. First documented in the 1890s by Swiss botanist August Loher, the plant had not been seen since, leaving scientists and nature enthusiasts believing it was lost to history.

Its recent rediscovery in Masungi Georeserve in Baras, Rizal, has sparked excitement among researchers. The plant was spotted during a snail survey in the “600 Steps” area of the conservation site, which is famous for its limestone formations and rich biodiversity. Researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the Philippine Normal University documented the first verified sighting in over a century. Their findings, published in the Philippine Journal of Science, include photographs showing the plant thriving once again in its natural habitat.

Masungi Georeserve, which covers 2,700 hectares of protected forest within the Sierra Madre mountain range, is now the only known home of Exacum loheri. The reserve shelters over 400 species of plants and animals, many of them endemic. The rediscovery of this plant highlights the importance of conserving such areas, where countless other species may still be waiting to be found.

For scientists, conservationists, and nature lovers, the return of Exacum loheri is a reminder that the Philippines’ forests still hold hidden treasures. It underscores the need for continued protection and exploration to ensure that rare and endangered species can survive for generations to come. 

The Philippine Navy (PN) is verifying the received reports that there are underwater structures in the contested area of Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippines Sea (WPS).

In a press briefing on Tuesday, October 14, Navy Spokesperson for WPS, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad noted that the attempt by the Chinese Communist Party to build steel structures in the area has been successfully stopped by the Philippine Navy way back in 1997. 

He added that the previously reported sightings of building blocks in Bajo de Masinloc were placed as targets during the time when US Forces still had bases in the country.

It served as a bombing range for the US Air Force, the US Navy and the Philippine Air Force as well.

It can be recalled that Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian announced China’s intention to make Bajo de Masinloc a National Nature Reserve labeled as Huangyan Dao. 

This plan of China has been strongly protested by the Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), pointing out that the Philippines is the only one that can put up marine protected areas in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.

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The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday emphasized its appeal to Local Government Units (LGUs) regarding their decisions on prolonged class suspensions as precautionary measures amid rising concerns for public safety.

In its latest advisory issued on October 14, DepEd reaffirmed its respect for the authority of LGUs to suspend classes in the interest of public safety.

However, the DepEd reminded LGUs to “balance this responsibility to public safety with learning continuity” following successive and prolonged class suspensions across various parts of the country due to back-to-back seismic events, unstable weather conditions, and health risks.

“While caution is important, extended suspensions can disrupt learning and affect students' development. Every decision should reflect both care for safety and commitment to learning continuity,” said DepEd in its advisory.

Other local government units earlier declared class suspensions, including the DepEd National Capital Region, which suspended face-to-face classes from October 13 to 14 to allow school disinfection activities, along with the Marikina City LGU.

On Monday, Laguna Governor Sol Aragones announced via Facebook Live the suspension of all face-to-face classes in both public and private schools from October 14 to 31, as the provincial government implements precautionary measures in preparation for possible seismic activity along the West Valley Fault.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Schools Division Office of Bulacan issued an advisory under Division Memorandum No. 513 s. 2025 ordering the preventive suspension of face-to-face classes in several areas of the province from October 16 to 17.

On Wednesday, Cavite Provincial Government suspended face-to-face classes on all levels from October 15 to 18 for infrastructure audit and influenza-like illness surveillance.

DepEd assured the public that it is coordinating with schools division offices to ensure learning continuity “at all costs” through alternative delivery modes for affected students.

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The Department of Education (DepEd) teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in strengthening their partnership by addressing the need for preparedness in the event of a calamity, while ensuring continuous learning among students.

Secretary Sonny Angara met with Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Tuesday, October 14, to discuss pertinent issues following the recent calamities that affected the education sector.

Following his visit to earhquake–hit Cebu province and Davao Oriental, Angara said the extent of damages just proves the importance of having better coordination with DOST specifically with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). 

“Nang makita ko mismo ang pinsala ng lindol sa Cebu at Davao Oriental, mas napatunayan nating mahalaga ang tamang datos at koordinasyon. Sa tulong ng PHIVOLCS, masisiguro nating ang bawat hakbang ng DepEd ay mabilis, ligtas, at may batayang siyentipiko,” Angara said. 

To prevent misinformation and to keep the public’s trust, PHIVOLCS for its part will help to ensure the announcements and steps made by DepEd are science-based.

DepEd also expressed the need for partnership with PHIVOLCS to train their staff, and ensure the safety of buildings, especially those over the fault lines.

Sec. Solidum Jr. stated that the buildings over fault lines should be “over-engineered” or surpass the structural standard to withstand strong earthquakes. 

The two agencies ensure that while doing the safety inspection, alternative learning modalities will be implemented to keep the students learning amid the effects of disasters.

The Department of Health (DOH) stressed that there is no outbreak of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) despite a noticeable rise in flu-like symptoms in the country.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa described the spike as a seasonal flu prevalent during the ‘ber’ months or the last quarter of the year.

This came after DepEd-National Capital Region announced suspension of face-to-face classes from elementary to senior high school due to an increase in flu-like symptoms among school staff and students.

“It’s not an outbreak, it’s the seasonal flu, itong pagsuspend ng klase, if you ask me, makakatulong ‘yan.  But I wish nag-coordinate lang sila”, Herbosa said in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Tuesday, October 14.

“Kasi pag nagdeclare ka ng no classes because of flu-like symptoms, it will cause an alarm”, he added.

Herbosa urged the public not to panic over an increase in school absences, explaining that flu cases have not reached the critical level for an epidemic declaration.

On Monday, October 13, DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo reported a total of 121,716 cases of influenza-like sickness recorded from January to September this year.

This figure is only 8% fewer than the previous year’s 135,538 cases.

Preventive Measures

Meanwhile, local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila started conducting cleaning and disinfection efforts in public schools to prevent further increase in incidence of influenza-like infection among learners and personnel.

To provide time for disinfection, sanitation, and building inspection, DepEd-NCR suspended face-to-face classes in public schools from October 13 to 14 and ordered for Alternative Delivery Modalities to avoid learning disruptions.

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