Author: user user

We usually refer to digital transformation in terms of technology: faster internet, new apps and artificial intelligence. In the Philippines, which identifies digitalization as a driver of social and economic development, the important question is: do these technologies help instutions work better for the people?

While technology can strengthen institutions and systems, it can also magnify weaknesses. If an existing manual, slow, complex and confusing process is put online, it only gives you a slow, confusing process online. Therefore, real transformation changes how decisions are made, services are organized and delivered and is responsive to the needs of the people.

The design and adoption of digital tools are very much key milestones that strengthen institutional capabilities, but they are most effective if people trust its use. Therefore, the digital systems must themselves be trustworthy: inclusive, secure, accessible, and accountable. Poorly governed technologies can increase exclusion and just as easily as good systems can reduce it.

Therefore, consider connectivity. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and UNDP have worked together to bring free Wi-Fi to underserved communities. The Wi-Fi signal is just the start. What matters is the change enabled because of access to the signal. Students can join a class, health workers can access new information to improve quality of services, local governments can disseminate information that can save lives at a time of disaster and for Indigenous Peoples and geographically isolated communities it provides an opportunity for increased economic and social participation. .

Contributing to sustaining peace and development, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG-BARMM) and UNDP, are helping local governments, through the use digital tools to plan, deliver services and make decisions based on evidence.

Trust also continues to increase as people continue to see services being delivered, based on evidence, and in a needs responsive way. This requires institutions that continually learn and adapt. Monitoring, evaluation, and learning are therefore as important as investments made in physical infrastructure. Data and digital tools enable governments to identify what works, understand who is being left behind, and adjust policies and services accordingly. In the Philippines data is increasingly considered a development asset.

The country’s digital transformation journey highlights that it takes a collective effort. National government sets the vision and creates the enabling environment and invests resources, local governments deliver solutions for communities, civil society strengthens participation, universities provide evidence, the private sector brings innovation, and development partners help connect to resources, knowledge, and partners. Most importantly, communities help inform and confirm the solutions address the real needs.

As the Philippines advances toward a more inclusive, resilient, and digitally enabled future, success should not be measured by the number of new applications or processes digitized. A more compelling measurement would be whether students can access education regardless of they live, youth can access more job opportunities, whether communities are able to respond to disasters earlier and whether citizens can access public services with dignity and confidence.

Digital transformation is about trust. And trust remains the most important infrastructure any country can build.

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) has retained its title as the Philippines’ strongest bank for the sixth consecutive year, according to financial research and intelligence provider The Asian Banker.

The recognition forms part of The Asian Banker’s annual ranking of the world’s 1,000 largest and strongest banks, which evaluates financial institutions based on their balance sheet strength, profitability, asset quality, liquidity and risk management.

The ranking assesses banks’ financial health and resilience, including their ability to absorb potential losses and maintain stable operations during challenging economic conditions.

‘Our strength comes from the trust our customers place in us and the dedication of our Metrobankers, who remain committed to delivering financial solutions that help our clients succeed in different market conditions,’ Metrobank president Fabian Dee said.

‘This recognition reflects how we continue to grow stronger together with our clients, communities and partners through every challenge and opportunity,’ Dee added.

The recognition comes as Metrobank continues to report solid financial results, with net income reaching P24.9 billion in the first half.

The bank’s nonperforming loan ratio stood at 1.8 percent, significantly below the banking industry’s average of 3.4 percent. Metrobank also maintained an NPL coverage ratio of 133.3 percent.

The country’s outstanding debt ballooned to another record high of P19.66 trillion as of end-September, due to issuance of government securities and peso depreciation against the dollar.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed that the national debt inched up by 0.3 percent in end-September to eclipse the previous all-time high of P19.61 trillion in August.

On a year-on-year basis, the debt stock picked up further by 12.6 percent from the P17.46 trillion recorded a year ago.

The outstanding debt was equivalent to 99.5 percent of the government’s projected P19.77-trillion debt stock by the end of 2026.

For September alone, the government’s debt stock increased by P53.47 billion from the previous month.

Treasury data showed the current debt pile is now mostly made up of domestic debt with a 67.4-percent share, while external obligations accounted for 32.6 percent.

Domestic debt inched up by 0.07 percent to P13.25 trillion in end-September from P13.24 trillion in end-August.

‘The increase was mainly due to the P7.66 billion net issuance of government securities, while peso depreciation against the dollar added P1.12 billion to the value of onshore dollar bonds,’ the BTr said.

The peso weakened against the dollar to 62.601 as of end-September from 62.209 as of end-August, the BTr said.

Domestic debt also increased by 10.7 percent from P11.97 trillion in September 2025.

