Manila Standard - 2026 March 23 - Monday

By Alena Mae Flores and Ram Superable

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said it is firming up oil supply from India to bolster the country’s reserves as the Middle

Trump threatens Iran: Open Hormuz or else

US President Donald Trump vowed to "obliterate" the Islamic republic's power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz swiftly reopens in 48 hours.

But Iran's military operational command responded that if the country's facilities were hit, "all energy, information technology and desalination infrastructure belonging to the US" in the region would be targeted.

Trump, after signaling he may wind down the war, ratcheted up pressure on Iran's leadership, announcing a 48-hour countdown that ends Monday night (Tuesday morning in Manila) over the Islamic republic's de facto blockade on the crucial trade route.

"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

By Angelica Villanueva

More ayuda for release to farmers and fisherfolk

By Katrina Manubay

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday announced an additional ₱50 million allocation for regional field offices, alongside continued fuel subsidies for farmers and fisherfolk.

In his latest BBMvlog titled ‘Krisis sa Langis’, President Mar cos assured the government is strengthen

ing agricultural support and securing fertilizer supplies amid global price pressures due to the Middle East tensions

“Fuel subsidies din ang nag-aabang para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Ongoing na talaga yung mga programang yan. Pero nag padagdag pa tayo ng 50 million sa mga regional field offices,” he said. (Fuel

for PUV drivers to roll out nationwide in April

By

N. Araja and Katrina Manubay

subsidies are also waiting for farmers and fishermen. Those programs are already ongoing. But we are also adding 50 million to the regional field offices.)

“Ang presyo naman ng fertilizer, eh ibang usapan po yan dahil petroleum product yan. Nakikipag-usap na tayo sa iba't-ibang fertilizer producing countries. Okay pa tayo sa Abril pero pinaghahandaan na natin ang May to June,” he added. Next page

the grid within the next 60 days. In his latest BBMvlog titled ‘Krisis sa Langis’, President Marcos explained that this initiative aims to maintain grid stability and avoid potential energy shortages.

“Sa supply naman ng kuryente, kinakausap

inaasahang

para makatulong sa supply,” he said.

By Peter Atencio

MONDAY, MARCH 23,

NFA to delay palay purchase to avoid price spikes

THE National Food Authority (NFA) will begin buying palay by the end of March to replenish the country’s buffer stock, as earlier procurement could push market prices higher, Administrator Larry Lacson said Sunday.

“Siguro by the end of March, saka kami bibili para ma-replenish naman ang buffer stock,” Lacson said, noting that immediate purchases during the harvest season could add upward pressure on prices.

“Kung kami ay kukuha pa ng palay sa anihan sa ganitong panahon, baka mas lalo kami maka-add ng pressure para tumaas ang presyo, so antayin natin

Trump...

From A1

Tehran's defiance comes after it retaliated for an attack on its nuclear site at Natanz with two direct hits on southern Israel.

Slipping past the country's air defenses, the missiles crashed into the towns of Dimona, which hosts a nuclear facility, and Arad, wounding more than 100 people.

Israel said it launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday in response.

But Trump turned his attention to the blockaded strait, which typically carries a fifth of the global crude oil trade.

The standoff has rattled markets and sent oil prices soaring, with North Sea Brent crude now trading above $105 a barrel, as concerns grow about the long-term consequences for the global economy.

Trump has slammed NATO allies as "cowards" and urged them to secure the strait.

A total of 22 countries -- including the UK, France, Italy, Germany, South Korea, Australia, the UAE and Bahrain -- condemned on Saturday the "de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Ira-

Oil...

From A1

This will bring diesel prices to about PHP132.40 per liter, gasoline prices to as much as PHP100.10 per liter and kerosene to PHP157.49 per liter.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said Malacañang had informed her of potential supply from India, describing the development as a “small triumph” as the government seeks to diversify sources.

She added that procurement conditions have improved compared to the previous week, with supplies also coming from Korea, China, Japan, and other countries.

The department previously said more diesel fuel -- which powers most public transport and trucking operations in the country -- is arriving this week from a Southeast Asian supplier, a move aimed at stabilizing fuel supply amid soaring global oil prices sparked by the Middle East war.

Garin said last week the government had already ordered between 250,000 and 300,000 barrels of diesel from the undisclosed Southeast Asian country, which will be sold at cost to private oil firms.

Garin explained that the procurement is part of the government’s effort to assist local companies in securing future fuel supplies through government-to-government arrangements.

“So far the orders for April are good, so we will extend and extend,” Garin said in a TV interview, noting that supply availability is not the main concern.

“As long as you're willing to pay a premium… For the country, we're willing to pay a premium. As long as it's for sure,” she added.

Garin did not say whether the fuel from India was already processed or still crude oil, and how much did the country pay for it. The DOE is set to hold a press conference today, Monday, to clarify details on this, a source told Manila Standard.

The DOE chief said governmentprocured oil may be stored in facilities

na mas kalma ang presyo,” he added in a radio interview.

(Maybe by the end of March, we will buy it to replenish the buffer stock. If we were to buy more rice from the harvest during this time, we might add even more pressure to increase the price, so let's wait for the price to calm down.)

Lacson said the national average price stands at around P21 per kilo for

nian forces."

As thousands more American Marines head to the Middle East, US Central Command said bunker-busting bombs were dropped on an underground Iranian coastal facility this week, degrading Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway.

'This was terrifying'

Iran's missile attack on Israel indicated that its arsenal still poses a threat across the region, even after Trump and Netanyahu claimed to have decimated Tehran's forces.

The Iranian hits on the towns of Arad and Dimona tore open the fronts of residential buildings and carved craters into the ground -- among the most destructive attacks of the three-week war.

AFP footage from Arad showed rescue workers sifting through rubble for wounded people in a bombed-out building.

"There was a 'boom, boom!', my mother was screaming," 17-year-old Arad resident Ido Franky told AFP near the impact site, where an AFP correspondent saw three damaged buildings and firefighters reported a blaze.

"This was terrifying... this town had never seen anything like this."

Dimona hosts what is widely be-

of private oil firms, which are currently operating at about half capacity due to high fuel costs.

She acknowledged that elevated prices are particularly burdensome for diesel users, prompting the government to step up targeted interventions.

“It’s short term. Hopefully, this war doesn't last long,” she said, warning that the crisis could bring “structural change” to the global oil industry and have effects lasting at least six months even if the conflict ends immediately.

Amid supply concerns, the DOE issued Department Circular No. DC2026-03-0010, authorizing the temporary and controlled use of Euro II petroleum products for select sectors as a contingency measure.

The agency said the policy is interim, narrowly targeted, and does not replace the country’s Euro IV fuel standards.

The DOE said the measure followed consultations with industry stakeholders from March 16 to 18 and is meant to ensure a stable and accessible fuel supply during the current volatility.

Under the circular, Euro II fuels may be used for in-use vehicle models from 2015 and earlier, traditional jeepneys, industrial applications such as power plants and generators, and the marine and shipping sector.

Oil firms are required to keep Euro II and Euro IV fuels fully segregated and must notify the DOE of participating retail outlets.

The department said compliance would be enforced through random testing and warned of penalties for violations, including fuel adulteration.

To protect consumers, fuel stations offering Euro II products must post clear advisories indicating the lower standard and reminding motorists to check vehicle compatibility.

Meanwhile, oil companies said they would continue offering discounts and promotions.

Petron Corp. is providing up to P3 per liter discounts for public utility vehicle drivers through its Super Driver Card, while Unioil Petroleum offers discounts of up to P5 per liter for S&R members and up to P7 per liter for EastWest cardholders.

fresh palay and P25 per kilo for dried palay. The NFA is currently buying at lower rates—P17 per kilo for fresh palay and P21 per kilo for dried palay—to avoid competing with private traders.

The agency is targeting a buffer stock of 790,000 metric tons of rice this year. Lacson also warned that rising fuel costs could drive up logistics and transportation expenses, further affecting food prices and farm production.

“Ang mga magsasaka natin, kapag tumataas ang fertilizer, binhi, ang nangyayari, nagtitipid sila… bumababa ang ani,” he said, explaining that higher input costs often lead farmers to cut back on fertilizer use, resulting in lower

lieved to be the Middle East's only nuclear arsenal, although Israel has never admitted to possessing nuclear weapons, insisting the site is for research.

The missile fell about five kilometres from the nuclear facility, leaving about 30 people wounded, according to rescuers.

UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi reiterated his call for "military restraint to avoid any risk of a nuclear accident."

Meanwhile Iran has kept up retaliatory attacks on Gulf nations it accuses of serving as a launchpad for US strikes.

Saudi Arabia said Sunday it detected three ballistic missiles around capital Riyadh and the kingdom's forces intercepted three drones.

The United Arab Emirates said it responded to new missile and drone attacks from Iran, after the Islamic republic warned its neighbor against allowing strikes from disputed islands near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran also launched an unsuccessful ballistic-missile attack on the US-UK base at Diego Garcia, around 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) away, a UK official told AFP -- which would have been the longest-range Iranian strike yet had it succeeded.

Iran has not claimed this attack.

Eala’s...

From A1

“Patience was the very key on how I played today. Magda is such a fighter,” said the world no. 29 Eala in her postgame interview.

That patience was most evident in the closing stretch, where Eala surged ahead 3-0 in the tiebreak behind a service winner and an error from Linette, before converting a crucial mini-break with a backhand return winner to build a commanding 5-1 cushion.

The 20-year-old Filipina also showed maturity in key moments earlier in the set, holding serve in the 12th game while trailing 5-6 after forcing a long volley error, a sequence that underscored her refusal to panic under pressure.

Eala finished with solid numbers,

Gov’t...

From A1

(As for electricity supply, we are talking to power generation companies to further increase the capacity of our grids in the next 60 days. 23 power projects with a capacity of 900 megawatts are expected to come online to help with supply.)

Mr. Marcos also mentioned that ongoing coordination efforts focus on fully utilizing Malampaya natural gas to further increase the country’s power supply.

“Ongoing din ang koordinasyon sa paggamit ng Malampaya natural gas na full capacity para madagdagan naman ang supply natin sa kuryente,” he added.

Pinoy...

From A1

“We promised our fans that we’d be back,” group leader RM said.

“Honestly, I definitely felt some pressure about the comeback, but being here in front of you all, it feels great,” Jungkook added.

yields. (Our farmers, when fertilizer and seed prices increase, what happens is they save money… thus the yield decreases.)

Despite these concerns, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), assured the public that food supply remains stable amid oil price increases linked to tensions in the Middle East.

“Definitely, there is no issue on supply. I can safely say that through June, even July, there is no issue on supply of almost everything,” Laurel said, citing sufficient inventories and ongoing harvests. Othel Campos

Remarkable endurance?

Analysts say Iran's government has survived the loss of its top leaders and that its strike capacity is proving more durable than expected.

"They're showing a lot of resilience that we didn't perhaps expect, that the US didn't expect, when it took this on," Neil Quilliam of Chatham House told the think tank's podcast. Tehran, meanwhile, marked the end of Ramadan and the Persian New Year, Nowruz, as the war entered its fourth week.

Iran's supreme leader traditionally leads Eid al-Fitr prayers, but Mojtaba Khamenei -- who came to power earlier this month after his father Ali Khamenei was killed -- has remained out of the public eye. Instead, the head of the judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, attended prayers at central Tehran's overflowing Imam Khomeini grand mosque.

"The atmosphere of the New Year was spreading through the city," said Farid, an advertising executive reached by AFP through an online message.

But "the thought that some people could be dying right at the New Year dinner table was painful," he added.

AFP

winning 73 percent of her service points and capitalizing on nearly half of Linette’s second serves—an indication of how effectively she balanced patience with timely aggression.

“Every time I played against her, she put me in difficult positions. Kudos to her for playing well,” Eala added.

The victory levelled their headto-head at 2-2, with Eala drawing strength from a supportive Filipino crowd and recalling their previous battles, including her breakthrough win over Linette in Dubai last year.

“Yeah, I really enjoyed the battle,” she said.

Now, an even bigger challenge looms.

Ayuda...

From A1

transport holiday is needed to prevent them from financial losses.

In his latest BBMvlog titled “Krisis sa Langis,” the President the government was ramping up assistance and closely monitoring the prices of basic goods and supplies as global tensions in the Middle East continue to pose risks to the Philippine economy.

He cited ongoing relief measures, including the continued implementation of the government’s free rides program nationwide, with operations sustained in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao, as well as a 50 percent fare discount in LRT-2 and MRT-3 starting March 23.

“The release of other funds for cash relief and subsidies is ongoing in various agencies. Fuel subsidy in DOTR has been released,” Marcos said.

“Almost 100,000 tricycle drivers have received assistance as of March 20. The nationwide roll out for other transportation sectors will begin April 6,” he added.

The statements followed his earlier announcement to temporarily suspend public transportation fare hikes amid Middle East tensions, to ease the burden on commuters.

Mr. Marcos also ordered an immediate P5,000-fuel subsidy for public utility drivers to help offset rising oil prices caused by the Middle East conflict.

The President also assured Filipinos that measures were in place to cushion the impact on households and key sectors, noting that rice supply remained sufficient and stable, noting that prices were under control.

“There is also talk of putting a price cap on rice. Let's wait and see. So, we have no problem with rice. The supply is sufficient and we can still control the price,” he added.

Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture said that it was eyeing the possibility of imposing a P50-price ceiling on imported rice as global tensions have resulted in an increase in shipping and farm input costs.

On Wednesday, the President led a joint price and supply monitoring in San Juan City to ensure compliance with the prescribed prices for market vendors.

(Coordination is also ongoing to utilize Malampaya natural gas at full capacity to increase our electricity supply.)

Earlier this week, the president said the Philippines has secured its fuel stockpiles abroad and authorized their return to extend domestic reserves— from about 30 days to as much as two to three months—in case the Middle East conflict persists.

He also mentioned that the government is considering reopening coal imports to ensure a stable power supply, reassuring that current fuel stocks for power plants are sufficient.

Earlier this month, the president also ordered government agencies to reduce their electricity consumption and fuel costs by 10 to 20 percent. Katrina Manubay

“Parang bumalik ‘yung comfort ko. Ang tagal naming naghintay ‘to,” one fan said.

Eala advances to the fourth round to face Doha champion and world no. 14 Karolína Muchová, who booked her spot with a 6-3, 7-5 win over Katie Boulter. More...

From A1

(The price of fertilizer, well, that's a different matter because it's a petroleum product. We're already talking to various fertilizer producing countries. We're okay for April but we're already preparing for May to June.)

