Manila Standard - 2026 March 9 - Monday

By Katrina Manubay, Pot

Superable

Panic buying on fuel: Gas stations shutter

IRAN'S Revolutionary Guards said they had enough supplies to continue their aerial drone and missile war over the Middle East for up to six months, while US President Donald Trump again refused to rule out sending American ground troops into Iran as the war entered its 9th day. Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said Iran had so far used only first- and second-generation missiles, but would use "advanced and

By Alena Mae Flores, Ram Superable, and Jimbo Gulle

SOME gasoline stations across the country began running out of fuel on Sunday as panicked motorists rushed to fill their tanks ahead of a looming price hike, prompting government agencies to conduct surprise inspections of retail outlets.

Television reports showed long lines of vehicles at gas stations as consumers braced for a possible surge in pump prices driven by tensions in the Middle East. Meanwhile, some shipping companies have already raised fares by as much as 30 percent, even ahead of the anticipated Holy Week travel rush. The government does not regulate shipping fares, and the hikes took passengers on Saturday and Sunday by surprise.

Diesel prices are expected to approach P100 per liter by Tuesday, but one gas station in Valenzuela City already posted a rate of P105 as shown on social media.

By Vince Lopez

ESPIONAGE suspects who were arrested recently were using a gaming app to communicate with their Chinese handlers, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The AFP also said it has uncovered intelligence initiatives to obtain information about personnel stationed aboard the grounded warship BRP Si-

erra Madre at Ayungin Shoal, including details that could be used to pressure their families, AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea (WPS) RAdm Roy Vincent Trinidad said. Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told ABS-CBN News that authorities continue to look into the spying activities linked to China.

By Katrina Manubay

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. flew to New York on Sunday at 10:22

a.m. for an official work visit.

Prior to his departure, the President pledged to improve the distribution of government aid to beneficiaries, spe-

cifically senior citizens, urging Filipinos to voice their concerns and suggestions to the government.

In another move, Mr. Marcos instructed the Philippine Statistics

Sources told Manila Standard that to mitigate the shock, the Energy department is looking at staggering the price increases over a span of three to five days.

Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of the Assembly of Experts, as quoted by Iran's Mehr news agency, said

due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Inset shows a gas station in Manila with an out of stock sign.

Edd Castro, Norman Cruz

Vice President Sara Duterte

ALEX, COCO FACE OFF IN INDIAN WELLS SPORTS / A8

Alex Eala

Coco Gauff

Panic...

From A1

As for the supply issues, Depart ment of Energy Director Rino Abad confirmed the depletion of stocks in some stations.

“Natural kasi may pila ngayon, ayaw magpaabot next week pero kagaya ng explanation nung reported na two stations ni Shell, sabi ni Shell padating na bukas ang mga tanker truck,” Abad said.

Many stations were forced to tem porarily close after supplies were depleted amid panic buying, sources told Manila Standard.

The Philippines consumes near ly 500,000 barrels of oil daily, ranking 32nd globally in oil con sumption.

“It’s not a shortage. Logistics can not keep up to replenish all the sta tions,” an industry source said, noting that fuel sales in many outlets had more than doubled in recent days as consumers rushed to buy before the scheduled adjustment.

The source also said oil companies were struggling to keep pace with the sudden spike in demand. Some small er players were also reported to have implemented unauthorized price in creases while waiting for the official

Iran...

From A1

Israel, in a message on its Farsi language social media account, issued a stark warning to the panel and who ever it ultimately chose.

"We want to tell you that the hand of the State of Israel will continue to follow any successor and anyone who seeks to appoint a successor," it said.

"We warn all those who intend to participate in the successor selection meeting that we will not hesitate to target you. This is a warning!"

Huge fireballs and clouds of thick smoke erupted over Tehran on Sun day after US-Israeli airstrikes hit fuel depots in the city, as Iran's Revolu tionary Guards vowed to fight on for months to come.

Israel's deadly campaign also reached into the heart of downtown Beirut with a strike aimed at killing "key commanders" in Iran's covert Quds Force in the Lebanese capital on Saturday. Lebanon's health min istry said the strike killed at least

‘Spies...

From A1

In a Saturday news forum, Trini dad said a gaming app was used by the spies to pass off sensitive infor mation to their handlers, thus Philip pines authorities could not monitor the deleterious conversations.

Those apprehended either worked at the Department of National De fense or the Philippine Navy, while one was linked to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Asked how the system of commu nication worked, Trinidad said the spies enter a prompt or a password to activate the gaming app.

According to Trinidad, the spies were using a special gaming app called Tetris where the communications were em bedded. The scheme involved a prompt where a password is entered and it trans forms into , communication app.

He said the gaming app was pecifi cally designed to capture the secret communications.

Hence, the National Security Council (NSC) called on other gov ernment agencies to intensify their vetting processes, most especially those handling sensitive data.

Experts said even government of ficials occupying higher office could be recruited as “agents of influence,” to manipulate the creation of laws or policies in government.

“It’s not just person focused.

China...

From A1

no hearts and fomenting trouble finds no takers,” he said.

“We also hope that as this year’s ASEAN Chair, the Philippines will recognize and fulfill its responsibility, resist the pull of self interest, and play a positive role for peace and stability in the region,” he added.

Wang said lasting peace and stabil ity in the South China Sea would re quire strong institutional support, not ing that consultations on a proposed Code of Conduct (COC) have reached a crucial stage as parties continue implementing the Declaration on the

adjustment.

In a TV interview, Christopher Pastrana, chairman of the Philippine Inter‑Island Shipping Association, said operators were forced to adjust fares after fuel suppliers sharply in creased prices. They may also have to reduce trips soon as passengers were “sure” to shy away from paying steep fares, he added.

He said shipping firms purchased fuel at around P53 per liter before the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, but their suppliers raised prices to about P80 per liter over the week end and warned that rates could climb to P90 or higher.

Pastrana called on the govern ment to cut the corporate income tax on their members and to stop other charges that added to their operating costs to give passengers a reprieve “like they did during the (COVID-19) pandemic."

The Department of Energy (DOE), together with the Philippine National Police, launched random inspections of gasoline stations nationwide to ensure retailers comply with pricing rules.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin warned that stations implementing unauthorized price hikes could face penalties, including the cancellation of permits. “If some can follow the rules, why

four people.

Saudi Arabia intercepted a wave of drones headed for targets including the diplomatic quarter in its capital Riyadh, Kuwait reported an attack hit fuel tanks at its international airport; and Bahrain reported that a water de salination plant had been damaged in an Iranian drone attack.

Warplanes hit five oil facilities in overnight strikes in and around the Iranian capital, killing four people, the CEO of the national oil products distribution firm told state television.

Tehran's governor told the IRNA news agency that fuel distribution had been "temporarily interrupted" in the capital while repairs were carried out. 'This is a warning'

A dark haze hung over the city as morning broke and a smell of burning lingered in the air.

The Israeli military confirmed that its air force had struck "fuel storage facilities in Tehran" to prevent their use by the government's military.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press on with the war against Iran and to eradi

We also have to establish mecha nisms. Other than teaching and strengthening the person (not) to give in these manipulation, we have for example, non disclosure acts, clearance systems, back ground investigations, these are the common things that we do,” said NSC Assistant Director Gen eral Cornelio Valencia, Jr.

“But as technology advances, our system also advances,” he added.

Ret. RAdm. Rommel Ong, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo School of Government, said other govern ment agencies should intensify their level of security measures.

“If your office handles sensitive data or you personnel are considered high value targets, then your level of se curity must even be higher,” Ong said.

“That means your HR manage ment aspect must be more rigid in hir ing and vetting applicants compared to an ordinary factory,” he explained.

Padilla declined however, to re veal if there are any other incidents being investigated on this.

“As I said, this is an operational matter. So we usually give the details as soon as we have more. If we have solid and conclusive evidences, we disclose it. That is part of our trans parency initiative,” she said.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier denied the spy allegations, say ing they strictly follow the principle of “non-interference” when it comes to other countries’ internal affairs.

Conduct of Parties in the area.

Earlier this year, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said technical working groups of ASEAN member states will meet face to face every month to hasten ne gotiations on a binding COC, which the bloc aims to finish this year.

She said discussions with China are ongoing as she expressed op timism about Beijing’s participa tion.

The announcement follows the adoption of guidelines by the foreign ministers of ASEAN and China in 2023 aimed at accelerating the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct, with a commitment to finalize it with in three years.

can’t others? DOE has issued adviso ries that any gas station or oil com pany will be penalized if they violate the rule against unauthorized price increases,” Garin said.

The DOE has set temporary price ceilings from March 6 to March 9, requiring high octane gasoline to re main within P53.70 to P76.50 per li ter, diesel within P49 to P66.59, and kerosene between P78.90 and P99.89.

Field offices in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao have intensified inspections to prevent hoard ing, profiteering, and unauthor ized price increases. The agency also warned against “bote-bote” sales and the stockpiling of fuel in drums or containers.

Under Batas Pambansa Blg. 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, hoarding and illegal petroleum sales practices are prohibited.

Industry estimates show pump prices may increase by P20.10 to P20.30 per liter for diesel and P10 to P10.20 per liter for gasoline, while kerosene could rise by as much as P33 per liter due to strong demand for aviation fuel.

The DOE has appealed to oil com panies to stagger the expected price hikes to cushion the impact on con sumers.

Malacañang, meanwhile, said re

cate the country's leadership after a US-Israeli raid killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week. 'Trapped'

Trump attended the return of the bodies of six American service mem bers killed in a drone strike on a US base in Kuwait last Sunday.

Tehran has vowed to go after US assets in the region, and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait all reported new attacks on Sunday.

Inside Iran, damage to infrastruc ture and residential areas is mounting as its people report growing anxiety and a heavy security presence.

"I don't think anyone who hasn't experienced war would understand it," a 26-year-old teacher told AFP on condition of anonymity, describing the fear of living under bombardment.

Iran's health ministry said Sunday that at least 1,200 civilians had been killed and around 10,000 wounded— figures AFP could not independently verify.

Israel launched strikes on a He zbollah bastion in the southern sub

Marcos...

From A1

Authority (PSA) to streamline and ac celerate civil registry document pro cessing, especially for birth certificate corrections, aiming to boost digital services and improve access to public records.

In a press briefing, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the President Marcos Jr. will attend the United Na tions General Assembly (UNGA) on March 9 and 10.

He is also expected to discuss de velopments in the Middle East, amid ongoing regional tensions that contin ue to draw international concerns.

Escalona clarified that the President will not meet with U.S. President Don ald Trump during his trip, noting that his visit will focus on participating in the 70th session of the UN Commis sion on the Status of Women and a spe cial UNGA session.

Earlier this week, Mr. Marcos echoed support to international calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, emphasizing the Philippines’ concern for its citizens in the region.

The Chief Executive will stay in the U.S. until March 11, Wednesday.

PBBM,...

From A1

In a message, Mr. Marcos reaf firmed his administration’s commit ment to advancing women’s empow erment.

“Rest assured that this administra tion remains steadfast in its commit ment to ensure that every woman is heard, respected, and empowered in our society. We honor her courage, wisdom, and vital role in nation building just as we value her achieve ments, her leadership, and her pres ence in our lives,” he said.

He recognized that much of wom en’s efforts often go unnoticed but stressed that their ongoing dedication helps keep the nation resilient and progressing.

ducing excise taxes on fuel would be a “timely” measure to ease the burden on consumers.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said he would discuss with Congress a proposal granting him authority to suspend or reduce excise taxes on petroleum products if Dubai crude exceeds $80 per barrel.

Under Republic Act No. 10963 or the TRAIN law, gasoline carries an excise tax of P10 per liter, diesel P6 per liter, kerosene P5 per liter, and liq uefied petroleum gas P3 per kilogram. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said lowering the excise tax could help ease the financial strain on consumers.

“Para maipababa natin, ma reduce natin yung excise tax kasi dagdag din itong bigatin sa balikat ng ating mga kababayan,” she said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson urged motorists to report stations that prematurely raise pump prices. He warned that such ac tions could violate Republic Act No. 8479 (the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998), and Re public Act No. 7394 (the Consumer Act of the Philippines of 1992).

“They must be reported to authori ties… raising prices ahead of schedule or hoarding fuel may be liable for profi teering and unfair or deceptive sales practices,” Lacson said.

urbs of Beirut, after Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war this week when the Iran-backed militant group attacked Israel with rockets and drones in response to Khamenei's death.

Lebanon's health ministry said at least 294 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes over the past week, prompting Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to warn of a looming "humani tarian disaster."

No clear way out

Analysts warn there is still no clear path to ending a conflict that US and Israeli officials say could last a month or longer.

Trump has suggested Iran's econ omy could be rebuilt if a leader "ac ceptable" to Washington replaces the late supreme leader, which Tehran has rejected.

China and Russia have largely stayed on the sidelines despite close ties with Tehran.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Sunday that the war in the Middle East should "never have happened."

AFP

In his latest BBMVLOG 278, Sagot sa Polisiya, Marcos emphasized that national programs should not be ex ploited for political gain and called for more effective, digitally-enabled de livery methods

“As long as these are national gov ernment programs. Speeches and other publicity before distribution, that will not be allowed. Government services cannot be used for politicking or selfpromotion,” he said in Filipino.

The President highlighted that as sistance funds should not be used for political promotion, and speeches or unrelated activities should be removed from aid distribution.

He referred to the Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum circular and provisions in the General Appropriations Act, noting that existing rules prohibit us ing government services for personal political promotion

This was stated in the DILG memo randum circular and was also included in the provision of the GAA on how public funds should be used. The distribution of aid from the national government is no longer prohibited,” he pointed out.

Under the Anti Epal policy, all gov ernment officials are barred from dis playing their names, faces, logos, or initials on public signage for projects or properties funded by taxes.

“Where there is care, there is a woman. Where there is sacrifice, there is a Filipina giving her all so that others may have a better future,” he added. He noted that even before their contributions were officially recog nized, women had long been shap ing history through their excellence, courage, and dedication.

In a separate Facebook post, the President also acknowledged Filipino women, emphasizing that the nation’s progress is always shaped by a Filipina.

“Under this administration, we will continue to expand opportunities, protect rights, and ensure that every Filipina has access to the health, edu cation, and livelihood programs she needs to thrive,” he said.

Vice President Sara Duterte on Sunday called for stronger systems to

4-day...

From A1

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the temporary implementa tion of a four-day onsite workweek in some executive branch offices starting March 9 as part of contingency mea sures to mitigate the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis. Classes in public schools are not covered by the four-day workweek ar rangement “but the DepEd offices are covered,” Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara also said over the weekend.

In a video message on Friday, Mr. Marcos said the arrangement will ap ply only to selected government offices and will not cover agencies providing emergency or essential services, such as police, firefighters, and frontline public service units.

