THE global labor market remains far from equitable as over 400 million people are either unemployed or unable to work due to systemic barriers, the latest International Labour Organization (ILO) report showed.
The World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 report, released on Thursday evening, revealed that the so-called “jobs gap” reached 402.4 million last year, a 2.3- million increase from 2023.
This figure encompasses 186 million unemployed individuals, 137 million classified as part of the potential labor force—primar-
ily discouraged workers who have stopped job hunting—and around 79 million unable to work due to caregiving responsibilities or other constraints.
Despite the global unemployment rate holding steady at 5 percent, the labor organization said these numbers highlight persistent gaps and structural vulnerabilities in labor markets worldwide.
“It provides an overall indication of shortfalls in both job creation and labor market participation,” the ILO report noted.
The organization also found that women were among the hardest hit of the job gaps, with their gap recorded at 4.5 percentage points
higher than men’s globally. In low-income countries, this gap ballooned to 22.5 percent for women, compared to 15.2 percent for men.
High-income countries, meanwhile, had the lowest gap rate where the rate for men was estimated at 7.1 percent and 9.3 percent for women.
“Those barriers are often rooted in prevailing gender stereotypes and social norms and may include discrimination, fragmented and segregated labour markets, the unequal distribution of unpaid care work and care responsibilities, and gender-based violence and harassment,” ILO said.
Generational divide ASIDE from gender disparity, the ILO also found a stark employment paradox between the youth and older workers.
In 2024, youth unemployment (aged 15 to 24 years old) stood at 12.6 percent globally—more than double the adult rate—and reached alarming levels in Northern Africa (22.8 percent) and the Arab States (27.5 percent). Young women are particularly disadvantaged, with 28.2 percent classified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training), compared to just 13.1 percent of young men.
TYPHOONS TAKE TOLL
ON PHL GROWTH GOAL
Philippines likely missed its target of growing the economy by 6 percent in 2024 due to multiple typhoons that caused disruptions in the local farm sector and industries.
“We probably did not hit our growth targets in 2024 because of the numerous typhoons,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said in a recent press chat. Economists from the De La Salle University (DLSU) said lower interest rates and tamer inflation did not help boost consumption—considered the main growth engine—due to stagnant wages.
The economy grew at a weaker-than-expected pace of 5.2 percent in the third quarter, slower than the 6.4 percent recorded in the second quarter. At least a 6.5 percent growth is needed for the government to reach the low-end of its target for 2024.
“If it hits 6 [percent] in the fourth quarter, I’ll be happy with that. I don’t think it will hit 6 percent for 2024, but I think it will surpass 6 percent in 2025,” Recto said. Previously, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said increased holiday spending will help the country achieve its full-year growth target of 6 to 7 percent. (See: https://businessmirror.com.
See “Typhoons,” A2
THe also said there is a need for the government to manage foreign exchange risks that led to lower share of foreign borrowings in the government’s total borrowing mix.
billion, respectively. “Still relatively higher US and global interest rates also led to higher external debt service costs,” Ricafort said.
“It is a delicate balancing act to manage forex risks while also providing more tradable/ liquid benchmarks for the Philippine government’s global bonds in the international financial markets to also have a more diversified funding sources for the national government,” he said. In terms of ratios, that of DSB to export shipments went up by 30.9 percent in the 10-month period from 26.2 percent in the same period in 2023.
DSB to exports of goods, and receipts from services and primary income ratio settled at 11.7 percent in January to October 2024, higher than the 9.6 percent in 2023. The DSB to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio increased to 3.9 percent in the 10-month period this year from 3.2 percent last year. Meanwhile, the DSB to Gross National Income (GNI) ratio inched up to 3.4 percent this year from 3.2 percent last year. In 2023, the full-year debt service burden reached $14.807 billion, marking the first time the debt service burden breached $10 billion since 1985.
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto and Andrea E. San Juan
DEVOTION TO THE SANTO NIÑO Philippine cities celebrated the Feast of the Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus) on Sunday, January 19, 2025. In Las Piñas City, various sizes of the Santo Niño statues were paraded and blessed by a priest. In Sto.
City in Batangas, performers of Barangay Santa Maria Elementary School participated in the Pasawit (Papuring Sayaw at Awit) Festival: Sto. Niño 2025 with the theme “Sto. Niño: Pag Ibig and panghalina para ihayag ang ebanghelyong
by the City Government of Sto. Tomas City, Batangas. The celebration included a mass in the morning, and a parade along Sto. Tomas proper and the final festival event at Saint Thomas
“One of our considerations, of course, is there might be Filipinos, who have safe employment and we are also looking at the opportunities of our citizens in terms of employment,” he added.
According to DMW’s latest data, there are 215,000 Filipino HSWs.
Nacalaban’s decomposed remains were found at the house of a Kuwaiti national, who is currently considered by authorities as the main suspect in her murder last month, while Alvarado died due to coal smoke inhalation.
Cacdac said they prime suspect in Nacalaban’s case already confessed to committing the crime. In the case of Alvarado, he said DMW is looking at the possibility of negligence of her employer, which resulted in her death.
These incidents, the DMW chief, has prompted them to closely monitor the status of OFWs in Kuwait.
In February 2023, DMW implemented a partial deployment ban for newly hired Filipino HSWs going to Kuwait after the remains of Jullebee Ranara, a Filipino domestic worker, were found in a desert in the Gulf State.
The Kuwaiti government responded by imposing a ban on the entry of all types of workers, including skilled workers in May 2023. It was only lifted by Kuwait last year.
Cacdac said the deployment restriction in Kuwait greatly reduced the annual deployment of OFWs in the Middle East country—a key destination for overseas Filipino workers—from 15,000 to 20,000 to just around 6,000 in 2024.
Equal treatment is key in ballot order, says Comelec
By Justine Xyrah Garcia
FAIRNESS
and equality must guide the assignment of ballot numbers, the Commission on Elections has said, rejecting proposals to place a belatedly added senatorial candidate at the end of the list.
In a text message to reporters, Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia explained that assigning Subair Mustapha—a senatorial candidate who recently secured a temporary restraining order—a ballot number outside the alphabetical order could violate the equal protection clause of the Constitution.
He explained, partly in Filipino, that the “TRO issued by the Supreme Court does not only mandate inclusion of his name, but inclusion in the list in the proper order, based on al-
Continued from A1
In contrast, older workers in high-in-
phabetical arrangement.” Garcia said he understood where those clamoring for Mustapha’s assignment to the bottom of the list are coming from, “as they are affected,” Garcia added, but said the mandate of the SC and the Constitution must be heeded.
Garcia’s remarks followed calls to avoid disrupting the current ballot order, which some candidates have already used in campaign materials since last year.
Among those raising concerns is former senator Francis “Kiko” Pang-
ilinan, whose assigned ballot number would move from No. 50 to 51 if the alphabetical order is adjusted.
Pangilinan had wondered aloud at the weekend: “Why not put Mustapha at the bottom, as the last candidate for senator on the ballot, to avoid changing the official numbering of candidates that was announced since last year?”
However, for Comelec Spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, the alphabetical order of candidates is the “most equitable and most objective” sequence as it ensures objectivity among all aspirants.
Despite his late addition, the spokesperson said Mustapha should still be treated equally just like the other senatorial aspirants who made it to the final list of candidates.
“To put his name last on the list would go against fair play and equality of treatment,” Laudiangco added.
More TROs
MEANWHILE, the Comelec an-
come countries are staying in the workforce longer, with labor participation among those aged 55 to 64 climbing 7.2 percentage points over the past decade. While this helps address ageing populaDebt service burden represents
tions and labor shortages in certain sectors, the labor organization said it leaves younger workers fighting for fewer entry points into an increasingly competitive market.
“The consistently high NEET rates are indicative of the ongoing labor market exclusion of young people as well as a missed opportunity to build human capital,” the report warned.
Without access to jobs, ILO added that the next generation loses critical chances to develop skills and contribute to long-term economic resilience of their respective countries.
Bridging the gap IN a statement, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the need for urgent and innovative action to address global labor market challenges.
“Decent work and productive employment are essential for achieving social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals. To avoid exacerbating already strained social cohesion, escalating climate impacts, and surging debt, we must act now to tackle labor market challenges and create a fairer, more sustainable future,” he said.
The report highlighted the need to boost productivity by investing in skills training, education, and infrastructure to drive economic growth
nounced that more political aspirants will be reinstated on the official ballot following the three new TROs issued by the High Court.
Among these local hopefuls are Marie Grace R. David (for vice mayor of Limay, Bataan), Mary Dominique A. Oñate (for mayor of Palompon, Leyte), and Aldrin B. Sta. Ana (for mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan).
Comelec assured that the adjustments to the election management system, automated election system, consolidated and canvassing system, and online voting and counting system—collectively part of the trusted build—will accommodate these changes.
“The supplementary changes necessitated by the three recent TROs could be promptly effected just before the conduct of the rescheduled trusted build and reprinting of official ballots next week,” Laudiangco added.
The poll body previously announced its plan to resume ballot printing by the middle of next week.
and create jobs in future-oriented industries.
For instance, renewable energy jobs surged to 16.2 million since 2023. But the ILO noted that these opportunities are concentrated in wealthier regions, leaving developing and emerging countries struggling to catch up.
“Northern America and Asia and the Pacific have attracted the bulk of new job creation in renewable energy, China alone accounting for 46 percent of all renewable energy jobs,” ILO said.
Expanding social protection is equally critical, as over half of the global workforce lacks access to safe working conditions or basic labor rights.
By improving workplace protections and reducing inequality, ILO said governments can ensure greater participation in the labor market and provide a safety net for vulnerable workers.
“Effective social protection systems can create jobs while also helping workers transition in the face of disruptions. The capacity of governments to navigate the large scale transformations and to equip their populations to engage productively in labor markets will play a key role in progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals,” it added.
“The government is relying on a stronger fourth quarter to raise the annual growth rate for 2024. However, the lower interest rates and stabilizing inflation might not be enough to boost consumption given barely any upward change in the average daily basic pay of workers,” said the DLSU’s monthly report on the Philippine economy.
According to the De La Salle University-Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies’s policy brief, DLSU economists are maintaining their forecast growth rate of 5.9 percent for 2024. This is below the government’s adjusted target band of 6 to 6.5 percent.
“Our indicators suggest that growth of 6 [percent] and above is highly unlikely,” DLSU professors of Department of Economics Neriza Chow, Jesus Felipe and Mariel Monica Sauler said in the policy brief.
The government will release the official GDP data on January 30.
Government spending THE upcoming elections could slow down government spending in the first half of 2025 compared to last year, according to Budget Policy and Strategy Group Assistant Secretary Romeo T. Balanquit. DBM Chief Economist Joselito Basilio said implementing agencies can ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt them from the spending ban to prevent project delays.
Despite the expected slowdown, Balanqui and Basilio said the economy can still rebound in the second half of 2025. Basilio said the implementation of infrastructure projects and social programs during this period is not usually disrupted.
“We want greater efficiency in the use of resources and of the budget. The only things we will approve of are those with complete documents and are implementation-ready. That’s the only time we will be able to release the budget,” Basilio said.
“We are really optimistic that what we are spending on will really redound and increase the GDP,” Balanquit added.
The national government disbursed P4.729 trillion as of the end of October 2024. This is 11.5 percent higher than the P4.241 trillion disbursed in the same period in 2023.
The DBM estimates that the full-year 2024 disbursements will reach P5.907 billion, up by 10.7 percent year-on-year, exceeding the P5.754 trillion program due to the implementation of priority programs, including those funded under unprogrammed appropriations. Overall infrastructure disbursements were seen to reach P1.540 billion, equivalent to 5.8 percent of GDP.
Projections
THE DLSU economists noted that the government recently changed the GDP growth target for 2024 from 6 to 7 percent to 6 to 6.5 percent, and from 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent to 6 to 8 percent for 2025.
However, they said that based on the December 2024 Consensus Report survey, none of the 22 agencies that regularly provide projections for the Philippine economy, including DLSU, projected a GDP growth rate above 6 percent for 2024.
Within China+Asean 6 trading bloc, the Philippines has the smallest trade deficit with the US at $4 billion in 2023—as against Thailand’s $43 billion, Vietnam’s $109 billion, and China at $300 billion, the Peza chief said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the parent agency of Peza, also explained earlier that the Philippines may not be the focus of Trump’s plan to slap additional tariffs as it has a “more balanced” trade with the United States compared to its Asian neighbors. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/12/03/ dti-phl-may-not-be-focus-oftrumps-tariff-plan-dti/)
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that Electronic products remains to be the country’s top commodity exports.
The country earned $25.25 billion from exporting the said good in the January to November 2024 period. This is equivalent to 21.49 percent of the country’s merchandise exports in the 11-month period last year. Under the electronic products category, semiconductors are leading the country’s exports, with $17.04 billion worth of outbound shipments in the January to November 2024 period.
Earlier, the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) said the Philippine semiconductor industry should brace for the impact of the possible tweaking of the semiconductor diversification strategy under a new administration in the United States, as this could strip away benefits from the local chips industry. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/01/phlsemicons-told-watch-for-tweaksin-us-strategy/)
For instance, they said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected growth rates of 6 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively.
For 2025, the average GDP growth rate forecast reported by Consensus in the December survey is 6 percent while ADB and the IMF expect growth will reach 6.2 and 6.1 percent, respectively.
The DLSU economists pointed out that these forecasts “raise the question as to what assumptions the government made in setting the band of 6 percent to 6.5 percent target for 2024 and 6 percent to 8 percent target for 2025.”
“Given that the IMF forecasts that the world GDP will grow by about 3.1-3.2 percent in 2024, we find it difficult to explain the ‘targets’ set by the government, in particular, whether they should be treated as actual projections, or as mere aspirations without a clearly defined basis,” the DLSU economists said. For 2025, the economists said they are forecasting a growth rate of 6.1 percent, which is within the target range set by the government.
Kalayaan Islands get ₧3-B infra fund in 2025 budget
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
THE Philippine government has allocated an additional P3.03 billion this year to strengthen its infrastructure development in the Kalayaan Island Group, located in the northeastern section of the contested Spratly Archipelago, a senior lawmaker said on Sunday.
In a statement, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said Congress has earmarked an additional P1.65 billion to develop the Pagasa Island airport and P300 million for the Pag-asa shelter port.
“We have also allocated an extra P1.08 billion to construct the second phase of the Lawak Island shelter port,” Pimentel added. These infrastructure projects are detailed in the 2025 General Appropriations Law. Pimentel,
a former chairman of the House Committee on Strategic Intelligence, explained that the new appropriations are on top of the combined P2.3 billion Congress allocated for the Pag-asa airport and Lawak shelter port in 2024.
Pag-asa Island, located 508 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, is the largest land feature in the Kalayaan Island Group, with a land area of 37.2 hectares.
Lawak Island, the fourth largest in the group with a 7.93-hectare area, is located 169 kilometers east of Pag-asa. The Kalayaan Island Group comprises other islets such as Likas, Parola, Kota, Patag, and Panata, with a total land area of 83.89 hectares. The area also includes significant maritime features such as Ayungin Shoal (Second Thomas Shoal), Balagtas Reef (Irving Reef), and Rizal Shoal (Commodore Reef).
Afghans who transited in PHL for visa processing fly to US
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
ALL Afghans who arrived in the Philippines to process their application for immigrant visas to the United States have flown to the US last week.
Kanishka Gangopadhyay, spokesperson for the US Embassy in Manila, said fewer than 200 Afghan nationals have arrived in the Philippines on a special arrangement with the Philippines on January 6, contrary to earlier projected number of “up to 300.”
:Just under 200 Afghan nationals arrived in the Philippines on January 6 for final processing of their Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applications at the US Embassy in Manila. All departed the Philippines for immigration to the United States aboard commercial flights between January 15 and 17,” Gangopadhyay said in a statement.
It took only nine to 11 days for the US Embassy to process the special immigration visa applications of Afghans who worked for the US mission in Afghanistan and their
immediate families.
The Afghan’s stay was 48 days ahead of the deadline set by the Department of Foreign Affairs on the maximum number of days that each applicant can stay in the Philippines.
The length of stay of the Afghans was part of the deal signed between the Philippines and the US last year. The negotiations took two years, mired by a Senate inquiry lead by the President’s sister and Senate foreign relations committee chairwoman Imee Marcos.
The visa processing for the Afghans’ SIV applications was also apparently fast-tracked ahead of the assumption of incoming US President Donald Trump on January 20.
During Trump’s first term, he drastically downgraded the refugee resettlement program. During the campaign, he vowed to “suspend refugee resettlement” as part of a broader effort to “immediately end the migrant invasion of America.”
“The government of the United States extends deep appreciation to the government of the Philippines for their cooperation and support for US efforts to assist Afghan Special Immigrants,”Gangopadhyay added.
Davao mining town ’24 best scitech implementer in Davao
By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox
AVAO CITY—The min -
Ding town of Monkayo, Davao de Oro, has been recognized as the region’s best implementer of science and technology programs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The regional DOST office here awarded the town for its innovation despite being tied for decades on mining activities, both corpo -
rate and small scale, owing to its demonstrated “transformative power” of technology to develop its own derivative industry, as well as its agricultural crops production.
The DOST XI said “the municipality of Monkayo in Davao de Oro is the 2024 best implementer of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program for product development in the Davao region.”
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US deploys carrier in WPS for activity with PHL forces
FILIPINO and US warships and combat aircraft conducted this year’s first maritime cooperative activity (MCA) at the West Philippine Sea (WPS) over the weekend, the Armed Forces (AFP) said on Sunday.
In a statement, the AFP Public Affairs Office director, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said the MCA took place in the Palawan area of the WPS with the US IndoPacific Command (Indopacom) on January 17 and 18.
“Philippine assets involved in the activity included the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), two FA50 fighter aircraft, and Air Force (PAF) search-and-rescue assets,” Trinidad said.
Participants on the US side were the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) carrier strike group that includes the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), Arleigh Burke-class guided-destroyer
USS Sterett (DDG-104), an MH60 “Seahawk” helicopter, a V-22 “Osprey” tilt rotor, and two F-18 “Hornet” jet fighters.
“On January 17, the forces conducted a communications check exercise, division tacticsofficer of the watch maneuver, and a photo exercise. The exercises continued on Jan. 18 with the participants conducting dissimilar aircraft combat training,” Trinidad said.
It was the fifth MCA between the AFP and US military units since the drills started in November 2023.
The MCA reinforces bilateral maritime cooperation and interoperability. The Armed Forces chief of staff, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.,
said the MCA aims to increase the Philippines’ defense cooperation with its US counterparts.
“This MCA is a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead,” Brawner said in the same statement.
“This is a result of our shared commitment and mutual effort to safeguard our national interests and secure a peaceful region.”
House panels eye stiffer penalties for fathers who fail to support kids
THE House of Representatives’ Committee on the Welfare of Children has approved a bill that imposes stricter penalties on parents or fathers who refuse to provide financial support for their children.
House Bill 8987, titled “An Act Ensuring Child Support and Penalizing Parental Refusal or Neglect Thereof,” has now moved to the Committee on Appropriations to evaluate the budgetary requirements for establishing a Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) office that will oversee its implementation.
“This law is urgently needed. Fathers who abandon their families and refuse to support their children must be penalized,” House Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo said.
“We thank our colleagues in Congress for pushing this proposed measure forward, but I hope it is fast-tracked so we can hold irresponsible fathers accountable for neglecting their
own children,” he added.
The bill was filed by Tulfo in August 2023, along with his fellow ACT-CIS Reps Jocelyn Tulfo and Edvic Yap, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo.