Earlier, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced a P5,000 subsidy for farmers to help them manage the rising fuel costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

The P50 million fund is intended to aid 9,570 farmers who operate machinery, according to data from the Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering. He also mentioned that the DA will offer a separate fuel subsidy specifically for fisherfolk.

The concert was streamed globally through streaming giant Netflix, allowing fans across the globe to watch the performance in real time.

In Metro Manila, fans visited Netflix’s BTS-themed on-ground activities and photobooth pop-ups at SM Mall of Asia. Other fans gathered in homes, cafés, and organized viewing events to watch the comeback broadcast, which aired at 7:00 p.m. local time.

Filipino ARMYs (BTS’ fandom) also took to social media to share their reactions as the performance unfolded.

Another fan described the moment as emotional, saying, “Hindi ko namalayan umiiyak na ako habang nanonood. Kumpleto ulit sila.” “Hindi lang sila K-pop group for me. Part sila ng buhay ko growing up,” a fan tweeted. BTS performed tracks from its newest album “Arirang,” alongside some of its biggest hits, including “Butter” and “Dynamite.”The comeback concert by the group at the vanguard of the Korean cultural wave was staged on the doorstep of the historic Gyeongbokgung royal palace – a fitting venue for the “Kings of K-pop.” Enormous crowds of fans –260,000 were predicted before – descended on Seoul from morning onwards in colorful costumes, taking selfies and clutching BTS “ARMY” glow sticks. With AFP

“We really can't handle (the price surge). So on Monday, we will have a transport holiday nationwide. We won't go out. No one will cause trouble. To make our President feel that we are really struggling,” ACTO national president Liberty de Luna told dzBB.

Over 1,000 traditional and modern jeepney drivers and operators plying the public transport route in Iloilo City would take part in the transport holiday.

De Luna said they are waiting for the release of their fuel subsidy and assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

She also appealed to the government for help with service contracts and requested a bank moratorium for transport cooperatives struggling to pay for modern jeepney units. On the other hand, the Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines and the Liga ng Transportasyon at Operators sa Pilipinas earlier announced that they would defer their supposed transport strike on Monday, citing their groups opted to meet with the Department of Transportation, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

Transport group Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) stage its transport strike on Thursday although the Metro Manila Development Authority said the strike had a minimal impact on public transport. PISTON, led by its president Modesto Floranda, pushed for lower fuel prices and the abolition of the Oil Deregulation Law.

IN BRIEF

Napolcom-DepEd pact to limit crimes

THE strengthened partnership between the National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Department of Education (DepEd) will boost crime prevention efforts in schools by focusing on values formation and awareness initiatives.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said guiding the youth lowers involvement in law violations.

“Crime prevention also starts in schools, and there we will shape discipline and awareness,” he said in a news release Sunday.

The partnership builds on existing efforts of Napolcom and DepEd to integrate safety awareness, anti-drug campaigns, and anti-bullying programs in schools. It aligns education and law enforcement for long-term impact, especially in preventing potential crimes involving the youth.

The PNP has long flagged youth involvement in petty crimes, online exploitation, and gang activity, pushing learning institutions to adopt a more proactive stance rather than relying on police response after incidents occur. Nartatez said the PNP will increase visibility around campuses and train more officers in child protection and crisis response to help ensure safer communities. Rolando Ng III

AFP, US conclude ‘Ligang Bayanihan 2026’

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in partnership with United States forces, concluded the “Ligang Bayanihan 2026” with a community basketball event in Sitio Camachile, Barangay Nabuclod, Floridablanca, Pampanga.

Organized by the 1st Civil Relations Group under the Civil-Military Operations Command and operational control of the AFP’s Northern Luzon Command, the activity served as the culminating event of a series of basketball tournaments. Earlier games were held in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and Cabangan, Zambales as part of the broader engagement program.

The “Ligang Bayanihan” initiative is a sports-based engagement program aimed at strengthening ties between Filipino and American forces while fostering goodwill with local communities.

The games featured teams composed of AFP personnel, U.S. forces, and residents, symbolizing unity and shared purpose, with team names inspired by joint Philippine-U.S. military exercises. Rex Espiritu

DPWH-NCR declogs metro drainage

THE Department of Public Works and Highways–National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR) on Saturday reported that more than 4,500 cubic meters of drainage have been declogged.

In a social media post, the DPWH said that as of the third week of March, 99.5 percent, or more than 4,584.47 cubic meters, of drainage in 48 locations have undergone declogging.

It added that 15.95 percent, or more than 28,008.28 cubic meters, of waterways in 31 areas have been desilted. Steps underway include cleaning esteros, dredging and hauling spoils, declogging and cleaning drainage inlets and laterals, manually declogging drainage lines, and desilting waterways.

The DPWH said these activities, under “Oplan Kontra Baha,” are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the proper flow of water on Metro Manila’s major roads, with the weekly program aimed at making communities safer and better.

‘Panel ready to defend impeachment before SC’

By Rio N. Araja

THE House Committee on Justice is strictly adhering to a rules-based and evidence-driven process in tackling the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte and is prepared should her camp elevate the matter to the Supreme Court (SC), Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Sunday.

He stressed that every step taken by the panel is anchored on evidence and law.

“Rules-based, every step of the committee is evidence-based. All rulings are anchored on evidence and existing laws,” he said.

The justice panel is currently proceeding with hearings on the remaining two impeachment complaints against Duterte that were found sufficient in form, substance, and grounds.

Ridon rejected claims from the Vice President’s camp that the allegations are merely legal conclusions or speculation.

“But we have to be very clear— everything that has been discussed previously is not based on speculation, these are based on evidence,” he said.

He cited Commission on Audit reports and prior proceedings, including hearings by the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability or the House Blue Ribbon Committee, which uncovered findings on the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

He pointed to the concrete bases of the complaints, including Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, alleged unexplained

wealth, and COA findings. From 2007 to 2024, the Vice President’s estimated cumulative salary was only around P30 million to P40 million, leaving a gap that needs to be explained in relation to her reported net worth of about P88 million in 2025.

Ridon said the committee would subpoena business, tax, and professional records to determine whether the assets are explainable.

On confidential funds, allegations were backed by COA reports, including a disallowance of at least P70 million, he said. He said that due process is strictly observed throughout the proceedings.

Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, House Committee on Justice chairperson, on Sunday urged fellow lawmakers to treat the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte as a duty owed to the Filipino people, not to political allies, rivals, or religious blocs, as Congress moves toward the hearing proper of the case on March 25.

HOLY WEEK ‘KUBOL.’

Workers build ‘kubol’ or ‘kalbaryo’ along the streets of Poblacion, Makati City, depicting the Stations of the Cross with life-size religious images and antique statues. The displays are set to be viewed during Holy Week until Easter Sunday.

Diana Noche

Expert: China running influence operations in PH

By Rex Espiritu

A MARITIME transparency initiative group, the Sealight Foundation, is investigating the extent of alleged Chinese influence operations in the Philippines.

Speaking at a forum on Saturday, global security expert Ray Powell of Sealight said China’s activities have extended beyond Philippine waters.

“Beijing’s goal is not merely to control the reefs and shoals of the West Philippine Sea; it is to convince the people of the Philippines to stop resisting and accept Chinese control as a permanent fact of life,” Powell said.

Powell said China’s political warfare in Manila has been as aggressive as its actions in the West Philippine Sea.

“Sealight has been investigating machinery that lies deep behind that campaign—the network of interlocking organizations all connected to the Chinese Communist Party, all operating here in the Philippines,” he added.

“The connections are not secret, but they are written in a language most Filipinos do not speak.”

Powell said Beijing’s messaging has been embedded in many forms, such as Chinese state media and embassy press releases, often echoed in FilipinoChinese language media.

He said they documented how

Ambassador Huang Xilian summoned executives of Manila media outlets, telling them to cooperate closely with the embassy and carry forward patriotism and love for the homeland.

“He was not talking about the Philippines,” Powell said. Powell also noted how the Chinese embassy in the Philippines criticized investigations by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and journalist Regine Cabato.

Marcos orders acceleration of Marawi rehab

By Katrina Manubay

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday directed intensified efforts to fast-track the longdelayed rehabilitation of Marawi City, emphasizing the restoration of infrastructure and livable communities through the Reconstruction and Development Plan for a Greater Marawi Stage 2.

In a media release, the Presidential Communications Office said the eighth Economy and Development Council meeting focused on the rehabilitation and construction of 26.59 kilometers of roads, bridges, drainage systems, and slope protection under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program.

Of the seven subprojects, two road projects have been completed, while five remain ongoing, including three roads, one viaduct, and six bridges.

The total project cost is proposed to increase by 26.55 percent, from P7.52 billion to P9.51 billion, due to updated requirements for civil works, consultancy services, and right-ofway acquisition.

The PCO said that as of January 2026, the project is 19.61 percent complete. It added that the original implementation period, from September 2018 to June 30, 2027, may be extended to March 31, 2028.

House passes 18 of 52 priority bills before Holy Week break

THE House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, reported that 18 of the 52 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority measures have been passed or advanced to the bicameral stage before its Lenten break.

House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos said the chamber’s record shows it has sustained momentum on measures tied to economic reform, public services, education, governance, and social protection.

“A total of 18 priority measures have already been passed or moved to the bicameral stage before the Holy Week break. Congress has worked hard to pass the administration’s priority proposals, and so far we are proud of what we have accomplished,” Marcos said.

He credited the House leadership

for keeping the chamber focused on legislative work, noting the urgency amid the Middle East crisis.

He cited the passage of a bill allowing the President to reduce or suspend excise taxes on petroleum products to provide relief from high fuel prices and rising costs of basic goods and transport.

Based on the House Committee on Rules’ tracking, the 18 measures include proposals on Bangsamoro elections, geriatric health, energy reforms, wasteto-energy, education support, social assistance, building standards, blue economy, reintegration, tax amnesty, water resources, bank secrecy, digital payments, and scholarships.

House records show that from July 28, 2025, to March 18, 2026, a total of 8,705 House bills and 927 resolutions were filed, or 9,632 measures in all, along with 233 committee reports. Rio N. Araja

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026

MST.DAYDESK@GMAIL.COM

IN BRIEF

PCG rescues fisherman drifting five days at Bajo

A 32-YEAR-OLD fisherman from Subic, Zambales was rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after drifting at sea for five days off Bajo de Masinloc, In a statement, the PCG said the rescue was carried out on March 20 during Maritime Patrol and Search and Rescue Operations in the area.

The fisherman, a resident of Barangay Wawanway, was reported missing after his service boat, Bebelot, operating under FB Gabriel Geruz 6, failed to return.

Information on his last known position was obtained in coordination with BRP Cape San Agustin. Upon arrival at the reported location, the PCG conducted search operations and eventually spotted the missing boat approximately 78.98 nautical miles west of Capon Grande, Zambales. Rex Espiritu

Lazatin eyes slay ban in Animal Welfare Act

PAMPANGA First District Rep. Carmelo Lazatin Jr. aims to strengthen the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act through the establishment of ‘no-kill’ animal shelters and public veterinary offices in all cities and municipalities in the country. Known as the Public Veterinary Clinics and Animal Shelter Development Act, House Bill No. 8710 authored by Lazatin calls for the establishment of local animal shelters or pound facilities in every city and municipality. These facilities will implement a strict ‘no-kill’ policy for animals under their care.

Rescued animals that remain unclaimed by their owners will be put up for adoption or rehoming, subject to screening standards to be determined by the local veterinary office as provided for by the law. Butch Gunio

Bataan waterway wins ‘River for Life Award’

BATAAN’S Talisay River has won runner up trophy in the RIVERs (Recognizing Individuals/Institutions Towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers) competition spearheaded by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Assistant Secretary for Environment Jacqueline Caancan handed over the Rivers for Life Award to DENR regional executive director Ralph Pablo and Bataan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Raul Mamac during the national observance of World Water Day PH Recognition on March 19 in Manila. Pablo said the award reflected the impact of sustained collaboration among government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and communities in protecting and rehabilitating waterways.

“This recognition affirms that strong partnerships and sustained on-the-ground action can lead to meaningful gains in river rehabilitation. It also inspires us to further strengthen our efforts with LGUs, private partners, and communities to protect our waterways and advance the rehabilitation of Manila Bay,” Pablo said. Butch Gunio

‘WRMO cuts water rates by 50%’

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), citing a report by the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO), said the cost of potable water supply has been slashed by over 50 percent for remote barangays across the country

Citing a report of the WRMO which operates under its umbrella, the DENR said residents of the country’s most isolated barangays are now accessing safe, potable water at costs reduced by more than 50 percent.

With the barangays getting drinking water in-situ, retail price of drinking water was slashed to a fixed P15 per five-gallon container or nearly half the commercial rate.

For residents served by local water districts, the WRMO has provided high-grade refilling equipment.

In 2025, the equipment had been installed in remote water districts in Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Leyte, Negros Oriental and Cagayan. The barangays collected the fees which were then used for maintenance and operation of the water system.

Meanwhile, remote island-communities in Romblon, Sorsogon, Occidental Mindoro, Bohol and Zamboanga City who previously paid between P50 and P70 for a five-gallon container are now accessing safe water for just P20 to P25 under the WRMO’s Water Fil-

tration Program. In 2026, two additional sites are already operational in Bohol and Bulacan while the remaining sites are nearing completion, such as those selected in Zamboanga City, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Eastern Samar.

DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna attributed to the operational gains to the vision of the Marcos Jr. administration, adding that the results were the product of the Chief Executive’s direct marching orders to improve processes and strengthen monitoring.

“The creation of the WRMO under the President’s mandate has allowed us to move from being mere regulators to being systems-builders,” he added.

The agency has utilized scientific precision to secure long-term supply through precision surveys:

As of May 2025, the DENR has completed 66 georesistivity site surveys at no cost to local governments, a technical service valued at P23.1

million. These surveys identify viable groundwater resources before drilling, which reduces uncertainty and minimizes potential risks” for community projects.

Alternative Source Development: The agency has successfully launched the Infiltration Gallery Project, which taps into naturally filtered subsurface river flows (hyporheic zone) to provide sustainable water for 79,420 beneficiaries.

Geospatial Oversight: Utilizing the National Natural Resource Geospatial Database, the DENR now maps all natural assets to ensure that national infrastructure development is grounded in hard data. By the end of 2026, the WRMO’s cumulative efforts are projected to provide safe water access to a total of 440,904 individuals nationwide. The 2026 phase is backed by a P256.9 million allocation to reach 220,027 new beneficiaries.

Comelec foresees 25% increase in cost of BARMM elections

By Vito Barcelo

THE Commission on Elections

(Comelec) said expenses for the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) may increase by up to 25 percent due to rising fuel

prices.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said logistics and supply costs are expected to surge, as ballot machines and batteries are transported by sea, where fuel costs are higher than in Metro Manila.

