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DOLE orders employers to protect workers amid poor air quality

Private-sector employers must take steps to protect workers when deteriorating air quality poses a threat to public health, under new guidelines issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino signed Labor Advisory No. 15, Series of 2026, directing employers to assess workers’ exposure to polluted air and implement measures appropriate to the level of risk.

Employers must conduct Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Control (HIRAC) procedures using the Air Quality Index Matrix and Action Points (AQIMAP) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Health.

HIRAC assessments must also be periodically reviewed and updated, particularly when air quality, workplace conditions or workers’ exposure levels substantially change.

For very unhealthy air conditions, employers must monitor air-quality advisories, provide necessary personal protective equipment and improve indoor airflow and ventilation.

Outdoor work must also be suspended or limited when air quality reaches a very unhealthy level, while workers must be informed about the health risks associated with exposure to air pollution.

When conditions become acutely unhealthy, DOLE advises employers to consider flexible work arrangements as an additional measure to reduce workers’ exposure.

At emergency air-quality levels, DOLE strongly recommends suspending non-essential work or adopting alternative work arrangements to protect workers.

Employers are expected to adjust workplace controls based on the severity of air pollution rather than rely on a single set of measures, with the advisory requiring continuing assessment of exposure and risk.

DOLE said the guidelines form part of its efforts to address workplace risks arising from environmental air pollution and strengthen measures for the health and safety of workers.

The advisory provides employers with a risk-based framework for determining when protective measures, work adjustments or suspension of non-essential activities may be necessary as air quality deteriorates.

Cyprus, Greece and Egypt Defence Ministers agree to strengthen cooperation

Ministers of Defence of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt agreed to strengthen defence cooperation through joint exercises and training, greater interoperability and the exchange of expertise during their 6th Trilateral Defence Meeting in Cairo on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence, following the meeting, the three Ministers signed a Joint Declaration.

‘During the meeting, the excellent relations between the three countries and their shared will to further deepen cooperation to safeguard regional security were reaffirmed, based on respect for the United Nations Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), other relevant agreements and the rules of international law,’ the press release said.

It also noted that the three Ministers exchanged views on international and regional developments, security challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the impact of ongoing crises on regional security and stability.

The importance of cooperation to de-escalate tensions and the need to end armed conflicts were also stressed, while the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining constructive dialogue as a key means of peacefully resolving disputes, the press release added.

Particular emphasis was also placed on strengthening operational cooperation through joint exercises and training, as well as enhancing interoperability and the exchange of expertise. Ways of strengthening trilateral cooperation in the areas of maritime security, search and rescue, cyber defence and the protection of critical infrastructure were also discussed, it is noted.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the three sides agreed to maintain the momentum of trilateral defence cooperation, with the aim of further strengthening security, resilience and stability in the wider region.

On the sidelines of the trilateral meeting, Cyprus Minister of Defence, Vasilis Palmas, met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi and held separate bilateral meetings with his two counterparts, Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher and Nikos Dendias, during which the progress and prospects of Cyprus’ bilateral defence cooperation with Greece and Egypt, as well as regional issues of common interest, were discussed.

Rising Samal: Where Tourism momentum meets investment confidence

Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines-There is a moment, somewhere between the five-minute boat crossing from Davao City and the first sight of Samal’s white-sand coastline, when the noise of the city falls away completely. The water turns a shade of turquoise that belongs on a postcard. And if you are paying attention, you begin to understand why investors, hotel brands, and tourism planners are increasingly pointing their compasses here.

The Island Garden City of Samal has long served as Davao’s weekend exhale. But something has shifted. With surging visitor numbers, a bold new identity, and the kind of infrastructure momentum that developers spend years waiting for, Samal is no longer a footnote in someone else’s travel story.

A destination that earns its ranking

In 2024, Samal recorded 921,748 verified tourist arrivals-the highest on official record, nudging the island toward one million visitors for the first time in the post-pandemic era. The Department of Tourism ranks it 9th among the Philippines’ top tourist destinations, designating it the country’s largest island resort and the face of Davao del Norte in tourism. This Holy Week alone, nearly 48,000 tourists came through-a figure that speaks to the island’s pull and its unmet potential.