To further cut energy consump tion and transport demand, agencies will implement a four-day onsite work arrangement either through a com pressed workweek or a designated work-from-home day, in line with Civ il Service Commission rules, he said. The policy will remain in effect un til lifted by the President.

Mr. Marcos also ordered the sus pension of unnecessary government travel and activities such as study tours, team building events, and meet ings that can be conducted online. The directive forms part of broader energy conservation measures ordered under Memorandum Circular 114 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

The circular cited volatility in glob al energy markets due to tensions in the Gulf region, which has triggered higher fuel prices and could affect the national economy.

Under the order, government agen cies must accelerate the implemen tation of the Government Energy Management Program and reduce electricity and fuel consumption by 10 to 20 percent.

Agencies are instructed to main tain a standard thermostat setting of 24 degrees Celsius in air-conditioned spaces, activate sleep settings on office equipment, and turn off non-essential lights and electronics during lunch breaks and after office hours. They are also encouraged to hold virtual meetings, limit official travel to essential activities, and adopt fleetefficiency measures to reduce fuel use. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s Memorandum Circular No. 02-2026 states the high court will observe a four-day onsite and one-day workfrom home arrangement, with Fridays generally designated as WFH days. However, at least 25 percent of per sonnel in each office must report onsite to ensure continuity of operations, the memo explains.

The Court of Appeals will follow the same arrangement, while the San diganbayan and the Court of Tax Ap peals will continue a full five-day on site workweek. First- and second-level courts will adopt the four day onsite and one day WFH scheme. All courts and judiciary offices will also implement energy conservation measures such as limiting official trav el and maintaining standard thermostat settings.

In the Senate, Sen. Francis Escu dero expressed support for the policy and encouraged private companies to consider adopting a four day onsite workweek or staggered work hours.

Escudero said flexible work ar rangements could reduce daily trans portation demand, cut operating costs, and ease financial pressure on workers amid rising fuel prices.

“Acting this early as we anticipate what could possibly happen would strengthen the country’s resilience should the situation worsen,” he said.

Congress has long implemented a four-day workweek for its personnel, and Escudero said expanding simi lar arrangements to the private sector could maximize the benefits of the government’s compressed work setup, particularly in major business districts.

support women, highlighting the need for protection for the informal sector, climate resilient support for farmers, and improved access to financing for women entrepreneurs.

In a video message for Internation al Women’s Day, Duterte expressed solidarity with Filipino women, not ing that they not only endure chal lenges but also play a vital role in re building lives and communities.

“We are the strong foundation of our country, from mothers who strug gle to make ends meet, to farmers who are recovering after the floods, to our women working in different parts of the world,” she said. Duterte emphasized that it is time to move beyond simply praising resilience, stressing the need to establish systems that truly support and empower women.

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026

Carandang urged to explain Duterte SALNs to panel

By Rio N. Araja

LA UNION Rep. Paolo Ortega V is urging the House Committee on Justice to invite former Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang as a resource person in hearings this week. Carandang would shed light on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, particularly on issues involving Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and alleged unexplained wealth, the lawmaker said.

Ortega noted that Carandang “was directly involved in high-level investigations that required examining bank transaction records,” he said Sunday.

The former Ombudsman official also examined records obtained from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in connection with the financial transactions of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte “and accounts reportedly linked to members of his family, including VP Sara,” the lawmaker added.

“His experience in handling those kinds of financial documents can help the committee better understand how investigators evaluate bank records alongside SALN disclosures,” Ortega said. Carandang served at the Ombudsman from 2013 to 2019 and was among the senior officials overseeing major corruption investigations during his tenure.

Solons back 50% electric bill discount

By Rio N. Araja

IN BRIEF

Chinese nationals nabbed with P69.8m ‘kush’ at Clark

THREE Chinese nationals were arrested after authorities found P69.8 million worth of suspected kush, a high-grade type of cannabis, in their luggage during a routine inspection at Clark International Airport on Saturday.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Clark said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) identified the suspects as alias “Ang See,” 39; alias “Kim Tan,” 27; and alias “Li Ching,” 30. Authorities said the suspects were carrying 46,533.3 grams of marijuana.

The three foreign nationals were transit passengers from Bangkok, Thailand, and were bound for Hong Kong. They are now under the custody of PDEA-Central Luzon for tactical interrogation and further investigation.

The confiscated illegal substances will be forwarded to the PDEA Regional Office 3 laboratory for forensic examination and confirmation. The suspects will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

800kg of marijuana worth P640m seized at Manila port

AUTHORITIES seized about 800 kilograms of suspected marijuana in a major drug bust at the Manila International Container Port early Saturday.

The haul was estimated to be worth P640 million.

A 44-year-old man from Legazpi City was arrested after authorities discovered the illegal drugs concealed in shipment boxes at Container Facility Station 3 in Tondo, Manila.

The suspected marijuana was packed in 80 black plastic boxes, each containing several vacuum-sealed bags of the illegal substance. Authorities also confiscated a mobile phone and an identification card from the suspect.

The operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Seaport Interdiction Unit in coordination with the PDEA Regional Office–NCR, the Bureau of Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force, and the Philippine Coast Guard. The seized drugs will undergo forensic examination while the suspect faces charges under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

PNP, AFP, PCG strengthen coordination vs. threats

THE Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have strengthened their coordination and operational capabilities following the 5th National Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center (JPSCC) meeting held at Camp Crame in Quezon City on March 3.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. led the meeting with AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan and PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan. The meeting aimed to further strengthen the relationship among the country’s three main security agencies to build a comprehensive security blanket across the archipelago.

According to Nartatez, the continuous exchange of knowledge and coordination is vital to enhance the agencies’ capabilities in responding to threats to peace and order. Vince Lopez

More than 27,000 ex-rebels benefit from peace plan

A TOTAL of 27,589 former members of non-state armed groups (FMNSAGs) have benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Peace and Development–Buong Bansa Mapayapa (PDBBM) as part of the ongoing government efforts to strengthen peacebuilding in conflict-affected communities.

Among the PDBBM program beneficiaries were 25,759 former members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Communist Party of the Philippines urban hit squad Alex Boncayao Brigade, and disbanded private armed groups in several regions.

Director Miramel Laxa, national program manager, said the PDBBM is important as it promotes

peacebuilding initiatives that bring inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven peace while helping FMNSAGs transition to productive civilian lives.

“Kung walang kapayapaan, walang progreso, walang development sa atin … balewala ang lahat ng ating infrastructures, programs di ba kung magulo, di ba mawawala rin kasi lahat ‘yan (If there is no peace, no progress, no development among us ... all our infrastructures, programs are useless, right? If there is chaos, right? All of that will be lost), Laxa said over DZMM Teleradyo’s “Serbisyong DSWD for Every Juan” on Saturday. Data from the program shows that out of the 32,315 target benefi-

ciaries, 27,589 are under DSWD’s case management, which is the process of assessing their needs for appropriate services.

The implementation of the PDBBM program started in 2024 with pilot areas in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Cagayan de Oro in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) and Region12 (Soccsksargen) in Koronadal, South Cotabato due to the large concentration of decommissioned combatants in these locations.

The program included expanding the initiative to cover other regions, including Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Region 4-B (Mimaropa), Region 6 (Western Visayas), and the Negros Island Region.

THE Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has filed a bill granting qualified minimum wage earner households a uniform 50% discount on applicable electricity charges for their principal residence.

The party, led by its president, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, also seeks to provide automatic lifeline enrollment for marginalized consumers through the bill.

House Bill 8191 forms part of the party’s “Ginhawa KIT”—the Kuryente–Internet–Trabaho agenda—which aims to ease the burden of rising household expenses on working families.

The measure, the party said, responds to rising electricity bills that continue to strain households, particularly minimum wage earners struggling to stretch their income amid increasing living costs.

Lakas-CMD said it intends to institutionalize electricity relief through legislation.

Reps. David Suarez of Quezon and Jay Khonghun of Zambales filed House Bill 8191 on behalf of LakasCMD.

Under the proposed Ginhawa sa Kuryente Act, Suarez said the 50% discount is “designed for households with at least one minimum wage earner, applied to a single residential service account corresponding to the household’s principal residence.”

The discount is “subject to verification, anti-leakage safeguards, and periodic revalidation to keep the benefit targeted and credible,” the bill adds.

Khonghun said the proposal would provide immediate relief to families.

“Members of Lakas-CMD stressed that this is the kind of relief families can feel right away because electricity is a basic need tied to health, education, safety and livelihood, and a power bill that keeps climbing forces families to make sacrifices on food, transport, school requirements and medicine,” he said.

Alongside the minimum wage earner discount, Romualdez said the bill would strengthen the lifeline rate for marginalized end-users.

He said the measure would require distribution utilities to automatically apply the lifeline benefit to qualified households through eligibility matching and account tagging, removing the burden on poor families to complete paperwork to receive assistance.

schools, workers

TWG finalizing Sulu transition measures for

HE Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Sulu transition is finalizing agreements aimed at ensuring the seamless operation of educational institutions and the continued protection of workers in the province.

This developed as the TWG convened on Thursday to discuss transition measures that will pave the way for the uninterrupted delivery of education services and safeguard teachers and education personnel.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) issued a joint statement Friday night to update the public on transition plans for Sulu.

The TWG said the draft joint memorandum among the Commission on Higher Education, the Ministry of Basic,

Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), and Mindanao State University on interim operational arrangements for the Hadji Butu School of Arts and Trades (HBSAT) and the Lapak Agricultural School (LAPAK) will be signed on March 13.

A formal resolution supporting the implementation of measures allowing the Bangsamoro government to fund the salaries of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language teachers, Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Bangsamoro teachers, and para-teachers in Sulu for Fiscal Year 2026 will also be issued.

The renewal of all contracts of service workers will proceed under standard MBHTE processes. The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will also study Sulu’s request for the allocation of funds for capital outlays, specifically for LAPAK and HBSAT.

COOLING OFF. Residents cool off in the Bakas River in Norzagaray, Bulacan on Sunday as temperatures soar. Lifeguards are stationed along the river to ensure swimmers’ safety. Norman Cruz

HELP FOR FISHERFOLKS. Senator Erwin Tulfo provides fishing gear to 22 Filipino fisherfolks who recently returned to Rizal, Palawan after a month-long detention in Malaysia. Office of Sen. Erwin Tulfo

TRANSFORMATION. The emerging skyline of Irisan rises above the misty hills of Benguet as new structures and fortress-style developments transform the oncequiet outskirts into a fast-growing mountain tourism district. Edd Castro

OPINION

And now, the deluge

LAST Thursday’s column, titled “Et maintenant” was unfortunately “lost in translation” between my e-mailed copy and what came out in print or online. The article thus made little sense. Lost were some eight paragraphs, such that faithful readers called to ask why the article made little sense. So I am summarizing the paragraphs that were lost so readers will understand what I was trying to convey, after Egay Erice’s fulmination at how we are being fooled by this government, causing his immediate ouster as Senior Minority Floor leader right after he was summoned and berated by the president’s son, mismo.

From there I segued into how the “Upper” chamber, soon to be housed at a 32- billion peso “iconic” manse in what used to be part of the Marine reserve at Fort Bonifacio, now treats the revelations of the 16 ex-Marines plus two former security aides of Zaldy Co, just as they ignored Orly Guteza’s earlier testimony.

Incompetent and clueless leaders, of course, act without end game, reacting on day-to-day basis

Perhaps because the Senate President is mentioned as having been a recipient of Zaldy Co’s financial munificence, the Blue Ribbon chair poked “mathematical” holes into the explosive revelations of the soldiers instead of calling them to a Senate hearing to ferret out the unvarnished truth. And then I went back to the “lower” chamber whose fawning justice committee members were spouting idiotic arguments to pin down their political nemesis, the vice-president, which is why, as the header said, I am happy my Manila fifth district congressman is not one of the clowns in the circus. ***

Since “et maintenant” translates as “what now” in English, let me now paraphrase the French Louis XIV who prophetically said “Apres moi, le deluge,” meaning, “after me --- chaos”.

Except that, we are writing about the here and now. The “deluge” is upon us. Before Trump and Netanyahu bombed Khamenei et al. and sent them posthaste to Allah, experts predicted a slower than 3 percent GDP growth for the first quarter of this year. The last quarter consumption figures were so bad that anyone could see a worse pattern in the first quarter, maybe 2.5 percent.

Inflation, according to the PSA, spiked

in February, but that was pre-Iran.

The American POTUS who styles himself as “emperor” of the world, has similarities with our POTBI (president of the benighted islands) who starts events without a deciphered end game.

So now what was expected to be swift and surgical is turning into a war of attrition where the whole world is discombobulated by asymmetrical warfare, with Iran’s regional commands holding out and hitting at US allies in the entire Middle East.

Tomorrow, our diesel prices will increase by some 30 percent from last week, perhaps a tad less as we write this, assuming Sharon Garin of the perpetual Iloilo dynasty can “persuade” the oil industry players to be “benevolent” enough.

But then only Petron still refines crude oil from Middle East imports, where the Straits of Hormuz blocks the flow of petrol. Normal cost-efficient inventory practice limits reserves to some 30 days of demand requirements.

Shell, Caltex and the others no longer refine, because it is more profitable to just import finished petroleum products from refineries in China, Taiwan and South Korea. And naturally, they keep much lower inventories as no refining is needed, aside from having nearer import sources.

I have absolutely no love lost for Khamenei and whoever the hell his successors may be, but wise and not trigger-happy leaders plot major moves with end game in mind.

Incompetent and clueless leaders, of course, act without end game, reacting on day-to-day basis.

So now, “le deluge” is upon us, and we are scrambling for ways and means on how to assist our more than two million OFWs in the Middle East. That is for the present, but the consequences of a prolonged war of attrition would also mean less jobs for our OFWs who will return, “nga-nga” about their families’ future.

Since our economy rests on two legs: OFW remittances and BPO work force earnings, imagine the negative impact, listless as it already is.

And then again, inflation this March will hit the roof, and it will continue with varying degrees on products across-theboard because we import practically everything we need, including food. That is the maelstrom, no, the deluge we face.

Despite all these, our president finds time to go to the UNGA in his fave New York, New York, to call for peace and an immediate cessation of hostilities, as if Trump or Netanyahu or any other country in the universe will listen to his plea.

God help us!

Vibes war? Trump pitches Iran conflict on ‘feeling’

WASHINGTON, DC—Donald Trump has plunged the United States into its most significant conflict in decades over a “feeling.” It’s not his political opponents saying this, but the White House itself. Throughout the first week of the war with Iran, the US president has prioritized impulse and emotion over explanations and reasoning.

“I hope you’re impressed,” Trump, a former reality TV host, told an ABC News reporter on Thursday. “How do you like the performance?”

Official government accounts are posting clips on social media that present the military operation like a video game, often with sharp captions that would suit a blockbuster war film.

“This could be the first war ever launched based on vibes,” joked American comedian and talk show host Jimmy Fallon this week.