Garcia said the poll body is still

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is open to increasing its recruitment quota for women to 20 percent, signaling a push for wider inclusivity in the organization, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. The PNP said the proposed increase in the distaff side reflects the growing leadership role and contributions of women in maintaining peace and order across the country.

“I am immensely proud. This is not just a number but proof of our evolving culture. In the PNP, it is not gender but service and dedication that matter.

uniformed personnel, 8,098 non-uniformed staff, and 278 cadets. Currently, the PNP implements a 10 percent recruitment quota for women. Nartatez is advocating for its permanent increase to 20 percent to ensure a steady pipeline of female officers capable of assuming leadership and command positions. He noted that female officers bring

distinct strengths to policing, particularly in handling sensitive cases through empathy and mediation, helping communities feel heard and safer. “We have shattered the glass ceiling. From field operations to high-level commands, we are giving equal opportunities. We now have female generals and provincial directors leading with excellence because we value competence above all else,” Nartatez added.

PNP said, several legislative measures have also been filed in both chambers of Congress seeking to increase the recruitment quota for women in the police force. Rex Espiritu

monitoring the extent of the increase, noting that all election equipment must be deployed by August ahead of the September polls.

He estimated at least a 20-percent rise in logistics expenses and around 20 to 25 percent for supplies, warning that the agency’s current budget may

By Rex Espiritu

A FEUD between two families in Iloilo City erupted into a full-blown violence, leaving four dead and two others critically wounded. Police said the clash with bladed weapons took place late Saturday evening in Barangay San

not be sufficient if projections hold.

Comelec plans to print ballots from June to July.

The BARMM polls have been postponed multiple times, most recently in January, due to legal and operational constraints, including delays in the region’s redistricting law.

Iloilo

Police probers who responded to the fighting recovered multiple knives.

Investigators were also reviewing CCTV footage and gathering witness testimonies to establish the exact sequence of events and determine individual liabilities.

While the exact cause of the initial argument remains under investigation, police are looking into illegal drugs and an uncontrolled drinking spree as possible underlying factors.

OPINION

The Bitrics and Terry fandango

FANDANGO is a lively Andalucian cum Portuguese dance in triple meter, accompanied by guitars, castanets, tambourine and vigorous hand clapping. “Bitrics” is the favorite monicker of one Atty. Gerville Luistro, also called “Jinky” by her constituents in Batangas. She is the chairperson of the HoR Committee on Justice whose nameplate begins with “honorable” followed by her professional “Atty.” Then between her first and surnames are “Jinky Bitrics.” whatever that means.

Terry is the first name of one Sampaloc, Manila boy who now represents Bicol Saro, a party-list tricycle once owned by LRey Villafuerte, since purchased (or so my Bicolano friends tell me) by one Elizaldy Co of Albay and Portugal. Ridon was appointed to head the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor by one Rodrigo Roa Duterte when the former president was yet “romancing” with the Left, thinking they could be trusted to help government. He was in short time “fired” for gallivanting abroad using government funds, far from the urban warrens of the poor. For the benefit of Gen Z’s and millennials who may not be Latinophiles, the Philippines had a not too similarly danced “Pandango sa Ilaw” though the Spanish version is livelier and ours more graceful.

But “fandango” has a double meaning. Google it. When you listen to the HoR justice committee hearings, identify who are the guitarists, the castanets and hand clappers as Bitrics and Terry dance their fandango.

Likely enthusiastic guitarists include a “reverend” and a Chinoy lawyer, both from Manila, both leading figures in the QuadCom and Public Accountability inquisitions of 2024 in the “House of Representa-thieves” that were alleged beneficiaries of the largesse milked by Elizaldy from the GAA.

The fandango is a duet of a lady dressed in flowing gown, which is Bitrics wardrobe of choice, in bright colors of Mumbai gold, ang-pao red and royal blue, and a man with cravat-adorned neck and formal jacket, and, may I suggest, elevator shoes that click with every jingle of a coin?

The dress rehearsals are finished and the gala opening will be this week, even as the nation reels from the impact of Trump’s insanity and Netanyahu’s belligerence, while our people are worried to death about the weeks and months to come in this dreadful Year of the Fire Horse where bad news gallops fast, while our sickly Rooster president can only weakly cackle to respond. Watch the fandango in the HoR on your TV monitors and try to identify who will strum the guitars best, and

click the castanets in time, shake the tambourines, as well as those who will clap in proper cadence.

You might witness a surprise --- a jailbird-orange clad “payaso” named Madriaga sashaying into the stage with a bagful of lies, trying to steal the scene. Since Elizaldy is out of commission, who, pray tell, could play paymaster this time? Amenah Pangandaman’s OICsuccessor is not as quick to the draw and had to be ordered by “Majo” to flush out billions in pork entitlements masquerading as crisis mitigation.

Punung-puno na ba, Ronnie?

The lively fandango with its molto allegro scherzo con brio will hope to paint Inday Sara Duterte into the political sombra (“dudurugin” is the Pilipino term used by a shadowy tycoon from Central Luzon who delivered the region to BbM in 2022).

Listen to the Brave 18’s truth instead of Matibag’s prevarications

The always earnest Toby Tiangco of Navotas tells us that many of his colleagues fear Inday Sara, because they are “one million percent” afraid that the ghosts of their flood control projects will haunt them into the arms of Lady justice, while they are “todo pasa” now within the silence of the Tomb of justice.

The fandango aims to lay predicate to a marche funebre for Sara which they hope the senators will play through Malacanang-provided billion peso carrots (60 to 1 na ngayon!) with the stick being “prosecution and detention” for those named in Robert Bernardo’s cantata senatus.

Papa Leon Decimo Cuarto, ora pro nobis against the evil schemes of the malevolent and greedy, so the people of this benighted land can seek deliverance from their spell.

***

The erudite Solita “Winnie” Monsod floated a one-time, big time wealth tax where Forbes’ top 50 local billionaires will be dunned, say, 3 percent of their asset value, which she estimates to be worth 137 billion pesos.

This would be in lieu of a foolish excise tax suspension on petrol imports that have yet to be sourced from Timbuktu, which would favor the rich while leaving crumbs for the poor.

Why not include the cong-tractors and their providers in government as well?

Taob ang Forbes list sa yaman nila!

Just listen to the Brave 18’s truth instead of Matibag’s prevarications.

70 years of building —and securing—the future

JAPAN’S partnership with the Philippines is deeply embedded in daily life. It is there in the major transport systems that shape the daily commute, in the highways that link growth centers, and in the infrastructure that has steadily expanded alongside the country’s development.

For decades, much of this has been built through long-term cooperation, with Japan playing a central role in financing and delivering the large-scale projects that keep the economy moving. For many Filipinos, Japan is not a distant partner. It is part of the systems that support everyday life.

It is this steady, cumulative presence that gives real meaning to a milestone now being marked— 70 years since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan. This relationship is not defined by ceremony. It is defined by results that Filipinos see and experience.

For decades, Japan has been the Philippines’ largest source of official development assistance, with investments focused on infrastructure that strengthens economic resilience. Rail systems, roads, and bridges have improved connectivity and opened opportunities across the country—shorten-

ing travel time, lowering costs, and linking communities that were once difficult to reach.

That cooperation continues to evolve.

Recent announcements on the next phases of the Metro Manila Subway and major highway projects in Mindanao signal that both countries are not simply maintaining ties, but building on them.

Japan is not a distant partner. It is part of the systems that support everyday life

Beyond public infrastructure, Japan’s role is equally visible in the private sector.

Around 1,600 Japanese companies operate in the Philippines across manufacturing, electronics, energy, and other key industries.

These investments do more than bring in capital. They create jobs, transfer technology, and connect the Philippines to regional and global value chains—helping

Reading struggles are life struggles

SOME 41.47 percent of learners between Grades 1 and 3 – translating into 2.2 million young Filipinos -- nationwide are struggling readers or emerging readers, according to the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).

Struggling readers are students who are still developing basic reading skills, such as recognizing letters, connecting sounds to letters, and forming words. Among struggling readers, students may be categorized as low- or highemerging readers.

Low emerging readers make up a total of 33.42% of learners. They have significant difficulty with the alphabet and with phonological awareness. They are able to recognize only a few letters, often not exceeding six. As a result, they struggle to make the connection between sounds and to form words. Reading, thus, becomes difficult, and their teachers need to give them direct instructions and close guidance.

These numbers are a result of the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment conducted by the Department of Education at the start of the current school year

High-emerging readers, on the other hand, already recognize most letters in the alphabet. They can decode words by reading them letter by letter, according to an explainer published by Cebu Daily News. However, they still struggle with fluency, not yet able to read smoothly, quickly, or confidently.

Other reader categories include developing readers (learners who can begin reading simple texts with some

comprehension), transitioning readers (students improving their fluency but still needing support), and readers at grade level (learners who can read and understand materials expected for their grade).

Children who read well will grow into adults who will understand deeply, think critically, and make sound democratic decisions

EDCOM 2 also released the list of the 10 areas with the highest percentage of struggling readers: Tawi-Tawi (75.6 percent); Maguindanao del Norte (65.38 percent), Special Geographic Area North Cotabato (64.49 percent); Zamboanga City (60.72 percent), Sarangani (60.57 percent), Sulu (59.63 percent), Maguindanao del Sur (58.46 percent), Lamitan City (57.77 percent), Basilan (57.59 percent) and Davao Occidental (57.17 percent).

But even urban centers like big cities

in Metro Manila report high rates of struggling readers among their student population. A DepEd official cited severe school congestion, double or even triple shifts due to a lack of classrooms, and high rates of migration from the provinces for economic opportunities as reasons for the poor reading performance.

EDCOM 2 offers recommendations to local government officials on what to do to stem the learning crises in their respective jurisdictions. Still, what cannot be overemphasized is the role of the home in ensuring the learning of children. Parents have to be more attuned to the reading needs of their children. There must be active collaboration between the home and the school. Reading materials must be within easy reach of the children so they could practice their reading skills even outside of the classroom. But the realities are just too harsh –millions of parents have no time, energy, or even capacity to personally attend to their children’s learning. They may be too worn down earning a living – compounded by the recent complications in the Middle East which are sending prices upward. They may themselves not be too skilled a reader, too.

Recognizing the foundational importance of reading among the youth, the government must step up its efforts to improve the quality of instruction while also working to address the deeper, more systemic ills that plague the education sector. We need children who can read well, because they will grow into adults who will understand deeply, think critically, and make sound democratic decisions.

Targeting Diego Garcia, Iran sends message about capabilities

PARIS – By firing ballistic missiles at the UK-US Diego Garcia base nearly 4,000 kilometres from its shores, Iran is sending a message that it still has cards to play after three weeks of war, experts say. A UK official source told AFP Iran was “unsuccessful” in targeting the Indian Ocean military facility, one of two bases that London has allowed the US to use for certain missions in its war against Iran.

Until now, most had believed Iran -- under US-Israeli bombardment since Feb. 28 -- was unable to strike at such distances, though the feat was unlikely to alter the course of the conflict.

The launch “is a notable development, since the British island used by US forces lies nearly 4,000 km from Iran’s coast”, researcher Etienne Marcuz of the French Foundation for Strategic Research wrote on X. That is “beyond the previously estimated maximum range of Iranian missiles”, he added.

Previous assessments put Iran’s medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBM) at around 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles).

The CSIS research center’s missile laboratory estimated two MRMBs, the Khorramshahr and Sejjil, to have ranges of 2,000 kilometres, with the former still

position the country within an increasingly competitive regional economy.

Yet what distinguishes the relationship today is that it extends beyond economics.

At a recent forum, “Safeguarding the Maritime Domain for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” co-hosted by the Stratbase Institute and the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), regional experts and policymakers gathered to confront a more pressing reality: the seas that sustain economic growth are also becoming arenas of tension and contestation.

The Indo-Pacific is shaped by the seas that connect it. These waters carry trade, energy, and data that underpin global prosperity. But they are also where the rules that govern international conduct are increasingly being tested. Developments in the West Philippine Sea reflect this shift, where persisting aggression by China point to a broader pattern that challenges stability and the rule of law.

In this context, the Philippines’ partnership with Japan takes on deeper strategic significance, reflecting their shared role as maritime nations committed to maintaining stability along vital sea

in development.

The long range of the Diego Garcia shot could be due to a lighter warhead on the Khorramshahr 4, Marcuz noted.

“The lighter the payload, the farther the missile travels,” he said. Other experts, including Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, share that view: “Depending on the weight of the warhead, Iran can increase the range of some of its missiles.”

‘Strategic messaging’ Tom Sharpe of the UK-based RUSI said Iran has “always had missiles of that sort of range”, even if they were never acknowledged.

For many analysts, the real point wasn’t hitting a far-off target but sending a signal

He told AFP the launch shows Iran’s military can still “move these mobile launchers around, undetected, spin up and fire without being struck”.

For many analysts, the real point wasn’t hitting a far-off target but sending a signal.

lanes.

As Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya noted during the discussions, the regional environment has grown more complex, shaped by shifting power dynamics, emerging technologies, and intensifying competition.

In such conditions, cooperation among like-minded countries becomes essential to uphold a free and open regional order. This has translated into expanding collaboration in maritime security, capacity-building, and joint activities with partners. But as Stratbase Institute President, Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit emphasized, the issue goes beyond territorial disputes. What is at stake is the integrity of a rules-based order—one that cannot be sustained by declarations alone, but must be reinforced through collective action. What happens in the West Philippine Sea does not remain confined within national boundaries. Nearly two-thirds of global trade passes through Indo-Pacific waters, making maritime security a shared concern. Stability at sea is therefore inseparable

By demonstrating it can strike at long distances, Iran is trying to restore an image shaken by the heavy bombardment it has faced.

“This is a show of force, a political signal that Iran still has ‘secret’ capabilities -- at least to the public. But the actual military significance is limited,” Marcuz said.

“This was less about battlefield utility than strategic messaging -- signaling to the United States and Israel that misreading Iran’s resolve and capabilities could prove a costly mistake,” Vaez told AFP. Fading restraint Israeli analyst Danny Citrinowicz of the INSS said the launch also reflected shifts in Iran’s power structure after a series of assassinations of senior leaders. He called it a “direct result” of the changing balance in Tehran -- notably the rising power of the Revolutionary Guards and the aftermath of the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the war’s first day.

“Despite his deep ideological hostility toward the West, Khamenei exercised a high degree of caution in deploying Iran’s capabilities. That restraint is no longer guaranteed,” he wrote on X.