The proposed law seeks to penalize so-called “deadbeat” fathers with imprisonment of up to six years for failing to fulfill their parental obligations.
During committee hearings, it was agreed that the financial support fathers must provide would depend on the needs of the child.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard (PCG) said it issued another radio challenge on Saturday against China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 5901 or the “monster ship” which has been operating unlawfully off Zambales coastline. This after the Philippines and China agreed Thursday to an indefinite implementation of an arrangement for the resupply of daily necessities and rotation missions by Manila at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. Rex Anthony Naval with PNA
The DSWD, in collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), will determine the appropriate amount.
“This bill will help solo parents, numbering around 15 million in our population, and serve as their tool to secure the support their children need. Mothers will no longer have to beg or plead with their ex-partners or the fathers of their children for financial support,” Tulfo said.
“Enough is enough, I would say. This has to end right now, which is why this law must be passed. What is truly unfortunate is that some of these irresponsible fathers hold government positions, while others work in the private sector,” Tulfo added.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Senator: Amend law to produce quality teachers
TBy Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
HE Philippine Teachers
Professionalization Act of 1994 (Republic Act 4784) badly needs amending to enhance the quality of teaching and ensure it adapts to modern technological advancements, ultimately improving the country’s education system, Sen Sherwin Gatchalian said Sunday.
Gatchalian earlier filed Senate Bill 2840, which includes a key provision to introduce alternative pathways for registration as professional teachers, allowing applicants to qualify either through a licensure examination or by submitting a portfolio demonstrating their attainment of professional teaching standards.
The aim of these pathways is to expand the pool of competent and skilled teachers, particularly in subjects or areas where specialized knowledge and expertise are highly needed, he said.
“The end goal here is to create highly qualified and professional teachers who will enter our education system. And with these highly qualified teachers, we would also hope to see improved learner outcomes. At the end of the day, we are doing this because we want our learners to improve, and we want learner outcomes to improve as well,” Gatchalian said.
“The purpose of amending the law is to address new technologies and innovations in the teaching profession. Teaching evolves, pedagogy evolves, and systems and procedures evolve. We must
Go calls for lessened out-of-pocket healthcare costs
IN a Senate Committee on Health hearing presided over by Sen. Christopher Go as chairman on Thursday, January 16, discussions centered on the financial hardships faced by Filipinos in accessing healthcare
health reforms crusader, urged
Philippine
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to enhance its services by increasing coverage to significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients. PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma, who was present at the hearing, responded by highlighting PhilHealth’s ongoing efforts to expand coverage and benefits.
“Mr. Chair, again, we can assure the members that if we feel we need to increase that even more in the future, we will not stop there. We’ll see how it goes. But malaki na pong increase na ‘yan . Now to address your question, Mr. Chair, we have been very aggressive in PhilHealth. So I think, Mr. Chair, it’s safe
to assume we just continue at our pace and we will get there,” Ledesma said. Go shared his observations on the struggles faced by patients in rural areas, drawing from firsthand experiences. He recounted an incident involving a hospital bill amounting to PhP 87,000, where PhilHealth
continuously review laws governing different professions–in this case, the teaching profession–and assess whether they remain attuned to the changing times,” he added.
Under the present law, those who want to register as professional teachers are required to take the licensure examination. Under Gatchalian’s proposed measure, a graduate of an accredited teacher education center of excellence, with a consistent passing rate of at least 80 percent in the last five years, can submit to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) a portfolio demonstrating the attainment of the professional standards for teaching.
The Commission shall provide the criteria of professional standards for teachers and
only covered PhP 7,000, leaving the patient with a significant financial burden. He urged PhilHealth to further increase case rates and broaden benefit packages.
determine their satisfactory demonstration in submitted portfolios. This is to ensure that only qualified and competent applicants shall be given the required certificate of registration and license to teach. A provision in the bill allows registration without examination, where an applicant who had taught for at least 10 years prior to the measure’s enactment into law submits a teaching experience portfolio, which will be used for the thorough evaluation of acquired knowledge and expertise comparable to professional standards. Within three years of the law’s effectivity, these applicants should apply for registration and issuance of a certificate of registration and professional identification card.
Discussions also covered the achievements of the Malasakit Centers Act (Republic Act 11463), a legislative measure principally authored and sponsored by Senator Go. According to the senator, these centers have significantly reduced patients’ financial burdens by serving as one-stop shops for government assistance.
Malasakit Centers consolidate services from the Department of Social
A4
Monday, January 20, 2025 www.businessmirror.com.ph
Poe allays fears of job loss of motorcycle ‘angkas’ riders
By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM
THE absence of a law should not result in the loss of the jobs of more than 60,000 motorcycle riders in the country, Sen. Grace Poe said, as she prodded regulators to allow the riders to keep plying their routes pending passage of the law institutionalizing the service.
In a statement at the weekend, Poe said the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) actually has the authority to allow the motorcycle riders to continue their operations, which she described as “an essential transportation means for millions of Filipinos.”
Power
TSenators, including Poe, recently held a hearing to obtain updates from transportation agencies on the “pilot” motorcycle taxi scheme, which has long been conducted even as commuters’ need for the motorbike riders increases.
“It’s really in LTFRB’s hands on whether to extend the deadline or not. They can really de -
clare an extension pending the passage of the bill. They’re the approving authority there,” she said, in a mix of English and Filipino.
“If they need a Senate resolution from us to provide them legal cover, we can do that. The resolution signed by senators can declare that they support the extension while the bill is being deliberated on in Congress,” she added.
Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, previously headed the Committee on Public Services that started the hearings on the motorcycle-for-hire bills few years ago.
She stressed the importance of motorcycle taxis as a safe and viable means of transportation, while providing employment to thousands of riders.
She openly addressed the riding public, allaying their fears and stressing that the motorcycles for hire “provide such an essential service, and should not be stopped by LTFRB just because the law has not yet been passed,” Poe said.
She said the pilot study that launched test runs for regulated motorcycle taxi and courier operations has been finished and is being used as basis to fortify the bill.
The LTFRB earlier warned that motorcycle taxis could become “illegal” if the current 19th Congress ends without passing the law.
Poe said senators wanted a comprehensive law that would cover vital aspects of the motorcycle taxi operations such as licenses, vehicle specifications, discounts, insurance, safety regulations, among others.
“We need to be very specific and comprehensive with this law to ensure we will have a smooth rollout,” she said.
“Our people should not be afraid; our passengers and even our providers of the motorcycles for hire because while the bill is being deliberated on, they may continue using this service and continue using the apps so that the public does not lose this form of transportation,” Poe added.
from OSW to be fed to grid by ’28–DOE
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
HE Department of Energy
(DOE) has laid out the red carpet for serious offshore wind (OSW) developers in a bid to pursue their multi-billion peso investments in the country.
Latest data from the agency showed that there are 16 OSW “frontrunner” projects, with total potential capacity of 16 gigawatts (GW) or 16,000 megawatts (MW), that are expected to start construction two years from now.
“The DOE is assisting the 16 OSW frontrunners [with total potential capacity of 16GW] who committed to start the construction at the latest by 2027 and to inject the first kilowatt hour by 2028,” the agency said.
“Assistance provided by DOE includes coordination with Permitting Agencies such as DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), NGCP [National Grid Corporation of the Philippines], and PPA [Philippine Ports Authority],” it added.
On the list provided by the DOE, the potential capacity of 16 OSW projects will reach 16,652 MW. The largest project is the 3,100MW Bulalacao OSW wind farm of Domhain
Earth Corp. in offshore Oriental Mindoro and Antique. Domhain’s other OSW projects are 1,830MW Calatagan, 1,600MW Claveria, and 1,500MW Mariveles.
BuhaWind Energy Northern Luzon Corp. will put up the 2,000MW Northern Luzon wind farm in Ilocos Norte.
ACX3 Capital Holdings, Inc. committed to put up the 500MW San Miguel Bay, 475MW Lucena wind, and 275MW Tayabas Bay OSW projects.
Vind Energy Corp.’s 994MW Cavite and 728MW GS2 OSW projects are also on the list.
CI NMF Corp. will put up the following OSW projects–350MW Dagupan, 650MW Samar Norte, and 1,000MW San Miguel Bay.
The remaining projects on the list are the 600MW Guimaras Strait of Triconti Southwind, 600MW Guimaras Strait II of Jet Stream Windkraft Corp., and the 450MW Frontera Bay of Ivisan Windkraft Corp.
OSW developers eagerly awaits the fifth round of the Green Energy Auction (GEA5), exclusively dedicated to OSW projects, which is scheduled to take place in the third quarter this year.
“We are targeting July, third quarter of this year, for the auction 5 for offshore wind.
thrived with crucial support from the agency through community training and the provision of necessary equipment and facilities,” he said.
Regional Director Anthony Sales said the recognition “highlights the remarkable progress Monkayo has achieved in empowering its communities through science and technology.” “We are proud of Monkayo’s success, which reflects the transformative power of Science and Technology.”
With more than P17 million in funding, the CEST program transformed the town from a mining-dependent economy into a thriving hub of innovation, Sales said, adding that the sustainable livelihood initiatives paved the way for the growth of diversified industries.
“The booming local industries include jewelry-making and cacao production, which have
He also noted how the town has developed significant investments in health and education through the introduction of iRice and Nutribun feeding programs, as well as the installation of Starbooks in remote barangays to improve access to learning resources. Also, this disaster-prone town improved its disaster-preparedness and environmental sustainability with “significant initiatives like early warning systems and waste management projects, which further highlights Monkayo’s commitment to holistic community development.”
The DOST said it hoped that by getting the award Monkayo may showcase how science and
In fact, we had already announced this last December because some of the front-runner offshore wind projects needed to assure their investors that the green energy auction 5 is going to happen,” said Energy Undersecretary Rowena Guevara.
OSW developers also raised their concerns on transmission line assets and modernization of port infrastructure, saying these are critical in determining their final investment decision.
“With the Philippine Ports Authority to build the port for these front-runners projects, our investors are assured, and therefore, they are keen in participating in the auction in the third quarter of this year,” said Guevara.
The PPA has formally expressed its full support to the DOE to initiate the detailed engineering designs and take immediate steps to repurpose three priority ports to ensure that they are fully equipped to handle the installation, commissioning, and operational requirements of OSW projects. These are the Port of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Port of Batangas in Sta. Clara, Batangas City, and Port of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte.
The DOE has identified these three ports as critical to OSW development, given their proximity to
technology can uplift communities and become a model for other localities in the region which were seek sustainable growth.
The DOST said the CEST “is a package of science and technology interventions aiming to build progressive, empowered, and resilient rural communities. The interventions include health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, livelihood/ economic enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.”
Monkayo is also the region’s national contender for the best CEST implementer in 2024.
The DOST said: “The municipality’s competitiveness index has risen significantly, from 211th place in 2014 to 64th in 2023, along with a substantial increase in municipal revenue from P52 million in 2015 to nearly P580 million in 2023.”
Pinoy lawyer attends Trump’s inauguration
FILIPINO lawyer Jordan Pizarras, counsel to American businessman Timothy Strong, will be among the few Filipinos to attend the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on January 20.
The invitation underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthen ties with the Philippines, particularly on shared concerns over China’s maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea. Strong, a significant shareholder of PXP Energy Corporation, is at the helm of efforts to develop Service Contract 72 (SC 72), located in the Reed Bank-Recto Bank basin, west of Palawan Island. PXP Energy, a London-listed company, secured the rights to explore the energy-rich SC 72 concession, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone as defined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
Game-changing Energy resource
high-potential offshore wind energy service contracts (OWESCs).
Positioned near 13 OWESCs, the Port of Currimao supports a potential total capacity of 9,489 MW, with three service contracts already in the advanced pre-development stage while the Port of Batangas is located close to 29 OWESCs with a combined potential capacity of 24,300 MW. Six of these projects are on the advanced stages of pre-development, including permitting, licensing, and data gathering.
The Port of Jose Panganiban, on the other hand, is located near 14 OWESCs with a potential capacity of 8,150 MW, with two projects in the advanced pre-development phase.
These ports will serve as vital logistical hubs throughout the lifecycle of OSW projects.
Guevara said these three concerns raised by OSW developers are “crucial parts” of their investments. “Our moves must be coordinated. We work with NGCP, we also work with the local governments for right of way concerns. For the ports, there’s a team coordination with the PPA. It should really be a coordinated move because we want this to be successful,” added the DOE official.
THE Reed Bank basin is estimated to contain approximately 3.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, including the Sampaguita gas field, which alone holds around 2.6 trillion cubic feet of gas. Experts estimate the field’s reserves could last for over 100 years, with an estimated value exceeding $500 trillion. Such resources could significantly bolster the Philippines’ energy security and provide a vital boost to its economy.
The development of SC 72 has been hindered by a moratorium on exploration imposed in December 2014 owing to a force majeure caused by heightened tensions with China. This moratorium remains in effect until the Depart -
ment of Foreign Affairs (DFA) authorizes its lifting, but recent recommendations by the Department of Energy (DOE) signal progress toward resumption of exploration activities.
Symbol of US support
THE invitation to Pizarras was extended by US House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, a prominent Republican leader and supporter of strengthened US-Philippine relations. Emmer’s endorsement of Pizarras’ presence at the historic inauguration signals Washington’s commitment to upholding the 2016 ruling of the Unclos Arbitral Tribunal, which declared China’s nine-dash line claims in the West Philippine Sea as lacking any legal basis.
The tribunal further affirmed the Philippines’ sovereign rights over the Reed Bank and ruled that China’s operations in the area were unlawful. However, China’s continued activities in the area remain a point of contention.
Broader implications PIZARRAS’ attendance at Trump’s inauguration highlights a critical intersection of diplomatic and economic interests. Legal experts and analysts view this as a strategic move to reinforce international support for the Philippines in asserting its territorial and economic rights in the contested waters.
“This is more than a symbolic gesture,” noted a political analyst. “It signifies a potential shift in the geopolitical balance and the strengthening of the US-Philippine alliance in countering China’s maritime ambitions.”
Tulong Dunong Program to benefit 137K students
SOME 137,000 college students will receive P15,000 in cash assistance this year under the national government’s Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), a lawmaker said. Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said P2.06 billion has been allotted for the TDP under the 2025 General Appropriations Law.
“In the 2025 General Appropriations Law, Congress earmarked the sum of P2.06 billion for the TDP, which provides grantees with cash aid of P7,500 per semester, or P15,000 per academic year,” Rillo said in a statement.
GROUP BARES LATEST DISCOVERY, WARNS VS IMPORTED SKIN-LIGHTENING LOTION
ATOXICS watchdog group said it continues to find dangerous levels of mercury in unauthorized skin-lightening products from abroad that are being sold to Filipino consumers via e-commerce.
In a statement issued as part of the celebration of Zero Waste Month, the group revealed its latest discovery of another product tainted with harmful chemicals.
It cautioned consumers against using Thailand-made “Meyyong Ra (Seaweed) Extra Whitening & Facelift” after it detected mercury over the one part per million (ppm) limit under the Asean Cosmetic Directive.
With the aid of a handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, mercury of up to 2,447 ppm was detected on the green moisturizer cream of “Meyyong Ra.” Manufactured in 2023, the product, which is packed in a jar, is sold online for P150.
The following description in English is written on the product packaging: “Advanced
super revitalizer cream whitening formula and facelift.”
The product appears to be related to the Meyyong Ra (Seaweed) Super Whitening Set, also made in Thailand, consisting of three jars (a day cream, a night cream, and a moisturizing cream), which the FDA banned on December 19, 2024 for lack of the required certificate of product notification.
EcoWaste Coalition reminded consumers that mercury is highly toxic with no known level of exposure that is considered safe, noting that pregnant women and children are most susceptible to the health-damaging effects of mercury exposure.
According to the fact sheet “Mercury in Skin Lightening Products” published by the World Health Organization (WHO), “adverse health effects of the inorganic mercury contained in skin lightening creams and soaps include: kidney damage, skin rashes, skin discoloration and scarring, reduction in
The TDP is one of the government’s tertiary education subsidy programs. It aims “to support at least the partial cost of college schooling, inclusive of educationrelated expenses of the grantee.” Its goal is to provide financial assistance to qualified and deserving students pursuing a college degree.
Under existing guidelines, both new and continuing grantees must be enrolled in any undergraduate program in a public or private college or university recognized by the Commission on Higher Education. They must submit certified true copies or electronically generated certificates of enrollment.
“We are absolutely determined to keep up the annual funding for the TDP, which has helped to lessen the financial difficulties of students pursuing their college education,” Rillo added.
the skin’s resistance to bacterial and fungal infections, anxiety, depression, psychosis, and peripheral neuropathy.”
EcoWaste Coalition warned that mercury in skin-lightening products can also contaminate the environment and the food supply. As stated by the WHO, “mercury in soaps, creams, and other cosmetic products is eventually discharged into wastewater. The mercury then enters the environment, where it becomes methylated and can enter the food chain as highly toxic methylmercury in fish.”
“Pregnant women who consume fish containing methylmercury can transfer the mercury to the fetus, which can result in neuro-developmental deficits in the children,” the WHO explained.
Mercury in skin-lightening products, the EcoWaste Coalition pointed out, can also harm babies and other members of a household as they can inhale the mercury vapors emitted by contaminated cosmetics, or get exposed by hugging or kissing persons who have applied such products, or by touching blankets, pillows and towels tainted with mercury. Jonathan L. Mayuga
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz
Tweaks in pricing strategy seen as cocoa rallies
TBy Ada Pelonia @adapelonia
HE steep hike in global cocoa prices will likely weigh on Philippine chocolatiers and eventually trickle into the cost of the sweet treat.
BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, recently reported that the market sentiment for cocoa prices is still bullish due to supply-side challenges, particularly in West Africa, a cocoa powerhouse that accounts for 70 percent of global supply.
Currently, London cocoa futures stood at £8,392 per metric ton (MT), more than double the previous year’s level.
Lucrezia Cogliati, commodities analyst at BMI, said the price spike would take a toll on chocolatiers who would have to resort to certain measures, such as reducing the volume of cocoa or shrinking chocolate sizes to offset higher raw
material costs.
“Elevated cocoa prices will affect chocolate producers as they will increase input costs,” Cogliati told the BusinessMirror via email.
“We also expect companies to adapt to the situation for instance by reducing the proportion of cocoa in chocolate bars or decreasing the size of these.”
However, she noted that while the price hike would likely be passed onto consumers, the increase would be “significantly smaller” as cocoa bean costs are a relatively minor component in the chocolate business, taking into account other ingredients and
manufacturing costs.
“We also expect record-high prices to affect consumers, although we highlight that the price increases will be significantly smaller than those for cocoa futures,” Cogliati said.
“Ultimately, cocoa is only a small part of the final cost to the consumers. We therefore expect prices to increase but not as drastically as cocoa futures have.”
Data from the International Trade Centre (Intracen) showed that the Philippines imported $323,190 of cocoa products in 2023, with chocolate and cocoa powder combined accounting for nearly 98 percent of the shipments at $316,642.
‘Boon and bane’
ORAN VAN DORT, commodity analyst at Rabobank, said the cocoa market saw price increases last year due to supply shortfalls in West Africa, especially in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the world’s leading producers of the crop.
“Steep production declines in West Africa, particularly Ivory Coast and Ghana were caused [by] aging trees, aging farmers, farm -
ers exiting cocoa, no investment in cocoa infrastructure, adverse weather, black pod disease, and swollen shoot virus,” Van Dort told the BusinessMirror
Despite the dwindling global stockpile, Van Dort noted that producers outside the top cocoagrowing countries gain from elevated global cocoa prices through the provision of incentives for farm maintenance.
