BusinessMirror August 05, 2026

NO DELAY FOR DESTINY

4-MO-HIGH HOT MONEY, BUT VOLATILITY SEEN

By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan

THEmovement of money into and out of the Philippine financial markets is likely to remain volatile as markets continue to assess the implications of the Middle East conflict, trade uncertainties, and commodity price movements.

Analysts said this even after hot money inflows, or short-term portfolio investments that entered the country reached $2.94 billion in June 2026—the highest in four months or since February 2026. Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed net inflows reached $170 million in June 2026 as total inflows surged by 51.55 percent to $2.94 billion from the $1.94 billion in the same month a year ago.

However, short-term foreign capital which exited the country in June also jumped significantly by 44.27 percent to $2.77 billion from the $1.92 billion in the same period last year.

Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP), said the June 2026 portfolio investment data suggest that foreign investors “remain engaged” in Philippine financial markets despite a “challenging global backdrop.”

“Gross inflows reached US$2.94 billion, the highest level in four months, while net inflows stayed positive at US$170 million for a second straight month, indicating that foreign investors were still adding to Philippine positions on balance,” Asuncion said.

At the same time, he said the sharp increase in both inflows and outflows points to “heightened investor activity rather than an outright shift in sentiment.”

“In our view, this reflects a combination of fresh investment places, portfolio rebalancing, and profittaking amid evolving expectations on global interest rates, geopolitical developments, and broader market conditions,” the chief economist of Union Bank explained further.

Still, Asuncion said the fourmonth high in gross inflows is encouraging because it suggests that Philippine financial assets continue to attract foreign investor interest.

However, he pointed out that the “equally strong rise” in outflows indicates that investors remain “selective and sensitive” to external developments.

“As such, we would characterize current sentiment as cautiously constructive rather than outright bullish,” Asuncion warned.

Month-on-month ON a month-on-month basis, however, the $170-million hot money net inflows in June was 26.72 percent

By Troi Santos

ON Sunday, April 2, I de-

bated whether to drive or take the train. In the end, I chose the train, convinced that if Alex won, I can celebrate with a couple of drinks and I don’t have to worry about driving back to New York. I arrived at 11a.m. and headed straight to the stadium to claim my place in the photo pit.

By noon, the first raindrops had begun to fall, and the match was suspended for hours.

During the delay, I moved through the stadium speaking with Filipino fans—families,

children, even children’s fiancés—and it felt like home had been carried far from home.

The Filipino contingent was there in full voice, and some remained in the rain until officials finally cleared the venue as thunderstorms rolled through Rock Creek Park.

During the delay, fans from every corner of the world gathered outside the players’ area entrance as Alex and Jesse slipped toward the stadium, while the videographers staged a burst of cheering to draw attention away from the side exit.

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto

THE contested unprogrammed appropriations (UAs) in the national budget could be scaled back or even abolished by the Supreme Court, potentially forcing changes to next year’s spending plan, as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) awaits the ruling in the coming weeks and budget deliberation looms.

On the sidelines of the World Bank’s launch of the Philippine Economic Update, Budget Assistant Secretary Romeo Matthew T.

Balanquit told reporters that the ruling on the constitutionality of UAs could have implications for the 2027 national budget.

“[UAs] could be removed or limited,” Balanquit said in the vernacular. “But what would most likely happen is they will just limit it to the percentage of the budget, which is about 2 percent.”

UAs are standby spending authorities approved by Congress that may only be used if specific legal conditions are met, such as the availability of additional revenues beyond projections or the realization of new loan proceeds.

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) could improve the productivity of more workers than it replaces in developing economies like the Philippines, according to the World Bank.

In its World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence, the lender estimated that 16.2 percent of jobs in low- and middle-income economies could receive a meaningful productivity boost from AI. This compares with 4.5 percent of jobs that are susceptible to automation by generative AI.

By comparison, 18.7 percent of jobs in high-income economies could benefit from AI, while 14.2 percent are exposed to automation.

The World Bank said the findings suggest that AI’s biggest opportunity for developing economies lies in helping workers become more productive rather than replacing them outright.

“AI has thrown developing economies a lifeline, and they should seize it,” World Bank Chief Economist Indermit Gill said.

The report said businesses are already using AI to analyze information, improve forecasts and in-

crease productivity, while governments are applying the technology to strengthen tax administration, social protection, disaster response, health care and education.

Mixed impact in PHL IN the Philippines, the World Bank pointed to the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry as an example of how AI could both support workers and threaten existing jobs. The report cited a Philippine call-center employee who uses an AI tool that listens to customer conversations and suggests possible responses.

The technology can reduce the time spent searching for information, although it may also generate unsuitable recommendations that require the worker to exercise judgment.

The lender said the BPO sector has been an important source of employment in the Philippines, with about 1.3 million workers. However, the development of more capable voice-based AI agents has raised concerns over whether firms abroad would continue to require the same number of human customer-service workers.

The contraction was largely because total outflows surged by 84.67 percent to $2.77 billion in June 2026 compared to the $1.50 billion that exited the country in May.

Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong & Co. explained: “The lower net inflows in June reflect a more cautious, risk-off investor sentiment.”

“Concerns over global growth, trade uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and the US rate outlook likely prompted investors to reduce equity exposure, resulting in wider stock market outflows,” added Ravelas.

As to the short-term investments that entered the country, the $2.94-billion total inflows in June 2026 was 68.97 percent higher than the $1.74 billion that entered in May 2026. Ravelas said stronger inflows into government securities “suggest a flight to safety, with investors attracted by relatively stable returns and expectations of further BSP rate cuts amid easing inflation.”

BSP data showed that government securities like Treasury bonds and Treasury bills posted inflows of $2.01 billion in June, a two-fold increase of the $1 billion government securities inflows in May or the previous month. Looking ahead, both Ravelas and Asuncion expect portfolio flows to “remain volatile.”

“Moving forward, portfolio flows will likely remain volatile and heavily influenced by global developments. While the Philippines’s economic fundamentals remain supportive, investors may continue to favor fixed income over equities until external uncertainties ease and earnings prospects improve,” Ravelas emphasized.

Asuncion, for his part, said: “Portfolio flows are likely to remain volatile as markets continue to assess the implications of the Middle East conflict, global monetary policy expectations, commodity price movements, and overall risk sentiment.”

Nevertheless, the chief economist of the Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) said the Philippines continues to benefit from “relatively sound macroeconomic fundamentals and remains positioned to attract foreign capital, particularly when global risk appetite improves.”

Peso slips anew to ₧61 level as global oil prices inch up

By Andrea E. San Juan

THEPhilippine peso slid back to the 61-per-dollar level due to the slightly higher global crude oil prices after Iran denied having talks with the United States coupled with uncertainties hounding domestic policies.

Data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) showed the local currency closed at P61.165 against the greenback on Tuesday. The rate is 23.5 centavos weaker than its previous finish of P60.93 against the dollar on Monday.

Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) attributed the weakness of the local currency to

The report said the impact of AI

“global cured oil prices slightly corrected higher after Iran denied talks/ negotiations with the US.”

“The benchmark Brent crude oil price corrected slightly higher US$84 per barrel levels [vs. US$83 levels in the previous trading day], but still among the lowest/best in more than 2 weeks or since July 17, 2026,” Ricafort said.

Ricafort noted that the peso could

on employment remains uncertain. While the technology could displace some workers by automating tasks, it could also create new work and boost demand by raising productivity.

“The overall [net] impacts on em-

have also weakened due to the “mixed signals/recent uncertainties related to the minimum wage hike in Metro Manila amid the [temporary restraining order] TRO by a local court recently.”

On Monday, the Marcos administration opposed the decision of a Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) to issue a TRO on the P85 minimum pay hike of the wage board in Metro Manila for violating the Labor Code and Republic Act 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act.

In a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will represent the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) in contesting the TRO.

“At present, a document and a

ployment depend on the balance of these forces. Labor market effects also depend on how AI alters the composition of tasks and requirements for expertise, which can affect employment,” it added.

Closing adoption gaps

THE World Bank cautioned that many developing economies still lack reliable electricity, internet connectivity, computing power, local data, and skilled workers needed to use AI at scale.

Without these foundations, the lender warned that AI could widen development gaps between richer and poorer economies, deepen inequality and concentrate market power among a limited number of firms and countries.

Rather than immediately attempting to build frontier AI systems, the World Bank urged developing economies to first adopt existing tools and adapt them to local conditions.

“They do not need large models or big data centers to reap its benefits. By adapting small, low-cost AI tools to local conditions, they can bring better medical care, ed-

formal objection are being prepared [by the OSG]. While we certainly respect all courts, the government—the administration—also has the right to articulate what is in the best interest of our fellow citizens and our workers,” she said in Filipino.

The local currency corrected on Tuesday after it strengthened for two straight trading days, moving back to the 60-per-dollar level on Monday.

The peso strengthened on Monday after the dollar weakened against major Asian currencies following US and Japan’s “coordinated intervention” to rescue the Japanese currency, coupled with the “renewed diplomatic hopes” in the Middle East.

Within Tuesday’s session, the local currency traded from as strong as 60.9 to as weak as 61.22 against the greenback.

ucation, judicial services and agricultural extension within reach of millions,” Gill said.

Governments were also urged to improve access to computing resources and local-language data, while making it easier for firms to test and expand applications that deliver measurable results.

The lender said clearer procurement and evaluation systems would be needed to determine whether AI projects improve productivity and public services.

Existing laws should also be applied to address risks involving privacy, safety, and consumer protection.

Gaurav Nayyar, Director of the World Development Report 2026, also urged developing nations to hurry as “the window to get this right is narrow.”

“AI presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to solve problems that have resisted solutions for generations. Developing countries that build the foundations now—power, connectivity, skills, and institutions—will be positioned to adopt and adapt AI for their people,” he also said.

These funds are not automatically released and remain subject to strict rules and validation.

The DBM itself had proposed a 2-percent cap on UAs in the proposed Philippine Budgeting Code, Balanquit noted.

This year, UAs have been reduced to P150.9 billion, the lowest level since 2019, equivalent to 2.2 percent of the P6.793-trillion national budget.

The Supreme Court wrapped up the oral arguments on four consolidated petitions assailing the constitutionality of UAs and special accounts in the 2024, 2025, and 2026 national budgets last July 14.

Economics professor Solita Monsod, one of the four amici curiae or “friends of the Court” invited by the Supreme Court during the oral arguments, said that UAs

in the national budgets became the repository of budget insertions by the bicameral conference committee in Congress. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2026/07/13/sc-to-continue-oral-arguments-on-the-petitions-assailing-constitutionality-of-2024-2025-2026-national-budgets/).

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, also one of the amici curiae, urged the Supreme Court to decide on the case as early as possible, as the budget proposal for 2027 is expected to be submitted to Congress 30 days after the President delivers his State of the Nation Address in July.

If the Supreme Court issues its ruling while Congress is deliberating the proposed 2027 budget, the government would have to comply immediately, Balanquit said. “The Supreme Court’s decision will still be binding.”

Budget Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon recently told reporters that the 2027 National Expenditure Program, the government’s proposed national budget, to Congress before the August 14 deadline. Next year’s proposed budget, pegged at P7.2 trillion, is 6 percent higher than this year’s level to provide more funds for productive and key development expenditures.

When play finally began, the crowd leaned unmistakably toward Eala. Most of the applause belonged to her, with only a small pocket of Pegula supporters audible here and there. From the photo pit, I could hear Eala after missed points, but her face told a different story. She was already reanalyzing, recalibrating, staying entirely within herself. I have covered her since 2019, and the change in her demeanor is clear. The confidence never leaves her face. Then the rain returned, and play stopped again with Pegula leading 6-4, 1-2. After the stoppage, I saw concern on the fans’ faces, but I could still feel their faith. Many stayed until officials formally announced the postponement. Like at the US Open, I also noticed a couple of Filipinos in wheelchairs among the crowd. As the forecast worsened and the rain threatened to linger into the evening, fans slowly drifted away. Several Eala supporters were disappointed not because of the score, but because they never got to witness the ending. The DC Open has always carried more significance than a standard summer stop. Founded in 1969 as the Washington Star International and later shifted from clay to hard courts, it was shaped by Arthur Ashe’s idea of a tournament that would remain accessible and public-facing. That identity deepened as it became the only combined ATP-WTA 500 event in the world. Pegula, the top seed and world No. 3, arrived in the final after a composed run that included both comeback victories and straight-sets wins. Eala came through a more dramatic path, beating Zheng Qinwen, Leylah Fernandez, Elina Svitolina and Naomi Osaka. The contrast gave the final its tension: Pegula defending a familiar Washington stage, Eala trying to turn a breakthrough week into a title. Rain delays are familiar territory in tennis, but this one felt almost mythic. The sport has long lived with suspended play, postponed finals and matches pushed into Monday, especially outdoors. In tennis, weather can change a match without changing its rules. Washington knows that weather history well. This year’s delay landed in a final with a sharp emotional divide: Pegula chasing another title, Eala chasing her first. When play resumed, Eala seized control, broke Pegula’s serve and surged to a 5-0 lead in the third set before closing out the biggest win of her career. The result transformed a rain-delayed final into a breakthrough title and confirmed that her Washington run was no fluke. Amazingly, our people turned out in force again for a Monday noon match. For the DC Open, the outcome fit its larger identity. The tournament has always been about transitions: from one name to another, from clay to hard courts, from separate draws to a unified showcase. Its most memorable editions reveal something larger—a local favorite, an emerging talent, a final with genuine consequence. Pegula and Eala gave Washington all three. The irony is that a rain delay can make a tournament feel more alive, not less. It creates a shared pause, a longer wait, and a sense that the outcome matters enough to justify the interruption. In Washington, that feeling is amplified by the event’s memory and public character. Even with the stop-and-start drama, the DC Open delivered what it does best: a story that brings history, personality and performance together. I went home Sunday night knowing I would not see her raise this tournament’s trophy, but I was grateful to have been there that day, when the atmosphere reached its highest pitch. The day ended as it had begun—in motion and in delay—as I nearly missed Amtrak train 158 back to New York because of rideshare delays and did not get home until close to midnight. I was filled with joy as Eala fans around the world celebrated the moment with her. Alexandra Eala turned a suspended final into the defining victory of her young career, beating Jessica Pegula for her first WTA 500 title in Washington. It is good for our country because it offers a rare shared moment of pride, and it matters to the kids who look up to her because it shows that excellence, resilience and belief can carry them to the biggest stages.

DepDev take

MEANWHILE , in a separate interview, Socioeconomic Planning Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon told reporters that the proposed tax relief package could spur household spending and support small businesses. She noted that the measure could “relieve some pressure on wages because workers will have higher disposable income.”

However, Edillon stressed that the package should be accompanied by “productivity-enhancing measures.” “It has to be accompanied with other programs that will increase productivity,” she said, when asked if the measure is inflationary in itself.

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FROM THE ACADEME TO ADULTHOOD:

Vista Residences University Series Redefines Student Living in the Metro

THE university experience begins well before the first class and extends long into a student's professional journey. Moving to the capital requires young regional scholars to navigate an unfamiliar metropolis and practice independent decision-making. To support this monumental step toward self-reliance, a student residence must go beyond basic lodging, serving as a secure sanctuary that fosters academic focus, community connection, and long-term personal growth.

From regional roots to metropolitan routines

The influx of regional scholars into Metro Manila is part of a broader, macroeconomic shift.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data reveals that young adults aged 15 to 34 comprise the largest demographic among the capital’s 5.47 million lifetime migrants. Attracted by a unique convergence of top-tier academe, business districts, and institutional infrastructure, these individuals anchor a massive student market. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) figures validate this volume, tracking 795,248 highereducation enrollees and 273,091 freshmen in the NCR during the first semester of AY 2023–2024.

B ehind these numbers are students learning to master a fast-paced metropolis. From managing daily living expenses to navigating transit corridors, metropolitan university life demands rapid personal growth. Consequently, securing a home on university row transitions from a basic accommodation choice into an essential tool for academic focus and personal self-reliance.

Practical progressiveplacement,possibilities

The Vista Residences University Series anchors the student housing sector across Metro Manila. Its portfolio features fourteen highrise towers positioned within the capital's top universities: eleven spanning Taft Avenue, the University Belt, and España Boulevard, alongside three premium developments lining Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. I n Manila, towers like Vista Taft, Plumeria Heights, and Bradbury Heights provide modern sanctuaries near De La Salle University, DLSU–College of Saint Benilde, and St. Scholastica’s College. These properties offer vital structural connectivity to major transport

grids, allowing graduates to maintain residential continuity as they transition into corporate roles in Makati and BGC. Meanwhile, the Quezon City developments, including Hawthorne Heights and Vista Pointe, serve the Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, and the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Th e University Series bridges independent student life with structural support, offering functional studio and onebedroom spaces designed around daily campus commitments. These developments prioritize resident peace of mind with property administration, controlled entryways, and comprehensive security protocols. The community ecosystem is elevated by a suite of amenities: study lounges facilitate academic scholarship, while gyms, swimming pools, and jogging paths encourage healthy lifestyles and vibrant social connections.

Location-led demand and decision-making

Investing in a university-row residence delivers immediate utility paired with long-term flexibility. Beyond graduation, the property continues to serve the family during board exams, post-graduate tracks, or early professional practice. Whether handed down to a sibling or entered into the leasing market, this property decision effectively addresses life stages and evolving investment goals.

It yields a compelling commercial proposition: access to a rental market insulated by continuous academic activity. Demand is sustained by a broad demographic pool of students, corporate trainees, and young professionals entering nearby business districts.

Well-positioned condominiums command steady relevance through constant enrollment and career cycles.

As with any high-value real estate venture, sustainable yields remain dependent on disciplined decision-making, prudent property management, and a thorough analysis of prevailing market dynamics.

An address that advances with aspirations

The Vista Residences University Series addresses the demand driven by student mobility, metropolitan momentum, and the concentration of premier colleges in the National Capital Region. The portfolio seamlessly bridges campus convenience and city connectivity with spaces that nurture scholarship, social connection, and self-reliance.

In Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, these university residences offer the ideal setting for students to learn, grow, and thriv

Two prime Manila addresses that place students closer to top universities, city conveniences, and future career opportunities.

‘Duterte’s DepEd failed to justify use of ₧112.5 million confidential funds’

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

THE Department of Education (DepEd) headed by Vice President Sara Duterte failed to provide sufficient documentary evidence proving the lawful use of its P112.5 million confidential funds (CF) in 2023, a former Commission on Audit Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (Icfao) testified at the Senate Impeachment Court.

During Duterte’s impeachment trial proceedings, former Icfao auditor Roderick Wamil testified that the DepEd used P37.5 million in confidential funds for each of the first three quarters of 2023 but did not submit documents detailing how the funds were spent.

During the questioning conducted by counsel for the House of Representatives prosecution panel Lorna Kapunan, Wamil said the DepEd utilized a uniform P37.5 million in CF for each of the three quarters in 2023.

the specific items identified under the Joint Memorandum Circular,” Wamil said.

House trial spokesperson and impeachment adviser Robert “Ace” Barbers said acknowledgment receipts and lists of names were insufficient proof that confidential funds were properly used.

“In other words, they merely submitted documents identified as acknowledgement receipts indicating that individuals received the funds. However, nothing more than that was provided. These documents are not sufficient or adequate to prove that the public funds were used for their intended and proper purpose,” Barbers said.

Barbers emphasized that confidential funds are not unrestricted money and must only be used for authorized intelligence-related activities.

aid, incentives, travel-related expenses, and rewards. Wamil said some of these expenses were not among the authorized uses of confidential funds under government guidelines.

Wamil also testified that Duterte personally signed certifications stating that the OVP’s P375 million confidential fund cash advances for the first three quarters of 2023 were “necessary, lawful, and incurred under my direct supervision.”

Wamil identified Duterte’s signatures on disbursement vouchers, liquidation reports, accomplishment reports, and certifications submitted by the OVP. The vouchers covered three quarterly cash advances amounting to P125 million each.

BI arrests over-staying Taiwanese involved in hit and run incident

TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573

HE Bureau of immigration (BI) has announced the arrest of a Taiwanese national who was found to be illegally staying in the country after he figured in a hit-and-run incident in Marikina City.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado identified the suspect as 34-year-old Su Ping-Yen, who was taken into BI custody on July 29 following coordination with the Marikina City Police Station and the Eastern Police District.

Reports indicate that Su was involved in a traffic accident at around 5:00 a.m. on Lilac Street corner Panorama Street in barangay Concepcion Dos, Marikina City, where he allegedly struck a 62-year-old Filipino pedestrian who was crossing a designated pedestrian lane.

The victim sustained injuries and was rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Police officers who responded to the incident discovered that Su was unable to present a valid driver’s license or lawful identification.

“Their specific confidential activities, which should serve as the basis for the disbursement of confidential funds, were not indicated,” Wamil said.

For counter-insurgency efforts, DepEd reported spending around P27.87 million, claiming the funds were used to prevent recruitment of teachers and learners by extremist groups.

“If the expense falls under MOOE, it is not included among

The DepEd identified the funds as intended for counter-insurgency programs, drug abuse prevention and control, anti-illegal activities, and anti-extremism or terrorism programs. However, Wamil said the agency failed to provide specific records showing the actual activities, recipients, or services covered by the expenses.

“The fact that it is classified as confidential does not mean that it can be used without proper justification,” he said.

He added that purchases such as furniture, hardware supplies, groceries, and other ordinary expenses cannot automatically be classified as confidential expenses.

“The use of these funds is not allowed for purchasing tables, going to the grocery, buying groceries, or for similar expenses,” Barbers said.

According to COA testimony, some expenses reported by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) included medical assistance, food

However, Wamil noted that some reported expenses lacked documents proving that they resulted in intelligence information gathering or confidential operations as required by Joint Circular 2015-01.

Barbers maintained that the large amount involved required stronger evidence beyond acknowledgment receipts.

“Remember, this amounts to P600 million—more than half a billion pesos was spent,” Barbers said.

The prosecution continues to present COA records to determine whether the confidential funds released to the OVP and DepEd were used for their legally authorized purposes.

A subsequent verification with the BI revealed that he was an undocumented and overstaying foreign national.

Records showed that Su last entered the Philippines in May 2019 and had since overstayed.

Aside from an overstaying alien, it was also discovered that Su has active derogatory records, including a deportation case, a watchlist order for misrepresentation, and a previous record after he allegedly attempted to leave the country using a fraudulently obtained Philippine birth certificate to falsely claim Filipino citizenship.

Following coordination with the Marikina City Police Station, the BI Intelligence Division formally took custody of Su later that day.

He was subsequently brought to the BI for booking, biometric registration, medical examination, and custodial investigation before the filing of appropriate immigration charges. “This case shows that our immigration enforcement extends beyond our ports of entry. Foreign nationals who violate our laws and attempt to conceal their true identities will eventually be held accountable,” Viado said.

Senate bill bans DUs from passing system loss to consumers

ABy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

BILL that prohibits the recovery of system loss charges from electricity consumers by amending existing laws and make electricity more affordable for Filipino households has been filed in the Senate.

Senator Francis Escudero has filed Senate Bill 2345 after the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Marcos, who made the abolition of the practice of passing on system loss charges to users a highlight of his speech.

The measure filed by Escudero amends Republic Act 9 136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2 001 (Epira), which currently allows distribution utilities to recover a portion of system losses incurred in the delivery of electricity.

Escudero said the continued imposition of these charges “has become increasingly difficult to justify,” noting that consumers “neither control nor contribute to the technical condition of the grid, nor are responsible for losses arising from inefficient operations, outdated infrastructure or

Army sends 3 more battalions to secure BARMM elections

THREE additional Army (PA) battalions have been deployed to help secure the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections on September 14.

“Aside from [the] Sixth Infantry ‘Kampilan’ Division [based in Maguindanao del Norte], First Infantry ‘Tabak’ Division [in Zamboanga del Sur], the 11th Infantry ‘Alakdan’ Division [based in Sulu] meron tayong [we have] additional troops coming from the 28th Infantry Battalion [IB], 75th IB, the Second SRB [Scout Ranger Battalion],” the Army spokesperson, Col. Louie Demaala, said in a press briefing in Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on Tuesday.

A division is nominally composed of around 5,000 officers and enlisted personnel.

Aside from the reinforcement from three battalions, which Dema-ala said consist of more than 500 military personnel each, the PA also sent a “joint special operations team,” composed of an undisclosed number of troops, from higher headquarters.

So, ito ang mga naka -deploy sa ngayon as augmentation doon sa ating mga personnel doon sa BARMM [These are what have been deployed as augmentation to our personnel in BARMM],” the PA spokesperson said.

Dema-ala said the troops are continuously conducting security operations, especially on the implementation of the gun ban.

Coordination with the National Police (PNP) is ongoing to ensure a peaceful and orderly BARMM elections, he added. Rex Anthony Naval with PNA

electricity theft.”

Under the proposed amendment, distribution utilities will no longer be allowed to pass on costs arising from technical inefficiencies or electricity pilferage to endusers.

“Consumers should pay only for the electricity they actually consume,” Escudero emphasized in his explanatory note, adding that the bill “promotes fairness in electricity pricing, encourages greater operational efficiency among distribution utilities, strengthens consumer protection, and contributes to the broader objective of making

electricity more affordable for every Filipino.”

He explained that the existing policy under Epira was originally adopted to recognize the operational realities of electricity distribution, where system losses may arise from technical factors inherent in power transmission and distribution, as well as from nontechnical causes such as electricity pilferage and unauthorized use.

