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ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA JOURNALISM AWARDS

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A broader look at today’s business

Saturday, November 7, 2026 Vol. 22 No. 31

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‘PHL BANKS STILL STRONG TO FUND HOMES, FIRMS’

By Andrea E. San Juan

HE Philippine banking system remains in a “strong” position to provide funding to Filipino households and firms, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. said. He gave the assurance after the release of the Report on the Philippine Financial System for the First Semester of 2026, showing that the Philippine banking system remained sound and resilient in the first half. “Banks were well-capitalized, well-provisioned, and flush with liquidity. Likewise, profitability was sustained, funding conditions remained stable, and asset quality was manageable,” the central bank said in its statement on Friday. The report noted that banks continued to support households and businesses through lending. Capital and liquidity buffers also remained well above regulatory requirements. Meanwhile, supervisory assessments indicate that credit conditions remain supportive, while asset quality is “broadly manageable.” While the outlook for the banking system remains favorable, BSP said banks, businesses, and households have become more “selective” in their borrowing, lending, and

Remolona: “The Philippine banking system remains in a strong position to provide funding to Filipino households and firms.”

investment decisions amid a “more uncertain” environment. Still, Remolona assured the public: “The Philippine banking system remains in a strong position to provide funding to Filipino households and firms.” “As financial services become more digital and accessible, the BSP will continue to promote both financial stability and financial inclusion. We will continue to support innovation while ensuring that strong governance, sound risk management, and operational resilience remain in place,” the central bank governor also pointed out. See “Banks,” A2

‘Jobless rate rises as industries struggle to create jobs’

2.86 M

UNEMPLOYED FILIPINOS (September 2026)

5.4% Unemployment rate

+909K Additional unemployed year-on-year

Job creation remained uneven in September as employment gains in some industries failed to offset losses in others. The number of unemployed Filipinos rose to 2.86 million, while construction recorded the largest year-on-year decline in employment, shedding 271,000 workers. Story on A17.

MISSI SHOWS RAMPED-UP SEPT FACTORY PRODUCTION By Justine Xyrah Garcia

HE country’s manufacturing output accelerated in September, driven by stronger production of coke and refined petroleum products, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (Missi) showed the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) rose 9 percent in September, faster than the revised 6.6-percent growth in August. The August figure was revised downward from the initially reported 11.8 percent, following updates based on reports submitted by manufacturing establishments covering their production and prices, National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said. The three biggest sources of the

THROUGH THE TWISTS AND TURNS OF THE PHL ART MARKET

revision were computer, electronic and optical products, whose growth was adjusted to 23.8 percent from 32.1 percent; coke and refined petroleum products, revised to 20.4 percent from 30.6 percent; and food products, whose growth was revised to a 1.3 percent contraction from a 2.3 percent increase. “The revision is due to the updating based on the reports of the establishments both for production and prices,” Mapa told BusinessMirror. Meanwhile, the September reading brought the manufacturing sector’s year-to-date VoPI growth to 6.4 percent. The acceleration was led by the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, which grew by 31 percent in September from 20.4 percent in August. See “Missi,” A2

CONNECTING THROUGH ART Visitors explore artworks on display during TOPS ArtFest 2026 in Cebu City, where artists presented works across different styles and disciplines. The four-day festival aimed to give both established and emerging creatives greater exposure to collectors and the wider art community. JOHN EIRON FRANCISCO establish themselves in the market, as collectors increasingly use these credentials to gauge an artwork’s investment potential. “[It’s like saying], you’re nothing in Philippine art,” he said, partly in Filipino.

By John Eiron R. Francisco

USAY, Cebu City—Once largely supported by foreign patrons and wealthy Filipino families, the Philippine art market has ‘softened,’ although the emergence of younger collectors is opening new avenues for Filipino artists. In an exclusive interview with the BusinessMirror, Cebu-based painter Romulo Galicano, 81, said the local art market has changed significantly over his nearly six decades in the industry, particularly during the time former First Lady Imelda Marcos held considerable influence over the art scene. He recalled the support extended by the “Blue Ladies,” an influential circle of socialites, wealthy matrons and wives of prominent politicians and Marcos allies who supported the former first lady. Foreign patrons, particularly embassy personnel from Europe and the United States, also helped drive demand for Filipino artworks. During that period, he said,

‘A new breed of collectors’

JOHN EIRON FRANCISCO

“No matter how good your work is, if no one sees it, if you don’t show it to others, it might as well just stay there,” says Iliganbased self-taught artist Marvin Palasan, 31, underscoring the importance of visibility and networking for emerging Filipino artists. JOHN EIRON FRANCISCO

foreign collectors often purchased artworks as souvenirs of their assignments in the Philippines, while Marcos also presented paintings as gifts to visiting dignitaries. Galicano described those years as a “renaissance of Philippine art,” when collectors were willing to buy a painting simply because they found it beautiful, even if the artist was relatively unknown. “Before, as long as they found the piece beautiful, they

were willing to buy it,” he said. The market, however, has become increasingly investmentdriven, with collectors placing greater emphasis on an artist’s reputation, published works and visibility before considering a purchase, Galicano noted. “Nalungkot ako sa part na ’yan [That part saddened me],” he said, recalling how the appeal of a painting once mattered more than the credentials of its creator. Without published profiles or publicity, artists may struggle to

“Before, as long as they found the piece beautiful, they were willing to buy it,” says Cebu-based painter Romulo Galicano, 81, recalling what he describes as a “renaissance of Philippine art,” when beauty, rather than the artist’s reputation, drove art purchases.

Q3 PHL farms output growth lowest since 1991, says PSA By Ada Pelonia

HILIPPINE farm output fell by 5 percent in the third quarter, the lowest quarterly rate since 1991, due to the dismal performance of the crops and fisheries subsectors. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that lackluster production of the crops and fisheries subsector dragged the agricultural output into negative territory despite year-on-year growth in the poultry and livestock subsectors. The value of agriculture and fisheries production stood at P389.42 billion in the July to September period at constant 2018 prices, down from the

₧62B EL NIÑO RESPONSE PLAN

Proposed program to mitigate the potential impact of El Niño on farm output and agricultural livelihoods through technology, innovation, targeted interventions and interagency cooperation.

P410.04 billion recorded in the same period last year. Historical data indicated that this was the lowest quarterly rate since the 6.2-percent contraction in 1991. See “Farm,” A2

FOR Filipino artist and art critic Cid Reyes, 80, the slowdown is also a reflection of broader economic conditions, which inevitably affect demand for artworks. “The market is soft. That’s the economy. You live with that,” Reyes told the BusinessMirror. “From all these hundreds of artworks, there’s only a select few. Collectors who will identify what they want to buy.” He also pointed to the tendency of collectors to gravitate toward established artists, with name recognition often influencing their purchasing decisions. However, he noted that many of today’s recognized artists were once relatively unknown and had to build their reputations through years of work. “What is good is that there is See “Art,” A2

PHL gaming revenues slip in Q3 By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

HE Philippines’ gross gaming revenues (GGR) sagged in the third quarter, weighed down by weaker earnings from electronic gaming amid reduced discretionary spending among gamblers. Third-quarter GGR fell by 11.41 percent to P83.72 billion from P94.51 billion in the same period a year ago, state-gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) reported on Friday. Revenues from electronic gaming, which includes e-bingo, e-games and bingo grantees, contracted by 22.86 percent to P35.28 billion from P45.73 billion a year earlier. The drop accounted for the bulk of the country’s gaming industry overall revenue decline in the third quarter. Pagcor Chairman and Chief

Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco: “[Inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties] have affected spending on discretionary activities, including gaming, and contributed to the weaker performance of certain segments.”

Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco pointed to inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties that may have dampened confidence and spending. “These conditions have affected spending on discretionary activities, including gaming, and See “Gaming,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 63.1430 n JAPAN 0.4005 n UK 84.9400 n HK 8.0528 n CHINA 9.4696 n SINGAPORE 49.4270 n AUSTRALIA 43.7518 n EU 70.8464 n KOREA 0.0465 n SAUDI ARABIA 16.8238 Source: BSP (November 6, 2026)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Saturday, November 7, 2026

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Gaming… Through the twists and turns of the PHL art market Continued from A1

contributed to the weaker performance of certain segments,” Tengco was quoted as saying. Inflation hit 7.8 percent in October, its highest level in more than three years, from 7.2 percent in September and 1.7 percent in the same month last year on higher transport and housing costs. Despite the decline in overall GGR, Tengco said the pace of contraction eased from the 20.33-percent drop in the second quarter. “We recognize the challenges facing the industry, but the slower pace of decline in the third quarter is an encouraging development,” Tengco said. “We will continue to work closely with our licensees to strengthen industry performance while ensuring that gaming activities are conducted responsibly and in accordance with regulatory standards,” he added. Meanwhile, licensed casinos yielded P45.38 billion in revenues in the third quarter, marginally down by 0.40 percent from P45.56 billion a year ago. Licensed casinos once again emerged as the biggest contributor to industry GGR, accounting for 54.20 percent of total revenues during the quarter, after being overtaken by electronic gaming in previous periods. GGR brought in by Pagcor-operated casinos, however, declined by 4.81 percent to P3.03 billion from P3.18 billion a year ago. Pagcor expects the country’s GGR to reach at least P350 billion by the end of the year, a more “conservative” outlook given the state’s economic condition.

Continued from A1

now an emergence of very young collectors,” Reyes said. “Young, meaning sometimes as young as the artists themselves.” He attributed this development to a growing appreciation of the value of artworks, which some buyers now regard as potential long-term investments. “People now realize the value of art. They look at art now as a kind of investment, blue-chip investment,” he said. For Reyes, however, whether collectors purchase paintings because they appreciate the works or see them as investments is secondary to the support these transactions provide to Filipino artists.

‘The value of connection’

BEYOND investment potential, younger buyers are also bringing different motivations to the market, with personal appreciation and emotional connections increasingly influencing their purchasing decisions, according to Enzo Dino, festival director of TOPS ArtFest. “Older generations may be more in line with monetary value. Now, it’s because they find pieces that resonate. So that’s the big shift,” he told the BusinessMirror during the festival’s third edition, held from October 22 to 25 in this city. “There are people who buy for different reasons. Maybe the reasons are just a little more diverse nowadays,” he added.

‘No spare cash, no new canvas’

HOWEVER, regardless of what drives a purchase, acquiring art remains largely dependent on a buy-

er’s capacity to spend beyond basic necessities, Reyes noted. He explained that art typically falls under discretionary spending, meaning buyers are more likely to purchase artworks when they have “extra cash” after covering their essential expenses. This also makes the art market particularly vulnerable to economic uncertainty, as buyers tend to postpone nonessential purchases when financial conditions become less favorable. Galicano said he understands why collectors, many of whom are businesspeople, have become more cautious about spending, weighing art purchases against other financial priorities. Even those with the means to acquire paintings may hesitate amid economic and political uncertainties, affecting artists across different stages of their careers. Emerging artists, including those with considerable talent, are particularly challenged by the slowdown in sales, he said. Galicano described the current environment as a “wait-and-see” period, with collectors delaying purchases amid domestic political controversies and global economic uncertainties, including rising fuel prices and their potential impact on other sectors. “Still, I told our fellow artists to keep going because art has its own seasons. It just so happens that the current situation, amid unforeseen controversies in the country, has also affected the art scene,” Galicano said, partly in Filipino.

‘Making space for regional art’

FOR emerging artists outside major

cultural hubs, however, gaining access to collectors, galleries and exhibition spaces remains a challenge. Marvin Palasan, 31, a selftaught artist from Iligan City who joined TOPS ArtFest 2026, said limited opportunities in his hometown have made it difficult for local artists to build connections and establish themselves. With few galleries and art fairs, emerging artists often have to travel to larger cities such as Cebu and Manila to gain exposure, an undertaking that can be costly and financially uncertain. Recognizing these barriers, Palasan and fellow artists decided to build their own art community in Iligan. What began as street exhibitions eventually developed into a physical exhibition space that now serves as a local gallery. While their initiative has created a platform for local artists, Palasan said participating in larger events such as TOPS ArtFest offers a different level of exposure. The festival brings together galleries, collectors and artists from various places that gives emerging creatives opportunities to expand their networks and learn from others in the industry. “We’re grateful to join TOPS ArtFest because the experience is different. You see different artworks, you meet artists you only see on social media in person. And you get first-hand ideas from what they’re talking about,” he said. According to Dino, the festival aims to showcase a diverse range of artistic disciplines which provide a platform not only for established artists but also for emerging creatives seeking to gain a foothold in the industry. “We want to make sure that everyone puts out the best of the best of their works, especially those with potential and those who are establishing themselves in certain art forms,” he said. “Maybe there’s someone unknown also doing a completely new and different direction who also deserves a spotlight. So we’re always on the lookout for more wonderful, genuine artists sharing their authentic vision.”

The business of being seen

PALASAN also stressed the importance of establishing an online presence, particularly through Instagram, which allows artists to showcase their work without the cost of maintaining a physical exhibition space. He said the platform has also become a source of

Farm… Continued from A1

The latest figures also posted an 11-year slump since the P386.04 billion recorded in the same quarter of 2015, based on PSA data. Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), attributed this “mostly to bad weather [and the] initial phase of El Niño.” For its part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said the surge in input costs, such as fertilizer and pump prices, undermined planting intentions while weatherrelated shocks resulted in flooding that damaged farmlands. Crop production, accounting for more than half of the total agriculture and fisheries output, reached P197.71 billion in the reference period, down by 9.3 percent from the P217.995 billion posted last year.

clients for their group. “No matter how good your work is, if no one sees it, if you don’t show it to others, it might as well just stay there,” he said. “What we learned is to post on social media, join group exhibitions, fairs and festivals, and take advantage of the opportunities.” “There is no money in art if you do not understand the system, the process and the strategies for showcasing your work and making yourself known,” he said. Palasan said that while emerging artists may have the talent and technical skills, the challenge is getting their work noticed and building a name for themselves. He encouraged artists to develop a strong foundation in their craft while learning the business side of the industry, particularly if they intend to pursue art as a career rather than a hobby. Galicano likewise encouraged artists to take their profession seriously and make art an integral part of their lives. He said success comes in its own time, while passion and integrity help artists develop and reach their full potential. Reyes, meanwhile, stressed that building a career in art requires patience, sustained quality and realistic expectations about earning from one’s work. “You cannot just suddenly decide that you want to become a millionaire from your art. It doesn’t work that way, realistically,” he added, noting that artists should start humbly by joining bazaars and gradually building their presence in the market. He noted that artists may also need to maintain other sources of income while developing their careers, particularly as paintings compete with a wide range of products in the market. These challenges are compounded by the growing number of artists entering the field across generations, which has increased the supply of artworks relative to the number of potential buyers, Reyes said. “Not that there’s no demand, but the market is relatively small,” he said. “Nonetheless, the artists still hang on because they’re passionate about it.” Despite the challenges, Reyes expressed confidence in the country’s wealth of artistic talent, saying that continued efforts to nurture emerging artists, alongside stronger government support, could help address some of the sector’s concerns. This was largely pulled down by palay and corn output, which recorded double-digit declines at 17.8 percent and 17.4 percent, respectively. Fisheries output also contracted by 8.5 percent year-on-year to P50.86 billion from last year’s P55.56 billion, based on PSA data. Despite this, poultry output sustained its upward trajectory, expanding by almost 5 percent to P79.67 billion in the third quarter from last year’s P75.96 billion. Livestock production also continued to recover, posting a 15.7-percent increase to P61.17 billion from P60.52 billion in the previous year. Hog output recorded a 1.9- percent growth in the reference period. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the sector's leading subsectors offered a “foundation” for recovery, even as the DA prepares farmers and fishers for a potentially severe El Niño. He noted that the DA has drawn up a P62-billion response program to safeguard agricultural output and livelihood from the anticipated climate shock by investing in technology, innovation, targeted interventions, and interagency cooperation. “We have mapped out a P62billion El Niño response plan that will leverage new technologies, innovations, targeted interventions, and collaboration with various government agencies to mitigate the impact of the climate risk on agriculture,” Tiu Laurel said.