Journalists on Wednesday bombarded White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt with questions about what motivated US military intervention— which Trump oversaw from his luxury Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. She replied that the president had acted because he “had a good feeling that the Iranian regime was going to strike United States assets and our personnel in the region.”

‘Incoherent, immoral, arrogant’

Experts said the Trump administration has taken a new approach in how it has sought to justify and communicate the military action to the public.

Sean Aday, a public relations professor at George Washington University, said he has “never seen worse messaging in wartime from a US administration.”

“It’s been a combination of incoherent, immoral, arrogant, amateurish, and at times trafficked in outright fabrication,” he told AFP.

Aday contrasted it with ex-president George W. Bush’s attempts to justify the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, whose administration spent “nearly a year and a half trying to persuade the public it was necessary.”

Trump has been vague about both the reason for entering a war with Iran and the objectives being pursued

Richard Haass, a former US diplomat, pointed to how Trump has largely ignored formal national security processes, “having spent the better part of the last year hollowing out the national security apparatus.”

The National Security Council, a body that helps the president shape his diplomatic and military strategy, has been significantly downsized since Trump returned to power in January 2025.

Marco Rubio now combines the roles of secretary of state and national security adviser—positions that were previously separate. Contradictory comments

Trump has been vague about both the reason for entering a war with Iran and

AEDITORIAL

A long way to go

44

NON-COMMISSIONED November 2025 survey conducted by Social Weather Stations revealed that Filipinos’ attitudes toward women’s roles, work, and responsibilities remain traditional despite advances in technology and perceived progress in mindsets.

The polling firm proferred six statements and asked 1,200 adults nationwide whether or not they agreed or disagreed, or were undecided about them. The general attitudes were telling, but men’s and women’s numbers, or the difference in such, also say a lot. The survey had a 1:1 female-and-male respondent ratio, and respondents were equally from urban and rural areas.

For instance, the statement “A man’s job is to earn money; a woman’s job is to look after home and family” gained 83 percent agreement and 8 percent disagreement. This yielded an “extremely strong” net agreement of +75 percent across both sexes. Male respondents had a net agreement of +77; females, +73.

“Being a housewife is just as fulfilling as working for pay” gained 81% agreement and 11% disagreement, or an “extremely strong” +71 net agreement while 7 percent were undecided. More women had a net agreement at +74 than men at +67.

Meanwhile, 75% agreed and 14% disagreed with “a job is all right, but what most women really want is a home and children,” for a net agreement of +60, with 10 percent of respondents undecided. Net agreement is the same for both sexes.

Seventy-one percent of respondents agreed with “A working mother can establish just as warm and secure a

relationship with her children as a mother who does not work,” while 18 percent disagreed, for a +53 net agreement. Net agreement among women was +55; among men, it was +51. Another 10 percent were undecided. Sixty-three percent agreed, and 27%

Let us not be content with token gestures and greetings at this time of the year.

disagreed, that “a pre-school child is likely to suffer if his or her mother works, for a net agreement of +54.

Among women, net agreement was at +46; for men, net agreement was +28. On the statement that “all in all, family life suffers when the woman has a full-time job,” 51% agreed, 36% disagreed, while 12% were undecided. Net agreement among women was +25 and +4 among men. We could find many ways to explain why the numbers are so. According to the SWS, 33% of total respondents were aged 55 and above; meanwhile, only 11% came from the youngest age group of 18-24. The age groups 25-34 and 35-

EARLIER this month, the Philippines stepped onto one of the mining industry’s most prominent global stages.

The country unveiled its first-ever national pavilion at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto—the world’s largest gathering of mining leaders, investors, and policymakers. For an industry long debated at home, the moment was more than symbolic.

PDAC is where the global mining industry takes stock of where it is headed. Companies look for exploration opportunities, governments attract investment, and policymakers discuss the minerals critical for sustainable economies.

This year’s conversations centered on the accelerating demand for mineral supply needed to power electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced technologies.

For countries with significant mineral resources, the question is no longer whether demand will grow.

It is whether they are prepared to participate in the supply chains to support the fast expansion of digital and clean energy ecosystems.

The Philippines enters that conversation with a strong resource base.

The country holds substantial reserves of nickel, copper, gold, and cobalt—minerals essential for batteries, electronics, and clean energy infrastructure.

It is already one of the world’s largest producers of nickel, a key component of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. As global demand for these materials rises, the Philippines has an opportunity to become a leading global player.

Yet participation in global mineral supply chains increasingly depends on more than geology. Governments and investors now place equal weight on environmental standards, regulatory stability, and technological capability.

Countries that succeed in attracting long-term investment are those able to demonstrate that mineral development can be both economically productive and responsibly managed.

This is where partnerships become important. Canada offers one of the world’s

the objectives being pursued.

Instead of holding press conferences he has given several short phone interviews with reporters, producing a mosaic of contradictory comments.

And while his cabinet members state Washington is not seeking regime change, the US president has insisted that he should be involved in choosing Iran’s

of respondents.

Three hundred respondents each from Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao were interviewed, but the weighted average for these areas differed with 45% coming from Balance Luzon, 23% from Mindanao, 19% from the Visayas, and 13% from Metro Manila. Weighted average considers the population size of each area in the computation.

The most number of respondents—30%—obtained junior high school or some vocational education, followed by elementary graduates with some JHS at 27%, and SHS and vocational to those who had some college education at 22%. Just 11% of respondents were college graduates or higher, while only 10% had no education to some elementary schooling. These demographics greatly shaped the survey results. Still, people’s pervading attitudes toward women are also seen in how they view statements that denigrate, dismiss, or objectify women. We have no shortage of recent examples – just think of Representative Jesus Manuel “Bong” Suntay, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, and Senator Jinggoy Estrada. Their sick statements gained them notoriety, if they did not have it already, but their subsequent defense of their words and their supporters’ adamant refusal to condemn them speak volumes. Such mindsets make it easy to cross the line to misogyny, abuse, and continued oppression of women in ways that may not be obvious. Sunday was International Women’s Day and this month is Women’s Month. Let us not be content with token gestures and greetings at this time of the year. We have a long way to go.

and PH in the strategic race for critical minerals

most established examples of a mining ecosystem built on decades of technical expertise, regulatory experience, and environmental oversight.

Canadian firms have developed advanced capabilities in mineral exploration, processing technologies, and sustainable mining practices.

These strengths have made Canada a central player in efforts to secure reliable supplies of critical minerals for the energy transition.

The Philippines holds substantial reserves of nickel, copper, gold, and cobalt—minerals essential for batteries, electronics, and clean energy infrastructure

For the Philippines, collaboration with partners that possess such expertise can help strengthen the foundations of its mining sector. It can support efforts to modernize exploration methods, improve environmental safeguards, and develop downstream processing industries that allow the country to harness greater value from its resources beyond exporting ores.

The conversations that began in Toronto are now set to continue in Manila. On March 12 and 13, policymakers, industry representatives, and strategic experts from both countries will for a dialogue focused on strengthening Canada–Philippines cooperation in areas tied to economic security.

The discussions will explore several areas where collaboration could deepen, including digital resilience, defense industrial cooperation, and critical minerals and clean technology development. Critical minerals are central to economic growth, innovation, and security. Countries around the world are seeking to diversify supply chains

next supreme leader after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump has also brushed aside economic concerns from the conflict which has driven up the price of gasoline—a potential vulnerability for his Republican party ahead of midterm elections this year. A poll released Wednesday by NBC

to reduce vulnerability to disruptions and geopolitical tensions. Reliable partnerships have become as important as resource availability.

In that context, the Philippines and Canada bring complementary strengths. Canada contributes advanced mining technologies, research institutions, and globally recognized expertise in responsible resource development.

The Philippines brings abundant mineral resources and a strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, where demand for clean energy technologies and advanced manufacturing continues to expand.

The goal is not simply to increase mineral extraction. The larger opportunity lies in developing the broader value chain—from exploration and mining to processing, refining, and manufacturing linked to clean technologies.

Achieving this requires investment, knowledge transfer, and sustained collaboration between governments, industry, and research institutions.

Such cooperation could take many forms. Canadian companies may partner with Philippine firms to improve exploration and processing technologies. Research institutions could collaborate on innovations in sustainable mining and battery materials. Policymakers could streamline regulatory frameworks to encourage investment while ensuring environmental responsibility.

These steps move beyond rhetoric about partnerships and toward practical cooperation. They also reflect a broader recognition that economic resilience in the twenty-first century depends on secure access to strategic resources and trusted networks of collaboration.

The Philippines’ debut at PDAC signals a readiness to engage more actively with the global mining community. The discussions taking place in Manila this week offer an opportunity to translate that signal into sustained cooperation.

A deeper Canada–Philippines partnership in critical minerals and clean technology could strengthen supply chains, support responsible resource development, and help both countries contribute to industries shaping the future the global energy and digital economy.

shows that 52 percent of US voters oppose the military action in Iran.

By contrast, the start of the war in Afghanistan in 2001 was met with strong approval, and the public initially supported the offensive launched in Iraq. But on both Afghanistan and Iraq, negative opinions grew as the conflicts dragged on. AFP

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sweden seizes false-flagged ship

police probe man for throwing ‘ignited’ devices

NEW YORK – New York counterterror police said they were investigating on Saturday after a man threw “ignited devices” near far-right protesters demonstrating outside the mayor’s home.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the devices contained nuts, bolts and screws as well as a fuse -- but it was not yet clear if they were functional improvised explosive devices, or hoax imitations.

The FBI New York said in an X post that its Joint Terrorism Task Force was “actively investigating”, along with New York City Police.

There was no indication the incident was related to the ongoing hostilities in Iran, Tisch added. Police arrested six people over unrest at the protest, she said, including two suspects in connection with the devices.

Far-right influencer Jake Lang was demonstrating against alleged “Islamification” and calling for an end to “public Muslim prayer” in New York in front of Gracie Mansion, the residence of mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim. His protest drew around 20 people, police said, while counterprotesters numbered about 125. AFP

IN BRIEF

US court voids mass layoffs at VOA

WASHINGTON, DC – A federal judge ruled Saturday that President Donald Trump’s pick to oversee mass layoffs at Voice of America and other governmentfunded media was unlawfully appointed, rendering the job cuts invalid.

Kari Lake, a former TV anchor, was hired by Trump to head the US Agency for Global Media, part of his administration’s efforts to clamp down on what he considers unfriendly journalism.

She soon announced funding and job cuts, including the dismissal of more than 500 employees of Voice of America, created in the wake of World War II as a key instrument of American soft power worldwide.

Employees sued Lake over the firings, which were temporarily halted last September pending judicial review.

In his ruling, US District Judge Royce Lamberth determined that Lake’s appointment as senior advisor to the agency was made “in violation of the Appointments Clause and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.” AFP

Venezuela frees more political prisoners

CARACAS – Venezuela released 17 political prisoners on Saturday from a jail in the capital, Caracas, an AFP journalist saw, as a new law granted amnesty for crimes historically used to lock up dissidents.

The landmark law, which was adopted last month, is one of the most significant reforms championed by Delcy Rodriguez, who succeeded autocratic leader Nicolas Maduro after his January 3 capture by US forces. The NGO Foro Penal says more than 621 political prisoners have been released since Maduro’s ouster, but that around 500 remain behind bars. Family members have been clamoring for their release for weeks, including a group of women in Caracas who staged a nearly week-long hunger strike. Outside the capital’s national police facility known as Zone 7, family members had chained themselves to prison gates, while some had spent weeks sleeping in tents. AFP

Turkey’s jailed mayor: Change demand high

ISTANBUL – Political efforts to cripple

Turkey’s main opposition and lock up its presidential candidate will never stifle the people’s frustration with the government and their growing demand for change, Istanbul’s jailed mayor told AFP in an interview.

“An irreversible process for a change in power has begun in Turkey and it won’t stop until it is complete. I cannot stop it ... nor can the ruling party nor the judiciary,” Ekrem Imamoglu said in a written response to AFP questions conveyed via lawyers from his prison cell in Silivri, west of Istanbul.

“Whatever is done to my party or me, we won’t abandon this path (to democracy) we’re walking on with the nation,” said the 54-year-old. His remarks came just days before his trial on Monday in a massive corruption case that critics say is designed to block him from challenging President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the next election. AFP

Women rule the roost atop Gdansk shipyard cranes

GDANSK, Poland--For the past 30 years, Halina Krauze has sat atop a 15-meter crane surveying the Gdansk shipyard, the birthplace of the Solidarnosc trade union.

For eight hours, the 65-year-old displaces tons of steel that will become ship hulls and wind turbine components. She is one of dozens of crane operators at the huge yard, the largest in Central Europe.

Far below the cabin, hundreds of workers in overalls, helmets and protective goggles are busy at work.

The noise is constant, sparks fly and the air is full of welding fumes.

Around 70 percent of Poland’s construc-

tion site crane operators are women, a tradition inherited from the Communist era.

In the Soviet period, “women had to be employed somewhere and since they couldn’t do hard labour, they were integrated into other professions”, explained Agnieszka Pyrzanowska, spokeswoman for the state-owned Baltic Industrial Group, which now operates part of the shipyard.

“Entire families worked for the same company.”

Indeed, Krauze met her husband Stanislaw at the yard and today they work in the same unit.

“He’s up there!” she exclaimed, waving energetically at another crane cabin

in the sky.

Remembering a legend Krauze joined what was then called the Vladimir Lenin shipyard in 1983, first in a coal-fired boiler room and later operating a crane.

“In the beginning, it was a shipyard. We built a good dozen ships a year. Now we build dozens of wind turbine towers. It’s quite different,” she said. She is proud to have worked on the same crane as Anna Walentynowicz, one of the founders of Solidarnosc.

It was Walentynowicz’s dismissal in 1980 that triggered the huge shipyard strike and the creation of the first free trade union in the Communist bloc. AFP

India’s economy is booming, but uneven growth clouds ascent

MUMBAIL — For years India’s economy was driven by its vast services sector that saw millions of people working away in low-cost back offices providing consultancy for predominantly western companies. But over the past decade they have given way to centers that allow firms to tap top-tier talent and technology, where white-collar staff perform tasks ranging from IT and data analytics to innovation and design.

Today, these centers are the shiniest parts of India’s red-hot economy but not everyone has been able to enjoy the boom times as opportunities remain uneven.

Amazon’s biggest office in the world is now located in southern India, and top financiers like JPMorgan have roughly 20 percent of their workforce scattered across Indian cities.

The government says the country is now home to about one-fifth of the world’s chip design engineers, helped by hiring from firms like Qualcomm and MediaTek.

This has boosted services sector growth and helped make India the fast-

est-growing major economy -- a title it has firmly held onto since 2021.

Alouk Kumar, the head of an Indian consultancy that helps global giants set up offshore business centres, says his phone hasn’t stopped buzzing in recent weeks.

“Demand and interest have been crazy... the number of calls I have got from European firms has soared,” he said. “The way it is increasing, the next 10 years will belong to India.”