“Globally, we are seeing produc -
San Miguel to buy more feed ingredients from farmers
CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. (SMC), through its subsidiary San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI), is stepping up its purchases of animal feed ingredients, including corn and cassava from local farmers.
The company will do this via its first nationwide public-private partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) which was launched recently.
Through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), SMFI said it would establish and manage buying stations for key crops, such as corn, cassava, sorghum, and soybeans.
It added that this would allow farmers to have direct access to an institutional buyer, ensuring “a stable and fair market” for their produce and delivering better financial returns.
According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the partnership could help cut import costs and eventually lower the prices of egg and meat products.
“This partnership will not only benefit the farmers, but also the
broader society as a whole. By sourcing quality local ingredients for feed production, we can significantly reduce import costs which will in turn lower prices of meat in the market, eggs, and several other meat (products) for consumers—creating a win-win scenario for both producers and households by ensuring that only high quality raw materials are used,” he said in a statement.
“We are also safeguarding the health of our consumers. Let us continue to harness this partnership to create a more sustainable and resilient local agriculture industry that will empower our farmers and ensure food security, and drive economic growth in the country.”
For his part, San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) Chairman Ramon S. Ang said the partnership would allow the company to invest directly in the country’s farmers and the future of Philippine agriculture.
“By offering fair prices and consistent support, we help farmers improve their livelihoods and
make agriculture a more sustainable and rewarding industry.”
The partnership would also incorporate strategies to modernize and streamline agricultural supply chains nationwide, which are expected to promote long-term growth and sustainability in the sector benefiting farmers, consumers, and the entire country.
“To further support the agricultural community, SMFI will share laboratory procedures for crop acceptance and conduct capacitybuilding seminars for DA-recognized farmer cooperatives and associations [FCAs]. Additionally, it will offer its food products to cooperatives, creating opportunities for additional income.”
The DA will then introduce advanced technologies to improve crop monitoring and harvest volume projections and provide technical assistance to SMFI’s farmer partners, particularly those in DA-recognized FCAs.
It added that the agency will also deliver quality assurance training, support SMFI’s infor -
mation campaigns for direct buying and community reseller programs, and grant access to select research stations for varietal preservation and planting material development.
Currently, SMC buys corn and cassava through its direct-corn buying program and Cassava Assemblers Program. Its program for cassava is in place in more than half of all the provinces in the country. Through its cassava program, Ang said in a statement last August 2024 that the company offers a guaranteed market with purchase agreements, a fixed floor price, and comprehensive technical assistance.
The signing of the MOU was led by DA Undersecretary Roger Navarro and San Miguel Foods Group General Manager Emmanuel Macalalag.
The ceremony was attended by key representatives from DArecognized farmer cooperatives and associations along with senior officials from both organizations.
Ada Pelonia
Court decision could lead to food security crisis–group
ENVIRONMENT group
Oceana and local government leaders warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of a potential food and livelihood security crisis in coastal communities if commercial fishing vessels operate within municipal waters deeper than seven fathoms.
This comes after the Supreme Court earlier upheld a decision by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Malabon that declared the preferential access given to small-scale fishers to fish in the 15-kilometer municipal water from the shoreline as unconstitutional and allowed the Mercidar Fishing Corp. to operate in waters seven fathoms or deeper.
With this, Oceana said it found through the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) that 60 percent or 533 of 884 coastal towns in the country will open up 90 percent of their municipal waters to commercial fishing.
“We are worried that this court decision will result in the
depletion of our fish stocks with the unabated fishing operations of commercial fishers, displacement of our small, municipal fisherfolk, and destruction of marine habitats and spawning grounds of juvenile fish needed to restore our fisheries,” Oceana Vice President Gloria Estenzo Ramos said in a statement.
“All these will push back the reforms for science-based fishery management areas system now in place, render irrelevant the vessel monitoring requirement for commercial fishing vessels, and imminently lead to deeper hunger and poverty among artisanal fisherfolk and their families because of the very clear threat to their primary source of livelihood and food and nourishment.”
Oceana, the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMJC), and fishers and civil society leaders submitted their petition last January 2.
For fisheries scientist Wilfredo Campos, who is one of the petitioners, removing the 15-kilometer boundary of coastal waters
reserved by law for municipal fishers would only increase the volume of fish caught from already heavily depleted resources.
“This directly contradicts the very solution to the problem of overfishing.”
Meanwhile, Oceana said the municipality of Santa Fe in Northern Cebu will lose 94 percent of its municipal waters to commercial fishing operations.
Santa Fe Mayor Ithamar Espinosa is representing the coastal town of Bantayan Island through the Sangguniang Bayan Resolution issued on December 28, 2024, in the petition to intervene in the case.
“Our municipal waters are the lifeblood of our small fisherfolk and coastal communities. By joining this petition, we are standing up for their rights and fighting to uphold the local government’s role in protecting these resources for future generations. This is about preserving livelihoods, food security, and the integrity of our coastal ecosystems,” Espinosa said.
Ruperto Aleroza, Vice Chair
for the Basic Sectors of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), also expressed his sentiments.
“Usapin ito ng buhay at kabuhayan ng mga artisanong mangingisda at ng pangisdaan. Hindi makatarungang desisyunan ito dahil lamang sa teknikalidad at hindi sa tunay na kalagayan at pangangailangan ng industriya,” he said.
Ang pagpasok ng mga komersyal na mangingisda ay maghahatid ng panganib para sa mas malalang pagkasira ng mga kritikal na rekurso at magdudulot ng panganib sa buhay at kagamitan ng mga artisanong mangingisda.”
Oceana, Aleroza, and local government leaders urged Marcos to halt efforts seeking to remove the preferential rights of municipal fisherfolk and the mandates of LGUs as stipulated under the Fisheries Code and Local Government Code to conserve, plan, and sustainably manage the fisheries resources and critical marine habitats and ecosystems in the 15-kilometer municipal water zone. Ada Pelonia
ers outside of the Ivory Coast and Ghana benefit from higher prices, incentivizing farm care,” he said.
Market exit
THE BMI report also highlighted that technical factors such as fewer participants in the cocoa market contributed to soaring prices.
“Fewer participants in the market result in higher price volatility, as even small movements can have large effects on prices.”
Van Dort said several factors would account for the pivot in market participants’ sentiment, with overarching concern grounded in the tight supply of the crop.
“After a fundamental based rally, the market has outpaced itself after succumbing to low liquidity. Market participants have been exiting the futures market, especially industry as they no longer prefer to hedge with futures,” he said.
“There is less cocoa to hedge, participants are limiting their hedge horizon, [there is] high volatility, and because it is more expensive in the margin system with elevated prices.”
To weather supply shocks, Van Dort said market participants are trying to bank on other hedging techniques.
“This is a global issue, and we are seeing market participants turn to options, over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives and [exchange of futures for swaps] EFS to hedge,” he said.
”Industry needs to navigate this challenging environment—how to hedge, how to procure, and to find what the best strategy for them is.”
BPI accuses trader of smuggling carrots, onions
THE Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
has filed a complaint against Betron Consumer Goods Trading and its owner, Ronnel Manalang, for supposedly smuggling fresh carrots and yellow onions through the Port of Subic.
According to the attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), the complaint, submitted to the Olongapo City Prosecutor’s Office, accused the company of violating the Food Safety Act and the 1978 Plant Quarantine Law.
The agency noted that in August 2024, five shipping containers declared as frozen fish egg balls were found, but upon inspection, it contained 56,998 kilos of carrots and 85,626 kilos of yellow onions worth around P20.8 million.
“The products lacked the mandatory sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances,” the BPI said in a statement.
The agency said Carmela Rivera, area manager for Subic Port’s National Plant Quarantine Services Division, confirmed in her affidavit that the misdeclared agricultural goods were confiscated immediately to safeguard public health.
GEORGIA officials suspended the sale of poultry in the state after confirming a positive case of bird flu in a commercial operation, threatening one of the state’s prime industries.
The case, found Friday in Elbert County, northeast of Atlanta, is the first confirmed instance of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, detected in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia, and the fifth in the state since a nationwide outbreak began in 2022, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said in a statement.
Later Saturday, Harper issued a followup statement reassuring Georgians that the poultry products in stores and restaurants was “safe and wholesome.”
“The recent detection of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock in Elbert County will not impact Georgians’ ability to purchase poultry products like meat or eggs at the local grocery store or restaurant nor will it impact retailers’ ability to offer these products for sale,” he said.
No humans have been infected in the state, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said.
“This is a serious threat to Georgia’s #1 industry and the livelihoods of thousands of Georgians who make their living in our state’s poultry industry,” the statement from Harper said. “We are working around the clock to mitigate any further spread of the disease and ensure that normal poultry activities in Georgia can resume as quickly as possible.”
The affected poultry operation had
It also noted that further analysis revealed traces of E. coli and unregistered pesticide residues on the seized produce. According to BPI, a show-cause order issued to Betron and Manalang was ignored, which prompted the agency to escalate the case.
On December 9, 2024, the BPI said it filed a formal complaint, which led to the revocation of Betron’s importation license. It added that both Betron and Manalang were also blacklisted, barring them from future operations in the agricultural sector.
“The complaint highlights deliberate misdeclaration and fraudulent documentation, which not only endangered public health but also defrauded the government. Violations of the Food Safety Act carry severe penalties, including imprisonment and substantial fines,” the agency said.
“The DA-BPI reiterated its commitment to upholding food safety standards and protecting consumers from risks posed by illegally imported and improperly handled agricultural goods.” Ada Pelonia
about 45,000 broiler breeders, the kind of hens that lay eggs for future meat production, when the disease was detected. State officials were working over the weekend to disinfect, clean and remove diseased birds.
All commercial poultry operations within a 6.2-mile (10 km) radius of the affected property have been placed under quarantine and will undergo surveillance testing for at least two weeks.
Vaccine MODERNA Inc. was awarded an additional $590 million from the US government to help the company develop a vaccine aimed at protecting people from bird flu. The funding will support late-stage development and licensing of prepandemic vaccines and expansion of human studies for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza, according to a statement Friday. First discovered in 1996 in geese bred in southern China, the H5N1 strain has caused hundreds deaths in people over the years, mainly via exposure to infected animals. The version of the virus spreading in North America right now has led to only a few serious cases, but concerns have been rising since a death was linked to the virus in Louisiana earlier this month. Since 2023, Moderna has been studying a vaccine to keep people from getting infected with H5N1, which has been decimating flocks of birds throughout the nation. It has also run rampant in herds of dairy cows and occasionally spread to farm workers. Bloomberg News
HANDMADE chocolates in Paris. BLOOMBERG NEWS
Georgia halts poultry sales in state after bird flu found
Asean foreign ministers seek diplomatic solutions for Myanmar crisis and South China Sea disputes
By Eileen Ng Associated Press
LANGKAWI, Malaysia—Southeast Asian foreign ministers gathered Sunday for their first meeting this year under the regional bloc's new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar's drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
The retreat on the idyllic northern resort island of Langkawi was the first major meeting of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations hosted by Malaysia. Officials said it aims to chart the bloc's direction for the year as it tries to resolve Myanmar's deadly four-year crisis and tensions over China's increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Asean must bolster unity and make economic integration a top priority amid global uncertainties and the USChina rivalry in the region. He said the second term of incoming US President Donald Trump has also raised questions on how it will shape dynamics in the region.
"There is much to prepare for. Above all, what we need to anticipate are the potential challenges to Asean centrality," he told the opening of the meeting. "We must ensure that Asean remains our central go-to platform for solution seeking... We are the speakers and not the spoken-for. We must drive our own path forward."
The crisis in Myanmar has emerged as one of the bloc's big -
gest challenges since a military coup ousted an elected civilian government in February 2021, plunging the country into conflict. It has sparked an armed resistance movement, with rebel forces now controlling large parts of the country. The war has killed tens of thousands of people, and displaced millions. Asean's peace plan and other efforts to seek a solution have been futile as Myanmar's junta has not been compliant. Asean banned Myanmar's military leaders from formal Asean meetings but the bloc's non-interference policy has hampered its role. The military government plans an election this year to legitimize its rule but critics say polls are unlikely to be free or fair.
Malaysia, which brought Myanmar into Asean during its chairmanship of the bloc in 1997, is expected to take a more proactive stance as the Myanmar crisis has led to the flourishing of criminal activities, online scams and human trafficking along Myanmar's border. Hasan last month said Malaysia had appointed Othman Hashim, a former foreign ministry senior of -
ficial, as its special envoy to Myanmar to engage various factions in the country to find a way forward.
Tensions in the South China Sea, one of the world's vital shipping lanes, are also high on the agenda Sunday following violent confrontations in the waters last year. Asean members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei along with Taiwan have overlap -
ping claims with China, which asserts sovereignty over virtually all of the South China Sea.
Chinese and Philippine vessels clashed repeatedly last year. Chinese forces also assaulted Vietnamese fishermen and Chinese patrol vessels ventured into areas that Indonesia and Malaysia claim as exclusive economic zones.
The Philippines has pushed
Tensions escalate as Israel postpones Gaza ceasefire over hostage dispute with Hamas
By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy & Tia Goldenberg Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip
— The Israeli military says it “continues to attack” inside the Gaza Strip as a dispute with Hamas delayed the start of a planned ceasefire.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military’s chief spokesman, said the truce would not begin until Hamas hands over the names of three hostages to be released later on Sunday, echoing an earlier statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu said early Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza will not begin until Hamas provides the names of the three hostages it is set to release later on Sunday in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners.
It was unclear if the dispute had been resolved when the deadline for the truce to begin passed at 8:30 a.m. local time.
Israel meanwhile announced that it had recovered the body of Oron Shaul, a soldier who was killed in the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, in a special operation hours before the ceasefire was set to begin. The bodies of Shaul and another soldier, Hadar Goldin, remained in Gaza after the 2014 war and had not been returned despite a public campaign by their families.
Netanyahu said he had instructed the military that the ceasefire “will not begin until Israel has in its possession the list of hostages to be
freed, which Hamas committed to provide.” He had issued a similar warning the night before.
Hamas blamed the delay in handing over the names on “technical field reasons.” It said in a statement that it is committed to the ceasefire deal announced last week.
The planned ceasefire, agreed after a year of intensive mediation by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, is the first step in a long and fragile process aimed at winding down the 15-month war.
The 42-day first phase of the ceasefire should see a total of 33 hostages returned from Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees released. Israeli forces should pull back into a buffer zone inside Gaza, and many displaced Palestinians should be able to re -
turn home. The devastated territory should also see a surge in humanitarian aid.
This is just the second ceasefire in the war, longer and more consequential than the weeklong pause over a year ago, with the potential to end the fighting for good.
Negotiations on the far more difficult second phase of this ceasefire should begin in just over two weeks. Major questions remain, including whether the war will resume after the six-week first phase and how the rest of the nearly 100 hostages in Gaza will be freed.
Palestinian residents began returning to their homes in parts of Gaza City early Sunday, even as tank shelling continued to the east, closer to the Israeli border, overnight. Families could be seen mak-
ing their way back on foot, with their belongings loaded on donkey carts, residents said.
“The sound of shelling and explosions didn’t stop,” said Ahmed Matter, a Gaza City resident. He said he saw many families leaving their shelters and returning to their homes. “People are impatient. They want this madness to end,” he said.
Israel’s Cabinet approved the ceasefire early Saturday in a rare session during the Jewish Sabbath, more than two days after mediators announced the deal. The warring sides were under pressure from both the outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump to achieve a deal before the US presidential inauguration on Monday.
The toll of the war has been immense, and new details on its scope will now emerge.
Over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that sparked the war killed over 1,200. Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have died.
Some 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced. The United Nations says the health system, road network and other vital infrastructure have been badly damaged. Rebuilding – if the ceasefire reaches its final phase – will take several years at least. Major questions about Gaza’s future, political and otherwise, remain unresolved. (Magdy reported from Cairo and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel.)
for negotiations between Asean and China for a code of conduct in the waterway but talks have stalled over disagreements including whether the pact should be binding and its scope of coverage.
Asean has not openly criticized China, which is the bloc's top trading partner.
As chair, Malaysia is likely to push for quiet diplomacy as it balances security challenges with economic gains, analysts say. "It would be pragmatism on Malaysia's side, as the country — as well as Asean as a whole — lack the diplomatic and military heft to confront China on the South China Sea," said Muhamamd Faizal Abdul Rahman, a research fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
South Korea in crisis: Impeached President Yoon arrested amid violent protests, political turmoil
By Kim Tong-Hyung Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea—Hours after South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol was formally arrested, triggering rioting by his supporters, his lawyers said Sunday that he remains defiant in his refusal to answer questions over the probe into his declaration of martial law last month.
Yoon was formally arrested early on Sunday, days after being apprehended at his presidential compound in Seoul. He faces possible imprisonment over his short-lived authoritarian push, which set off the country’s most serious political crisis since its democratization in the late 1980s.
Yoon’s arrest could mark the beginning of an extended period in custody, lasting months or more.
The decision to arrest Yoon ignited unrest at the Seoul Western District Court, where dozens of his supporters broke in and rioted, destroying the main door and windows. They used plastic chairs, metal beams and police shields that they managed to wrestle away from officers. Some were seen throwing objects and using fire extinguishers, destroying furniture and office machines, smashing glass doors and spraying water on computer servers. They shouted demands to see the judge who had issued the warrant, but she had already left.
Hundreds of police officers were deployed and nearly 90 protesters were arrested. Some injured police officers were seen being treated at ambulance vans. The court said it
was trying to confirm whether any staff members were injured and assess the damage to its facilities.
In a statement issued through lawyers, Yoon lamented that the court did not recognize the “just purpose” of his martial law decree but also urged his supporters to express their frustrations peacefully. He called on the police to adopt a lenient stance toward the protesters. Court describes Yoon as threat to destroy evidence IN g ranting law enforcement’s request for an arrest warrant for Yoon, the court said he was a threat to destroy evidence. Yoon and his lawyers on Saturday appeared before the court and argued for his release. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, which is leading a joint investigation with police and the military, can now extend Yoon’s detention to 20 days, during which they will transfer the case to public prosecutors for indictment. Investigators are examining whether Yoon’s Dec. 3 martial law decree amounted to an attempted rebellion. While South Korean presidents have wide-ranging immunity from prosecution while in office, the protection does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.
Yoon’s lawyers could also file a petition to challenge the court’s arrest warrant. Yoon Kab-keun, one of the president’s lawyers, said he will not attend a questioning by the anti-corruption agency set for Sunday afternoon and will remain at the detention center.
From left to right, Laos's Foreign Affairs minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, myanmar's Permanent Secretary to Asean Aung Kyaw moe, Singapore's Foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thailand's Foreign minister maris Sangiampongsa, Vietnam's Foreign minister Bui Thanh Son, malaysia's Foreign m nister mohamad Hasan, Philippines's Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique manalo, Brunei Darussalam Foreign minister Erywan Yusof, Cambodia's Secretary of State Kung Phoak, Indonesia's Foreign minister Sugiono, East Timor's Foreign minister Bendito Freitas and ASEAN
retreat in Langkawi Island, malaysia on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Azne Al IshAk)
January 20, 2025
NOTICE OF FILING OF APPLICATION FOR ALIEN EMPLOYMENT PERMIT (AEP/S)
Notice is hereby given that the following companies/employers have filed with this Regional Office application/s for Alien Employment Permit/s:
1 AL-BAYT CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION
50, Esligue Street, Poblacion, Malvar, Batangas
2 DENSO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION
109 Unity Ave., Carmelray Industrial Park I, Canlubang, City of Calamba, Laguna
YU, HSING-MING
Project Manager
Brief Job Description:
Oversee the analysis and development of a company business operation; highlyanalytical specialists have both business and technical expertise.
