THE Philippines has been assigned under Group C jurisdiction ranking by S&P Global Ratings for its weak creditor protection, high rule-oflaw risk and low predictability in insolvency outcomes.
In a report on Wednesday, S&P Global Ratings said the Group C ranking assessment on the Philippines reflects the country’s overall weak legal framework for creditors.
“We assessed the Philippines’ creditor-friendliness as weak and the rule-of-law risk as high,”
S&P said.
S&P flagged the country’s insolvency law as weakly supportive of creditors due to little empirical evidence showing predictable creditor recoveries, reliable application of rules or conformity with legal ranking of claims.
According to S&P, high ruleof-law risk undermines the predictability of the enforcement of creditor rights and insolvency resolutions lack consistent outcomes.
“Additionally, we believe the degree of preservation of asset value is low, given a lack of established precedents where creditors have received a recovery rate of higher
than 30 percent,” S&P said. Resolution times are also unpredictable, making it difficult for creditors to estimate recovery amounts and the length of legal proceedings.
“Mitigating these weaknesses are the Philippines’ legal framework, which is generally supportive of the reorganization of an entity as a going concern,” S&P added.
Still, S&P acknowledged some mitigating factors, including the Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act’s supportive provisions for corporate reorganization and the country’s adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-
Border Insolvency. “There is no impact on existing ratings arising from the above jurisdiction ranking assignment,” S&P clarified.
S&P said the jurisdiction ranking assessment is an indicator of the relative degree of protection that a country’s insolvency laws and practices afford to creditors’ interests, and of the predictability of those proceedings. The assessment captures how insolvency proceedings and ruleof-law considerations in a country are likely to affect recovery prospects of creditors subject to insolvency proceedings after a default.
DEC RATE CUT HELD LIKELY
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
economy to slow in 2025 amid waning investor confidence.
By Justin Xyrah Garcia
POPE Leo XIV said the hardships endured by migrant families fleeing conflict demand a firm response from the Church, after hearing a Filipino worker recount how violence in Lebanon forced displaced laborers to seek shelter in parish communities.
He delivered the message on Monday during a gathering of bishops, priests, consecrated persons and pastoral workers at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa.
The Pontiff said the account
he heard deeply affected him and underscored the “horror” of war on innocent civilians.
“On one hand, their courage speaks to us of God’s light which, as Loren said, shines forth even in the darkest moments. On the other hand, their experiences invite us to take a stand to ensure that no one else will have to flee from his or her country due to senseless and cruel conflicts, and that whoever knocks at the doors of our communities may never feel rejected,” Pope Leo said. The Holy father’s remarks
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has released more than P2.045 billion in emergency employment support this year as workers across the country continued to reel from volcanic activity, typhoons and earthquakes. Data from the agency’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) showed that 381,513 individuals have been covered through various interventions since the Mt. Kanlaon eruption early this year. Much of this support was delivered through the Tulong Pan -
ghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program, DOLE’s short-term emergency employment scheme that provides temporary income relief after disasters, economic shocks, or displacement.
Beneficiaries are deployed for 10 to 90 days of communitybased work, including debris clearing, minor repairs, and other early recovery activities in their localities
After two strong typhoons hit in November, DOLE deployed its TUPAD program to assist more than 160,000 workers, with disbursements amounting to P843 million.
For Typhoon Tino, the BWSC reported that 68,349 workers in Region VI (Western Visayas), Region VII (Central Visayas), Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) and Region XIII (Caraga), received wages totaling P363 million. Profiling and TUPAD orientations are ongoing in areas heavily affected by Typhoon Tino, particularly in Region VII (Central Visayas), where payouts are being released in phases.
Meanwhile, assistance for Super Typhoon Uwan covered 91,699 individuals in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region II (Cagayan Valley), Region III (Central Luzon), Region IV-A (Calabarzon), Region V (Bicol) and Western Visayas, amounting to P480 million.
Earthquake-hit communities in Visayas and Mindanao also received support. DOLE records show that 9,413 workers in Central Visayas were paid P55.9 million, while 5,726 in Caraga and Region XI (Davao) received P29 million. Livelihood assistance was likewise extended to 1,693 beneficiaries, who received P19.5 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) following earlier typhoons such as Crising, Dante, Emong, Mirasol, Nando, and Opong.
represent more than just travel; these symbolize our commitment to offering opportunities for tourism and business, making it easier for travelers to fly to Manila and Cebu, and further connect the Philippines to the world,” she underscored.
She said the Philippines is positioning itself as a prime destination for Australian tourists: “The vision is clear, the Philippines is so much more than a destination measured by tourist arrivals, it is an experience that is all at once enriching, immersing, and sustaining through the air connectivity, further expanding opportunities for our people, enhancing the country’s competitive edge on the global tourism stage.”
As of November this year, there were 15 new international nonstop flights offered to the Philippines from various countries, she added.
Cybersecurity experts: Slow reforms outpaced by threats
By Lorenz S. Marasigan
THE Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals (PICSPro) has urged government and industry leaders to accelerate “long overdue” cybersecurity reforms, warning that recent intrusions into government systems reveal the country’s alarming vulnerabilities.
a PR exercise.”
adapt to emerging technologies.
“A tiered, temporary, and decreasing tech stack subsidy framework shall be established to support workers on web-based platforms. The subsidy will only cover a defined period when new technology emerges or new types of gigs become available. The subsidy will decrease over time as the workers gain sustainable income and are able to invest in their own tools,” the bill stated.
PICSPro Chairman Angel Redoble said the Philippines must move away from “reactive, fragmented, and ceremonial approaches to cybersecurity,” emphasizing the need for a secure digital environment grounded in strong laws, capable institutions, and a skilled workforce.
“What we are seeing today is the result of years of underinvestment, lack of coordination, and misplaced priorities,” Redoble said. “Cybersecurity is national security, economic security, and public safety. We cannot treat it as
Redoble criticized the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for what he described as “serious lapses” in readiness, particularly regarding the Oplan Cyberdome project, the flagship initiative for cyber defense and rapid incident response of the government.
Despite public claims of enhanced monitoring and defense, government systems remain “alarmingly exposed,” he said.
He pointed to early warning signs in reports about a massive
data compromise at a national government agency disclosed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
According to Redoble, that breach should have prompted an “immediate and comprehensive government-wide audit but no such coordinated action was taken.”
He also mentioned the intelligence assessments from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) that monitored growing intrusions targeting high-level government institutions. Redoble also cited the de -
facements of multiple government websites, including those of the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Bureau of Customs.
“The breaches that were reported prove that the systems meant to protect our government and our people are failing—and failing publicly,” he said.
As such, the group advocates for a multi-pillar framework that includes globally aligned legislation, standardized security protocols, coordinated national incident-response systems, and continuous capacity development.
“Our goal is to help the Philippines build a truly resilient cybersecurity ecosystem—one that protects our institutions, our economy, and our people,” Redoble said. “We need coordinated reforms, not a patchwork of projects. That is the only way to defend the country from the new generation of cyber threats.”
8th ASEAN Heritage…
The AHP8 is being organized by the ACB and Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment through the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency, with support from the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany through KFW, the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and IMA World Health.
The AHP Programme is a flagship initiative of Asean. It was established to recognize and highlight the importance of biodiversity and outstanding protected areas in regional and global efforts to conserve biodiversity.
From 11 original protected areas of high conservation importance named through the Asean Declaration on Heritage Parks and Reserves on 29 November 1984, the network has now grown to a total of 69 AHPs across the Asean Member States.
The Philippines, which hosts the ACB headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna, has 14 designated AHPs. The three most recent additions were announced in late 2024: the Apo Reef Natural Park, Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary, and Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park.
The other AHPs in the Philippines are the Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Iglit-Baco Natural Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Mt. Malindang Forest Reserve, Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Mts. Timpoong Hibok-hibok Natural Monument, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Pasonanca Natural Park, and Mt. Inayawan Range Natural Park.
There are 244 Protected Areas in the Philippines, but the distinction of an AHP provides prestige and honor to host cities or provinces.
both the Marcos Jr. administration’s decision to cut spending as it pauses and reviews flood control and other infrastructure projects, Remolona said.
“But the main reason is probably the loss of confidence by investors,” Remolona said, even as he quickly added that the stock market has recovered—an indication that confidence is coming back.
S&P Global Ratings has also affirmed its positive outlook on the Philippines, meaning that a credit rating may be raised in the future. The country currently holds a BBB+ credit rating from S&P.
“The signs suggest that the confidence is returning,” Remolona said.
“I think we all agree that for 2025, growth will be slow,” Remolona said. “We should be back on track by 2027. That’s what our forecasts say.”
The Philippine economy grew by 4 percent in the third quarter of 2025, the weakest pace since the first quarter of 2021, when it contracted by 3.8 percent. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/11/08/ infra-fiascos-impact-q3-growtha-mere-4/)
Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan has already admitted that reaching the lower end of the government’s full-year target of 5.5 to 6.5 percent may now be out of reach.
With the economy expected to improve next year, Remolona said the Monetary Board is still refining its calculations of the output gap and the so-called “Goldilocks rate” to guide its policy stance.
Moreover, Remolona said that a reduction in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) “is on the table.”
“It’s already very low, so a further cut won’t do that much,” Remolona noted, but lessening the RRR “might help,” considering how slow the economy is.
The RRR may eventually reach zero, but Remolona said he did not commit to the timing because, at present, there is still too much liquidity in the system.
“A cut in the reserve requirement will add to that liquidity. So we want to absorb the liquidity before we [reduce],” the governor added.
The BSP reduced the RRR for universal and commercial banks, as well as non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions, by 200 basis points to 5 percent effective March 28, 2025.
The BSP’s Monetary Board will convene on December 11 to review the country’s monetary policy. The key policy rate currently stands at a three-year low of 4.75 percent, after the Monetary Board reduced the policy rate by 25 basis points last October 2025.
were prompted by the testimony of Loren Capobres, a Filipino migrant who spent 17 years working in Lebanon before joining the Jesuit Refugee Service.
She told the gathering that St. Joseph’s Tabaris Parish—where
she volunteered with Couples for Christ Lebanon and the Arrupe Migrant Center—became a refuge for migrants who suddenly lost their homes and livelihoods during periods of conflict.
Capobres recounted the ordeal of James and Lela, a Sudanese couple whose employer locked them inside a house as bombardment intensified.
Capobres described their perseverance as a moment where “God’s light” remained visible despite fear and uncertainty.
She said the employer fled, leaving the family behind with no way out. The couple later escaped and walked for three days with their newborn and young son until they reached the parish, which had opened its doors to displaced workers.
“Our pastor begins every Mass with the words, Welcome Home. Those words give us hope. A reminder that as migrants, we are never alone and that God’s love surrounds us, even far from home. Migrants like me are not just workers,” she said.
“We are co-workers. We are contributors in this country, helpers, builders. We bring our culture, share our values, offer our talents, and open our hearts.”
Pope Leo said Capobres’s testimony illustrates how parishes can remain places of welcome, protection and belonging for people forced far from home by war.
“Pope Francis has reminded us many times in his addresses and writings that we cannot remain indifferent when faced with similar tragedies, and that their sorrow concerns and challenges us,” Pope Leo added.
PICSPro Chairman Angel Redoble
Bulacan,
Pasig congressmen appear before ICI
TBy Joel R. San Juan @jrsanjuan1573
WO more lawmakers on Wednesday appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to shed light on allegations that they received kickbacks from private contractors of flood control projects of the government.
However, incumbent Rep. Danilo Domingo of the First District of Bulacam and Roman Romulo of Pasig City opted for the proceedings to be conducted in an executive session which the ICI granted.
Lawyer Alex Lopez, counsel of Domingo, cited Bulacan being “at the epicenter” of the flood control mess as one of the reasons for their decision to shun the livestreaming of the proceedings.
“Bulacan is the epicenter of this flood control controversy. In this regard, Congressman Domingo has already been maligned, and has received significant backlash despite the fact that there was no credible or any categorical allegation made against him,” Lopez said.
Lopez also expressed apprehension that Domingo’s testimony might be misinterpreted by the public.
“Likewise, as we understand it, anything that the good congressman will say in this proceedings, can and could be used against him. Unfortunately we cannot control how the public could misconstrue or misinterpret any of the information that would be elicited during this hearing, hence, the good congressman would further be unduly prejudiced by livestreaming this proceedings,” the lawyer added.
He also claimed that Domingo’s testimony may cause undue pressure or influence on pending investigations and cases involving the First District Engineering Office of the Department of Public Works and Highers in Bulacan. Domingo, however, agreed to the distribution of his sworn statements.
On the other hand, lawyer Erika Mirgriño said the life and safety of Romulo could be put at risk if his testimony were livestreamed.
“On the ground that the disclosure of information that will be provided by the Congressman at this point would potentially put the life and safety of an individual, particularly the good congressman’s life and safety in danger,” Mirgriño said explained when asked by the commission to cite the grounds for requesting an executive session.
Migriño added that the livestreaming of the proceedings could be misused by members of the public to malign the reputation Romulo, noting that they would would have no control over how the information would be used by the public Romulo explained that he actually did not submit any letter requesting for an executive session since his appearance was voluntary.
He noted that the members of the House decided that the ICI is the best venue to be able to air their side.
He also told the ICI that an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued against him several months ago was also being misused on social media.
“Hopefully these false and malicious allegations could help clear my name, my reputation and in fact maybe clear what this Ilbo [Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order] is all about,” Romulo said.
₧180 billion likely lost to ghost flood control projects since 2016–Lacson
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
HOW much could have been lost to ghost flood control projects since 2016, when the Duterte administration began?
A whopping P180 billion, according to estimates made by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, and, he notes, this is not counting substandard ones.
Lacson and the Senate Finance committee chairman, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, arrived at this estimate based on some 10,000 projects inspected so far where more than 600 were found to be ghost or nonexistent.
“We are looking at 30,000 flood control projects since 2016. If we extrapolate based on earlier findings that more than 600 out of 10,000 projects were ghost, Senator Gatchalian and I estimated that 6 percent or higher of 30,000 projects could mean P180 billion or more went to ghost projects,” Lacson said in a mix of English
and Filipino in a radio interview.
“Imagine, we likely lost P180 billion to ghost projects and we have not yet started counting our losses to substandard projects,” he added.
This, he said, renders minuscule the number of projects uncovered and tackled so far by the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee which he chairs.
Lacson had also detailed the corruption behind substandard and ghost flood control projects in privilege speeches in August and September.
Meanwhile, Lacson shared observations that the P110 billion “returned” by former Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer Henry Alcantara last week was a “pittance,” even if he is
expected to return an additional P200 million in the coming weeks.
Lacson said the Blue-Ribbon committee remains ready to help relevant agencies like the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Department of Justice (DOJ) and Office of the Ombudsman in pursuing charges against those involved, if it gets new information.
“If new information is brought before the Committee, hopefully we can help the ICI, Ombudsman and DOJ,” he said.
Undoing bad practices
LACSON, at the same time, said the Senate has started undoing some of the practices related to the anomalous flood control projects with its efforts to ensure transparency in crafting the budget.
He said the measures, including livestreaming the period of amendments and making public all senators’ individual amendments should block allocables, leadership funds, and other forms of pork barrel in the 2026 budget.
“There will be no room for allocables because we made the process transparent. If you watched
ICI member Singson quits
INDEPENDENT Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chair -
man Andres Reyes Jr. on Wednesday confirmed the resignation of former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson as a member of the commission.
“I would like to first announce the resignation of Secretary Babes Singson or Commissioner Singson, effective December 15, 2025... but [it] could be extended to December 31,” Reyes said at a press briefing.
Reyes said Singson cited “the very intense and stressful ICI work has taken its toll on his aging body.”
Reyes added that the commission is just waiting for the Palace’s action on Singson’s resignation.
“We have not thought of that. We have been very busy so we have not thought of that. Anyway, it’s not my concern. That is the recommendation of the President so I don’t know who it will be,” Reyes
said when asked in the possible replacement of Singson.
Meanwhile, the ICI announced that it would submit a referral to the Office of the Ombudsman recommending the filing of criminal charges against former senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and 10 others over the flood control controversy. Aside from Revilla also named in the referral report are businessman Maynard Ngu, Carleen Villa, Gerard Opulencia, Manny Bulusan, Ruel Umali, Gene Ryan Altea, Carleen Yap-Villa, J.Y. dela Rosa, Mrs. Patron, and Carlo Aguilar.
Reyes said the possible cases that may be filed againat the 11 individuals are direct or indirect bribery, and corruption of public officials, plunder, and administrative sanctions among others.
Likewise, Reyes said that the ICI will submit additional evidence that may lead to more charges being filed gainst former Public
PNP steps up hunt for Cassandra Ong, other accused in Pogo mess
By Rex Anthony Naval
THE National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that it had intensified ongoing operations to locate and arrest Cassandra Li Ong and all her coaccused in the case of qualified human trafficking.
In a statement, the acting PNP chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said, “We do not only focus on Ms. Ong, we will also make sure that all the respondents, whether they are in the Philippines or in abroad, will be located and be taken to the court that issued the arrest warrant,” he added. More than 50 people were charged with qualified human trafficking in connection with the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga. Aside from Ong, also charged was lawyer Harry Roque. In May of this year, the Branch
118 of the Regional Trial Court in Angeles City issued warrants of arrest against Ong and other individuals accused of qualified human trafficking, in connection with the alleged scam hub operated by Lucky South 99. Ong is the alleged representative of the closed Pogo hub.
The Court of Appeals recently dismissed Ong’s petition challenging the Department of Justice’s resolution indicting her.
On Tuesday, Malacañang said Ong is still in the Philippines based on the records, amid reports that she was last monitored to be in Japan.
“The PNP is an integral part of our justice system. Our mandate is to serve the order of the court and in this case, locate and bring all the accused for them to face the charges against them,” Nartatez said.
“We are committed to comply with the court order,” he added.
Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and Catalina Cabral, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and former Bulacan district engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez, and Jaypee Mendoza.
The ICI also asked the Ombudsman to conduct further investigation into Sen. Francis Escudero, former senator Nancy Binay, former Senate Finance committee chairperson Grace Poe, and Senator and former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar’s possible culpabalities over the controversy.
“Because of the gravity of the allegations, the commission also recommends that the following individuals be referred to the OMB for further investigative review and case build up with the understanding that any additional evidence obtained by this commission will be submitted immediately,” Reyes explained. Joel R. San Juan
PRC honors blood donors, partners
CLARK FIELD, Pampanga—
The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) gathered hundreds of blood donors, institutional partners, and community leaders at the Hilton Clark for the Third Central Luzon Kadugo Awarding Ceremony, celebrating the individuals and organizations whose sustained support continues to strengthen the region’s life-saving blood services.
A total of 314 awardees from Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the National Blood Services Program.
Through years of consistent participation in blood donation drives and community initiatives, these partners have helped ensure that safe and adequate blood remains available for patients in need across the country.
our livestream on Tuesday, we introduced individual amendments on the floor, unlike in the past when lawmakers just wrote their amendments on paper and passed it to the Finance committee chairman,” he said.
“We started this in the Senate yesterday [Tuesday]. All individual amendments were introduced personally or read by Senate Finance Committee chairman Sherwin Gatchalian. Senator Gatchalian read the individual amendments of 11 senators. He will now study which amendments to accept and which to reject,” he added.
Earlier, Lacson scored allocables as the new pork barrel, after scrutinizing documents related to the 2025 budget, which he described as “corrupt to the core.”
He said allocables, which allow items to be funded before they are identified by lawmakers, are in the National Expenditure Program—the proposed budget prepared by the Executive department before it is submitted to Congress.
Gatchalian’s powers over amendments LACSON said the majority bloc
has decided to entrust and fully support Gatchalian on which amendments to accept and reject. He noted Gatchalian is in coordination with the Senate Legislative Budget Research and Monitoring Office (LBRMO), which will analyze the amendments every step of the way. “We entrust Gatchalian to decide which amendments to accept or reject. We will support him should the matter come to a vote on the floor,” he said. Also, Lacson said the Senate and House of Representatives have agreed to simplify the bicameral conference committee proceedings, to tackle only the disagreeing provisions of the Senate and House versions of the budget bill—and not any “alien” provision inserted into either version.
On the other hand, he said Gatchalian will have the amendments and related details posted on the Senate website’s transparency portal.
“This will be simpler and more transparent and that is our intention. In the bicam, we will ensure transparency, all the way to the bill being enrolled,” he said.
Survey shows majority back Nov. 30 protest
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
ONLY one in five Filipinos said they did not support last Sunday’s anti-corruption protests, a new national survey by opinion research firm WR Numero indicates.
Findings from the November 2025 Philippine Public Opinion Monitor showed that 18 percent of respondents did not support the demonstrations. Of this group, 15 percent described themselves as “unsupportive,” while 3 percent said they were “strongly unsupportive.”
Meanwhile, 58 percent expressed support for the protests, which centered on alleged irregularities in flood control works and other government projects.
About 12 percent identified as “strongly supportive,” and 46 percent as “supportive.” Another 24 percent said they were undecided.
The survey results were released as authorities continued actions tied to ongoing corruption investigations.
As of November 28, the government said it was preparing to recover an additional P200 million and begin the process of freezing aircraft abroad owned by former Ako Bicol party-list nominee Zaldy Co.
A separate report from the Department of Justice stated that former Department of Public Works and Highways Bulacan engineer Henry Alcantara is expected to return P300 million in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
The nationwide survey was conducted from November 21 to 28 through face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of 1,412 Filipinos.
WR Numero said the findings carry a ±2.8 percent national margin of error.
Military CDD policy now undergoing review
THE Armed Forces (AFP) on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to protect its wounded and disabled veterans troops even as it announced that it has now started the comprehensive review of its Complete Disability Discharge (CDD) policy.
In a statement, the AFP said the ongoing review is being done in coordination with the Department of National Defense.
“[The CDD policy review aims to] strengthen protections for wounded and disabled personnel while reaffirming its [AFP] commitment to uphold dignity, provide long-term support, and stand firmly beside those injured in the line of duty,” it added.
This order came in the wake of the order of President to review the CDD policy to ensure that
troops wounded and disabled in the line of duty are not just retired from the military after their sacrifices.
He also ordered the suspension of Army Capt. Jerome Jacuba’s CDD, who was permanently blinded following an improvised mine explosion during combat operations in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao in 2016. As this developed, the AFP chief of staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., on Tuesday visited Jacuba at his home to honor him for his bravery and sacrifice for the nation. Under the guidance of the Chief Executive, Jacuba is set to be promoted to the rank of Major and assigned to adaptive duties that fully leverage his 15 years of professional service and operational expertise. Rex Anthony Naval
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Thursday, December 4, 2025
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Business leaders revive move for Charter change
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
LOCAL and foreign business leaders on Wednesday revived their push for Charter change, warning that the Philippines needs to modernize its economic and political systems if it is to keep pace with a rapidly integrating global economy.
During the first public consultation of the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Chairman George Barcelon said the private sector remains open to constitutional reforms that strengthen the country’s investment climate, stressing that economic amendments should be prioritized.
“Our stance is supportive of any changes that would benefit the country,” Barcelon told lawmakers, noting PCCI’s longstanding advocacy for revising economic restrictions. “We are very open to changes that are economic provisions in nature. Others, whether through a ConCon or a constituent assembly, we leave to the wisdom of our legislators.”
Barcelon emphasized that despite recent liberalization laws— such as the amended Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investment Act, and other reforms—the Philippines continues to lag behind neighbors
like Vietnam in attracting foreign investments.
He cited structural issues that remain unaddressed, including high power costs, expensive logistics, and the “hollowing out” of domestic manufacturing.
“We are basically a consumer economy…living off the remittances of our overseas workers,” he said, adding that the country’s growing dependence on imports has contributed to a $40-billion trade deficit with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members. Barcelon also raised concerns about the vulnerability of the BPO industry amid advancements in artificial intelligence and called for stronger support for agriculture and higher education.
Despite these challenges, he noted that foreign companies continue to prefer locating in Philippine Economic Zones Authority areas owing to a stable regulatory environment and ease of doing business—factors he said must be replicated nationwide.
The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) reaffirmed their strong support for proposals to amend the 1987 Constitution, particularly the removal of longstanding restrictive economic provisions that they say have hindered the country’s global competitiveness and deterred foreign investments for decades.
Christopher Ilagan, president
Most water districts want out of PrimeWater JVAs
ANATIONWIDE Senate survey revealed a “clear and alarming pattern” of dissatisfaction with Villar-owned PrimeWater, with most local water districts already initiating or preparing to initiate termination of their joint venture agreements (JVAs) owing to unmet commitments, poor service quality, and stalled infrastructure projects.
During a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, the chairperson, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, said the panel sent survey forms to all local water districts operating under PrimeWater’s 75 JVAs.
