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Metro Manila minimum wage hike takes effect

MINIMUM wage earners in the National Capital Region (NCR) started receiving a P60 daily wage increase on September 26, as Wage Order NCR-28 took full effect, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) said.

The increase raised the minimum wage for non-agricultural workers to P755 per day from P695, while workers in agriculture, small retail and service establishments, and small manufacturing establishments now receive P718 from P658.

Dole said about 1.1 million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila are covered by the wage adjustment.

The new rates cover workers in agriculture, as well as retail and service establishments employing 15 workers or less and manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino in announcing the wage increase said, ‘This shows the significance of the tripartite mechanism, where the government, employers’ groups, and employees’ groups come together to advance the dignity of Filipino workers.’

Tolentino said the mechanism also demonstrates that cooperation among the three sectors can help promote a sustainable economy in the NCR.

Wage Order NCR-28 was issued through the wage-setting process conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR and subsequently confirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

With the order now fully effective, employers are required to implement the new minimum wage rates and reflect the increases in their payroll and compensation systems.

Tolentino called on employers to strictly comply with the wage order, while Dole said it will continue to monitor its implementation and provide guidance to workers and employers.

Groups push policy reforms to curb exposure to EDCs

THE Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation (Acri) and the EcoWaste Coalition on Thursday pushed for urgent policy reforms to address the problem posed by endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as phthalates and bisphenols that are leaching from everyday plastics.

At the 2026 State of Nature Assessment (Green Sona) organized by Green Convergence in Indang, Cavite, in partnership with the Cavite State University and other entities, with the theme ‘Green Actions for a Sustainable Tomorrow,’ resource person Anna Beatrice Enriquez, senior research associate of Acri, shed light on two families of endocrine-disrupting plastic chemicals, phthalates and bisphenols, that are known to disturb hormonal balance, damage hearts, impair developing brains, and compromise fertility.

‘EDCs like phthalates and bisphenols disrupt our hormones, which act as the body’s chemical messaging system for growth, development, and reproduction,’ said Enriquez. ‘They don’t act like typical poisons that make you sick right away. Instead, even minute exposures can cause serious harm that may only manifest decades later.’

‘Plastics bring hazardous chemicals, like phthalates and bisphenols, into our homes and bodies, and we are not being told, warned, or protected from it,’ said Anna Beatrice.

Manny Calonzo, EcoWaste Coalition campaigner, noted ‘the limited controls our nation has do not offer real-world protection, especially to children, women and workers, who are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of these hidden toxic chemicals.’

Phthalates are plasticizers added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic to make it soft and flexible, such as vinyl curtains and flooring, flexible hoses, medical devices, toys, raincoats, and other plastic consumer goods. Some are used for non-plastic purposes, such as personal care and cosmetic products. They are not chemically bonded, and they leach out continuously. Also known as the ‘everywhere and everyone chemicals,’ phthalates have been detected in sampled individuals.

Bisphenols are monomers, or building blocks, used in a wide range of plastics, including polycarbonate, and found in some baby bottles, epoxy resins, food packaging, eyewear, medical equipment, water bottles, toys, and other applications. Like phthalates, bisphenols can be found in sampled persons, with concentrations typically higher in infants and children.

In a report published in 2026 by Acri, Arugaan, EcoWaste Coalition, and the Interfacing Development Interventions (Idis), with support from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (Ipen), the groups commented that regulations on phthalates and bisphenols in the Philippines exist, but are ‘narrow, outdated, and poorly enforced,’ stressing that ‘the majority of high-exposure products are entirely unregulated for these chemicals.

For example, Department of Health Administrative Order 2009-0005-A, adopted in 2011, restricts six phthalates to a maximum of 0.1 percent in children’s toys, while FDA Circular 2019-004, adopted in 2019, bans BPA only in baby feeding bottles and sippy cups.

Numerous everyday items, including food packaging, building materials, medical devices, thermal receipts, and children’s products except for toys, remain unregulated under both rules. Even when bans are enforced, manufacturers may substitute one hazardous chemical for another, as bans are limited to specific chemicals and exclude ‘chemical cousins’ with similar hormone-disrupting risks.

In general, the groups see the need to 1) regulate phthalates and bisphenols not as individual chemicals but as chemical groups, 2) address the full uses and not only partial uses of these chemicals, and 3) ensure chemical transparency and traceability to uphold the people’s right to know and promote compliance monitoring and accountability.

Specifically, the groups seek a broader regulation of phthalates in food- contact materials, medical devices, building materials, and children’s products, including school supplies. Understanding the unique vulnerability of children, the groups call for a PVC ban in children’s products, noting that phthalates are used to plasticize PVC.