“The emerging Iran is likely to behave less like the cautious, calculating actor we’ve known -- and more like a risk-tolerant, North Korea–style system.” AFP

from economic security. Still, what sets the Philippines-Japan relationship apart is that it is not built on strategy alone.

It is sustained by people.

For decades, Filipinos and Japanese have built connections through education, tourism, cultural exchange, and labor mobility. Filipino seafarers, for instance, play a vital role in global shipping, including on Japanese-operated vessels.

These human ties give depth to the partnership, grounding it in shared experience rather than policy alone. 70 years on, the relationship between the Philippines and Japan is no longer just about cooperation. It is about co-building a future that is more resilient, more connected, and more secure. The benefits of this partnership are clear and visible. They are experienced in daily commutes, in the jobs that sustain families, and in the opportunities that allow the next generation to move forward. In a region facing growing uncertainty, that kind of partnership is not only valuable. It is essential.

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026

German state vote puts Merz’s CDU to regional battle

MAINZ – German Chancellor Friedrich

Merz’s conservative CDU faces a regional election battle Sunday in the western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, now held by the centre-left Social Democratic Party.

Merz’s Christian Democratic Union has enjoyed a narrow poll lead over the SPD -- their coalition partners at the national level -- who have ruled the midsized state for 35 years.

Polling third is the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which spells a greater threat to the two centrist parties in several state elections in September in the country’s ex-communist east.

The picturesque state of RhinelandPalatinate, bordering France, Belgium and Luxembourg and with a population of about four million, is known for its steep river valleys, many lined with vineyards and topped by castles.

It is also home to heavy industry, including steelmakers and chemicals giant BASF, and hosts several US military facilities including the sprawling Ramstein Air Base.

The state’s SPD premier Alexander Schweitzer, 52, has campaigned in hopes of holding together his current coalition with the Greens and the liberal Free Democrats.

But polls suggest the CDU’s top candidate Gordon Schnieder, 50, could put his party back in power there for the first time since 1991.

IN BRIEF

US, Ukrainian teams meet for talks on war

KYIV – US and Ukrainian negotiators met in the United States during the weekend to revive stalled talks on ending the four-year Ukraine war launched by Russia, officials said.

US-led efforts to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II have stalled since the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran in February, prompting turmoil to erupt across the Middle East. Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have not met since last February in Geneva.

“Our team is in America right now. There was already a meeting today,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address about the talks in Florida, without elaborating.

“The teams will continue their discussions tomorrow as well. The most important thing is to understand to what extent the Russian side is ready to move toward a genuine end to the war,” Zelenskyy said.

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner represented the US side, while Ukrainian security council secretary Rustem Umerov and Zelenskyy’s top aide Kyrylo Budanov represented the Ukrainian side, Ukrainian media reported. AFP

WHO sends 1st convoy from hub to Beirut

GENEVA – The World Health Organization has sent a first overland convoy of medical equipment bound for Beirut from its global emergency logistics hub in Dubai, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Saturday.

The UN health agency has dispatched 22 metric tons of “life-saving medicines and trauma and emergency supplies”, Tedros said on X. The supplies are enough to support treatment for 50,000 patients, including 40,000 surgical interventions, he said.

“This is the first land convoy dispatched through a multi-country land bridge from WHO’s Global Logistics Hub in Dubai, which has established a new route to keep supplies moving amid growing logistics disruptions across the Middle East region,” said Tedros. The convoy is expected to reach Beirut within a week.

Lebanon was pulled into the broader Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Israeli-US attacks. AFP

Danish PM bids for third term

COPENHAGEN – Denmark votes Tuesday in a tight general election, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen seeking a third term after a campaign focused on domestic issues and set against tensions with the US over Greenland. Frederiksen, 48, has benefited from her image as an experienced leader, but her party’s support has slipped sharply.

The Social Democrats still lead in the polls, though they are expected to shed about six points compared with the 2022 election. Eleven other parties are vying for the 179 seats in the Folketing, Denmark’s parliament, each running separately and not as part of a coalition or alliance.

Pollsters and analysts traditionally group them into two blocs: red for the left wing and blue for the right wing. AFP

Mueller, ex-FBI chief who led Trump-Russia probe, dead at 81

WASHINGTON, DC – Robert Mueller, the former FBI director who led a politically explosive investigation into Donald Trump’s election campaign, has died aged 81, triggering a gloating response Saturday from the US president. Mueller died late Friday, US media reported citing a family statement, without specifying a location or cause. Trump responded quickly on Truth

Social, writing: “Robert Mueller just died. Good, I’m glad he’s dead. He can no longer hurt innocent people!” Mueller led the FBI for 12 years, starting just days before the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States, during which time he built up the bureau’s counterterror mission.

After his tenure at the FBI, he was tapped as a special counsel for the Justice

Department to lead an investigation into whether Trump’s presidential campaign conspired with Russia to get him elected.

Mueller operated for two years quietly behind the scenes, emerging in July 2019 to testify before Congress about the probe that Trump regularly denounced as a “witch hunt.”

For many Americans, the nationally televised hearing was the first close look at the patrician, grey-haired career prosecutor. Mueller deflected questions from both Democrats and Republicans seeking to score political points by referring repeatedly to his voluminous report, which he said did not exonerate Trump. That was in keeping with the career of a public servant who had spent four decades serving both Democratic and Republican presidents. AFP

Belgium commemorates Brussels jihadist bombings 10 years on

Slovenia’s conservatives eye return in polls

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia – Slovenians began voting on Sunday in tight parliamentary elections, with the conservatives of veteran politician Janez Jansa, an admirer of US President Donald Trump, eyeing a comeback.

A Jansa return could see the exYugoslav nation, a European Union member of two million people, take an illiberal turn again after four years of centre-left rule under liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob. Foreign interference claims have shaken the campaign, with authorities probing whether an Israeli intelligence firm was behind secretly

recorded videos suggesting alleged graft in Golob’s government.

“I think these are the most important elections in Slovenia in a long time,” a 26-year-old landscape architect, who only gave her name as Shiva, told AFP this week in the capital, Ljubljana.

The last government of three-time premier Jansa -- who is also an ally of nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban -- saw mass protests and EU criticism over rule-of-law concerns.

Under Golob, a political newcomer when he took over from Jansa in 2022, Slovenia legalised same-sex marriage and became one of the few

Iran missile strikes wound over 100 in two south Israel towns

ARAD, Israel – Iranian missile strikes on two southern Israeli towns wounded more than 100 people on Saturday, medics said, after Israeli air defence systems failed to intercept the projectiles.

The two direct hits tore open the fronts of residential buildings and carved craters into the ground.

Magen David Adom first responders said 84 people were wounded in the town of Arad, 10 of them seriously, hours after 33 were wounded in nearby Dimona.

Iranian state TV said the missile attack on Dimona, which houses a nuclear facility, was a “response” to an earlier strike on its own nuclear site at Natanz.

AFP footage from Arad showed rescue workers sifting through rubble for wounded people in a bombed-out building. Fire engines with their lights flashing

were at the scene along with dozens of members of the emergency services.

Firefighters said that in “both Dimona and Arad, interceptors were launched that failed to hit the threats, resulting in two direct hits by ballistic missiles with warheads weighing hundreds of kilograms.”

The Israeli military said it would investigate the issue.

“The air defence systems operated but did not intercept the missile, we will investigate the incident and learn from it,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin wrote on X.

The local fire service said there was “extensive damage” in Arad, with three buildings affected and a blaze sparked in one of them.

The military’s Home Front Command ordered schools in the area to move classes online. AFP

EU countries to describe Israel’s war in Gaza as “genocide”. Polls opened at 7:00 am local time, according to AFP journalists. They will close at 7:00 pm, with exit polls released just after the closure.

Jansa’s conservatives long polled ahead of Golob’s liberals, but the gap has recently closed, according to opinion polls, with the two parties now running neck-and-neck.

In his campaign, Jansa, 67, has pledged to restore “Slovenian values” such as the “traditional family” and “close the pipe” of state money to NGOs deemed political parties. AFP

BRUSSELS – Belgium on Sunday marked 10 years since the 2016 jihadist bombings in Brussels, a trauma that still scars the country and that authorities say sharpened focus on intelligence and counterterrorism.

The March 22 attacks claimed by the Islamic State group left 32 people dead and more than 300 wounded -- Belgium’s worst peacetime massacre. Survivors -- watched on by Prime Minister Bart de Wever, King Phillipe and Queen Mathilde -- recounted the harrowing scenes they witnessed that morning, as the remembrance ceremonies began just before 8:00 am (0700 GMT) at Brussels Airport in Zaventem.

The proceedings are set to arrive an hour later at the Maelbeek metro station, also targeted in the coordinated suicide blasts that ripped through the Belgian capital, before culminating at a monument in memory of the victims in central Brussels.

“Telling you that living this life is easy would be a lie. I wake up every day with the memories of horror. I look at my body that has been burnt, bruised and torn apart,” said Beatrice de Lavalette, who lost her legs at the airport.

“Every day, I remember lying on this floor bleeding out, and in that moment I remember telling myself: ‘This is not my time. I will not die here,’” said Lavalette, who became a Paralympic horse rider after the tragedy.

The Brussels attacks were the work of the same jihadist cell that struck Paris just months earlier on Nov. 13, 2015, killing 130 people.

Having retreated to Brussels safe houses, the jihadists mounted a hastily organized attack in the days after the March 18 arrest of Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving member of the Paris attack group.

On March 22, a Tuesday morning, three suicide bombers detonated their explosives, first at Zaventem and then at a packed metro station close to the seat of EU institutions.

The commemorations take place as the war in the Middle East has heightened the authorities’ concerns about possible new attacks. AFP

Cuba hit by 2nd nationwide outage as it struggles under oil blockade

HAVANA, Cuba – A power outage struck the entire island of Cuba on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time), the energy ministry said, in the second nationwide blackout in less than a week as its grid struggles under a US oil blockade. Buildings began to lose power in Havana before nightfall, shortly before 6:30 pm and just five days after the previous one plunged the country into darkness. A “total disconnection” of the national electricity system took place, the energy ministry said in a post on X, adding that work had begun to restore power. The blackout occurred as an international aid convoy began to arrive in Havana this week, bringing sorely-needed medical supplies, food, water and solar panels to the island. Cuba’s ageing electricity generation system is in shambles, with daily power outages of up to 20 hours the norm in

parts of the island, which lacks the fuel needed to generate power.

But since the Jan.3 US ouster of communist-led Cuba’s top ally, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, the island’s economy has been hammered further as President Donald Trump maintains a de facto oil blockade.

No oil has been imported to the island since Jan.

PH Women in Sports lauded

By Peter Atencio

Philippine OIympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino said this following the staging of the 3rd Women in Sports Awards at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Friday. “Ang laki ng contribution nila.

Malapit na nilang tapatan ang medals ng mga lalaki,” said Tolentino. The POC chief noted that Pinay athletes are just four medals short of matching the overall feat of male athletes in the Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.

He noted that among those who delivered in a big way were trackster Elma Muros-Posadas, wushu athlete Agatha Wong and swimmer Kayla Sanchez.

In 10 editions of the SEA Games, Posadas reeled in nine golds and two silvers, while Wong had six golds in five stagings of the biennial meet. Sanchez, on the other hand, got eight medals, composed of three golds and five silvers, in last year’s SEA Games. Tolentino also mentioned the achievements of another trackster Mona Sulayman, commissioner

Bong Co, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan, and skateboarder Margielyn Didal.

The Philippine women’s football team, also known as the Filipinas, has been added to that number, after being honored as Athletes of the Year for 2025.

The Filipinas, who recently made it to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, are fresh from their breakthrough 2025 campaign last December, with their gold medal win over Vietnam.

Abra trounces Quezon, bags MPBL Preseason crown

THE Abra Solid North Weavers extended their dominant run in the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League with a 67-47 rout of the Quezon Huskers on Saturday to clinch the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Going full throttle in the fourth quarter, the Weavers unloaded 15 points and held the Huskers to just five to rip the game apart and affirm their title-retention bid in the coming MPBL Eighth Season.

Raven Gonzales posted 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block to earn the SportsPlus best player award over Preseason MVP Dave Ildefonso, who notched 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block.

Other Weavers who delivered were Tucker Molina with 9 points, Mike Ayonayon and John Uduba with 8 each, and Encho Serrano with 6. Ahead, 53-45, the Weavers clustered eight points, capped by a breakaway one-handed dunk by Ildefonso, to pull away with 4 minutes and 45 seconds left.

The Huskers drew 12 points and 16 rebounds from Cedrick Manzano, 12 points and 4 rebounds from Michael Canete, and 9 points plus 3 rebounds

CHANELLE Avaricio, Daniella Uy, Mafy Singson and Yvon Bisera step into the spotlight at the ICTSI Lakewood Championship not just chasing a title – but igniting momentum for a defining stretch in their careers.

Fresh off securing coveted cards on the China LPGA Tour, the four Ladies Philippine Golf Tour standouts are using the season-opening P1.2 million event beginning Tuesday (March 24) at Lakewood Golf and Country Club in Cabanatuan City as a crucial launchpad. With an overseas campaign looming, every swing this week carries added weight – each one a step toward sharpening their edge against tougher international competition.

Their stint abroad is set to begin next month during the LPGT break for the Junior PGT, making this 54-hole championship, sponsored by ICTSI, more than just an earlyseason test. It’s a proving ground for confidence, composure and competitive readiness. But the path to victory is anything but clear.

Defending Order of Merit champion Sarah Ababa looms as a major

Sinner, champ Mensik advance in Miami Open

from Will McAloney.

Abra bunched 7 points, four by Uduba and a triple by Encho Serrano, to move ahead, 28-24, before Quezon’s Michael Canete canned a bank shot for the halftime count.

MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta awarded the championship trophy to the Weavers, headed by team owner Representatives JB and Ching Bernos and head coach Yong Garcia.

threat, determined to replicate her dominant two-title run. Armed with experience and consistency, she leads a formidable group eager to derail the China-bound quartet’s bid for an early breakthrough. Tiffany Lee returns with unfin-

Earlier, Oreta handed the championship rings of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, winners of the 2024 National Finals, headed by the only two-time MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar. Also given rings were coach Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda and team owner AG Gonzales III.

The Weavers streaked to their record 46th win, including an eight-game sweep of the Group A round-robin

ished business. After falling short in a dramatic sudden-death playoff to Chihiro Ikeda in last year’s inaugural staging of the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., she enters the week retooled and refocused – her off-

elimination phase and a 76-72 victory over the San Juan Knights in the knockout semifinal on Thursday.

The Weavers last lost to the Pasay Voyagers, 70-60, on March 19, 2025.