MATSUOKA, MASUMI
Chief Manufacturing Officer
Brief Job Description:
Responsible to manage associates, monitor business of the company
3 DENSO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION
109 Unity Ave., Carmelray Industrial Park I, Canlubang, City of Calamba, Laguna NAKANE, MASAO
Vice President - Corporate Strategy Division
Brief Job Description:
Responsible to manage associates, monitor and business of the company
QIN, RISHENG
4 LIXIN PLASTIC AND ELECTRONIC COMPANY LTD., INC.
Block 1, Lot 1, Phase 2B, Lima Technology Center, Bugtong na Pulo, City of Lipa, Batangas
5 PANASONIC MANUFACTURING PHILIPPINES CORPORATION
San Isidro, Taytay, Rizal/laguna Technopark, Don Jose, City of Santa Rosa, Laguna
Injection Mold Design and Development
Senior Manager
Brief Job Description: Manage design related issues throughout the build process
Basic Qualification:
Can manage associates and monitor business of the company
Salary Range: Php 150,000 - Php 499,999
Basic Qualification:
Can manage associates and monitor business of the company
Salary Range:
Php 150,000 - Php 499,999
Basic Qualification:
Preferably engineering with knowledge of injection molding and people management
Salary Range:
Php 30,000 - Php 59,999
OTA, AKIO
President and Chairman of the Board
Brief Job Description:
Shall meet the business targets of the company and carry out the duties of the position relative to sales, profit, cash flow, CCM, etc.
Basic Qualification:
Excellent command of Nihongo (speaking, reading, writing) and have 10 years work experience as President/ Director in a global manufacturing company. Will be responsible for the overall direction and control of the company’s entire operations. Oversees the full range of functions of the total company.
To give advice to GM & to other department regarding quality of products
8 SHIXINGDA INT’L. TRADING CORP.
Block 1, Lot 1, Phase 1, Rizal Technopark, San Juan, Taytay, Rizal
HONG, YANYAN Mandarin Speaking Quality Control
Brief Job Description:
9 SHIXINGDA INT’L. TRADING CORP.
Block 1, Lot 1, Phase 1, Rizal Technopark, San Juan, Taytay, Rizal
XIAO, MINGZHEN
Mandarin
10 TAKARAFOODS PHILIPPINES INC.
No. 100 Mainstreet, Philippians Subdivision, San Juan, Taytay, Rizal
11 YELLOW RIVER POWER CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES CORPORATION
No. 20, Narra Rd, San Antonio, City of San Pedro, Laguna
12 YELLOW RIVER POWER CONSTRUCTION AND SUPPLIES CORPORATION
No. 20, Narra Rd, San Antonio, City of San Pedro, Laguna
KATO, NAOYA
General Manager
Brief Job Description: Manage overall operation of
XUE, HEXIN
Operation Manager
Brief Job Description:
ZHANG, LIUXUE
Operation Manager
Brief Job Description: In-charge with monitoring, analyzing and improving their company’s business
Any person in the Philippines who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is desired may file an objection at DOLE Regional Office IV-A located at 3rd and 4th Floors, Andenson Building II, Parian, Calamba City, Laguna, within 30 days after this publication.
Please inform DOLE Regional Office IV-A if you have any information on criminal offense committed by the foreign nationals.
Able to speak, read and write Japanese and English language; can manage other department regarding the quality of products
Salary Range: Php 90,000 - Php 149,999
‘Dirty Ashtray Award’: Systemic failures fuel smoking crisis in PHL
THe Philippines has once again earned the ignominious “Dirty Ashtray Award” for the fifth time, a testament to its ongoing failure to effectively address the public health crisis caused by smoking and vaping. This isn’t simply a matter of insufficient funding; it’s a systemic problem of inter-agency miscoordination and a disturbing lack of political will, as highlighted by Senator Pia Cayetano’s recent Senate blue-ribbon committee hearings. (Read the BusinessMirror story: “Government agencies’ miscoordination worsens tobacco-related health problems,” January 16, 2025).
The hearings revealed a shocking lack of synergy among government agencies, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The responsibility for regulating vaping products, for instance, is a prime example of this dysfunction. The Vape Law inexplicably assigns safety testing—including health safety—to the DTI, an agency demonstrably lacking the necessary expertise and resources. The FDA, on the other hand, possesses the required equipment, personnel (pharmacists, nurses, toxicologists, etc.), and expert panels to conduct thorough testing, yet remains sidelined. This illogical division of responsibility is not just inefficient; it’s a dangerous dereliction of duty. The DTI’s limited capacity to test only the device itself, neglecting the crucial analysis of consumables and chemical content, underscores the gravity of this oversight.
This misalignment extends beyond vaping. The hearings uncovered a broader pattern of conflicting priorities and wasted resources across various agencies involved in tobacco control. Senator Cayetano rightly points out that this lack of coordination is not only ineffective but also constitutes a criminal waste of public funds, particularly considering the billions collected in sin taxes. These funds, intended to support public health initiatives, are effectively being squandered due to bureaucratic incompetence and potentially, collusion.
The committee’s investigation also shed light on the insidious tactics employed by the tobacco industry to undermine public health policies. These tactics, ranging from misinformation campaigns to aggressive lobbying, have been successfully employed for decades, hindering progress and delaying much-needed regulations. The hearings emphasized the need for government officials to recognize and actively counter these manipulative strategies. Failure to do so will only perpetuate the cycle of preventable illness and death.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP) 11 presents a critical opportunity for the Philippines to demonstrate a genuine commitment to tobacco control. The Senate committee’s recommendations are clear: the delegation must be led by the DOH, agencies with ties to the tobacco industry must be excluded, conflicts of interest must be transparently declared, and the protection of children and youth must be prioritized. This requires a fundamental shift in approach, moving beyond mere rhetoric to concrete action.
The “Dirty Ashtray Award” is not merely an embarrassing title; it’s a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of inaction. The Philippines must urgently address the systemic failures within government, prioritize public health over commercial interests, and finally demonstrate a commitment to effectively combating the tobacco epidemic. Anything less is a betrayal of public trust and a continued condemnation of the nation to a future burdened by preventable disease and needless suffering.
BusinessMirror
Filipino entrepreneurs and nature-positive strategies
ARISING SUN
S we step into 2025, the entrepreneurship landscape is shifting dramatically, with sustainability emerging as a central pillar of corporate strategy. Filipino entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to embrace sustainability as a core aspect of their business models, positioning themselves for success in an increasingly competitive environment. Understanding and integrating sustainable practices is not just about compliance; it’s about seizing opportunities for innovation, resilience, and long-term success.
The tightening of sustainability regulations is a global trend, and the Philippines is certainly affected by these changes. In 2025, significant shifts in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting will take center stage. For example, the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will influence global standards, compelling companies to adopt more rigorous reporting practices. This means preparing for
Another notable trend for 2025 is the shift towards nature-positive business models. Companies increasingly recognize the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem health as integral to their operations. Philippine businesses can benefit from practices that restore and regenerate natural ecosystems. They can explore initiatives such as sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and conservation projects that not only contribute to environmental goals but also enhance community livelihoods.
ogy will be better equipped to meet compliance requirements while moving forward with company goals.
The concept of a circular economy —where waste is minimized and resources are reused—is gaining traction worldwide. In the Philippines, businesses can adopt circular practices by redesigning products for longevity, implementing recycling programs, and exploring upcycling opportunities.
to 36. E-mail: news.businessmirror@gmail.com www.news.businessmirror@gmail.com
an environment where transparency and accountability are paramount for Filipino businesses.
Another notable trend for 2025 is the shift towards nature-positive business models. Companies increasingly recognize the importance of biodiversity and ecosystem health as integral to their operations. Philippine businesses can benefit from practices that restore and regenerate natural ecosystems. They can explore initiatives such as sustain-
able agriculture, eco-tourism, and conservation projects that not only contribute to environmental goals but also enhance community livelihoods.
Investing in technology streamlines operations and provides valuable data insights for better decisionmaking regarding environmental impacts. As companies navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape, those leveraging technol-
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources remains critical as global energy dynamics evolve. The Philippines has abundant renewable resources—solar, wind, and hydropower—that local businesses can harness. With the government’s push for clean energy solutions and international commitments to reduce carbon emissions, investing in renewable energy is not only environmentally responsible but also economically advantageous. Filipino entrepreneurs should consider partnerships with renewable energy providers or invest directly in solar panels or wind turbines for their operations. Such investments can reduce operational costs over
Natural gas law to diversify, stabilize energy sources
ILITO GAGNI
T took some time, but with President Marcos’ signing of RA 12120, the country’s energy security is no longer just a pipe dream. This law is set to revive foreign investor interest in the country’s natural gas reserves, potentially leading to the discovery of another Malampaya gas field.
Known as the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, it seeks to develop the country’s natural gas industry, promote natural gas as a safe, efficient, and cost-effective source of energy and address the concerns of foreign investors seeking to explore for gas fields. Aside from this, the landmark law will help establish the Philippine downstream natural gas industry (PDNGI) and increase the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix. The law positions natural gas as an essential contributor to energy security, with the potential to diversify and stabilize the nation’s energy sources.
Interest in the country’s natural gas reserves resurfaced when
it was revealed that the Malampaya field, which currently supplies over a quarter of the nation’s energy needs, would be depleted by 2027.
For years, the government overlooked the country’s indigenous gas potential, but the second Marcos administration has renewed focus on this critical resource. With the new law and the Department of Energy’s thrust on energy security, a favorable environment for more investments arose.
Under President Marcos’s leadership, the Philippines is poised to revitalize its natural gas industry. This shift promises increased revenue, job creation, and investment, while also enhancing energy security through
Under President Marcos’s leadership, the Philippines is poised to revitalize its natural gas industry. This shift promises increased revenue, job creation, and investment, while also enhancing energy security through greater reliance on indigenous energy sources.
greater reliance on indigenous energy sources.
Principal sponsor Senator Pia Cayetano emphasized that the new law aims to enhance energy security for future generations by creating an investor-friendly environment. Cayetano further highlighted that securing a reliable supply of indigenous natural gas would reduce the Philippines’ vulnerability to global disruptions.
“With more than half of our energy requirements being imported, we are clearly vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts,” the senator said. “As we move toward renewable energy sources, we need additional baseload resources that are less harmful to the environment,” she added.
For many years, the Philippines paid little attention to its natural gas resources, with the Malampaya field in Palawan being the only no-
table discovery. Over time, however, interest in exploring additional gas reserves dwindled, as the number of exploration projects fell from more than 100 in the 1990s to nearly zero in the early 2000s.
Despite promising geological surveys and scientific studies indicating that areas around Malampaya held more gas than previously thought, investor interest remained low. In contrast, neighboring Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia and Malaysia developed well-established natural gas industries, leaving the Philippines’ potential untapped. Marcos has made energy security a top priority, envisioning a future with reduced dependence on fuel imports while prioritizing environmental sustainability. He believes it is possible to achieve both secure energy supply and a clean environment. Natural gas, as a transition fuel, will play a vital role in ensuring an adequate power supply while reducing pollution levels, aligning with the objectives of the new law. This reflects the President’s commitment to finding solutions that do not compromise the air we breathe or the water that sustains life, while securing a reliable and affordable energy future for the nation. Cayetano’s unwavering commit-
Atty. Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II
‘Never Enoughness’ Environmental sustainability champions
TJoel L. Tan-Torres
DEBIT CREDIT
Third of a series
he Philippines can and should continue its environmental sustainability champion role in the intergovernmental Working Group of experts on international Standards of accounting and Reporting (iSaR) of the United nations Trade and Development (U nTaD). having completed three consecutive terms of three years until December 31, 2024, the Department of Foreign af fairs may lobby for the continuation of the involvement of the Philippines in iSaR, for the country’s representatives to be able to advocate several measures in this global forum.
Since 2005, the ISAR has conducted a number of country-level case studies on the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These country case studies culminated in the 2008 UNTAD publication entitled “Practical Implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards: Lessons Learned.” A total of 12 country reports were completed by 2008. ISAR can resume the research on these case studies with the Philippines being the next country to be included. The Philippines was one of the first countries to adopt the IFRS when these were implemented in 2005. This report can dwell on the developments and best practices in the Philippines in IFRS implementation over the past two decades.
The Philippines can also take an active role in the Regional Partnership for the promotion of sustainability reporting in Asia, which was launched on November 6, 2024, during the 41st session of ISAR. This initiative aims to support countries in Asia by establishing or strengthening the national infrastructure for sustainability reporting, increasing the number of high-quality sustainability reports published by entities, and measuring the contribution of both private and public sectors to the implementation of the SDGs. Furthermore, it seeks to promote sustainable enterprise development; assist in the implementation of international sustainability reporting standards, and provide a unified regional voice in interactions with international standard setters. The Philippines has long put in place the framework for sustainability reporting when in 2019, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), through its Memorandum Circular No. 4, first announced the sustainability reporting requirement for publicly listed companies.
The Philippines can also initiate and take the lead in harmonizing the activities of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (UN) efforts in the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA). The SEEA EA is a “spatially-based, integrated statistical and accounting framework (framework) for organizing biophysical information about ecosystems, measuring ecosystem services, tracking changes in ecosystem extent and condition, valuing ecosystem services and assets and linking this information to measures of economic and human activity.” The Statistical Commission and the Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting, both of the UN, formulated the most current framework in 2021. There are common outcomes and features that the SEEA EA and the ISAR sustainability reporting intend to deliver. The two UN entities can collaborate to better meet their respective concerns and interests, with the Philippines spearheading the effort, if and when its representative can continue its membership in the ISAR working group of experts. The Philippines is clearly a leading player in the global eco-environment community engaged in various sustainability initiatives.
To be continued
Joel L. Tan-Torres was the former Dean of the University of the Philippines Virata School of Business. Previously, he was the Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Accountancy, and Tax partner of Reyes Tacandong & Co. and the SyCip Gorres and Velayo & Co. He is a Certified Public Accountant who garnered No. 1 in the CPA Board Examination of May 1979. He is now back to his tax and consultancy practice and can be contacted at joeltantorress@yahoo.com and his firm JL2T Consultancy.
JUSTSiegfred Bueno Mison, Esq.
THE PATRIOT
by the sound of it, the Greek word “pleonexia” comes off as a disease. however, such a word, sometimes referred to as pleonexy, means greed, covetousness, or avarice. in other words, it is “the insatiable desire to have what rightfully belongs to others.” it is best illustrated by the song never enough, which was the hit song in the musical The Greatest Showman. Some of its lyrics say—“a ll the shine of a thousand spotlights; a ll the stars we steal from the night sky; Will never be enough.” Movie observers noticed that the song vocalizes “the path of unsatisfied desires and its effects in our life.”
The female lead (lund) feels incomplete without the love of the married male lead (Barnum) as she declares that no matter what success she achieves, it means nothing if she cannot have Barnum. at the core of the song and the movie is desire—that deep-seated yearning which, in most instances, is never truly satisfied. We will never have enough no matter what.
In the words of Oscar Wilde— “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” Such insatiable desire in the song Never Enough becomes real in the conduct of some of the Philippine congressmen who were responsible for introducing a P26 billion budget insertion, labeled as Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP). Some economists and jurists, particularly retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, opined that AKAP is just the same if not similar to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), which was declared unconstitutional in a court ruling in 2013. Back then, the PDAF or the pork barrel system, provided legislators (senator P200 million, congressmen, P70 million) with a budget supposedly for projects of their choice. While the middleman (or woman) who facilitated the P10billion PDAF scam was sentenced and remained in prison, most if not all of the members of the Senate and the House members who misused their pork barrel are scot-free. Some even returned as legislators,
Rojas . . .
continued from A10
time while aligning with global sustainability trends.
Sustainability is increasingly intertwined with social equity. Businesses recognize that their sustainability efforts must address social issues such as poverty alleviation, gender equality, and community development. Entrepreneurs should consider initiatives that empower local communities through fair trade practices or support local artisans by incorporating their products into larger supply chains.
Finally, businesses must con-
presumably afflicted with pleonexia or Never Enoughness! Whether labeled as AKAP or TUPAD or AICS (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or Assistance to Individuals In Crisis Situations, respectively), the judiciary already and categorically pronounced that legislators are to make laws and not identify projects nor fund them. Former Senator Ping Lacson, who never got his share in the pork, said that “the mandate of Congress in the budget process is to authorize and legislate and not to implement.”
There is nothing wrong with having a desire to help, to assist, and to do whatever is necessary to make the lives of others better. But when the desire is driven by greed, as when some legislators appropriated for themselves the responsibility of implementing the budget instead of just crafting it, this becomes an act of deception. Worse, when legislators (even some local executives) have this insatiable desire to “serve the people” by perpetuating themselves into
sider their consumers’ concern for sustainability. The modern market demands authenticity from brands regarding their environmental impact and social responsibility practices. Here, where consumer awareness is rapidly rising, businesses must communicate their sustainability efforts transparently. Building a strong narrative around sustainability initiatives—whether through storytelling on social media or engaging marketing campaigns—can resonate with buyers and clients who prioritize ethical consumption. Brands that successfully convey their commitment to sustainability are likely to cultivate a loyal customer base.
There is nothing wrong with having a desire to help, to assist, and to do whatever is necessary to make the lives of others better. But when the desire is driven by greed, as when some legislators appropriated for themselves the responsibility of implementing the budget instead of just crafting it, this becomes an act of deception.
power through political dynasties, they are truly afflicted with “Never Enoughness.” Some might feel envy since these politicians acquire more and more wealth in the process. Others might feel indignation since these so-called public servants are only serving their own selfish interests. For believers, we ought to pity them since whatever they desire to own— fame and fortune, ends up owning them! The accolades, the praises, the approval, and whatever one attains in the process of wanting more ends up more detrimental, if not evil for the one desiring more. Those who seek more simply because they do not have it end up greedier, having a more serious case of Never Enoughness.
In her poem, A Square Peg in a Round Hole, Tina Buxani said that most of us who try to find happiness in satisfying the needs of our bodies, end up with growing void that creeps within, unless they find meaning or purpose in this world. She said that “Our dreams and hopes though always point us towards eternal happiness and true love, and this is why we are like square pegs in a round hole, trying to desperately fit in a world that will never be able to accommodate our aspirations.” I perfectly agree when Ms. Buxani said that “this world is like a round hole and our lives are the square pegs. Perhaps someday soon, we will wake up to the reality that the “square hole” into which we perfectly fit is God.”
Never Enoughness (Pleonexia) is
Gagni . . .
continued from A10
ment to the bill, despite numerous challenges and doubts, exemplifies true patriotism. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy, she has worked tirelessly to address concerns and secure support for this historic legislation.
The passage of Republic Act 12120 is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the executive and legislative branches, grounded in a shared vision for a prosperous, energy-secure future for the Philippines.
This paradigm shift reaffirms that the Filipino people have the
LA fires reveal limits of California’s $21 billion utility fund
By Mark Chediak & Eliyahu Kamisher
Financial losses from the devastating los angeles wildfires are mounting after the blazes incinerated entire neighborhoods and destroyed thousands of homes. and now, investors are growing increasingly concerned that a $21 billion state fund crafted to backstop utilities will fall far short of what’s needed if companies are found liable.
