Category: Business Mirror

THE Philippines could record its biggest export year in history in 2026 as surging electronics shipments lift merchandise trade, even as the peso weakened to a record low of P63.361 against the dollar on Wednesday.

For Trade Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo, the country could exceed $100 billion in merchandise exports this year if the recent growth momentum continues, following August’s record monthly performance.

‘The best is still to come. August was historic: $9.11 billion, the highest monthly export number we have ever recorded. But I believe our September numbers can even be more than double August,’ Rodolfo said in a statement released by BOI.

For September exports to more than double August’s $9.11 billion, shipments would have to exceed $18.22 billion.

‘If these trends continue through December, 2026 will be the greatest export year in Philippine history. We have the opportunity to surpass $100 billion in merchandise exports for the first time,’ Rodolfo said.

Philippine merchandise exports reached a record $9.11 billion in August, up 27.8 percent from $7.13 billion a year earlier. Cumulative exports for January to August also hit a high of $64.04 billion, increasing 14.8 percent year on year.

According to the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (Seipi), gains were largely driven by electronics shipments, which benefit from global investment in artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and digital infrastructure.

Electronic products generated $6.2 billion in August, accounting for 68.1 percent of total merchandise exports based on the reported figures. The sector also posted the largest year-on-year increase among commodity groups, adding $2.32 billion.

Seipi has raised its 2026 electronics-export growth forecast to around 10 percent, equivalent to $54 billion to $55 billion.

‘AI is creating an extraordinary demand cycle, and it goes far beyond the AI processor itself. AI needs power electronics, storage, connectivity, semiconductors, and enormous data-center infrastructure,’ Seipi President Danilo C. Lachica said in the same statement.

The industry group also credited the CREATE MORE Act with strengthening registered export enterprises’ confidence to invest in expanded capacity and improve competitiveness.

Meanwhile, the peso fell to P63.361 per dollar on Wednesday, 27.1 centavos weaker than its P63.09 close on Monday and Tuesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

While the weaker currency raises the peso cost of imports, it may also improve the peso value of dollar earnings for exporters. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has identified peso depreciation as one factor supporting export growth, alongside higher shipment volumes.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ferdinand A. Ferrer said exporters could benefit from the exchange rate, but the gains must translate into stronger productivity and greater technological capacity.

‘The important thing is to convert any exchange-rate advantage into something lasting: more investment, higher productivity and greater technological capability,’ Ferrer said.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against four online lending platforms, which is engaged in financing activities without the necessary license.

The SEC said online platforms operating under the names Cashai, Cashay Plus: Fast Cash Loan (Early Access), Cash-X: Easy Online Loan App, and Cash A: Easy Online Loan App are engaging without the necessary authority from the agency.

These firms claim affiliation with or using the corporate identity of G. A. Orobia Lending Corp.

Orobia is a registered corporate entity with the SEC but, based on the document submitted by the corporation, it does not maintain, own, operate or authorize any online lending platform, mobile application, or similar digital facility for lending transactions.

The SEC said the platforms are unauthorized and the public is strongly advised to avoid any transaction with the entities.

‘The public is cautioned that the mere display or use of a corporation’s name, SEC Registration Number, Certificate of Authority, address, logo, or other information pertaining to a registered financing or lending company does not, by itself, establish that an online lending platform is owned, operated or authorized by that company,’ the regulator said in a statement.

The SEC also cautioned against against downloading unverified lending applications, as unauthorized platforms frequently engage in unfair debt collection practices, unlawful contact access, and data privacy violations.

‘As a matter of precaution, the public is encouraged to always check whether a lending platform is legitimate by consulting the official list on the Commission’s website,’ the regulator added.

PROPERTY developer City State Properties Management Corporation (CPMC) has asked the Philippine National Police and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to mount a fair investigation into the case of the Calatagan, Batangas police chief and other officers involved in the forcible retrieval of construction equipment from Sandari Calatagan.

The case filed with Napolcom comes on the heels of an earlier complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman earlier, where CPMC assailed the acts of PMajor Julius Almeda,, several of his men, and the RDBT Construction Corp., led by architect Rafael Tecson, in swooping down on two occasions, in late September and early October, at Sandari Calatagan in order to retrieve equipment amid a contractual dispute between Sandari and RDBT.

In the complaint before the Ombudsman and Napolcom, CPMC accused Almeda of using state assets in a purely private dispute.

