Category: Business Mirror

THE Marcos administration is revisiting the country’s AmBisyon Natin 2040 roadmap as the long-term scars of the pandemic continue to weigh on the economy, while fresh global shocks threaten to further derail the country’s development trajectory, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.

‘We are now revisiting the AmBisyon Natin 2040 to examine what we have done best, what we could have done better, and what needs to be fixed. Obviously, there were many developments that were not anticipated and that would need to be corrected,’ said Balisacan, who led the crafting of AmBisyon 2040 during his stint as chief economist under the Aquino III administration.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday expressed confidence the economic growth will rebound as early as the second quarter of year, as the government ramps up spending on public services, which includes cushioning the socioeconomic impact of the Middle East crisis and controlling inflation.

The chief executive attributed the ‘lackluster’ 2.8-percent gross domestic product (GDP) from January to March to delays in public spending in that period.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported that infrastructure spending dropped by 43.5 percent to P147.8 billion in the first quarter of the year from P261.8 billion year-on-year due to the stringent verification process conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid the government crackdown on anomalous flood control projects, which started last year.

Marcos said they were able to remedy this when they started implementing the Middle East response, which includes repatriation of Filipinos from the Middle East, as well as providing fuel subsidies, contract servicing, and cash aid to public utility vehicle drivers and operators.

The government reported it spent at least P4 billion for its Middle East responses.

The President also led the nationwide distribution of Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to local government units for their procurement and rice subsidy programs. The government also started tapping its Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) to provide scholarships to qualified students.

He noted the initiatives, particularly on rice and fuel subsidies, are expected to help keep inflation in check, which accelerated to 7.2 percent last April, as the Middle East conflict disrupted global supply chains leading to higher fuel prices. ‘We cannot allow people to go hungry because they are waiting for the new policies of the government to come down and be felt. So that is the nature of the public spending that we are increasing,’ Marcos said in a press briefing with the Japanese press in Malacañang on Monday.

‘With all the spending that we are doing for providing benefits for people who need assistance, for providing subsidies, for providing discounts, the fuel discounts, we have tried very, very hard,’ he added.

The measures, he said, is expected to help prevent the ‘stagflation’ or the simultaneous slowdown in economic growth, high inflation, and high unemployment. ‘It’s [stagflation] a deep hole if you fall into it. It’s very, very hard to come back out. So we said let’s just keep the machine, the economic machine running,’ Marcos said.

The President said the government will also provide support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) since they generate much of the country’s economic activity.

‘Because MSMEs comprise 95 percent of our businesses in the Philippines and about 63 percent of our employment. So if we keep those sectors strong, I’m confident that although we will feel the effects of the oil crisis, I think that we will be able to mitigate many of the effects,’ Marcos said. The Marcos administration is currently financing its ‘accelerated spending’ by cutting the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of its offices by 10 percent.

It is also pushing for the passage of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Bill, which will give it greater flexibility in using savings as well as unreleased and unobligated appropriations amid its growing funding needs.

AmBisyon’s origins

Adopted in 2016, AmBisyon Natin 2040 serves as the country’s long-term development blueprint aimed at approximately tripling per capita income and transforming the Philippines into a predominantly middle-class society where poverty is eradicated and economic growth translates into a better quality of life for ordinary Filipinos.

Balisacan said the development vision was crafted during a period of strong economic performance under the Aquino administration, when the economy expanded by an average of 6.3 percent annually while inflation and the fiscal deficit remained manageable.

At the time, economic managers believed the country could sustain growth of 6 percent to 7 percent-or even as high as 8 percent-over the long term.

However, Balisacan said the Covid-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the country’s development path after the economy contracted by 9.5 percent in 2020, the worst postwar downturn on record.

‘It took us another two years just to recover the GDP per capita. So we practically lost three years,’ he said.

He added that the pandemic left scars across both the economy and human capital, with thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) either shutting down or falling heavily into debt after prolonged lockdowns.

Balisacan also pointed to the long-term impact of school closures, warning that learning losses suffered during the pandemic could translate into weaker productivity and lower incomes over the coming years.

The chief economist acknowledged that the Philippines once had strong potential to catch up with its regional peers, recalling a period when ‘people with competence [were] joining the government.’

However, Balisacan said ‘so many combinations of things happened’ that caused the country to ‘miss the boats’ on key growth opportunities.