The surge in growth saw Prime Minis-

STOCKHOLM –

Police in Sweden have seized a false-flagged cargo ship off its southern coast believed to belong to Russia’s shadow fleet and suspected of transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, authorities said Saturday.

The 96-meter Caffa left Casablanca in Morocco on Feb. 24 and was headed for Saint Petersburg, Russia when armed Swedish police boarded it on Friday off the southern town of Trelleborg.

“The vessel is on the Ukraine sanctions list. Information indicates that it has essentially been used to transport grain that is stolen, as we understand it, from Ukraine,” the coast guard’s acting head of operations, Daniel Stenling, told a press conference.

“We have been able to establish that the vessel is sailing under a false flag. She is registered in Guinea, but that registration is in fact false,” he added.

“A majority” of the 11 crew members were Russian, Stenling said. The Russian embassy in Stockholm said it had been informed by the Swedish coast guard that 10 of the crew were Russian citizens.

“The Russian embassy in Sweden is in contact with the competent Swedish authorities and is ready, if necessary, to provide consular assistance to the Russian nationals among the crew,” it wrote on Telegram.

One crew member was under investigation for violation of the maritime code on seaworthiness and on ship safety, Stenling said, refusing to disclose the suspect’s identity or crew role.

“The investigative measures we have taken so far reinforce our suspicions and our view that there are extensive maritime safety deficiencies on this vessel,” he said.

The Swedish Transport Agency was to inspect the ship and determine whether it was seaworthy and authorised to continue its journey.

‘Risk of accidents’ Moscow’s “shadow fleet” consists of vessels with opaque ownership used to skirt Western sanctions. AFP

Trump offers LatAm leaders US missiles to hit drug cartels

power” against security threats.

“We’re working with you to do whatever we have to do. We’ll use missiles. You want us to use a missile? They’re extremely accurate,” Trump told a dozen right-wing leaders from

do whatever you need.” AFP

WIDE DEVASTATION. This handout picture released by the Brazilian Presidency press office shows Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva looking at debris and damage caused by floods and landslides and heavy rains in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil, last week, where 70 people have died in landslides, and promised aid. Thousands of people were left homeless this week by mudslides in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Ubá, where citizens are searching for loved ones under piles of mud and debris. AFP

JACKSCON REMEMBERED. Former US president Barack Obama speaks at a public memorial service to celebrate the life of civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago, Illinois, during the weekend. Jackson, one of the nation’s most influential Black voices, died peacefully on Feb. 17, 2026 at the age of 84. Jackson,

PNP chief eyes rigid measures on women safety

By Vince Lopez

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP)

chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday ordered all police commanders, particularly those in city and municipal stations, to strengthen their reporting and response systems for cases involving violations of the Safe Spaces Act.

Nartatez said the directive also calls for sustained public awareness campaigns in partnership with local government units and other stakeholders.

“Part of our mandate is to ensure protection of vulnerable sectors in our society. This must be matched by reliable and swift police response to calls for assistance related to gender-based harassment,” he said.

The move forms part of the PNP’s intensified campaign against emerging forms of gender-based sexual harassment in line with this year’s National Women’s Month Celebration.

Nartatez underscored the role of police officers as frontliners in protecting women and other vulnerable sectors across all spaces, and in strengthening mechanisms that uphold human rights and ensure government institutions remain responsive to gender-related concerns.

Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, broadened the definition of sexual harassment in the Philippines. It penalizes not only acts committed by persons in authority but also those carried out by peers, colleagues, or strangers.

The law also recognizes that harassment may occur in public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, and online platforms.

Lawyer hit over ‘sexual remarks’

By Rio N. Araja

LAGUNA Rep. Ann Matibag on Sunday slammed lawyer Ferdinand Topacio over what she described as “degrading and misogynistic” remarks against Gabriela Women’s party-list Rep. Sarah Elago.

“To publicly admit to ‘lusting after’ a woman legislator while attempting to justify sexist behavior reduces a duly elected public official to an object of sexualization. Such statements are unacceptable and undermine the dignity of

women in public service,” Matibag said. Incidentally, Elago chairs the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality. Topacio earlier defended Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Manuel Suntay, who drew criticism for making snide

remarks on actress and television host

Anne Curtis while narrating a sexual fantasy during a House hearing on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Topacio said he had also once “lusted” over Elago, a former Kabataan party-list representative.

Elago previously said the party-list group is considering legal action against Topacio over a disparaging remark he made about her. The lawyer has yet to issue a reaction statement as of posting time.

Matibag said she has long been an advocate for women’s rights and social justice.

CORY SCHOOL

TURNS 16.

Students, parents, and local residents mass up at President Corazon C. Aquino Elementary School compound in Batasan Hills, Quezon City to celebrate the school’s 16th year with colorful buntings and matching red and pink shirts. Children toting inflatable sticks and wearing yellow bandanas join a lively parade, highlighting the festive spirit and unity of the local school community on March 7, 2026. Edd Castro

Dizon cites need for wise use of funds on infra projects

By Vito Barcelo

PUBLIC Works and Highways Secretary Vince

Dizon said government infrastructure projects can be completed on time with better quality and durability as long as public funds are properly spent and protected from corruption.

“Attacks that trivialize women leaders through misogynistic remarks have no place in public discourse and run contrary to the values upheld by our laws, including the Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act No. 11313),” she said in a statement.

“As we mark National Women’s Month, we must reaffirm our commitment to respect, equality, and accountability. The Committee on Women and Gender Equality stands firmly with Representative Elago and with all women who continue to face sexism and harassment,” the Laguna solon said.

IN BRIEF

DOJ opinion on urban poor housing lauded

THE Urban Poor Action Committee (UPAC), representing 205,000 urban poor families, has expressed support for a Department of Justice (DOJ) opinion on balanced housing compliance.

The group called it a major boost to their campaign for more pro-poor socialized housing, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said Sunday.

In a letter to DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, UPAC backed DOJ Opinion No. 4, series of 2026, which flagged legal infirmities in a 2021 DHSUD order governing incentivized balanced housing compliance.

The letter was signed by UPAC executive director Alicia Murphy, KOSMAT president Jeorgie Tonelete, Community Organizers Multiversity executive director Lucila Malibiran, and ULAP Confederation president Madeline Suarez. Rio N. Araja

Olongapo gov’t orders fuel-saving measures

THE Olongapo City government has ordered strict fuelsaving measures for all government vehicles starting this week as gasoline prices climb amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

In his message to policy-makers, business leaders, and development experts attending the conference, Dizon said the government must ensure that taxpayer money is spent exactly where it is intended.

“There’s so much to be done, but as you can see, it can be done. As long as the money is put in where it’s supposed to go, and we prioritize,” he said. Dizon also underscored the need to maintain existing roads and complete projects that have remained unfinished for years.

Speaking during the Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco Policy Conference 2026 in Makati City, Dizon stressed that multiple long-delayed infrastructure projects could be finished if agencies focus on proper spending and clear priorities.

PDEG buy-bust yields 2 cops, many civilians

THE Philippine National Police (PNP), through the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) and the Taguig City Police Station, arrested two policemen and multiple civilians during a buy-bust operation in Taguig City on Saturday afternoon.

The operation was conducted late afternoon on March 7 in front of Landers, Arca South, Taguig City, where authorities apprehended two members of the Taguig City Police Station along with several civilian suspects.

The operation led to the recovery of around 100 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of ₱680,000, along with PNP-issued firearms, cellular phones, and identification cards.

The local government deplored the involvement of policemen, reiterating that it maintains zero tolerance for illegal drugs and any form of misconduct in law enforcement. Vince Lopez

He said that addressing long-pending infrastructure backlogs and improving road maintenance would significantly ease travel, boost economic activity, and improve the daily lives of commuters and businesses across the country.

According to him, the Department is accelerating the implementation of priority infrastructure projects. These include road rehabilitation, bridge construction, and other public works designed to improve connectivity between provinces, cities, and rural communities.

In a memorandum, Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. directed all office personnel to reduce fuel consumption while ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of core public services.

“The rise in fuel costs is not just a challenge for our operational budget — it is a call for responsive and efficient public service,” Paulino told Manila Standard.

Latest pump price monitoring in the city showed gasoline averages ₱62.55 per liter, with industry projections warning that gasoline prices may skyrocket in the following days. John Bayarong

Bill wants Samar falls named ecotourism site

A BILL filed at the House of Representatives seeks to declare the scenic Maharlika Falls in Taft, Eastern Samar as an official ecotourism destination, citing the multi-tiered waterfall’s huge potential to attract visitors and create new livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Under House Bill No. 7692, Maharlika Falls located in Barangay San Rafael in the municipality of Taft, would be formally designated as a tourism site and integrated into the national tourism development plan.

The measure mandates the Department of Tourism (DOT) to prepare and implement a comprehensive development plan for the site, ensuring that tourism initiatives are carried out alongside the protection, preservation, and conservation of its natural environment.

Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan introduced the proposed law dubbed Maharlika Falls Tourist Destination Act.

AFTERMATH OF FIRE. Mayor Joy Belmonte visits a community along NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan razed by a conflagration on Friday night, leaving thousands homeless.

The mayor advises the victims to tentatively stay at evacuation centers where the local government can assist them. FB photo

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Eala shifts focus to Gauff duel after doubles’ defeat

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINA tennis sensation Alexandra Eala is turning her full attention to singles’ play at the Indian Wells Open after an early exit in the women’s doubles draw on Monday (10 a.m. Manila time).

Eala and American partner Iva Jovic bowed out in the Round of 32 following a 2-6, 2-6 defeat to the pair of Jelena Ostapenko and Hailey Baptiste. The match lasted just over an hour, with Ostapenko and Baptiste advancing comfortably to the next round.

After both teams were level at 1-all early in the opening set, Ostapenko and Baptiste seized control by winning three straight games to open a 4-1 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the contest.

Despite the loss, the 20-year-old Eala and Jovic, who last teamed up at the ASB Classic, will take home $19,510 in prize money and 10 ranking points.

Eala, currently ranked world No. 32, now shifts her focus to a highly anticipated singles’ showdown against world No. 3 Coco Gauff in the third round.

The Filipina star booked the rematch with Gauff

after outlasting Dayana Yastremska in a tense three-set battle, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.

“Today I had to dig really deep, so I’m expecting that the next match I have to do even more. So I’m ready, and I’m looking forward to it,” Eala said in her post-match interview.

The upcoming clash will be a chance for redemption for Eala, who was previously beaten by Gauff, 6-0, 6-2, in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last month.

Against Yastremska, a former Grand Slam semifinalist, Eala showed resilience in the deciding set. The Ukrainian appeared poised to take control after breaking serve for a 5-4 lead, but Eala immediately broke back when Yastremska committed one of her 15 double faults.

FEU nears 1st-round volley sweep

FAR Eastern University defeated University of the Philippines in straight sets, 25-14, 25-22, 28-26, moving closer to a first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Tamaraws, now 6-0, will aim to complete the sweep on Saturday against traditional rival University of Santo Tomas (4-1) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. “‘Yung counter-attack namin kinapos lang ng konti kaya naging ganon yung scenario sa dulo pero okay kami,” said FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo after his team committed 24 errors. “Ang dami pang dapat linisin sa errors namin sa tatlong set; posibleng makapagbigay kami ng isa pang set sa opponent.” The Fighting Maroons, however, did not go down without a fight, as captain Olayemi Raheem tried to carry the team on his shoulders. Raheem’s kills tied the third set at 23, 24, and 26, but the Tamaraws refused to extend the match.

Amet Bituin starred, finishing the match in one hour and 22 minutes, with back-to-back attacks giving FEU its sixth straight win in the tournament. Bituin impressed anew with 17 points on 15-of-28 attacks, two blocks, seven excellent receptions, and four digs.

Doula Ndongala also shone, contributing eight of the Tamaraws’ 14 blocks and adding four spikes for a total of 12 points.

Tradition vs. entertainment: Mariano speaks out on ‘sharking’

LUCKY Break founder and longtime patron of billiards Perry Mariano voiced his concerns on “sharking” as competition intensifies in SBA Season 2, weeks before the highly anticipated finals.

Mariano spoke about the issue, saying the practice does not reflect the kind of billiards that veteran players grew up with and respected.

“Billiards is a gentleman’s game. It’s quiet, respectful, and all about focus,” Mariano said. “At Lucky Break, we respect the heritage of the game. We are about the sport in its purest form, exactly how world champions were trained to play.”

Mariano clarified that he is not questioning the players’ talent. In fact, he praised the high level of skill in the league. However, he expressed concerns about the format being used.

“I look at Hadley’s league, and I don’t approve of this ‘sharking’ rule,” he said, referring to the SBA led by his son, Hadley Mariano. “You have people screaming and heckling while someone is taking a 9-ball shot. That’s a deviation from the sport. It turns a pro-

fessional match into a circus.”

For Mariano, when spectators shout or try to distract a player during a crucial shot, it undermines the respect for the game. He added that professional matches should not be turned into mere entertainment shows.

Still, he acknowledged that the concept has entertainment value.

“Is there a wide market for SBA? Maybe. I’ll be honest, I actually watch a lot of his games. It’s highly entertaining,” he said. “But as a mainstream professional league for the future? I don’t see it lasting. You can’t build a legacy purely on noise.”

In the end, Mariano offered what sounded like fatherly advice.

“I love my son, and I wish him all the luck in the world with this experiment. But he’d probably be better off sticking to the traditional game with me. When the fans get tired of the yelling, they’ll come back to the real sport.”

QUEZON Province trounced Zam boanga SiKat, 72-63, on Saturday to clinch a playoff slot in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basket ball League) Preseason Invitational at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Quezon Huskers, the reigning back-to-back South Division champi ons, climbed to a 6-1 record and as sured themselves of at least a thirdplace finish in the nine-team Group B round-robin elimination phase.

Cyrus Tabi, Jolo Manansala and Mon Abundo combined for 16 points in the fourth quarter to sustain the ef fort of Judel Fuentes, who pumped in 14 points in the first three quarters to push the Huskers ahead, 60-55, and clinch best player honors. Tabi finished with 13 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals, while Manansala tallied 11 points and 8 rebounds.

Zamboanga tumbled to 2-4 despite In and Val Fomilos’ 19 points, John Arthur Calisay’s 18, Paeng Are’s 12 plus 10 re bounds, and Michael Are’s 10 points.

Ramos powers to Filipino Elite crown at 5150 Guimaras

BAGUIO City’s Joshua Ramos boosted his rising triathlon career with a gutsy performance, unleashing a decisive surge in the closing run to outlast fellow national team standouts and capture the Filipino Elite Category crown at the 5150 Triathlon Guimaras on Sunday. Ramos battled through shifting weather conditions and a demanding championship course to prevail in 2:14:00 over the grueling Olympicdistance test composed of a 1.5km swim, 40km bike, and 10km run.

