Author: user user

’Song of the Fireflies’ to be screened at Soho, Newport Beach film fests in US

The Filipino musical film ‘Song of the Fireflies’ will have separate screenings at the Soho International Film Festival and the Newport Beach Film Festival in the United States.

The movie is competing under the World Feature Film category at the Soho Film Fest in New York. It is set to be screened on Oct. 11.

‘We’re very excited and thankful to be part of this year’s Soho International Film Festival,’ said film director King Palisoc. ‘We hope the audience gets to experience the magic in the film the same way we did while making it.’

The ‘Song of the Fireflies’ will also be showcased at the Newport Beach Film Festival in Orange County, California, on Oct. 22, as part of the International Spotlight official selection.

Among those who will be attending the screenings is cast member and producer Rachel Alejandro.

‘We invite the Filipino community in New York, New Jersey and Southern California to come out and support ‘Song of the Fireflies’ which celebrates Filipino excellence in singing and music,’ she said.

‘Truly, music and singing are our ‘Pinoy Superpowers’ as proven by the back-to-back wins of Sofronio Vasquez III in ‘The Voice’ and Jessica Sanchez in ‘America’s Got Talent,’ she added.

Just last May, the film was recognized at the 58th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival where it was given the Platinum Remi Award. It won big as well at the 2025 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in March, clinching five accolades.

The movie is also one of the seven Filipino films that vied to represent the country in the Oscars.

Aside from Alejandro, other cast members include Morrisette Amon, Noel Comia Jr. and Krystal Brimner. The ‘Song of the Fireflies’ also has scheduled local screenings on Oct. 11, 12, 17 and 18 at the Ayala Museum. /ra

Lacson: Wednesday’s Senate hearing on flood-control mess canceled

The Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on alleged flood control anomalies set for next week has been cancelled, the committee’s chair and Sen. Ping Lacson confirmed Saturday.

In a Viber message, Lacson said he already informed Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III of the cancellation ‘until further notice.’

According to Lacson, he initially scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, October 8, upon the request of Sen. JV Ejercito to summon former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa regional director Gerald Pacanan.

Pacanan was included in 10 DPWH officials who received a show-cause order from Secretary Vince Dizon to explain their reported lavish lifestyle and involvement in substandard projects.

‘To maximize the discussions, I checked with the DOJ if the supposed ‘tell-all’ affidavit/s of the Discayas were already available. Corollary to that, I also checked with the office of the executive judge of Manila RTC if they have concluded the investigation on the possible violations of the notarized document involving TSgt Guteza and Atty Espera,’ Lacson likewise said in the message.

The senator said both of the affidavits and the notarized document would not be ready within a week.

‘Having been informed that both would not be ready within one week, not to mention that the BRC hearing will conflict with the budget and CA hearings, I informed SP Sotto of the cancellation until further notice,’ said Lacson. /mr

Anti-trust watchdog PCC also tapped for flood probe

The construction firm cofounded by resigned Ako Bicol party list Rep. Elizaldy Co and another owned by the Discaya couple are among the companies included in complaints related to bid rigging and manipulation that were referred by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the government’s antitrust body for the possible filing of cases.

In its referral to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the DPWH claimed that St. Timothy Construction Corp., Wawao Builders, IM Construction Corp., SYMS Construction Trading, and officials and employees of the DPWH in Bulacan, as well as Sunwest Inc. and officials and employees of the DPWH regional office in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) may have violated the Philippine Competition Act (Republic Act No. 10667), which was signed into law in 2015.

The PCC was created in January 2016 to implement the national policy of prohibiting anticompetitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions.

As the antitrust authority of the country, the PCC is mandated to conduct inquiry, investigate, and hear and decide on cases involving violations of the PCA, its implementing rules, and other competition laws.

Investigations on possible violations of the PCA can be triggered by a verified complaint, motu proprio or PCC’s own initiative to look into a case, or a referral by a concerned regulatory agency.

Top contractors

Co is a cofounder of Sunwest while St. Timothy is owned by the family of contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya. These companies were among the top 15 construction firms that bagged the most number of flood control projects from the government from 2022 to 2025.