Total external obligations likewise increased by 0.7 percent to P6.41 trillion as of end-September from P6.37 trillion in end-August. The amount was nearly 17 percent higher than the P5.48 trillion booked in September 2025.

‘The increase was mainly attributable to the P40.12 billion increase in the peso value of foreign-currency denominated debt due to peso depreciation against the dollar and the P9.27 billion net availment of external loans,’ the Treasury said.

The Cebu City Government has started releasing fuel subsidy assistance to qualified transport drivers on Friday, October 30, months after approving the program and launching a validation process to weed out ineligible beneficiaries.

Initial payroll records released by City Hall showed that payouts had been scheduled for drivers from several barangays and transport groups.

Among the first batches were 104 qualified beneficiaries under the Habal-Habal Fuel Subsidy program in Barangay Sinsin, with a total allocation of P260,000; 109 beneficiaries from Barangay Cambinocot with P272,500; 98 from Sudlon 2 with P245,000; and 43 from Tabunan with P107,500.

The four barangays accounted for a combined payout of P885,000, with each beneficiary receiving P2,500 in cash.

Another batch covered drivers from Barangays Cogon Ramos, Sto. Niño, San Antonio and Sta. Cruz, involving 111 beneficiaries and a total allocation of P272,500.

The payouts mark the long-awaited implementation of the city’s P35-million fuel subsidy program, which aims to cushion transport workers from the impact of rising fuel prices.

The program faced repeated delays after city officials found discrepancies in the initial list of applicants.

The number of applicants had ballooned from about 10,000 to roughly 35,000, prompting City Hall to conduct a thorough revalidation to ensure that only legitimate transport workers would receive assistance.

Mayor Nestor Archival subsequently ordered stricter verification of beneficiaries, requiring applicants to submit supporting documents and certifications before they could be included in the final payroll.

The city government removed duplicate, questionable and ineligible entries from the master list before releasing the funds. The P35-million subsidy was earlier allocated through Supplemental Budget No. 1.

Qualified beneficiaries also include drivers of public utility vehicles, modern jeepneys, taxis and habal-habal operators who meet the requirements set under an executive order issued by Archival.

Officials earlier said applicants must be registered voters of Cebu City, hold valid driver’s licenses and certify that they have not received similar fuel assistance through another government program.

It’s the spookiest time of the year once more!

Filipinos love a good scare, especially inside a dark theater accompanied by friends. In fact even sharing screams with a person you don’t know can feel like a good release whenever a frightening moment pops up onscreen.

This Halloween season gathers a number of scary and horror-adjacent movies in cinemas in the days leading up to October 31. Philstar.com lists some of them here:

Sine Sindak

SM Cinemas bring back its special series of horror films where tickets to screenings cost only P100.

Movies for this edition at participating cinemas include:

“App the Horror”

“Cerita Lila”

“Crawlers”

“The Influencer Project”

“Never After Dark”

“Phi Phong: The Blood Demon”

“VHS: Viva Horror Stories”

Thrill Fest: Zombie Outbreak

Ayala Cinemas also stages its own line of curated Halloween films revolving around projects with zombies in them. Tickets here will cost P150 per screening.

Selected by the cinema chain are:

“Colony”

“My Daughter is a Zombie”

“This Is Not a Test”

“Train 2 Busan: Peninsula”

“Train to Busan” (extended)

“We Bury the Dead”

Horrorkada Film Fest

Select cinemas under Robinsons Movieworld will screen classic horror films for just P250 (P200 in other participating theaters).

Making up the list here are:

“The Sixth Sense

“The Silence of the Lambs”

“The People Under the Stairs”

Fear Factory

Megaworld Cinemas meanwhile has its own horror film festival where a single pass costs P200, but a ticket to see all five films is P500.

These are the films to choose from:

“Maligno”

“Invisible Half”

“V/H/S Halloween”

“The Legend”

“Madeline’s Curse”

“Clayface”

DC Studios’ newest franchise entry is about the titular Batman villain capable of transforming his apperance into any individual or weapon.

Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, a rising actor who gets on the wrong side of a powerful Gotham mob boss, resulting his face getting disfigured and his stardom practically finished.

He desperately approaches doctor Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie) willing to volunteer as a human test subject for her nanite treatment capable of healing damaged tissue and nerves.

The treatment begins well but when things go awry, Hagen injects himself with more nanites which on the surface heals him from any injury, but in reality also gives him the ability to alter his physical and vocal appearance.

Revenge seeps into the fallen actor’s mind against all who turned on him, risking the trust of an engaged Corr who he finds himself falling for.

“Clayface” is R-18 and will only be available in select theaters. Viewer discretion is advised.

“Whalefall”

Daniel Kraus’ book about a man attempting to escape the stomach of a sperm whale is adapted for the big screen by Brian Duffield.

Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) goes diving in the ocean to search for the remains of his estranged father Mitt (Josh Brolin), a year after the latter’s death.

The underwater search turns sideways – or rather goes even deeper – when Jay witnesses a giant squid fighting a sperm whale and in the encounter gets swallowed by the cacholot.

With limited oxygen literally left in the tank, Jay tries to escape the whale’s belly before getting digested while dealing with memories of Mitt.

“Other Mommy”

Jessica Chastain stars in Rob Savage’s adaptation of Josh Malerman’s 2024 novel “Incidents Around the House.”

The Oscar winner plays a mother who does everything to protect her seven-year-old daughter from a supernatural entity that looks just like her.

Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, Karen Allen and Arabella Olivia Clark also star.

“Resident Evil”

Zach Cregger breathes life into the live-action adaptation of the popular video game series after a number of failed attempts.

Austin Abrams plays a medical courier who comes across a zombie outbreak while making his way to Raccoon City.

Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser, Will Merrick, Karel Dobry and Jo Martin also star.

“Verity”

Anne Hathaway is in a roll in 2026 with her fifth film of the year, an adaptation of Coleen Hoover’s novel of the same name.

Dakota Johnson is a ghostwriter for the titular best-selling author played by Hathaway and the former finds Verity’s notes, which lead to a potential conspiracy.

Josh Hartnett, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Brady Wagner and Irina Dvorovenko also star

“Red Crown”

Beauty queens and established actors come together in “Red Crown,” where winning the competition may mean survival.

25 contestants compete in the silver anniversary of the Queen of the Islands pageant where the contest takes a dark turn.

Among those in the cast are Sanya Lopez, Shuvee Etrata, Michelle Marquez Dee, Ahtisa Manalo, AZ Martinez, Ashley Ortega, Gazini Ganados, MJ Lastimosa, Herlene Budol, Faith da Silva, Ara Arida, Yana Aduana, Tarah Valencia and Alethea Ambrosio.

“The Fisher”

Paul Soriano’s new movie sees Mon Confiado play a fisherman who must decide the fate of a stranger he discovered lost at sea.

The said individual is a suspect in the fisherman’s teen daughter getting pregnant as well as a fish-rotting plague in the community.

Enchong Dee, Mercedes Cabral, Heaven Peralejo, Eula Valdez, Apollo Abraham and Buboy Villar also star.

“Pee Mak”

Wilbert Ross and Bea Binene star in the Philippine adaptation of the Thailand’s highest-grossing movie of all time that featured Mario Maurer and Davika Joorne.

Ross’ Mak returns to his village from a war with four of his soldier friends, eager to meet his wife and newborn child, but find everyone terrified of a ghost among them.

Vandolph Quizon, Jairus Aquino, Candy Pangilinan, TJ Valderrama, Janno Gibbs, Jerome Ponce and Gian Bernardino also star.

“Multwoh”

A queer college becomes a ghost after dying in their dorm room – but instead of seeking revenge, they only wish to say “I love you.”

Sassa Gurl, Joao Costancia, John Lapus, Iyah Mina, Phi Palmos and Mina Paner make up the main cast.

“The Cycle”

Deborah Ann Woll plays a forensic anthropologist whose long-missing father’s body somehow pops up at a crime scene, forcing her to confront his dark past.

Jeffrey Donovan, Gretchen Corbett, Phillip Botello, Will Hochman, Jack Doolan and Don Keith Opper also star.

“Vampire Carnival”

Nell Verlaqu’s grieving Gemma is drawn to a mysterious traveling carnival that comes to town. She later learns of an underground world that feeds on despair and demands a costly price for escape.

Paulina Chávez, Kieron Moore, Eoin Macken and Jason Isaacs also star.

Taipan Henry ‘Big Boy’ Sy Jr. hosted a rare impromptu Chinese lunch for senior business journalists at upscale China Blue restaurant in the family’s five-star Conrad Hotel Thursday. He seemed to convey two distinct messages:

One, he is fed up with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the transmission monopoly, being made the punching bag whenever there is a power shortage in major areas or nationwide. Like in the Visayas where there is an electricity shortage despite the fact NGCP has surplus transmission capacity in the region. So the electricity shortages in the Visayas is inadequate power generating capacity, not a failure of NGCP transmission system.

Two, the current electricity shortage nationwide can be solved in two or three years with an aggressive rollout of solar power and other renewable energy sources. NGCP guarantees to buy the solar electricity, store it in its BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) for delivery to electricity users using NGCP’s transmission lines.

Resort to solar and other RE in tandem with BESS has become more urgent after the Iran War raised 62 percent the price of oil from $73 for Brent (to above $118 per barrel) and refined petroleum products and byproducts. The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has described the situation caused by the war as the ‘greatest global energy security challenge in history.’ Also, the coming El Niño drought could be severe, resulting in higher than usual demand for electricity.