But numbers rarely explain why people keep coming back. For that, you have to walk-and dive-the island.

Start at the Monfort Bat Cave in Babak, a Guinness World Record holder for the world’s largest colony of Geoffroy’s Rousette bats. At dusk, millions of them exit in a living black ribbon that unfurls across the sky-one of the most arresting wildlife spectacles in the archipelago. Puting Bato offers dramatic white rock formations along rugged coastline, while Sabang Cliff draws the daring: those who want to look down at the sea from height before plunging into it. Inland, the Hagimit Falls cascade through forest and rock, offering a cooler, quieter counterpoint to the island’s coastal drama.

Beneath the surface is where Samal truly sets itself apart. Coral gardens of exceptional biodiversity, giant clam sanctuaries protecting the taklobo, celebrated dive walls like Mansud Wall, wreck sites layered with marine life, and protected areas like Angel’s Cove and the Aundanao Fish Sanctuary form an underwater portfolio that few Philippine islands outside Palawan can rival in density and accessibility. Then there is the Vanishing Island-the Sanipaan Shoal sandbar that appears and disappears with the tides, a sliver of white sand surrounded by open turquoise water. It is the kind of place that makes people stop mid-sentence.

It is precisely this natural depth that anchors Samal Island’s new tourism brand, Dive into Beauty, a deliberate repositioning targeting high-value, experience-driven visitors who compare Samal not to nearby Davao, but to Tubbataha, Coron, and Apo Island.

The island is also beginning to prove that its appeal extends beyond traditional leisure tourism. The arrival of the IRONMAN 5150 Samal puts the destination on the map for sports and events tourism, bringing athletes and their support communities to the island for a race that makes use of Samal’s defining assets, demonstrating the island’s potential to host experiences that draw visitors for a specific purpose, encouraging longer stays and generating activity across accommodations, restaurants, transport, and other tourism businesses.

That diversification matters. Destinations that can attract visitors for the beach, biodiversity, business events, and major sporting activities are better positioned to build a more resilient, year-round tourism economy. For Samal, the opportunity is to turn these individual draws into a broader destination ecosystem.

The infrastructure turning point

Every great island destination has a moment when geography stops being a limitation and starts being an asset. For Samal, that moment is approaching on two fronts.

The Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge, targeted for completion in 2028, will make the island accessible from one of Mindanao’s most economically dynamic cities in under 10 minutes by car with zero sea-travel dependency. Davao City draws 1.8 million annual visitors, hosts a growing business process outsourcing sector, and serves international routes across Asia. Post-bridge, Samal inherits that entire demand base as a year-round leisure extension of the city.

On the ground, Davao Light’s Submarine Cable Project has already strengthened the island’s energy backbone-the quiet prerequisite for the hospitality and commercial growth that sustained tourism demands.

The investment picture: Early stage, strong signals

Samal’s hospitality market tells a story of striking undersupply. The island’s existing upper-market inventory-a handful of properties with no international flag among them-serves an island that received nearly a million visitors last year. The gap between demand and supply is visible to anyone running the numbers.

The most consequential response to that gap broke ground when Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) and PHINMA Hospitality launched TRYP by Wyndham Samal, the Philippines’ first-ever TRYP condotel and the island’s first internationally flagged hotel. Inspired by the iconic Bahay Na Bato, the project is the third collaboration between PHINMA Hospitality and Damosa Land, following Microtel by Wyndham hotels in Davao and General Santos.

The project’s early momentum has also been reinforced by industry recognition. At the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards 2026, TRYP by Wyndham Samal received two distinctions: Best Investment Condo Development and Best Beachfront Condotel Architectural Design. The awards underscore the project’s appeal as a hospitality development and investment proposition on the island.

Backed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and its global network across 95+ countries, TRYP by Wyndham Samal gives the island its first global hospitality brand and wider international reach. The four-star, 100-room property, with a 250-seat ballroom and flexible meeting facilities, is positioned to capture the emerging meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions market, while 90% of its units already sold underscores strong investor confidence in Samal’s tourism and property potential.