Missi… Continued from A1

This was followed by the manufacture of basic metals, which expanded by 30.9 percent from 18.1 percent, and transport equipment, which grew by 12.7 percent from 6.2 percent. Meanwhile, the top three contributors to the overall growth in manufacturing output were coke and refined petroleum products, computer, electronic and optical products, and basic metals, the PSA said. Of the remaining 19 industry divisions, 10 posted positive annual growth, while nine recorded contractions. Among the industries that declined were chemicals and chemical products, down 18.1 percent; machinery and equipment, except electrical, down 15.1 percent; food products, down 4.5 percent; and beverages, down 4.4 percent. In value terms, manufacturing production also accelerated in September. The Value of Production Index (VaPI) rose 12.7 percent, faster than the revised 10 percent growth recorded in August. In September 2025, production value declined by 0.3 percent. As with the VoPI, the stronger VaPI growth was largely driven by coke and refined petroleum products, whose production value grew by 39.6 percent from 25 percent in August. The PSA also reported faster growth in the production value of basic metals, at 37.1 percent from 24.6 percent, and transport equipment, at 16.1 percent from 9.1 percent. For food products, the volume of production contracted by 4.5 percent in September, a sharper decline than the 1.3 percent contraction in August. Meanwhile, the value of production grew by 2.9 percent, compared with a 0.3- percent increase in the previous month.

Factory utilization

MEANWHILE, manufacturing capacity utilization stood at 78.4 percent in September, lower than the 78.7 percent recorded in August but higher than the 77.4 percent registered in September 2025. The highest utilization rates were recorded in the manufacture of tobacco products, at 99.5 percent; coke and refined petroleum products, at 85.6 percent; and other manufacturing, repair and installation of machinery and equipment, at 83.3 percent. Data showed that more than a third, or 36 percent, of responding establishments operated at near-full capacity, or between 90 percent and 100 percent, during the month.

Banks… Continued from A1

Balance sheet expansion

BASED on the report, balance sheet expansion continued to be led by lending, complemented by securities that supported income generation and liquidity management. “This expansion remained anchored on a predominantly domestic deposit base,” the report noted, as it pointed out that total assets held by banks as of the first half of 2026, amounted to P31.1 trillion. Loan growth also remained strong in the first half of 2026, supporting “financial intermediation and interest income.” Data showed that loans amounted to P17.8 trillion as of end-June 2026. The central bank explained that loans include reverse repurchase agreements (repos) and interbank loans. Total loans were equivalent to 61.6 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), the BSP also pointed out.

Deposits main funding source

MEANWHILE, deposits remained the banking system’s principal funding source, supported by a “predominantly” peso-denominated and resident base. “Current and savings accounts remained the largest and generally lower-cost component, while time deposits led growth as customers moved toward higher-yielding products. Term deposits provided more defined maturities but were more sensitive to interest rates and funding costs,” the central bank explained. BSP also noted that repos, other borrowings, and bond issuances—including thematic bonds— “supplemented” deposits by diversifying funding sources and extending maturities. “Selected issuances also supported eligible sustainable and social financing activities. As lending continued to outpace deposit growth, maintaining an appropriate mix of lower-cost deposits, term funding, and market-based sources will remain important for managing liquidity and margins while supporting continued credit expansion,” the report also noted.

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Credit perception seen improving across PHL By VG Cabuag

STUDY by the country’s first comprehensive private credit reference agency showed credit perception either held or improved in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, suggesting that broad-based progress is being observed across the country rather than concentrated in specific regions. According to the 2026 credit perception index by TransUnion Information Solutions Inc., Mindanao posed the biggest gain in perception to 77 out of 100 up by 3 points from the previous score, while Luzon including Metro Manila, increased by 1 point to 74. Visayas, meanwhile, was flat at 75 points. Mindanao’s improvement was driven by gains across six out of seven score factors, including product knowledge (+7 points), favorability (+6 points), stigmas (+5 points), product trust (+4 points), as well as credit messaging and reservations (both +3 points). The Philippines scored an all-time-high of 75 out of 100, 2 points higher than last year. Similar patterns were observed in Luzon and Visayas, where most score factors improved or remained stable. In Luzon, five of seven score factors improved, while in Visayas, softer credit messaging and reservations were offset by gains in product trust and knowledge. “It’s encouraging to see credit perception improved across the country this year. Every island group held or improved its score, which tells us that consumer confidence and knowledge in credit is building broadly—

not only in and around the capital. That kind of nationwide progress is a strong and positive signal toward greater financial inclusion,” Peter Faulhaber, president and CEO of TransUnion Philippines, said. Some two years ago, TransUnion’s Credit Perception Index, an annual survey, found Filipinos outside the capital lagged behind how they view credit. This year, however, the first regional view shows credit perception holding or improving in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao alike. Filipinos in different parts of the country engage with credit, digital tools and financial information in their own ways, and meeting them where they are is how that progress becomes lasting financial inclusion. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to advancing financial inclusion. Understanding local needs and behaviors through more granular insights can help stakeholders develop solutions, education initiatives and engagement s t rate g i e s t h at re s o n ate b e s t w i t h communities—which is how broad progress becomes genuine, inclusive participation,” Faulhaber said. I n t h e P h i l i p p i n e s, Tr a n s U n i o n works alongside financial institutions, government and industry partners to expand access to financial services and support broader financial inclusion. Introduced in 2023, the study examines Filipinos’ knowledge, trust, and favorability toward credit and other financial products, including the factors that influence their attitudes, behaviors and financial decisions, with the goal of supporting broader financial inclusion in the Philippines.

PHOTO FROM OFFICE OF SEN. ERWIN TULFO

PHL-Japan partnership for energy security, green transition pushed By Butch Fernandez

HE Philippine government is committed to partnering with Japan on energy security and decarbonization, a top-level Senate delegation told Tokyo’s officials this week. Speaking during the Japan-Asean Inter-Parliamentary Exchange on Friday, Committee on Energy Chairman Erwin Tu l f o co m m e n d e d J a p a n’s s c i e n ce driven approach to oil and gas security through the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA). Tulfo, alongside Philippine Senate delegation led by Senate President Sher win “Win” Gatchalian, affirmed Manila’s commitment to the energy partnership. Tulfo highlighted ERIA’s critical role in developing the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) Industrial Park, a 530-hectare industrial estate designed as an investment-ready hub for energy, logistics, and heavy industry locators. “The Philippines needs Japan›s expertise in constructing and maintaining resilient energy infrastructure. We are deeply grateful for your continued reliability as a strategic partner,” Tulfo told his Japanese counterpar ts during the legislative dialogue. Senate President Gatchalian thanked the Japanese government for its steadfast contribution to Philippine economic growth. Senate Majority Leader and Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Juan M i g u e l Zu b i r i e c h o e d G atc h a l i a n’s sentiments, emphasizing Japan’s assistance in maintaining peace and stability in Mindanao as well as its support in upholding

Philippine national sovereignty. Meanwhile, Senate Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform Committee Chairman Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan thanked Japanese counterparts for their ongoing partnership in boosting the agricultural sector through agri-tech cooperation. As Senate Energy Panel chief, Tulfo assured delegates that his committee remains fully committed to expediting policy efforts that bolster national energy resilience and sustainability. “We seek to deepen our cooperation with Japan as we accelerate our transition to clean energy. With Japan’s support, we can fully unlock the potential of the Philippine renewable energy sector,” Tulfo added. During the official visit, Tulfo and the Philippine delegation also met with leadership from the Japan International Cooperation Agenc y (Jica)—the Philippines’ largest official development assistance partner. During the meeting with Jica, Senate Finance Panel Chairman Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito assured them of the Senate’s support by ensuring that there’s enough funding counterpart for JICA project in the 2027 National Budget. The Philippine Senate delegation who participated in the official visit to Japan for the 70th year anniversary of JapanPH consisted of Gatchalian, Zubiri, Tulfo and Senators Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Raffy Tulfo, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Francis Pangilinan, and Mark Villar. They also held high-level bilateral discussions with JICA, the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League, and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu.

Solar-battery pairing to help small islands cut power cost

By Lenie Lectura

OLAR energy stakeholders agree that electricity bills in off-grid areas can be reduced with the replacement of diesel-run power plants with solar paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS). During a technical workshop held with the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and the Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA), the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA) cited a 23-percent increase in Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification (UCME) rate to P0.3397 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the October billing period from P0.2763 per kWh in the previous month, costing a typical 200 kWh household roughly P67.94 a month or P815 a year. UCME is a monthly charge collected from on-grid electricity end-users

used to subsidize the cost of power in off-grid areas. The Napocor, meanwhile, is the entity that provides electricity to remote and island areas not connected to the main grid through the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) plants. However, most of the SPUG plants rely on diesel fuel which is more expensive now due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to APVIA, the generating power in islands served by the Napocor averages around P18 per kWh—compared to just P5 to P8 per kWh on the main grids—and surges

to P62 per kWh in remote areas where fuel must be shipped. “The reason is simple - the high cost of diesel generation,” explained APVIA. It also pointed out that the authorized missionary electrification subsidy ballooned to P30.77 billion for 2026, up significantly from approximately P7 billion in 2020. Napocor has now petitioned to collect P44.2 billion for 2027, equivalent to P0.4405 per kWh, which would raise the 200-kWh household’s contribution to about P88 a month. The 2026 Philippine national budget already allocates nearly P2 billion to Napocor for missionary electrification, which fluctuates heavily based on volatile oil prices and peso weakening. “Every peso spent hauling diesel to an island is a peso that comes back to Filipino households through the UCME, or to the government through the budget,” said Tetchi Capellan, chairperson of the steering committee for APVIA. During the workshop, the APVIA stressed that solar photovoltaic (PV) systems paired with BESS offer a practical alternative to break this cycle by significantly reducing costly

diesel reliance. The Department of Energy (DOE) has estimated that equipping all Napocor-served islands with such systems could cut the UCME by half, according to the group. “This workshop was organized to give government and industry the opportunity to move beyond discussing the challenges and focus on workable solutions,” said Ramon Cabrera of the APVIA policy group. “We needed to understand what could be deployed, how projects could be financed, and what policy and regulatory support would be necessary to make solar and battery storage viable across our islands,” he said. To implement this transition, the DOE is organizing a dedicated Green Energy Auction for off-grid islands, set to launch in 2027, with the first round targeting 20 larger islands. A P V I A a nd its pa r t ners a l so called for continued government– industry collaboration to identify viable projects, address financing and regulatory barriers, and accelerate solar and battery deployment in missionary areas.

PSA revises Q2 growth from 2.3% to 2.4%

SENATE President Sherwin Gatchalian and Senators (from left) Kiko Pangilinan, Erwin Tulfo, Lito Lapid and Mark Villar present a token to Jica president Dr. Akihiko Tanaka.

Saturday, November 7, 2026

HE economy grew slightly faster than initially reported in the second quarter of 2026, after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Wednesday revised the gross domestic product (GDP) growth upward to 2.4 percent from the preliminary estimate of 2.3 percent. In a statement released on Friday, the PSA said the upward revision was largely driven by wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles which grew by 4.7 percent from 4.6 percent. Agriculture, forestry and fishing growth was also revised upward to 2.9 percent from 2.7 percent, while transportation and storage increased to 4.1 percent from the previously reported 3.8 percent. “The [PSA] revises the GDP estimates based on an approved revision policy [PSA Board Resolution No. 1, Series of 2017-053], which is consistent with international standard practices on national accounts revisions,” the agency noted. Despite the upward adjustments, second quarter GDP growth remained the weakest quarterly expansion since the first quarter of 2021, when the economy contracted by 3.8 percent. Meanwhile, gross national income (GNI) growth for the quarter was retained at 2.2 percent, while net primary income from the

New Bangsamoro administration screens Cabinet post applicants By Manuel T. Cayon

AVAO CITY—The new Bangsamo ro a d m i n i s t rat i o n i s n ow screening applicants for key positions in its next Cabinet saying it wanted to ensure that those appointed “possess the competence, integrity, professional experience, and leadership capabilities required to serve the autonomous region.” The search and screening committee evaluated applicants on Tuesday at Bajau Hall, inside the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City. The selection process was required by the administration of BARMM’s first Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua of the elected Bangsamoro Parliament. Committee chairman Jordan Bayam said See “Bangsamoro,” A4

rest of the world was revised downward to 0.8 percent from the initial estimate of 1 percent. Net primary income measures the

difference between primary income received by Filipino residents from abroad and income paid to non-residents.

The PSA is scheduled to release the third quarter GDP figures on Monday, November 9. Justine Xyrah Garcia

Saturday, November 7, 2026

News

From pension challenge to productive sector: Asean bets on ‘silver economy’

By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz

HE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is pushing for greater investments in the so-called “silver economy,” seeking to transform the region’s rapidly ageing population from a growing social protection challenge into a source of economic opportunity, innovation and productivity.

Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, chair of the Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC), said the Philippines has encouraged member states to look beyond traditional pension and social welfare programs and develop products, services and economic opportunities that would allow senior citizens to remain productive. “As countries in the region age, we have to look at this from a different perspective—not only providing social pensions but also finding ways to keep our senior citizens productive,” Gatchalian said during a press conference on Friday. He said the initiative seeks to encourage both governments and the private sector to invest in products

and services that respond to the needs of older people while allowing them to continue contributing to their respective economies. The push comes as Asean faces a significant demographic transition, with people aged 60 and above expected to account for more than 14.8 percent of the region’s population by 2030. The number of senior citizens is projected to reach 127 million by 2035. The silver economy covers economic activities, products and services that address the needs and purchasing power of older people, including healthcare, long-term care, accessible transportation, technology, tourism and other age-friendly services. In June, the Philippines presented a proposed Asean Framework on Unlock-

ing the Silver Economy, built around six pillars: social protection and income security; integrated health and care systems; lifelong learning and productive engagement; value creation and silver industries; enabling age-friendly communities; and regional cooperation. Gatchalian said the silver economy was among the priorities pursued by the Philippines during its 2026 chairmanship of the ASCC, alongside stronger families, inclusive development, youth empowerment and innovation, and disaster response cooperation. He said the Philippines wants older people to remain active participants in economic development rather than be viewed solely as beneficiaries of government assistance. The initiative also calls for stronger collaboration among Asean governments and private businesses to develop investments and services that respond to the changing needs of ageing populations. Beyond the ageing population agenda, Gatchalian said Asean is also strengthening its capacity to respond to climate-related emergencies, particularly the worsening effects of El Niño, through greater regional cooperation and information-sharing. He said individual member states have their own assistance programs for vulnerable communities, but Asean’s broader role is to facilitate the exchange of social protection strategies and interventions that countries can adopt from one another. “There is no existing template for

what we are experiencing now. This is a super El Niño, unlike the El Niño events we have experienced before,” Gatchalian said, underscoring the need for countries to learn from one another’s experiences in protecting poor and marginalized communities. To strengthen the implementation of regional commitments, Asean has also launched the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning System (PMELS), a digital platform that consolidates fragmented databases across the ASCC’s different sectors. Gatchalian said the system, developed through a partnership with the German government, will allow member states to track their commitments and monitor the impact of programs covering areas such as social protection, child protection, labor, migrant workers’ welfare and disaster response. The platform is also expected to help governments identify gaps in implementation, assess the effectiveness of interventions and exchange best practices, particularly as the region faces increasingly complex social and environmental challenges. Gatchalian said Asean must move beyond signing agreements and producing outcome documents to ensuring that commitments translate into measurable improvements in people’s lives. With Singapore set to assume the ASCC chairmanship, Gatchalian said the incoming leadership intends to build on the Philippines’ work on responsible technology use, innovation for public good and stronger families.

PBBM calls Cabinet ‘best team’ at oath-taking of ad interim execs By Samuel P. Medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said his Cabinet—after being subjected to several changes in the last four years--now includes the “best team” assembled by a chief executive in decades in terms of performance. “This is the best team ever assembled here since my father’s Cabinet,” Marcos said during the oath-taking of 10 ad interim Cabinet secretaries last Friday in Malacañang. The event was held days before Congress resumes its session next Monday after taking a break last month. The Commission on Appointments (CA) said the President may

Bangsamoro. . . Continued from A3

the committee is responsible for evaluating applicants and recommending them to the Chief Minister, who retains the authority to appoint officials. “The screening process is open to all qualified applicants regardless of political affiliation,” he said in an interview,

only make ad interim appointments, while the House of Representatives and the Senate are in recess. The President’s father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, was known for having some notable Cabinet members, including Carlos P. Romulo as Foreign Affairs Secretary, Finance Secretary Cesar E.A. Virata, former Justice and Defense Secretary Juan F. Ponce Enrile, and former Labor Secretary Blas F. Ople. His energy minister, Geronimo Z. Velasco, was also credited with helping lay the groundwork for a multidecade blueprint for developing non-fossil fuel sources of energy with a phased increase in geothermal and hydroelectric power, among others.

