
Jalaur or bust for water future
Despite years of supposed investments in water infrastructure, a staggering 73 percent of Iloilo City residents still grapple with an erratic water supply — a crisis that’s driving households to pricey and unsafe alternatives.
In 2024, City Hall, under Mayor Jerry Treñas, had to pull funds from its budget to truck in water just to keep communities from running dry. It was a stopgap measure, but the problem demands a permanent fix.
That fix may be just upriver. The Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project II, inaugurated last year, can pump out 86 million liters of water daily for the city and neighboring towns. Iloilo has already filed the paperwork with the National Irrigation Administration and National Water Resources Board to claim those rights — a move that could secure a steady, affordable supply for generations.
“I believe the Iloilo City government should be granted water rights to the Jalaur River if it will directly address the water shortage and ensure a stable supply,” one weary Ilonggo told DAILY TRIBUNE.
“Our patience has worn thin. Trust in the current system to fix the problem is gone. At this point, I just want a solution that works — whoever delivers it,” the Ilonggo said.
With President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. calling for nationwide action on water shortages, the timing couldn’t be better. Granting the city access to Jalaur’s bulk water could finally end years of scarcity.
Because in Iloilo, water is not a luxury — it’s life.
Anti-cancer robots
A groundbreaking AI-driven cancer treatment technology offering faster, more precise, and non-invasive care will soon serve Filipino patients.
CyberKnife Radiotherapy Service of Asian Hospital Inc. (AHI), the project proponent, has been officially registered with the Board of Investments (BoI) to provide advanced cancer care.
The BoI highlights AHI’s P334-million project as a significant advancement in the Philippines’ cancer care capabilities.
The CyberKnife system, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, is a robotic radiosurgery platform delivering sub-millimeter radiation accuracy. This precision minimizes exposure to healthy tissues and reduces radiation treatment sessions from the typical 28 to 39 to just one to five.
Trade Secretary and BoI Chair Cristina A. Roque emphasized the project’s alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and promote high-impact investments.
“We are proud to support innovative investments like CyberKnife, which leverage cutting-edge technology to address critical public health needs. This aligns with our vision of building a Bagong Pilipinas — where healthcare is inclusive, advanced, and accessible to all,” Roque said.
The CyberKnife system is a non-invasive platform capable of treating both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors in complex areas, such as the brain, spine, lungs, liver, and prostate. It employs real-time robotic targeting and AI-driven motion tracking to deliver radiation from multiple angles with exceptional precision.
Located at a premium facility, AHI is committed to ensuring accessibility across socio-economic groups.
Through a partnership with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, AHI will serve pediatric cancer patients under the PhilHealth No Balance Billing (NBB) program.
Additional support from HMOs, the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance to Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, and DSWD medical aid ensures that low income patients can access this world-class technology.
The CyberKnife unit will operate as a standalone facility within the Asian Cancer Institute, with its own entrance, consultation and CT rooms, and a radiation-safe bunker.
The project is part of Metro Pacific Health Corporation’s broader medical network which includes 27 hospitals and six cancer care centers nationwide.
“This is more than an investment,” said BoI Managing Head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo.
“It signals the Philippines’ readiness to embrace next-generation healthcare technologies and serve more people with compassion and precision,” Rodolfo said.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the Philippines, with 33,910 fatalities recorded from January to August 2024, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Despite Muntinlupa City hosting over 110 health facilities, it did not have a dedicated cancer treatment center. AHI’s investment fills this critical gap, positioning the city as a hub for advanced oncology services in the country.