Of the 70 water districts that responded, 61 said they were not satisfied with PrimeWater’s service performance, while 52 have begun or are preparing to begin the pre-termination or termination process.
Tulfo said the responses show that communities nationwide share the same experience: intermittent supply, brown or unsafe water, delays in promised capital expenditure projects, and unresolved operational violations.
He said that while many water districts want to exit the partnership, only 21 have the technical and financial capability to fully
“No Filipino should lose their life because blood was not available. With the continued dedication of our donors, partners, and volunteers, we move closer to a country where every patient gets the chance to live,” said PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard J. Gordon who commended the honorees for the impact of their service.
PRC Secretary General Gwen Pang, who attended the program along with PRC’s National Blood Services Director Monina Nalupta,
of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, said the Joint Foreign Chambers has consistently pushed for the reform or removal of rigid foreign equity restrictions, stressing that these limitations embedded in the Constitution have become “inflexible and outdated.”
“The Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines strongly supports the amendment and or revision of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, specifically the removal of restrictive economic provisions,” Ilagan said.
“These restrictions are inflexible and outdated. Embedding rigid economic provisions in the Constitution has deprived the government of the necessary flexibility to adjust to future changes in technology, meet requirements under international treaties, and capitalize on new economic opportunities.”
He noted that many of these restrictions are rooted in the nationalistic and protectionist orientations of the 1935 and 1973 Constitutions—views that no longer reflect the realities of today’s globalized economy. With the Philippines now deeply integrated into global trade and party to numerous free trade agreements, Ilagan said retaining such limitations “no longer serves the country’s best interests.”
“These restrictions undermine
the country’s competitiveness,” he added. “They contribute to lower investments, fewer jobs, poorer infrastructure, and less inclusive development.”
Major international institutions such as the World Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have repeatedly cited the Philippines as among the most restrictive economies in terms of foreign investment regulations— a ranking that the JFC says can only be effectively addressed by removing constitutional barriers entirely.
On the manner of amending the Charter—whether through a constitutional convention or constituent assembly—Ilagan said the chambers defer to Congress, noting, “We rely on the wisdom of our legislators to decide that.” He added that the JFC will submit a comprehensive position paper and historically supports inserting the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” in key areas to enhance policy flexibility.
Marielle Angela Soriano, advocacy engagement specialist for the Arangkada Philippines Project and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, echoed the JFC’s unified position. Speaking on behalf of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, and Korean chambers, and PAMURI, Soriano reiterated their support
for easing or eliminating constitutional limits on foreign direct investments (FDIs).
“The removal of constitutional barriers can facilitate increased FDI in sectors where investment remains constrained,” Soriano said, noting that the move would complement earlier liberalization laws such as the amended Public Service Act, Foreign Investments Act, and Retail Trade Liberalization Act.
She emphasized that while the government must safeguard national interests, many countries achieve this through legislation or executive regulation rather than permanent constitutional provisions. This approach, she said, enables governments to “adjust quickly to technological changes, international commitments, and emerging global opportunities.”
“Ultimately, the global economy increasingly depends on the free movement of capital and on a level playing field between domestic and foreign investors,” Soriano added. “Providing clarity, flexibility, and openness in our investment environment is vital to sustaining competitiveness.”
For Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) President Calixto Chikiamco, the Charter’s flaws go beyond economics—they are deeply political.
Chikiamco welcomed Congress’s willingness to confront what he described as the Philip -
PHL maritime security gets boost from allies
By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio
take over operations—a gap he said exposes how JVAs can trap districts in failing arrangements.
The survey reflects widespread frustration over missed investment targets, unimplemented projects, and the deterioration of water district assets, Tulfo said.
He added red flags include unpaid contractors, shrinking physical assets despite ballooning loans, and performance bonds that districts cannot enforce.
“From 70 respondents, 61 said they are not satisfied with PrimeWater’s service,” Tulfo said.
He said the most troubling finding is that a majority now want to leave the JVAs but are hindered by the cost and complexity of the exit process, including lengthy negotiations and expensive arbitration proceedings held only in Metro Manila.
“Sa 52 na gustong kumalas, karamihan ay walang sapat na kakayahan [Of the 52 that want to withdraw, most do not have the capacity to do so],” he added. Tulfo said this disconnect between wanting out and being able to exit places millions of consumers at risk of continued poor service.
See “PrimeWater,” A8
highlighted the importance of this year’s theme “Give Blood, Give Hope, Together We Save Lives.”
“For the Philippine Red Cross, this year’s theme is not just a slogan, but a kind of truth we see in our everyday lives. Blood is life, and to donate blood is to give hope. For us in the Red Cross—and for the patients, especially – every bag of blood symbolizes hope because we can give patients a second chance at life. And while the need for blood does not end, through the donations we receive, we give those in need the gift of life,” Pang said. The ceremony conferred a range
See “Blood,” A8
IN a recent major policy gathering forum convened by the Stratbase ADR Institute for Strategic and International Studies, major allies of the Philippines – including the United States, Japan, Australia, France, and Canada – enhanced their commitment to strengthen the Philippines’ maritime security, affirming the rulesbased international order, and launching initiatives for stronger community-based monitoring in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
In the “Eyes on the Sea: Community-Based Maritime Monitoring and Reporting in the West Philippine Sea” forum, Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown underscored the depth of strategic cooperation between Australia and the Philippines, describing the friendship of the two countries as “enduring.”
“Australia remains steadfastly committed to working with the Philippines and the region to improve maritime capabilities and oversight, uphold international law and contribute to our collective security and prosperity for the years to come,” he shared.
Moreover, Innes-Brown announced the two countries’ plans.
“In early 2026… the Embassy will officially launch the next phase of Australia’s civil maritime
investment in the Philippines, with a double funding allocation of $18 million…This investment will retain strong focus on equipment, capacity building systems and exchange and scholarship opportunities,” he said.
New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh stressed regional cooperation, stating “No country can address maritime challenges on its own, and New Zealand is working with regional partners to strengthen maritime safety, environmental protection, and long-term governance.”
She also pointed to new technologies that are helping the Philippines and New Zealand address the current challenges in maritime security.
“Modern maritime domain awareness tools, including Ioris and Starboard, are helping New Zealand and its partners detect threats, coordinate operations, and strengthen regional security through shared information systems,” McIntosh shared.
Vietnamese Ambassador Lai Thai Binh reaffirmed peaceful but resolute action, stressing that “Vietnam is committed in resolving South China Sea issues peacefully in accordance with international law, while firmly defending its sovereignty and sovereign rights.”
He highlighted the importance of local engagement to generate
support for the cause.
“Community-based monitoring is central to Vietnam’s maritime awareness efforts, empowering local fishers and coastal residents to report illegal activities and contribute to national databases that guide policy,” Lai emphasized.
“Vietnam values regional cooperation, believing that shared training, digital platforms, and coordinated responses are essential to strengthening resilience and ensuring the sea remains a source of prosperity,” he added.
Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit underscored the public mandate for action, citing that “72 percent of Filipinos want the government to protect our country’s territory and marine resources, as well as the rights of people and fishing communities. We always say we put a human face on our policy.” He stressed what national responsibility looks like.
“Our interest, I think, must be to defend what is ours, to protect our seas, to protect our archipelagic sea lanes, our archipelagic nation... People think it is simply about transparency, but it is putting a light on what is happening,” Manhit explained.
“I care about the Filipino people defining what is ours—and that is the West Philippine Sea...I speak of
See “Maritime,” A8
PhilSys passes 90 million mark for permanent IDs
THE number of permanent identification numbers (PSN) issued under the National ID system has reached 90.29 million as of October, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
Data from the agency indicate that 90,290,024 Filipinos had been assigned PSNs as of October 31, representing about 80 percent of the estimated population.
National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the PSA continues to encourage unregis -
tered individuals to complete the process, noting that most Filipinos have already undergone verification. The PSN is generated only after demographic and biometric data are checked for duplicates. The statistics agency earlier explained that the deduplication process can result in slower issuance for some applicants, as cases with potential matches are subjected to further review.
Last month, Mapa said these instances require additional
pines’ “structural problems,” arguing that corruption alone is not the root cause of weak governance and poor economic performance.
“Our problems arise from the defects of a Constitution made more than 30 years ago,” he said, supporting a constitutional convention (Con-Con) in 2028, to coincide with national elections and ensure broad public participation.
Among the reforms he proposed were the removal of all “Filipinoonly” and “Filipino-first” provisions, which he argued have unintentionally fostered monopolies and oligopolies; the establishment of a strong, state-funded political party system to reduce dependence on personal campaign financing; the streamlining of the Constitution to make it less prescriptive and allow evolving technical matters to be addressed through legislation; and the reorientation of social justice measures toward education rather than land redistribution, to create more sustainable and equitable opportunities for future generations.
Chikiamco argued that countries with strong political party systems—including Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China—have demonstrated sustained development through disciplined policy continuity.
“We need strong political parties. Without them, political dynasties will continue to dominate,” he warned.
Study:
Metro Manila smog interacts with coastal salt particles
SBless Aubrey Ogerio
EA salt particles carried inland from the coast interact with existing pollution in Metro Manila’s atmosphere in ways that can influence the capital’s air quality, a new study by researchers from Ateneo de Manila University–Manila Observatory and the University of Arizona said.
The team reported that sea salt and urban pollutants do not simply merge when they mix in the air. Instead, chemical reactions transform the particles, altering their composition as they circulate over the city.
“Taking advantage of the worldwide shutdown of human activity during the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers revealed surprising insights into how the naturallyoccurring components of sea salt—sodium and chloride—combine with Metro Manila air and contribute to the city’s pollution,” they said.
Comparing daytime and nighttime aerosol samples collected before and after the 2020 lockdown, researchers gathered samples in continuous 48-hour periods. Further, they found that concentrations of chloride and sodium were higher in the post-lockdown period.
Before the lockdown, heavy emissions from vehicles and industries made the air more acidic, which, according to the researchers, was “very potent at stripping away the chloride component of sea salt in the air—a process called ‘chloride depletion.’”
evaluation, which contributes to backlogs in PSN generation.
For her part, Deputy National Statistician Rosalinda Bautista said individuals confirmed as unique in the system allow for more secure and efficient identity authentication once the National ID is used in government and private transactions.
Registration sites nationwide remain open to walk-in applicants who can present the required supporting documents, the PSA added. Bless Aubrey Ogerio
When pollution levels dropped during the shutdown, the atmosphere became less acidic, allowing more naturally occurring sea salt components to remain in the air.
For recommendation, the authors suggested research that measures gas emissions and weather conditions together to support evidence-based policymaking.
Findings from the study were published in October 2025 in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, a peerreviewed journal covering chemical processes related to Earth and space.
₧68B
allocated to construct up to 27,000 new classrooms
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
AMAJOR boost to basic education is on the horizon as P68 billion in next year’s budget is set to bankroll the construction of up to 27,000 classrooms, according to SenatorSherwin Gatchalian.
The Senate Committee on Finance has added P19.3 billion on top of the P48.7 billion allotted under the General Appropriations Bill (House Bill No. 4058). The current allocation of P68 billion is almost five times the P15.25 billion originally allotted under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance,
also emphasized that the proposed 2026 national budget will give the Department of Education (DepEd) flexibility when it comes to classroom construction. The DepEd will be allowed to enter into agreements with local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations for building classrooms. In areas where there are security challenges or peace and order constraints, the DepEd may also engage the Armed Forces of the Philippines Corps of Engineers. To ensure that school sites under the public-private partnership projects of the DepEd are construction-ready, another P160 million is also allotted under the public schools infrastructure program for site development activities.
PNP seeks more ties with Israel
By Rex Anthony Naval
ACTING Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen.
Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Wednesday said they will be beefing its cooperation with the Israeli government to improve intelligence sharing, modernize police training programs, and adopt best practices in public safety and community policing.
Nartatez made this announcement shortly after the Dec. 2 courtesy call of Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, Dana Kursh, at Camp Crame, Quezon City. He said the meeting highlighted the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Israel as they explored ways to expand coopera -
tion in key areas such as security, capacity building, and information sharing.
During the discussions, both sides identified practical initiatives for intelligence sharing, personnel exchanges, and joint training programs. Through these collaborations, Nartatez said the PNP aims to strengthen its capabilities in crime prevention, emergency response, and overall community safety.
He added that this is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to modernize the PNP and promote international partnerships that enhance the country’s capacity to address evolving security challenges while ensuring the safety of every Filipino.
Marcos urges replication of award-winning programs from 2025 Galing Pook Awards
PROGRAMS at the barangay level focusing on aquaponics, a bottle recycling initiative, a renewable energy drive, and a comprehensive estero rehabilitation project were among the 10 winners of this year’s Galing Pook Awards. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed a desire for these initiatives to be emulated by other LGUs and scaled up by national government agencies.
During the awarding ceremony of the said winners in Malacañang last Wednesday, the Chief Executive recognized the creativity and resourcefulness of the said barangays, which implemented the said innovations despite their limited funds and manpower.
They were among the 132 barangays, who have applied for the competition organized by the Galing Pook Foundation, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government Academy (LGA), SM Prime Holdings, and the Land Bank of the Philippines.
“However, you have proven that good governance is possible when the project’s objectives are clear and are implemented with honesty,” Marcos told in Filipino to winners of the latest Galing Pook Awards.
“These are beautiful project— your project. We, I can honestly say, the new projects you have come up with, we didn’t think of it as a national government. It will really only come from the barangays,” he added.
The winners of the 2025 Galing Pook are Barangay 57 Dap-dap, Legazpi City for the revitalization of the Macabalo River; Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City for their BUSkwela initiative that helps children get back to school; Barangay Blue Ridge B, Quezon City for creating Street Camps, a system that prepares residents for earthquakes; and Barangay General Malvar, Santiago City, for their solar-power revolution program.
Also recognized were the urban
Marcos administration’s 2026 budget to fund 30,000 new teaching positions
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3
WITH the Marcos administration’s 2026 budget proposal supporting the hiring of more than 30,000 classroom teachers to ease shortages across public schools, the Department of Education (DepEd) is preparing to bring in one of its biggest batches of new teachers in recent years.
In DepEd’s 2026 National Expenditure Program, 32,916 new Teacher I items are proposed marking one of the biggest single-year increases in the department’s staffing plan. The expansion comes as schools continue to manage high learner densities and heightened instructional demands following years of disrupted learning.
Continuing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen support for teachers, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo
“Sonny” Angara said additional classroom teachers are essential to easing class congestion and improving attention to early-grade learning.
Kapag nagdagdag tayo ng libolibong guro, mas lumuluwag ang mga silid-aralan at mas nabibigyang-pansin ang mga batang kailangang abutan. Papalakasin ang pwersa ng mga guro para mas umangat ang kalidad ng pagtuturo sa bawat paaralan ,” Angara said.
He added that the improved budget support from Congress reflects confidence in the department’s ongoing reforms.
The proposed 2026 staffing expansion also includes 6,000 School Principal I and 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions. These additions respond to schoollevel concerns involving leadership gaps and the urgent need to strengthen guidance services to advance learner well-being and address bullying cases in school campuses.
Private schools, FFCCCII
DepEd is, likewise, completing the hiring pipeline for items created in previous years. For FY 2025, a total of 20,000 new teaching positions are slated for hiring and deployment, along with the accumulated unfilled teaching items of 33,052 from past years.
Apart from teachers, DepEd is expanding administrative and project development officer hiring to lessen the non-teaching workload of educators — a point Angara also raised publicly as part of the department’s broader workforce reform. For FY 2026, DepEd is set to hire 11,268 Administrative Officer II (AO II) positions to finally close the gap and achieve a 1:1 AO II ratio per school, along with 5,000 additional Project Development Officer I (PDO I) positions to further complement and support school-level program implementation.
DepEd said the 2026 hiring plan reflects both the urgency of addressing classroom congestion
back Angara’s DepEd reform agenda, landmark budget
EDUCATION Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has garnered support from the country’s major private school associations, including the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).
This backing aligns with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) reform agenda and its largest budget allocation in history for 2026.
gardens and palit-bote-para-satinapay project of Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City; clearance-with-a-checklist program designed to increase community participation of Barangay Naggasican, Santiago City; community justice garden of Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City; sign language training of Barangay Tagas, Tabaco City; Dungog Kariton project that aids conflict resolution of Barangay Poblacion, South Cotabato; and the rehabilitation of Tripa de Gallina spearheaded by Barangay San Isidro, Makati City. Each of the award recipients got P300,000 cash prize from the DILG and LGA.
Marcos highlighted the important role of the said barangays in improving the public’s perception of the quality of service delivered by the government.
“Because when there is clarity–when the government process is clear, the trust [to the government] of our countrymen grows; when there is accountability, the respect of the people increases [to the government]; and whenever we prioritize the welfare of the people, the development of our homeland follows,” he said.
The President said he wants the initiatives of the Galing Pook Awards to be expanded to other parts of the country.
“Let us strive to continue to replicate the success of these barangay initiatives on a national scale—learning what works and strengthening the systems that uphold efficiency, participation, and transparency in government,” he said.
Launched in 1993, the Galing Pook Awards aims to give recognition to barangays, which implemented programs resulting in promoting people’s participation, innovation, sustainability, resilience, transferability, and efficiency, in their communities. Samuel P. Medenilla
Joining the Philippine Education Conference (PhilEd) 2025, Angara acknowledged the statement issued by the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA), Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAPSCU), Unified TVET of the Philippines (UniTVET), Federation of Associations of Private School Administrators (FAPSA), and the National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines (NAPSPHIL).
In their joint message, the groups lauded “the DepEd leadership and team for its work in advancing key reforms,” citing the Senate’s approval of the department’s P1.044-trillion budget for 2026 as a “landmark investment in the future of Filipino learners.”
Effective leadership
THE FFCCCII, also, has affirmed its steadfast support for Angara and the critical reform agenda of the DepEd, “at a time when public trust in institutions is paramount and the country needs stability for progress.”
In a statement, the FFCCCII has recognized that stable, principled, and effective leadership is the foundation for progress in our nation’s most vital sector and that Angara’s tenure builds upon a distinguished two-decade legislative career dedicated to transformative national reform.
FFCCCII President Victor Lim said that Angara’s authorship and sponsorship of landmark laws, including the
Free College Education Act, the Free Kindergarten Law, and the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2012 (K-12 Program), “demonstrate a profound and lifelong commitment to expanding opportunity and modernizing Philippine education.”
“This is not merely a record of service; it is a clear blueprint for enlightened governance,” Lim said, adding that since Angara’s appointment, he has applied this “exacting, reformist approach” to the DepEd.
“His leadership has been characterized by integrity, transparency, and a resolute focus on strengthening systems, empowering teachers, and improving learning outcomes. He has brought a spirit of collaboration and data-driven decision-making necessary to address the department’s complex challenges and secure our nation’s future competitiveness,” Lim stressed.
In the face of recent, unsubstantiated allegations, the FFCCCII has underscored the fundamental importance of “due process” and the “presumption of innocence” in the country’s democracy.
“Public discourse must be anchored in facts and sobriety, not conjecture. To disregard these principles in favor of sensationalism and unfair trial by publicity undermines the very institutions we seek to strengthen and distracts from the urgent work at hand,” he said as he called on for any legitimate concerns to be “addressed swiftly and fairly through the proper channels.”
“The national focus must remain unequivocally on supporting our educators and learners. The FFCCCII expresses its full confidence in Secretary Angara’s leadership to steward this mission and stands united behind the imperative of allocating resources effectively for the benefit of all Filipino students,” Lim said.
Stabilizing the education ecosystem
MEANWHILE , Angara said the administration’s push to strengthen both public and private schools is anchored on the reality that the system cannot move forward without
and the trust placed in the department’s capacity to implement systemic reforms.
Under Angara, teacher welfare reforms were implemented by DepEd, including the recentlylaunched Inclusive Employment Policy, updated guidelines on overtime and overload pay to clarify compensation rules, and workload rationalization measures that pull administrative tasks away from teachers to keep their focus on instruction.
Once finalized in the General Appropriations Act, the expansion is expected to improve school operations and strengthen the frontline capacity of basic education nationwide.
Matagal nang hinihintay ng sektor ang ganitong laki ng pondo. Historic ang 2026 budget dahil unang pagkakataon na sabay-sabay nating natutugunan ang pangangailangan sa guro, suporta sa paaralan, at paghahanda sa bagong kurikulum ,” Angara said.
Tagum City filmfest now on 3rd annual run, holds own film awards
a stable and thriving private sector.
“Kung gusto nating mas mapabilis ang pag-asenso ng ating mga bata, kailangan natin ang lakas ng private schools, mula sa teacher training hanggang sa pagpapatakbo ng ating voucher programs. Katuwang namin kayo sa paghatid ng kalidad na edukasyon saanmang panig ng bansa,” Angara said. Angara also noted that the reforms sought by private schools align squarely with DepEd’s own push to stabilize the education ecosystem and ensure that subsidies, teaching capacity, and learning pathways remain accessible across both sectors.
The secretary noted that DepEd’s 2026 budget significantly expands subsidies for learners in private schools through the Education Service Contracting (ESC) and Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP), which together will support over 2.5 million students next year. The agency has also increased the grant of the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) to P 24,000 and coimplemented extensive inservice training with PEAC to help private school teachers and operators.
Angara added that DepEd’s public-private complementarity framework—formalized under DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2024— provides clearer roles for both sectors, from easing classroom congestion to coordinating curriculum pathways and sharing facilities when needed.
The PhilEd Conference, organized by PEAC, is one of the country’s biggest biennial education events and has long served as a venue for aligning reforms, practices, and policy directions across the sector.
Angara said the private sector’s renewed commitment strengthens DepEd’s resolve to push long-delayed structural reforms, including the modernized voucher law and the bill institutionalizing complementarity.
“Ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat: hindi namin kayang itaguyod ang reporma nang mag-isa...Kapag matatag ang pribadong sektor, mas malakas ang buong sistema ng edukasyon ,” Angara concluded. Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
DAVAO CITY—Davao del Norte’s capital, Tagum City, held recently its third annual Palm City Film Festival (PCFF), one the few and rare regional film festivals in the country, with a plum harvest of 126 entries competing for 16 awards. Between November 17 and November 22, the 126 films were shown for free in Tagum City’s Herminigildo C. Baloyo, M.D. Hall, GMall Cinema 2, and the Tagum Cultural Center Facade. The PCFF received a total of 126 submission entries, of which 13 were competing short films, five were documentary short films, and 12 were exhibition films, said Tagum Tourism, Culture and Arts Council Chairperson Alma L. Uy. And also for the first time, screenings include Sinag Maynila 2024 entries—fulllength feature films, short films, and documentary films—including the Best Film, “Her Locket,” which tackles dementia. The PCFF has collaborated with the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival, organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Solar Entertainment. The festival handed the Best Film award to “Balay-Balay” directed by John Gilar Saberon, the Best Documentary award to “Di Lalim, Di Lalum” directed by Nicole Reyes, and the Best Director award to Denesse Acebedo Nagaliza, who megged the short film “Raket Sampler.” The other awardees were the following: Best Ensemble (acting) to Marsh Sabus, Shawie Caballe, and Michelle Rafael for Mik-ap; Best Actor to James Caleb for Raket Sampler; Best Actress to Sean Mayer Go for Between the Shelves; Best Editing to John Patrick Alfuerto for Mik-ap; Best Production Design to Karl Louie Calibadan for Tinubdan; Best Sound to Cheenee Fronda and Dianne Melody Talictic for Huni; Best Workshop Film to Alexandra Bontilao for Between the Shelves; Gender Justice Award to Aimee Naomi and Jugi Tabada for Huni; Grand Jury Prize to Denesse Acebedo Nagaliza for Raket Sampler; Jury Prize (Editing) to Carylle Franchesca Nicolas for Di Lalim, Di Lalum; another Jury Prize to Justiny Sayson for Mik-ap; Special Citation for Artistic Achievement to Evzen Freders Conejero for Beat; Jury Special Mention (Documentation) to Abdul Raffy Macasiding for Panikad and Best Cinematography to Lance Paul Viduya for Raket Sampler.
“Tagum City has always embraced the arts as a bridge that connects people from all walks of life. Through film—one of the most powerful and universal mediums—we are reminded of our common dreams, struggles, and hopes. This festival stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to cultivating harmony and promoting peace through cultural expression,” Uy said. The annual Palm City Film Festival is the biggest platform in Tagum City for discovering new and promising filmmakers, the city information office said. This year’s festival carried the theme “Celebrating Films and Stories in the City of Harmony, A Platform for Peace and Unity.”