As for bisphenols, the groups seek to extend the limited ban on BPA in baby feeding bottles and sippy cups to all food contact materials, regulate BPS, BPF, and all analogues, and phase out bisphenol-containing thermal receipts.

The groups also advocate for mandatory chemical composition disclosure, a unified interagency chemical safety body with a real mandate, and a national biomonitoring program for EDC exposure.

Over 600 medical students’ careers in danger as Rivers House in face off with PAMO Medical University

Over 600 medical students of the PAMO Medical University in Port Harcourt on scholarship by the Rivers State government are said to be in grave danger as the faceoff between the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) and the University deteriorates.

The Nyesom Wike-backed House of Assembly has now issued a warrant of arrest of the Vice Chancellor of the private university for allegedly refusing to appear before it. The university had gone to court for protection.

In their defence, PAMO University has issued an explainer on why its Vice Chancellor refused to appear before the House.

The crisis began when the House began screening the 2026 budget and rejected the budget for PAMO. They rejected the explanation that the N6Bn was for scholarship obligations to PAMO University.

Next, they summoned PAMO to appear before it, but the University went to court to enforce their rights, saying it was wrong for the House to declare it guilty before summoning it to explain.

The House responding by setting up a committee to investigate the University and issued a warrant of arrest.

In a statement issued Monday, September 28, 2026, by Peter I. Akubuiroh, the Registrar, PAMO said the University has avoided escalating the dispute because disruption to medical education would adversely affect about 600 current Rivers State Government scholarship students, together with their families.

‘For the past four months, PAMO University has continued to keep these students on campus despite outstanding school-fee payments, bearing the costs of their tuition, feeding, accommodation, and related expenses.

‘Through this collaboration, Rivers State students whose families may not otherwise have been able to afford private medical education in Nigeria have graduated in Medicine and Surgery, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Pharmacology, Physiology, Anatomy, and Biochemistry.

‘Students remain enrolled across these programmes, and the University expects the first Doctor of Physiotherapy students to graduate in due course.’

The University further stated that graduates have completed their programmes on schedule and that all programmes hold full accreditation from the relevant regulatory bodies.

On the fund in question, PAMO University stated thus: ‘Since the Rivers State Government scholarship scheme for students admitted to PAMO University on merit began, the Rivers State Ministry of Education has served as the scheme’s supervising body. The Ministry therefore holds the records of transactions, agreements, and dealings between the University and the State Government. All such records would have been made available to the committee by the Ministry. The University categorically states that it has fulfilled every obligation set out in the Memorandum of Understanding.

‘PAMO University of Medical Sciences is a private institution. Accordingly, neither the Rivers State Government nor the House of Assembly appropriates money directly to it. Any appropriation is made to the Ministry of Education or other government ministry, department, or agency to meet the state’s scholarship obligations. In practical terms, the State Government sponsors eligible students by paying fees that would otherwise be paid by their parents or other sponsors.

‘The scholarship scheme has enabled Rivers State students to access medical education that may otherwise have been beyond their means.’

The University stated that it had responded to the invitation by sending an official representative on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, but that the House declined to recognise the representative and would not even accept the letter and supporting documents he sought to submit.

It will be recalled that things were rosy between Wike when he climbed to power in Rivers State and the Peter Odili family. When Wike and Gov Sim Fubara entered into conflict, Odili appeared to defend see reason with Fubara. Wike began to openly attack Odili and his wife.

Next, the House sprang into action and the first cut was on the scholarship fund which actually was initiated by Wike when he was governor.

WPP Media Sri Lanka Celebrates Landmark Night at SLIM Digis 2.6 Awards

WPP Media Sri Lanka’s clients, including Unilever, Ceylon Cold Stores PLC and Hatton National Bank (HNB), have been recognized across multiple categories at the SLIM Digis 2.6 Awards for campaigns spanning personal care, food and beverages, banking and purpose-led communications.

Unilever was among the highest winners, with 15 awards across its portfolio of brands. Silver honours included Closeup’s Breaking Barriers Across Every Medium, Pond’s Make It 98% More Fun with SPF and Sunsilk’s Awul Unath Awulak Na, which was recognised in both the Best Use of Creators/Influencers and Best Campaign – Personal Care categories.

The portfolio also received Bronze recognition for Glow and Lovely’s It’s a Purple for Nallur, Pond’s Love at First Try, Marmite’s EAT, REACT, REPEAT and Knorr’s Every Iftar. Merit recognitions across Sunlight, Comfort, Pond’s and Viva further reflected the breadth of digital work delivered across creator content, experiential amplification, digital launches and seasonal campaigns.

