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’Lag’ in war-driven bad loans ratio flagged

AN analyst warned that there could be a lag effect in the war-driven bad loans ratio which could only be evident in the late-2026 or 2027 data.

Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr., an economist at Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), explained this to the BusinessMirror after a report recently published by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) pointed out that the Philippine banking system’s bad loans ratio in June, at 3.3 percent, was the highest relative to its peers within the Asean-5 bloc.

‘Loan quality improved. The Philippine banking system’s gross non-performing loans [GNPL] ratio remained steady at 3.3 percent as of end-June 2026 relative to the previous quarter,’ the central bank’s Q2 2026 Report on Economic and Financial Developments noted.

‘Compared to its regional counterparts, the Philippine banking system’s GNPL ratio was higher than those of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea,’ the report also noted.

NPLs, also known as ‘bad’ or ‘soured’ loans, are credit accommodations that have not been paid for 90 days or more after the due date. The NPL ratio measures the proportion of bad loans to total loans.

‘Level gap, not fresh deterioration’

Lanzona said, however, that this only points to a ‘level gap, not a fresh deterioration’ as banks are not seeing a new wave of defaults.

Instead, he said: ‘They’re just carrying more legacy soured debt than peers.’

Lanzona said this is mostly structural as the Philippine economy has ‘heavier SME, micro-lending, and agri exposure, weaker collateral and credit-bureau infrastructure than Malaysia or South Korea.’

He also pointed to ‘pandemic-era restructurings that never fully cleared the books.’

Further, Lanzona explained to this paper that some of the gap is also ‘definitional’ since NPL classification is not ‘perfectly harmonized’ across the region.

‘Practically, it means Philippine banks price credit more conservatively and hold higher provisioning, which mildly constrains credit growth to riskier segments without signaling a brewing crisis,’ he also noted.

Lag effect

However, Lanzona emphasized that the 3.3-percent bad loans ratio in June 2026 does not yet reflect the loans stressed by the conflict-driven energy and inflation spike.

‘NPLs are a lagging indicator, so today’s 3.3 percent mostly reflect loans stressed before the Iran-conflict-driven energy spike and the BSP’s hikes to 5 percent,’ Lanzona said.

‘The transmission channel is plausible-squeezed real incomes and higher debt-service costs from rate hikes could pressure repayment capacity, and peso weakness adds risk for dollar-linked borrowers,’ he added.

But, he pointed out, that effect would more likely surface in late-2026 or 2027 data.

‘For now, treat it as a forward risk rather than something already visible in the numbers,’ Lanzona told this newspaper.

Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), explained that the highest NPL ratio in the Asean-5 region ‘could reflect relatively higher interest rates, hinged on relatively higher inflation as the country imports almost all of its oil.’

‘The relatively higher interest rates and relatively higher inflation fundamentally reduce the purchasing power of various borrowers, as well as the ability to pay their debts, on top of slower global and economic growth as a result of the said war that led to lower sales and earnings that also reduce the ability of some browsers to pay their debt,’ added the chief economist of RCBC.

Earlier, Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong and Co., explained that for policymakers, NPLs are an important ‘financial stability’ signal.

‘Ideally, you want NPLs within the 2 to 3 percent range, so we’re slightly above comfort levels-but still manageable,’ he said.

In a commentary published early-September, SandP Global Ratings said it expects NPLs to climb for the Philippines in ‘riskier segments.’

‘Lower-income households and small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) are grappling with rising living costs and unemployment,’ the credit rating agency noted.

Further, it pointed out that auto loans are seeing a ‘sustained increase’ in NPLs and past due loans, reflecting the ‘squeeze’ in household incomes centered on mass market consumers.

‘The lack of broader fuel subsidies has resulted in a massive jump in fuel prices. As a result, auto loans have seen a sharp slowdown in growth,’ added SandP Global Ratings.