Marcos said the 10 ad interim officials in the oath taking ceremony on Friday were just as remarkable. Among them were Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida, Public Works Secretary Giovanni Z. Lopez, Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino, and Health Secretary Edwin M. Mercado. Also at the event were Environment Secretary Juan Miguel T. Cuna, Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita A. Mathay, Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon, Budget Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon, and Philippine Space Agency Director General Gay Jane P. Perez. They remain subject to confirmation by the CA.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Marcos instructed the said officials “to build on existing gains, address longstanding challenges, and ensure the effective implementation of priority programs.” The President’s sister, Senator Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, earlier accused the current administration of committing “perversion” of the checks and balances in the government as it continues to fail to present its ad interim officials before the CA. Malacañang, however, said that Marcos is not violating any law in continuing to reappoint his ad interim Cabinet officials, which it claimed is part of his presidential prerogative.

noting that even incumbent ministers under went the same evaluation and interview process. The screening for the next set of the region’s Cabinet members is provided for under Office of the Chief Minister Memorandum Circular No. 0147, s. 2026. It said the screening process aims to ensure that the soon-to-be-appointed leaders possess competence, integrity, professional experience, leadership capabilities, and

commitment to the principles and objectives of the Bangsamoro Government. “We consider their alignment with the Government of the Day’s agenda under the elected Chief Minister, as well as their commitment to implementing Moral Governance,” Bayam said. Meanwhile, former BARMM Local Government Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo said a total of 50 applicants had filed their papers, of whom 22 had already undergone

interviews as of Nov. 3. “This is a substantial process to ensure that the ministers and officials who will serve are qualified and have competence and integrity to serve,” he said. The committee aims to complete the remaining inter views and submit its recommendations to the Chief Minister before Friday, paving the way for the announcement of the new Cabinet members.

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PHL has 600,000 cases clogging courts–Kiko By Manuel T. Cayon

AVAO CITY—Philippine courts are swarmed with more than 600,000 cases as of the middle of this year, as a Filipino senator proposed four reform points to lift the country’s ranking at the bottom in the 2026 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairman of the committees on Justice and Human Rights and Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, told B usiness M irror in an email that the judiciary has more than 637,000 court cases pending in mid-2026 and is still being swarmed with subsequent additional cases. He disclosed this to emphasize one of his four suggestions to improve the country’s ranking in the world index on the rule of law. He said the country “must have a budget that can deliver measurable results” and that its budgets for 2027 of more than P86 billion and the succeeding years “must be able to deal with the heaps of court cases.” He said that the Philippines’s 97th-place finish in the 2026 World Justice Project Rule of Law Index “calls for massive, painstaking, and consistent reform.” “We need reform that ordinary Filipinos experience in their everyday, not the impunity we see in the enforcement of laws and the disposition of cases — from traffic to online scams to corruption. To improve the Philippine justice system is to improve Filipino lives and livelihoods,” he added. His four suggestions would address the WJP’s ranking, whose “factors point the way: accountable government, freedom from corruption, transparency, fundamental rights, public safety, fair enforcement, and effective civil and criminal justice. Government must lead, with business, academe,

civil society, and basic sectors as partners.” His second suggestion is to set clear targets in the next three years: “shorten the shelf life of cases; bring down workloads in congested courts (certainly much lower than the 5,000 cases a Cabuyao, Laguna RTC judge was handling that caused him to resign); create and operationalize additional courts where needed; and reduce judgeship vacancies from roughly 20 percent to single digits.” “Of course, these must be supported by adequate personnel, legal aid, digital systems, and functioning courthouses,”, he said. Third suggestion: improve conviction rates, especially of corruption cases, through stronger investigations, capable prosecution, and timely trials. “Justice means due process is followed, not sacrificed. Justice means holding the guilty accountable while protecting the innocent.” He pointed out, though, that money alone cannot cleanse the system. “We must confront judicial corruption, which we raised with nominees before the Judicial and Bar Council [JBC]. Integrity must guide appointments, promotions, oversight, and disciplinary action”. Toward these ends, he said, is the fourth: “convene the Judiciary Executive Legislative Advisory and Consultative Council [Jelacc], a proposal supported by all chief justice nominees we interviewed during their JBC interviews. Use Jelacc to coordinate sustained funding and institutional reforms while safeguarding judicial independence.” The senator stressed: “Our justice system is the soil in which development grows. When corruption and delay poison and exhaust that soil, family livelihoods and national economy wither. When fairness and accountability replenish it, public trust and opportunity flourish.”

DOF eyes ₧1.2-B grant for Pasig River project

HE Department of Finance (DOF) is seeking to secure a $20-million, or about P1.2 billion, grant from the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support the Pasig River Restoration Project. In a statement released last Thursday, the DOF said it has endorsed to the Office of the President the proposed financial support and is asking for authority to negotiate the agreement with the UAE. Once approved, the DOF will negotiate the terms and conditions with the UAE, alongside other concerned government agencies. The project aims to reduce plastic and organic waste flowing into the Pasig River system over five years by 25 percent. The project would cover five key areas of intervention, including waste recovery and interception, household waste segregation and collection, capacity-building and support for informal waste collectors, improved waste processing and recovery, and stronger

enforcement against illegal dumping. The 26-kilometer waterway traverses Pasig City, Makati City, Mandaluyong City and Manila, and connects Manila Bay to Laguna de Bay. “The proposed grant underscores the Philippines’ continued efforts to mobilize international partnerships and development assistance for environmental rehabilitation initiatives,” the DOF said. Grants are forms of development assistance that do not require repayment and are preferable to loans, which only adds to the government’s debt-servicing costs. “We thank the Government of the United Arab Emirates for extending its hand in partnership with us to rehabilitate one of our country’s vital waterways,” Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go was quoted as saying in the statement. “ The proposed assistance would strengthen waste management efforts and help improve the quality of life of our people,” Go added. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

Korean shipbuilder starts construction of another guided-missile frigate for PHL

OUTH Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has formally started the steel-cutting for the Philippine Navy (PN)’s latest guided-missile frigate at its shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. In a statement, the PN said this event officially marks the commencement of construction for the first of two additional guided-missile frigates that will bolster the Philippines’ archipelagic defense capabilities. “Built by HD HHI, the new 3,200-ton frigate is patterned after the hull design of the Miguel Malvar-class frigates—making it the third ship of its class in the PN fleet. This design consistency ensures seamless fleet interoperability, maintenance effi-

ciency, and streamlined crew training across current and future platforms,” it added. The steel-cutting ceremony is a major shipbuilding milestone that signifies the initial cut of steel and the formal start of production activities. Delivery of the first frigate is scheduled for 2029. “The start of construction for the new PN frigate resonates with the Philippine Navy’s continuing commitment to building a modern and dynamic fleet, expanding strategic partnerships, and enhancing its capabilities to protect the country’s maritime interests and uphold national sovereignty in service of the Filipino people,” the PN said. Rex Anthony Naval

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Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, November 7, 2026 A5

Global access to Alzheimer’s breakthroughs

By Jona C. Redondo

OR more than a century after Alois Alzheimer first described the disease that bears his name, Alzheimer’s stood as a symbol of medical helplessness. Diagnosis was difficult and often late; effective treatments simply did not exist. Families watched loved ones fade. Bill Gates has written and spoken about this personal reality many times, recalling his father’s decline and death in 2020. In recent years, however, the science has shifted dramatically. In his latest Gates Notes reflections—shared around late October 2026 after conversations with Alzheimer’s experts—Gates argues that the field has entered a new phase: tools finally exist to diagnose and modestly slow the disease, yet the systems needed to deliver them to patients have not kept pace. The advances are real and significant. Simple blood tests can now detect biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s pathology—changes once confirmed only through expensive PET scans or invasive spinal taps. Several such tests have received regulatory clearance, with additional approvals in 2025 and 2026. These tests make screening far more practical and are accelerating enrollment in clinical trials by allowing researchers to identify suitable participants more efficiently. On the treatment side, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved antibody therapies that target amyloid plaques and modestly slow cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s. One of the newer developments is a subcutaneous, at-home injectable formulation (approved around

mid-2026), which reduces the need for repeated clinic visits for infusions—an important practical improvement for older adults with mobility limitations. Gates emphasizes that these tools represent the best news the field has seen. Early intervention appears especially promising; preliminary data suggest the therapies may be more impactful when started sooner. Research continues on next-generation approaches, including those targeting tau protein and preventive strategies that combine lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, social engagement) with possible pharmacological intervention before symptoms appear. Artificial intelligence is also speeding analysis of complex biological data. Yet Gates and the experts he convened stress a clear problem: scientific progress is outrunning the delivery infrastructure. Many patients who could benefit are not yet seeing the advantages.

Why many are not getting tested or treated

ADOPTION has been slower than the science might suggest. Several interlocking reasons explain why people are not availing themselves of tests or moving quickly into treatment. Awareness remains incomplete. Many primary-care physicians and patients simply do not know that

reliable blood tests and diseasemodifying therapies are available. Cognitive concerns are often dismissed as “normal aging,” so conversations about testing are delayed or never started. Fear and stigma play powerful roles: some people prefer not to know a diagnosis when effective options once seemed nonexistent, or they worry about the emotional burden, insurance implications, or impact on family. Studies have shown notable percentages of research participants declining to learn their own biomarker results for these reasons. Cost sensitivity also matters; willingness to test drops sharply when out-of-pocket expenses rise. Specialist shortages create long

I’ve come across: PHILIPP PINES (a police major) DRINK WATER RIVERA (an actual news-reported name), MARY CHRISTMAS AGUINALDO. The fault is not in our stars, but in unthinking parents who treat everything as a joke. Consider BOBO and BOBA BAUTISTA (fraternal twins), and ALMORANAS ALVAREZ (nickname ELMO for hemorrhoids). What were their parents thinking? Didn’t they foresee that their kids would be the endless butt of jokes all their lives? There used to be a trend of combining parents’ names as in Arnor (Armando + Norma) or Elmar (Elena + Mario), well you get the drift. Which is a variation on the past practice of combining names of saints or religious icons. Remember Jejomar or Josemari? Why not MelGasBal (Melchor, Gaspar, Baltazar) as historian Ambeth Ocampo suggested in a column. Thank God, this horrible fad seems to have faded out. Like our genes, offsprings have no choice as to naming. Take it ...or change it. Which is what one individual actually did when he had his given surname “PAUTIN” to more respectable “PAULIN.” I would have done the same. How about surnames like “POQUIZ,” “REGLA,” “PANTI, “TAPAYOYONG,” “BACUYCOY” or similar

Broader barriers to equitable access

BEYOND individual awareness and logistics, structural obstacles keep treatments from reaching everyone. Workforce shortages are acute: cognitive specialists are scarce relative to demand, and primary-care clinicians often lack time, training, or confidence to manage the diagnostic and referral pathway. Geographic concentration of expertise in urban academic centers disadvantages rural and underserved communities. Insurance and reimbursement poli-

low. Disease-modifying therapies remain largely unavailable or prohibitively expensive for health systems and families that rely heavily on out-of-pocket payments. National formularies may not include newer agents, supply chains are fragile, and health priorities often focus on infectious disease, maternal-child health, and more immediately lethal conditions. Cultural attributions of cognitive decline to normal aging or supernatural causes delay care-seeking. Informal family caregiving predominates with little structured support, training, or respite. Clinical-trial participation from these regions has historically been minimal, so evidence and product development

ILLUSTRATION concept inspired by The Gates Notes essay on overcoming barriers to Alzheimer’s testing and treatment. AI-GENERATED ILLUSTRATION VIA GOOGLE GEMINI

waits—often months—for memory-clinic appointments after a positive blood test or referral, eroding the window in which early treatment is most useful. Regulatory and coverage gaps compound the issue: blood tests are not uniformly covered outside (or even fully within) the United States, screening of cognitively healthy people is often excluded, and the newer injectable formulations can carry higher patient costs than infusions. Infusion regimens themselves are burdensome—frequent clinic visits over many months—plus the need for monitoring MRIs because of rare but serious side effects. Finally, clinical trials still struggle to recruit diverse participants, limiting understanding of how well

Names and consequences

ONCE encountered a name that was almost unpronounceable but unforgettable because it has stayed clearly in my mind. LLEWELLYN L. LLANILLO (I wish him well wherever he may be now). My initial thought then was that his parents probably had a great sense of humor or they thought they were being clever or smart. I can imagine the fellow’s problem with government clerks and airport staff because of that given name. Say that again? How do you spell it? Please say it letter by letter. Today’s new Filipino parents must have fun inventing names, adding twists to old names, creating new combinations. One common trend is adding “H” to popular names as in RHOY, BHEA, JHOEL and so on. As if that were not silly enough, some parents would even add K and Z for good measure such as KHRISTOPHER, KHRYSTAL, and ZOHRAN, ALEKZHA, XHAVIER, and so on. Of course, nothing beats the name “X” that Elon Musk gave to his latest offspring, a reflection of his hubris that he can do nothing wrong because of his current wealth and power. Just to illustrate the ever-playful nature of Filipinos when it comes to the nomenclature of their progeny, here are some of the interesting ones

treatments work across populations. These barriers operate even in high-resource settings. In lower-resource environments they multiply.

embarrassing family names that invite muffled laughter or ridicule. I know what it feels like because I had gone through the experience. My classmates or play mates in primary grade used to tease me and my siblings because our family name sounded like “bayag,” which is native term for “scrotum” or “balls.” I learned to live with it and even turned it around by saying “At least I have balls, what about you?” Then later, I found the etymological origin of my surname, which means “to build or to erect” in our dialect, which suggests that my forefathers were “builders” or involved in construction. I began to take pride in it and the fact that our clan was allowed to retain it in spite of Governor Claveria’s decree of 1849, which required the natives to adopt Spanish surnames such as

Cruz, Santos, or Reyes. It is said that your name is your fate in life. There is a term for it: “Nominative determinism.” The belief that our names are intertwined with our destinies goes at least as far back as the book of Genesis in the Bible, when Abram saw his name changed to Abraham, which means “father of multitudes” in Hebrew. There are given names that are self-fulfilling prophecies. They are categorized under aptonym, which

cies create uneven access; high drug prices, infusion logistics, and monitoring requirements add friction even where coverage exists. Historical distrust of medical research in some communities, language and cultural barriers, and exclusionary trial criteria further reduce participation and relevance of data for underrepresented groups. In low- and middle-income countries (often still referred to as the “third world” or developing world), the challenges are steeper still. Diagnostic capacity is limited; advanced imaging, CSF analysis, and even reliable blood-biomarker testing infrastructure are scarce or concentrated in a few urban centers. Specialist densities are extremely

have been shaped primarily by highincome populations. Gates draws an explicit parallel to global health work on vaccines and other tools: innovation alone is insufficient without deliberate efforts to close delivery gaps. He notes that the Alzheimer’s field now faces a version of that familiar challenge and is exploring ways to convene partners to address system barriers.

refers to a name peculiarly suited to its owner. As examples, consider USAIN BOLT (a the world famous sprinter), JOHN LAWS (a judge), SARA BLIZZARD (a meteorologist), ANNA SMASHNOVA (tennis player). There are indeed people who went on to live up to their given names. There’s DRA. GAMUTAN, GENERAL CATAPANG who served in the army, a pastor named EDDIE LANGIT, BATAS MAURICIO, a once known dispenser of legal tips on TV, Judge PATAWARAN, and a family of vegetable farmers named PAGULAYAN. Our former accountant named SHIRLEY MARAMOT, who really was stingy with the purse. I remember a quiet seminarian named NOLI MABABANG LOOB (I wish him well). True to his surname, he was deferential, considerate, kind, and docile. But what if the name is the opposite to the personality of the owner? Then it’s called an inaptonym. Examples are JAIME CARDINAL SIN, ROY DIMACULANGAN, a generous benefactor. One comically ironic name is DAGUL. We once had a receptionist named JULIET BANGIT (who was appealing in person). Parents should take a more circumspect and judicious view in naming their children. Let’s refrain from making decisions for foolish, impulsive or mischievous reasons. I know a woman who is named Khrisna. When in fact that is the name of a male Hindu God. Naming your child is not a game of cleverness. Once it’s recorded on the registry, it stays for your child’s lifetime, like a tattoo or brand. Good or bad, names have long-lasting and unforeseen effects. As a parent, while of course you want a name that is appealing and distinctive, think ahead so it would not be a burden or a source of embarrassment for your child in

school and work, in organizations, government bureaucracies in the long term. Rule of thumb: the easier it is to spell, the better. Believe me, a wrong spelling can be a red tape nightmare for your child later in his life. Talk of

Will these treatments reach people in low-income countries?