In an interview with TV5, Napolcom’s chief, Atty. Rafael Calinisan, said the police should not get involved in corporate matters or private matters, unless ordered by the courts to preserve the peace: ‘Corporate matters or private matters, hindi naman dapat pakikialaman na [ng mga pulis]. We will get to it, hindi natin hahayaan.’ He said the agency will investigate the matter right away.

CPMC complained that the combined team of the Almeda-led police force and security forces brought in by RDBT had no legal documents to take out the equipment, and they even allegedly threatened the employees and the guards in the wellness community.

CPMC explained that while it had terminated its contract with Tecson’s group on September 25, 2026 following two years of delays in the project, it still had the right to temporarily hold on to the construction equipment to ensure completion of some works and answer for the liabilities arising from such delay.

A dump truck and crane truck were among the equipment being used in the project, and which the Almeda-Tecson group took in two incidents on September 28 and October 4, 2026.

Per the complaint, at close to midnight of September 28, security guards at the site tried to stop their team from seizing the equipment, because they had gotten no instructions from management for this.

Almeda, however, then allegedly threatened to arrest and disarm the guards.

CPMC asked PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and Napolcom Commissioner Calinisan to investigate for possible abuse of authority the accused policemen, and possible violations of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act and grave coercion under the Revised Penal Code.

LOCATION matters in the dealership business. That is why the recent transfer of Isuzu Urdaneta to a new location is more significant than it may initially appear.

Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC), together with its long-time dealer partner Inteco, has officially opened the dealership’s new home near the Urdaneta exit of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX). The move places the facility in a highly visible and accessible location, making it easier for customers from Pangasinan and neighboring provinces to connect with the brand. The new Isuzu Urdaneta facility also complies with the Isuzu Outlet Standard (IOS), which aims to provide customers with a more consistent dealership experience across the country.

More importantly, it acknowledges how travel patterns in Northern Luzon have changed over the years.

Before TPLEX, many motorists entering Urdaneta followed different routes and spent considerably more time navigating local roads. Today, the expressway has transformed the movement of people and goods across the region. Businesses can transport products faster, travelers can reach destinations more efficiently, and commercial vehicles move through what has become one of Northern Luzon’s busiest corridors.

Recognizing these changes, Isuzu and Inteco chose a location that is better aligned with present-day realities.

‘We have moved our location here for convenience, for our customers,’ said Inteco president Raymond Jarina during the opening ceremonies.

‘With our visibility, I’m proud to say this dealership would be Isuzu’s landmark dealership in the North.’

Inteco is not just another dealership group within the Isuzu network. It has been associated with the brand since the 1960s and holds the distinction of being Isuzu’s first dealer partner in the Philippines through its Edsa dealership. That long relationship has allowed the company to grow alongside the brand while maintaining a strong presence across key areas in Northern Luzon. Today, its network includes branches in Quezon Avenue, Pampanga, Dagupan, Urdaneta, Baguio, Edsa Balintawak, and Valenzuela.

Built on a 2,700-square-meter property, the dealership features a showroom measuring 145 square meters and can accommodate two light commercial vehicles and one commercial vehicle on display. While showroom space often draws attention, the aftersales side of the business remains equally important, particularly in a market where Isuzu enjoys a strong presence among business owners and transport operators. The service area occupies 1,481 square meters and includes five service bays for light commercial vehicles and a dedicated bay for heavy-duty trucks. This allows the dealership to cater to a broad range of customers, from private vehicle owners to companies operating commercial fleets.

That capability is particularly relevant in Urdaneta City. Over the years, the city has established itself as an important center for commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, and trade in Northern Luzon. These industries depend heavily on transportation, making reliable sales and aftersales support an essential requirement rather than a luxury.

IPC president Mikio Tsukui underscored this point during the inauguration.

‘With many businesses and communities depending on reliable transportation to keep their operations moving, we believe this new location puts Isuzu in an even better position to serve their mobility needs and support the continued growth of the city and surrounding areas,’ he said.

The opening represents another step in Isuzu’s continuing effort to strengthen its dealer presence across the country. While vehicle specifications often dominate discussions, infrastructure and customer support remain equally important parts of the ownership experience.

Strengthening Menorian Movers’ fleet

MEANWHILE, just as Isuzu was investing in customer accessibility in Northern Luzon, the company was also reinforcing its commitment to commercial transport operators elsewhere in the country.

