Based on the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) for fiscal year
The
trillion by the end of this year and will climb by 9.77 percent to reach P19.057 trillion by end-2026.
Of next year’s outstanding debt, domestic debt will reach P13.281 trillion, while external debt will grow to P5.775 trillion.
“Admittedly, our interest payments are increasing because we borrowed a lot during the pandemic. Our economy was closed,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremonial turnover of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for fiscal year 2026 on Wednesday. Currently, the government’s outstanding debt stands at a record-high of P17.27 trillion as of endJune 2025.
The country’s debt as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), jumped to 63.1 percent after the economy grew by 5.5 percent in the second quarter of this year.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is will eventually ease to 61.3 percent by the end of 2025, but will again slightly increase to 61.8 percent by end-2026, until it improves to 60.3 percent by the end-2028. Expectations of slower economic growth, weighed down by the United States’ tariff issues, will push
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio @blessogerio
ILOILO City—Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other lateadopting organizations can harness artificial intelligence (AI) to hurdle traditional growth barriers and compete with larger firms, startup leaders said. Speaking on the third day of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) AI Festival, Stratpoint Technologies chief executive officer Mary Rose dela Cruz said AI adoption has been accelerating worldwide.
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE House of Representa-
tives on Wednesday received the P6.793-trillion 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), with the leadership of the lower chamber announcing at least five reforms in the crafting and execution of next year’s national budget.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday called on lawmak-
ers to “swiftly enact” the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget, as Congress adjusted its legislative calendar to allow more thorough deliberations.
“I urge the honorable members of Congress to swiftly enact this budget. Let us work together to realize the full potential of our nation, nurture future-ready generations, and fulfill our dream of a Bagong Pilipinas,” Marcos said in the budget message.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said during the ceremonial turnover, which was wit-
nessed by House leaders and DBM officials, that the budget process must be “transparent, inclusive, and accountable to the people.”
“A budget is not just a spending plan—it is a mirror of our priorities and a measure of our accountability to the people. And because this is the people’s money, the process of crafting it must be transparent, inclusive, and worthy of public trust,” he said.
“That is why, beginning this year, the House will implement important reforms,” he added.
Romualdez outlined several re-
forms the House of Representatives will implement starting this year to promote transparency and public participation in the budget process. These include abolishing the “small committee” that previously consolidated institutional amendments after budget approval to ensure all changes are openly deliberated; opening House-Senate conference committee meetings on the budget to the public and the media; and inviting civil society groups, people’s organizations, and the private sector to actively
DEBT
TShe noted that the mass adoption of mobile technology in 2010 took about a decade, while AI, propelled by platforms such as ChatGPT, has shortened that curve to roughly three years.
“You can’t just take small steps. You need a big leap, a big step,” dela Cruz said in her plenary talk.
“Leapfrogging means skipping incremental steps and jumping directly to advanced solutions… AI enables late adopters to bypass years of catch-up work.” Her “leapfrog playbook” outlines five steps for organizations: reimagine customer
HERE should be no room for realignments in next year’s record P6.793-trillion proposed national budget, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), amid criticisms that this year’s budget is the “most corrupt” due to pork.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremonial turnover of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for fiscal year 2026, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman voiced her wish that lawmakers refrain from making any realignment to next year’s budget.
“As much as possible, we want them to stick to the budget,” Pangandaman said, adding that she still respects Congress’s wisdom, as they still have the authority to ap -
prove the budget.
Next year’s record P6.793-trillion national budget is higher by 7.4 percent than this year’s P6.326trillion budget.
After receiving P10.101 trillion in agency budget proposals, only 67.25 percent were accepted, considering the government’s available fiscal space.
“This ensures that even as we strengthen the economy and strive to achieve the nation’s full potential, we remain committed to reducing the budget deficit,” Pangandaman said in her speech during the turnover ceremony.
Aside from ensuring fiscal prudence, the budget is guarded by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally sat down with each government agency several times
to ask their concerns and needs and planned with them, according to Pangandaman.
In his recent State of the Nation Address, Marcos declared that he will not tolerate any provisions in the 2026 national budget that are not aligned with his administration’s priorities.
This year’s budget has been tagged by critics as the “most corrupt” in recent years, after insertions by lawmakers and cuts in priority sectors have been made.
Several critics argued that education was denied the highest budget allocation, while the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation was denied its annual subsidy.
Unprogrammed appropriations, which can only be used when there are excess revenue collections, new
revenue sources or through approved loans for foreign-assisted projects, are used and bloated by Congress to conceal pork barrel, according to public finance analyst Zyza Suzara.
To prevent this, unprogrammed appropriations for next year are proposed at P249.9 billion, down by 31.2 percent from this year’s P363.42 billion, based on the 2025 NEP.
“Our very hardworking officials, bureaus, services, and offices at the DBM, together with all the departments and agencies of the Executive branch, worked hand-in-hand to ensure the fulfillment of the needs and aspirations of the Filipino people,” Pangandaman added. Reine
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
the debt-to-GDP ratio slightly higher in 2026, according to DBM Assistant Secretary Romeo T. Balanquit.
Balanquit said this is “definitely manageable,” as other countries’ debt-to-GDP ratios are higher than that of the Philippines, such as Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.
“We are actually moving towards the upper middle-income category. We’re just a bit below the boundary. So you expect a country going towards that direction to be more aggressive in borrowing,” Balanquit said.
“By 2028, [the debt-to-GDP] is expected to reach P36 trillion. So, it’s okay to borrow if you expect that the country’s income will also increase,” he added.
However, the ratio will remain slightly above the internationally accepted threshold of 60 percent. Meanwhile, the government will settle a total of P2.005 trillion in domestic and foreign debts in 2026, a decrease of 2.38 percent from this year’s P2.054 trillion in debt servicing. The BESF showed P950 billion in interest payments and P1.055 trillion in amortization will be shelled out by the government next year.
In terms of debt sources, the bulk of the debt payments, or P1.596 trillion, will be disbursed to domestic creditors, while the remaining P408.794 billion will go to foreign lenders.
The government paid P768.109 billion for its debts in the first half of 2025, with interest payments eating up the lion’s share.
Marcos govt will accelerate spending for infra projects
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
INFRASTRUCTURE
spending will rise next year, as the government aims to fast-track development to support the country’s economic growth.
Based on the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) for fiscal year 2026, infrastructure disbursements will amount to P1.558 trillion next year, up by 3 percent from this year’s P1.512-trillion spending plan.
This will be equivalent to 5.1 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), lower than the 5.3 percent set for 2025 and 5.8 percent posted in 2024.
The government’s infrastructure spending also covers subsidies and equity provided to state-owned corporations, as well as transfers to local government units (LGUs).
“We are fast-tracking infrastructure development to create more livable communities, modernize transportation systems and address long-standing challenges,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his budget message.
The administration’s agenda will be
supported by Marcos Jr.’s infrastructure program dubbed as the “Build Better More (BBM) Program,” which will receive P1.556 trillion in 2026.
The allocation for the BBM Program represents 5 percent of the country’s GDP, aligned with the target infrastructure spending.
The main agencies implementing the infrastructure programs and projects, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), will be allotted P881.3 billion and P197.3 billion, respectively, next year.
Meanwhile, the government will prioritize 54 infrastructure flagship projects in 2026, such as the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project (P27.9 billion); Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project (P22.9 billion); Phase IV of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improve-
ment Project (P7.4 billion); Samal Island-Davao City Connector Project (P4.8 billion); and Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road Construction Project (P3.7 billion).
For public transportation, the Rail Transport Program will be given P124.1 billion to fund key rail transport projects, such as the North-South Commuter Railway System and Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I.
The DOTr’s Public Transport Modernization Program will also receive P1.2 billion, while the P1.7 billion will be earmarked for the establishment of a modern public bus transport system in Davao City.
About P6.2 billion will be allotted to the DOTr’s Aviation Infrastructure Program to develop airports nationwide, while the Maritime Infrastructure Program will receive P8.5 billion to finance the improvement of coastal areas
and maritime territories.
Another P3.8 billion will be added to the DOTr’s budget to construct the New Cebu International Container Port Project, another IFP under the Build Better More program, to increase the cargo capacity and holding of the port in Cebu.
Infrastructure spending slowed in the first five months of 2025, weighed down by a temporary halt in public disbursements during the midterm elections.
Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed infrastructure disbursements slowed to P557.8 billion, down by 0.9 percent from P562.6 billion a year ago.
This was dragged by the “temporary and unintended” effects of the public spending ban during the election season, particularly in April and May, the DBM said.
188 economies in the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index by Oxford Insights, up from 65th the year before.
value, digitize operations, build a data- and AI-friendly culture, partner with ecosystem leaders, and start with small-scale projects that can be expanded.
While citing the potential of AI, dela Cruz acknowledged challenges on accuracy, security and privacy, adding that “accuracy and performance of AI solutions improve through time.”
For her part, Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA) founding board member Ann Marie Dizon said the technology could help narrow the gap between MSMEs and bigger competitors, especially in marketing and operations.
“The game has changed—but the rules are still written by big players. The budget gap between big brands and us hasn’t changed. What’s changed is how we can compete—and AI is the lever,” Dizon said in her speech.
AI tools, she said, can provide smaller businesses with access to the speed and data capabilities of larger firms, provided they adopt the technology strategically.
PAIBA’s AI Maturity Roadmap guides businesses from basic awareness to full integration, culminating in AI-driven advantage.
The model starts with foundational exposure and pilot programs, moves toward embedding AI into daily workflows and progresses to scaling its use and enabling global competitiveness.
Data from National University’s AI Statistics and Trends 2025 showed that 83 percent of companies globally consider AI a top business priority, with 77 percent already using or exploring the technology.
In the Philippines, AI adoption stood at 14.9 percent of businesses as of 2021, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
The country ranked 56th out of
Government agencies have been rolling out national AI strategies and roadmaps to advance digital ambitions and address emerging socio-economic and technological disruptions.
For instance, the Department of Trade and Industry launched the National AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0 in 2024, building on the first roadmap issued in 2021 to promote inclusive AI innovation and boost industry growth.
Festival THE country’s first artificial intelligence (AI) festival aims to serve as an introduction for Filipinos to the ethical and secure use of the technology, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said last Monday.
The three-day AI Festival, which began last August 11 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, carries the theme “Coding a Better Future: Responsible AI for Cities and Communities.”
Solidum said the event supports the National AI Strategy launched in May, aimed at boosting AI adoption in key sectors while preventing misuse.
“We should not be afraid of it [AI]. We should see it as a new tool—just like the internet, it revolutionized the way we do things,” Solidum said on the sidelines of the event opening.
Moreover, the science chief noted that AI can help from raising productivity to enhancing quality of life. “Our mission is to use science and technology for the economic and social benefit of our people,” he said.
Government data showed that from 2017 to 2025, DOST allocated about P2.3 billion to 113 AI research and development projects.
In June, Solidum said the agency plans to invest an additional P2.6 billion in AI initiatives.
participate in budget hearings. The chamber will also strengthen its oversight function by requiring timely reports from agencies and enabling real-time tracking of major projects. In terms of spending priorities, Romualdez said the House will focus on investments in agriculture for food security, infrastructure for connectivity and jobs, education, healthcare, and defense and disaster preparedness.
“If it’s the people’s money we’re talking about, then the people should also be informed,” he said.
The 2026 NEP, equivalent to 22 percent of GDP, is 7.4 percent higher than this year’s P6.326-trillion budget, with bigger allocations for education, healthcare, social protection, and food security. It is anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s long-term vision for a Bagong Pilipinas.
“In the coming weeks, we will review every page of this NEP guided by one question: ‘Will this benefit our fellow citizens?’ If yes, we will support it. If not, we will work to improve it. A budget the people can trust is a government the people can believe in,” he added.
The lower chamber will start the budget deliberations on August 18. He pointed out that the presentation of the NEP by the executive branch to Congress “is not just a formality. It is the first step in shaping how our government will serve the Filipino people in the year ahead.”
“[The NEP] is the government’s plan to make the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas real—roads that connect communities, markets where food is affordable, schools that open doors to opportunity, hospitals that save lives, and safe, secure communities for every Filipino,” the Speaker said. He added, “A budget is not just a spending plan—it is a mirror of our priorities and a measure of our accountability to the people. And because this is the people’s money, the process of crafting it must be transparent, inclusive, and worthy of public trust.”
Framed under the theme
“Agenda for Prosperity: Nurturing FutureReady Generations to Achieve the Full Potential of the Nation,” next year’s spending plan is anchored on the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the long-term vision of the Marcos administration.
Calendar adjustment
HOUSE Committee on Appropriations Chairperson Mika Suansing said the Senate Committee on Finance, led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, agreed to the House’s request to amend the legislative calendar to give lawmakers more time to study the NEP.
“More time means a better budget for every Filipino. This extension allows us to cover more ground, invite more resource persons, and scrutinize every department’s proposal with the diligence it deserves,” Suansing said. Under the revised schedule, the October adjournment will be moved from the 3rd to the 11th, with extended sessions ahead of Christmas and summer breaks. The adjustment, embodied in House Concurrent Resolution No. 4 filed by House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos and House Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, aims to maximize deliberations and maintain focus on the budget.
Suansing announced that budget hearings will start earlier than usual, beginning with the Development Budget and Coordination Committee [DBCC] deliberations on Monday. She assured that the process will be “transparent, participatory, and results-oriented.”
“On Monday [August 18], the House Committee on Appropriations will begin its work in earnest as we open the Development Budget and Coordination Committee (DBCC) deliberations on the proposed 2026 NEP,” Suansing announced.
“Now that the NEP has been submitted to the House, we want to hit the ground running and begin deliberations with DBCC at the soonest time possible. Monday will mark the start of the hard work that gives life to the numbers on paper,” she said.
Education, infrastructure, healthcare get biggest share in proposed ₧6.793-T ’26 national budget
IBy Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
N line with the constitutional mandate, the education sector will receive substantial funding, including P928.5 billion for the Department of Education (DepEd)—an 18.7 percent increase from the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA); P134.9 billion for State Universities and Colleges; P33.9 billion for the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); and P20.2 billion for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
“While we have always met the constitutional mandate to assign the highest budgetary priority to education. I am proud to announce today that for the first time, the budget for basic and higher education has been increased monumentally to meet Unesco’s [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] recommended education spending target of at least 4.0 percent of the country’s GDP,” said Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman during the turnover ceremony to the House of Representatives.
“At P1.224 trillion, or about 16.6 percent of the proposed budget, this also meets the requirement of the Unesco Education 2030 Framework to allocate 15 to 20 percent of total public expenditure to education, even exceeding the global average of 14.2 percent,” she added.
The government assistance and subsidies under DepEd will receive P41.1 billion to benefit 989,471 learners next year.
Infrastructure, transportation
THE Build Better More program will receive P1.556 trillion in 2026, which is 5.0 percent of GDP, aligned with the target infrastructure spending of 5.0 to 6.0 percent of GDP.
Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing, chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, in an interview explained that infrastructure projects for the education sector, such as the construction of classrooms, will be included in the overall infrastructure allocation.
In addition, Budget Assistant Secretary Romeo Matthew T. Balanquit in a separate interview, clarified that the infrastructure
Tallocation does not violate the constitutional provision that gives top priority to education.
He explained that under the National Tax Allotment (NTA) for local governments, there is an agreement that 20 percent should be earmarked for capital outlays, which is counted as part of infrastructure spending.
Balanquit noted that the inclusion of NTA-funded infrastructure projects undertaken by local governments caused the total infrastructure budget to rise by P1.5 trillion.
He stressed that when comparing education and infrastructure budgets, the figures should focus on national allocations. “If you only count DPWH and DOTr allocations for infrastructure, it is still smaller than the total budget for the entire education sector,” Balanquit said.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation (DOTr)—as the main agencies that will implement infrastructure programs and projects—will receive P881.3 billion and P197.3 billion, respectively.
For 2026, priority will be given to 54 Infrastructure Flagship Projects (IFPs), which include the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project (P27.9 billion), Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project (P22.9 billion), Phase IV of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (P7.4 billion), Samal Island–Davao City Connector Project (P4.8 billion), and the Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road Construction Project (P3.7 billion).
To address the urgent need for long-term flood regulation and control, P235.1 billion will be allocated to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for its Flood Management Program. In addition, P2.6 billion will be provided for the Metropolitan Manila Flood Control Program to operate and maintain pumping stations, improve the Pasig River’s conveyance capacity, and upgrade the Effective Flood Control Operation System—facilitating faster flood recession and enhancing flood monitoring capabilities.
For 2026, the transportation sector will receive P197.3 billion. The Rail Transport Program will take the largest share with P124.1
billion, funding key projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway System (P76.1 billion) and the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I (P45.4 billion). The Department of DOTr Public Transport Modernization Program will be allotted P1.2 billion to help public utility vehicle operators and drivers upgrade to safer, more eco-friendly units.
Meanwhile, the Land Public Transportation Program will receive P5.7 billion, with P1.7 billion dedicated to establishing a modern public bus transport system in Davao City.
Aviation infrastructure will get P6.2 billion for the development of airports nationwide. Maritime infrastructure will be allotted P8.5 billion to improve safety in coastal areas and maritime territories.
Cargo Infrastructure will receive P3.8 billion for the construction of the New Cebu International Container Port Project—an Infrastructure Flagship Project under the Build Better More program— aimed at increasing the port’s cargo capacity and handling efficiency.
Basic infrastructure will be funded with P16.5 billion under the Basic Infrastructure Program (BIP) for the construction of roads and bridges leading to public facilities.
Health
TO fulfill the commitment to provide universal health care for all Filipinos, the Department of Health (DOH)—including Specialty Hospitals and PhilHealth—will receive the third-largest budget allocation at P320.5 billion, representing a 5.6 percent increase from the FY 2025 NEP.
The National Health Insurance Program is allocated P53.3 billion to strengthen pooled health financing systems, expand public subsidies, streamline insurance contributions, and reduce out-ofpocket expenses, especially for the poor and vulnerable.
DOH hospitals in Metro Manila will receive P27.7 billion in 2026, marking a 20.2 percent increase from last year’s P23.1 billion allocation. Separately, the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) will be allotted P7.2 billion to support its operations and facility upgrades. This funding will also allow PGH to strengthen its workforce by filling 1,224 newly created positions
and expanding its bed capacity and medical services.
In 2026, the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (Bucas) centers nationwide will receive a total of P1.1 billion, ensuring that Filipinos—particularly indigent patients—have access to essential ambulatory medical and surgical services.
Defense
I N line with the government’s commitment to safeguard national sovereignty, the defense sector will be allocated a total of P430.9 billion for FY 2026, with P299.3 billion earmarked for the Department of National Defense (DND) and its attached agencies.
The Armed Forces (AFP) will receive P286.9 billion—an 8.6 percent increase from its P264.2 billion allocation in FY 2025. This includes funding for the Army (P142.1 billion), Navy (P59.4 billion), and Air Force (P59.1 billion).
The Coast Guard (PCG) will be allotted P35.4 billion, up 6.4 percent from the previous year’s P33.3 billion, to strengthen maritime search and rescue operations and support the acquisition and restoration of watercraft and rescue vessels.
The Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) will receive P8.1 billion—a 314.4 percent increase from the P2.0 billion allocation in FY 2025.
Meanwhile, the National Police (PNP) will be allocated P210.1 billion to meet key operational and logistical requirements.
Agriculture
TO boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security, P239.2 billion will be allocated to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies.
In 2026, a total of P256.5 billion will be allocated to strengthen the agriculture sector. Of this amount, P153.9 billion will go to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies, P45.1 billion to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and P17.4 billion to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), among others.
To advance rice self-sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) National Rice Program (NRP) will receive P29.9 billion
that the victim fired at them first.
in 2026—a 37.8 percent increase from the P21.7 billion budget in 2025. Through the NRP, the DA will provide fertilizers via its Fertilizer Assistance Program, along with quality inbred and hybrid rice seeds to help local farmers boost crop yields.
In addition, P30.0 billion will be allotted to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to support the modernization of farm machinery and equipment, the development of rice seeds, the expansion of credit assistance, and the provision of rice extension services, among others.
The DA’s Rice for All Program— including the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” initiative—will be allocated P10 billion to widen access to affordable rice from both importers and local traders in public markets and KADIWA sites.
Social welfare IN 2026, the government will allocate P227.0 billion to the social services sector under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, reaffirming its steadfast commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
As the flagship program for poverty reduction and human capital investment, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will receive P113.0 billion to provide financial and social assistance aimed at improving the quality of life for 4.4 million marginalized household beneficiaries.
To support food-poor Filipino families, the Walang Gutom 2027: Food STAMP Program will be allotted P1.9 billion, benefiting 50,000 qualified households.
The Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens will be funded with P49.8 billion to provide a monthly pension of P1,000 to 4,085,066 senior citizens nationwide. Meanwhile, the Expanded Centenarian Act will receive P3.3 billion to grant cash gifts ranging from P10,000 to P100,000 to Filipinos reaching the milestone ages of 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years, in recognition of their lifetime contributions to nation-building.
Local govt, Judiciary TO strengthen peace and order, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will receive P287.5 billion, while the Judiciary will be allocated P67.9
billion to improve the administration of justice.
The DOJ will work to ensure the swift and reliable delivery of justice through its Law Enforcement Program (P8.4 billion), Public Legal Assistance Program (P5.9 billion), and Crime Detection and Investigation Program (P2.0 billion).
For the Judiciary, P32.4 billion will be allotted to the Supreme Court, P1.6 billion to the Court of Appeals, P710 million to the Sandiganbayan, and P306 million to the Court of Tax Appeals. In addition, P5.2 billion will support the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, aimed at creating a more timely, transparent, and technologically driven judicial system.
Labor
TH E administration’s employment and livelihood initiatives align with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 goals of improving job quality, developing a skilled workforce, and strengthening income-earning capacity—especially for youth, informal workers, and vulnerable sectors. For 2026, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) will have a budget of P45.0 billion.
To create early employment opportunities and build the longterm productivity of Filipino youth, P848 million will be allocated to the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).
The Government Internship Program (GIP), aimed at giving young graduates hands-on experience in government, will receive P1.1 billion—up 17.8 percent from last year’s P943 million allocation.
The Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (Tupad) Program will be allotted P11.0 billion to provide emergency short-term employment to workers affected by economic displacement, disasters, or seasonal work gaps. Meanwhile, the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) will get P2.2 billion to provide start-up capital, training, and equipment for individuals and groups establishing microenterprises.
The House is expected to begin budget deliberations on August 18, aiming to pass the 2026 General Appropriations Act before the year ends.
By Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
HE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has filed murder charges against seven policemen in connection with the fatal shooting of a member of a tribal community in Nagtipunan, Quirino on May 28. Charged before the Provincial Prosecutor of Quirino were policemen Fernando Manayod, Jorey Cumahling, Jimboy Irang, Delmar Salvador, Allan Fiad-Ong, Jonathan
Limmong and Raymond Littuco. The seven policemen were accused of shooting to death Jim White, a member of the Bugkalot-Ilongot Indigenous Cultural Community in Quirino province. White, according to the NBI- Bayombong District Office (NBI-Baydo), had previously reached a tribal-mediated amicable settlement in his pending criminal cases. During the proceedings, the parties agreed to issue an affidavit of desistance and for White’s voluntary surrender scheduled on May 29.
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday announced the arrest of eight Chinese nationals in a raid on an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming
Santiago said the eight Chinese citizens, six of then males, were arrested on Tuesday by agents of the NBI—Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI Semro XI) inside a residential property on Gardenia
The NBI said the National Police (PNP) Provincial Director of Quirino was aware of such tribal arrangement.