Cheptegei’s bronze elevates Uganda

Joshua Cheptegei reminded his motherland and the globe of his prowess in elite long-distance running after he returned to the national kit to earn a podium finish during the second World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark on Sunday.

Cheptegei had not competed at a major championship since winning the 10000 metres gold medal inside the Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympics but the prolific runner powered to a historic individual bronze medal over the men’s 21km event.

‘This is my first medal on the road and I feel so happy,’ Cheptegei said during the flash interview after posting a time of 58 minutes and 26 seconds behind race winner Swede Andreas Almgren and runner-up Kenyan Nicholas Kipkorir.

It marked Uganda’s first medal in the World Athletics Road Running Championships’ history and the country’s only piece of silverware over two days of competition on the Copenhagen streets.

‘To come here to Copenhagen and represent my country is very important to me. This race was part of my preparations towards the marathon in a few weeks’ time,’ Cheptegei remarked.

The 30-year-old is arguably the greatest long-distance track runner after he scooped the men’s 5000 metres and 10000 metres’ world records (WRs), two Olympic titles and a three-peat over the 25-lap race at the World Athletics Championships.

Road to marathon

However, since fully switching to marathon running after Paris’ delight, Cheptegei hadn’t struck it right on the road with no 42km win yet and at a personal best of two hours, four minutes and 52 seconds.

Sunday’s race in Copenhagen was only his fifth half-marathon and he shattered the 59-minute barrier to improve his personal best (PB) by 55 seconds.

And on a more personal aspect, Cheptegei joined Jacob Kiplimo as the only Ugandans to win at least medal in every major global championship they have featured in.

The duo has medalled at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and at all the different World Athletics events from the main Championships, U20, Cross-country and now Road Running.

‘I have made good progress, and since I won the Olympic medals in Paris, I decided to aim for the podium at these Championships,’ said Cheptegei.

The race also comprised other Ugandans; Feb Chelegoi who came 43rd in 1:02:08, Mande Bushendich was 56th in 1:02:43 while Martin Kiprotich crossed the finish-line four places later in 1:03:00.

In the race though, Cheptegei kept strapped at the back of the lead 14-man group which broke away by the eighth kilometre under the bright Copenhagen sun.

By 10km, Kipkorir was already dictating proceedings ahead in a time of 27:53 and Cheptegei was two seconds adrift in ninth in the group.

Seven minutes and 2.8km later, the group was down to about six men but in the 15th kilometre, Cheptegei got ahead of another Kenyan Gideon Rono to fourth while ahead, Almgren and Ethiopian Tadese Worku were pursuing Kipkorir.

Cheptegei made his move to dislodge Worku in the 17th kilometre but the 10000 metres 2025 world bronze medallist Almgren and Kipkorir maintained a small gap over the Ugandan.

Facing the home stretch, the pair fully peeled away from Cheptegei. ‘During the race, I struggled a bit with my left foot, which I hurt 10 days ago, but I had a good treatment, and I only felt a little pain during the race,’ Cheptegei described his race.

‘Towards the finish line, I didn’t feel any pain. All these guys are so fast, and the top 10 are great, so winning a bronze medal is very satisfying for me,’ he added.

Inside the last the 200 metres, Almgren eventually kicked and went past Kipkorir to post an area record of 58:06 while the Kenyan took silver in 58:11.

Other runners

Prior to the men’s race, Kenyan Agnes Ngetich had produced a women’s only 21km WR in a time of 1:05:15 to add to her women’s global cross-country title won in Florida, USA in January.

Ngetich beat the field by a margin of 50 seconds with Kenyan Veronica Loleo and Rwanda’s Florence Niyonkuru completing the podium. Uganda’s best finisher was Esther Chebet in tenth place in 1:07:38 while Rebecca Chelangat was 12th, Annet Chemengich in 35th and Esther Chekwemoi in 63rd.

