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Basic Energy Renewable Corp. (BERC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Basic Energy Corp. (BEC), and ACMobility, the Ayala Group’s mobility platform, have partnered for the installation and management of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs).

The partnership, dubbed Basic RePower-ACMobility charging facilities, will debut at the Total stations along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX Northbound) in Sta Rosa, Laguna; Total North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Apalit, Pampanga; and Ecooil EDSA in Mandaluyong. This pilot site will serve as a model for future installations across the country, demonstrating how partnerships among key energy and mobility players can accelerate the Philippines’ shift toward electrified transport.

The partnership also includes a development of a platform called Evro that allows drivers can easily locate, monitor, and pay for their charging sessions.

‘This partnership with ACMobility signifies Basic Energy’s strong commitment to advancing clean energy and sustainable transport,’ said Basic Energy CEO Oscar de Venecia, Jr., adding that the partnership will boost BEC’s Green Energy E-Transport Program and related e-charging facilities.

THE acting National Police (PNP) chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., on Thursday said that the cyber units of the agency will help secure the coming ‘Undas’ holidays.

Nartatez said that the police cyber units will operate in tandem with regional monitoring hubs to watch over social-media chatter and digital incident reports that could indicate emerging threats or misinformation.

‘Security today is no longer confined to physical spaces. We are also monitoring digital spaces where misinformation or scams can spread quickly, especially when millions of Filipinos are travelling and staying connected through their phones,’ Nartatez said.

‘Technology gives us an added layer of situational awareness. It helps us deploy personnel more efficiently and detect possible problems before they escalate,’ he explained.

Nartatez also tasked the Anti-Cybercrime Group to flag fake advisories, phishing messages, or online scams pretending to offer travel assistance or cemetery services.

He said crowd behavior analytics drawn from CCTV (closed-circuit television) networks, drone footage, and mobile app data will also help estimate real-time movement in transport terminals and major cemeteries.

So far, police have not monitored any threats in anticipation of the All Saints/Souls commemoration.

On the ground, some 25,300 policemen and 22,000 force multipliers will be deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of the public.

Assistance desks, patrol teams, and traffic management units will also be stationed in cemeteries, bus terminals, seaports, and airports.

ARRIVALS of Muslim travelers in the Philippines slipped by 7.5 percent this year, despite government marketing strategies and a campaign to encourage more hotels to offer halal-friendly services.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed there were close to 170,000 Muslim nationalities who arrived from January to September 2025, compared to the 183,615 in the same period last year. The data refers to nationalities of Gulf of Cooperation Countries (GCC) and Muslim-majority countries in Asia. These exclude overseas Filipinos working or living in these countries.

Still, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco claimed an ‘upward trajectory of 10 percent [in Muslim arrivals] this year, and it shows that our strategies to attract Muslim travelers are working.’ She noted that Malaysia was among the top 10 source markets for tourists in the Philippines, along with Indonesia, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates, ‘and countries that have Muslim expats.’

While she failed to reveal any hard targets for Muslim arrivals, she said the agency’s strategies in terms of developing halal-friendly products and marketing will ‘hopefully.communicate that the Philippines is open and ready for Muslim travelers.’

Frasco added that several hotels, such as Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Corp. and Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, have already been implementing halal-friendly practices in a bid to boost their Muslim arrivals.

Malaysians are top tourists

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enteprise Zone Authority is also constructing Tourist Rest Areas in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, in Mindanao.

The DOT data showed that from GCC countries, Muslim tourists slipped by 7.89 percent to 26,111 in the nine months to September this year, with the top nationalities as Saudi Arabian at 13,978 (-3.1 percent); Kuwaiti 3,261 (-15.25 percent); Emirati 2,928 (-9.55 percent); Omani 2,580 (-10.1 percent); Bahraini 2,551 (-14.22 percent); and Qatari 813 (-18.31 percent).

From Asia, Muslim arrivals reached 143,676, a 7.47-percent drop from January to September 2024. Of these tourists, the top nationalities were: Malaysian at 75,206 (-3.03 percent); Indonesian 34,655 (-23.8 percent); Turkish 10,479 (-8.89 percent); Bangladeshi 6,877 (+99.49 percent); and Pakistani 4,779 (+6.5 percent).