However, a day before the scheduled surrender, police operatives allegedly staged an ambush-style operation along a remote uphill trail, resulting in White’s death.
The NBI said its investigation showed that all bullet entry wounds were on White’s back, indicating that he was shot while defenseless.
This contradicted the policemen’s claim
The NBI also conducted an on-site investigation where the crime happened and concluded that the killing was carried out with treachery.
This prompted the filing of murder charges against the said policemen on August 5.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago commended the NBI-Baydo for its speedy investigation of the incident, while reminding law enforcers that no one is above the law—“not even those sworn to enforce it.”
THE Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday took delivery of five more brandnew S-70i “Black Hawk” helicopters further bolstering its capabilities.
“The new helicopters are now in service following the acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremonies held at Haribon Hangar, Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Wednesday,” the Air Force spokesperson, Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, said. The ceremony was presided over by the Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, she added.
“The helicopters, which arrived in the Philippines on July 15, form part of the 32-unit acquisition under a direct contract with Poland’s PZL Mielec through the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Army commander affirms commitment to CADC
THE Army (PA) commander, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, has affirmed the service’s commitment to the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) during a courtesy call with Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. earlier this week.
In a news release on Wednesday, the Army spokesman, Col. Louie Demaala, said the meeting took place at the Department of National Defense building
in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on August 11.
“During the call, the Army chief discussed the PA’s role in the CADC as it embarks on its continued modernization and transformation thrusts,” Dema-ala said.
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See “Black Hawk,”
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Thursday, August 14, 2025
High corporate standards thrust SM Group to top Asean tier
OFFICALS of the SM Group of companies have attributed their success at the recent Asean Capital Market Forum (ACMF), where three SM firms reaped top awards, to the group’s commitment to high standards in corporate governance.
SM Investments Corporation, its property
arm SM Prime Holdings Inc., and banking arm Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. made it to the ACMF’s Top 5 Publicly Listed Companies in the Philippines and Top 50 Publicly Listed Companies in the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in ceremonies held in Kuala Lumpur recently.
The awards are given based on the Asean Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) devised by the ACMF to assess and rank publicly listed companies based on their corporate governance practices.
The assessment covers areas like shareholder rights, stakeholder relationships, transparency, board responsibilities, and a new focus on sustainability and resilience.
Frederic C. Dybuncio, president and chief executive officer of SM Investments, said SM Group adheres to the highest global standards of corporate governance in order to build trust and deliver sustainable outcomes for stakeholders and the communities it serves.
“This year’s awards is a recognition of that commitment,” affirmed SM Prime Holdings president Jeffrey C. Lim, also pointing out that good governance is essential to the creation of long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders alike.
BDO Unibank president Nestor V. Tan also said that the same commitment to high corporate governance standards “forms our policy.”
This year’s awards were a repeat for SM Investments and SM Prime to be listed among the Top Five in the Philippine Asset Class and the Top 20 ASEAN Publicly Listed Companies. Said companies won the same awards in 2022.
BDO, meanwhile, earned the distinction this year as the only Philippine bank to receive recognition from the ACMF.
Another financial institution under the SM Group, China Banking Corporation (Chinabank), was named ASEAN Asset Class of Publicly Listed Companies, underscoring a feat given only to firms that have achieved consistently high scores in the ACGS. Romeo D. Uyan Jr., president and CEO of Chinabank, said their operation goes beyond mere compliance to banking rules and regulations. “Observance of the highest ethical standards is an integral part of our culture,” he said.
A total of 569 publicly listed companies in the ASEAN were evaluated for the awards, with the evaluation conducted at local and regional levels, and based on information culled from annual reports, corporate websites, and corporate governance policies, among others.
Six Asean countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—participate in the awards that that started in 2011 under the ASEAN Corporate Governance Initiative undertaken under the auspices of the Asian Development Bank. Henry Empeño
DOTr starts crackdown on beep card scalpers
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
THE Department of Transportation has started a crackdown on individuals and groups that purchase rail transport beep cards for resale, at a higher price, to commuters.
Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon said the department is working with the National Police (PNP) and the Special Action for Intelligence and Communication Technology to monitor stations and apprehend individuals hoarding the cards.
“Mayroong mga sindikato na namimili sa mga istasyon [There is a syndicate that buys the cards at rail stations]. We are coordinating with the PNP and SAICT. Babantayan namin ang bawat istasyon para mahuli itong mga loko-lokong ito [We will monitor every station to catch these unscrupulous individuals]. Ipapahuli at ipapakulong natin sila [We will arrest and jail them],” Dizon said. He added that the agency will also coordinate with online selling
platforms to shut down groups involved in the illicit trade.
At the same time, rail commuters in Metro Manila are poised to see relief from months of beep card shortages as 300,000 additional regular cards are set for distribution next week across the country’s train lines.
Dizon said new supply is expected to eliminate the computed deficit in card availability, which has left passengers queueing for long periods and pushed some to pay inflated prices on the black market.
“By next week, wala na tayong shortage ng Beep Cards. Beep Card will be completing a delivery of 300,000 additional cards across MRT-3, LRT-1 at LRT-2. Iyon ang nacompute nating shortage,” he said.
The shortage of beep cards— used for cashless fare payments on the capital’s overhead rail lines—emerged earlier this year, prompting complaints from daily commuters who were forced to line up for single-journey tickets, adding to travel time and congestion at stations.
Alongside the regular card rollout, the department will begin issuing personalized white beep cards for students starting September.
These will automatically apply the 50-percent fare discount, removing the need for students to queue for separate concession tickets. Valid for one year and renewable every school year, the personalized cards will be printed on the spot at any station upon presentation of a school ID.
“Kabilin-bilinan ng Pangulo na dapat ang biyahe ng ating mga studyante ay mabilis at convenient para hindi sila nale -late sa klase. Starting September, hindi na sila mahihirapan,” Dizon said.
Similar white beep cards are already available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and processing time for new cards will be cut from as long as seven days to same-day issuance at ticket counters.
PHL, Canada forge agri pact
Twww.businessmirror.com.ph
Concrete prices pull down July Metro Manila construction costs
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
METRO Manila’s wholesale prices of construction materials grew at a slower pace in July 2025 as concrete product prices registered a year-on-year drop, a data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shows.
The Construction Materials Wholesale Price Index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region rose by 0.3 percent in July, easing from 0.4 percent in June and from 0.5 percent in the same month last year.
The slight contraction was mainly driven by the heavily weighted concrete products index, which posted a 0.6 percent decrease in July from a 0.4 percent annual increase in June.
Other commodity groups also posted slower annual increments compared with the previous month.
Tileworks rose 1.2 percent from 1.7 percent; doors, jambs, and steel casement inched up 0.5 percent from 0.6 percent; electrical works
grew 0.3 percent from 0.5 percent; and plumbing fixtures and accessories or waterworks climbed 0.5 percent from 0.6 percent.
On one hand, the sand and gravel index recorded a flat growth rate in July, down from 0.6 percent in June.
Metal products, as well as glass and glass products, registered a slower annual decrease of 0.1 percent each from zero percent in the previous month.
Some categories posted higher annual increments, including lumber at 1.2 percent from 1.1 percent, G.I. sheet at 1.3 percent from 0.4 percent, and painting works at 1.1 percent from 0.9 percent.
Meanwhile, slower annual drops were noted for cement at -1.2 percent from -1.5 percent, reinforcing steel at -0.7 percent from -0.9 percent, structural steel at -1.9 percent from -2.2 percent, and fuels and lubricants at -3 percent from -3.4 percent. The PSA said the CMWPI tracks wholesale price movements of construction materials typically purchased by large-scale contractors.
Aurora ecozone starts construction, rehabilitation of roads, power infras
By Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan
Cwhen investors ask, ‘Is Apeco ready?’—the answer will be a confident ‘Yes’,” Taway noted.
The Casiguran-based investment promotion agency pointed out that for decades, Casiguran and Apeco have “struggled” with the lack of reliable electricity, which became a “barrier” for high-value industries.
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Philippines and Canada have forged an agreement as part of efforts to boost farmers’ productivity amid a growing bilateral agri-fishery trade.
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) signed a joint statement on technical collaboration, which focuses on plant health, capacity building, scientific and regulatory advancement, and the exchange of innovations aimed at enhancing farmers’ efficiency.
This forms part of the two nations’ reaffirmed commitment to bolster agriculture cooperation after the meeting between Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath Macdonald.
During the meeting, both leaders underscored the growing bilateral agri-fishery trade that reached a total of $2.39 billion between 2020 and 2024.
In particular, the DA chief stressed the increasing trade momentum, with total agricultural
trade rising to a peak of $568 million in 2022 from $327 million in 2020.
Vital partner
“CANADA remains a vital partner in supporting our vision for a more globally competitive agriculture sector,” Laurel said.
He noted that the country’s agri-fishery exports to Canada grew to $148 million in 2024, which he said was the strongest performance in five years, from $109 million in 2020.
“The visit signified a pivotal step forward in bolstering Philippine-Canada agri-relations, aiming not only to enhance trade but also to empower farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers across both nations.”
Meanwhile, the meeting also tackled areas of mutual interest such as high-value crops, African swine fever (ASF) response, food security, and free trade negotiations.
The ministers discussed the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks and raised the prospect of a bilateral FTA to broaden market access and diversification.
Trade talks
EARLIER, MacDonald said that the uncertainty created by Washington’s tariff policy presents opportunities for other countries
Street, Montclair Highlands Subdivision, where the Pogo hub was found.
Seized from the site were personal computers and several mobile phones, all utilized to facilitate the prohibited gaming operations, the NBI said. The suspects are facing charges of violations of Presidential Decree 1602 (AntiIllegal Gambling Act); Republic Act 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act); and RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act).
“It’s giving us an opportunity to come together as countries and do more. We’re seeing that we need to diversify, and we can’t depend on partners that we can’t trust,” he told reporters in a previous interview.
“So, we need to develop relationships in other countries, and this is what we’re doing. Canada can be a trusted partner in trade.”
Such opportunities from Washington’s new tariff policy could also extend to the FTA between both nations, according to David Hartman, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines.
“I would be quite surprised, frankly, if recent geopolitical developments don’t potentially accelerate our ability to look at this area,” Hartman said in the same briefing.
While no formal negotiations for the Philippines-Canada FTA have been launched, he noted that talks for the Asean-Canada FTA could fast-track negotiations for a bilateral trade deal between the two countries.
“We are looking to conclude that at the most expedient pace possible and then immediately work successively with our bilateral relationship with the Philippines,” Hartman said.
ASIGURAN-BASED investment promotion agency Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Zone Authority (Apeco) has started the construction and rehabilitation of six key infrastructure projects in energy, road and tourism worth nearly P416 million.
In a statement, Apeco said it broke ground on August 12 projects which include: the P290-million Underground Power Distribution Line (UPDL) Phases 3&4; P43-million four-lane Apeco Central Expressway; P42.42million Spine Road Phase 3 Apeco Perimeter Road; P10.28-million Esteves to Binaoan Gate Road Expansion; P10-million Coastal Slope Protection with Road Construction Phases 1&2; and the P20-million rehabilitation of the JPEC Beachfront Villas, soon to be the New Apeco Villas.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Apeco President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway IV said these projects will serve as the “backbone” of the Casiguran-based economic zone, positioning Apeco as an “investment-ready” ecozone for future investors.
Apeco said these new projects are on top of the nearly P800-million “abandoned” projects, which it said are either completed and inaugurated or undergoing construction activities.
Apeco indicated in its statement that the groundbreaking of key projects came after the Casiguran-based investment promotion agency looked into its annual budget through a review of its programs and projects since 2007—findings savings to fund its infrastructure projects.
Taway highlighted the importance of “responsible use” of public funds to ensure transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in achieving its goals.
“The new UPDL projects will not only stabilize supply but also prepare the ecozone to receive renewable energy projects from future Apeco locators as well as committed power deliveries from energy companies in coordination with the Department of Energy,” Apeco explained.
For the Underground Power Distribution Line (UPDL), the groundbreaking of Phases 3 and 4 of this project was spearheaded by National Electrification Administration (NEA) Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda, who Apeco noted is “one of the first national government agency officials who visited Apeco’s headquarters in Casiguran.” Almeda said “The groundbreaking of the UPDL Phases 3 and 4 of the underground power distribution line is not just a construction project—it is the symbol of our unwavering dedication to support long-term progress in Casiguran, Aurora.”
He also noted that the UPDL project is a “cornerstone” in developing the Casiguranbased ecozone into a “storm-resilient and future-ready” ecozone, “where the power system is both efficient and climateadaptive.”
In its statement, Apeco said expanded and upgraded road networks will improve logistics efficiency, enabling the transport of raw materials, containerized goods, and even oversized cargoes.
“These upgrades are designed to position Apeco as a future transshipment hub for the country, taking advantage of its strategic location of facing the Pacific Ocean,” added Apeco.
Further, idle tourism assets are also being revived under the Apeco Tourism Properties Unit.
Meanwhile, in a separate case the NBI said three women were rescued from a human trafficking operation at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport also in Davao City. The victims were allegedly recruited by a certain “Lalang” and a certain “Yolly” for supposed employment as entertainers in Singapore.
They were booked on a Scoot Airlines flight from Davao to Singapore but were offloaded due to incomplete/improper travel documents. Joel R. San Juan with PNA
“The NBI Semro XI noted an emerging pattern in illegal Pogo activities: operators have begun splitting into smaller groups and moving into residential areas to avoid detection following the nationwide crackdown. This strategic shift underscores the need for constant community vigilance and rapid law enforcement response,” the NBI said.
The Apeco chief added: “These projects are more than concrete, steel, and cables. They are the physical proof of Bagong Apeco, which is a vision of a modern, inclusive, and sustainable economic zone that works not only for locators but also serves the people of Aurora. We are laying the foundations so that
Modernization Program. The first batch of five helicopters arrived on June 10, 2024, followed by another five on December 9, 2024,” Castillo said. Each delivery underwent a stringent Technical Inspection and Acceptance (TIA) process conducted by the Department of National Defense, Armed Forces, and PAF to ensure compliance with operational standards and specifications.
“The renovation and upgrade of the New Apeco Villas will transform a previously abandoned facility into a revenue-generating hospitality property,” the investment promotion agency added.
These helicopters will be operated and maintained by the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing under the Air Mobility Command. The S-70i “Black Hawk” helicopters are known for their versatility, speed, and reliability in a wide range of missions. With this latest addition, the PAF further strengthens its capacity to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, troop and cargo transport, and other missions critical to national security and development, the Air Force statement said. Rex Anthony Naval
‘Worst in the world’ waste management system worsens Metro Manila flooding, lawmakers say
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz @joveemarie
LAWMAKERS on Wednesday warned that Metro Manila’s flooding problem will persist unless its “worst in the world” solid waste management system is fixed, identifying garbage as the primary cause.
At a House Committee on Public Accounts briefing, Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice lamented that around 1.8 million tons of garbage go uncollected annually in Metro Manila, ending up in
Govt
expands
₧20
rice program to cover 5 million rice farmers and farm workers
By Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
THE government’s P20 rice program is now available for rice farmers and farm workers in 18 National Food Authority (NFA) warehouses.
Citing data from the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said around five million rice farmers and workers will qualify once the program is fully rolled out.
“This is one of the many steps we are taking to ease the burden of those who feed our nation and help secure our food supply,” Laurel said.
Under this initiative, eligible rice farmers, such as those tilling less than two hectares and registered farm workers under the RSBSA, can now purchase rice at P20 per kilo.
They can buy up to 10 kilos monthly or a 50-kilo sack to cover their allocation from August to December 2025.
Kadiwa and Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) booths will be set up in NFA warehouses to distribute the cheaper rice, sourced from palay purchased by the grains agency from Filipino farmers.
Meanwhile, Laurel also confirmed that the program will soon expand to include 2.8 million RSBSA-registered fisherfolk.
“The government’s initiative will also be set up in other parts of the country,” he added.
Previously, the P20 rice program was limited to senior citizens, solo parents, PWDs, 4Ps beneficiaries, and later minimum wage earners.
However, the agency said the subsidized rice initiative is now set to widen its sectoral coverage.
President Marcos has ordered the Department of Agriculture (DA) to scale up the program to reach around 15 million households or 60 million Filipinos by 2026.
The government is aiming to sustain the cheaper rice initiative through the end of Marcos’s term in June 2028.
The President has earmarked an P18 billion budget for the 2026 rollout, on top of a proposed P9 billion NFA palay procurement budget for 2025.
waterways.
He stressed that discipline among residents can only be achieved if a proper waste management system is in place.
“If your house is only 10 square meters and no garbage truck passes by for a week, where will you put your trash? You’ll be forced to throw it—into the river, onto the street—which will eventually end up in the drainage and, ultimately, in the waterways. That’s why this is a systemic problem,” Erice pointed out.
Citing a 2020 Bloomberg report, he noted the Philippines contributes 34.7% of the plastic waste in the world’s oceans, far exceeding other countries. Metro
Manila produces 11,000 tons of waste daily, yet only 30% to 40% is collected.
Erice alleged that garbage collection is monopolized by contractors who also own the dump sites, undermining efficiency. He also criticized the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for suspending dredging operations for a decade, allegedly due to corruption.
He proposed dredging all waterways, requiring mayors to ensure garbage removal, and dismantling structures built over natural waterways—measures he said could cut flood duration from three hours to 30 minutes.
Erice also urged the Metro -
politan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to break the landfill monopoly and open bidding for modern waste-to-energy and engineered landfill projects.
Rizal Rep. Jojo Garcia, a former MMDA general manager, echoed that garbage is the main culprit. He urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to order barangays nationwide to clear waterways, citing his own town’s success in reducing floods through such efforts.
Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo shared that his city minimized flooding by clearing riverbanks of informal settlers, expanding river capacity, constructing flood protection walls, and building interceptor channels and water impounding structures. He credited the Upper Wawa Dam for holding up to 20 million cubic meters of rainwater from the Sierra Madre, preventing overflow to Marikina and downstream areas.
Quimbo suggested pushing the proposed Triple Dam in the Sierra Madre as a long-term flood control solution for Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The briefing, led by committee Chair Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, forms part of the House’s response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to eliminate corruption, substandard work, and “ghost” projects in flood control initiatives.
DMW seeks ₧2-B budget increase to enhance services for OFWs in ‘26
By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla
WITH its growing workforce and infrastructure requirements, as well as expanded reintegration services for overseas Filipino workers (OFW), the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is seeking a P2-billion increase in its proposed budget next year.
Based on the President’s Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2026, the Marcos administration has requested Congress to grant DMW a P10.2 billion budget next year. This was higher compared to the agency’s proposed P8.5 billion budget under the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and its enacted P8.08 billion budget under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The NEP is the proposed budget of the Executive Branch of the government, which it submits to Congress and used as the basis
for the crafting of the GAA for fiscal year.
In a Viber message, DMW Undersecretary for Finance and Internal Management Dominique R. Tutay told the BusinessMirror that most of the increase will be used to pay for their additional personnel.
“Our personnel complement currently is at about 1,400 from the previous 800,” she said.
DMW, which only became operational in 2022, still has around 500 vacancies.
“This includes the residuals of about 200 which cannot be filled easily due to validation of appointments,” Tutay said.
The proposed additional funds, she said, will also be used to finance the capital outlay of DMW’s attached agencies, namely the National Maritime Polytechnic and the OFW Hospital in Pampanga as well as their efforts to increase the beneficiaries of their reintegration programs.
Governance, redesigned pedagogy key to unlock AI promise–experts
IBy Bless Aubrey Ogerio
LOILO CITY—Artificial intelligence (AI) will only deliver its full benefits to Filipinos if supported by strong governance, inclusive access and a shift in how schools prepare students to work with the technology, university experts said.
Speaking on the second day of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) AI Festival, De La Salle University professor Benito Teehankee said AI should be developed and implemented in line with the country’s constitutional vision.
“We have to ask ourselves how businesses can use AI in a way that provides benefits for all stakeholders and also helps sustain the environment,” Teehankee said in his plenary talk, noting that governance should account for AI’s capacity to make decisions independently.
He added that well-governed AI could improve organizational efficiency and support human flourishing, but stressed that its use must ultimately make people “more human.”
Using the metaphor of a flower, he said human development requires not only meeting survival needs but also creating opportunities for growth. Mindful oversight of the AI “pipeline,” he added, can ensure the technology contributes to both society and the economy. While the Philippines aspires to
join the ranks of upper middle-income economies, it has yet to pass legally binding regulations for AI. Government agencies, for their part, have released national strategies and roadmaps to advance digital ambitions and respond to emerging socio-economic and technological disruptions.
On one hand, Ateneo Intellectual Property Office director Proceso “Jon” Fernandez stressed the need to redesign pedagogy in response to AI’s growing role in daily life.
Talking in the context of AI in education, Fernandez said schools must move away from purely content-based learning toward cultivating cognitive agility, critical thinking and the ability to interrogate AI through Socratic dialogue.
“One of the most important skills we have to develop is the ability to debate with AI,” Fernandez said in his talk. “We must empower students to ask better questions, not just generate better answers.”
In 2025, the Department of Education launched the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR) to promote AI-driven innovations in teaching, learning and school administration.
The program includes AI tools for voucher distribution, learner screening, hazard mapping and school partnerships, and aims to position the Philippines as a regional AI education hub.
Fernandez warned, however,
See “AI,” A10
Under the 2026 NEP documents posed in the website of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the expenditure program for personnel services (PS) of the DMW Office of the Secretary is at around P2.46 billion, while its capital outlay (CO) is at P587,619,000. Its maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) is at P2.98 billion.
The President’s Budget Message for Fiscal Year 2026 has allocated P496 million for the OFW Hospital, which it will use to expand its bed capacity and establish treatment facilities, including a new Cancer Care Center.
It also said the proposed budget of DMW for 2026 retained the P1.2 billion allocation for the agency’s Agarang Kalinga sa mga OFW na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund, which is use to provide legal, medical, financial and other essential support services to its clients. Also maintained in the 2026 NEP was DMW’s P1.3 billion Support for the Emergency Repatriation program.
A6 Thursday, August 14, 2025
Editor: Angel R. Calso
UN: ‘Credible information’ of Israeli forces’ sexual violence against Palestinians; Israel rejects claims
By Edith M. Lederer The Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS—The
UN chief warned Israel that the United Nations has “credible information” of sexual violence and other violations by Israeli forces against detained Palestinians, which Israel’s UN ambassador dismissed as “baseless accusations.”
Secretary-General Antonio
Guterres said in a letter to Ambassador Danny Danon that he is “gravely concerned” about reported violations against Palestinians by Israeli military and security forces in several prisons, a detention center and a military base.
Guterres said he was putting Israeli forces on notice that they could be listed as abusers in his next report on sexual violence in conflict “due to significant concerns of patterns of certain forms of sexual violence that have been consistently documented by the
United Nations.”
Danon, who circulated the letter and his response Tuesday, said the allegations “are steeped in biased publications.”
“The UN must focus on the shocking war crimes and sexual violence of Hamas and the release of all hostages,” he said.
Danon was referring to the militant group’s surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, where some 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage. Israeli authorities said women were raped and sexually abused.
The Hamas attack triggered the ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed more than 61,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but that about half were women and children.
Danon stressed that “Israel will not shy away from protecting its citizens and will continue to act
in accordance with international law.”