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Recently, IPC and Isuzu Bacoor delivered four new heavy-duty tractor heads to Menorian Movers Inc., a trucking and logistics company that continues to expand its operations. The turnover included three Isuzu EXR77H units and one EXZ77N tractor head. The new trucks will replace selected older units within Menorian’s fleet of 41 vehicles and will be used primarily for trailer-hauling operations.

For logistics companies, fleet renewal is a necessary investment. Trucks may continue operating for many years, but introducing newer equipment helps improve reliability while minimizing disruptions caused by aging vehicles.

Part of the Menorian Group of Cos., Menorian Movers has long been involved in the transport and logistics business. The company expanded its fleet in 2001 by adding tractor heads and closed vans, allowing it to offer Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) services. More than two decades later, tractors remain central to its operations.

According to IPC department head for dealer sales Mario Ojales, reliability continues to be one of the primary requirements among logistics operators. ‘Isuzu has been a reliable partner of logistics companies through the years, and we understand the heavy-duty demands of their operations,’ he said.

Menorian’s decision to stay with the brand was influenced by years of experience with existing Isuzu vehicles within its fleet. Several of its EXR51 and NPR units have reportedly been serving the company for over a decade, demonstrating the durability required in day-to-day operations.

Under the cab of both the EXR77H and EXZ77N is Isuzu’s 6UZ1-TCG50 diesel engine. The powerplant produces 279 kW (373 hp) and delivers a substantial 1,765 N-m of torque, numbers aimed squarely at the requirements of heavy hauling.

The EXR77H carries a Gross Combination Mass of 45,000 kilograms, while the EXZ77N pushes that figure to 60,000 kilograms, providing flexibility depending on load requirements. The trucks also come equipped with features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and a multi-information display that allows drivers to monitor vehicle data more conveniently during operations.

For Menorian Movers president Marilou Menor, however, the acquisition represents something beyond specifications and payload figures. ‘For me, these four new trucks are more than just additional assets for our company. They represent growth, trust, opportunity, and our commitment to serving our valued clients,’ she said.

That perspective perhaps sums up the two recent developments involving Isuzu. One focuses on bringing a dealership closer to customers. The other focuses on giving a logistics company newer tools for the job. Different stories on the surface, but both point to the same objective. Whether it is a dealership standing beside one of Northern Luzon’s busiest expressways or a tractor head pulling cargo across the country’s highways, the goal remains straightforward: keeping people, businesses, and industries moving.

SENATE Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri has called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to take decisive action against excessive meat importations, predatory pricing, and agricultural smuggling, warning that local hog farmers are selling livestock at severe losses while consumer retail prices remain high.

Speaking during a Senate hearing on the DA’s proposed 2027 budget, Zubiri directly challenged Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to adopt an aggressive stance against traders and importers exploiting the domestic pork industry.

‘Ilabas mo iyong galit mo sa mga predatory pricing, pati iyong mga smugglers. Labanan mo, huwag ka matakot. [Show your anger toward those engaged in predatory pricing and smugglers. Fight them. Don’t be afraid],’ Zubiri urged Laurel.

In response to the growing pressure, Laurel disclosed during the hearing that the government is considering temporary trade restrictions to stabilize the local market.

‘I can suspend imports of kasim [pork shoulder], pigue [ham], and belly for 60 days or stop the issuance of new SPSICs [Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances],’ Laurel said.

SPSICs are required health and safety permits issued for agricultural imports.

Zubiri welcomed the prospective freeze, saying it would provide much-needed breathing room for local raisers overwhelmed by cheap imports and mounting feed and fuel expenses.

The call for intervention follows mounting distress among hog raisers in Bukidnon and other key agricultural provinces. According to figures presented by Zubiri, live hog farmgate prices have plummeted from P185 per kilogram in 2024 to between P90 and P120 per kilogram-well below the estimated average production cost of P130 to P140 per kilo.

Zubiri highlighted that small-scale backyard farmers-who make up 80 percent of the country’s pork producers-are bearing the brunt of the crisis.

‘Only 20 percent are large-scale producers, and these big companies can survive even if they incur some losses,’ Zubiri lamented. ‘But our farmers, who make up 80 percent of the sector, are really suffering.’

Zubiri raised questions regarding the steep gap between the prices paid to local farmers and the cost of pork in public markets. While live hogs in Mindanao yield as little as P100 per kilogram to farmers, retail prices for cuts like pork belly (liempo) reach as high as P380 per kilo in urban centers.