“This bill is founded on the principle that consumers should pay only for the electricity they actually consume,” he wrote.

He added that the measure seeks to instill accountability among power distributors by ensuring that inefficiencies and losses are absorbed by the utilities themselves, not by the public.

“In doing so, it promotes fairness in electricity pricing and encourages greater operational efficiency,” Escudero said.

The senator expressed confidence that the proposed reform will complement the government’s broader energy agenda, which includes lowering power rates and improving regulatory oversight.

Peta: Include animals in disaster plans

By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga

AS the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned against the impacts of El Niño, an animal welfare advocacy group called on

Political violence goes on unabated at BARMM

CBy Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio

LIMATE Conflict Action Asia (CCAA) recently launched an expanded election monitoring initiative for the Bangsamoro region, warning that the convergence of two major elections this year could heighten the risk of political violence despite growing optimism over the region’s first parliamentary polls. Dubbed Boto Mo Bangsamoro!, the platform will provide real-time monitoring of conflict incidents across Muslim Mindanao leading up to the Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections in September and the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in November.

It builds on CCAA’s Conflict Alert monitoring system, the Critical Events Monitoring System (CEMS), and the Early Response Network (ERN), which gathers verified reports directly from communities.

According to CCAA, the initiative seeks to fill critical information gaps by delivering regular

analyses of conflict trends, violent incidents, and the behavior of armed and political actors. During election day, the platform will issue situation reports every three hours to help identify emerging security hotspots.

The organization said the elections represent a crucial moment for the BARMM, as voters prepare to elect the region’s first parliamentary government after the polls were postponed four times since 2022. While President Marcos has expressed confidence that the elections will be peaceful and credible, CCAA cautioned that longstanding conflict drivers remain.

The think tank noted that election years have historically been accompanied by spikes in violence across Muslim Mindanao. This year’s simultaneous parliamentary and village elections, combined with the onset of the flooding season, could further complicate security and election administration.

Its monitoring data showed that since the filing of certificates

of candidacy began in May, CEMS has recorded 229 conflict incidents and 85 deaths. Although the first quarter was marked largely by clashes between government forces and extremist groups, violence from May to July increasingly involved local government officials and political actors as the election season intensified.

The report also found that the election gun ban, which took effect on July 16, has yet to significantly deter violence. At least 24 incidents involving firearms and explosives were recorded after the ban’s implementation, averaging nearly two incidents daily.

CCAA highlighted escalating political violence linked to unresolved rivalries from the 2025 midterm elections. Among the most serious incidents were clashes in the Special Geographic Area involving local officials and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commanders, which displaced around 1,500 households after a firefight in July. Similar tensions rooted in clan feuds and political competition were reported in Ma -

guindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, and Maguindanao del Norte. The organization also pointed to growing divisions within the MILF leadership, particularly between supporters of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party and the Bangsamoro Federalist Party. It warned that internal political rivalries, combined with the continued presence of firearms among former combatants, have contributed to violent incidents involving MILF-affiliated actors across the region. Beyond political rivalries, CCAA said extremist organizations and newly emerging armed groups continue to threaten stability. Military operations have weakened the Dawla Islamiyah (DI), but bomb attacks against security forces persisted even after the election gun ban took effect. Meanwhile, the report cited the emergence of the Panenekelan Group in Maguindanao del Sur, raising concerns over the recruitment of young members and the possibility that armed groups could be

Napocor stocks up on fuel for off-grid areas

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

THE National Power Corporation (Napocor) has started acquiring fuel from the Philippine National Oil Company—Exploration Corporation (PNOC-EC) in a bid to secure fuel inventory to avert power interruptions in off-grid areas.

This agency-to-agency arrangement involves 40 kiloliters (kL) of diesel for the Patnanungan diesel power plant (DPP) in Quezon province, 80 kL for the Sibuyan DPP in Romblon, and 800 kL for the SPUG

(small power utilities group) power plants in Batanes. Napocor alone cannot fulfill the task of ensuring sustained power generation in missionary areas, especially in view of the upward

movements in fuel cost caused by the Middle East conflict, the stateowned corporation said.

“With PNOC’s support, we are able to keep our diesel power plants running, remote and isolated homes illuminated, and off-grid communities still bustling with activities that drive local socioeconomic development,” Napocor president and chief executive officer Jericho Jonas Nograles said.

Following the recent crisis in the Middle East, Napocor identified and sought solutions to stem the conflict’s impact on its fuel security. One of the measures pursued was the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with PNOC-EC to supplement its 2026 fuel requirements with pricing pegged to prevailing rates.

In May, the DOE said it would

sell up to 45 million liters of diesel over the next three months to new power providers (NPPs) and microgrid system providers (MGSPs) operating in missionary areas.

The diesel, which was secured by the PNOC-EC over the recent months, would be sold at P80 per liter.

This move is meant to sustain generation operations, prevent power interruptions, and cushion consumers from sharp increases in electricity rates.

“The DOE is rolling out the sale of government-procured diesel to support the continuous supply of electricity in missionary areas, or remote and off-grid communities served by the National Power Corporation–Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG),” the DOE had said.

EC benefits for SSS-enrolled gig workers

ELIVERY riders and ride-

Dhailing drivers registered as self-employed members of the Social Security System (SSS) may claim compensation for workrelated sickness, injury or disability under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program.

Coverage extends to platform workers classified as independent contractors, including Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers and other app-based workers.

However, access to the program requires workers to have paid at least one month SSS contribution

before the work-connected illness, injury or disability occurred.

Claims may be filed with the SSS either by the self-employed worker or a family member within three years from the incident.

Since September 2020, the EC Program has covered all selfemployed SSS members, placing freelancers and independent workers under the same work-related compensation system available to company employees. Benefits and support services may also be extended to qualified dependents when a workrelated injury or illness results

in disability or death.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) serves as a key component of worker protection throughout employment.

Including gig workers in the program could provide a safety net for riders and drivers who face accidents and health risks while earning through digital platforms.

Many platform workers operate without a traditional employeremployee relationship, making their registration and continued contributions to the SSS crucial

to securing EC coverage.

Compensation may be denied when the injury, sickness, disability or death resulted from intoxication, an intentional attempt to harm oneself or another person, or notorious negligence.

According to ECC, gig workers should check their eligibility before an accident or illness occurs rather than wait until they need to file a claim.

Registered workers should also review the documentary requirements issued by the SSS and ECC to avoid delays in processing their applications. Mary Jade Jadormio

Lawmaker notes erosion of real value of wages

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

MILLIONS of workers who received salary increases in recent years may not necessarily be earning more in real terms, as inflation has eroded the value of their income and pushed them back into paying personal income taxes, the chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means said on Tuesday. This issue became the central argument as the House Committee on Ways and Means began deliberations on the Marcos administration’s proposed income tax reform, which seeks to raise the annual tax-exempt income threshold from P250,000 to P350,000.

Marikina Rep. Romero Federico Quimbo, the panel chairman, said the reform aims to correct what he described as an outdated tax structure that has failed to keep pace with rising prices. He said many workers crossed the taxable income threshold not because they became significantly wealthier, but because their salary adjustments merely matched the

Peta. . .

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concerned government agencies to ensure that captive animals on farms, zoos, and other facilities throughout the country are included in all disaster preparedness and response plans.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) wrote a letter to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to

increasing cost of living.

According to the lawmaker, “in real terms, the purchasing power of today’s P28,000 salary is roughly comparable to what P21,000 could buy in 2018. The worker is paying income tax not because of an increase in wealth, but because the tax threshold has remained unchanged despite years of inflation.”

“Salary adjustments intended merely to keep pace with the rising cost of living have caused many workers to exceed the P250,000 threshold and become taxable once again,” said Quimbo.

He explained that while wages have increased since the implementation of the TRAIN Law in 2018, the cost of basic necessities has likewise risen, pushing many workers into higher tax brackets even though their salary adjustments merely kept pace with inflation.

The proposed adjustment seeks to restore tax relief for an estimated 4.2 million Filipino workers. Of this number, around 1.3 million workers could regain their tax-exempt status, while another 1.2 million could become newly exempt from

raise their concern on the welfare of animals to ensure that they are kept safe throughout the El Niño season.

Peta is also asking the public to look at their own homes and neighborhoods, as the El Niño conditions could intensify in the coming weeks, bringing extreme heat, drought, and stronger typhoons.

The appeal comes as recent severe weather across Asia has left countless animals injured, displaced, or dead.

In China, severe flooding from a recent typhoon reportedly

income tax payments.

Quimbo described these workers as part of the country’s “missing ‘middle’—employees who contribute to government revenues through taxes but often do not qualify for social assistance programs intended for lower-income households.

Under the proposal, workers earning up to approximately P410,800 annually may still remain exempt after accounting for mandatory deductions and taxexempt benefits.

Supporters of the measure argue that updating the tax threshold would effectively increase workers’ take-home pay without adding additional labor costs for employers, unlike direct wage increases.

However, lawmakers also acknowledged that tax relief measures must be balanced with the government’s revenue needs. Quimbo emphasized that Congress must consider compensatory measures to protect fiscal stability while ensuring that reforms deliver meaningful benefits to low- and middle-income workers. Beyond individual taxpayers,

washed away more than 16,000 pigs from farms and more than 900 snakes from breeding facilities, along with zebras, ostriches, and other animals who had been confined in zoos— highlighting the devastating consequences of failing to take animals into account before disasters strike.

“Terrified animals face prolonged, agonizing deaths when trapped in floods, exposed to extreme heat, or left behind during evacuations,” Peta President Jason Baker said.

Six-year export push brings Davao durian to Oman

By Mary Jade Jadormio

DAVAO durian has entered the Omani market through a 1.08-metricton trial shipment secured after six years of negotiations between a local grower and a Middle Eastern buyer.

The maiden shipment consisted of 56 boxes of fresh Puyat and Duyaya durian valued at about $3,000 or P183,000.

Engseng Food Products exported the fruits from Calinan in Davao City to Jeel Almaaly International in Oman’s Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.

Omani entrepreneur Aziz

Alismaili began exploring a supply arrangement with Belviz Farm owner Emmanuel Belviz after learning about the quality of Philippine durian six years ago. Both sides remained in contact while working through the production and regulatory requirements for shipping fresh fruit to the Gulf nation.

On July 11, a visit to Belviz Farm moved the transaction forward after Alismaili inspected the orchards and sampled its Puyat and Duyaya varieties.

His visit resulted in the trial order that growers hope will lead to larger and more regular shipments to Oman and other Gulf markets.

Agriculture officials said the transaction marked another opening for Davao durian

the proposal also includes removing the two-percent minimum corporate income tax for qualified micro- and small-enterprise taxpayers, which lawmakers said could prevent struggling businesses from being burdened with taxes despite having little or no profits.

“The President’s policy directive during his penultimate Sona [State of the Nation Address] to initiate income tax reform has struck a chord with millions of Filipino workers. The proposal resonates because it finally addresses the concerns of the country’s ‘missing middle.’ These are lower- and middle-income workers—the backbone of our economy—who faithfully pay taxes every payday but fall through the cracks: unseen by our policies and ineligible for government assistance,” said Quimbo.

“These measures, however, must be fair, equitable, and carefully designed so they do not dilute the intended effects of the tax reforms for our middle class. That is the balance we seek, and that is the commitment of this committee,” he added.

“Peta is urging government agencies to put comprehensive plans in place now to protect farmed animals and wildlife from extreme weather and reminds guardians to always include companion animals in their emergency plans.”

To help the public keep companion animals safe during extreme weather, Peta listed practical tips that could serve as a guide to pet owners.

n Pack an emergency kit for yourself and one for any animals in the family, and keep them where they’re easy to grab in a

beyond its established export destinations.

Agriculture Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga attributed the shipment to sustained work on farm practices, export compliance and market connections.

“We provide technical assistance on good agricultural practices, help growers comply with export standards, facilitate market linkages with international buyers and work closely with exporters to ensure our products meet the requirements of overseas markets,” Gonzaga said. Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said expanding export destinations could allow farmers to capture greater value from premium agricultural products.

“Part of our job in the DA is to keep opening doors through trade missions, market negotiations, and stronger export support so our farmers can earn more from the global marketplace,” Tiu Laurel said.

The trial shipment will allow the Omani importer to gauge market demand before committing to bigger orders from Davao growers. Its performance could also determine whether Philippine durian can establish a regular foothold in the Middle East alongside competing supplies from other Asian producers.

SC upholds Davao Light franchise

THE Supreme Court en banc dismissed Northern Davao Electric Cooperative Inc.’s (Nordeco) motions and petitions, officially upholding the expansion of Davao Light and Power Company Inc.’s (Davao Light) franchise under Republic Act 12144.

The resolution reaffirms the Court’s earlier ruling that Congress has the power to expand Davao Light’s franchise to areas previously covered by Nordeco, saying that a public utility franchise is a privilege, not an exclusive right , and can be amended by Congress.

The resolution said that Nordeco’s rights were not violated, as its officers participated in extensive legislative deliberations.

The Court also ruled that the expansion of Davao Light’s franchise did not violate Nordeco’s existing contracts with power suppliers.

In addition, the Court said that Davao Light can legally acquire Nordeco’s distribution assets through expropriation, subject to court proceedings and just compensation.

In the same resolution, the

hurry. Include bowls, towels, a favorite toy for comfort, and at least a week’s worth of food, bottled water, and medications. Periodically rotate the food and medications so they don’t expire.

n Have animals tagged. Make sure they’re wearing collars with legible ID tags that include your current contact information.

Keep a recent photo of your animals for identification purposes, just as you would for a child.

n During extreme weather, keep all animals indoors with you as the situation develops.

Court dismissed Nordeco’s challenges against the Expropriation Order issued by the Regional Trial Court in Tagum City and trhe writ of possession issued by the RTC in Panabo City.

“The Supreme Court”s Resolution provides further clarity on the legal challenges to Republic Act 12144. As we move forward, our priority remains the same, to provide safe, reliable, and dependable electric service to the communities we serve,” Davao Light said in a statement.

“We will continue to perform our responsibilities in accordance with the law while working closely with government agencies, local government units, and other stakeholders to ensure that the transition is carried out in an orderly and responsible manner,” it added.

The company also assured to strengthen the distribution system, improve service reliability, and ensure that customers across its expanded franchise area receive safe and reliable electric service. Lenie Lectura

Never leave them in a vehicle or tethered, penned, or crated outside.

n If evacuation becomes necessary, take animals with you. Plan destinations well in advance. If you will need a trailer for horses, goats, or other animals, know where you can easily get one.

n When you leave: Leash dogs and put cats and other small animals in secure carriers, as frightened animals may bolt. Be sure to take the animal emergency kit that you’ve prepared.

Problems of sugar industry prompt House to review proposed reforms

TNegros sugar workers receive aid from Dole

By Mary Jade Jadormio

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

HE sugar industry is beset by mounting challenges such as declining farm-gate prices, rising production costs, weak market protection, and limited farmer participation in policymaking that threaten the livelihood of sugarcane producers and farmers.

These concerns prompted the House Committee on Agriculture and Food to review starting Tuesday, a series of proposed reforms aimed at strengthening the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), improving government support programs, and ensuring that sugar farmers have a stronger voice in decisions affecting the industry.

Quezon Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, the committee chairman, said lawmakers are reviewing several proposed measures seeking to amend Executive Order 18, which established the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), and Republic Act 10659 or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015.

The measures include House Bills 3330, 5070, 8376, 9088, 9107, and 9192, which seek to address long-standing concerns in the sugar sector, particularly declining mill site prices, production challenges, and the need for stronger farmer representation in policy decisions.

Among the most pressing issues raised by industry stakeholders is the continued decline in mill site prices, which directly affects

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hired by political actors during the campaign period.

To reduce election-related risks, CCAA called for stricter and impartial enforcement of the gun ban, greater neutrality by the Commission on Elections and security

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Beyond the ongoing declogging drives, Archival said the city will continue surveying flood-prone areas and regularly maintain drainage systems to prevent garbage from obstructing waterways.

“We have to maintain the drainage after clearing it because if garbage accumulates again, flooding will return,” he said.

For barangay Tisa, the mayor said the proposed reservoir will serve as a catchment basin for excess stormwater. The site is also being eyed as a waste processing area that would serve nearby barangays such as Guadalupe and Labangon.

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Peza and Opaz are also exploring a Joint Promotion Memorandum of Understanding that would use their respective economic zones as platforms for connecting businesses and facilitating greater investment and trade flows between the Philippines and Oman.

“We look forward to working with Opaz and its economic zones

farmers’ income despite increasing production expenses. Sugarcane producers have also cited difficulties in accessing modern farming technologies, post-harvest facilities, and adequate government assistance.

One major concern highlighted in the proposed reforms is the need for stronger farmer representation in the SRA’s decision-making process. Several measures seek to expand the SRA Board membership to include small farmers, agrarian reform beneficiaries, farm workers, mill workers, ethanol workers, and consumer representatives. Farmers and industry groups have argued that existing policies have not fully addressed the challenges faced by small producers, who remain vulnerable to market fluctuations, import competition, climate-related risks, and high operational costs.

HB 5070, filed by Zamboanga Rep. Katrina Reiko Chua-Tai, seeks to strengthen the sugarcane industry by increasing its annual supplemental budget to provide additional support for industry development programs.

forces, stronger preparations for flooding and other natural disasters that could disrupt voting, and expanded support for community-based election monitoring groups, particularly those involving women, youth, and non-Moro indigenous peoples.

“The security situation of this election period remains volatile,” the organization said, stressing that

Archival also directed the DEPW to revisit drainage studies in the area and identify how existing developments may have affected the natural flow of water.

He said the review would include determining the location of waterways and drainage outlets, as well as assessing whether large residential subdivisions, commercial establishments, or other institutions have adequate catchment facilities to slow stormwater runoff.

The city is, likewise, working on updating its drainage master plan to guide future flood control projects and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with urban development.

Although Cebu City has already implemented numerous flood control projects in recent years, Archival acknowledged that extreme rainfall

to identify investment opportunities that can contribute to trade, manufacturing, logistics and other priority industries,” Peza Director General Tereso Panga said. Peza currently oversees 436 economic zones nationwide, hosting 4,388 locator companies and projects across various industries.

For its part, Sohar Port and Freezone in Liwa, Oman serves as a logistics and industrial hub connecting markets across Asia, Africa, Europe and the Gulf Cooperation

Meanwhile, HB 8376, authored by Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza of TUCP, proposes expanding the composition of the SRA Board by including representatives from sugar millers, planters, agrarian reform beneficiaries, sugar field workers, mill workers, ethanol workers, and consumer groups to ensure broader participation in industry governance.

HB 9088, filed by Negros Occidental Rep. Javier Miguel Lopez Benitez, seeks to expand the SRA’s mandate, improve the allocation of the Sugar Industry Development Fund, and establish systems for trade remedies and climate adaptation to help the sector respond to market and environmental challenges.

Other measures, including HB 9107 by Batangas Rep. Beverly Rose Dimacuha and HB 9192 by Rep. Audrey Kay Zubiri, aim to modernize provisions of RA 10659 and improve the competitiveness, transparency, and sustainability of the sugar industry.

Enverga said the proposed reforms were based on previous consultations with industry stakeholders, particularly sugarcane producers in Negros Occidental and Bukidnon who have raised concerns over declining farm-gate prices and production difficulties.

The committee is also tackling measures seeking to provide postharvest facilities for rice farmers, including HB 3531 authored by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, along with other related bills filed by Party-list Reps. Ferdinand  Beltran of Magbubukid, Ivan Howard Guintu of Pinuni, and Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal, as

safeguarding the credibility of the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary election will require coordinated action from government institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, candidates, and voters alike. It added that every ballot cast represents not only a democratic choice but also a collective commitment to lasting peace in the Bangsamoro.

events continue to test the capacity of existing drainage systems.

Archival encouraged barangays Tisa and Labangon to declare a state of calamity following the recent flooding, to enable local governments to provide immediate assistance to affected residents while recovery and mitigation efforts continue.

Archival emphasized that solving Cebu City’s flooding problem will require sustained investment, engineering solutions, and the active participation of communities.

“Flooding cannot be solved by government alone. It requires cooperation from everyone—from city departments and barangays to residents—through the spirit of bayanihan,” he said.

Council (GCC).

Located outside the Strait of Hormuz, it provides direct access to the Indian Ocean through its port facilities, freezone infrastructure and regional transport links.

Data from Opaz showed that Sohar Freezone represented 26 percent of the country’s total committed investments.

According to the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman ranked as the Philippines’ 65th largest trading partner in 2024.

well as Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Eric Go Yap of Benguet.

In his proposal, Speaker Faustino Dy III emphasized the importance of improving farmers’ capacity to store, process, and protect their harvests through adequate post-harvest infrastructure. He noted that farmers often suffer losses because of limited access to drying facilities, storage areas, and other support systems needed after harvest.

Dy’s measure seeks to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses, improve the quality of agricultural products, and increase their income by ensuring that they are not forced to immediately sell their produce at lower prices due to the lack of proper facilities.

The committee is also studying proposals to replace the current voluntary sugar purchase and import replenishment system with a government sugar buying program patterned after the National Food Authority’s palay procurement program, as well as measures to strengthen oversight of sugar and molasses imports.

“With the foregoing recommendations, may I request everyone’s active participation so that the committee may come up with substantive amendments beneficial to the marginalized sugarcane farmers and the entire sugarcane industry sector,” Enverga said.

MORE than 2,800 sugar workers, students and other industry beneficiaries in Negros received P22.8 million in employment, livelihood and education assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).

Most of the funding went to 2,650 disadvantaged workers under the agency’s livelihood and emergency employment programs.

Dole allocated P21.83 million through the Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (Dileep), including the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged (Tupad) Workers initiative.

Another P1.02 million was distributed as wages to 200 beneficiaries of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

Financial aid was also extended to sugar workers affected by Typhoon Tino, while qualified dependents of workers’ organizations received scholarship grants.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the assistance forms part of efforts to build an industry where workers receive fair pay and producers remain competitive.

“We have to accomplish the mission. The mission is for sugar workers to receive fair compensation for their work, for employers and sugar producers to earn a fair return on their investments, and for the country to have a robust sugar industry,” Tolentino said.

Dole also signed an agreement with the Sugar Industry Foundation Inc. and the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc.

The partnership will expand educational opportunities and socioeconomic programs for sugar workers and their families.  Tolentino said the agreement should show that competitiveness in the global market does not have to come at the expense of workers’ welfare.

“Let it be proof that our sugar industry can be both competitive in the world market and compassionate to its own workforce,” he said.

Officials from Dle and partner agencies later discussed stronger coordination on decent work, employment generation and labor governance across the Negros Island Region.

BM FOUNDER’S GRANDDAUGHTER GRADUATES SUMMA CUM LAUDE

SOFIA DOMINIQUE

CABANGON, granddaughter of the late businessman, philanthropist, BusinessMirror founder and diplomat Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon-Chua, graduated summa cum laude from Enderun Colleges on July 28. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Marketing Management, and

received the Academic Area Award for her program.

An alumna of Nord Anglia International School Manila, Sofia completed the A-Levels Program, taking subjects that included Physics and Mathematics. She complemented her academic achievements with international professional experience through marketing internships in Manila and Hong Kong.

Sofia also received an offer of admission from the historic ESCP Business School in Paris. Her other distinctions include being named a shortlister in the 2025 Young Kidlat Student Competition organised by 4As Philippines and sponsored by GCash, and being selected as a candidate for the Business Leadership Program of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Proudly celebrating this milestone are her parents, Dominic Edward Cabangon and Jecelyn Lao Cabangon.

A8 Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Southeast Asia to see hot, dry weather and increased fire risk

By Mary Hui Bloomberg News

SOUTHEAST Asia is forecast to see drier- and warmerthan-normal conditions from August through October as El Niño strengthens, raising the threat of out-ofcontrol wildfires and damage to crops.

to an increased chance of belownormal rainfall for much of the southern Asean region during August-October,” the center said in its latest seasonal outlook on Tuesday, adding that the risk of fires and trans-boundary smoke haze could escalate.

months, and will likely be one of the strongest in more than 75 years, according to US forecasters. While no two El Niños are the same, a stronger event raises the likelihood of severe impacts, such as extended drought in Southeast Asia.

Editor: Dennis Estopace

SG lawmakers question plan to bulldoze forests for homes

SINGAPORE lawmakers raised questions over plans to build homes on two forested sites, reopening a debate over how the land scarce city-state should balance its housing needs with environmental conservation.

Indonesia has stepped up cloud seeding operations, including in the major palm-producing region of Kalimantan, to replenish reservoirs and prevent fires, according to the country’s weather agency.

Parts of the region, including large swaths of Indonesia, have a high chance of receiving below-normal rainfall, according to an analysis of several climate models conducted by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre. Temperatures are also expected to be above average for the region during the period.

The region’s rice farmers are already grappling with a dry spell that’s coming on top of high fuel and fertilizer prizes triggered by the war in Iran, with Thai prices recently touching an 18-month high. A prolonged period of expansive heat and dryness threatens to exacerbate the situation, potentially crimping yields and pushing prices up further.

“El Niño conditions tend to lead

The weather-roiling El Niño climate phenomenon is expected to continue intensifying in the coming

The latest forecast comes as wildfires are tearing through Europe and North America. Consecutive heat waves and worsening drought have transformed landscapes into kindling, forcing hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate parts of Europe and the northwestern US.

AI power demands spur builders to seek billions in bank pledges

By Dawn Lim & Michelle Cheng Bloomberg News

POWER utilities across the US are already strained from AI data centers.