On Saturday in 5km events, Cheptegei’s understudy Keneth Kiprop posted 13:04 in fifth place and Alex Kiplangat was 30th after Eritrean Dawit Seare had stunned Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen to the gold medal.

In the women’s event, Charity Cherop was 11th and Martha Chemutai finished 19th but the gold was won by in-form Ethiopian Likina Amebaw in 14:41.

CHEPTEGEI’S MEDAL CABINET

WORLD ATHLETICS U20 CHAMPS

Oregon 2014: Men’s 10000 Metres Gold

WORLD ATHLETICS ROAD RUNNING CHAMPS

Copenhagen 2026: Men’s 21km Bronze

WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPS

Aarhus 2019: Men’s 10km Gold

Bathurst 2023: Men’s 10km Bronze

WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPS

London 2017: Men’s 10000 Metres Silver

Doha 2019: Men’s 10000 Metres Gold

Oregon 2022: Men’s 10000 Metres Gold

Budapest 2023: Men’s 10000 Metres Gold

SUMMER OLYMPICS

Tokyo 2020: Men’s 10000 Metres Silver

Tokyo 2020: Men’s 5000 Metres Gold

Paris 2024: Men’s 10000 Metres Gold

CHEPTEGEI IN HALF-MARATHONS

Sept 20, 2026: World Road Running Champs (3rd, 58:26)

Feb 8, 2026: Burj 2 Burj Half-Marathon (1st, 59:26)

Oct 20, 2024: Delhi Half Marathon (1st, 59:46)

Mar 19, 2023: New York Half-Marathon (2nd, 1:02:09)

Oct 17, 2020: World Half-Marathon (4th, 59:21)

BSP must check more inflation, growth data

EVEN against the backdrop of a weak local currency and the resurgence of global oil prices, the central bank still has to scrutinize more data on inflation, growth, exchange rate and capital flows as it must be sure to maintain ‘sufficient interest-rate support,’ according to a former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy governor.

‘The challenge for the BSP is to maintain sufficient interest-rate support without making the cost of capital so high that it begins to damage the very growth and investment that the economy needs,’ former BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message.

Asked if the central bank should continue raising interest rates given the weak local currency and high oil prices, Guinigundo said the BSP ‘should be data-dependent,’ hence the need to gather more data on inflation and growth, exchange rate and capital flows.

This, the former BSP deputy governor stressed, as he weighed the advantages of raising the policy rate further against the risks that would come with further tightening.

Guinigundo explained that a higher rate can strengthen the peso, anchor inflation expectations and support portfolio flows.

However, he pointed out that if the policy rate ‘stays high for too long,’ it can ‘unnecessarily suppress domestic demand, investment and employment.’

‘In short, a relatively high rate can buy monetary and exchange-rate stability, but it comes at a cost,’ added the former central bank deputy governor.

Moving forward, Guinigundo said it is more important to look at the real policy rate and interest-rate differential after adjusting for inflation and exchange-rate expectations rather than the nominal policy rate alone.

‘That distinction is particularly important now because the BSP is already dealing with both inflationary pressures and peso weakness; its recent decision explicitly cited the need to anchor inflation expectations and mitigate broader price pressures,’ he also told this newspaper.

In an earlier commentary, the former central bank deputy governor explained that the issue is not simply whether the BSP should raise, hold or eventually cut its policy rate.

‘The more fundamental question is whether monetary policy is sufficiently restrictive in real terms to bring inflation back to target and keep expectations firmly anchored,’ Guinigundo noted.

The Monetary Board, the highest policy-making body of the BSP, has raised the key interest rate by a total of 75 basis points since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, delivering three separate quarter-point rate hikes at the Monetary Board’s rate-setting meetings held on April 23, June 18, and August 27.

These policy actions brought the Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate to 5 percent.

Davao remains Mindanao’s property powerhouse

First of two parts

The softer condominium demand in Metro Manila is putting the spotlight on key property corridors outside of the capital region. Outside of key hubs in Luzon such as Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas, thriving localities in Visayas and Mindanao are becoming key highlights of property discussion.