COMPLETE parity is unlikely in the near term, but eventual reach is plausible—and necessary—if deliberate, sustained action follows the historical pattern seen with other medical advances. Life expectancy is rising nearly everywhere; the global bur-

unintended consequences. My good friend ERWYN still keeps encountering problem with his name because his late dad decided to change I to Y just for the sake of making it different. As I was reflecting on the various trends in the Pinoy name game, I suddenly recalled that our ancestors had names like Lakandula, Magat Salamat, Lakanlili. These names not only sound rhythmic. I think they are also more meaningful as far as our culture is concerned. My own predilection is for native sounding names like Bayani, Lualhati, Liwayway, or Magiting, Magilas, or Diwata, and Langit, Bughaw, and other Malayan-rooted names. These were the names of our pre-Spanish ancestors. They distinguish us for one thing and they carry meanings that

den of dementia is projected to grow fastest in low- and middle-income countries. Leaving large populations without access would be both inequitable and economically costly. Realistic pathways exist. Bloodbased tests are far more scalable than PET or CSF methods and could become feasible as costs fall and laboratory capacity expands. Simpler administration routes (home injectables) reduce dependence on specialized infusion centers. Prevention-oriented strategies that emphasize lifestyle risk reduction are inherently lower-cost and can be integrated into primary care and community programs. Over time, competition, manufacturing scale-up, tiered pricing, voluntary licensing, and potential inclusion in global health financing mechanisms (as occurred with HIV therapies, vaccines, and some cancer drugs) can bring prices down. Task-shifting to trained nonspecialists, digital tools for screening and support, and investment in primary-care strengthening can expand reach without requiring highincome-country specialist density everywhere. International research collaborations that include diverse populations will improve relevance and political will. Gates remains optimistic that science will continue to deliver better tools, including more effective and safer therapies and true prevention options. The decisive question is whether health systems, governments, industry, philanthropies, and civil society will invest with comparable urgency in the delivery infrastructure—awareness campaigns, workforce training, coverage policies, supply chains, and equityfocused research. Without that parallel effort, the golden age of Alzheimer’s research risks becoming a golden age primarily for those already closest to advanced medical centers. Ensuring the tools reach everyone who needs them is, as Gates frames it, the next big frontier.

have inherent native significance. Why not Biyaya, Langit, Ulan, Dampi, Mayumi, Dangal, Buan, Bundok, Tilamsik, Gilas, Dagitab, Mulatil. May the day come when such names would become cool again. Such names would reconnect us to that original cultural layer that is part of our DNA. It will help regain our sense of racial and cultural pride. These names will enable us to reconnect again with that primal or primeval layer in our cultural DNA that should help nourish our roots and help us grow a sense of national pride in our cultural identity. Such names will also help us value what our names signify. A name like mulatil, binhi, bughaw, bituin will hopefully elicit in the persons bearing those names a sense of reverence and respect for the elements or forces of nature. In her Business World article, Liberty I. Nolasco of De La Salle University makes a convincing case about how we are defined by our language. Language, she writes, has its own structure that conveys the ideals of a culture or race. It reflects, she continues, for the most part a person’s consciousness and can predispose a person to behave in a certain way. That’s why language is an important part of our cultural development as a person. Promoting a foreign language, such as adopting foreign sounding names like William, Paolo, Ethan, Bryan, Jason, Liam, Joshua, Nicole, or Margaux can pave the way for cultural alienation, worsen our lack of national identification of people, and nurture a half-baked Filipino. If this is so, maybe today’s young Filipino parents should give more thought to the names they choose for their future children. For the name you give them will not only define them, they will also define our identity as a race and as a people.

Saturday, November 7, 2026 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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➊ TOWNSHIP

developer Megaworld climbs to #22 from #90 last year PHOTOS

FROM GREAT PLACE TO WORK

➋ BALIBAGO

Waterworks began in 1958 as a local water provider in Pampanga

➊

➋

IT and tech-related companies make it to Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia list GOLDEN Arches Development Corp. operated McDonald’s in the Philippines

NUMBER of IT and technology-related companies in the Philippines were recognized on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia 2026 list, led by Cisco at #4 and Synchrony at #41. Other companies such as Arcanys, D&V Philippines, and Atlassian also secured placements alongside specialized tech and IT-BPM companies. Global technology and IT-related companies with a Fortune 100 global standing that are recognized as Great Places to Work in the Philippines (via the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia and Great Place to Work rankings) include Cisco (ranked #4 global tech/networking leader) and Arcanys (ranked #34 software development and IT outsourcing). The others are Synchrony (ranked #41 financial services/tech), D&V Philippines (ranked #56 cloud accounting and tech-enabled outsourcing),Outsourced Quality Assured Services (ranked #66 IT and business outsourcing), GoTeam (ranked #83 remote staffing and tech-driven operations), Outposter (ranked #94 digital services/ tech), Connext (ranked #95 cloud-enabled outsourcing and solutions), and Atlassian (ranked #100 global software and collaboration tech). The Philippines has more companies on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For Southeast Asia 2026 list than any other country, with 54 organizations certified in the Philippines named in the rankings released on November 3 by Fortune and Great Place To Work. Golden Arches Development Corp. is at #7, and Balibago Waterworks System (#19) and Megaworld

Corp. (#22) follow inside the top 25. Now in its second year, the Southeast Asia list builds on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, which has drawn on Great Place To Work’s workplace research in the US since 1998. The 2026 Southeast Asia ranking is based on confidential survey responses from over 1 million (1,322,537) employees across 10 countries. Golden Arches opened the country’s first McDonald’s on Morayta Street in Manila in 1981. It now has around 800 restaurants nationwide. Balibago Waterworks began in 1958 as a local water provider in Angeles City, Pampanga. It now holds more than 90 municipal franchises across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. Megaworld, the township developer behind landmark communities such as Eastwood City, Uptown Bonifacio, and McKinley Hill, climbs to #22 from #90 last year. “Global companies have long come to the Philippines for its people, but this year’s Fortune list illustrates what happens when employers invest in building high-performance workplace cultures,” said Charles Plumley, general manager, Great Place To Work Philippines. In addition, Great Place To Work ASEAN & ANZ announced earlier this year the Best Workplaces in the Philippines Information Technology and Business

PS5 GETS A TRANSPARENT APPEARANCE IN NEW PRISM COLLECTION BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA WHAT if your PS5 accessories looked transparent? That’s what the designers at Sony explored for their upcoming Prism Collection, featuring fresh designs for their DualSense wireless controllers and PS5 console covers. In their latest blog update, Sony’s PlayStation revealed that the Prism Collection was

inspired by their design team’s “interest to bring a transparent appearance to PS5.” They also wanted to share to players an insight on how their designers take on its design and craftsmanship. This new collection features three designs: Flare Orange, Emerald Green, and Graphite Gray, all of which are finished with a glossy sheen for a premium look. The Flare Orange design brings a bold aesthetic to the PS5 accessory, giving a more vibrant look to the console. Meanwhile, Emerald Green looks something out of the cyber world. The Graphite Gray, on the other hand, makes it look cool with a darker undertone. Leo Cardoso, one of the designers of the Prism Collection, shared that they wanted to bring back the transparent look of controllers for fans of the console. “We know how much our fans have been looking

SEE “PS5,” A7

Process Management (IT-BPM) Industry for 2026. This year, for the first time, the list introduced size-based categories, giving recognition that more accurately reflects the people challenges facing organizations at different scales of operation. Determined largely by confidential employee feedback, the 2026 list recognizes 30 organizations across Large, Medium and Small categories that have shown exceptional workplace culture and delivered a consistently high-trust employee experience. The Best Workplaces recognized in the Philippines IT-BPM list for 2026 significantly outperform the broader market on key indicators. About 91 percent of employees at recognized organizations say they would strongly endorse their company to friends and family as a great place to work, compared to 69 percent at typical Philippine companies. An estimated 88 percent say people in their workplace are willing to give extra to get the job done, compared to 75.6 percent at typical Philippine companies. About 90.2 percent say people quickly adapt to changes needed for organizational success, compared to 72.2 percent at typical companies. “The Philippine tech industry is at a real turning point. AI is changing the nature of work, and global competition is raising expectations. Nearly two million Filipinos are navigating that shift every day,” said Plumley. The list ranks Great Place To Work Certified companies with at least 200 employees across Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Rankings follow Great Place To Work’s For All Methodology. Employees respond confidentially to 60 statements and two open-ended questions, and a company ranks highly only when that positive experience is shared across roles, levels and demographic groups. The ranking also takes into account regional headcount and the number of countries in which a company is certified and surveyed. Companies that do not make the list are never named. “Twenty-seven companies on the list are certified only in the Philippines, putting Filipino teams at the heart of their recognition. Golden Arches’ debut at No. 7 brings that story to the frontline, where scaling a strong culture across restaurant teams is critical to delivering a consistent customer experience and business results. Building great workplaces helps businesses compete on quality and productivity while creating more rewarding careers for Filipinos,” said Plumley.

AIM URGED TO PREPARE BUSINESS LEADERS FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING, CYBERSECURITY RISKS BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES THE Asian Institute of Management (AIM) should take a proactive role in preparing Filipino business leaders for the emerging quantum computing era, equipping executives with the knowledge to understand its economic opportunities and cybersecurity implications, according to two experts in quantum education and technology. In a recent interview with reporters, Ramesh Nagarajan, head of quantum education at Australiabased education company Eigensystems; and AIM prof. Francisco Ashley Asedillo said universities and business schools have an important role to play in developing the talent and institutional capabilities needed to participate in the rapidly evolving quantum technology ecosystem. They stressed that quantum computing should not be treated solely as a specialized field for physicists, mathematicians and computer scientists. Business executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs and other professionals must also understand the technology because of its potential to transform industries and fundamentally change the way organizations protect information. For AIM, this presents an opportunity to incorporate quantum computing into its executive education programs and help prepare business leaders to make informed strategic decisions about the technology. “We are in the business of educating future talent, future pipeline. If we don’t educate future business leaders on quantum, then probably the Philippines is going to lose out on those talents to a foreign country because they will see where the opportunities are and go to those places,” Nagarajan said. He emphasized that the Philippines should develop its quantum talent pool while simultaneously encouraging industries to explore applications of the technology. According to Nagarajan, quantum computing represents a new generation of computing technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics, particularly superposition and interference, to solve certain computational problems differently from conventional computers. Unlike classical computers, which process information using bits represented by either zero or one, quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in a combination of states. Although quantum computers are still developing, Nagarajan said their potential applications include personalized medicine through genomics, materials discovery, pharmaceutical research, supply chain optimization, and transportation network management. However, he cautioned that the industry has yet to demonstrate a consistent, practical quantum advantage over classical computing systems in commercially relevant applications. Today’s machines belong largely to what the industry calls the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era. These systems remain susceptible to errors caused by environmental disturbances, making it difficult to obtain reliable results for complex computations. He noted that technology companies are working to improve error correction and the reliability of quantum processors, with major players such as Google and IBM making continuing advances. Beyond the commercial opportunities, experts emphasized that quantum computing could have profound implications for cybersecurity, particularly because sufficiently powerful quantum computers could eventually compromise widely used encryption systems.

SEE “CYBERSECURITY,” A7

www.businessmirror.com.ph • businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com

BusinessMirror

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Saturday, November 7, 2026

LG just launched its new AI TVs and all I could think of was GTA VI

E’VE agonized through three presidential administrations, survived endless lockdowns and the face-shield era of a global pandemic, watched a “flying car” demo, seen our favorite meme stars grow old, and lived through two of Coco Martin’s “endlessnobelas.” And we’re still waiting for Grand Theft Auto VI. It’s been 13 long years and two console generations since GTA V. In a few weeks, that wait should finally be over. Fingers crossed. And if your TV has been with you for most of those years, maybe it’s due for an upgrade too. Well, that’s what crossed my mind as I sat down in the gaming area at LG’s recent TV launch. Tekken was on the screen, but all I could think about was how much fun it would be to tear through Vice City with Lucia Caminos and Jason Duval, with the cops on our tail and one stubborn wanted star that just won’t go away. Now imagine playing GTA VI at home on a big LG OLED evo AI screen with an LG soundbar, pausing only for bathroom breaks or when the food delivery rider calls. Now, isn’t that reason enough to file for those unused leave days? LG Philippines aptly chose the Ayala Museum in Makati for its “A Canvas of Possibilities” media launch on October 30. Guests could play on a PS5, watch movies in the cinema exhibit, then head to the gallery, where LG displayed digital art on its latest TV screens.

FROM GALLERY TO GAMING LOUNGE

OF course we visited the Ultimate Gaming lounge

PS5... CONTINUED FROM A6 forward to the return of transparent controllers,” he shared. “We wanted to bring back the iconic seethrough trend of the late 1990s in a fresh, modern way that complements the PS5’s industrial design,” Cardoso added. Designer Satoshi Aoyagi, meanwhile, shared that the colors fully complement the aesthetic they aim for: making the gaming console and accessory look more futuristic. “To complement the futuristic aesthetic, we carefully selected three distinct colors: a vibrant orange that subtly takes on a rosy hue where the transparent material overlaps; a deep hunter green that gains depth through its transparency; and a cooltoned storm gray.” The Prism Collection DualSense wireless controllers and PS5 console covers will be available for ₱5,699 and ₱5,099, respectively. It is expected to be released on February 4, 2027, but its actual launch date may vary per region.

first. I’ve been using an LG TV for the past couple of years, but this was my first time seeing the new LG OLED evo AI in person. The LG OLED evo AI was the centerpiece of the gaming area. Tekken was a sensible choice since it’s such an easy game to pick up and play. As the two fighters trade blows, you have something specific to look at. Can you follow a quick exchange? When you press a button, does the action feel responsive? A few rounds with a controller will tell you more about how much you enjoy playing on a TV than watching somebody else play on it. The LG OLED evo AI C6 is the one I’d start with for that kind of setup. It comes in sizes from 42 to 83 inches, which cover two quite different ideas of where a gaming TV belongs. A 42-inch screen can work in a bedroom or a dedicated setup where you sit fairly close. An 83-inch set is a family decision, especially if the family had other plans for that wall. These new TVs feature variable refresh rate that lets it adjust how often it updates the picture to match a compatible gaming device. That helps keep movement smooth when the game’s frame rate changes. A compatible console can also switch the set into its low-delay gaming mode automatically. LG puts the controls together in Game Optimizer, handy if the same television has to go from an afternoon of games to a family movie that evening. As for what makes OLED a good choice, it’s because each pixel produces its own light and can switch off independently. Think of white subtitles at the bottom of a dark movie scene. The pixels that form the letters light up while the ones immediately around them can stay black. That’s also the appeal of OLED for the drive I was imagining. A neon sign can shine above a Vice City storefront without lighting up the night sky around it.

THE LG GALLERY+ EXHIBIT

OF the three installations, the digital art showcase made the best use of the Ayala Museum. LG displayed artwork on its OLED evo AI, QNED evo AI and Micro RGB evo AI televisions through Gallery+. All three could serve as a canvas, whether the screen used selflit pixels or a backlight. It raises a practical question that tends to come up after the new TV arrives. What do you want on the wall when nobody’s watching? A large black rectangle can dominate a living room, particularly if you’ve moved up several screen sizes. Gallery+ lets you put artwork there instead. The service includes paintings, nature scenes and digital images, and you can play music alongside the artwork. On supported TVs, you open Gallery+ from the home screen and sign in to your LG account. Some content is free, while a subscription opens up a wider selection. It was also a good setting to appreciate why LG makes more than one premium OLED design. The W6 is the Wallpaper model, with a slim profile meant for mounting on the wall. The G6 is designed for a flush fit and also helps reduce reflections. That last feature has an audience well beyond art lovers. If you’ve ever watched an afternoon movie with a window opposite the sofa, you’ll know how often your own living room can make an appearance on screen.