Because Israel has denied access to UN monitors, it has been “challenging to make a definitive determination” about patterns, trends and the systematic use of sexual violence by its forces, Guterres said in the letter.
He urged Israel’s government “to take the necessary measures to ensure immediate cessation of all acts of sexual violence, and make and implement specific timebound commitments.”
The secretary-general said these should include investigations of credible allegations, clear
orders and codes of conduct for military and security forces that prohibit sexual violence, and unimpeded access for UN monitors.
In March, UN-backed human rights experts accused Israel of “the systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other gender-based violence.”
The Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory said it documented a range of violations perpetrated against Palestinian women, men, girls and boys and accused Israeli security forces of rape and sexual violence against Palestinian detainees. At the time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the UN Human Rights Council, which commissioned the team of independent experts, as an “anti-Israel circus” that “has long been exposed as an antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting, and irrelevant body.” His statement did not address the findings themselves.
UN condemns attack by paramilitary group on famine-hit camp in Darfur that killed 40
By Samy Magdy The Associated Press
CAIRO—The United Nations on Tuesday condemned an attack by a paramilitary group on a famine-hit displacement camp in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, killing at least 40 people.
Monday’s attack by the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, on the Abu Shouk camp outside el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, also
wounded 19 others, according to the Emergency Response Rooms, an activist group that tracks Sudan’s civil war.
“Once again, civilians are paying the highest price in this conflict,” Sheldon Yett, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Sudan, said in a statement. “Displacement camps and other places of refuge for civilians must not be targeted.”
Abu-Shouk is one of two camps for displaced people outside el-Fasher, the military’s last stronghold in
Darfur. They have repeatedly been attacked by the RSF, including a major offensive in April that killed hundreds of people and forced hundreds of thousands of others to flee. Both the Abu Shouk and Zamzam camps have been hit by famine.
The attack came as the RSF imposed a blockade on elFasher as they continued their yearlong attempt to seize it.
On Monday, the military and its allies rebel groups repelled a major RSF offensive on the city.
Yett said that the RSF siege and attacks have left el-Fasher’s population “with extremely limited access to food, safe water and medical care.” More than 60 people reportedly died of malnutrition in one week in an “extremely worrying” development, he said.
The World Food Program hasn’t been able to deliver aid by land to el-Fasher for more than a year. The U.N. agency warned this month that 300,000 people who are “trapped, hungry, and running
out of time,” face starvation.
“Everyone in el-Fasher is facing a daily struggle to survive,” said Eric Perdison, WFP’s regional director for eastern and southern Africa. “People’s coping mechanisms have been completely exhausted by over two years of war. Without immediate and sustained access, lives will be lost.”
The attack on Abu Shouk was the latest tragedy in Sudan’s civil war, which pits the military against the RSF.
The war broke out in April
2023 over power struggle between commanders of the warring sides. The fighting has devastated the northeastern African country, forcing about 14 million people out of their homes, and pushing some areas into famine.
Thousands of people were killed in the conflict that has been marked with atrocities, including mass killings and rape, particularly in Darfur. The International Criminal Court is investigating potential crimes against humanity in the conflict.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. AP
North Korean, Russian leaders in call reaffirm their alignment over Ukraine
By Kim Tong-Hyung
The Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call to discuss their deepening ties and war efforts against Ukraine, the countries’ state media said Wednesday, ahead of Putin’s planned meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska.
Putin during the call on Tuesday praised the “bravery, heroism and self-sacrificing spirit” displayed by North Korean troops as they fought with Russian forces to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk border region, North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said.
Putin also shared with Kim information about his upcoming talks with Trump scheduled to take place Friday in Alaska, according to Russia’s TASS news agency, citing the Kremlin. The North Korean reports did not mention the Trump meeting.
Kim told Putin that Pyongyang will fully support “all measures to be taken by the Russian
leadership in the future, too,” as they discussed advancing ties in “all fields” under a strategic partnership agreement they signed during a summit last year, KCNA said.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim has made Moscow the priority of his foreign policy as he aims to break out of diplomatic isolation and expand relations with countries confronting Washington. His government has dismissed Washington and Seoul’s stated desires to restart diplomacy aimed at defusing the North’s nuclear program, which derailed in 2019 following a collapsed summit with Trump during his first term.
According to South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to Russia since last fall and also supplied large quantities of military equipment, including artillery and ballistic missiles, in support of Putin’s war efforts against Ukraine. Kim has also agreed to send thousands of military construction workers and deminers to Russia’s Kursk region, a deployment South Korean intelligence believes could happen soon.
European leaders to speak with Trump ahead of his Friday summit with Putin
By Stefanie Dazio & Lorne Cook The Associated Press
BERLIN—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Wednesday for talks with European and US leaders ahead of a Trump-Putin summit later this week, the German government said.
Merz has convened a series of virtual meetings for Wednesday in an attempt to have the voice of European and Ukraine’s leaders heard ahead of the summit in Alaska, where President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to discuss a path toward ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy and the leaders of European countries have all been sidelined from that summit.
Zelenskyy is due to meet with European leaders first, in preparation for a virtual call with Trump and Vice President JD Vance about an hour later. A call between leaders of countries involved in the “coalition of the willing”—those who are prepared to help police any future peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv—will take place last.
When Zelenskyy last visited Berlin in late May, Merz pledged to help Ukraine develop its own longrange missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets as the Kyiv government fights to repel Russia’s invasion.
The Ukrainian leader on Wednesday said his government has had over 30 conversations and consultations with partners ahead of the summit in Alaska, but reiterated his doubt that Putin would negotiate in good faith to end the war.
Writing on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskyy said there was “currently no sign that the Russians are preparing to end the war,” and urged Ukraine’s partners in the United States and Europe to coordinate efforts and “force Russia to peace.”
“Pressure must be applied on Russia for an honest peace. We must take the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception by Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
The stakes for Europe TRUMP has said he wants to see whether Putin is serious about ending the war, now in its fourth year, describing Friday’s summit as “a feel-out meeting” where he can assess the Russian leader’s intentions.
Yet Trump has disappointed al -
lies in Europe by saying Ukraine will have to give up some Russianheld territory. He has also said Russia must accept land swaps, although it was unclear what Putin might be expected to surrender.
European allies have pushed for Ukraine’s involvement in any peace talks, fearful that discussions that exclude Kyiv could otherwise favor Moscow.
Trump on Monday ducked repeated chances to say that he would push for Zelenskyy to take part in his discussions with Putin, and was dismissive of Zelenskyy and his need to be part of an effort to seek peace. Trump said that following Friday’s summit, a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders could be arranged, or that it could also be a meeting with “Putin and Zelenskyy and me.”
The Europeans and Ukraine are wary that Putin, who has waged the biggest land war in Europe since 1945 and used Russia’s energy might to try to intimidate the European Union, might secure favorable concessions and set the outlines of a peace deal without them.
The overarching fear of many European countries is that Putin will set his sights on one of them next if he wins in Ukraine.
Land concessions a non-starter for Kyiv
ZELENSKYY said Tuesday that Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from the remaining 30% of the Donetsk region that it still controls as part of a ceasefire deal, a proposal the leader categorically rejected.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine would not give up any territory it controls, saying that would be unconstitutional and would serve only as a springboard for a future Russian invasion.
He said diplomatic discussions led by the US focusing on ending the war have not addressed key Ukrainian demands, including security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression and including Europe in negotiations.
Three weeks after Trump returned to office, his administration took the leverage of Ukraine’s NATO membership off the table— something that Putin has demanded—and signaled that the EU and Ukraine must handle security in Europe now while America focuses its attention elsewhere.
Trump has also routinely threatened and cajoled his NATO allies over defense spending, and has shown little mercy in trade talks by hiking tariffs on most EU imports to 15%, ostensibly for US national security reasons.
Senior EU officials believe that Trump may be satisfied with simply securing a ceasefire in Ukraine, and is probably more interested in broader US geostrategic interests and great power politics, aiming to ramp up business with Russia and rehabilitate Putin.
The Russian leader on Tuesday spoke to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to “share information in the context of planned talks with US President Donald Trump,” the Kremlin said in a statement. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also had a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss “certain aspects” of preparations for the Friday meeting in which “both parties confirmed their striving for a successful summit,” according to the foreign ministry.
Cook reported from Brussels. The Associated Press writer Samya Kullab in Kyiv, Ukraine contributed.
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during a signing ceremony of the new partnership in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024. KRISTINA KORMILITSYNA, SPUTNIK, KREMLIN POOL PHOTO VIA AP
A8 Thursday, August 14, 2025
BusinessMirror The World
Wildfires, extreme heat waves sweep Europe, forcing evacuations and sparking red alerts
By Suman Naishadham The Associated Press
ADRID—Wildfires
Mburned in parts of Europe on Tuesday as millions of people across the continent struggled to adapt to the new reality: record summer heat.
Temperatures in some areas soared past 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Europe is warming faster than any other continent, at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Last year was the hottest year on record in Europe and globally, the monitoring agency said.
Scientists warn climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making parts of Europe more vulnerable to wildfires. The burning of fuels like gasoline, oil and coal releases heat-trapping gasses that
are the main driver of climate change.
Spain and Portugal: Numerous wildfires
OUTSIDE Madrid, firefighters had largely contained a blaze that broke out Monday night, authorities said. It killed a man who suffered burns on 98% of his body, emergency services said.
Elsewhere, firefighters and nearly 1,000 soldiers were battling blazes in regions including Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia and Galicia.
Thousands of people evacuated homes and hotels, including holiday-goers at beaches at the southern tip of Spain.
Regional authorities said Tuesday afternoon that some of those evacuated from beach locations could return to their hotels.
In Portugal, more than 700 firefighters were working to control a fire in the municipality of Trancoso, about 350 kilometers (217 miles) northeast of Lisbon. Smaller fires were burning further north.
major wildfire in northwest Turkey under control, the forestry minister announced, a day after the blaze prompted hundreds of evacuations and led to the suspension of maritime traffic.
The blaze broke out on agricultural land in Canakkale province.
Fanned by strong winds, it rapidly spread to a forested area, then to a residential one. It forced the evacuation of 2,000 residents—some by sea—and led to 77 hospitalizations due to smoke exposure, officials said.
Firefighters were still battling two other wildfires in Manisa and Izmir provinces in western Turkey, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on social media.
France: A red alert for heat
THE national weather authority placed most of France’s southern region on the highest heat warning, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) expected for the second consecutive day.
The heat will spread to the northeast, including the Paris region, Meteo France said.
Some municipalities offered free or discounted access to public swimming pools.
Most regions in central and southern France were monitored for the high risk of forest fires, after a deadly blaze last week in the Aude region. Officials said the fire was under control but will not be fully extinguished for weeks, with hot spots at risk of reigniting.
Greece: Multiple evacuations for fires
IN Greece, seven major wildfires mostly in the west forced multiple evacuations, destroying homes and businesses, while flames reached the outskirts of the country’s third largest city.
The fire service scrambled resources to the port city of Patras where a forest fire burning through mountain forest threatened an industrial area.
High winds hindered firefighting efforts on the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia, where authorities were on standby to evacuate tourist resorts which were not in immediate danger.
Other severe fires burned in several areas on the western Greek mainland and on the island of Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea. Nationwide, the civil protection service issued more than 20 mobile phone alerts Tuesday with evacuation orders and guidance.
Britain: Another heat wave
TEMPERATURES were expected to hit 34 Celsius (93.2 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday and Wednesday, especially in southern parts of England, including London.
Officials define a heat wave as temperatures exceeding 25 Celsius for most of the UK—and 28 Celsius in London and its surrounding area— for three consecutive days or more.
The Associated Press writers Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Sylvia Hui in London and Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed to this report.
Turkey: Thousands evacuated, some on boats FIREFIGHTERS largely brought a
BURNING trees are pictured during a wildfire in Carcastillo, northern Spain, Sunday, August 10,
PRESS VIA AP
Thursday, August 14, 2025 A9
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encounter “higher-value bonuses” of up to 108 percent when joining unregulated platforms, with new player promos, cashbacks, and rebates that outpace regulated competitors.
The research firm said these offers are often marketed “frequently and prominently” to attract and retain users.
In regulated online gambling, platforms still offer sign-up bonuses and occasional rebates, but the “frequency and size of these promotions are limited” up to 10 percent to 40 percent online.
“Its aim is to support responsible play and limit high-risk spending,” the study read.
As to affiliate programs, many unregulated operators run “highly lucrative” affiliate programs, sometimes offering 45 to 65 percent of gross gaming revenue to attract agents.
Moreover, the study said the marketing rules appear “less restrictive and less transparent, facilitating possible aggressive recruitment and promotion.”
In contrast, affiliate programs of regulated sites “clearly describe” how the interested affiliate will qualify and how he/she will be paid, such as 747’s offer for websites.
On the Know Your Customer (KYC) process, the research firm pointed said it is “minimal or entirely absent” in unregulated platforms.
For one, there is no Pagcor pop-up verifying the player’s eligibility, making it possible for players, including those under the legal age, to register.
In addition, these platforms only require “a little more than a phone number or email, and there is no verification at the end.”
“This level of anonymity may enable re-entry by banned or at-risk individuals,” the firm noted.
Meanwhile, regulated platforms follow “stricter” protocols. Before a player can proceed, a Pagcor-branded pop-up appears to confirm that players meet all eligibility requirements are not among those prohibited from playing under its regulations.
Regulated platforms also ask for basic details such as name, email, and contact number when registering an account.
Afterwards, these platforms verify identity with valid government IDs, age checks, and sometimes cross-checks with e-wallet registration details.
“These measures are designed to block underage access and enhance player accountability,” the research firm said.
As for payment channels, the report noted that in unregulated platforms, payments are “lower-friction”—players can use GCash, Maya, QRPH, cryptocurrencies, and bank transfers with no transaction limits.
This “ease of movement,” the research firm said, may make them appealing, but it can also be used for money laundering and high-volume spending without restrictions.
Payment systems in regulated platforms, meanwhile, support popular e-wallets and banks but capping transactions to comply with anti-money laundering and responsible gambling policies.
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by allocating a budget of P1.367 trillion to implement Transparent Governance and Institutional Efficiency in 2026.
The amount covers the P1.191-trillion National Tax Allotment; P16.1-billion Local Government Support Fund; and P1.5 billion for the National Government Data Center Infrastructure.
“We aim to deepen participatory governance, bolster public accountability, and strengthen government systems through meaningful and impactful reforms,” the President said in his budget message to the House of Representatives for the 2026 National Budget.
The Marcos administration intends to implement open government initiatives such as reinforcing the country’s as a global leader in fiscal transparency and public accountability as the Philippines.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has joined the global Steering Committee of the Open Government Partnership in October 2024.
The President said the administration will maintain the country’s top spot in the Open Budget Survey which deemed the country as the most fiscally transparent in Asia.
The national government will also continue its budget tagging efforts which include the Climate Change Expenditure Tagging (CCET) to support climate mitigation and adaptation.
The DBM intends to release assessment reports on the budget and find out whether it is climate-responsive, disaster resilient and responsive, genderresponsive, and child-responsive.
The national government plans to strengthen the Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) which aims to eliminate the duplication of programs.
The PCB also ensures consistency in program targets, beneficiaries, resource requirements, and implementation timelines across agencies.
The President noted that through the eMarketplace, the administration has improved the procurement process by reducing the procurement timeline. Officials said the platform helps prevents corruption, improves competition, ensures bureaucratic efficiency and transparency, and generates savings for the government.
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overseas; creation of a public list of companies that offshore call center jobs, with such companies barred from new US federal grants, loans, and call center contracts for five years.
The bill would also require customer service agents to disclose their location and whether artificial intelligence is being used. In addition, the measure seeks to cover companies with at least 50 full-time employees or equivalent hours in call center work.
As the performance of the Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) sector may rest on the passage of the said bill in the United States, Salceda wrote a letter to President Ferdinand R. Marcos where he urged the government to act fast. For one, Salceda prodded the government to direct the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. to begin “quiet but sustained” lobbying with key US legislators, committee staff, and industry stakeholders.
He said the government should frame the country’s engagement around the direct cost increases to American consumers in “politically sensitive” sectors, such as healthcare and mortgage servicing, where the think tank’s research shows “substantial pass-through costs.” Salceda also urged the government to “mobilize” client companies with major US operations to join the lobbying effort, highlighting their reliance on Philippine services to maintain competitiveness and service quality. He said the government must coordinate with the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) and American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines to “consolidate” industry data and present a unified position.
August 14, 2025
Education push seen to power workforce readiness in 2026
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE
Marcos administration
is banking on education to prepare Filipinos for a fastchanging labor market, proposing a P1.224 trillion allocation for the sector in 2026.
In his budget message on Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that halfway through his term, the government will shift its focus to the people—particularly to the next generations.
“This notably meets the recommended education spending of the [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] Education 2030 Framework for Action of allocating 4.0 to 6.0 percent of [gross domestic product] to education as we adopt a whole-ofgovernment approach in investing in our learners,” Marcos added. The allocation covers the Department of Education (DepEd), state universities and colleges (SUCs), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which is an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
DepEd will receive the largest share at P928.5 billion, up 18.7 percent from the P782.2-billion allocation in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA). SUCs will get P134.9 billion (up
from P127.2 billion last year), and CHED with P33.9 billion (from P33.3 billion in 2025).
Only TESDA’s P20.2-billion allocation is slightly lower than the P20.73 billion in the previous GAA.
In 2025, bicameral realignments dealt a heavy blow to the education sector, taking P12 billion from DepEd’s budget and trimming SUCs by some P14 billion.
Among the notable budget items in the education sector for next year are the P10.3 billion for the Teaching Allowance (reflecting a 3.2-percent hike from P9.9 billion in 2025), and the P16.5 billion for the DepEd Computerization Program to upgrade school ICT infrastructure.
For higher education, P27.4 billion is proposed for the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) program which supports free tuition in SUCs and local universities and colleges. Meanwhile, in line with efforts to upgrade skills and expand job readiness, President Marcos said TESDA’s allocation will go toward scholarships, training programs aligned with industry needs, and
certification initiatives.
This includes P5.1 billion for the UAQTE program—TESDA’s share for technical-vocational institutions—P300 million of which will fund the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship for 6,533 diploma-level enrollees.
Other items include P4.3 billion for the Training for Work Scholarship Program benefiting 173,691 scholars, P1.7 billion for the Tulong Trabaho Scholarship Program for 64,535 scholars, and P506 million to improve the Assessment and Certification Ecosystem, including P349 million for senior high school assessment support. Linking these education investments to jobs, the rest of DOLE’s P45-billion budget—down from the approved P51.2 billion last year—will fund employment facilitation and livelihood programs.
These include P848 million for the Special Program for Employment of Students, P1.1 billion for the Government Internship Program, and P11 billion for the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
The DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program will also get P2.2 billion for start-up capital, training, and equipment for microentrepreneurs.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also expected to allocate P4.5 billion of its funds to its Sustainable Livelihood Program to help low-income households start enterprises or secure wage work, complementing DOLE’s interventions.
‘Not enough’ WHILE the increase in the education
sector’s budget is a welcome development, Federation of Free Workers President Sonny Matula said it will mean little if skills training is not matched with job creation.
“Training without matching decent jobs is like building a bridge to nowhere. We must ensure skills programs match industry demand and reach underserved regions, so workers can find good jobs where they live—not just where the opportunities happen to be,” Matula told BusinessMirror
Matula also pointed out that DOLE’s budget remains short for additional labor inspectors to enforce occupational safety and health standards, labor education for workers, and scholarship programs for union leaders and their dependents.
Meanwhile, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) Secretary-General Josua Mata said the “devil is in the details,” pointing to the need for clarity on how TESDA will use its funds and which skills will be prioritized.
“These questions begets the bigger question: where is the industrial policy that would help us determined which skills should Tesda develop?” Mata said via SMS.
On whether Sentro is satisfied with the allocations, Mata said the lack of transparency from DOLE remains an issue.
“The lack of transparency of DOLE to its tripartite partners is problematic. Despite our repeated requests for information on the proposed budget, DOLE has consistently refused to provide it,” he added.
Go calls on government to deliver commitment to achieve zero balance billing
for indigent patients
SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday, August 11, reminded government to ensure the implementation of zero balance billing in key public hospitals as mentioned by the President in his latest State of the Nation Address.
As Chair of the S enate Committee of Health and Demography and as part of his long-standing health reforms crusade, Go stressed the need to maximize the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to ensure the Universal Health Care (UHC) law is implemented in full.
High hopes for DAR’s ₧8-billion VISTA
Project in South Cotabato
THE recent launch of the Value-Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) Project offers a sigh of relief to agrarian reform beneficiaries in the province of South Cotabato.
With the project, Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the municipalities of Tupi, Lake Sebu, and T’boli are set to benefit from the Department of Agrarian Reform hopes for them, such as higher incomes, stronger market access, conservation-based value chains, and climate-resilient farming systems.
To jumpstart the project, the DAR established three Expanded Agrarian Reform Communities Coordinating Committees (EARCCs) to lead the implementation of the VISTA project in South Cotabato.
Backed by P8.099 billion from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), VISTA aims to transform vulnerable upland farming areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region and Region XII, including areas in South Cotabato, into thriving, competitive agri-enterprises.
Focusing on high-value crops like cacao and coffee, the project will:
n Increase farmers’ earnings by
linking them directly to lucrative local and international markets.
n Promote sustainable land use through agroforestry and conservation-based farming.
n Reduce post-harvest losses with improved processing and storage facilities.
n Strengthen farm-to-market linkages for faster and more efficient product delivery.
Each EARCC includes municipal mayors, Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers (MARPOs), barangay leaders from agrarian reform communities, and sectoral representatives from the youth, women, Indigenous Peoples, agriculture, and people’s organizations.
This EARCC institutionalizes multi-sectoral collaboration to ensure that the project’s implementation is aligned with DAR’s strategic goals while remaining responsive to the specific needs and priorities of local government units (LGUs) and their communities.
“These committees are vital platforms for community-led planning and decision-making, ensuring that all voices, especially those of our ARBs, are heard and integrated throughout every stage of the VISTA Project,” said DAR South Cotabato Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Valerie F. Seiton. Jonathan L. Mayuga
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
D“Napakalayopanatinsafull implementation of that law [referring to the Universal Health Care Act]. Dapat po ma-maximize po ng PhilHealth and pondonila Ubusin ninyoangpondoninyosamahihirapnating pasyente,” Go said. H e cited that the Department of Health (DOH) hospitals have implemented zero balance billing, however, the same does not apply to other hospitals.
nakasalalay dito,” Go stated.
W hile it is true that PhilHealth has increased case rates across the board to significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients, the current benefit structure remains inadequate for patients burdened with high hospital bills.
“Totoonamanpoyungzero balance billing samga charity ward. Iyungibanamanpo kasisaatin,ayawsa government hospital, gusto nila sa private hospital. Nandoon angmgaespesyalista,nandooniyungmga doktor nila. Hindi naman natin mapigilan dahil emergency po iyun at buhay po ang
Go shared the troubling case involving a medical health officer from Camarines Norte who received only P57,000 in total PhilHealth support for hospital bills amounting to P10 million.
