Category: Business Mirror

BORROWINGS by the Marcos Jr. administration more than doubled in June from a year earlier in the state’s scramble to meet government financing needs despite rising interest rates.

The government’s gross borrowings surged by 119.54 percent to P579.569 billion in June from P263.991 billion in the same month last year, latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) revealed.

The government ramped up its domestic borrowings as it doubled year-on-year to P342.979 billion from P167.579 billion.

Domestic debt issuances for the month consisted of P182.540 billion in net Treasury bills and P160.439 billion in fixed-rate Treasury bonds.

Meanwhile, offshore borrowings jumped by 145.39 percent to P236.590 billion in June from P96.412 billion a year ago.

The Philippines issued its second US dollar bond offering last June, shortly after the interim deal between Washington and Tehran to end the war, and raised a total of $2.5 billion from the triple-tranche global bonds.

About P22.221 billion in project loans and P61.284 billion in program loans were also secured by the government during the month.

Those brought the total gross borrowings for the first half of the year to P1.821 trillion, 14.45 percent higher than the P1.591 trillion in the same period a year ago.

Peso-denominated borrowings grew by 7.31 percent to P1.276 trillion in the six-month period from P1.189 trillion a year earlier.

On the other hand, financing from foreign sources amounted to P544.802 billion as of end-June, up by 35.40 percent from P402.351 billion in the prior-year period.

Government bond yields have climbed as investors took into account geopolitical risk premium since the escalation of the Middle War conflict, with the 10-year yield rising by a cumulative 110 basis points and the 5-year by 104.5 basis points after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas resumed tightening last April.

‘Markets continue to reprice for higher oil-driven inflation and another BSP hike,’ UnionBank said in a note. ‘Our measure of cumulative yield increases since the BSP’s April tightening pivot indicates the adjustment process is rather advanced, even at the front end.’

Borrowing mix

ACCORDING to National Treasury Sharon P. Almanza, the government has revised its borrowing mix in response to market conditions and the Middle East conflict.

‘Given the current scenario and also we’ve been monitoring the liquidity, [and] how the rates have changed, we’ve slightly shifted our financing,’ Almanza said in a televised news program last week.

From the original 75:25 financing mix, the government will now source 70 percent of its borrowings from domestic sources, while 30 percent will be borrowed externally, Almanza said.

‘Raising funds for the government is not an easy task,’ she said. ‘We don’t want to put more pressure on the rates.’

Almanza added that interest rates remain her primary concern as Treasury seeks to fund government operations while keeping the budget deficit on a fiscal consolidation path.

The government plans to raise a total of P2.682 trillion this year, higher by 3.15 percent than last year’s P2.6-trillion financing target.

More than 40 lawmakers have committed to advancing long-term education reforms that can continue beyond changes in administrations and Congress, saying sustained legislative action is key to improving the country’s education system.

During the Congressional Forum on Philippine Education Reform at the University of the Philippines Bonifacio Global City, legislators signed a Statement of Commitment supporting priority education measures, stronger oversight, and evidence-based policymaking.

House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairperson and EDCOM II Co-Chair Rep. Jude Acidre said reforms should not end when the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) completes its mandate, noting that meaningful change requires continuity across political terms.

‘A child entering Kindergarten this year will finish Senior High School in 2039. That child will pass through three more presidencies and several Congresses, while government continues to plan in three-year political cycles,’ Acidre said.

To support this, lawmakers launched the Congressional Alliance for Philippine Education (CAPE), which will serve as the legislative arm of the proposed Philippine Education Reform Movement (PERM), a multi-sectoral initiative aimed at sustaining education reforms.

Acidre also announced the creation of the Congressional Education Policy Academy (CEPA), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Center for Education and Development, to strengthen Congress’ capacity to craft evidence-based education policies.

Meanwhile, EDCOM II Co-Chair Rep. Roman Romulo has previously underscored the importance of strengthening foundational learning, particularly reading comprehension.

‘Reading comprehension is the cornerstone of learning: a child who reads with understanding is better able to learn mathematics, science, social studies, and other subjects,’ Romulo said in an earlier news release.

FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe also expressed support for EDCOM II’s reform agenda, saying sustained commitment is necessary to improve the quality of education in the country.

‘Education reform does not end with a single commitment. The steps toward achieving quality education must be pursued consistently and upheld with conviction,’ Poe said.

Car-Free Sunday at Ayala Triangle Gardens looked a little different. Instead of the usual joggers and cyclists having the road to themselves, Makati woke up to roughly 8,000 runners lacing up for the Angat Bayanihan Run, the organization’s flagship fun run, and this year, the official kickoff to the year-long countdown to its fifth anniversary. According to the organizers, the run aims to raise funds for Angat Buhay’s community-driven programs while promoting volunteerism.

Angat Buhay has never really been about the finish line. Since it started in 2022, the organization founded by former Vice President Leni Robredo has built its name on bayanihan-the idea that if you’re going to help, help well. This run is the physical version of that idea: every 1K, 3K, 5K, and 10K stride doubling as support for the organization’s community programs across the country.

Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, who also chairs Angat Buhay, was there in person to thank the participants and organizer. When she went up onstage, the crowd broke into applause. She extended her apologies for not being able to run that morning herself.

‘Ang Angat Bayanihan ay parte ng Angat Buhay [Foundation]-ito yung volunteer groups that we launched after Angat Buhay. Almost all provinces in the country meron po tayong Angat Bayanihan chapters lalong lalo na po pag sakuna,’ said Mayor Robredo.

She also announced the upcoming runs slated to happen for Naga, Iloilo, and General Santos in the latter part of this year, so Ayala Makati was really just the starting point for a bigger, nationwide year.

Adding to the festivities, Drag Race Philippines stars Brigiding, Precious Paula Nicole, and Viñas DeLuxe, collectively called the Divine Divas, brought a full drag performance to the activity area after the race.

A first for Philippine Fun Runs

Somewhere between the water stations, runners hit something Philippine fun runs had not done before: an SPF reapplication station. Right alongside the familiar Pocari-sponsored hydration stop, Hello Glow set up shop with its mattifying sunscreen spray, letting runners top up their sun protection mid-route the same way they’d top up on electrolytes.

This run was built entirely on the premise of showing up for your community, and giving runners one more reason to take care of themselves through an SPF retouch station along the way felt right at home. Hello Glow also sent runners off with caps and shades to keep the sun off their faces long after the race ended-all in the name of UV protection, and in the same spirit of volunteerism the run itself was built on.

At the finish line, each runner received an intricately designed Angat Bayanihan finishers medal. At the exhibitors’ area, Ever Bilena prepared congratulatory cards paired with a tinted lip balm for every finisher, serving as a small, sweet reward for crossing the finish line!

And tucked into every Angat Bayanihan tote bag was a small survival kit for the day and beyond-a c-lium husk sachet sampler, an Ever Bilena Daily Dose Dewy Balm with SPF 50 PA+++, and a Hello Glow Sun Care Stick SPF 50+.

‘We’re delighted to be part of the meaningful fun run organized by the Angat Buhay Foundation. We hope the Ever Bilena and Hello Glow products we gifted to participants added to the excitement and gave them an extra boost as they crossed the finish line,’ shared Denice Sy, chief sales and marketing officer of Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc.

The House of Representatives will proceed with deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget despite the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos said Monday.

Marcos said the impeachment proceedings would not disrupt the chamber’s legislative agenda as lawmakers prepare to receive the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP) and begin reviewing next year’s spending plan.

‘The impeachment proceedings are not in the House. We will continue doing our job,’ Marcos said in an ambush interview.

He said the trial, which is being conducted by the Senate, would not affect the House’s work on the budget and other legislative measures.

‘I don’t think it will affect [the deliberations]; at least I can only speak on behalf of the Lower House. It will not affect what we have to do and what needs to be done,’ he said.

The executive branch submits the NEP to Congress as the basis for the General Appropriations Bill. The House Committee on Appropriations reviews the government’s fiscal assumptions and proposed spending before conducting agency budget hearings.

