Author: Nouman Ali

Rising fuel costs amid the Middle East conflict forced the Department of Agriculture (DA) to delay by about one month the implementation of nationwide farm-to-market road (FMR) projects.

The agency originally targeted to begin construction of FMR projects in April. It received a budget allocation of P33 billion under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, covering 1,605 projects.

However, the DA plans to start the bidding process next month as it recalibrates construction costs.

‘We expect that by May, we will begin the procurement process for all these bidding activities,’ Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez said in an interview.

Standardizing budget

Perez said the DA is closely coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to standardize the price per kilometer of FMR in the pipeline.

‘Our challenge now is that because fuel prices are rising, we cannot finalize the costing per kilometer of our road projects,’ he told reporters.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, also the DA’s spokesperson, said: ‘If we insist on using the previous costing, the bidding will likely fail. We need to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that our procurement and implementation are successful.’

Despite these delays, Perez assured that the ongoing FMR projects being undertaken by other agencies would continue.

Takeover

The DA assumed responsibility for constructing FMR projects from the DPWH, effective this year, following corruption concerns over the government’s infrastructure projects.

Although the DA is the lead implementing agency, it is allowed to partner with government agencies, local government units or private entities to complete these projects.

The agency has adopted various measures to ensure transparency and proper implementation, such as auditing FMR projects and launching the FMR transparency portal, where stakeholders can monitor projects or report any issues.

Based on the DA’s digital portal, the government had invested P109.53 billion to develop FMR projects between 2021 and 2026 covering 6,428 projects.

Of these, 3,135 projects have been completed with a total length of 2,399.85 kilometers.

A mother-and-daughter duo, both classified as high-value individuals (HVIs) in the regional drug trade, was arrested by authorities following a midnight buy-bust operation in Jaro district here on Tuesday.

Personnel from the Iloilo City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) conducted the sting at around 12:05 a.m. on April 21, in Barangay Simon Ledesma. The operation resulted in the seizure of roughly 70 grams of suspected shabu (meth) with a total estimated street value of P476,000.

The arrested individuals were identified by police under the aliases ‘Welnie,’ 64, and her daughter ‘Pani,’ 37. Both suspects are residents of Iloilo City and are currently unemployed. According to investigators, the pair had been under intense surveillance for nearly a month prior to the arrest.

The coordinated effort involved multiple units, including the Iloilo Maritime Police Station, the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, and the Station Drug Enforcement Team of Police Station 9.

In addition to the 10 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing the suspected narcotics, authorities recovered the marked buy-bust money and various non-drug related items from the scene.

Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 6, lauded the joint task force for the successful operation.

Welnie and Pani are currently in police custody.

Joint operating troops from the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) and the Philippine Army uncovered an arms cache believed to belong to the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barangay Antongalon, Butuan City, on Monday.

Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV, director of PRO-13, said the discovery was made by personnel of Butuan City Police Station 4, the 29th Infantry Battalion, and the 25th Ordnance Explosive Disposal (EOD) Team of the Philippine Army after acting on a report from a concerned citizen.

Recovered from the site were five M76B rifle grenades, one M76C rifle grenade, one M76A-1 rifle grenade, two short plastic magazines for M16 rifles, four short alloy magazines for M16 rifles, one long magazine for an M16 rifle, two M60 barrels with defaced serial numbers, one handheld radio, and one Alcatel keypad cellular phone.

‘I commend our citizens for helping maintain peace and order in the region, particularly through their vigilance in reporting the presence of firearms and explosives. Our operatives are still conducting an investigation into the origin and intended use of the recovered items, as well as the individuals or groups responsible for storing them in the area,’ Magistrado said.

Authorities said the five M76B rifle grenades, one M76C rifle grenade, and one M76A-1 rifle grenade were deemed hazardous to handle and were immediately disposed of through controlled detonation at the site by the 25th EOD Team.

Meanwhile, the two recovered M60 barrels were turned over to the Butuan City Forensic Unit for ballistic examination.

When Creamline flushed Cignal with a heavy dose of championship experience to take Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference finals, the Cool Smashers did so in such an authoritative manner that even their foes couldn’t help but notice.

‘It’s about how they (Creamline) stay composed and enjoy every situation. For us, it felt different,’ said Super Spikers coach Shaq Delos Santos. ‘The biggest lesson for us, especially since it’s our first time [in the All-Filipino finals], is to embrace the moment.’