‘The referrals include inspection reports, bid documents, and other relevant documents that may support the PCC Competition Enforcement Office’s (CEO) ongoing preliminary inquiry into possible bid-rigging and collusion among contractors,’ the PCC said in a statement on Friday.

The DPWH said officials and employees of the agency’s Mimaropa office were also allegedly involved in the case since ‘despite irregularities surrounding flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, regional officials failed to act and, instead, continued the projects awarded to Sunwest, Inc.’

This was on top of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (IFI) move, asking the Office of the Ombudsman to study the filing of graft complaints against Co and 17 others, including DPWH officials and Sunwest, over an allegedly substandard flood control project in Oriental Mindoro worth P289.5 million.

Co, the former chair of the House appropriations committee in the 19th Congress from 2022 to 2025, was accused of getting billions of pesos in kickbacks by contractors and DPWH officials who testified in congressional inquiries into flood control projects. Co had repeatedly denied these allegations.

In a separate complaint, the DPWH cited Wawao, IM Construction, SYMS, St. Timothy and officials and employees of the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office over alleged irregularities in the procurement of several flood control projects in the province unearthed during congressional hearings.

According to the agency, preliminary evidence, including the admissions of Curlee Discaya and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo before the Senate blue ribbon committee, ‘also suggests collusion among the involved contractors and officials’ which violates the Section 14, Chapter III of the PCA which prohibits certain anticompetitive agreements between competitors.

Fines

Christian Loren de los Santos, director of the PCC CEO, said they were gathering evidence, such as bid submissions and possible communication exchanges, to determine whether government officials and employees and the contractors violated the law.

‘The referrals follow testimonies presented during recent congressional hearings on the flood control controversies, which may likewise be used as evidence in the PCC’s investigation,’ the commission said.

Under RA 10667, entities that are found guilty of engaging in anticompetitive agreements such as bid-rigging may face administrative fines that vary based on the number of offenses committed.

A fine of up to P100 million may be imposed on the first offense. For the second offense, the fine ranges from P110 million to P275 million.

For the third and subsequent offenses, the fine increases to a range of P165 million to P275 million.

Entities that enter into any anticompetitive agreement may face imprisonment of two to seven years and pay a fine of not less than P50 million but not more than P250 million.

‘When the entities involved are juridical persons, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on its officers, directors, or employees holding managerial positions, who are knowingly and willfully responsible for such violation,’ the law states.

According to the PCC, individuals or entities involved in cartel conduct, including bid-rigging, price fixing, market allocation or output restriction, may apply for its leniency program.

Through this initiative, the antitrust body offers immunity from suit or a reduction of administrative fines for voluntarily disclosing their participation in anticompetitive agreements and cooperate fully with its investigation. Full immunity, however, is granted to only one applicant per violation.

Prominent cases

PCC has handled some prominent cases in the past.

It was involved in the review of PLDT and Globe Telecom’s joint acquisition of San Miguel Corp.’s telco unit in 2016 for almost P70 billion.

However in July 2016, PLDT and Globe sued the antitrust body for launching a review and sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction to stop the PCC’s investigation. The TRO was issued on Aug. 26, 2016. In February 2017, the Court of Appeals issued a rare gag order against PCC at the request of PLDT.

In May 2017, PLDT and Globe Telecom completed their acquisition of SMC’s telco assets, making their final joint payment to SMC while defying the competition watchdog’s request to hold off until the courts make a final ruling.

In August 2019, the PCC signed a memorandum of agreement with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to collaborate on investigations that involve power sector players.

The PCC was reportedly assessing whether power plant outages were valid ‘unplanned breakdowns’ that inevitably affected supply conditions or were actually ‘manipulated’ in order to raise electricity prices.

It earlier said it would look into allegations of possible collusion or abuse of dominance of certain power generators following ‘simultaneous shutdowns that may have caused an artificial supply shortage and consequently a hike in electricity prices.’

In September 2024, the PCC CEO charged a group of vegetable traders for entering into anticompetitive agreements for the supply of imported onions in the Philippines.