‘They don’t understand why market prices are so high when they are receiving very low farmgate prices. It really blows the mind,’ Zubiri said, calling on trade and agriculture inspectors to return to public markets to crack down on middleman markups and price manipulation.

Beyond temporary import curbs, Zubiri stressed that visible government enforcement is critical to ensure backyard raisers survive the prolonged downturn.

PRESIDENT Marcos has called on local governments nationwide to pioneer fresh ideas and continually refine existing programs to tackle pressing community challenges.

Speaking at the 2026 Galing Pook Awards ceremony held at Malacañan, the President emphasized that evolving community needs demand adaptive and progressive governance.

‘We must continue to encourage new ideas and build on the solutions that have already been made and that now feeling the difference in our communities,’ Marcos said in his address, urging officials to use current milestones as springboards for greater feats.

‘Let us ensure that the progress we achieve today becomes the foundation for even greater accomplishments.’

Ten local government programs were honored during the ceremony for their remarkable responsiveness to constituents’ needs and commitment to public service. This year’s secretariat evaluated 208 program submissions originating from 148 LGUs.

The 2026 Galing Pook awardees span across diverse regions and initiatives:

Bataan E-Mobility (Bataan)

Building Spaces in a Spaceless City (Valenzuela City)

Del Carmen Farm-to-Spoon (Surigao del Norte)

Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICARe) Center: Decentralizing Risk Governance (Iloilo City)

KABAHAGI: QC’s Family-Governed Care for Children with Disabilities (Quezon City)

Kawsa sa Agrikultura ug Panginabuhian sa Barangay (KAAGAPAY) (Davao del Norte)

North Manila Bay Nature-based Solutions Pilot Project: Community-led Coastal Resilience through Building with Nature (barangay Pamarawan, City of Malolos, Bulacan)

One Name, One Identity: Walang Maiiwan Pagayawan (Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur)

Project Denguerra-War on Dengue (Baguio City)

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Zero Illiteracy and Innumeracy Program for Mangyans (ZIP) (Oriental Mindoro)

Reiterating that innovation is a continuous journey, Marcos pointed out that technology and modern governance approaches offer endless opportunities for growth.

‘The beauty of innovation is that there is always room for improvement. Whether through technology or better approaches to governance, we can always build on what we have achieved,’ he told local officials, challenging them to let their successes inspire peer municipalities.

Winners received plaques of recognition, special Risk to Resilience Governance trophies, Galing Pook markers, and cash prizes amounting to 300,000 pesos each, courtesy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Local Government Academy.

Established on October 21, 1993, the Galing Pook Awards serves as a pioneering institution identifying and celebrating local governance excellence. The initiative operates with backing from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Local Government Academy, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., and the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Mentions of Philippine brands in Google AI Overviews rose more than twentyfold in 2025, a sign that artificial intelligence (AI) is fast becoming a gateway through which Filipino consumers find businesses online, according to a year-long study by digital marketing firm Truelogic.

Over the same period, organic branded traffic across 80 Philippine websites fell by 3 to 8 percent. The study, however, noted that while the two trends happened in parallel, it did not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between them.

The study tracked 80 brands across seven sectors. Retail, e-commerce, and real estate posted the strongest growth in AI visibility.

Brands that performed better in AI results generally shared three traits, the study found: high brand search interest, clearly structured content, and well-optimized websites.

‘Being found is no longer just about ranking for the right keywords,’ said Bernard San Juan III, managing partner of Truelogic. ‘AI is more likely to surface brands it can understand and trust.’

San Juan said this means businesses ‘need to make their expertise easy to verify, organize their content around the questions customers ask, and remain consistently present across credible sources-from news coverage and reviews to social media.’

Traditional search engines give users a list of links they must sift through to find an answer. AI search, by contrast, lets consumers ask conversational questions and receive curated answers, comparisons, and recommendations in a single response.

Filipinos have been quick to adopt these tools. The Digital 2026 report by We Are Social, Meltwater, and GWI showed that 42.4 percent of Filipino internet users surveyed had used ChatGPT in the previous month, ranking the Philippines sixth globally.

San Juan said the shift is pushing brands beyond traditional search engine optimization (SEO). While ranking well in search results still matters, brands must also ensure that AI platforms can understand their content, verify their expertise, and recognize them as credible sources.

He noted that the firm’s own client data mirrored the trend. Across 40 projects, Truelogic clients recorded a 750-percent increase in AI visibility from January to July 2025, against the 400-percent average across Philippine websites during the same period.