The jurors were film producer and director Butch Ibañez, film director and writer Teng Mangansakan, and film director Zig Dulay. Manuel T. Cayon
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Agri smuggling a national security threat, says Kiko; BOC exec cited in contempt over Subic smuggling
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
ENATOR Francis “Kiko” Pan -
Sgilinan on Wednesday called for stronger government action against agricultural smuggling, describing the persistent influx of illicit farm products as a direct threat to the nation’s food security and overall national stability.
In his opening statement at the hearing held by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform which he chairs, the senator said: “Systemic ang pagpapahina ng ating seguridad sa pagkain at ng magsasaka at mangingisdang Pilipino. Gaya ng nabanggit natin sa ilang pagkakataon, food security is a national security concern and therefore, agri smuggling is a threat to our national security.”
The senator also emphasized that agricultural smuggling undermines the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk and destabilizes the domestic food production systems.
Warning that continued inaction risks weakening the country’s capacity to feed its growing population
especially during times of crisis and global market volatility, he lamented how the government’s response to this threat has been lackluster.
Pangilinan pointed out that the committee’s ongoing investigations have uncovered Chinese syndicates— operating similar to the banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs)—to be behind these activities.
He explained how these Chinese syndicates are empowered by corrupt government agencies, officials, and employees who allow them to bring smuggled and unsafe agricultural products into the country in exchange for kickbacks.
“Hindi uunlad ang lokal na agrikultura, mananatiling mahal ang pagkain, mananatiling gutom ang ating mga kababayan dahil hindi makabili ng sapat at masustansyang pagkain sa gitna ng ganitong pamiminsala,” the senator stressed.
Records showed, he said, that only 4 out of the 132 agricultural smuggling-related cases from 2021 to 2025 have been filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) because of the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) failure to provide proper and correct documents.
The senator, who advocates for transparency, good governance, and rural development, identified the reforms needed to address the rampant agricultural smuggling in the country.
He said the BOC must integrate e-tracking mechanisms, strengthen inter-agency cooperation, and conduct an audit of warehouses for better transparency and accountability.
Contempt citation
LATER in the hearing, the senator cited in contempt a Bureau of Customs (BOC) official connected to the smuggling operations at the Port of Subic.
BOC-Port of Subic Acting Chief of Assessment Juan San Andres was cited in contempt after inconsistencies in his statements regarding the release of three containers with smuggled agricultural products from the Port of Subic.
“On the basis of the motion, as well as the explanation of Mr. San Andres, together with clarification from Usec. Carlos Carag, we second the motion: you are cited in contempt by this committee,” the senator and chairman of the agricultural committee said.
This comes after a motion from
Senator Erwin Tulfo, who flagged San Andres for lying to the committee after Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary Carlos Carag confirmed the attempt to bring the three containers of shipment consigned to Berches Consumer Goods Trading to a non-existent warehouse in Angat, Bulacan.
San Andres claimed that the operation to bring the containers out of the Port of Subic for a 100% physical examination in the supposed Berches’ warehouse was done in coordination with the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement (DAIE) unit.
But Carag belied this claim and said that the DAIE went after several BOC personnel after finding out that the containers were released from the port.
While the containers were eventually returned to the Port of Subic, Pangilinan questioned San Andres’ recollection of events, particularly for the issuance of the mission order after he gave instructions to one of the BOC staff to join the underguarding.
San Andres denied this, while also failing to justify why the containers were released in the first place despite having possible smuggled agricultural products.
Marcos OKs multi-year pay hike for military, uniformed personnel
RECOGNIZING the growing role of the military and uniformed personnel (MUP) in securing the country from growing threats, President Ferdinand Marcos has announced a hike on their base pay and subsistence allowance starting next year.
The Chief Executive made the announcement in a video message posted in his social media account last Wednesday.
“In recognition of your tireless service, dedication, and excellence, we will raise the Base Pay of the MUP,” Marcos said in Filipino.
The base pay will be implemented in three tranches: January 1, 2026; January 1, 2027; and January 1, 2028. As of press time, Malacañang has yet announce the amount of the pay increase, which will be contained in a new Executive Order (EO) to be issued by the President.
Also to take effect starting next month will be the P350 Subsistence Allowance which will now cover not only the military, but also other uniformed personnel.
Last March, Marcos also issued EO No. 84 raising the subsistence allowance from P150 to P350.
The newly announced increases will cover military and uniformed personnel from the Department of National Defense, Department of
Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Corrections, National Mapping and the Resource Information Authority.
Marcos said he decided to approve higher benefits as MUPs amid their increasing role in ensuring the safety of the public from the series of natural calamities, which hit the country this year.
“Our MUPs are the first to answer the call of duty, even when it comes with threats to their safety. On land, water, or in the air, you do not hesitate to sacrifice your safety for the well-being of every Filipino,” Marcos said.
“This Administration believes that those who defend the nation deserve to be protected by the government. Fair wages and adequate support, this is the people’s offering to our defenders,” he added.
Marcos made the announcement after the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is now looking into destabilization attempts against the Marcos administration, which allegedly includes retired military officers and government officials.
Last Monday, Marcos urged new officers of AFP to shun attempts by some groups to use the military for their own agenda.
Samuel P. Medenilla
PSALM receives 2 unsolicited proposals to rehabilitate Agus-Pulangi plants
THE Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation has received two unsolicited proposals to rehabilitate the Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric complex.
“Our next big asset is Agus-Pulangi. So you’re all aware of our plan. It’s an asset rehabilitation. Hopefully, with a concession type of agreement to rehabilitate and restore the capacity of those power plants to its rated capacity,” said PSALM President Dennis Dela Serna.
The PSALM official did not divulge the identities of the interested firms. “What I can tell is two. One is a consortium, one’s not,” he said, hinting that these are “people we’ve seen around.”
First Gen Corp. of the Lopez group said earlier Agus-Pulangi hydroelectric complex
will play a major role in delivering reliable and compelling clean energy solutions to its customers. “Any opportunity that comes up, for sure we will study it seriously,” First Gen vice president and head of strategy and planning Jay Joel Soriano said. “We need the right mix of technologies. I think to support all the solar that’s coming up, we need balancing technologies. And hydro is a great balancing technology.”
PSALM said actual rehabilitation may occur in 2027 or 2028. The unsolicited proposals will have to go through the usual evaluation process. “If I follow the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) code timelines, there’s a set there 10 days to accept or reject, 90 days to evaluate, another 90 days to 150 days for negotiation,” he added.
Lenie Lectura
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Climate change fuels deadly floods across Southeast Asia, experts warn
By Aniruddha Ghosal & Anton L. Delgado The Associated Press
HANOI, Vietnam—Southeast Asia is being pummeled by unusually severe floods this year, as late-arriving storms and relentless rains wreak havoc that has caught many places off guard.
Deaths have topped 1,400 across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, with more than 1,000 still missing in floods and landslides. In Indonesia, entire villages remain cut off after bridges and roads were swept away. Thousands in Sri Lanka lack clean water, while Thailand’s prime minister acknowledged shortcomings in his government’s response.
Malaysia is still reeling from one its worst floods, which killed three and displaced thousands. Meanwhile, Vietnam and the Philippines have faced a year of punishing storms and floods that have left hundreds dead.
What feels unprecedented is exactly what climate scientists expect: A new normal of punishing storms, floods and devastation.
“Southeast Asia should brace for a likely continuation and potential worsening of extreme weather in 2026 and for many years immediately following that,” said Jemilah Mahmood, who leads the think tank Sunway Centre for Planetary Health in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Asia is facing the full force of the climate crisis CLIMATE patterns last year helped set the stage for 2025’s extreme weather.
Atmospheric levels of heattrapping carbon dioxide jumped by the most on record in 2024. That “turbocharged” the climate, the United Nation’s World Meteorological Organization says, resulting in more extreme weather.
Asia is bearing the brunt of such changes, warming nearly twice as fast as the global average. Scientists agree that the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events are increasing.
Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for storms, making them stronger and wetter, while rising sea levels amplify storm surges, said Benjamin Horton, a professor of earth science at the City University of Hong Kong.
Storms are arriving later in the year, one after another as climate change affects air and ocean currents, including systems like El
Nino, which keeps ocean waters warmer for longer and extends the typhoon season. With more moisture in the air and changes in wind patterns, storms can form quickly.
“While the total number of storms may not dramatically increase, their severity and unpredictability will,” Horton said.
Governments were unprepared THE unpredictability, intensity, and frequency of recent extreme weather events are overwhelming Southeast Asian governments, said Aslam Perwaiz of the Bangkok-based intergovernmental Asian Disaster Preparedness Center. He attributes that to a tendency to focus on responding to disasters rather than preparing for them.
“Future disasters will give us even less lead time to prepare,” Perwaiz warned.
In Sri Lanka’s hardest-hit provinces, little has changed since 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, said Sarala Emmanuel, a human-rights researcher in Batticaloa. It killed 230,000 people.
“When a disaster like this happens, the poor and marginalized communities are the worst affected,” Emmanuel said. That includes poor tea plantation workers living in areas prone to landslides.
Unregulated development that damages local ecosystems has worsened flood damage, said Sandun Thudugala of the Colombobased non-profit Law and Society Trust. Sri Lanka needs to rethink how it builds and plans, he said, taking into account a future where extreme weather is the norm.
Videos of logs swept downstream in Indonesia suggested deforestation may have made the floods worse. Since 2000, the flood-inundated Indonesian provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra have lost 19,600 square kilometers (7,569 square miles) of forest, an area larger than the state of New Jersey, according to Global Forest Watch.
Officials rejected claims of illegal logging, saying the timber looked old and probably came from landholders.
Billions are lost, while climate finance is limited COUNTRIES are losing billions of dollars a year because of climate change.
“There is also an urgent need for vulnerable countries like ours to get compensated for loss and damages we suffer because of global warming,” Thudugala said.
“My request...is support to recover some of the losses we have suffered,” said Rohan Wickramarachchi, owner of a commercial building in the central Sri Lankan town of Peradeniya that was flooded to its second floor. He and dozens of other families he knows must now start over.
Responding to increasingly desperate calls for help, at the COP30 global climate conference last month in Brazil, countries pledged to triple funding for climate adaptation and make $1.3 trillion in annual climate financing available by 2035. That’s still woefully short of what developing nations requested, and it’s unclear if those funds will actually materialize.
Southeast Asia is at a crossroads for climate action, said Thomas Houlie of the science and policy institute, Climate Analytics. The region is expanding use of renewable energy but still reliant on fossil fuels.
“What we’re seeing in the region is dramatic and it’s unfortunately a stark reminder of the consequences of the climate crisis,” Houlie said.
Costs from disasters are an added burden for Sri Lanka, which contributes a tiny fraction of global carbon emissions but is at the frontline of climate impacts, while it spends most of its wealth to repay foreign loans, said Thudugala.
Vietnam estimates that it lost over $3 billion in the first 11 months of this year because of floods, landslides and storms. Thailand’s government data is fragmented, but its agriculture ministry estimates about $47 million in agricultural losses since August. The Kasikorn Research Center estimates the November floods in southern Thailand alone caused about $781 million in losses, potentially shaving off 0.1% of GDP. Indonesia doesn’t have data for losses for this year but its annual average losses from natural disasters are $1.37 billion, its finance ministry says.
Delgado reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writers Edna Tarigan in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok, Thailand, Sibi Arasu in Bengaluru, India, Eranga Jayawardena in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.
Hong Kong’s deadliest fire exposes systemic building safety failures, corruption concerns
By Chan Ho-Him AP Business Writer
HONG KONG—Uncomfortable questions are being raised over who is to blame for Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades.
As the territory mourns over the high-rise apartment fire that killed at least 156 people, anger and frustration are mounting over building safety lapses, suspected construction corruption and lax government oversight. But bigger issues are at play. Some political analysts and observers say the tragedy could be the “tip of an iceberg” in Hong Kong, a city whose skyline is built on high-rise buildings. Suspicions of bid-rigging and use of hazardous construction materials in renovation projects across other housing estates have left many worried the disaster could be repeated. Police and the city’s anti-corruption body have arrested 15 people so far in the investigation of the renovation project at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex, where the fire broke out on Wednesday. Those detained include scaffolding subcontractors, directors of a construction company and a consultancy.
Officials focus on safety of materials
“THE question (one) should be asking, really is that, what happened at Wang Fuk Court, can it happen elsewhere?” said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute in London.
Hong Kong officials initially said tests of green netting covering bamboo scaffolding at the housing complex in suburban Tai Po showed that it met fire safety codes, but highly flammable foam panels used to seal windows during the repairs, aided by strong winds, caused the blaze to spread swiftly between seven of the eight towers in the complex.
But on Monday, Eric Chan, Hong Kong’s chief secretary, said that seven of 20 additional samples collected later from the site failed to meet safety standards. Authorities said there was evidence contractors cut costs by using cheaper substandard netting along with standard materials to pad their profits, after a typhoon in July damaged some of the netting originally installed.
Some fire alarms failed to sound when the fire started, residents and officials said.
“It did open a Pandora’s box,” said John
Burns, an honorary professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong.
“You’ve got all of these issues which have been swept under the table,” Burns said.
“Because of all that we now know—or believe we know—about bid-rigging, collusion, corruption, no fire alarms, government negligence, all of these things have come out.”
As a precaution, authorities suspended work on renovations at 28 other projects managed by the same construction company. With residents of high-rises worried, contractors were removing foam boards and netting used to cover scaffolding at other projects.
The netting “is not a one particular estate problem. It’s a much wider general problem,” said Tsang of SOAS.
Residents raised concerns before the fire GOVERNMENT oversight also has been questioned. Residents of Wang Fuk Court had been voicing safety concerns to the authorities about construction materials such as netting used in the renovations, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
The Labor Department said it reviewed netting’s product quality certificate and found it “in line” with standards. It also said it had conducted 16 inspections at the complex since last year—most recently about a week before the fire—and had warned contractors repeatedly they had to ensure they met fire safety requirements.
As critics raise questions about government accountability, Hong Kong officials are
emphasizing actions they have taken against the contractors, and aid provided to the victims.
“The focus of the people’s anger is on not so much the kinds of materials used (but the) lack of supervision and oversight from (government) departments,” said Willy Lam, a political analyst and senior fellow at The Jamestown Foundation.
Responding to public pressure, the territory’s chief executive, John Lee, said Tuesday that an independent committee led by a judge will investigate the fire. He brushed aside a question from a reporter on if he should keep his job.
“Yes, we need a reform. Yes, we have identified failures in different stages. That is exactly why we must act seriously to ensure that all these loopholes are plugged,” he said,
adding that the “whole building renovation system” will also be reformed to prevent any further such disasters.
Ronny Tong, an adviser to Lee, deflected questions about possible lax enforcement.
“Some people have broken the law and they were deliberately trying to deceive authorities. This is not the problem of those who enforce the laws, right?”
Oversight is seen as lacking CRITICS say bid-rigging and other collusion, inflated costs and a lack of transparency are common in Hong Kong projects. Multilayered subcontracting chains, which are common for big projects, raise the risks for substandard work and limited oversight, said Jason Poon, a contractor turned activist who has exposed problems at other Hong Kong construction projects.
“This is just the tip of an iceberg,” Poon said. Hong Kong, a former British colony that was handed to Chinese control in 1997, increasingly has cracked down on dissent and criticism of the government, which is deemed politically sensitive.
A sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 after a crackdown on massive pro-democracy protests already has effectively eliminated most public dissent.
So, Beijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong and local officials moved quickly to stifle accusations of government negligence over the deadly blaze.
On Saturday, the organizer of a petition calling for officials to take responsibility for the fire was arrested by national security police, local media including the online media outlet HK01 reported.
The Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong warned that the city’s tough national security law would be imposed against “anti-China” forces who use the fire to “incite hatred against authorities.”
The disaster may overshadow an election Sunday for Hong Kong’s Legislative Council if angry voters stay away, said JeanPierre Cabestan, a locally based political scientist and a senior research fellow at Paris’ Asia Centre think tank. Turnout for such votes is scrutinized by Beijing as an indicator of approval of the semiautonomous territory’s “patriots-only” governance system.
“The question for the Hong Kong government is: do they care about what the people think?” Burns said. “They absolutely should. (And) if they ignore public opinion, I think, on this issue, this is a huge mistake.”
CARS and houses are submerged in floodwaters in Songkhla province, southern Thailand, on Nov. 26, 2025. AP/ARNUN CHONMAHATRAKOOL
A WOMAN
A8 Thursday, December 4, 2025
Russia, US hold constructive talks on Ukraine, but obstacles remain
By The Associated Press
TALKS between Russia and the US on ending the nearly four-year war in Ukraine were constructive, but much work remains, Yuri Ushakov, a senior adviser to President Vladimir Putin, told reporters on Wednesday.
ald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner in the Kremlin in talks that began late Tuesday as part of a renewed push by the Trump administration to broker a peace deal. Both sides agreed not to disclose the substance of the talks.
Ushakov called the five-hour conversation “rather useful, constructive, rather substantive,” but added that the framework of the US peace proposal was discussed rather than “specific wording.” Asked whether peace was closer or further away after these talks, Ushakov said: “Not further, that’s for sure.”
“But there’s still a lot of work to be done, both in Washington and in Moscow. That’s what’s been agreed upon. And contacts will continue,” the official said.
Putin’s aide also said that “so far, a compromise hasn’t been found” on the issue of territories, without which, he said, the Kremlin sees “no resolution to the crisis.”
“Some of the American proposals seem more or less acceptable, but they need to be discussed. Some of the wording that was proposed to us doesn’t suit us. So, the work will continue,” Ushakov said.
There were other points of disagreement, although Ushakov did not provide further details. “We could agree on some things, and the president confirmed this to his interlocutors. Other things provoked criticism, and the president also didn’t hide our critical and even negative attitude toward a number of proposals,” he said.
Trump peace plan is center of effort to end the war
THE meeting came days after US officials held talks with a Ukrainian team in Florida and which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described in cautiously optimistic terms.
At the center of the effort is Trump’s peace plan that became public last month and raised concerns about being tilted heavily toward Moscow. The proposal granted some of the Kremlin’s core demands that Kyiv has rejected as nonstarters, such as Ukraine ceding the entire eastern region of the Donbas to Russia and renouncing its bid to join NATO.
Negotiators have indicated the framework has changed, but it’s
of distinctions honoring both the volume of blood units collected and years of partnership, including the Blood Samaritan Award for supporters whose financial assistance enables indigent patients to receive free or subsidized blood; Hall of Fame awards for partners with over ten consecutive years of service and thousands of units collected through mobile blood donation activities; Outstanding Blood Service Partner of the Year citations for institutions that have
not clear how. Ushakov said several iterations of a peace plan were being discussed at the talks. The official refused to go into details, saying only: “At first there was one version, then this version was revised, and instead of one document, a few more appeared.”
On Tuesday, Putin accused Kyiv’s European allies of sabotaging the US-led efforts to end the war.
“They don’t have a peace agenda, they’re on the side of the war,” Putin said of the Europeans.
Putin ‘s accusations appeared to be his latest attempt to sow dissension between Trump and European countries and set the stage for exempting Moscow from blame for any lack of progress.
He accused Europe of amending peace proposals with “demands that are absolutely unacceptable to Russia,” thus “blocking the entire peace process” and blaming Moscow for it. He also reiterated his long-held position that Russia has no plans to attack Europe -- a concern regularly voiced by some European countries.
“But if Europe suddenly wants to wage a war with us and starts it, we are ready right away. There can be no doubt about that,” Putin said. Russia started the war in 2022 with its full-scale invasion of a sovereign European country, and European governments have since spent billions of dollars to support Ukraine financially and militarily, to wean themselves from energy dependence on Russia, and to strengthen their own militaries to deter Moscow from seizing more territory by force.
They worry that if Russia gets what it wants in Ukraine, it will have free rein to threaten or disrupt other European countries, which already have faced incursions from Russian drones and fighter jets, and an alleged widespread Russian sabotage campaign.
Trump’s peace plan relies on Europe to provide the bulk of the financing and security guarantees for a postwar Ukraine, even though no Europeans appear to have been consulted on the original plan. That’s why European governments have pushed to ensure that peace efforts address their concerns, too.
Coinciding with Witkoff’s trip, Ukrainian President Volodymyr
gathered more than 1,000 units over a decade of continuous partnership; Testimonial Plaques for partners with unique, long-term contributions; Blood Service Platinum Awards for organizations consistently collecting 500 to 999 units over at least five years; Special Awards for exceptional support beyond regular targets; Scrolls of Honor for four consecutive years of service with 200 to 499 units collected; and Diplomas of Service for those who have completed two years of partnership with 100 to 199 units collected.
In an interview with PRC Tarlac Chapter’s (BOD) Finance Officer
Zelenskyy went to Ireland, continuing his visits to European countries that have helped sustain his country’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
High-stakes negotiations
ZELENSKYY said Tuesday he was expecting swift reports from the US envoys in Moscow on whether talks could move forward, after Trump’s initial 28-point plan was whittled down to 20 items in Sunday’s talks between US and Ukrainian officials in Florida.
“The future and the next steps depend on these signals. Such steps will change throughout today, even hour by hour, I believe,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Dublin with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
“If the signals show fair play with our partners, we then might meet very soon, meet with the American delegation,” he said.
“There is a lot of dialogue, but we need results. Our people are dying every day,” Zelenskyy said. “I am ready...to meet with President Trump. It all depends on today’s talks.”
Building on progress in Florida AFTER months of frustration in trying to stop the fighting, Trump deployed officials to get traction for his peace proposals. Asked about a possible meeting between Putin and Trump, presidential aide Ushakov said it would depend on the progress of the peace effort.
The talks have followed parallel lines so far, with Rubio sitting down with Ukrainian officials. Zelenskyy said he met Tuesday with the Ukrainian delegation that returned from the negotiations with US representatives in F lorida. Rubio said those talks made progress.
Zelenskyy said the Florida talks took as their cue a document that both sides drafted at an earlier meeting in Geneva. The Ukrainian leader said that document was now “finalized,” although he didn’t explain what that meant.
Luciano Paras Jr., he highlighted the need to recognize the partners and blood donors who help keep the blood supply of the country strong.
“I am very happy that we have institutionalized the regional Kadugo Awards. Our benefactors and supporters of our mass blood donations are more dedicated because we recognize them on a regionallevel and not just the chapter-level. I see our supporters and they are very happy that their efforts are being recognized throughout Central Luzon. Alongside this, we stay true to the vision of our Chairman and Secretary General of providing
Ukrainian diplomats are working to ensure that European partners are “substantially involved” in decision-making, Zelenskyy said on the Telegram messaging app, and warned about what he said were Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at steering the negotiations.
European leaders want a say ZELENSKYY met with political leaders and lawmakers in Dublin on his first official visit. Ireland is officially neutral and isn’t a member of NATO but has sent nonlethal military support to Ukraine. More than 100,000 Ukrainians have moved to Ireland since Russia launched its war on Feb. 24, 2022. It remains unclear how envoys are going to bridge the gap between the two sides on such basic differences as who keeps what territory. European officials say the road to peace will be long.
European leaders want to make their voices heard after being largely sidelined by Washington. They are also working on future security guarantees for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy under pressure ZELENSKYY is under severe pressure in one of the darkest periods of the war for his country. As well as managing diplomatic pressure, he must find money to keep Ukraine afloat, address a corruption scandal that has reached the top echelons of his government, and keep Russia at bay on the battlefield.
The Kremlin late Monday claimed that Russian forces have captured the key city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy, however, said in Paris that fighting was still ongoing in Pokrovsk on Monday.
Ukraine’s general staff on Tuesday also denied Russia’s claims to have captured Pokrovsk, saying it was a propaganda stunt. The Ukrainian army is readying additional logistic routes to deliver supplies to troops in the area, the Facebook post said.
safe and adequate blood to every person in need,” said Mr. Paras. Among the Diploma of Service awardees was the Columban College of Nursing, represented by faculty member Raymond Papa and student Francis Solomon, recognized for helping mobilize students and faculty in regular blood donation efforts. Papa expressed gratitude for the recognition and recognized the importance of blood donations, saying, “I started donating blood back when I was 18 years old and I think it’s important that we start teaching our youth to donate blood and start as early as they can. In Columban College of Nursing, our
www.businessmirror.com.ph
NATO chief downplays US commitment concerns amid Ukraine war negotiations
By Lorne Cook The Associated Press
RUSSELS—NATO Secre -
Btary-General Mark Rutte
brushed off fresh concern Tuesday about the United States’ commitment to the military organization on the eve of a meeting of allied foreign ministers focused on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was expected to miss Wednesday’s meeting, which will unfold during high-stakes negotiations in Moscow and in Europe about Ukraine’s future. His rare absence at the American-led alliance comes after President Donald Trump’s 28-point proposal to end the almost four-year war dismayed European allies and Canada last month.