But they’re increasingly facing an even bigger threat: that developers will be forced to walk away from projects, leaving households on the hook for massive infrastructure bills. To minimize that risk and get utilities on board with projects, data center operators are tapping banks to guarantee the full costs of the AI buildout will be paid for.

They’re doing this through letter-ofcredit facilities—a classic industrial backstop long used by oil and gas companies that’s surging in prominence across the data center industry. These ensure that if a developer can’t complete a site and doesn’t pay for upgrades that were needed to plug it into the grid, utilities can draw on the

credit lines so that regular households are spared the costs.

TeraWulf Inc., a bitcoin miner-turneddata center developer, is in talks with bankers for such a facility, according to a person familiar with the matter. Blackstone Inc.owned QTS is in discussions about expanding a potential $2 billion deal the operator was already negotiating with lenders, another person said. Switch Inc. recently got a host of banks to commit $3.5 billion to fulfill its grid obligations.

With the letters of credit in hand, developers can avoid tying up vital cash upfront when utilities demand billions of dollars for grid upgrades to keep them in the queue for power. And Wall Street is now syndicating these guarantees at an unprecedented scale to meet AI’s enormous spending needs. “Securing abundant, reliable electrons now matters more than chips or capital,” said Arnaud Stevens, head of global trade

for the Americas at Natixis SA, which co-led the Switch deal. “Raising large, syndicated letter-of-credit facilities is increasingly a key priority of large developers.”

The size of the commitments underscores the costs of fueling the AI revolution, which have propelled Wall Street firms to devise billions in novel debt deals.

But these letters of credit are putting Wall Street on the hook as big AI players face a reckoning over their lavish—yet unmonetized—AI spending, a friction that’s already cooled demand from bond investors. Meanwhile, the warehouse-scale computing facilities powering AI models are igniting fierce local backlash.

Industry executives say the letter-ofcredit facilities are necessary for developers to ensure reliable power connections. Overall, there are some $10 billion of the arrangements currently under discussion, according to one of the people familiar, who

asked not to be identified discussing private information.

Giving fresh impetus to the instruments, President Donald Trump’s administration is pressuring data center operators to fund the power generation and infrastructure such projects need. Regulators are directing regional grid operators to swiftly create processes to protect consumers from higher energy bills to cover the costs.

“Without a letter of credit, most utilities won’t even study your project,” said Carson Kearl, a senior analyst at energy research firm Enverus. “Vast amounts of capital are required upfront to participate in this market.”

Letters of credit have long underpinned much international trade, with commodities giants and oil frackers relying on them to guarantee cargo shipments and equipment costs.

See “AI,” A9

The government last month announced plans to clear about 15 hectares of greenery in Maju Forest and a forested area around arts enclave Gillman Barracks for new housing developments. The proposals have sparked online petitions and spirited responses from environmental groups, residents and lawmakers from both the ruling party and main opposition Workers’ Party.

“We will proceed, but how we build is important,” Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said in parliament on Tuesday, as he fielded questions from lawmakers. Development plans have yet to be finalized and the government will continue engaging the public, he added.

“I wish we had an abundance of land, so we can provide all of these without having to make trade-offs,” Tan said, referring to infrastructure including housing, hospitals and roads. “But that is not our reality.”

The two sites form part of the broader housing push in Singapore, an island smaller than New York City. The government announced last year it will build at least 80,000 public and private

homes over the next 10 to 15 years to meet rising demand for housing. The proposals have sparked public disquiet. An online petition to preserve Maju Forest, home to the critically endangered Sunda pangolin and straw-headed bulbul songbird, has drawn more than 35,000 signatures. SG Climate Rally, which bills itself as a youth-led eco-socialist collective, is organizing a rally Aug. 16.

“We are not asking Singapore to choose nature over homes,” according to the online petition which is seeking 100,000 signatures. “If building here is truly unavoidable, pair it with renewal of the aging estate” and cut the forest clearance by roughly half, it said.

To facilitate Singapore’s development needs, the city will take back more than 400 hectares of golf-course land by 2030, Tan said. The city is also building taller where it can and aims to restore and enhance 80 hectares of forest, marine and costal habitats by 2030, he added.

In 2021, a campaign by environmentalists, lawmakers and a petition to protect Dover Forest prompted authorities to revise plans to redevelop it. In 2011, lobby groups sought extra time to ascertain the historical and environmental value at one of the largest Chinese burial grounds outside China before graves were to be exhumed for a highway. Bloomberg News

Aramco wants to lift oil export capacity after war snarls flows

SAUDI Aramco said it’s looking at options to expand its oil export capacity as the Iran war disrupts flows through the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi rebels threaten shipments in the Red Sea.

Since the Iran war started, Hormuz disruptions have forced Aramco to divert much of its export volume to Saudi Arabia’s western port of Yanbu. Chief Executive

Officer Amin Nasser said the company is looking at ways to expand its capacity, including potentially increasing the size of the east-west pipeline that’s proved a vital lifeline to both the kingdom and the oil market during the war.

“In terms of exporting our crude, we are looking at actively increasing optionality right now,” Nasser said on a call on Tuesday. “This is currently under execution.”

Nasser’s comments come after the Saudi energy giant said that attacks last month didn’t have a material impact on its operations. While the CEO said threats from Yemen’s Houthi militant group to blockade Saudi shipments in the Red Sea haven’t dented export volumes, the kingdom is working on contingency plans to keep its oil flowing.

“Our engineering team is looking at how can we not only expand what we have, but at the same time identifying other routes that we can capitalize on,” Nasser said, without

giving further details of the options under consideration.

Exports to Asia via the Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope around Africa take 20 to 25 days longer than usual voyage times, he added.

During the second quarter, Aramco’s liquids production fell 28 percent to 7.57 million barrels a day from a year earlier. Saudi Arabia’s observed crude oil exports edged lower in July, according to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Aramco acknowledged the July attacks on key infrastructure for the first time. Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they targeted Saudi oil facilities, while the kingdom also intercepted drones from Iraq, leaving traders on edge as they pored over images of what appeared to be tank fires and flaring at various sites across the kingdom.

“Certain facilities of the company were targeted and the impact was not material operationally or financially,” the CEO said.

“The same thing applies for July. No material impact on our capabilities, even with the July attacks.”

Aramco didn’t provide specifics on which facilities suffered damage or were still being repaired. The company defers on security issues to the Saudi government, which reported the attacks last month. Bloomberg News

Japan defense report warns on China, Russia, NoKor links

By Alastair Gale Bloomberg News

GROWING military coordination between China, Russia and North Korea is heightening security risks for Japan, Tokyo said in its latest defense white paper, citing increasingly provocative Chinese-Russian bomber patrols and Moscow’s support for North Korea’s military modernization.

The report, an annual review of Japan’s security environment, noted a patrol by Chinese and Russian bombers in December last year that for the first time traveled in the direction of Tokyo after passing over Japan’s southern islands. The aircraft turned around before reaching Japanese airspace.

China and Russia sent bombers on a similar flight path in June this year.

“Joint Chinese and Russian bomber flights and naval exercises are clearly intended as a show of force against our country and represent a serious concern for national security,” the white paper released last Tuesday said.

Joint Chinese-Russian strategic bomber flights near Japan have been held at least once every year since 2019, but the increasingly assertive exercises come as Beijing tries to force Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to retract remarks she made in parliament last November about Taiwan.

That suggests China and Russia are coordinating more closely on sending a political signal through military exercises, according to Riho Aizawa, a research fellow at the National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo.

“China and Russia now have a relationship in which China can apply pressure on Japan with the support of Russian military power at a time that serves China’s political interests,” Aizawa wrote in a recent report.

This year, Japan’s military has responded more frequently to combined Chinese and Russian air threats. Data released by Japan’s Defense Ministry in July showed that the number of scrambles by Japanese fighter jets to monitor either Chinese or Russian aircraft flying near Japan in the first quarter of the year reached a three-year high.

Besides air threats, Japan is wary of Chinese and Russian naval activity around its archipelago. In July, Tokyo said it observed

Most of G-7 is spending more on interest vs defense–Scope

By Craig Stirling Bloomberg News

EVERY Group of Seven country apart from Germany and Canada now faces interest costs that exceed defense expenditure, Scope Ratings said.

In a report last Tuesday, the credit assessor cited rising bills to service borrowings as it looked at how members of the club of large advanced economies are become more vulnerable to higher bond yields.

“While most sovereigns have so far avoided acute refinancing stress, elevated debt burdens, combined with relatively large primary deficits are increasing the sensitivity of public finances to changes in market funding conditions,” said Eiko Sievert, executive director for Sovereign & Public Sector at Scope.

Sievert’s analysis underscores how, at a time when geopolitical concerns are pushing up defense budgets, market pressure on key borrowers is still overshadowing that

impact on the public finances. Every G-7 member bar Germany has debt above 100 percent of gross domestic product.

Scope reckons that interest costs will amount to 35 percent of defense spending in Germany this year. That compares to 193 percent in Italy, 121 percent in the US, 105 percent in the UK and 103 percent in France.

Interest spending as a share of revenues will get close to historic highs in the next five years in the US, China, Japan and France, Sievert predicts.

Deadly protests overshadow Pakistan elections in Kashmir

ELECTIONS in the Pakistan-administered territory of Kashmir have been marred by violent clashes between protesters and security forces, underscoring the fragile security situation in the region.

The Joint Awami Action Committee, a civil rights group that has been organizing demonstrations for weeks, alleged that about 44 protesters were killed by security forces since the first phase of elections took place on July 27.

a Chinese destroyer firing its machine gun inside the exclusive economic zone of a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean. The destroyer was earlier seen sailing with a Russian frigate and another Chinese warship in the area.

Russia’s military alliance with North Korea, signed in 2024, is also providing support for Pyongyang’s weapons development, the report said. It cited North Korea’s “extremely rapid” progress in missile development, including advanced hypersonic missiles.

“Through military cooperation with Russia, there is a concern that North Korea’s military power will increase in the mid- to long-term,” it said.

While there are no clear indications of three-way military coordination between China, Russia and North Korea, the Japanese white paper noted a joint appearance by the countries’ leaders at a military parade in Beijing in September last year.

For the first time, the white paper included a section on Japan’s efforts to build up its defense industry in order to respond to rising regional threats. It also highlighted the growing importance of drones and technology such as AI for modern warfare.

US DOD cancels plan to

buy $300M of lithium

By Annie Lee Bloomberg News

THE US Department of Defense has canceled a tender to purchase lithium for its strategic stockpiles, in another apparent sign of the challenges it faces in trying to bolster supplies of critical minerals.

Continued from A8

While data centers have also tapped the arrangements as power needs soared, the scale of the bank syndication is new: Switch, for example, ultimately gathered 15 lenders to back its letter-of-credit facility after increasing the deal in a matter of weeks, according to one of the people.

Instead of posting cash to utilities, Switch provides the letter of credit as security. This arrangement—which it said was the first of its kind—costs the company a roughly 2 percent rate. Switch, which is majority-owned by DigitalBridge Group Inc., is weighing plans for a public listing. Representatives for TeraWulf, Blackstone and Switch declined to comment. Representatives for QTS didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The claims of casualties couldn’t be independently verified. Local media haven’t reported on the violence, and authorities have restricted internet access in the region. Pakistan’s information minister and the Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media didn’t respond to requests for comment.

“At its core, the unrest in Pakistanadministered Kashmir is about the question of how the Pakistani state seeks to govern the territory,” said Elizabeth Threlkeld, a senior fellow and director at the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center. Protesters are “looking to have more of a say in their own affairs, and this round of unrest is only the latest we’ve seen in recent years.”

The regional government disputed the details, saying seven of its law enforcement personnel, including police and Rangers, were killed and more than 45 injured, according to a statement from Muhammad Rashid Hanif, the information secretary. The regional government has banned the JAAC and designated it a terrorist organization. Clashes between protesters and security forces started in June after the JAAC called for demonstrations to pressure the government for greater political autonomy. Since then, 88 people have been killed in the violence, according to the organization.

The violence comes as Pakistan grapples

Speculative plans AS data center grid connection applications overwhelm local power networks, utilities like Virginia’s Dominion Energy Inc. are working to purge speculative proposals. According to Enverus, data centers and other large industrial facilities are waiting in line for more than 800 gigawatts of power, comfortably surpassing the entire nation’s average electricity demand. Many of the projects are speculative and unlikely to materialize.

Developers with Wall Street guarantees stand out from speculative builders, helping utilities identify serious players just as public anger over soaring utility bills, proliferating transmission lines, and rolling blackouts have made data centers a flashpoint.

“Utilities are getting smarter,” said Michael Lardieri, a managing director at BBVA, which co-led the Switch deal with Natixis.

“They’re realizing not every person who asks for power is going to be able to take it

with deteriorating security along its western border with Afghanistan, where cross-border militant attacks have strained relations with the Taliban government.

Kashmir is also a source of tension between India and Pakistan, with both sides claiming the territory as their own.

Election disputes

VOTERS in the region are electing members of the territory’s Legislative Assembly, with polling taking place in July and August.

The campaign has been overshadowed by disputes over 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees from India-administered Kashmir living outside the territory. Critics say these seats give non-residents undue influence over local politics.

The winning candidates across the region will elect a leader to head the local government. Bloomberg News

because they may not be around.”

For private equity backed developers, whose closely-held financials make it difficult for utilities to assess their creditworthiness, letters of credit are crucial. For them, the guarantees function like an alternative credit rating, where banks effectively substitute their creditworthiness for that of the developer.

Bankers say that because letter-of-credit facilities are typically tied to several properties and utilities, the prospects of power providers drawing the entire multibilliondollar amount—or of many projects failing at once—are unlikely. Still, banks at times agree to letters of credit before the developer has signed a lease with a tenant or even before the project financing is put in place, raising potential risks.

That’s prompting caution on Wall Street, too: Morgan Stanley, for one, has signaled to developers that it holds a high bar for

The Defense Logistics Agency dropped a tender for almost 36 million pounds, about 16,000 tons, of battery-grade lithium carbonate in a contract worth as much as $300 million, according to a notice on its website dated Monday. The DLA didn’t give any reason for the delay. An email sent to the department out of office hours didn’t immediately receive a reply.

Critical minerals have become a political priority for the US in order to slash reliance on main supplier China. Prices of lithium carbonate, used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems, have surged nearly 20 percent so far this year in China and remain volatile.

The DLA, responsible for managing the National Defense Stockpile that secures metals for US military needs, last year canceled a tender to buy cobalt, a metal used in industries including batteries and aerospace.

The lithium tender was announced on July 2 with an original deadline of July 17, which was extended twice. It asked suppliers to propose fixed prices for supplies over five years and said the government was intending to spend between $1 million and $300 million on the contract.

leading any letter-of-credit deals, according to another person.

A representative for Morgan Stanley declined to comment. Either way, the deals could become lucrative. The strategy positions banks to win ancillary business from developers down the road, such as mergers and acquisition advice or other services to fuel more AI spending.

Smaller players are also turning to the arrangements: Yondr Group, backed by DigitalBridge and La Caisse, recently secured such a facility. Some developers, unable to get bank support, are even sounding out private credit lenders to guarantee payments, according to another person familiar with the matter.

“Power availability is the single biggest limiting factor on the pace of the data center buildout,” said Mario Iacobacci, head of construction and infrastructure advisory for North America at Oxford Economics.

Marcos eyes ‘26 passage of ‘Progress bill’ to generate over ₧500B in revenues

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is pushing for the passage of the “Progress bill” within 2026, according to Malacañang. The measure, which he announced during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), is expected to generate over P500 billion over the next four years to help fund the administration’s tax reform package.

The bill consolidated both the proposed additional tax relief and new taxes the Marcos administration is pushing to generate P191.77 billion in net revenues.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos is still waiting to be briefed by the Department of Finance (DOF) on the provisions of the “Promoting Growth, Revenue, Equity toward Socio-economic Sustainability [Progress] bill.”

“The President is aware that the Department of Finance [DOF] is currently scrutinizing it, as he wants it passed at the earliest possible time,” she said in Filipino in a press briefing last Tuesday.

“The President wants the bill to be passed this year,” she added. In his fifth SONA, Marcos announced he wants to raise the income tax threshold from P250,000

to P350,000 and to exempt micro and small businesses from minimum corporate income tax as part of his tax reform package.

DOF said the reform for income threshold will reduce government revenues by P300.33 billion from 2027 to 2030, while the exemption for micro and small businesses will cost the government P26.6 billion worth of revenues during the same period.

To fund the said reform, the agency proposed updating the motor vehicle road user tax; imposing taxes on plastic products, edible ices, vape devices; increasing taxes for sugary drinks, excise taxes on distilled spirits, e-cigarettes and on automobiles; and removing the tax exemption for soy milk, as well as pure natural fruit and vegetable juices.

The said measures, DOF said, is expected to generate P518.71 billion in revenues in the next four years and offset for the P326.92 billion reduction in tax collections from the earlier mentioned tax reform package.

The agency noted the Progress bill is expected to benefit middleincome taxpayers. Castro also downplayed the

possible negative impact of the new taxes on the finances of most Filipinos, which comes as economists projected inflation to accelerate in the coming months due to the effects of the Middle East crisis, El Niño, and a weak peso.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported inflation accelerated to 6.4 percent yearon-year. Some economists said the inflation rate may further speed up to 6.8 percent last month.

“The other taxes being mentioned will not affect ordinary citizens; instead, they will primarily impact those who purchase luxury vehicles. This matter is currently being studied, so the proposed tax reforms are not expected to affect the middleincome sector,” she said.

She said the taxes on sugary drinks will even be beneficial to public health since it will encourage Filipinos to reduce their sugar consumption.

The provisions of the Progress bill was discussed during the meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Ad Hoc Team meeting last Monday.

“The legislative priorities are

aligned with the policy directions outlined by President Marcos during his recent State of the Nation Address, including measures to expand income tax exemptions, provide tax relief for small businesses, grant tax amnesty, and reduce power costs by eliminating system loss charges,” the Office of the Executive Secretary said in a statement.

Other bills, which were discussed in the meeting were for accelerating economic growth, lowering the cost of electricity, strengthening food and energy security, expanding social protection, intensifying the fight against corruption, and improving the delivery of public services through key institutional and political reforms.

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto led the meeting, which was also attended by Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) Secretary Joey Salceda.

After the last LEDAC meeting held last February, Marcos announced he wants the passage of 21 priority bills.

ASEAN health ministers gather in Manila to accelerate NCD prevention and control

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE Department of Health (DOH) officially opened in Manila the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) on August 4. The three-day event brought together health ministers, senior officials, technical experts, development partners, youth delegates, and civil society organizations from all 11 ASEAN member states.

The three-day hybrid conference focused on “Accelerating Wholeof-Society Action for NCDs,” with resource persons from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Labour Organization, and the ASEAN Secretariat, this landmark gathering aims

to deliver real, everyday health benefits to families in the Philippines and across the ASEAN region.

Around 100 delegates participated on site and 500 more from across the Southeast Asian region joined through the official virtual platform.

NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental health conditions, remain a major public health challenge in the ASEAN region.

Therefore, the DOH said that it is prudent to accelerate the implementation and strengthen primary healthcare systems and adopt strong health financing and regulatory measures to reduce risk factors.

“Noncommunicable diseases are the region’s biggest health burden, and no ministry, sector, or country

can turn the tide alone. This conference is ASEAN acting as one — governments, partners, communities, and our youth — to make the healthy choice the easy choice for every family, dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Pasyente Muna,” said Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. Additionally, successfully implementing these evidence-based strategies requires an inclusive, wholeof-society approach.

The conference is expected to ratify the Call to Action on Accelerating NCD prevention and control in ASEAN 2026-2030, which commits ASEAN countries to step up their joint efforts in NCDs intervention.

Furthermore, to review and organize the high-impact initiative of member states on addressing NCDs, collated into ASEAN Compendium of Scalable NCD Best Practices.

DILG backs AI-powered database of local ordinances

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to support the rollout of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered legislative information system to modernize how local laws are drafted, managed, and accessed.

The DILG handed down Memorandum Circular No. 2026-041 encouraging city and municipal mayors, vice mayors, and Local Sanggunians to submit electronic copies of their ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative issuances for inclusion in the e-Legis Reference System, a centralized, AI-driven online database de -

signed to make local legislation more accessible, transparent, and efficient.

Meanwhile, to ensure the initiative is implemented effectively, the DILG also asked city and municipal Sanggunian members to strengthen the capacities of local employees and to actively participate in orientation and capacitybuilding activities on the e-Legis Reference System.

The DILG also added that LGUs could collect the corresponding subscription fees in accordance with existing laws and regulations.

The e-Legis Reference System is expected to strengthen local governance by equipping poli -

cymakers with digital tools that improve the quality and efficiency of legislation. Among its key features are a personalized legislative feed based on users’ areas of interest, an AI-powered drafting studio that assists in developing local measures, and a dedicated research platform that enables vice mayors and Sanggunian members to quickly search for relevant ordinances, resolutions, and policy references.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) and the Center for

Use Special Education Fund for school security as campus violence rises–Win

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

NOTING the disturbing rise in violent incidents in schools - with the latest being the fatal stabbing of a high school students in Las Pinas City - Senate President Win Gatchalian is pushing to allow the use of the Special Education Fund (SEF) to hire security personnel and better protect learners.

Under the proposed 21st Century School Boards Act (Senate Bill No. 53), Gatchalian seeks to expand the allowable use of SEF, which is traditionally limited to classrooms and facilities, to include safety measures such as deploying trained security guards. The measure also strengthens the role of local government units (LGUs) in addressing urgent education needs.

Gatchalian emphasized that his proposal comes in the wake of recent incidents of school-related violence, the latest of which involved a 14-year-old learner from Las Piñas National High School fatally stabbing his 13-year-old classmate.

Hindinasapatangpaderatsilid-aralan kung walang katiyakan ang kaligtasan ng atingmgaestudyante.Kungmaypondopara saedukasyon,dapatpaglaanandinnatinng pondo ang pagpapanatili ng seguridad sa mgapaaralandahilwalangmatututunanang batangtakotsaloobngkanyangsilid-aralan,” Gatchalian stressed.

[The walls and the classroom are not enough protection if we cannot c ompletely ensure the learners’ safety. If there are funds for education, we should also set aside funding the initiatives to maintain security in schools. A child who is always in fear inside the classroom will not learn anything].

Amendments to the Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160) to expand SEF use form part of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority agenda.

PBEd proposes BSP-style model to shield education reforms from politics

CITING the need for a comprehensive transformation of the nation’s education system, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) Chairperson Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. on Monday advocated for a BSP-like independent commission, designed to insulate long-term educational reforms from the instability of political turnover.

In a media briefing held in Makati City, del Rosario said the Philippines has spent decades diagnosing the country’s education crisis but has repeatedly failed to sustain reforms because policies often change with every new administration.

“If we want to pursue education in a more sustained manner, we have to do something more drastic than we have done so far,” del Rosario said.

“But while the country moves from one issue to another, there is one crisis that has refused to go away. The crisis in Philippine education,” he added He pointed to the BSP as an example of a government institution that has remained professional, independent and effective despite changes in political leadership. “If there’s one reform that we have been able to successfully do in our country, it is the reform of our central banking system,” he said. “Why don’t we think about a possible structure for education governance that somehow mimics the Bangko Sentral structure, where you insulate education governance from the three- or six-year political cycles, professionalize it and attract the best minds to Philippine education governance?”

Such

the

Public trust: Catholic educators seek security for Pax Silica project

By Mary Jade Jadormio

CATHOLIC educators said the proposed Pax Silica project must first earn public trust before its investment and employment promises can be taken seriously.

Concerns over environmental damage, weak oversight and limited benefits for host communities should be addressed before the project moves forward, according to the Catholic Educational Association of

the Philippines (CEAP).

“These concerns should not be dismissed as opposition to development but recognized as important questions about intergenerational equity, environmental sustainability, and national economic strategy,” CEAP said in a statement.

Public skepticism, it added, stems from the country’s experience with extractive ventures that promised prosperity but left affected communities with lasting environmental and social costs.

Past projects often resulted in

Defense blocks ‘scam’ label jab in Senate impeachment trial

DEFENSE counsel Michael Poa has strongly objected and asked the court to strike from its records the comment of House private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan that the confidential fund use of Vice President Sara Duterte was a “scam.”

“We move to strike [it from the record], this is out of order, your honor...Move to strike,” Poa said.

Trial presiding officer Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero immediately ordered to strike the remarks made by Kapunan from the record. The interjection made by Poa on the 12th day of the impeachment trial followed over a debate whether the failure to liquidate funds serves as prima facie evidence of personal use or benefit during the resumption of the direct examination of former state

auditor Atty. Roderick Wamil on the use of confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in 2023.

No personal knowledge

DURING the early part of the trial, Poa also successfully blocked Wamil from sharing his “findings,” arguing that he has no personal knowledge of the audit report after Kapunan asked about a separate Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) for another confidential funds released to the OVP in the third quarter of 2024. Poa said Wamil could have no personal knowledge of the said AOM, a written notice informing a department or agency of audit deficiencies and requiring it to provide explanations or supporting documents.

He stressed that Wamil was only with the COA’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO) until February 2024. Wamil was with COA-ICFAO for 10 years, from 2014 to February 2024.

Poa said that the AOM in question was issued in August 2024 when the prosecution witness is no longer with ICFAO.

“So, he’s testifying or referring to something that he has no personal knowledge of,” Poa added.

