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Please God, let me live to enjoy my NSSF money

I have never been in such a hurry to turn 45 years old as I was last week after NSSF announced the 22.53 percent interest rate, but most especially when I saw how much that interest translated to on my account. In fact, I have since started taking very good care of myself because I want to live to see the goodness of the Lord in that 15 percent midterm access.

I have changed my diet to only healthy meals and portions. I am sleeping for the recommended number of hours per day, reading my Bible and praying every day because I want to grow to 45, exercising, journaling, staying away from orange dera dresses, generally doing all the right things in my power to stay alive. The rest I give to God, who ultimately grants long life.

Speaking of life and staying alive and the thing that eventually kills you, Afrigo Band’s Moses Matovu’s death last week left me thinking about something. I do not know whether it is age, but when certain things happen under what many would call questionable circumstances, these days people are no longer quick to judge loudly. A few outliers will stand on their social media podiums and preach and condemn and call forth fire and brimstone, but the rest, not so much.

I think it is a good place to be as a society, where we all know that all have sinned and let he who has no sin cast the first stone. And that it is only by the mercy of God that you are not held prisoner to strange appetites. Or have not yet been caught. It is not because you are the Holy Spirit’s first cousin. None of that.

I am not saying we should sweep things under the carpet. I am just saying we should judge slowly. The sentence will be served; just do not be playing jailer and yet you are in the same prison. Allow the judge to judge; you, on the other hand, just be there, pick a leaf from what has happened and, if need be, the whole branch.

Truth is that we all are only one decision away from scandal or gross misunderstanding. So yes, it could have been you. If you have sold yourself the lie that by your own effort, you are infallible to anything and can never or will never be caught with your hand in the cookie jar, I congratulate you. You have surpassed the acceptable score in delulu.

There have been many lessons from the deaths of prominent people in the last couple of months. In the space of three or two months, we lost the absolutely brilliant Alex Mukulu, the young King Oyo and now musician Moses Matovu. Earlier, there was rugby player Sydney Gongodyo and footballer David Owor.

Of course, there has been others in there who we might not recognise, but you get the point. Every single one of those deaths has had some really expensive lessons. It would be a pity if we did not learn, or at least acknowledge them.

I wish you a long life, long enough for you to enjoy your NSSF money, not just at midterm but at full term. But if it turns out to be shorter than we’d all hoped, I hope it would have been a life well lived.

PS: Who introduced dera dresses in this country anyway? Take them back. See the problems they have started causing us now!

Comelec stands down on BSKE preparations

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has halted preparations for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) after President Marcos signed the law that moved the polls to November 2028.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the Commission en banc has stopped election-related activities after confirming that Republic Act 12326 had been signed and published, making it immediately effective.

‘A commission en banc session earlier decided to stop the activities related to our preparations for the November 2, 2026 Barangay and SK Elections,’ Garcia said.

RA 12326 moves the next regular BSKE from Nov. 2 to the second Monday of November 2028, with succeeding polls to be held every five years.

The Comelec said the filing of certificates of candidacy, which was scheduled from September 28 to October 5, will no longer proceed.

‘There will no longer be filing of certificates of candidacy starting Monday, September 28 until October 5,’ Garcia said, explaining that the law signed by Marcos had already been verified as published in the Official Gazette.

Garcia said the postponement could also mean the eventual cancellation of activities that the Comelec had already scheduled for the Nov. 2 elections, with the Commission expected to issue a formal resolution covering the matter.

Garcia said the postponement could affect election preparations already undertaken by the Comelec, although some election materials may still be preserved and used for future polls.

However, under the Comelec’s latest action, the ongoing printing of additional ballots, accountable forms and voter lists will continue until the allocated quantities are completed, while pending procurement of BSKE forms and supplies will also be finished.

Election materials already printed or procured for the 2026 BSKE will be secured, properly stored and preserved for future use, the poll body said.

PNP to use additional time

THE National Police (PNP) on Sunday announced that it will use the time gained by the suspension of this year’s barangay elections to ‘refine its election-security planning, strengthen coordination with partner agencies, and incorporate lessons from recent electoral exercises’ for the 2028 BSKE.

For the PNP, the new law provides the basis for adjusting its future security planning and coordination with the Comelec, local governments, and other concerned agencies.