At a pivotal moment in NATO’s history, European allies see Russia’s invasion as an existential threat, and senior officials have warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin might launch another attack on Europe in three to five years should he prevail in Ukraine.
At the same time, the US insists that its allies must take care of security in their own backyard, and doubts about America’s NATO leadership and the alliance’s unity undermine the organization’s ability to deter an adversary such as Putin.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the meeting, Rutte underlined that Rubio has a busy schedule.
“He’s working extremely hard to take care not only of the situation of Ukraine, but of course many other issues which are on his plate,” Rutte said. “So, I totally accept him not being able to be here tomorrow, and I would not read anything in it.”
A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal administration reasoning for the absence, said Rubio has already attended dozens of meetings with NATO allies, “and it would be completely impractical to expect him at every meeting.”
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will attend instead and press the allies to deliver on their commitment to invest 5% of gross domestic product on defense.
The administration’s draft plan to end the war suggested that NATO would not expand further— a longtime Russian demand—and that Ukraine would not be admitted, breaking with a yearslong promise to Kyiv that it has a place at the organization’s table. The plan also stated that a dialogue would be held between Russia and NATO, mediated by the US, to resolve all security issues and create business opportunities. It was unclear how NATO’s most influential member might serve as an impartial mediator. Rutte downplayed contentious parts of Trump’s original plan for ending the war, saying that it has been heavily reworked to address European concerns.
“You need to start somewhere. You need to have proposals on the table,” he said. He added: “When it comes to the NATO elements of a deal to end the war against Ukraine, that will be dealt with separately. And that obviously will include NATO.” Despite the proposal to rule out Ukrainian membership, the former Dutch prime minister insisted that the country remains on an “irreversible path” to join the world’s biggest security organization, as NATO leaders pledged in Washington in 2024. But he underlined that it’s politically impossible for Ukraine to become a member, which would require the unanimous agreement of all 32 allies. The Trump administration has ruled that out, and Hungary and Slovakia are also opposed.
“Right now, as you know, there is no consensus on Ukraine joining NATO,” Rutte said. At NATO’s last summit in The Hague, Trump reassured European partners when he affirmed the US commitment to Article 5—the collective security guarantee that says an attack on any ally should be considered an attack on all of them. He described the other NATO leaders as a “nice group of people” and said that “almost every one of them said ‘Thank God for the United States.’” But several of his remarks since then seem to place the United States outside the organization it has long led.
protecting our seas; I speak of what I call comprehensive maritime governance calling for a multi-sectoral alliance and participation of the international community as well.”
Regina Burns MacKenzie, director of the US Embassy’s Regional Foreign Assistance Section, emphasized the importance of maritime resilience.
She also said community-based reporting will have a major impact in maritime security in the Philippines.
“By advancing the capacity of coastal communities to report illegal activity, the Philippines expands its maritime visibility and improves its ability to deter threats,” she said.
“When maritime spaces are secure, communities are more stable, markets function predictably, and nations can pursue long-term development grounded in transparency and international law,” she added.
“We believe maritime security is fundamental to national resilience. It shapes economic stability, food systems, and the rules-based order that underpins peace and prosperity in the IndoPacific region,” she said.
students initiate the blood drives and are helping the community address the shortage of blood supply in the country. Since we started our partnership with the PRC and began our blood drives two years ago, our students have been really looking forward to organizing events and donating blood.”
Now in its third year, the Kadugo Awarding Ceremony drew an estimated 450 to 500 attendees, reflecting the growing engagement of communities in volunteer blood donation across Central Luzon and the steady expansion of partnerships that sustain the program.
He urged PrimeWater to consider mutual termination agreements, particularly with districts capable of reassuming water operations, and called on regulators to intervene to prevent further service degradation.
“PrimeWater, kung gusto ninyong matapos ang problemang ito, maybe it’s time to walk away [PrimeWater, if you want this problem resolved, maybe it’s time to walk away],” he said.
Tulfo said the committee would continue its hearings until water districts and consumers receive “the service they were promised and the water they deserve.”
Pork prices stable despite ban on Spain–DA
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) has assured the public that pork dishes will remain affordable during the holidays despite the temporary ban imposed on Spain, the second-largest supplier of the Filipinos’ favorite protein source.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA will issue an order authorizing the ban on shipments of pork products from the European nation, which recently reported the first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in three decades.
“The order to impose a ban on pork products from Spain will be released today,” he told reporters in a press briefing on Wednesday.
“We identified that any pork products produced in Spain after November 11 will not be allowed entry in the Philippines until they’re cleared of ASF.”
Despite the temporary import freeze, the DA chief allayed concerns about its potential impact on the local market, currently reeling from a surge in retail pork prices.
“There won’t be an effect on our local pork supply, because all our
Spain reports new swine fever cases as crisis threatens exports
SPAIN has raised the African swine fever case count from two to nine in a sign its first outbreak of the disease in more than three decades is worsening, threatening shipments from one of the world’s top pork exporters.
The new cases emerged in the same area of Barcelona where two wild boars were found dead last week, the Spanish government said in a statement. Health authorities have established a sanitary cordon and special checks within a 20-kilometer (12-mile) radius to prevent the spread of the virus, it said. The virus is not transmissible to humans but is a threat to the European Union’s largest pig herd and a major producer globally. Spain exported $8.4 billion worth of pork in 2023, more than any other country, according to data from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
Those exports are now at risk as markets such as Mexico and Japan suspend purchases due to the outbreak. Spain ships its pork to more than 100 countries under roughly 400 licenses. About 120 of those have been pulled.
Exports within the EU and to China would continue except from the affected area at Barcelona province, Agriculture Minister Luis Planas said at a press conference on Tuesday. Teams of veterinarians and military personnel have been deployed to the area, the government said.
There is “a strong likelihood” that the source of the outbreak lies “in some type of human food product that may have come from a country where swine fever was present and that ended up near a transportation route,” Planas said. African swine fever is currently present in 13 other European Union countries, after entering the bloc in 2014. Under EU rules, member states must adopt specific procedures aimed at controlling and eradicating the disease in affected areas.
France remains free of the virus, but “has been preparing for the possible emergence of African swine fever on its territory for several years and regularly exchanges information with other member states,” according to a government statement.
US soybean
CHINA is expected to step up US soybean purchases to meet a pledge to buy at least 12 million tons by the end of the year, according to multiple traders, underscoring a wider market hope that—at least in agriculture—a fragile trade truce can hold. State-owned importers including Cofco will take more shipments in the coming weeks, said traders from commercial and state buyers, who asked not to be named as they are not authorized to speak with the media. Those volumes will help China fulfill commitments made in late October, they added, though the timing and scale
cold storage facilities are full of pork. Retail prices of pork are also stable in the market…we also have a lot of imports,” he said.
“I think pork prices would be more or less affordable this Christmas season despite the uptick in demand.”
The DA chief is also optimistic about entering into a regionalization agreement with accredited countries for ASF-free areas.
While the ban would not affect the country’s pork supply, Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (Pampi) Director
Jet Ambalada said the DA should approve the ASF regionalization of major pork exporters.
“It won’t really (affect supply) as there are other countries that can take up the slack like Canada, the US, and the UK. For this peak season, most of our import orders have arrived already, so supply is guaranteed,” Ambalada said.
“Potentially, if DA approves the ASF regionalization of Poland, Germany, and Russia, then there will be even more supplies available.”
Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita) President Emeritus Jesus Cham also urged the DA to adopt the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) regionalization guidelines.
“All this time, we had requested the DA to adopt the WOAH guidelines on regionalization in order to provide for such contingency,” Cham told this newspaper. “We hope the DA will only ban the affected areas or zones and not the entire country.”
The DA recently updated its guidelines on implementing bilateral regionalization, allowing trade partners to maintain exports of hogs and pork products to the Philippines despite cases of ASF. Under this agreement, the Philippines will restrict shipments of hogs and their products only from certain areas with confirmed ASF cases, rather than imposing a country-wide ban to cushion its impact on the country’s trade and food security, while protecting the domestic swine industry. However, there are currently no DA-accredited country that has secured bilateral regionalization for ASF-free areas yet.
Data from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that the Philippines imported 632,991 metric tons (MT) of pork as of endSeptember.
Spain was the country’s second leading supplier of pork at 131,065 MT in the reference period, trailing behind Brazil at 236,632 MT.
MPIC unit bolsters coconut platform via acquisitions
By VG Cabuag @Villygc
of shipments remain uncertain.
After Chinese leader Xi Jinping met US counterpart Donald Trump in South Korea just over a month ago, Washington said Beijing had promised to book at least 12 million tons of soybeans this year. That would be followed by additional purchases of at least 25 million tons annually over the next three years, apparently resolving a major point of disagreement. China has not officially confirmed that target, but has moved to reduce tariffs on the crop and lifted import bans on three American exporters. Unless there are political impediments, “there would be no reason for them not to at least have made that amount of sales.
Whether it’s shipped or not, that’s another thing,” said Wayne Gordon of UBS Group AG’s wealth management arm.
The pledge has boosted optimism among American farmers over trade prospects, according to the latest Ag Economy Barometer out Tuesday. The survey, the first since the US announced the trade pact, showed farmer sentiment in November hitting its highest reading since June.
US farmers have viewed the China deal as crucial for their livelihoods, as they have faced particular strain after purchases completely stalled earlier this year. Last year, the US made up one-fifth of China’s soybean imports, worth more than $12 billion.
The problem is that with only weeks left in the year, time is tight. According to Bloomberg calculations based on USDA data, Chinese buyers have booked roughly 3 million tons—still far short of the target.
The USDA Tuesday didn’t announce any new purchases by China on Tuesday.
One issue is that American soybeans are currently trading at upwards of $11 a bushel—a price that makes them less attractive than cheaper South American supplies to cost-conscious buyers. On Tuesday, soybean futures were up as much as 0.7 percent before erasing gains.
To meet the goal, buyers would have to book the remaining volumes over less than a month, and the unpredictable pace has stoked concern that China may be hampered by bureaucratic and logistical hurdles, even if it did want to honor its apparent commitment.
“The fact that it doesn’t make commercial sense for buyers to purchase US soybeans will naturally slow down the pace of purchasing,” said Even Pay, director at Beijing-based advisory firm Trivium China, adding that the 12 million-ton pledge now looked all but out of reach.
“In early November that target was ambitious, requiring buyers to book just over a million tons each week for the rest of the year. But that didn’t eventuate, and hitting the target now would require China to be booking over 2 million tons each week, including the week of Christmas, which seems close to impossible,” she added. Bloomberg News
METRO Pacific Coconut Holdings Corp., a unit of delisted conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), on Wednesday said it has completed its acquisition of Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines as part of its agribusiness expansion.
The company said the transaction provides immediate capital and strategic support to clear pending export backlogs and stabilize the operations of one of the country’s most established coconut processors.
This positions Franklin Baker for renewed operational stability and sets the foundation for sus -
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is urging the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to ramp up seed production of the awardwinning rice variety Dinorado to increase local supply and raise farmers’ income.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. made the pronouncement after Mabango 3, commercially known as Dinorado, bagged the silver award at the recent 2025 World’s Best Rice competition.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, he told reporters that the Dinorado yield could reach 8 metric tons (MT) when grown on irrigated
tained long-term growth.
“In our drive to build a stronger agricultural sector, this acquisition supports key industries such as coconut processing. By bringing Franklin Baker into our portfolio, we are strengthening an important segment of the supply chain and helping ensure that thousands of Filipino farmers and communities benefit from a more efficient and stable industry,” Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of MPIC, said.
“Integrating Franklin Baker into the MPAV group allows us to accelerate our goal of creating a truly globally competitive Philippine coconut sector. With renewed capital and operational support, we will focus on enhancing efficiencies, reinforcing
land, higher than the national average yield per hectare of 4.17 MT.
However, he said that only 3 percent of the Dinorado rice variety is being distributed by the DA under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
“So now, we will be asking our nurseries for palay to start producing these seeds in large quantities. This will also be what we’ll buy now under the RCEF program and distribute.”
He added that the DA is targeting that the majority of the seeds to be distributed under the RCEF program to be Dinorado by the end of 2027.
Meanwhile, the DA chief called
sustainability initiatives, and leveraging our combined scale and support local coconut farmers,” Jovy Hernandez, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, MPIC’s agribusiness arm, said. With Franklin Baker and its earlier acquisition of Axelum, the combined operations now form the backbone of MPIC’s coconut platform.
These entities, which can process a total of 2 million coconuts daily, represent nearly 70 percent of the country’s foodgrade coconut exports, significantly enhancing the Philippines’s position in the global market through scale, reach and supply chain resilience.
“Andorra Investments Corp. is
on the country’s top rice breeders to turn the silver award into gold.
“Prove to the world that Filipino science doesn’t just measure up—it can cook, compete, and command global demand.”
The locally developed rice variety, NSIC Rc218 or Mabango 3, bested 27 of 30 global entries, including those from traditional rice-exporting countries such as Thailand, India, and Australia.
Mabango 3 was edged out only by rice varieties from Cambodia and Vietnam, which shared the gold in a rare tie.
The rice variety was bred by a team led by Thelma Padolina and Emily Arocena, which was
delighted to welcome Metro Pacific Coconut Holdings Corp. as the new investor in Franklin Baker, a move we believe will significantly enhance the future of Franklin Baker and the Philippine coconut industry,” Jerry Lorenzo, president and CEO of Andorra Investments, Franklin Baker’s outgoing investor. Founded in 1921, Franklin Baker is one of the Philippines’s most established coconut processors, with manufacturing facilities in Laguna and Davao. The company supplies a broad range of value-added coconut products, including desiccated coconut, coconut water, virgin coconut oil and coconut cream to over 50 countries, serving long-standing relationships with global food brands.
approved by the National Seed Industry Council in 2009 as a premium rice variety.
“I am very glad with this achievement that puts the Philippines on the global map. This means that rice produced by Filipino breeders is at par with the rest of the world,” Padolina said. “And at PhilRice, you can rest assured that we will do better to scale higher heights on the global stage. Thank you for this recognition.”
Over the past 40 years, PhilRice has developed 121 varieties in its search to develop high-yielding, quality, and climate-resilient rice. Ada Pelonia
Govt to condone ₧1.8-B loan of farmers in Negros
By Jonathan L. Mayuga @jonlmayuga
THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to distribute thousands of land titles, P76.3 million worth of support services, and certificates of condonation that would wipe out nearly P1.8 billion in unpaid loan amortization in Negros Island during a simple ceremony on Thursday in Bago City, Negros Occidental. A total of 7,798 land titles covering 5,524 hectares will be distributed to 4,788 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor—finally securing
their long-awaited land ownership after years of cultivating the land, the DAR said.
To complement this milestone, the agency will issue 15,000 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) to 13,822 ARBs, clearing P1.79 billion in decades-old unpaid land obligations in Negros Oriental. The historic debt condonation removes a major financial burden and opens the door to greater economic opportunity for thousands of farming families.
DAR will also turn over P67.6 million worth of farm machinery, equipment, and agricultural inputs to 71 agrarian reform benefi -
ciary organizations (ARBOs). The package includes 40-115 HP tractors, cargo trucks, solar-powered irrigation pumps, mini-tractors, and 13,500 packs of organic fertilizer. These interventions aim to reduce production costs, support larger field operations, and improve yield stability—directly benefiting nearly 4,200 ARBs.
In addition, DAR will distribute P6 million in relief assistance to 5,913 individuals—including 5,675 ARBs and 238 DAR personnel—affected by the devastation brought by Typhoons Tino and Uwan. The support will help families recover from damaged crops, homes, and livelihoods.
In a statement, DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, who will lead the ceremony, said that with more than 5,000 expected participants, the event underscores the agency’s strengthened commitment to delivering land justice, modernizing farm operations, and building resilient agrarian communities across the Negros Island Region.
“Aside from providing support to our ARBs, our employees will also receive essential relief packages—including blankets, pails, slippers, flashlights, towels, coffee, sugar, and detergents—to help them recover and regain stability after the calamity.”
BUSINESSMIRROR file photo
PHL keeps seat in IMO Council, empowering the voices of seafarers
THE recent re-election of the Philippines to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–2027 biennium is a resounding affirmation of the country’s indispensable role in global shipping and, crucially, a renewed mandate for its steadfast advocacy on behalf of the world’s seafarers. This vote of confidence from 176 Member States underscores the Philippines’ unparalleled contribution as the human engine powering international trade. (Read the BusinessBirror story: “Seafaring leader PHL wins new IMO Council term,” December 1, 2025).
For decades, the Philippines has stood as the undisputed global seafaring powerhouse, supplying a staggering 25 percent of the international maritime workforce. More than half a million Filipino seafarers brave the oceans daily, ensuring the steady flow of goods, energy, and raw materials that underpin the global economy. Their dedication, skill, and resilience are the unsung heroes of the supply chain, often facing arduous conditions far from home. Manila’s consistent presence on the IMO Council since 1997, and its re-election in Category C—specifically designated for states with special interests in maritime transport or navigation whose election ensures geographical representation —strongly reflects this unique and vital contribution.
This re-election, as highlighted by Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., is not merely about membership but about a shared vision: “A maritime world safer, more sustainable, and more equitable for all.” This vision is particularly pertinent in an era where the maritime sector faces unprecedented transformations and challenges. From the rapid advancements of digitalization and automation to the urgent imperative of decarbonization, the industry is in constant flux. Simultaneously, persistent threats like piracy, geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks, and a looming shortage of skilled seafarers demand robust international cooperation and decisive leadership.
In this complex landscape, the Philippines’ voice becomes not just important, but essential. As Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) Administrator Sonia Malaluan aptly puts it, this re-election means “a louder voice for seafarers, their rights, safety, and well-being.” It provides a stronger platform to champion the human element in an increasingly technological and often impersonal industry. The commitment to advance the human rights, safety, and well-being of seafarers, as enshrined in the Manila Declaration of September 2025, alongside supporting sustainable shipping in line with international law like UNCLOS, demonstrates a holistic and responsible approach to maritime governance.
The challenges ahead are formidable. The IMO, as the global regulatory body, is tasked with navigating these turbulent waters, responding with stricter emissions rules, enhanced port State control, and initiatives to safeguard global shipping. The Philippines, with its deep understanding of both the practicalities of seafaring and the broader geopolitical and environmental contexts, is uniquely positioned to contribute meaningfully to these discussions.
To leverage this renewed mandate, the Philippines demonstrated unified national commitment through its multi-agency delegation to the 34th IMO Assembly, led by Ambassador Locsin, its Permanent Representative to the IMO. The world’s reliance on maritime trade is absolute, and at its heart are the seafarers. The Philippines’ re-election to the IMO Council is a testament to its past contributions and a clear call to action for its future leadership. It is an opportunity to not only protect its own vast maritime workforce but to advocate for the rights and welfare of all seafarers globally, ensuring a safer, more sustainable, and more equitable future for the entire maritime community. This responsibility carries immense weight, and the world is watching and counting on it.
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Stolen funds demand severe justice
IJohn Mangun
OUTSIDE THE BOX
N an era when Philippine senators posture about human rights while floodwaters swallow entire towns, it is worth recalling a Spanish thinker who died long before Philippine independence.
Juan Donoso Cortés (1809-1853) was a Spanish theorist who warned that a society loses its capacity to distinguish good from evil precisely when it grows squeamish about punishing the worst offenders. He insisted that the readiness to execute justice, especially capital punishment, is not barbarism. It is the final evidence that a civilization still believes some acts place a human being beyond the protection of the laws he has shattered. When that readiness fades, what remains is not mercy but moral exhaustion—an unwillingness to affirm that anything at all is worth defending with severity.
The Philippines now stands at the edge of that exhaustion. Hundreds of billions of pesos allocated for flood control have disappeared into the usual pockets, contractors banned yesterday reappear tomorrow with new letterheads, and lawmakers accept 25 percent “facilitation fees” as naturally as eating merienda.
The Blue Ribbon Committee is
back in session, doing exactly what Senator Justiniano Montano intended when he created it in 1949: make whoever holds power in Malacañang Palace uncomfortable. Montano built it as a weapon against his own party’s president, Elpidio Quirino. He needed a louder and more dramatic stage than the Senate floor. He found one.
The ‘Golden Arinola Scandal of 1950’, built on a chamber pot that never existed and a bed whose cost ballooned from rumor, still helped push Quirino out by 1953. The committee was born out of anger and theater, yet it has spent the decades since exposing real abuses with varying honesty.
This current moment feels familiar, but the scale of today’s corruption gives the old scandals a strange innocence. The latest flood control fiasco pulls together every flaw that has plagued public works for decades.
Since 2022 the government has poured P545 billion, roughly $9.6 billion, into projects meant to keep
the country from going underwater each year. When Typhoon Carina hit in 2024, entire towns learned that much of that money had served private pockets, not public safety.
Cortés would look at the recycled contractors, the vanished budgets, and the evasive reports and see a country inching toward its threshold. But the solution the Philippines needs is not theoretical. It is practical. It requires real-time auditing instead of paperwork after the damage is done. It requires a contractor registry that cannot be manipulated. It requires lawmakers who treat bribery as a crime, not a tradition.
About 45 percent of Central Luzon’s allocation vanished on paper.
Fifteen firms grabbed a fifth of the national funds. Proposals from one province looked almost identical to the next, as if someone had fed a single template into a photocopier. Contractors admitted paying a quarter of a project’s value as facilitation fees to members of the House. The secretary of Public Works resigned. The President ordered a separate investigation. The Ombudsman began its own. Anyone who has lived through the corruption cycles here could hum that tune.
When the Commission on Audit has to demand geo-tagged photographs to prove a flood wall even exists, something is gravely wrong. When contractors barred for irregularities simply change their corporate names and win new contracts, accountability is not simply absent
Morgan Stanley says China housing needs
$57 billion mortgage aid
CHINA could turn to mortgage subsidies to revive its housing market, Morgan Stanley said, estimating that Beijing may need to spend about 400 billion yuan ($57 billion) a year to lift battered consumer confidence.
Authorities may take a gradual and flexible approach to fiscal stimulus in 2026, Robin Xing, the bank’s chief China economist, said on Tuesday. Mortgage subsidies are one option that could be rolled out following policy debate and further contraction in the property market earlier in the year, he added.
“To stabilize expectations, the subsidies need to be substantial and they should cover both new and existing mortgages,” Xing told reporters at a roundtable in Beijing. Without fresh support, the property downturn may not bottom out until 2027 or even later, he warned.
He urged the government to offer mortgage discounts through subsidies to bring borrowing costs in line with rental yields. The support should remain in place until the property market stops shrinking, he said, estimating the policy could cost almost 400 billion yuan a year
assuming a broad-based 100-basispoint subsidy is provided.
China’s years-long housing slump has been a major drag on the economy and consumer confidence. Earlier government efforts to boost the market, such as scrapping purchase restrictions and encouraging local authorities to buy unsold homes, have had limited effect, with property investment still contracting at double-digit rates and housing sales continuing to fall.
As concerns grow that a deeper downturn could destabilize the financial system, policymakers are weighing a range of options, including offering new homebuyers mortgage subsidies for the first time nationwide, people familiar with the matter said last month. The plan has been under discussion since at least the third quarter, but the timing and details remain uncertain.
Chinese leaders are expected to
meet later this month for the Central Economic Work Conference, where they’ll lay out economic plans for the coming year. The government may stick with an official growth target of around 5 percent for 2026, Xing said. Morgan Stanley is a bit more cautious, projecting nominal gross domestic product growth of 4.1 percent and real expansion of 4.8 percent amid easing deflation.
“While deflation may persist throughout the year, the price drops will likely ease modestly on the back of incremental fiscal and housing easing,” Xing said.
He said the budget deficit as a share of GDP will likely be set at a level similar to 2025—which is about 4 percent—though authorities will closely monitor economic data and be ready to add stimulus in the third quarter if needed. The broad deficit may end up around 1.5 trillion yuan larger than this year, with spending tilted toward supporting service consumption, he estimates.
While consumption may stay subdued because of the weak property sector, infrastructure investment growth could accelerate slightly from
—it is evaded with confidence. This is not a system failing. It is a system functioning for the select few it was quietly reshaped to serve. Business groups have rightly called the scandal an attack on the poor. But floodwater does not care about ideology or wealth. It rises wherever it pleases. Corruption in flood control is not just financial malpractice. It is structural violence against communities that have the little power to defend themselves. Montano’s creation survives today because, beneath the public cynicism, there is a stubborn hope that a major investigation will eventually produce results that matter. Filipinos still believe that a hearing might lead to handcuffs instead of a thick report destined for storage. That hope keeps the committee relevant. Yet the storms gathering in the Pacific do not wait for hearings or executive orders. They come on their own schedule. The country has not yet fallen, but it is swaying dangerously. The severity when the next storm arrives will depend far less on wind speed than on whether the nation can still summon the basic resolve to treat the theft of its last defense against the floodwaters as an intolerable evil—one that demands punishment; swift, public, and unforgettable.