Escudero then told Wamil not to refer to an AOM and just refer to his notes, if he has prepared a draft, as he told the court.

To which, Wamil responded that he did not bring his notes or draft, prompting Escudero to rule that the prosecution witness is “not

See “Defense,” A12

degraded ecosystems, weak regulatory enforcement and few economic opportunities beyond the extraction of raw materials, the group said.

Greater transparency must cover key project details, regulatory safeguards and the possible impact on communities near mining and processing sites.

Meaningful public participation should also allow residents, civil society groups and local governments to influence decisions rather than merely receive information after plans have been finalized.

Independent environmental monitoring and fair benefit-sharing arrangements are also needed to ensure that affected communities receive a reasonable share of the project’s gains, CEAP said.

Firm commitments to local processing and value-added industries could prevent the Philippines from remaining only a supplier of raw materials.

Pax Silica seeks to position the country as a source of high-purity silica used in semiconductor wafers, fiber-optic cables, photovoltaic cells and other technologies

supporting artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.

Government projections show that the venture could attract between $40 billion and $70 billion in investments and generate more than 130,000 jobs for engineers, scientists, technicians, researchers and other skilled workers.

“The long-term success of highpurity silica development depends less on the resource itself than on the strength of governance, regulatory institutions, environmental stewardship, and industrial policy,” CEAP said.

PHL faces critical cybersecurity talent gap amid digital boom, warns Fortinet

THE Philippines’ rapid digital transformation is creating new business prospects, but a severe lack of cybersecurity talent is emerging as a major risk to national cyber infrastructure, warns Fortinet, a top cybersecurity provider.

“The Philippines is undergoing rapid digitalization across industries, but organizations must ensure that investments in technology are matched by investments in people,” said Bambi Escalante, Country Manager of Fortinet Philippines.

She noted that while artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how organizations defend against cyber threats, it is also reshaping the skills security teams need to remain effective.

“As organizations across the Philip -

pines accelerate AI adoption, developing cybersecurity talent with expertise in AI, automation and governance has become just as important as investing in new technologies,” Escalante said. As companies embrace AI, cloud computing, digital payments and connected technologies, Escalante said the demand for skilled cybersecurity experts is rising much faster than the available talent pool. It added a widening skills gap that is leaving organizations increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, operational disruptions and financial losses.

According to Fortinet’s 2026 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report, the shortage of cybersecurity professionals remains one of the leading causes of serious security

breaches among Philippine organizations. Escalante said the findings underscore that cybersecurity is no longer simply an IT concern. It has become a business continuity, governance and national competitiveness issue.

Escalante said the shortage of cybersecurity talent is already having measurable consequences.

Fortinet’s survey found that 93 percent of Philippine organizations experienced at least one cybersecurity breach during the past 12 months.More than half, or 52 percent, reported losses exceeding $1 million from cyber incidents, while 70 % said recovery from attacks took longer than one month. Rizal Raoul Reyes

August 5, 2026

DepEd allocates ₧2.289B in direct school funds for literacy, numeracy

By Claudeth S. Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

TO support non-implementing unit public schools with direct funding for targeted literacy and numeracy programs, the Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated over P2.289 billion under the School Innovation and Improvement Fund (SIIF) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

Authorized under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (Republic Act No. 12314), SIIF targets to strengthen decentralization at the school level by providing schools with greater fiscal autonomy and flexibility in planning, managing, and implementing responsive interventions based on their specific needs and priorities.

“Real progress in basic education happens where our learners and teachers interact every day, right inside the classroom. In line with President Bongbong Marcos’ commitment to tackle learning poverty head-on, we are making

PHL defensive ops centered on international law–Teodoro

By Rex Anthony Naval

DEPARTMENT of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said that “all defensive operations, activities, and thrusts of the Philippines in the external environment” are anchored and founded firmly on principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Teodoro made this comment at the 37th United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) annual international Military Law and Operations strategic engagement (MILOPS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the DND

DILG. . .

Continued from A10

Local and Regional Governance (CLRG) of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).

According to the DILG, the eLegis Project will foster greater collaboration among LGUs by creating a centralized reposi -

DOTR. . .

Continued from A10

the DOTr, and the Economic Team will discuss the matter to come up with a more concrete and detailed resolution regarding it,” she said in Filipino.

Among the matters, which were discussed in the meeting was the proposal by LTFRB to raise the P10 fuel subsidy to P20 for PUV drivers as well as the petition of transport groups for an interim fare increase.

Pending the said interim fare increase, Castro announced the P10 fuel subsidy was extended until August 15.

The fuel subsidy is part of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) initiatives to help sectors which were affected by the Middle East conflict.

The Marcos administration allocated P60 billion to help sustain its UPLIFT initiatives until the end of the year.

said in a statement Tuesday. At the said activity, the DND chief was asked to address the conference with the keynote “Philippine Perspectives on Regional Security Threats.”

“Conscious of this, he used the underlying theme in order to make his arguments and frame his remarks. Instead of concentrating on the threats, he gave a short presentation of these threats to the audience and pointed out how these could affect regional peace and security and, most importantly, ASEAN Centrality,” the DND stressed. Teodoro also said that the Philippine commitment to international law ties it to like-minded countries.

tory of local legislation, making it easier for local governments to share policy innovations, adopt proven ordinances, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.

The system is also expected to reduce paperwork, streamline legislative workflows, automate document formatting, minimize manual processes, and improve records management, helping local governments become more

When asked if the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will also provide a second round of P5,000 financial assistance to PUV drivers using its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act funds.

Castro said she will announce what measures were finalized in the said meeting.

“Let’s see, as their meeting is currently ongoing. Once it concludes, I will immediately ask for an update,” she said.

The Presidential Communications Office undersecretary said it is ready to assist commuters, who will be affected by the transport strike next week.

However, she urged the transport strike to reconsider the strike and just resort to peaceful dialogue instead.

“It would be better to engage in a peaceful and orderly dialogue rather than constantly taking to the streets, as that is not the solution to our current issues. While we do not stop anyone who wishes to protest, it ultimately does not help our economy,” Castro said in Filipino. Samuel P. Medenilla

sure our ground-level educators have direct access to resources without unneeded administrative friction,” said Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara. By downloading the funds straight to schools, Angara said, learners will be empowered to “implement practical, localized solutions to build strong reading and math foundations for every Filipino child.”

First established under DepEd Memorandum No. 073, s. 2025, and anchored on the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001 (Republic Act No. 9155), the SIIF funneled funds to 4,043 non-

Defense.

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He emphasized that without this convergence, no defense alliance or activity will be loyal to the rule of law and, in effect, will be unsustainable.

He also gave a perspective on the Philippine defensive strategies of internal resilience and alliance building, which are essential to maintaining peace and stability because these are not givens and are enforced; “it is, in fact, in the interest of a stable ASEAN, as well as our engagement partners, that we increase our defense capabilities, provided these are within the context of international law and serve to bolster converged interests,” the DND said.

responsive and efficient in delivering public service. As the DILG continues to advance digital transformation in local governance, the agency said harnessing AI and emerging technologies will empower LGUs to craft more responsive policies, strengthen transparency in legislative processes, and build smarter, more innovative communities that better serve the Filipino people. Jonathan L. Mayuga

allowed by the court to refer to the AOM issued after he already left office.”

‘Copy-paste’

POA also objected to Kapunan’s terminology, referring to a document format as “copy-paste” during Wamil’s testimony.

“Your honor, again with all due respect to the opposing counsel, I would like to object to that characterization,” Poa said.

Kapunan then quickly retracted her comment saying, “I just couldn’t resist myself.”

Escudero sustained Poa’s objection.

THERE was also a light moment during the trial when he attended a meeting with Poa, OVP Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, Assistant COA Commissioner Nilda Plaras and state auditor Gloria Camora at a September 2023 meeting on DepEd and OVP liquidation of confidential funds.

Kapunan then asked Wamil if he personally saw Poa, he said he just saw him in the news.

“Hindimosiyanakikita in person? Ayan siya oh,” Kapunan quipped while pointing to Poa, earning laughs from the impeachment court.

Wamil said that Poa introduced himself to him at the said meeting.

Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

implementing elementary and junior high schools in 4th- and 5th-class municipalities during its pilot rollout.

The inaugural run achieved a 84 percent fund utilization rate, funding academic recovery, remediation, and learning enrichment for 405,930 learners across the country.

Under the newly issued DepEd Memorandum No. 048, s. 2026, recipient schools–which now include eligible senior high schools– will receive predetermined allocations without the need to submit funding proposals.

Funding parameters priori -

tize lower-income municipalities and larger learner populations, ensuring baseline support of no less than P50,000 per school, with higher allocations directed toward schools in 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-class municipalities than those in 1st- and 2nd-class municipalities.

To ensure accountability without disrupting field operations, school heads will submit quarterly physical and financial progress via the digital InsightED Application’s SIIF Online Monitoring Tool, while DepEd Regional and Schools Division Offices provide technical assistance and oversight.

Manila Water’s backwash recovery system to boost water supply for East Zone

TO boost water availability and reduce pressure on existing sources, Manila Water has been fortifying its backwash recovery program, which can generate up to 46 million liters per day (MLD) of additional water from its treatment facilities, to boost water supply for the East Zone in the face of the continuing effect of the extended El Nino.

The recovered volume is enough to potentially serve more than 200,000 customers daily, providing a crucial supply buffer during periods of heightened demand and constrained water resources, the company said in a statement.

The backwash recovery system is being readied despite the rainy season because the replenishment of Angat Dam remains a continuing challenge, as recent rains have yet to fully offset the effects of El Niño, as evidenced by the still-below critical level of Angat Dam.

At the East La Mesa and Balara Treatment Plants, Manila Water’s backwash recovery facilities can recover up to 40 MLD of water that would otherwise be lost during routine filter cleaning operations. The process allows water from the backwashing cycle to be recovered, clarified, and reintroduced into the treatment process as an additional source of raw water.

Complementing these facilities is the Backwash Water Recovery System at the Car -

dona Treatment Plant in Rizal, which recovers and reintroduces up to 6 MLD of raw water back into the treatment process. The project improves plant efficiency while maximizing the use of available water resources from the middle portion of Laguna Lake, one of Manila Water’s additional water sources. Backwashing is a routine process in water treatment wherein air and water are injected into filter beds to remove accumulated sediments. Instead of discharging the resulting backwash water, Manila Water’s recovery systems allow sediments to settle before reclaiming the clarified water and routing it back into the treatment process as an additional source of raw water. This not only generates additional water supply but also minimizes plant losses and reduces water that would otherwise be discharged into nearby waterways.

“While we are now experiencing rainfall, water security requires long-term solutions that go beyond seasonal weather patterns. Through innovations such as backwash recovery and the development of additional water sources, Manila Water is maximizing available resources and strengthening the resilience of our water supply system to better serve our customers,” Manila Water Corporate Communications Group Head Dittie Galang said. Jonathan L. Mayuga

2nd Front Page

BusinessMirror

FUEL-RELATED ITEMS SLOW, PULL DOWN WHOLESALE PRICES

SLOWDOWN in fuel-re-

Alated commodities pulled down wholesale prices in June, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

The General Wholesale Price Index (GWPI) eased to 2.3 percent in June, slower than the 2.5 percent recorded in May and the 3 percent recorded in June 2025.

This brought the average wholesale price growth in the first half of 2026 to 2.3 percent, the PSA said. According to PSA, the slight deceleration in wholesale prices in June could be attributed to the slower annual increase in mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, which eased to 29.3 percent from 36.2 percent in May.

The index for machinery and transport equipment also grew at a slower pace of 1.1 percent from 1.2 percent.

The PSA also attributed the downtrend to the steeper annual declines in crude materials, inedible except fuels, at 35.6 percent in June from 27.2 percent in May, and chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats, at 4.4 percent from 3.1 percent.

Despite the overall slowdown, four commodity groups recorded faster wholesale price increases during the month.

Food inflation at the wholesale level picked up to 4.6 percent from 4.3 percent, while beverages and tobacco accelerated to 2.6 percent from 2.5 percent.

Manufactured goods classified

chiefly by materials also rose faster at 0.3 percent from 0.2 percent, while miscellaneous manufactured articles increased to 1.4 percent from 1.3 percent.

Among the major island groups, the Visayas recorded the highest GWPI at 3.8 percent in June, although this was slower than the 5.1 percent posted in May.

The PSA attributed the deceleration in the Visayas to slower wholesale price increases in five commodity groups.

These included beverages and tobacco, which eased to 3 percent from 3.3 percent; crude materials, inedible except fuels, to 0.2 percent from 0.3 percent; and mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials, to 20.9 percent from 28.1 percent.

Wholesale price growth for chemicals, including animal and vegetable oils and fats, also slowed to 7.5 percent from 8.2 percent, while manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials eased to 1.3 percent from 1.4 percent.

Luzon and Mindanao, meanwhile, posted slower GWPI rates than the national average at 2.2 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively.

The GWPI measures changes in the price levels of commodities sold in bulk to intermediaries. It serves as an important gauge of price movements in the wholesale trade sector and is used as a deflator to express real value by stripping out the effects of price changes. Justine Xyrah Garcia

WB sees room to hike revenue without raising statutory rates

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

WHILEthe Marcos administration is considering higher taxes to offset its proposed tax relief package, the World Bank said the government still has room to raise revenues by improving collection efficiency without increasing existing statutory rates.

On Monday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said it would seek congressional approval for higher levies on sweetened beverages, tobacco and alcohol, single-use plastics and wealth to compensate for an estimated P326.92 billion in revenues that could be lost from proposed personal and corporate income tax relief.

World Bank Senior Country Economist Jaffar Al-Rikabi, however, said the government should first focus on broadening the tax base and maximizing collections under existing rates.

“There’s a lot of inefficiencies in the current tax system that mean the taxes are not collected at the level of potential,” Al-Rikabi said at

a recent media briefing.

“Per statutory tax rate that you have, don’t increase tax rates. Just ask how much are you collecting,” he added.

The World Bank cited the valueadded tax (VAT) as an example. The Philippines imposes a 12-percent VAT, compared with Thailand’s 7 percent, yet the two countries collect a similar amount of VAT revenue as a share of gross domestic product (GDP).

“It tells you that there’s a lot of room to improve the efficiency of the VAT to collect without increasing rates,” Al-Rikabi said.

He said simplifying tax filing and payment could reduce errors, en-

courage voluntary compliance, and increase government collections.

“You simplify the ease of paying taxes so that it’s easier for businesses, it’s easier for people to pay taxes. A lot of mistakes happen just because it’s so burdensome to go through the taxes,” he said.

Al-Rikabi was referring to the need to effectively implement the Ease of Paying Taxes law, rather than introduce another piece of legislation. He added that international studies have shown that simpler processes encourage more taxpayers to comply and prevent payments from being delayed.

Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano earlier said the DOF was proposing a mix of higher sin, consumption, environmental and wealth-related taxes to counterbalance the P326.92 billion in foregone revenues from the planned tax relief measures.

The department wants to raise the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to P20 per liter from P6, while drinks using high-fructose corn syrup would be taxed P40 per liter. It is also considering covering edible ices and removing exemptions for soy milk and 100 percent natural fruit and vegetable juices.

The DOF is likewise proposing

higher levies on distilled spirits, ecigarettes, and novel tobacco products, including a unified P72.90 excise tax on e-cigarettes starting in 2027 and a new P150-per-unit tax on vape devices. Plastic products such as “sando” bags, “labo” bags and sachets would be taxed P150 per kilogram. The package also includes a 75-percent excise tax tier for vehicles worth more than P8 million, the inclusion of private jets among taxable non-essential goods, and an inflation-based adjustment to the motor vehicle road user’s tax.

Apart from improving collection efficiency, the World Bank said the government could raise more revenue by reviewing tax exemptions that no longer deliver their intended benefits.

Al-Rikabi said exemptions are usually granted to lower prices or support particular groups. But when they fail to achieve those goals, the government may be better off collecting the revenue and redirecting it to targeted assistance.

“If it’s very ineffective, it’s better to collect that revenue and use it, for example, for social protection through the [Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program],” he said.

See “Revenue,” A2

Chinese outbound travel stays strong, but PHL still trails top destinations

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

OUTBOUND Chinese travel remains robust amid the ongoing Middle East tensions, with most visiting East Asian and Southeast Asian destinations in the first half of the year.

The Chinese Outbound Travel Trade Survey released by Dragon Trail International in July showed “continued growth in demand so far this year and into the summer season.

Even Japan remains a top destination, with other countries throughout East and SoutheastAsia maintaining strong performance. A promising indication for the future, survey respondents identified young Chinese travelers aged 18-35 as the market segment with the most potential for growth.”

But the market research firm’s survey of 310 Chinese outbound travel trade professionals failed to place the Philippines in the bigger conversation of destinations, despite the country recording a 64.54 percent surge in Chinese arrivals, year on year, from January to June 2026. The survey also showed that “safety and stability” are key factors in choosing a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) destination. Also important considerations are the “opportunities to develop experiences and wellness offerings for corporate travelers.”

78% see higher demand

first half of the year, up 64.54 percent year on year, with the government’s implementation of a visa-free policy for Chinese travelers. (See, “PHL visitor arrivals near 3.2M in 1H on China, India surge,” in the BusinessMirror, July 20, 2026.)

Some 47 percent of survey respondents identified Chinese travelers aged 18 to 35 years were as the “fastest-growing market segment” for outbound trips, while 40 percent said travelers from Tier 1 (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen) and Tier 2 cities (Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Xiamen) were the fastest-growing groups, compared to just 6 percent, who saw the most growth potential from lower-tier Chinese cities.

By Mary Jade Jadormio

THE Department of Agricul-

ture (DA) will not suspend rice imports as it moves to secure enough buffer stocks against a possible El Niño later this year. Rice arrivals have already reached about 3.2 million metric tons, but Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said additional supply remains necessary to cover demand through the first months of 2027. “We need to have buffer stocks for December, January, February, March and April next year,” Tiu Laurel said during a market inspection in Las Piñas City. Government officials expect hotter conditions beginning in November to affect farm output and possibly disrupt poultry and crop production.

Current rice inventories are expected to remain stable as harvesting begins in some areas by September before peaking from October to December.

Local palay production will help replenish supply while imported stocks will serve as insurance against severe weather and other disruptions.

Tiu Laurel said the country should avoid major supply problems through the end of the year unless a strong typhoon damages key farming areas.

Retail rice prices observed during the inspection ranged from about P47 to P50 per kilo for regular varieties.

The Agriculture chief said those prices do not justify a new price ceiling because market levels remain within the government’s target range. They also maintained its appeal for traders to stop importing 5-per-

cent broken rice to limit competition with locally produced grain.

Government warehouses are being cleared ahead of the main harvest season so the National Food Authority (NFA) can buy more palay from farmers.

NFA may purchase up to 500,000 metric tons of palay using a P20billion fund this year.

Target buying prices were set at P21 per kilo for wet palay and P25 to P27 per kilo for dry palay.

Tiu Laurel said the larger procurement budget should help prevent farmgate prices from collapsing once the main harvest begins.

ALTHOUGH international travel faced strong headwinds in the first half of the year, Dragon Trail’s survey showed 78 percent of travel agents reported higher demand for outbound trips in the six months to June, year on year, while 70 percent said demand for summer travel has increased compared to the same period in 2025. Respondents also chose Thailand as the top destination for mainland Chinese travelers due to its visa-free policy and being “good value for money.” But the survey noted that “demand for trips to Japan remains high... despite diplomatic tensions and reduced flight capacity. South Korea and Singapore also top destination lists for 2026.”

Other top destinations for outbound Chinese include the United States, Iceland, Maldives, New Zealand, Russia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Canada, and Malaysia. According to data provided by the Department of Tourism, the Philippines received 219,796 visitors from mainland China in the

How destinations are chosen “SAFETY and security” are top considerations for leisure travelers and corporate groups traveling outbound, when choosing a destination. “Travel agents identified customized and immersive experiences and wellness as the biggest growth opportunities for MICE travel in the coming years.” Lastly, 99 percent of survey responds indicated that their companies were using artificial intelligence (AI) chiefly to collect travel information and management of hotels and flights products, along with translation and multi-lingual support. AI is also used for customer service, content creation, data analysis and reporting, iterary planning and design, and image and video generation. Other specific findings:

n Attractive natural landscapes and scenery are the top factor driving destination popularity (22 percent of respondents), followed by market demand growh (19

More than bioreactors: Giving seaweed farmers the support they need

LOCAL seaweed exporters have seen their earnings decline in the past three years, based on international trade data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The Tradeline portal of the Department of Trade and Industry showed that the country’s seaweed exports fell by more than 16 percent to $207.823 million in 2025 from $247.660 million in 2024. Prior to 2024, seaweed export receipts were still above $300 million, even if there was a substantial decline compared to the $349.076 million recorded in 2022.

The drop in export earnings tracks the slide in seaweed output in the last three years, according to data from PSA. From a high of 1.626 million metric tons (MMT) in 2023, seaweed production fell to 1.455 MMT in 2024. Output slid further the next year, when it reached a three-year low of 1.375 MMT, based on figures from the PSA.

A roadmap crafted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) noted that the Philippines ranks third in global seaweed production, behind China and Indonesia, citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The agency said over 60,000 hectares of shallow coastal waters are farmed in the country and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), and the Zamboanga Peninsula are considered as the major seaweed producing regions. Citing the 2019 edition of the Philippine Fisheries profile, the agency noted that seaweed is the top commodity produced by the aquaculture fisheries subsector.

The same roadmap identified the inadequate supply of good quality seedlings as one of the weaknesses in local seaweed production. The Department of Agriculture is hoping to remedy this through its acquisition of a bioreactor facility that will allow the Philippines to produce disease-free planting materials all year round. (See, “PHL invests in bioreactor to expand seaweed output,” in the BusinessMirror ,” July 29, 2026). The new facility, according to the agency, replaces decades-old laboratory methods that revised on improvised bottles, manual aeration and less precise propagation technique.

While the facility can help farmers comply with good farming practices and biosecurity measures, the seaweed industry would need more than the bioreactor to prop up production as well as export earnings. The seaweed sector, the roadmap noted, is vulnerable to seasonal weather disturbances. Other threats to production include the prevalence of seaweed pests and diseases and the improper use and discharge of artificial fertilizer in field cultivation.

Local producers said seaweed has the potential to bring in more export receipts, particularly if they can secure the support they have been seeking from the government to fend off competition. Seaweed is versatile as a food additive, pharmaceutical ingredient and laboratory material and can even be used as an organic fertilizer and animal feed product, (See, “Seaweed growers appeal for Palace funding support,” in the BusinessMirror ,” September 2, 2022). Investing in research and development for its use as organic fertilizer alone would provide a big boost to government efforts to reduce the Philippines’s reliance on imported farm inputs.

Protect our transport workers

AT. Anthony C. Cabangon

Lourdes M. Fernandez

Jennifer A. Ng Vittorio V. Vitug

Lorenzo M. Lomibao Jr., Gerard S. Ramos

Lyn B. Resurreccion, Dennis D. Estopace

Angel R. Calso, Dionisio L. Pelayo

Ruben M. Cruz Jr.

Eduardo A. Davad

Nonilon G. Reyes

D. Edgard A. Cabangon Benjamin V. Ramos Aldwin Maralit Tolosa

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Mark Villar

THE BUILDER

S the Philippine population grows, so does our demand for mobility.

Even as the country continues to build out its mass transport systems, many Filipino commuters still rely on jeepneys, tricycles, buses and transport network vehicle services (TNVS), or regulated app-based ride-hailing services.

TNVS improves urban mobility by using mobile technology to fetch commuters, offering safer and more predictable alternatives to traditional public transport. The sector has also generated jobs for many Filipinos.

By introducing on-demand technology to urban transit, the TNVS ecosystem functions as both a critical economic driver and a public utility in the social media age.

TNVS providers offer livelihood alternatives that help ease national unemployment, serving as an accessible labor safety net during economic downturns and crises. They helped us navigate the mobility challenges during the pandemic.

Beyond transporting passengers, TNVS has facilitated the movement of goods and services across the country. It has connected thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the digital market, helping expand their reach.

More Filipinos need to get around every day, and even as the government builds bigger trains and buses, many people still depend on jeepneys, tricycles and ride-hailing apps, like Grab, inDrive, Angkas and Joyride, to reach work, school or home.

These ride-hailing services have made getting around the city easier and safer than waiting for a jeepney or hailing a random cab.

For many drivers, logging into the app is how they pay the bills, especially when times are hard. But there’s a serious problem: drivers are increasingly becoming targets of crime and violence.

In recent weeks, one driver was robbed and killed in Cavite, and another was stabbed to death in Caloocan. These are not just bad luck or random tragedies. They point to real gaps in how we protect our transport workers.

That’s why I filed Senate Resolution No. 527, asking the Senate to

By Jera Sison

THE rains arrived like an unwelcome storyteller, turning the waiting room of the sports world into something longer, heavier, and somehow more thrilling. In that kind of suspense, time doesn’t just pass. It sharpens. Millions of us in the Philippines were forced to wait until the early hours of the morning, and in waiting we learned something about the match that would follow: the final wasn’t only being postponed by rain; it was being built, piece by piece, by the tension of anticipation.