Colliers Philippines believes that the entry of national players in Davao has paved the way for substantial development of integrated communities. The National Government has lined up vital infrastructure projects in the city which, once completed, should further solidify the city’s attractiveness as a residential investment hub in Mindanao. These include the Davao Coastal Road, Davao City Bypass and the expansion and modernization of Davao Airport. Hence, developers should continue with their landbanking initiatives and capitalize on the city’s improving infrastructure backbone.

The completion of these projects should further stoke interest in Davao’s office and residential markets.

Competitive office market

As of end-Q2 2026, overall vacancy in Davao reached 3%, one of the lowest vacancies outside the capital region due to sustained demand from outsourcing companies. With this level of vacancy, Davao is the only office market hub outside Metro Manila that enjoys the landlord’s market status.

Among the notable deals recorded in Davao from 2024 to H1 2026 were spaces taken up by Teleperformance, Alorica, Optum, VA Platinum, Ibex and CubeWork. These firms occupied spaces in Matina IT Park (Plaza de Luisa Development Inc.), Robinsons Cybergate Delta 1 (Robinsons Land) and The Uprise (Felcris Hotels and Resorts). Other outsourcing firms that have established their presence in the province are OP360, Concentrix, Wipro, iQor, Cloudstaff, Sutherland, and VXI.

As of end-H1 2026, Davao’s office stock reached 378,100 sq meters (4.1 million sq feet). From 2027 to 2029, Colliers sees the completion of new office towers in Davao city by Megaworld, Robinsons Land, Megaworld, and SM. Among the office towers likely to be completed during the period include SM Lanang BPO Towers 1 and 2, One Republic Plaza and Robinsons Cybergate Victoria Tower 1.Colliers Philippines believes that the increasing office transactions in Davao should partly support residential demand in the locale. The entry of national developers such as SMDC, Megaworld, Ayala Land, Robinsons Land, Filinvest Land, and Cebu Landmasters (CLI) also strengthened Davao’s position as a property investment destination in the VisMin region.

Solid residential take up

Residential developers should further test the market and even diversify and look at the viability of offering more resort and/or leisure-themed projects. In our view, Davao’s competitiveness and stature as an outsourcing hub in Mindanao, backed by robust regional economic growth, should retain the city’s attractiveness for more residential projects.

What’s interesting is that Davao is also being positioned as one of the major meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) hubs in the country. This should enable the city to attract more local and foreign hotel operators beyond 2026. In our view, more international visitors should potentially raise demand for vertical housing in the city and hep lift take up for leisure-themed residential projects.

Davao City is deemed a residential hotspot in Mindanao and is a preferred site of both end-users and investors. The sustained demand over the past few years encouraged national and homegrown property firms to invest in the city.

Colliers Philippines believes that Davao City has become a viable residential hub in Mindanao due to its competitiveness. Former Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s election as Philippine president in 2016 further raised interest in the city and has since transformed Davao into a preferred residential haven even by those from nearby cities and provinces. The 2024 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index ranked Davao as the seventh most competitive in the country based on economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. To be continued

Crisis in City clinics: Walkways turned wards as State House probes Kampala health facilities

Mothers delivering at public health facilities across Kampala are being nursed in corridors and walkways, as health centers grapple with severe overcrowding, acute staff shortages, and unreliable water supplies.

The dire conditions came to light on Tuesday as the State House Health Monitoring Unit launched a six-week routine assessment of health service delivery across Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) facilities. The probe aims to evaluate resource allocation, track medicine supply chains, and address operational gaps affecting both patients and medical staff.

At Kawaala Health Centre IV, the space crisis has forced administrators to improvise to accommodate the high volume of patients. Dr. Olivia Kibuuka, a health official at the facility, disclosed that staff have been compelled to turn a walkway into a recovery ward for mothers after normal deliveries. Furthermore, two rooms previously used for post-normal delivery recovery have been converted into operating space for mothers undergoing Caesarean sections.