Early morning rain greeted the athletes before the swim start, but the conditions quickly changed as the rain gave way to searing heat that persisted throughout the bike and run segments, further testing the competitors’ endurance and race strategies. Ramos, 24, showed both tactical discipline and staying power, posting the fastest run split of 38:50 to secure a convincing two-minute victory over Matthew Hermosa, who clocked 39:07 in the run to finish second overall in 2:16:18.

Kim Remolino settled for third place in 2:23:26. Remolino initially set the pace, emerging from the water with the fastest swim split of 23:31, but struggled to maintain momentum in the latter stages, clocking 1:15:25 in the bike and 42:33 in the run. Ramos exited the swim in second with a 23:35 clocking, while Hermosa followed closely in 23:36, setting the stage for a spirited duel among the elite contenders. As Remolino faded, Ramos asserted control during the bike leg, clocking 1:09:32 to open a decisive gap over Hermosa, who registered 1:11:28. Still, Ramos saved his strongest push for the final stage, unleashing everything he had left to dominate the closing run and add another major title to his growing trophy collection.

The victory carried extra significance as the Filipino Elite division, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, also served as a platform to inspire aspiring triathletes eager to follow the footsteps of the country’s top endurance athletes.

MY COURT KINGS LAUNCH. Philippine Basketball Association players and officials are shown during the My Court Kings Press Launch at the Hotel Van Gogh, Candon City Ilocos Sur on Sunday. They are (from left) Converge Gov. Archen Cayabyab, Calvin Oftana, Magnolia Alternate Gov. Eric Arejola, Calvin Abueva, SMB Gov. Robert Non, PBA Vice Chairman Alfrancis Chua, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Dark League Studios CEO AC Valdenor, JuneMar Fajardo, Leonard Santillan and Magnolia Gov. Jason Webb. (PBA Images)

Manila MWS Mavericks team in SBA

Alexandra Eala (Paribas Open)

FEU’s Amet Bituin

Jayjay Caspe of Mindoro

Joshua Ramos

Erika Burgos

Foreign reserves hit record $112.7b

$112.72 billion

GIR as of February 2026

$112.61 billion

GIR as of January 2026

$107.4 billion

GIR as of February 2025

Spot market power prices fell in February

By Alena Mae S. Flores

WHOLESALE electricity prices

edged down 1.8 percent in February as a surge in available supply in Luzon offset tighter market conditions in the Visayas and Mindanao, the market operator said Sunday.

The system-wide average electricity price fell to P3.50 per kilowatthour (kWh) from P3.56 in January 2026, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

While electricity demand rose 3.1 percent to 12,874 megawatts (MW), the available power supply grew at a faster clip of 4.4 percent to reach 19,992 MW.

“Because supply increased faster than demand, the system maintained a larger buffer of available generation capacity. This improvement contributed to a decline in the systemwide average electricity price,” IEMOP said in a statement.

The price relief was felt most significantly in Luzon, where several power plants returned to service following planned maintenance.

Luzon generation increased by 1,058 MW against a demand rise of 442 MW, pushing the regional price down to P2.69 per kWh from P3.25 in January.

Supply margins in the Visayas and Mindanao regions narrowed due to a combination of plant outages and transmission constraints.

Visayas rates climbed to P5.37 per kWh from P4.24, while Mindanao prices rose to P5.25 per kWh from P4.27.

IEMOP said the Leyte-Luzon transmission interconnection frequently operated near its limit, which restricted the flow of lowercost power from Luzon to the Visayas. Similar constraints affected the Mindanao-Visayas link.

“Throughout the month, several power plants across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao experienced both planned maintenance outages and unexpected shutdowns,” IEMOP said.

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE Philippines’ gross international reserves (GIR) reached a record high of $112.72 billion as of endFebruary 2026 from $112.61 billion in January, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed Friday.

The preliminary figures represent an increase from the $107.4 billion recorded in February 2025. The year-on-year growth was led by a substantial uptick in the nation’s gold holdings.

Data showed that on a month-onmonth basis, gold holdings rose 11.56 percent to $23.06 billion from $20.67 billion in January. Foreign exchange holdings also increased 7.55 percent to $1.31 billion from $1.22 billion.

Special drawing rights edged up 0.02 percent to $3.979 billion

from $3.978 billion. However, the reserve position in the International Monetary Fund fell 0.52 percent to $726.4 million from $730.2 million in January, while foreign investments declined 2.76 percent to $83.65 billion from $86.02 billion.

The BSP said the latest GIR level provides a robust external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.5 months of imports of goods, service payments and primary income.

It also covers about 4.2 times the country’s short-term external debt

based on residual maturity.

The BSP previously reported that the country’s outstanding external debt rose to $149.09 billion as of the third quarter of 2025, a marginal 0.1-percent increase from the previous quarter.

The BSP said the debt level “remained broadly stable” in the third quarter and that the country’s external obligations stayed manageable, supported by solid economic conditions and prudent policies.

The slight quarter-on-quarter increase was led by the net acquisition of Philippine debt securities by nonresident investors, totaling $1.47 billion.

This was partially offset by net repayments of $764.56 million and valuation adjustments of $442.50 million due to the appreciation of the US dollar during the reference period.

polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, with the first phase of the rehabilitation project slated for completion by April 2026. The DPWH is also constructing catch basins and manholes and restoring affected road sections.

Isuzu completes ‘Road to 50’ campaign with new dealership

ISUZU Philippines Corp. (IPC) has opened Isuzu Mandaluyong on Shaw Boulevard, marking its 50th dealership nationwide and concluding its “Road to 50” expansion campaign.

The 2,201-square-meter facility was launched in partnership with dealer principal Iconic Dealership Inc. (IDI) and ACMobility. The expansion strengthens the brand’s presence within one of the primary business districts in Metro Manila.

Built according to the Isuzu Outlet Standard (IOS), the facility includes a modern showroom, a dedicated area for new vehicle releasing, a customer

lounge with cafe amenities and a section for parts and accessories.

“The completion of our Road to 50 campaign is a defining achievement. Through Isuzu Mandaluyong, we expand our market coverage in NCR and strengthen our commitment to serving businesses and families with durable mobility solutions,” IPC president Mikio Tsukui said.

The new outlet is operated by IDI, which the company described as a top-performing dealer principal with a track record in sales and aftersales service. The facility is designed to provide a seamless experience for

the local community through its customer-centered layout.

“With its modern IOS facility and customer-centered design, Isuzu Mandaluyong provides a seamless dealership experience for Mandaluyong’s growing community,” AC Mobility head of auto care Steve Gingco said.

The milestone underscores the commitment of the company to providing dependable mobility solutions across the Philippines.

While the specific campaign has ended, the manufacturer indicated that its network growth will persist.

Othel V. Campos

delivery of its first aircraft of the

Agriculture chief suspends fertilizer distribution over quality concerns

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has ordered the suspension of fertilizer releases from several governmentcontracted suppliers pending a full investigation into product quality complaints.

The directive to procurement and warehouse officials halts all distribution while the department, in coordination with the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, reviews whether the products meet government standards.

The suspension remains in effect until the Office of the Secretary grants official clearance, the agency said in a statement,

“We agreed to pay the price they bid, yet they delivered substandard

PCCI chair urges fuel, electricity tax suspension

By Othel V. Campos

Chamber of Commerce

PHILIPPINE

and Industry (PCCI) chairman Emeritus Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. called on the government to suspend fuel and electricity taxes to shield households and businesses from surging energy costs triggered by the escalating Middle East conflict.

The proposal comes as regional stability remains precarious following a joint military offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026.

Analysts warned the hostilities could disrupt oil supplies, drive up commodity prices, and threaten the flow of remittances from overseas Filipino workers stationed in the region.

Ortiz-Luis recommended a temporary lifting of fuel excise taxes, suggesting the government utilize funds recently recovered from public sector corruption to bridge the fiscal gap. He said that unlike neighboring countries that provide subsidies, the Philippines continues to tax these essential industries.

“Unlike other countries in the region, the Philippines not only does not subsidize fuel and electricity but also taxes these industries. Removing excise taxes temporarily will benefit all sectors, rich and poor alike, which is a better solution than providing ‘ayuda’ only to the poor,” Ortiz-Luis said.

The business leader, who also serves as Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. president, warned that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the most vulnerable to the crisis.

Micro businesses account for 90 percent of all Philippine enterprises.

“These micro and small entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy. They receive minimal support, while most state assistance goes as dole-outs. Investing in micro and small enterprises allows them to grow and reduces reliance on aid,” OrtizLuis said.

products. That is highway robbery, and we will not allow it. They have no shame,” Tiu Laurel said. The investigation targets Agri-Victorious Trading Corp., DQB Green Agricultural Products Trading, Valap Incorporated, Dos Asia Chemical Trading Corp. and Rova Fertilizer Manufacturing. Under the order, no stocks from these firms may be released, distributed or used.

All department personnel should report pending deliveries, ongoing transactions and related documentation to facilitate the review, the agency said. While the specific value of the contracts was not immediately disclosed, officials said that any payments involve taxpayer funds. Othel V. Campos

DRAINAGE REPAIR. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon leads the inspection of the drainage system along Taft Avenue in Manila. The department is installing larger high-density

NEW AIRCRAFT. Cebu Pacific takes

year – an Airbus A320neo – on March 6, days before marking its 30th anniversary on March 8, 2026.

DIGITAL TRAINING. Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, marks the start of the year with the graduation of 231 women from across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao under its Elevate AIDA program—an initiative that expands access to digital skills and income opportunities for women.

FGen spending P41.7b in 2026 for expansion

By Alena Mae S. Flores

LOPEZ-LED First Gen Corp. is planning a capital expenditure budget of P41.7 billion this year, up from P33.5 billionlast year, as it pursues pumped storage hydro and geother-mal expansion.

First Gen president Francis Giles Puno said the bulk of this year’s spending is for a 2,000-megawatt pumped storage hydro project being jointly developed with Prime In-frastructure Capital Inc. The project is targeted for completion between 2029 and 2030.

“We don’t own 100 percent of that. We own 40 percent of that. So that’s net 800 MW. We also have a separate pump storage that we have 100 MW,” Puno said on the side-lines of Energy Development Corp.’s 50th anniversary celebration. “But I think that, in fact, honestly, I think the 800 MW net and the 2,000 MW gross capacity that’s being de-veloped by Prime, together with ourselves, is a very exciting prospect for hydro in the Philippines.” Puno said First Gen, through subsidiary EDC, will also continue drilling projects and improve the performance of existing geothermal power plants.

“We’ve had a major drilling pro-

gram the past few years. Now, what we’re trying to do is to make sure that we get the steam that we targeted to get from there and then be able to drill the wells that will enable us to manage the field properly,” EDC president Je-rome Cainglet said.

Cainglet said geothermal drilling will continue to sustain production levels for its pro-jects. Puno added that the company hopes to start drilling in Indonesia by next year.

PT FirstGen Geothermal Indonesia, an EDC subsidiary, entered an agreement last year to establish a joint venture with PT DSSR Daya Mas Sakti.

The partner is a subsid-iary of PT Dian Swastatika Sentosa Tbk, part of the Sinar Mas group, to develop geothermal projects in Indonesia.

The joint venture will focus on developing geothermal resources with a combined po-tential of about 440 MW across six strategic fields in West Java, Flores, Jambi, West Sumatra and Central Sulawesi.

David

PSEi eyes 6,200 support level amid geopolitical tensions

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE shares are expected to trade cautiously this week as investors weigh linger-ing geopolitical tensions and fresh economic data that could affect global monetary policy.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index closed at 6,320.41 on Friday, tum-bling 290.83 points, or 4.4 percent, week on week. Risk appetite weakened following strikes involving the U.S., Israel and Iran that pushed oil prices higher and stirred vola-tility across global markets.

First Metro Investment Corp. said investor sentiment was also tempered by domestic inflation data, which showed headline inflation accelerating to 2.4 percent in February from 2 percent in January. This prompted

market participants to reassess the potential pace of policy easing in the months ahead.

For this week, First Metro said investors will closely track key U.S. data releases, partic-ularly the consumer price index due March 11, as well as trade figures and initial jobless claims on March 12, for signals on the Federal Reserve’s policy path.

On the local front, attention will be on the Philippines’ unemployment rate scheduled for release March 10 and foreign direct investment data March 11.

Given developments overseas, analysts see market support at the 6,200 level, while resistance is pegged near 6,500 as investors remain quick to take profits after rallies.

Crude prices surged Friday on mounting fears about oil supply dis-

ruption during the Middle East war, while equities retreated on poor US hiring data.

The US-Israel war on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region have upended the world’s energy and transport sectors, virtually halting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

The international benchmark oil contract, Brent North Sea crude, surged to $92.69 per barrel, up 8.5 percent for the day and nearly 30 percent for the week after US President Donald Trump said only the “unconditional surrender” of Iran would end the Middle East war.

The main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, soared more than 12 percent to over $90 per barrel, topping off the biggest weekly gain on record.With AFP

are

Megaworld targets P125b in reservation sales in 2026

MEGAWORLD Corp. is targeting reservation sales of P125 billion this year, a 7.3 percent increase from P116.5 billionin 2025, as it maintains an aggressive launch schedule for 2026.

According to presentation materials from the company’s analysts briefing, Megaworld has earmarked P65 billion in capital expenditures for the year, up from P48.7 billion spent in 2025. Approximately 80 percent of the budget is set aside for project develop-ment, with the remaining 20 percent allocated for land acquisition.

The property giant plans to end 2026 with 38 township developments, up from 36 at the end of last year.

GREEN LIGHT

Shieradel Jimenez

In January, Megaworld expanded its nationwide footprint with the launch of its 37th township, The Sugartown. The 97-hectare mixed-use development in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, will feature residential, commercial and tourism components.

This is the firm’s third township in the Negros Island Region and is located along the Bacolod-Silay Airport Road.

From 2026 to 2029, Megaworld plans to add 88,000 square meters of office space, 144,100 square meters of retail space and 2,361 hotel keys.

The company is preparing to launch approximately P65 billion worth of residential pro-jects in

It is not ‘Kaya mo yan.’ It is how you think about it.

WE FILIPINOS are champion stressnormalizers. Kaya mo yan. Okay lang yan Ganyan talaga. We say these things to each other with genuine warmth, and sometimes they help. But what if the real reason some people push through demanding seasons, multiple deadlines, back-to-back projects, a child who needs you, all at once, is not pure grit or caffeine, but something quieter than that, something that happens before the kaya mo even begins?