“Sa totoo lang po napakababa pa rin ng case rates ng Philhealth sa ngayon. For example, meron pong isang provincial health officer ng Camarines Norte, salugar ngkasamahannatindito, Sen. Robin. Four million ang hospital billing niya,angsinagot ng PhilHealth ang P27,000, na-admit siya muli sa pangalawang pagkakataon, ang sinagot ng PhilHealth ay P30,000… total of P57,000 out of P10,000,000 [ na total bill], and that is less than 1% of his billing. Namatay po siya, hindi po niya napakinabangan, dahil ang kontribusyon niya ay P200,000 na kinaltas sa suweldo niya.AngnapakinabanganniyaayP57,000, nalugi pa siya, namatay pa siya. At hindi lang po yun nangyayari sa iisang tao,” Go narrated.
T he senator then asked: “Bakitnagtitipid ang PhilHealth? Puwede ninyo naman gamitin ito sa mga pasyente, eh di wala kayong excess. Nakapa-simpleng logic naman po iyon.”
In this connection, Sen. Go called on PhilHealth to further expand its coverage and ease access to benefits.
“Kapag malaki ang sasagutin ng Philhealth, iko-cover ninyo, mas malaking tulong yon na hindi na sila humingi ng guarantee letter, o magmamakaawa sa mga politiko para makahingi ng tulong,” Go said.
F or his part, the senator proposed the institutionalization of the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) to ensure that funds are made available at the start of every fiscal year across all DOH hospitals
and specialty centers.
“Isasaakingpriorityaynag-file poako ng to institutionalize MAIP o MAIFIP, ito po para sa mga financially incapacitated or indigent patients, at dapat po walang pinipili. Ibig kong sabihin, kung sino po mahirap talaga siya ang makinabang nito. Hindi na po dapat lumapit sa politiko para humingi ng tulong sa kanilang pagpapahospital,” Go explained.
Go filed SB 409 which if enacted, seeks to institutionalize the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program, ensuring that funds are made available at the start of every fiscal year across all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and specialty centers.
“This proposed measure seeks to reduce, if not eliminate, out-of-pocket expenditures of indigent and poor patients,” Go stated.
The bill also mandates the availability of medical assistance in all public hospitals, strengthening the current system, minimizing bureaucratic delays in assistance delivery, and ensuring politics-free implementation.
Mean while, the fourteen (14) Senate hearings Go presided last year resulted in the lifting of the 45-day annual limit on hospitalizations for members and their dependents and the long-overdue scrapping of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy, among others.
Go, in numerous Senate hearings, also called attention to the anti-poor 24-hour confinement rule, which prevented patients from availing of PhilHealth benefits unless confined for at least a day. This was addressed by improving emergency care benefits.
Go ’s numerous appeals in the Senate hearings also resulted in major enhancements to the Z Packages for kidney-related illnesses, where peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation now enjoy increased support. Additionally, reforms were implemented, including comprehensive packages for ischemic heart disease, from emergency intervention to post-surgery rehabilitation.
AVAO CITY—The University of the Philippines-Mindanao has opened its facility on advanced genomics studies to students of the Brokenshire College School of Medicine (BC-SOM) here to further enhance the quality of scientific knowledge on genetics and molecular biology in Mindanao.
The UP Mindanao announced it formally entered into a partnership through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Brokenshire College to allow the latter’s medical students access to the training and facilities of the Philippine Genome CenterMindanao (PGC-Mindanao).
The MOA was signed by Bishop Hamuel G. Tequis, president of Brokenshire College, and Chancellor Lyre Anni E. Murao of UP Mindanao. It was witnessed by Prof. Aleyla de Cadiz, Assistant to the Executive Director for PGC Mindanao, and BC-SOM officials including Dean Dr. Warlito C. Vicente; Dr. Gilbert Vergara, section head of Microbiology; Dr. Ariane Macaldo, faculty; and Dr. Florence Prantilla, College Secretary.
“PGC-Mindanao is for all the health workers in Mindanao,” said Chancellor Murao said of the genome center that
that without addressing the digital divide, AI’s benefits will remain uneven. Learners without reliable access to devices and connectivity will be excluded regardless of advances in technology or teaching methods, he said.
Also, for him, long-term success depends on curriculum updates that integrate intellectual empowerment, practical competence, social contribution and personal growth, preparing learners to adapt to an unpredictable future
got its baptism of fire during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent tracking and monitoring of other diseases, even including the detection of the presence of the African Swine Fever virus.
The facility is into the “judicious application of advanced knowledge and emerging technologies in genomics and bioinformatics in health and medicine, agriculture, biodiversity, forensics and ethnicity, industry and the environment”, the PGC said in its website.
Bishop Tequis has also expressed his gratitude for the partnership, saying “it is a privilege, through this agreement, to enter into a relationship with PGC-Mindanao and UP Mindanao.”
Meanwhile, the UP Mindanao disclosed that its Anthropology graduates have turned over ethnographic manuscripts and copies of their theses when they conducted their research into the Manobo tribal community in Barangay Manobo, Magpet, North Cotabato.
The graduates conducted their Anthropology Field School research last year and returned to the area in August 1 this year to formally turn over the compilation of their research materials. The turnover happened during the 29th Araw ng Manobo celebrations of the barangay.
shaped by technology.
“Without access, or with little access, no amount of good pedagogy or even ethical frameworks will matter,” he said.
The Philippines ranked 56th out of 188 countries in the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index by Oxford Insights, up from 65th the previous year.
Moreover, data from the United Nations Educational,
USDA cuts PHL rice import forecast for 2025
ABy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
N international agency lowered its rice import expectations for the Philippines this year after the government slapped a temporary ban on the shipment of grains produced from other countries.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) adjusted downward its projection for the country’s rice imports in 2025 to 4.9 million metric tons (MMT).
The latest figure was 500,000 metric tons (MT) lower than its previous rice import outlook of 5.4 MMT for this year.
The USDA cited the “temporary import ban, lasting 60 days,” as the basis for its revised forecast.
President Marcos slapped a temporary import ban on rice shipments starting September 1 as part of efforts to arrest the slump in farmgate prices of palay. This will be effective for 60 days. Under Republic Act (RA) 12078, the President can suspend or prohibit the importation of rice for a specific period when there is an “excessive” supply of imported or locally produced rice
Meat prices hit new record-high–report
THE average international prices of meat products reached an alltime high in July mainly due to more expensive beef and lamb, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
FAO said its meat price index reached an unprecedented 127.3 points in July, up 1.2 percent from June.
“The increase was led by higher prices for bovine and ovine meat, supported by strong import demand, particularly from China and the United States of America,” it said.
“Poultry meat prices also edged up slightly amid resumed imports from key partners following Brazil’s regaining of its avian influenza-free status. Conversely, pig meat prices declined due to ample supplies and reduced global demand, especially in the European Union.”
FAO said its vegetable oil price index in July also rose sharply at 166.8 points, a 3-year high. This was 7.1 percent higher than the previous month’s index.
“The increase reflected higher quotations for palm, soy and sunflower oils. Palm oil prices rose on robust global demand and improved competitiveness, while soy oil was supported by expectations of firm biofuel sector demand in the Americas.”
FAO said sunflower oil prices also climbed due to tightening export supplies in the Black Sea region. In contrast, rapeseed oil prices declined with the arrival of new crop supplies in Europe. In contrast, the FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 106.5
points, down 0.8 percent from June. Declining wheat and sorghum prices outweighed increases in maize and barley.
“Fresh seasonal wheat harvests in the northern hemisphere put downward pressure, though adverse conditions of spring wheat in parts of northern America provided some price support.”
The FAO All Rice Price Index dropped 1.8 percent, driven by ample export supplies and weak import demand.
International sugar prices were also lower last month, according to FAO. Its sugar price index averaged 103.3 points, down 0.2 percent from the previous month, continuing its downward trend for a fifth consecutive month.
“Expectations of a global production recovery in 2025/26, notably in Brazil, India, and Thailand, weighed on prices, although signs of a rebound in global sugar import moderated the decline.”
FAO said last Friday that its food price index averaged averaged 130.1 points in July, up 1.6 percent from June, driven primarily by rising international prices of meat and vegetable oils.
Despite this monthly increase, the index remains 18.8 percent below its peak in March 2022, although 7.6 percent higher than its level in July 2024.
The index tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a set of globally traded food commodities. In July, price increases in the meat and vegetable oil indices more than offset declines in the cereal, dairy and sugar indices.
resulting in an “extraordinary” decrease in local prices.
Industry sources cited the unabated entry of imported rice, whose international quotations have been slashed since worldleading rice exporter India lifted its export ban on non-basmati rice, as the reason behind the steady decline in farmgate prices of unmilled rice that have dropped to as low as P8 per kilo.
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto recently said it is unlikely for Marcos to extend the validity of the rice import ban, adding that there are no plans yet to increase the tariffs imposed on rice imports. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/08/12/ recto-revenue-loss-from-riceimport-ban-minimal/)
Last year, Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) 62, which slashed tariffs imposed on rice to 15 percent from 35 percent until 2028.
The Department of Agriculture
(DA) had recommended increasing rice tariffs to around 25 percent, which is aligned with its earlier call to gradually increase rice tariffs before eventually returning to the 35-percent duty to prevent the spike in retail prices of the staple grain.
Arrivals
MEANWHILE, rice arrivals in the Philippines dipped by 1.3 percent year-on-year in January to July.
Data from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) indicated that 2.54
MMT of rice shipments have entered the country as of end-July. This was slightly higher than the 2.51 MMT of rice arrivals in the same period last year. Of the volume that arrived in the Philippines, 2 MMT came from Vietnam, which stood as the country’s top supplier. Myanmar trailed behind as it accounted for 314,206.33 MT, dislodging Thailand as the second-top supplier. With the country’s palay harvest in the first semester reaching an all-time high of 9.08 MMT, the DA expressed confidence that the Philippines could breach its initial target of 20.46 MMT. The wet season harvest accounts for around 60 percent of annual output. The country’s palay output stood at 19.09 MMT in 2024, lower than the record harvest of 20.06 MMT in the previous year due to weather shocks, such as El Niño-induced drought and La Niña-related flooding.
Proposed 2026 budget for agri sector at nearly ₧154-B
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will receive nearly P154 billion under the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026. The 2026 NEP indicated that the P153.9 billion will bankroll the operations of the DA and its attached agencies.
However, this budget is lower than the P155.56 billion allocated to the DA under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Despite this, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) raised the allocation earmarked to the National Rice Program (NRP) next year to about P30 billion from P21.7 billion in 2025 as part of efforts to achieve rice selfsufficiency.
“Under the NRP, the DA will provide fertilizers through its Fertilizer Assistance Program with quality inbred and hybrid rice
seeds that will help local farmers boost their crop yields.”
The DBM allocated P10 billion to the DA’s Rice For All program, which includes the government’s P20 per kilo rice initiative to broaden access to cheaper rice from importers and local traders at public markets and Kadiwa sites.
The agency also said P30 billion is earmarked for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). This has been tripled from the P10-billion allocation prior to the amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).
The DBM set aside P11.2 billion for the government’s buffer stocking program, aimed at procuring 300,000 metric tons (MT) of palay that will be used during emergencies and disasters.
“With the goal of sourcing from local farmers, the program has increased the country’s buffer stock
capacity from 9 days to 15 days— strengthening food security during emergencies and disasters.”
Meanwhile, the agency allocated P3.8 billion to the National Livestock Program (NLP), while P9.3 billion was earmarked for the National Fisheries Program.
Under the 2026 NEP, the Sugarcane Industry Development Program (SIDP) was allotted P1 billion, to boost sugar output to over 2 million metric tons (MMT).
Other national programs under the DA, such as the National Corn Program were granted P6.7 billion; National High Value Crops Development Program, P2.1 billion; the National Organic Agriculture Program, P1 billion; and the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program, P391 million.
The Kadiwa in Ani at Kita program will get P250 million
to broaden access to affordable farm goods.
The Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) Scale-Up will receive P10 billion to boost investments in the farm sector through the establishment of more infrastructure, such as post-harvest facilities and cold storages, among others.
The DBM also allotted P489 million to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) for the upgrade of post-harvest infrastructure and mechanization technologies to reduce farmers’ losses and cut production costs.
The government will spend P16 billion for the construction of 1,067 kilometers of Farm-toMarket Roads (FMRs) to reduce the transportation and logistics costs that are necessary to transport farm goods. Ada Pelonia
Receipts from nickel ore surge despite price drop in H1
THE country’s earnings from nickel ores and concentrates surged to over $600 million in the first semester, even after world market prices tumbled, based on official government data.
Figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the value of nickel ores and concentrates exports jumped by 46 percent to $606.15 million in the first six months of the year from last year’s $414.76 million.
PSA data also showed that the volume of the raw materials’ outbound shipments reached 20.66 million metric tons (MMT) in the first semester, higher than the 19.83 MMT posted in the previ -
ous year.
China was the top market of the Philippines’ nickel ores and concentrates exports in the reference period at $421.71 million, while Indonesia trailed at $181.14 million.
Global glut
THE World Bank said global nickel quotations dropped to around $15,500 per metric ton (MT) in the first quarter, the lowest level since 2020, due to booming output and a recent surge in London Metal Exchange warehouse stocks. Indonesia’s expanding nickel production mainly catapulted the surge in global output of the base
metal, bolstered by China-backed smelter investments and government incentives, it added.
“The global glut has driven prices down 35 percent over the past two years, leading to production cuts in other economies,” the international organization said in its previous report.
Currently, data from the World Bank indicates that nickel prices have been on a downtrend, as quotations of the base metal averaged $15,368.5 per metric ton (MT) in the first semester from $17,521 per MT in the same period last year.
AMERICAN beef lovers may face even leaner plates and higher prices next year as US production shrinks to a decade low and tariffs limit imports, according to a US government projection.
Total beef supply in the US is expected to drop 2.5 percent in 2026 to 31.1 billion pounds—the lowest since 2019—the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said in a monthly report. The decline threatens to push record beef prices even higher, with tariffs limiting importers’ ability to soften the blow.
US beef supplies have been con -
strained by a shrinking herd. For years, ranchers have been culling cows due to a combination of persistent drought and high costs, reducing the domestic inventory to its lowest level in several decades.
Record prices for slaughterweight animals have fueled expectations that ranchers will begin rebuilding the herd in 2026— but that would tighten supplies even further in the short term, as ranchers would need to retain more females for breeding rather than sending them to processors. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has slapped hefty tariffs on shipments from Brazil, making
supplies from the world’s largest beef exporter more costly.
US beef production is expected to fall 1.8 percent to 25.5 billion pounds next year, the lowest since 2016, while imports are projected to decline 6.1 percent to 4.95 billion pounds, according to the USDA. Both forecasts were revised lower from last month.
Cheaper corn
CHICAGO corn futures fell to the lowest level in nearly a year after the USDA raised its already recordlarge outlook for the American harvest.
The USDA in a monthly report
Tuesday estimated US corn production at 16.742 billion bushels, with a yield of 188.8 bushels per acre, with each surpassing estimates in a Bloomberg survey. That’s after farmers planted more corn acres than a year ago and fields benefited from abundant rainfall and minimal damaging heat.
The harvest “if realized would be the highest production for grain on record for the United States,” the agency said in its report.
Corn futures for December delivery fell by as much as 3.9 percent to $3.92 a bushel, the lowest since August 29.
While cheaper grain is wel -
“However, global production growth is expected to slow gradually over the forecast horizon, as Indonesia—now accounting for about 60 percent of global production—introduces mining quotas to stabilize prices.”
“Global nickel demand growth is also expected to moderate, reflecting decelerating demand from the EV battery market, only partially offset by modest growth in stainless steel production.”
Ada Pelonia
Despite this, the World Bank expects nickel production to ease, owing to cuts in nickel mining quotas of the Southeast Asian nation, which makes up over half of the global output, as part of efforts to boost the slump in prices.
US consumers face possibility of higher beef prices in 2026
comed by livestock and poultry producers as well as other food makers, the low prices are limiting farmers’ spending power and hitting demand for fertilizer and farm machinery. Shares for some farm suppliers including AGCO Corp. and Nutrien Ltd. eased after the USDA report was released.
“Alarm bells are ringing across rural America following today’s USDA report, and they should be ringing in the halls of Congress,” said Geoff Cooper, president of the trade group Renewable Fuels Association, pointing to a need to raise demand for ethanol to reduce the inventory of corn.
Farmers favored corn this spring in part due to the potential demand risks for soybeans, with the world’s top soy importer China avoiding US crops amid the trade dispute with President Donald Trump. Soybean futures notched gains of more than 1 percent, with estimated output of 4.29 billion bushels falling below estimates for 4.374 billion even though yields were seen at a record.
The USDA said the harvested
WORKERS from a rice warehouse load and unload sacks of rice in Divisoria, Manila in this BusinessMirror file photo. NONIE REYES
Ghosts in the GAA: Time to clean house, not just our rivers
THE recent revelations about fraudulent flood control projects highlight the ongoing corruption undermining our country’s infrastructure development. Senator Panfilo Lacson’s investigation into these anomalies is a welcome development, and we commend him for his tireless efforts to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to account.
The fact that certain projects funded in earlier budgets were listed as “completed” but were never built, only to be allotted funds again in the 2025 General Appropriations Act, is a clear indication of the rot that has set in our system. It is estimated that these failed and ghost flood control projects have cost taxpayers a staggering P2 trillion in the last 15 years. This is an enormous amount that could have been used to improve the lives of millions of Filipinos. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Ghost projects’ get new funding? Lacson wants to know,” August 11, 2025).
The President’s denunciation of corruption in infrastructure projects during his State of the Nation Address is a strong signal that the government is serious about addressing this issue. His directive to the DPWH to submit a report on flood-control projects from the past three years is a welcome initiative. However, words must be followed by concrete actions. The DPWH report must be transparent and comprehensive, and those found responsible for these fraudulent activities must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
There should also be an inquiry into claims that DPWH district engineers are complicit in questionable arrangements with contractors, especially if these engineers have a vested interest in the construction firms executing the projects.
Senator Lacson’s call for the private sector to help address the flooding problem is a timely and sensible suggestion. The offer by San Miguel Corp. President Ramon Ang to clean up rivers and waterways at no cost to the government is a shining example of corporate social responsibility. We urge other companies to follow suit and pool their resources to help solve this perennial problem.
The fight against corruption and ghost projects requires a sustained effort from all stakeholders. We commend Senator Lacson for his leadership in this area and urge the private sector to support his efforts. Together, we can create a better future for our country and ensure that our resources are used to improve the lives of all Filipinos, not just a select few.
Finally, accountability must be real and swift. If investigations establish criminality, responsible officials and contractors should face prosecution; if failures were bureaucratic or technical, there must be firmer administrative sanctions and systems reform. Let’s put an end to the comforting illusion that thousands of flood-control projects were successfully completed when, in reality, they were not.
The Philippines needs real infrastructure, not just projects that exist on paper. Cleaning the rivers is essential, but cleaning the system that allows ghost projects to flourish is even more urgent. The 20th Congress must act with the urgency and seriousness necessary to ensure the nation’s safety.
BusinessMirror
T. Anthony C. Cabangon
Lourdes M. Fernandez
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Ruben M. Cruz Jr.
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Nonilon G. Reyes
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Aldwin Maralit Tolosa
Rolando M. Manangan
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The Philippines’ tipping point: When?
TJohn Mangun
OUTSIDE THE BOX
HE ultimate question is not whether change is possible but when does it become inevitable. What is a society’s tipping point? When do people stop scrolling, stop rationalizing, stop saying not my problem—and act? Not in rallies or press releases, but in the quiet shift of habit. When does indifference crack and shared resolve ignite? Headlines come and go.
Real change begins when behavior becomes belief—repeated, reinforced, inevitable.
Malcolm Gladwell carried this idea in “The Tipping Point” (2000). He believed that precisely timed small moves by local changemakers could spark chain reactions. Not as a spectacle but as a strategy: the right nudge, at the right moment, from the right messenger. Not a bomb dropped from the sky, but a precision sniper’s bullet.
His model is built on three forces.
The Law of the Few: A small group of influential people drive the spread. “Connectors” link people across networks, “Mavens” share deep knowledge, and “Salesmen” persuade effectively.
Next “The Stickiness Factor”: The idea and message must be memorable and compelling enough to “stick” with people. Finally, “The Power of Context”: The environment shapes whether something catches on and small changes in circumstances can make a big difference.
Remove any one, and the cascade dies. But critics contend that this tidy theory lacks robustness: his exam-
ples sometimes miss the larger system pushing change—governance reform, resource mobilization, or financial incentives. Tipping theory may oversimplify deeper engines of change.
The broken-windows narrative is the idea that cracking down on small crimes like vandalism helps prevent larger crimes by signaling that disorder will not be tolerated. But crime fell even after the policies were scrapped, exposing the theory’s fragility. Not all well-placed nudges succeed, and the context shifts also.
In the Philippines, sweeping declarations rarely move the needle. Instead, change emerges in the daily routines of neighborhoods.
Consider this vignette: in Cavite, a single barangay sets up a small composting site. Within several months, every purok with their own. No posters. No publicity. The shift began through repetition in daily life.
Youth smoking offers another case. It fell not because of flashy legislation, but because shopkeepers stopped selling to minors, classmates ostracized smokers, and public etiquette changed. By the time regula-
What might tip the Philippines next? Not another glossy campaign or top-down decree. It will begin quietly—in a sari-sari store that stops giving plastic bags or in a classroom where students map flood-prone streets. When enough people repeat the same small act, imitation becomes instinct. The outlier becomes ordinary.
tors tracked the drop, peer dynamics and quiet enforcement had already stripped smoking of status.
Exporting Philippine mangoes followed another route. Impassioned smallholders, health advocates, and boutique chefs abroad collaborated informally. They told the story of Carabao mangoes with conviction and precision. It spread person-to -person, plate-to -plate—until demand spiked. That was tipping, rooted not in advertisements, but in personal endorsement.
Yet promising ideas stumble too.
A pilot scheme to subsidize solar panels for low-income neighborhoods stalled. It was technically sound, backed by experts, but launched amid political scandal. Lacking credible local champions, its message never penetrated households. Even good logic failed in the wrong setting.
Gladwell took another swing in “Revenge of the Tipping Point” (2024), applying the concept to addiction, institutional decline, and media manipulation. But his treatment of digital platforms has a blind spot.
Today, a single TikTok clip or hashtag can reshape public discourse faster than any public official. A rumor can topple reputations overnight.
Gladwell missed how rapidly social
AI eroded doctors’ ability to spot cancer within months in study
By Harry Black
ARTIFICIAL intelligence, touted for its potential to transform medicine, led to some doctors losing skills after just a few months in a new study.
AI helped health professionals to better detect pre-cancerous growths in the colon, but when the assistance was removed, their ability to find tumors dropped by about 20 percent compared with rates before the tool was ever introduced, according to findings published Wednesday.
Health-care systems around the world are embracing AI with a view to boosting patient outcomes and productivity. Just this year, the UK government announced £11 million ($14.8 million) in funding for a new trial to test how AI can help catch
breast cancer earlier.
The AI in the study probably prompted doctors to become overreliant on its recommendations, “leading to clinicians becoming less motivated, less focused, and less responsible when making cognitive decisions without AI assistance,” the scientists said in the paper.