‘As you know, the budget is the single most important piece of legislation for both the House and the Senate,’ Marcos said.

He said the administration is expected to transmit the proposed spending program in August, allowing the House to immediately begin budget briefings and agency-level deliberations.

‘Now we are expecting the NEP to be turned over sometime next month, hopefully not too late, but hopefully the NEP turnover will be sometime in August. Then we can proceed with the budget briefings,’ he said.

Marcos also vowed to continue reforms adopted during last year’s budget process to enhance transparency and encourage greater participation from civil society organizations.

‘The Committee on Appropriations introduced several measures to make the budget process more transparent. We will ensure that different civic groups are involved in shaping and analysing the budget,’ he said.

‘We will continue all the reforms that were already implemented last year,’ Marcos added.

AS Congress opens the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress, the House of Representatives is ramping up efforts to pass the remaining half of the administration’s priority bills-measures intended to support the programs of President Marcos in the final two years of his term and ‘help our people as well.’

House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos said the chamber will focus on passing the remaining 26 out of the 52 priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) after approving half during the First Regular Session.

‘We have so far passed 26 measures, or half of our target, during the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress. We will work on approving the rest in the course of our second regular session,’ he said.

The legislative push comes as the House, under Speaker Faustino Dy III, aligns its priorities with the development agenda of the administration, with measures aimed at delivering structural reforms and improving public services.

Marcos stressed that the pending bills are designed not only to support the administration’s programs but also to directly benefit Filipinos.

‘We will ensure that these proposed laws will help our President and, more importantly, ease the lives of our people,’ he said.

Among the key measures still in the pipeline are amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, which seek to expand access to healthcare services, as well as reforms targeting specific sectors such as coconut farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The House is also advancing proposals aimed at strengthening transparency and governance, including amendments to the Bank Secrecy Law and the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

‘People should feel and experience the benefits provided under our laws,’ Marcos added.

Status report

A STATUS report from the House Committee on Rules shows that legislative work on the remaining priority bills is already at various stages.

Of the 26 pending measures, one-the proposed Cybersecurity Act-is already scheduled for plenary action, while another is awaiting a committee report. Nine bills are currently under review by the Committee on Appropriations, and the remaining 15 are still being tackled at the technical working group or committee level.

The bicameral conference committee report on the amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act has already been ratified.

Three measures are under conference committee deliberations: the National Center for Geriatric Health, amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act, and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act.

Twenty-one bills have been approved on third and final reading: Right to Information, Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) Amendments: Energy Regulatory Commission Strengthening, Waste-to-Energy (Waste Treatment Technology and Regulatory Framework) bill, amendments to the National Building Code, Blue Economy Act, National Reintegration Bill, amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act, Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, extension of Estate Tax Amnesty Period, Department of Water Resources Bill, amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law, Travel Tax Abolition, Digital Payments Act, amendments to the Biofuels Act, and National Land Use Act.

Approved

THESE measures have already been approved on third reading: amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act to strengthen and expand its coverage; the Anti-Political Dynasty bill; the measure strengthening the Bases Conversion and Development Authority; the proposed Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act; the Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Act; and amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act.

Of the 26 pending priority measures, one-the Cybersecurity Act- is now in the calendar of business, while another (Disqualifying Relatives of Officials [up to 4th Degree] in Government Contracts) is for the filing of a committee report.

Nine bills are for comments on or transmittal to the Committee on Appropriations: Modernizing the Bureau of Immigration, amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs, Classroom-Building Acceleration Program, Reprogramming of Seal of Good Local Governance, Modernizing the Civil Registration System, Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability Act, Disaster Risk Financing Insurance, Magna Carta for Barangay, and Master Plan for Infrastructure and National Development.

The remaining 15 are under technical working group or committee deliberation: Amendments to the Universal Health Care Act, Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics, Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law, Creating the Independent People’s Commission, Amendments to the Fisheries Code, Amendments to the Local Government Code (Special Education Fund), and Law on Online Gambling.