The regular MPBL Eighth Season will begin on April 10, to be held simultaneously at the Caloocan Sports Complex for the North Division and the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna, for the South Division.

season built around refining both skill and mental toughness for high-pressure moments. Veteran campaigners Princess Superal and Harmie Constantino add even more firepower to the mix. Despite their impressive résumés, both remain driven by the hunger for another title, making them dangerous contenders in any setting.

With Ikeda skipping her title defense, the door is wide open – but the chase is crowded. Lois Kaye Go, Kim Seoyun, Marvi Monsalve, Kayla Nocum, Gretchen Villacencio and Martina Miñoza are all poised to contend, while Velinda Castil, Pamela Mariano, Monica Mandario, Angela Mangana and club bet Jules Gaerlan look to shake up the leaderboard with breakout performances.

Still, the spotlight firmly rests on Bisera, Avaricio, Singson and Uy.

Uy, coming off a joint 12thplace finish as the top local contender in the Philippine Ladies Masters at Summit Point, banners the field. Her recent form signals readiness, but Lakewood’s demanding conditions and a hungry field promise a fierce battle from the opening tee shot.

“Starting off with a break straight away, I tried to be a bit aggressive,” said Sinner, who dropped just eight points on his serve. “At times it worked very well, at times I made couple of unforced errors. But I didn’t have a lot of time to adjust here. It’s very different than in Indian Wells.” Former number one Medvedev also had little time to adjust, but he managed to fight back for a 6-7 (10/12), 6-3, 6-1 victory over 19-year-old Japanese wildcard Rei Sakamoto. AFP

25-19, 2520, 15-25, 26-28, 16-14, at the close of the preliminaries on Saturday and into the qualifying round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) AllFilipino Conference.

At 32, Valdez did more than just show flashes of her prime. She dictated the most decisive game of Creamline’s campaign yet with a performance that mirrored the career she has built, rising when the moment calls for it. That timely showing earned the Cool Smashers stalwart her first PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live in the league’s professional era. She edged Farm Fresh’s Royse Tubino in a close voting contest as well as another Foxy in Trisha Tubu, Akari’s Eli Soyud, Nxled’s Brooke Van Sickle, and Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina for the citation for March 17 to 21, awarded by print and online reporters covering the pioneering professional volleyball league organized by Sports Vision. Even earlier in the week, the signs of a brewing storm were already there. In Creamline’s

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026

A8 SPORTS

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan— University of Santo Tomas pulled off a thrilling reverse sweep over defending champion National University, 3-2, to secure its return to the Finals in a do-or-die Final Four clash on Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin-Bulacan Tennis Court here.

Armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, the Male Tennisters bounced back from a 3-0 setback on Saturday, winning the remaining matches when it mattered most to oust the Bulldogs and clinch a Finals berth.

The España-based squad now sets its sights on a 17th men’s crown in the Wilson Philippines-backed tournament.

Standing in their way is top seed University of the Philippines, which is aiming to end a 26-year championship drought.

The Fighting Maroons last won in Season 62 (2000), completing a historic three-peat.

The best-of-three title series opens on Wednesday at the same Bulacan venue.

UST drew first blood in the eliminations, handing UP its only loss so far with a 4-1 result, before the Fighting Maroons returned the favor with a matching 4-1 victory in the second round.

Al Zayeed Baid and Steven Sonsona battled their way to a 7-5, 6-3 win in the second doubles match, outlasting Angil Balaoing and Isaac Lim to power UST into its fourth consecutive Finals appearance.

“Napakasaya po kasi hindi po balewala ‘yung laban namin. Sobrang hirap po ng pinagdaanan namin, pero sobrang thankful po kami ngayon kasi nakabalik po kami sa Finals,” said Baid.

“Grabe po ‘yung pressure namin, pero sa tulong ng mga coaches namin, napapakalma nila kami and then binigay na lang namin ‘yung best namin. Puso lang,” he added.

The Bulldogs started strong, with Alexis Acabo setting the tone early after dispatching Evan Bacalso, 6-4, 6-0, in third singles.

Andrei Padao backed it up with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Ericjay Tangub in first singles, turning a 2-4 deficit in the second set into a four-game run that put NU on the verge of clinching the tie.

Junior Growling Tigresses keep UAAP basketball title

AFTER a stinging fi rst-round loss to National University Nazareth School, the University of Santo Tomas left no room for another letdown—only a long-overdue celebration that kept the UAAP girls’ basketball crown in España.

The Junior Growling Tigresses cemented their budding dynasty by edging the Lady Bullpups, 7674, in a gripping Game 2 on Sunday at the Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City, clinching the UAAP Season 88 High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament title.

Earlier in the season, NUNS dealt UST a 74-62 defeat, snapping the Tigresses’ unbeaten run that dated back to 2020.

But UST responded with authority, sweeping past all challengers in the four-team field. They overcame

the Lady Bullpups in every encounter thereafter— from a hard-fought 97-86 overtime win in Game 1 on March 15 to the nail-biting finale—to successfully retain their championship.

“I think that loss was a very big part, kasi, we came to know our weaknesses. And we came to know na we’re lacking in a lot of things — especially ‘yung aming emotional control, ‘yung mental toughness, ‘yung aming psyche. It was really a great journey from then on,” said Tigresses head coach Arsenio Dysangco.

“And like I said kanina sa kanila, it was never the journey or the destination. It’s always what we become during or on that journey. And I am very, very proud of what these girls became after nu’ng talo na ‘yun. That’s what it’s all about. It’s all about learning, it’s all about improving. It’s all about failing and then standing back up. And it’s always competing and never giving up,” he added.

Through three iterations of the UAAP girls’ basketball tournament, this triumph marked UST’s second consecutive title and third overall — building on a co-champion finish with Adamson University in

Season 82 (2020) and a sweep of NUNS in the best-ofthree Finals last Season 87.

Beyond the championship, the win also highlighted UST’s growing dominance over NU’s girls’ and women’s basketball programs, following the Growling Tigresses’ collegiate title run in a nail-biting threegame series against the Lady Bulldogs last semester. “It was an incredibly great series, and I tip my hats off sa kalaban namin. They fought really well and it was really a great thing. And I am really very proud of my girls. We were down by how many times, but they just found a way back up. And in the end, they found a way to win and defend our title,” Dysangco added.

Game 2 was a tightly contested affair, featuring four deadlocks and 13 lead changes. UST looked poised to seize control as early fourth-quarter hits from Pia Petalcorin, Janice Oczon, and newly crowned Season 88 MVP Riri Perez gave them a 64-60 cushion. But Season 88 Elite Team members Aubrey Lapasaran and Zaydhen Rosano answered for NUNS with layups that tied the game at 67-all with 4:45 remaining.

Loman, Zamboanga stand with Filipinos amid Middle East strife

By Nissi Icasiano

AS tension engulfs the Middle East, mixed martial artists Stephen Loman and Drex Zamboanga have extended their compassion to overseas Filipinos navigating uncertainty in the region.

The conflict, triggered last February 28 by a joint military action from the United States and Israel against Iran following failed diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran’s alleged nuclear ambitions, has intensified through sustained airstrikes across key Iranian cities. What began as a strategic offensive has since rippled across at least 14 nations in the Middle East, placing communities, including thousands of Filipinos, in precarious conditions.

For Loman, the situation resonates deeply. The Middle East has long been a second home, having built a significant chapter of his professional

career in BRAVE Combat Federation.

Between 2016 and 2019, “The Sniper” competed six times under the promotion’s banner, three of those in Bahrain, highlighted by his inaugural BRAVE CF Bantamweight World Title-clinching victory over Gurdarshan Mangat in February 2017.

“My heart is heavy seeing what is happening across the Middle East,” Loman said in an exclusive interview with this article’s author.

“Bahrain holds a special place in my journey, and I know so many Filipinos there who are working hard for their families. It is painful to think of what they are going through right now.”

Zamboanga, who redirected his professional path to BRAVE CF in February 2025, echoed the sentiment.

The older brother of reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Denice Zamboanga has grown increasingly concerned for fellow countrymen abroad.

FPI urges manufacturing support

P4.3 trillion P6.79 trillion P2.48 trillion Released in 2 months 2026 gov’t budget

Remaining disbursements

DBM released P4.311 trillion in two months

By Thony Rose Lesaca

THE government released P4.311 trillion of its P6.793 trillion national budget for fiscal year 2026 as of end-February, according to data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The amount represents 63.5 percent of total allotments issued in the first two months of the year. Figures from the budget agency indicated that the DBM disbursed P2.910 trillion under the 2026 General Appropriations Act during this period.

Data showed of the total, P2.768 trillion was released to various government agencies and departments as of late February, leaving P915.16 billion yet to be disbursed.

Budget allocations for several key offices have been fully released, including the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Commission on Audit, Commission on Elections and the DBM. Releases for special purpose funds totaled P141.90 billion. These funds provide budgetary support for government-owned corporations and local government units.

The DBM noted these releases support the miscellaneous personnel benefits fund, national disaster risk reduction and management fund, pension and gratuity fund and the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program. Automatic appropriations disbursed from January to February reached P1.387 trillion. The figure includes P1.19 trillion previously released for the national tax allotment.

The total allotment released in the first two months of 2026 leaves the government with P2.481 trillion of the budget yet to be disbursed for the remainder of the year.

By Othel V. Campos

FEDERATION of Philippine Industries (FPI) chairperson Elizabeth Lee urged the government to provide stronger support for the manufacturing sector as global economic shocks intensify, warning that rising energy costs and supply chain shifts are threatening the nation’s stability.

Lee said these pressures are directly affecting the Philippines, with higher oil prices driving up costs across power, transport and food, while global instability threatens the flow of remittances from abroad.

and supports millions of jobs.

“Manufacturing is where value is created and jobs are generated at scale,” Lee said.

Regional peers such as Vietnam and Thailand have expanded manufacturing to over 25 percent of their economies, successfully attracting major investments.

Lee said the race for industrial capital is intense and favors countries that offer stability, skills and competitiveness.

The country’s dependence on imported fuel continues to expose industries and consumers to price volatility, which Lee said raises production costs and weakens domestic demand.

She cited the need to strengthen manufacturing, which currently accounts for about 16 percent of the economy

More than 10 million Filipinos work overseas, sending over $35 billion in remittances in 2025. This accounts for about 7 percent of the economy and supports household spending and small businesses.

The FPI is pushing four priorities to capture these opportunities: boosting competitiveness through reforms, investing in skills and training, adopting automation and sustainable production, and shifting to higher-value manufacturing. Lee said the Philippines can achieve this by improving policies, infrastructure and workforce capabilities.

coincides with the inaugural

and

and

“Headline inflation could surge well above BSP’s 2-4 percent target and household purchasing power could be further eroded, hurting consumption spending. In addition, the conflict would be a threat to worker remittances, as the Middle East is host to more than 2 million overseas Filipinos,” Nomura said.

By Darwin G. Amojelar

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp.

(MPTC) teamed up with the Bases Conversion Authority (BCDA) and the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) to expand the KaBiyahe Rebate Program to the SCTEX and CAVITEX networks.

This follows a government directive to provide financial relief to the transport sector to stabilize the cost of essential goods and bolster economic activity amid rising fuel prices.

MPTC will implement the rebates for qualified Class 2 public utility buses, modernized jeepneys and Class 3 vehicles from March 23 to May 22, 2026 for all passages along NLEX, SCTEX and CAVITEX.

The rebates credited to transport operators effectively roll back toll rates to levels seen prior to the most recent price adjustment. Under the program, the financial relief covers the R1 Expressway and the R1Expressway Extension.

Meanwhile, Class 1 public utility jeepneys operating along northern routes will continue to receive benefits through the PASSADA Program. For the CAVITEX network, the company is reactivating the Abante Program

for 2 months.

Abante allows enrolled drivers and operators to receive rebates equivalent to the difference between current rates and the rate prior to the latest toll adjustment in CAVITEX.

City, rates will be P104 from P113 for Class 1, P208 from P225 for Class 2, and P311 from P337 for Class 3. To qualify, a vehicle should be an active Autosweep user in good standing with no unsettled traffic violations across the SMC expressway network, including SLEX, STAR Tollway, TPLEX, NAIAX and the Skyway System. Darwin G. Amojelar

Converge ICT positions PH as digital infra hub

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. has completed its National Digital Infrastructure, a full-stack architecture designed to position the Philippines as a premier global digital hub.

The company announced the milestone Friday during the inauguration of the Converge Angeles Data Center, a scalable, AI-ready facility built to support rising demand for cloud services and content. The center will house the Converge Cloud, a sovereign cloud infrastructure.

“Amid the ongoing digital revolution, our capabilities must keep pace with emerging technologies,” said Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge chief executive and co-founder. “We have focused on building worldclass, future-ready facilities so we can become the country’s leading provider of digital services.”

The infrastructure features a 900,000-kilometer pure fiber footprint, a growing Low Earth Orbit satellite network, and a subsea cable portfolio including the Bifrost and SEA-H2X systems. Key gateways in Davao and La Union link these networks to a data center fleet that includes facilities in Caloocan, Angeles, Clark, and Pasig.

Converge expects growth in its large enterprise and public sector units through the introduction of more cloud solutions and managed services.

The 20,000-kilometer Bifrost system, with landing stations in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Guam, and the United States, offers a capacity of more than 260 terabits per second. The intra-Asia SEA-H2X system connects the Philippines to Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and Singapore with an initial capacity of 160 Tbps.

Both systems are ready for service, providing direct access to international markets and attracting global hyperscalers and over-the-top players.

“You cannot move into AI, cloud, or advanced tech solutions without a strong digital backbone in place,” Uy said. “This is the complete stack digital infrastructure that we have built. This is infrastructure designed for full coverage, reliability, and scale.”

The newly inaugurated Angeles Data Center features a 12-megawatt capacity and is configured for highperformance computing workloads, including AI and machine learning.

Like the company’s facilities in Clark and Pasig, the Pampanga center will soon be powered by renewable energy.

EXCELLENT RATING. Boracay Water, a subsidiary of Manila Water Philippine Ventures and a concessionaire of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, earned an ‘excellent’ performance rating in the Department of Health’s 2025 Proficiency Testing Scheme for Water Microbiological Testing Laboratories.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine Stock Exchange index is expected to trade sideways this week as investors remain cautious amid global uncertainties, according to First Metro Securities Brokerage Corp.

The benchmark PSEi closed last week at 6,018.62, down 40.32 points, or 0.67 percent, week on week.

FirstMetroSec said global markets remained guarded, with investors staying risk-off due to lingering geo-

political tensions. Local trading activity was subdued as investors monitored the domestic impact of external developments.