While the DOT officials could not say why there seemed to be a sizeable increase in Bangladeshi tourists, the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2022 noted the improvement of trade and economic ties between Manila and Dhaka. Specifically, Bangladesh investment in the Philippines reached P36 million in 2022, mainly in the wholesale and retail sectors. Bilateral trade was recorded at US$142.86 million in favor of Bangladesh.

Travel publication launched

This developed as the DOT on Tuesday unveiled a Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines, a three-volume publication that provides a practical guide for domestic and international visitors to experience the Philippines ‘in ways that honor faith and culture, reflecting the DOT’s mission to make tourism inclusive, respectful, and authentically Filipino,’ said Frasco.

The travelogue was developed in partnership with the New Perspective Media Group, a UAE-based marketing and PR communications group, which also publishes The Filipino Times.

Frasco said the publication reinforces the growing recognition of the Philippines as one of the rising Muslim-friendly destinations in the world. In this year’s Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) of Mastercard and CrescentRating, the Philippines climbed to eighth place, from 12th in 2024, it the list of top 20 non-OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) countries.

‘It is a guide and a roadmap for welcoming the world with respect, warmth, and understanding. Through the travelogue, visitors will discover historic sites that celebrate our shared heritage, culinary experiences that celebrate our halal and Muslim-friendly offerings and destinations designed to promote comfort, safety, and hospitality for all,’ she added.

Those who attended the travelogue’s launch at the DOT Central Office were Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Malik Melvin Castelino, Brunei Ambassador Megawati Manan, and representatives from the embassies of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as those from New Perspective Media.

Cebu Pacific expanded its operations at Clark International Airport with two new routes and increased capacity.

This was announced by the carrier in a news conference here.

Cebu Pacific will launch direct flights between Clark and Naga City starting on October 26, operating every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Flights between Clark and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro will begin on October 28, flying every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

The new routes bring Cebu Pacific’s total destinations from Clark to 16 including 12 domestic and four international flights which gives the airline the widest network among carriers at the hub.

Candic Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience, said the launch of two new routes will increase its Clark hub capacity to 1.7 million seats by the end of 2025, up 25 percent from 1.4 million seats last year. Iyog said they also expect to operate more than 11,000 flights from CRK in 2025, compared with about 7,000 last year.

‘With Cebu Pacific’s expanded network, increased capacity, and more affordable fares, Clark is fast becoming one of the most exciting jump-off points for air travel,’ said Iyog. ‘This growth strengthens Clark’s role as a vital tourism, economic, and transportation hub, creating more opportunities for communities in the region and beyond.’

The expansion supports the government’s efforts to decongest Metro Manila and develop Clark as a major aviation and logistics center in the north. It boosts economic activity and tourism in Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, and neighboring provinces, as well as the Bicol and Mimaropa regions connected through the new routes.

Cebu Pacific also operates 37 domestic and 26 international routes across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Cebu Pacific will also offer a P99 seat sale until October 31 with one-way base fares (exclusive of fees and surcharges) for domestic destinations. The promo is valid for travel through March 31, 2026.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga-The government’s science agency is keeping its sights on raising tilapia production and survival rates through a research-driven industry roadmap set to run until 2028.

Cynthia Almazan, senior science research specialist at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcaarrd), said the agency’s Updated Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda aims to improve survival rates and expand fish farming beyond freshwater areas.

‘Our ultimate goal is to increase the survival of our [tilapia] fry and fingerlings, and raise overall production,’ Almazan said. ‘We also hope to expand into brackish or saline environments.’

The roadmap, which covers 2022 to 2028, gathers together a portfolio of technologies currently undergoing pilot and field testing. Pcaarrd expects these to be ready for transfer to local producers and private investors before the plan concludes.

‘By the end of this roadmap, we hope our technologies are already ready for rollout and commercialization,’ she said.

Almazan said that researchers have been collaborating closely with the private sector from the early stages of project development to ensure that proposed technologies respond to actual needs on the ground.

‘We involve them right from proposal packaging,’ she said. ‘That way, we already know what they need and how we can help.’

She noted that tilapia farming communities, particularly in Pampanga and Bulacan, are already benefiting from early-stage innovations, with support from local farmers, academic institutions, and researchers.