They surveyed four endoscopy centers in Poland and compared detection success rates three months before AI implementation and three months after. Some colonoscopies were performed with AI and some
AI helped health professionals to better detect pre-cancerous growths in the colon, but when the assistance was removed, their ability to find tumors dropped by about 20 percent compared with rates before the tool was ever introduced, according to findings published Wednesday.
without, at random. The results were published in The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology journal. Yuichi Mori, a researcher at the University of Oslo and one of the scientists involved, predicted that the effects of de-skilling will “probably be higher” as AI becomes more powerful.
media warps influence and can create illusions of tipping—moments that collapse as fast as they emerge. Still, his core insight holds: social momentum can mushroom from the actions of a few, if messages lodge in daily habits and the environment shifts. But “tipping” now happens in unruly, networked bursts—not through constraints or planning. What might tip the Philippines next? Not another glossy campaign or top-down decree. It will begin quietly—in a sari-sari store that stops giving plastic bags or in a classroom where students map flood-prone streets. When enough people repeat the same small act, imitation becomes instinct. The outlier becomes ordinary.
To spark tipping, focus on the real influencers: the tindera, the teacher, the health worker—people with trust, not titles. Support those who speak plainly and live the change When message, messenger, and moment align, resistance does not collapse. It evaporates. People do not debate. They just start doing it. Then teaching it. Then expecting it. By then, change is not asking for permission. It has already arrived. It shapes behavior not through force, but through frequency. It becomes the default—the only way things are done.
And when that shift locks in, the old ways do not just fade. They look absurd. Reckless. Impossible to believe we ever accepted them. The future arrives unannounced, and we realize we have been living in it all along.
E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.
What’s more, the 19 doctors in the study were highly experienced, having performed more than 2,000 colonoscopies each. The effect on trainees or novices might be starker, said Omer Ahmad, a consultant gastroenterologist at University College Hospital London.
“Although AI continues to offer great promise to enhance clinical outcomes, we must also safeguard against the quiet erosion of fundamental skills required for high-quality endoscopy,” Ahmad, who wasn’t involved in the research, wrote a comment alongside the article. A study conducted by MIT this year raised similar concerns after finding that using OpenAI’s ChatGPT to write essays led to less brain engagement and cognitive activity. Bloomberg
Billionaire Kwek’s CDL sees muted profit rise after feud
By Low De Wei & Sheryl Tian Tong Lee
THE Singapore developer controlled by the city-state’s richest clan reported a small increase in profit in the first half of the year, a period overshadowed by a damaging family feud.
City Developments Ltd.’s net income rose 3.9 percent to S$91.2 million ($71.1 million) in the first half of 2025 compared with a year ago. Revenue meanwhile increased to S$1.69 billion, an 8 percent jump. The firm said its profit growth was significantly hit by the US dollar’s depreciation, which affected loans denominated in the currency, and weaker performance from its hotel operations segment.
The country’s second-largest developer by market capitalization has sought to move on from a tussle between the father-son duo that leads the firm. It broke out just around its last earnings release in February and led to a short-lived lawsuit filed by Executive Chairman Kwek Leng Beng and other directors against the rest of the board, including his son and Chief Executive Officer Sherman Kwek, over an alleged boardroom coup.
CDL’s shares gained as much as 6.5 percent in morning trading Wednesd ay to reach their highest intraday level since December 2023.
“We have put past issues behind us, emerging stronger and more unified,” said the elder Kwek in a statement. “The board and management are aligned and focused on effective execution and value creation.”
Since then, the younger Kwek has made it a priority to reduce the company’s debt load. A key strategy has been divestments—most notably, the sale of a majority stake in a S$2.75 billion office complex located in the heart of Singapore agreed earlier this year. It’s inked about S$1.5 billion of divestments so far this year, which includes hotels in the US and other smaller commercial properties in Singapore. But CDL has also sought to make S$1.2 billion in investments, such as in land plots in the city-state.
“There’s a pipeline of many more divestments to come,” the CEO said
China’s property crisis hits new low with Evergrande delisting
CThe country’s second-largest developer by market capitalization has sought to move on from a tussle between the father-son duo that leads the firm. It broke out just around its last earnings release in February and led to a short-lived lawsuit filed by Executive Chairman Kwek Leng Beng and other directors against the rest of the board, including his son and Chief Executive Officer Sherman Kwek, over an alleged boardroom coup.
at a press conference on Wednesday. “We’re also going to seize on good opportunities that allow us to grow our future land bank,” he added. CDL is also planning to seek an initial public offering of a real estate investment trust for its UK commercial assets “at the right time,” Sherman said.
The firm’s net debt-to-equity ratio—which includes the fair value on investment properties—edged down slightly to 70 percent from 72 percent at the end of the first quarter.
Investors have so far cheered these efforts, with an upgrade from JPMorgan Chase & Co. in July. Along with a broader rally in property shares driven by a continued boom in the financial hub’s residential market, the firm’s shares has outperformed the country’s benchmark stock index this year, with more than double its gains. Still, challenges remain. Tensions among board members were laid bare during a shareholders’ meeting in April. More recently, a longtime ally of the patriarch chairman retired at the end of July after criticizing some fellow directors at the meeting. Bloomberg
Japan bond auction spotlights fragile demand and rate hike fears
By Momoka Yokoyama & Masaki Kondo
JAPAN’S five-year government bond auction saw the lowest demand since 2020 amid the prospect of tighter monetary policy and renewed concerns over poor market liquidity.
The sale nudged bond prices lower across maturities from two- to 20-years, and yields on five-year securities rose as much as 3 basis points to 1.07 percent before easing slightly. The bid-to-cover ratio was 2.96, compared with 3.54 at the prior sale and the 12-month average of 3.74.
“Considering the possibility of a rate hike by the Bank of Japan later this year, yield at 1 percent wasn’t quite sufficient,”said Miki Den, a senior rates strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.
It follows BOJ’s summary of opinions in which a board member signaled that the central bank may be moving toward another rate hike by the end of the year, depending on the impact of US tariffs. Overnight indexed swaps have fully priced in the possibility the BOJ will raise interest rates by 25 basis points by April next year.
In another sign of lackluster demand, the tail, or the gap between average and lowest-accepted prices, came in at 0.03, compared with 0.02 at last month’s auction. The cut-off price was at 99.71, falling short of the Bloomberg survey estimate of 99.72.
“While political uncertainty is making it difficult to predict the timing of the BOJ’s next rate hike, once
the situation becomes clearer, the environment would be more conducive to further tightening,” said Naoya Hasegawa, chief bond strategist at Okasan Securities Co. “The current yield level appeared insufficient under such conditions.”
Concerns about poor liquidity and volatility in the nation’s debt market have intensified. The benchmark 10-year bond wasn’t traded at all on Tuesday, the first such instance in more than two years, before seeing transactions on Wednesday, according to data from an institutional brokerage.
“Japanese government bonds will face renewed selling pressure. Inflation risks remain elevated, with July’s producer price index coming in slightly hotter than expected on a year-on-year basis. GDP data later this week could amplify stagflation concerns,” said Mary Nicola, Bloomberg’s macro strategist. Globally, US-short term yields edged down after a largely benign US inflation data supported expectations for a rate cut by the Federal Reserve next month. In contrast, rate hike expectations in Japan have gathered pace.
Five-year overnight-indexed swaps have risen relative to similartenor bond yields, with their spread narrowing by half from a recent low of minus 13 basis points on Aug. 1.
This suggests that it’s become costlier for investors seeking to hedge their bond holdings against potential BOJ policy tightening using swaps. With assistance from Alice French, Mia Glass and Hidenori Yamanaka/Bloomberg
By Venus Feng
HINA Evergrande Group’s delisting marks a bleak milestone for the nation’s property sector, now in a fourth year of paralysis that continues to weigh down the world’s second-largest economy.
The company, once China’s biggest developer by sales, will be removed from the Hong Kong stock exchange on August 25, a year and a half after the shares were suspended and almost 16 years after the Guangzhou-based firm was listed.
The delisting comes as liquidators sifting through the books revealed that the developer’s debt load now stands at about HK$350 billion ($45 billion), much bigger than previously disclosed.
The liquidators provided a stern assessment after more than a year of going through the balance sheet and the firm’s web of entities, deeming its chances of pulling off a holistic restructuring as “out of reach.” Once emblematic of China’s housing boom, Evergrande’s fall underscores the fragility of the market, where declining consumer confidence, oversupply, and mounting debt have stalled real estate recovery efforts.
“It’s a symbolic moment for the mainland property sector,” said Kenny Ng, a strategist at China Everbright Securities International. The drastic collapse “will definitely leave a deep memory in all investors in the market.”
Evergrande’s downfall is by far
the biggest in a crisis that dragged down China’s economic growth and spurred a record of distressed builders. The company, which first defaulted on a dollar bond in December 2021, was once the country’s largest developer by sales, and was worth more than $50 billion in 2017 at its peak.
Despite government stimulus, property sales remain sluggish this year, prompting analysts including UBS Group AG’s to delay expectations of a recovery to mid-to-late 2026. New-home sales by the 100 largest developers have fallen more than 20 percent for two consecutive months, China Real Estate Information Corp. data showed.
Calls for further policy support for the residential market have grown louder as the slump drags on. Still, the Communist Party’s decision-making Politburo refrained from adding property stimulus measures at a meeting last month after the Chinese economy held up surprisingly well in the face of US tariffs.
Evergrande has been joined by a raft of firms in unraveling. On Monday, China South City Holdings Ltd. was ordered to liquidate by Hong Kong’s High Court after failing to
The company, once China’s biggest developer by sales, will be removed from the Hong Kong stock exchange on August 25, a year and a half after the shares were suspended and almost 16 years after the Guangzhou-based firm was listed. The delisting comes as liquidators sifting through the books revealed that the developer’s debt load now stands at about HK$350 billion ($45 billion), much bigger than previously disclosed.
win enough support from creditors for its restructuring proposal.
Hong Kong’s courts have issued at least six wind-up orders for Chinese developers since the crisis began in 2021. Evergrande’s liquidation continues to remain the most complex and serves as a road map for other developers going through the same process. About $150 billion of debt from the country’s developers have fallen in distress. Even worse is that a growing number of builders that passed key milestones for restructuring proposals are now heading back to square one. Sunac China Holdings Ltd. became the first major Chinese builder to pursue a second debt overhaul plan.
Liquidators’ chase
EVERGRANDE’S liquidation has been a monumental task as the firm
Trump mocks Goldman CEO, says bank made bad call on tariffs
By Josh Wingrove, Todd Gillespie & Joe Mathieu
PRESIDENT Donald Trump assailed Goldman Sachs Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer David Solomon, saying the bank made a “bad prediction” about the impact of Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda on markets and consumer costs.
“David Solomon and Goldman Sachs refuse to give credit where credit is due,” the president said on his social-media platform Tuesday. “They made a bad prediction a long time ago on both the Market repercussion and the Tariffs themselves, and they were wrong, just like they are wrong about so much else.”
Trump didn’t specify why he was upset with the bank, but his remarks follow a research note Sunday by Goldman economists that said the impact of the president’s tariffs on consumer prices was just starting to be felt.
Consumers in the US have absorbed an estimated 22 percent of
tariff costs through June, but their share will rise to 67 percent if the latest tariffs follow the pattern of levies in previous years, according to a note by researchers led by Jan Hatzius, the bank’s chief economist.
“I think that David should go out and get himself a new Economist or, maybe, he ought to just focus on being a DJ, and not bother running a major Financial Institution,” Trump added in his post, referencing Solomon’s hobby as a disc jockey, which he put on pause after earlier criticism over his handling of the bank’s strategy.
A spokesperson for New Yorkbased Goldman Sachs declined to comment on the president’s remarks.
Trump didn’t specify why he was upset with the bank, but his remarks follow a research note Sunday by Goldman economists that said the impact of the president’s tariffs on consumer prices was just starting to be felt.
Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro also criticized Goldman in an interview later Tuesday on Bloomberg Television.
“The only entity which has less respect in terms of their data than the BLS these days is Goldman Sachs,” Navarro said, comparing the bank unfavorably with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Trump fired and replaced the head of the federal agency after revisions to jobs data showed a weakening US labor market.
The latest broadside follows Trump’s criticisms of some of Wall Street’s biggest lenders, accusing them of debanking clients for politi-
comprises 3,000 legal entities in multiple jurisdictions, as well as about 1,300 projects under development in more than 280 cities, according to the liquidators. They have assumed control of more than 100 companies related to the firm that collectively hold a value of HK$27 billion. There were also 3,000 projects under the Hong Kong-listed property management operation Evergrande Property Services Group Ltd. Creditors are especially paying close attention to the handling of this arm, since it “represents a very substantial potential source of value” and are being given “the highest priority” in terms of attention, the liquidators said. The liquidators said the realization of assets has so far been “modest” at $255 million. Some $167 million has been “upstreamed” and linked to Evergrande, however, stakeholders shouldn’t assume that all of the money will be available to the company due to complex ownership structures, they said. A previous analysis by Deloitte estimated the recovery rate for Evergrande’s offshore unsecured creditors stood at just 3.53 percent.
“The announcement of Evergrande’s delisting could add more pressure to mainland builder shares still trading,” said Ng. “It’s a lesson to investors alerting them to spend more time to understand a company’s business when earnings are growing too fast and to study policy shifts.” With assistance from Trista Xinyi Luo and Emma Dong/Bloomberg
cal reasons. The president has publicly lambasted JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp. with claims they’ve refused clients on such grounds, allegations the banks deny. Despite those tensions, the sector stands to benefit more broadly from the president’s deregulation agenda and expectations for lower capital requirements.
It’s also been less than two weeks since the president met with Solomon at the White House to discuss his bank’s potential role in plans for an initial public offering of governmentheld mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The president’s post came after data released earlier Tuesday showed underlying inflation picked up in July, though prices of goods rose at a more muted pace, tempering concerns about tariff-driven price pressures and raising expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in September. With assistance from Katherine Doherty/ Bloomberg
Sanctions choke crude shipments to Indian refiner
By Weilun Soon & Rakesh Sharma
INDIAN refiner Nayara Energy is set to receive the lowest-ever amount of crude this month, as oil imports and product exports buckle under the weight of EU sanctions.
Nayara—part-owned by Russian oil giant Rosneft PJSC and blacklisted by Brussels in July—is expected to receive just under 94,000 barrels of crude per day for all of this month, ship-tracking data from Vortexa and Kpler show. That compares with nearly 366,000 barrels a day in July through September last year.
It has received four cargoes of Russia’s flagship Urals grade, or nearly 2.9 million barrels, this month, but the last delivery was on August 9. No more shipments are expected for the rest of the month, according to a shipbroker and the ship-tracking data, although this may still change.
The refinery, the country’s thirdlargest by capacity, was operating at nearly 70 percent of its capacity as of late July. Traders say that figure could fall further if the refinery is
unable to obtain feedstock.
The picture is equally challenging when it comes to overseas sales of petroleum products. While Nayara has managed to export some cargoes in recent days, it relied on dark-fleet vessels to move those deliveries as legitimate shipowners and traders stayed away to avoid running afoul of the European Union sanctions.
Currently, two blacklisted medium-range tankers are docked at Nayara’s terminal in Vadinar, according to ship-tracking data. Ocean Autumn and Varg had arrived, empty, on Tuesday morning, the data show. Both tankers are sanctioned by the UK, with Ocean Autumn also blacklisted by the EU. Nayara exports that were already on water before the EU sanctioned the refiner on on July 18 also faced
delays in finding buyers. A cargo of ultra-low sulfur diesel that was loaded onto the EM Zenith that day idled in the Straits of Malacca until late Tuesday, when the vessel showed that it was sailing to China. That would make it India’s first diesel export to the country in more than four years, data show.
Domestic shippers have also pulled out from collaborating with Nayara, with The Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd. and Seven Islands Shipping Ltd. backing out of agreements to send fuel from one local port to another, according to people familiar with the development. They asked not to be named due to sensitivity of the trade. As a result, Nayara has turned to surface transport, such as trucks and rail to bring more of its fuel to market.
A Nayara spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Payment challenges
THE EU sanctioned Nayara for its support of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine through the Russian oil
trade. Since then, Nayara has faced challenges issuing as well as receiving payments, leading it to seek advance payment or letters of credit before its fuel shipments are loaded, while cutting run rates at its Vadinar refinery. Executives at the Mumbai-based refiner have held meetings with several Indian government ministries to seek advice on various issues that have hobbled its business since the sanctions. New Delhi, however, hasn’t provided much support to Nayara as it scrambles to handle the fallout from additional tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. State Bank of India, the country’s largest lender, stopped processing trade and foreign currency transactions for Nayara over potential sanctions, the Economic Times newspaper reported this week. The refiner has already reached out to the federal government to broker a relationship with a local lender such as UCO Bank Ltd. after the EU sanctions prompted greater caution among larger banks. With assistance from Serene Cheong/Bloomberg
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Report: Corruption, political spat stunt economic growth
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
CORRUPTION
and political instability continue to undermine the country’s economic growth under the Marcos administration,
according to Capital Economics.
In its latest brief on the administration’s mid-term scorecard, Capital Economics said that while the past three years showed “encouraging” economic performance.
However, Capital Economics noted the Philippines remains among the most corrupt countries in Asia and the “high-profile spat” between the President and Vice President makes the country one of the least politically-stable economies in Southeast Asia.
“Overall, the progress that Marcos has made over the past three years is encouraging for the economic outlook. However, persistent concerns over corruption and political instability risk undermining this progress,”
Capital Economics stated. “If these issues remain unresolved, the Philippines will find it difficult to keep pace with the region’s top-performing economies, particularly Vietnam and India. Moreover, it risks not fully capitalizing on the significant opportunities arising from the realignment of global supply chains driven by the US–China decoupling,” it added. The think tank noted that GDP grew by an average of 5.6 percent in 2023-2024, and is set to grow by 5.3 percent this year.
Further, inflation has been below 2 percent since March 2025. In July, inflation has averaged 0.9 percent, allowing the central bank to con-
TBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
HE National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on Wednesday said the recently-approved P28-billion under-recovery will be utilized to partly finance the grid operator’s efforts to further strengthen the power grid.
“We just want to emphasize that NGCP is revenue cap. What NGCP actually charges, we don’t make a profit when electricity consumption increases. It’s just pure expenses to get into the business.
That’s why the business was chartered to make sure there are enough funds available to build the transmission assets that we need to deliver electricity,” said NGCP Spokesperson Mutya Alabanza during a news briefing on transmission rates for August.
The capital-intensive transmission business, she added, is estimated at “hundreds of millions to billions per project.”
“This is not a small business, so naturally, the capital required is also huge. NGCP is building and constructing thousands of towers, thousands of kilometers of lines,” added Alabanza.
Earlier, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved an under-recovery (UR) fixed rate of PP0.0384 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to be implemented for 84 months,
or until the UR amount of P28 billion is fully collected.
In addition, the ERC allowed NGCP to recover the Maximum Allowable Revenue (MAR) increase of P6.62 billion, raising the previously approved MAR from P51.47 billion to P 58.1 billion, translating to an anticipated increase of P0.0629/ kWh.
The ERC approval forms part of NGCP’s Fourth Regulatory Period Reset, covering years 2016–2022. The third reset, covering 2010–2015, took place more than a decade ago.
The approved MAR and under recoveries from 2016 to 2022, along with the decrease on the energy consumption from June to July 2025 billing period, resulted in an increase in NGCP’s transmission rates in the July 2025 billing period which will be translated by the distribution utilities in the electric bills of their end consumers effective August 2025.
From P0.4611/kWh in the June 2025 billing period, transmission rates rose to P0.5923/kWh or an increase of P0.1312/kWh.
Ancillary services rates, meanwhile, went down from P0.6182/ kWh in June to P0.5872/kWh in July from P0.0310/kWh.
Overall average transmission rates for the July 2025 billing period have increased to P1.3233/kWh, up by 9.25 percent from June’s P1.2113/kWh.
sider another rate cut in the August meeting of the Monetary Board. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/07/30/august-rate-cutseen-as-tariff-chaos-clears)
However, Capital Economics said while reforms were implemented in the Bureau of Customs and stronger procurement laws were already introduced, there are fears the country could “backslide” in its fight against corruption.
It said factors that are of concern are the abolition of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission as well as the lack of transparency in the country’s sovereign wealth fund.
In 2022, the PACC were among three offices of Malacañang that were abolished by the President as part of his effort to streamline its operations. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/07/07/ pacc-abolished-pcoo-its-unitsfolded-under-office-of-press-secretary/)
In 2024, then Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and representatives of Bayan Muna Party-list have reiterated their plea for the Supreme Court to immediately enjoin implementation of Republic Act 11954 or the Maharlika Invest-
ment Fund (MIF) Act of 2023. (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2024/07/02/koko-et-al-renew-plea-for-sc-to-strike-downmaharlika-fund-law/)
However, managers of the sovereign wealth fund remain unfazed, vowing to continue with investment plans for the year. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/07/08/ mif-managers-to-proceed-withinvestment-plans/)
Meanwhile, the think tank said the impeachment complaints against the Vice President continue to weigh on the country’s efforts to become more politically stable.
“Duterte resigned from the cabinet in June 2024, and she was impeached earlier this year amid accusations of corruption and that she had hired a hitman to target President Marcos should she be killed. While the Supreme Court voided the impeachment last month, another impeachment attempt is likely next year,” it said.
‘Meaningful reforms’
MEANWHILE , the Marcos administration intends to further its activities related to good governance
OPERATORS TAP FACEBOOK TO RECRUIT PLAYERS FOR ONLINE COCKFIGHTING EVENTS–STUDY
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
AS several unregulated gambling platforms continue to host online cockfighting or e-sabong events, a new study looked into how regulated and unregulated platforms differ in key areas.
Filipino-focused sociocultural research firm The Fourth Wall noted that e-sabong events are “actively promoted” on platforms like Facebook despite a nationwide ban.
“Our audit findings confirm that several unregulated gambling platforms, including JOLIBET and OKEBET, still host e-sabong events years after the ban,” its report read.
According to the report, these games are sometimes “gated” by account registration but remain openly promoted, indicating ongoing demand and the “resilience” of illegal operators.
The study indicated that esabong agents use dedicated groups and private messages to invite players to ongoing events.
“This direct recruitment bypasses official channels, helping illegal operators maintain a steady inflow of players despite the prohibition,” it noted.
With the market expanding and enforcement actions ongoing, the research firm said it examined how regulated and unregulated platforms differ in key operational areas—game offerings, promotions, affiliate structure, payment channels, KYC, trust and safety, among others. These differences, it noted, reveal not just “contrasting” business models, but also “varying levels” of player protection. As to the number of games, the firm said regulated platforms have a “smaller” game catalog because each new title must pass the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s (Pagcor) approval process.
“Games are audited for fairness and delivered by licensed providers, which may give players greater assurance about outcome legitimacy,” it said. Some unregulated platforms feature game titles not found in regulated sites. However, this larger catalog includes several games that are not verified by third-party auditors, with some showing signs of being fake or manipulated. In terms of promotions, players involved in unregulated online gambling would usually
IBPAP
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
FIRMS and other stakeholders in the Philippine IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry will see to it that the sector is prepared for any changes in international regulations.
IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) President and CEO Jack Madrid told the BusinessMirror that the industry is “closely reviewing” the recently proposed Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 and its potential implications for the industry.
The measure intends to impose restrictions on the outsourcing of call center operations by American firms.
Madrid said the US is still the Philippine IT-BPM industry’s largest client base as it contributes roughly two-thirds of the sector’s revenues in 2024, or approximately $25 billion.
“While the bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process, we remain committed to keeping our stakeholders informed, providing timely guidance, and ensuring that the Philippine IT-BPM industry is well-positioned to adapt and thrive in a changing regulatory environment,” Madrid told this newspaper.