He warned that fresh external shocks, including the ongoing Middle East crisis, are now creating new risks for the domestic economy through elevated oil prices, inflationary pressures, and slower growth.

‘Now, again, we have another problem…all these shocks. So we would need to recalibrate the AmBisyon Natin in 2040,’ he added.

Despite the need for recalibration, Balisacan stressed that the long-term vision itself should remain intact because it reflects the aspirations of Filipinos.

Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph) successfully carried out a landmark multi-facility multi-organ harvest, marking a significant advancement in the country’s transplant program and offering renewed hope to patients in need of life-saving procedures.

Conducted in April 2026, the five-organ retrieval (liver, lungs, kidneys, heart, and corneas) was performed on a patient who succumbed to acute brain hemorrhage.

This achievement is the first of its kind in the Philippines, surpassing a previous three-organ retrieval conducted in 2025.

The complex procedure was executed through close coordination of MakatiMed’s multidisciplinary team of Physicians, Surgeons, Nurses, and Operating Room Personnel, with specialists from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), the Philippine Heart Center, the Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines, and the Lung Center of the Philippines. The effort was made possible under the Human Organ Preservation Effort (HOPE) Program, supported by a memorandum of agreement with the NKTI.

In honor of the donor, MakatiMed medical and allied health professionals conducted an ‘Honor Walk,’ a solemn tradition where hospital staff line the corridors in silent tribute as the donor is transported to the operating room.

MakatiMed interim co-president and CEO and medical director Saturnino P. Javier, MD, expressed both gratitude and respect for the donor and her family, stating, ‘As we congratulate and thank our medical and nursing teams who worked tirelessly for hours on this milestone endeavor, we enjoin the MakatiMed community to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of MakatiMed’s first multi-organ donor and extend our profound gratitude to the family, as well.’

Power supply alerts could persist in the coming months as rising temperatures and the looming onset of the El Niño phenomenon continue to drive electricity demand higher, Department of Energy (DOE) projections indicate.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said in an online news conference that the Visayas grid is expected to experience multiple alert conditions in the coming months.

These include seven yellow alerts during afternoon peak hours, as well as six red alerts and seven yellow alerts during evening peak periods.

In Mindanao, the DOE projects no red alerts but six yellow alerts from September to November and one more yellow alert for Luzon.

The Philippines remains under El Niño southern oscillation (Enso)-neutral conditions, but state the weather bureau had warned of a high probability-around 70 to 79 percent-that El Niño may develop between June and August this year and could persist into early 2027. The phenomenon is expected to significantly affect weather patterns, water supply, and electricity demand.

This warning comes as the Visayas grid continues to grapple with major plant outages and tight operating reserves, raising concerns over possible rotational brownouts should additional generating units go offline.

Speaking during the MyTV Cebu OPENLINE News Forum on Tuesday, Neil Martin Modina, assistant vice president and head of Visayas System Operations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), said the transmission operator is closely monitoring grid conditions amid rising demand and limited supply.

‘Yellow alert means our operating margin cannot meet the contingency reserve, while a red alert means the operating margin can no longer sustain the regulating reserve of the transmission network,’ Modina explained.

He noted that as of Monday evening, the Visayas grid remained under yellow alert, with an operating margin of only 57 megawatts (MW). ‘Kung red alert na, dili na maka-sustain sa regulating reserve. Mao nang possible ang rotational brownouts [If it reaches red alert status, the grid can no longer sustain the regulating reserve. That is why rotational brownouts may occur],’ he added.

NGCP also reported that several major generating units in the Visayas remain offline, significantly affecting supply. These include two 169-megawatt units of Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) in Cebu and the 150-megawatt Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) plant in Panay, contributing to a total unavailable capacity of 845 megawatts.

‘Dako na kaayo na [That’s already a large amount],’ Modina said, underscoring the scale of the outages.

Power demand in Cebu alone reached 1,128 megawatts on May 18-nearly half of the Visayas grid’s total demand of 2,600 megawatts.

‘Cebu consumes almost half of the Visayas demand. Kinahanglan gyud og additional generation diri sa Cebu [We really need additional power generation here in Cebu],’ he added.

NGCP said the situation could improve once the affected plants resume operations. Based on projections, TVI Unit 2 is expected to return by August 22, while Unit 1 may resume operations by August 30. The 150-megawatt Panay plant is projected to come back online by July 7.