In addition, Almazan said the industry’s biggest challenges remain the quality of broodstock and the cost and efficiency of feeds, which are two areas the council is addressing through science and technology interventions.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show that while overall fisheries production fell by 2.6 percent in the second quarter, tilapia output grew by 3.1 percent, buoyed by steady demand and adaptive local farming practices.

‘The challenge really lies in broodstock quality and feeds,’ she said. ‘If we can fix these through S and T (science and technology) innovation, we can significantly help our farmers.’

By 2028, Almazan said Pcaarrd expects its research and development programs to deliver ready-for-market technologies that can strengthen the country’s aquaculture sector.

‘With the participation of our partners and the private sector, I believe we can contribute meaningfully before this roadmap ends,’ she said.

The Department of Agriculture has a separate 2022-2025 Tilapia Industry Roadmap, which targets a 352,000-metric-ton increase in production by 2025.

OVER 100,000 workers affected by the recent typhoons have received short-term employment assistance under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged-Displaced Workers (Tupa) program, the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole) said on Thursday.

Data from Dole’s Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns showed that 101,302 affected workers from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol, and Eastern Visayas have so far benefited from P494.7 million in emergency employment assistance.

Tupad provides displaced or informal workers temporary jobs lasting 10 to 90 days, allowing them to participate in cleanup, rehabilitation, and community restoration activities while earning minimum wage-level pay.

Among the regions, Eastern Visayas recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 75,598 workers receiving P359 million in wages.

Bicol Region followed with 8,511 beneficiaries worth P41.6 million, while Mimaropa recorded 7,014 workers who received P34.7 million.

In the Ilocos Region, 5,312 workers received P27.2 million, followed by Cclabarzon with P22 million for 3,177 workers, and Cagayan Valley with P9.9 million for 1,690 beneficiaries.

Dole said the emergency employment assistance aims to help affected workers recover while supporting ongoing cleanup and repair efforts in communities devastated by Typhoons Mirasol, Nando, Opong, and Paolo.

‘Through Tupad, the Department remains committed to continuously assisting disaster-affected workers toward recovery, livelihood restoration, and their continued progress,’ the agency added.

The labor department earlier said it is reviewing the current work duration under Tupad, with plans to extend the maximum period of employment beyond 90 days.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma said the review seeks to determine whether a longer work period would make the program more sustainable and better aligned with post-disaster recovery needs.

‘The study is ongoing.Under Tupad, the issue raised is that the program duration is too short..We are considering extending it, but that would mean fewer beneficiaries since the funds would have to be spread across longer employment periods,’ Laguesma said during the Senate Committee on Finance hearing.

As of September, the agency has extended Tupad aid to more than 1.52 million workers, already surpassing its 2025 target of 1.46 million.

In 2024, the program assisted over 4.45 million beneficiaries-more than triple its goal of 1.35 million-with nearly half coming from areas hit by calamities.

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is aligning its policies with the Marcos administration’s call for a modern fiscal and investment framework that attracts responsible capital while ensuring environmental protection and social equity, Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.

Lotilla, who introduced President Marcos during the opening of Mining Philippines 2025 Conference and Exhibition at the Grand Hyatt Manila, said Marcos’ leadership and clear direction in advancing the responsible development of the country’s mineral resources is an effort that links economic transformation, energy security, sustainability, and climate resilience under the Bagong Pilipinas vision.

The signing into law of the enhanced fiscal regime for large-scale metallic mining has also answered decades-old calls for a fair, transparent, and efficient system, streamlining the disbursement of local government unit (LGU) shares from national wealth while strengthening accountability and revenue use, he said.

The DENR chief said a climate and ecosystem-based lens in evaluating mining projects has been adopted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

‘We are recognizing that every intervention on the landscape affects water, biodiversity, and communities. This approach is strengthened by the development of the national natural geospatial database, which feeds into our Natural Capital Accounting System that was recently prescribed by Congress, and the establishment of the Water Resources Management Office within the DENR, ensuring that mining operations are aligned with the watershed protection and long-term climate adaptation goals,’ he said.

Meanwhile, he said the DENR is also streamlining permitting processes and modernizing the mineral resource data system, launching a government-led mineral mapping and inventory beginning in 2026, aligning the social development and management plan of mining companies with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG), strengthening indigenous people’s participation in equitable benefit-sharing, and expanding the use of space-based monitoring to enhance mining and environmental compliance and transparency.