As the PCC’s investigative and prosecutorial arm, the CEO claimed that these vegetable traders, despite being competitors, conspired to manipulate the onion market in the Philippines from 2019 to 2023. The traders, who imported onions from China, the Netherlands, and India, allegedly worked together to control prices and limit competition. -WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH

Philippine eyes temporary onion import ban by February 2026

The government is expected to impose a temporary halt on onion imports by February next year to prioritize the local harvest and safeguard farmers’ incomes without disrupting market supply or burdening consumers.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the suspension would take effect about a month before the peak harvest period to prevent oversupply in the market.

‘For onions, definitely we will stop importation one month before harvest, which is around February,’ Tiu Laurel told reporters on the sidelines of the 47th meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF).

Tiu Laurel explained that imports of white onions began as early as last month, which helped bring down retail prices to about P100 to P120 per kilo from a high of P160 before importation.

He added that shipments of red onions are also expected to enter the country starting Oct. 15 in time to stabilize supply ahead of the holiday season.

The secretary said that prices of red onions spiked to as high as P140 to P160 per kilo in the past week.

This, he said, prompted him to quietly authorize the early entry of shipments to temper the increase.

Tiu Laurel also gave an initial estimate of the red onion imports, saying the volume could range between 3,000 and 5,000 metric tons (MT).

According to the government’s onion industry roadmap 2021 to 2025, efforts are aimed at raising national onion production to 279,270 MT from 229,539 MT by expanding cultivated areas and improving crop yields.

The roadmap said that most of the country’s roughly 35,000 onion farmers grow their crops on small plots averaging 0.5 hectare (ha) per household across select regions.

With such limited land, these farmers primarily rely on family labor, earning around P5,100 per man-day for bulb onions and P2,100 for shallots.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for 2020 shows the major onion-growing regions in the country are Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan region.

Bulb onions occupy 79 percent of the total area at 14,453 ha while shallots cover 21 percent at 3,938 ha.

From 2011 to 2020, PSA data shows that production increased at an average annual rate of 10.72 percent, to 229,539 MT from 128,837 MT, while area planted grew by an average of 4.91 percent annually, to 18,391 ha from 14,641 ha.

Bruce stays in hunt as Chen pulls ahead in Epson Tour

Sam Bruce cooled off with an even-par 70 after an impressive opening 68 but safely secured her place in the weekend rounds of the Epson Tour Championship at Indian Wells in California, where American Anne Chen surged into the solo lead on Friday (Saturday Manila time).

Bruce, who dazzled in the first round with a four-under-par start, carded four birdies but dropped two bogeys for a 35-35 split in the second round. Her two-day total of 138 put her at six-under, tied for 23rd and six shots behind the pacesetting Chen.

Despite losing momentum in the second round, Bruce, winner of the opening leg of this year’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, remains very much in the mix heading into moving day. A strong weekend could vault the rising talent into serious contention, especially with her proven ability to go low. A breakout win is not out of the question if she can rediscover her first-round form and handle the pressure of a packed leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Clariss Guce rebounded superbly from a rocky opening 73, firing a sizzling six-under 66, highlighted by a pitch-in eagle on the par-4 17th. The US-based Filipina and two-time Epson Tour winner climbed to joint 31st at five-under 139, putting herself back in striking distance for a solid finish.

Dottie Ardina, backed by ICTSI, stumbled to an even-par 72 following her first-round 69, slipping to a share of 50th at three-under 141 – just making the cutline.

She started brightly with two early birdies, moving to five-under overall. However, a pair of bogeys from No. 12 halted her charge, and she had to grind out pars to secure her weekend berth in the $250,000 event.

At the top of the leaderboard, Chen produced a scorching 64 – powered by a six-under 30 on her opening nine – to post a 12-under 132 total. She grabbed a one-shot lead over in-form Yana Wilson.

Chen’s round featured three straight birdies from No. 3, and though a lone bogey on the sixth marred her otherwise clean card, her consistent play under near-ideal conditions set the tone for the field.

Wilson, a two-time Epson Tour winner in her rookie season, stayed hot with a 65 and shares second place at 134 with Alice Hodge (68) and Sophia Schubert (69).