The following bills are also under consideration: Amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act, General Tax Amnesty, Progressive Budgeting for Better and Modernized Governance Act, Fair Use of Social Media, AI, and Internet Technology in Elections, Amendments to the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Law, Requiring Civil Servants to Waive Bank Secrecy, Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and Party-List System Reform Act.

Momentum

THE House is set to resume sessions on Monday, with at least two measures-including cooperative reforms and the proposed National Thanksgiving Day-ready for plenary voting once proceedings reopen.

Marcos said the chamber deliberately prepared its legislative pipeline ahead of the break to ensure faster action when sessions resume.

‘President Marcos gave Congress a focused development agenda, and Speaker Faustino G. Dy III organized the House to move that agenda from committee work to plenary action with discipline and urgency. We are resuming session with measures already prepared for decision because legislative time must produce concrete results for the Filipino people,’ Marcos said.

The second regular session will open on the morning of July 27, alongside the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) scheduled at 4:00 p.m.

The leadership aims to accelerate the passage of the remaining Ledac priorities before the end of the year, reinforcing its commitment to translate the administration’s agenda into enacted laws.

‘President Marcos expects the legislative and executive branches to keep pace with the needs of the country. These three bills are part of a larger production line that includes Ledac priorities, urgent national reforms, and measures already moving toward bicameral deliberation or Senate action,’ Marcos said.

WHEN it comes to preparing students for the workplace, to say that ‘times have changed’ is an understatement. Over the past decade, technology has not only evolved but transformed, disrupting ways of working in ways unimaginable a mere few years ago. The Covid-19 pandemic, a watershed moment in human history, also brought numerous changes, many of them irreversible, to workplace practices.

This is probably why the Gen Z workforce’s views about and attitudes toward work, and life in general, is seen as very different from previous generations. According to Deloitte Global’s 2026 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, Gen Zs, while considered digital natives, are also conscious about sharpening non-technical skills like public speaking, leadership, communication, and creativity.

They see ‘continuous learning and adaptability as a career strategy,’ and are willing to slow their climb up the corporate ladder to maintain their physical and mental well-being. Among the Gen Zs that Deloitte surveyed, 44 percent said they seek steady progress at work, vs. 25 percent who said they seek fast-paced growth in terms of promotions, titles, and salary.

Gen Zs also prefer working in organizations and roles that fulfill their sense of purpose. A whopping 96 percent of the Gen Z respondents said having a sense of purpose at work is important to their job satisfaction and well-being.

‘Purpose is not an abstract ideal; it directly shapes career choices. In each year from 2023 to 2026, roughly 40 percent of Gen Zs and millennials reported having rejected an assignment, project, or a potential employer based on their personal ethics or beliefs,’ the Deloitte study said.

‘Many are actively in roles that allow them to find purpose: 54 percent of Gen Zs and 58 percent of millennials say that their current job is mostly or completely aligned with their personal values and beliefs, and 68 percent of Gen Zs and 72 percent of millennials say that their current job enables them to make a meaningful contribution to society,’ it further stated.

Before entering the workforce

These insights can guide organizations in further evolving and improving workplace practices, employee engagement tactics, and employer branding strategies.

The work starts even before your target employees graduate from university. This is why we see companies participating in school-organized job fairs; why corporate entities sponsor events and activities of student organizations; and why companies offer internship opportunities to university juniors and seniors.

I remember my own internship days at the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which eventually became my first employer. The on-the-job training (OJT) was part of the package for my scholarship.

It was a no-frills kind of internship, with us interns partnered with reporters to cover our assigned beats and produce stories every day-and we got our own bylines, too. We also had a short stint with the research department, where we scoured the newspaper archives for backgrounders on current stories, vetted facts and figures mentioned in articles, and learned the value of thorough research even with the pressure of a daily story deadline.

That was an enriching experience for me. It helped me prepare for an eventual 11-year career in journalism, and also laid the foundations for my post-media career in public relations, customer experience, and learning and development.