ENJOYING TRUE CINEMA NIGHTS

THE True Cinema exhibit brought the three TV lines together around something most of us already enjoy. You can tell quite a bit about a screen from a movie

you know well. Maybe there’s a night scene where you’ve always had trouble making out a face, or a concert film where the camera pulls back and the singer almost disappears against the stage lights. That concert is a good way to understand the LG QNED evo AI Mini LED. It’s an LCD television that uses small LEDs behind the panel to light the picture. The backlight is divided into zones. In our concert example, the TV can raise the light in the area behind the performer while dimming the sections over the audience. OLED controls light down to the individual pixel. On these QNED sets, a zone covers a group of pixels. QNED also accounts for some of the biggest screens in the lineup. The QNED86 includes a 100-inch option, while the QNED90 reaches 115 inches. The level of dimming control depends on the model and size, so two sets carrying the QNED name can differ in more ways than how much space they take up on the wall. The LG Micro RGB evo AI is also an LCD television. What distinguishes it from the others is the way it produces color. Its backlight uses separate red, green and blue light sources that can be controlled independently. LG also brought over a processor from its OLED range to help manage the picture on that much larger screen. LG is also bringing its most powerful Alpha 11 processor from its OLED lineup into micro RGB, ensuring exceptional clarity and depth in every scene. The processor also handles upscaling, which comes into play when the original video has fewer pixels than the 4K screen. If you still watch films or shows that were made in HD, the TV has to build a picture that fills the larger display. LG uses its processing to sharpen edges and bring out textures. On a screen this big, the quality of the original recording can be just as apparent as the work the processor does to improve it. LG describes the set’s color capability as “Triple Crown 100 percent Color Coverage.” The 100-inch model earned certification for covering the full range of three-color standards used in video, cinema and imaging. What you actually see still depends on the material being played. A well-shot 4K movie gives the television more detail to work with than an old concert clip, particularly when you’re stretching the picture across 100 inches. “What makes today’s television experience exciting is how picture quality and intelligent technology can work together to make entertainment feel more personal. Through this launch, we wanted guests to see these innovations for themselves and

imagine how they could bring the same experiences into their own homes,” said Yongwoo Park, media solutions product director at LG Electronics Philippines, in the launch statement. Back on the sofa, the AI feature I suspect I’d use most often is also one of the simplest. The AI Magic Remote accepts voice commands and works as an on-screen pointer. Anybody who has tried entering a movie title with the arrow keys knows the frustration of working your way across an on-screen keyboard, only to overshoot the letter you need. Being able to say the title sounds especially good by the time you get to the second word. Another cool thing I discovered is that by installing LG’s ThinQ app, you can actually use your phone as your remote. That includes changing the channel and adjusting the volume. On supported models, Voice ID can recognize who’s speaking and tailor recommendations to that viewer. AI Concierge can also help find something to watch, useful in a household where everyone shares a screen but rarely agrees on a movie. For now, I’ll take my first drive through Vice City on the LG TV I already own. In our Christmas TV guide, we’ll compare the latest models, their standout features, prices and holiday promos to help you decide the right upgrade for you.

Cybersecurity... CONTINUED FROM A6 Asedillo said this is a critical concern for business executives because cryptography underpins the security of banking transactions, electronic communications, healthcare records and other sensitive information. He explained that AIM does not expect executives attending its programs to become highly technical specialists. Instead, the objective is to develop enough technological understanding among senior managers so they can influence corporate management teams and boards in making informed cybersecurity investments. “We are teaching executives and managers to make cybersecurity decisions. We don’t ask them to get into the weeds and be the most technical guy in the room. We want them to have enough fluency to influence management and the board to make informed and educated decisions,” Asedillo said.

FROM left: Actor/ host Juancho Triviño, actress Janine Gutierrez, Anthony Constantino, marketing communications senior manager for TV; Natasha Morano, product manager for TV of LG Electronics Philippines; Yongwoo Park, product director for media solutions of LG Electronics Philippines; Nakhyun Seong, managing director of LG Electronics Philippines; actor Alden Richards, and host Joyce PringTriviño.

A8 Saturday, November 7, 2026

Education BusinessMirror

Editor: Mike Policarpio

AI adoption PBBM orders tighter school security & Survey: should parallel actual student violence risks’ early detection education practice

RESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to boost school security and improve early detection of behavioral warning signs among students to prevent violence and ensure schoolchildren’s safety nationwide.

In a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro relayed the President’s directive that psychologists or psychiatrists train teachers to recognize these signs. Castro said the Chief Executive wants teachers and other school personnel to receive appropriate training from psy-

chologists and psychiatrists to help them recognize early warning signs of behavioral problems among students. She also relayed Marcos Jr.’s instructions for closer coordination among teachers, parents, barangay officials, and social workers to strengthen efforts to prevent school violence. She said barangay officials and barangay tanods should also be mobilized

to strengthen security around schools, particularly through increased visibility and monitoring in surrounding areas. The directive came following reports of separate incidents involving minors, including a 12-year-old student who was allegedly found carrying a firearm near an elementary school in Misamis Oriental on October 22, and a 13-yearold student who allegedly stabbed an 11-year-old schoolmate in Davao City on October 24. Castro said the Department of Education (DepEd) has proposed a P500million allocation in the 2027 national budget to strengthen school security and safety measures, including personnel, facilities, and programs to protect learners. She added that 45,994 learner formation officers are assigned to schools nationwide, with 36,713 schools having designated personnel responsible for

values formation, discipline management, learner engagement, and early intervention for students experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is stepping up efforts to educate parents and teachers, through its social workers, on identifying behavioral changes and signs of emotional distress among children. These interventions also focus on helping parents recognize potential warning signs among children who spend extended periods alone or engage in potentially harmful online activities. According to Castro, the DepEd and DSWD have numerous interventions, in line with the President’s orders, to provide teachers and teaching personnel with the knowledge they need to better guide their students. PCO, PND

What embracing deaf literacy can teach us about reading the world By Marian Patricia Bea U. Francisco

AN you see me? In a Deaf classroom, whenever someone wants to say something, they first ask this question. In that moment, all eyes turn to the person, ensuring they are fully seen and listened to. Asking our education system the same question offers a profound lesson: Can we see them? Often, literacy is confined to a traditional, print-centric definition: reading, writing, speaking, and comprehending print-based text. Yet literacy is a sociocultural practice that encompasses a learner’s complete background and identity. Embracing deaf literacy provides a compass for inclusive education. Deaf literacy goes beyond simply translating printed text into sign language: It is a rich, multidimensional framework redefining our view of learning in a diverse world. Consider Deaf poetry: It is not merely printed text translated into sign language, but a visual work of art created by Deaf individuals that ref lects their identity, culture, and experience. By weaving together the parameters of sign language, performers achieve visual mastery of Deaf poetry. A Deaf colleague, Michael Vea, has been doing incredible work on Filipino Deaf signed literature and has advocated for it in academia.

DLS-CSB School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies volunteers

Likewise, Deaf Performing Arts serves as a vibrant form of Deaf literacy. This art form allows the Deaf artist to express themselves onstage through sign language, visual vernacular, body movement, and expression. While hearing artists frequently create signed songs that trend on social media, authentic Deaf performing arts are choreographed and performed by Deaf individuals as a direct expression of their culture. My Deaf colleague Myra Medrana exemplifies this through her remarkable work in dance choreography,

theater arts, and performance. In 2015, our De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) Volunteers created a project: “Mga Kwento ng Aming mga Kamay.” They conducted a Deaf literacy caravan in various public schools and communities. Through this project, the Deaf College students shared Deaf literacy practices with young Deaf children and empowered the community. Recognizing the uniqueness of Deaf literacy reminds us that learners come

from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and abilities. No one-size-fits-all model exists in education. While fitting a square peg into a round hole is often viewed as impossible, in woodworking, it is a tested technique to ensure a peg is securely anchored. The key is measuring the round hole’s diameter to fit the square peg, just as we must ensure the education system accommodates our Deaf learners. Embracing how Deaf learners experience literacy, we recognize and celebrate the unique identities and diversity in our classrooms. This empowers teachers to unlock deeper and inclusive learning for every student, while transforming how they read the world. Ultimately, literacy is more than just decoding printed text; it is reading the world around us. When we value Deaf literacy, we can finally answer the question, “Can you see me?” with a resounding: “Yes, we see you!” The author is a professor and the dean of DLS-CSB’s SDEAS. She earned her doctorate in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. She also holds a Master’s degree in Reading Education from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. With more than a decade of experience, her work centers on Deaf literacy, inclusion, and multiliteracies. Her teaching background spans early intervention through tertiary levels, specializing in Deaf education.

EastWest Rural Bank backs teachers’ well-being with year-round support

EACHERS play an indispensable role in shaping future generations, empowering communities, and driving national progress. Recognizing the impact educators make every day, EastWest Rural Bank (EWRB) continues to deepen its support for Filipino teachers through year-round programs focused on health, wellness, financial empowerment, and professional well-being. EW R B reinforced this commitment through its partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) during the month-long celebration of National Teachers’ Month (NTM), culminating in the recent National Teachers’ Day gathering attended by thousands of educators from across the country. As one of DepEd’s long-standing partners, the bank participated in key NTM activities, creating memorable experiences that celebrated and recognized educators’ contributions to nation-building. During the culminating event, teachers enjoyed special activities, raffle opportunities, and surprise rewards, including cash prizes as a gesture of appreciation for their dedication and service. “Teachers bring life to dreams and help shape [our nation’s future]. Through every lesson, every act of guidance, and every sacrifice, they inspire young lives and create brighter futures,” said EWRB President Sheila Marasigan-Bajado. “With our part-

nership with DepEd, we hope to give back to educators in meaningful ways. Beyond the celebrations, we remain committed to helping teachers thrive through programs that support their health, financial wellness, and overall well-being.” The NTM was only one part of EWRB’s broader advocacy for educators. Earlier celebrations in Cagayan de Oro and Tacloban brought together thousands of teachers through engaging activities, including wellness-focused Zumba sessions under the bank’s Magenta Moves program, as well as raffle draws that awarded brand-new motorcycles and cash prizes. For EWRB, supporting teachers extends well beyond the NTM. The bank works closely with DepEd on grassroots programs that promote teacher wellness, financial literacy, learner protection, and school readiness, reflecting its belief that empowering educators improves outcomes for learners and communities. Most recently, the bank donated school supplies to Flaviano T. Deocampo Sr. Elementary School in Koronadal City to help address the school’s daily instructional and administrative printing requirements. EWRB has also donated 100 metal detectors to DepEd Region 11 to support the department’s nationwide school safety and security measures, helping create safer learn-

S nationwide adoption gains traction among educational institutions, there is a huge need to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into the system. “AI adoption is already underway, but institutionalization has yet to catch up,” explained Instructure Managing Director (Asia Pacific) Darren Read in a recent interview with reporters. “Encouragement isn't the same as structure, clarity, and guidance. If AI isn't connected to a coherent learning strategy, both learners and educators will be left floundering, creating a clear divide between supported and unsupported learners.” Read noted that an educator’s lack of visibility into whether AI benefits are reaching students equitably is exacerbating the problem, rating their institution’s resource tracking at a low 2.74 out of 5. For The Fourth Wall’s Research Director John Brylle L. Bae, equity is not only an access problem: “It is also a measurement problem. Institutions cannot meaningfully address an AI divide if they cannot see who has access, who is participating, and who is actually benefiting.” His survey revealed that AI activity in Philippine higher education is moving beyond early exploration. Half, or about 50 percent, of surveyed institutions currently offer AI literacy or digital-skills programs for students, while only 18 percent report still being in the exploration phase without a formal strategy. Institutions are additionally deploying practical tools. These include staff-facing AI systems to support teaching and course design (41 percent), AI tools integrated directly into course delivery (40 percent), and AI-powered tutoring assistants (38 percent).

Seeing, addressing gaps

DESPITE this momentum, institutional readiness lags behind tool deployment. Educators rated confidence in their institution having a clear AI strategy within lifelong-learning pathways at 3.08 out of 5, while confidence in faculty and staff training fell to 2.87 out of 5. Overall, 43 percent of respondents mentioned limited access to devices or paid tools as a primary barrier, while 38 percent highlighted a lack of formal training and guidance. While overall readiness levels did not differ significantly across geographical regions, immediate resource constraints varied. Technology and digital infrastructure emerged as the primary bottleneck in Metro Manila (46 percent), whereas funding constraints were more prominent in Metro Cebu (45 percent) and Metro Davao (55 percent). Metro Cebu respondents also highlighted faculty training as a pressing concern (36 percent). To bridge these gaps, the report outlines five core priorities for institutional enablement: expanding physical access to devices and tools; setting clear rules for ethical use; building faculty and learner capability; integrating AI into curricula and lifelong learning pathways; and establishing equity tracking metrics. The urgency to build institutional readiness comes as the Commission on Higher Education, or CHED, issued national guidelines for responsible AI use in higher education. The guidelines require transparency in students’ use of AI and stronger human oversight in consequential areas such as grading, admissions, scholarships, student progression, and faculty evaluation. Against this backdrop, the study’s low readiness scores for faculty training (2.87 out of 5) and equity tracking (2.74 out of 5) suggest many institutions will need dedicated support to put these expectations into practice. The survey findings reflect the perceptions of education practitioners and provide an indicative view of institutional priorities, practices, and readiness, rather than a nationally representative sample of all Philippine education institutions. As for Filipino students, Read said AI could help address gaps in Science, Math, and Reading. From a measurement perspective, he pointed out that “it could be quite dangerous to measure what you’re doing without necessarily understanding why you're doing it, and what you’re trying to achieve.”

Proceeding with caution

EWRB donates teaching supplies to DepEd Koronadal. ing environments for educators and students. The bank also brings Magenta Moves: a wellness program that encourages healthy, active lifestyles among educators. It also conducts annual physical tests for teachers, providing health consultations and mobile medical services to make preventive healthcare more accessible. To help strengthen financial well-being,

EWRB also runs GuroWAIS: a financial literacy program that equips teachers with practical money management skills and supports long-term financial security. To further support educators’ financial goals, the bank offers a Teachers’ Salary Loan specifically designed for teachers, providing access to financing solutions with flexible repayment options and competitive rates.

BEING Asia's second-largest market after Australia, Read said the Philippines—like other Asian countries—is a bit more careful with adoption. “Quite often, they’d like to see what other people are doing, then try and learn from that,” the Instructure official shared. Chief Architecture Zach Pendleton of Instructure sees Filipinos as more “conservative” in handling AI’s popularity. During his last visit, he recalled that 20 customers attended the company's executive roundtable, and AI was again a discussion point. An initial response of a participant was the possible threat of plagiarism and fear. “I think there are some more traditional institutions, and some more traditional educators that are perhaps still a little bit fearful and will naturally be slower to adopt,” Pendleton said. He shared that Instructure is seeing many educators experimenting—but at a very small scale—or just maybe at home, and not planning to roll it out across their institutions. Nevertheless, both said the company sees a real opportunity for local schools to provide better teacher training. At the same time, educators can pass that training on to students and use the tools to improve outcomes. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Saturday, November 7, 2026 A9

PANGLAO, UNHURRIED Discovering the island’s old-world charm

Story & photos by Angelique Cortez

ANGLAO may be best known as Bohol’s premiere island destination for world-class scuba diving and whitesand beaches, but there’s something more to this island other than its shores. Beneath its appeal as a tropical getaway is a rich tapestry of culture, heritage, and natural wonders that are hidden in plain sight. If you need a break from island hopping, take a day to slow down and just embrace Panglao’s laid-back vibe. Beyond the usual beach spots, the island invites you to discover its quieter charms that often goes unnoticed.