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC was recognised for two campaigns. Elephant House Beverages’ Avuruddhe Ape Sadde won in the Best Use of Experiential and On-Ground Digital Amplification category, while EGB’s Kema Kalawa received two honours in the same category and the FMCG – Food and Beverage Brands category.

HNB was recognised for its purpose-led digital storytelling, with Nena Savi Mehewara winning in the CSR Purpose Driven category and Gaweshanayaka Mudrawa receiving recognition in the Banking, Finance and Insurance category.

‘These recognitions reflect what can be achieved when strong client partnerships, meaningful insights and culturally relevant ideas come together,’ said Priti Murthy President Client Solutions, WPP Media South Asia. ‘We congratulate our clients and teams whose collaboration and commitment have brought these campaigns to life.’

The SLIM Digis 2.6 Awards, themed Mission to Extraordinary, recognise innovation and excellence in Sri Lanka’s digital marketing landscape.

About WPP Media:

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

WPP Media is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions, and expert strategic counsel.

SM Supermalls honored at Economic Times Human Capital Awards Southeast Asia 2026

Some of the most meaningful work within an organization happens quietly, away from the day-to-day routine. It unfolds when employees step forward to volunteer in coastal cleanups, assemble relief packs for disaster-affected communities, or establish structural pathways that help colleagues envision long-term careers within the company. Recognizing a workplace culture where corporate purpose and personal growth converge, SM Supermalls received two major honors at the Economic Times Human Capital Awards Southeast Asia 2026 during a formal gala ceremony held on July 24 at One Farrer in Singapore.

The prestigious regional platform awarded Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Group Head and Senior Vice President for Human Resources, the Gold Award for Visionary HR Leadership. Simultaneously, SM Supermalls earned the Silver Award for Excellence in Employee Involvement for ESG and CSR, acknowledging its organization-wide mobilization of human capital toward environmental, social, and governance causes. At the center of the Gold recognition for Visionary HR Leadership is a strategic commitment to investing in the holistic employee experience. Over recent years, SM Supermalls has instituted unified frameworks encompassing talent and career development, learning and technology systems, leadership pipelines, culture-building efforts, and well-being initiatives. By combining human-centered leadership with digital capabilities, the company has transformed its human resources operations, generating a reported 230 percent return on investment from HR technology deployments over a three-year timeline.

These strategic investments have delivered measurable operational milestones across the organization achieving 99 percent retention rate among high-potential talent, alongside a 75 percent informal succession realization rate for critical roles. Furthermore, overall employee retention at SM Supermalls is at par with global high-performing company norms. Yet, leadership emphasizes that metrics represent only a portion of the broader ongoing trajectory.

‘We are proud of our progress, humbled by how much more there is to do, and committed to getting better every day. This recognition inspires us to keep improving how we listen, learn, and build a better workplace for our people.’ said Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, Group Head and Senior Vice President for Human Resources, SM Supermalls

The company’s people-first philosophy extends past internal talent management into direct community involvement. Through SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, employees actively participate in nationwide coastal cleanup drives, disaster response efforts, and accessibility workshops designed to foster inclusivity for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. In the first half of 2026 alone, 40 percent of the total workforce volunteered time and talent to support localized initiatives across the Philippines.

‘Our business exists to serve people, and that responsibility extends beyond our malls. We are proud of how our employees continue to step forward and contribute their time, talent, and heart to causes that uplift communities. When purpose and people come together, meaningful impact follows’ said Steven T. Tan, President, SM Supermalls

Together, the two awards highlight an integrated organizational strategy: one aspect focuses on cultivating an environment where professionals can build fulfilling careers, while the other empowers those same individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. Viewing these accolades as a standard for continuous improvement rather than a final destination, SM Supermalls remains dedicated to advancing its HR practices and community programs throughout the country.

Iranian delegation has no plans for new talks with US in New York

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s schedule does not include any new talks with the U.S. side.

According to IRNA, after completing his planned engagements, the minister is expected to return to Iran on Tuesday.

The source said that Tehran’s position was conveyed to Washington last week through Qatari mediation, and that Iran is now awaiting a response from the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump, however, said that new talks with Iran could take place in the coming days.

Earlier, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated that President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, in part because of a lack of trust in Tehran.

He also declined to answer when asked whether the United States was prepared to resume full-scale military operations against Iran in the near future.

Iran is sticking to its position that it would only reopen the crucial Hormuz Strait if its conditions are met, despite a rebuke from Trump, while a senior Iranian military leader stressed his country’s readiness to continue fighting.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Sunday claimed that it seized an autonomous U.S. submarine.