I later learned that I lucked out with my internship. Some friends actually experienced what we thought were OJT urban legends: photocopying hundreds of pages of documents, going on coffee runs for their bosses, and not being given ‘serious’ work.

This made me more conscious of the way I handled interns. I wanted them to really learn from the experience, and not just clock in the required hours.

IT was a breath of fresh air when I encountered the internship program of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) group of companies, dubbed One Meralco, as I saw the effort and the intent to not just accommodate students with required OJT hours to fulfill, but really hone them to be the future of the Philippine power industry.

Called PowerCamp and run by Meralco Power Academy (MPA), the training arm of the One Meralco group, the program was designed for holistic development, with elements of leadership training and specialized learning, on-the-job immersion, project management, and ideation and innovation.

I served as a trainor on presentation and communication skills for the 2025 and 2026 cohorts, while my husband and Ikigai Philippines Head Coach Alexis Torres led the Ikigai and work preparedness workshop for both years’ batches as well. PowerCamp also had sessions on emotional intelligence, ABCs of personal branding, and business casing-topics that are not usually part of the usual internship program.

This design was deliberate, according to MPA Executive Director Ian Colorina: ‘PowerCamp was built on MPA’s mission of being an industry thought leader and investing in the next generation of energy talents. As the power industry continues to evolve, PowerCamp goes beyond internship by developing technically competent, adaptable, and purpose-driven future leaders who will help shape a brighter, more sustainable energy future.’

For the One Meralco group, PowerCamp was not just a means to get some of the best graduates for their companies; it was a platform to discover and train the brightest talents for the industry.

‘PowerCamp is more than a talent pipeline for One Meralco-it’s a launchpad. We see every PowerCamper as a future game-changer who will drive innovation and lead the country’s energy transition,’ Colorina said.

The program also provided opportunities for engineering students outside Metro Manila to get job immersion and training in some of the country’s leading energy companies.

Of the 28 PowerCampers this year, two are from Luzon (outside Metro Manila), four from the Visayas, and four from Mindanao. Of last year’s 28 PowerCampers, two were from Luzon, two from the Visayas, and four from Mindanao.

‘Our vision for PowerCamp is simple: bring the program to every region across the Philippines. But more than that, we want to build a lasting community for our graduates-a place where they can share ideas, inspire one another, and truly help shape the future of energy for our country,’ said MPA President and Meralco Chief Operating Officer Ronnie Aperocho, himself a proud graduate of Mindanao State University.

In preparing our workplaces for the future, we also need to help prepare our future workmates for the work grind. In less than a decade, we will be seeing the first batch of Gen Alphas-a fully technology-immersed generation that grew up with all things digital and social-enter the workplace. It would be nice to see more programs like the PowerCamp that not only provides on-the-job immersion, but also includes leadership and personal development in the training and preparation of students for the workforce.

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (Ipra), the world’s premier organization for PR professionals around the world. Abigail L. Ho-Torres is the Chief Marketing Officer of Ikigai Philippines and an independent consultant and trainer, with more than two decades of experience in media, public relations, marketing, and customer experience.

We are devoting a special column each month to answer our readers’ questions about public relations. Please send your questions or comments to askipraphil@gmail.com.

I ATTENDED the Arangkada Forum in 2017 and published a column about the discussions at the forum a few days later. Today, nine years later, I would like to share with you what was discussed during the forum and what recommendations were made.

During the Arangkada Forum on 14 September 2017, there was much focus on sectors with substantial growth potential-including agriculture, creative industries, ICT, manufacturing, mining, logistics and tourism. In my panel, we discussed agriculture, creative industries and tourism. Inclusive growth and raising the poor out of poverty through employment generation were issues raised by all panelists, given the fact that the high rate of poverty and the high number of poor citizens has been a persistent development challenge in the Philippines.

Quite a number of recommendations were made at the Arangkada Forum to improve social protection programs, including the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program, to protect the poor (I selected a few):

Recommendations:

1: Continue to reduce number of poor in absolute terms and as percentage of population.

2: Continue to reduce the incidence of hunger.

3: Expand insurance coverage to include more poor.