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.
this year, he said. Government investment will likely focus on national strategic projects and sectors such as urban underground pipelines, clean energy and energy storage, as well as AI-related facilities, according to Xing.
Exports are set to remain resilient on the back of strong US growth, an AI investment boom and the competitiveness of Chinese firms, though the pace may slow to 3 percent to 4 percent, he said.
“The year 2026 may mark a year of transition, with signs of breaking the deflationary cycle emerging,” Xing added.
China stocks MORGAN STANLEY is “cautiously optimistic” about Chinese stocks in 2026 after they’ve gained more than 30 percent so far this year, Laura Wang, an equity strategist, said at the meeting. The bank has forecast that the MSCI China Index and the CSI 300 will be roughly 3 percent and 4 percent higher, respectively, by December next year compared with levels last month. John Liu and Fran Wang/Bloomberg
Hedge funds’ leveraged bond trades draw regulatory scrutiny
By Greg Ritchie & Laura Noonan
THE government-bond trades of the world’s largest hedge funds are facing increased regulatory scrutiny, as officials mull policies that would cap the leverage—and profitability—of popular strategies.
In separate reports Tuesday, the Bank of England and the Basel-based Bank for International Settlements delved into the leverage such funds are accumulating through repurchase agreements, where investors borrow cash by pledging bonds as collateral. Both said borrowing by a small number of large hedge funds poses potential risks to financial stability.
The warnings are the latest salvo in a policy debate that could limit the amount of leverage that can be accumulated in so-called repo markets. Both the BOE and the global Financial Stability Board have floated minimum haircuts, a mandatory reduction on the valuation of collateral exchanged in repo trades—something the industry opposes.
The core of the tension is whether hedge funds’ relative-value strategies pose excessive risks. The industry argues their activity improves liquidity, but the BOE warned a rapid unwind of their leveraged trades during market stress could trigger a “feedback loop” of forced sales.
“The gilt market is not unusual at all among government bond markets in seeing this big change in the structure of trading activity and position taking,” BOE Governor Andrew Bailey said Tuesday at a London press conference, referring to increasing hedge fund activity. “The reason we would come out with a conclusion to have haircuts and margining would be because of the risks in the system. We wouldn’t do it on a whim.” Hedge fund activity in global bond markets has risen up the regulatory agenda as officials examine the risks from non-bank financial institutions. The BOE’s Financial Stability Report said Tuesday that hedge fund net gilt repo borrowing rose to a fresh record near £100 billion ($132 billion) in November. A “small number” of unnamed funds accounted for 90 percent of this leverage.
Overnight repo markets are a key source of financing for a variety of hedge fund strategies, including the basis trade. That typically involves a hedge fund using leverage from the repo market to purchase a bond in order to profit from the small price difference between the security and its corresponding futures contract.
In normal times, such a strategy should help correct market mispricing by narrowing the gap between cash bonds and futures. The risk is that hedge funds need to unwind their positions quickly during stress, triggering forced sales.
Regulators frequently cite price
action during the pandemic, in March 2020, when the spread between futures and bonds widened as investors rushed into Treasury futures, triggering the unwind of basis trades. That fueled further selling pressures.
“If very short-term funding is being used that can generate zero haircuts, then you have to look at what strategies those things are funding,” said Bailey, who also chairs the Financial Stability Board. “What’s the risk if that funding doesn’t roll over?”
At the heart of regulators’ concern is that the bulk of repo trades by large hedge funds are conducted with minimal haircuts. The average reduction in collateral valuation applied by banks to the 10 largest hedge funds was close to zero, according to BIS research published Tuesday. That allows these funds to obtain “very high levels of leverage relative to their smaller peers,” it said.
“These large hedge funds are key clients of major dealers, giving rise to strong trading relationships that dealers appear to reward with more attractive haircut terms,” Felix Hermes, Maik Schmeling and Andreas Schrimpf wrote in the BIS paper.
Market participants argue that looking at haircut data alone is insufficient and regulators should take a more “holistic” approach. They say zero haircuts reflect what’s known in the industry as portfolio margining, where a bank makes decisions on collateral levels based on a counterparty’s entire trading exposure rather than just its repo transactions.
“The lack of a haircut in a particular transaction does not imply the position is not effectively risk managed,” wrote Rob Hailey, the head of EMEA government affairs at the Managed Funds Association, in a letter to the BOE last week.
In any case, the regulatory debate on minimum haircuts is far from settled. A paper from Federal Reserve researchers this year found minimum haircuts “could decrease liquidity in repo and securities markets without offering a substantial increase in protection.”
It’s an issue that’s set to remain on the policy agenda in the coming years given the importance of government bond markets to the global financial system, and the growing role of hedge funds as banks reduce their risk taking. The BOE’s consultation on repo reforms—which centered on minimum haircuts and greater central clearing of trades—closed last week. With assistance from Tom Rees and Laura Avetisyan/Bloomberg
Xi courts Macron in diplomatic effort to isolate Japanese PM
By Ania Nussbaum & Colum Murphy
EMMANUEL MACRON is flying into another controversy over Taiwan.
The French president’s last visit to China, two-and-a-half years ago, was overshadowed by remarks that appeared to put limits on his commitment to supporting Taiwan. A three-day visit that kicks off Wednesday comes as the democratically-ruled island claimed by Beijing is back in the spotlight.
China has been seeking back up from France—one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—in its recent dispute with Japan over Taiwan’s status. Beijing lashed out after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last month suggested that a potential conflict over the island could pose an existential risk for Japan.
China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, used a Thursday call with Macron’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonne to say the two sides needed to support each other and to condemn Takaichi’s “provocative remarks.” An official at Macron’s Elysee Palace on Thursday called for the status quo to be respected, and for an easing of tensions.
Just ahead of Macron’s trip, a senior Japanese national security official and a French foreign policy adviser agreed to strengthen security cooperation between their two countries, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
The new Japanese leader’s comments are problematic for China in two ways. On the most basic level, they imply Taiwan’s future could become an international dispute —while Beijing’s One-China policy insists the island’s future is a do -
mestic issue. Beyond that, Takaichi’s remarks suggest a conflict might be serious enough for Japan to legally justify deploying its military in support of the Taiwanese.
Balancing tensions with Beijing will be a familiar challenge for the French leader as he prepares for a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this week.
Macron was instrumental in persuading the European Union to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last year, prompting Beijing to retaliate with minimum price requirements on French cognac makers. Since then, Macron has pushed the EU to deploy its toughest trade tools in response to Chinese restrictions on the supply of rare earths, leaving French pork and dairy producers fretting about whether they will be hit.
The Communist Party-run Global Times newspaper cited experts on Monday saying that strengthening economic ties with France—and Europe—could be a central topic of Macron’s visit.
Macron has been assiduous in his own courtship of Xi and tried to distance France and the EU from Washington’s conflict with the Chinese on trade. Last year, the French president invited Xi to his grand-
mother’s hometown in the Pyrenees where they shared local cheese and cured meat and watched traditional dancers with their wives.
And Macron is also thinking about inviting Xi to the 2026 Group of Seven summit in France.
The idea has been discussed with some allies, Bloomberg News reported last month, citing people familiar with the matter. Should that happen, it’s unclear how Xi might respond.
For France, a key goal of Macron’s visit will be to address what he’s called “global imbalances,” including over-production in China and Beijing’s dependence on exports, which he says leads to trade tensions.
Contracts may be signed by French energy and transport companies on the sidelines of business meetings, Macron’s office said. China
Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd. is also negotiating a jet order from European planemaker Airbus SE.
Another key point for Macron will be his long-running push to convince Xi to use his influence on Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Despite their regular contact since the full invasion in 2022, the French leader hasn’t been able to prevent China from exporting dual goods to Russia.
China’s foreign minister traveled to Moscow on Monday, and Xi hosted Putin in September for the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan.
Critical minerals could also be on the agenda following recent restrictions on Chinese supplies. Bonne raised that issue in his call with Wang last week.
During his last visit to China in April 2023, however, Taiwan became
the main talking point. Macron told a group of reporters on the plane home that European nations should not blindly follow US policy on supporting the island’s government, which led to widespread criticism in Europe and was seen as giving Xi a diplomatic win.
Macron will have plenty of time to talk through the issues with the Chinese president. After formal meetings in Beijing on Thursday, the two leaders will head to the southwestern city of Chengdu, according to the French president’s office. It’s rare for Xi to meet a world leader at a second location outside the capital, underscoring their close ties. In 2023, Macron and Xi also visited another Chinese city together, heading to the economic hub of Guangzhou in southern China where Xi’s father had once stayed. On that occasion, Macron was accompanied by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She wasn’t invited this year, but Macron will be coordinating closely with her and with other European leaders, his office said.
In addition to Xi, Macron is expected to meet with other senior leaders including Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“The China-France relationship has a cherished history, unique value and an important mission,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters at a regular press conference in Beijing on Monday. With assistance from Dan Murtaugh, Samy Adghirni and Yoshiaki Nohara/Bloomberg
Taiwan charges Tokyo Electron in TSMC secrets theft case
By Debby Wu, Yuki Furukawa & Takashi Mochizuki
TAIWANESE prosecutors charged Tokyo Electron Ltd. for failing to prevent staff from allegedly stealing Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. trade secrets, escalating a dispute involving two Asian linchpins of a chip industry increasingly vital to national and economic security.
Prosecutors indicted the Japanese company on several counts of violating business secret and national security laws, they said in a statement on Tuesday. They’re asking a local court to rule in favor of their request for Tokyo Electron to pay a fine for failing in its duty to prevent the alleged theft.
“Tokyo Electron has not done its best to carry out preventive measures,” prosecutors said. They did not accuse the Japanese firm of utilizing TSMC’s proprietary data.
Tokyo Electron said it’s still trying to verify the details of the announcement from the Taiwanese authorities, and added that the indictment targeted its Taiwan unit. TSMC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours.
The indictment follows the Au-
gust charging of three people—including a former TSMC and Tokyo Electron employee—for allegedly conspiring to steal intellectual property from Taiwan’s largest and most important company.
TSMC, chipmaker to Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp., reported the alleged theft to the authorities this year, triggering a probe that’s cast a spotlight on the sensitive nature of chipmaking technology.
Taiwan makes the bulk of the world’s most advanced semiconductors and its companies have regularly been targeted for their intellectual property by entities with ties to Beijing, which is pushing hard to develop its own chip capabilities.
Taiwan in 2025 has been flexing the economic clout amassed from a growing dominance of chipmaking.
In September, the island threatened
to choke off supply of the components—used in most electronics including EVs and phones—to South Africa. Last month, prosecutors searched the homes of a former TSMC executive who joined Intel Corp., after the Taiwanese firm accused him of potentially transferring intellectual property. The US company has rejected those allegations.
The dispute has also put lowerprofile Tokyo Electron—a maker of equipment for TSMC and other manufacturers—under unusual scrutiny.
Taiwan is seeking jail terms for the individuals indicted, citing a threat to the island’s national security. Among those was the former employee, identified by the surname Chen, who allegedly tried to gain access to TSMC’s confidential data while at Tokyo Electron. According to Taiwanese prosecutors, the ex-employee convinced former TSMC co-workers to share proprietary technology.
Tokyo Electron previously said it had fired an employee at a Taiwan unit in connection with the case, and is cooperating with the investigation. It’s stressed a firm policy against wrongdoing by its staff and
nation’s shoppers may feel gloomy about the economy, but they certainly were in the mood to shop over the fiveday Thanksgiving weekend that wrapped up on Cyber Monday. As Wall Street analysts and retailers sift through the data from the weekend— the unofficial start to the season and a good barometer of shoppers’ financial health and the strength of the economy—the figures show that shoppers went online and in stores to scour for deals on everything from TVs to clothing. But all that economic uncertainty did affect spending. Shoppers were very focused and selective, some malls reported.
Of course, the weekend looks a lot different from 15 years ago, when shoppers camped out in the wee hours of the morning and fought in store aisles for
doorbusters like TVs. Shoppers are still heading to stores, but the biggest growth is online, which now accounts for 30 percent of total holiday sales. That’s up from 15 percent in 2012, according to the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group. Adobe Analytics reported Tuesday that so-called Cyber Week—the five-day period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday—brought in $44.2 billion online overall, up 7.7 percent year-over-year, bolstered by record spending online during Black Friday.
On Cyber Monday, consumers spent $14.25 billion, up 7.1 percent and making it again the year’s biggest online shopping day. National Retail Federation’s CEO Matt Shay said Tuesday that shoppers wall off the winter holidays from all the economic noise, building a moat around the season.
“The holidays is really very much an emotional purchase,” Shay said. “Fami-
lies plan for it. They invest in it. And as a component of the holidays, the fiveday Thanksgiving weekend is really the psychological kickoff of the holidays.”
Based on the group’s survey of shoppers from the weekend, Shay called the period a “very solid beginning” to the holiday season. The group still expects sales over November and December of between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion. That would be up 3.7 percent to 4.2 percent more than last year.
Here’s a look at the data, the discounts, and what’s next for retailers among other issues:
The latest data shows record traffic Software company Salesforce reported that for Cyber Week—it measures from November 25 through Monday—global online sales increased to $336.6 billion, up 7 percent compared with the year-ago period. US online sales increased to $79.6 billion, up 5 percent year for that week,
compared with the year-ago period.
The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, reported on Tuesday that more than 235,000 people visited the iconic center on Black Friday, making it the busiest Black Friday on record in the mall’s history. The traffic number was up 8.5 percent compared with the same day on 2024 and nearly 2 percent above pre-pandemic 2019, the mall said.
Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported Saturday that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 4.1 percent from a year ago. The retail sales indicator, not adjusted for inflation, showed online sales jumped by double digits—10.4 percent—while in-store purchases inched up 1.7 percent. Still, shoppers were laser-focused. William Lewis, marketing director of Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, noted on Black Friday that, “People are definitely buying.” But Lewis
noted that shoppers are more targeted and have done their homework ahead of time on social media or store sites.
“They know exactly where they are going,” he added.
Discounts were generous, but don’t expect them to get better Ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend, promotions didn’t come as early as last year or were more muted, according to some malls and analysts. But for the big weekend, retailers ramped up discounting to be in line with last year’s sales event, according to Adobe and big malls like Mall of America. But if shoppers were dilly dallying about buying a specific sweater and waiting for the prices to go down after this weekend, that may not be the best strategy. Discounts won’t improve on many items, and stores came into the season with leaner
reiterated it had seen no evidence that sensitive data was leaked to a third party.
The case had previously raised questions about whether Tokyo Electron would have any motivation to steal TSMC trade secrets.
Alongside Applied Materials Inc. and Lam Research Corp., Tokyo Electron plays a crucial supporting role to chipmakers including TSMC, Samsung Electronics Co. and Intel, making machines that coat, etch, process and clean silicon wafers to create semiconductors. Taiwan prosecutors had accused Chen of trying to steal technology to help improve the Japanese company’s etching equipment, and win TSMC’s certification for use in cutting-edge 2-nanometer chipmaking processes. They also said the three people who were indicted intended to use TSMC’s proprietary technology overseas. The Taiwanese company has said it will continue to strengthen its monitoring systems and will work closely with regulatory authorities as necessary to protect its competitiveness. With assistance from Meg Shen/ Bloomberg
Thursday, December 4, 2025
8TH ASEAN HERITAGE PARKS MEETING KICKS OFF IN
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
UANG NINH PROV-
QINCE, Vietnam—The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), in partnership with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency (NBCA) of Viet Nam, is organizing the Eighth ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference (AHP8) here.
The event, which focuses on aligning regional efforts with global biodiversity goals, brought together managers of AHPs in Southeast Asia, protected area authorities, technical experts, institutional partners, and other key stakeholders to foster crosssectoral dialogue and strengthen regional cooperation.
A total 320 participants graced the opening of the 3-day event here.
Held every three years, the Asean Heritage Park Conference (AHP8) will also showcase how AHPs contribute to global biodiversity targets through naturebased solutions, climate action, sustainable resource management, and inclusive governance.
“We are very pleased that we are partnering with the Government of Viet Nam through the NBCA in organizing AHP8 as a platform for knowledge exchange, partnership-building, and capacity development. We
VIETNAM
hope that this is an opportunity for us to highlight the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth in achieving biodiversity goals,” ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome Montemayor said. AHP8 will include plenary sessions, parallel technical discussions, interactive exhibits, and field visits to showcase best practices in protected area management and ecosystem restoration. The technical sessions will focus on nature-based solutions to climate change; health and biodiversity; engaging indigenous peoples and local communities, youth, and women in conservation; ecosystem restoration; the 30x30 biodiversity target; and sustainable financing for protected areas. There is also a marketplace of biodiversity-based products, exhibits, and several side events scheduled alongside AHP8. According to the NBCA: “It is an honor for us to host AHP8 this year. This partnership with the ACB is a testament to Viet Nam’s commitment to achieving its national biodiversity strategy and action plan and contributing to the broader goals of the Asean Biodiversity Plan and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
BusinessMirror
Up to 500k fine, jail time for gig worker misclassification
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
SEVERAL
members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday filed a measure that would treat online platform workers as regular employees under the law and penalize platforms that misclassify them.
Under House Bill No. 6572, or the Protektadong Online Workers, Employees, Riders, at Raketera (POWERR) Act, an online platform worker who receives payment for services rendered is “deemed a regular employee of the online platform,” regardless of contract labels, payment arrangements, or deductions.
This presumption applies even when platforms categorize workers as independent contractor.
Platforms that violate this rule by misclassifying workers may face fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 or imprisonment of one year and one day to six years, or both.
Workers may waive regular em-
ployee status only through a Department of Labor and Employment-supervised process that includes a seminar and a sworn confirmation filed after 30 days to ensure the decision is voluntary.
The bill also sets minimum compensation standards. Platform workers—regardless of status or classification—must receive at least the highest prevailing minimum wage, computed hourly or per task, and paid alongside night differential, overtime, holiday and premium rates.
Contract-based workers should likewise receive the full agreed price once the service has begun.
The measure also mandates the inclusion of platform workers in
Bill prohibits telcos’ arbitrary data expiration
THE House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved on third and final reading a measure designed to ensure that Filipinos receive the full value of the internet services they pay for by addressing arbitrary data expiration policies. A total of 222 House members voted for the passage of House Bill 87. HB 87, or the Roll-Over
and other purposes, extending thereby the expiration period of internet data purchased.
Cavite Reps. Ramon Jolo Revilla III and Lani Mercado-Revilla, and Agimat Partylist Rep. Bryan Revilla, the authors of HB 87, pushed for the bill’s passage to correct what they considered as the “fundamentally unfair” situation where internet service subscribers lose unused data at the end of a given period. “For postpaid users, this often means forfeiting paid but unused megabytes or gigabytes. For prepaid subscribers, it means re-purchasing similar data promos just
to maintain connection—often without maximizing their previous allocations,” the authors stated in the bill’s explanatory note. They added that the measure “strengthens digital inclusion, especially for students, remote workers, small business owners, and families who are now more reliant than ever on online platforms.”
Under the bill, the unused data allocation of subscribers who avail themselves of internet data package promo offers shall be rolled over and accumulated until the end of the year, on the condition that the subscriber renews
the subscription right after the lapse of the offer duration. The bill further provides that unused data allocation for a year may be converted as rebates, which may be used as payment for internet service in the succeeding year.
Users who still have unused data allocation but do not renew their subscriptions within five days from the lapse of the promo period shall suffer a 20-percent reduction until the subscription is renewed. After five days and the user fails to renew his/ her subscription, the unused data allocation shall be considered consumed. Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS), and Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG).
Maternity benefits determined by the SSS should apply to online workers, the bill noted.
Beyond pay and benefits, the POWERR Act also sets several obligations for platform providers, including a written agreement that defines the terms of work; compliance with occupational safety and health standards; and safeguards to ensure no worker is suspended, restricted, or terminated without prior notice and an opportunity to respond.
The measure also affirms workers’ right to organize, irrespective of their employment status.
Apart from the misclassification penalties, violations of the above standards may also be penalized with fines ranging from P50,000 to P500,000 or imprisonment of one year and one day to three days, or both.
Authored by Akbayan Party-list
Reps. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Percival Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, HB 6572 is rooted in complaints from online workers
who remain classified as contractors and therefore excluded from basic benefits.
“Many are treated as independent contractors instead of employees. Their status means they lack basic safety nets. As a result, they do not receive benefits such as health insurance, social security, or paid leave. Their jobs remain unstable, leaving them vulnerable to financial shocks and uncertainty,” they said in their explanatory note.
Subsidized tech stack
THE lawmakers added that digital workers face rising pressure to keep up with rapid technological change, especially as automation and artificial intelligence continue to reshape online work.
They noted that while reskilling is essential, many workers lack the resources to upgrade their tools, which worsens their financial strain.
To support this transition, the bill authorizes the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to provide temporary tech stack subsidy—covering digital tools, software applications, and platforms—to help online workers
New Jetstar nonstop services seen to lift PHL tourist market
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
TOURISTS from Australia are now a growing source market for the Philippines, with their numbers likely boosted with new nonstop flights between both countries.
This developed as Jetstar Airways launched its nonstop service between Perth and Manila on November 28, landing at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
The inaugural service carried 169 passengers, flying six hours and 35 minutes from Perth Airport.
According to Jetstar, the new route will fly three times a week using its next-generation Airbus A321LR aircraft, providing “more than 72,000 seats a year.” Jetstar is the low-cost unit of Australia’s national carrier Qantas Airways.
In a news statement, Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Tully said the inaugural Perth to Manila service marks a new chapter for Jetstar’s West Australia operations. “Manila will be popular with West Australian holidaymakers for its great value shopping, tasty food scene and rich history and cultural experiences.”
She added that this was Jetstar’s fifth route from Perth to Asia “and is part of a longer-term plan to grow our operations in the west allowing customers to take off more for less.”
244K tourists from Australia
FOR his part, Perth-based Jetstar First Officer Daniel McKelvie spoke of a more personal connection in the new flights his office will operate. “My Mum grew up in Manila and I go back every year to see family and friends, so it’s incredible to have direct flights from Perth.”
He added: “One of my favorite things about Manila is the warm and friendly hospitality of Filipinos who always make me feel right at home.”
Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed that 243,423 visitors from Australia arrived from January to October 2025, up 16.62 percent from the same period last
year. The country was the fourth key source market for tourists for the period.
The arrivals for the 10-month period this year exceeded the 226,167 who visited from Australia in the same period in 2019, by 7.63 percent. DOT’s latest Visitor Sample Survey indicated that 66 percent of Australian tourists visited the Philippines for vacation, specifically for leisure, entertainment, and shopping. The survey added that 58 percent of these visitors bought Filipino delicacies. The most popular destinations for Australian tourists are the province of Cebu, Puerto Princesa, and Boracay Island, the DOT survey showed. The recent Terra Madre Asia and Pacific in Bacolod, for another, attracted slow food delegates from Australia. (See, “Terra Madre nets P47-M sales for organic farmers, slow food producers,” in the BusinessMirror, Nov. 28, 2025.)
Seasonal flights to Cebu JETSTAR will also start flying a seasonal direct service between Brisbane and Cebu from December 3, 2025 to May 16, 2025, three times a week. With this seasonal route, this raises the total number of “low-fare” seats between Australia and the Philippines to 108,000 every year.
Brisbane Airport CEO GertJan de Graaff said: “We know Queenslanders love to experience new destinations and Cebu will deliver in spades with gorgeous islands and people, rich Spanish colonial history, and vibrant street food culture, it is a tropical getaway waiting to be discovered.” West Australia and Brisbane host large pockets of Filipino communities, with Western Australia counting close to 47,000 residents of Filipino ancestry and some 74,000 in Queensland as of 2021, according to Australia’s Census Bureau. In a separate news statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
Grab expects 36% jump in ride-hailing services in Q4
By Lorenz S. Marasigan @lorenzmarasigan
GRAB Philippines is projecting a 36-percent spike in fourthquarter demand for ride-hailing services, prompting the company to deploy free airport shuttles and expand carpooling options to address anticipated supply constraints during the holiday season.
According to data from Grab, the surge comes as traffic congestion is already extending trip completion times by 20 to 25 percent during peak hours, limiting the number of rides that transport network vehicle service (TNVS) drivers can complete daily.
“This holiday season will be a challenge, as in previous years. We are facing a slew of macroeconomic factors, from an uptick in holiday demand that challenges the supply of vehicles to the traffic conditions of the metro. There will be moments when getting a ride feels harder than usual, but we promise to do our absolute best to be better than last year,” Grab Philippines Managing Director Ronald Roda said. To manage the expected demand surge, Grab is partnering with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the New Naia Infra
Corp. (NNIC) to deploy solutions.