That hospitality confidence does not exist in isolation. Damosa Land’s Bridgeport, a 13-hectare master-planned waterfront community, has been laying the groundwork for Samal’s commercial and residential growth since its launch in 2022, with 90% of its total number of units sold to date. Now 70% complete, the development is also the venue for the IRONMAN 5150 Samal for the second consecutive year. With low-density condominiums, premium lots, a commercial area, and an exclusive marina, Bridgeport signals that Samal can sustain not just tourists, but residents, businesses, and long-term community life.

The growing ecosystem is complemented by established hospitality destinations such as Pearl Farm Beach Resort and Discovery Samal, reinforcing the island’s position as a destination with a strong tourism foundation. Together, these developments point toward a destination crossing a threshold-from weekend escape to full-spectrum growth corridor. For a destination with this much natural endowment, this much infrastructure momentum, and this little branded supply, the window of early-mover advantage is still open. It will not stay open for long.

‘Samal has reached a point where its potential is becoming increasingly tangible. We are seeing stronger tourism activity, growing investor interest, and the arrival of developments that can elevate the island’s profile. For us, this is an opportunity to help build a stronger and more connected Samal community,’ said DLI President Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo.

PBBM cut the tax, Congress should permanently scrap EPIRA’s systems loss charges

When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his recent SONA that ‘hindi naman tama’ (simply not right) for regular Filipinos to pay for the electricity that is lost between the power plant and the home, he brought to light a problem that has been draining family budgets for more than twenty-five years.

His removal of the 12% value-added tax (VAT) from the system loss charge on electricity bills by from the Bureau of Internal Revenue is a welcome and long-overdue fix. However, it is also intentionally incomplete. The abolition of VAT addresses a symptom, because the cancer is the 25-year-old EPIRA law that permits private utilities to recoup their own inefficiencies from the very consumers, is still unaddressed and can only be addressed by Congress.

The power industry was divided into generation businesses, a transmission operator (NGCP), and distribution utilities (DUs), which are effectively delivery couriers, under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA). An inventory shortfall happens when power is lost in transit, whether due to theft by unauthorized jumpers (non-technical loss) or the physical resistance of lines (technical loss). In response, EPIRA legally reclassified that shortage as a ‘government-mandated pass-through cost,’ which means that paying customers are charged for kilowatts that they never consumed.

This same reasoning is formalized for tax purposes in the BIR’s new circular: because it is a pass-through expense, it is no longer included in the gross sales of generators, NGCP, and DUs and is consequently exempt of output VAT. At a cost to government income of around ?10 billion annually, the outcome is a small but significant savings of about ?20 off the typical monthly home bill.

In comparison, our water utilities do not charge customers for their system losses. Concession agreements with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), which were signed in 1997, provide a completely different framework for Manila Water and Maynilad. Instead of treating water delivery as an unbundled chain of buyers and sellers, these agreements treat it as a single, end-to-end service obligation. When a pipe bursts or water is stolen through unauthorized connections, the operator is fully responsible for the loss, which is known as Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and is financed by its own capital rather than being charged to the next-door neighbor. Since there is nothing to list, there is no ‘water system loss charge’ on your account; instead, the concessionaire bears the expense and is expected to make investments to repair the leaks that caused it.

There is a significant technical difference here. Contract design protects water consumers from operator failure. EPIRA law makes electric consumers pay for their operator failure. Both industries were privatized to draw in capital and enhance services; however, one framework penalizes the operator for losses because they cost the operator money, while the other framework eliminates this discipline because it is paid for by consumers.

This is the core of the public grievance, and it deserves to be stated clearly. The paying homes’ bills suffer if jumper connection siphons power off a line. Compare that to a water concessionaire, whose bottom line is directly impacted by each leaky pipe and whose ability to make a profit hinge on lowering NRW.

Even worse, customers may be billed twice for the same issue. The purpose of the system loss charge is to recoup electricity lost due to theft and outdated wiring. However, customers also pay a separate Distribution Charge that is specifically designed to cover the utility’s capital investments, which include the transformer upgrades and line replacements that would initially lower those losses.