I ask because I have lived that kind of life. There was a season when I was simultaneously finishing my dissertation revisions, managing multiple consulting and training projects, fulfilling my responsibilities as a faculty member, and doing what I can only describe as parenting in the most demanding sense of the word, the kind where your son or daughter needs you fully present, not the distracted, one-eyeon-the-laptop version of you. From the outside, it probably looked like too much. From the inside, it felt like a lot, yes, but not like falling apart. I have been trying to explain that gap ever since, and it took a group of researchers from Stanford to help me find the words. In their paper “Rethinking Stress: The Role of Mindsets in Determining the Stress Response,” Crum, Salovey, and Achor (2013) found that how we perceive stress shapes what it does to us, and what we are able to do with it. They call this “stress mindset,” which simply refers to the belief a person holds about whether stress is harmful or enhancing. In one of their

studies, people who were helped to see stress as potentially useful showed better health outcomes, higher productivity, and greater wellbeing compared to those who believed stress was purely damaging. This does not mean that stress is harmless, or that burning yourself out should be celebrated. Our mindset toward stress is itself something that can change, and this change matters for how we function. This insight is not merely theoretical for me. In my doctoral dissertation, I studied four Philippine social enterprises over the course of the pandemic, interviewing their founders and leaders at multiple points as the crisis unfolded. One of the things I looked at was how these social entrepreneurs made sense of the pandemic conditions around them, and how their interpretations shaped the decisions they made afterward. What I observed, across all four cases, was that a healthy and adaptive mindset toward the pandemic was a necessary condition for productive action. I am not suggesting that mindset alone determined outcomes. The reality was far more complex, shaped by many interacting factors including organizational resources, stakeholder relationships, and institutional conditions. However, regardless of the final outcome achieved by each enterprise, those leaders who were able to approach the uncertainty with clarity and a degree of psychological steadiness were better positioned to develop new products, mobilize resources, and make decisions that helped their

Research suggests the reason we can is less about toughing it out, and more about what we believe stress is doing to us in the first place.

organizations survive. Mindset, in other words, was not the only thing that mattered, but it was consistently one of the things that did.

This matters for how we think about well-being at work, particularly in the Philippine context.

SDG 3 calls for good health and well-being for all, and SDG 8 calls for decent work and economic growth. These goals are often pursued at the structural level, through policies, programs, and organizational systems, and there is good reason for that. However, Crum’s research reminds us that what people believe about their own stress also plays a role in how they experience and respond to work demands. A workforce that understands stress more fully, and can recognize the difference between pressure that signals engagement and pressure that signals genuine harm, may be better positioned to sustain both performance and wellbeing over time.

For leaders and managers, this has practical implications. Creating psychologically safe workplaces, modeling calm and adaptive responses to pressure, and resisting the urge to treat all stress as a problem to be eliminated are small but meaningful shifts. For educators like myself, it means that preparing the next generation of business leaders involves more than teaching strategy and finance. It also

2026, a significant increase from P20.5 billion last year. The upcoming launch-es are expected to strengthen the company’s development pipeline and support future revenue.

In 2025, Megaworld’s net income rose 11 percent to P24 billion, driven by growth across its core businesses. Consolidated revenues reached nearly P86 billion, up 5 percent from P81.7 billion in 2024, supported by the expansion of its recurring income portfolio and residential performance. Leasing revenues grew 11 percent to P22 billion, accounting for a larger share of total revenues, while real estate sales reached P51.8 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

means helping students develop the kind of selfawareness that allows them to work effectively under conditions of uncertainty and demand, which in today’s environment is simply the nature of work.

Kaya mo yan, we tell each other, and maybe we are right. But the research suggests the reason we can is less about toughing it out, and more about what we believe stress is doing to us in the first place. As Crum and her colleagues remind us, and as the social entrepreneurs in my own research showed me, small shifts in how we see things can quietly change everything else that follows.

Shieradel Jimenez is an Assistant Professor in the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business at De La Salle University, where she teaches and conducts research on entrepreneurship, resilience, and sustainability. She recently earned her Doctor of Business Administration degree, with a dissertation examining how Philippine social enterprises navigated their social missions during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is Vice President for Internal Affairs of the Philippine Academy of Management and a consultant and facilitator in the areas of strategic planning, decision-making, and management development. She can be reached at shieradel. jimenez@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

GOLDILOCKS’ AWARD. Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc. receives the Industry Champion of the Year award. From left

Luis Bueno Nieto, vice president of MORS Group; Mikael Bienn Tan, Goldilocks Bakeshop senior vice president for sales and store operations; Jerson Uy, Goldilocks Bakeshop chief operating officer; and Shanggari Balakrishnan, president and CEO of MORS Group.

TOP DEALERS. Toyota Motor Philippines honors its top-performing dealers and outstanding individual achievers for their 2025 results at the Toyota Dealer Conference and Toyota Outstanding Performers in Sales and Service (TOPS) Awards. Joining the ceremony are TMP executive vice president for marketing Jose Maria Atienza, vice chairman

Go, president Masando Hashimoto and chairman Alfred Ty. They are joined by Toyota Marilao Bulacan Inc. chairman Reginaldo Oben, general manager Gina Loo and president Don Juan Miguel Oben.

Aboitiz unit completes runway rehab at Laguindingan Airport

By Darwin G. Amojelar

ABOITIZ InfraCapital

has completed a major upgrade of runway surfaces at Laguindingan International Airport, Mindanao’s second-busiest gateway.

The regular rehabilitation works — which include runway repainting, inspections, rub-ber removal and crack repair — focused on maintaining optimal surface conditions at the country’s seventhbusiest gateway.

“As the operator of Laguindingan International Airport, we take a proactive

approach to maintaining and improving critical airside infrastructure,” said Rafael Aboitiz, AIC vice president and head of airports. “These runway enhancements reflect our ongoing re-sponsibility to ensure that the airport remains capable of supporting current operations while preparing for future demand.”

The maintenance works were carried out in coordination with aviation authorities to ensure activities align with national safety and operational standards while minimizing disruption to airport operations.

“Sustaining airport infrastructure is an ongoing process that relies on cooperation be-tween regulators and airport operators,” said Raul Del Rosario, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines director general. “Continued coordination across

stakeholders helps ensure that facilities like Laguindingan International Airport remain well-maintained.”

The runway upgrades form part of AIC Airports’ broader efforts to strengthen infrastruc-ture across its network of gateways in the Philippines. LIA plays a key role as a service hub supporting business, tourism and logistics in Northern Mindanao.

Alongside LIA, AIC Airports operates Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Bohol-Panglao International Airport, the primary gateway to Bohol’s UNESCO Global Ge-opark sites.

AIC Airports is currently undertaking the modernization of LIA and BPIA through 2025, part of a broader transformation under multiyear concession agreements awarded by the government in 2024.

Coast Guard to establish staff college in Tarlac

THE Philippine Coast Guard has selected New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, as the site for its Command and Admiral Staff College, leasing facilities within the National Gov-ernment Administrative Center to strengthen leadership training and institutional capacity. The Coast Guard and the National Government Administrative Center signed the lease agreement on Feb. 26. Coast Guard Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan signed for the agency, while National Government Administrative Center president Patrick Nicholas David signed for the developer. Under the agreement, the Coast Guard will occupy the entire fourth floor of the North and South towers of the government building for the college. The sixth floor of the Acacia Building will serve as a dormitory for trainees. Bases Conversion and Development

Authority president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang said the move reinforces New Clark City’s role as a strategic government hub.

“The establishment of the PCG’s Command and Admiral Staff College in New Clark City reflects growing confidence in the city as a secure and resilient location for critical institutions,” Bingcang said.

National Government Administrative Center chairperson Isaac David said locating the training institution in the area aligns with plans to develop the city as a center for national agencies. The administrative center is a 200-hectare government complex within the 9,450-hectare New Clark City development designed to help decongest Metro Manila while providing disasterresilient facilities for government operations.

By Othel V. Campos

THE National Food Authority is upgrading a major warehouse in Camarines Sur with automated ventilation, solar power and improved insulation to strengthen the country’s rice buffer stock system and reduce post-harvest losses.

NFA administrator Larry Lacson said the project is meant to protect farmers by preserv-ing the value and quality of the palay (unhusked rice) procured by the agency.

“By improving storage conditions, we reduce post-harvest losses, preserve grain quality and ensure the palay we procure retains its value,” Lacson said.

The modernization includes an automated ventilation system that maintains optimal storage conditions. Wireless sensors in heat-prone sections collect temperature and humidity data every five minutes through microcomputer control units using LoRa connectivity.

Officials said the system eliminates manual switching, prevents delayed intervention and ensures continuous airflow management based on real-time data.

The upgrade also includes a 16-kilowatt solar power system composed of 32 high-capacity panels, a three-phase hybrid inverter and five 15-kilowatt-hour batteries. Thermal insulation was also installed to reduce heat transfer from the roof to stored grain.

The facility is a duplex warehouse with a 200,000-cavan capacity and floor space equivalent to about nine basketball courts. It requires stable temperatures to prevent moisture buildup and grain deterioration.

“This modernization effort reflects our commitment to transform Philippine agriculture,” said Agriculture Secretary and NFA Council chairman Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. “By in-vesting in better storage, renewable energy and smarter systems, we are improving farmers’ incomes, reducing waste and reinforcing food security.”

The newly-refurbished runway at the Aboitiz InfraCapital-operated Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental.

KFC BUKIDNON. KFC opens its first store in Bukidnon at Level 1 of Robinsons Valencia on Sayre Highway in Barangay Bagontaas, Valencia City. Attending the KFC Valencia ribbon-cutting ceremony are, from left, KFC Philippines senior franchising nanager Vince Villarosa; franchisees Omar Noor and Rosemia Noor; Lotfiah Noor-Disomangcop; Rayan Disomangcop; Robinsons Valencia Mall manager Hency Yu Pamesa; and KFC Philippines operations manager for Visayas and Mindanao Angelito Carreon. Bingcang

Globe Telecom to mobilize 400 wireless laser links

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom Inc. has unveiled plans to deploy more than 400 wireless laser links over the next three years through a partnership with Singaporebased Transcelestial to accelerate 5G rollout and digital infrastructure in the Philippines.

move positions the telecommunications firm as a global pioneer in deploying wireless optical infrastructure at a national scale.

By using laser technology for last-mile and backhaul connectivity, Globe aims to bypass traditional infrastructure bottlenecks and deliver faster 5G services across the archipelago.

Transcelestial’s technology addresses the unique terrain challenges of the Philippines, where laying physical fiber-optic cables across coastlines and mountains is often slow and expensive.

The wireless laser links provide fiber-class capacity that is secure and interference-free, making it suitable for large-scale events, emergency response and remote sites.

“Globe’s strategy recognizes that

no single technology will define the future of national networks. The move to deploy Transcelestial lasers represents an acceleration of our commitment to bring better access to more Filipinos at speed,” Globe engineering and network planning senior vice president Joel Agustin said.

The partnership is supported by Kickstart Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Globe, which counts Transcelestial as a portfolio company. The investment underscores the company’s strategy of scaling transformative technologies to solve local connectivity issues.

“Kickstart’s investment in Transcelestial reflects Globe’s broader commitment to strengthening the country’s digital backbone,” Kickstart Ventures general partner Joan Yao said.

Veterans Bank, AFP sign loan, payroll agreement

PHILIPPINE Veterans Bank (PVB) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have signed a partnership to provide comprehensive financial services to active and retired military personnel.

The agreement, signed at AFP General Headquarters, allows PVB to offer housing, salary and auto loans to the military community. Beyond individual consumer lending, the bank will provide institutional solutions including payroll services, digital banking platforms, and the installation of automated teller machines within military camps.

PVB president Eulogio Catabran

III and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. led the signing of the memorandum of agreement. The partnership aims to enhance financial access for defenders of the country while reinforcing the bank’s historical mandate.

“As we move forward, this agreement brings us significantly closer to realizing our purpose: to be a trusted financial partner of the military community, grounded in service, stability, and shared commitment to nationbuilding,” Catabran said. Catabran said the agreement is a strategic move to deepen engagement with the defense community rather

Security Bank, VeritasPay expand digital payment solutions for MSMEs

SECURITY Bank Corp. teamed up with VeritasPay Philippines Inc. to expand access to modern point-ofsale payment solutions for micro, small and medium enterprises across the Philippines.

As consumers shift toward card and QR payments, the collaboration allows Security Bank’s MSME clients to access VeritasPay’s secure POS terminals at preferential rates through a referral program. The initiative aims to make digital payment acceptance more affordable for small businesses.

VeritasPay’s platform features a merchant dashboard providing realtime transaction visibility and simplified daily reconciliation. The bank said these tools help business owners manage collections and monitor cash flow more efficiently.

The partnership is part of Security Bank’s Beyond Banking Partnership program, an initiative from its Business Banking Segment that provides MSMEs with support

beyond traditional financing.

“MSMEs need simple and reliable ways to accept digital payments as customer behavior continues to evolve,” Security Bank executive vice-president and BBS head John David Yap said.

“Through our partnership with VeritasPay, we are helping our clients adopt modern payment solutions that allow them to serve customers better and operate more efficiently,” said Yap.

VeritasPay president and chief executive Christopher Payne said the partnership combines his company’s technology with the bank’s network to support Filipino businesses.

“Today marks an exciting milestone as we officially formalize our partnership with Security Bank, built on hard work and a shared vision. We are honored to empower their merchants with seamless credit, debit and QR payment solutions through our innovative POS technology,” Payne said.

IN BRIEF

THE Association of Philippine China Understanding (APCU) began accepting nominations for the 2026 Award for Promoting PhilippinesChina Understanding (APPCU) during a launch event held Friday at the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines Foundation building in Binondo.

The 6th edition of the awards, organized in coordination with the Chinese Embassy, seeks to recognize Filipinos who have made significant contributions to strengthening bilateral ties through education, medicine,and people-to-people exchanges.

APCU chairman and president Raul Lambino said the awards night

is tentatively scheduled for mid-June 2026, pending venue availability. The awards program was originally established in 2020 by the late Department of Education Secretary Alejandro Roces and former President and now Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo. During the press conference, Lambino cited the historical depth of the relationship, noting that peopleto-people exchanges flourished long before formal diplomatic relations were established in 1976.

Lambino addressed current regional tensions, saying that issues regarding the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea should be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Asian telecommunications company. The system, known as the Enterprise Risk Intelligence Companion Agent or ERICA, was built on the platform of enterprise automation software provider UiPath. Developed internally by the PLDT Enterprise Risk Management team alongside the Information Technology unit, the tool is designed to identify, assess, and manage organizational risks with increased speed and consistency.

The deployment reflects a shift toward agentic automation, where AI agents autonomously execute and optimize complex business processes. ERICA aims to reduce administrative burdens, allowing teams to focus on decision-making by translating operational data into actionable insights.

“For the PLDT Group, the real value of ERICA goes beyond the technology itself,” PLDT and Smart information technology and transformation office first vice president and group head Gilbert Gaw said.

“It reflects how we are embedding innovation into core enterprise functions in a way that is deliberate, disciplined, and aligned with how the business actually works,” he said.

Retailers to gather for leadership summit

THE Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) will host the 4th Retail Leaders Summit on March 18, 2026 at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City to address evolving industry trends and strategic innovation.