‘If the Panay plant returns as scheduled, adding 150 megawatts to the current 57-megawatt operating margin would bring reserves to over 200 megawatts. Safe na siya nga operating margin,’ Modina said.

Despite the tight supply, NGCP said interconnection with the Mindanao grid-completed in 2024-has helped stabilize the Visayas system during critical periods. Mindanao currently has an estimated 450-megawatt surplus that can be exported to the Visayas when needed.

On Monday night, Luzon also supplied 176 megawatts to the Visayas grid, with the Luzon system capable of delivering up to 250 megawatts, according to NGCP.

‘No brownout yesterday because of the available support from interconnected grids,’ Modina said.

However, NGCP warned that the grid remains vulnerable to forced outages and derated power plants, particularly during summer months when demand spikes due to extreme heat.

‘Demand always increases during summer because of higher temperatures,’ Modina said.

Under DOE policy, power plants are generally prohibited from conducting maintenance shutdowns during peak summer months. Scheduled maintenance is typically allowed only during the first, third, and fourth quarters of the year.

‘If they deviate from the approved schedule, that becomes a forced outage, and that creates imbalance in the grid,’ he said.

NGCP added that it continues real-time monitoring of generating plants and coordinates closely with operators whenever technical issues arise. The current outage at TVI was reportedly caused by a bearing problem.

Should red alerts occur, NGCP said rotational brownouts would be implemented proportionately among distribution utilities based on their share of demand.

For example, Visayan Electric Company, which accounts for around 27 percent of demand, would be directed to implement outages equivalent to its load share to prevent a cascading grid failure.

‘Kung dili ma-implement ang scheduled load dropping, possible mag-cascading effect sa entire grid [If scheduled load dropping is not implemented, it could cause a cascading effect across the entire grid],’ Modina warned.

As of May 19, NGCP placed the Visayas grid under yellow alert from 3:00 p.m. To 9:00 p.m., citing tight power reserves. Available capacity stood at 2,691 megawatts, while demand reached 2,594 megawatts, leaving a slim operating margin of 97 megawatts.

Meanwhile, Modina said additional generation projects are in the pipeline for the Visayas, including a proposed waste-to-energy facility in Bacolod City that has already been endorsed by the DOE.

DOE data shows 37 committed power projects in the Visayas, most of them renewable energy-based.

These include two coal-fired plants: the expansion project of TVI in Toledo City, Cebu, and the Palm Concepcion Coal-Fired Power Plant Unit II in Iloilo. Combined, these projects will add at least 300 megawatts of capacity.

TVI’s expansion is expected to begin testing and commissioning in October this year, with full operations targeted for August 2028.

Other committed projects in the Visayas include 14 solar plants, three diesel plants, one geothermal plant, nine wind farms, four hydroelectric projects, and four biomass facilities.

In addition, 15 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects are currently in the pipeline for the Visayas grid.

Final pay disputes and wage-related concerns topped worker complaints received through the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) Hotline in the first quarter of 2026, as more Filipino workers turned to digital channels to seek assistance on labor issues.

From January to March, the hotline logged 46,526 assistance requests that generated 48,381 individual queries covering wages, benefits, employment arrangements, and other workplace concerns.

The volume highlights the continued reliance on government hotlines as the primary first-response mechanism for workers facing payroll and employment disputes.

At the same time, the data shows a clear shift in how concerns are being filed, with digital platforms now overtaking traditional voice calls.

Email and Facebook messages accounted for 32,021 inquiries, or about 68.8 percent of total queries, significantly higher than voice call traffic.

DOLE said this reflects workers’ preference for more accessible and documented channels when raising concerns, particularly those involving sensitive employment disputes.

Labor standards remained the largest category of concerns, accounting for 15,647 queries or 62 percent of the total.

Under this category, the most frequently reported issue was final pay non-compliance, followed by concerns on holiday pay computation, due process in termination or suspension, labor inspection requests and separation pay disputes.

The concentration of complaints on end-of-employment benefits suggests recurring friction in basic wage compliance, especially among contractual and project-based arrangements. Employment facilitation concerns made up 7,977 queries or 31 percent, largely driven by local hiring issues, alongside probationary work arrangements, alien employment permits, and project-based employment.

Social protection and welfare concerns accounted for 1,311 queries, with the bulk involving non-remittance of mandatory benefits, inquiries on expanded maternity leave, and accident- and taxation-related issues.