‘The PNP’s role in election security is likewise anchored on existing election laws, including Section 261(r) of the Omnibus Election Code, which provides for the deputation of law-enforcement agencies for the protection and security of the electoral process,’ it added.

Likewise, the PNP can also build on its recent experience during the September 2026 BARMM parliamentary elections, which the PNP assessed as generally peaceful and orderly, while maintaining coordination with Comelec and other concerned agencies.

The PNP chief, Gen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said the additional time will allow the organization to prepare based on actual security conditions and lessons from previous elections.

‘We can look at what worked, what needs to be improved, and what new concerns we need to prepare for. By the time the elections come, our people should already know their roles and our coordination should already be in place,’ he added.

Nartatez said the will continue reviewing election-security experiences and emerging local conditions as part of its preparations.

Coordination with Comelec and other stakeholders will help ensure that police support is aligned with the actual security requirements of the 2028 BSKE.

Rather than limiting preparations to election day, the PNP will continue monitoring developments that may affect the security environment before and during the electoral period.

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.

PNP to acquire more motorcycles

THE National Police (PNP) on Sunday said that it is enhancing its mobility capabilities with the acquisition and deployment of additional motorcycle units.

In a statement, the PNP chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said the move aims to cut response time to emergency calls and crime incidents across the country aside from improving frontline services, particularly in areas where police personnel need faster access to communities during emergencies.

‘Gone are the days when policemen are being portrayed in movies as always the last to arrive in an emergency situation. The prevailing mindset now is pro-active, quick response and crime solution efficiency. And when it comes to crime prevention and quick response, a sufficient and appropriate number of mobility assets really matter,’ he added.

And when it comes to crime prevention and quick response, a sufficient and appropriate number of mobility assets really matter, Nartatez added.

He emphasized that the PNP is expanding the deployment of motorcycles in regions where terrain and distance often affect response operations, noting that far-flung police offices are among the priority recipients of future acquisitions.

He also emphasized the practicality of motorcycles as back-up mobility assets in urban areas with daily traffic woes and narrow alleys.

The procurement will come with motorcycle-riding training programs for police personnel.

A total of P2 billion has been allocated under the PNP Capability Enhancement Program, which supports the procurement of mobility assets and other operational requirements of the police force.

The PNP chief noted that while the organization continues to benefit from support provided by other government agencies, the acquisition of operational assets remains a key component of the PNP’s modernization and resource program.

Putting pieces together: Yevan David’s 2026 FIA Formula 3 season

Yevan David’s rookie FIA Formula 3 season ended with one particularly telling statistic: 0.273 seconds. That was all that separated the Sri Lankan from pole position in the second Madrid qualifying session. Ninth on the grid was his best qualifying result of the year and completed a sequence that neatly defined his late-season progress. Silverstone had shown he could defend at the front, Monza that he could fight through the field, and Madrid that he could put together a lap among the leading runners.

David entered 2026 after finishing second overall and winning Rookie honours in Euroformula Open, then used New Zealand’s Formula Regional Oceania Trophy as preparation for FIA Formula 3. Melbourne demonstrated immediately how substantial the step would be. Limited track time, tyre preparation and an exceptionally tight field meant small mistakes carried much greater consequences than in previous championships. David left Australia without the result he wanted, but with a far clearer idea of where the work was required. Monaco, Barcelona and the Red Bull Ring continued that education. Pace appeared in flashes, but consistently putting the whole weekend together remained the challenge.

By Silverstone, David felt he understood the car better and qualified 11th, his strongest grid position to that point. Under the reverse-grid Sprint format, that put him on the front row. What followed became the breakthrough of his season.

David held second behind Ugo Ugochukwu and defended the position under sustained pressure to become the first Sri Lankan to stand on an FIA Formula 3 podium. A day later, he added seventh in the Feature Race, completing his first double-points weekend. At the time, David called Silverstone ‘a turning point’. Looking back after Madrid, he could explain more precisely why. ‘The biggest difference compared with Melbourne is that I now understand fundamentally how to drive the car fast. My lap execution, racecraft and confidence were already there to an extent and they all improved during the season, but the biggest change was understanding the car itself. ‘Once that became natural, I could drive instinctively and the speed came with it. That was when it really clicked for me, definitely from Silverstone onwards.’

Spa and Budapest brought more frustration, but the summer break gave David another opportunity to reset. He returned to Monza feeling mentally fresher and better able to process what the car was doing. The result was his strongest complete weekend of the season.