He said the local IT-BPM industry supports both the healthcare and mortgage servicing sectors, which have been dubbed as the two “politically sensitive” US sectors where the cost of onshoring would be directly felt by Americ ans should the proposed measure be greenlighted by Washington. (See: https://businessmirror. com.ph/2025/08/12/call-centermeasure-costly-for-u-s-firms/)
“We have seen the Memorandum to the President from Congressman Joey Salceda and acknowledge him for advocating for the
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Ayala Corp. announced last Wednesday that its core net income, which excludes one-off items such as impairments, fell 2 percent year-on-year to P23.7 billion.
If one-off items were included, the conglomerate would post a netincome increase of 5 percent to P23.35 billion from the previous year’s P22.28 billion, as impairments incurred in the same period of last year were higher. The income drop was despite revenues higher at 2 percent to P183.49 billion from the previous year’s P179.94 billion.
“While our telco and energy businesses have some catching up to do, our full year targets remain achievable,” Ayala President and CEO Cezar P. Consing said. “We are also encouraged to see our portfolio businesses showing better numbers. The recently announced investment in AC Health [Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc.] by Singapore’s ABC Impact [ABC World Asia Pte. Ltd.] demonstrates our
ability to bring in strategic partners to help scale our businesses.” Bank of the Philippine Islands reported a net income of P33 billion, up 8 percent in the first half of 2025 driven by strong revenue growth which offset higher operational expense and provisions.
Globe Telecom Inc.’s net income was down 14 percent to P12.4 billion as higher equity earnings from affiliates and a dilution gain in Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations Inc.), parent of GCash operator GXchange Inc., were offset by higher depreciation, interest expense and non-operating charges.
The net income of Ayala Land Inc. rose 8 percent to P14.2 billion in the first semester of 2025, anchored by its diversified portfolio across property development, leasing, and hospitality. Revenues declined 1 percent,
reaching P83.1 billion, despite mall reinvention works and lower service revenues.
AC Health narrowed core net losses year-on-year to P100 million from P327 million as stronger results from the provider group more than offset muted results from the pharma segment.
Revenues from the provider group grew 56 percent, underpinned by increased average spend per patient, stronger doctor engagement, and higher bed utilization rates. Revenue growth was supported by contributions from FEU-NRMF and the Cancer Hospital.
The pharma group’s revenues were flat due to delays in shipments.
The net loss of AC Logistics Inc. narrowed to P631 million from P773 million, largely driven by the closure of its last mile business and ongoing rationalization efforts.
New CEO AYALA Corp. also announced that it has appointed its Chief Finance Officer Alberto M. de Larrazabal as the new president and CEO of Areit Inc. effective last Wednesday.
The 70-year old de Larrazabal replaced Jose Eduardo A. Quimpo II who stepped down due to organizational movement within the Ayala
group. Quimpo will remain in Areit’s board, according to the company.
De Larrazabal, who is also expected to step down from his CFO post in Ayala by year’s end, will serve the unexpired term of Areit Director Augusto D. Bengzon, who also stepped down from the board due to organizational movement within the group.
De Larrazabal is bringing over two decades of experience in corporate finance, strategy and operations to the role. He has held senior finance roles at Globe Telecom Inc., San Miguel Corp. and JP Morgan Hong Kong.
De Larrazabal brings extensive experience in mergers and acquisition, investor relations and enterprise transformation—capabilities that align closely with Areit’s next growth horizon.
During his tenure, Quimpo steered the company toward continued growth, overseeing the increase of its assets under management to a projected P138 billion from P87 billion and diversification in asset class and geography.
This growth trajectory includes a P21-billion infusion under his leadership, an initiative that underscores his focus on scaling the portfolio and unlocking long-term value.
Converge trims revenue growth aim
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
CONVERGE Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc.
disclosed that it has trimmed revenue growth target for the year by a few percentage points— now expecting a 10 percent to 12 percent increase for the year—as sustained churn levels, manpower shortages, and delays in launching new enterprise solutions temper earlier projections.
Converge ICT Chief Finance Officer Robert Leo A. Yu said the guidance adjustment comes despite continued strong demand for the company’s broadband services.
Manila Electric energizes nine capex projects
THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has completed in the second quarter of the year nine major capital expenditure (capex) projects worth nearly P2 billion. These projects are meant to support rising electricity demand by adding 450 megavolt-amperes in additional capacity, improve service reliability, boost grid efficiency, and strengthen the resilience of Meralco’s network amid evolving customer requirements and extreme weather conditions. “These projects are part of Meralco’s broader network enhancement strategy, ensuring that our infrastructure is future-ready to meet growing energy demand while improving operational flexibility and service reliability,” Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet said. The
“We softened our full year guidance despite demand remaining strong…We had been anticipating churn levels would improve over the second quarter onwards. However, this is becoming challenging because of lack of manpower,” Yu said in a news briefing last Wednesday. He added that competition for fiber installation and maintenance talent has become intense both locally and overseas. Yu noted the company is working to replenish its headcount by enhancing compensation packages and training new graduates, but acknowledged that operational impacts—compounded by weather-related disruptions—
FORTUNE Life was honored to be part of the Philippine Life Insurance Association’s (PLIA) 75th Anniversary celebration held on July 29, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of Fairmont Makati City. With this year’s theme, “A Legacy of Protection: Ensuring Stability, Inspiring Growth,” PLIA commemorated 75 years of protecting lives, d riving innovation, and shaping the future of life insurance in the Philippines.
The event gathered industry leaders and advocates, highlighted by an i nspiring keynote from BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. Representing Fortune Life, EVP–C hief Operating Officer and PLIA Director Emma Abad joined Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado, PLIA President Rahul Hora a nd fellow leaders in presenting a token of appreciation to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Romulo-Puyat. Insurance Commissioner Regalado, one of the event’s distinguished guests, also delivered a congratulatory message to PLIA. Celebrating seven and a half decades of progress, the milestone
have hampered growth.
The launch of new enterprise offerings, meanwhile, is still underway, with sales cycles taking longer than initially expected.
“So putting them all together, that’s why we now expect that the full year revenue growth will be in the range of 10 percent to 12 percent,” Yu said.
The company’s initial revenue guidance was set at 14 percent to 16 percent growth by year end.
On Wednesday, Converge reported that for the first half of 2025, its net income rose 12.4 percent to P5.9 billion from P5.3 billion last year, translating to a net margin of 27.3 percent.
Consolidated revenues climbed
11.6 percent year-on-year to P21.8 billion, with residential revenues up 10.4 percent to P18.4 billion and enterprise revenues surging 18.3 percent to P3.4 billion.
Costs of services stood at P7.3 billion, a 4-percent increase from the year prior, while general and administrative expenses reached P5.0 billion. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) grew 13.1 percent to P13.5 billion.
Yu said the company now also expects its Ebitda margin to range between 59 and 60 percent for the full year, with return on invested capital at 15.5 to 16.5 percent.
As of end-June, Converge has 2.82 million residential subscribers.
THE GT Capital Holdings Inc. of the Ty family reported income for the first half of the year grew to a record P18.42 billion, a 34-percent increase from the previous P13.78 billion on the strong performance of its banking and automotive units.
Revenues rose 17 percent to P176.43 billion from the previous year’s P150.75 billion.
“We enter the second half with guarded confidence—aware of ongoing uncertainties in both domestic and global markets, yet encouraged by the strength and resilience of our core businesses. With this momentum and a sharp focus on execution, we are well-positioned to sustain our growth trajectory,” GT Capital President Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said.
Lender Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. had a net income of P24.84 billion in the first six months of the year, a 5-percent increase from the previous P23.6 billion, according to GT Capital.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (Toyota PHL), meanwhile, had a net income of P12.5 billion for the period, up by 66 percent from last year.
Consolidated revenues increased 19 percent to P135.6 billion, on strong retail sales volume, healthy models mix and favorable foreign exchange movement, GT Capital disclosed.
Toyota PHL remains the country’s leading automotive brand with a market share of 46.1 percent, as of end June. Its retail sales volume reached 111,276 units, up 6 percent compared to the first half of 2024, outpacing total auto industry growth of 5.8 percent.
In the first half of the year, the
THE power arm of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) revealed last Wednesday that the show-cause order (SCO) against its unit, South Premiere Power Corp. (SPPC), owner and operator of the 1,200 megawatt (MW) Ilijan Gas Power Plant, is already outdated and without basis.
Saying it has already been cleared by the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) of any violation over the Ilijan plant’s June 2022 outage, San Miguel Global Power (SMGP)
company continued to ramp up sales of its electrified vehicle models in pursuit of its multi-pathway approach to mobility. Combined electrified vehicle sales of both Lexus and Toyota brands grew 42 percent in the first half, equivalent to a total of 9,116 units, higher than the 6,419 units sold in the same period in 2024. “We remain committed to our multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality, emphasizing the need to provide our customers with diverse, accessible and practical mobility options as we also support the country’s sustainability goals. We will continue to maintain our guarded optimism in our outlook for the remainder of the year, against the backdrop of a dynamic global and local economic environment,” Toyota PHL President Masando Hashimoto said.
Property developer Federal Land Inc. continued to leverage its strategic expansion of horizontal developments outside Metro Manila and renewed its focus on ready-foroccupancy properties across its key locations.
Reservation sales grew 15 percent year-on-year during the period driven by strong demand for its commercial lots, horizontal developments in Cavite and Laguna, and its ready-for-occupancy vertical residences in Bonifacio Global City and the Manila Bay area. As of May, Federal Land NRE Global Inc., its joint venture with Nomura Real Estate of Japan, reported a full sell-out of commercial lots at Riverpark North in General Trias, Cavite, as it sold parcels ranging from 1,000 to 2,600 square meters that could be developed into office, retail, and other mixed-use facilities. VG Cabuag
now questions the SCO issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), through its former chairman Monalisa C. Dimalanta. Last March, the PEMC’s Market Surveillance Committee (MSC), and later its Board in May, concluded that SPPC did not breach the Must Offer Rule of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). Their review found that the plant’s shutdown from June 5 to 25, 2022, was the result of fuel supply constraints that were beyond the company’s control.
REPRESENTING Fortune Life, EVP-Chief Operating Officer and PLIA Director Emma Abad (3rd from right) joined Insurance Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado (5th
ADB lends PHL $400M for govt food stamps program
By Cai U. Ordinario @caiordinario
THE Philippines has secured a new multi-million dollar loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to finance the expansion of the government’s food stamp program.
The Manila-based multilateral development bank has approved a $400-million loan to finance the “Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers” project.
The project will support the government in expanding its new flagship social assistance initiative, the “Walang Gutom (Zero Hunger) Food Stamp Program.” It will help finance the delivery of monthly electronic food vouchers to 750,000 food-insecure households nationwide.
“With nearly half the Philippine population unable to afford a healthy and nutritious diet, food vouchers are essential to help poor and vulnerable households meet their nutritional needs,” said ADB Deputy Director General for Southeast Asia and concurrent Country Director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran. “This project reflects ADB’s commitment to improving food security and nutrition so that all Filipinos can thrive.”
The project is being co-financed by ADB with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) or French Development Agency with a $200-million loan as well as the OPEC Fund for International Development with a loan of $150 million.
Apart from receiving electronic food vouchers, program beneficiaries will attend monthly sessions aimed at promoting positive nutrition-related behaviors and addressing knowledge gaps to reduce both malnutrition and poverty.
The project also seeks to enhance the government’s implementation capacity and strengthen systems for shock-responsive social protection, ensuring timely assistance to households during disasters and economic shocks.
Earlier, the ADB provided technical assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Development
to pilot the delivery of electronic vouchers.
The pilot, which was done in partnership with the World Food Programme, was carried out in five locations from December 2023 to July 2024. Insights from a rigorous impact evaluation of the pilot informed the project design.
The project also builds on the ADB’s long-standing support for social protection in the Philippines, including over 15 years of assistance to the “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program” (4Ps). It also draws on lessons from the ADB’s support to social protection in other countries, including Mongolia’s food stamp program. According to the ADB, poverty and food insecurity contribute to undernutrition. Nearly 30 percent of Filipino children under the age of 5 are stunted, reflecting long-term nutritional deficiencies that impair learning, health, and future productivity. Childhood undernutrition is estimated to cost the economy $8.5 billion annually, underscoring the urgent need for targeted multisector solutions.
Compounding the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition is the country’s high vulnerability to disasters.
The Philippines is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire and Western Pacific typhoon belt, making it prone to frequent earthquakes, tropical cyclones, flooding, and landslides. Typhoons are projected to intensify with climate change.
In 2024, the ADB ranked as the country’s second top source of Official Development Assistance (ODA) with $11.05 billion, according to the “2024 ODA Portfolio Review Report.”
The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) report stated that 59 programs and projects, primarily supporting economic recovery, transport infrastructure, and social protection, were funded through ODA.
The bulk of the ODA financing extended by the ADB to the Philippines is worth $7.05 billion or 28.55 percent of financing for Infrastructure Flagship Projects. The funding financed 11 projects.
State microfinance support to entrepreneurs at ₧1.5B
By Andrea San Juan
HE government is earmarking
TP1.5 billion in microfinancing support for Filipino micro-enterprises in 2026, a three-fold increase from the P500 million allocation in 2025, according to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. “To give MSMEs better access to affordable and accessible credit, the “Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-Asenso,” or P3, program will receive P1.5 billion in FY 2026, a substantial 200-percent increase from its FY 2025 GAA level of P500 million,” the President’s “Budget Message” read.
The P3 program provides microfinancing support to micro-enterprises as an alternative to “usurious lenders,” especially in underserved areas, the president explained.
It is worth noting that the allocation for microfinancing support for small merchants translates to 15 percent of the P9.9 billion allocated to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its attached agencies.
The budget allocation for DTI, Marcos said, “supports efforts to strengthen Philippine exports, attract investments, promote skills upgrading, and advance green businesses.”
On top of the microfinancing program, Marcos said the government is investing P944 million in the “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development” program to “sustain efforts in building resilient, globally competitive enterprises.”
To provide small merchants with the necessary machinery, equipment, tools, and systems that will help boost the productivity and efficiency of MSMEs, Marcos said the “Shared Services Facilities” (SSF) project of the DTI has also been allocated with P520 million.
On trade and investment promotion, the President said the “Exports and Investments Development” program will
Digitalization, tax reforms to rake in ₧4.593T for govt
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
TAXES to be collected by the country’s two main revenuegenerating agencies are seen to reach P4.593 trillion next year, as the government banks on digitalization and recent tax reforms.
Based on the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF) for fiscal year 2026, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are projected to collect P3.579 trillion and P1.013 trillion, respectively.
The combined revenues to be raised next year are 9.93-percent higher than the P4.178-trillion target collection for this year.
According to the President’s “Budget Message,” revenues will be supported by intensified digitaliza-
THE national government is allocating a budget of P345.9 billion for priority social and health safety net projects for 2026 under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
This covers projects for human and social development worth P177 billion for three priority projects as well as P168.9 billion for projects that seek to reduce vulnerabilities and protect purchasing power.
For human and social development, the priorities are the operations of DOH regional hospitals and other health facilities (P99.5 billion); national health insurance program (P53.3 billion); and, the medical assistance to indigent and financially-incapacitated patients program (P24.2 billion).
tion initiatives in the tax collection system and the value-added tax (VAT) on non-resident digital service providers.
Broken down, the BIR is expected to ramp up its collections by 11.19 percent and rake in P3.579 trillion as against this year’s P3.219 trillion program.
The bulk of the BIR’s collection will come from taxes on net income and profits worth P1.849 trillion, followed by P1.448 trillion sourced from taxes on domestic goods and
services and P234.606 billion from documentary stamp taxes.
For the BOC, the revenue target for next year is also 11.86 percent higher, at P1.027 trillion, from this year’s reduced goal of P958.714 billion.
Of the amount, P619.822 billion will be generated from VAT on imports, P266.865 billion from excise taxes, P110.639 billion from import duties and taxes and P16.495 billion from other fees.
Meanwhile, the increased receipts from non-tax revenues, such as dividends from government corporations and proceeds from privatization, will also shore up the state’s revenue collection.
The BESF showed the government seeks to raise P249.073 billion in nontax revenues next year.
Although this is lower by 17.38 percent from this year’s target of P301.475 billion, earnings from selling idle state assets are expected to increase by almost 20 times next year.
Revenues from privatization are
forecasted to surge to P100.979 billion in 2026, from only P5 billion anticipated for this year. All these will bring total revenues next year to increase 10.24 percent from this year’s P4.520 trillion target.
While the total amount will support the proposed 2026 budget of P6.793 trillion, the
The
will adopt a ratio of 77:23 for its financing mix, still in favor of domestic sources, adjusting this year’s 80:20 mix. As such, P2.054 trillion will be obtained from local lenders, lower by 2.69 percent than this year’s P2.111
sets aside ₧345.9B for safety net projects
for the 4Ps will provide various financial and social assistance to 4.4 million marginalized householdbeneficiaries.
The government also said it has allocated P27 billion for “Protective Services for Individuals and Families in Difficult Circumstances” to provide cash and material assistance to Filipinos facing abuse, calamities, and other emergencies.
Under the NEP, the government will also undertake the “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp” program, which will be financed P1.9 billion. The program would provide 50,000 qualified households with “electronic benefit transfer” (EBT) cards that can be used to purchase food at accredited markets.
of-pocket health expenses and the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) will receive P1.3 billion to cover the needs of cancer patients for diagnostics, medicines, and treatment in public health facilities.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Filipinos’ out-of-pocket (OOP) payments to finance their health needs posted double-digit growth and breached the P600-billion level in 2024.
Based on the Philippine National Health Accounts (PNHA), household’s OOP payments amounted last year to P615.16 billion, a growth of 11.8 percent from the P550.08 billion recorded in 2023.
ration of a public health emergency given the drastic spike in humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence among individuals aged 15 to 25.
Based on the data from the DOH, newly-diagnosed HIV cases increased by 129 percent or 2.3 times over—from just 21 per day in 2014, to 48 in 2024. There were 56 cases per day from January to April 2025, 44 percent higher than the same period last year. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/06/03/ doh-proposes-declaration-of-hivhealth-emergency/).
receive P962 million to support key strategies that advance trade facilitation, export competitiveness, and investor confidence in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the “One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines” program will receive P86 million from the government for 2026 to support “inclusive” enterprise development in local communities.
“Through [the] ‘OTOP: Next Gen,’ local producers receive support from the government through DTI Regional Offices, the Design Center of the Philippines, Negosyo Centers, and Tindahang Pinoy, enabling microenterprises to scale up and access wider markets, ultimately contributing to job creation and local economic resilience,” said Marcos.
To uphold consumer rights and public welfare such as the review of consumer laws, enforcement of fair-trade practices, and facilitation of redress of processes, the President said the government has earmarked P639 million for the consumer protection program.
Further, the “Industry Development Program” will be provided with an allocation of P740 million to upgrade the competitiveness of Philippine industries, especially those with “high employment and export potential,” Marcos said.
As the halal industry presents “tremendous” potential, the country’s chief executive said the government is pouring P103 million to support the “Philippine Halal Industry Development” program of the DTI, a 47.1-percent increase from the P70 million allocation under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
To stimulate the creative economy, the “Malikhaing Pinoy” program is provided P50 million in FY 2026.
“This initiative supports creative industry development through capacity building, market linkage, and innovation support for artists and cultural entrepreneurs,” Marcos said.
In terms of reducing vulnerabilities and protecting purchasing power, the priorities are the P113billion worth “Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino” program (4Ps); the P49.8billion “Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens” program; and, the P61-billion Supplementary Feeding program.
The President said the allocation
For health, the national government will also continue supporting the “Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially-Incapacitated Patients” (MAIFIP) program, which will receive P24.2 billion “to ensure that no Filipino is denied life-saving care due to poverty.”
The National Health Insurance program has received a P53.3-billion worth allocation to reduce out-
The national government also said it has allocated P66 million has been allotted for the Philippine National AIDS Council for the prompt delivery of medical services to individuals with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
In June, the Department of Health (DOH) proposed the decla-
Why recognition is important
AS marketers, imagine not getting recognized for our campaigns and being questioned for expenses without direct impact to brand building or business’s bottom line. We are frequently challenged to demonstrate the value of marketing efforts through measurable results. We live and thrive in extended work hours, crunch time for multiple and simultaneous deadlines, and internal pressures. We fight for market share, calculate and commit to return on investment and key performance indicators, deliver high-impact and high-performing brand and marketing campaigns.
In this line of work, validation of our invaluable (but at times unquantifiable) contributions to our organizations is equally important. After all, brand and marketing help drive sales and business success. A strong brand creates awareness, contributes to consideration, generates leads, usage and purchases. Our work matters. Awards and recognition are powerful brand image boosters. Awards serve as proof points of an organization’s excellence, credibility, reputation and leadership. They are external, organic brand endorsements that confirm the quality and impact of a company’s products, services and initiatives. It’s a strong competitive advantage and differentiator. For marketers, these are compelling affirmation for our programs and campaigns, and also serve
as benchmark for industry standards and best practices. This week, the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) opens nominations for the 6th year of its biennial “Bank Marketing Awards” (BMA). The BMA aims to promote bank marketing excellence and recognize outstanding bank marketing practices in keeping financial institutions responsive to the needs of the industry a nd the banking public. It has become synonymous with recognizing financial institutions that demonstrate commitment to advancing innovation, creative execution, raising awareness on consumer education and protection, creating positive customer experience and value, and making banking affordable and accessible to financial consumers.
Meanwhile, the national government is also allocating P27.7 billion for DOH hospitals in Metro Manila in 2026, a 20.2 percent growth from the P23.1 billion allocation this year.
The Philippine General Hospital will receive P7.2 billion in 2026 to support its operations and facility upgrades while DOH regional hospitals will receive P99.5 billion for their operations, also a significant increase of 26.1 percent compared to this year’s P78.9 billion.
Cai U. Ordinario
In partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Financial Sector Forum, this year’s BMA has seven categories: Best Product Program; Best Brand Program; Best Electronic Channel Program; Best Digital Marketing Program; Best Financial Inclusion Program; Best Customer-Centric Product or Service; and, Best Sustainability Drive. T he BMAP will accept nominations until September 26. The 5th BMA in 2023 generated the most number of entries and we hope to see more participating banks and receive more submissions this year. Winning an award is more than just a trophy to brag about; it is a testament to creativity, innovation and results. It’s our chance to showcase our programs and campaigns that introduced fresh ideas, resonated with target markets and delivered measurable impact. Yes, we don’t usually seek the limelight, but it won’t hurt if, occasionally, we
Industry
Health&Fitness
Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
For a healthy population, look after adolescents–doctors
By Candy P. Dalizon | Contributor
HEALTH experts believe that adolescent health is a crucial topic for a nation’s future, as this population represents a significant asset, not a burden. Unlike aging populations that face a shortage of young workers, a healthy adolescent population ensures a productive workforce for years to come.
While the first five years are critical for development and early immunizations, adolescence provides a second chance to establish healthy habits that prevent major diseases later in life.
“As parents and pediatricians, we know and we are taught that it’s always the first five years where immunizations are usually concentrated. The parents will know this as they are very busy in terms of immunization in the first few years, and then it fades off. Now we are presented with a second window of opportunity to lay the
foundation for future health,” said Dr. Ma. Emma Alesna-Llanto, member of the Philippine Pediatric Society and Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines, Inc. (SAMPI).