One of these clients, described as a leading Philippine bank, achieved the highest AI share of voice in its peer group at 38.1 percent. A major property developer, meanwhile, captured a 53.38-percent AI share of voice across Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity-3.8 times that of its closest competitor.

The study concluded that neither size nor legacy guarantees leadership in AI search. As AI platforms mature, Philippine brands that build authority, structure their content for AI, and keep a consistent presence across credible channels will be better positioned to appear in AI-generated answers and recommendations.

CEBU CITY-The Office of the Ombudsman is ramping up efforts to dismantle bureaucratic roadblocks, cut burdensome permit requirements, and curb corruption to improve the country’s investment climate.

Speaking at a dialogue with Cebu’s business community, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the agency aims to prosecute erring public officials while collaborating with businesses and regulators to streamline public services.

‘Government should actually help businessmen-make their lives easier,’ Remulla said, highlighting widespread abuse in business licensing offices and Fire Bureau clearances. He noted that the Ombudsman has already ousted a Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief and plans to charge more implicated officials.

However, Remulla emphasized that prosecution alone will not solve the problem.

‘We cannot just be all prosecution and be angry every day, all the time. We have to keep living as a country,’ he said, advocating for systemic reforms to eliminate corruption at its root.

To address these issues, the Ombudsman plans to convene a regulatory summit in 2027 to boost transparency and accelerate digitalization. Remulla pointed out that online systems eliminate face-to-face contact, cutting off opportunities for fixers and bribery.

He cited ongoing efforts to fully operationalize the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) Land Transportation Management System for online renewals as a model.

Remulla also stressed the need for evidence-based investigations rather than rushing to prosecute based on public pressure.

The Cebu dialogue brought together key business groups, including the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Lapu-Lapu Chamber of Commerce.

Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic Clavano IV explained that the meeting aimed to build a direct line with enterprises to address regulatory friction before it escalates into formal complaints. Clavano noted that small entrepreneurs often bear the heaviest burden of redundant compliance rules.

CCCI President Regan Rex King welcomed the initiative, suggesting a formal partnership among the Ombudsman, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), and local business chambers to rebuild public trust. King highlighted fire safety inspections, business permits, and slow digital adoption as major hurdles.

Echoing King’s sentiments, Mandaue Chamber representative Barbara Gothong Tan and Lapu-Lapu Chamber representative Anthony Noel praised the agency’s commitment to ease of doing business, noting that digital automation and inter-agency cooperation are crucial as enterprises navigate economic headwinds.

Remulla pledged to maintain open lines with the private sector to ensure meaningful, long-term reforms.

IT should not be all profit. That should be an automatic battle cry for all well-meaning businessmen in the world.

Thus, it is almost a must for every capitalist to apportion some of the earnings to projects outside of company borders.

Corporate social responsibility, they call it.

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) takes the lead once more in this aspect with its recent foray into pitching in a ‘modest amount’ for the propagation of the tamaraw, that iconic water buffalo found only in the Philippines.

FORMALIZED. Mark Luigi Bautista reports that TMP, through its social and humanitarian arm, Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMP Foundation), has recently donated P3 million to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP) to support the continued conservation and protection of the critically endangered tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) on Mindoro Island.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between TMP Foundation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Tamaraw Conservation Program Office, and the Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. during the 2026 Tamaraw Fiesta in Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro, held in celebration of the annual ‘Special Month for the Conservation and Protection of Tamaraw in Mindoro.’

The P3-million conservation fund will support key TCP initiatives, including habitat monitoring and scientific research, capacity-building programs for Barangay and Indigenous Peoples (IP) volunteers, Communication, Education, and Public Awareness activities and the enhancement of the Tamaraw Research and Conservation Center.

SPECIES PROTECTION. Luigi says that a significant portion of the donation will be used to equip the facility with research and monitoring equipment that will strengthen conservation efforts and support the long-term protection of the species.

The donation builds on the partnership established through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the DENR and TMP Foundation, coinciding with the launch of the Next Generation Tamaraw vehicle in December 2024.

‘Since then, TMP has supported the TCP through various initiatives aimed at strengthening on-the-ground conservation efforts,’ says Luigi, a tested chronicler of crucial TMP events under the wings of Jade Sison and Mixie Flavier.

THREE-MILLIONTH. In 2025 alone, Luigi said that TMP donated a Tamaraw utility vehicle to support TCP’s mobility requirements and field operations on Mindoro Island, along with P500,000 worth of ‘Bantay Tamaraw’ kits to equip rangers in conducting patrol, monitoring and protection activities in known tamaraw habitats.