In collaboration with the DOTr, Grab piloted “Sabay Sakay,” a scheduled carpooling service that targets routes between Pasig-Makati and Pasig-BGC business districts.
The service uses on-ground concierges to consolidate bookings and increase seat utilization.
Grab is also promoting its Group Rides feature, which allows one user to share a link with up to three passengers who can input individual pickup or drop-off points. Grab’s mapping algorithms then generate optimized multi-stop routes to maximize fleet efficiency.
In partnership with NNIC, Grab will also deploy free shuttle services from Naia Terminal 3 to the One Ayala public transport terminal during peak hours from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
The shuttles will operate across three holiday weekends—December 5 to December 8, December 12 to December 16, and December 19 to December 22—running from Fridays to Mondays, with an additional Tuesday for the second week.
Grab is putting premium on airport operations as ride-hailing demand from Naia has jumped more than 30 percent year-to-date.
“The rush can make it harder to get a ride, so having more reliable choices really helps. Little things like this make a big difference when the airport is at its busiest,” NNIC General Manager Angelito Alvarez said.
Grab also recently improved its 24-hour concierge at Naia Terminal 3 to accommodate more passengers in need of assistance in booking a GrabCar.
On the delivery side, Grab introduced Party Platters to handle bulk orders during the holiday season. The feature’s backend technology distributes large orders across multiple riders to prevent overwhelming individual drivers.
“We have been preparing since the start of the year to ensure our services remain accessible enough to help every Filipino make their holiday celebration complete,” Roda said.
REDC buys majority stake in MHC
RBy Lenie Lectura @llectura
EPOWER Energy Develop -
ment Corp. (REDC) bought a majority interest in Maramag Hydropower Corp. (MHC), the developer of the 25-megawatt (MW) Pulangi IV hydro power project, worth P32 million.
REDC acquired 32,192,001 common shares of MHC, equivalent to a 95-percent equity stake, for P32,192,001.00.
The P6.3-billion hydro facility is located in Bukidnon and is near REDC’s recently-acquired 18.2MW Pulangi plant facility.
“Our acquisition of MHC’s Pulangi project marks our second investment in the area, and a significant step in REDC’s mission to expand
clean, renewable, and indigenous hydropower for Mindanao,” said REDC President Eric Y. Roxas. REDC’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Cabanglasan Hydropower Corp., commenced last month the testing and commissioning on its run-of-river hydropower plant located at the border of the City of Valencia and San Fernando, Province of Bukidnon. The P4-billion hydro power facility can generate an average of 130 gigawatt hours of power annually, enough to power over 54,000 homes with clean, renewable energy throughout the province. REDC will also harness the Pulangi river’s energy to power its newly-acquired hydro facility. “Harnessing the Pulangi River’s potential through responsible hydropower
development allows us to deliver dependable energy generation, while creating meaningful opportunities for the communities of Bukidnon,” added Roxas.
Apart from the two hydro power facilities, REDC is currently constructing the 4.5-MW Piapi hydropower project located in Quezon Province, with a targeted commercial operation date by end 2027. Moreover, REDC will commence construction on four more hydropower projects in the coming months, with a total capital expenditure of P10.3 billion.
REDC, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pure Energy Holdings Corp., an investment holding company that engages primarily in renewable energy generation and water system management and distribution.
Manila Water plants trees for RPMC
MANILA Water, through its East Zone Business Operations (EZBO) Accounts Development and Demand Creation Department, launched an initiative that aims to bring together business partners to champion environmental stewardship and sustainability.
The partnership dubbed EcoSpark: Igniting Synergies for the Environment featured a tree planting activity at La Mesa Ecopark, where 250 seedlings were planted in a dedicated area named in honor of Rockwell Property Management Corp. (RPMC) and Rockwell Workspaces.
“The symbolic gesture underscores the shared commitment of Manila Water and its partners to environmental conservation and responsible growth.”
Following the tree planting, a fellowship lunch at the Quirino Guest House Pavilion provided an opportunity for meaningful dialogue.
Manila Water President and CEO Jocot de Dios and Chief Administrative Officer Boj Locsin delivered partnership messages through video, alongside remarks from EZBO Group Director Shoebe Hazel CaongRPMC’s Senior Manager, Engr. Adan Neil Lacap, who
leads the RPMC’s sustainability efforts, reciprocated with a message affirming RPMC and Rockwell Workspaces’ dedication to collaborative environmental initiatives. The event gathered 45 participants from RPMC and Rockwell Workspaces, including senior management. A certificate of appreciation was presented for their active participation in the inaugural EcoSpark event. EcoSpark is envisioned as a plat -
form for fostering sustainability within business partnerships. By integrating conservation efforts into collaborative engagements, the initiative aims to inspire collective action and create a community that prioritizes environmental responsibility alongside growth.
Manila Water plans to sustain EcoSpark as a recurring engagement, with more planting partnerships and initiatives that align with its sustainability goals.
Last month, Manila Water reported that its earnings jumped by 25 percent to nearly P12.6 billion in January to September.
In a statement, Manila Water said the continued topline growth momentum in the company’s East Zone Concession and Non-East Zone Philippines (NEZ PH) businesses was the primary driver for the strong performance.
With further support from continued initiatives aimed at improving operating efficiency and productivity, Manila Water posted a 14 growth in EBITDA, surpassing P21 billion. This translates to a three-percentage-point improvement in EBITDA margin from last year, to reach 73 percent the company said Jonathan L. Mayuga
Energy deal gets approval of PCC
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said it has found no competition concerns in the proposed joint deal between Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra) and First Gen Corp. (First Gen), but noted the parties will become the largest firm in the renewable energy generation market post-transaction by a “minimal margin.”
In a statement it issued on Wednesday, the country’s antitrust agency said the transaction involves Prime Infra’s acquisition of majority stakes in seven holding companies under First Gen, which collectively hold indirect interests in the following gas-fired power plants—Santa Rita, San Lorenzo, San Gabriel, Avion, and the planned Santa Maria facility—as well as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal facility in Batangas. Prime Infra is a holding and management company engaged in infrastructure development and investment, including renewable energy, water, and construction.
Its ultimate parent entity is Razon & Co. Inc., which holds a combined 45 percent participating interest in the Service Contract 38 Consortium operating the Malampaya Gas Field
through Prime Infrastructure’s subsidiaries Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. and Prime Oil and Gas, Inc.
First Gen is a domestic corporation under Lopez Inc., which operates power plants utilizing geothermal, hydro, wind, solar, and natural gas.
PCC said its Mergers and Acquisitions Office assessed two horizontal markets and four vertical markets and found that the transaction is unlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any of the identified markets.
“In the renewable energy generation market, the parties will become the largest firm post-transaction, but only by a minimal margin, with the market remaining unconcentrated and subject to competitive constraints from numerous existing and prospective players.”
Meanwhile in the retail electricity supply market, the parties’ combined share remains “significantly below” major players, with customer switching and the presence of multiple licensed suppliers preserving competition.
In the vertical markets, the commission said it found no ability or incentive for the parties to engage in foreclosure strategies.
PCC said this review reflects its “case-by-case approach” to merger assessment.
Banking&Finance
Recognizing bank marketing’s best
THE Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) has recently announced the winners of the sixth “Bank Marketing Awards” (BMA). The awarding ceremony was held at the Narra Function Room of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), with Deputy Governor for Regional Operations and Advocacy Sector Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as the keynote speaker and guest of honor. The BMA is a biennial awards program done in partnership with the BSP and the Financial Sector Forum.
We extend our congratulations to the most-deserving awardees of the seven categories.
The awardees include the Land Bank of the Philippines’s “Agrisenso Plus” lending program and its skills development component “Ascend,” for “Best Product” program.” Other awardees were: the “Do More with BPI” of the Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI for “Best Brand Program;” the “Pulz” of the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) for “Best Electronic Channel” program; and, the “My CBC Video” of the Chinabank for “Best Digital Marketing Program.”
RCBC was the runaway, so to speak, as its “DiskarTech,” “Barangayan Banking by RCBC ATM Go” and “Sustainability Matters” campaign bagged for the lender the “Best Financial Inclusion program” award, “Best Customer-Centric Product or Service” and “Best Sustainability Drive,” respectively. The latter program also noted RCBC’s partnership with the environmental conservation organization Haribon Foundation Inc.
Their creativity, dedication and commitment to elevating customer experience continue to raise the bar and set new standards for the industry.
For this year’s BMA, we received a total of 54 entries, the highest number since the BMA’s inception in 2014. This signifies that the awards program has become synonymous with recognizing banks that demonstrated exemplary efforts in advancing marketing innovation, creative execution, raising awareness on consumer education and protection, creating positive customer experience and value, and making banking affordable and accessible to more financial consumers.
Nomura expects ‘dovish’ BSP on well-placed inflation bets
By Reine Juvierre Alberto @reine_alberto
THE Philippines’s benchmark rate could settle at 4 percent by April 2026, as still-benign inflation and well-anchored inflation expectations keep the central bank dovish.
tionist approach to foreign exchange policy,” it said, pinning such view after BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. maintained that the central bank is not defending certain levels.
In addition, Nomura said significant cuts in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) in 2026 remains possible.
ing,” Nomura said. The “unintended” fiscal tightening will continue for the one to two quarters, according to Nomura, based on its analysis of similar episodes in the past.
“The governor previously said [it] is still too high, and which should help improve policy transmission further,” Nomura said.
As the BMA Committee Head, I can say that the entries this year were very impressive and through the years, have significantly improved in quality and execution. Beyond the compelling and powerful storytelling, the submissions provide quantifiable evidence and adhere to the strict judging criteria.
We thank our esteemed panel of judges who, undoubtedly, had a tough time deciding: former BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier, Grupo Agatep Chairman and CEO Norman Agatep, Hungry Workhorse Consultancy CEO Rey Lugtu and Forest Foundation Philippines Board Member Ma. Aurora Tolentino for their participation, and our sponsors GoTyme, LandBank, PNB, BDO, BPI, DBP and RCBC for the support. PwC Philippines / Isla Lipana & Co. was the official tabulator.
As marketing and communication professionals, the awarding ceremony felt more of a gathering and a celebration of strategic thinkers, innovators and excellent communicators in the banking industry, demonstrating that beyond the competition, we are a function that operates with common thrust, that is to keep our clients at the center of everything that we do. With customer-centricity as a fundamental guiding principle and foundation for decision-making, we develop and deliver financial services that truly serve the consumers and help build public trust in the banking sector.
Once again, congratulations to all the BMA winners! Everyone’s inspiring work and ideas prove how bank marketing and communication can drive real impact.
Mai Gacilo Sangalang is the immediate past president of BMAP and currently its Director for Industry Relations, Banking Code and Financial Inclusion. Sangalang is the Head of Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines. She can be reached by e-mailing maigsangalang@yahoo.com. The writer’s views do not necessarily reflect those of Standard Chartered Bank, the BusinessMirror and the BMAP.
It also denotes that we have successfully elevated our relevance as a function within our organizations and earned the acknowledgment of our role in supporting business development and growth. Bank marketers are now viewed as crucial business partners, shifting from mainly expense department to strategic contributor in driving sales, increasing customer base and retention, promoting and advancing advocacy goals, consumer education and protection.
TJapanese financial holding company Nomura Holdings Inc. said it expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to reduce the key policy rates by 75 basis points, delivering 25-basis-point rate cuts each in December 2025, as well as in February and April next year.
AS state agencies recorded a 94.4 percent utilization rate of their cash allocations as of end-October, overall utilization may fall short of typical year-end levels due to delays caused by the corruption probe.
Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the status of the government’s notices of cash allocation (NCA) grew by 2.41 percent to P4.148 trillion as of end-October 2025 from P4.050 trillion in the same period last year.
An NCA is a disbursement authority issued by the DBM to government agencies to pay their operating expenses, purchases of supplies and materials, as well as programs and projects.
The cash utilization rate, meanwhile, settled at 94.4 percent, slightly up from the 94 percent posted as of end-October a year ago.
This corresponded to P3.917 tril-
By VG Cabuag @villygc
THE Palawan group of companies, famous for the operation of brick and mortar pawnshops in the country, has partnered with a foreign firm, for its outbound money transfer service targeting a market composed of overseas Filipinos.
Palawan Group President and CEO Karlo M. Castro said last Wednesday that the company has partnered with Ria Money Transfer, a unit of Euronet Worldwide Inc., in order to keep fees low.
Castro considers the transaction fee that starts at P300 (about $5.09) as one of the lowest in the outbound remittance business.
He added that the service, which already went online weeks ago, specifically targets Filipino students
“We expect a more frontloaded trajectory because of the significant widening of the output gap, regardless of whether recent foreign exchange weakness persists,” Nomura said.
“We believe [the] BSP will maintain a laissez-faire, less-interven-
lion out of the P4.148 trillion in NCAs released for the period, while the unutilized NCAs stood at P230.289 billion.
“It reflects continued caution in government spending, partly due to the heightened scrutiny and delays in project implementation following recent corruption issues,” John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said.
While some agencies may still fully utilize their NCAs, overall utilization will likely fall short of typical year-end levels, Rivera said, as spending slows down caused by the corruption probe. “[This] has created delays that cannot be fully reversed in just a few weeks.”
“The broader constraint remains weak implementation capacity and hesitation to spend amid heightened scrutiny, which will continue
overseas and freelance businessmen who need to make payments overseas.
“The outbound business or market is growing, but that growth is really coming from an explosion of different use cases (such as) gig economy, freelancers and all that,” Castro said.
“A customer who wants to send money from a retail location can do so with the Palawan pawnshop. A lot of people are now gravitating towards digital solutions, so those customers that used to send money from from bank branches, for instance, from brick and mortar now have an excellent choice,” the executive added. According to Castro, his company saw a significant growth of its money transfer during the pandemic. That growth, however, has waned years later after the pandemic as people
Meanwhile, Nomura revised its 2026 GDP growth forecast for the Philippines to 5.3 percent from 5.6 percent. This is a “more modest” pickup from its 4.7- percent outlook for 2025, despite low base effects.
“We believe the ‘bad scenario’ continues to play out regarding the impact on growth of the ongoing government corruption scandal via a sharp drop in public sector spend-
to weigh on utilization,” Rivera said. Full catch-up spending is also “unlikely” unless project approvals and procurement clearances normalize quickly, Rivera added.
“Even if agencies try to accelerate disbursements, many projects, especially those suspended or under review, cannot immediately proceed due to procurement timelines and audit requirements,” he added.
Breaking down the DBM’s data, line departments utilized 92.8 percent or P2.847 trillion of the P3.068 trillion in NCAs allocated to them.
The utilization rate was slightly lower compared to the 93 percent recorded in the same period last year.
Among the departments, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Education (DepEd) obtained the highest NCAs worth P719.133 billion and P609.347 billion, respectively.
start to use e-money services to transfer money.
Castro said the company has returned to growth, thanks to its Palawan Pay, its digital wallet. Its over-the-counter service, however, is still on the decline, he admitted.
The company has since doubled down on digital services for growth, alongside with its brick and mortar business.
“We also see that we have evolved as a remittance company more towards a payment company at the group level. So more and more people are choosing to live international lives. It’s not only the foreign workers, but the students going overseas,” he said.
Customers can send funds to bank accounts, e-wallets or cash pick-up locations, with fees starting at P300 and competitive exchange rates that maximize value.
Over the same period, Nomura said it expects “some negative spillover effects,” which are already evident in household consumption in the third quarter of 2025, to broaden to private investment spending.
“On the external front, we take into account headwinds from US reciprocal tariffs on goods exports and limited benefits from supply-chain diversification,” it added.
Nomura anticipates a rebound in growth only in the second half of 2026, to 6 percent year-on-year from 4.6 percent in the first semester, as the government implements catchup spending plans.
DPWH’s utilization dipped to 93.2 percent from a year ago, while DepEd registered an improved 95.4 percent cash use. Based on the data, none of the line departments achieved a 100 percent utilization rate of its cash allocations during the tenth-month period. Both the Department of Migrant Workers and the Commission on Audit recorded the highest utilization rate at 99.5 percent, followed by the Department of Foreign Affairs with 98.3 percent. As for the NCAs released for budgetary support to governmentowned and -controlled corporations, 98.6 percent or P100.694 billion was utilized out of the P102.125-billion allocation as of end-October 2025. Meanwhile, NCAs allotted to local government units reached P977.508 billion, of which P969.988 billion was utilized, or 99.2 percent.
Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
Funds can be converted into the destination country’s currency or kept in the recipient’s preferred currency. Transactions are processed in real time, and once a reference number is issued, the funds are sent instantly, “providing peace of mind for both the sender and the recipient,” read a statement issued by the company. With RIA’s global platform, the service connects to over 500,000 pick-up locations worldwide, reaching even remote and underserved areas, the company added.
“Our partnership brings established compliance, operational expertise, and consistent service standards, enabling Filipinos worldwide to send money safely and conveniently,” Espen Kristensen, Ria managing director for Asia Pacific, said during a news briefing last Wednesday.
service to Filipinos nationwide.
According to the PCSO, the score it received is based on its commitment to operational excellence, transparency and delivering impactful public
HE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced last Monday it topped the performance evaluation award by the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), highlighting the PCSO’s superlative performance score of more than 100 percent for 2024. At the awards ceremony for government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) organized by the GCG at the City of Paranaque, the PCSO surpassed other top-ranking GOCCs recognized for exemplary performance, demonstrating the agency’s drive toward accountability, good governance and improved citizen-centered service delivery. The GCG awarded the PCSO with the best performance rating of 100.63 percent, besting other GOCCs. The latter were the MactanCebu Airport Authority, which placed second with a score of 100.16 percent, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., which placed third at 99.92 percent. The other GOCCs awarded were: Clark International Airport Corp.; the Landbank of the Philippines; the Landbank Countryside Development Foundation Inc.; the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System-Regulatory Office; the National Tobacco Administration; and, the Social Security System.
The PCSO’s 2024 score reflected its strong performance across all major indicators set by the GCG in terms of social impact, sustained and increased revenues, collection efficiency, budget utilization, cus-
tomer satisfaction, improved process efficiency, ISO certification, human resource development, advancement in technology, among others.
The agency not only met its targets with near-perfect execution but also earned an additional point for
full compliance with Republic Act 9710, or the Magna Carta of Women, through its “Gender and Development” programs.
The extra point earned for PCSO’s broader commitment to gender-responsive governance explains the agency’s over 100 percent mark in its final rating.
The 2024 award was received by PCSO Chairman Felix P. Reyes, General Manager Melquiades A. Robles and members of the PCSO Board of Directors during the GCG recognition ceremony.
“There is no greater motivation a government agency can have than putting its heart and soul into charity and public service. But this recognition inspires us more to work
even harder and uphold a culture of excellence in serving the people,” Robles said. This recognition further solidified PCSO’s performance trajectory over the past years. Starting with 56.3 percent in 2021, the rating given to the PCSO jumped to 92.03 percent in 2022; and the state-run firm was awarded “Most Improved GOCC.” In 2023, the agency was likewise honored as one of the “Top 10 GOCCs” after achieving a 98.01 percent score. Earlier, the PCSO bagged the 2024 “Gender and Development Award” given by the Philippine Women’s Commission. It was also recognized as first runner-up in the “Freedom of Information Champion Awards” under the GOCC category,
PCSO GM Robles
40% of hospital admissions could have been prevented with effective primary care–study
By Rizal Raoul S. Reyes Contributor
AHIGH-LEVEL forum recently organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) revealed that about 40 percent of hospital admissions in the Philippines involve conditions that effective primary care could have prevented.
The government think tank’s finding underscores persistent weaknesses i n service delivery and financing and the need to move long-delayed reforms forward. The human cost of these preventable cases is significant, translating to families facing rising hospital b ills, patients suffering complications that could have been managed earlier, and hospitals absorbing avoidable demand.
T he PIDS, through its Health Economics and Finance Program (HEFP), p resented three studies at the forum “UHC in Numbers: A Forum on the Philippines’ Progress in Universal Health C are” held on November 20, 2025. These studies specifically examined provider payment systems, hospital performance, and UHC indicators nationwide.
I nstead of lightening the burden, these preventable cases impose significant burdens, translating into rising hospital bills for families, patients suffering complications that could have b een managed earlier, and hospitals absorbing avoidable demand.
What the numbers reveal
PIDS Senior Research Fellow and HEFP Program Director Dr. Valerie Gilbert Ulep outlined persistent weaknesses like out-of-pocket spending remains high at 43 percent, avoidable mortality has stalled at 35 percent, immuniza -
tion rates have fallen below those in f ragile states, and essential service coverage, such as cervical cancer screening, remains critically low.
“ These numbers raise uncomfortable questions about whether increased i nvestments are translating into better outcomes,” he said.
PIDS President Dr. Philip Arnold Tuaño stressed the need to understand system performance and the incentives that shape provider decisions.
“Provider payment is not merely an administrative concern, but it is a reform that goes to the heart of how healthcare is delivered and how providers behave,” he said.
Outdated payment systems IN her presentation, PIDS-HEFP Consultant Vanessa Siy Van showed that ACRs (All Case Rates) “have not been systematically updated since 2013,” even as inpatient costs rose by 51 percent.
With reimbursements unchanged at around P11,000, 98.8 percent of 2023 claims exceeded the case rate amount, leaving patients, especially seniors and those with comorbidities, exposed to financial risk.
“[ACR’s flat payments] penalize patients at greater risk for severe illness,” Van revealed, noting that the shift to Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) will require stronger data governance and
Experts cite reasons why
WBy Rory Visco Contributor
HEN Filipinos feel persistent back pain, they will head to an orthopedic clinic or a health center. Fatigue? Most chalk it up to anemia, or they’re just simply tired. This, experts say, lies at the heart of why multiple myeloma is still detected late.
“The presenting signs and symptoms of myeloma may be considered non-specific,” according to Dr. Rosalio Torres, founding president of the Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (PCHTM), who answered questions sent by BusinessMirror via email.
Myeloma, or multiple myeloma, is a cancer that develops in the bone marrow from abnormal plasma cells. Normally, plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that produce antibodies to fight infection but in myeloma, these cancerous plasma cells build up in the bone marrow. This buildup can lead to the overproduction of a single type of abnormal antibody, called paraprotein which can case medical problems.
Back pain, he explains, is often treated with pain relievers for weeks or even months. Fatigue caused by anemia is managed with iron supplements. “Only if there is no improvement or worsening would they consider myeloma,” he adds.
The path to a confirmed diagnosis isn’t any simpler. Myeloma requires specialized laboratory tests, many of them prohibitively priced. “Patients may not be able to afford these, and that leads to further delay,” Dr. Torres notes.
These delays matter, however. Myeloma damages bones, kidneys, and the immune system, and early detection can spell the difference between manageable disease and irreversible organ damage.
Treatment divide is still wide EVEN when diagnosed, Filipino patients face another hurdle: treatment costs.
“The gap is extremely wide,” noted Karen Alparce-Villanueva, founder
institutional alignment.
PIDS Senior Technical Specialist Dr. Sarah Reem Hesham Mohamed Hagag’s assessment of PhilHealth inpatient claims revealed wide disparities in claims.
“Around 33 percent of 2024 admissions could have been avoided if p atients had timely access to primary healthcare,” she said, emphasizing systemic gaps in early intervention.
In the study, PIDS said public hospitals tended to deliver more efficient c are but recorded higher complication and readmission rates, while private facilities had longer stays and higher charges. High-need patients, just five percent of claimants, accounted for 20 percent of reimbursements and 27 percent of total charges, largely due to cancer and other noncommunicable diseases.
Baseline findings from PIDS Senior Technical Specialist Dr. Lea Elora C onda highlighted the similarly urgent gaps.
Only 7.4 percent of respondents accessed any preventive service in the past year,” she said, despite high levels of health literacy.
She also revealed high inpatient expenditures, averaging P82,000 per confinement, while many facilities struggle with staffing, diagnostics, and financing limitations.
Practical, equitable reforms
FRONTLINE health leaders stressed that payment reforms must reflect the real-world complexities of care.
Philippine General Hospital Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi called for realistic adjustments in the DRG rollout, n oting the higher operating costs of teaching hospitals.
Quirino Memorial Medical Center
Chief Dr. Evelyn Reside traced the rigid payment structures leading the failure to account for complex cases and u nreimbursed tasks essential to good
outcomes.
Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s Dr. Jose Acuin stressed that quality measurement remains costly without robust information systems.
Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians President Dr. Michael Caampued added that DRG reforms must adopt a systems approach to ensure providers deliver more holistic, p opulation-centered care.