No cause of the conflagrations has so far been determined, but given the state’s history of power equipment starting fires, some traders are already starting to worry about the implications for utilities. Edison International, which operates the region’s largest utility Southern California Edison, has seen its shares drop about 20 percent this month. Wells Fargo & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimate insured losses from the major Los Angeles fires could reach as much as $30 billion. Analysts at Keefe Bruyette & Woods peg the costs at as high as $40 billion, and S&P Global Ratings expects the fires to be the most-expensive ever.
But the state fund that’s designed to shield investor-owned utilities from losses currently has more than
$12 billion in liquid assets, and has a total allowance of $21 billion— leaving it below most estimates of potential costs. And if those resources are drained, it will also leave other utilities vulnerable in the event of another disaster elsewhere in the state. That’s one reason why investors have also sold off shares of PG&E Corp. and to a lesser extent Sempra, owner of San Diego Gas & Electric, despite neither utility having operations close to the fires.
“The fund was giving this backstop so that a utility is not going to be on the verge of bankruptcy when a big fire breaks out,” said Jay Rhame, chief executive officer of Reaves Asset Management, which manages the Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF. “Otherwise, you have to price this risk into the stock.”
California’s legal doctrine holds utilities liable for damages if they are found to have started a fire, even if the company was found to have acted prudently.
The fund, crafted under California Governor Gavin Newsom, was established after PG&E was driven into bankruptcy in 2019. The utility faced more than $30 billion in fire-damage claims, prompting California lawmakers to pass a number of wildfire safety reforms designed in part to help protect its investorowned power companies from another financial wipe-out. The legislative package included the establishment of a $21 billion insurance fund—half financed by utility shareholders, the other half by customer rates—that utilities could use to pay third-party damage claims.
If Edison is found liable for the Eaton fire and found to have acted imprudently, it would be required to reimburse the fire fund, but only up to $3.9 billion under a liability cap. Lawsuits are already piling in.
On Friday, Edison was sued over the death of a woman whose home burned in one of the catastrophic fires. It appeared to be the first
California’s legal doctrine holds utilities liable for damages if they are found to have started a fire, even if the company was found to have acted prudently. The fund, crafted under California Governor Gavin Newsom, was established after PG&E was driven into bankruptcy in 2019. The utility faced more than $30 billion in fire-damage claims, prompting California lawmakers to pass a number of wildfire safety reforms designed in part to help protect its investor-owned power companies from another financial wipe-out.
wrongful-death suit filed against Southern California Edison over the conflagration. The case comes after a flurry of previous complaints by property owners. Edison’s decision to leave some power lines operating during a historic windstorm is under scrutiny as an investigation gathers pace.
The company has said it’s reviewing the suits and is focused on safely
destructive, ruthless, and vicious. In the coming elections this May 2025, let us not vote for a candidate who desires to serve but does so in exchange for something else rather than obeying God’s commandment of loving others. Such a desire for more fame can lead to theft, large scale to boot, in the guise of AKAP or PDAF. Such a desire for more fame or prestige in public office can lead to and has led to evil ambition, in the form of political dynasties. Only God-fearing believers by way of collective prayer and action can put an end to this illness of Never Enoughness, which has contaminated some of our leaders in government to the point of wickedness.
Lest we all fall into the trap of insatiability, this might be a fitting opportunity to remind ourselves of the truth that there is no point in wanting what we do not have unless the desire to have them is gauged from the lens of our Almighty God. The desire for success, whether as an elected official, a professional, or a businessman is good, but can only be satisfied when they find their success in Him and through Him. Jesus Christ said—“Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15 ). After all, the reason why we yearn for more, and our hearts never seem to have enough in this earthly life is that we are “not of this world” though we may be “in this world” (John 17:16 ). Nothing worldly can ever satisfy us, only our Abba Father can!
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission. For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.
potential to rise above challenges and harness their own resources for the benefit of the nation. It is heartwarming to know how the news on the depletion of Malampaya shone the light on natural gas, led to the crafting of RA 12120 and move us forward to energy security. Under the guidance of President Marcos and Senator Cayetano, the Philippines is now on the path to realizing a sustainable and energysecure future. Their leadership provides hope for the nation, proving that through unity, determination, and faith in the country’s potential, the Philippines can achieve energy independence and environmental sustainability.
restoring power to customers. Edison’s Chief Executive Officer Pedro Pizarro said on Bloomberg TV that the company hasn’t seen data that points to issues on its transmission lines that were energized close to where the Eaton fire started.
Meanwhile, credit rating companies S&P, Moody’s and Fitch have warned that the wildfires could test California’s liability reforms and the state wildfire fund, putting the investor-owned utilities at financial risk. Edison, PG&E and San Diego Gas & Electric declined to comment.
State legislation passed in 2018 and 2019 was “focused on strengthening utility wildfire prevention, providing certainty for wildfire survivors, and improving the solvency of utilities that provide essential electric service,” a statement from Newsom’s office said, without providing further details on the outlook for utilities or the fund.
The California Earthquake Authority, which oversees the wildfire fund, said it hasn’t received any notification that a utility participating in the fund has caused any of the Los Angeles wildfires, according to an agency spokesperson. The fund has
more than $12 billion in liquid assets and should the agency need more liquidity to pay claims, legislation allows for the remaining monthly customer bill charges to be securitized through the issuance of revenue bonds, the spokesperson said. The fund is “highly critical” to the state’s utility credit ratings, said Gabe Grosberg, an S&P Global Ratings analyst. California doesn’t currently have a way to replenish the fund if it gets drawn down, he added.
“This is an old risk,” Grosberg said. But “now you have an enormous wildfire in front of you, it gets much more magnified and discussed,” he said. Asked about the utility fund on Thursday at the fire response staging area at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, Jesse Gabriel, chair of California assembly’s budget committee, said he “didn’t want to get out ahead of my skis” and that lawmakers are first approaching the immediate needs of fire victims and disaster clean up.
“A lot of us are still just trying to get through this initial stage,” said Gabriel, whose home is in the evacuation zone. “People are aware of all of these issues. We’re starting to think and talk about them.” Bloomberg
January 20, 2025
PHL must monitor US tariff impacts on EMS-SMS: Peza
By Andrea E. San Juan @andreasanjuan
WHILE the Philippines is unlikely to be affected by Trump’s tariff policies given its balanced trade with the US, it must address “potential impacts” on electronics manufacturing services and semiconductor manufacturing services (EMSSMS) industry, according to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza).
This, because the “EMS-SMS industry...accounts for our biggest exports to the US,” Peza Director General Tereso O. Panga said in a social m edia post. The Peza chief listed the three scenarios to watch out for under US President-elect Donald Trump’s second term.
O ne of these is whether the Philippine EMS-SMS exports to the US will b e covered by the planned tariff hikes. Another scenario is whether the Philippines will benefit from the increased US import tariffs on exports o f EMS-SMS by China, Mexico and Vietnam—the leading offshore sites by many global exports producers and industry leaders.
The country’s investment promotion agency tasked to promote and establish economic zones is also keeping a n eye on whether the ‘America first policy’ will “erode” the Philippines’s and other Asean economies’ ability to attract more US investments and exports.
The Peza chief underscored that these were the same concerns raised by other country-participants at the recent Annual World Electronics Forum Breakfast Session at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 h eld in Las Vegas, USA. Panga said country-participants at the electronics show raised their concerns in reaction to an American trade expert’s presentation on
Trump’s Second Term Trade Policy Vision.
“They are worried about Trump’s tariff threats such as the 10 to 50 percent universal baseline tariff to promote US manufacturing, t ariffs on US companies moving production abroad, and decoupling from China—which obviously favor on-shoring strategy’ of the incoming Trump administration,” the Peza chief p ointed out.
In the case of the Philippines, Panga said “the P eza zones are home to 482 EMS-SMS companies that provide “critical” backend support such as [Outsourced Semiconductor
A ssembly and Test] OSAT, [Assembly, Test and Packaging] ATP, [Integrated D evice Manufacturer] IDM and [Integrated Circuit] IC Design to their principal clients in the US.”
“Most of these are longstanding American [registered business enterprises] R BEs that have made the Philippines their manufacturing hub in the region,” a dded Panga.
With the Philippines being identified as a beneficiary country of the US C HIPS Act, the Peza chief said a number of the country’s leading American E MS-SMS companies have received US government funding support for their off-shore expansion projects—including access to I TSI fund to enhance the host country’s electronics’ manufacturing capability and supply chain resilience.
Despite the scenarios to watch out for, the Peza chief said, “We can leverage these advantages and evolving US trade shifts and strategies [i.e. China+1 and Taiwan+1 to de-risk global supply chain, proposed tariff hikes against China, Vietnam and Mexico to offset U S trade deficit] to position the Philippines as a “costeffective” alternative for off-shore manufacturing/ ally shoring for American and other multinational companies (MNCs) that are shifting production out of China, Vietnam or Mexico.
Continued on A2
‘FRUSTRATING ECONOMY, INFLATION IN THE YEAR OF THE WOOD SNAKE
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo @akosistellaBM Special to the BusinessMirror
THE Year of the Wood Snake slithers in on January 29, heralding “changes and reformation,” as it is dominated by the fire element; this will last until 2044.
As such, “People are [prone] to have mood swings and creating fights especially the periods February 3 to March 4, and May 5 to June 4,” said Hong Kong-based master geomancer Joseph Chau in a recent talk with reporters. This means conflicts are easily provoked between countries, leading to wars or economic disputes.
“The economic situation is frustrating and inflation [will prevail]. Therefore, we have to [improve] ourselves and be flexible to adapt to the local situation, to have a new breakthrough in our development,” he advised.
Good thing is, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was born in the year of the Rooster (1957), and has a good alliance with the Snake, which makes him “lucky” this year. To further boost his luck, the large fountain located in the southwest should be switched on, 24/7, said Chau.
Also,“If you want the Philippines to become the ‘biggest’ country in Southeast Asia, then Malacañang should [build] another new office for the President that faces a good direction. Because now, the office direction [Northeast] is not so good,” he added.
‘A new pandemic’
B U SINESSES w ith “good prospects” this year, he said, will include those tourism-related such as hotels, also fashion, furniture, restaurant, television, as well as information technology, computers, and those dealing in artificial intelligence.
However, “banking, trading, and construction businesses are weak this year; they are full of challenges and competition. For their survival, they have to change their business strategy and service to attract more clients,” said Chau, who will be presiding over Marco Polo Ortigas’
traditional Chinese New Year blessing on January 29. He also warned of a new pandemic this year, citing the numerous cases of influenza in Japan recently. “This is a new virus pandemic, so we should pay attention to our personal hygiene and wear masks again when we’re going out,” he stressed. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Wellness and reported a record number of 317,812 weekly flu cases from December 23 to 29, 2024, since April 1999.
The assumption into office of President Donald J. Trump for the second time will herald uncertain times for the rest of the world, such that it may not be a good time to invest in the stock market in the Year of the Wooden Snake.
“I don’t advise people to buy stocks, or have some dealing in the stock market. The country is already in a hot temperature [tropical weather], and by January 20, the American president Trump will be on duty so you don’t know what will happen, how he will affect the whole world. So it’s hard to predict where to invest.”
Lucky, unlucky ones T HERE are always nine stars representing auspicious and inauspicious energies and in feng shui (wind and water) or geomancy practice, affects the various sectors in a property and the people within. The lucky directions this year are West (Promotion star), Southwest (Wealth star), South (Travel star), Southeast (Romance star), and East (Prosperity star).
Ironically, those born in the year of the Snake won’t be so lucky this year as they are “affected by unseen negative force from Jupiter,” the Grand Duke. “Financially, money luck is easy come and easy go,” said Chau, and Snakes should “reduce unnecessary expenditures.” Also unlucky this year is the Pig. “Take a conservative approach and think carefully before acting,” he advised. The zodiac signs which have wealth or money luck this are: the Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon.
‘Don’t
pin power costs on NGCP’
By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie
ALAWMAKER has attributed the rising electricity costs experienced by consumers to delayed regulatory approvals, and said that holding the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) solely responsible is unjust.
APEC Partylist Rep. Sergio Dagooc explained that NGCP’s charges account for only a small fraction of consumers’ electric bills. Targeting the transmission grid operator will not resolve the issue of high prices, he added.
The lower chamber is currently looking into the NGCP’s legislative franchise. Generation and distribution costs account for 55 and 20 percent, respectively, while NGCP accounts for just 3 percent of the consumers’ electric bill.
"What immediate actions can we take to lower electricity costs? I don’t fully agree that focusing on NGCP alone will bring bills down immediately, because transmission contributes only a very small portion to the total amount consumers pay," Dagooc said. Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Sharon Garin acknowledged that
some delays are due to projects still awaiting approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Dagooc also questioned DOE’s for relying on the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) as a basis for identifying delays.
Philreca Partylist Rep. Presley De Jesus echoed Dagooc’s points, welcoming Garin’s acknowledgment of ERC-related delays and highlighting the unfairness of solely blaming NGCP.
"In short, this isn’t solely NGCP’s fault, just to make it clear. To be fair, we’re not defending NGCP; we’re simply trying to level the playing field. The impression right now is that NGCP is entirely to blame for the numerous delays," De Jesus said.
Chinese control?
S U RIGAO d el Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers earlier raised pressing concerns over Chinese control in NGCP, particularly regarding Chinese nationals occupying key decision-making positions, a situation he could pose risks to the Philippines's energy security.
"Is it true that if we were to have a conflict with our neighbor China, they could simply press a button and cut off our power?
That question needs to be answered. The Filipino people deserve to be informed," Barbers said. During a hearing of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises, NGCP representative Atty. Lally Mallari assured lawmakers that NGCP’s control centers are physically secure.
“The control centers are protected, and equipment operation follows strict switching procedures validated between control and substation teams,” Mallari explained. However, Barbers remained unconvinced, citing the alleged involvement of a "working group" led by Chinese nationals Yuan Minjun and Chen Changwei in decisionmaking processes.
“This raises significant national security concerns. Why are individuals connected to the Chinese government involved in critical aspects of our power grid management?” Barbers asked. Mallari denied knowledge of the working group, claiming decisions are made by NGCP departments.
Despite this, Barbers pressed NGCP for documents to substantiate their claims and reiterated the need for greater governance and operational transparency.
Editor: Jennifer A. Ng
B1 Monday, January 20, 2025
No lease fee on govt for use of fiber optics, infra–NGCP
By Lenie Lectura @llectura
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) announced over the weekend that it did not impose a lease fee from the government for the use of the fiber optics and other broadband-related infrastructure.
“Now, under the concession, the NGCP can and allows it to be used for commercial purposes, but the caveat in the law is that half of that revenue, if any, will be given and use to reduce transmission rates. However, NGCP does not allow it for use of third parties, except the government,” said NGCP Spokesman Cynthia P. Alabanza.
In 2017, the NGCP won a 25-year contract—until 2034 or with about nine years remaining—with the
state-owned National Transmission Corp. (Transco) to operate and maintain the country’s power transmission network.
The NGCP had signed a lease agreement for the power grid operator’s infrastructure, including its private telecom network infrastructure and substations, with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to help the government accelerate its National Fiber
Backbone (NFB) project.
The agreement would help enable the deployment of a robust national broadband infrastructure, enabling the government to leverage a twoterabyte connection originating from the eastern seaboard.
“In fact, currently, the government--the DICT--is building its connection assets there at the NGCP facility,” Alabanza said.
The project’s Phase 1 illuminated 26 nodes spanning from Laoag, Ilocos Norte, to Roces, Quezon City, utilizing NGCP’s dark fiber. Subsequent phases will extend network reach, connecting regions across the country and providing broadband internet access to government entities and public places.
“Does the government pay NGCP for that? Nothing. The NGCP provided the use of broadband, our dark fiber, to the government for free,” Alabanza added.
The NGCP official stressed that the fiber optic cable network is being
used for internal purposes only as this enables real-time communication between transmission facilities and with generators and distribution utilities.
“Do we have a fiber optic? Yes. Are we using it to have our own telco? No. We need it to communicate with the substations all over the country because our network is isolated. Our substation does not depend on Globe or PLDT or Converge or any other third party provider for communications of our technical equipment,” Alabanza said.
It can be recalled that the NGCP and TransCo were at odds on the use of the fiber optic network. TransCo insisted then that it should be part of any agreement on the use of the transmission grid’s fiber optic network since it is the agency of government protecting these assets.
However, the NGCP said it can legally enter into a bilateral agreement with government sans TransCo’s involvement.
Fortune Life recognized by DepEd
THE Fortune Life Insurance Co. is honored to have received a token of appreciation from Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara at the Department of Education (DepEd) Partners’ Appreciation and Recognition event held on December 16, 2024, at the prestigious Maynila Ballroom of The Manila Hotel. With the theme “Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay,” the DepEd honored its valued partners for their unwavering support in advancing the nation’s educational programs. Mayor Benjamin S. Abalos Sr. of Mandaluyong City had the honor of officially opening the event. This special occasion brought together government agencies, private organizations, and stakeholders who have contributed significantly to the DepEd’s mission of delivering quality education to Filipino learners.
partners, we also renew our commitment. Our goal is not simply to make small, incremental changes — it is to transform education in the Philippines into a system that uplifts every learner, a system that empowers the next generation to become innovators, to become leaders, to become change-makers.”
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) revealed last Sunday 833 cases and motions filed by power industry stakeholders were resolved last year.
The number included 484 show-cause orders (SCO).
In these past two years alone, the Commission said it has shown significant progress, achieving a 76-percent resolution rate in 2023 and exceeding 100 percent in 2024, based on the ratio of new cases and motions filed to those resolved within each year.
However, over 90 percent of the ERC’s efforts were spent addressing case backlog from previous years, resulting in resolution rates of only 8 percent in 2023 and 4 percent in 2024, respectively, of cases and motions filed and also resolved within the same year.
The Commission recently launched its “Energy Virtual OneStop Shop (Evoss) Dashboard,” an internal tool that will allow the Commission to monitor approved, pending and terminated cases in real-time and comply with the timelines set in the Evoss Act.
The tool is equipped with a case management system and a pending cases aging section.
“The ability to properly track and manage cases is central to ensuring the speedy disposition of cases in the Commission,” ERC
Chairman and CEO Monalisa C. Dimalanta was quoted in a statement as saying. “Now that we
have a centralized case inventory system as well as digital tools to comply with EVOSS timelines, we are breaking down long-standing silos within the agency that have limited our ability to deliver on our mandate in a timely and efficient manner.”
Dimalanta added that the ERC has “been sharing these numbers to our stakeholders for the sake of transparency because we recognize that accountability begins with us.”
“As a regulatory body, we cannot demand accountability from the entities we oversee unless we adhere to the same principles in our own operations,” she said.
The ERC reassured the public of its commitment to address the long-standing challenge of significant case backlog, demonstrated by key measures the ERC has implemented within the agency in the last two years to reduce and ultimately eliminate cases that have remained pending, some of which stood unresolved for more than a decade.
Lenie Lectura
Maynilad sees better
‘25 on La Niña entry
Expressing his heartfelt gratitude to DepEd’s private partner organizations and supporters, Angara remarked, “to all our partners, thank you for walking these difficult but fulfilling paths with us. You are not just our supporters; you are the keyholders—you hold the keys to the doors of opportunity. And because of you, every Filipino child has a chance to fulfill their dreams.”
Globe’s 10 new sites rise in Ilo-ilo
GLOBE Telecom Inc. announced last Sunday it has bu ilt 10 new sites across the province of Iloilo. According to Globe Vice-President for External Affairs Patrick Steven J. Gloria, the new sites will help Iloilo strengthen its economic growth, which was at 10.5 percent in 2023.