The summit, themed “RECONNECT with LEADERS. REIMAGINE the Future of Retail,” aims to provide executives with frameworks for navigating the modern retail landscape.

PRA president and Golden ABC chief executive Alice Liu said the event will serve as a vital platform for leaders to expand their networks and enhance organizational capabilities.

“This premier learning event will bring together visionary executives and industry leaders for an engaging exchange of insights aimed at driving innovation and shaping the future of retail,” Liu said.

SM Supermalls president Steven Tan will deliver the opening keynote titled “The Human Side of Growth: Leading People, Driving Change, Inspiring Futures.” Tan’s presentation will focus on a people-first philosophy and the transformation of malls into community spaces.

His session is part of the summit’s Leadership Growth Pathways, which covers four key

Organizers

than a simple transactional development. He said the initiative strengthens the bank’s institutional relevance to those who dedicate their lives to national security.

Other officials attending the ceremony included AFP Office of the Chief of Staff head executive assistant Colonel Benito Ramos Jr., PVB director retired Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos and PVB consumer lending group head and senior vice president Philip Pabelico. Also present were PVB unsecured loans division head and vice president Sheryl Syjueco and consultants Eva Magno and retired Captain Elpidio Misolas Jr.

DTI expands glass certification to include 5 items

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) added five glass products to the Bureau of Philippine Standards mandatory certification list, bringing the total number of regulated items to 113 as part of efforts to strengthen consumer protection and product quality.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 26-01, Series of 2026, the newly-regulated products include flat glass, heat-strengthened and fully tempered flat glass, laminated safety glass, laminated glass and bent glass.

The technical regulations for these glass products will take effect in April 2026, requiring manufacturers to secure Philippine Standard licenses. Enforcement against non-compliant products will begin 12 months later in April 2027.

The mandatory certification list covers a wide range of items including electrical and electronic devices, building and construction materials and chemical and other consumer products.

DTI-BPS reminded consumers to check for the Philippine Standard License Mark or the Import Commodity Clearance sticker on products covered by mandatory certification.

These marks indicate that the items have passed conformity assessments and comply with national standards, ensuring they are safe and reliable for use in homes, buildings and infrastructure.

To date, 14 PS licenses have been issued to local and foreign manufacturers of glass products.

Under the BPS certification process, products covered by mandatory certification should comply with the applicable Philippine National Standards and secure either a PS License for locally manufactured goods or an ICC for imported products before they can be distributed in the Philippine market.

The BPS, the national standards body of the country, is responsible for developing, promulgating and implementing standards for products in the Philippines.

Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sign a ,memorandum of agreement between bank officials led by PVB president Eulogio Catabran III and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.

The agreement enables PVB to extend consumer loan services such housing, salary and auto loans to both active and retired AFP personnel.

Security Bank Corp. (PSE:SECB) teams up with VeritasPay Philippines Inc. to expand access to modern point-of-sale (POS) payment solutions for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the Philippines. Signing the agreement are (seated, from left) John David Yap, execuitive vice president and business banking segment head, Security Bank; Christopher Payne, president and CEO, VeritasPay; and Lex Cimagala, first vice president and customer value proposition head, Security Bank. With them are (standing, from left) Meynard Espinosa, assistant vice president and product manager, Security Bank; Carl Tienzo, general manager and business development head, VeritasPay; Kristine Cruz, business operations head, VeritasPay; and Xyrus Dayao, business development manager, VeritasPay.

Raul Lambino (left), Chairman and president of the Association for PhilippinesChina Understanding Inc. (APCU), together with vice chairman Sixto Benedicto and directors Lily Tan Lim and Brian James Yu, lead the launching of the 6th Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) 2026 at the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry Inc. in Binondo, Manila, on March 6, 2026. Joseph Muego

The

Japanese design meets Filipino living in Hana Garden Villas

CHAN Toei Properties is bringing Japanese-inspired homebuilding to the local housing market with the unveiling of showcase homes at Hana Garden Villas, its first residential project in Cabuyao. The development reflects the company’s vision of building readybuilt homes that combine Japanese construction standards with designs suited to Filipino families. Chan Toei Properties is a joint venture between Filipino-owned Prime Eastern Spring Holdings and Japan’s TOEI Housing Corporation. Located just south of Metro Manila, Hana Garden Villas sits within Laguna’s growing residential corridor, offering a suburban setting that remains accessible to the capital and nearby business centers.

Sondris rises as new Makati landmark

TWO property developers known for their strong focus on sustainability and long-term value creation have joined forces to introduce a new premium residential development in Makati.

Arthaland Corp. has teamed up with Japan’s real estate giant Mitsui Fudosan Co. Ltd. through Mitsui Fudosan (Asia) Pte. Ltd. to develop Sondris—a 37-story green residential tower rising along Arnaiz Avenue. The project combines Arthaland’s expertise in sustainable developments with Mitsui Fudosan’s global experience in master-planned neighborhoods and mixed-use communities.

With 252 residences and a lowdensity configuration of only six to 10 units per floor, Sondris is designed to offer a quieter and more refined residential experience in the central business district of Makati. Unit options range from onebedroom residences measuring 46 to 61 square meters to larger twoand three-bedroom layouts, as well as expansive garden units ranging from 180 to 230 square meters.

For Mitsui Fudosan, whose portfolio spans projects across Japan, North America, Europe, and Asia, the partnership also reflects confidence in the Philippine market and in Makati’s enduring role as a financial and lifestyle hub.

Comfort, personal expression

The development also allows

The project has drawn strong buyer interest. Of the 126 houseand-lot units in the development, about 92 percent have already been sold. Turnover of homes will begin soon, with the first homeowners expected to move in during the first half of 2026.

Two showcase homes were opened earlier this year to highlight the design and construction quality of the development, according to CTP chairman Jose Mari Chan.

“We put up these showcase homes to serve as a testament, not only to the talent, hard work and synergy of our teams, but to the exciting potential that this kind of meticulously

conceptualized residential community possesses for future developments,” Chan said.

The model units feature threeand four-bedroom homes designed to balance efficiency, comfort and practicality. The layouts reflect Japanese attention to detail while addressing the everyday needs of Filipino households.

For its Japanese partner, the project carries over a long-standing approach to homebuilding. Chihiro Sato said the goal is to bring Japan’s standards for quality, safety and durability into homes tailored for the Philippine market.

“TOEI Housing’s philosophy is to create homes that make people happy,” Sato said in a statement.

“Through this joint venture, we hope to embody the spirit of Japan’s home making in a form optimized for the Filipino lifestyle.”

Hana Garden Villas also drew on the work of several architects and planners. The overall master plan was prepared by Joel Luna Planning and Design, with landscaping by CLARQ Design Studio. The village clubhouse was designed by Jorge Yulo Architects and Associates.

The villas themselves carry design concepts from Leandro V. Locsin Partners together with TOEI and architect Fedore O. Yap.

homeowners to personalize their living spaces through three curated interior design themes. The “Timeless and Transitional” scheme uses layered neutrals and natural textures to create a warm and enduring aesthetic. “Modern and Industrial” highlights a clean, city-inspired look with stronger architectural lines and muted gray tones, while “Formal and Serene” incorporates darker hues and richer materials to create a more intimate and sophisticated atmosphere.

Beyond its residences, Sondris offers an exclusive vantage point, commanding unobstructed views of San Lorenzo Village and the Makati skyline.

Wellness, sustainability Sondris also places strong emphasis on environmental performance and resident wellbeing, continuing Arthaland’s commitment to green building development.

The project incorporates an energy-efficient building envelope with double-glazed windows, efficient air-conditioning systems, and LED lighting designed to reduce energy consumption by

at least 40 percent. Low-flow plumbing fixtures are expected to help residents achieve at least 20 percent water savings.

Indoor air quality is supported by a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) that continuously supplies filtered fresh air while managing humidity levels for improved comfort. Operable windows allow for natural ventilation, while airtight construction helps minimize noise and odor transfer between units.

Amenities are designed to support both relaxation and active lifestyles. Residents will have access to a 25-meter heated saltwater lap pool, fitness center, steam and sauna facilities, landscaped roof deck, and a Sky Terrace overlooking the city. Other features include a Potager garden for growing organic produce, children’s play areas, and a ground-floor retail promenade with al fresco dining.

The development is also targeting multiple sustainability certifications, including LEED from the U.S. Green Building Council, WELL from the International WELL Building Institute, EDGE from the International Finance Corporation, and BERDE from the Philippine Green Building Council.

Project turnover is scheduled for April 2030. Jenniffer B. Austria

European-themed township takes shape in San Pablo

A EUROPEAN-INSPIRED residential enclave is rising in Laguna city as property developer NEXTASIA Land Inc. rolls out a 22-hectare township designed around parks, civic spaces and a central town plaza. The project, called NEXTASIA Barcelona township, carries a planned investment of about ₱5 billion and will accommodate roughly 2,000 homes over the next few years, forming a compact residential community envisioned for around 10,000 future residents.

Set against the backdrop of San Pablo’s rolling terrain and lakeside landscape, the development takes design cues from traditional European town centers. Residential clusters are arranged around landscaped parks and open corridors intended to break up the density of housing blocks while creating breathing spaces within the community.

Wide internal roads, shaded walkways and green pockets form part of the township layout, encouraging residents to move around the neighborhood on foot while keeping recreational areas within easy reach of homes.

Homes in the project are being designed with built-in digital infrastructure, allowing households to connect easily to broadband services. Solar-powered street lighting will line key roads across the estate, while provisions for electric vehicle charging stations have been integrated into the master plan. At the center of the township will rise the NEXTASIA Town Plaza, a civic and lifestyle hub patterned after classic European public squares. The plaza will host a mix of retail and service establishments intended to serve both residents and nearby communities.

Among its anchor facilities is a chapel designed for weddings and other intimate gatherings, alongside the Grand Ballroom of San Pablo— an events venue envisioned to address the limited number of large function spaces in the city.

Dining outlets, retail shops and everyday service providers are expected to occupy the plaza’s commercial spaces, turning the area into a focal point for community activity.

The Sky Terrace at Sondris crowns the development with a private rooftop venue, featuring an elegantly appointed lounge and dining area where residents can host intimate gatherings against a backdrop of sweeping city views.

The Sun Room transforms standard balconies into intimate spaces designed exclusively for privacy, sunlight, and renewal.

The Modern & Industrial unit finish design scheme: Designed for those who prefer a clean, contemporary, and city-inspired aesthetic. This grey scheme highlights contrast and architectural clarity, creating a space that feels structured and purposeful. It is lighter in tone but stronger in character.

Designed by internationally renowned architectural firm AEDAS, Sondris is a residence shaped by purposeful architecture and a deeply rooted commitment to sustainability and wellness.

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

DONNY Pangilinan and Kyle Echarri , the lead stars of ABS-CBN’s primetime series Roja , were asked to describe the ending in a few words. Kyle described it as “bang,” hinting at an explosive finale.

“For me, it’s the ‘finish line,’” Donny added. “Despite everything that happened in Playa Roja, in all our lives here, something good still comes out of it.”

The two Kapamilya heartthrobs expressed heartfelt gratitude to fans during the series’ finale media conference on Friday (March 6), recalling the grueling action sequences and emotionally charged moments that tested their limits. When asked if they ever disagreed with their characters’ decisions or struggled with certain scenes, Kyle said, “The best thing about my character is he gets himself into situations you don’t expect. Sometimes you go with your heart and don’t think with your mind first. But don’t forget to always use your heart.” Donny added, “You have to use your heart, but if pure emotions lang ang gamit mo, madadale ka. My mom [in the story] has always been my driving force, and I love her so much. I didn’t know she was the mastermind. I couldn’t imagine it. Sometimes you have to look within or at the people around you. My character’s biggest problem is his blind spot toward the

SHOWBIZ

people he loves. It’s okay to love, but you also have to use your brain.”

Both actors said the experience strengthened their bonds with co-stars and left lasting lessons. “I want to thank the fans. Kasi kung wala sila, wala ‘yung series na ‘to. We went through a lot for this project. There were times na na-injure talaga kami sa scenes. I am privileged to have gone through this with such a talented cast. Personally, action isn’t my comfort zone but I really learned so much,” Donny said. Kyle echoed the sentiment: “We went through literal blood, sweat, and tears for this project. Nakaka-proud. It’s bittersweet, and I’m excited for everyone to see the finale.”

In the remaining episodes of Roja , Donny’s Liam and Kyle’s Olsen are set to face an action-packed final battle against hostagetakers led by Emil (Joel Torre). Emotional twists unfold as Olsen uncovers the truth about his father, while Liam surrenders his mother, Greta ( Lorna Tolentino ) to the police for orchestrating the hostage crisis. The series also features a tense showdown between mothers Wendy (Janice De Belen) and Greta, former best friends confronting the fallout of Wendy’s affair with Greta’s husband Magnus ( Raymond Bagatsing ).

Explosive ending, emotional twists in ‘Roja’

Chalamet’s opera

OSCAR nominee Timothee Chalamet is the frontrunner to take home the golden statuette for Marty Supreme , but he definitely has not won fans in the ballet and opera worlds.

In a town hall discussion late last month with Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey hosted by CNN and Variety , the 30-year-old Chalamet was discussing the future of movie theaters and whether the advent of streaming will spell doom for cinemas.

“If people want to see it—like Barbie , like Oppenheimer going to go see it and go out of their way to be loud and proud about it,” Chalamet said.

“And I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.’ All respect to the ballet and opera people out there,” he added, to laughs from the audience. “I just took shots for no reason.”

The world’s opera and ballet companies were not entertained. In the French American actor’s native New York, the Metropolitan Opera posted a backstage video with his quote plastered across it and the caption: “This one’s for you, @tchalamet...”

The Paris Opera riffed on Marty Supreme , in which Chalamet plays a 1950s table tennis player with big dreams.

“Plot twist, there is ping-pong in opera too,” it said on Instagram, with a video clip from Nixon in China, now playing in the French capital.

The Vienna State Opera shouted out to Chalamet: “Consider this your personal invitation to Vienna. Our stage is waiting.”

And in London, the English National Ballet posted Friday: “Dear any celebs that believe no one cares about ballet or opera... We’re happy to report that ballet is not only alive and well, but thriving.” AFP

The series features a mix of seasoned actors and rising stars. Alongside lead stars Donny and Kyle, the main cast also includes Maymay Entrata . Supporting and recurring roles are filled by Nikki Valdez, Cris Villanueva, Zia Grace, Freddie Webb, Sandy Andolong, Robert Seña, Levi Ignacio, Rubi Rubi, Inka Magnaye, Vangie Castillo, Sophie Reyes, Rikki Mae Davao, Rans Rifol, Maika Rivera, Lou Yanong, Marc Abaya, Bernard Palanca, Floyd Tena, Raven Molina, and Gello Marquez Roja also features younger talents, including Kai Montinola, AC Bonifacio, Harvey Bautista, Iñigo Jose, and Emilio Daez , who contribute to the multiple story threads and high-stakes drama.