4: Successfully implement expanded CCT program to include all 6.9 million poor families.

5: Implement unemployment Insurance as a social safety net.

6: Enhance CCT program to ensure that the rights of poor children are upheld and to help child beneficiaries and their families to become more self-sufficient and self-reliant. (Urban Farming is the way to go; the City of Quezon City is doing well along this line)

7: Create jobs and economic opportunities. Job creation in the industrial, agricultural and service sectors will be facilitated by government, in collaboration with the private sector.

10: Implementation of national ID system for improved targeting of social services. Participants identified the pressing need to institute a national ID system that will allow government agencies to provide more targeted social services and prevent double-counting or leakage.

In agriculture, we need to deliver support services to farmers and fishermen such as financing, incentives, technology, irrigation, post-harvest facilities, farm-to-market roads, improved logistics and integration in the supply chain to fully develop the potential of the agricultural industry to develop rural areas and the countryside.

As a consequence, some 20 million rural Filipinos can be lifted out of poverty. And the children of farmer will stop moving from rural areas to urban centers or become OFWs.

I believe that some recommendations were addressed but many ideas about helping the poor still need to be done. I hope President Marcos focused part of his yesterday’s SONA on the ‘War on Poverty.’

YOU promise yourself this will be the last time you borrow. But a few weeks later, another bill or emergency comes up, and you find yourself reaching for the credit card or asking for another loan. Debt repayment begins, but before long, new borrowing starts again.

This is the debt cycle-a pattern that traps many people, leaving them stressed, anxious, and struggling to move forward. Even when the intention to change is strong, breaking free often feels out of reach. The question is: why is it so hard to escape, and how can we finally break the cycle?

The debt cycle

THE debt cycle usually begins with a gap between income and expenses. A loan or credit card fills that gap, but repayment creates a new shortfall. To cover it, another loan is taken, or the credit card is used again. Paying only the minimum balance may feel manageable in the short term, but interest keeps growing, stretching repayment longer and longer.

Over time, the cycle becomes more than financial. It turns into a source of shame, worry, and even hopelessness.

Behavioral traps

DEBT is not only about numbers; it is also about behavior. Several psychological traps make it difficult to escape.

The minimum payment mindset. Paying only what the bank requires feels like progress, but in reality, most of the payment goes to interest. The principal barely shrinks, and the debt lingers.

Optimism bias. Many tell themselves, ‘Next month I’ll have extra money to pay it off.’ But when next month arrives, new expenses appear, and the cycle continues.

Present bias. Human nature favors immediate relief over future burdens. Borrowing today feels like a solution, while tomorrow’s repayment is easy to push aside.

Shame and avoidance. Debt often carries guilt. People avoid opening statements or confronting balances, hoping the problem will resolve itself. In reality, silence makes the problem worse.

Influence of the past

OUR relationship with debt is often shaped by early experiences. Someone who grew up in a household where borrowing was common may view debt as normal, even necessary. Others who witnessed parents struggling with loan collectors may carry deep anxiety about money but still repeat the same patterns, often unconsciously.

Childhood lessons-or the lack of them-influence how we handle credit, savings, and obligations as adults. If money was scarce while growing up, spending might feel like freedom. If money was used to show love, borrowing to provide for family can feel justified, even at personal cost. These patterns show that debt is not only about income, but also about the financial scripts we carry from the past.

The Filipino context

IN the Philippines, debt is often tied to cultural and economic realities. Many rely on salary advances, credit cards, or informal loans to bridge expenses. In emergencies, people turn to ‘5-6’ lenders or borrow from relatives.

Family expectations also add pressure. Some borrow not for themselves, but to help a parent, sibling, or extended family member. While the intention is generous, the result can be heavier debt and more stress.

For many workers, the ‘petsa de peligro,’ the days before payday when funds run out, makes borrowing feel like survival. Debt becomes normalized, not as a choice, but as a necessity to get by.

Emotional weight of debt

DEBT is more than a financial burden. It is also an emotional one.