“Our network expansion in Iloilo reflects our dedication to empowering communities. With improved access to digital services, local enterprises can unlock new growth opportunities, contributing to Iloilo’s continued economic progress,” Garcia said.
The province contributed P215.42 billion to the Western Visayas economy, accounting for 15.6 percent of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The services sector remained Iloilo’s primary economic driver, contributing 56.5 percent to its economy, followed by agriculture and fishing at 22.7 percent, and the industry sector at 28.8 percent. Lorenz S. Marasigan
Further, Secretary Angara lauded
the collaboration of partners and highlighted his vision for the country’s education as he expressed, “To our partners, their voices are a testament to what can be achieved when we come together. You are the reason these voices are filled with gratitude and with hope. As we honor you, our
Representing Fortune Life at the event were Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Emma M. Abad and Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Floreda C. Constantino. This recognition reaffirms Fortune Life’s unwavering commitment to its Values Advocacy Program and its steadfast support for key DepEd initiatives, thereby creating impactful change in the lives of learners and educators across the nation.
Fortune Life is part of the ALC Group of Companies founded by the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua and is currently chaired by D. Edgard A. Cabangon.
Bullish Yamang sees Abra potential
By Rizal Raoul Reyes @brownindio
YAMANG Mineral Corp. (YMC), a subsidiary of FCF Minerals Corp., is bullish on the mining potential in the the province of Abra.
“Abra holds immense potential for responsible and sustainable mineral development. We are eager to begin exploration to confirm the extent of its mineral resources and accelerate the timeline for investments that will directly benefit the people of Abra,” Darren Bowden, president and CEO of Metals Exploration Plc and FCF Minerals, said through a statement.
“Our goal is to replicate, and even surpass, the success we’ve achieved in Runruno by fostering economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community development in Abra,” added Bowden, also concurrently YMC chairman.
Metals Exploration subsidiary FCF Minerals recently acquired a controlling interest in YMC, which
holds significant exploration tenements in Abra.
Bowden pointed out that the company’s track record in Nueva Vizcaya serves as a compelling blueprint for Abra’s potential economic boom. At the Runruno site, FCF Minerals has generated substantial economic benefits, directly employing nearly 79 percent of its 1,145 personnel. FCF Minerals has reported contributions of over P5.71 billion in various taxes, fees, and duties that have supported national and local development initiatives since starting commercial operations in 2017.
The company claimed it has also excelled in social development programs. The funding of its “social development and management” program (SDMP) has reached over P543.7 million supporting education, healthcare, and livelihood programs, including scholarships for indigenous students and infrastructure projects like farm-tomarket roads. Similar initiatives in Abra will empower local communities and stimulate sustainable eco -
nomic growth.
“Our commitment to environmental protection, health, and safety is unwavering,” Bowden emphasized, “We have consistently demonstrated that mining can be both a driver of prosperity, and responsible stewardship of the environment. In Runruno, we achieved 23 million safe man-hours without a lost-time incident, a milestone that underscores our dedication to safety.”
He also noted that the company recently secured its third consecutive “Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) for Surface Mining Operations.”
The company also bagged the “Safest Mining Operation Award” and “Safest Surface Mining Operation Award,” recognizing its “exceptional safety standards and community engagement efforts.”
Bowden highlighted that the immediate operationalization of exploration efforts will be vital to determining the full scope of Abra’s mineral wealth and confirm what we believe may be one of the world’s biggest critical mineral reserves
By VG Cabuag @villygc
MAYNILAD Water
Services
Inc., the West Zone concessionaire, expects business to be encouraging for 2025 amid continued business expansion.
“(It) should be a better year.
The economy is still growing and definitely demand for water will still continue to grow,” Maynilad President Ramoncito S. Fernandez said.
“We’re looking forward for a better year, much much better. Our water supply is definitely better with La Nina. Plus also all of our programs and projects have already started to yield positive impact to our operation,” Fernandez said.
The executive said the company is sticking to its medium-term capital spending of P160 billion, of which spending for the year may hit north of P30 billion.
About 30 percent of the allocation will go to the company’s expansion of its wastewater treatment plants, he said.
Last month, Maynilad COO Randolph T. Estrellado said the company is set to award the P30billion water treatment and pipe laying project in Rizal. Some P10 billion of these will be used for the water-treatment plant in Teresa, Rizal and the rest for the pipe laying that will connect the Kaliwa Dam to the plant and
Maynilad’s customers.
“It is critical for us that, when the Kaliwa Dam is completed, these projects will also be completed,” Estrella said. The Kaliwa Dam’s timetable for completion is between 2028 or 2029.
“It is necessary that, before the dam is completed, all our projects should also be completed since it takes about three years to build a treatment plant. Then we still have to lay pipes from Teresa, Rizal down Binangonan and across the Laguna Lake,” he added. The P12.2-billion Kaliwa Dam is expected to provide 600 million liters of water per day.
Estrellado said Maynilad already acquired the land for the Teresa Water Treatment Plant, while two contracts for the laying of pipes in Teresa and Morong, Rizal has been awarded. The contracts for the pipes in Binangonan and the treatment plants will be awarded by this year, he said.
“Hopefully we will finish our projects on time because, typically, securing the permits is the biggest issue for us since it could take over a year just to get permits to lay wastewater pipes,” he said. Estrellado added that the initial portions of water treatment and pipe laying project form part of the investments Maynilad has committed as part of its concession agreement, worth P26 billion.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. angara (center) awards a token of appreciation to Fortune Life insurance co. Executive Vice President and chief operating o fficer Emma M. abad (rightmost), together with a ssistant Vice President for corporate communications Floreda c constantino (leftmost). CREDIT: FoRTunE LIFE InsuR anCE Co.
Perspectives
KPMG global AI in finance report
IN companies around the world, Artificial Intelligenceempowered finance teams are emerging—a development that is generating a rich range of benefits to organizations. These include increased efficiency and accuracy, reduced human error, faster and better data-based decision-making, lower costs, and improved regulatory compliance.
AI is a game-changer for finance
KPMG conducted a global AI finance study in April 2024, surveying CFOs and finance executives from 2,900 companies across 23 countries and territories and six industries. The research shows that the use of AI is rapidly expanding across finance: 71 percent of companies are using AI in finance, 41 percent of them to a moderate or large degree. Organizations in North America, ASPAC, and Europe are furthest ahead, while those in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, comprising mostly emerging markets, are the furthest behind.
AI usage is spreading across all finance areas
COMPANIES are turning to AI in every area of finance. According to the findings, the accounting and financial planning groups are furthest ahead in using AI because of the potential benefits it brings to many of their activities, from improved data processing and financial reporting to real-time insights and predictive analysis. Currently, nearly twothirds of companies are piloting or using AI for accounting and financial planning. Other areas of finance are following suit: nearly half of companies are now piloting or using AI for treasury and risk management. This can generate better debt management, cashflow forecasting, fraud detection, credit risk assessment, and scenario analysis in the treasury and risk management functions.
In the Philippines, finance functions are embracing AI to improve operations and stay competitive. AI streamlines financial reporting, optimizes cash flow management, and enhances fraud prevention. By automating routine tasks, teams can focus on critical functions like forecasting and decision-making. AI also offers deeper insights into financial performance, enabling more informed decisions. This shift is transforming finance departments into more agile and efficient teams, ready for the future.
AI is a versatile tool for leaders LEADERS are moving fast to develop different uses for AI that will free up financial staff to focus on high-level tasks. These use cases show the art of the possible for other companies exploring AI options. On average, leaders have six use cases for AI, almost double the number that others have developed. Leaders are well out front in the use of Gen AI for composing documents and summaries. Leaders are also ahead of others in more mundane uses of AI, such as for administrative tasks, performance evaluation and training, and data entry— use cases for about half or more of leaders.
“The adoption of artificial intelligence in the finance function demands a careful balance
Banking&Finance Finance chief sees inflation, not Fed pace, to shape rates
between technological advancement and trust. By prioritizing transparency and ethical practices, organizations can enhance decision-making, optimize financial strategies and build a foundation of accountability that drives sustainable growth and fosters innovation,” said Technology Consulting Principal and Intelligent Automation Lead Doris Aura B. Pastoriza.
AI introduces new risks and concerns FINANCIAL executives are not naïve about AI. They know it comes with a set of limitations and risks. And Gen AI is heightening their apprehensions due to its ability to independently generate content and analysis from massive data sets.
In fact, concerns about Gen AI are greater than those around traditional AI across most spheres. Cybersecurity and data privacy are the most prominent concerns given Gen AI’s potential to draw on sensitive and proprietary data. By introducing new tools and systems, it also expands the attack surface for bad actors to exploit.
Shifts in financial reporting GEN AI has become the ‘hot ticket’ in the AI arena, generating huge interest and discussion. However, Gen AI presents unique challenges and is more complex than some forms of traditional AI to embed into processes.
But while it is tracking further behind traditional AI, Gen AI is firmly on the agenda for financial reporting.
Leaders are far ahead—almost four out of 10 are already selectively or widely adopting Gen AI in financial reporting, compared to only a tiny minority (3 percent) of others. Considerably more leaders are prioritizing Gen AI for financial reporting over the next year compared to traditional AI. As a result, 95 percent leaders expect to be selectively or widely using Gen AI in financial reporting in three years’ time—compared to 39 percent of others.
As with AI overall, progress is somewhat slower in the 13 additional markets surveyed. Nevertheless, the fact that half of organizations in these countries expect to be selectively or widely using Gen AI in the next three years is a striking statistic that demonstrates the scale of the shifts to come.
How KPMG can help AT KPMG, we have made major investments in AI technology through our alliances with Microsoft and other major technology providers that help to place KPMG firms as leaders in AI understanding and deployment.
This excerpt was taken from the KPMG Thought Leadership publication: https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/aiand-technology/kpmg-global-ai-in-financereport.html.
HE Philippines could reduce key policy rates more aggressively than the United States Federal Reserve (Fed), but the pace will hinge on inflation, according to Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto.
Recto, also a member of the policy-making Monetary Board (MB), said in a recent news briefing monetary authorities could cut interest rates by 50 basis points (bps) to 75 bps in 2025.
This comes after Fed officials signaled a slower pace of policy tweaks this year, with economists expecting a total 50 bps reduction.
Recto said the slower easing will impact the decision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to re-
duce borrowing costs, but cutting more than the Fed would “depend on what inflation looks like in the Philippines.”
The MB reduced key policy rates by a total of 75 bps in 2024, delivered in 25 bps increments, which placed interest rates at 5.75 percent.
“I’m willing to take that risk, but it all depends on what inflation looks like,” Recto said.
Overall inflation accelerated to 2.9 percent in December 2024 from
2.5 percent in November 2024. The inflation rate was higher at 3.9 percent in December a year ago.
Meanwhile, the annual average inflation rate in 2024 settled at 3.2 percent, lower than the 6-percent inflation rate recorded in 2023.
The inflation print is also within the BSP’s 2 to 4 percent inflation target range.
As local policy rates remain “restrictive” as well as those abroad, Recto said bond yields will unlikely go down to pre-pandemic levels.
In managing rising debt servicing costs, on top of projections on the Philippine peso’s exchange rate at P60 to P62 per dollar, Recto said the government is reducing its reliance on the foreign debt market.
This year, the government will adopt an 80:20 borrowing mix, in favor of domestic sources, to reduce its exposure to external risks.
In the next administration, tapping the domestic debt market would be further prioritized by adjusting the borrowing mix to a 90:10 ratio
depending on the local liquidity, Recto said.
“Let me point out, [since] I’ve seen some interviews on TV [about] the private sector. Right now, there is no crowding out. In fact, we are taking the slack,” Recto said.
“But once we feel that the private sector is ready to invest, then we can pull back our spending, we can pull back our borrowings…But if they’re not investing yet, because of high interest, then the government has to take it,” he added.
The state will be spending P848.031 billion for interest payments this year, almost 11 percent of the government revenues.
Recto noted the government used to allot 30 percent of the budget for interest expense in the past.
Sustaining economic growth and reducing the fiscal deficit would further bring the share of interest payments in government revenues, he added.
The government aims to collect P4.644 trillion in revenues this year.
Govt monitoring foreign debt market for options
THE national government is keeping its offshore borrowing options open, as it monitors various currency markets to optimize funding sources.
“We are preparing and we are monitoring the market,” National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza told reporters in a recent briefing.
As for its usual US dollar bond issuance, Almanza said the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) is doing all the preparatory work to be ready in case of favorable market conditions.
Almanza said the Treasury is monitoring inflation in the US where recent data showed it was lower than consensus, leading the US Treasury to rally.
With the 30-year US Treasury
yield nearing 4.9 percent and pushing borrowing costs higher, Almanza said that if the Philippines proceeds with a dollar-denominated bond issuance, the cost could be as high as 6 percent.
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said that the government prefers to borrow at the lowest possible cost.
Almanza said the government is also considering issuing yen-denominated bonds, alongside the $3.5 billion US dollar borrowing program this year.
However, the Bank of Japan is seen to potentially raise interest rates next week. Almanza said the government is still monitoring, noting that the longest tenor’s yield
has increased and one of the highest rates now.
“But we’re open. Actually, we’re monitoring all the currencies,” the national treasurer said.
The Philippines raised $4.5 billion from US dollar bonds in 2024 and offered Samurai bonds back in 2022, borrowing JYP 70.1 billion.
Meanwhile, the possibility of issuing Sukuk, a Shariah-compliant certificate of investment in assets, is also on the table.
Almanza said the Treasury is working with the Privatization and Management Office to create a pool of assets to tie in with Sukuk.
“Even for local Sukuk, maybe we can have a token just to start the local market,” she added.
Sukuk is eyed to be part of the government’s financing plan for 2025. The Philippines issued its first sovereign Sukuk in 2023, raising $1 billion.
Moreover, for local investors, the integration of government securities with digital payment platform GCash will be available in the second quarter of 2025.
This would allow retail investors to buy and sell debt papers by tapping the “GBonds” feature in the GCash mobile application.
Of the government’s P2.545trillion gross borrowings program this year, P507.408 billion will come from external sources while P2.037 trillion will be
Reg’l banks face headache from rising Treasury yields
US Treasury yields have trended up since late last year, and commercial real estate distress risk is straining regional banks’ balance sheets again.
Stocks are already reacting to the higher borrowing costs. Smaller bank shares have fallen about 8.2 percent since late November after the 10-year Treasury yield began trending up. The risk of default by borrowers who bought office buildings before the pandemic sent values plummeting also increases when the cost of credit rises.
“Rising long-term yields certainly leave the banking system more fragile in the short run, if more profitable in a base case economic scenario,” said Steven Kelly, associate director of research at the Yale Program on Financial Stability.
A surge in 10-year yields last year likely reversed most of the decline in unrealized losses on banks’ available-for-sale and heldto-maturity securities in the third quarter, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Martin Gruenberg said in a Dec. 12 speech. Even after this past week’s rally after betterthan-expected inflation data, the benchmark has since risen about 0.3 percentage points to around 4.58 percent, adding to the pain for lenders.
If borrowing benchmarks remain high, regional banks risk higher losses on commercial real estate because borrowers will struggle to refinance, said Tomasz Piskorski, a finance and real estate professor at Columbia Business School. He and fellow researchers estimate about 14 percent of the $3 trillion of US CRE loans are underwater, rising to 44 percent for offices.
Smaller lenders are more vulnerable to CRE defaults after demanding lower down payments from borrowers than their larger counterparts in the run up to the interest-rate hikes that began in 2022. Now that office and multifamily values have crashed, the lenders have less of a buffer before taking losses. The office market has yet to stabilize “which
is why we remain concerned and remain wellreserved,” PNC Financial Service Group Chief Executive Officer Bill Demchak said on an earnings call this week. The bank increased the reserves it set aside to cover soured office loans to 13.3 percent, up from 8.7 percent at the end of 2023, although it’s a small proportion of their overall book.
On the plus side, the declining cost of deposits, thanks to lower Federal Funds rates, helps stability. Steady deposit flows in the fourth quarter suggest that the odds are low that they could quickly be moved to other banks, reducing the risk that lenders have to sell underwater bonds. Duration risk is also reducing as the securities move closer to maturity. For now, “investors are a little less concerned about the unrealized losses, because it doesn’t
look like there’s going to be forced sales like there was with Silicon Valley Bank,” said Scott Hildenbrand, head of depository fixed income at Piper Sandler. Terry McEvoy, a bank analyst at Stephens Inc., concurs. The firm has met at least 30 bank investors in recent days and it was not a major area of discussion or concern, he said. The incoming Trump administration may also boost bank margins through deregula-
The risk of default by borrowers who bought office buildings before the pandemic sent values plummeting also increases when the cost of credit rises. PHOTOGRAPHER: DAviD PAul MORRis/BlOOMBERG
ASEAN 101:
Why PEtE hEgSEth’S hEAriNg
miSStEP mAttErS for US StrAtEgy
By David Rising The Associated Pres
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, grilling President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary over whether he had the “breadth and depth of knowledge” needed to lead international negotiations, asked Pete Hegseth if could name one member of the Association of Southeast Asian nations, describe what type of agreement the US had with the countries and how many nations were in the bloc.
ocrat from Illinois. “I suggest you do a little homework.”
What is AseAN and why is it relevant to the Us?
three countries are in ASEAN,” responded Duckworth, a Dem -
ASEAN is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. An 11th country, East Timor, is set to join soon.
Established in 1967, its goal is to promote regional economic and security cooperation, leveraging a combined population of more than 650 million people with a GDP of more than $3 trillion.
Duckworth’s question came after Hegseth had noted the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, a region where China’s influence has been rapidly growing and Beijing has become increasingly assertive in pressing territorial claims.
ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei are locked in maritime disputes with China over its claims of sovereignty over virtually all of the South China Sea, one of the world’s most crucial waterways for shipping. Indonesia has also expressed concern about what it sees as Beijing’s encroachment on its exclusive economic zone.
What does AseAN have to do with the Us secretary of defense?
The US is treaty partners with ASEAN members Thailand and the Philippines, and Washington has sought to harness ASEAN’s regional influence as it seeks to counter Chinese influence and promote what the White House has called “a free and open region that is connected, prosperous, secure and resilient.”
President Joe Biden said ASEAN was
“at the heart of my administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy” and hosted a meeting of ASEAN leaders in Washington in 2022.
ASEAN also holds top-level meetings annually, this year in Malaysia, which holds the rotating chair of the group. Its defense meetings are typically attended by the US defense secretary, and its foreign minister meetings by the US secretary of state. The meetings culminate with an annual summit, which is regularly attended by the sitting US president. Both Biden and Donald Trump have participated.
Why else is AseAN important?
Despite some members’ territorial conflicts with China, many in the bloc have close relations with Beijing as well, and top-level Chinese officials also attend ASEAN meetings.
The US in 2022 was elevated to the top-level “comprehensive strategic partnership” with ASEAN—a largely symbolic status that put Washington on the same level with China, which was granted the distinction the year before.
ASEAN emphasizes noninterference and personal diplomacy, and its breadth of membership and partnerships makes it uniquely positioned as a forum to address major geopolitical issues. Beyond China and the US, ASEAN
has formal relationships with Russia, India, Australia, the European Union, Britain, Japan, South Korea and many others.
It hosts annual “ASEAN Plus Three” meetings with the leaders of China, South Korea and Japan, “ASEAN Plus Six” talks that add in the leaders of Australia, India and New Zealand, and the East Asia summit, which includes the six plus Russia and the United States.