Catch the explosive finale of Roja on Kapamilya Channel sa ALLTV2. To watch, turn on a digital black box, press the scan button on the remote, and look for ALLTV2.

BRITISH pop sensation Harry Styles

delighted thousands of fans in the northern English city of Manchester late on Friday with a one-off concert to mark the release of his new album.

Styles staged a special show at the Co-op Live arena to celebrate Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally , the former One Direction star’s first studio album in four years. For nearly two hours, he performed tracks from the new album, including the single “Aperture,” which he sang last weekend at the Brit Awards.

“It was amazing. I’ve been to see him a few times. That was one of the best experiences

The cast of Roja poses with supporters at the show’s finale media conference

Kyle Echarri’s Olsen (left) and Donny Pangilinan’s Liam brace for a decisive confrontation as the series moves toward its climactic showdown

Timothee Chalamet draws backlash from ballet and opera institutions after comments made

Very Wang Nickie Wang

Kyle Echarri reflects on the unpredictable turns of Olsen’s journey as ‘Roja’ builds toward its high-stakes conclusion

Donny Pangilinan says Liam’s story reaches a hard-earned turning point as ‘Roja’ closes

Heart-fluttering Korean romcom features episode filmed on a Cebu beach

By Nickie Wang

NETFLIX’S new romantic comedy series, Boyfriend on Demand , is now streaming, and Cebu’s beaches are stealing the show.

The series features Blackpink ’s Jisoo as Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer who escapes her mundane life through a virtual reality dating app.

In the first episode, Mi-rae reminisces about her last summer in the Philippines, saying it was “the best,” before a young child interrupts her train ride. The scene, confirmed by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), was filmed at Shangri-

Lourdes Sultan:

Seeing Bohol’s tourism revival through experience and resilience

By Jimbo Gulle

WHEN

Bohol’s

tourism industry was brought to a near standstill by the pandemic—and later battered by Typhoon Odette— Lourdes Sultan did not see an ending, but a turning point.

A third-generation tourism operator and the owner of Travel Village Tours, Sultan has spent more than three decades welcoming travelers to Bohol, quietly helping shape the island’s tourism story long before it became one of the country’s premier destinations. Today, as arrivals inch closer to pre-pandemic levels, she stands among the industry’s steady hands guiding its recovery.

“Tourism is almost back to where it was before COVID,” Sultan said in an exclusive interview with Manila Standard Life, noting a strong return of long-haul markets. “Our European guests are coming back, and we’re also seeing Japanese and North American travelers again, especially during winter.” Travel Village Tours has been operating local tours in Bohol for over 30 years, while Sultan has also managed floating restaurants along the Loboc River for more than a decade. That dual role—on land and water—gave her a front-row seat to both the industry’s collapse and its slow rebuilding.

Typhoon Odette in late 2021 was particularly devastating. The storm destroyed most of their Loboc river cruise vessels, cutting Sultan’s fleet from eight boats down to just two. Today, through gradual rebuilding, the company is back to operating five boats—an emblem of the

wider recovery underway. Reinventing Bohol beyond the postcard

For Sultan, recovery has never been about returning to old formulas. During the pandemic lull, she and other operators used the time to rethink what Bohol could offer beyond its iconic beaches and Chocolate Hills.

“We explored places we used to pass by but never really developed,” she said.

On Bohol’s eastern side, waterfalls and rice terraces in Candijay town have found a following among European travelers seeking quiet, nature-based experiences. Towns like Alicia and Mabini are emerging on tour itineraries, while the western side of the island has seen the rise of “cacao tourism,” where visitors can plant trees, harvest beans, and learn how traditional tablea is made.

“Tourists today want experiences,” Sultan said. “They want to understand communities, how food is produced, how nature is protected. They don’t just want to take photos.”

That shift gained momentum when Bohol was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in May 2023, covering the entire island. The designation encouraged the development of geotrails and thematic circuits that link geology, culture, and local livelihoods—an approach Sultan believes aligns with what modern travelers are seeking.

Changing markets, improving access

While international arrivals are rebounding, Sultan noted that domestic tourism has softened following the post-pandemic “revenge travel” surge, with more Filipinos opting to travel overseas. To address this, industry stakeholders are planning a Bohol travel fair in Manila to reconnect with the local market.

Access, Sultan said, remains critical. The Bohol Panglao International Airport, now under Aboitiz InfraCapital, has improved connectivity, with direct flights to Clark, Iloilo, and Davao, as well as seasonal international

La Mactan and highlights the country’s tourism slogan, “Love the Philippines.”

The DOT encouraged fans to spot other Cebu locations throughout the series.

The episode then transports Mirae to a scenic beach in central Cebu, showcasing the island’s turquoise waters and picturesque surroundings. “The breathtaking locations make the drama even more romantic,” the DOT wrote on Facebook.

Boyfriend on Demand premiered all 10 episodes on March 6. Alongside Jisoo, the

The latest series adds to the Philippines’ growing list of K-drama filming destinations. In September last year, Clark International Airport shared videos of Park Min-young filming Confidence Queen, showcasing the country’s appeal to Korean productions.

routes. Charter flights from Taiwan have already operated, and talks are ongoing for direct flights from Japan. Flights from South Korea even reached as many as nine per day before leveling to about 35 per week, she noted.

“We’re optimistic,” Sultan said. “Better airport management and route development will really help Bohol grow.”

Bohol tourism: Value over price

As tourism returns, so do questions about cost. Sultan echoes the provincial government’s stance that Bohol is about value, not just price.

“What guests pay for is the total experience— service, environment, interaction with people,” she said, while acknowledging the need to balance growth with affordability for locals.

In 2024, Bohol welcomed nearly 1.4 million tourists, roughly equivalent to its population, underscoring both tourism’s economic importance and the challenge of managing carrying capacity.

A collaborative recovery

Sultan credits Bohol’s steady rebound to strong collaboration between government and the private sector. The Provincial Tourism Council, composed largely of industry players, meets regularly to align promotions, policies, and product development.

Provincial Tourism Officer-in-Charge and UNESCO Geopark Program Manager Joanne Pinat, who joined Sultan in the interview, said Bohol’s recovery is rooted in close coordination between government and industry players.

“Our goal is to strike a balance between development and conservation,” Pinat told the Standard. “We want tourism that benefits communities, protects our environment, and remains globally competitive.”

For Sultan, whose company runs eight to 10 tours daily during peak season—and as many as 15 during holidays—the recovery is tangible. Even in lean months, demand remains steady enough to keep operations viable.

Asked how she describes Bohol to first-time visitors, Sultan does not hesitate.

“It’s total immersion,” she said. “Nature, culture, and people—all in one island. You can bring your family, your grandparents, or your sense of adventure. Whatever kind of traveler you are, you’ll find something here.”

After decades in the industry—and after surviving its toughest years—Lourdes Sultan is convinced of one thing: Bohol’s tourism story is no longer just about bouncing back but about moving forward, with experience, sustainability, and community at its core.

Travel groups to hold joint forum on digital tourism

THE Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA), and the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) have announced a joint high-level forum to explore the evolving global travel market.

Titled Two Decades of Digital Travel: Lessons, Disruptions, and What’s Next? the event is scheduled for March 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Loft at Manansala by Rockwell Club in Makati. It is part of a broader Learning Series that provides tourism stakeholders with a roadmap for the next decade of digital-first operations and governance.

The forum will feature sessions led by two of the region’s leading travel and strategy experts. Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder of Web in Travel, will examine how the industry has adapted to two decades of disruption and explore new business models to remain competitive in an automated world. Richard Anthony L.

Cruz, a transformation expert with 25 years in organizational redesign, will challenge traditional industry metrics, emphasizing destination management and local value retention to prepare for travelers in 2030.

The forum brings together PATA, PIATA, and NAITAS members to discuss how largescale IATA agents and independent travel entrepreneurs can build a future-ready workforce and respond to global market shifts.

“The industry is entering a new era where technology and strategy must align perfectly,” the organizing committee said. “This forum is about equipping our members with the foresight to not only survive disruptions but to lead in destination management and local value creation.”

PATA, PIATA, and NAITAS are leading Philippine organizations focused on the sustainable development and professional advancement of the travel and tourism sector.

Travel Village Tours owner Lourdes Sultan (right) and Provincial Tourism Officer-in-Charge and UNESCO Geopark Program Manager Joanne Pinat discuss the island’s tourism recovery and future development

show stars Seo In-guk as Mi-rae’s reallife love interest, with cameo appearances from Seo Kang-jun, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Lee Jae-wook as her virtual dates. In-guk was appointed Philippine celebrity tourism ambassador for Korea in 2025.

The Department of Tourism has confirmed that the beach scenes were filmed at Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

Scenes from Netflix’s romantic comedy ‘Boyfriend on Demand’ include sequences filmed along Cebu’s scenic coastline Blackpink’s Jisoo appears as webtoon producer Seo Mi-rae in Netflix’s new Korean series

A beach scene filmed in Cebu features Jisoo’s character, part of the drama’s opening episode

MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Nickie Wang

IF there is one thing that reliably pulls Filipino travelers out of the tropical heat each year, it is spring in East Asia.

The promise of cherry blossoms, cool air, and postcard views continues to lure them to countries found up north of the Philippines as summer begins to settle in the country.

A new Spring Readiness Index released by Klook, a pan-regional experiences platform, shows that Japan and South Korea remain the dominant magnets for travelers across the region as the March to April travel window approaches.

The survey drew insights from 900 travelers across nine Asian markets, including the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India.

The results were hardly surprising. Japan still holds the crown as the top spring destination, chosen by 78 percent of respondents. South Korea follows with 52 percent.

Many travelers say the timing is the whole point. Seasonal attractions, especially flower blooms, are the main reason people plan trips during the spring window. The findings mirror the platform’s wider travel research, which shows time-limited natural spectacles such as cherry blossoms ranking among the most sought-after experiences in 2026.

In other words, travelers are chasing moments that cannot be postponed.

The modern traveler is also no

C4 LIFE

Seasonal attractions, like the blooming of cherry blossoms, remain a major draw for travelers planning March-to-April escapes

longer content with a single stop.

According to the broader Klook Travel Pulse study, about two-thirds of travelers now plan to visit multiple destinations in one trip.

Internal data from Klook between March and April 2025 shows Filipino travelers widening their map.

In Japan, interest has grown in regional cities such as Nagoya and Hiroshima, alongside scenic destinations including Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Kobe.

A similar trend is unfolding in South Korea. While Seoul remains a key entry point, travelers are increasingly heading toward regions such as Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, and Jeju Island, with historic destinations like Gyeongju also drawing attention.

Even with the excitement of bloom season, travelers still have concerns.

The survey found that 47 percent of respondents worry most about crowding at popular attractions, including long queues and wait times.

Another 41 percent cited the risk of

Developing farm tourism

Baguio hosts farmers and tourism advocates to explore sustainable farming, showcase innovations, and honor top farm tourism achievers

THE 9th edition of the International Farm Tourism Conference reeled off at the Supreme Malls and Events Center in Baguio City last week.

Hosted by former Tourism

Secretary Mina Gabor’s International School of Sustainable Tourism and co-presented by the Department of Tourism, it certainly was a good way to banner the bright future of farm tourism.

This sector of our industry is now being developed to achieve its maximum potential. It blends agriculture with tourism, allowing travelers to visit, learn, and engage in farm activities like harvesting, animal care, and local sustainable farming experiences. This is meant to boost rural development, create jobs, and provide supplemental income for farmers.

This year’s theme, “Highland Harvest: Cultivating Sustainable Tourism and Agriculture,” was the perfect way to illustrate that smarter farming techniques make local communities stronger, leading to sustainable growth and giving real opportunities to landowners and other entrepreneurs.

Keynote speaker was Tourism

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who emphasized how farm tourism has strengthened communities, uplifted

Cherry blossom fever grips tourists

Spring fever sends Filipino travelers chasing cherry blossoms across Asia

missing peak seasonal moments, particularly cherry blossoms.

Still, travelers appear confident in their planning. Around 70 percent say they plan to book spring activities, tours, and attractions within two months of departure. The shorter booking window suggests many are waiting for updated bloom forecasts before finalizing their plans.

“Spring travel is always a must for Filipinos looking to escape the summer heat and enjoy unique seasonal experiences,” said Michelle Ho. She added that travelers are planning trips more intentionally, balancing comfort and affordability with memorable experiences.

To address one of the season’s biggest worries, Klook has introduced a Bloom Back Guarantee for selected

farmers, and connected travelers to the roots of our food and heritage. Co-hosted by the City of Baguio under Mayor Benjamin Magalong

the three-day gathering brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, students, tourism advocates, investors, and changemakers who believe that agriculture is not just a tradition, it is a transformation. Interesting discussions on Sustainability and Innovation, Highland Coffee Innovation, Climate Action and Food Security, and Digital Transformation in Farm Tourism attracted overflow crowds. There was also a Farmto-Table Showcase, which has now become a glowing trend in restaurants that banner healthy food and its benefits. The last day of the conference featured the 5th Asia’s Farm Tourism Awards, giving honor to individuals who have contributed to the development and promotion of the farm tourism industry in Asia. Winners for Best Farm Tourism Enterprise were Murrah Farm of Thailand and Villa Socorro Farm of the Philippines. Agus Wibowo of Indonesia won the Outstanding Youth Entrepreneur in Farm Tourism Award, while the individual trophies for Outstanding Farm Tourism Advocate went to Tariq Tanveer of Pakistan and Fang Tzu Wei of Taiwan. Guided Highland Farm Tours were also made available for the many attendees who were interested in taking a closer look at successful farming techniques, as this is where ideas meet execution, where local products meet global potential, and where passion meets policy. Of course, throughout the three-day event, powerful networking opportunities gave attendees a full calendar of activities.

The highly successful event became a venue for learning and sharing best practices in the farm tourism industry from experts in the field. The international and local guest speakers presented a range of topics relevant to both aspiring and operating farm tourism owners. The conference also tackled the adaptation of the agriculture sector to climate change and aquaculture. A more product-focused discussion was conducted by a panel of experts, followed by a short Q&A portion for the audience.

Toward the end of the event, attendees were advised to “Go Local!” We were all reminded to avail ourselves of our country’s export-quality products and to taste our fresh and locally grown farm produce provided by the top farms

in the region. Many new and innovative products were made available for “pasalubong,” because the purchase of these uplifts the lives of Filipino farmers.

on

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com

Spring trips across East Asia remain popular among Filipino tourists chasing seasonal sights and cooler weather

Baguio City, under Mayor Benjamin Magalong (in photo), hosts this year’s gathering of farmers, tourism advocates, and industry stakeholders

The conference venue welcomes guests with a showcase of highland produce and local goods that reflect the region’s agricultural strengths

ISST President Mina Gabor and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco lead the opening rites of the 9th International Farm Tourism Conference