Despite the decline, support around the 6,000 level continued to hold as buyers stepped in to cushion losses.

The brokerage noted that a gap between 6,200 and 6,300 could still be filled if market sentiment improves.

Philstocks Financial Inc. said the local market is still expected to have a bearish default amid elevated oil

prices and the weakness of the peso, both of which are expected to affect inflation.

“Investors are expected to continue monitoring the situation in the Middle East as well as the government’s response to our current economic challenges,” Philstocks said. “Any developments that would signal a near end for the war is expected to be received positively. However, lack of such or a further escalation of the conflict is expected to drag the market lower.”

Salmon Bank says assets more than doubled to P4.4b in 2025

SALMON Bank (Rural Bank) Inc. reported a significant expansion of its balance sheet for 2025, with total assets growing 2.2 times to P4.4 billion as the company prepares for a fresh capital injection.

The Philippines-based challenger bank doubled its customer base over the past year and saw total deposits increase 2.8 times. This supported a 2.5-fold expansion in its loan portfolio, which focuses on diversified small-ticket retail loans.

The bank maintained a net interest margin of 40%, a figure it stated surpasses industry averages for rural, thrift, and digital banks in the country.

The bank is in the process of increasing its equity capital to P1.6 billion. This follows a P400 million capital injection from its controlling shareholder, Salmon Group Ltd., which is expected to be completed by April 2026. The additional funding is intended to provide the institution with headroom to expand its financial product offerings.

Despite the rapid scaling, Salmon Bank reported its gross nonperforming loan ratio remained steady at 2 percent. The bank attributed the performance to its AIenabled banking model and a disciplined approach to risk management within the retail lending sector.

Salmon Chairman and Salmon Bank co-founder Raffy Montemayor said the results reflect growing customer confidence and a commitment to responsible banking.

“With our superior capitalization, we’re well-positioned to continue our momentum of sustainable growth, as we deliver high-value, AI-enabled banking services that meet the evolving needs of Filipinos,” Montemayor said.

DLSU-NYU Stern Signature Project supports experiential learning

DE LA Salle University (DLSU), as part of its internationalization efforts, has entered into a partnership with New York University (NYU) for the implementation of the DLSU-NYU Stern Signature Project (SSP). This project opened up an opportunity for the MBA students of the DLSU —Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (DLSU-RVRCOB) to collaborate with their peers from the NYU—Stern School of Business to address a real-world business challenge through experiential learning.

Extending from January to April 2026, this collaborative consulting engagement has brought together three MBA students each from DLSU and NYU, who are working closely with PHINMA Community Housing (CoHo), which seeks to address to Philippines’ growing housing backlog, estimated at 6.5 million units as of 2025. PHINMA CoHo’s housing projects are designed to enable families from low-income groups “to build stability, access opportunities, and improve their quality of life.” Through this collaborative engagement, the MBA students constituting the DLSU-NYU Stern Team are given a valuable opportunity to closely examine the housing ecosystem in the country and to evaluate the strategies and operations of CoHo so as to come up with concrete recommendations to enhance the company’s business model.

This experiential learning model has allowed our MBA students not only to gain international exposure but also to develop critical business competences such as:

By continuing to adopt innovative practices in business education, DLSU is intent in living up to its reputation as the leading business school in the country.

• Leadership and Collaboration—Navigate complex team dynamics and build productive relationships with teammates, advisors, and clients across culture and time zones.

• Strategic Problem Solving—Frame ambiguous challenges, develop structured analytical approaches, and adapt strategies as new information emerges

• Communication and Presentation— Synthesize research findings and deliver insights through compelling storytelling, professional reports, and impactful visual presentations.

Last week, the six MBA students, accompanied by their faculty advisers, met with PHINMA CoHo officers led by its President Luis Oquiñena in the PHINMA headquarters in Makati to present their initial assessment and findings after working collaboratively online since the start of the year. They then flew to Davao to meet with various stakeholders of PHINMA CoHo in the city (including visits to a Gawad Kalinga community and rental homes in low-income areas) to get a first-hand exposure to the housing ecosystem that will enable them to refine their recommendations.

The NYU-Stern students are now back in New York after their week-long stay in the Philippines. They will continue to work online with their counterparts from La Salle in the next two months. By the end of April, it is the turn of the three MBA students from DLSU to visit New York for the culminating activity of the project.

As administrator of the MBA Program, the

Department of Management of Organization (DMO) intends to leverage DLSU’s extensive network of alumni and business organizations to integrate experiential learning in its curriculum and to expand opportunities for global exposure among its students. We recognize that experiential learning and other forms of immersive, handson approach to learning (corporate internships, service learning, action research) empowers our students to connect theory and practice, and to build critical skills such as working in diverse teams, analyzing and synthesizing messy and ambiguous data into coherent narratives and conveying their findings in a polished and professional manner.

By continuing to adopt innovative practices in business education, DLSU is intent in living up to its reputation as the leading business school in the country.

Raymund B. Habaradas is the Chairman of the Department of Management and Organization of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University (DLSU), which administers both the MBA and DBA Programs of the university. He is also the holder of the Ramon V. del Rosario Professorial Chair in Entrepreneurship. He welcomes comments at rbhabaradas@yahoo.com.

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

Globe ramps up 5G, green network in Misamis Oriental

GLOBE Telecom Inc. is fasttracking the digital transformation of Misamis Oriental by expanding 5G coverage and conducting network upgrades to fortify the province’s status as an economic gateway.

The growth of industrial zones and business districts around Cagayan de Oro, alongside the rise of e-commerce and fintech, has increased the demand for highperformance connectivity. Globe’s network improvements aim to provide the infrastructure necessary to match this momentum.

Globe has intensified 5G deployment in Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog while strengthening coverage across coastal and inland municipalities. These upgrades deliver faster speeds and lower latency, enabling high-definition video calls, secure digital payments, and cloud-based operations. Even areas without new cell sites are seeing more stable signal performance.

The upgraded network proved critical during the 13th Kuyamis Festival in January 2026, where thousands of attendees maintained uninterrupted connectivity. Local schools, small businesses, and transport operators also report improved daily digital experiences.

For enterprises, 5G supports scalable e-commerce and IoT integration. In sectors such as agriculture and healthcare, the connectivity enables precision tools and telemedicine, boosting overall efficiency.

Beyond connectivity, Globe is shifting its operations toward renewable energy and energyefficient equipment. In Cagayan de Oro, key facilities are already running on renewable energy, with on-site solar providing backup power. Across the province, Globe has implemented equipment modernization to reduce carbon emissions without compromising service reliability.

“Mindanao’s development is accelerating, and Globe is committed to ensuring digital infrastructure keeps pace with physical expansion,” said Jowin Marquez, senior director of the Network Technical Group.

“Through continuous network upgrades and green initiatives, we are enabling families and enterprises to seize opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital economy while reducing our environmental footprint,” Marquez added.

Darwin G. Amojelar

MONDAY, MARCH 23,

DA allots P50m for farmers’ fuel subsidies amid high costs

By Othel V. Campos AGRICULTURE Secretary

Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Department of Agriculture has secured a P50 million sub-allotment to provide fuel assistance to thousands of farmers as rising global oil prices weigh on the domestic economy.

The program will grant P5,000 each to 9,570 farmers using mechanized equipment, according to data from the department’s Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering. The support is intended to cushion the impact of higher fuel costs, which drive up production and transport expenses.

Beneficiaries are limited to those listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, in line with the

ACCIONA installs first wind turbine for Laguna project

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SPANISH firm ACCIONA Energía has installed the first wind turbine for its 101-megawatt Kalayaan 2 wind farm in Laguna province.

The facility will feature 17 turbines specifically designed for storm-prone environments. The units incorporate structural reinforcement, smart control algorithms, and advanced sensor technology to protect the infrastructure during typhoons.

The company said the project is expected to begin commercial operations by the end of 2026. Once online, it is projected to strengthen energy security in the Philippines while avoiding approximately 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The Kalayaan 2 wind project and the 108-MW peak Daanbantayan solar plant are being completed under the fourth round of the government’s Green Energy Auction Program. Both projects were awarded 20-year power supply contracts by the Department of Energy, with commercial operations scheduled for December 2026.

ACCIONA Energía managing director for Southeast Asia, previously noted that the company maintains a pipeline of 1.5 gigawatts of wind and solar projects in the region.

ACCIONA has operated in the Philippines since 2016 through its water and infrastructure divisions. Its portfolio includes flagship projects such as the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and the Putatan II and Laguna Lake water treatment plants.

ACCIONA Energía is investing P15 billion to complete the two projects. Ignacio Domecq,

The company’s foundation, acciona.org, has also supported rural communities since 2021. Through collaborations with the Ayala Foundation and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development, the foundation has provided electricity to approximately 3,500 households, small businesses, and community centers.

General Appropriations Act.

“Farmers eligible for this cash assistance are only those listed in the registry,” Tiu Laurel said, stressing the focus on verified recipients. The fund release was triggered after global oil prices breached the $80-per-barrel threshold under government guidelines. A Department of Energy certification showed the 30-day average price, based on the Mean of Platts Singapore, reached $89.02 per barrel as of March 13. Oil prices have climbed amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, tightening global supply and pushing up costs for importing countries like the Philippines. This has raised farm input costs and transport fares while increasing risks to food inflation.

Mactan-Cebu airport sets status as key transfer hub

By Darwin G. Amojelar

MACTAN-CEBU International Airport (MCIA), the country’s secondbusiest gateway, is solidifying its position as the nation’s primary transfer hub, connecting travelers to destinations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Operated by Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), the country’s largest airport operator outside Manila, AIC Airports is expanding domestic connectivity across its portfolio, which includes MCIA, BoholPanglao International Airport, and Laguindingan International Airport.

Among these gateways, MCIA stands out as a strategic point for domestic travel, offering exclusive routes that streamline access to the Philippines’ popular cities and island destinations.

“MCIA is fast becoming the Philippines’ most efficient and accessible transfer hub,” said Rafael Aboitiz, AIC vice president and head of airports. “Through our growing network and strong airline partnerships, we are making it easier for travelers to connect across the archipelago while delivering a seamless, world-class airport experience.”

With AirAsia Philippines’ Cebu hub in full operation, MCIA connects passengers directly to Davao, Iloilo, and Caticlan. Cebu Pacific is also establishing the airport as a central gateway to sought-after islands, including El Nido, Siargao, and Coron, alongside more than 24 other domestic locations.

To meet peak summer demand, Cebu Pacific will add 33 weekly flights from MCIA starting March 29, increasing access to Bacolod, Boracay, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Tacloban, and El Nido. By mid-June, weekly frequencies will reach 23 flights to Butuan and 17 to Bacolod. With 31 direct routes from Cebu and a domestic network spanning 35 destinations, MCIA offers more options than ever. The airport’s domestic reach is complemented by growing international connectivity. On March 12, Philippine Airlines debuted its newest fleet member, the Airbus A350-1000, at MCIA. The aircraft, among the first of its kind in Asia, is one of the world’s most advanced long-range wide-body planes, known for fuel efficiency and enhanced passenger comfort.

PH, United Nation’s FAO strengthen ties to boost food security

THE Philippines and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations are strengthening cooperation on agriculture and food security following the first official visit of FAO DirectorGeneral Qu Dongyu to the Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the visit underscores a 48year partnership aimed at transforming food systems, raising farm incomes, and improving food security.

“That relationship must be further strengthened,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that FAO-supported programs have expanded assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in vulnerable communities.

The Philippines, a founding member of the FAO, has worked with the agency since 1978. Qu said the country’s

biodiversity, fisheries sector, and young workforce position it well to advance the FAO’s “four betters”: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.

He also cited ongoing efforts to strengthen value chains, attract investments, and reduce postharvest losses.

During bilateral talks, both sides flagged risks from climate change, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical tensions that are driving up oil and fertilizer costs. They called for stronger regional coordination to protect farmers from market shocks.

Tiu Laurel pushed for expanded public-private partnerships to fasttrack investments in irrigation, farm infrastructure, and postharvest systems to boost productivity and incomes.

The Philippines is also scaling up engagement under the FAO’s Handin-Hand Initiative, with a National Investment Forum scheduled in April and participation in global investment events in Rome later this year. Priority commodities include seaweed, abaca, bamboo, and mango.

Manila also confirmed participation in the FAO Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in Brunei in April and renewed its bid to host the 2028 edition. Additionally, the Philippines is set to host the first Asia-Pacific conference on agricultural mechanization in November. Both sides presented plans to mobilize financing from multilateral institutions and climate funds to support a more resilient and inclusive agrifood system.

SEC chief stands firm on broker director term limits

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC)

chairman Francisco Lim said a proposal to impose term limits on broker directors of exchanges is nonnegotiable, despite threats of legal action from industry participants.

The proposed rules, currently under an exposure draft, would apply to broker directors at institutions including the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Lim dismissed concerns that the measure infringes on shareholder rights, noting that investors remain free to vote for new brokers once a director’s term expires.

“As far as I’m concerned, term limits are non-negotiable. But I’m willing to listen to the market,” Lim told reporters on the sidelines of a recent forum, adding that the draft does not violate any existing laws.

Under the SEC draft rules, broker directors would be elected for 1-year terms but capped at a maximum cumulative period of 10 years, whether consecutive or intermittent.

Any broker director who has served a total of five years should observe a two-year cooling-off period before seeking the position again.

The 15-man Philippine Stock Exchange board consists of a presidentdirector, five broker-directors and nine non-broker directors. Current Philippine Stock Exchange brokerdirectors include Diosdado Arroyo, Eddie Gobing, Anthony Te, Wilson Sy and Ma. Vivian Yuchengco.

Yuchengo of Philippine Association of Securities Brokers and Dealers Inc. (PASBDI) said the group is strongly against the proposal and intends to seek legal action.

The Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines (SharePHIL) has backed the SEC, arguing the measure strengthens corporate governance and protects minority investors.

SharePHIL representatives said a 10-year cumulative limit would prevent board entrenchment and introduce new perspectives to exchange leadership, aligning the Philippines with global governance standards.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) is calling for an acceleration of investments in rooftop solar power to protect the national economy from price shocks caused by geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

PSSEA founder Tetchi Capellan said on Sunday that utilizing solar rooftops will allow the government to hedge against the dollar-denominated volatility of the global oil market.

Capellan said the shift toward solar is no longer just an environmental movement but a fundamental pillar of national economic security that helps stabilize the Philippine peso by reducing the current account deficit.

“As the global oil supply remains fraught with geopolitical risk, the

ability of every Filipino household and business to ‘hire the sun’ provides the most durable defense against the next inevitable crisis,” Capellan said.