Cignal, which owns runner-up finishes in the 2022 Reinforced and 2024 Invitational, has one shot to embrace the moment.

Creamline guns for the crown on Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, intent on reclaiming its crown but very much aware of how much its gritty foe has to offer as it fights for survival.

‘Cignal is the type of team that doesn’t stick to just one lineup. They make a lot of changes. So we need to stay patient and be ready for whatever adjustments they make in Game 2,’ said Jema Galanza, who had 17 points in Game 1, aside from collecting 13 excellent receptions from 18 tries.

The Cool Smashers looked untouchable in that 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 victory two days ago, but even coach Sherwin Meneses admitted that his squad can’t expect to run through their rivals in the same easy manner.

‘The series isn’t over,’ Meneses said, adding there is much to clean up heading into the 5:30 p.m. Game 2 tussle. ‘We’ll continue to work on our lapses in practice and go back to square one. Cignal won’t back down. That’s why they’re in the finals. So we can’t relax.’

Jia de Guzman, who returned to the finals for the first time in three years, is optimistic heading to Game 2, but said her teammates will have to be careful against a team that beat them twice in three previous meetings this conference.

No surrender

‘We have to do our best to close out as much as possible because we know Cignal is a good team. They gave us a hard time the whole conference,’ said De Guzman, who had 22 excellent sets and scored four points.

‘We’re optimistic. We’re thankful that the team is slowly coming together. We’re peaking at the right time. But Game 2 will be a different kind of fight,’ she added.

It is a fight that Cignal hasn’t surrendered just yet.

‘There’s still a Game 2. The championship isn’t decided in Game 1. We still have the opportunity to bounce back, reset, and perform better in the next game. We’ll fight until the end,’ said Delos Santos in Filipino.

‘It’s tougher for us since we didn’t get Game 1. Personally, I need to trust the team and our system more. We just have to play our game. I told them not to pressure themselves too much. I want us to show what we’ve built and prepared for, because that’s why we got here. We just need to bring out our real game, and that’s it, no regrets,’ he added.

The Super Spikers will again rely on Vanie Gandler, who finished with 17 points and 10 receptions in Game 1, and will hope that Erika Santos can rebound from a 9-of-39 attacking clip that netted 10 points. Gel Cayuna was limited to 14 excellent sets but scored six points-the third-best scorer of the team.

PLDT, meanwhile, looks to clinch bronze in Game 2 against Farm Fresh at 3 p.m.

The Forest Foundation Philippines (FFP) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have partnered to advance forest restoration, community-based forest management, and climate initiatives across the region, officials announced on Thursday.

The collaboration was formalized with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on April 16, between FFP and the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) in Makati City.

MENRE Minister Akmad Brahim signed the MOA along with lawyer Badr Salendab, Director General of Environment and Natural Resources, and lawyer Jose Canivel, FFP executive director.

In a statement, Brahim said the BARMM’s advocacy of protecting the environment and natural resources is ‘not just a mandate but a sacred obligation.’

‘Our forests are the lifeblood of our region. They provide the water that feeds our lands, the air we breathe, and the heritage we pass on to the next generation of Bangsamoro,’ Brahim said.

‘The challenges we face-climate change, deforestation, and the need for sustainable livelihoods-are too vast for any single agency to tackle alone. This is why this MOA is so vital,’ he added.

The collaboration also aims to strengthen long-term environmental policy in the region, supporting policy development, program implementation, and project co-financing.

Canivel underscored the ecological importance of the Bangsamoro region. ‘It is the Bangsamoro that holds vast, dense forests and mangroves,’ he said.

‘These resources position the region to contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and the Philippines’ global commitments,’ he added.

FFP is a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides grants and technical assistance to organizations and individuals that empower people to protect and conserve the forests.

In January this year, MENRE-BARMM implemented a reforestation initiative under the Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program (IBGP), aiming to restore ecological balance and protect natural resources for future generations.

BARMM interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua approved the P168-million allocation for the reforestation of 2,600 hectares across BARMM.

Macacua emphasized that environmental protection remains a cornerstone of BARMM’s development agenda, particularly in addressing the growing impacts of climate change.

‘We will create safe and sustainable living conditions through resilience programs that will strengthen our communities physically and environmentally,’ Macacua added.

The program is also expected to bring social and economic benefits, including the preservation of biodiversity, protection of watersheds, and the creation of livelihoods for local communities.