Reforms centered on primary care
RESPONDING to the evidence, PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin M ercado detailed ongoing reforms on primary care, data-driven purchasing, and quality-based contracting.
By 2028, PhilHealth aims to allocate 25 percent of its total budget to p rimary care services, like checkups, screenings, and medicines, given the high rate of preventable hospitalizations.
H e highlighted reforms under the Yakap and Gamot packages, which expand access to outpatient medicines t hat account for 40 percent of Filipinos’ out-of-pocket spending.
P hilHealth aims to reduce out-ofpocket spending from 44.7 percent to 25 to 30 percent.
On DRG implementation, Mercado stressed the importance of accurate coding and hospital participation, adding that compliant facilities may eventually see claims processing times fall from as long as 87 days to seven.
“This is all along our intent to have a PhilHealth that is fast, fair, and trustworthy,” he said.
M eanwhile, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said the Philippines’ UHC e ffort is in line with the global movement toward universal health, calling t he UHC Act “a declaration of hope.”
He emphasized that equitable access must reach “from the farthest m ountain barangay to the heart of our bustling cities.”
multiple myeloma often evades early detection
MyeSPEAK Philippines working group
and president of Myeloma Support for Patient Empowerment Access and Knowledge (MyeSPEAK) Philippines. She points out that the critical firstline combination of bortezomib and lenalidomide is not in the Philippine National Formulary (PNF). “Filipino patients will need to pay out of pocket for these medicines,” she averred. Because these drugs have not been approved by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC), government hospitals cannot procure or reimburse them. This leaves many patients in the public system without access to therapies that have significantly extended lives abroad.
In private hospitals, another option can open doors like stem cell transplant, which can offer longer progression-free survival under the right conditions. But this, too, remains financially out of reach for most Filipinos.
And now, cutting-edge treatments like CAR-T Therapy, one of the most promising innovations for patients
whose disease no longer responds to standard treatment, are available only in select centers globally and remain prohibitively expensive.
Are frontline doctors prepared?
MULTIPLE myeloma is still classified as a rare cancer, and frontline physicians naturally tend to rule out more common conditions first, a challenge that Dr. Torres acknowledges.
“Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) would think of more common diseases and treat them as such before they consider the possibility of myeloma,” he explained. He notes that organizations such as the PCHTM have tried to bridge this gap through lectures and campaigns aimed at orthopedic and nephrology societies, specializations likely to encounter early myeloma symptoms. “This has somehow improved their awareness,” he added.
But given the evolving nature of cancer care, consistent medical education remains essential.
Genetics, environment, and unanswered questions
ARE certain Filipinos more vulnerable to multiple myeloma? Do environmental exposures such as pollution, chemicals, or lifestyle factors play a role? The truth is that no one knows yet.
“These are still subject of research studies, so we do not have the data,” Dr. Torres pointed out. However, limited funding for cancer research in the Philippines continues to slow scientific understanding.
But with modern therapies, many patients can now live for years—remaining active parents, employees, and community members. However, the journey is lifelong.
“Increasingly, Filipino patients can expect to resume their normal activities but need to constantly monitor their condition,” Alparce-Villanueva noted. Her organization, MyeSPEAK, has become a crucial lifeline for patients navigating day-to-day challenges. Members gain access to financial aid information, lay fora with hematologists, and a community that understands the emotional toll of living with chronic cancer.
For her, advocacy is key. “Multiple myeloma is no longer a death sentence but a chronic condition,” she said. “The long-term, sustainable solution to improve health outcomes is for patients and advocates to demand better access to diagnostics and treatment.”
A call for awareness
MULTIPLE myeloma may be a silent cancer, but its impact is loud, something that’s felt in families, hospital wards, and the widening gap between t hose who can afford care and those who cannot. With earlier recognition, equitable access to treatment, and stronger patient support systems, Filipinos living with myeloma can look forward to longer, fuller lives.
And perhaps, in time, persistent back pain and unexplained fatigue will no longer be dismissed as everyday aches but recognized as possible warnings worth looking into.
Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
PHL declaration on lung cancer issued to combat treatment access challenges
By Candy P. Dalizon Contributor
I N a unified push against one of the nation’s deadliest diseases, the country’s leading lung cancer experts, patient advocates, and policymakers have jointly released the Philippine Declaration on Lung Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment Access on November 27, 2025 in Manila City.
The declaration urgently calls for two key actions; the immediate implementation of a comprehensive PhilHealth Lung Cancer Benefit Package and the establishment of stronger nationwide systems for early detection, diagnosis, and equitable treatment. This move aligns with the ASPIRE Asia-Pacific Lung Cancer Policy Consensus, urging decisive government action against surging lung cancer rates.
ASPIRE (Asia Pacific Policy Review and Engagement) for Lung Cancer is a multilateral collaborative initiative dedicated to improving lung cancer outcomes across the Asia-Pacific region. Its core function is to advocate for policy reforms that prioritize lung cancer within government action plans, ultimately driving transformative changes that enhance patient access to care.
The declaration states “Guided by the Universal Health Care Act and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, and aligned with the World Health Organization initiatives and the ASPIRE Lung Cancer Consensus Statement, we call on the Department of Health and the Philippine Congress to lead a wholeof-government and whole-of-society response, and act decisively by adopting the commitments outlined in the Philippine Declaration for Lung Cancer.”
Clear roadmap
THE declaration establishes a clear roadmap for change, built upon five urgent priorities aimed at addressing the nation’s lung cancer burden. These priorities include the immediate implementation of a comprehensive PhilHealth Lung Cancer Benefit Package to ensure financial protection; the need for improved access to Low-Dose CT (LDCT) screening, biomarker testing, and precision oncology; the establishment of regional cancer centers equipped for multidisciplinary care; fostering stronger partnerships across public and private sectors to accelerate investments, and crucial efforts in stigma reduction, awareness-building, and patient empowerment to support individuals through their cancer journey.
These priorities echo the ASPIRE Consensus Document, which calls for prevention, early detection, equitable treatment, and sustained investment across Asia-Pacific health systems.
Medical oncologist and ASPIRE lead researcher Dr. Kenneth Samala emphasized that comprehensive PhilHealth coverage could dramatically improve outcomes, especially since more than half of Filipino lung cancer patients are diagnosed at late stages, when treatment options are limited and expensive.
“Adequate funding and insurance are essential to ensure timely access to diagnostics, treatment, and specialized care across the country,” said Dr. Samala.
Beyond late diagnosis, he emphasized that the high national burden of tuberculosis (TB) poses another critical challenge to effective lung cancer management.
“Close to 60 percent, or more than half of our patients with lung cancer will be diagnosed in the late-stage setting, and this is very, very important because the five-year survival rate drops significantly
to 2.9 percent. It’s basically saying out of 100 lung cancer patients after five years, only about two to three will be alive,” added Dr. Samala.
The Philippines faces a very high TB burden, ranking as one of the top five countries globally for TB cases. Based on the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report, the country’s tuberculosis incidence is at around 739,000 cases, or nearly 643 cases per 100,000 Filipinos in 2023.
Dr. Samala as well as other health experts observe that lung cancer patients are commonly misdiagnosed as having pulmonary tuberculosis, causing delays in proper diagnosis and administration of inappropriate treatments. This pattern in developing countries stems from factors including poor awareness, and socio-economic hurdles.
Diagnostic gaps limit early detection ONE of the declaration’s core priorities is expanding access to reliable and affordable diagnostic tools.
Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, President of the Philippine Cancer Society, highlighted how AI-assisted chest X-rays can help stretch limited resources, especially for regions without LDCT facilities.
“Using AI, we can triage only highrisk cases for LDCT, optimizing resources and supporting non-expert radiologists in the community,” she explained.
Dr. Guia Ladrera, adult pulmonologist and medical oncologist at the Lung Center of the Philippines, stressed that early detection also requires stronger public awareness. She noted that social media has become an effective platform for educating Filipinos about symptoms and risk factors.
Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Agustin, pulmonologist and critical care specialist and head of the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital’s Lung Nodule Clinic pointed out persistent gaps that delay timely treatment. “It’s not enough to have templates and diagnostics; the timing and coordination must be optimized. We must narrow gaps in the care pathway—from screening to biopsy, pathology, and treatment,” said Dr. Agustin.
A call to protect every Filipino FOR the Lung Health Alliance of the Philippines (LungHAP), the Philippine Declaration on Lung Cancer is both urgent and long overdue.
LungHAP President Engr. Emer Rojas underscored the scale of the crisis.
“Lung cancer remains the deadliest of all cancers in the country, claiming more than 20,000 Filipino lives in 2022 alone. Behind every number is a family, a story, a life cut short, many of them preventable,” said Rojas.
LungHAP Chairman Atty. Arnel Mateo added that the declaration represents a collective call to action.
The experts reiterated that investing in lung cancer care is not only lifesaving but is also economically sound.
“Investing in early detection and comprehensive treatment not only saves lives, it allows patients to return to society as productive contributors. Through collaborative action, policy support, and sustainable investment, we can transform lung cancer care in the Philippines,” said Dr. Samala.
LungHAP and partner organizations are urging the public to support the declaration and push for PhilHealth coverage that fully protects Filipino patients.
Add your voice to the movement: Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/ lung-cancer-can-affect-anyone-actioncan-save-everyone.
Japan envoy awards Stratbase Inst. foreign minister’s commendation
AMBASSADOR Kazuya Endo hosted a ceremony to present the Japanese foreign minister’s commendation to Stratbase Institute for Strategic and International Studies.
During the ceremony in November, Endo recognized Stratbase for its role in promoting understanding of Japan's foreign policy through academic exchange with Japanese experts, hosting the Japanese ambassador and Japanese researchers at academic events, and publishing works on Japan-Philippines relations.
Endo further stated that 2026 marks a crucial year, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the two coun-
tries’ normalization of diplomatic relations, the 15th anniversary of their strategic partnership, and the Philippines' assumption of the Asean chairship. He expressed his determination to further strengthen the intellectual foundation between both countries at this significant juncture. In response, President and CEO Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit of Stratbase Institute expressed his gratitude to Japan for this award. The Government of Japan ex-
tended its sincere congratulations to Stratbase for receiving the foreign minister's commendation. According to its embassy, “this prestigious honor recognizes the [institute’s
contribution for promoting] academic exchange between Japan and the Philippines, thereby advancing friendship and goodwill between the two nations.”
Australia bolsters Phil. Coast Guard’s drone capability with second training
THE Australian Government has delivered a second tranche of drone operator training to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), reinforcing the Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership as we approach 80 years of bilateral relations.
“This training is another example of Australia’s steadfast commitment to supporting PCG’s maritime domain awareness capabilities and modernization agenda,” said Ambassador Marc InnesBrown of Australia. “We are proud to stand with the brave men and women of the PCG as they work to enhance maritime security and uphold international law”.
“This endeavour is instrumental in harnessing our full potential to strengthen our service and to contribute to global maritime security efforts,” expressed PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan. “I extend my gratitude to the Australian Government for continuously supporting and assisting us in our modernization efforts and advancing our role as responsible protectors of the rulesbased order at sea.”
The training was delivered in line with Australia’s commitment to provide up to P110 million (AU$3 million) in additional drones and other uncrewed maritime domain awareness technologies, announced in July 2025 on the ninth anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award.
Australia’s civil maritime assistance also includes vessel re -
mediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational equipment and training, marine protection, and biannual Law of the Sea courses.
Australia and the Philippines strengthened their civil maritime cooperation through a 2024 memorandum of understanding on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation, signed during President Marcos Jr.’s historic Australian visit.
The MoU continues to accelerate closer collaboration in promoting a shared vision for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region and respect for international law.
The training follows the delivery of P36 million worth of worldclass aerial drones and associated training to PCG in April 2025, further bolstering its maritime domain awareness capabilities.
From November 17 to 21, 10 Aviation Command officers visited Melbourne, Australia to complete a specialized training on the Australian SYPAQ fixed-wing drone. Delivered with Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) Office of the Chief Remote Pilot and sovereign manufacturer SYPAQ Systems, the “train-thetrainer” initiative included theoretical and field activities to enhance PCG’s training capabilities.
Then from November 24 to 28, DCCEEW experts travelled to Laguna and delivered specialized drone operator training to 30 PCG officers that covered night and daytime drone operations and maintenance.
Taiwan imparts AI and ‘smart energy’ expertise
TAIWAN’S Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) brought its artificial intelligence (AI) and smart energy expertise to Manila through its “Economic and Trade Forum Tour,” organized in partnership with the Taiwan Association Inc. Philippines (TAP).
The program featured International Cooperation Strategy Officer Vivian Huang of Taiwan’s Institute for Information Industry—a leading force behind Taiwan’s digital transformation and smart-city innovation.
The Manila leg combined a keynote seminar with hands-on corporate visits aimed at helping Filipino-based Taiwanese enterprises strengthen readiness in environmental, social, and governance; accelerate digital and netzero transformation; and connect with Taiwan’s rapidly advancing technology sectors.
Huang delivered a keynote presentation on “Digital Transformation and Smart Energy,” which drew nearly 50 business leaders from Metro Manila. She highlighted Taiwan’s cutting-edge applications
in AI-enabled manufacturing, workforce automation, customer service, food processing, power management, and smart-city governance. Her examples included Kaohsiung City’s use of AI to manage large-scale event crowds, as well as optimize traffic and business activity—showing ways smart technology can directly improve urban efficiency and economic performance.
TAP President Tom Lin thanked OCAC and Huang for bringing
Taiwan’s latest technological insights to Manila, as he noted that the seminar provided “timely and practical guidance for enterprises facing rapid industry changes.”
Taiwan’s representative Wallace M.G. Chow emphasized that smart energy, digital transformation, and AI-powered governance are now global priorities. He added that Taiwan’s achievements in renewable energy, digital innovation, and smart cities make it an ideal partner for enterprises seeking
UNDP, DICT strengthen digital inclusivity with ICT equipment handover, new MOU
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology and the United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines have reaffirmed their shared commitment to build an inclusive digital Philippines through “Digital Bayanihan: Expanding DICT-UNDP Support for Inclusive Connectivity.”
The signing of a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) marked the official handover of UNDP of information and communications technology equipment and assets to DICT.
The event brought together DICT Chief Henry Aguda, Lead for Industry Development and Strategic Initiatives Atty. Leandro Aguirre, Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Celine Dee, Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Management Philip Varilla, UNDP Philippines Interim Resident Representative Knut Ostby, Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrie; and other senior officials. Driving inclusive digital transformation
SINCE 2018, UNDP and DICT have worked side by side to bridge the digital divide through the “Connectivity, Capability, and Resiliency through Free Wi-Fi for All (CoRe FW4A)” project. The initiative has activated over 2,200 free Wi-Fi access points, connecting over 2.5 million user devices across the Philippines.
According to UNDP, the program has benefitted students, health workers, local government frontline staff, indigenous communities, as well as disadvantaged and disasteraffected communities.
new models for competitiveness and sustainable growth.
As part of the program, TAP and Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines led visits to two Taiwan-founded enterprises in the Philippines: Kou Fu Color Printing Corporation in Cavite and Ersao Taiwanese Restaurant in Quezon City. Huang recommended digital process monitoring, energy-saving strategies, automation for highcost production steps, and the adoption of AI-based tools for inventory, workforce, and operations management. Both companies expressed strong interest in applying Taiwan’s technology insights to enhance productivity and resilience.
OCAC’s Manila seminar marked the final stop of Vivian Huang’s regional mission, following earlier visits to Vietnam and Thailand. The initiative strengthened TaiwanPhilippines industrial linkages and opened new opportunities for AI-driven collaboration, reaffirming Taiwan’s commitment to supporting overseas enterprises on their digital and smart-energy transformation journey.
Beyond infrastructure, the partnership also strengthens institutions and accelerates service delivery. In several provinces, connectivity has become a vital lifeline in times of disaster. In the province of Camiguin, DICT staff member Jessa Christie Udarbe shared how satellite ground station units deployed under CoRe FW4A proved indispensable during Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name: Trami) in 2024, which enabled her team to transmit realtime situational reports to the Office of Civil Defense when commercial networks went down. Her experience highlights how expanding internet access can both improve and save the lives of Filipinos. The project also contributed to strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of the DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program to effectively manage and sustain free Wi-Fi services.
Scaling connectivity
TO support further expansion, UNDP turned over Low Earth Orbit satellite equipment, access points, network switches, routers, controllers, a high-end laptop, and vehicles to help DICT scale Free Wi-Fi access points in underserved and remote areas nationwide.
Complementing these efforts, the “Joint Programme on Inclusive, Competitive and Responsible Digi-
tal Philippines” or Digital PINAS of UNDP, the International Labour Organization, and the International Trade Centre also provided ICT equipment, including desktop computers, laptops, printers, LEO satellite equipment, and uninterrupted power supply or UPS units to 18 Tech4ED Centers nationwide. These hubs aim to enhance digital skills, training access, and enterprise support for 15,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that Digital Pinas aims to empower. Future of digital governance ACCORDING to UNDP, the MOU signing marked a strengthened partnership with DICT to jointly create and scale digital governance programs, enhance institutional and policy frameworks, advance data governance, foster partnerships and continuous learning, drive innovation and knowledge exchange, and promote inclusive digitalization that leaves no one behind.
“We see this as only the beginning of an even stronger partnership,” said Aguda. “DICT is committed to working with UNDP to ensure that citizen-centered digital solutions reach every corner of the country.” Ostby highlighted the broader vision: “The DICT-UNDP partnership demonstrates the spirit of Digital Bayanihan, where no Filipino is too far, no community is too small. It also shows what can happen when government, development partners, and communities co-invest to build a more inclusive digital future.” For his part, Carrie added that “technology becomes transformative only when it is accessible and inclusive. Together with DICT, we will continue building systems, institutions, and services to connect communities, empower people, and create opportunities to ensure that no Filipino is left behind.”
The CoRe FW4A project is a partnership between DICT and UNDP to strengthen the government, educational, and healthcare ICT systems for enhancing the disaster preparedness and response capabilities of the department and local government units to achieve responsive and resilient connectivity and communications. It also aims to contribute to strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of the DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program to effectively manage and sustain free Wi-Fi services.
Meanwhile, Digital PINAS is a collaborative effort aimed at supporting MSMEs’ digitalization by addressing policy, regulatory, and systemic barriers to digital inclusion. It is being implemented by the UNDP, ILO, and ITC alongside key government agencies led by the DICT and supported by the Joint Sustainable Development Goal Fund with contributions from the European Union and governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
AMBASSADOR Kazuya Endo (left) with Stratbase Institute President and CEO Prof. Victor Andres Manhit
PCG AVCOM members trained under the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water with drone manufacturer SYPAQ Systems in Melbourne.
THE delegation met with the Ersao Taiwanese Restaurant leadership team and discussed opportunities to integrate automation and AI-based tools to enhance operational efficiency.
SEC. HENRY AGUDA (second from left) and Resident Representative a.i. Knut Ostby (third from right) at the MOU signing, witnessed by DICT and UNDP officials
FarEye, PASIA Partner to Harness AI, Powering 100 Million Deliveries, Driving Logistics Efficiency
FarEye, the global leader in Last-Mile
TMS, has announced a partnership with the Procurement and Supply Institute of Asia (PASIA) to help organizations in the Philippines enhance logistics efficiency through AI and data intelligence.
The partnership comes at a critical time for the Philippines, where logistics costs account for nearly 27 percent of GDP, over three times the global average and far higher than the ASEAN benchmark of 16 percent. Addressing this gap represents a major opportunity to unlock billions in economic value and strengthen national competitiveness.
PASIA is looking to leverage FarEye’s global experience, best practices, and AI-powered product capabilities to help enterprises across industries plan smarter, execute faster, and operate more sustainably across the country’s complex, island-based logistics landscape.
Across the Philippines, FarEye’s technology is already enabling leading retailers, manufacturers, and logistics providers - orchestrate nearly 100 million deliveries annually to reduce route miles, improve ontime delivery rates, and gain end-toend visibility. By applying AI-driven planning, predictive analytics, and orchestration, enterprises are turning logistics from a cost center into a strategic growth lever.
“The Philippines stands at the crossroads of complexity and opportunity,” said Gautam Kumar, COO and Co-founder, FarEye. “By working with PASIA, we want to redefine what intelligent logistics can achieve, helping enterprises move from operational efficiency to national impact, and positioning the Philippines as a benchmark for AI-led logistics in the region.”
Our collaboration with FarEye reflects PASIA’s commitment to advancing the Philippines’ logistics sector through innovation and capability building, said Charlie Villaseñor, CISCP, Chairman and CEO, PASIA. By combining our industry network and expertise with FarEye’s AI-driven platform, we aim to empower organizations to achieve global standards in efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness.”
FarEye’s participation at PASIA 2025 which brought together over 300+ companies industry professionals, reinforces its commitment to supporting the Philippines’ vision of becoming a regional logistics hub and a model for digitally enabled economic progress. As India and the Philippines deepen their partnership in trade and technology, FarEye continues to serve as a bridge between AI innovation and economic impact, helping enterprises build smarter, more efficient delivery ecosystems.
PASIA (Procurement & Supply Institute of Asia) is the premiere professional institute for supply chain, procurement and logistics headquartered in the Philippines and operating globally. PASIA focuses on providing world-class trainings & certifications, memberships, and conferences. And its commercial
entity, Pasia Shared Services Corporation, The global solutions and shared services company that delivers end-to-end supply chain capability augmentation through consulting, services, and technology.
For the past 23 years, PASIA has established its strong reputation in the ASEAN region as a supply chain organization by over supporting 300 companies worldwide in enhancing and improving their supply chain capabilities in terms of people, process, and technology enablers.
FarEye is an AI-Powered last mile technology platform. FarEye is a partner for companies obsessed with delivery experience for their customers. Our vision is to ensure every delivery in the world reaches its destination every time, on-time, accurately, efficiently, and as sustainably as possible.
FarEye’s AI-Powered platform turns deliveries into a competitive advantage. Carriers and Shippers use FarEye’s unique combination of orchestration, realtime visibility, and branded customer experiences to simplify complex last-mile logistics. The FarEye platform allows businesses to increase consumer loyalty and satisfaction, reduce costs and improve operational efficiencies, sustainably. FarEye has 150+ customers across 30 countries and five offices globally.
Watercolor Masterclass Series – Yuletide Season @ Sunshine Place
THE Sunshine Place Watercolor Community will hold a special workshop to celebrate the yuletide season.
For two Saturdays this December, Sunshine Place will offer a specialized Watercolor Workshop to be conducted by Jen Consumido as part of its masterclass series. The workshop will be held on December 6 and 20, 2025,
from 2 pm to 5 pm. Participants will paint a variety of subjects, from still life and landscapes to classic Christmas scenes, each designed to evoke the joy and warmth of the season. All artworks will be created alla prima, capturing the freshness and spontaneity of the moment.
Instructor Jen Consumido once again will share his knowledge and skill in watercolor painting. He has conducted painting workshops at Sunshine Place promoting watercolor as a fine art medium. For more details and to enroll, please contact T. (632) 856-4144 / 856-4162, M. (0917) 515-5656 or email hello@ sunshineplaceph.com. Follow Sunshine Place Online: http://www. sunshineplaceph.com/; FB @SunshinePlace56Jupiter; IG @ sunshineplaceph; Youtube Sunshine Place: Senior Recreation Center; and Hashtags # sunshineplacephonline, #sunshineneverstopshining, #SunshineBelieveinYourself, #SunshineDontGiveUp, #SunshineIamFittoFight and #SunshineHealthyAlltheWay.
PCCI, PHILEXPORT renew partnership to boost trade digitalization, competitiveness
environment for businesses.”
IN a move to strengthen the country’s trade landscape,
the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT) have renewed their commitment to collaborate on trade facilitation, ease of doing business, and digital transformation. This strengthened partnership aims to accelerate business efficiency and enhance the Philippines’ economic competitiveness.
During a meeting between BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno and the leadership of PCCI and PHILEXPORT, led by Consul Enunina Mangio and Sergio Ortiz-Luis, Jr., the Commissioner outlined the Bureau’s ongoing modernization and digitalization initiatives. He emphasized that these reforms are strategically designed to improve service delivery, minimize processing delays, and position export facilitation as a central pillar of national economic growth.
The private sector leaders expressed full support for the BOC’s digitalization agenda, highlighting its critical role in boosting efficiency, transparency, and the overall ease of doing business.
“The chamber fully supports Commissioner Nepomuceno’s leadership and his proactive efforts to modernize the system,” said Consul Mangio. “Through this collaboration, we can effectively streamline processes, reduce trade barriers, and foster a more competitive
The meeting also addressed key policy and operational concerns, including the proposed Customs Amnesty Program, enhanced monitoring of import duties, and the urgent need to expedite the disposal of overstaying containers to alleviate port congestion and prevent supply chain disruptions. All parties recognized that resolving these issues is vital for ensuring smoother trade flows.