Malacañang has fulfilled its legal obligations and thank you President Marcos Jr. But now only Congress can amend EPIRA to forbid passing these losses to us consumers, cap them more aggressively, or restructure Distribution utilities’ incentives so that reducing losses becomes their source of profit. The DOF and BIR do not have the authority to eliminate the system loss charge itself. The Energy Regulatory Commission’s own methodology for establishing system loss caps should be closely examined in conjunction with bills like the proposed System Loss Charges Abolition Act, which are still being debated or sleeping in the Senate.

Yes, Water utilities should not be used as a model for electricity distribution because the two industries have different physics, histories, and capital requirements. However, the idea can be used for example when the thing that causes a loss also must pay for it, that thing will find ways to lower the loss. Urgency disappears when the loss is instead transferred to a captive consumer without a substitute supply, like a hostage set-up. (next)

Parental neglect creates a generation of juvenile killers

The unprecedented wave of campus gun violence that tore through San Jose National High School, Ateneo de Zamboanga, and Banga National High School between June and September 2026 has shattered our collective thinking that we are all immune to the virus of school shootings. For decades, we watched foreign tragedies unfold on television, insulated by a cultural belief that close-knit family ties and tight school communities would shield our youth. Today, that armor is entirely gone, replaced by a grim reality: six young lives stolen, dozens wounded, and a nation left asking how children as young as 14 became mass shooters.

While we must scrutinize security lapses and digital algorithms, we can no longer ignore the uncomfortable truth staring back at us from the mirror. These tragedies represent a catastrophic failure of families and homes. A teenager does not become a lethally armed extremist overnight. The 14- and 15-year-old perpetrators did not stumble into dark internet cults like the ‘764’ network or radical mass-shooter idolization forums in a single afternoon. They were groomed, radicalized, and isolated over months, all while living under the roofs of guardians who failed to see the warning signs. Parents and guardians have abdicated their most sacred duty: presence.

In an era where digital devices double as surrogate parents, adults ignored the silent withdrawal of their children into echo chambers of violence and nihilism. Furthermore, the lethal weapons used in these massacres came from parents’ negligence. Careless firearm storage and casual accessibility of deadly weapons directly enabled these minors to execute their crimes.

Every single individual, young and old, whether physically inside the classroom or interacting in online spaces-must learn from this bloodshed. For the youth, the lesson is one of digital accountability and radical empathy. Peer-to-peer relationships can no longer bypass those drowning in isolation or targeted by online predators. Bullying, which plagues nearly half of our students, must be actively dismantled by the students themselves. For educators and administrators, online vigilance must match physical vigilance. The school’s duty of care does not end at the campus gates; it extends into the digital ecosystems where our students spend their formative hours.

Grief and public outcry mean nothing without legislative teeth. Congress must pass stringent, non-negotiable child safety laws immediately. Legislation that mandates severe criminal liability for gun owners who fail to secure firearms from minors. Laws to enforce transparency from social media platforms, compelling them to aggressively scrub grooming networks and violent extremist content targeting Filipino children. The Social Media Ban for Children Under 13 must be enacted asap. This includes complete prohibition of social media platform access for any child under 13. Strict curation and restricted interactive capabilities on short-form videos and chat functions must take effect on minors aged 13 to 18.

Families affected by Cebu rapid bus transit project remain unpaid

The claims for compensation of families affected by the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project remain under review as Cebu City officials work to determine the payments due to private property owners, with the project’s September 30 loan deadline fast approaching.

Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, said some affected families have yet to receive compensation for properties used by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

‘There are affected families that have problems because they were not given yet what is due to them,’ Siasar told reporters.

He clarified that the outstanding payments involve affected private properties under the DPWH, rather than claims being processed directly by the Cebu City government.

Siasar said the city has received communication on the matter and is now working to reconcile the concerns, including reviewing the list of affected families and the documentation supporting their claims.

He said Archival had instructed officials to look into the complaints and determine the appropriate compensation based on existing guidelines.