‘At the same time, the [Mines and] Geosciences Bureau Geohazard Mapping continues to provide timely guidance to both national and local government units and communities in safeguarding lives and property from climate and disaster-related risks,’ he added.

These reforms, he said, signal a new phase for Philippine mining where minerals are no longer viewed merely as commodities to extract, but as strategic assets for a clean energy future and inclusive progress.

‘As the world accelerates towards decarbonization, the demand for critical minerals will shape the next global economy. The Philippines must be ready not just to supply but to lead with responsibility and science-based governance,’ he said.

Lotilla said that under Marcos’ leadership, the country is now building the foundation of the future where the stewardship of natural wealth becomes a defining pillar of national strength and unity.

Finally, addressing conference participants, he urged the industry to join the government to reaffirm a shared commitment that mining in the Philippines will be responsible, resilient, and responsive to both people and planet.

THE government should allocate P3 billion from the competitiveness enhancement measures fund (CEMF) to bankroll programs for the local coffee sector in 2026, according to industry leaders.

Sources, however, called for the revision of the coffee industry roadmap set to end this year, since it would serve as a ‘basis for funding.’

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (PCAFI) President Danilo Fausto said the current balance of CEMF at the end of last year stood at P5.16 billion.

‘We need to access that money because 60 percent of that money is collected from the tariffs of coffee that should be flown back to the industry,’ Fausto told reporters on the sidelines of the 1st Philippine Coffee Sustainability Congress organized by the Philippine Coffee Board (PCB) in Makati City on Thursday.

‘But the fund can only be accessed if it is included in the GAA [General Appropriations Act],’ he added.

Under the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the CEMF was allocated only P25 million, or a tenth of the P250 million allotted in the previous NEP. In the 2025 GAA, the fund is at P1.25 billion.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. earlier confirmed to the BusinessMirror that the DA had yet to use the fund earmarked for the CEMF in the 2025 GAA.

Because of this, the DA chief said the agency did not request an additional budget for CEMF for next year. He added that the agency is revising the policy that would ease farmers’ access to the fund.

The CEMF is established under Republic Act 8800, wherein 50 percent of revenues collected from fees, charges, and safeguard duties on imported goods would be earmarked for this fund.

Industry sources said the CEMF consists mostly of safeguard duties collected from coffee and poultry imports.

With this, Fausto noted that the earmarked fund should be allotted to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), whose mandate was to distribute seeds.

‘The problem in every crop in the Philippines is [lack of farmers’ access to] seeds and planting materials. Without these, you have no crops,’ Fausto said.

‘All we have to do is put the fund in the GAA, give it to the BPI, so that support for seeds and planting materials can be provided.’

‘Lack of coffee trees’

For PCB Chairperson Chit Juan, planting materials are critical in the industry, given the lack of coffee trees in the country.

As such, Juan said the new targets outlined in the coffee industry roadmap set to run from 2026 to 2030 should zero in on changes in the supply of seedlings.

‘There are not enough accredited nurseries, so we need to localize the nurseries and teach farmers how to have their own community nurseries,’ she said, noting that they were in talks with the BPI about whether this could be realized.

Juan added that the BPI should have centers around the country that would boost the competitiveness of coffee farmers.

‘We want to have centers through the BPI because currently, if a farmer wants to get their soil tested, they have to go all the way to Diliman. They don’t have access to services that will make them more competitive,’ she said.

THE International Series Philippines is a powerful platform that will help the current crop of Filipino talent by testing their skills against the best in the world and exposing them to the highest level of competition.

So said Angelo Que, 46, and a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, including the Philippine Open in 2008.

The 46-year-old, soon to be a legendary name in Philippine golf and a stalwart of the Asian Tour for over two decades, understands better than most how transformative the tournaments can be.

‘Especially for the younger players, it gives them a sense of the competition level out there,’ he said. ‘The International Series is on a different level in terms of the field, camaraderie, and quality of play.’

He added: ‘These players are used to playing bigger tournaments, so it’s great for the guys to experience that. For us, yes, it feels like a Major, but at the end of the day, it’s still a tournament. If you play your normal game, you can compete with them.’

Currently leading the Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit, Que has been in fine form this season with consecutive high finishes on the Asian Development Tour-a T3 at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament and T5 at the ADT Players Championship presented by The R and A.