Big Boy Sy is vice chair of NGCP and chair of NGCP parent company, Synergy Grid and Development Philippines, Inc.

Big Boy’s answer to electricity shortages and unreliable energy is what he calls Project Airbag, NGCP’s rapid BESS rollout, initially with 850 megawatts and reaching up to 10,000 megawatts in five years – additional power capacity that covers electricity shortages. BESS cost is high, up to P700 billion, quadrupling NGCP’s current capex per year of P25 billion.

This initiative to deploy battery energy storage systems that can provide fast-response storage and greater operating flexibility across the Philippine grid, says Big Boy in a briefing paper given to his luncheon guests. Here is the NGCP brief:

The project is intended to help address immediate system pressures, prepare the grid for tighter supply conditions associated with the 2027 El Niño and provide longer-term flexibility as the country’s generation mix continues to evolve.

The current supply problem in the Visayas is driven by tight supply conditions and simultaneous generator outages.

Battery storage can respond much faster than new generation can be built. It gives NGCP an additional transmission-side tool to support the system during short-duration shortages and disturbances by storing available electricity and releasing it when the system is under greater pressure.

Project Airbag is a practical intervention that NGCP can pursue within its own sphere while longer-term supply solutions are still being developed.

The battery rollout is not limited to the Visayas.

El Niño creates a foreseeable risk of reduced hydroelectric output, particularly in areas where generation depends heavily on rainfall and reservoir levels. The risk is national, which supports the deployment of storage in other parts of the grid as well.

Batteries can capture available electricity during periods of surplus, including daytime solar output, and release that stored energy during evening peaks, periods of reduced hydro output or other tight system conditions.

Early deployment is therefore intended as a proactive resilience measure rather than a reaction after supply conditions have already deteriorated.

Batteries do not create electricity and cannot substitute for adequate generation over prolonged periods. The underlying structural requirement remains sufficient dependable generation capacity.

New generation projects take significantly longer to develop, finance, approve, construct and commission. Airbag can provide a bridge during that development period by reducing immediate system vulnerability.

The proper framing is therefore short-term transmission relief supporting – not replacing – long-term generation investment.

The value of battery storage is not limited to the current Visayas situation or to one El Niño cycle.

The Philippine grid will continue to need greater flexibility as demand grows and the generation mix becomes more diverse and variable. Strategically located storage can provide fast-response support during disturbances, improve the use of existing transmission assets and strengthen overall grid resilience.

As more solar and other variable renewable generation enters the system, storage can also help shift available energy from periods of high production to periods of higher demand.

Properly regulated battery storage can therefore form part of the country’s long-term transmission infrastructure and flexibility toolkit.

The current supply challenge is acute and pervasive. Additional supply must therefore come from as many viable sources as possible, including those made possible by technological advances.

The objective is not to concentrate or monopolize participation in the energy sector, but to disperse the burden of addressing the country’s supply requirements by enabling more participants and more sources to contribute.

A more flexible transmission system can accommodate energy from a wider range of sources regardless of scale, location or configuration, including large-scale generation, embedded generation, distributed energy resources, net-metered facilities, rooftop solar and other emerging sources.

Households, businesses, distribution utilities, communities, agricultural users and other qualified participants can increasingly contribute to the country’s energy supply where technically and commercially feasible.

Project Airbag can help provide the storage and system flexibility needed to integrate these diverse and dispersed sources into the grid more effectively and reliably.

Over the longer term, enabling greater use of domestic and renewable energy resources can help reduce the country’s exposure to price-volatile imported fuels and strengthen national energy security.

Meanwhile, all aspects of the Sy businesses are doing well, Big Boy told me. SM’s current inventory of condo units will be sold out within three years, he says.

In the meantime, the SM group is going on a land buying spree and reclamation in preparation for an economic boom expected after two years.

Mixed movements in pump prices are projected to continue as November starts next week.

An oil industry source said motorists should expect a P2.90 to P3.20 increase in gasoline prices.

Meanwhile, diesel prices may see a slight cut of around P0.40 to P0.60 per liter.

According to the source, eased diesel export restrictions by South Korea helped lower the product’s price, which increased by P1.20 per liter earlier this week.

These prices, however, continue to be affected by energy supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East, as well as concerns over another United States strike on Iran after the former’s midterm elections next week.

The peso’s slide to record lows against the dollar also threatens to push fuel prices even higher, with Department of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin saying that the weakening peso could drive up the cost of imported coal, diesel and liquefied natural gas.

On Tuesday, October 27, the currency hit an all-time low exchange rate of P64.17 to the dollar.

Although the peso traded higher in the following days, it has lingered near the P64-per-dollar mark since.