As of 2024, BARMM’s forest cover was approximately 299,195 hectares. This represented roughly 45 percent of the region’s total land area of 1,293,552 hectares, MENRE said.

According to the Climate Change Commission, the lead government policy-making body on climate change, Mindanao accounts for approximately 32.36 percent of the Philippines’ total forest cover (over 7.22 million hectares as of 2020/2022).

Across industries, logistics is undergoing a fundamental shift. The growing complexity of supply chains, coupled with rising customer expectations for speed and transparency, is pushing companies to rethink how goods move from origin to destination. At the center of this transformation is Artificial Intelligence (AI), enabling businesses to operate with greater precision, efficiency, and foresight.

K-Logistikus

Against this backdrop, K-Logistikus Philippines, a joint venture between Logistikus, Inc. and Asia’s logistics powerhouse KLN, is taking a decisive step forward-placing AI at the core of its modernization strategy. Known for its strengths in integrated logistics, freight forwarding, warehousing, and last-mile delivery, the company continues to evolve alongside the changing demands of the market.

‘Logistics plays a critical role in unlocking business potential. Through K-Logistikus Philippines, we aim to provide solutions that not only move goods efficiently but also help enterprises scale, compete, and succeed,’ said Sulficio O. Tagud, Jr., CEO and President of K-Logistikus Philippines.

For K-Logistikus, AI adoption goes beyond incremental upgrades. The company is building a fully data-driven organization by embedding intelligence across its core business units, including Demand Driven Logistics, Cross-Dock, Integrated Contract Logistics, Domestic Freight, and Point-to-Point (P2P).

This transformation is reshaping day-to-day operations. AI-powered tools are being used to forecast demand, optimize delivery routes, and improve ETA accuracy. In warehouses, intelligent slotting and predictive analytics enhance inventory placement and resource allocation, reducing inefficiencies across the supply chain.

At the systems level, K-Logistikus is integrating AI into its Warehouse Management System (WMS), Transport Management System (TMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). These enhancements enable smarter planning, faster decision-making, and greater operational visibility. A centralized data platform with real-time dashboards is also being developed, allowing teams to monitor performance and respond proactively to disruptions.

K-Logistikus

Customer experience is also evolving. AI-driven tracking, automated notifications, and more responsive support are improving transparency and reliability-key factors for businesses operating in time-sensitive industries.

This modernization aligns with KLN’s 2025 global rebrand, which emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence. By optimizing routes and improving efficiency, K-Logistikus also supports ESG goals, particularly in reducing fuel consumption and enabling more sustainable logistics practices.

The impact is clear: streamlined operations, lower costs, accessible operations information and improved service delivery. More importantly, K-Logistikus is helping bridge the gap between local logistics needs and global standards, enabling businesses-from retail to FMCG to pharmaceuticals-to operate with more resilient and intelligent supply chains.

K-Logistikus’ transformation reflects a broader industry shift. Logistics is no longer defined solely by physical movement, but by the intelligence that powers it. By embedding AI into its operations, the company is not just modernizing-it is helping shape the future of logistics in the Philippines.

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday said that she will ask for a new travel request as her plans have changed due to uncertainty whether she would be allowed to travel abroad.

‘Thank you for the last-minute issuance of the travel authority,’ Duterte said in a statement addressed to the Office of the President (OP).

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on Wednesday said that the OP granted the travel authority, allowing Duterte to travel to the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom from April 23 to May 15.

Screenshot of the letter of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Screenshot of the letter of Vice President Sara Duterte to the Office of the President.

‘I regret to inform you that the plans have changed due to uncertainty as to whether I will be permitted to depart,’ Duterte said.

With this, she said that the OP will receive a new request ‘soon.’

She then asked the OP to ensure prompt processing and issuance of necessary documents ‘allowing sufficient time for travel preparations rather than only a few hours before the intended departure.’

‘Additionally, ensuring the confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive documents would greatly contribute to maintaining effective security arrangements,’ Duterte added.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) threw its support behind the possible lifting of the moratorium on new coal-fired power plants, which it said could be an ‘essential bridge’ to keep businesses running amid the energy crisis.

‘Our economy cannot run on uncertainty,’ PCCI president Ferdinand Ferrer said in a statement on Wednesday.

‘While the transition to renewable energy remains our long-term goal, our immediate priority must be the stability and affordability of our power grid.’