Azerbaijan, Trkiye and Georgia discuss Middle Corridor customs procedures

A trilateral meeting of the Committee on Customs Affairs between the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Trkiye was held in the Goygol district.

The meeting was attended by delegations led by Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan Shahin Baghirov, Trkiye’s Deputy Minister of Trade Sezai Ucarmak, and Head of Georgia’s Revenue Service and Deputy Minister of Finance Mamuka Baratasvili. The sides discussed the current state and prospects for developing cooperation between the customs authorities of the three countries.

During the meeting, the implementation of agreements reached at previous sessions was reviewed, and measures to be carried out at the next stage were identified. The main topics included optimizing customs procedures along the Middle Corridor, accelerating transit operations, expanding electronic data exchange, and improving the efficiency of border-crossing procedures.

The participants also exchanged views on facilitating transit operations under the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, improving risk management and the exchange of advance electronic information, as well as strengthening cooperation in combating customs violations.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a protocol reflecting the agreements reached was signed.

As part of the event, the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on Customs Affairs between the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Trade of Trkiye was also held.

The meeting addressed the implementation of the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS), simplification of customs procedures, the development of TIR and e-TIR mechanisms, acceleration of border-crossing procedures, and increasing the capacity for the passage of freight vehicles.

The sides discussed expanding information exchange in various areas of customs operations, combating customs violations, authorized economic operators, mirror customs statistics, and sharing best practices in risk management. They also considered opportunities for conducting joint operations and training exercises.

Ground handlers paralyse XEJet Airlines operations over N300m debt

Ground handling operations for indigenous carrier XEJet Airlines were brought to a complete halt on Monday as the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) directed its members to immediately withdraw all ground handling services from the airline over an unpaid debt burden of approximately N300 million.

The sudden service withdrawal has triggered operational disruptions for XEJet, leaving passenger luggage handling and ramp support stranded.

To mitigate the immediate fallout, the airline was forced to make emergency arrangements, including diverting some of its passengers’ check-in luggage to another domestic carrier for processing.

The decisive action was announced in a joint statement issued by Olaniyi Adigun, AGHAN President, and Bashir Ahmed, Vice President.

According to the leadership, the association resolved to enforce a full service blackout after XEJet repeatedly failed to honor mutually agreed debt repayment schedules, despite multiple reminders and recovery windows extended by affected handling firms.

AGHAN revealed that while several other domestic airlines previously cited for indebtedness complied by presenting workable repayment timelines and commencing settlements, XEJet remained ‘recalcitrant’ and continuously refused to engage handling companies in constructive debt recovery negotiations.

‘We decided to direct our members to withdraw services from XEJet Airlines because it has, over time, failed to meet its payment plans. Our members have made every effort to ensure that the airline complied, but its management has been recalcitrant,’ the statement read in part.

Condemning the pattern of deliberate default, the association stressed that non-payment directly threatens the operational viability of ground handling companies, which are equally exposed to harsh macroeconomic headwinds, rising equipment costs, and staff welfare commitments.

‘We can’t continue to operate like this. Why are some companies not willing to pay for services rendered to them? This is intentional. It is affecting our members at all cadres. We need to increase our equipment, while also boosting the welfare of our staff, but we can’t do this when some organisations are not willing to pay for services rendered to them,’ AGHAN declared.

‘As it stands, the company owes our members about N300 million. Hence, we have instructed our members to withdraw services from the airline, and this has been complied with 100 per cent.’

The immediate shutdown follows an earlier seven-day ultimatum issued by AGHAN to several indebted domestic carriers. During that initial directive, the association instructed defaulting airlines to liquidate at least 75 percent of their outstanding obligations or face a total freeze on handling services.

Although that ultimatum was temporarily suspended after an executive meeting where several airlines submitted acceptable liquidation plans, XEJet failed to comply with the agreed terms, leaving the association with no choice but to enforce a full withdrawal of services.

Expressing regret over the broader economic and operational challenges plaguing operators across the aviation value chain, AGHAN emphasised that handling companies can no longer subsidise defaulting carriers at the expense of their own survival.

The association issued a stern warning to other domestic carriers, maintaining that its members will not hesitate to execute a similar 100 percent service withdrawal against any airline that fails to honour its contractual payment commitments for services rendered.

Bangkok floods 2026: In brief

You asked, we are here to answer. With many of our news desk reporters and editors either working remotely due to floodwaters or wading through inundated streets to reach the newsroom, we are working non-stop to deliver real-time updates as the situation develops.