Motorbike around Panglao

One of the best ways to explore Panglao is by renting a motorbike, giving you the freedom to tour the island at your own pace. The ride itself is part of the experience, taking you along winding roads lined with lush greenery and rustic ancestral houses. This kind of road trip makes you appreciate the beauty and simplicity of provincial life. For the foodies on a budget, riding around the island is a great way of spotting local eateries. While the town proper has plenty of restaurants to choose from, roadside carinderias offer a taste of local cuisine at more affordable prices. Motorcycle rentals are available near Alona Beach, with scooters costing around P350 per day. For those who can’t drive or prefer not to, you can book a ride through Maxim, a ride-hailing mobile app.

Take a dip in the cool waters of Hinagdanan Cave

SPEAKING of hidden wonders, you can start the day visiting Hinagdanan Cave in Dauis for a morning dip in its underground lagoon. The entrance to this limestone cave features a tight and steep concrete staircase down to the cavern. According to local accounts, the cave was discovered by a farmer in the early 20th century while clearing his land. After noticing a

small hole on the ground, he built a wooden ladder (hagdan) to descend and explore the underground chamber which is said to have inspired the cave’s official name, Hinagdanan. Inside, the cave is naturally lit by sunlight which goes through holes in the ceiling, illuminating the beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations. The underground lagoon’s cool and brackish water offers a refreshing dip, and local residents believe that swimming in it has healing properties. The fee per person costs P50, with an additional P75 for swimming.

Visit century-old, coral-stone churches

STEP back in time by visiting Panglao’s centuries-old churches which are landmarks of the island’s Spanish roots. Also located in Dauis, the Assumption of Our Lady Shrine Parish Church, commonly known as Dauis Church, has stood for more than 300 years. Its interior features ceiling murals, decorative tiles, and religious sculptures. The church’s old-world details may remind fans of the TV series, Maria Clara at Ibarra, of Father Salvi standing in the pulpit delivering an annoying sermon. If you know, you know. The church is also a pilgrimage site, known for its miraculous freshwater well at the foot of the main altar. Despite being built by the sea, the water in the well is not salty. Local legend says the well appeared during the Spanish colonial period when residents, seeking refuge from a pirate attack inside the church, prayed for water to survive until the danger passed. Built from coral stone blocks, Dauis

THE main altar and the wooden pulpit inside the Assumption of Our Lady Shrine Parish Church.

THE author inside the Hinagdanan Cave

ALONA Beach in Panglao, Bohol

Church sustained heavy damage during the 2013 Bohol earthquake but was restored two years later. The same thing happened to century-old Panglao Church, or the St. Augustine Parish Church located in the town proper. Also built from coral stone, the century-old structure was damaged in the same earthquake and later restored. Our visit to Panglao Church was untimely as its doors were closed around noon. But the surrounding grounds were still worth exploring. Highlights include the ruins, the octagonal watchtower, and the antique church bells dating back to the 1800s.

THE Assumption of Our Lady Shrine Parish Church, commonly known as Dauis Church.

ST. Augustine Parish Church, commonly known as Panglao Church.

Unwind, recharge, and feel at home

Of course, what better way to experience an island getaway than with a cozy accommodation that embodies Boholano hospitality? Tucked in a quiet neighborhood in Barangay Looc, the newly opened Galilea Hotel Bohol offers a welcoming retreat for travelers who want to enjoy a meaningful stay shaped by Bohol’s Sandugo spirit. Inspired by the historic Sandugo blood compact of 1565, a symbolic pact of friendship and mutual trust associated with Bohol, the hotel embraces a style of service rooted in genuine connection. Throughout my stay, I felt this warmth in the staff’s thoughtful gestures and friendly conversations. I came

GALILEA Hotel Bohol is a 1.3-hectare hotel property in Panglao, Bohol.

FORMERLY Galilea Gardens Hotel, this educational and retreat center has transformed into a stunning hotel resort managed in partnership with Enderun Hotels.

to Panglao expecting days of lounging by the beach, but the small talks I shared with the people behind Galilea Hotel Bohol led me to discover more of the island than I had anticipated. The hotel also takes pride in honoring Bohol’s cultural identity, seamlessly blending local symbols, heritage-inspired details, and thoughtful design elements that reflect

the island’s distinctive character. Galilea Hotel features 100+ spacious guest rooms, a restaurant, and a large winding pool. The property has also a chapel, a ballroom, and a plenary hall which makes it a perfect venue for weddings, conferences, and social functions. For families and larger groups wanting to explore Bohol, the hotel’s travel desk can

RICH LEGACY

A tour of Malacañang’s Heritage Mansions Story & photos by Benjamin Locsin Layug

GOLDENBERG Mansion

THE lavish interior of Goldenberg Mansion

GLASS House at the Goldenberg Mansion

THE interior of Glass House

THE Road to Malacañang Exhibit at Bahay Ugnayan

THE Presidential Museum at Teus Mansion

HE name “Malacañang,” associated with the palace where the Philippine president resides, is also a name attached to four historic Heritage Mansions inside and near the Malacañang Palace complex that have been beautifully restored and opened as free public museums and cultural spaces. Last May 12, 2023, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. issued Executive Order No. 26 to conserve and protect these three of these mansions (Bahay Ugnayan, the Teus Mansion and the Goldenberg Mansion) as well as other cultural heritage sites around Malacañang Palace. In 2023, these mansions underwent renovation, overseen by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. During the last National Heritage Month, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) invited media to tour these three beautifully restored and repurposed mansions. Presidential Staff Assistant Mr. Ronnie W. Balastigue guided us through the exhibits. Our first stop was the Spanish Colonialperiod Bahay Ugnayan (Tagalog word for “connection” or “relationship”), formerly a compound for priests, was built around the 1800s though not much is known about it. It was donated to the government, by the Madrigal family, shortly before World War II, making it one of the first, if not the first, of the mansions outside the Malacañang complex that came into government possession. For many years, it served as a govern-

TEUS Mansion

ment office, for various agencies under the Office of the President (such as the Presidential Complaint Center and the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center). Reimagined as a dynamic museum, Bahay Ugnayan, has been designated as a “changing” museum, which would showcase the life and accomplishments of the current president, in this case that of the “Road to Malacañang” exhibit of Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.. which houses memorabilia from his childhood to his 2022 campaign. Items in its carefully curated displays and artifacts include the red Ford F-150 pickup he frequently used during the campaign period; copies of the original documents submitted during his electoral protest against former Vice-President Leni Robredo after the 2016 elections, and a piece of barbed wire tied

with a yellow ribbon, a prominent symbol during the People Power Revolution that led to the ouster of the President’s father and namesake in 1986. A short walk away is the stunning, Spanish-era, Neo-Gothic-style Teus Mansion which preserves the legacy of Philippine leadership by displaying rare portraits and historical memorabilia of the nation’s 17 Philippine presidents (that were previously shown in the Kalayaan Hall Presidential Museum and Library). It takes its name from Spanish businessman Valentin Teus Yrissari who, in 1856, acquired a local distillery in Hagonoy, Bulacan, and later merged his operations with Ynchausti y Cia, a company which evolved into the renowned Tanduay Distillers. In 1974, Concepción Teus, the eldest child of Valentin, opted to sell the mansion to First Lady Imelda Marcos who, in 1975, had the Teus Mansion renovated as a guest residence, becoming one of the Marcos mansions. Today, the rooms have been transformed into galleries exhibiting artifacts, personal belongings, clothing, souvenirs, gifts, photographs, and memorabilia of Philippine Presidents, from Emilio Aguinaldo to Rodrigo Duterte. One or two rooms is devoted to each president. Wall text and photographs sustain the main narrative. Memorabilia from government collections and loans or gifts from presidential families include medals and decorations, commemorative coins, and miscellanea like eyeglasses, a golf club, chess pieces, automobile license plates, a buntal hat and a cap, flyers from

THE octagonal oral-stone watchtower.

help arrange tours and tailor itineraries to suit different interests and preferences. I visited Galilea Hotel Bohol as part of a Manila-based media delegation for its softopening celebration. Beyond the sumptuous spread of Boholano dishes, one of the highlights was a cultural show featuring local talents. The performance left me humming Bohol’s tourism song, Balik sa Bohol, whose catchy refrain goes, “Balik sa Bohol, balik. Balik-balik.” The song may have given me LSS (Last Song Syndrome), but what truly lingered was the warmth of the people and the island’s unassuming beauty. Panglao gave me a glimpse of Bohol’s culture, heritage, and everyday charm. And as the song goes, I’ll be coming back to Bohol. Guests can enjoy Galilea Hotel Bohol’s soft opening promo starting at P3,230 for two (2) persons, inclusive of breakfast. The hotel is managed in partnership with Enderun Hotels.

long-ago elections, souvenirs of EDSA I, and sculptures like one of President Ramos’ head puffing on a cigar. The Osmeña Room has a Philippine flag signifying that the Republic was then at war, with the red section above the blue. Barong Tagalog and/or suits of most of the presidents, on mannequins, provide an unintended history of Philippine men’s fashion. The main hall is lined with busts of presidents and there is also a gallery with portraits of First Ladies. Beside the Teus Mansion is the historic, beautifully restored Goldenberg Mansion, a stately 19th-century ancestral home that now serves as a venue for cultural events, art exhibitions, and official receptions. Built in the 1870s by the affluent Eugsters, a Spanish merchant family, it was constructed using indigenous materials such as Philippine hardwood, alongside European materials such as pre-fabricated steel from Belgium, Italian marble, and bricks and tiles from Spain, and showcases window sashes using capiz shells, an arcaded veranda, a paved courtyard, and a splashing circular fountain. Later, its next owner Jose Moreno Lacalle, a Spanish lawyer, writer, and colonial official, revamped it, heavily incorporating Moorish Revival style into the design and infusing elements of his native region of Granada. This heritage house’s grand architecture, intricate details, and rich legacy offers a glimpse into the opulence of the colonial era while continuing to play a vibrant role in the country’s contemporary cultural landscape. After our tour of the mansion, a press conference was held at the Glass House on the grounds of the Goldenberg Mansion which was designed and conceptualized by Jonathan G. Matti, an in-demand interior designer with a background in architecture.

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Carney spends Canada’s oil windfall in bid for better growth

RIME Minister Mark Carney doubled down on his plan to use the government’s balance sheet to spur an investment boom in Canada, increasing borrowing and using a surge of tax revenue to plow billions into expanding the productive capacity of the economy.

In his second budget as prime minister, Carney laid out his vision for an “investment supercycle.” The document outlined billions in industrial spending on the electricity grid, nuclear plants, mining and forestry, along with a capital-gains tax break for some entrepreneurs and investors in smaller companies. About a third of the planned new spending is for affordability measures and social programs, including topping up a tax benefit for lower-income adults and putting new funds into housing construction and other measures aimed at reducing homelessness. The document, released by Finance Minister Francois Philippe-Champagne on Thursday, confirms that this year’s government revenue windfall, driven in part by higher oil prices, has mostly been spent. The government’s key corporate tax policy, the so-called “productivity mega deduction” for capital investments, is among the biggest ticket items, carrying a C$36 billion ($25.7 billion) price tag over five years. It was announced by Carney in September. That tax write-off, other policies announced since April, and the new budget measures bring the net new spending to more than C$150 billion over the five years. The federal government is expected to run a C$62.3 billion deficit in the current fiscal year, or about 1.8% of the country’s gross domestic product. Carney’s plans require significant borrowing, both for the budget deficit and for other capital spending requirements such as seeding the new sovereign wealth fund. In total, the document forecasts C$764.7 billion in planned borrowing over five years. “This is a big budget that continues to run substantial deficits, but nothing beyond the scope of what has already been long known in the market,” Bank of Montreal economists Shelly Kaushik and Robert Kavcic said in a note. “For a country hungry for productivity growth, tax relief and a major infrastructure push are hard to dislike.” The budget’s foreword, co-authored by Carney and Champagne, argues Canada should make full use of its lower level of debt compared with its Group of Seven allies. The country’s 10-year benchmark bond trades at a yield of around 3.66%, allowing the government to borrower cheaper than the US or UK. “Canada has the lowest net debt to GDP in the G7, the highest credit rating possible, and borrowing costs that are well below that of the United States,” the prime minister and finance minister wrote. “Unlike what we are seeing in other advanced economies, Canadians—not the bond market—will determine our choices.” The net debt to gross domestic product ratio is 39.9% this fiscal year, lower than the 41.5% predicted in a spring update, because the economy has exceeded expectations. That ratio is expected to hold around 40% over the next five years. The government said it will balance operating expenses against revenues by next year. “Carney’s ambition is to transform the Canada economy through an investment-first economic program, an ambition shared by the country’s business community,” said Theo Argitis, senior vice president at the Business Council of Canada. “Today we got a clearer picture of the cost of that program. The focus going forward needs to be on implementation, execution and political discipline in making sure these investments produce a big payoff.” Bloomberg News

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NZ votes in an election expected Trump points finger at Democrats over to be tight after a tense campaign massive market losses By Charlotte Graham-Mclay

The Associated Press

ELLINGTON, New Zealand—New Zealand’s election results will be announced Saturday after a tense campaign left the main contenders neck and neck with no clear route to victory for either, as voters evaluated three years of conservative rule. Analysts don’t expect a simple majority for either the governing coalition, led by the center-right National party, or the opposition bloc led by center-left Labour. The uncertainty may reflect voter discontent about both major parties as economic problems linger following international shocks that have buffeted New Zealand’s trade-based economy. There’s also growing support for politicians on the ideological flanks, a global trend that has gathered pace in New Zealand later than elsewhere. An unclear result could throw greater power to minor, more populist parties. The National leader Christopher Luxon faces a tough fight for a second term as prime minister after facing two confidence votes among his own lawmakers this year. Meanwhile, Labour’s Chris Hipkins seeks a second chance at power after a resounding defeat three years ago. Voting began Oct. 26 with results due for release after polling places close Saturday evening. New Zealand has a single house of government, and there are no states. The central government, elected for three-year terms, holds ultimate sway over the country’s direction.

Luxon was elected on pledges of growth that haven’t materialized

NEITHER major party leader has managed to connect strongly with voters, analysts said. Luxon’s party won the 2023 election on pledges to reverse New Zealand’s post-pandemic economic malaise. While he highlights trade deals signed during his tenure, economic recovery has been slow and unemployment reached an 11-year high in the September quarter. New Zealand’s stubbornly steep

costs of living send thousands of people each year to live in the country’s larger, wealthier neighbor Australia. “You’ve got an incumbent coalition government which is struggling with the same incumbency problems that we’re seeing in our Western democracies around the world,” said Ben Thomas, a former National government press secretary and now the director of a public affairs firm. However, Hipk ins and his Labour party, who are pledging to ease living costs and fund New Zealand’s struggling public healthcare system, haven’t surged in support either. Neither Labour nor National has recorded more than 30% of the vote in polls close to Nov. 7. “I think there is a broader mistrust in the electorate of both of our traditional two major parties,” said Thomas. That sentiment has been a windfall for smaller parties that Luxon or Hipkins would rely upon to form a governing coalition.

The vote is an appraisal of New Zealand’s most rightwing modern government

NE W Z ea l a nders don’t e lec t prime ministers. Instead they cast two votes, one for their preferred party and one to select a local representative. To govern, a coalition of parties must hold more than half of parliament’s seats. The total number of seats is determined by official calculations on election night based on quirks of the country’s vote. National in 2023 joined with two right-wing parties, populist New Zealand First and libertarian ACT, to form the country’s most conservative modern government. Detractors of Luxon, a business executive who entered parliament

LABOUR Party leader Chris Hipkins shakes hands with a supporter at a shopping center while campaigning for election in Waikanae, New Zealand, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. AP/CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-MCLAY

in 2020, note his political inexperience compared to the leaders in his power-sharing deal. In particular, the minor parties sought to repeal legal recognition of Indigenous Māori rights. About 100,000 people marched on Parliament to oppose one of the measures secured by ACT in its governing deal with Luxon. The power that the smaller parties won from Luxon, said Bernard Hickey, an economic and political analyst, “created this surprise, I think, for many voters that the tail was wagging the dog for the first time. In fact, there were two tails wagging one dog.”

the first time. The group’s candidates are centrist, socially liberal technocrats who favor a land tax, universal basic income and pro-environment measures. The party’s new leader, 38-year-old Qiulae Wong, who has worked in business but not in politics, has pledged to negotiate first with whichever party wins the most votes if she holds the tiebreaker role. Luxon has ruled out governing with Opportunity. Analysts say, however, that both major party leaders would likely answer the phone if Wong held the only path to power on election night.