Starting 17th in the Sprint, David worked through the field to finish fourth. He repeated the result in the Feature Race from 16th, completing two overtakes on the final lap and at the final corner. Across the two races, he gained 25 positions. ‘I can’t explain how good that weekend felt,’ he said. ‘It was good to get a P4 in the Sprint, but to do it in the Feature Race as well, with two last-lap, last-corner overtakes, was such a good feeling. ‘I really did feel a difference in myself. I came back fresher and I was feeling the grip of the car more. When your mind is fresh, you can be more aware and take in more information, and I think that helped me adapt and drive faster.’

Madrid supplied the qualifying performance that had been missing earlier in the year. David set a 1:50.023 in Qualifying 2 to take ninth, just 0.273 seconds from pole and only 0.051 behind title contender Freddie Slater. The three races themselves produced only one point, with overtaking proving difficult around the new Madrid circuit, but the qualifying result was significant.

‘It was really encouraging to be P9 and only around two tenths off pole,’ said David. ‘P9 was our best qualifying performance of the year, so I think that says a lot about the progression we made. ‘I improved again from Monza to Madrid, particularly in the feeling I had for the car and knowing how to drive it on the limit. By then I really knew what was going on underneath me and what the car needed.’

That progression is what matters most when looking back on the season. David had arrived in Melbourne trying to understand how to extract the performance of an F3 car. By Madrid, he was doing so instinctively enough to qualify within three tenths of pole.

The season also unfolded alongside A-Level exams, sponsor commitments and visits to Sri Lanka, where support for David’s international career continued to grow. On track, the results were uneven, but the strongest weekends each demonstrated something different.

Silverstone showed he could defend. Monza showed he could attack and manage a race. Madrid showed he could execute in qualifying. ‘That combination definitely changes how I look back on my rookie season,’ David said. ‘I honestly wasn’t focused on results; I was focused on the work and the process. Because I had been concentrating on that for so long, when the results came they almost felt unexpected. ‘Looking back, though, I think we put every piece of the puzzle together. We had the racecraft to defend, the racecraft to attack and manage the tyres, and the lap execution to qualify inside the top ten. We’ve shown all of those elements now, and that gives us something really strong to fight with next year.’

David is equally clear that there is more work to do: ‘This season has taught me just how hard you have to work to succeed in Formula 3. It isn’t an easy championship, and I’m willing to do everything possible to keep improving. There are still areas where I need to improve, particularly with mindset and making sure I focus on the things I can control.’

‘I’m really proud of how much I gave to this season and how hard I worked. It’s probably the first time I’ve looked back on a whole season and genuinely thought, ‘I’m proud of what I did.’ Most of all, I have to say thank you to everyone who supported me, especially everyone back in Sri Lanka. It has been a year of incredible support and encouragement, and I couldn’t be more thankful.’

Yevan David’s racing is supported by Maliban, Dimo Group, Nations Trust Bank, Fidem Financial and the Ceylon Motor Sports Club (CMSC).

Marcos’ 69th birthday outreach benefits over 170,000 Filipinos

More than 170,000 Filipinos benefited from government assistance activities held in connection with 69th birthday celebrations of President Marcos in different parts of the country this month.

‘Overall, we were able to benefit 175,565 beneficiaries across approximately 282 participating sites. That is why we received many letters of gratitude from our fellow Filipinos,’ Marcos said in his vlog published on Sunday.

The birthday activities brought together various government frontline agencies and included medical services, food distribution and other forms of assistance on Sept. 14, upon his return to Manila after he capped his two-day visit to India by participating at the 18th BRICS Summit.

Marcos turned 69 on Sept. 13.

One of the initiatives was a special zero-balance billing program covering patients in 132 hospitals across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

‘Normally, only ward patients are covered by this. But on that day, we extended it to everyone. As long as you were in the hospital, regardless of what room you were in, your bill was covered,’ Marcos said.

‘Some of them already had hospital bills amounting to millions of pesos. Those were paid,’ he added.

There were also community- and school-based sites where medical checkups were conducted, medicines were distributed, wheelchairs were given out, and other forms of assistance were provided.

Marcos thanked partner local government units, the Department of Education, Department of Health, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) and the volunteers for extending services even outside hospitals.