A study on the country’s solar potential found that about 1.8 gigawatts of capacity can be harvested from existing rooftop space.

The data show 1.3 gigawatts is located in Luzon, almost 500 megawatts in Visayas and about 61 megawatts in Mindanao. Capellan said that current installations remain below 1 gigawatt, leaving significant room for growth to fully harness the potential of the sector.

The alliance estimates that every kilowatt of installed rooftop solar reduces the national requirement for imported coal and diesel. This shift could potentially save the country up to $2.2 billion annually in current

Ilocos Norte registered lowest unemployment rate among provinces in 2025

ILOCOS Norte registered the lowest unemployment rate among Philippine provinces in 2025 at 0.8 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. The figure sat well below the national average of 4.2 percent recorded in the same year.

Basilan logged the highest provincial unemployment rate at 9.1 percent.

Among highly urbanized cities, the City of Isabela posted the highest rate at 13.1 percent, while the City of Cotabato recorded the lowest at 2.2 percent.

Region IV-A (CALABARZON) registered the highest regional unemployment rate in 2025 at 5.8 percent, while the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) had the lowest at 2.7 percent.

Unemployment rates in CALABARZON (5.8 percent), the National Capital Region (5.2 percent), MIMAROPA (4.8 percent) and the Bicol Region (4.7 percent) were all higher than the national figure.

The national underemployment rate was estimated at 11.9 percent, representing 5.82 million people. The Philippine Statistics Authority defined underemployed persons as those

who “expressed the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or an additional job, or a new job with longer working hours.”

The 2025 figure remained unchanged from the 11.9 percent rate recorded in 2024.

Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) posted the highest underemployment rate at 25.0 percent, while Region XI (Davao Region) registered the lowest at 3.9 percent.

Six regions recorded underemployment rates lower than the national estimate, including the Davao Region (3.9 percent), Negros Island Region (5.6 percent), National Capital Region (6.1 percent), Central Visayas (6.3 percent), Central Luzon (9.0 percent) and CAR (11.7 percent).

Among provinces, Sarangani registered the highest underemployment rate at 44.8 percent in 2025. This shows that nearly half of the employed individuals in Sarangani “expressed the desire to have additional hours of work in their present job, or an additional job, or a new job with longer working hours.”

DIGITAL BANKING. Land Bank of the Philippines continues to push a cashlite economy through its Cash-Lite Campus Program by enabling students to open LandBank accounts via the Mobile Banking app (MBA) and equipping campus partners and merchants with digital payment systems.

account deficits and reduce diesel subsidies by $200 million per year.

Data from the group indicate that the levelized cost of energy for rooftop solar has become highly competitive compared to traditional sources.

While Manila Electric Co. rates reached P13.47 per kilowatthour last year, rooftop solar offered an alternative ranging from P2.50 per kilowatthour to P5.30 per kilowatthour including financing. Capellan said this price is competitive against coal-fired power at P3.80 to P5.50 per kilowatthour and imported-diesel-fired power reaching P15 to P28 per kilowatthour.

The alliance suggested that investing in solar may be more cost-effective than a proposed state-managed Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

THE Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said over the weekend it is working with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file formal charges against public officials and private individuals following allegations of civil registry irregularities in Pikit and Aleosan, North Cotabato. The legal action follows a two-year investigation into questionable birth registrations. Authorities discovered cases of late birth registrations that were allegedly supported by falsified documents and processed by bypassing legal procedures.

PSA officials said the move is part of a broader effort to protect the integrity

of the national civil registration system and Filipino identity.

“The PSA has been actively involved in the investigation from the outset, working closely with the NBI to identify those responsible for the issuance of fraudulent birth certificates,” PSA National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Claire Dennis Mapa said in a statement.

“Any attempt to undermine the integrity of civil registration should not be taken lightly, as it involves a very critical aspect of our society: the Filipino identity,” he said,

The agency said it tasked its Fraud Management Division with leading investigations into civil registry fraud.

Southville schools shift to geothermal power SOUTHVILLE Global Education Network (SGEN) has transitioned its school consortium to direct renewable energy supply through a partnership with First Gen Group to lower electricity costs and reduce its carbon footprint.

The educational network pooled more than 1,800 kilowatts of electricity demand to contract directly with First Gen, the largest renewable energy provider in the Philippines. The power will be sourced from the Unified Leyte Geothermal Power Plant located in Kananga, Leyte.

SGEN includes Southville International School and Colleges, Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities, Asian SEED Academy of Technology, South Mansfield College, Southville International

parency as the government faces what Cuna described as “water bankruptcy.” Speaking at a 2026 World Water Day event, likened the nation’s water resources to a failing machine. He said that a structural imbalance exists where national consumption is outpacing natural replenishment. To address the shortage, the DENR Water Resources Management Office is executing the final phase of a P485-million roadmap. The 2026 tactical plan focuses on deploying highperformance systems to 59 additional barangays in water-stressed regions including Bohol, Palawan, Cebu and Masbate. The engineering push includes the expansion of water filtration through the installation of desalination and freshwater systems. These units aim to provide potable water at costs reduced to P20 to P25 per container, down from previous rates of P50 to P70.

Manila

Water turns to new sources

MANILA Water Company

Southville founder and chief executive Genevieve Ledesma-Laurel said.

DENR orders crackdown on water red tape

DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna announced an aggressive drive to eliminate regulatory “red tape” to accelerate the rollout of water infrastructure across underserved Philippine provinces. The department has empowered its regional offices to act as permitting accelerators and is establishing one-stop kiosks. These facilities will allow communities to track applications and access technical data with increased trans-

GLOBE is strengthening its position as a leading enabler of the digital economy under the leadership of president and chief executive Carl Cruz, building on the company’s sustained growth momentum in recent years.

With a sharper strategic focus and disciplined execution, Globe has increased data habituation and improved data monetization, clear indicators that its priorities are translating into measurable results.

Globe grew its fiber subscriber base by 43 percent in 2025, lifting the company’s broadband subscribers to 2.1 million from 1.7 million the previous year.

Affordable solutions like GFiberPrepaid reached over 820,000 subscribers by year-end, while fiber now accounts for 91 percent of total home broadband revenues, demonstrating strong consumer trust and adoption.

Fiber enables students to access online learning platforms, supports businesses with cloud and enterprise IT systems, and connects remote workers across cities and regions. By expanding fiber networks, Globe ensures more Filipinos can participate fully in the digital economy. Execution and clarity continue to anchor Globe’s transformation. By simplifying strategic priorities and aligning the organization around performance and accountability, the company has reinforced its commitment to consistent, reliable connectivity.

Rather than competing aggressively on price, Globe differentiates on network quality and customer experience. “Customers only notice the network when it fails. Our goal is to make customer experience reliable and seamless,” Cruz said.

Globe’s enterprise solutions are also gaining traction. Through Globe Business, companies adopt cloud platforms, AI and automation tools and cybersecurity measures to improve operations and customer engagement.

API-enabled network capabilities, including Number Verification APIs and the Bridge Alliance API Exchange, allow enterprises to innovate securely. Corporate data revenues reached an all-time high of 20.7 billion pesos in 2025, while overall service revenues hit a record 165.1 billion pesos.

“Mobile remains strong, but the real runway is in fiber and enterprise,” Cruz said.

“To lead in AI, digital services, and enterprise solutions, our fiber backbone must be strong,” he said.

REAL ESTATE

Power Plant Mall to rise in Angeles

ROCKWELL Land and Juan D. Nepomuceno (JDN) Realty are bringing a new benchmark in retail and lifestyle to Pampanga with Power Plant Mall Angeles, the first expansion of the iconic Rockwell Power Plant brand outside Metro Manila.

Slated to open in the third quarter of 2027, the 32,000-squaremeter mall promises to be a centerpiece of the growing Rockwell at Nepo Center mixed-use community in Angeles City.

Retail concept

Designed to mirror the signature elegance of its Makati flagship, Power Plant Mall Angeles will feature a mix of international and local brands, essential services and a dedicated al fresco dining area celebrating Pampanga’s rich culinary tradition.

Rockwell Land vice president for retail development Tin Coqueiro said the project aims to blend Rockwell’s hallmark style with local flavors to create a destination that resonates with the Kapampangan community.

The mall anchors the 4.6-hectare Rockwell at Nepo Center, a mixed-use development that has already established a thriving residential community.

The Manansala, the first residential building, has fully sold out and begun turning over to residents earlier this year, followed by The BenCab, which is 87 percent sold and scheduled for turnover in December 2026.

The latest tower, The Aurelio, continues to attract buyers, reflecting strong demand for Rockwell’s signature combination of luxury and convenience in Central Luzon.

Damosa Land strengthens role as industrial hub

Refrigeration Corp. opened its third and largest cold storage facility in Mindanao, reinforcing the region’s role in the country’s food logistics and export chain. Located within the Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) in Davao del Norte, the new facility brings expanded coldchain capacity at a time when demand for reliable storage and distribution of perishable goods continues to rise. The project is a joint venture between Glacier Megafridge Inc. and AC Logistics, combining technical expertise and logistics experience to support both domestic and export markets.

Damosa Land president Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo said the entry of GMAC reflects sustained investor confidence in Mindanao, particularly in Davao’s growing importance as a logistics and agribusiness hub. He noted that the presence of an integrated industrial estate alongside a functioning port allows companies to service the island more efficiently without routing operations through Luzon.

The facility is expected to generate around 119 jobs, covering operations, engineering, quality control, and logistics, adding to employment

opportunities in the province while strengthening support services for producers and exporters.

Over the past decade, AIE has steadily built a network supporting agribusiness exporters, especially in the banana sector, one of Mindanao’s key industries. Improved storage and logistics systems have helped growers maintain product quality and meet international standards, with export volumes continuing to expand in recent years.

The new GMAC facility is designed to handle a wide range of products, from fresh produce to processed meat for both import and export. With 11,728 pallet positions, it can accommodate multiple temperature zones, allowing locators to store goods with varying requirements in a single site. This flexibility is expected to attract a broader mix of tenants while improving supply chain efficiency within the estate.

Strategically positioned near production areas and key ports, AIE provides locators with shorter turnaround times and more direct access to shipping routes. The estate has also become a platform for collaboration among developers, logistics providers, and government agencies working to streamline the movement of goods across the region.

PUEBLO de Oro Development Corp. is expanding its footprint in southern Cebu with the development of Pueblo de Oro Townhomes Carcar, a masterplanned residential community in Barangay Can-asujan, Carcar City.

The project spans around 10 hectares and is will offer approximately 910 townhome units, contributing to the steady rise of housing developments outside Metro Cebu. It reflects a broader movement among developers to focus on emerging urban centers, where population growth and infrastructure improvements are opening new corridors for residential expansion.

In Carcar, this shift is evident as the city gradually takes on a larger role beyond its heritage identity. Improved connectivity to Cebu City and neighboring municipalities has made it a practical option for families seeking more space while remaining within reach of employment and commercial hubs.

Pueblo de Oro Townhomes Carcar is designed as a cohesive residential enclave, with a layout that integrates open spaces and landscaped areas into the overall plan. The development

Additional expansion

Encouraged by the project’s positive reception, Rockwell and JDN Realty are expanding Rockwell at Nepo Center with an additional 9,000 square meters of land.

The expansion will allow for future growth of the mall and other lifestyle components, reinforcing the estate’s position as a premier destination for shopping, dining, and residential living.

Beyond its retail offerings, Power Plant Mall Angeles is designed to be a lifestyle hub for the community. The mall will feature open spaces and landscaped walkways that encourage social interaction and leisure, while various dining concepts will highlight Pampanga’s culinary heritage alongside international cuisine.

Specialty lifestyle stores and wellness-focused brands are also expected to complement the retail mix, creating a holistic experience for visitors.

Accessibility and convenience are key features of the project. Strategically located along major roads in Angeles City, the mall will provide ample parking and easy connections to nearby residential towers, offices and transport hubs.

The design also incorporates pedestrian-friendly pathways and green spaces to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for families and shoppers.

The development is part of Rockwell’s larger vision to extend its brand of upscale, thoughtfully planned communities beyond Metro Manila. By integrating residential, commercial and lifestyle elements in one estate, Rockwell at Nepo Center aims to offer a seamless living experience where residents have immediate access to retail, dining, and recreational amenities.

As the opening of Power Plant Mall Angeles approaches, the project is already drawing attention from prospective tenants, local businesses and international brands looking to establish a presence in Central Luzon.

With its combination of curated retail, lifestyle amenities and strategic location, the mall is poised to become not just a shopping destination, but a central gathering place for the growing Angeles City community. Jenniffer B. Austria

Pueblo de Oro launches 10-hectare development in Southern Cebu follows a consistent architectural theme, marked by clean lines and modern Asian finishes that give the community a unified look. Unit designs focus on efficient space planning, with attention to natural light and ventilation. These elements support both comfort and functionality, particularly for families looking for long-term homes.

The site’s accessibility is a key factor in its positioning. It is linked to major road networks that connect Carcar to Cebu City, while remaining close to schools, public

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

SexBomb Girls set final reunion concert on April 30

By Angelica Villanueva

Concert producer NSYSHOWS announced that the show will take place at the SMDC Open Grounds, describing it as the group’s “final hurrah” following a successful reunion run. Since announcing their comeback in 2025, the SexBomb Girls have mounted a series of

BTS sold 3.98 million copies of its new album Arirang on its first day of release, its label Big Hit Music said Saturday, citing local tracker Hanteo Chart. The album was released Friday, a day ahead of the group’s first concert in nearly four years following a hiatus due to mandatory military service. More than 100,000 fans attended the comeback concert on Saturday in central Seoul, fewer than earlier projections of about 260,000 for the highly anticipated event, the label said Sunday. The seven-member group performed together for the first time since completing military duties, with some members previously stationed near the heavily fortified border with North Korea.

sold-out performances, including shows at the Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena, where the members performed on a 360-degree stage setup.

The series also featured guest appearances from several artists, including BINI, Alamat,

is also scheduled to bring the

with planned performances in the United States and Australia.

Zephanie finds her story in new series ‘Born to Shine’

GMA’s Afternoon Prime series Born to Shine mirrors much of Zephanie’s own journey. She admits the story of Jennie, a young singer chasing her dreams, resonates with her, but there is one key difference: unlike Jennie, who faces the world alone, Zephanie has a strong support system in her family.

“I can only be grateful knowing that this story somehow reflects my journey in showbiz—starting from countless auditions to actually realizing my dreams,” Zephanie shared with Manila Standard Entertainment

Having been in the industry for several years, she has learned valuable lessons and work ethics that have shaped her into the young professional she is today in front of the cameras.