Meaningful golden moments

Jewelmer, the country’s pride in golden South Sea pearls, recently welcomed the Top 6 finalists of Miss Universe Philippines 2025 to Palawan for an inspiring immersion into the artistry and science of pearl cultivation.

Now in its fourth year as the official pearl sponsor of the prestigious pageant, the multi-awarded Maison showcased its world-renowned pearl farm where the queens, led by reigning Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Ahtisa Manalo, witnessed the intricate, years-long process behind every rare gem. The visit, highlighted by cultural performances from the local community, left the finalists in awe of the dedication, passion, and craftsmanship that make the South Sea pearl truly the country’s treasure.

A night of friendship and flavor

The ever-gracious Nene Leonor hosted a delightful dinner at the famous Shang Palace restaurant in Makati Shangri-La, Manila to celebrate the birthday of the beloved Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier. Surrounded by his loved ones led by his ever-supportive wife Edna Lhuillier, along with esteemed friends and diplomats, the evening brimmed with fun, laughter, and warm camaraderie.

Guests were treated to a sumptuous Chinese lauriat, making the gathering even more memorable. Thoughtfully organized by Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa and Alice Samson, it was truly an enchanting night that celebrated friendship and togetherness.

NCCR-Mageuzi’s Laila pledges factories, markets, and better health in Zanzibar

Unguja. The NCCR-Mageuzi presidential candidate for Zanzibar, Ms Laila Rajab Khamis, has pledged to tackle unemployment, enhance healthcare provisions, and significantly boost trade across the islands if elected.

Ms Khamis made the declaration on Friday, October 3, 2025, during the official launch of the party’s campaign at the Nego Kibanda Maiti Grounds in the Mjini Magharibi Region. Acknowledging the incumbent government’s existing achievements, Ms Khamis stated that the NCCR ticket intended to deliver far greater progress.

“If we come to power, we shall ensure health services improve and that Zanzibari children are educated to become champions,” she affirmed. She emphasised that employment goes beyond mere job creation, extending to improved remuneration.

“We shall employ citizens within their own areas and increase salaries by 80 percent,” she promised. Ms Khamis addressed the persistent unemployment crisis, stating that the NCCR Mageuzi government would construct numerous factories to eliminate the problem.

“We urge you to vote for us so you may witness the great things we shall achieve once we assume office,” she stated. She pledged that, if elected, she would establish Unguja’s finest market and reinstate crucial loans for traders within her first 100 days in office.

“Mothers, this shall mark the end of your struggles. I will establish a large market here at Kibanda Maiti, unlike anything seen previously, where every trader can bring their goods in their own vehicles,” said Ms Khamis.

Earlier, the party’s running mate for the Union presidency, Ms Eveline Munisi, stated their central goal is to introduce reforms across all sectors in Tanzania. Ms Munisi argued that Zanzibar is economically wealthy, yet its populace does not reap the full benefits.

“Zanzibar has extensive fisheries, but no one benefits. We have come to bring change; we shall provide modern boats for all fishermen,” she declared.

Ms Munisi confirmed the party plans to build an inclusive economy to ensure unemployment is no longer a grievance among Zanzibari youth. “Tourism is performing well, but youth do not benefit.

We shall ensure inclusive growth so that young people gain. The education you possess is sufficient; you should not struggle further.

NCCR-Mageuzi is here to end your complaints,” she stressed. She added that no investment would proceed without significant youth participation, guaranteeing that no future grievances arise.

The party would also empower women by granting them the necessary loans, thereby ending the cycle of exploitative borrowing practices. “When we speak of economic growth, we must view it from the perspective of every Zanzibari, not just as a statistical figure in a report.

When the economy grows, even essential medicines will be provided free of charge,” she maintained. On healthcare, she insisted it is not merely about constructing large physical facilities, but about fundamentally improving service delivery.

“The one party capable of delivering this is only NCCR-Mageuzi. We shall ensure there are sufficient doctors and nurses, and that medicines are readily available in all hospitals,” she confirmed.