To manage the growing, increasingly digital volume of concerns, Dole partnered with the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines and Foundever for capability-building and refresher training for hotline agents. The department said the initiative is intended to strengthen response time and improve handling of more complex labor complaints as hotline usage continues to rise.

Hotline 1349 operates Monday to Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and serves as one of the government’s main intake channels for workers seeking assistance on labor and employment concerns.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said more than 5.47 million voter registration applications were processed nationwide as of May 18, the final day of registration for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Data released by the commission showed that total processed applications reached 5,470,889, with 2,831,459 new female voters and 2,639,430 male registrants.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the poll body would no longer extend the voter registration period despite appeals from several sectors seeking additional registration days.

‘Wala na pong extension. Kailangan na rin po naming simulan ang ibang preparasyon para sa BSKE,’ Garcia said in a media briefing.

He said the commission needs to proceed with the validation and cleansing of voter records following the close of registration.

‘May mga susunod pa pong proseso matapos ang registration tulad ng cleansing ng voters’ list at pag-aayos ng records,’ Garcia added.

Region IV-A or Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) posted the highest number of processed applications with 887,677, followed by Region III or Central Luzon with 613,185 and the National Capital Region (NCR) with 598,427.

Other regions with high registration turnout included Region V (Bicol) with 322,469 applications and Region VII (Central Visayas) with 316,200.

Region XI (Southern Mindanao) recorded 267,974 applications, while Region IX (Western Mindanao) and Region X (Northern Mindanao) posted 256,948 and 256,004, respectively.

The Negros Island Region (NIR) processed 241,166 applications, while Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) logged 242,921 and Region XII (Central Mindanao) recorded 237,816.

Region VI (Western Visayas) registered 237,211 applications, while Region I (Ilocos) posted 231,144 and Region II (Cagayan Valley) processed 193,196.

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recorded 75,822 applications, the lowest among all regions included in the tally. Meanwhile, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) posted 160,352 applications, while Caraga recorded 161,135 and Region IV-B or Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) logged 159,848.

HOUSE of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged irregularities involving 80 contracts amounting to P4.4 billion flood control projects in Davao City’s First District from 2019 to 2022.

Tinio said the complaint-report he submitted to the Ombudsman was based on the House’s independent investigation covering 121 flood control projects along Davao and Matina Rivers.

Among these irregularities were possible duplicate payments or ghost projects amounting to P135 million; double funding of same flood control project as shown in the 2020 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and was awarded to two different contractors; location changes and shortchanging involving eight projects amounting to P425 million; 65 contracts amounting to P3.56 billion lacked specifications; P623 million worth of contracts lack General Appropropriations Act authorization; and 10 unfinished flood control projects worth P713 million.

Tinio also noted that 49 out of the 80 red-flagged contracts were reportedly congressional insertions, all concentrated in Davao City’s First Legislative District.

The representative of Davao City’s First District from 2019 up to present is Paolo ‘Polong’ Duterte, son of the former President and brother of Vice President Sara Duterte.

‘The anger of the Filipino people against corrupt officials is valid. Almost a year has passed since the flood control corruption investigation began, yet no high-ranking official has been held accountable,’ Tinio said.

‘We respectfully urge the Ombudsman to conduct a thorough investigation of these flood control projects, with priority attention to physical verification of incomplete and ‘100 percent’ complete but on-going projects,” he added.

Specifically, Tinio, the nominee of the party-list group ACT Teachers said the Ombudsman’s investigation should determine who initiated, endorsed, approved, implemented, and benefited from these items, and whether procurement and implementation were aboveboard.

‘The Ombudsman must examine the full chain of accountability-from budget itemization and approvals to bidding, implementation, inspection, and payment-because this involves billions in publicfunds and flood control projects that directly impact public safety,’ he stressed.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Polong Duterte lambasted Tinio for being ‘selectively blind’ in seeking accountability for anomalous flood control projects.

‘Why focus solely on Davao while conveniently ignoring the larger controversies hounding the present administration and its allies?’ he added. Duterte pointed out that records of the Department of Public Works and Highways Region XI would show completed and above-standard infrastructure projects in Davao City from 2020 to 2022 amounting to approximately P49.84 billion.

‘These include roads, drainage systems, bridges, and other public works that Dabawenyos continue to benefit from today,’ Duterte said.