“Take care of your adolescents now and you will have a healthy population,” added Dr. Llanto. She pointed out that the top causes of death among adults based on 2024 data—heart disease, cancer, and stroke—are often linked to behaviors developed during childhood and adolescence. These modifiable risk factors
Pharmaceutical firm makes healthcare through antioxidants
By Rory Visco Contributor
IN today’s fast-moving world, people are constantly told that the road to better health isn’t just about eating less or moving more. There may be some other “real” challenges that lie deeper in the quest for a long and healthy life. These can be in the environment, food, plus the daily and terrible stressors that many don’t notice until symptoms begin manifesting.
Today’s typical modern Filipino household, where parents juggle long work hours, endure heavy traffic, and deal with the high cost of living have become the norm, many families have no choice but to pick quick, processed meals, canned goods, instant noodles, frozen snacks, and sugarladen drinks. Why? Because of the convenience these offer, but the cost of that convenience, health-wise, is fast catching up.
Smarter self-care for today’s realities
THESE days, the conversation around health is about sustainable, proactive wellness. LAC Philippines, the local counterpart of Singapore-headquartered LAC Global, one of Asia’s largest retailers in nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal, and other specialty supplements, focuses on antioxidants as a daily defense mechanism through its Masquelier’s® French Pine Bark Extract.
This supplement features Original OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins), a powerful antioxidant compound scientifically proven to be 50 times more effective than Vitamin E and 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C in fighting oxidative stress. It works on three fronts: neutralizes harmful free radicals, improves blood circulation, and preserves collagen, benefits that extend from heart health to skin quality.
Though clearly not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle, consuming daily supplements can help fill the gap left by modern food and environmental stressors. It is safe for both adults and children, with dosage tailored to body weight, making it a practical addition to family wellness routines.
The case for antioxidants SO how do people defend themselves in a world stacked with invisible health risks? Antioxidants, which are natural compounds that neutralize free radicals and help reduce oxidative stress, are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, teas, and some supplements. Yes, many know that antioxidants are good but are largely underrated in terms of their value in modern life.
Antioxidants serve as the body’s
include physical inactivity, poor diet, and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products. Investing in adolescent health now—through proper nutrition, exercise, guidance against harmful behaviors, and continued immunizations—can create a healthier future for the entire population.
Dr. Llanto was among the speakers during the forum “Uniting Voices for Adolescent Health” held last week in celebration of Adolescent Immunization Month. The event underscored the urgent need to support adolescent wellness through a more integrated and proactive approach, addressing not only physical health, but also mental well-being, preventive care, and cross-sector collaboration.
Pivotal yet underserved stage
HEALTH experts and advocates assert that adolescence is a pivotal yet underserved stage of development. While teens experience rapid physical, emotional, and social changes, many fall through the cracks in the healthcare system due to inconsistent wellness visits, lack of awareness, and poor access to supportive
services. SAMPI is working to shift this narrative by promoting a culture of prevention, early intervention, and collective responsibility.
“Teens are often expected to take on more independence, yet we don’t always equip them with the care and attention they need to thrive,” said Dr. Michelle Anne Noblejas-Mangubat, President of SAMPI. “True adolescent health goes beyond checklists, it’s about helping them feel seen, supported, and safe across all areas of their life.”
A call for collaboration across sectors
DR. Llanto emphasized that adolescent health should not be siloed within the clinic.
“We need to bring health discussions into homes and classrooms. When parents, teachers, and doctors work together, teens are more likely to receive the right guidance and care at the right time,” said Dr. Llanto.
Dr. Vanessa-Maria Torres-Ticzon, President of the Philippine Society for Adolescent Medicine Specialists, highlighted the importance of rou -
tine wellness conversations during teen checkups, not just for physical health, but also for discussing risky behaviors, mental health, and overall development.
“Every consultation is an opportunity to listen, educate, and protect,” she said.
The forum’s panel discussion, which featured representatives from the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association, Philippine Academy of Physicians in School Health, Inc., and a mom influencer, further echoed the importance of building a unified front to advance adolescent wellness.
Schools were highlighted as trusted, accessible venues for health education and services, and parents were reminded that their involvement is central to a teen’s health.
Vaccination as a vital part of prevention
internal cleaners who help reduce inflammation, boost immune defenses, protect the skin, support healthy aging, and even assist with energy metabolism. They serve as part of the invisible armor that people wear every day, if bodies are given enough of them.
The 2023 National Nutrition Survey revealed that nearly 40 percent of Filipino adults are now overweight or obese, clear signs of a brewing public health crisis. But what’s more alarming is that 14 percent of children aged five to 10 years are found to be overweight, a high jump compared to only three years prior. These numbers don’t just reflect changing appetites but also say something about an environment where healthier choices are inaccessible.
Health experts warn that ultraprocessed foods such as flavored chips, sweetened drinks, and readyto-eat snacks dominate supermarket shelves. They are aggressively marketed, affordable, and easily accessible, and are largely engineered for taste, not nutrition. A UNICEF report notes that Filipino children are now consuming less fresh produce and more sugar, fat, and sodium. Not cutting them out from sets the stage not only for weight gain but for more insidious, long-term health risks.
More than just weight gain
ASIDE from obesity, a highly processed diet’s real danger is what it does on a cellular level. The additives, preservatives, and harmful compounds spark oxidative stress, an imbalance in the body caused by too many free radicals and too few antioxidants to neutralize them.
Oxidative stress is linked to lots of conditions like accelerated aging, inflammation, weakened immune defenses, and increased risk for chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers. But the most troubling part is that it doesn’t just affect adults; the effects can take root early on in life and undermine children’s development and well-being even before any symptoms become visible.
Small steps, lasting impact
LIVING in the modern world means recognizing that every health risk cannot be avoided, but people can choose how to respond to them. Supporting the body with the right nutrients, especially antioxidants, is a simple but powerful act of self-care. It’s not about overnight transformation but about daily reinforcement.
“Lasting health isn’t built overnight,” says LAC Philippines in a statement. “It’s built every day, through the consistent, thoughtful choices we make.”
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor
IN our family-centric culture, Filipino youth often hear the familiar questions, “When are you going to get married?” or “When are you going to have kids?” It is quite rare for you to hear people ask the more important questions like: “Do you have a real choice?” “Are you ready—emotionally, financially, and have the support you need?”
“Every August, we observe Family Planning Month in the Philippines, and in light of the changing demographics and growing economic pressures, it’s more important than ever to reframe the conversation. This means placing the focus on the right to choose freely and confidently if, when and how to build a family,” said Jose Roi Avena, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) Philippines Officer-in-Charge on Family Planning Month 2025 in his opinion-editorial posted on the website on UNFPA.
For quite some time, Avena said discussion on family planning in the Philippines has been focused on numbers: on whether our fertility rate is too low or too high. Nevertheless, the real issue should go beyond statistics. UNFPA, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency’s State of World Population 2025 (SWOP) report tells us the true challenge is reproductivity.
“Simply put, we need to make sure that everyone has the right and ability to decide freely about their own family life without pressure and more importantly, without barriers,” he said.
Avena said building a family is a deep
and valid choice. The more important matter, according to Avena, is that a Filipino couple has the freedom and support to make that decision so that their dreams for their family can become a reality.
The family picture:
A snapshot of where we are AVENA said the core of family planning is about empowering individuals to achieve their desired family size. He said this covers crucial access to modern family planning methods vital for preventing unintended pregnancies and planning the timing and spacing of children. Furthermore, this is also about the support, information, and resources people need to realize their reproductive aspirations.
“Whether that means preventing a pregnancy now or having the resources and environment to welcome children when they are ready, your family picture is for you to create,” he pointed out.
He said the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law (RA 10354) has already covered all the bases in family planning. “It explicitly states that the State recognizes and guarantees ‘universal access to medically-safe, non-abortifacient, effective, legal, affordable, and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, and supplies.”
Furthermore, it mandates that “each family shall have the right to determine its ideal family size” and that the State shall equip parents with the necessary information on all aspects of family life, including reproductive health and responsible parent-
During the event, SAMPI launched the Teen Vax Record Booklet. This easy-to-use tool helps families monitor their child’s vaccination schedule, track doses, and ensure timely protection throughout adolescence.
“Protecting our teens starts long before illness strikes, it begins with prevention,” said Dr. Noblejas-Mangubat. “The Teen Vax Record Booklet empowers families with something practical and powerful. It’s a reminder that every small action counts toward long-term health.”
Through efforts to bridge access gaps and reinforce vaccine confidence, SAMPI and its partners seek to establish preventive care as a routine and reliable standard for all Filipino adolescents, irrespective of socioeconomic background. The event concluded with a unified call for stronger partnerships across healthcare, education, and family life.
WHILE the forum discussed broader aspects of teen health, it also reinforced that routine adolescent vaccination is a cornerstone of preventive care. Immunization protects teens from serious diseases such as human papillomavirus or HPV, meningococcal infections, hepatitis B, influenza, and more. Yet many adolescents miss their recommended vaccines due to limited access or lack of tracking mechanisms.
Pinoys should have free hand in family planning—UNFPA
hood, to aid in this decision.
Analyzing the data from the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Avena said UNFPA learned that nearly 70 percent of Filipino women aged 40 and above had a family size that didn’t match what they ideally wanted, with 38.1 per cent reporting fewer children than ideal and 30.2 per cent reporting more than ideal. This gap between dreams and reality is at the heart of the “real fertility crisis.”
According to UNFPA’s report, there are barriers, many of which hit close to home, indicate persistent systemic challenges.
The biggest hurdle is often economic insecurity. The SWOP report found that a staggering 39 percent of people globally cited financial limits as a reason for not having their desired number of children.
Beyond direct financial constraints, job insecurity and housing problems continue to be major challenges.
For many young Filipinos, Avena said this indicates a challenge to find stable, good-paying jobs while coping with the rising costs of basic needs such as housing, transportation, and food.
Social factors also play a big part, particularly the unequal sharing of unpaid care work. He said women often spend three to ten times more hours on household chores and caring for family members than men.
“This imbalance limits women’s opportunities and directly affects their choices about having children. When couples share these responsibilities more fairly, they feel more supported and confident in building the
Pest control brands launch campaign vs dengue
SBy Vincent Peter Rivera
C Johnson’s pest-control brands, Baygon® and OFF!®, officially launched
“Mission: TAPOSible,” a nationwide campaign that encourages Filipino families to proactively combat the rising number of dengue cases by making prevention a part of their everyday lives.
According to the latest Department of Health (DOH) statistics, over 123,000 dengue cases were recorded from January 1 to June 7, 2025 with the highest number of cases among children aged five to nine.
“Dengue is an endemic disease here in the Philippines and everyone of us, I am sure, has experienced dengue once in our lifetime,” said Marissa de Ungria, Country Manager of SC Johnson Philippines. “This is a family event meant to bring us fun while learning about dengue.”
Anchored on a community pledge, Mission: TAPOSible calls on families to commit to simple, daily prevention habits, such as regularly applying mosquito repellent, using aerosol sprays or coils to protect indoor spaces, and cleaning potential mosquito breeding areas around the home, to help mitigate dengue.
During the three-day launch event at Market! Market!, BGC on August 8, 2025, Baygon and OFF! opened its official cam -
paign website to the public containing. The website contains information on how to join the mission, an “Understanding Dengue” section, the DOH’s 5S Strategy to fight the disease, and informative videos relevant to the health concern.
As of the writing of this article, the Mission: TAPOSible campaign has already received 1,296 pledges. Upon pledging, participants will see their names displayed on the campaign’s virtual wall and will receive a special discount code for Baygon and OFF! products.
Ally of dengue prevention FOR over 65 years, purpose-led company SC Johnson has been committed to provide effective and safe solutions to health threats like dengue. Its Baygon and OFF! products have successfully met international safety
BRAND ambassadors
Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico kick off the Mission: TAPOSible campaign by becoming the first to take the pledge.
standards, making them safe for use by households, including Filipino families.
SC Johnson’s Principal Entomologist, Tom Mascari, echoed this commitment in a documentary video premiered during the event, stating, “We’re committed here to make sure that everyone around the world, regardless of income level, has access to safe, quality, and efficacious products they can use to protect themselves and their families against mosquitoes.”
While data indicated that 20 percent of Filipinos use pest-control products despite dengue being endemic, SC Johnson’s commitment ensures that it will extend its efforts beyond its products. Among these is its active collaboration with local governments, schools, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These partnerships have yielded tan -
families they desire,” he explained.
A focus on choice and hope IN the celebration of Family Planning Month, Avena said it’s time to shift focus from numbers to people. He pointed out that the real fertility crisis isn’t about the quantity issue, but whether every Filipino has the freedom and support to create the family they desire, on their own terms.
To make this a reality, he said Filipinos must collectively commit to action. “And that means fully supporting the implementation of the RPRH Law and ensuring adequate budgets are allocated and spent to reach every Filipino,” he said. Avena said the government and concerned agencies need to provide comprehensive support to young couples and families by directly addressing the economic and social barriers that stand in the way of their reproductive choices and aspirations. He said this should be complemented by investing in job creation, affordable housing and accessible childcare, foundations that allow families to grow with stability and dignity.
“By investing in comprehensive health services, promoting economic fairness, upholding human rights, and fully implementing the RPRH Law, we can build a world where young people are not held back by barriers beyond their control. A future where Maria and Jose, and all young Filipinos, can start a family if they choose to, not because they are pressured to, and not because they are denied the chance. This is how we build a more equal, sustainable, and hopeful future for everyone,” Avena explained.
gible results, such as teaching children how to apply OFF! Lotion, contributing to lifelong habits that protect their health and futures.
Strengthening the campaign TO further strengthen the campaign, Mission: TAPOSible featured its brand ambass adors Solenn Heussaff, Nico Bolzico, Melai Cantiveros, and Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo during the event. They encouraged the public to deepen their understanding of dengue and take proactive measures to protect their homes and communities from mosquitoborne diseases.
“We know how bad [dengue] is and how it can impact our families, but sometimes we tend to forget,” Bolzico stated, emphasizing the importance of consistent prevention. “There will be a spike and everyone is worried, and when the spike goes down, we forget. think prevention is the way to really fight dengue.” Heussaff supported her husband’s sentiment, stating, “We’re really here to stand amongst the Filipino community to help them take those daily steps to protect their families. It’s just small habits of prevention that will really make a big change.” You can join this growing movement and take the first step toward a dengue-free future by visiting https://missiontaposible. com/, where you can pledge your commitment by simply entering your name, email and province.
Envoys&Expats BusinessMirror
THAI ENVOY AT CLARK Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor of Thailand (right) shares a light moment during her courtesy visit to President and CEO Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera of Clark Development Corp. (CDC). The envoy was briefed on Clark's investment and tourism programs, took part in an open forum, and went on a site tour that featured key developments in the freeport. She was with Deputy Chief of Mission Rangsant Srimangkorn, Thai Trade-Manila Director Suthinee Vathana, Assistant Director Kanthima Kanjanadecha, Counsellor Yupawan Premchit Taniguchi, and Second Secretary for Protocol Sarun Junsiri from the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila. The visit opened discussions on potential cooperation in trade, tourism, and regional development between Thailand and the Philippines. CDC
SWISS NATIONAL DAY 2025 Ambassador Dr. Nicholas Bruhl highlighted the vibrant ties with the Philippines
Japanese ambassador, DENR chief to bolster environmental cooperation
AMBASSADOR Kazuya Endo and Environment Secretary Raphael P. M. Lotilla explored potential avenues for enhanced bilateral ties to address shared environmental challenges and promote green growth.
In his courtesy call on August 5 at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources office in Quezon City, Endo congratulated Lotilla on his recent appointment, and expressed appreciation for the DENR chief’s cooperation with Japan during his tenure as secretary of the Department of Energy.
SoKor
The ambassador backed Japan’s commitment to supporting the Philippines in advancing its environmental protection and sustainable development goals.
During their meeting, both officials exchanged views on key areas of mutual interest, including waste-toenergy initiatives, climate-change
supports
local
mitigation, and the development of renewable resources.
For his part, Lotilla welcomed Japan’s ongoing support and emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration to achieve shared en-
disaster response, peacebuilding; donates 2,000+ MT of rice Israel,
THE government of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) donated 2,016 metric tons (MT) of rice to support the Philippines’ disaster response, climate-change adaptation, and peacebuilding efforts.
Of the total volume, 1,632 metric tons were allocated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to enhance its emergency relief operations in preparation for typhoons and other natural calamities. An additional 384 MT will be delivered to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to aid peace and development initiatives.
A ceremonial turnover of the DSWD allocation took place at the department’s National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City.
In his remarks, Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa reflected on the profound role of rice not only as a staple, but as a symbol of survival, national identity, and social stability—particularly in Southeast Asia.
Lee emphasized that the donation goes beyond food security: “It is also
about shared values, mutual support, and the spirit of cooperation in the face of increasing uncertainty.”
The ambassador also expressed solidarity with Filipinos affected by recent typhoons and southwest monsoon rains. He welcomed the Philippine government’s commitment to enhancing food assistance and disaster preparedness, as outlined in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the
Nation Address.
He also commended the DSWD’s strong leadership and community outreach, especially through programs like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps, and “Walang Gutom” (No Hunger).
The Korean envoy, Social Welfare Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian, Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group, and World Food Pro -
vironmental goals.
The two sides agreed to further boost bilateral ties in the environmental sector, building on the longstanding partnership between their countries.
ECONOMIC ministers of the Philippines and Israel recently announced the start of talks toward a free-trade agreement (FTA) during the first meeting of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) on July 29 in Manila.
gramme (WFP) Country Director Regis Chapman, and other guests attended the event.
Korea provided 400 MT in 2022, 750 MT in 2023, and 4,000 MT in 2025 through the Asean Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve or APTERR. The latest donation, delivered bilaterally, “reflects Korea’s growing engagement and direct partnership with the Philippines,” according to its embassy in Manila.
The collaboration with the WFP builds on successful humanitarian efforts in previous years, including the East Asian country’s $500,000 assistance to support communities affected by typhoons in 2023. The programme’s continued role in facilitating the latest donation’s logistics ensures that the rice will reach the families and communities who need it most.
The Embassy of Korea said that its government “will continue to stand with the Philippines and contribute to [national] efforts in disaster response, climate adaptation, food security, and lasting peace.”
E. Union, UNDP to strengthen Basilan’s coastal livelihoods
“We see the Philippines as a strategic partner for joint efforts and cooperation in a variety of areas, including agriculture, water, energy, cyber, health and sustainability,” said Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat. He added that Israel is expanding its economic footprint in East Asia “as part of a comprehensive approach to developing new markets for Israeli exports.”
The Embassy of Israel described the JEC as “a significant milestone in strengthening economic ties between the countries, [as it led to a joint announcement to open talks and examined the feasibility of opening negotiations toward an FTA].” Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque, along with professional delegations from both countries, participated in the meeting. There, it was agreed that working mechanisms and timetables for preparing the negotiations would be formulated in the coming months.
Barkat added during the committee meeting that: “A FTA with the Philippines will provide a competitive advantage to Israeli exporters vis-à-vis countries that already en-
joy preferential access to one of the growing and central markets in Asia. The agreement is expected to open new opportunities for both Israeli and Philippine companies, diversify Israel’s export targets, and help reduce the cost of living as part of the policy that I am leading.” Steps to encourage mutual trade and tourism were also discussed, including the need to consider opening a direct flight route between the countries to strengthen trade and tourism ties.
For the embassy, the visit and the committee are “a direct continuation of previous steps:” In 2020, an Israeli economic office led by an economic attaché at the embassy was opened in Manila; and in 2023, agreements were signed for economic cooperation and investment protection. With the opening of feasibility talks toward an FTA, Israel is deepening its activities vis-à-vis the Philippines “as one of the growing markets in Southeast Asia.”
Total trade volume between Israel and the Philippines is approximately at $408 million, while exports from the former are about $189 million mainly through machinery, electronics, chips, communications equipment and industry.
Meanwhile, imports from the Philippines amounting to $219 million are mainly composed of electronic components, computer equipment and printed circuits.
SECRETARY Raphael P. M. Lotilla (left) and Ambassador Kazuya Endo
AMBASSADOR Lee Sang-hwa (center), Social Welfare Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian (third from left) and Country Director Regis Chapman, with officials from the Korean Embassy, DSWD and WFP
32nd National PR Congress set to take place on Sept. 11, 12
Amid the evolving communication landscape and the upending of commonly held beliefs within the practice of public relations, a radical shift in thinking and approach is demanded from today’s PR pros. To respond to this clarion call, the largest and most anticipated public relations gathering in the country is bringing together some of the most respected names in communication here and around the world to discuss the issues and trends reshaping the profession.
Happening on September 11 and 12, 2025 at Solaire Resort North and organized by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the 32nd National PR Congress aims to tackle some of the most urgent questions confronting the public relations industry.
“We are at an inflection point and it is imperative that we are clear-eyed and strategic in our response to the challenges of the times,” Norman Agatep, APR, Vice President-External of the PRSP and Chairman of the 32nd National PR Congress, said. “Our goal in this year’s National PR Congress is to bring PR professionals together to discuss, debate, and understand what we need to do to ensure that our profession and our skills are responsive to the needs of our stakeholders amid all of these tectonic shifts in the field of communication.”
The two-day event, themed “Plot
Twist: Unraveling Today’s PR Paradox,” spotlights the dilemmas PR practitioners are faced with. A key concern is the challenge of cultivating authenticity amid the onslaught of AI-produced content. This is further complicated by the fact that today’s consumers have a shrinking attention span and inherent distrust toward PR. With that said, it is more important now, more than ever, to enlist consumers as brand advocates as more people are demanding meaningful engagement with brands.
The 32nd National PR Congress will also delve into how emerging technologies can be used to enhance creativity and efficiency, especially with the growing role of generative AI on our workflows. Humanizing big data is also at the forefront of the event’s discussions, especially as information gleaned from our activities online unlocks a trove of important insights that may shape the future of communication.
With PR pros tasked with maintaining and protecting reputation while fostering
7 best things that made the 2025 Honda
Riders’
THE Honda Riders’ Convention officially kicked off with high energy in the Visayas, marking the first leg of Honda Philippines, Inc.’s (HPI) 2025 nationwide celebration. As the country’s No. 1 motorcycle manufacturer, HPI continues to bring together riders from across the region.
Held annually, the Honda Riders’ Convention is a grand gathering of Honda motorcycle owners, clubs, and enthusiasts from across the region. It serves as a platform to strengthen the bond among riders, introduce the latest Honda innovations, and celebrate the vibrant lifestyle that comes with being part of the Honda community.
Thousands of Honda riders came together for a high-energy weekend filled with passion, innovation, and the joy of having a Honda. “The Honda Riders’ Convention is more than just an annual event; it’s a meaningful celebration of our growing community of passionate riders, especially here in the Visayas, who continue to choose Honda as their trusted riding partner,” said Takeshi Kobayashi, President of Honda Philippines, Inc.
From thrilling rides to epic raffle, here are the seven reasons why the Visayas leg was a major hit:
First thing that made participants feel the thrill of riding is the chance to test ride Honda’s latest Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Big Bikes, while skilled riders took on the Gymkhana Challenge using the Winner X. Whether beginner or veteran, everyone had the joy of owning a Honda.
Second was the Honda Technology Center, where guests explored the brand’s latest innovations up close. Attendees got hands-on experience with the RoadSync feature on models like the ADV350 and PCX160, as well as the cutting-edge e-Clutch and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) technology on the powerful X-ADV750.
impactful relationships, they are challenged to measure intangible and unquantifiable concepts. This is why identifying meaningful metrics will also be a key topic. Meanwhile, the importance of people in the overall conduct of public relations is an area that is also gaining much focus. With all the challenges facing PR professionals, the congress will look at how professionals manage work- life balance, retain top talent, and gain influence in leadership spaces. These factors are becoming essential to sustaining impactful, futureready communications.