“We appreciate the Commissioner’s strong focus on trade facilitation, particularly for exports and MSMEs,” added Ortiz-Luis. “Leveraging digitalization to streamline Customs processes is a decisive step toward eliminating bottlenecks, both domestically and internationally, which will ultimately enhance our export performance.”
As a concrete outcome, the organizations agreed to establish a public-private Technical Working Group (TWG). This group will institutionalize the dialogue and undertake the detailed work needed to advance the discussed policy and operational reforms, ensuring continuous coordination and timely progress on priorities.
PCCI reaffirmed its alignment with the BOC’s trade facilitation thrust, underscoring that such reforms are essential for stimulating economic activity and solidifying the Philippines’ position in the global market.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to pursue meaningful, actionable reforms that will benefit businesses, consumers, and the national economy. BOC,
services. This collaboration reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening essential public healthcare and showcased Okada Manila’s dedication to initiatives that create lasting, meaningful impact across the nation. OFI President James Lorenzana shared, “Being part of this celebration gives us the opportunity to extend hope to those who need it most. Supporting PGH reflects our commitment to uplifting communities and ensuring that meaningful assistance reaches institutions that touch countless lives every day.”
By hosting ABS-CBN’s 2025 Star Magical Christmas Ball, Okada Manila reinforced its role as a destination for collaborations rooted in purpose and community care, helping bring to life a celebration that brought together entertainment, generosity, and social impact. The event showcased the commitment of Okada Manila to create meaningful holiday experiences and support initiatives that inspire connection and uplift Filipino communities. For more information about the Okada Foundation, Inc. and its initiatives, visit https://www.tigerresort.com/ en/okada-foundation.html or follow Okada Manila on social media.
Art for All: Unlocking Creativity with Coffee - The “Brewing Joy” Exhibit by Coffee Artists PH
OBINSONS Land ARTablado and Summit Hotel
RGreenhills are proud to announce the opening of “Brewing Joy – A Holiday Coffee Art Exhibit,” featuring the unique and captivating works of Coffee Artists PH (CAPH). This festive exhibition will transform the hotel’s Red Gallery into a celebration of Filipino creativity, running until February 1, 2026. Barun Jolly, Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager of Robinsons Hotels & Resorts (RHR), shared his enthusiasm: “Robinsons Hotels & Resorts is dedicated to championing the immense creativity of Filipino artists. We believe that by showcasing these unique works, especially through dynamic partnerships like this one with Coffee Artists PH, we not only support local talent but also enrich the aesthetic experience of our guests. This ‘Brewing Joy’ exhibit is a wonderful example of how art enhances the joy and warmth of our hospitality.”
The exhibit is a compelling display where 37 participating artists explore the rich potential of ordinary coffee as an extraordinary painting medium. Showcasing over 60 art pieces created in 2025 and most being shown to the public for the first time—the collection depicts diverse subjects including landscapes, portraits, still life, and Christmas scenes that specifically reflect what brings
the artist joy during the holiday season.
Coffee Artists PH (CAPH) was founded in March 2024 by its current president, Anwylen Fua-Gaño, and a small core group of pioneering artists. The group’s impactful advocacy is to “unlock artistic potential with coffee: an affordable, accessible medium.” Their message quickly resonated, leading the community to grow into a thriving collective of over 200 member artists.
“Coffee stands strong as an alternative medium alongside traditional paints,” says Fua-Gaño. “Its rich, earthy tones can be as expressive and versatile as watercolors or oils, and coffee artworks last just as long, proving its merit as a serious artistic discipline.”
The “Brewing Joy” exhibit will also serve as the launch platform for the Traveling Coffee Artists Project, a new collaboration with the Traveling Pastel Project. This initiative aims to educate remote communities about coffee as an art medium. By utilizing local or generic coffee, the project promotes the community’s product while emphasizing coffee’s convenience and affordability as a creative tool.
Adding a layer of meaning to the exhibition, several art pieces will be put up for auction. All proceeds from this special auction will be donated to Summit Hotel Greenhills’ partner beneficiaries, Anawim Lay Missions,
an organization dedicated to providing a loving home for the elderly and Bahay Aruga, a halfway house for children with cancer.
All other artworks in the collection are available for sale, with interested parties encouraged to contact the artists directly. The artists featured in “Brewing Joy – A Holiday Coffee Art Exhibit” are Andrei Solmirano, Anne Labesores, Annie Foronda, Anwylen Fua-Gaño, Argentina Morata, Cici Drake, Chester Ocampo, Cristina Alfonso, Crisanto Antonio, Czarina Sheela Alcasid, Dale Francisco, Ella Gardens, Gerlie Urbano, Glena Plan, Imelda Tagudar, John dela Cruz, Jennifer Lee Bonto, Jhen Agbay, Jhen Dungo, Jones Flores, Joy Labaguis, Lito Biñas, Marie Claire, Melodee Millare, Melanie Reyes Tuquet, Nancy Palma – Cruz, Nelsie Geografo, Peachy Alcaraz, Rei Rob, Romina Dayanghirang, Rommel M Fabian, Salve Frilles, Sheila Quisumbing Bondoc, Susan A. Mendoza, Teddy “ Ulap “ Santos, Vanessa Bautista, Ysmael Fontanilla, and Yeye Calderon. Robinsons Land ARTablado is a dedicated platform (a blend of “art” and “entablado” or “stage”) for celebrating Filipino ingenuity and creativity. It serves as a vital stage for emerging artists, enabling them to freely express themselves through art and gain recognition for their talent and dedication.
At the PASIAWorld 2025 Conference, FAST Logistics Group Chief Information Officer Leo Sacamos Jr. (left) emphasized the critical need for tools such as Transport Management Systems, which enable greater visibility in transport logistics to enhance efficiency, improve sustainability, maximize truck utilization, and identify optimal routes. The session, moderated by FarEye Co-Founder and COO Gautam Kumar, included AC Logistics CIO Christian Dy as a co-panelist.
A
pediatrician shares some practical tips for managing toddler meltdowns
TRUST comedian Jerry Springer to come up with a spot-on description of a toddler in the Terrible Twos. “Having a 2-year-old is like having a blender,” he said, “without a lid.” Indeed, the dreaded behavior—tantrums, kicking, hitting, blood-curdling screams, and all-out defiance toward Mom and Dad at the most inappropriate times and places (the mall, at church, in a restaurant)—can be frustrating even to the most experienced parent. Moreso for first-time mothers who may have only heard or read about the Terrible Twos but wouldn’t know what to do if it finally struck.
According to Bernadette C. Benitez, MD, pediatrician at the country’s top hospital Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net. ph), the Terrible Twos is a normal developmental phase that occurs when a child is between 18 to 30 months.
“At this age, they’re walking, climbing and speaking in two-to-three-word sentences,” says Dr. Benitez. “They’re also starting to understand emotions, test boundaries, assert their independence, and realize that what they want may not necessarily agree with others. Most importantly, their nervous system is still highly immature, which makes it difficult for them to manage and regulate their big emotions.”
Not getting their way coupled with not being able to express themselves makes them upset, which results in a serious meltdown. So, what’s a first-time mom to do?
“First of all, take a deep breath and remind yourself that no one’s at fault,” notes the MakatiMed doctor. “As a parent, you did nothing wrong. And as annoying and sometimes embarrassing as it is, a tantrum means your toddler’s just behaving developmentally appropriate for his or her age. The goal is to calm your kid down. To do that, you must be calm yourself.”
How you handle an outburst depends on what caused it and where you are, reminds Dr. Benitez. If they freak out in a public place, take your toddler out to a quiet spot so you don’t disturb others. Go for a walk so they can simmer. Get down to your toddler’s eye level and speak to them in a gentle yet firm tone. “Asking reassuring questions like ‘What’s bothering you?’ ‘How can I help?’ as well as applying deep pressure touch such as rubbing their back, holding their hand, and letting them sit on your lap can help settle their nervous system and make them feel comfortable and safe,” says Dr. Benitez.
If they have a meltdown after you say no, the pediatrician suggests ignoring the tantrum. “By calmly ignoring the tantrum, you teach the child that their outburst is not an effective way to get what they want. This process helps the child learn to self-regulate and find better ways to express their feelings,” explains Dr. Benitez. “Stay firm with your decision not to give in, and show them you mean business.”
Now, what if the kid keeps saying no? “Instead of asking yes or no questions, give them choices. ‘Would you rather do this or that?’ or ‘If you don’t do this, then this will happen.’ You can also ask an older toddler what they prefer. By guiding them to make choices, you allow them to express themselves and understand what they truly want,” says Dr. Benitez.
If they hit or kick a playmate, separate the two, then apologize to and comfort the child who was hurt. “As for your toddler, find out why they hit, then state in a calm yet firm voice that you acknowledge their feelings, but inflicting pain on others is not the answer and has consequences,” recommends Dr. Benitez. And if they repeatedly throw tantrums? Impose a time-out. “Let them sit or stand in a corner and stay there until you say they’re done. A time-out can help them manage their feelings. It will also remind them to behave better unless they want to sit or stand in a corner again,” the MakatiMed doctor says. At some point, first-time moms may have an outburst themselves. “It’s only natural to raise your voice or lose your temper. You’re only human,” assures Dr. Benitez. “Cut yourself some slack. Once you’ve calmed down, it’s important to model accountability and apologize to your child for your own behavior. Strive to do better next time, because there will be a next time.”
The courage our everyday heroes can teach our children
EVERY November 30, we celebrate Bonifacio Day in honor of Andres Bonifacio—often called the Father of the Philippine Revolution. Unlike other leaders of his time, Bonifacio was not born into privilege; he was self-taught, hardworking, courageous, and fueled by a deep love for freedom. For Filipino parents, he represents the everyday hero who rises from ordinary beginnings, much like how we hope our children will grow— brave, principled, and confident in who they are.
As a parent-educator, one of the most common questions I receive is: “How do I prevent my child from being bullied?” Across the world, bullying affects children as early as preschool. Back in January 2019, UNESCO already reported that about 1 in 3 students globally has been bullied by their peers.
Just last April 2025 in the Philippines, the Department of Education NCR alone logged over 2,500 bullying cases in SY 2024-2025. It was 2,268 cases the previous school year. Most incidents occur in elementary and early high school years. These numbers are heartbreaking, but they remind us that preparedness begins at home.
Bullying is defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as unwanted, aggressive behavior involving a real or perceived power imbalance, often repeated over time. It further classifies them as:
n Physical—includes hitting, kicking, pinching, punching, scratching, spitting, other physical aggression, and damage to or theft of someone else’s belongings.
n Verbal—includes name-calling; insults; racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes, remarks, or teasing; use of sexually suggestive or abusive language; threats of violence; and offensive remarks.
n Relational/social—includes spreading untrue stories about someone, excluding someone from social groups (social isolation), and being made the subject of malicious rumors.
n Cyberbullying—covers any type of bullying that is carried out via an electronic medium such as text messaging, cellphone calls, pictures or video clips via mobile devices, email, chat rooms, social networking sites and apps, and other websites.
That imbalance can come from size, age,
popularity, physical abilities, or academic standing. Understanding this definition helps distinguish normal conflict from true bullying, which requires adult intervention.
Whenever parents ask me how to “prevent” bullying, I return to one guiding principle: strengthen your child’s core—not their physical core, but their internal core: confidence, security, identity, resilience. The most powerful way to build this starts in early childhood through something simple: play. Play lets children take risks safely, problem-solve, regulate emotions, build friendships, and experience small wins that build confidence. Whether nature play, pretend play, skill and brain building activities, or sports, these moments strengthen the foundation children need when facing intimidation or unkindness.
My second answer is always: tell them stories. Saying “Be brave” is not enough; children need to see bravery in real lives. For my kids, the “Who Is?” and “Who Was?” book series made history relatable. Stories of Bonifacio, Marie Curie, Gandhi, and Dr. Seuss showed how ordinary people made extraordinary choices—shaping their understanding of courage more than any lecture.
Beyond play and stories, we as parents can try to encourage age-appropriate decisions; give responsibilities at home; celebrate effort, not just achievement; let them solve small conflicts before stepping in; and teach them to speak up respectfully, even to adults. Even with confidence, children may face
IN celebration of its 40th anniversary, SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, wrapped up the Book Nook Book Donation Drive with an inspiring show of community spirit, collecting over 70,000 pre-loved books across 88 SM malls nationwide. The initiative brought together thousands of Filipinos in a shared mission to spark the joy of reading and promote lifelong learning.
FROM SPARK TO MOVEMENT
WHEN SM celebrated its 40th anniversary, the focus was not on grandeur, but on purpose: to transform this spirit of sharing into a full-fledged Book Nook Book Donation Drive,” shared Cesar Gilbert Q. Adriano, director of the National Library of the Philippines, said: “From that spark, the journey truly took root, born from a shared belief that stories are gifts meant to be passed on.”
From July 7 to October 15, 2025, mallgoers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao donated books of all kinds—from children’s stories and educational materials, to novels and reference titles—to benefit public libraries and community reading spaces across the country.
bullying. It’s important to recognize the signs. AAPrelated sources list warning signs including sudden withdrawal or sadness, unexplained injuries, avoiding school or activities once enjoyed, changes in eating or sleeping habits, lost belongings, and frequent stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause.
When bullying is detected, stay calm, listen without judgment, affirm feelings, document incidents, inform teachers or administrators, and collaborate on a safety plan. AAP emphasizes never to teach retaliation; instead, children should seek help, stay with supportive peers, and maintain selfrespect. When belittled or mocked, what matters is acting with integrity and courage.
One of the things I always remind my children is to truly know who they are, their roots, their ancestry. Respect it and respect that each one around them also has their own. And if anyone around them chooses to disrespect this or use unfair advantages to demean their hard work, what matters most is not the external recognition robbed from them, but their pride in knowing they did things with integrity and their own hard work, like Bonifacio.
As we commemorated Bonifacio Day last Sunday, let us bring his lessons into parenting. When children know themselves deeply and see heroes—not influencers or loud peers—as benchmarks of bravery, they follow the quiet strength inside. In that strength, they find confidence to choose right, even when the world says otherwise.
The reach of this initiative speaks volumes: the Book Nook Book Donation Drive has enriched 88 libraries and reading centers nationwide, including 74 affiliated public libraries in Luzon, 7 in the Visayas, and 7 in Mindanao. This collective effort will benefit an estimated 219,936 students, families, and educators, transforming libraries into vibrant hubs where learning thrives and stories come alive.
CELEBRATING LITERACY AND COMMUNITY
PARTNERSHIP
THE culmination of the drive was marked by a ceremonial turnover held on November 27, 2025, at the National Library of the Philippines, where SM Cares formally turned over the collected books to its 88 partner library communities. The event stood as a milestone celebration of how the Book Nook program continues to strengthen literacy and learning through accessible, community-based reading spaces located in SM malls nationwide.
“Through the Book Nook, we hope to nurture curiosity and creativity in every Filipino,” said Shereen T. Sy, pioneer of the Book Nook program under SM Cares. “This initiative shows us
how collective action can create lasting impact—one book, one reader, one community at a time.”
H ONORING THE CHAMPIONS OF LITERACY DURING the turnover, Book Nook also recognized exemplary public librarians who have gone above and beyond in fostering literacy and learning in their communities. The Heart of the Library Award for Most Outstanding Librarian was presented to Michael “Aiko” Nagas of the City Library of San Fernando, La Uñion, for her dedication to making books and knowledge accessible to all. Meanwhile, the Literacy Partner Award was presented to outstanding librarians across the country, including Rosena Roman of the City of Imus Public Library, Easter Wahayna-Pablo of the Baguio City Public Library, Mylene Villanueva of the Manila City Library, and Michael Pinto of the Cagayan Provincial Learning and Resource Center. These individuals were honored for their invaluable efforts in promoting reading, cultivating lifelong learning, and inspiring their communities to grow through knowledge. More information can be found at https://linktr.ee/ smbooknook.wzz
By Howard Fendrich
Sspokesman for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said the 23-time Grand Slam champion had registered with the sport’s drug-testing body.
Th at is the first step that would be required by a player seeking to come out of retirement.
T he 44-year-old Williams, one of the greats of the game, has not competed since bidding farewell at the 2022 US Open . At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis. It was not clear when or where— or even if— Williams actually will play again, and she later posted: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment. In a statement
Serena: I’m not coming back
emailed to The Associated Press, US Tennis Association
spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “We are aware that Serena has filed the necessary paperwork with the International Tennis Integrity Agency to reenter the International Registered Testing Pool. If Serena decides to return and compete at the professional level, together with her fans, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
W illiams was one of the biggest stars of any sport, a dominant talent on the court and still someone drawing attention away from it. If she were to end up returning to the tour, it would be a significant story line, of course.
Her decision to place her name back in the testing pool with the ITIA, which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts, was first reported by Bounces.
She is on the list and back in the testing pool,” ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett wrote to the AP on Tuesday.
Athletes returning to testing need to provide information
on their whereabouts—details on their location when they are not at an official event and times when they are available to give samples. Someone who retires while they are on the list and later comes back needs to be available for testing for six months before they are allowed to return to competition.
W illiams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition this July at age 45 after nearly one and a half years away from the tour; she never had announced her retirement. At the US Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles at the American Grand Slam tournament since 1981.
W hen Venus, a seven-time major singles champion, came back at the DC Open, she spoke about wishing Serena would join her back on tour. They claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.
“I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus said at the time when asked about a video on social media that showed Serena swinging a racket. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”
Tiger motivated to play again, reshape golf’s future
SBy Doug Ferguson The Associated Press
O much about the future of Tiger Woods is uncertain.
Woods said Tuesday in the Bahamas he has just been cleared to chip and putt since a seventh back surgery on October 10.
He is not playing in his Hero World Challenge and said he won’t be playing in the PNC Championship in two weeks with his son. Even the indoor TGL League will have to wait.
Unfortunately, I’ve been through this rehab process before,” Woods said. “It’s just step by step. Once I get a feel for practicing, exploding, playing, the recovery process, then I can assess where I’m going to play and how much I’ll play.”
A s for the Ryder Cup, he turned down the captaincy for this year and was thought to be the logical choice for Adare
Belga leads Bicol stop of PBA typhoon relief efforts
THE Bicol region was the next recipient of the ongoing donation drive by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for provinces badlyaffected by recent typhoons.
PBA staff and Rain or Shine veteran big man Beau Belga distributed packs consisting of rice, canned goods and other food items to families in Libon in Albay which was severely impacted by super-typhoon Uwan last month.
A round 4,000 residents were the recipients of the donation drive held at the Macapagal Gym on Tuesday. The 39-year-old Belga, a native of Gubat in Sorsogon, personally led the distribution of goods also made possible by Libon Mayor Mark Sayson and Vice Mayor Janero Saclag, Albay Governor Noel Rosal and Ang
Probinsiyano Partylist. We asked them what they need most and they responded food items,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said. “We thank everyone who’s supporting this drive and especiallty the local government units.”
Bicol was the second regio n visited by the league in a week’s time after a similar donation drive was held in Liloan, Cebu, last week. The season-opening Philippine Cup, meanwhile, will resume this Friday after a three-week break for the FIBA 2027 World Cup Asia Qualifiers window, but Marcial said plans are being set for another provincial charity event. The campaign is part of the league’s 50th anniversary celebration through its Alagang PBA program.
Caballero reelected sepak takraw chief
KAREN CLAIRE TANCHANCO CABALLERO was unanimously reelected president of the Pilipinas Sepaktakraw Association Inc. (PSTAI) during proceedings held recently at the federation headquarters at Site Plaza Commercial Center in Marikina City. C aballero for a fresh three-year term, and will serve alongside newly-elected vice president Capt. Edrian Resueño, former national athlete and Marawi siege veteran, and secretary-general Irene Tanchanco.
E lected to the board were Dr. Mark Austin Ramirez (treasurer), Jeremy Go (auditor), Luciano Caballero and Abegail Sinogbuhan, chair of the Athletes’ Commission Judo federation head Ali Suliy, also a director of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), was the POC observer. R egional directors Christian Lagrosa (Visayas, Tacloban City), Glenn Teves (Mindanao, Madrid, Surigao del Sur Vice Mayor) and Sgt. Reggie Pabriga (Luzon) attended the proceedings.
T he PSTAI board confirmed the appointments of Rodolfo Eco as National Training Director, EmerArdo Claridad as Technical Chairman and Allyssa Bandoy as Safeguarding Officer.
T he PSTAI is recognized by the International
Manor in Ireland in 2027. No one’s asked me about it,” Woods said and then repeated it for effect.
That’s not to say there hasn’t been plenty of discussions between the PGA of America and Woods’s manager. Woods can say a lot with few words. Translation: He’s not ready to talk about that yet.
W hat’s consuming his time is the one area that doesn’t involve birdies and bogeys, and it might be far more important than whether he tees it up at the Masters or joins the 50-andolder circuit on the PGA Tour Champions a few times next year.
Woods is chair of the Future Competitions Committee, which new CEO Brian Rolapp commissioned to make significant change to the PGA Tour. Woods said the committee has met three times and taken input from everyone from title sponsors to television to tournament directors.
THE Philippine Basketball Association—through Rain or Shine and Sorsogon’s Beau Belga— hold a the donation drive at the Macapagal Gym Libon in Albay with Libon Mayor Mak Sayson, Vice Mayor Janero Saclag, Albay Governor Noel Rosal and Ang Probinsyano Partylist. More than 4000 residents of Libon affected by Typhoon Uwan receive rice, canned goods, noodles and condiment. PBA IMAGES
DepEd sports programs receive major boost
GATORADE—PepsiCo’s leading hydration brand— has joined forces with the Department of Education (DepEd) to launch the Fuel Tomorrow Academy.
Brazil, Portugal breeze into semis
fired a hat trick to power the rampaging Group D topnotcher past Group C second seed Japan, 6-1, and into a livewire Last-4 duel with waiting Spain.
L idia Moreira netted thrice, as well, as she spearheaded the Portuguese, the Group C rulers, to a 7-2 disposal of Group D runnerup Italy for a semis date with Argentina.
The titanic showdown of the last four teams standing in the showpiece backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation will explode on Friday with the victors battling for the gold on Sunday.
Emilly struck in the fourth, 11th and 39th minutes as Ana Luiza (9th), Debora Vanin (13th) and Luana (14th) joined the fray as Brazil put the quarterfinal match out of the reach of the fifth-ranked Asian champions, who only got on the board via Julia’s own goal (36th.)
The Seleção booked a semis faceoff with Group B ruler and world No. 2 Spain, which advanced with a 6-1 demolition of Group A second placer Morocco in their side of the quarterfinals last Monday.
Meanwhile, Moreira’s strikes in the sixth, 21st and 35th, Janice Silva’s brace (24th a nd 39th), Carolina Pedreira’s opener (fifth minute) and Kika’s closer (28th) keyed Portugal’s sinking of the No. 7 Italians.
Up ahead for the Luis Conceicao-coached Portugal are the world No. 6 Argentines, who took care of the quarterfinal business against Colombia, 4-1, last Monday.
T he academy is a nationwide initiative that supports DepEd’s school sports program by empowering Filipino students through proper hydration, movement and access to sports.
More than a hydration campaign, the Fuel Tomorrow Academy is designed to strengthen student wellness and athletic performance in junior high schools across the country through three essential pillars—Fueling the Mind, Fueling the Body and Fueling the Soul. The initiative reflects Gatorade’s deep commitment to youth development under PepsiCo Positive (pep+), the company’s global agenda for inclusive and purpose-driven growth through community partnerships. “ Initiatives like the Fuel Tomorrow Academy represent what Gatorade stands for—fueling potential,” said Aditya Sheoran, Regional General Manager for Beverages PepsiCo (Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore). “Through this partnership with DepEd, we aim to champion the athletes of tomorrow—helping them grow stronger and build a generation that values health, teamwork, and perseverance.”
G atorade also announced complementary programs under the Fuel Tomorrow Academy including the Player of the Year Award which will honor topperforming student-athletes.
Earlier this year, we institutionalized School Sports Clubs to promote the holistic development of our learners and encourage active lifestyles,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said. “With partners like Gatorade, we are taking this mission further—ensuring that our students remain healthy, active, and grounded in the values that sports promote: discipline, sportsmanship, and competitiveness.”
A lso witnessing the partnership were PepsiCo
Philippines Marketing Director Nicole Villarojo, Redscope Communications President Sarah Coe and TWG Chairperson Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial.
TIGER WOODS walks to the 18th green during the second round of the British Open at Royal Troon in Scotland July last year. AP