‘The mayor said, ‘okay, I will look at the complaints. And then, give me the list of the affected families. And then, as to the amount, as to how much, we will see if there is proper documentation. And then, if and when it is within the guidelines, we will consider it,” Siasar said.

While some affected families already have places to stay, Siasar said the city recognizes the need to address the compensation that remains due to them.

Asked whether funds would be downloaded to the local government so it could directly pay the affected families, Siasar said this would depend on the applicable guidelines and whether the claims qualify.

Siasar said he had received the latest communication on the issue only last week.

He added that a meeting with the mayor is expected, following an earlier discussion with Archival on the concerns raised by affected families.

The city government is also assessing how the matter will proceed, including whether the concerns would be appealed or addressed through the existing process.

‘We will reconcile,’ Siasar said, adding that the mayor’s office, together with the legislative side of the city government or the office of the vice mayor, would work to ‘cover all bases.’

‘We are moving forward in the preparation,’ he said.

The compensation issue comes as the September 30 deadline for the CBRT loan draws near, putting added urgency on the city’s preparations for the mass transport project. CBRT, a major public transportation infrastructure project for Cebu, requires right-of-way acquisition and affects private properties along its alignment.

Compensation and relocation of affected families have been among the concerns accompanying the project’s implementation.

Siasar did not provide a specific amount or number of families covered by the outstanding claims during the briefing.

He said the city would first have to review the submitted list and supporting documents before determining which claims may qualify for payment under the applicable guidelines. Carmel Pedroza

Dangote IPO is not a shortcut to wealth

‘I bought Dangote shares that are worth N42,000. I am expecting to cash out big time to buy something valuable, at least a piece of land in Imowe-Ibafo, Ogun State,’ said Ifeoluwa Balogun.

Balogun’s expectation captures the excitement around Dangote Refinery’s public offer, but the N2.15 trillion IPO is creating access to ownership, not a shortcut to wealth. With 4.1 billion shares offered at N525 each and a minimum subscription of just 10 shares, the offer is bringing equity ownership within reach of ordinary Nigerians. What happens to their money after the subscription, however, will depend on the refinery’s future earnings, cash generation and share-price performance.

For Balogun, N42,000 buys 80 shares before applicable charges. If the shares eventually reach N1,050, his holding would be worth N84,000. If they reach N5,250, it would be worth N420,000. Neither outcome has a timetable, and neither price is guaranteed.

That distinction is becoming important as the Dangote IPO draws first-time investors into Nigeria’s stock market. The offer is scheduled to close on October 13, with the minimum subscription set at N5,250.

Investors are buying a stake in a business that has recently demonstrated substantial earning power. Dangote Refinery reported $13.91 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026, alongside $2.60 billion in EBITDA and $1.82 billion in net profit, according to BusinessDay. The result marked a sharp turnaround from the loss recorded in 2025.

Those numbers explain the enthusiasm around the offer. But an equity investor is buying future earnings, not simply the latest six months of profit. The refinery operates in a volatile global business. Its earnings are exposed to crude-oil costs, refined-product prices, refining margins, foreign exchange, demand and international energy-market conditions. A strong first half does not guarantee that future periods will produce the same results.

The company’s future expansion also matters. Dangote says the refinery has crude-distillation capacity of 700,000 barrels per day and plans to expand that to 1.4 million barrels per day. The wider complex includes petrochemicals, storage, marine infrastructure and logistics.

For shareholders, therefore, the investment case extends well beyond the IPO. The value of their shares will depend on whether the company can sustain production, expand profitably, manage its financial obligations, generate cash and return value to shareholders. That makes the distance between owning shares and becoming wealthy important.

If Balogun’s 80 shares rise from N525 to N1,000, his holding would be worth N80,000. But that increase remains a market gain until he sells. If the market price falls below N525, the value of his investment falls instead. The investor therefore has to live with the market’s timing.

Someone who expects the shares to finance a land purchase within a particular period could be forced to sell earlier than planned, potentially at a price below expectation. The market does not adjust its timing to an investor’s financial needs.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has urged prospective investors to read the approved prospectus and understand the terms and risks before subscribing. It has also warned against people or platforms promising guaranteed allocations or returns.