According to Marcos, he had little time to celebrate his birthday with his family because of his busy schedule.Upon his return to Manila, a post-birthday celebration at the Palace grounds, where the participating LGUs and government agencies joined the celebration.

He said the activities were intended to provide assistance to Filipinos rather than hold a conventional birthday celebration.

Marcos also shared several messages of thanks from beneficiaries, including a cancer patient who expressed gratitude for the medical assistance and a leukemia patient who thanked him for the food and free hospital bill.

Even if I was not able to read all of your letters, I thank you, and I am happy and pleased that the little assistance we were able to provide was felt by you and gave you at least a little relief,’ he said

Ghana to launch new cedi notes after two decades

The Bank of Ghana will introduce a new series of cedi banknotes in November, more than two decades after the current designs entered circulation, as the central bank moves to strengthen security and make the currency more durable.

The new notes, known as the Heritage Series, will feature enhanced security measures, improved durability and designs intended to reflect Ghana’s culture, heritage and national identity.

Johnson Asiama, governor of the Bank of Ghana, announced the new series at the end of the central bank’s 132nd Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Thursday.

‘The upgraded banknotes incorporate enhanced security features, improved durability, and modern designs that reflect Ghana’s heritage and Ghana’s aspirations,’ Asiama said.

The central bank said the new series is designed to provide greater protection against counterfeiting, withstand prolonged use and improve the efficiency of currency management.

Asiama said the redesign was necessary because the current cedi banknotes have been in circulation for more than 20 years, while technology and security standards have continued to evolve.

The Heritage Series will also provide an opportunity to honour Ghanaian national heroes and feature elements of the country’s heritage and identity, according to the governor.

Existing notes remain legal tender

The introduction of the new notes will not mean the immediate withdrawal of the existing cedi banknotes.

Asiama said the Heritage Series will circulate alongside the current notes, which will remain legal tender. He urged the public not to rush to exchange or withdraw existing banknotes simply because the new series is being introduced.

‘There is no need for the public to rush to exchange or to withdraw existing notes solely because of the introduction of the new Heritage Series,’ he said.

The Heritage Series will be officially launched on November 3, 2026, at Bank Square in Accra.

The central bank is also urging businesses, traders, financial institutions and the wider public to handle banknotes properly to extend their lifespan and reduce the cost of replacing damaged currency.

Asiama urged Ghanaians to avoid crumpling, writing on or stapling banknotes, as well as using them for decorative purposes such as money bouquets and spraying.

‘Proper handling will help preserve the quality of our banknotes. It will reduce replacement costs for the central bank and it will support efficient currency management,’ he said.

The governor described the integrity of Ghana’s currency as a shared responsibility and called on the public to embrace the new series while taking greater care of both the new and existing notes.

Iraq takes over US forces’ main headquarters at Baghdad International Airport

Iraq has taken over the main headquarters of United States (US) forces at Baghdad International Airport, according to local media.

The head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell, General Saad Maan, said the Iraqi government now has the final say in determining the nature of the presence of military and security forces in the country.

He stressed that strengthening Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as independently managing security affairs, are key pillars of stability in the country. According to him, these factors will allow Iraq to further develop its regional and international relations through broader and more effective cooperation.

Iraq is expected to conclude the current phase of its cooperation with the international coalition supporting the country in the fight against ISIS on September 30. This will mark the end of the mission of foreign military forces in Iraq.

The next phase is expected to focus on bilateral cooperation with some coalition members, including support for arms programs, training of security forces, and improving their readiness to respond to emerging threats.

BEACON Expo 2026 exhibitors gain competitive advantage with 2GO’s end-to-end logistics support

2GO, the Philippines’ largest and most integrated end-to-end transportation and logistics solutions provider, is set to be the official logistics partner of around 300 maritime businesses participating in the BEACON Expo 2026.

The event’s exhibitors and contractors are set to benefit from a more seamless and efficient event experience through 2GO-SMX Events Logistics, the centralized permit and logistics facilitation system established by 2GO Group, SMX Convention Center, Central Business Park, and SM Estates. This initiative builds on the recently signed partnership among the four organizations to streamline event operations within the SMX Convention Center and the Mall of Asia Complex.

As the official event forwarder for the country’s premier maritime trade exhibition, 2GO hosted an exhibitors’ briefing to help participants prepare for the event and ensure smooth coordination among key stakeholders responsible for venue operations.