Regarding peace, Ms Munisi said they have endeavoured hard to maintain stability, which is why they seek a mandate to organise and improve life for Zanzibaris so that peace endures through the development of a ‘Blue Economy’. “We want to see Zanzibari prosperity for all,” she said.

NCCR’s Deputy Secretary-General in Zanzibar, Mr Ameir Mshindani, said that if elected, they would end the denial of crucial identity cards to rightful Zanzibaris and ensure that local youth are employed in the tourism sector, replacing foreign workers. Deputy Secretary-General for Mainland Tanzania, Mr Martini Mgogo, said their first official agenda is achieving national consensus because currently every group pursues its own distinct agenda.

He stressed that the Union’s existence cannot be merely a single party’s policy, but rather requires agreement through extensive dialogue and genuine consensus. .

Tarlac court voids Guo’s birth certificate

The birth certificate of accused Chinese spy and human trafficker Alice Guo has been voided by a trial court in Tarlac, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

At a Senate finance committee hearing yesterday, PSA chief Dennis Mapa told senators that on Sept. 24, the Tarlac City Regional Trial Court Branch 11 granted a petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to cancel Guo’s certificate of live birth.

‘This is good news for the Philippine government, that it was able to declare as void Alice Guo’s birth certificate,’ Mapa said.

The court ruling came a year after the PSA endorsed to the (OSG) the cancellation of Guo’s birth certificate.

In several incidents in the past, Guo insisted that she was a Filipino, although she was a native-born Chinese. She was accused of spying for the Chinese Communist Party and of faking her Philippine citizenship to be able to run and win in the mayoral race in Bamban, Tarlac.

Prosecutors say Guo used the position to set up an offshore gaming hub in the town, which became a center for human trafficking.

She is accused of taking advantage of the country’s late birth registration system to fraudulently obtain her Filipino citizenship, set up businesses and run for government office.

Guo’s citizenship was questioned due to her inconsistent testimonies about her background.

She is facing multiple charges in connection with her alleged involvement in Philippine offshore gaming operators, which have been linked to human trafficking and other illegal activities.

Senate finance committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian said the system that allows registration years after birth paved the way for foreigners with ill intent to infiltrate the country and become fake Filipinos.

‘One of the biggest gaps in terms of espionage in our country is the late registration process. This is a weakness in our system that can be exploited by people who want to create problems in terms of our country’s national security,’ Gatchalian said.

At the plenary session on Wednesday, Sen. Risa Hontiveros exposed in a privilege speech another case of fraudulent late birth registration, this time involving a son of a mining magnate.

Hontiveros said the subject person also has two passports – Filipino and Chinese – and two birth certificates.

Fil-Chinese businessmen back Customs reforms on fair trade

The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) expressed its support to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) for pursuing a sweeping tight governance measure to avoid corruption inside and outside the agency.

The BOC has implemented the ‘Anti-Conflict of Interest’ policy, a strict ‘No Take’ Policy, and tighter disclosure rules for customs personnel in its bid to protect legitimate businesses and ensure fair trade.

According to BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, the initiatives are reinforced by the agency’s digitalization program aimed at streamlining the processes, reducing the red tape, and curbing opportunities.

Nepomuceno said the ongoing reforms – anchored on integrity, accountability and modernization – paid off handsomely following the reported seizures of smuggled goods valued at P2.39 billion.

Such accomplishments, according to Nepomuceno, reflect the agency’s firm resolve to uphold transparency and strengthen public trust in Customs operations, and at the same time, enable the agency to win the support of no less than the FFCCCII.

He thanked the business community for their valuable support.

‘We value the trust and confidence extended to us by the business community. The BOC’s reform agenda is not only about institutional integrity but also about creating an environment where legitimate trade can thrive,’ Nepomuceno said.

‘By working hand in hand with our partners in the private sector, we can ensure that the Philippines becomes a more competitive, transparent, and predictable destination for investment,’ the BOC chief concluded.

Recognizing these efforts, FFCCCII President Victor Lim said the business community welcomes the BOC’s reforms and the Commissioner’s strong stance on integrity and good governance.