When the championship finally took shape, Alex Eala didn’t simply show up. She made the delay feel like something that belonged to her story. She shredded top-seeded Jessica Pegula in the Mubadala DC Open finale—4-6, 6-4, 6-0—until the scoreboard stopped looking like a sequence of numbers and started reading like momentum. And for someone like me, who had already sensed what the future might hold, that momentum felt almost inevitable. Not in a naive, wishful way, but in the way you recognize a pattern

after you’ve watched it begin. I had an inkling—no, an expectation—that this would happen when Alex dethroned Leylah Fernandez in the second round. I remember how I found myself searching for context afterward, like I couldn’t just accept the result; I needed to understand the mechanism behind it. I watched Leylah’s video on YouTube where she broke down why Alex Eala was such a dangerous opponent. And the more I listened, the more my certainty hardened. There was a kind of clarity in what

The message must be clear: there is no excuse for violence against people who are simply trying to earn an honest living. We will keep pushing until justice is served in these cases, and at the same time, we will push for lasting reforms so drivers and passengers alike get real protection going forward.

look into ways to make ride-hailing safer for both drivers and passengers.

We cannot treat violence against drivers as something normal, something we just accept as part of the job.

As criminals grow bolder, we need stronger protections in place, both for the drivers who earn a living on the road, and for the passengers who trust them to get home safely.

The Senate inquiry will look at practical fixes: better ways to verify who passengers really are, realtime trip tracking, improved panic buttons inside the app and closer coordination between ride-hailing companies and the police.

It will also ask what responsibilities the transport companies themselves, and the government agencies overseeing them, should carry in keeping people safe.

Drivers never know for certain who they’re picking up. A passenger could turn out to be a criminal, and the risk is especially high at night or in isolated areas. Because of this, drivers deserve stronger protection and tighter security measures, not just sympathy after something bad happens.

I’m also calling on the police to keep pursuing the recent cases without letting up, and to make sure everyone responsible is caught and held accountable.

The message must be clear: there is no excuse for violence against people who are simply trying to earn an honest living. We will keep pushing until justice is served in these cases, and at the same time, we will push for lasting reforms so drivers and passengers alike get real protection going forward.

TNVS drivers are not just people providing a service. They are breadwinners supporting their families, small entrepreneurs building a livelihood and an essential part of what keeps our cities moving every day. They deserve protection. Senate Resolution No. 527 is a first step toward making sure that workers in the new economy are equally protected. We owe this to the dedicated drivers who log in every day to support themselves and their families, and to every passenger who trusts a stranger to get them home. We need to have a better grasp of the situation so we can craft applicable laws. Law enforcement needs to act with resolve. And the ride-hailing industry itself needs to act with accountability.

Only then can we say that progress in the digital economy benefits everyone in terms of livelihood and security.

For feedback e-mail to senatormarkvillar@ gmail.com or visit our web site: https://markvillar. com.ph

Leylah said. Not hype. Not fandom. A warning—almost a scouting report spoken by someone who had felt the impact firsthand.

So when Alex went on to win it all, I wasn’t surprised so much as relieved that what I believed had substance. I felt the quiet satisfaction of being right, but even more, I felt the joy of seeing it confirmed on the biggest stage. Congratulations, Alex! The whole Philippines is proud of you.

In Leylah Fernandez’s press conference after being dethroned, the tone shifted from disappointment to clarity. She didn’t try to soften what happened. She offered candid insight into the rising Filipino star. You could tell she wasn’t performing. She was explaining. And her explanation didn’t revolve around luck. It revolved around progression—about how Alex was becoming, match by match, something more dangerous than a promising prospect. I kept thinking about that phrase

that surfaced in the background of their shared history: a “mirror.” Their first meeting on clay at the Stuttgart Open had belonged to Fernandez—6-1, 6-4, the kind of win that makes you feel certain about a narrative. Leylah even described the matchup as confronting a version of herself, a left-hander with quick aggression and an instinctive attack that felt familiar in the way a reflection can feel familiar. Back then, it made sense: Alex had the same restless energy, the same bold choices, the same urge to push pace and force decisions. But then Washington happened— hard courts, different rhythms, a different chapter. And suddenly the script flipped. Alex’s confidence, as Leylah later described it, wasn’t fragile. It wasn’t the kind that comes and goes depending on a few good shots. It was stable. It was the foundation underneath the risk. Leylah explained that Alex was See “Alex,” A15

Science before commitment: A public statement by Science Communicators Philippines on Pax Silica

SCIENCE Communicators Philippines recognizes the potential of Pax Silica to bring much-needed advanced manufacturing, semiconductor development, artificial intelligence, and international scientific cooperation opportunities into the country.

If properly planned and governed, the proposed Pax Silica industrial hub in New Clark City stands to generate quality jobs, strengthen Philippine research and industry, retain Filipino scientific and engineering talent, and help the country move beyond exporting raw materials and performing lower-value work.

Yet, though we are not opposed to technology, industrialization, or international cooperation, we cannot endorse Pax Silica while its essential terms remain undisclosed.

Our position and recommendation for the country is unequivocal: No terms, no commitment.

The project is being presented as a major economic opportunity, with government estimates of as much as US$70 billion in investment and up to 190,000 direct jobs in semiconductor manufacturing, critical-mineral processing, artificial intelligence infrastructure, energy systems, logistics, research facilities, and related industries.

These projections are continually being touted without supporting data. But a project of this scale cannot be judged on promises alone.

The final agreement, confirmed investors, detailed site plan, environmental studies, water and energy plans, communityimpact assessments, and many of the project’s legal and financial terms have not been made public—if these have been drafted or even considered at all.

Before the Philippine government signs anything, it must first undertake an independent, science-based assessment of not only individual facilities but also the combined effects of manufacturing, mineral processing, data centers, power facilities, water systems, roads, ports, housing, land conversion, waste disposal, and related infrastructure.

This assessment must examine the full life cycle of the materials and technologies involved, from mineral extraction and transport to manufacturing, export, use, recycling, and disposal. Its methods, assumptions, data, and models must be disclosed and reviewed by independent experts from the academe, related industries, civil society, and the government.

Scientific assessment must shape the agreement; it cannot be treated as post-agreement paperwork. General assurances are not enough.

Government estimates indicate that the completed hub may require around three gigawatts of power and 65 million to 90 million liters of water every day. The public must know where these resources will come from and whether the project could raise electricity costs, strain the national grid, reduce water available to households and farms, or damage surrounding ecosystems.

The proposed use of rainwater, surface water, recycling systems, and dedicated treatment facilities must be tested against actual rainfall, drought, El Niño, climate change, agricultural demand, household consumption, and ecological needs. The government must also disclose how industrial wastewater, hazardous chemicals, emissions, and waste from semiconductor and mineral-processing activities will be managed.

Farmers, Indigenous Peoples, workers, residents, local governments, businesses, environmental

Solar Para sa Bayan: Why I stand by the Ombudsman— and why I already warned about the franchise’s effects

groups, and other affected sectors must also be involved before the agreement is finalized. Consultation must not consist of presenting a completed plan and asking communities to accept it. People must be able to examine the evidence, raise objections, recommend alternatives, and influence the final terms.

Any Pax Silica agreement must remain fully subject to Philippine law, jurisdiction, environmental regulation, labor standards, taxation, public-health rules, data-protection laws, and national security policies.

The government must disclose the lease terms, tax and investment incentives, public spending commitments, ownership arrangements, dispute-resolution provisions, cybersecurity rules, environmental liabilities, foreign personnel arrangements, and any restrictions involving defense or dual-use technologies.

No foreign government, office, investor, or project locator should receive authority outside Philippine law or protection from future regulations intended to defend public health, workers, communities, the environment, and national security.

The project must also create lasting Filipino capability. Its success cannot be measured only by capital inflows, export values, or headline job numbers.

The government must explain how many jobs will be permanent, how many will go to Filipinos, what skills they will require, how much they will pay, and what protections workers will receive.

Any agreement must contain measurable commitments on Filipino employment, local procurement, technology transfer, scholarships, apprenticeships, research funding, university partnerships, supplier development, and Filipino participation in technical and leadership positions.

The Philippines must not remain merely a source of raw minerals, inexpensive labor, land, water, and energy while research, intellectual property, strategic control, and most of the long-term value remain abroad.

The full agreement and its essential legal and financial terms must therefore be disclosed before the government proceeds. Independent environmental, social, climate, health, energy, water, and life-cycle assessments must be published and reviewed. Affected communities must participate meaningfully. Binding commitments on Filipino jobs, research, technology transfer, and local economic value must be established. Independent monitoring must continue throughout the project’s lifetime.

Pax Silica may yet become an important opportunity for the Philippines, but left unchecked it may also leave irreversible costs and obligations that could last for generations. Indeed, the greater the promise that Pax Silica proclaims, all the greater is our duty to examine the evidence before committing the country’s land, water, energy, minerals, public funds, communities, and technological future.

Evidence, transparency, environmental protection, and public participation are non-negotiable. Until the complete terms are disclosed and independently examined, our position remains: Philippine sovereignty must be protected. No terms, no commitment.

SMAKE SENSE

OLAR Para sa Bayan Corporation (SPBC), founded by Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, has become the subject of a high-profile plunder and graft investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman. The allegations are serious: that SPBC failed to deliver on promised solar microgrid projects under its P10 billion congressional franchise, allegedly leading to massive government losses and raising serious questions about conflicts of interest.

And while this case is now moving through formal legal pathways, I want to be clear about something: I agree with the Ombudsman’s actions. I also want the public record refreshed — because I warned about the potential effects of this franchise as early as January 2019, long before these issues fully hardened into the current controversy.

The legal and regulatory actions that confirm serious concerns HERE is what the record shows about the government’s ongoing actions: n Ombudsman investigation: The Office of the Ombudsman reportedly launched a preliminary investigation involving Representative Leandro Leviste, Senator Loren Legarda (his mother), and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, in relation to alleged non-bailable plunder and graft.

n Department of Energy complaints: Energy Secretary Sharon Garin reportedly filed complaints at the Department of Justice accusing SPBC executives of violating their 25-year legislative franchise—particularly through alleged failure to operate or supply electricity to remote areas for nearly seven years.

n Stalled contracts and fines:

The Department of Energy reportedly canceled 163 non-performing power supply contracts tied to Leviste-associated entities and pursued about P24 billion in penalties for failure to generate committed power capacity.

These actions matter because they suggest not merely disagreement over policy, but—if the allegations are proven—systemic nonperformance tied to a franchise that was granted to solve a particular national need.

Core allegations: Unfulfilled commitments and conflict of interest

AT the center of this controversy are two key issues:

1. Unfulfilled commitments

playing with “a lot of confidence,” trusting her shots and trusting her patterns. That might sound like a simple thing—confidence—but in tennis, confidence is a multiplier. It doesn’t just help you hit. It helps you commit. It helps you stay in the conversation even when the ball refuses to cooperate.

And maybe that is what stunned me the most about Alex’s climb: she didn’t seem like she was merely getting better. She seemed like she was learning how to win while still becoming better—an important distinction. Her lefty aggression didn’t change dramatically from clay to hard courts, Leylah said. The difference wasn’t Alex magically transforming her identity. The difference was that she arrived on hard courts with trust, structure, and discipline—while Fernandez, early on, pushed the ball and won too few opening points.

That detail matters. Tennis isn’t only about what you do when you’re brave. It’s about what you do when you’re first under pressure.

And the pressure showed itself again in the way Fernandez described

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian himself during the last Senate hearing on the SPSB franchise.

Like Gatchalian’s regulatory concerns over the SPSB franchise, this being a new kind of technology and there being existing electric cooperatives and other private power distributors already, serving their respective power franchise areas, granting SPSB a congressional franchise would not only lead to industry chaos, but it could also result in the creation of a monopolistic and/or oligopolistic power industry in the country.

Regulators reportedly allege SPBC hoarded exclusive rights and service contracts for solar resources without executing the infrastructure needed to deliver electricity—described in some accounts as speculative or “zombie” projects.

2. Co nflict of interest and constitutional questions

Investigators are reportedly examining whether Senator Legarda improperly used her legislative position to secure her son’s franchise, and whether Leviste violated constitutional prohibitions by retaining financial interests in state privileges while holding public office.

When franchise privileges intersect with alleged preferential access—and when promised service delivery appears absent—the public has every right to demand accountability.

Refreshing the public memory TO refresh the public’s memory, I discussed the potential harm of the Solar Para sa Bayan franchise in several columns—columns that I religiously sent to all members of Congress. It took seven years for authorities to act, but I commend the Ombudsman for initiating a serious investigation.

For example, I asked in my January 4, 2019 column: Is the Solar Para sa Bayan a virtual monopoly?

I include here in toto my column on March 1, 2019 —because the core reasoning I raised then remains relevant now:

Solar Para sa Bayan franchise a power industry bane ALTHOUGH I had already expressed earlier my apprehensions on the ill effects of granting Solar Para sa Bayan (SPSB) a congressional franchise to operate and provide supposedly cheap renewable electricity to communities unserved or underserved by other power companies, my aversions were strengthened upon hearing the concerns of the other power industry stakeholders and Senate Committee on Energy Chairman

Alex’s resilience. Even when she was down, even when she was up, she stayed in the match. She didn’t disappear. She didn’t fold. In the second set comeback—where Alex rallied from 5-1 down and dominated a tiebreak 7-1—that mental steadiness turned into something visible, something measurable. The scoreboard became a record of refusal: refusal to be intimidated, refusal to surrender momentum, refusal to treat setbacks like conclusions.

Fernandez also spoke about her own lapse—about wanting it too much and becoming overly aggressive, abandoning what was working. It’s easy to watch tennis and believe the “winning” is purely technical. But her admission reminded me that tennis is also emotional craftsmanship. Sometimes you lose because your brain chases a moment instead of trusting the process. Sometimes you swing too hard at the story you want, instead of playing the points you actually have.

And Alex—by contrast—made those points feel playable even when they weren’t promised.

This is why the phrase “dangerous” keeps echoing in my mind. Not because Alex is flashy. Not because she wins one match and earns a headline. Dangerous, as

The reason why I asked the question was because I know that SPSB is already operating in some areas in the country. And if they don’t have problems in areas they already serve, why should SPSB ask for a super franchise? Is it not because, with the super franchise, SPSB would have undue advantage over the competition? And more importantly, will it not ease out existing power distributors?

T he SPSB franchise would practically go against the government’s thrust to encourage competition in the Philippine market, the very reason why the Philippine Competition Commission was established.

While the services of other existing power distributors are confined only to their respective franchise areas, the SPSB franchise, as approved earlier by the House of Representatives, allows the company to operate and provide renewable electricity to areas deemed to have inadequate electricity anywhere in the country.

Like a blanket franchise, it practically makes the franchise of existing power distributors inutile and discourage industry growth. Moreover, it also runs in conflict with the Electricity Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) where cross ownership is not allowed, if only to prevent monopolistic and/or oligopolistic control of the industry by several companies owned by a common interest group.

This is the reason why, under the EPIRA law, the power industry was unbundled. Power generation, transmission and distribution were unbound and cross ownership among the three unbundled sectors is not allowed. And yet, the SPSB franchise allows the company to go into generation, supply and distribution.

From the looks of it, the SPSB franchise could easily be a super franchise. Encompassing existing power franchises, the SPSB franchise could just as well be called a “Solo” Para sa Bayan. After all, if passed into law, this could, perhaps, be for the record, if not the history books.

And who would have thought that the Philippines do not have a superhero. But there is one thing certain in the SPSB franchise, if it hurdles the scrutiny of our senators, the Philippines will have a super franchisee.

During the Senate hearing I was fortunate to have been allowed to raise a question to the representative of SPSB.

“Mr. Leviste, mayroon bang hadlang sa pagpasok niyo sa negosyong kuryente ngayon?” I politely asked the Solar Para sa Bayan president, Mr. Leandro Leviste. I never got an answer.

Leylah described it through her comments and through her match observations, is something else: it’s a player who is always present. A player who can be down and still look like a problem. A player who keeps fighting rallies until the opponent starts wondering whether they’re really ahead—or simply comfortable.

Even their head-to-head being tied 1-1 feels like a sign rather than a statistic. It suggests the rivalry is only beginning to take shape. Young stars tend to collide and burn out; they also tend to learn each other and evolve. With both players carrying Filipino heritage connections—Fernandez’s mother is Filipino-Canadian, and Alex’s identity is deeply tied to her roots— there’s an additional layer of meaning, something beyond points and trophies. It’s not just competition. It’s emergence. And what struck me, watching the broader arc through mid-2026 performance trends and expert commentary, is that Alex’s success doesn’t feel accidental. Her tactics have a logic: intelligent aggression, lefty angles that distort space, elite returning that refuses to let opponents settle, and defensive resilience that turns backhands and

I fully agree with Ombudsman—andthethe point of my warning NOW, with the Ombudsman moving forward, I repeat: I agree with its actions. This is not about persecuting an organization merely because it is politically connected; it is about enforcing accountability when a franchise holder allegedly fails its public obligations—and does so in a sector where timing, delivery, and competence directly affect people who are supposed to benefit. But my larger point is this: a franchise is not only a legal document—it is also a form of market power. And market power, when granted broadly and early, can produce precisely the kinds of dysfunction critics warned about:

n Reduced incentives to compete fairly, because franchise privilege can substitute for performance. n Industry disruption , because the franchise can effectively override existing franchise arrangements.

n Regulatory blind spots where a “special” franchise status can delay, obscure, or complicate oversight.

n Public harm, if promised projects do not materialize but public trust and public resources are still consumed.

Where we go from here THE Ombudsman’s investigation should not be treated as a political event—it should be treated as a governance test. If wrongdoing is established, the state must ensure not only prosecution, but also corrective measures that protect the energy sector from similar outcomes.

And to the public, especially to communities that were supposed to receive dependable solar power: the standard must be simple— if a franchise promises service, the service must be delivered. Failing to do so isn’t just a point of controversy—it’s a breakdown with real consequences.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the Chairman Emeritus of the Federation of Philippine Industries and concurrent Chairman of the Anti-Smuggling and AntiIllicit Trade Committee.

scrambles into opportunities. She isn’t only running forward—she’s transitioning from defense to offense with purpose. Her rapid improvement—especially around serve and adaptability—has elevated her from “prospect” to consistent threat.

If her trajectory continues, her ceiling doesn’t look like a ceiling at all. It looks like a doorway opening. On a personal level, though, what I keep returning to is the feeling of rain at the beginning of the story and the feeling of certainty at the end. The rain postponed the championship game, but it didn’t delay the inevitable narrative already forming: a player becoming dangerous by staying present, by trusting her shots, by learning how to survive moments when others panic. When the final point landed, I didn’t just celebrate a Filipina champion. I celebrated a kind of proof. Proof that preparation matters. Proof that confidence can be built, not wished into existence. Proof that progress looks like fight—again and again—until the match finally recognizes you back.

Alex Eala didn’t wait for permission to win. She waited for the rain to stop, then stepped onto the court and made the waiting worthwhile.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza

Long journey bringing out excitement in Alas U17

By Aldrin Quinto

SMAJESTY,

H

who has been ably handling her off-court duties as skipper—gathering documents, picking up snacks and helping coaches keep the group organized—is eager to finally take the court in the tournament set August 6 to 16 in Santiago, San Felipe and Los Andes.

“Kahit sobra na yung pagod, mayroong kakalabasan na maganda. Kahit pagod na pagod, sulit pa rin yun kasi malaki naman po yung makukuha naming blessings,” Hernandez said.

“Mahaba yung byahe pero mas nabubuo yung team, mas nakakapag-bonding po,” she added.

T he Philippines plays in Pool B with top-ranked China, Mexico, Peru, Tunisia, and Venezuela.

Setter Resty Jane Olaguir of Ateneo, who along with Hernandez helped Alas Pilipinas Girls place fifth in the Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship to earn this world championship berth, is determined to deliver for country, this team and her school.

Excited about playing, and ’yung experience na makukuha and madadala namin for our team and schools,” Olaguir said. “Pagod kasi ang haba ng byahe, pero mas mataas pa rin po ang percentage ng excitement kasi may maga-gain kami dun.” Olaguir noted teammates feed off each other’s energy.

“Kasi po if like low-batt, or bored ka na, nakakausap mo yung teammates mo, nag-gagain yung connection namin.”

WASHINGTON— Alexandra Eala’s breakthrough week at the DC Open lasted one day longer than expected. By the time it ended, the Filipino expression written across the Nike T-shirt she had worn earlier that week had become a reality.

“ Once it grows, it cannot be stopped.”

A fter the women’s final stretched across two days because of heavy rain, Eala rallied past Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 Monday to capture her first career Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour title.

T he victory made the 21-year-old Eala the first Filipina to win a singles title on the tour, completing the same career-defining breakthrough that

the Washington tournament once gave Pegula when she claimed her first WTA title in 2019.

At the beginning of the week, there’s no way I would have thought that I would be holding this trophy,” Eala said. “Winning a 500 [level tournament] is insane. It’s an incredible milestone for me.”

Her victory was worth 500 ranking points that made her jump from No. 28 in the world to No. 20 ahead of the Canadian Open, her next tournament. E ala arrived at Stadium Court as the story of the tournament, carrying the hopes of her nation. Philippine flags decorated the stands throughout Sunday’s raininterrupted session and remained visible Monday, with the lower bowl filled for the resumption.

C hants for Eala routinely outweighed those for the top-ranked

“

but I do

“I think it’s

It capped a week in which the rising star transformed the atmosphere around the tournament while reaching her first WTA final in her debut at the hard-court tune-up for the

The two traded breaks midway through the opening set, with Pegula breaking again at 4-4 and serving out the set at love. The players held through the opening three games of the second set before heavy rain suspended play on Sunday afternoon, with Eala up 2-1.

W hen they returned on Monday, the momentum belonged to Eala.

S he stormed back to claim the second set, then swept through the third. Eala ultimately won the final

Quintanilla sends strong message in Match Play

EWLY-MINTED Singapore

NAmateur Open champion Grace Quintanilla made her return to local action in a big way on Tuesday, shooting a level-par 72 to sit comfortably in this spot after the first of two qualifying rounds for the National Golf

Kickoff meeting for LA 2028 Members of the LA 2028 Philippine Organizing Committee—led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, Chef de Mission (CDM) Ricky Vargas, Special Assistant to the Chef de Mission Alfrancis Chua, Deputy CDMs Atty. Wharton Chan, Abet Dungo and Sienna Olaso—pose for posterity after a kickoff meeting to share the strategic plans for Team Philippines in preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. LA28 CDM PHOTO

Eala ripe for the big time

ALEX EALA is, indeed, ripe for the big time.

S he had just proven that by winning the Mubadala DC Open.

It wasn’t just sensational but smashingly unbelievable as well.

Her victims were big guns of the tennis world, with their credentials almost parallel to that of intellectuals waving doctorate degrees.

First, Eala defeated China’s Qinwen Zheng, bucking a first-set loss to carve out a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 win on July 29. Her victory, completed in two hours and 32 minutes, cruelly ousted Zheng, the reigning 2024 Paris Olympics champion.

B ut more than that, the win also avenged Eala’s defeat to Zheng in the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Games where the Chinese star proceeded to win the gold.

Second, Eala bundled out Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (7/1) on July 30, dethroning the Fil-Canadian winner of the event last year.

The win likewise avenged a loss to Fernandez early this year.

Th ird, Eala swept aside Elina Svitolina, 6-3,

eight games of the match to secure the championship, beating all three of the tournament’s top seeds along the way.

E ala dropped to the court with her head in her hands, overcome with emotion. Tears filled her eyes before she rose, embraced Pegula at the net and let out a triumphant scream.

I was so nervous, and I kind of just blacked out,” Eala said. “Everything just came rushing to me.”

E ala then received congratulations from former eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who wrote on social media that her comeback showed the “heart of a Filipino” before calling her “our new champion.” At the US Open, Eala will also team up with world No. 4 Felix AugerAliassime of Canada in the mixed doubles draw.

I n the men’s final later Monday, third-seeded Taylor Fritz defeated Rafael Jodar 7-6 (2), 6-4. Fritz broke the Spaniard twice early in the second set and eventually converted his fifth championship point after letting four earlier opportunities slip away.

F ritz lay on the court for several moments after winning the 11th title of his career, then got to his feet with a roll of his eyes as the tension of finally closing out the match gave way.

“ It was just relief, like thank God I got it done, thank God the match is over,” Fritz said of the moment. “It wasn’t so much as like a celebration.... I can just lay down for a second.” AP

Why

PBBM doesn’t watch Eala’s games

Association of the Philippines’s (NGAP) National Match Play Championship at majestic Luisita in Tarlac.

The 19-year-old Quintanilla shook off some rust with her one-birdie, onebogey effort at the tree-lined layout north of Manila, having been without tournament play since July 18 when she beat Hong Kong-China’s Xizihan Wang in a marathon five-hole playoff at the Bukit layout in Singapore.

A lly Gaccion, the other half of the national Team there, is also playing, and is setting the pace together with Mona Sarines after 71s, even as Rolando Bregente has a hold of top spot in men’s play after opening up with a 67 to lead double-seeking Jet Hernandez by a shot.

O nly eight ladies will advance to the knockout stages slated to begin on Thursday, while the top 16 men will march on.

L isa Sarines, who openly said that this tournament carries more weight on her preference to win after winning the Strokeplay Championship last week at Pradera Verde, is on a collision course with Quintanilla after shooting a 74 for No. 6, tied with Jules Gaerlan.

6-4 on August 1 to validate an earlier win over the Ukrainian hot shot in the United Kingdom.

A nd in her fourth match of the tournament on August 2, Eala took the scalp of Naomi Osaka, 6-4, 6-2, in a brilliant win that drew tons of praises from around the world.