Dr. Kibuuka noted that the space constraints are compounded by a critical water shortage, which directly threatens hygiene and patient safety. National Water and Sewerage Corporation supplies the facility only once or twice a week, while the health center’s borehole fails to provide a steady backup when underground water levels drop.

“Given that this is a health facility, we are challenged with hygiene,” Dr. Kibuuka said, confirming that health workers have already reported cases of sepsis among patients.

A similar strain is unfolding at Kisugu Health Centre III, where staff are overwhelmed by patient numbers despite lacking essential infrastructure. Miriam Aliisa, the nurse in charge at Kisugu, explained that while the facility attends to between 160 and 180 mothers a month, it operates without an operating theatre. Emergency cases requiring specialized surgical intervention must be stabilized and referred to China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru.

Aliisa highlighted that severe staffing shortages are also compromising antenatal care and health education. With up to 100 mothers arriving for antenatal services in a single day, the limited number of midwives cannot spend adequate time with each patient.

“As a result, not all mothers receive adequate health education, while those who do may struggle to retain all the information because of the large numbers and limited time available to health workers,” Aliisa said. She suggested that expanding community-based health education could help bridge the knowledge gap.

The Director of the State House Health Monitoring Unit, Dr. Warren Naamara, stated that the ongoing exercise is part of the unit’s routine mandate to act as the President’s independent eye on the health sector. The monitoring team will inspect eight KCCA facilities: Kisenyi HCIV, Kawaala HCIV, Komamboga HCIV, Kitebi HCIII, Kisugu HCIII, Kiswa HCII, Bukoto Clinic HCII, and City Hall Clinic.

Dr. Naamara emphasized that the six-week review will investigate financial utilization, staff absenteeism, and the drug supply chain from the National Medical Stores to the end user to curb medicine theft and diversion.

“This is routine and KCCA is not the first; we have monitored other districts and other hospitals. We continue to do this as a matter of routine,” Dr. Naamara said. “Are the drugs stolen, or are they given to the benefit of patients?”

Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, urged healthcare workers and local leaders to cooperate transparently with the investigators rather than viewing the probe as a witch-hunt.

“Monitoring is an important part of government business because it helps us establish what is happening on the ground and identify challenges and gaps that may not come to our attention when we are sitting in offices,” Minister Kabanda said. “We must be open and honest with them. Where there are challenges, let us bring them out. Where there are good practices, let them also be documented and shared.”

Echoing the Minister’s directive, KCCA Director of Public Health and Environment, Dr. Daniel Okello Akena, pledged full cooperation from city health officials, noting that the audit aligns with KCCA’s goal of improving service delivery standards.

“As Kampala Capital City Authority, a central government agency which runs the capital city on behalf of the central government, we are duty-bound to comply, cooperate and provide information to this particular exercise,” Mr. Akena said, adding that the assessment will help establish whether city health centers are meeting required national standards.

90-year-old retiree cries out over possible house demolition

A 90-year-old retiree, Mrs. Elizabeth Ogunbate, has appealed to authorities and parties involved in a long-running land dispute at Ilupeju Estate, Odo-Oyanta, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, for amicable settlement amid fears of possible demolition of homes in the community.

Residents of the estate staged a protest on Saturday over what they described as an escalating threat to their homes and security, noting that more than 100 occupants have lived on the disputed land for many years.

Ogunbate, who residents said had previously experienced demolition, reportedly returned from Lagos to settle in Ijebu-Ode after retirement. She is now appealing against any action that could leave her homeless again, particularly at her advanced age.

The dispute centres on competing claims of ownership over portions of land on which residents said they bought plots, built houses and have lived for more than two decades.

The residents maintained that they acquired their properties in good faith from persons they believed had the authority to sell or allocate the land.