The ASEAN nations are also central to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, a free trade agreement that was signed in 2020, creating the largest trade bloc in history.
The 10 nations plus China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand account for more than 30 percent of the world’s population and about 30 percent of global GDP. Conceived at ASEAN’s 2011 summit, the agreement includes commitments on trade in goods and services, investments and other areas.
Several ASEAN countries are also part of the Pacific rim trade pact known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, whose members also include Mexico, Canada, Australia, Britain, Chile, Peru and Japan, and whose economies make up more than 14 percent of global GDP.
Pete Hegset H P resident-elect Donald
choice to be Defense secretary, appears
Style
Newest iteration of
ultra-cushioned,
fan
favorite—the
Bondi 9 by Hoka
A DIVISION of Deckers Brands, Hoka announces the launch of its newest road-running shoe from the iconic Bondi franchise—the Bondi 9.
With this update to the ultra-cushioned franchise that transformed the running industry over 10 years ago, the Bondi 9 provides peak plushness for everyday miles providing an even smoother ride.
Hoka’s origins are rooted in the concept of maximal cushioning, which inspired the creation of the original Bondi.
Launched in 2011, the Bondi quickly became a favorite among runners, with its unique blend of cushioning and support setting a new standard in the running community.
This iconic shoe not only marked a significant milestone in the brand’s evolution, but also established Hoka as a leader in performance footwear.
The Bondi 9 showcases a new premium midsole foam featuring supercritical foamed EVA, delivering a soft, cushioned ride that’s become synonymous with the beloved Bondi. The foam is lighter, more resilient, and more dynamic, giving one of the brand’s most trusted shoes longevity with cushioned comfort. The midsole also features updated geometries and a rearfoot-focused Active Foot Frame for enhanced support and control.
Finally, an additional 2mm of stack height and a refined MetaRocker provide a smooth, plush, cushioned ride.
“The Bondi was the first shoe that introduced the world to the concept of a maximal cushioned road running shoe,” said Bekah Broe, senior director of product for performance footwear at Hoka.
“The new Bondi 9 is a leap forward in innovation, with its premium and plush cushioning, delivering on Hoka’s commitment to help running become more accessible to everybody—while solidifying Bondi as the brand’s most comfortable choice for daily miles.”
On January 15, Hoka launched the Bondi 9 Week Challenge, an initiative that invites participants to transform their fitness habits and embark on a 9-week journey using a training plan designed for beginners and intermediates culminating in a 9-mile run.
This challenge will support and inspire participants to embrace the joy of movement, celebrate progress, and connect with the broader running community.
Learn more about the challenge and how to sign up at www.hoka.com/en/ph.
Medina maiden is Miss Kuyamis 2025
Cswimsuit.
sharing on her Instagram:
“[The] Binibining Medina Tourism 2024 experience wasn’t just a pageant; it was a journey of healing. And truly, Medina healed me. It was a place of restoration, a place I came to with wounds, both seen and unseen. Medina became #MaAnindotMedina in the way it brought me peace and helped me mend.
“Every pasarela, every practice, was a test of my spirit. Yet, with each step, even when it brought pain, I rose stronger. And the reward? Not just the crown, but the incredible strength I discovered within.
“This victory isn’t just mine; it belongs to everyone who believed in me when I doubted myself. It’s a testament to the power of resilience, of pushing forward even when it hurts.”
GOLDEN COCONUT
MISAMIS Oriental is comprised of 23 municipalities and two component cities (El Salvador and Gingoog). Cagayan de Oro, its highly urbanized city that is administered independently from the province, holds a separate pageant.
AGAYAN DE ORO—A maiden from the municipality of Medina was crowned Miss Kuyamis 2025, a highlight of the Kuyamis Festival which is “the ultimate showcase of beauty, grace and purpose” in Misamis Oriental. With a promise to embody the spirit of participatory governance of Gov. Peter M. Unabia, and to work hand in hand with the provincial government, Aaliyah Mae L. Labis bested 20 other delegates to win the most prestigious beauty title of Northern Mindanao. During the sparkling coronation rites at the Limketkai Atrium which was directed by Vince Oclarit Aranas, also emerging as winners were Zusmitha Sheen E. Itum of Tagoloan as first runnerup and best in evening gown; Quench Gift G. Espantaleon of Magsaysay as second runner-up and best in closed-door panel interview; Cristal Briseis P. Polancos of Manticao as third runner-up and best in Kuyamis-inspired cocktail attire; and Nicole Y. Lobido of Laguindingan as fourth runner-up and best in Miss Photogenic was Josie Marie B. Caminade of Salay while Miss Congeniality was Lovely Grace C. Soberano of Villanueva. Face of Le Rouge was Rhyza Mayz G. Arandilla of El Salvador City, Miss Pearl Body Touch Facial Center was Ariza Kate O. Apat of Opol, Miss MADC was Shades D. Caminos of Sugbongcogon, and Miss Converge was Josie Marie B. Caminade of Salay.
Falconer was a Top 16 finalist of Miss Universe Philippines 2021, first runner-up of Miss Bikini Philippines 2020 and Miss Universe Philippines Cebu Province 2025. Miss Kuyamis 2020 Isobel June Teaño was a candidate for Miss Philippines Earth 2020 and winner of Best in Cultural Attire. Miss Kuyamis 2021 Danna Joy Tempra was Top 24 at Miss World Philippines 2021. Annabelle Mae Tate McDonnell was Miss Universe Philippines 2022 first runner-up and Miss Charm International 2023 first runner-up.
MISAMISNON MUSE
By virtue of Act 3537 passed by the Philippine Legislature, Misamis was split into Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental on November 2, 1929. The law took effect on January 1, 1930, which is the date the Kuyamis Festival commemorates as the founding anniversary of Misamis Oriental, now on its 95th year. The Kuyamis Festival comes from the Subanen word kuyamis, the unique variety of sweet golden Malayan dwarf coconut that grows abundantly in the province. It is also the origin of the name of Misamis. Now on its 12th year, the festival was first launched by then-Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano in 2014.
A CONVERGENCE OF QUEENS
BESIDES thousands’ worth of cash and sponsors’ prizes, Aaliyah will wear the iconic Miss Kuyamis crown created by Shandar-Mark Anthony Tenchavez—a symbol and beacon of leadership, empowerment and cultural heritage. Her coronation gown was designed by the talented Juniel Doring: “A vision of Misamis Oriental’s beauty, the queen reigns supreme in her celestial blue gown.” During the final round, the Top 5 were asked a common question: “Presently, the local government of Misamis Oriental under the leadership of Gov. Peter Unabia anchors its direction on SDPI or Single Digit Poverty Incidence. As Miss Kuyamis, you play a vital role by using your voice as the tourism ambassadress of the province, how do you think tourism can help in the achievement of the SDPI goal?”
Aaliyah clinched the crown with her winning reply:
AN ATENEAN QUEEN
AN academic scholar, Aaliyah is a 21-year-old third-year business administration major in financial
AS Aaliyah takes on the responsibility as the new Tourism Ambassadress of Misamis Oriental, she has her Miss Kuyamis sisters as guides, some of whom
“If I would be given a chance, I would play a vital role in advocating the Single Digit Poverty Incidence Program and I would use this platform as we celebrate the Kuyamis Festival. This gives a powerful platform to raise awareness of our goal in reducing poverty which is improving our livelihood opportunities, health benefits, and of course giving free access [to] college education throughout Misamis Oriental.” ■
Wellness Whispers by Dani Barretto champions good health, wellbeing
I RECENTLY attended the launch of Wellness Whispers by Dani Barretto, a line of tasty, ready-to-drink supplements. When I say tasty, I mean it. The drinks taste so good and the ingredients are well-thought of and in significant quantities.
The bestselling Hormonal Imbalance contains Valerian root (300mg), magnesium citrate (100mg), Ashwagandha (500mg), myo-inositol (500mg), licorice extract (100mg), Omega 3 (500mg), folate (0.4mg), and vitamin D (0.2mg).
My favorite Collagen + Biotin (for hair, skin, nails) has hydrolyzed marine collagen, biotin, beta carotene, rosemary extract and kale extract.
The drinks are Stevia-sweetened but unlike other supplement drinks that use this sweetener, those from Wellness Whispers aren’t overly sweet. Wellness Whispers
was first launched on TikTok, where Dani has more than half a million followers. Since its launch in 2024, Wellness Whispers has sold more than 346,239 items with 35,139 returning customers.
“I like my supplements and I value them. I have so many friends who suffer from hormonal imbalance and PCOS and I realized na walang gumagawa masyado ng supplements for PCOS management,” said Dani. Dani also sleeps late and she wanted to take a supplement for it. But she wanted everything in one drink, instead of taking several. “It started from there. And I’m happy that our Hormonal Imbalance has helped so many people,” said Dani. The brand’s ambassador is Dani’s sister, actress Julia Barretto. “Her [Dani’s] success is everybody’s success. Just to see her in the position that she is in life and love is something that we celebrate,” said Julia, whose favorite product from Wellness Whispers is Stress Relief and the iced tea flavor of Hormonal Imbalance. The launch, called Wellness Whispers World, was held at Whitespace Manila on January 9. The Barretto family— Dani’s mom Marj and her siblings Claudia and Leon — were also present. Julia’s boyfriend Gerald Anderson also attended the event. Of course, Dani’s husband Xavi Panlilio helped make sure that the event was a success. The event had several interactive stations for guests, such as one for making initial bracelets and another for personalizing candles.
And because Hormonal Imbalance is Wellness Whispers’ bestselling product, the brand invited Dr. Ruchie O. InglesGagarin to talk about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Wellness Whispers carries seven different variants that can address five major lifestyle concerns:
■ Wellness Whispers in Banana Melon Milk, Pineapple Coconut Smoothie, or Honey Blend Iced Tea is for hormonal imbalances and PCOS symptoms. These drinks feature myo-inositol, an ingredient that supports hormone balance, regulates insulin and your menstrual cycle, and manages discomfort due to PCOS.
■ Wellness Whispers Skin Reboot Mango Milk is for those who want a lovely, glowing complexion. This drink has vitamin A and C-rich mango fruit extract and also contains hyaluronic acid for plump and bouncy skin plus CoQ10, an antioxidant that supports skin repair and rejuvenation.
■ Wellness Whispers Stress Relief Matcha Milk has three key ingredients: green tea extract, Ashwagandha, and lavender extract. It claims to provide mental clarity, reduce anxiety, and help provide a good night’s sleep.
■ Wellness Whispers Collagen + Biotin Winter Melon Milk Tea is for those who want healthy hair and nails. Hydrolyzed marine collagen is paired with biotin to improve skin elasticity and keratin strength. Beta carotene completes the power trio in the drink as it improves skin tone and supports skin regeneration.
SAFC at 22: Charting a Brighter Tomorrow
Together, Names New President and CEO
SAFC, one of the leading and fast-growing non-bank financial institutions in the Philippines, celebrates its 22nd anniversary with the launch of its new campaign, #Brighter2morrow2gether. This milestone highlights over two decades of service to Filipinos through accessible financial solutions and forecasts a future built on partnerships and sustainable growth.
Since its founding, SAFC has journeyed from a modest financial service provider and has grown into a network of 85 branches serving Filipinos nationwide. Over the years, SAFC has helped individuals achieve financial independence, supported small businesses, and contributed economic development across diverse communities.
The #Brighter2morrow2gether campaign attests to SAFC’s ongoing mission to make financing more accessible and inclusive, working handin-hand with its clients and partners to create shared success.
Marking this anniversary, SAFC
welcomed Kevin John N. Cabanban as its new President and CEO. With an impressive career at Asialink Finance Corporation, including key roles as Deputy COO for Sales and Assistant General Manager for Sales and Marketing, Cabanban brings a wealth of experience, strong leadership, and a clear, forwardlooking vision to guide SAFC’s continued growth and success.
“At SAFC, we are committed to serve and prioritize our communities. Together, we will empower more Filipinos to seize opportunities and confidently progress. As we step into our 22nd year, we look forward to unlock more possibilities for
every Filipino,” he said.
Succeeding Joel C. Cruz, who led SAFC for 19 years, Cabanban aims to build on this foundation by introducing new ideas while staying true to SAFC’s values.
Complementing this leadership transition, SAFC also announced the appointment of Azenith S. Cabrera as its new Chief Operating Officer. With more than a decade of expertise in financial management and operations, Cabrera will strengthen the leadership team and further reinforce SAFC’s dedication to deliver exceptional service.
The #Brighter2morrow2gether campaign isn’t just a celebration; it’s an invitation for employees, clients, and communities to shape the company’s future together. The campaign focuses on:
Tailored financial products to help SMEs, entrepreneurs, and individuals meet their goals.
Community-centric programs to enable programs that promote economic, financial, and social progress.
Sustainability and growth, strategies that harmonize business objectives with
Enchanted Kingdom wraps 2024 with recognitions from DOT, DepEd
GEARING towards its 30th year of creating and providing magical experiences and memories that last a lifetime, Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world class theme park in the Philippines, received the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Champion Award for Tourism Enterprises from the Department of Tourism (DOT) - CALABARZON.
EK President and CEO Mario O. Mamon together with Head of Learning and Development Pauline Barreiro received the award during the Tourism Excellence Awards 2024 and the Philippine Tourism Awards Regional Recognition held at the Twin Lakes Hotel, Tagaytay City, December 3, 2024.
“Through this very relevant program, we have been able to provide even more world-class, enchanting, educational and entertainment experiences to our guests of all ages - embodying the unique brand of Filipino service excellence,” Mamon shared.
As of 2024, EK has trained 99 percent of its more than 800 Cast Members (employees) under the FBSE program. Additionally, the premier theme park is planning to extend the said training to its partner agencies and tenants this 2025.
“As we at Enchanted Kingdom prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary, we shall endeavor to continue our mutual support, partnership and collaboration with DOT especially in CALABARZON to uplift Philippine tourism service standards locally and globally in the years to come,” Mamon added.
Meanwhile, EK has been recognized as one of the long-standing education partners who have shown unwavering support to the Department of Education (DepEd) during the Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay (Partners Appreciation and Recognition Event) on December 16.
The said event celebrated and acknowledged
the support and collaborative effort of partners on the various DepEd priority programs in education. EK has been supporting Brigada Eskwela for 10 years now and has helped improve a total of 11 classrooms in various elementary schools in Santa Rosa City, Laguna.
Beyond creating magical experiences for guests of all generations, Enchanted Kingdom serves a higher purpose of contributing to the growth of the tourism sector and its immediate community
In August, the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL) recognized EK’s outstanding achievement and excellence in company operations and management during the 2nd Laguna Stakeholders Business Forum. The local government commended EK’s significant contribution to the economic development and competitiveness of the province.
Additionally, EK has also been recognized by the PGL as an Esteemed Industry Partner for its valuable contribution to the tourism and industry development of the province during the Laguna Business Summit
January 28 to February 2, 2025.
Guests spending a minimum of P30,000 nett at Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise will have the chance to spin the Lunar Wheel of Fortune, where they can win a variety of exclusive prizes, ranging from discounts and F&B credits to premium culinary experiences such as the 8 Flavors Xiao Long Bao and a complimentary All-You-CanEat Yum Cha for two. Grand prizes include a Chinese Tikoy Set and a Whole Peking Duck served two ways on a return visit. (Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-210177
Series of 2024.)
“We are excited to offer our guests a memorable experience this Lunar New Year with our Lunar Wheel of Fortune,” says Gagan Talwar, General Manager of Hilton Manila. “This promotion is a fun and rewarding way for guests to enjoy the festive atmosphere while savoring our exceptional dishes and celebrating prosperity with their loved ones.”
In addition to the promotion, Hilton Manila presents a curated selection of festive à la carte dishes and elegant set menus. The Prosperity Set includes
held in March. The said recognition highlighted EK’s dedication to excellence as proven by prestigious international awards it received such as the Best Retail Merchandise Display from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Brass Rings Award.
In March, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Biñan-West Laguna District recognized EK as the Top 3 Taxpayer, acknowledging EK’s prompt and efficient payment of correct taxes which immensely contributed towards the achievement of the district collection goal for the calendar year 2023. EK was also awarded the Top Taxpayer Amusement Park Category in September during the prestigious Lion Awards for Business of the local government unit (LGU) of the City of Santa Rosa.
And lastly, EK strengthened its commitment to inclusivity as a Mother and Baby Friendly Establishment certified by the LGU Santa Rosa. EK was also recognized as an Autism Friendly Working Environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder in part of LGU Santa Rosa’s celebration of the National Autism Consciousness Week 2024 in January.
“As we gear towards our 30th Anniversary of creating magical experiences and memories that last a lifetime, all the more that we commit to embracing Diversity, Exclusivity and Inclusivity. Ultimately, we want every guest regardless of gender, religion, culture, disability, and race to enjoy the park and accommodate their special needs in ways we can,” said EK’s Chief Operating Officer Dr. Cynthia R. Mamon.
For more information about these awards and upcoming events and offerings, visit our Press Room at https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ekpress-room and EK’s official social media accounts @ enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and Tiktok, and @ ek_philippines for Twitter and Instagram.
favorites such as the Barbecue Combination Platter, TeaSmoked Half Duck, and Simmered Black Grouper with Kaofu. For those seeking an indulgent feast, the Grand Fortune Set offers premium dishes like Whole Peking Duck, Szechuan Black Grouper, and a luxurious Chinese New Year Poon Choi. Guests will also enjoy traditional highlights like Yee Sang, Curry Crab, and decadent Black Sesame Ice Cream with Coconut Jelly.
Guests seeking the perfect gift can choose from Hilton Manila’s bespoke Lunar New Year hampers, each thoughtfully curated to bring prosperity and joy. The Auspicious Tikoy (P2,488++) features two 220g Koi Fish tikoy, a traditional symbol of good fortune. The Deluxe Hamper (P9,888++) includes tikoy, fine wine, and a selection of treats such as pork jerky, White Rabbit candies, and a tea set. The Prosperity Hamper (P25,888++) offers Dalmore 12 Years, assorted delicacies, and an all-you-can-eat Yum Cha experience for two. For those looking to make an impression, the Fortune Hamper (P45,888++) features Dalmore 15 Years, Bird’s Nest, Abalone, and a collection of fine treats complemented by a tea set. These hampers make for meaningful gifts to share blessings this season.
Hilton Manila looks forward to welcoming guests to experience a unique celebration of prosperity, flavor, and fortune this Lunar New Year. For reservations and inquiries, please contact Hilton Manila at +632 7 239 7788 or MNLPH_F&B@hilton.com or visit www. hiltonmanila.com.
environmental stewardship and social welfare.
SAFC is committed to generate widespread positive outcomes through collaboration and collective action, ensuring that its advancements resonate profoundly with all stakeholders.
As SAFC marks its 22nd anniversary, it celebrates a legacy of excellence while
embracing the promise of a brighter future. Guided by a dynamic new leadership, powered by a passionate team, and anchored in its steadfast goal, SAFC stands ready to uplift even more Filipinos, turning aspirations into reality and dreams into achievements. Because brighter tomorrows don’t just happen; they’re built together.
Mang Inasal ties up with top universities through MI UNIVerse
MANG Inasal recently introduced MI UNIVerse, a vibrant community of campus-based content creators from the Philippines’ top colleges and universities. Building on last year’s successful collaborations with young influencers, MI UNIVerse aims to make Mang Inasal’s connection with students even more exciting and meaningful this 2025.
The name “MI UNIVerse” combines “university” and “universe,” signifying a group of students from various universities who share a common love for Mang Inasal.