R ightly so. Osaka was a four-time Grand Slam champion, winning her first Slam in the 2018 US Open as a 20-year-old, following that up with a victory in the 2019 Australian Open to become the world No. 1.

S he would win the US Open again in 2020 and the Australian Open in 2021 before walking away from the sport to become a mother.

A nd in her return years later, Osaka would prove outstanding once more before Eala would clip her rousing return with that straight-set win in the Mubadala semifinals.

There was no stopping Eala by now.

H er being on a roll preceded her amazing 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win over the tough-as-nails Pegula, the billionaire’s daughter from New York, whose father owns the Buffalo Bills in the US National Football League.

E ala’s epic win over Pegula had a tinge of drama as the match was stopped twice by rains and was postponed for a day to thoroughly clear up the hard court.

N icole Gan is occupying No. 4 at the moment after a 73, with Brittany Tamayo shooting a 75 for No. 7 and Tashanah Balangauan and Precious Zaragosa tied for eighth spot after firing 76s.

L ois Lane Go, part of the family of great players from Cebu, shot a 78 to stay well in the mix like Jordan Ouano and Marqaela Dy, who shot 79s.

M eanwhile, Hernandez, who won the men’s Strokeplay Championship by an astounding 22 shots last week at the Pinatubo layout in Lubao, Pampanga, opened up with a 68 and will be shooting to win the two biggest amateur titles in the country with full confidence in playing the tree-lined layout.

But once play resumed with Eala ahead 2-1 in the second set, it was evident that Eala was hellbent on beating Pegula, the 32-year-old seven-time champion seeded No. 1 in the tournament.

But Pegula would prove resilient and it took a 5-4 lead done at love by Eala to set up a break and score a 6-4 second-set win to force a third-set decider.

Bizarrely enough, Eala totally and clinically outplayed Pegula in the crushing entirety of the final frame as the 21-year-old Filipina sensation broke the American thrice en route to a brutal 6-0 victory.

So incredibly deadly was Eala in the decider that she zoomed to 40-plus leads in each of the six final games, speeding to 40-0 in the sixth game for a triple championship point she had so crazily clinched just on her second try.

Eerily, Eala totally dismantled Pegula in the final set as the outclassed American committed 50 un-

forced errors, the bulk of which came in the decider.

It was also sweet revenge for Eala, who lost to Pegula the first time they met in March last year that ended Eala’s winning streak of three against Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko, Madison Keys and Iga Swiatek in the 2025 Miami Open.

Pegula took her defeat well, exhibiting good breeding by heaping praise on Eala the minute she stepped up to the podium.

It was actually Eala’s first WTA (Women’s Tennis Assocition) 500 triumph, after her WTA 125 win in Mexico in 2025 and her WTA 125 victory in the Lexus Birmingham Open this year in the United Kingdom.

I n his social media post, President Marcos Jr. praised Eala’s win, calling it as “yet another historic achievement” as it will inspire “our youngsters to dream without limits.”

A lready, the dream is here, indeed, for Eala.  Only time will tell how

no boundary can limit the heart of a champion.”

“Her heart, her tenacity, her relentless drive exemplifies the best of us,” Gregorio said in a statement on Tuesday. “ Your victory challenges us to do better, dream bigger and work even harder for the dreams of every Filipino athlete.” e added: “You strengthen our resolve to

said that Eala’s win must serve as an inspiration for the Filipino youth and highlighted the positive impact of sports in the lives of many young children.

THE victory makes the 21-year-old Alex Eala the first Filipina to win a singles title on the Women’s Tennis Association Tour. WTA PHOTO

American playing on home soil.

It’s not fun to play against,

appreciate the really fun atmosphere,” Pegula said of the crowd.

amazing.”

Editor: Jennifer A. Ng

FEDEX HASTENS DELIVERY OF PHL PRODUCTS TO AUSTRALIA

B1 Wednesday, August 5, 2026

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio

PHILIPPINE exporters will now be able to ship prod -

ucts to Australia in two business days after courier giant Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) launched a new cargo service linking its Asia-Pacific hub in Guangzhou, China, directly to Sydney.

The logistics company said the dedicated non-stop freighter service, which operates five times a week using Boeing 777 freighter aircraft, is expected to cut transit times by up to one day for select shipments from the Philippines bound for Australia.

The new route also serves shipments from Southern Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand, strengthening FedEx’s intra-Asia network and improving connectivity to Australia.

“The new Guangzhou-Sydney service marks a meaningful advancement for Philippine businesses looking to grow their presence in the Australian market,” FedEx Philippines Managing Director Maribeth Espinosa said.

Alternergy, A Brown deal gets PCC nod

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved ABC Energy Inc.’s acquisition of a 40-percent minority stake in two Alternergy wind power projects, saying the transaction is unlikely to reduce competition as the country’s renewable energy (RE)market remains “fragmented” and is subject to regulatory safeguards.

In a statement on Tuesday, the PCC said it cleared ABC Energy’s purchase of a 40-percent equity stake in Alternergy Tanay Wind Corp. and Alabat Wind Power Corp. after determining that the deal would not “substantially prevent, restrict or lessen competition in the nationwide renewable energy generation and supply market.”

The transaction covers an investment agreement among Alternergy Wind Holdings Corp., Alternergy Tanay, Alabat Wind and ABC Energy. Following the acquisition, Alternergy Wind will retain a 60-percent controlling stake in both companies and continue to oversee their operations and management.

ABC Energy is a domestic holding company for energy investments wholly owned by A Brown Company Inc. through Brownfield Holdings Inc. Both Alternergy Tanay and Alabat Wind are wholly owned subsidiaries of Alternergy Wind, which in turn is under Alternergy Holdings Corp.

In its review, the PCC’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office found that the nationwide market for non-auctioned RE generation remains highly fragmented, with about 222 market participants and no single player accounting for more than 8 percent of the market.

The commission also examined whether the transaction could affect competition in future government renewable energy auctions, particularly under the Green Energy Auction Program. Bless Aubrey Ogerio

FedEx said the service is designed to support businesses shipping heavy-weight cargo and high-value goods while enabling faster order fulfillment and reducing inventory holding costs.

The company also expects the expanded network to support business-to-business trade as commercial activity within Asia continues to grow.

FedEx noted that intra-Asia trade posted double-digit yearon-year revenue growth in 2025.

Last year, the company estimated that its direct and indirect economic contribution to the Asia-Pacific region reached $5.7 billion.

Of that amount, roughly $1.6 billion came from indirect effects, including about $510 million generated in the transportation, storage and communications sector and $484 million in manufacturing.

FedEx also said its direct operations accounted for about 0.1 percent of the Asia-Pacific transportation, storage and communications sector’s net economic impact during the period.

“With faster transit times, exporters can respond more quickly to demand and gain a stronger competitive advantage in a dynamic trade environment.”

Higher crude, freight costs slash Petron profits in H1

By Lenie Lectura @llectura

PETRON Corp. said its net income fell by 27 percent year-onyear to P3.8 billion in January to June, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East caused spikes in crude and freight costs.

Despite a 57-percent jump in revenues and a 6-percent volume growth in the first half, the oil firm said “significant” production expenses and refinery shutdowns in Malaysia and the Philippines compressed operating margins.

Consolidated sales volume for the first six months rose by 6 percent to 67.9 million barrels driven by the 86-percent surge in the trading transactions by its subsidiary in Singapore. This more than offset the 6-percent decline in the combined sales volume of Petron’s operations in the Philippines and Malaysia which reached 52.9 million barrels during the period.

While the retail fuel segment in the Philippines posted a strong 15-percent growth, overall sales volume was affected by the decrease in refining output caused by the temporary production shutdown at the Port Dickson Refinery in Malaysia, as well as the scheduled first-quarter maintenance at the Petron Bataan Refinery in Limay.

“Petron’s revenues jumped 57 percent to P605.9 billion in the first half compared to the same period last year on account of higher prices and sales volumes improvement.

However, the higher cost of products sold, both from production and importation, as well as increased op -

erating expenses, exerted pressure on the company’s margins, closing the first half with an operating income P12.6 billion, down 17 percent compared to the same period last year,” the company reported Tuesday. The global oil market remained highly volatile due to the United States-Iran conflict. The benchmark Dubai crude prices fell to $79 per barrel in June after peaking at $129 per barrel in March. Despite the sharp decline, Dubai crude averaged $96 per barrel in the second quarter, up from $86 per barrel in the first quarter. As a result, Dubai crude averaged $91 per barrel in the first half of the year, a 27-percent increase from the same period in 2025.

“While the first half of the year has been challenging, we are confident that our financial discipline, operational resilience, and competitive strengths will enable us to navigate these temporary headwinds.

We remain focused on delivering on our commitment to ensure fuel security and meet the nation’s fuel demand amid the continued market volatility,” said Petron Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

With the construction of the

lar quarterly cash dividends of 6 centavos per outstanding common share for shareholders of record as of August 20, 2025, payable on September 1.

This brings the company’s total announced dividends for 2026 to 18 centavos per common share, equivalent to an annualized yield of 8.2 percent based on its P2.92 closing share price on August 3. The latest quarterly dividend covers the April to June 2026 income period.

The company’s portfolio comprises 17 office buildings, one mall and one resort lot, with total gross leasable area of 452,310 square meters.

Average occupancy reached 87 percent in the first half, flat from the

previous quarter and 6 percentage points higher year-on-year.

The company said the addition of Festival Main Mall in May last year lifted portfolio occupancy and helped offset softer office rental rates. The portfolio tenant mix is 61 percent office, 32 percent retail and 7 percent hospitality.

In the office segment, which recorded average occupancy of 80 percent in the first six months of 2026, multinational BPO companies accounted for 85 percent of occupied space, traditional tenants for 13 percent, and the remainder for coworking, wellness and educational institutions.

As of June, the company said it has secured 5,964 square meters of

new leases from incoming tenants and existing occupants expanding within Northgate Cyberzone.

On tenant retention, 49 percent of the 20,689 square meters of leases expiring this year have been renewed or covered by signed renewal letters of intent. As of end-June, the portfolio’s weighted average lease expiry stood at 13.95 years.

“Our first-half performance reflects the resilience of our portfolio,” company president and CEO Maricel Brion-Lirio said.

“As we move through the rest of 2026, we will remain focused on disciplined leasing, prudent cost management, and sustainability-led initiatives

support stable

replacement jetty at Port Dickson Refinery already underway and on track for commissioning in the first quarter of 2027, the company has begun limited and intermittent refining operations in Malaysia to process existing crude inventory to support product availability in the market.

Petron’s coco-methyl ester (CME) plant in the Philippines, which has an annual capacity of 180,000 tons, is nearing completion. The facility in the Petron Bataan Refinery complex is expected to provide a more reliable CME supply for the Philippines’s sole refiner.

The company is also expanding the storage capacity of its terminals to improve supply reliability and operational efficiency. Among those in the pipeline, the company will build four new storage tanks in Limay, including one 25,000-barrel tank for jet-A1 and three CME storage facilities with a total capacity of 48,000 liters for completion by early 2028.

In Bacolod, Petron will construct a 1,500-ton LPG mounded tank and an LPG canister filling facility, both targeted for completion in the third quarter of 2028.

and

PROFIT SURGE

By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

HE Maharlika Investment Corp.

T(MIC), the Philippines’s sovereign wealth fund, has signed a partnership agreement with Morocco’s Ithmar Capital. The deal is meant to help the young Philippine fund learn from a more experienced partner and strengthen its bid to join a leading network of global sovereign funds.

The two state-owned funds signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Rabat, Morocco last July 29, creating a formal way for them to share best practices and work more closely together.

Officials described the deal as an example of “South-South cooperation,” a term for partnerships between developing countries. They said it shows how sovereign wealth funds can help drive economic growth in middle-income nations. For the MIC, the agreement is also a strategic step toward gaining full membership in the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF), the main global body that sets standards for how these funds operate.

MIC President and CEO Rafael Jose D. Consing Jr. called the agreement an important step toward that goal. He said the partnership gives both funds a formal channel to learn from each other’s experience.

Maharlika and Ithmar Capital have more in common than most sovereign wealth funds do.

Large, well-known funds such as Norway’s Government Pension Fund or the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority invest their countries’ oil profits or trade surpluses in stocks and other assets abroad. Maharlika and Ithmar work differently. Both are “strategic” funds, built mainly to invest at home and help grow their own economies.

The two funds are also close in size.

Ithmar Capital, launched in 2011, manages between $1.8 billion and $3 billion in assets. Maharlika started out with $2.26 billion.

More importantly for Maharlika, Ithmar has already shown that a state fund can pull in major foreign investment.

Through a joint venture called Wessal Capital, Ithmar brought in four large Gulf sovereign wealth funds as partners. Together, the five funds paid for 2.5 billion euros’ worth of major infrastructure and urban development projects in Morocco, each contributing an equal share.

That is essentially the model Maharlika hopes to copy. The Philippine fund wants to use the same approach to attract foreign investors into local projects. These include upgrades to the country’s power grid, agro-forestry development, and the rehabilitation of major transport hubs such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

At the signing, Ithmar Capital CEO Obaïd Amrane said that despite being on opposite sides of the world, both funds share the same basic mission: managing state assets responsibly for the benefit of future generations.

Amrane pledged Ithmar’s full support for Maharlika’s bid to join the IFSWF. He praised the Philippine fund’s commitment to international standards, especially the “Santiago Principles”— a set of globally recognized guidelines on transparency, accountability, and sound investment practices. Foreign coinvestors typically expect funds to follow these principles before putting in money.

Amrane also described the MOU as more than just an agreement between two institutions. He called it a bridge between Southeast Asia and Africa, with the Philippines and Morocco leading the way. Department of Finance Undersecretary Angela Ignacio, speaking on behalf of the department, praised both institutions for setting high standards in managing state assets to create lasting economic benefits.

Banking&Finance

MIC to invest in farm goods exporters

By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto

THE Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) is preparing another wave of investments in the second half, including potential investments in export-oriented agriculture companies, as it works toward deploying up to P35 billion in capital this year, its top official said.

The proposed investments in the sector could amount to between P5 billion and P10 billion for both, Consing said.

“I’m very confident that one of them will be announced. Hopefully,

INVESTORS snapped up the 5-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) on Tuesday as yields were nearly on par with longer-dated debt papers, though the government still had to pay higher borrowing costs.

Tenders for the securities reached P93.799 billion, resulting in a bid-tocover ratio of 3.1 times the P30 billion offering, which was fully awarded.

Strong market demand prompted the Bureau of the Treasury to open its tap facility and raise P10 billion more for the government.

The 5-year T-bonds fetched an average yield of 7.139 percent, up by 27 basis points from 6.869 percent in the previous auction last July 7. Accepted yields ranged from a low of 7.1 percent to a high of 7.168 percent.

Compared to the secondary benchmark rate, the 5-year average yield is lower by 13.9 basis points than the 7.278 percent Philippine Bloomberg Valuation (PHP BVAL) for the same tenor.

“Demand for 5-year bonds is typically stronger because their yields are already close to those of 10-year bonds,” Sun Life Investment Management and Trust Corp. President

ABy Andrea E.

San Juan & VG Cabuag @villygc

MONTH after major banks and e-wallets in the Philippines slashed interbank fees, two major payment networks and a lender announced that they are bringing “Apple Pay” to their customers in the Philippines—the digital wallet service by Apple Inc. which can process contactless payments using devices sold by the Cupertino, California-headquartered firm. In separate statements they issued last Tuesday, Mastercard Inc., Visa Inc. and the Union Bank of the Philippines announced their clients can already use Apple’s e-wallet service to pay in-store, in-app, and online.

Both Mastercard and Visa said Apple Pay is accepted in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores, and many more places that accept contactless payments.

They also noted that customers can use the e-wallet service in the Apple devices mentioned without having to create accounts or repeatedly type in contact

Diplomats from both countries also welcomed the agreement. Moroccan Ambassador to the Philippines Rida El Fassi and Philippine Ambassador to Morocco

Leslie J. Baja both voiced their support for the partnership. Ambassador Baja said the MOU reflected how much the Philippines and Morocco have in common as middleincome countries, calling it “a feather in the cap for the two countries.” Borrowing a well-known line from the film “Casablanca,” he added: “This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

moratorium through refund,” or the “Balik

in the next two or three months,” Consing said. “We are looking for agri-companies who may have very strong export propositions. That’s who we want to be able to support—build their capacity, build their ability to expand their export capability.”

The MIC will also be pouring a little less than P5 billion for the rehabilitation and development of Mindoro Island’s power transmission system, the MIC CEO added. The MIC will support the acquisition, financing, and implementation of the grid’s modernization, he said.

With MIC’s investment plans coming into fruition with only P75 billion in capital, Consing said the government-owned and controlled corporation is exploring ways to finance future investments while preserving its equity base.

Michael Gerard D. Enriquez told the BusinessMirror

This makes it more attractive than longer-dated tenors, as the benchmark 10-year PHP BVAL yield was quoted at 7.386 percent as of August 3.

Investors still continue to demand higher returns amid expectations of prolonged inflation and slower economic growth, Enriquez added.

Inflation likely accelerated in July as oil prices rallied, alongside a weak Philippine peso, which reinforced second-round effects through rising core services prices.

(See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2026/08/03/faster-july-inflation-drivers-oil-weakpeso/ )

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation to settle within the range of 5.6 percent to 6.6 percent on account of higher domestic petroleum pump prices, electricity rates and fish prices.

Inflation rose to 7.2 percent in April, then fell to 6.8 percent in May and slowed further in June to 6.4 percent. The July inflation data will be released on August 5.

Economic growth might have

information, card details, or shipping and billing information.

These payment networks also assured cardholders that security and privacy are “at the core” of Apple Pay.

“When customers use a credit or debit card with Apple Pay, the actual card numbers are not stored on the device, nor on Apple servers,” read statements issued by Mastercard and Visa separately.

Instead, they noted that a “unique device account number” is assigned, encrypted and “securely” stored in the “secure element.” The latter is an industry-standard, certified chip designed to store the payment information safely on the device.

In the view of Visa Philippines’ Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro, Apple Pay represents the “next evolution” of payments in the Philippines, combining ease of use, simplicity, and security in every transaction, helping “amplify” the payment experience for Visa cardholders in the Philippines.

“With Apple Pay, Filipinos and tourists alike now have seamless and secure ways to pay across shops, res -

Ginhawa 2,” were released within 24 days since the program’s expanded implementation. Combined with payouts under the original “Balik Ginhawa ” initiative, total refunds now amount to P18 billion. The program enables qualified borrowers to recover monthly loan amortizations they had already paid, with the refunded amounts credited to their GSIS eCard accounts.

Although the fund has yet to receive the remaining P50 billion of its committed initial capitalization, which will come from the national government, Consing said MIC is in discussions with banks about potentially leveraging its balance sheet should additional funding be needed.

“Theoretically, they should give it to us. But of course, we understand our fiscal situation,” Consing said. “We are also beginning to speak with some banks to see if required, our balance sheet can be leveraged, so that we can continue deploying.”

Tapping banks could allow MIC to continue investing while preserving capital for future administrations and improving returns, Consing said, adding that it still has more than P50 billion in available capital.

So far, the MIC has invested P15 billion in Petron Corp. through a re-

also slowed in the second quarter due to oil shock effects that weakened purchasing power, contraction in public infrastructure spending and softer private investment.

(See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2026/08/03/oil-shockweak-infra-spend-likely-cut-q2growth/)

“Softer private capex amid deteriorating near-term business sentiment, limited job creation for a growing labor force, and a lack of fiscal stimulus leave 2Q growth vulnerable to another sharp slowdown,” read the latest Union Bank of the Philippines’s MktsFocUs report.

The second quarter economic data is set to be released on August 7.

Next week, the Treasury will auction 7-year T-bonds and 91-day, 182-day and 364-day Treasury bills.

This year, the government aims to borrow a total of P2.682 trillion, following a 70:30 financing mix in favor of domestic sources.

The national government’s outstanding debt climbed to a new record high of P19.065 trillion as of end-June, exceeding the P19.06trillion current full-year debt projection. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

taurants, travel destinations, and public transport, supporting the nation’s vision to become a cash-lite economy,” Navarro was quoted as saying in the statement.

Mastercard Country Manager Jason Crasto, meanwhile, said through his firm’s statement that the launch of Apple Pay “enables secure, seamless, and convenient” payment experiences for consumers in the Philippines.

“As digital adoption continues to accelerate in this region, we’re excited to continue connecting people to the payment choices they want and the peace of mind they need every time they pay,” added Crasto.

“Bringing Apple Pay to UnionBank cardholders enhances the payment experience by allowing customers to pay quickly and securely with the devices they use every day. Whether they’re shopping in-store, online, or in-app, customers can enjoy a more seamless way to pay, with the security and convenience they expect from UnionBank,” president and CEO Ana Narie Aboitiz-Delgado was quoted in a statement as saying.

Instead of repaying the refunded installments, borrowers will complete the payments through a corresponding extension of their loan terms. The refunds provide members and pensioners with additional funds for their immediate needs while allowing them to continue paying their loans under the original terms. “Balik

Pax Silica and the Asean balancing strategy

Tin New Clark City signals its intention to compete for investments in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. As global supply chains continue to shift, the country has a chance to position itself as more than a low-cost production base. The challenge is turning that opportunity into a lasting competitive advantage.

The New Clark City was selected for practical reasons. It has 1,600 hectares of government-owned land, modern transport links, and enough room to accommodate AI data centers, semiconductor facilities, research centers, and supporting industries. This ecozone in Tarlac also sits within the Luzon Economic Corridor, connecting Clark with Subic Bay, Metro Manila and the Port of Batangas. Less visible are the demands that come with technology-intensive industries. Data centers require dependable electricity, abundant water, and high-speed digital infrastructure. Those requirements cannot be taken for granted. Unlike Subic, New Clark City has no direct access to seawater that could support large-scale desalination, making freshwater supply a continuing concern. New power plants, transmission lines, and utility systems will have to come on stream in step with private investment.

Working closely with the United States through Pax Silica does not mean narrowing the country’s economic choices. Several Southeast Asian neighbors have shown that commercial ties and territorial disputes can be managed on separate tracks.

Vietnam and Malaysia continue to pursue economic projects with China despite competing claims in the South China Sea. China remains the largest trading partner of both countries and an important source of investment, manufacturing activity, and export demand. At the same time, neither government has eased its maritime claims. Both continue to strengthen defense cooperation with partners such as

six monthly loan amortizations, according to the GSIS. While the original implementation covered eligible payments made from December 2025 to February 2026, the expanded program now also includes payments made from March to May 2026, subject to the program’s terms. Availing the loan moratorium program remains voluntary, GSIS noted.

the US, Japan, and Australia while asserting their rights under international law. They have chosen to protect their territorial interests without closing the door to economic engagement.

Indonesia offers a similar lesson. Although part of its exclusive economic zone around the Natuna Islands overlaps with Beijing’s ninedash line, Jakarta has consistently rejected the Chinese claim under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Yet China remains one of Indonesia’s largest investors and trading partners. The dispute has not prevented cooperation in infrastructure, manufacturing, and other sectors that support economic growth. Meanwhile, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) disclosed that the Philippine economy has failed to capitalize on the investment boom sweeping across the Asean region. According to the Unctad 2026 World Investment Report, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to the Philippines declined by 4.0 percent in 2025—lagging behind FDIs to Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Our Asean neighbors’ experiences indicate that territorial disputes do not automatically preclude economic cooperation. Each country has defended its maritime claims while pursuing investments and trade that support national development. Whether the Philippines can follow a similar course will depend on its ability to draw clear boundaries between questions of sovereignty and areas where economic cooperation serves the national interest.

Joseph Gamboa is the chairman of the Finex Media Affairs Committee and director of Noble Asia Industrial Corp. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions and the BusinessMirror

In a recent news briefing, MIC President and CEO Rafael Jose D. Consing Jr. told reporters that the country’s sovereign wealth fund manager is conducting due diligence on two agribusiness companies.

Joseph Araneta Gamboa

ATTITUDE QUEEN

SHE could have been a bigger star if not for her attitude and tendency to throw a tantrum even when there are other people around. The young actress is beautiful and talented but she really went from being one of show business’  most promising talents to just one of the girls. There was a time when she had many endorsements because she was popular and had a fanbase. However, she lost many of those endorsements over time and it is because of her rudeness.

NO RECONCILIATION

JUST when everyone thought the female celebrity and the actor had gotten back together, the latter was spotted with another girl and they were holding hands. It is allegedly true that they reconciled after their split because they realized they loved each other but it did not work out in the end. Despite cheating speculations, no cheating happened. The actor simply moved on. Meanwhile, the female celebrity seems happy with her career and life in general.

BAD CHOICES

MANY people are questioning the top actress’ recent OOTDs for her personal and work commitments. They say her looks are bordering on sloppy. Even her hair, they complain, is slicked back or in an untidy ponytail. They question her glam team, who is usually responsible for her looks. To be fair, the top actress seems to be blooming. She seems happy and is not as alarmingly underweight as she was in the past. She’s also very beautiful. Some of the clothes she has worn recently are unfortunate choices but she still looks good.

JUST RUMORS?

A WILD rumor surfaced recently about another female celebrity, who happens to be married to an actor-politician. The couple has not been spotted together in a while, except for photos at family gatherings. Bashers say these were scripted and the couple only pretend to be together for appearances’ sake. It’s weird that the female celebrity now barely posts her husband on her social media pages. She used to post him a lot. The wild rumor is that the female celebrity is said to be with an actor, who is known to have a longtime girlfriend.