Joining him this week in the event presented by BingoPlus are several of the country’s brightest young talents, eager to showcase their abilities on home soil.

Among them is Aidric Chan, who sits fourth on the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit with two victories this season-at the Lexus Challenge and the Morocco Stars Marrakech, the latter earning him a start in the International Series Morocco.

‘I’m really excited. It’s something we all look forward to,’ said Chan. ‘Not many golfers get the chance to compete with major champions – players we grew up watching. Hopefully, I can make the weekend and maybe even play alongside one of them. That’s something to really aim for. It’s inspiring and motivates me to push harder this week.’

Also representing the next generation is Sean Ramos, who has been turning heads in his first full season on the Asian Tour with a string of strong performances: tied 22nd at the International Series Morocco, tied 19th at the Jakarta International Championship, and a tied 7th finish at the SJM Macao Open.

‘I think recently my ball striking has been a lot better, and mindset-wise, I’ve been playing with more freedom,’ Ramos said. ‘Last week was a big confidence booster. Before, it felt like I was reaching for the stars, but now I know I can compete and do it again.

‘I’m very honored to compete on home soil with massive names in golf like Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, and Louis Oosthuizen. I think it’s the first time they’ve ever played here, so I’m really proud to see where my game stands alongside theirs.’

Enrico Gallardo earned his place in the field by finishing as highest non-eligible local in the ADT qualifier, highlighting the important pathway created for Filipino golfing talent.

‘It’s a real honor to be here,’ Gallardo said. ‘I’m very glad I was able to earn my slot – the last one in, actually. I’m just grateful for the opportunity and hopeful to play my best this week.’

When asked about his goals, Gallardo revealed his hopes of earning a place on the Asian Tour next season. He said: ‘This is a big step for my career. I plan to go to Q-School in Thailand this December for the Asian Tour, and I hope this event gives me more confidence heading into that and future tournaments.’

Home favorite Miguel Tabuena, a three-time Asian Tour champion, is also ready to embrace the challenge.

‘Of course, you always want to perform well in your home country,’ Tabuena said. ‘But at the same time, you have to treat it like any other event. These guys (Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel) are major winners – they can adapt to anything. So course knowledge isn’t a huge factor this week. Still, I’m going to give it my best shot and try to keep the Philippine flag on top of the leaderboard.’

The International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus is one of nine elevated events on the Asian Tour this season, offering players from around the world a pathway into the LIV Golf League through the season-long International Series Rankings.

This week’s tournament will blend elite-level competition with vibrant entertainment, including headline concerts, premium hospitality, live music, gourmet dining, and immersive fan experiences-making it one of the standout sporting and lifestyle events of the year.

Maya Philippines Inc., the country’s second largest fintech firm, on Thursday said it will provide its upgraded users access to the initial public offering (IPO) of West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc.

Maya said it launched its stocks feature, which now carries the IPO of Maynilad. It will make the access through its partner brokers DragonFi Securities Inc., F. Yap Securities Inc. (2TradeAsia) and Philstocks Financial Inc.

Through Maya Stocks, upgraded users can open and fund a brokerage account in minutes and view available IPOs directly within the Maya app.

The IPO subscriptions are completed through participating brokers’ platforms, while Maya provides a secure and convenient channel for account opening and funding.

‘Our goal has always been to make access to financial opportunities simpler and more inclusive,’ said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya group president and co-founder of Maya Bank.

‘Maya Stocks brings IPO participation closer to consumers by embedding a secure, regulated process into the same app they already use every day.’

Users can open a brokerage account with participating brokers, fund it through their Maya wallet with no transfer fees and view IPOs when available.

During the offer period, IPOs such as Maynilad’s will be visible on participating brokers homepages within the Maya app. The platform enables funding of brokerage accounts through the Maya Wallet with no transfer fees.

Users subscribing to the Maynilad IPO can do so with no additional commission fees through participating brokers’ simplified IPO channels. Commission fees continue to apply to regular stock trades.

The feature goes live in time for the Maynilad IPO offer period, which runs from October 23 to 29, and will continue to be available for other company IPOs through Maya’s partner brokers. The Maynilad IPO can be accessed through participating brokers on Maya Stocks.

The company said the launch of IPO visibility on its app is part of Maya’s broader mission to expand access to essential financial tools and bring more Filipinos into the formal financial system.