Participating schools include the University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University (DLSU), University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), National University (NU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Silliman University, Cebu Institute of Technology University (CIT University), Philippine Women’s University (PWU), and Mapúa University.
“With MI UNIVerse, we’re building real connections with Gen Z, giving them a space to show their true love for our brand,” said Mang Inasal President Mike V. Castro. “The joy of seeing younger customers embrace Mang Inasal last year was truly rewarding. And this 2025 we’re even more excited to keep that energy going, with campaigns that are bound to get them and their friends excited!”
At a recent event, MI UNIVerse members shared their excitement about joining the community created bv the Philippines’ Grill Expert.
“It’s been such a great experience working with Mang Inasal in 2024,” said Sophia Ann Lacson of UST Tiger TV. “We’re eager for even more collaborations in 2025!”
Justin Pontino from ADMU Radyo Katipunan added, “Mang Inasal is more than just food. It’s about bringing people together through the joy of Filipino flavors. I’m excited to be part of MI UNIVerse! Meanwhile, Mark delos Santos from UP Samaskom shared his personal connection to Mang Inasal, saying, “Since I was young, Mang Inasal has been a part of my family. And being part of MI UNIVerse now allows me to share that bond with others.”
As MI UNIVerse continues to grow in 2025, its members will lead the charge in spreading Mang Inasal’s signature Ihaw-Sarap meals and UnliSaya moments across their campuses, strengthening the brand’s influence among Gen Z students nationwide. Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit www.manginasal.ph for the latest news, https:// manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media for more IhawSarap and Unli-Saya updates!
SAFC Key Leaders proudly welcome their newly appointed President & CEO, Kevin John N. Cabanban (center, standing in a suit), and the new Chief Operating Officer, Azenith S. Cabrera (seated in front, 3rd from the left), as they mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the organization.
GREEN BONES SPECIAL SCREENING. First Lady Liza Marcos attended the VIP screening of GMA Pictures’ Green Bones at Uptown Bonifacio’s Uptown Ultra Cinema as the guest of honor. She was joined by GMA Network executives, including Senior Vice President Atty. Anette Gozon-Valdes and First Vice President of Sparkle GMA Artist Center, Joy Marcelo, along with industry leaders and key figures. The event highlighted the film’s remarkable success at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), where it earned six major awards, including Best Actor for Dennis Trillo, Best Supporting Actor for Ruru Madrid, and Best Child Performer for Sienna Stevens. All three awardees were present to mark this special occasion.
Cleaning up the mindful way
THIS time of the year is a good time for a fresh start for PR pros to go over their stuff and create a clutter-free frame of mind.
“Do you find yourself surrounded by too much stuff brimming with things you haven’t used for years,” says the Mindful staff. “Closets haunted by clothing from other eras? Have you rented a storage unit with stuff you never look at?”
That stuff isn’t just cluttering your working and living space. It’s clogging up your mind.
Here are Mindful’s suggestions for creating a clutter-free
frame of mind, and letting go of lots of stuff. And it’s fun too.
1.Create Breathing Room
W H en w e declutter, we allow for more open space. With this, “you can enjoy creating a space you enjoy being in” instead of being suffocated by stuff. “Designate a space for nothing,” say the Mindful editors. It’s a refuge from chaos, and your home—and office—will feel more uplifted when you step in.”
2.Don’t dread it. Enjoy it. If you continue to keep focusing on how miserable a task
it’s going to be to sort through and upload decades of junk you and your staff have collected through the years, it will never take on it.
It will stare at your face. Instead, says Mindful, “contemplate the joy of purging your living and office space of the old moldy detritus of bygone days.”
“It will be a load lifted. Letting go is a joy.”
3.Take manageable bites or make it a BIG project
noW y ou can get down to business. It helps to fit into a strategy that fits your space. We can go slowly. o r w e can follow Marie Kondo’s advice in the bestselling The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up—and make it a festival of decluttering.
You can also combine both approaches: the bite-sized approach can be the prelude to a big final push.
fi gure this out early on and you’ll discover the magic of decluttering.
4. Find a clutter buddy T RY I ng to make tough deci -
n PUBlICIs GRoUPE
sions about whether to keep, set aside, or throw? A friend, colleague or family member can help you come to your senses and help you in letting go. And it’s more fun, too.
5. Use three boxes
W H en d igging through your files or closets, “label three boxes to receive the items: keep, donate, and throw away. Start sorting.”
This will make things more organized.
6. ‘Not sure’ box
YoU m ay need a fourth box for stuff you can’t keep but can’t throw away on a whim. This “not sure” box also prevents you from deliberating for hours and wasting precious time. That also can leave you exhausted.
But if the box overflows too quickly, you might have to check yourself and consult your clutter buddy.
7. Three-year rule
8. Repurpose if the purpose is clear g o T a spare desk or dresser you’ve cleared out? g o od job! If you can think of a clear use for this piece of newly liberated furniture, repurpose it. You’ll be amazed how liberated you’ll feel.
9 . Keep your shoes off the floor.
T H IS i s especially true for those who work at home. Shoes have a way of taking a lot of floor space. Scattered about on the floor, they have a way of making a place feel very disorganized. This is also a good time to go over your shoes, retain only those you need and use.
9.Beautify!
eMB e L LISH y our closets or desks with nice frame art or some other special thing. With this, you’ll think twice before you desecrate this uplifting space with mounds of junk.
10. Have a sense of humor SoRTI ng and wading through files of useless things makes you realize you “mindlessly acquired a bunch of stuff you held on to with the mistaken belief that these random objects held eternal meaning.”
This is no biggie. Humans hoard. Humans are silly. You’re human.
M I n Df U L a lso suggests a threeyear rule for clothes, gadgets, and files stuffed away in your work or living area. Chances are no matter how nifty the gadget or memorable the outfit, if you haven’t used it in three years, it’s not worth your space.
PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chair.
We are devoting a special column each month to answer the reader’s questions about public relations. Please send your comments and questions to askipraphil@gmail.com. n DENNIs PERE
MA n IL A, PHILIPPI n e S —After almost three years bolstering Unilever‘s digital marketing, media and dcommerce capabilities, Dennis Perez has been elevated to Head of Marketing for t he Philippines, and Marketing Transformation Lead for g r eater Asia in Beauty & Wellbeing, e ffective January 2025. In this new role, Dennis will spearhead the Demand Creation function for Beauty & Wellbeing in the Philippines, and Social f i rst Marketing” transformation across g r eater Asia.
This entails deploying next-gen beauty capabilities in marketing, brand experience, beauty t echnology, AI, media, social, content, data, and commerce. This year marks Dennis’ 23rd with Unilever, having gone up the ranks from Management Trainee back in July 2 001, to Category Brand Manager for Hair Care Asia AM e T in January 2010, Head of Media in June 2014, and his most p revious role of Digital Marketing, Media and dCommerce ( DMC) Lead for Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing Southeast Asia i n July 2022. f o r over two decades, he has been a dedicated l eader in pushing for technology in the beauty and wellbeing c ategory, and has pushed for Unilever to be a pioneer in all things “beautech.” Beyond his work with Unilever, he has also been a champion for the Philippines’ digital m arketing industry and educating fellow marketers through
v arious speaking engagements. He led the Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP), previously known as the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, and was a major contributor to its biggest annual event, D igiCon.
In fact, at DigiCon 2024, one of the standout presentations was by Dennis, who talked about “ArchiT e C Hture—Designing the Marketing o r ganization of the f uture,” integrating his prowess in digital w ith his background in chemical engineering. His presentation once again proved and s trengthened his position as one of the region’s most valuable and insightful leaders in d igital marketing. Dennis Perez’s appointment to Head of Marketing for the Philippines, and Marketing Transformation Lead for g r eater Asia in Beauty & Wellbeing is e ffective January 2025.
aNNoUNCE s GloBal E xPaNsIoN oF lEPUB PARIS, fR A nC e Publicis groupe today announced the global expansion of the creatively-lauded boutique network, LePub. With presence in Milan, Rome, Amsterdam, São Paulo, Mexico City, Singapore, and Johannesburg, this a mbitious expansion plan kicks off with an inaugural US hub in ne w York, followed by offices in Bogota, London and Dubai, all slated for 2025.
Launched in n o vember 2020, and led by globally-recognized creative leader Bruno Bertelli, LePub’s magic lies in connecting product, commerce, technology and experience to create b rand innovation that resonates in culture, at scale. f ueled by offerings like Le g a rage, the techbased invention division, LePub has only continued to exceed the standards for creative excellence with work for clients including Heineken, Barilla, Philips,
Tecate, Tiger, Diesel, Bottega Veneta, and Toblerone. And, this work continues to receive the highest honors in the industry’s most prestigious global shows, including Cannes Lions, D&AD and Clio awards, among others. With founding clients Heineken and Barilla, LePub’s US operation will officially open on January 1, 2025. The office will be led by a newly-appointed management team, beginning with Lea Mastroberti as President, Katy Alonzo as Chief Strategy o f ficer, and Cecilia Diaz as Head of Strategy, with additional creative leadership appointments to be announced in the c oming weeks. The team will report to Bertelli, as well as Susie n a m, Chief e x ecutive o f ficer, Publicis Creative US.
“At a time when brands are challenged by the proliferation of competition, cultural fragmentation, and a digital landscape that moves at warp speed, s taying relevant has never been
more complex. LePub nimbly blends global and hyper-local trends with emerging innovation to create notable consumer c onnections,” said Carla Serrano, Publicis g rou pe Chief Strategy o f ficer. “Bruno is a brilliant creative mind, and under his vision a nd creative leadership, LePub’s expansion in n e w York and beyond will exponentially expand t he craft of his talented teams.”
“As LePub expands globally, we’re accelerating a network where creativity and strategic thinking work in perfect harmony to not only meet, but drive culture. The opening of our ne w York office is an incredible milestone, and with our expansion into LATAM and eMe A i n early 2025, LePub will boast a network of 10 offices with talent focused on delivering work that’s both imaginative and impactful,” said Bruno Bertelli, global C eo of LePub. for m ore information about LePub and its services, please visit www.le.pub.
ELBOURNE, Australia—Tennis star
Coco Gauff mourned the loss of TikTok’s app back home, writing on a TV camera lens “RIP TikTok USA” and drawing a broken heart right after winning a match at the Australian Open to reach the quarterfinals.
Gauff’s three-set victory in the Grand Slam tournament’s main stadium finished on Sunday afternoon local time in Melbourne—about an hour after TikTok could no longer be found on prominent app stores on Saturday in the United States.
TikTok users in the United States were not able to watch videos on the popular social media platform on Saturday evening, just hours before a federal ban on the popular social media platform was set to take effect.
The company’s app was also removed from prominent app stores, including the ones operated by Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available.
When users opened the TikTok app on Saturday evening, they encountered a pop-up message from the company that prevented them from scrolling on videos.
“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the US,” the message said. “Unfortunately that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the message continued, in reference to President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to “save” the platform. The company told its users to stay tuned. Gauff frequently has posted on TikTok, often mimicking popular trends.
Gauff’s consecutive-set streak, meanwhile, ended at the Australian Open, but her bid for a second Grand Slam title continued on Sunday with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 comeback victory over Belinda Bencic in the fourth round.
Gauff, a 20-year-old from Florida who won the 2023 US Open as a teenager, had collected all 16 sets she’d played this year and 24 of her past 25 dating to the end of last season, which included a title at the Women’s Tennis Association Finals.
But the tournament’s No. 3 seed was unable to control her shots well enough at the start against Bencic on a steamy early afternoon in Rod Laver Arena, where the temperature hit 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) and the blue playing surface was bathed in sunlight.
Gauff after win: ‘RIP TikTok USA’
Spectators seated along the sides of the court fanned themselves; Gauff sought relief from cool air provided at the players’ sideline benches.
As trouble mounted late in the first set, in which Bencic broke in each of Gauff’s last two service games—one of which ended with a pair of double-fault the American kept missing the mark, compiling a whopping 20 unforced errors. When her shots would land into the net, too long or too wide, or Bencic’s would fall beyond her reach, Gauff repeatedly turned toward her coaches’ box and put her arms wide with palms up, as if to ask, “What am I supposed to do?” After some of her nine double-
Olympians, Paralympians recognized in PSA Awards
ATOUCH of nostalgia will hover over the San Miguel Corp. (SMC)Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night as Filipinos who represented flag and country in the Olympics will be honored in one of the highlights of the historic event next Monday at the grand ballroom of the Manila Hotel.
Members of the Philippine contingent to both the Paris Olympics and Paralympic Games will be recognized for waving the country’s red, white and blue proud and mighty during the 2024 edition of the Olympiad in the French capital. And in observance of the country’s century of participation in the quadrennial showcase, members of Philippine teams to the Olympics in the last 60 years will join their Paris counterparts in what is the biggest Awards Night ever staged by the nation’s oldest media organization headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star.
Previous Olympic teams will have their respective representatives per batch as distinguished by the Philippine Olympians Association.
First ever Filipino double gold medal winner Carlos Yulo and fellow Paris Olympic medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas will be feted with the highest
awards in the formal affair co-presented by ArenaPlus, Cignal and MediaQuest. Yulo of course, is the recipient of the Athlete of the Year, while Major Awards will be handed out to both Petecio and Villegas during the starstudded gathering supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, PLDT/Smart, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Januarius Holdings, with backing from the Philippine Basketball Association, Premiere Volleyball League, 1-Pacman Party List, Rain or Shine, Akari and AcroCity.
The country’s breakthrough gold medalist in the Olympics, Hidilyn Diaz, is to be will be enshrined in the PSA Hall of Fame.
The team to Paris is also composed of Ernest John “EJ” Obiena, Lauren Hoffman, John Cabang Tolentino, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan, Samantha Catantan, Bianca Pagdanganan, Dottie Ardina, Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo, Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Kiyomi Watanabe, Joanie Delgaco, Kayla Sanchez, Jarold Hatch, Elreen Ando, John Ceniza, and Vanessa Sarno.
The compact six-member Paralympic team is composed of Agustina Bantiloc, Jerrold Mangliwan, Cendy Asusano, Ernie Gawilan, Angel Otom and Allain Ganapin.
faults, Gauff slapped her leg. But Gauff recalibrated after the hour-plus first set, accumulating points in bunches, repeatedly
Southwoods makes Masters fit to a T for Philippine Open
By Aldrin Quinto
THE Manila Southwoods is ensuring the Masters Course will be a fitting stage for the Asian Tour season opener as the Smart Infinity Philippine Open tees off on Thursday in Carmona, Cavite.
The Jack Nicklaus-designed course at the posh club south of Manila has been set up to provide a tough challenge for top international shotmakers as the Philippines hosts an Asian Tour event for the first time since 2015.
The course is playing as a par-70, with a par-5 on each nine reconfigured as par-4s.
Avoiding big trouble off the tee will be a huge factor as the Manila Southwoods has grown the rough to three inches but thrice Asian Tour winner Angelo Que said the title could be won or lost on the greens.
“It’s important that your putting is at its sharpest next week,” Que said.
“Because if the winds blow, it will be difficult to put your approaches where you want them,” the 2008 Philippine Open winner at Wack Wack added.
“So putting will be key, especially if you putt from the wrong spots.”
Southwoods assistant general manager Jerome Delariarte, who is working closely with the Asian Tour in setting up the course, said the greens will be made to roll at a speed of around 12 on the Stimpmeter.
That’s the typical green speed on some PGA Tour events, with the major tournaments set up to go 13 to 14 on the Stimpmeter.
“It would make for a very difficult putting
Van der Valk eyes to steal thunder in TCC Invitational
WHILE focus is on
By Josef Ramos
AFTER outplaying powerhouse San Miguel Beer, Meralco battles next week two more San Miguel Corp. teams— Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Magnolia— in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
Meralco put up an impressive defense in taking down defending champion San Miguel Beer, 100-93, over the weekend in Candon in Ilocos Sur for the Bolts’ third straight win that tied them with NorthPort, Converge and Hong Kong Eastern at Nos. 1 to 3 with a 7-3 record.
“When you got San Miguel Beer at its best, it feels so good to hold them off becausethey they were 4-4 and needed a win,” head coach Luigi Trillo told B usinessM irror on Sunday,
day,” Delariarte said.
N o. 11 in putting on the Asian Tour last season, Miguel Tabuena has been practicing with new caddie Kenneth Quillinan at Southwoods every day since last week.
The 30-year-old Tabuena, seventh on the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit, is eyeing his third Philippine Open title after winning the national crown twice in three stagings, claiming the title in 2015 and 2018. The Philippine Open, Asia’s oldest national championship first staged in 1913, was not held in 2016 and was last played in 2019.
Japan Tour regular Justin de los Santos is also among the top players playing under the Philippine flag in the 72-hole championship offering a prize pot of $500,000 (around P29 million). De los Santos arrived in Manila on Saturday and played the Masters on Sunday.
“Just happy to be here. This is certainly a special tournament,” De los Santos said.
Manila Southwoods will open its gates to the watching public free of charge as the club gives Filipino fans topnotch golf action and hopes the crowd would give the home bets a big lift. “That’s the least that the club can do for the local golfing community,” Delariarte said.
adding he praised his wards for forcing the Beermen to 19 turnovers.
But for Trillo, the task at hand is to be in the top two entering the quarterfinals for a twiceto-beat advantaghe.
They can secure themselves at No. 2 if they beat the Gin Kings on January 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Magnolia at the PhilSports Arena on January 31.
The top two teams in the quarterfinals battle the No. 7 and 8 squads, while Nos. 3 and No. 6 and Nos. 4 and No. 5 play in best-of-three quarterfinals series in the playoffs.
Allein Maliksi, one of Meralco’s two-way scorers, is expected to return against Ginebra after recovering from a knee surgery, but Aaron Black is still recovering from a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
So yes, it isn’t going to be easy. Chelsea is coming. Some were saying that Chelsea is too inexperienced to capture the league title. And yet, the team’s inching closer to Liverpool by late November and early December.
As of January 19, Chelsea dropped from second to fifth and are 13 points behind leaders Liverpool. It have faltered. I suspect the team has one more run in them to challenge this campaign. Manchester U hot in conversation FOR all the
is
and
and
it has,
massive understatement. After doing well last season where it won the FA Cup, this was—they said—the turnaround year. In stead, they fired Erik Ten Hag, and with Ruben Amorin is in his place...they are still floundering. Just because Amorin’s side defeated Manchester
“We have a one-week rest, but we’ll be coming back with two straight games against Ginebra and Magnolia,” Trillo said. “We’re not done yet, so we are hoping to sustain our great defense and hustle not just to the end the eliminations but also in the playoffs.”
Akil Mitchell powered the Bolts with 26 points, 16 rebounds and five assists while the backcourt pair of Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome added 20 and 19 points, respectively, to throw the Beermen down the standings on a 4-5 record.
Despite their import change, the Beermen only drew 14 points and nine rebounds from Malik Pope, their fourth reinforcement in this conference.
Meralco had eight steals and committed only 11 turnovers against San Miguel Beer.
City in the Champions League a few weeks before he departed for England, that doesn’t mean things will change overnight.
P eople read too much into wins and losses. They forget it is a process. And having said that, I wonder if the great Sir Alex Ferguson made a deal with the (Red) Devil so they could knock Liverpool off its perch. Once accomplished, they have backslid. Arsenal vs Man City for championship Y ES , t he Gunners are in second spot, six points behind LFC and with the Reds having a game in hand. Yes, they can win
COCO GAUFF frequently has posted on TikTok, often mimicking popular trends. AP