Carrying the theme ‘Empowering Maritime Excellence: Advancing a Sustainable Blue Economy,’ BEACON Expo 2026 is expected to gather maritime industry leaders, regulatory partners, and suppliers across the country. Through the enhanced logistics framework, exhibitors can now experience a more convenient process for transporting exhibit materials, securing permits, and coordinating ingress and egress activities.

‘By simplifying logistics and permit facilitation, we allow exhibitors to focus on what matters most: showcasing their products, engaging with customers, and contributing to industry development,’ said Faye Alonzo, Business Unit Head of 2GO Forwarding. ‘Through 2GO-SMX Events Logistics, we are providing a single point of coordination that streamlines processes and supports exhibitors from preparation through event completion.’

The exhibitors’ briefing brought together the event organizer Maritime League of the Philippines, exhibitors, contractors, SMX venue managers, media representatives, and 2GO logistics teams to align expectations ahead of the expo. The session provided guidance on event requirements, booth protocols, logistics procedures, venue operations, and timelines, enabling exhibitors to plan more effectively and avoid operational delays.

Through the partnership, 2GO facilitates permit applications on behalf of contractors and exhibitors, coordinates endorsements with SM Estates, processes submissions with CBP, and delivers end-to-end logistics support covering ingress, event operations, and pull-out activities. The integrated approach reduces administrative burden while ensuring compliance with venue and estate requirements.

The initiative also supports a more collaborative environment among all parties involved in event execution. By strengthening coordination between exhibitors, contractors, venue operators, and regulatory authorities, the partnership helps create a smoother and more organized event experience for everyone involved.

As preparations continue for BEACON Expo and Conference 2026, the collaboration demonstrates how integrated logistics solutions can help elevate industry events and support the growing needs of the Philippine maritime sector.

ADB backs PHL geothermal assets via $170M funding

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) is backing efforts to tap new geothermal resources in the Philippines as the country seeks to strengthen energy security and reduce its reliance on imported fuels.

ADB Philippines Country Director Andrew Jeffries said the $170 million-worth Philippine Geothermal Resource Derisking Facility (PGRDF) is among the lender’s projects in the pipeline for the country, with implementation possible by the end of the year or early next year.

‘It’s working with the [Department of Energy] and [Land Bank of the Philippines] to provide funding to de-risk the drilling and exploration phase of geothermal energy. That has been approved by the [Investment Coordination Committee],’ Jeffries told reporters in a recent interview.

The PGRDF is designed to reduce the financial risk of exploring new geothermal sites, where developers have to spend heavily on drilling before knowing whether an area contains a commercially viable resource.

Under the facility, up to 50 percent of eligible exploration drilling costs can be financed through sub-loans. These will only have to be repaid if exploration confirms a commercially viable geothermal resource. If exploration fails, ADB said the financing will be written off and effectively converted into a grant. Such risk-sharing is expected to encourage more private investment and help bring new geothermal sites to commercial development.

The DOE said the facility would help move geothermal projects from the exploration stage toward commercial development, expanding the pool of investible projects, while also strengthening the power system and reducing exposure to volatile imported fuel prices.

Financing projects

BEYOND geothermal development, the ADB is also working with the Philippine government on financing programs aimed at strengthening public financial management and deepening the country’s financial markets.

One of these is the Public Financial Management Reform Program, Subprogram 2, which will support efforts to improve fiscal discipline, modernize government financial-management systems, and strengthen the delivery of public services.

The lender said the program will also support fiscal decentralization and the devolution of public services, while encouraging local investments in climate resilience. It will include measures to strengthen public financial management in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) and help build its capacity for greater fiscal autonomy.

The subprogram will also help the government develop a medium-term reform roadmap and corresponding action plans for public financial management, the ADB said.

Another program in the pipeline is the Promoting Financial Market Deepening and Innovation Program, Subprogram 1, which seeks to expand the Philippines’ capital markets and reduce the economy’s heavy reliance on bank financing.

The ADB said the program will seek to expand access to long-term financing for government infrastructure and private-sector investments by making it easier to issue capital-market instruments, broadening available financial products, and strengthening capital market supervision.

It will also support reforms on sustainable finance, consumer protection, cybersecurity, and financial integrity as the government seeks to address regulatory gaps arising from digital and innovative financial services.