Labour hasn’t capitalized on flagging support for rival

A fractured result could signal a change to centrist New Zealand politics

ON Hipkins’ side, the left-wing Green party has also experienced strong support. Another traditional Labour coalition partner is Te Pati Māori, an Indigenous rights group. Hipkins, a career politician, was thrust into the premiership nine months before the 2023 election when his predecessor Jacinda Ardern quit. Labour hasn’t surged in popularity since losing that vote. “Whoever is in government after November 7 … will have to reckon with much more assertive minor parties that want much greater concessions and much more influence than they’ve had in the past,” Thomas said.

A novice politician could decide who governs

ELECTION deadlocks have previously seen the two blocs race to establish a coalition deal by wooing a minor party that holds the balance of power. Recent polls suggest Saturday’s election could yield such a result if The Opportunity Party is elected to Parliament for

Federal judge orders 14-day delay on any work beginning on Trump’s monumental arch

ASHINGTON—A federal judge late Thursday blocked the Trump administration from breaking ground on a towering memorial arch for 14 days. The temporary restraining order by US District Judge Tanya Chutkan halting the work represents a major setback for one of President Donald Trump’s most prominent projects in his vision to remake Washington. The decision followed a series of steps taken earlier Thursday by the government, including the final approval of the arch by the National Capital Planning Commission in an 8-4 vote after a nine-hour hearing where dozens of witnesses opposed the construction. The administration said the work could begin as soon as the approval and the Interior Department issued

a final decision authorizing construction and the proper notification was published by the National Park Service. In issuing the temporary stop, Chutkan said Virginia and the District of Columbia had shown that the immediacy of the construction would cause real harm to the plaintiffs. “The harm is certain,” she wrote. “Defendants initially notified the court that construction could begin as early as November 5, 2026, if the NCPC approves the project at its meeting that day and the Department of the Interior authorizes construction.” In their filing, Virginia and D.C. warned of traffic pattern distortions as well as concerns about the impact on mutual aid emergency calls if the arch were to proceed.

“Second, the District and Virginia will incur significant unrecoverable costs. As soon as construction begins, DDOT will need to expend staff time and operating resources to affirmatively and proactively manage temporary detours, crashes or disabled vehicles,” Chutkan wrote. The judge’s decision came just over an hour after the National Capital Planning Commission hearing ended. The final vote by the planning commission came after 9 ½ hours and scores of people opposing it. The vote by the commission broke along federal and local lines. Those in favor work for the administration or are connected to the president, who was pushing for the immediate construction. Opponents represented the city of Washington. AP

A LOSS for a single-term government like Luxon’s would be unprecedented in modern times in a country where second terms are all but guaranteed. Voters in the South Pacific nation of 5 million people had before 2023 favored long alternating stretches of National and Labour-led governments. That was seen as reflecting a largely contented public who believed the country was going in the right direction. The sentiment lingered in New Zealand long after countries such as the United States and Britain began to experience political fracture; but it swung sharply to a negative mood for the first time five years ago in the pandemic era as global tumult increased. Thomas, the analyst, said that the public is “certainly more polarized than ever.” Officials aim to release results on election night from 95% of votes cast. A final tally is due on Nov. 27.

Paraguay President Peña under investigation, faces removal from office over bank collapse

SUNCIÓN, Paraguay—Paraguayan President Santiago Peña is under criminal investigation following the collapse of a major digital bank, prosecutors announced, as the South American leader prepares to defend himself before the Senate against possible removal from office on Friday. The crisis at Ueno Bank turned Peña’s long-ruling Colorado Party against him, a stunning reversal for the former International Monetary Fund economist who had enjoyed the backing of the country’s most powerful politicians and was welcomed in Washington just weeks ago as a key ally of the Trump administration. In a day of lightning-speed developments, Peña offered his resignation Thursday via X, with the lower house voting unanimously to See “Peña,” A16

RESIDENT Donald Trump blamed Democrats for the losses in Americans’ 401(k) portfolios as the selloff in technology and artificial intelligencerelated stocks deepened after his Republican Party suffered widespread losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections. “Such a sad thing to watch!” the president said in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday evening. “It took us so much work to get us to a level that no one has ever seen before, and then this.” “Your 401(k)s have, therefore, dropped. Remember, it wasn’t Republicans, it was Dumocrats,” the president said, using a derisive nickname for his opponents that he often deployed at rallies during the fall campaign. In another post, the president wrote that the market rout occurred because Democrats “had a big Tuesday—So sad to see, you only have yourselves to blame!” A slide in equities accelerated Thursday on concerns that Democrats, who won control of the House and Senate, would tighten oversight of the AI industry, including the construction of data centers. Chip

giants and other technology stocks suffered heavy losses. In its worst session since March 2020, the Nasdaq 100 sank 6.4%, wiping out $2.3 trillion in value. Trump has voiced strong support for data centers despite widespread opposition and dismissed proposals to restrict AI in favor of light regulation. At the same time, he has often used the stock market—which has benefited from investor enthusiasm for AI—as a gauge of economic success, regularly touting gains in speeches and social media posts. After weeks of casting doubt on the election’s legitimacy in the event Republicans lost, Trump said Tuesday night that he would accept the midterm results. Still, he deflected blame for the losses, saying he would have won in a landslide had he been on the ballot, while congratulating Democrats for doing a “good job.” The president said on Wednesday that high fuel prices stoked by his war in Iran were to blame for the Republican Party’s midterm wipeout but maintained that the conflict was justified. Bloomberg News

Malaysia’s ex-premier Najib will serve prison time at home after paying $12.3M for pardon

UA L A LUM P U R , M a l ay s i a — Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Najib Razak is set to leave prison for house arrest after his political party on Friday paid a 50 million ringgit ($12.3 million) fine required under the terms of his royal pardon. Najib, 73, has been imprisoned since August 2022, when Malaysia’s top court upheld his conviction in a case linked to the multi-billion dollar looting of the state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad. Malaysia’s king in September granted Najib a rare royal clemency, allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison term

for graft under house arrest. Asyraf Wajid Dusuki, secretary-general of the United Malays National Organization, said in a statement that the party had collected sufficient funds through its donation drive for Najib. He said the party had completed payment of the fine at the High Court earlier Friday. The payment fulfils a key condition attached to the royal pardon. The timing of his transfer from prison to house arrest was not immediately clear. Police were stationed at his house in Kuala Lumpur early Friday and the road leading to his home was blocked. AP

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Russia and Ukraine exchange airstrikes as US envoy describes renewed security talks as productive

YIV, Ukraine—Russia and Ukraine exchanged airstrikes overnight as the second day of talks on Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction and security guarantees once the fighting ends wrapped up in Brussels on Thursday. The latest Russian aerial barrage underscored the scale of the rebuilding task, as did the continuing search for people missing beneath the rubble after a deadly airstrike in southern Ukraine on Monday. Ukraine launched hundreds of drones at Russian targets. Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces shot down nearly 500 drones overnight. A Ukrainian attack on a bus killed five people and wounded 13 others Thursday in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Luhansk region, according to Leonid Pasechnik, the region’s Moscow-backed leader.

Further details were not immediately available. Meanwhile, rescue teams continued searching for more than 30 people believed trapped in the wreckage of a former school and a nearby shelter hit by Russian guided bombs on Monday. The attack in Komyshuvakha, near the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region, struck as residents waited for humanitarian aid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 43 people had been confirmed dead. In a message on X, he said one person previously reported missing had been

IN this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, an elderly woman passes by a burnt car on a damaged bridge across the Kazennyi Torets River in the frontline city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. IRYNA RYBAKOVA/UKRAINE’S 93RD MECHANIZED BRIGADE VIA AP

found alive. The second day of talks wrapped up at NATO headquarters in Brussels as officials from the US, UK,

France, Germany and the European Union discussed postwar reconstruction, funding for 2027 and security guarantees backed

by the Ukrainian government’s Western allies. Ukraine’s lead negotiator Rustem Umerov said that representatives

from the World Bank and the US investment group BlackRock were also present. “We separately discussed the threats from Russia to Ukraine and all of Europe, as well as joint steps to counter them,” Umerov wrote in an online post. Ja re d K u sh ne r, US P re s i dent Donald Tr ump’s son-inlaw and peace envoy, described the meeting as “productive and substantive.” The Brussels meetings are taking place days before negotiators from Russia, Ukraine and the United States are due to meet in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for talks aimed at trying to end the war. Late Wednesday, Zelenskyy said that he had held a 90-minute conversation with U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. “The negotiations must move forward at full throttle to bring this war to an end as quickly as possible,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. “Ukraine is ready to take the necessary steps. Our proposals are clear, and we have given them to the American side.” AP

Turkey outlines plans for ‘paradigm shift’ Turkey arrests ex-minister as part of a widening fund in energy use ahead of climate summit manipulation scandal By Andrew Wilks The Associated Press

STANBUL—The Turkish energy minister has laid out plans for his country to wean itself away from coal and other fossil fuels as it prepares to host the COP31 climate change summit. World leaders are due to arrive next week in the Mediterranean city of Antalya, and Turkey’s hosting of the annual environmental conference has thrown a spotlight on its own coal, oil and gas usage. Turkey is Europe’s largest coal power generator, according to energy think tank Ember. The Turkish Energy Ministry says coal remained its largest source of power last year, accounting for 33% of generation. The share of solar and wind in electricity generation stood at nearly 23%. Energ y Minister A lparslan Bayraktar revealed the National Energy Plan 2040 to reporters in a presentation made public Friday, in which he said Turkey would aim to transition from coal to cleaner energy sources — a process known as electrification. This would help it fulfil its pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2053. “When we reach 2040 we are

going to reduce our emissions by 40%. This big change in electrification will make this happen,” he said, adding that the use of solar and wind energy sources would more than quadruple over the next 13 years. “Our aim is to reach 36% electrification by the year 2040,” he told a news conference in Istanbul. Using transport as an example, Bayraktar said the number of electric cars on Turkey’s roads would increase from around 500,000 to 20 million in the next 13 years. The aim of the plan is to produce a “paradigm shift” in how energy is used in Turkey. “We have a huge project list ahead of us,” the minister added.

Huge level of investment needed

SUCH a shift, however, would require a huge level of investment — $500 billion in the next 13 years, some $210 billion of which would come from Turkish public sector companies with much of the rest from foreign investment. “If the world is serious about carbon neutrality and if we would like to fund (fighting) climate change and global warming, we need to find the money,” Bayrak-

tar said. “Everyone needs to take some responsibility and provide money for that.” He also emphasized the importance of a transition from coal to clean energy that would not negatively impact communities reliant on mines and power stations for employment. “We are looking for a just transition from coal to relatively cleaner sources of energy… but we need coal for security of supply,” he said. “Equally important is that (coal mining) is providing at least 30,000 to 40,000 people with employment and labor opportunities. How are we going to make these miners into AI experts or high-tech experts? It’s not going to be easy. We need a just transition period.” Despite aiming to break away from coal, Turkey will remain tied to other fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, for the foreseeable future. Turkey recently started drilling gas reserves in the Black Sea and Bayraktar said production would double to 7.5 billion cubic meters annually in the coming years.

Growing nuclear power

ANOTHER key area would be nuclear power. The Akkuyu nuclear

power plant on the Mediterranean coast is nearing operation and there are plans for another nuclear station by the Black Sea. These would contribute towards the “very ambitious target” of Turkey becoming energy independent by 2040, Bayraktar said. Tur ning to t he “t urbu lent times” facing energy markets, Bayraktar described how sanctions around the wars in Ukraine and Iran were impeding efforts to fight global warming. “We are trying to become carbon neutral in less than three decades’ time and with all these difficulties it’s very difficult to achieve this,” he said. According to the Climate Action Tracker, which measures countries’ progress against goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, Turkey’s climate targets and policies are “critically insufficient.” The agreement set a target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) compared with the early 1800s. L ook i ng a head to COP31, Bayraktar said his key message would be for countries to adopt “responsive and realistic policies” to achieve carbon neutrality.

NKARA, Turkey—Authorities in Turkey have arrested a former minister and deputy chair of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘s ruling party over her alleged involvement in a shareprice manipulation scandal involving several investment funds. Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya resigned as the deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party in September, shortly after allegations emerged that she had sold shares worth tens of millions of dollars just before regulators decided to liquidate the investment funds over alleged manipulation. Kaya, who served as family and social affairs minister from 2016 to 2018, was taken into custody late on Thursday pending a possible trial on charges of membership in a criminal organization and violating Turkey’s Capital Markets Law, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Her husband was released on condition that he regularly report to police, following a second round of questioning for the couple. Turkey’s main opposition party has accused Kaya of receiving 2.17

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impeach him moments later. Both houses declined to accept Peña’s offer to resign, with the Senate instead deciding to press forward with a trial that could result in the president’s removal from office. Opposition senators are continuing to demand that Peña be removed from office, arguing that allowing him to resign would preserve his eligibility to become a senator for life, with legal protections that could prevent his prosecution, should Paraguay’s Attorney General Emiliano Rolón Fernández opt to file charges. Rolón has ordered three criminal investigations into the Ueno Bank crisis, including allegations involving Peña and other current and former government officials, the prosecutor’s office said Thursday. The investigations will examine authorities’ oversight of the bank, their handling of its failure and the placement of public

FATMA BETUL SAYAN KAYA, Turkey’s Minister of Family Affairs, who was escorted back to the German border after a long standoff outside the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam, speaks to the media at Ataturk Airport after her return to Turkey, in Istanbul, March 12, 2017. AP, FILE

billion liras ($43 million) after reportedly investing 163 million liras ($3 million) in one of the funds. The couple have denied any wrongdoing but have transferred some of the profits to an account designated by the banking regulators, according to media reports. More than 430 people are under investigation over suspected market manipulation and insider trading, including 112 who have been arrested as part of the scandal, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said this week. AP funds in the lender. Peña said he would cooperate with investigators. “Whatever the outcome of this process, I will act with responsibility and respect for the Constitution,” he said on X. Earlier Thursday, Peña said in a video posted to X that he was stepping down in the interest of “the stability of our country, social peace and the need to preserve our democratic institutions.” Peña, who until last year held a stake in a company linked to Ueno, expressed contrition. But he stopped short of accepting responsibility for the turmoil, which has left millions of depositors, retirees and workers scrambling to recoup their frozen savings and unpaid wages. If he’s removed from office, Vice President Pedro Alliana would replace him as Paraguay’s leader. “I want to apologize to the people if I have failed them at any point,” he said. “It was never my intention to betray the trust they placed in me.” AP

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‘Jobless rate rises as industries struggle to create jobs’

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

he country’s job creation remained uneven in September, as gains in some industries failed to offset persistent job losses in others, leaving more Filipinos unemployed.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the number of jobless Filipinos reached 2.86 million in September, up from 2.77 million in August and 1.96 million in the same month last year. The unemployment rate rose to 5.4 percent from 3.8 percent a year earlier and 5.3 percent in August. The January-to-September average stood at 5.2 percent, exceeding the government's full-year target of 4 to 5 percent. The increase came as the labor force grew by 1.63 million yearon-year to 53.19 million. Employment, however, increased by only 721,000 to 50.32 million, while the number of unemployed rose by 909,000. Young Filipinos accounted for the largest share of the increase in the labor force. The number of labor force participants aged 15 to 24 rose by nearly 988,000 year-onyear, but only 606,000 additional young people were employed. Ateneo de Manila University economist Ser Percival K. PeñaReyes said the figures point to an uneven distribution of employment opportunities, with some industries expanding their workforce while others continued to shed jobs. “One should not necessarily interpret this as a permanent weakening of the economy’s jobgenerating capacity, but it does indicate that growth is not translating into sufficiently broad-based

employment opportunities,” PeñaReyes told BusinessMirror. PSA data showed that construction recorded the largest yearon-year decline in employment in September, shedding 271,000 workers. Employment in arts, entertainment and recreation fell by 163,000, while information and communication lost 105,000 workers. Wholesale and retail trade, including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, shed another 101,000 workers. Professional, scientific and technical activities recorded a decline of 85,000. These losses were partly offset by employment gains in other industries. Accommodation and food service activities posted the largest annual increase, adding 834,000 workers from a year earlier. Transportation and storage followed with an increase of 254,000 employed persons, while other service activities added 174,000 workers. Agriculture and forestry gained 139,000 workers, while public administration and defense, including compulsory social security, added 117,000. University of Asia and the Pacific economist Marco C. Agonia said the gap between labor force growth and job creation reflects both structural and cyclical factors. “Fundamentally, the Philippine economy has a relatively young population with a large amount of labor market entrants

each year,” Agonia told BusinessMirror. “Cyclically, the economy is generating less jobs than needed as it is growing at a slower pace than usual due to ongoing macroeconomic headwinds.”