“Today’s PR practitioners are engaged in a delicate balancing act between telling stories that authentically capture the nuance and complexity of the human experience while enabling transformative technology that will undoubtedly change lives. Communication has found itself in upheaval at many junctures, but this time it feels like we are amidst the most important transformation that we have yet seen in our field, this is why it is important that we come together as one industry to find ways how we can continue to serve our purpose and make a difference in the lives of our audiences,” Agatep explained.
“We have brought together stalwarts, thought leaders, and game changers for this year’s National PR Congress. We are excited to see and hear the unique ideas of our speakers and we hope these discussions will inspire action and meaningful transformation in how we do things,” Ma. Luisa Sebastian, APR, President of the PRSP said.
The 32nd National PR Congress is supported by the Development Bank of the Philippines, Meralco, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and PagIBIG Fund and GMA Network.
Ticket prices for the event start at P11,000. For inquiries on tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please email nationalprcongress@prsp.ph.
For more information about the PRSP, its future activities, and how to be a member of the Society visit www.prsp.ph or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Convention unforgettable
Third, the riders themselves set the tone. Riders from different provinces rode long hours to be part of the convention. Their arrival was met with warm welcomes, including Club Recognition for the most active groups who continue to foster the Honda spirit in their communities. Plenty of activities were lined up, fostering a true sense of camaraderie.
Fourth, the Motorshow that took the center stage, with custom and big bikes on full display, made it a standout, as each one reflected its owner’s personality and style. It was part competition, part celebration of how motorcycles have become an extension of one’s lifestyle.
Fifth, exclusive perks and rider-only discounts turned the trade area into a crowd favorite. Trade partners offered irresistible deals on gear, accessories, and more, available only to attendees. From helmets to riding boots to motorcycle accessories, the shopping zone was packed from the beginning until the end.
Sixth reason to love the event? The main stage kept the vibe alive all day with non-stop games, club recognitions, and plenty of reasons to stick around and have a blast. Adding to the thrill, lucky riders got the chance to win big with incredible prizes.
And finally, the seventh reason was the electrifying performance by Sponge Cola, one of the Philippines’ most iconic rock bands known for their sensational hits and high-energy shows. Turning the riders gathering into a full-blown concert party, the band had the crowd singing along to every lyric, sealing the day’s high with cheers, anthems, and true Honda spirit.
On top of all the back-to-back activities and exciting surprises, Honda also unveiled The All-New Honda NAVi, an easy-to-use scooter that instantly caught the attention of Cebuanos for its bold styling, lightweight build, and fun mini-bike-inspired design. Built for customization, this newly launched scooter gives riders the freedom to express their style while enjoying everyday convenience.
Designed for city living, it’s ideal for weaving through tight streets, beating daily traffic, and making every ride more stylish and hassle-free. Its unique look and compact build instantly drew excited reactions from local riders, many calling it “sulit,” “astig,” and a “subok ang kalidad” that fits both their personality and practical needs. With more legs of the Honda Riders’ Convention happening soon in Mindanao and Luzon, one thing’s clear: the Joy of Having a Honda is stronger than ever. It’s not just about the bike—it’s about the bond, the lifestyle, and the freedom that comes with every ride. It is Honda’s way to Ride, Unite, and Celebrate.
For more information, visit www.hondaph.com. Stay updated on Honda’s newest products and promos by following Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook at facebook.com/hondaph, Instagram at instagram.com/hondaph_mc/, YouTube at Honda Philippines_ Motorcycle, and TikTok at tiktok.com/@hondaphilippines. For inquiries, contact (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and 0917-884-6632.
Filinvest Land builds healthier, greener communities across Visayas
FILINVEST Land, Inc. (FLI), one of the country’s leading full-range property developers, continues to make its mark in the Visayas region with its expanding portfolio of thoughtfully planned communities. From the bustling cityscape of Cebu to the tranquil charm of Dumaguete and the thriving heart of Iloilo, FLI remains committed to building healthy, future-ready communities; ones that promote wellness, accessibility, and green spaces that foster comfort, connection, and opportunity for local economies and Filipino families alike.
At the forefront of this regional growth is City di Mare, FLI’s 58-hectare township located at South Road Properties in Cebu City, bringing together residential, commercial, and lifestyle components that cater to urban dwellers seeking balance and accessibility. In Dumaguete, the 1.9-hectare Marina Town mixed-use development offers a refreshing coastal city experience, blending contemporary living with the region’s relaxed charm.
And in Iloilo, Filinvest has unveiled its newest gem: Iloilo Centrale in Leganes—a mixed-use township set to bring new life and economic activity to the province by seamlessly connecting work, play, and residence.
As FLI continues to expand its reach, it also continues to strengthen its roots in the Visayas as reflected in the many upcoming milestones across its projects in the region.
Across the region, several developments are reaching new milestones. In Cebu, more units are becoming available at One Oasis, with Building 8 slated for turnover soon, while San Remo Oasis is also gearing up for the topping-off of its own Building 8 within the year.
Over in Iloilo, Filinvest is making significant strides with Iloilo Centrale, a master planned township in Leganes that is nearing the completion of its residential and township spine road. Futura Rise, the township’s first condominium community, is set to break ground on its Phase 1A buildings, bringing modern and accessible living to the province.
These developments highlight Filinvest’s ongoing mission to provide thoughtfully planned communities
BRINGING the best of both worlds, Suzuki Philippines is excited to introduce the all-new GSX-8T and GSX8TT, the brand’s Timeless Titans for a fresh neo-retro experience to the country’s motorcycle scene. Blending in Retro Spirit with Next Generation Performance, these bikes skillfully merge timeless aesthetics with modern engineering resulting to an exciting ride Suzuki is known for. Announced globally in July, the Philippines is one of the first countries to receive the first models just about a month after the international launch.
The GSX-8T/8TT are Suzuki’s new addition in its naked sport motorcycle line-up which combines the fun, high-performance ride of the latest sport bike with the styling of a more traditional standard model. Designed to appeal to a wide range of riders, the concept of the GSX-8T/8TT was guided by three key concepts: Timeless, Innovative, and Passionate. While paying homage to the distinctive and iconic designs of past Suzuki models, the goal was not to simply recreate the past, but to reinterpret it with modern design sensibility — combining aesthetic appeal with contemporary styling and the latest technologies resulting to a new motorcycle series with an identity that stands the test of time.
The T in GSX-8T was added in honor of the T500’s pet name “Titan,” where the design of the bike was inspired from. The GSX-8TT, with its mini cowl evoking classic motorcycles such as the GS1000 AMA race motorcycle, filled the other T with the word “Timeless” signifying the revival of classic bikes in a modern context; giving us the moniker “Timeless Titans”. The GSX-8T/8TT pair Suzuki’s latest high-performance powertrain with its latest platform to deliver a responsive ride.
A large-capacity fuel tank makes long-distance touring more convenient. Both models also feature distinctive handlebar end mirrors, which, by extending from the bar ends, provide a wide, open view and reduce body interference ― enhancing rearward visibility while adding a unique visual accent. Each variant features model-specific colorways, offering styling choices that appeal to a wide range of rider preferences. The GSX-8T/8TT feature Suzuki’s latest-
that are accessible, resilient, and contribute to the holistic well-being of Filipino families.
In Negros Occidental, Filinvest recently celebrated a meaningful milestone with the turnover of 37 completed house-and-lot units at Futura Homes Palm Estates in Talisay. This event marked more than a handover of keys but signified the beginning of a new chapter for families moving into a vibrant, master-planned community.
Strategically located in Brgy. E. Lizares, just minutes from the Silay-Bacolod International Airport and accessible to both Bacolod and Silay, Futura Homes Palm Estates offers unmatched convenience in a high-growth location. The 11-hectare residential development sits within the larger 51-hectare Palm Estates township, giving residents access to commercial and recreational hubs—an embodiment of Filinvest’s vision of healthy, self-sustaining communities.
More than ever, FLI is enabling more Filipinos to move into their own homes sooner through ready-foroccupancy options, especially in regional growth centers contributing to healthier, more stable living environments for families nationwide.
Futura Homes Palm Estates, under the Futura by Filinvest brand, exemplifies Filinvest’s commitment to building value-for-money homes that support the everyday needs and long-term aspirations of the modern Filipino family. These homes are not only affordable and thoughtfully designed, but also strategically located in emerging cities that promise growth and opportunity. With every home turned over and every milestone reached, Filinvest Land continues to shape the Visayas into a region of vibrant, livable, and inclusive communities. Whether through township developments or ready-foroccupancy home, FLI remains steadfast in its mission to build environments that promote wellness, stability, and growth in the region.
By fostering healthy communities that empower Filipino families to thrive, Filinvest Land stays true to its purpose of Building the Filipino Dream, one home, one neighborhood, and one region at a time.
and
NEW DWIZ TALENT. Atty. McNeil Rante (center), EVP and General Manager of Aliw Channel 23 welcomes BusinessMirror’s “Make Sense” columnist Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza during contract signing for the upcoming segment in DWIZ “Dito sa Bayan ni Juan” at Club Filipino. Witnessing the signing is Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) John Rainer Dizon (right).
By Pauline Joy M. Gutierrez
GOODDAY Friz has broken the Guinness World Record for the Largest Carbonated Beverage Party, with 766 participants raising their cans in a synchronized toast on July 30 at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Bridgetowne, Quezon City.
The carbonated cultured milk drink was developed by Asahi Philippines and is distributed exclusively by Universal Robina Corp. (URC). The event also introduced P-pop group CLOUD 7 as the brand’s first ambassador. Hemalatha Ragavan, chief executive officer of Asahi Southeast Asia and Exports, said the product was the result of two years of development tailored to local tastes. “It took us almost two years to create something that resonates with Filipino taste buds. What you see today is only available in the Philippine market,” she said.
Ragavan explained that the concept merges two beverage types popular in Southeast Asia.
“Carbonated beverages are something that many consumers in SEA enjoy, and the Philippines is no different. They’re a huge favorite, and we already have a cultured milk beverage that we’ll launch together with URC. We thought: What if we combine both? Maybe it might not work, but we felt we needed a breakthrough to give consumers something totally different,” she said.
“Goodday Friz delivers a refreshing taste with a health boost. It’s perfect for today’s on-the-go, wellness-minded consumers,” she added.
URC managing director for beverages Oscar Villamora Jr. said the launch reflected both the companies’ collaborative effort to “bring an innovative drink to the local market.”
“We’re proud to partner with Asahi. Through their product expertise and URC’s local footprint as the exclusive distributor of Goodday Friz, we believe it’s a great [undertaking],” he said.
“And what better way to launch our newest Goodday product than by celebrating with our consumers during this exciting, history-making event,” he added. The Guinness World Records adjudication took place during the event, with the record confirmed after verification of the participant count and compliance with set criteria.
Goodday Friz, available in Original and Orange flavors, is now sold nationwide through URC’s distribution network.
The practical need for a growth mindset
LAST Friday, a mom of twin toddler girls asked me: How can I raise my kids to be more resilient? She pointed out how she feels children today are “weaker” in facing daily stumbling blocks. In our own parenting worlds today, regardless of children’s ages, have you noticed how fast everything seems to move nowadays? Technology, school expectations, even the way kids talk and process information—it is a different world. Our children are growing up in a time of rapid change, digital overload, and constant comparison. As parents, we want them to thrive, not just survive. But how do we raise strong, confident, resilient kids in today’s world?
Experts say today’s generation is more anxious, more connected digitally, but often more disconnected emotionally. According to a 2023 Unicef global report, children face unprecedented pressures: academic overload, social media stress, and uncertain futures due to climate change, economic instability, and even AI disrupting future jobs. Psychologist Dr. Jean Twenge calls this generation the iGen—those born after 1995 who grew up with smartphones and social media. In her research, she found a steep rise in mental health issues and perfectionism among youth, much of it linked to the pressure to constantly perform and compare. So how do we, as loving parents, guide them
through this storm without sheltering them from growth? My favorite analogy here is that as much as subjects like Math and Spelling skills need drills, much more is need with regards to the emotional skills of our children. The difficulty is that there is no easy parenting manual for this. In my 19 years of being a parent, the simplest guide I followed was: a growth mindset is the key need not just for today’s child, but even more for us as parents. In this unpredictable world, it’s not IQ, talent, or a perfect report card that will guarantee success. What matters most is how our children face challenges. Do they give up when it gets hard? Conversely, do we only go for what’s easy? Or do they rise, adjust, and try again? This is where a growth mindset comes in. It helps our kids develop grit, resilience, and a love of learning—not just for the sake of grades, but for life. What Is a growth mindset? A growth mindset is a term coined by Dr. Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist, in her groundbreaking book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. She defines it as: “The belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point.” In contrast, a fixed mindset believes that intelligence and ability are static, that you’re either born smart or you’re not. This belief often leads children to avoid challenges or fear failure. A growth mindset changes the narrative. It teaches kids that effort matters, mistakes are part of learning, and success comes through persistence.
Of course, our children are born with certain traits—some are naturally cautious, others bold; some are quick learners, others more reflective. That’s nature. But what we do as parents—nurture—still plays a huge role. So, how do we do it in real life?
Here are a few ways:
n Praise effort, not just results. Instead of “You’re so talented,” say “I love how you didn’t give up even when it got tough.”
n Model it. Let your kids see you struggle, learn
and grow. Say things like, “I made a mistake, but I’m learning from it.”
n Reframe failure. Instead of seeing a low grade as defeat, talk about what can be learned from it. Help them ask, “What can I try next time?”
n Encourage curiosity. Let them ask questions. Give them space to explore new interests, even if it’s messy.
n Use the word “yet.” If they say, “I can’t do it,” remind them, “You just can’t do it yet.” Growth mindset is not a one-time lesson. It’s a way of speaking, thinking, and living every day. We can’t do this alone. Our children are shaped not just by us but by their schools, teachers, classmates, grandparents— even social media influencers.
n Partner with teachers. Talk to them about growth mindset. Ask how they handle mistakes and feedback in class.
n Educate family members. Share with grandparents and caregivers the kind of praise and encouragement your child responds best to.
n Choose growth-minded mentors. Enroll kids in programs, sports, or hobbies where coaches and teachers emphasize improvement over perfection.
n Monitor digital influences. Curate the content your kids consume. There are creators and platforms that promote self-belief, learning, and resilience. Seek them out. It takes a village, yes—but we can help shape that village.
Research has shown that kids with a growth mindset perform better academically, are more resilient in the face of setbacks, and are more likely to take on challenges. But beyond academics, this mindset prepares them for life.
In the future job market, where the World Economic Forum predicts that skills like critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence will be more valuable than ever, our children will need to be lifelong learners. A growth mindset is their ticket to that future.
‘Heart to Heart’ at the MOA Sanctuary
IN celebration of the 350th Anniversary of the Sacred Heart Apparition and 100th Anniversary of the Canonization of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, MOA Sanctuary recently launched its Heart to Heart exhibit at the MOA Sanctuary.
Featuring beautiful images of the Sacred Heart and Saint Therese as well as relics of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque and Saint Therese, Heart to Heart is a joint project of the SM Mall of Asia, the Liturgical Commission of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, the Miraculous Medal Apostolate, the National Shrine of the Sacred Heart, and the Jesuit Music Ministry.
On June 16, 1675, it was reported that an apparition of Jesus requested that the Devotion of First Fridays be practiced. Jesus told St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: “I promise you that My Heart shall expand Itself to
shed in abundance the influence of Its Divine Love upon those who shall thus honor It, and cause It to be honored.” Pope Francis in his encyclical “Dilexit Nos” reminds us that “devotion to Christ’s heart is essential for our Christian life to the extent that it expresses our openness in faith and adoration to the mystery of the Lord’s divine and human love. In this sense, we can once more affirm that the Sacred Heart is a synthesis of the Gospel.” St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, on the other hand, was canonized on May 17, 1925. She had a special and deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Through this devotion, she experienced a profound connection between her own heart and the Heart of her Savior, and she deeply longed to love Christ with all of her being. From her letter, she wrote: “Pray to the Sacred
Heart; you know that I myself do not see the Sacred Heart as everybody else. I think that the Heart of my Spouse is mine alone, just as mine is His alone, and I speak to Him then in the solitude of this delightful heart to heart, while waiting to contemplate Him one day face to face.” The MOA Sanctuary is a sacred space at the SM Mall of Asia’s MOA Sky area, which offers a tranquil retreat for prayer and reflection. Officially launched on May 5, 2025, the MOA Sanctuary is a glass enclosed oval religious gallery or exhibit hall, which allows for transparent and well-lit views of outdoor spots, which includes the
FROM left: Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of JG Summit Holdings Inc.; Caycee Dolan, Guinness World Records representative; and Asahi South, Central and Southeast Asia Group CEO Erwin Selvarajah.
Centeno assures PHL of another silver in Chengdu
Cquarterfinals Thursday at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Centre Gymnasium.
The 27-year-old Yap, rated No. 1 in the world, is ready to take the spotlight in the sport that combines striking and grappling and was developed in Russia. We have a big chance,” said Pilipinas Sambo Federation President Paolo Tancontian. “Aislinn’s fight will show the
world the spirit of Filipino sambists.” In the individual men’s duathlon, Franklin Yee, Maynard Pecson, and John Patrick Ciron try to steal the show at the Xinglong Lake Hubin Arena.
Triathlon Association of the Philippines President Tom Carrasco Jr. is confident of a strong showing from the endurance athletes.
But I know I’m ready,” added the Zamboanga City pride who is supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, headed by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, and the Philippine Sports Commission. Han, meanwhile, took down Germany’s Ina Kaplan, 7-3, in their semifinals battle. With action in the Chengdu Games heating up and host China flexing its might with a total haul of 19 golds, six silvers and two bronzes as of Wednesday afterboon, a gold from Centeno could make it a sweeter for the Philippines after Kaila Napolis’ silver in ju-jitsu and Carlos Baylon’s bronze in wushu sanda.
W hile hopes are high for the cue artist to take home the elusive gold, Aislinn Yap could also be a source of pride when she competes in the sambo women’s combat -80-kilogram
LPGA advocate Yoon pleased with golf revolution
By Aldrin Quinto
LADIES Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour rookie and youth golf advocate Ina Yoon is pleased to be part of the current golf revolution.
Among the factors in the golf boom, Yoon noted, is screen golf and she is helping promote the use of this technology as a tool for players from beginners to top-tier professionals. Yoon, who turned professional at 19 and had been helping fund junior golf programs even before reaching the LPGA, graced the opening of the Golf Suite featuring new golf simulators on Wednesday at the Solaire Sports Club in Pasay City.
The 22-year-old world No. 43, twotime winner on the Korean LPGA, said indoor facilities provide a big boost for the growth of golf by turning it into a year-round sport and social activity. “F or us golf simulators are great for when bad weather keeps us off the course,” Yoon said. “Also everyone, golf lovers, can
Indoor golf has been a
to
courses, and, in South Korea, it has
that more rounds have been
in
on simulators than outdoors. Yoon added that she is pleased to hear that there a lot of young aspiring Filipina golfers—she has encountered Filipina pros Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina in the LPGA—and she
would like to see more of them in the world’s top women’s league. The
Jr. in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially unveil the Golf Suite at the newly opened Solaire Sports Club in Entertainment City. Solaire Sports Club, which also has pickleball and padel courts, now has two bays for screen golf.
weather can be done indoors.
“Back then, technology wasn’t advanced enough, these days it’s a lot better and it’s very helpful,” added Yoon, who joined Bloomberry Resorts Corp. chairman and CEO Enrique K. Razon
We are committed to providing our guests with the best sports experience possibles,” David Batchelor, Solaire Resort Senior Vice President for Resort Operations, said in a statement.
This golf simulator addition is designed to elevate the game for both novices and seasoned players, making golf more accessible and enjoyable all year round.”
INA YOON graces the opening of the Golf Suite at the newly opened Solaire Sports Club in Entertainment City. NONIE
AFREE two-day fencing camp backed by Rebisco Extreme and led by Filipino-Ivorian Olympian Maxine Esteban drew more than 50 youngsters in Manila recently, underscoring a push to make the sport accessible beyond elite circles.
Dubbed “Be the Next Fencing Champ,” the community camp was run entirely by volunteer coaches and staff as part of Rebisco’s advocacy for inclusive youth sports.
“This isn’t just about fencing—it’s about opening doors,” said Enrique Lucero, of the Rebisco Extreme brand team. “We believe every child deserves a chance to fall in love with sports, regardless of background.”
Esteban—who personally organized the event—said the effort was her way of giving back.
“Fencing changed my life, and I
want these kids to see that it can change theirs too,” she said. “This is about giving back and paying forward.”
Aligned with the International Fencing Federation’s “Fencing for All” vision, the camp removed financial and logistical barriers for beginners ages 8 to 15, who learned footwork, blade work and fundamentals, while intermediate fencers refined techniques under elite guidance.
“I never thought I’d get to learn from an Olympian and world champion for free,” said 12-year-old participant Francesa Abayro. “Now I really want to fence!” The all-volunteer lineup featured Italy’s Carlotta Ferrari and Isaia Napolitano—World Cup medalists and European champions—US-based NCAA standout Czarina Alfonso, Esteban, local fencers and coaches from different schools and clubs brought together by University of the Philippines Diliman head coach Allan Dator.
“ We will always be ready to answer the need to help facilitate the initiative and advocacy of Rebisco and Maxine for the Filipino youth and the next generation of fencers,” Dator said.
to emerge. The members of the team that figured in that international
have been replaced by new players on both ends. Only June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar were part of that moment when four Australian players and nine Filipino players were ejected, leaving Gilas with only three players to hold the flag aloft. Writing this in the early afternoon before the GilasBoomers game, I can only surmise what will transpire four hours later. Gilas would play all out despite the toughest of assignments, going up ag ainst the two-time defending champions who are unbeaten in the Asia Cup since 2017. Would the 2018 brawl be at the back of the minds of both the Gilas players and the Aussie Boomers? Former Advocate sports editor Rupert Marcelo sees it as an uphill Battle for Gilas, but with a tiny sliver of hope. “It’s do-or-die for the Gilas squad against Australia, arguably the best team in the tournament, loaded with players who have NBA experience,” Rupert says. “I don’t think the 2018 brawl will be a factor [psychologically] as the lineups are now different. But I do know one thing: Gilas won’t go down without giving their best and leaving it all on the court because [Gilas] players are known for their Never Say Die mentality.” P hilip Matel is both realistic and light-hearted. “I think
RONEE DUNGCA proved her breakout performance at Riviera was no fluke as she staged a stirring comeback from four shots down to edge Mavis Espedido by one and clinch the girls’ 7-10 crown in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Junior PGT Championship in Pampanga on Wednesday. Showing poise and precision beyond her years, the rising star from Angeles City came out firing at Pradera Verde’s Pinatubo course, birdieing four of her first 10 holes. She hit another birdie on the 12th but wavered coming home with bogeys on Nos. 13 and 16 to card a 69, completing a two-day total of 143. Es pedido, who held a commanding four-shot lead after an opening 70,
RONEE DUNGCA shows poise and precision beyond her years.
[The Brawl] is all water under the bridge and they should not be thinking about the past entirely. Unang-una, malayo [ ang ] talent pool nila for us to be whining about it. Iilan na lang ba ang naglaro since that 2018 brawl, and si June Mar