The significance of the IPO is therefore broader than whether Dangote shares rise after listing. It is introducing more Nigerians to ownership of productive assets at a time when household incomes remain under pressure. But ownership comes with uncertainty: the investor participates in both the gains and the risks of the business.

For Balogun, the more useful question is not how quickly N42,000 can become enough to buy land. It is whether he can afford to hold the investment long enough for the underlying business to create value. The Dangote IPO can put ownership within reach of ordinary Nigerians. It cannot put a guaranteed fortune within reach overnight.

Moontales

Friday, Sept. 25, is the Mid-Autumn Festival, an important festival second only to the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It is celebrated across China and in Chinese communities around the world. Hereabouts it is no longer just a Tsinoy celebration; Pinoys have embraced the festival, with families, barkadas, companies and organizations observing the Mooncake Festival.

That, however, is a bit of a misnomer, for while the mooncake is an integral part of the tradition, the festival is not about the cake but the moon, which is at its biggest and brightest on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, or mid-autumn (zhong qiu).

A cousin in our Viber chat group posted the other week an invitation to a ”Mooncake Festival’ that her village association was hosting, adding the following query: ‘I wonder how many Tsinoys today understand or remember the cultural and historical background of the moon festival.’ Another cousin said: ‘I suspect few care,’ to which she replied: ‘My grandpa said in a merchant class society, survival matters more than culture.’ Indeed.

I asked my niece Stef, ahead of our advance celebration last Sunday, whether she knew why we have mooncakes. ‘The messages in the cake to revolt’ was her answer.

ChatGPT cautions me to say ‘According to a famous legend…’ when recounting this tale, since it is not an established historical fact; but it’s a good story nevertheless. Han Chinese during the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty were plotting a coup and rebels communicated their plans by hiding messages inside mooncakes, which were widely distributed during this festival. The rebellion succeeded, the Yuan was toppled and the Ming dynasty was established.

A more romantic tale associated with this festival is the one about the maiden in the moon, Chang’e. Her husband Hou Yi the archer saved the kingdom and its people from the disastrous effects of climate change – a major heatwave caused by all 10 suns coming out at the same time – by shooting down nine of the 10 suns. He was rewarded by the gods with the elixir of immortality, which he did not take since he didn’t want to be separated from his wife. But one day, to keep the elixir from being stolen by a very bad guy – probably a cong-tractor – Chang’e drank it and immediately began to float heavenward. She chose to live on the moon, closest to Earth.

I don’t know how the Jade Rabbit got into the story, but the legend has it that it’s there in the moon, keeping Chang’e company and constantly pounding herbs to make more of the elixir of immortality – for whom and for what purpose, I guess only the rabbit knows.

So on Friday night when the moon is big and bright, you might just see them both if you look closely enough. I hope it’s a clear night so we can see the harvest moon in its full glory. Do join Hou Yi and look up to see Chang’e and think of those you love who are far away.

Mid-autumn is harvest time for the largely agricultural (at least in ancient times) southern China, where most of our ancestors are from. Thus it is a time of plenty, and families gather for a feast, a tradition that is still observed today.

Mooncakes are of course round; any square ones – and I’ve seen some – are blasphemy. A glossy deep brown pastry encases a rich filling of lotus or red bean paste, with one or two salted egg yolks. Some varieties have a mix of seeds and nuts. These days you can have different flavors of mooncakes – pandan, ube, cheese, even savory ones. They used to come in a red and gold tin of four cakes, and the tins are reused for holding hairpins or knickknacks or whatever. Cost cutting has substituted cardboard boxes instead, but some outlets have really elaborate containers that can double as purses or jewelry boxes and probably cost more than the cakes which, by the way, are not cheap – anywhere from P375 a piece to P4,888 for a box of four at one hotel.

The dice game associated with this festival is a Hokkien (Fujian, particularly Xiamen) thing, played with six dice in a bowl – it better be a big bowl, so the dice won’t jump out, as that forfeits your turn. My other niece Mart says ‘the game was invented to entertain soldiers, thus the number combinations mimic their ranks.’