Construction weakness

THE economists also warned that continued weakness in the labor market, particularly in construction, could weigh on economic output through its effects on other industries. Aside from recording the largest annual employment decline, construction also accounted for the biggest month-on-month reduction, shedding 416,000 workers between August and September. Agonia warned that the decline in construction activity could drag on third-quarter economic growth, given the sector’s multiplier effects on the broader economy. “This decline in construction spending with large multiplier effects likely contributed to a subdued GDP growth figure for Q3,” Agonia told BusinessMirror. Agonia attributed the weakness to delays in public infrastructure projects, subdued demand from property developers and disruptions caused by heavy monsoon rains in September. He cited bottlenecks in rightof-way acquisition and procurement, as well as tighter scrutiny of government disbursements, which may have slowed project implementation. Meanwhile, high building material costs and weak demand may have prompted property developers to defer construction projects. National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa also said the decline was partly attributable to slower public construction activities and higher prices of materials used in the repair and maintenance of dwelling units, which increased by 5.5 percent. PSA data showed that construction of buildings accounted for 329,000 of the sector’s month-

Seven years on, integrated UHC systems keep expanding: DOH By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

ARKING seven years since the 2019 Universal Health Care Act, the Department of Health (DOH) announced that active Universal Health Care–Integration Sites (UHC-IS) have expanded from 58 in 2020 to 114 in 2026, now covering 95 percent of all provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities. This, it stressed, is an assurance of better protection against catastrophic medical expenses and equal access to affordable, quality healthcare services for every Filipino. The UHC-IS consists of provinces and cities establishing their province-wide or city-wide health systems, ensuring coordinated delivery of health care services across all health facilities—from health centers to hospitals. To sustain these gains, the effective management and utilization of the Special Health Fund (SHF) are crucial, the DOH said. SHF is the consolidated fund from different sources, including national and local government allocations. This enables local governments to finance priority health programs, projects, and activities, support the continuous delivery of essential health services, and ensure that funds are directed where they are most needed. Likewise, the DOH said, this helps prevent service disruptions

and allows communities to benefit from more coordinated and sustainable healthcare delivery. “The success of Universal Health Care is not measured solely by the number of integration sites or the amount of funds pooled in the SHF, but by how effectively these resources are transformed into accessible, equitable, and quality health services for every Filipino. This means strengthening primary healthcare, establishing functional referral networks, improving health facility management, and ensuring that quality health services are accessible, available, and affordable to all. Through our UNA (Unified National Agenda) sa Pagtutulungan, I call on our national and local government and all our health partners to translate our efforts into better healthcare services and improved health outcomes for every Filipino,” said DOH Secretary Edwin Mercado. Guided by a shared commitment to UHC’s core values and DOH’s UNA for Health, the DOH, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and local government leaders convened for the 2026 UHC Summit and Strategic Health Partners Dialogue on November 5-6, 2026. The events were held in collaboration with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), Provincial Health Officers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PHOAPI), and the World Health

Organization (WHO) and were made possible with the support of the Government of Japan, the UHC Knowledge Hub, and the European Union through the UHC Partnership. The two assemblies provided a platform to strengthen local leadership and governance for health, discuss provincial challenges in primary care, refine health financing mechanisms,strengthen Health Care Provider Networks, and review SHF implementation. It also underscored the importance of aligning national health priorities with local realities and strengthening coordination among the DOH, PhilHealth, local governments, and other stakeholders. “We recognize that achieving Universal Health Care requires more than making funds available. These resources must be strategically allocated and effectively utilized to ensure that healthcare services reach every Filipino across the country, especially those in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). Through stronger collaboration with the DOH and Local Government Units (LGUs), we aim to strengthen health financing at the local level, support the delivery of essential health services, and build a more responsive and accessible healthcare system for all Filipinos,” said PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Beverly Lorraine Ho.

“One should not necessarily interpret this as a permanent weakening of the economy’s job-generating capacity, but it does indicate that growth is not translating into sufficiently broad-based employment opportunities.”—Ateneo de Manila University economist Ser Percival K. Peña-Reyes

on-month employment losses. Peña-Reyes, for his part, said the employment decline was consistent with the contraction in construction activity in the second quarter of 2026, when the sector shrank by 13.9 percent, largely due to a 32.4 percent decline in general government construction. “The continued weakness could be a drag on third-quarter GDP growth, especially if the government fails to accelerate infrastructure spending and address project implementation bottlenecks,” he said.

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Palace keen on tapping LGSF for El Niño preparations By Samuel P. Medenilla

ALACAÑANG is planning to tap the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to help communities in their preparations for the dry spells caused by the strong El Niño. During his meeting with concerned government agencies last Wednesday, Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said the national government is considering expanding the list of how local government units (LGU) can utilize the LGSF to include El Niño preparations. State meteorologists have projected that the effects of the ongoing weather phenomenon will intensify in January 2027. “El Niño will be felt throughout the country, but its impact will vary from place to place. In some communities, water is the primary concern; in others, it may be electricity or extreme heat. Therefore, we must identify those most at risk and determine what kind of assistance they need,” Recto said in Filipino. The Palace official said the Marcos administration wants to ensure the availability of water, food, and power as well as the protection of livelihoods in the El Niño-affected areas.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government continues to monitor the areas that are suffering the brunt of the strong El Niño, including Cagayan Valley—the top corn-producing region in the country. She said the government is ready to extend additional support to planters in the said areas. Currently, the LGSF, which is being distributed to barangays can be used for providing financial support to graduating students, rice subsidy as well as other priorities related to food security, health, education, infrastructure and livelihood as stated in the 2026 General Appropriations Act. Last month, the Department of Agriculture reported that El Niño already caused P8.57 billion worth of damage in 14 regions. In its website, the Department of Budget and Management reported that over P55.69 billion of the P57.87 billion budget for the LGSF this year was released as of September. The allocation for the LGSF will be raised to P58.3 billion in the proposed 2027 national budget.

A18 Saturday, November 7, 2026

Sports BusinessMirror

FRESH BATCH BOOSTS PHL BID

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

Diamniado with national team coaches Mark John Lexer Galido and Marita Lucas and her teammates in other sports on Thursday night. “We have yet to see the route and the other participants, but I feel I’m ready,” said Krog, 17, sixth in road race at the Bahrain Asian Youth Games last year who crossed to track in the Asian championships last March and finished fourth in the juniors elimination race. Naomi Marjorie Cesar arrived Tuesday and was already warmed up for the women’s 800 meters semifinals of athletics on Saturday at the Complexe Iba Mar Diop Stadium, but not her fellow runner, Pi Durden Wangkay, who’s only getting the feel of this competition and this West African country on Friday. “It’s been really good, but it’s a little hotter than I expected,” said Cesar, accompanied here by his dad and personal coach, Ben Cesar, who’s got four Southeast Asian Games stint from 1991 in Manila. “The village’s been great and I’m really excited on this opportunity to represent the Philippines, it’s something to be proud of,” said the 800 meters gold medalist at the Bangkok SEA Games last year and the Philippine record holder in the event. Also looking over Wangkay and Cesar here are Wangkay’s personal coach and mom Jonah Genilza and national athletics association secretarygeneral Jasper Tanhueco.

THE last batch for Team Philippines—(from left) Jasper Tanhueco, Jonna Genilza, Mark John Lexer Galedo, Marita Lucas, Maritanya Krog, Jade Justin Justiniane, Pi Durden Wangkay, German Paz and Rocky Samson—arrive at the the Blaise Diagne International Airport on Thursday night. POC MEDIA POOL

By Jun Lomibao

AKAR—Everyone’s accounted for on Team Philippines at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and for a noncompetition day on Friday, it’s shaking off jetlag for almost everybody and getting the feel of the country, the

weather and the environs. “I’ll go all out, this is my one and only opportunity in the YOG,” said Jade Justin Justiniane, 16, and the country’s sole entry in the windsurfing event that starts Sunday at Saly Beach West. Asked about the African heat and the field, Justiniane, accompanied here by long-time national windsurfing champion now a full-time coach,

German Paz, merely shrugged his shoulder: “We’re used the the heat anyway at home.” Justiniane is one of Paz’s young wards at his home base in Anilao and said he’s a brave young athlete who’s ready to compete for Team Philippines sent here by the Philippine Olympic Committee and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“He’s young but fearless,” said Paz, a gold medalist in the 2005 Philippine SEA Games in Subic who’s into full-time coaching and training young athletes since the 2019 SEA Games. Maritanya Krog, also the sole entry in cycling’s women’s individual time trial and road race, was all smiles as she exited the arrival area of the Blaise Diagne International Airport in

NAOMI MARJORIE CESAR with dad Ben at the Youth Olympic Village after warming up at a nearby track oval. POC MEDIA POOL

It’s Olivarez vs Tangub for open tennis title

ERIC OLIVAREZ is seeking twin titles. NATIONAL OPEN

Rolida, Gica rule Mabuhay Miles tilt

ACOB BRENDON ROLIDA and Ray Gica shared top honors in the 30th Mabuhay Miles Elite Invitational at the Orchard Golf and Country Club on Tuesday. Rolida carded a one-under-par 71 highlighted by six birdies for the best gross score at the Palmer course. Gica posted a gross 74 and a net 68 under the System 36 format, highlighted by an eagle on No. 6 and a birdie on the next hole. Ian Davin Rosales topped Class A, Abraham Rojas won Class B, Romeo Ignacio earned Class C top honors, Augie Palisoc took the Seniors title, Denise Eliana Mendoza ruled the Jungolf division, Leticia Linnel Bautista was the ladies champion and Roberto Samson topped the guest division. Rolida also hit the longest drive at 303 yards and had the most birdies, while Gica hit the nearest to the pin in the fun holes. The top awardees received 134,000 Mabuhay Miles and a Sealy adjustable bed worth over P300,000 in the event copresented by Mastercard with Petron and CWC Interiors as Platinum Sponsors. Eton Properties, Sealy and LaVie were Gold Sponsors, while Philippine National Bank, United Colors of Benetton, The Original Penguin, Upper House Shanghai, Rotana La Reserva Spain and Power Mac Center were Silver Sponsors.

RIC OLIVAREZ overcame a second-set stumble to reassert his dominance over Noel Damian, scoring a 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory to book his place in the finals of the Mayor Edwin Olivarez National Open Tennis Championships on Friday at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat. After cruising through the opening set, the top-seeded Olivarez found himself in a tougher battle as Damian raised his level and forced a tense exchange of service holds. Damian held serve in the ninth game before breaking Olivarez in the next, rallying from a 15-40 deficit by winning four straight points to snatch the second set and even the match. But the setback proved only a temporary interruption for the Western Michigan product, who regrouped and regained control in the decider. Olivarez broke Damian in the third game and steadily tightened his grip on the match, keeping his opponent on the defensive. After conceding the seventh game, Olivarez responded with a decisive burst of four straight points to build a commanding

5-2 cushion before closing out the match in the next game. Standing between Olivarez and the championship crown is Eric Jay Tangub, who secured the other finals berth with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over unranked Richard Bautista. Olivarez and Tangub will dispute the title and the top P100,000 prize when they clash at 9 a.m. Saturday in the P415,000 tournament, which features the country’s leading campaigners alongside a promising crop of emerging talents. Olivarez reached the championship round after beating David Abordo, 6-4, 6-1, overpowering Marraphael Teng, 6-2, 6-3, and routing veteran Vicente Anasta, 6-1, 6-1. Tangub, meanwhile, opened his campaign with a 6-0, 6-0 demolition of Gurkan Nasilbilirsen, followed by a 6-2, 6-0 triumph over James Aquino and a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Loucas Fernandez. Olivarez is also in contention for a men’s doubles championship after teaming up with Nilo Ledama to eliminate Evan Bacalso and McLeen Gomera. They will next face Al-Zayeed Baid and Elvin Geluz, who defeated Anasta and Jerome Bernales, 6-3, 6-3.

Beermen force decider San Miguel held off

Ginebra, 108-102, on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum to force a Game Five in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors Cup quarterfinal series. George King had 35 points for the Beermen, while Gin Kings counterpart Jordan Murphy scored 16. PBA IMAGES

PEDRO TADURAN, 30, vows to protect his crown against 33-year-old Brandon Morales. PEDRO TADURAN FACEBOOK PAGE

IBF champ Taduran set for stern test against unbeaten Spaniard

By Josef T. Ramos

NTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran stakes his title against undefeated Brandon Moreno of Spain on Sunday at the Kiva Auditorium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Taduran, making his fourth title defense since knocking out Mexican Gustavo Perez Alvarez in the seventh round last April in Pechanga, California, said he is ready for the challenge. “It is another challenge. I am ready for it, ready to defend my belt,” the 29-year-old fighter from Libon, Albay,

told the BusinessMirror. “We studied his movements and style, and we are not going to relax in this fight.” Moreno, undefeated in 16 fights with five knockouts, hopes to extend his impressive record and fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion. But Taduran has other ideas. “Not on my watch as a world champion. I will do whatever it takes to protect this title,” said Taduran, who has a 20-4-1 record with 14 knockouts. Taduran’s training in the US is being handled by former world champion Jerwin Ancajas, trainer-manager Joven Jimenez and boxer Jino Rodrigo. Jimenez will serve as his chief second.

MARKUS JULIAN and the Junior Golden Spikers improve their winloss record to 10-1. UAAP

UST, FEU gain berths to Final Four

NIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University advanced to the Final Four with big wins on Friday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines high school boys’ volleyball tournament at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila. The Junior Golden Spikers returned to the win column in dominant fashion, sweeping the University of the Philippines Junior Fighting Maroons, 25-14, 25-14, 2513, to improve to 10-1 and remain tied for first place. The Baby Tamaraws kept their share of the top spot, making it four straight wins after a 25-16, 25-19, 25-15 sweep of the De La Salle Zobel Junior Green Spikers. National University also continued to build momentum, outlasting Adamson University, 25-18, 30-32, 25-14, 25-21, for its third straight win and a share of third place. Defending champion University of the East made quick work of Ateneo, 25-20, 25-18, 25-19, to strengthen its bid for a Final Four berth. The Bullpups and Junior Warriors are tied at 7-4, two games ahead of the fifth-running Baby Falcons (5-6), with two Final Four spots still up for grabs. UST began pulling away from UP at 11-7, capitalizing on the Junior Fighting Maroons’ errors to string together five unanswered points. The Junior Golden Spikers continued to widen the gap through successive scoring runs before Kirby Aguas’ kill brought them to match point. Justin Jusayan briefly extended the UP resistance, but Aguas answered with another kill to seal the victory. UST showcased its balanced offense, with five players scoring at least six points. Jireh Torotoro led the way with 10 points on nine attacks and a block in the 52-minute match. Karl Escobal added eight, while Bernard Capuno, Markus Julian, and Aguas chipped in six apiece. Jefferson Abalos had 10 excellent sets, while Miguel Panganiban made eight. Prince Jimenez and Jusayan paced UPIS with nine points apiece, all from attacks. The Junior Fighting Maroons dropped to 3-8, sixth in the standings and out of the semifinal race. Consecutive kills from Kenneth Maliwanag turned a 13-9 lead into an 18-9 advantage for FEU. Successive errors by DLSZ further widened the gap before FEU-D closed out the match with three straight points, capped by Neoh Fallorina’s ace following attacks from Fallorina and One Gimeno. Maliwanag finished with 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks, while Tyler Ramos contributed 13 points on 11 attacks and two blocks in the 58-minute match.

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