‘As the namesake of Toyota’s iconic utility vehicle, the tamaraw holds a special significance for the company,’ says Luigi. ‘As TMP approaches its three-millionth cumulative vehicle sales milestone, its continued support for tamaraw conservation reflects the company’s commitment to giving back to society and communities that have supported its growth over the past 38 years now.’

Indeed, the partnership underscores Toyota’s broader commitment under the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 (TEC 2050), particularly to the challenge of ‘Establishing a Society in Harmony with Nature’ through biodiversity conservation and nature positive initiatives.

FROM 380 TO 425. The support comes as the TCP reports continued gains in population recovery. Says Luigi: ‘The 2026 Annual Tamaraw Population Count records 425 Tamaraws in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park, up from 380 in 2025.

The DENR attributes the increase to sustained conservation measures, including habitat protection, scientific monitoring, law enforcement and community participation.’ As conservation efforts continue to deliver positive results, TMP and TMP Foundation remain committed to supporting initiatives that contribute to the protection of the tamaraw.

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IMPETUS. Such commendable efforts by TMP should serve as impetus for others to emulate, a trigger to crossing lines if only to prove that it’s not all profit that makes one’s barometer for success.

Caring for others, thinking outside the box and looking into what makes the heart grow fonder should be as natural as breathing for all capitalists all across the globe.

Being kind and generous isn’t hard to do, fellas. Ask TMP.

PEE STOP We are now into the second ‘Ber’ (OctoBER) of the four ‘Ber’ months of the year comprising the Christmas season-ending, of course, in DecemBER. In short, it’s the season of buying (from September to December), giving the industry all the elbow room to come up with the usual perks arising from promotional bonanzas. Bring it on! Make car buffs doubly happy!…Allana Faith Rufo reports that the fourth and final Weekend Race of Toyota GAZOO RACING is set Oct. 24 at Clark in Angeles, Pampanga, with free admission to the public, as usual. Elijah Marcial, TMP senior vice president for vehicle operations, will reveal an impactful news on the event’s future during the Awards Night. Abangan!

THE governments of countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations must directly invest in green industries and expand domestic productive capacity rather than training workers for jobs that may never exist, a regional labor group warned during a green jobs forum in the Philippines.

The Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) urged governments to align workforce development with concrete investments in renewable energy, green technology, sustainable infrastructure, public transport, agriculture, and fisheries.

‘Asean cannot train its way to a just transition. Governments must invest in green industries, build productive capacity, and create decent jobs-not simply prepare workers for jobs that may never materialize,’ Sentro Secretary General Josua Mata said in a statement.

Mata acknowledged that the Asean Framework and Action Plan for a Just and Inclusive Transition to Green Jobs 2025-2030 creates a foundation for regional cooperation, but emphasized that implementation must address the systemic lack of industries and productive capacity required to generate large-scale employment.

To bridge the gap between training and hiring, the group advocated linking skill programs and apprenticeships directly to funded projects in renewable energy, ecological restoration, low-carbon infrastructure, and essential public services.

Additionally, the group urged governments to make public subsidies and corporate incentives conditional on strict labor standards, including fair wages, secure employment, safe conditions, social protection, freedom of association, and collective bargaining.

‘A just transition is not simply about preparing workers for a changing economy. It is about transforming the economy so that it can deliver decent work, social protection, and a sustainable future for workers and their communities,’ Mata added.

The demand came at the conclusion of the two-day 2026 Asean Green Jobs Forum, where delegates highlighted investment, skills training, and adequate funding as vital to executing the regional framework.

Labor Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres affirmed that the economic shift must generate quality employment while safeguarding vulnerable workers.

‘Our core responsibility is to ensure that this transition creates decent work opportunities for our people, while providing a social protection floor to those whose jobs and livelihoods may be affected,’ Torres said.

She added that Asean must show measurable progress by 2030 in expanding green jobs, adapting workforce skills to shifting labor markets, and distributing the economic benefits more equitably.

Torres outlined three main takeaways from the forum: funneling investments into job-generating green industries, matching skills development with actual market demand, and securing the financing and technical assistance required to carry out the regional action plan.

The Philippines also endorsed technical cooperation-such as mutual recognition of green skills and a proposed Asean Green Jobs Center of Excellence-to guarantee that environmental progress goes hand in hand with decent working conditions across the region.