A more common interpretation links it to the imperial exams, thus the number combinations or prize levels refer to the ranks: tsiong guan, the top scholar, is the grand prize, then down six levels to siu tsai, the lowly entry level scholar. There are 32 prizes for the lowest level, then 16, eight, four, two up to the big one. Traditionally, these are different sizes of cakes – the smallest, 32 of these about an inch and a half in diameter, is of course for the poor guy who just made it past the first level of the imperial exams; the largest is about 10-12 inches – but who wants to eat all that hopia? So nowadays, different prizes – sometimes even cash – of increasing value are substituted. Tradition dictates that the one who wins the tsiong guan hosts the next year’s celebration.

I didn’t do very well at our dice game last Sunday, although I did get one of the two prizes in the second highest level and a paltry two of the saling pusa prizes. My dog FJ lucked out, as those who won pears gave them to him, pears being his favorite snack.

New supply can’t meet power demand: NGCP

ELECTRICITY demand growth outpaces new supply across major regions, possibly signaling a severe power shortage.

According to officials of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), power supply across all grids are decreasing.

The Visayas experienced rotational brownouts in 2009. Since then, power demand has increased by up to 165 percent. However, power supply has only increased by up to 130 percent.

‘If you observe from 2019 towards 2026, the supply has become stagnant. As a result, demand growth has now outpaced supply…Visayas really lacks generation,’ said NGCP systems operations manager Erwin Bugawisan.

He said the most immediate solution to address the recurring red and yellow alerts in the Visayas is to restore all power plants in the region.

In Luzon, demand has increased by 118 percent since 2009, while capacity has only grown by 110 percent. ‘Supply is falling behind as well,’ he added.

As for Mindanao, because many new power plants came online after 2019, it is currently able to supply power to the Visayas. However, based on NGCP forecast, Bugawisan said Mindanao’s supply and demand might break even by 2028. ‘If that happens, it will no longer have any excess power to share with the Visayas,’ he said.

NGCP spokesperson Atty. Cynthia Alabanza said that the capacity increase from 2025 to 2026 is largely coming from solar plants or variable renewable energy, which only has a capacity factor of 17 percent based on 2025 data. ‘This means a 100-megawatt plant can only produce around 17 megawatts,’ she said.

On delayed transmission grid projects, Alabanza said the NGCP does not benefit from delaying project completion. ‘It is actually in our best interest to pursue the projects within the timeline. There’s no financial benefit. There is no regulatory benefit, nothing.

If you reduce it only to the engineering part, it can be done in four years. For example, the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP). If you strip away the rights-of-way, the permitting, etc….that would really have been done in four years.

NGCP has been given a lot of support, and we are thankful for that…but this is not a static requirement. As we continue to pursue, the problems continue to rise up. We will continue to pursue our projects, to finish within the timeline,’ added Alabanza.

2027: Obi can’t win because of political awareness in the South-East – Umahi

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has declared that the presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, cannot win the 2027 presidential election, saying increased political awareness in the South-East will cost him votes.

Umahi stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a report from the National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS] on its nationwide tour of federal roads.

The Minister urged South-East leaders to enlighten the people on what he described as the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the region.

‘The more we educate our people, the less votes Peter Obi will get. Peter Obi cannot win in 2027. It is important for the leaders of the South-East to be bold, vocal and speak to our people, the Igbos, about what President Tinubu has done and is doing for the Igbos,’ he said.

Umahi threw his weight behind Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for openly supporting President Tinubu, saying supporters of the President should not be vilified for their political choice.

‘I support the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, for his boldness in supporting the President. People should stop insulting supporters of the President; people should be allowed to support him,’ he said.

He claimed the Tinubu administration had done more for the South-East than any previous government in terms of appointments, inclusion and projects.

‘No other President has done what President Tinubu has done for the South-East, whether by appointment, inclusion or projects,’ Umahi said, adding that infrastructure such as roads and bridges remains critical to economic development.

On funding of legacy projects, Umahi said the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the cost, while the balance would be sourced from loans to be repaid through tolling.

‘The Federal Government is providing 30 per cent of the funds and the remaining balance is from loans which will be payable by tolling,’ he said.