Here is what we know about the flood crisis in the capital:

What does a disaster declaration allow?

The disaster zone declaration is a legal mechanism that allows national and local authorities quicker access to emergency funds and equipment. Part of Thailand’s broader disaster management framework, it is intended to ensure affected residents receive timely assistance and relief operations are coordinated efficiently to minimise damage.

Which districts in Bangkok are worst affected?

Eastern fringe areas remain severely inundated, with many residents stranded in their homes with limited access to essential supplies. The hardest hit part of the capital is Lat Krabang, where there are up to 40,000 victims. Districts such as Bang Kapi, Khannayao, Lak Si and Saphan Sung continue to face high water levels. By contrast, central business corridors like Sukhumvit and Silom-Sathorn sit on higher, better-drained ground.

Which provinces have special public holidays?

The cabinet announced that Monday, Sept 28, and Tuesday, Sept 29, are special government holidays for the public sector in Bangkok and the neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.

The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) has requested cooperation from private sector employers in those four provinces to grant staff the same days off. Private and international schools have also been instructed by the Education Ministry to suspend classes on Monday and Tuesday.

What caused ground staff shortages at Suvarnabhumi airport?

Severe flooding has left ground crew and airport personnel stranded at home or unable to commute. Because Suvarnabhumi airport is located in Samut Prakan, one of the provinces hit hardest, travel into and out of the area remains severely disrupted.

The deceptive push for separate Terminal Handling Charges

The recent push by few intermediaries possibly backed by a handful of powerful oligopolistic firms who control the shipping and logistics industry in Sri Lanka to reinstate separate Terminal Handling Charges (THC) in Sri Lanka is an anti-competitive manoeuvre that threatens the hard-earned transparency of the country’s maritime logistics industry established for years by consecutive Governments. Industry bodies that represent exporters, importers and consumers have rightfully condemned lobbying efforts aimed at reintroducing these deceptive, unbundled costs to make profits. The current legal framework-which does not ban any charge but only provides provisions not to separate collection of any other charges than a full freight from a contracting party. This must be fiercely upheld to safeguard Sri Lankan exporters, importers, and consumers from predatory, cartel-like pricing models which can affect external customers of Sri Lanka.

Few days back

It was just two weeks back we reported the Federal Maritime Commission Chairperson Laura Debella highlighting the importance of these actions that not only affects the Sri Lankan economy but at the end of the day from the origin to the U.S. importers and consumers who source from Sri Lanka or export to Sri Lanka where anti-competitive and monopolistic behaviour can harm fair trade practices. She called for strong enforcement against -monopolistic structures.

A legacy of transparency and fair play

Before the historic regulatory shift in 2014, local shipping agents’/ service providers heavily distorted trade costs by slapping local traders with a web of nearly 40 arbitrary surcharges at their will. Recognising this as an unfair financial extraction, the Sri Lankan Government implemented a landmark legislative reform banning container line agents and service providers from unbundling freight and levying separate charges including a so-called THC locally. Under current law, terminal handling costs must be wrapped into all-inclusive freight rates contractually agreed upon by the primary contracting parties.

This progressive policy did not abolish port fees; rather, it mandated that they be paid transparently by the shipping lines directly to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA or its terminals) under existing market contracts.

Dismantling the reinstatement myth

Intermediary groups often mask their lobbying behind the claim that banning local THC collection harms the competitiveness of the Port of Colombo. This is a gross misrepresentation.

Double-Dipping charges: No terminal services are being rendered for free. Shipping lines already collect all-inclusive rates that cover terminal operations. Forcing local exporters to pay a separate THC would amount to double-dipping by maritime intermediaries.

Invented line items: The term ‘Terminal Handling Charge’ does not even exist within the official SLPA tariff and a port where liner terms clearly describe who pays what to the port services. It is a phrase coined by certain logistics groups to avoid the word stevedoring to create a local pipeline for collecting unregulated fees from non-contracting parties.

Undermining export competitiveness and harming the cost of living: Reintroducing unbundled charges would artificially inflate the cost structure of key industries, such as the exporters, intermediary product manufacturers, consumer products, food items, construction industry to all imported items at a time when macroeconomic stability is vital.

Protecting a competitive economy

Reverting to the pre-2014 chaos would be an economic step backward. The local business community and regulatory bodies must stand united against these ‘backdoor fees’. Ensuring that all costs remain bundled into all-inclusive freight rates is the only way to lock in fairness, preserve absolute market competition and transparency, and defend Sri Lanka’s efforts and to build a reputation as a top-tier maritime hub.