“Since I started at a young age in the industry, lumaki talaga ako in an environment where people guided me—teaching me to be respectful, to be kind, and to really know my priorities and what I want in life,” she said.

“As I grew older, of course, the challenges also evolved. Parang every stage comes with a new level—new responsibilities, new things to learn.”

She credits her growth not only to family but also to life experiences outside showbiz.

When I started exploring life beyond the industry, I met people from all walks of life, church volunteers, and community members. Na-inspire ako sa mga taong nagseserve sa church. They respect people’s time, they value everyone, and they stay

grounded in what they do. I carry that with me into my work.”

Born to Shine, premiering today, tells the story of Jennie, daughter of Minchie (Manilyn Reynes), who gave up her dreams after heartbreak and left the iconic girl group Rosabellas. Jennie shares her mother’s love for singing, yet the path to becoming a P-Pop idol is far from easy.

“Her dream to shine in the music world isn’t easy. Jennie has to make a lot of sacrifices,” Zephanie said. “The show is light and inspiring, but it also shows the cost of pursuing what you love.”

The series pairs Zephanie with Michael Sager and Olive May and features seasoned performers Tina Paner, Smokey Manaloto, Roselle Nava, Vina Morales, and Tessie Tomas in her much-awaited TV comeback. Young talents Naya Ambi, Gaea Mischa, Mitzi Josh, Chloe Redondo, Angelika Santiago, Aaliyah de Gracia, and Miggs Cuaderno round out the ensemble.

Directors Rod Marmol and Carlo Catu discussed the challenges of blending drama and music. Marmol explained, “The biggest challenge is

By Jasper Valdez

that even if you’re combining two genres, your resources are still limited. Budget and time are always constraints. The only way to make it work is through alignment across all departments. Kailangan everyone is willing to adjust.”

He described his approach to the chemistry between Zephanie and Sager. “Especially in kilig scenes, minsan ramdam mo na medyo minamadali because of awkwardness. I tell them, ‘Tinginan niyo muna, don’t rush the next line.’ When it comes to romance, 90 percent is in the eyes. Their shared history makes that connection more delicate but also more real on camera.”

Catu added, “Rod respects the process and the people he works with. He listens, communicates clearly, and commits to excellence, which inspires the whole team to give their best. Even when we have to adjust creatively, he finds ways to make it work within reality.”

Born to Shine airs from Monday to Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime and Kapuso Stream. Global viewers can watch via GMA Pinoy TV.

I pose. #BronnyJames,” a direct response to critics. Awra, publicly identifying as a trans woman, has faced ongoing scrutiny online, including misgendering and appearance-based attacks.

Revisiting the city of gentle people

Mercury Rising Bob Zozobrado

ALSO ranked last year as the safest city for travelers in the country, Dumaguete has always been known for the warm hospitality of its friendly residents, set in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Small wonder why it has become an increasingly favorite destination of our foreign retirees.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE

You really never realize and appreciate what you have…until it’s gone. Toilet paper is a good example.

A few days ago, my Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) team and I trooped to Dumaguete to sign Memoranda of Understanding with the City Mayor and with the Governor of Negros Oriental. We do these partnerships with Local Government Units all over the country to see to it that the foreign retirees in their areas are protected and are included in whatever social and civic activities these LGUs might initiate. These activities make it easy for our retirees to immerse themselves in the community they are in, giving them a sense of belonging, a very important step towards social integration.

Thanks to my friend, executive director Woodrow “RR” Maquiling, Jr., the provincial tourism officer, who, despite his being in China on a business trip, saw to it that my team and I were given a royal welcome at the airport, with a big welcome placard and leis to boot. I am fully aware of the city’s welcoming spirit, but getting this grand welcome ceremony at the airport was such an adrenaline booster. It was certainly an honor to have had the big opportunity and privilege to meet and sit down, on separate occasions, with Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria and his son, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, who both offered their respective offices’ help in seeing to the welfare of our foreign retirees in their areas. As of the latest count, the city is host to 396 foreign retirees, and the province has a total of 806, with Americans comprising the biggest group.

We also had a chance to meet with the Mayor of Valencia, a first-class municipality in the province, where another large group of our foreign retirees have happily settled down. Mayor Edgar “Junjun” Teves, Jr. made a commitment to ensuring the welfare of our retirees and even directed his staff to be sure the retirees are invited to their forthcoming festival activities in the latter part of this year. With the success we had in the business part of our trip to the province, and since we still had some spare time, I decided to take my team on a tour of some of its important attractions. Since we were already in Valencia, I showed them the Sulfur Vents, a popular roadside attraction with natural steam and sulfur gas escaping from the ground and the hillside slopes caused by geothermal activity. The area is characterized by reddish-orange rocks and a strong rotten egg smell.

Going back to the city, I brought my team to the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, commonly known as the Dumaguete Cathedral, the city’s main landmark, and the oldest stone church in the country, having been completed as early as 1776. We also vis-

ited the convent right beside the cathedral, occupied by the parish priest, Fr. Robert Bongoyan, who was nice enough to show us the convent’s interiors, which contained museum pieces and other artifacts reminiscent of the cathedral’s glorious past.

Another attraction right next to the cathedral is the Campanario de Dumaguete, an iconic, centuries-old

landmark built in 1881, used to warn the townsfolk of marauders and pirates. It is the oldest bell tower in the province and serves as a significant symbol of the city’s heritage. It has two tiers and is made of coral stone and bricks. Unfortunately, it is currently undergoing preservation efforts, but the scaffolding around the top part of the structure cannot diminish the memory of its glorious past as a symbol of strength against the town’s invaders.

Of course, Silliman University was part of our tour. I showed them the 100-year-old acacia trees that line the massive grounds of this 125-year-old educational institution. Named after Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a retired businessman and philanthropist from New York who provided the initial $10,000 to put up the school, this academic center started as an elementary school for boys run by Americans.

The waterfront Rizal Boulevard has always been a must-visit attraction for any visitor to the city. I have thoroughly enjoyed many “walk-alongs” on it, seeing the faces of happy people enjoying its breezy ambience, doing the same thing I was doing.

But this time, I did something different. I sat on a bench, facing the sea squarely, just enjoying the sea breeze blowing all around me under cloudy skies, cleansing my lungs of whatever sulfur I inhaled in the Sulfur Vents of Valencia, freeing my mind of negative and potentially depressing thoughts, and allowing my body to lose itself in the realm that nature provided. It was a luxury I haven’t had for ages!

After that sublime moment, I decided to bring my team to the city’s “sweetest” attraction, Sans Rival, the confectionery that sells the best of them all! Naturally, all of us brought home to Manila several packs of the special silvanas that the city is known for. And, thanks to my transportation service’s driver, I discovered the day before “the best halo-halo in town” at Cherie’s Cheesecake House, so I also brought my team there for our overdose of the best Filipino iced dessert.

With all these attractions the city has, no wonder they’ve changed their slogan to “DumaGetMe.” The city certainly “got” all of us, as we decided to make another visit later this year.

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

Frequent flyers turn mobile plans into steady stream of air miles

GLOBE Telecom is linking its top-tier mobile plans to airline rewards, rolling out a revamped Platinum GPlan that lets subscribers earn frequent flyer points with Philippine Airlines. The company said the offer turns a monthly subscription into a steady stream of Mabuhay Miles, positioning travel perks at the center of its loyalty strategy as affluent users shift spending toward experiences.

Under the new plans, Globe Platinum subscribers can accumulate miles automatically each month, even when they are not traveling. The points are credited directly to a Mabuhay Miles account and can be used for flights, seat upgrades, baggage allowance, and in-flight meals.

“We are taking our commitment to the Platinum lifestyle to new heights,” said Globe Platinum director and head of strategy, experience, and transformation Leonard Grape. “What if your connection could actually be the reason you get to travel in the first place? With the Platinum GPlan with Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles, we are ensuring that your loyalty is rewarded with the ultimate luxury: the freedom to explore.”

The plans are structured in tiers. Subscribers on Platinum GPlan 3799 earn 800 miles per month, while those on GPlan 4999 receive 1,000 miles. The top-tier GPlan 7999 offers 1,600 miles monthly, allowing points to build toward future travel.

Globe said the revamp reflects a broader shift away from device-driven perks to lifestyle benefits. Customers can still opt for bundled flagship devices or enhanced connectivity, but the new option emphasizes travel as a long-term reward.

“Platinum rewards your lifestyle, not just your phone,” Globe head of Platinum Mark Pasaylo said. “Whether you are flying for a high-stakes meeting or a quiet

BRITAIN is to welcome the world’s first Minecraft roller coaster and attractions with the opening of “Minecraft World” in 2027, the studio behind the video game announced Saturday. “Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios have today announced Minecraft World, the world’s first fully immersive Minecraft theme park land,” the Sweden-based video game developer and UK theme park company said. The £50-million ($66.6 million) project will be part of the Chessington World of Adventures Resort, a theme park complex southwest of London. It will be inspired by the “biomes, mobs, and items” of the beloved Minecraft universe, according to a press release, and will feature a coaster, “blockbuilt playscapes,” and themed retail and dining. The attraction builds on the popularity of one of the best-selling video games of all time, in which players build a three-dimensional world.

The

C4 LIFE

MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

JASPER VALDEZ, Writer

By Jasper Valdez

THE steady hum of ovens, coffee machines, and kitchen equipment filled the exhibition halls of IMPACT Muang Thong Thani in Bangkok as hospitality professionals moved from booth to booth, examining tools designed to make hotels and restaurants run more smoothly.

At the recently concluded THAIFEX HOREC ASIA 2026, the atmosphere on the show floor reflected a broader shift in the hospitality industry: innovation is increasingly focused on solving everyday operational challenges.

Held from March 11 to 13, the trade show brought together suppliers, buyers, and hospitality operators from across Southeast Asia to explore equipment, services, and systems for hotels, restaurants, cafés, and catering businesses. For or ganizers, the exhibition offers a snapshot of how the region’s hospitality sector is adapting to shifting demands, from man power shortages to rising op erational costs.

“A lot of hospital ity businesses are struggling with manpower, and with that, keeping quality in

Hospitality in Southeast Asia turns to smarter, more practical solutions

line,” said Sven Schaefer, project director at Koelnmesse, which organizes the event. “A lot of suppliers or exhibitors actually now have products that help maintain quality on one level.”

Many of the machines and systems on display were designed to help kitchens and service teams maintain consistency even when staffing levels fluctuate or demand peaks. Schaefer noted that equipment today increasingly helps operators deliver reliable results even without highly specialized training.

“Even if you’re not a fully trained chef, for example, the equipment helps you guarantee an output that is always on the same high level,” Schaefer said. For Koelnmesse, the shift also reflects a

SORRY, the new Glorietta deserves a second look.

On Aug. 11, 2025, this paper published an article I wrote about the renovations underway at Glorietta, one of the flagship malls of the Ayalas. Here, I lamented how its old luxury was slowly being torn down in favor of what-do-you-call-these textured walls. These artifacts were still visible in parts near the food stalls at Glorietta 4. I fell in love with how it was maintained. I admitted that, yes, I was a sucker for its antiquity. But let me correct myself now, not because of any extraordinary circumstance. Or maybe there was one that made me take a second look at its ongoing facelift. These past few months or so, Glorietta has become my access point on my way back from this paper’s porch here in

change in how hospitality trade fairs are structured. Instead of simply presenting equipment categories, the exhibition highlights how technologies can address practical challenges faced by hotels and restaurants.

“We’re not just asking, what product do you have? And they say, I have an oven, and that’s it,” said Mathias Kuepper, regional president for AsiaPacific at Koelnmesse. “We are saying, what can the oven do for the hotel or for the restaurant?”

Across Southeast Asia, hospitality operators are increasingly looking for tools that can help them manage service standards while keeping operations efficient. Wendy Lim, general manager of Koelnmesse’s Southeast Asia operations, said the event’s Hosted Buyer Program reflects this demand.

Through the program, more than 500 top buyers from across the region were invited to attend the exhibition and connect with suppliers offering kitchen equipment, coffee solutions, and hospitality technologies.

The Philippines has become an important sourcing market within this regional

network. Lim said organizers deliberately increased participation from Filipino hospitality operators this year, particularly from the catering sector.

“In fact, it’s also very deliberate,” Lim said. “A lot of our exhibitors here wanted more catering companies as well. So what we did this year was we offered more quota to the Food Caterers Association of the Philippines (FCAP).”

According to Lim, many buyers attending the show are searching for products that help improve efficiency while supporting sustainability goals.

“They’re particularly interested in sustainable hospitality products. They’re interested in kitchen products. They’re interested in coffee ingredients,” she said.

Sustainability emerged as another defining theme across the exhibition floor. Energy-efficient appliances, improved insulation systems, and equipment designed to reduce energy consumption were widely featured.

“Energy efficiency is a major focus,” Kuepper said, with sustainability remaining a key trend across the show.

Makati. I would take my walk from Perea and Dela Rosa streets until I stopped by Landmark before entering its passageway leading to Glorietta 3. Here, I would stroll along, sometimes speedily, as I made my way toward the bus station inside One Ayala. Recently, I’ve noticed the walls have become brown and pale. They bore the feel of an X-like surface, covered in a tan color to signify something new in the place. Glass panels have replaced the old railings, while the wooden columns were replaced with metal. These give a modern look to an establishment that has aged through various iterations and crises.

While I still think these may bore me, one thing that the developers are trying to address is the design’s consistency. Some portions of the once four-cornered mall will don the same motif, including areas where plain white remains the dominant color scheme. This, in turn, resolves a visual concern brought by the infamous blast that took place in a unified Glorietta 1 and 2 when it reopened in 2012. Moreover, repair works remain underway for its future attractions. Two parks are being remodeled: one on the Glorietta 4 side, which is expected to be expanded, while its adjacent portion near Shangri-La will help improve walkability among its patrons in the area. Furthermore, Glo 4’s facade remains another sight to anticipate.

So while I may not have changed my attitude toward my fascination with the

He added that sustainability is increasingly being viewed by hospitality operators as a practical business strategy rather than simply a branding exercise.

“Sustainability is not just to be green, but it’s also a business case,” he said. “It saves money for the entrepreneur, for the company, for the hotel, for the restaurant.”

Even as automation and digital systems continue to reshape kitchen operations and back-of-house workflows, Schaefer emphasized that the core of hospitality still lies in human interaction.

“You can automate a lot of things, but there are some things that you can never automate, and that is hospitality,” he said. “You don’t want to walk into a hotel lobby and see a robot welcoming you. You want a smiling face.”

As tourism and dining continue to expand across Southeast Asia, including in markets like the Philippines, the focus is increasingly on tools and systems that allow hospitality businesses to operate more efficiently while preserving the personal service that defines the industry.