Show BusinessMirror

Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical and will take a break from the public eye

LONDON—Ariana Grande has pulled out of an upcoming stage musical in London, producers said, and plans to withdraw from the public eye for a break from the intense scrutiny she faces. Grande had been due to star alongside her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey in a production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park With George at the Barbican theater in 2027. Empire Street Productions said Sunday that Grande will no longer be part of the London production. A representative for Grande told People magazine that the 33-year-old singer “will be taking

GMA NETWORK ADVANCES TO NO. 15 IN TUBULAR LEADERSHIP WORLDWIDE RANKING IN JUNE 2026

GMA Network continues to strengthen its position as a digital powerhouse, securing the No. 15 spot in the Tubular Leadership Worldwide Ranking for June 2026, based on data from Tubular Labs.

The latest performance of GMA Network further cements its position as the top-ranking Philippine media and entertainment company in Southeast Asia.

In June 2026, GMA Network’s official online properties generated over 7.5 billion video views across popular social media platforms: 3.9 billion on Facebook, 955 million on Instagram, 1.9 billion

on TikTok, and 681 million on YouTube.

The network’s sustained digital momentum underscores its commitment to driving audience engagement through compelling and dynamic storytelling.

By delivering diverse content that covers the latest news, entertainment, lifestyle and more across multiple platforms, GMA Network continues its leadership in an ever-evolving media landscape, expanding its reach to bring Filipino stories to audiences around the world.

a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour.”

“She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny,” the statement said. A representative for Grande did not offer further comment to The Associated Press.

With Grande’s recent breakup from Wicked costar Ethan Slater, the ongoing tour and last week’s release of the album Petal, attention has swelled, fueling rampant speculation online about her health and appearance. Grande has previously expressed discomfort with public discourse around her weight.

“I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people’s bodies, no matter what,” she said in a 2023 TikTok video.

Late last year, while promoting Wicked: For Good, she reshared a 2024 interview in which she said it was uncomfortable having being picked apart for her appearance since she was a teenager. In the December social media post, she called the clip a “loving reminder to all.”

Grande found fame as a child performer on Nickelodeon before releasing her debut album, Yours Truly, in 2013. She has won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for a supporting actress Oscar for her role as Glinda in Wicked.

Grande’s next concert is Monday in Chicago. Her tour is due to wrap up in London on September 1.

“We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support,” Empire Street Productions said. The company said Sunday in the Park With George will open next summer as planned, and that casting would be announced “in due course.” AP

By Eugenia Last

time to respond and refuse to let anyone bait you into a discussion that will lead to tension or personal or financial loss. Your power comes from retreating. Time heals, and showing restraint will play in your favor. Change can be good when it’s monitored and done properly. ★★

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Pay attention in order to avoid getting into impossible situations. Take a moment and learn from experiences that you wish you could go back and change. Rely on your memory, and consider who you can trust. Be secretive about your intentions and plans until you have details in place. If you use your charm, love will blossom. ★★★★★ LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Enjoy what life has to offer. Don’t labor over what you cannot change, but embrace what delights and excites you. You owe it to yourself to appreciate who you are and what you have to offer. Gravitate toward the people, places and pastimes that ease stress and put you in your comfort zone. Exude what you want to attract. ★★★

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Set high standards and refuse to buy into someone else’s lifestyle. Emotions will be difficult to disguise, so keep your distance from people you don’t trust. An unusual or unexpected change or offer can help resolve a medical, legal or financial situation. Play your cards close to your chest and maintain control. No pain, no gain. ★★★

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don’t go overboard when it comes to your livelihood and professional affiliates. By directing your attention to pastimes and people you enjoy hanging out with, you will enrich your life and spark ideas. Spend more time enjoying your surroundings, the great outdoors and meaningful relationships. ★★★

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Lessons learned will be your saving grace. Use your intelligence and foresight to guide you when dealing with those who don’t share your beliefs. Entitlement can lead to trouble, but kind words and a humble attitude will encourage safe passage. Be strong, and composure and leadership will follow. Show your worth. Become the best version of yourself. ★★★★★

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Embrace change and do your best to fulfill your dreams, hopes and wishes. Your strength lies in your ability to make your own opportunities and to see them to completion. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and to head in a direction that reinforces your belief in yourself and what you want to achieve. Turn a change into an opportunity. ★★

PISCES (Feb. 19-March

Image

MORE than 10,000 people gathered in Lanao del Sur to witness the enthronement of Atty. Mohammad Ben-Usman as the new Sultan of Masiu. His wife, Atty. Rosaemmah Mapupuno Salic, a lawyer-accountant, was also installed as Potre Maamor of Masiu.

The Sultanate of Masiu is one of the 16 royal houses of Lanao that make up the centuries-old traditional sultanate system of the Meranaw people. The institution continues to preserve customary law, help settle disputes, and safeguard Meranaw culture. Masiu is regarded as one of the most influential royal houses because its traditional domain spans nine municipalities, the largest among the Lanao sultanates: Taraka, Tamparan, Masiu, Mulondo, Watu-Balindong, Tugaya, Bacolod Kalawi, Madalum, and Madamba.

“The Philippine government is responsible for running public affairs, but sultans also have an important role. We should help protect the welfare of our communities, preserve our culture and traditions, and serve as the people’s voice in working with the government to address community concerns,” Sultan Ben-Usman said.

He believes the Lanao Sultanate needs leadership rooted in taritib, the traditional social order and customary rules; and ijma, the principle of consensus-based governance. For him, a sultan must do more than inherit a title and should lead with integrity, competence, honor, and a commitment to public service.

His agenda focuses on strengthening the Sultanate of Masiu’s representation in councils of sultans, forging partnerships on education, environmental protection, youth and women’s development, disaster preparedness, and livelihood programs, while helping resolve rido, or clan feuds, through mediation with traditional and religious leaders. He also plans to support madrasah education, strengthen mosques and the work of imams, expand economic opportunities for disadvantaged families through government and development partnerships, and preserve the Meranaw language, arts, traditions and cultural heritage for future generations.

Sultan Ben-Usman draws inspiration from his ancestors, including Sultan Alongan, Sultan Gomarok, Sultan Datu Alimudin, and Sultan Tagoloan, who preserved the royal lineage and upheld the responsibilities of the Masiu royal house through generations.

Before his enthronement, he served as Customs collector of the Bureau of Customs in Cagayan de Oro City. He studied law and mathematics at Mindanao State University, graduating cum laude and receiving the Malacañang Palace National Award as one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in 2010. He was also an exchange student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a visiting student at Northern Illinois University before pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at the Ateneo School of Business and Governance of Ateneo de Davao University.

No FOMO

YOUR phone buzzes on a quiet night, and you already know what you will see before you unlock it. Photos from a dinner you were never invited to, a group chat celebrating plans that were formed without you, a friend posting a concert you had actually wanted to attend. Within seconds, the calm evening you were enjoying turns into something else entirely. Five minutes earlier, you were perfectly content with your own plans. Now, an uncomfortable question begins to creep in: Why was everyone else there except me?

It is remarkable how quickly the mind can shift from contentment to self-doubt. A single notification can make it seem as though everyone else is happier while you are somehow on the outside looking in. What changed was not your evening or your circumstances. The only thing that changed was what appeared on your screen. Yet for many people, that is enough to trigger one of the most common emotional experiences of the digital age—the fear of missing out (FOMO).

This feeling has a way of convincing you that everyone else is living a fuller life than you are. What makes it so effective is that it rarely shows up as jealousy in an obvious form. Instead, it disguises itself as restlessness, or a

sudden urge to check your phone one more time, or a nagging sense that staying home tonight was somehow a mistake. That feeling is rarely about the actual event you missed. It is about the story your mind builds around what that event might have meant for your friendships or your sense of belonging, and how that meaning might have changed without you there to witness it.

Social media did not invent this feeling, but it gave it a platform that never closes. Before constant updates existed, you might learn about a gathering days later, if at all, and the sting would fade before it ever fully formed. Now you see the moment as it happens, curated and cheerful, stripped of the boring parts, the traffic, the awkward small talk, the early exit someone made because they were tired. Comparing your quiet evening to someone else’s highlight reel will almost always leave you feeling like you chose wrong, even when your evening was exactly what you needed. The comparison is unfair because you are measuring your own ordinary day against someone else’s carefully chosen 10 seconds of footage.

Learning to sit out without spiraling starts with noticing what the discomfort is actually telling you. Sometimes it points to a genuine desire, a friendship you have been neglecting, or a type of fun you have not made room for lately. Other times it points to nothing more than habit, the reflex to want whatever appears on a screen regardless of whether it fits your actual life. Before assuming every twinge of FOMO deserves action, pause and ask yourself honestly whether you would have enjoyed being there, or whether you simply dislike the feeling of being left out of the picture.

Practicing small moments of intentional absence can loosen this pattern over time. Choose one invitation this month to decline, not because you are

too busy, but because you genuinely prefer a quiet night, and notice how you feel the next morning. Most people discover that the anxiety fades far faster than expected once the event has passed, while the rest they got from staying in stays with them. Muting certain group chats during the busiest hours, or turning off notifications for a weekend, can also give your mind the space it needs to settle without the constant pull of updates demanding your attention. Even a short break from one app for a single week can reveal how much of your restlessness was manufactured by the scrolling itself rather than by anything you were genuinely missing.

There is also real value in redefining what a full life looks like to you personally, rather than borrowing someone else’s definition through a screen.

A packed calendar is not automatically a happier one, and a quiet weekend spent recovering, reading, or simply resting is not automatically a wasted one. The people who seem to attend everything are not necessarily happier than you; they are simply visible in a way that quiet contentment rarely is, since nobody posts a photo of an ordinary evening spent feeling completely at peace. A friend who appears in every photo this month may be exhausted behind the smile, while your own quiet week may have given you the rest that made the following one far more enjoyable.

Over time, learning to sit out becomes less about missing and more about choosing more deliberately.

You begin attending the gatherings that genuinely matter to you and skipping the ones that only pulled at you out of habit. The fear does not disappear entirely, but it loses its grip the more you prove to yourself that a quiet night at home was never actually a loss, only a different kind of evening you were fully allowed to have, one that belonged entirely to you and needed no explanation to anyone else.

Eyeing colored contacts? Here are the hidden dangers behind the new beauty trend

COSMETIC colored contact lenses have become a beauty staple, popular among teens and young adults—even those who have no vision problems and no need for corrective lenses whatsoever. They promise a striking new look, an instant transformation that is as easy as a trip to the nearest beauty store or a few clicks online.

But behind the appeal lies a medical reality that eye care professionals at the country’s top hospital Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net. ph) want every patient to understand: cosmetic contact lenses can put your eyes at serious risk. Any pair of contact lenses is, above all, a medical device. When prescribed to help correct a refractive error such as nearsightedness or astigmatism, a trained eye care professional evaluates the patient’s eye health, fits the lens precisely to the cornea’s dimensions, and provides detailed safety guidance. It’s a carefully managed risk which experts take because of the potential benefit of improved vision. None of that applies when it comes to a person with healthy eyes who uses colored lenses purely for cosmetic effect.

“If your eyes are healthy and you have no refractive error, putting in a contact lens introduces an unnecessary foreign body onto your cornea. You are accepting all the risks of contact

lens wear with absolutely none of the clinical benefit,” explains Mary Ellen Sy, MD, Cornea and External Eye Disease Consultant at MakatiMed’s Department of Ophthalmology. Sy adds that even properly prescribed, quality-controlled lenses carry serious risks when not used correctly. Wearing contact lenses may bring about complications such as corneal hypoxia or when the cornea doesn’t get enough oxygen; microbial keratitis or when bacteria, fungi and amoebae colonize contact lenses and cause corneal infections that are difficult to

caused by an ill-fitting lens or improper handling; and chronic inflammation and dry eye.

If these complications occur even among patients who received professional guidance and used regulated lenses, every one of these possible issues get amplified for cosmetic lens wearers.

The MakatiMed doctor points out that colored contact lenses are designed differently from the usual corrective ones, emphasizing that the tint on a lens adds another layer of risk for the users.

“The colored pigment layer is thicker

than a clear lens, which further reduces oxygen transmissibility to the cornea. And if obtained without a prescription, they are never fitted to the individual’s corneal curvature and diameter, which creates micro-trauma to the corneal surface,” says Sy.

The doctor expounds that many cosmetic contact lenses are sold through fashion stores, novelty shops, and online marketplaces with no regulatory oversight, giving users no way to verify the safety of the materials, pigments, and manufacturing process. If the lenses are purchased without an eye health specialist, the user wouldn’t also receive hygiene and safety instructions which include safe wear duration and proper cleaning and information on the warning signs that require urgent medical attention.

“We have seen young, otherwise healthy patients develop corneal ulcers from cosmetic lenses purchased at a market stall. Some have required corneal transplantation. This is preventable blindness, and that is what makes these cases so heartbreaking,” warns Sy.

As a general rule, Sy urges all contact lens users to seek immediate medical attention if they experience eye pain or increasing discomfort; redness that persists after removing the lens; discharge, excessive tearing, or sensitivity

to light; blurred or reduced vision; a persistent sensation of a foreign body in the eye; and any whitening or opacity on the cornea. “Do not wait for symptoms to improve on their own. Corneal infections can progress from mild irritation to permanent vision loss within 24 to 48 hours,” reveals Sy.

The MakatiMed doctor encourages everyone to first get guidance from an ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist when it comes to contact lens use, whether it’s for cosmetic or corrective purposes. “Insist on a proper prescription specifying lens brand, base curve, and diameter suited to your individual corneal measurements, and purchase only from reputable, regulated sources. Never buy contact lenses from novelty stores, market stalls, or unverified online seller,” Sy firmly states.

She continues, “Follow all professional instructions on insertion, removal, cleaning, storage, and replacement schedules exactly. Attend regular eye examinations so that any early signs of corneal damage can be detected and managed promptly.”

“No cosmetic trend is worth the permanent loss of vision. If you have questions about contact lens safety or are experiencing any eye symptoms, please seek professional care without delay,” Sy concludes.

PHOTO BY EMILIO GARCIA ON UNSPLASH

Hiraya Water launches P600-million rehab program for Dasmariñas network

Hiraya Water Corporation, formerly known as Primewater Infrastructure Corp., has launched a P600-million capital expenditure program to rehabilitate and expand the water distribution system in Dasmariñas City, marking the first major infrastructure rollout under its new ownership by Crystal Bridges Holdings Corporation.

The company also recently secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission to change its corporate name from Primewater Infrastructure Corp. to Hiraya Water Corporation. The rebranding reflects the company’s renewed commitment to improve water services and deliver key infrastructure projects not only in Dasmariñas but across all its joint venture areas.

Hiraya Water said the new name embodies its vision of bringing renewed hope and fulfilling aspirations through more reliable and sustainable water services.

The investment program in Dasmariñas follows the issuance of the company’s business permit by the City Government of Dasmariñas and the formal turnover of operations earlier this year.

On July 29, 2026, Hiraya Water and the Dasmariñas Water District held a groundbreaking ceremony for the initial phase of a long-term infrastructure program. The projects will focus on developing new water sources, replacing aging pipelines, upgrading transmission and distribution facilities, and improving overall system efficiency.

Hiraya Water President Jose Paulino Santamarina said the projects represent the company’s commitment to restoring

TEN years after their journey from Manila to Davao, Cacao Culture founders Kenneth and Shiela Reyes-Lao commemorate this milestone with the launch of the first ever 8.8 Chocolate Festival, an annual event created to celebrate and spread love for Philippine chocolate.

The month-long celebration began on August 1, 2026, with special chocolate tasting flights available at Cacao Culture Chocolate cafes in Juna Subdivision and Poblacion Market Central, Davao City. The main celebration of the 8.8 Chocolate Festival will be on August 8 where guests can enjoy exciting in-store promotions, complimentary hot chocolate for the first 88 customers at each branch, special freebies, and fun activities at the shops. The nationwide festivities continue with special online and in-store discounts and promotions from August 7 to 9. Customers can look forward to curated chocolate bundles, new product releases, and freebies across all Cacao Culture cafes, shops and official online channels.

The 8.8 Chocolate Festival brings together the different roles Cacao Culture has grown into over the past decade as a cacao grower, chocolate maker, and curator of Philippine chocolate.

Cacao Culture was founded in 2016 after Kenneth and Sheila took a leap of faith leaving their careers and life in Metro Manila to move to Davao City.

They were drawn to the region’s emerging cacao industry and they began by learning the cacao business from the ground up. Cacao Culture initially operated as a cacao seedling nursery before they expanded into cacao growing, post-harvest processing, and product development.

Their early years were shaped by hands-on learning, industry training and advice from mentors and members of the cacao community who openly shared knowledge and best practices.

What started with seedlings and cacao products gradually grew into a larger mission: to help more Filipinos discover and appreciate locally-made chocolate products.

customer confidence through tangible infrastructure improvements.

“Today is more than the beginning of an infrastructure project. It marks the beginning of restoring public trust, not through words alone, but through completed projects and services that every resident can genuinely experience,” he said.

The P600-million program includes water source development, transmission and distribution upgrades, non-revenue water reduction initiatives, large-scale meter replacement, and operational improvements designed to enhance service reliability across the city.

One of its flagship initiatives is the NonRevenue Water Reduction and Total Pipe Replacement Program, which will replace 24 kilometers of aging pipelines while upgrading the city’s distribution network. The first phase covers nine kilometers of pipeline replacement in Barangays Sampaloc IV and Victoria Reyes, benefiting around 16,000 households.

Once completed, water availability in these areas is expected to increase to as much as 12 to 24 hours daily, while water pressure is also projected to improve significantly.

Hiraya Water is likewise investing in

“For the past 10 years, our mission has been to spread love for Philippine chocolates,” said Shiela. “The 8.8 Chocolate Festival gives us the opportunity to invite more people by telling them about Philippine chocolate and providing the platforms for them to taste and experience Philippine chocolates.”

Cacao Culture began selling online in 2018, giving the business an opportunity to reach consumers beyond the local market. The e-commerce site and social media channels became a lifeline during the pandemic not only for its own products but also for other Philippine chocolate makers.

What started with a small selection of brands eventually grew to more than 20 Philippine chocolate brands, transforming Cacao Culture from a chocolate maker into a curator and platform for Philippine chocolate.

The festival brings together Cacao Culture’s own products and a curated selection from Philippine chocolate makers such as Auro Chocolate, Malagos Chocolate, Nutrarich, Cacao De Celo, Coscao Chocolate, 1919 Chocolate and other brands from across the country.

“Along the way, we realized that spreading love for Philippine chocolate was not something we had to do alone,” said Kenneth. “By working with other chocolate makers, we could offer customers a selection of Philippine chocolate and create more opportunities for the industry to grow together.”

Cacao Culture opened its first physical chocolate shop and cafe in 2023, creating a space where customers can experience chocolate beyond packaged retail products.

Philippine chocolate can now be enjoyed as

UP alumnus leads Lourdes Hospital to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospital List

Paul Camagian, President and CEO of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines alumnus Paul Camangian, MBA Class of 1997, continues to lead Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (OLLH) to sustained international recognition following its inclusion in Newsweek’s Asia’s Top Private

new water source development that will serve 17 barangays, including Burol Main, Salawag, San Andres, Paliparan I and II, Sampaloc III and IV, and San Francisco II. These projects aim to increase daily water availability and improve water pressure.

Another major project involves the construction of a 700-cubic-meter water storage tank in Barangay Paliparan II, along with the installation of a booster system serving Paliparan II and III. The facility is expected to benefit approximately 8,700 service connections by increasing both water supply and pressure.

The projects form part of Hiraya Water’s broader strategy to modernize the Dasmariñas water system, reduce water losses, expand supply capacity, and strengthen service reliability as demand continues to grow. The company said more infrastructure projects are expected to be rolled out in the coming months.

Santamarina said the company remains focused on delivering longterm improvements that go beyond infrastructure investments.

“Our goal is to restore the trust of every family we serve. At Hiraya, we believe that trust is not something that is asked for. It is earned every day through the quality of our service.”

drinks, pastries, confections, desserts, meals, and guided tasting experiences.

The 8.8 Chocolate Festival will include:

Month-long tasting flights at Cacao Culture Chocolate cafes

Online and in-store festival sales from August 7 to 9

Main Festival Sale - August 8 Festival bundles curated by Cacao Culture, new product releases & freebies and special offers

Customers can avail of all the special offers on the Cacao Culture website, official Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop channels. Specific offers and availability may vary by location and platform.

With the 8.8 Chocolate Festival, Cacao Culture hopes to establish August 8 as a date Filipinos can look forward to each year to discover new products, revisit favorite makers and celebrate the continuing growth of Philippine chocolate.

After a decade of growing cacao, making chocolate, supporting fellow makers, and introducing consumers to Philippine chocolate, the company looks ahead to opening more chocolate cafes, reaching more consumers, working with more farmers and makers, creating more livelihood opportunities, and making Philippine chocolate more visible both locally and internationally.

Customers are encouraged to share their chocolate discoveries and experiences with the hashtag #88ChocolateFestival.

Mobile: 0991-366-6575

Email: team@cacaoculturefarms.com

Website: www.cacaoculture.ph

Official hashtag: #88ChocolateFestival

#cacaocultureph

Shopee: https://shopee.ph/ cacaocultureph

Lazada: https://www.lazada.com.ph/ shop/cacao-culture/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ cacaocultureph

Chocolate Cafe Locations

Chocolate Cafe & Headquarters: 512 Mangga Street, Juna Subdivision, Davao City

Chocolate Cafe Poblacion Market Central: Ground Floor, Poblacion Market Central, C. Bangoy Street, Poblacion District, Davao City

Hospitals and Clinics 2026 list.

The recognition marks another consecutive year that OLLH has been acknowledged by the global news magazine, placing the institution among recognized healthcare providers across Asia. In the Philippines, OLLH ranked 17th among the hospitals included in the list.

Under Camangian’s leadership, OLLH has undergone significant improvements that contributed to the hospital’s continued visibility and recognition in international healthcare rankings, reflecting its strengthening position within the region’s healthcare landscape with awards from the Healthcare Asia Awards and Marketech-APAC NEXT Awards.

As he continues to lead OLLH in advancing its services while strengthening its role as an accessible and patient-centered healthcare institution serving Filipino communities.

DoubleDragon to launch SG$300M Hotel101 real estate investment trust in Singapore

DOUBLEDRAGON Corp. has approved the creation of DD Hotel101 Worldwide One, a Singapore special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will be sponsored as a S$300-million real estate investment trust (REIT). The planned listing is expected to make it the fourth pure hospitality REIT on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).

The proposed REIT will hold a diversified portfolio of Hotel101 uniform units carved out from select Hotel101 developments across various countries. The platform is intended to establish a permanent capital recycling mechanism that will complement Hotel101’s per-unit sales model while strengthening its recurring revenue base. Depending on regulatory and operational requirements, the structure may also include sub-REIT companies in different jurisdictions.

The initiative is expected to support Hotel101 Global’s transition into the third phase of its international expansion through its asset-light, proptech-driven licensing platform. By creating a recurring income vehicle, the Company also aims to enhance the attractiveness of the Hotel101 business model to established property developers in overseas markets.

The initial S$300-million asset size is intended to qualify the REIT for an exemption from Singapore’s three-year operating history requirement. Once listed, additional Hotel101 units from projects around the world may be infused into the REIT, allowing it to steadily

expand its portfolio and recurring revenue base. Moving forward, the Company intends to allocate approximately 20 to 30 percent of selected Hotel101 developments globally for eventual infusion into Hotel101 REITs that may be established and listed on major stock exchanges worldwide.

Currently, Singapore has three listed hospitality REITs—CDL Hospitality Trust, Far East Hospitality Trust, and CapitaLand Ascott Trust. The planned listing of DD Hotel101 Worldwide One would add another pure hospitality REIT to the exchange. According to DoubleDragon, the initiative forms part of the strategic roadmap supporting Hotel101 Global’s long-term objective of developing one million standardized hotel rooms across more than 100 countries. Over time, the Company also intends to expand the Hotel101 REIT platform by pursuing listings in other major global stock exchanges.

The strategy aligns with Hotel101 Global’s disciplined asset-light hospitality model, which combines standardized hotel developments with a proprietary proptech platform designed to generate long-term recurring revenues.

The planned REIT also complements DoubleDragon’s broader capital management initiatives as the Company continues to strengthen its balance sheet in line with its 2035 Vision.

ON its third year, NUSTAR Golf

2026 concluded on a high note at the picturesque Alta Vista Golf and Country Club on July 30 and 31, 2026, bringing together nearly 200 golfers for two days of friendly competition, camaraderie, and championship golf.

This year’s tournament welcomed one of its largest fields yet, drawing participants from Cebu, across the Philippines, and overseas. Featuring a strong mix of seasoned amateurs, corporate partners, and media guests, the event tested teamwork and strategy through a two-man scramble format across three divisions.

Competitors played under the System 36 handicapping format, vying not only for division titles but also for popular oncourse prizes, including Nearest to the Pin, Longest Drive, Most Accurate Drive, Longest Putt, and the highly anticipated Hole-in-One Challenge. Emerging as champions in Division I were Junhan Kim and Jeric Rei Abutazil who carded a winning score of 65, edging out Park Jungsu and Yoo Jisu and Kim Kibum and Marciana Garcia. In Division II, Jan Piolo Obial and George Benito Aratea IV claimed top honors with a of 66, followed by Kelvin Tan and Justin Beltram Calvo Ybanez and Park Hwychang and Lee Hyungwha.