This comes after Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the Department of Energy is open to revisiting the 2020 ban, particularly amid surging fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East, which had prompted the Philippines to declare an energy emergency.

‘Pragmatic solution’

PCCI, the country’s largest business group, said the move could serve as a ‘temporary and pragmatic’ step to stabilize supply, even as the country continues to scale up renewable energy capacity.

Any policy shift, it added, should not derail long-term clean energy goals but instead act as a bridge to address immediate needs.

‘This is not about choosing between coal and renewables, it is about ensuring the lights stay on, businesses remain competitive and households are protected from rising costs,’ said David Chua, director for energy at PCCI.

Call for ‘policy flexibility’

PCCI cited three key pressures behind the need for policy flexibility: the need for steady baseload power as manufacturing expands; persistently high electricity rates that blunt competitiveness; and exposure to swings in global oil and gas prices.

As such, the group said any new coal capacity should use high-efficiency technologies and form part of a broader transition plan.

It also urged the government to expand natural gas and liquefied natural gas, while accelerating renewables, energy storage and grid modernization.

‘We must be flexible enough to adapt our policies to the realities of 2026,’ Ferrer said. ‘Lifting this moratorium provides the essential bridge we need to keep the lights on and the factories running while we continue to build our renewable capacity.’

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is proposing to significantly ease listing rules for preferred shares offerings, aiming to draw more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) into the capital market.

In a consultation paper, the PSE said it plans to slash the minimum public offering size for preferred shares offerings to P100 million from P1 billion, a tenfold reduction meant to ‘democratize access’ to the market.

The exchange said the move would align the requirement with small-cap initial public offering (IPO) thresholds and provide an alternative to crowdfunding, which SMEs often tap for funding.

Alongside this, the PSE is proposing to lower the minimum number of stockholders upon listing to 100 from 1,000, reflecting the smaller offer size.

The exchange also plans to revise public float rules, shifting from a fixed 20 percent minimum to a range of 15 percent to 20 percent, in line with SEC Memorandum Circular No. 11-2026.

In some cases, the PSE may allow a lower public float, but not below 12 percent, based on a company’s market capitalization at listing.

Easier disclosure requirements

To further encourage listings, the PSE is seeking to streamline disclosure requirements for ‘preferred shares-only’ issuers, focusing on information that affects dividend payments.

This will reduce the number of reportable events requiring prompt disclosure to 29 from 42, removing items not tied to an issuer’s ability to pay dividends.

Certain disclosures-such as reports on top shareholders and some corporate changes-will no longer be required, while sector-specific certifications will be added for mining and energy firms.

The PSE is also proposing a modified penalty framework, retaining fines for structured disclosures but simplifying penalties for unstructured violations to a single level.

Higher penalties will apply to violations affecting preferred shareholders’ rights, including dividend declarations, redemption terms and changes in shareholdings of key officers.

The exchange is inviting comments from market participants until May 5, 2026, after which the final rules may be refined from the draft.

Proponents

Investment banker Eduardo Francisco, president of BDO Capital and Investment Corp., earlier urged the PSE to lower the minimum offering size to P500 million, saying listing-even via preferred shares-could help smaller firms build credibility and attract investors.

‘If they are not yet listed, preferred [shares offering] is a safer way to introduce them,’ Francisco said.

He added that once listed, companies would also have an easier path to conduct follow-on offerings, whether of common or preferred shares.

‘At least, they have a seal of good housekeeping,’ he said.

Police anti-narcotics operatives arrested two alleged street drug pushers, and seized P142,000 worth of shabu (crystal meth) in a buy-bust operation early Wednesday, April 22, in Rodriguez town in Rizal province.

The Rizal police reported that a team of operatives held ‘Vonvon,’ 33, and ‘Cristi,’ 36, after they sold P500 worth of shabu to a poseur buyer in Barangay San Jose at dawn.

The suspects yielded seven heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected meth weighing 21 grams, worth P142,000, and a digital weighing scale.

The Rodriguez police are still investigating the source of the illegal drugs.

The report tagged the suspects as street-level pushers on the police watch list.

‘The arrest of these individuals is proof of our relentless campaign against illegal drugs. We will continue to intensify our operations to maintain the safety and order of our community, Colonel Eleazar Barber Jr., Rizal police director, said.

The suspects were detained and are facing charges of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.