Correspondence from lawyers shows that the matter has moved into the courts. A May 6, letter by Valiant and Valor, acting for administrators and beneficiaries of the estate of late Mrs. Olayide Odutola, asserted ownership of several parcels and demanded that occupants vacate the land.

Lawyers representing some occupants, however, disputed that position and refered to an existing civil case, Suit No. HCS/29/2024, Mrs. Yewande Ogunde and others vs. Mr. Ibrahim Akeem, before the High Court, Ijebu-Ode. They also referred to a criminal matter, MIJ/63/26, before the Chief Magistrate Court, Ijebu-Ode.

The residents are therefore, calling for the relevant authorities to verify the competing title documents, examine the history of transactions and clarify the scope of previous court judgments, including references to earlier cases HCJ/72/2009 and CA/IB/M.219/2013.

Our presidential campaign council ready soon, says NDC

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has said its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated, following ongoing consultations between the party leadership and its presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., on Monday, said consultations were ongoing with relevant stakeholders to produce what it described as an inclusive and robust campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, Obi and Kwankwaso had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of efforts to conclude arrangements for the campaign council.

The party said it had agreed to give the presidential candidate and his running mate the responsibility of nominating key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the NDC leadership.

The positions to be nominated by the candidates include Director-General of the campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman, deputy spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other key positions.

‘The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,’ the statement said.

The NDC also said the management of campaign funds would be subject to transparency and accountability, with the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director working alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

It said the arrangement was necessary because the party would be required to render accounts to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Electoral Act.

The party disclosed that a comprehensive organogram for the campaign structure had been developed since August and forwarded to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input.

It added that nominations had also been received from stakeholders across the country. The NDC said it had equally proposed a campaign timetable since August but was awaiting the conclusion of arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising, which would be spearheaded by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

Funds raised, according to the statement, would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the candidates alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

The inauguration of the PCC was initially scheduled for the first week of September but was postponed due to Obi’s travel schedule, the party said.

The party also appealed to its candidates and supporters across the country to avoid internal disputes and concentrate on the 2027 elections.

‘There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,’ the party said, urging its candidates and supporters to ‘keep their eyes on the ball and focus on winning.’

The NDC said it wanted all its candidates, including those contesting legislative and governorship positions, to win their elections convincingly, stressing that they were contesting under the platform of the party and not as independent candidates.

NDC begins preparations for election agents

In another development, the party said its leadership had directed all state and Local Government Area chairmen to immediately begin meetings with candidates and other stakeholders to compile and harmonise lists of party agents for the forthcoming elections.

The directive, according to the statement, was issued in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.

The party said two categories of agents would be identified: agents for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.

The lists would subsequently be scrutinised and ratified by the party leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training begins.

The NDC directed state and LGA chairmen to complete the exercise and submit the final lists within two weeks of the directive.

The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli, while Vin Martin Ilo serves as Secretary.

Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen representing the six geopolitical zones are also members of the committee.

The party assured its members and supporters that the PCC would be announced and inaugurated once the candidates’ inputs had been received and the remaining arrangements concluded.

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.

G-5 governors: Why we allowed Peter Obi to win in South-South in 2023 – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the G-5 governors deliberately allowed Peter Obi to win in parts of the South-South during the 2023 presidential election, as part of a strategy to weaken the chances of the then Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking on Monday during an interview on TVC’s Journalists’ Hangout, Wike explained that the group settled on the approach after concluding that the PDP’s traditional strength in the region would work against it if left to Atiku.

‘How did he win? When the G-5, we sat, we had our strategy. We said in Edo, PDP is stronger in the South-South. Our problem will be Atiku. Therefore, instead of Atiku to take it, let it go to the Labour Party. That was our strategy. Cross River, the same thing. That’s what we did.’

He said the same approach applied in Cross River, where the PDP was also seen as strong enough to boost Atiku if the party won.