He also claimed that Davao City had a zero budget for four years now. ‘ACT Teachers was supposed to fight for educators, classrooms, salaries, and the future of Filipino students. Instead, Tinio has become a full-time anti-Duterte political operator whose press conferences now outnumber his actual initiatives for teachers,’ he added.

THE surge in import bill and soft demand for Philippine exports widened the country’s balance of payments (BOP) 4-month deficit to a level that exceeded the $5.66-billion gap for all of 2025.

Latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the BOP deficit in January to April reached $7.4 billion. For April alone, the Philippines recorded a BOP deficit of $2.1 billion.

The overall BOP position, the central bank said, denotes the transactions of the country with the rest of the world.

While the $2.124-billion deficit in April is 16.97 percent narrower than the previous year’s $2.558 billion, and 19.45 percent leaner than the $2.637-billion gap registered in March, the $7.41-billion BOP shortfall in January to April is the largest-ever on record.

The $7.41-billion BOP deficit in the four-month period also exceeded the $7.26 billion recorded in 2022. The latest figure is now within striking distance of the central bank’s $7.8-billion deficit forecast for 2026.

In a statement in March, the central bank said the Philippine balance of payments is projected to remain ‘under pressure over 2026-2027 amid a challenging global environment and structural constraints.’ (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/04/02/bsp-resets-bop-projection-sees-wider-gap-in-2026-2027/).

Structural pressures

Analysts indicated that structural pressures are hounding import-driven Philippines, adding that the economy will remain sensitive to oil prices, global financial conditions, and investor sentiment.

Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) said: ‘The wider year-to-date gap underscores persistent structural pressures-particularly the large trade deficit driven by strong import demand and softer exports.’

Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong and Co. said while the narrowing of the BOP in April is a ‘modest but positive signal,’ the Philippines is still an ‘import-driven economy.’

‘So, a BOP deficit will likely persist in the near term,’ added Ravelas.

John Paolo Rivera, Senior Research Fellow at state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) agreed with Ravelas. ‘External position will remain sensitive to oil prices, global financial conditions, and investor sentiment.’

April data

Despite the widest-ever year-to-date shortfall recorded, data from the central bank showed the BOP gap recorded in April alone eased due to strong dollar inflows from remittances and services exports.

‘The narrower BOP deficit in April reflects a normalization of foreign exchange flows after earlier outflows, with continued support from remittances and services,’ Asuncion said.

Ravelas noted the narrower deficit seen in April ‘reflects steady dollar inflows from remittances and BPOs, some improvement in capital flows and a slightly softer import bill.’

For his part, Rivera said the reduction in the country’s foreign reserves indicates that the central bank may have used part of the buffer to smooth peso volatility and meet external obligations.

‘Despite the drop, GIR [gross international reserves] level remains adequate and continues to provide a strong buffer against external shocks,’ said Rivera.

Latest BSP data showed the country’s GIR settled at $104.3 billion as of end-April 2026. This is the lowest GIR in 15 months.

Shopping just got bigger, fresher, and more exciting as SM Supermarket CDO Uptown officially reopened on May 14, 2026, bringing a more elevated grocery experience to Uptown Cagayan de Oro.

Located in your most loved mall, SM CDO Uptown, the upgraded supermarket offers a wider selection of grocery staples, household essentials, fresh finds, and ready-to-eat favorites designed for today’s fast-moving Filipino families.

As part of SM’s commitment to delivering more convenient and value-driven everyday experiences, shoppers can now enjoy a modernized store layout, expanded product assortment, and smoother shopping journey inside the newly improved SM Supermarket CDO Uptown.

Experience World-Class Flavors in Every Bite

Customers can now explore Global Flavors at SM Supermarket CDO Uptown, featuring over 1,000 imported selections from around the world. From premium snacks, beverages, and pantry staples to ready-to-eat meals, sauces, and everyday essentials, shoppers can discover international favorites closer to home. The newly reopened supermarket strengthens SM’s commitment to bringing world-class products and maxed out experiences to local communities, making grocery shopping more exciting, accessible, and enjoyable.