The Minister also decried vandalism and reckless driving on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, alleging that some persons were removing iron used for road demarcation and manhole covers, while motorists overspeed on the corridor.

‘People cut the iron we used for demarcation, remove manhole covers and even overspeed. This is unacceptable,’ he said.

Earlier, NANS President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, said the North-West leg of the students’ road tour covered Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Sokoto States.

He said the team inspected the Kano-Maiduguri, Kano-Katsina, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano, Mando-Birnin Gwari, Sokoto-Badagry and Illela-Dukamaje roads, which connect more than 10 tertiary institutions.

Afeez said NANS was impressed by the scale, quality and pace of work observed, but recommended the construction of a pedestrian bridge at the Federal Co-operative College, Kaduna, to improve students’ safety.

Tinubu, Aiyedatiwa to Falae at 88: Nigeria won’t forget your role in fight for democracy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa have paid glowing tributes to elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, on yesterday’s celebration of his 88th birthday.

The President described Falae’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution and national development as significant chapters in the nation’s history.

In a birthday message yesterday, the President particularly acknowledged Falae’s role in the pro-democracy struggle, saying his courage and commitment to constitutional rule during one of Nigeria’s most difficult political periods earned him an enduring place in the nation’s history.

Falae is a former Minister of Finance and one-time presidential candidate; he currently holds the chieftaincy title of Baale Oluabo of Ilu Abo and the Gbobaniyi of Akure.

In a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the elder statesman as a patriot whose life has been defined by public service and commitment to Nigeria.

He recalled Falae’s prominent role in the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), the broad coalition formed in 1994 amid agitation for the restoration of democratic government following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The President said Falae and other pro-democracy campaigners defended constitutional government and citizens’ rights, despite the personal risks associated with opposing military rule at the time.

‘Chief Falae is a patriot whose life reflects a deep commitment to the service of our nation. As a co-founder and prominent figure in the NADECO movement, he was among Nigerians who struggled for the restoration of democratic governance and defended the principles of constitutional rule and citizens’ rights even at a risk to their lives.

‘His contributions to public administration, economic development and the struggle for democracy are significant chapters in our national journey,’ President Tinubu said.

Beyond the struggle for democracy, the President applauded Falae’s record in public administration, recalling his service as SGF and Minister of Finance, as well as his wider contributions as an administrator in the private and public sectors.

President Tinubu said the sacrifices of Falae’s generation should be a reminder of the responsibility of the present generation to continue strengthening the country’s democratic institutions and pursuing national prosperity.

‘On this special day, I celebrate your extraordinary courage, wisdom and dedication to Nigeria. Your generation played an important role in defending the political emancipation of our people, and their sacrifice reminds us of our collective responsibility to strengthen our democracy and build a more prosperous nation,’ the President said.

Falae remains one of the prominent surviving figures associated with the pro-democracy movement that challenged military rule in the 1990s and pressed for the restoration of civilian government.

President Tinubu, himself a prominent participant in the NADECO struggle, has repeatedly highlighted the coalition’s role in the campaign against military dictatorship and for the restoration of democratic governance.

The President prayed for good health, wisdom and renewed strength for Falae, expressing hope that the elder statesman would continue to contribute to Nigeria’s development.

Also, in a congratulatory message yesterday in Akure, the state capital, on behalf of the state government and its people by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Governor Aiyedatiwa celebrated the traditional ruler for his contributions to public service, community development and the promotion of peace.

The governor described Oba Falae as an accomplished public servant and respected traditional ruler.

He noted that Oba Falae’s wealth of experience and wisdom have continued to benefit his community and the state.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also acknowledged the monarch’s service to the country, particularly his tenure as SGF and Minister of Finance.

According to the governor, Oba Falae’s role as a prominent Yoruba leader has also contributed to his influence in the development and unity of the people.

He prayed for ‘continued good health, long life and greater wisdom for the monarch, as well as more years of fruitful service’ to Ilu-Abo and the state as a whole.

Aiyedatiwa wished Oba Falae a happy 88th birthday and lauded the monarch’s enduring contributions to society.