‘It is good that there are leaders such as Commissioner Nepomuceno, who uphold integrity in good governance,’ Lim said.

‘In light of the recent issues affecting the Philippine government, it is good that there are leaders such as Commissioner Nepomuceno, who uphold integrity in good governance and create a very competitive and business-friendly environment for businesspeople such as the FFCCCII,’ he said.

‘We are very supportive of such leadership.’

The FFCCCII said the business sector is ready to work closely with the BOC in sustaining reforms, noting that such partnership will not only strengthen the campaign against smuggling but also contribute to national economic growth.

Study: Tree-planting could cut heat risks for millions of Tanzanian farmers

Dar es Salaam. As global temperatures rise, new research has found that growing trees alongside crops could protect millions of Tanzanian farmers from the life-threatening health impacts of extreme heat.

The Kisiki Hai Sustainable Heat Adaptation Development (KISHADE) project has produced the first scientific evidence showing that trees within croplands can significantly reduce heat stress among agricultural workers. The study was conducted in four Dodoma Region districts: Chamwino, Bahi, Kongwa, and Mpwapwa, aimed to evaluate heat adaptation interventions to help manage heat’s health effects.

The research is a collaboration with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of Dar es Salaam, the University of Dodoma, Muhimbili National Hospital, and MetaMeta. The findings, presented on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the sideline meeting of the 12th Tanzania Health Summit, were made possible through the LEAD Foundation.

An internal medicine specialist and Director of Curative Services at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dr Faraja Chiwanga, who leads the project under LEAD, said the aim is to determine whether agroforestry can improve farmers’ health by transforming their immediate environment. “For years, farmers engaged in the Kisiki Hai (Live Stump) programme, which has restored more than 30 million trees across 260,000 households, have reported that trees offer natural cooling.

The KISHADE project is scientifically testing that claim,” she said. Dr Chiwanga noted that the project, the first of its kind in Tanzania, is funded by the Wellcome Trust and seeks to provide concrete data rather than anecdotal evidence on the health benefits of agroforestry.

With over 70 percent of Tanzania’s workforce engaged in agriculture and exposed to extreme outdoor conditions, the study aims to answer a pressing question: Can trees shield farmers from deadly heat? “The need for this research is dire. Farmers are increasingly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular strain,” said Dr Chiwanga.

“The absence of shade or cooling infrastructure makes heat stress a major obstacle to both well-being and productivity,” she added. Researchers are using innovative tools to gather evidence as farmers are observed in their daily routines while wearing sensors that monitor body temperature and heart rate.

She said urine and blood samples are also analysed to assess long-term health impacts. By comparing data from farmers practising agroforestry with those who do not, and using advanced climate sensors, the team sought to determine precisely how trees help protect health.

Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Dar es Salaam and co-researcher, Dr Richard Sambaiga, said community participation was crucial. “Farmers have welcomed the wearable technology, showing strong engagement.

Ethical approvals were secured without difficulty, and the detailed weather data collected in the first phase has laid a solid foundation for the next stages,” he said. He emphasised that community sensitisation and involvement have been central to the project’s early success.

Beyond the immediate findings, KISHADE is also strengthening local capacity by training young Tanzanian researchers in advanced scientific and field methods, ensuring long-term benefits. The project’s outcomes are expected to influence not only farmers but also policymakers, health professionals, and government agencies.

Non-governmental organisations and international partners stand to benefit from new insights into nature-based climate adaptation. At the same time, donors will gain evidence on the value of investing in environmental and health resilience.

The data on microclimates and human health will contribute to global research on planetary health, with lessons applicable in other heat-stressed regions. Farmers are already noticing changes, as Mr Henry Mubi from Kongwa District in Dodoma says, “The heat is unbearable.

It shortens our working hours and makes farming harder.” “We suffer headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.

With fewer working hours, income falls too. But crops planted in shaded areas survive longer during heatwaves,” he added.

An occupational health expert from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Ivan Ivanov, described the research as a landmark effort. “This is a vital contribution to understanding how nature-based solutions can safeguard human health in a warming world,” he said.

.