Rivers State, however, was excluded from the arrangement. Wike said the group blocked Obi from winning there over concerns about the political message such a result would send.

‘It was only Rivers that said, ‘No, we have a problem here in Rivers. Obi will not win here because if he wins, he sends a signal somewhere, people may not understand it.’ And we stopped…we stopped it,’ Wike said.

The G5 were PDP governors who opposed Atiku’s presidential bid in 2023, insisting the party’s ticket should have gone to a southern candidate after eight years of northern rule under Muhammadu Buhari. The group was made up of Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Wike of Rivers and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu.

According to Wike, the calculation behind the strategy was straightforward: a PDP loss in the South-South would hurt Atiku directly, whereas a win for Obi would do little to advance his own presidential prospects.

‘But we agreed that, look, Atiku is a problem, PDP is strong in the South-South. So if PDP does not win in South-South, it’s a disadvantage to Atiku. Obi winning will not help Obi anywhere. We did that. We did that,’ he said.

Turning to the 2027 election, Wike questioned whether Obi could repeat his 2023 performance in the South-South, pointing specifically to Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Delta states.

‘In Cross River now, how will Obi win? In Akwa Ibom, how will he win? In Delta, how will he win?’ Wike asked.

He argued that the conditions that favoured Obi in 2023 no longer exist, particularly the backlash over the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

‘Under 2023 there was this campaign of Christianity, there was this campaign of Muslim-Muslim ticket. There was, there was, seriously, seriously.’

Wike said that controversy has since lost its force.

‘It’s no longer there now. It’s no longer there. No more like Muslim-Muslim ticket. Well, it doesn’t work. Tinubu has been able to kill that.’

He also said Obi’s support base in the South-East had weakened since 2023.

‘What people, what we know now, Obi does not have it, and he won’t have it,’ he said.

Wike then urged Obi to shift his focus away from 2027 and prepare instead for the 2031 election.

‘For this election, leave it for Tinubu. Prepare for 2031. And that’s the truth of the matter.’

BOC files criminal cases over misdeclared goods

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) filed criminal complaints against the owner, representatives of an importer, a customs broker and several of its own personnel over agricultural shipments misdeclared as chicken products that arrived last June 2025.

The BOC said through a statement it filed six criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) last Tuesday involving shipments consigned to Berches Consumer Goods Trading.

The BOC said physical examinations of the shipments found 15,029 sacks of fresh white onions and 2,164 boxes of fresh carrots, despite the shipments being declared as ‘chicken lollipops.’

The agricultural products were also not covered by the required Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance issued by the Bureau of Plant Industry.

According to the BOC, the shipments allegedly violated Section 1401, in relation to Sections 1400 and 117, of Republic Act (RA) 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), for fraudulent misdeclaration and importation of regulated agricultural products without the necessary clearances.

Complaints against Customs personnel also stem from Section 1431 of the CMTA, which penalizes willful neglect of duties, enabling another person to defraud the government of customs revenue and negligently or deliberately allowing another person to violate the law.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service separately endorsed administrative charges against the concerned BOC officials and personnel to the agency’s Prosecution and Litigation Division for hearings under the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

‘These enforcement actions are intended not only to hold violators accountable but also to send a clear message that attempts to circumvent customs laws and regulations will be met with decisive action,’ the BOC said.

‘The BOC continues to strengthen its enforcement presence to create a strong deterrent against smuggling and other illicit activities while ensuring that legitimate businesses and compliant stakeholders are protected,’ it added.

Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said the BOC would not only come after smugglers and their accomplices but also against its own personnel found to have participated, facilitated or benefited from illegal activities.

The filing of the six complaints brings the BOC’s total number of criminal cases filed to 96, involving 288 respondents.

From 2025 to 2026, the BOC has, likewise, seized P13.7-billion worth of goods, as it steps up enforcement against illicit and misdeclared goods.