Bigger Savings, Better Shopping

To celebrate the reopening, shoppers can enjoy exclusive opening deals including Price Drop specials, Price Off discounts, and Value Pack bundles with savings of up to 90% on selected items. Customers can also enjoy Buy 1 Take 1 offers on featured grocery favorites including:

Champion Fabcon Fresh Day Refill 1L

Cream-O Choco Fudge 10s 30g

Del Monte Tipco Cherry Berry 1L

UFC Cream of Mushroom Soup 35g

And more exciting grocery deals

Shop, Collect, and Enjoy More Surprises

Every grocery trip becomes more rewarding with SM Markets’ limited-edition collectible campaign. Shoppers can receive a free random collectible sticker for every ?1,500 single-receipt grocery purchase using SMAC. Available in all SM Hypermarket, SM Supermarket, and select Savemore stores until May 31, 2026, the collectible campaign adds fun and surprise to every checkout.

Customers can also look forward to opening day highlights including in-store sampling activities, exclusive month-long promos, and a celebrity meet-and-greet with Faith da Silva.

Through refreshed spaces, bigger selections, and rewarding experiences, SM Supermarket CDO Uptown continues to strengthen SM’s promise of bringing convenient, accessible, and enjoyable shopping experiences to Filipino communities across the country.

The country’s top Isuzu aftersales professionals gathered once again for the 21st Isuzu Service Skills Olympics (ISSO) held on May 16, 2026, at the Isuzu Philippines Corporation Plant in Laguna Technopark, Biñan City, Laguna, where representatives from Gencars, Inc. delivered an impressive performance among participating dealerships nationwide.

Representing various Gencars dealerships, Mr. Jereme P. Asilum of Isuzu Makati earned the Top Technician Award, while Mr. Mark Louie Malipol of Isuzu Batangas secured the Champion title in the Service Advisor Category. Completing the roster of winners, Ms. Charmaine Joan Almeida of Isuzu San Pablo was named 2nd Runner-Up in the Service Advisor Category. The award-winning delegates were joined by other representatives from the Gencars, Inc. network who also participated in the annual competition.

The Isuzu Service Skills Olympics serves as Isuzu’s premier nationwide competition for aftersales personnel, highlighting technical expertise, product knowledge, and customer service excellence among dealership teams. The annual event reinforces the brand’s commitment to continuously elevating the standards of aftersales service across its dealer network.

As a long-time and trusted partner of Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Gencars, Inc. continues to reinforce its commitment to service excellence through continuous training and customer-focused aftersales support. The achievements of its delegates at this year’s ISSO highlight the company’s dedication to providing customers with dependable service delivered by highly skilled and well-trained professionals.

The management of Gencars, Inc., together with its officers and staff, congratulates all delegates and participants for representing the organization with pride and professionalism during the competition.

THE National Dairy Authority (NDA) is seeking a P1.5 billion budget for 2027 to build stock farms and bolster the country’s local milk production.

NDA Administrator Marcus Antonius Andaya said the agency is lobbying for a P1.5 billion funding next year to expand the country’s dairy herd and eventually boost milk output.

Of this, Andaya said the Tier 1 budget will cover baseline costs for existing programs worth P500 million and the remaining P1 billion will be included in the Tier 2 budget to bankroll the establishment of additional stocks farms and feed centers.

‘We’ll use the Tier 2 funding to create three more stock farms and feed centers,’ he told reporters on the sidelines of an event organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).

He said the NDA is targeting to build the additional stock farms in Sorsogon, Baguio, and Negros.

There are currently four operational stock farms in the country, which are established in General Tinio, Nueva Ecija; Ubay, Bohol; Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; and Carmen, Cotabato. Another in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, is set to be completed and operational this year.

Andaya said each 50-hectare farm with a capacity of 150 heads costs P50 million.

A stock farm serves as a breeding, development, and acclimatization center for imported dairy animals which will be distributed to Dairy Multiplier Farms (DMFs) and eventually to local farmers.

Budget documents showed that the government allocated P2.38 billion to the NDA under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA). Andaya, however, explained that P1.85 billion of the agency’s budget came from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) funding to be exclusively used for the milk feeding component of its school-based feeding program.

Excluding its 2027 budget, he said the agency can be rest assured of the P1.53 billion funding it will receive from the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF) next year.

Broken down, P700 million will bankroll herd build-up, P500 million for food safety, animal extension support and training services, and P333 million for feeds and forage development. AnCEF is a 10-year fund created under Republic Act 12308 or the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act that allocates P20 billion annually to strengthen the livestock sector. It consist of tariffs collected from imported livestock, poultry and dairy products.