Adding excitement to the tournament, players also competed for Special Awards across the course. Kim Kwangryu claimed

Most Accurate Drive on Hole

and Park Junhee impressed with the Longest Putt on Hole

“NUSTAR Golf has become more than an annual tournament; it is a celebration of the relationships that drive our business and our community forward. It brings together our valued guests, partners, and friends in a setting that reflects the spirit of camaraderie, friendly competition, and exceptional hospitality that defines the NUSTAR experience,” said Sean Knights, Chief Operating Officer of NUSTAR Resort Cebu.

Beyond the course, participants enjoyed a curated lineup of events, including a welcome reception, sponsor activations by Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), Globe Platinum, Porsche Design, and Heineken, and an awards ceremony honoring top performers. More than a golf tournament, the event highlights NUSTAR’s commitment to building strong partnerships and elevated experiences—further positioning Cebu as a top destination for sports tourism and luxury lifestyle events.

Cacao Culture celebrates 10th anniversary with the launch of the 8.8 Chocolate Festival

In the photo, from left, Engr. Joven Artiaga, Bernadette Laurel, Atty. Kristian Barzaga, Atty. Reina Villa-Guro, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Austria-Barzaga, Lucio Co, Jose Paulino Santamarina, Fe Rebancos, and Abigail Mojica commemorate the ongoing rehabilitation projects of Hiraya Water.

Nearest to the Pin on Hole #2, Park Jungsu claimed Nearest to the Pin on Hole #6, Nearest to the Pin in Hole #8 was claimed by Lee Donghyeok, Nearest to the Pin in Hole #13 was claimed by Corky Fernandez, and Nearest to the Pin in Hole #15 is Kim Junhan, while Gabriell Pasion captured Longest Drive on Hole #10. Mark Cabanlit earned

#11,

#18.

Trevor Hammond, Senior Vice President for Gaming and Integrated Resort Operations at NUSTAR Resort Cebu, joins the Division I champions of NUSTAR Golf 2026 during the awarding ceremony held on July 31, 2026, at the NUSTAR Ballroom.

Kenneth and Shiela Reyes-Lao, the couple behind Cacao Culture

Editor: Tet Andolong

Cebu, Pampanga emerge as provincial growth engines

By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes @brownindio

CEBU and Pampanga are emerging as the country’s strongest provincial growth drivers as infrastructure investments, expanding office developments and the rapid growth of logistics reshape the Philippine property market beyond Metro Manila, according to Lobien Realty Group (LRG).

In its midyear property briefing, LRG director for sales and strategic partnerships

Alex Regala told the audience that the country’s growth story is no longer centered on the National Capital Region, with businesses increasingly expanding into regional cities.

“Cebu continues to have the largest office inventory, while Pampanga has the biggest office development pipeline,” Regala said.

Cebu remains the country's leading provincial office market, supported by its established business process outsourcing (BPO) sector and strategic location in the Visayas. Pampanga, meanwhile, is preparing for another wave of growth with around 145,000 square meters of office space under development—the largest pipeline among provincial markets.

Regala attributed the momentum to the government’s aggressive infrastructure program. Pampanga is benefiting from the North-South Commuter Railway linking Clark to Calamba, the continued expansion of Clark International Airport and an extensive expressway network, strengthening its

position as a business and logistics hub.

“There are so many good things happening despite the challenges,” Regala said, urging businesses and investors to look beyond Metro Manila.

Cebu, meanwhile, is expected to gain from the New Cebu International Container Port, which will enhance trade and cargo movement across the Visayas.

“The country’s growth story is no longer confined to Metro Manila,” Regala said. “There are so many good things happening despite the challenges.”

He noted that 74 percent of township developments in the Philippines are now located outside Metro Manila, reflecting the growing importance of regional growth centers.

Furthermore, the government’s designation of 25 Digital Cities has likewise encouraged information technology and business process management firms to expand to the provinces, creating jobs while easing congestion in Metro Manila.

Although provincial office vacancies remain elevated, Regala said these should be viewed as opportunities for future expansion. New office supply in major provincial markets also declined this year as developers slowed project completions following previ -

ous oversupply, while rental rates improved.

Meanwhile, LRG associate director Stephanie Ng said Cebu and Pampanga are also strengthening their positions as logistics hubs as e-commerce, manufacturing and modern supply chains continue to fuel demand for industrial facilities.

She identified Clark in Pampanga as one of the country’s fastest-growing logistics centers because of its strategic location, airport infrastructure and expressway access.

She cited RLX's partnership with FedEx to develop a 15-hectare industrial hub in Clark that will deliver 78,000 square meters of warehouse space by 2028.

Cebu is likewise expected to reinforce its role as the primary distribution hub for the Visayas through continued investments in transport and port infrastructure.

Ng said the Philippine warehousing market is valued at around $441 million and is projected to grow at a 5.2 percent compound annual growth rate to $706 million by 2034, driven by logistics, manufacturing and e-commerce.

She added that infrastructure will remain the biggest driver of warehouse demand because improved roads, ports and airports reduce freight costs, shorten delivery times and make provincial markets

more competitive.

Regala urged investors to take a closer look at opportunities outside Metro Manila, noting that improving connectivity and digital infrastructure are transforming Cebu, Pampanga and other regional centers into major investment destinations.

“We can choose to see the glass as half full,” he said, adding that the country's regional growth story continues to gain momentum despite economic challenges.

Cautiously optimistic outlook

DESPITE the geopolitical tensions, inflation and global economic uncertainty pose near-term risks, LRG CEO and Founder Sheila Lobien said they are maintaining an optimistic outlook for the Philippine real estate sector as strong domestic fundamentals, infrastructure investments, and the continued expansion of the IT-BPM industry will support long-term growth.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Philippine property market is facing short-term headwinds from geopolitical uncertainty, inflation, and global economic risks, Lobien pointed out that its long-term outlook remains positive. She added LRG expects sustained growth to be supported by infrastructure development.

Where new chapters thrive: Nava at Greenfield Alabang

IN a world that often feels fast- p aced and crowded, thoughtfully planned communities offer a sense of balance within the metro—creating a perfect setting for families beginning a new chapter in their lives.

This is the guiding principle on which Nava by Greenfield Deluxe, the newest residential enclave in Alabang, is built on.

A rare gem takes shape in Alabang AS the metro continues to evolve, communities that prioritize wellbeing have become increasingly rare and in Alabang. In a district long known for its established neighborhoods, Nava rises as one of the area’s coveted residential addresses.

Spanning 5.8 hectares and offering 145 saleable lots from 192 to 290 sq m, Nava gives families the room to grow into every season of life. Rooted in the legacy of Hillsborough and supported by forward - t hinking infrastructure, Nava reflects Greenfield’s commitment to creating wellness centered communities that stand the test of time.

Grounded in Greenery, Refined by Design NAVA’S character is shaped by a purposeful design philosophy that nurtures harmony between structural and natural surroundings. Masterplanned by LV Locsin & Partners, the community is shaped around the unfolding of modern family life—how people live today and how they envision living tomorrow. Its modern tropical character and intentional site planning create a neighborhood where privacy, connection, and everyday convenience coexist with ease.

Staying true to Greenfield’s core value of wellness, Nava places shared community spaces at the heart of its design. The multipurpose court, pool, gym, adult game room, and kiddie playroom are all thoughtfully crafted to nurture balance, connection, and a sense of belonging.

This sense of calm is further elevated by

lush landscaping, tree-lined roads, and an uncluttered streetscape supported by fully underground utilities, creating an environment that blends natural serenity with understated sophistication.

Close to what matters most NAVA’S strategic location ensures that convenience is always part of daily living. The community is within easy reach of respected schools such as PAREF Southridge, Manresa, De La Salle Santiago Zobel, and Woodrose PAREF, as well as Asian Hospital and Medical Center Parañaque.

Everyday life and weekend leisure are just as effortless, with Nava situated minutes from key corporate hubs and lifestyle destinations like Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall, and Molito Lifestyle Center. Its proximity to neighboring communities such as Hillsborough, Alabang 400, Alabang Hills, and Ayala Alabang Village makes it easy to stay socially connected while still enjoying Nava’s sense of privacy.

Where new beginnings take root THIS harmony of privacy, accessibility, and community creates the ideal setting for meaningful new beginnings. Inspired by the Sanskrit word nava, which signifies renewal, beginnings, and transformation, the development is designed for those entering a new chapter. Whether it’s building a first home, entering a new phase of marriage, or creating a sanctuary for future milestones, Nava offers a setting where life can unfold with intention. At Nava by Greenfield Deluxe, a new beginning becomes a place to grow, to settle, and to build a future with the people who matter most. Begin your next chapter at Nava by Greenfield Deluxe. For inquiries, call 0917 534 7336 or visit their website. Follow Nava by Greenfield Deluxe on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Future of sustainable building highlights August 7 Mindanao Bamboost Forum

MANILA, Philippines—As the global construction industry seeks urgent solutions to the climate crisis, two of the Philippines’s leading visionary architects are calling on their peers to rethink the way they build.

Architects Rhalf Abne (Kawayan Design Studio) and Christian Salandanan (Sangay Architects) are set to headline the upcoming Mindanao Bamboost Forum: The South Cotabato Experience, on August 7, 2026, at the Farm in South Cotabato.

Organized by Base Bahay Foundation (BASE), in partnership with the South Cotabato Bamboo Industry Development Council, the forum will bring together architects, interior designers, engineers, developers, and policymakers to elevate bamboo from a traditional material to a high-performance, mainstream structural powerhouse.

New views on bamboo FOR decades, bamboo in the Philippines was relegated to the margins—often labeled as the “poor man’s timber” or viewed strictly as a material for temporary beachfront cottages. Both Abne and Salandanan have dedicated their practices to shattering these misconceptions through groundbreaking, massive structural feats.

“In the Philippines, bamboo still has the image of a temporary material. But once the Pavilion was built, it became easier to show what bamboo can do,” explains Architect Abne, the visionary behind the Dumaguete Pavilion, the largest bamboo pavilion in the Philippines to date. “The Pavilion serves as proof of work. It is a testament that something as large as that structure can be done in bamboo.”

Architect Christian Salandanan, whose firm de -

signed the iconic MLR Polo Pavilion in Luzon for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, believes that great design has the power to elevate local materials to the highest tiers of luxury and prestige.

“Many people still see bamboo as a ‘low man’s timber’ or a poor material, but through good design, we believe its value can be elevated,” Salandanan explains. “The problem is not the material itself. The real question is how you use it, how you design around it, and how you combine it with other materials to create a strong composition and design character.”

Different styles, same goal

WHILE both architects advocate for bamboo, they bring unique and complementary perspectives to the forum.

Abne’s approach is deeply grounded in localized community-building, working directly with rural farmers and fisherfolk to establish sustainable supply chains and build grassroots capacity. For Abne, using bamboo is an exercise in national responsibility and ecological preservation.

“The industry is still in its early stage, and we want to take care of bamboo and change people’s perspective of it. Having that sense of responsibility in using bamboo would be a great reminder for ev -

eryone,” Abne asserts.

Inspired by the legacy of National Artist Bobby Mañosa, Architect Salandanan focuses on the sensory experience and tactile warmth of bamboo, pushing for engineered innovations that allow bamboo to stand alongside concrete and steel in modern urban developments.

“It is the experience of staying inside a bamboo

structure. That is something you cannot get from concrete or steel. Bamboo gives a certain warmth,” says Salandanan. “There are no boundaries and limits for bamboo architecture. There is so much potential in it.”

Setting Building Standards

TO transition these architectural visions into widespread reality, the industry requires scalable technology, standardized guidelines, and a robust supply chain. This is where the work of BASE becomes critical.

BASE General Manager Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez points out that regional forums like the Regional Bamboost are vital for bridging the gap between cutting-edge laboratory research and actual on-site implementation by local practitioners. This is also what drives BASE to bring its annual Bamboost Forum to various regions, enabling more people to see the potential of bamboo in the built environment.

“Unlocking the mainstream potential of bamboo requires a systematic approach—from standardizing design codes to training local builders on the ground,” says Lopez. “Our goal with the regional Bamboost forum is to equip Mindanao and local architects, engineers, and developers with proven, scalable bamboo technologies. By establishing clear standards and strengthening local value chains, we can confidently build structures that are not only highly sustainable but also remarkably disaster-resilient.”

Why professionals must attend WITH the recent earthquake and the result of climate change increasingly felt in the region, the forum will highlight how bamboo, backed by rigorous scientific testing and building standards, can create highly resilient, typhoon-adaptive structures.

Both architects point to the work of organizations like BASE as critical in giving the design community the scientific confidence to build with bamboo.

“Architecture and engineering are science-based. When something is proven by data, facts, and science, it gives confidence not only to architects and engineers, but also to end users and clients,” says Architect Abne.

Architect Salandanan agrees, noting that modern testing and guidelines are vital to making the material mainstream: “Without standards, testing, and publicly shared information, it would be difficult for bamboo to become mainstream...These efforts are important in streamlining bamboo as a building material.”

How to join the Mindanao Bamboost Forum

THE Mindanao Bamboost Forum is a must-attend event for the next generation of Filipino builders who want to remain at the forefront of the green building revolution.

On August 7, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at The Farm in South Cotabato, attendees will have the opportunity to hear Architect Rhalf Abne discuss “Designing with Bamboo” (Topic 7) and Architect Christian Salandanan present on “Bamboo Architecture” (Topic 8). The program also features technical presentations on bamboo innovations from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) South Cotabato, engineered bamboo panels from Rizome, and sustainable value chains from the Mahintana Foundation. Secure your seat today and be part of shaping the future of Philippine architecture.

For registration inquiries and more details, please contact BASE at www.base-builds.com.

ARCHITECTS Rhalf Abne (left) and Christian Salandanan.

FROM left Alex Regala, Lobien Realty Group (LRG) director of sales and strategic partnership; Sheila Lobien, LRG chief executive officer, and Stephanie Ng, LRG associate director

CLARK Freeport Zone WIKIPEDIA CEBU Exchange Tower

ARTHALAND WEBSITE

ARCHITECT Christian Salandanan’s MLR Polo Pavilion in Luzon designed for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

ARCHITECTURAL

Legislator eyes mandatory regular inspection, maintenance of infras

ALAWMAKER has proposed the mandatory periodic inspection and maintenance of infrastructure projects implemented by the national government to ensure that these public investments remain safe, durable, and of high quality.

Parañaque Rep. Brian Yamsuan filed House Bill 9780, which mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to conduct regular inspections of completed infrastructure projects every five to ten years to assess their condition and ensure compliance with engineering safety standards.

“We need to make sure that each project remains safe and of high quality so that government funds are not wasted,” he said. Yamsuan said the proposed measure complements the Transparency Portal and Integrity Chain initiatives established by the Marcos administration, which aim to improve the monitoring of DPWH projects, including their implementation progress and fund releases.

“While these digital portals help monitor the implementation of national government infrastructure projects, periodic physical inspections remain necessary to check on the ground whether these projects still pass engineering safety standards after years of being subjected to severe weather conditions, overloading and other factors that affect their structural integrity,” Yamsuan said.

He said that institutionalizing a regular inspection and maintenance framework would raise the standards for national infrastructure projects and ensure that these facilities are treated not as disposable assets, but as long-term investments that serve communities for generations.

“Ultimately, what we want is to safeguard billions in public investments so that taxpayers get their full money’s worth out of these projects for years to come,” he said.

The bill also seeks to address a recurring challenge faced by the DPWH in conducting inspections and maintenance activities on infrastructure projects located on properties with ownership disputes or conflicting land titles.

“This problem is usually seen in older public works implemented years ago. Over time, properties may have changed hands, or authority over these sites may have become muddled by the involvement of private developers, homeowners’ associations, or other private entities,” Yamsuan noted.

“Consequently, structures fall into disrepair because the government is denied entry or access to perform inspections or maintenance works,” he added.

HB 9780 aims to resolve this concern by requiring property owners or lawful possessors of sites where national infrastructure projects are located to allow government personnel to conduct inspection, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation activities.

“This is different from the right-of-way issues for projects that are yet to be implemented, which have already been resolved through RA 12289, or the Accelerated and Reformed Right-ofWay [Arrow] Law. Our bill is for existing infrastructure projects that have long been completed and require maintenance or rehabilitation,” he said.

Under HB 9780, individuals or entities that obstruct or unjustly refuse government access for the conduct of regular and periodic inspections, maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation of national infrastructure projects may face a penalty of a fine not exceeding P50,000.

The measure seeks to ensure that government infrastructure remains safe, functional, and beneficial to the Filipino people while maximizing the value of public funds invested in these projects.

Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz

Support for natl policy on WPS a ‘solemn constitutional duty’

THE Armed Forces on Tuesday backed Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.’s stance that support for the national policy on the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is a “solemn constitutional duty.”

“The AFP fully aligns with and strongly backs our Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in emphasizing that supporting our national position in the West Philippine Sea is a solemn constitutional duty,” the AFP spokesperson for the WPS, Navy reservist Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, said.

Trinidad said all public servants take an oath to uphold the Cconstitution, national sovereignty and sovereign rights.

“Standing firm behind our national interest—grounded in international law—is not a matter of political alignment, but an obligation to the Republic,” he stressed.

As the primary defenders of all Philippine territory, Trinidad said the men and women of the AFP risk their lives daily.

“We expect every Filipino to include every government official

Burden of evidence shifts to VP, prosecution says

TCebu City eyes long-term solutions to flooding

By Carmel Pedroza

elected or appointed—to support our national interests especially in the WPS,” he said.

Teodoro earlier said all public officials, especially those elected into office, are sworn to uphold the Constitution and laws of the country.

Teodoro, a lawyer and Bar topnotcher, added that officials who disagree with the country’s legal position have recourse through the courts, but cannot simply disregard existing laws while remaining in office.

“If a public official cannot uphold these, then the duty is clear. Uphold or file an action to declare the rule or law unconstitutional. Until that time, there is no option but to uphold the law,” he said.

“If a public official cannot conform to these requisites, then the only option is to resign.”

Teodoro also cited the Philippines’ recent submission before the United Nations of information supporting its extended continental shelf claim, including waters surrounding Bajo de Masinloc, saying the move further reinforces the country’s legal position in the WPS. Rex Anthony Naval with PNA

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

HE House of Representatives

Prosecution Panel said the burden of evidence has shifted to Vice President Sara Duterte after a Commission on Audit (COA) state auditor testified on alleged irregularities in the disbursement and liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), requiring the defense to explain the identities of the recipients, the purpose of the payments, and the confidential activities allegedly supported by the funds.

House impeachment spokesperson and adviser Ace Barbers said the testimony of COA auditor Roderick Wamil presented sufficient initial evidence requiring the defense panel to explain the questioned transactions and provide counter-evidence.

“The prosecution’s initial evidence has already shifted the burden of evidence—which is different from the burden of proof—to VP Duterte. It is now incumbent upon her to rebut the evidence and explain the alleged anomalies or misuse of her confidential funds,” Barbers, former lawmaker, said.

“To say the least, at this early, the evidence to prove misuse of public funds-betrayal of public trust is no longer ‘Andy Lim,’” he added, referring to one of the 10 new names of allegedly fictitious individuals who is recipient of confidential funds disbursements that a Private Prosecutor read and described as “andylim” which in Filipino means darkness.

Barbers, who also acted as lead chairman of the House Quad Committee, said Wamil’s disclosure or testimony before the Senate Impeachment Court on Monday, could be taken to mean that Duterte and her staff may have engaged in “scam” documentation scheme in the disbursement and liquidation of her P612.5 million confidential funds.

Barbers said the Office of the Vice President earlier cashed P500 million in confidential funds and another P112.5 million for her DepEd office from two different Land Bank of the Philippines branches in Pasig (DepEd office) and in Mandaluyong City (near OVP’s premises). The breakdown of said confidential funds encashment was P500-million for OVP

(checks of P125 million for four quarters) and P112.5 million for DepEd (checks of P37.5 million for three quarters) or a total of P612.5 million.

Wamil, an auditor formerly assigned to the Commission on Audit’s Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (Icfao), testified that several documents submitted by the OVP to liquidate its first P125 million confidential fund release contained deficiencies.

The liquidation covered the period from December 21 to 31, 2022. According to Wamil, some acknowledgement receipts lacked sufficient supporting documents to establish that the expenses were connected to authorized confidential activities under Joint Circular 2015-01.

The prosecution presented several receipts involving listed recipients, including Mary Grace Piattos, Renan Piattos, Nova Santos, and Mico P. Harina, among others.

One receipt issued to Mary Grace Piattos showed a payment of P70,000 for “payment of rewards [medicines].” Wamil testified that the transaction lacked documents proving that the reward resulted from successful intelligence gathering or surveillance activities.

Other questioned transactions included a P110,000 payment to Renan Piattos with a date outside the audited period and a P295,000 payment acknowledged by Mico P. Harina that was supported only by an acknowledgement receipt rather than an official receipt or sales invoice.

The prosecution also questioned the identities of several individuals listed as recipients of confidential funds. During previous inquiries, government agen -

cies reportedly found that some names did not have matching civil registry records, while some signatures appearing on acknowledgement receipts showed similarities.

Wamil further testified that his review of 845 acknowledgement receipts revealed multiple issues, including undated documents, receipts outside the covered period, and a P150,000 discrepancy between the acknowledgement receipts and the OVP accomplishment report.

These findings became part of the basis for the COA’s Notice of Suspension concerning the liquidation of the first P125 million confidential fund release.

Barbers said the defense must now explain the identities of the recipients, the purpose of the payments, and the confidential activities allegedly supported by the funds.

He added that the Impeachment Court will determine whether the prosecution has sufficiently proven its allegations and whether the defense has adequately responded to the evidence presented.

The prosecution also raised concerns over the immediate encashment and spending of the P125 million confidential fund.

The House impeachment spokesperson, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the timing of the transactions, combined with inconsistencies in supporting documents, should be examined carefully.

Former LandBank officials previously testified that the OVP’s P125 million Treasury check was fully encashed after advance coordination with the bank to prepare the unusually large amount of cash.

Prosecutors also pointed out discrepancies in the dates of supporting documents, including receipts allegedly used to justify expenses outside the approved period of the confidential fund release.

The prosecution argued that the OVP’s financial plans and liquidation reports did not clearly identify the confidential activities for which the funds were intended, making it difficult for auditors to verify whether the money was used properly.

Wamil also testified that certain reported expenses, including medical assistance, food-related expenses, and rewards, lacked sufficient documentation to establish compliance with government rules governing confidential funds.

The House prosecution panel maintained that the audit findings raised serious questions regarding the possible misuse or irregular liquidation of public funds.

The defense is expected to present its evidence and explanations before the Senate impeachment court, which will ultimately decide whether the allegations have been sufficiently established.

Hoax threats flood OTS telephone, socmed accounts

AN Office of Transportation Security official has called on airport passengers to immediately report any suspicious activities, after noting the agency has been receiving hoax threats.

“We have been receiving threats through phone calls, email, Facebook. We check these in coordination with airport security and the National Police [PNP],” OTS

Administrator Gilbert Cruz said during a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview.

Cruz said all these threats were found to be hoax, and raised the possibility that dismissed airline employees and airport security personnel may be behind some of those threats.

He said the agency is ready to combat these incidents, saying OTS personnel regularly undergo training.

CEBU CITY—The local government of Cebu City is stepping up both immediate and long-term interventions to address recurring flooding in low-lying area, with Mayor Nestor Archival identifying the acquisition of land for a water retention reservoir as one of the city’s key priorities following last week’s heavy rains.

In a news conference, after leading a cleanup drive in sitio Tambisan, Tisa, Archival said the city is combining continuous declogging operations, drainage maintenance, infrastructure planning, and stricter review of new developments to reduce flooding in vulnerable communities.

“The best solution that we can do is to acquire that lot and make that lot a reservoir where we can store excess water instead of allowing it to overflow into communities,” the mayor said. He explained that while clogged waterways contributed to the flooding, Cebu City also lacks sufficient areas where stormwater can temporarily accumulate before flowing downstream.

“When the rain came, the water became stagnant because garbage had clogged the waterways,” Archival said, noting that hundreds of sacks of waste were collected during the cleanup operations in Tisa and neighboring barangay Labangon.

The city has since launched a Massive Bayanihan Declogging Operation, mobilizing personnel from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), Department of Public Services (DPS), Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCenro), Cebu City Environment and Sanitation Enforcement Team (Ceset), barangay officials, emergency responders, volunteers, and residents.

The Cebu City Public Information Office said the coordinated effort aims to restore drainage systems, clear waterways, and improve water flow in floodprone communities. In areas inaccessible to heavy equipment, workers continue manual desilting and debris removal to ensure cleanup activities continue.

Peza, Oman target manufacturing, logistics links

By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) and Oman’s Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (Opaz) are exploring investment opportunities in manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceuticals and high-technology industries.

“We also have a group chat with security providers of every airport to ensure swift response to threats,” he added.

Cruz at the same time urged passengers to immediately report any suspicious activity or things at the airport.

“Once they notice anything suspicious, or an unattended bag, report these immediately so these can be resolved fast,” he added. Nonie Reyes with PNA

The discussions followed the Oman-Philippines Investment Forum in Makati City on July 26, where both sides explored opportunities to expand investment cooperation through their respective economic zones.

During the meeting, both sides identified food manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and consumer health, plastics and the circular economy, and high-technology and electronics as among the sectors with potential for stronger collaboration.