Carrying debt often means sleepless nights, constant worry, or arguments at home. Guilt and shame create silence, making it hard to ask for advice or support. The stress can spill over into health and work performance.

Paradoxically, the weight of debt sometimes leads to more spending. Retail therapy or impulse purchases provide temporary relief from stress, but they only deepen the cycle.

Practical steps

BREAKING free is possible, but it requires both practical action and a shift in mindset.

Face the numbers. List all debts, interest rates, and minimum payments. Clarity removes the fear of the unknown.

Choose a method. Use the debt snowball (start with the smallest balance to build motivation) or avalanche (tackle the highest interest first to save money). Both work if done consistently.

Pay more than the minimum. Even small extra payments each month reduce interest and shorten repayment.

Automate payments. Scheduling payments ensures consistency and removes the temptation to delay.

Avoid new debt. Shift daily spending to cash or e-wallets while focusing on repayment. This prevents balances from growing.

Build a small buffer. Even setting aside P500 to P1,000 for emergencies reduces the need to borrow again.

Shift to financial wellness

BREAKING free from debt is not only about clearing balances. It is about reshaping the habits, mindsets, and even childhood money scripts that keep us trapped. It takes courage to face the numbers, patience to build new patterns, and discipline to stay the course.

The road may feel long, but every payment is progress, and every step brings you closer to freedom. Debt does not define you; the choices you make today can rewrite your story. Financial wellness is not about being perfect with money. It is about regaining control, rebuilding confidence, and creating a future where debt no longer dictates your choices.

Janice Sabitsana is a Registered Financial Planner of RFP Philippines. The views and opinions she expressed herein do not necessarily represent the BusinessMirror. To learn more about personal financial planning, attend the 117th RFP program this August 2026. Email info@rfp.ph or visit rfp.ph to learn more about the program.

AN organization of adult survivors of child sexual exploitation in the Philippines has stepped up its advocacy to fight the growing threat of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (Osaec) by launching the ‘Hope U Protect’ campaign.

Supported by the International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines, the campaign-spearheaded by members of the Philippine Survivor Network (PSN)-is a survivor-led national advocacy and peer-support organization that aims to teach children how to recognize safe and unsafe situations and where to seek help; support parents and communities in guiding and protecting children; and partner with selected local governments to pass and implement anti-Osaec ordinances.

‘Today, I stand before you not just as a survivor, but as someone who has experienced what it means to be broken and what it means to slowly become whole again,’ said Patricia, a survivor of Osaec and a member of PSN, at the campaign’s recent unveiling at a prayer gathering attended by faith leaders, government representatives, child protection advocates, and community partners at the Greenhills Christian Fellowship Center in Ortigas, Pasig City on July 1, 2026, as part of IJM Philippines’ effort marking its 25 years of combating child sexual exploitation.

The campaign hopes to shift the conversation from awareness alone to action, placing survivors at the forefront of efforts to prevent online sexual abuse and exploitation of children through education, community engagement with local government units and stronger child protection systems.

Patricia said the campaign was created in the belief that protecting children is a shared responsibility.

‘We invite you to become part of the solution, to stand with survivors, to speak up for children, and to help create safer communities,’ said Patricia.

‘Osaec is not just an issue happening somewhere far away. It can happen inside homes, through phones, through the internet or digital spaces where children spend their time. It is a hidden crime that wounds children deeply,’ she said.

Surviving the abuse

Another survivor leader, Aira, shared how she was exploited online at the age of 10 by someone she trusted, an experience that left her in fear, confusion and shame for years. Learning later that her younger sister had also been abused revealed how children can be harmed even in places where they should feel safest.

‘Every child must be protected. Every survivor must be believed. And every community must take action,’ Aira said.

She credited counseling, faith and the support of trusted people for helping her rebuild her life and eventually find purpose in advocacy. Joining the PSN in 2022 transformed her understanding of what it means to survive.

‘I found a space where survivors are not seen as victims to be pitied, but as leaders, people with wisdom, courage and lived experience that can help shape a stronger system of protection,’ said Aira.

Now a licensed professional teacher and content moderator working to make digital platforms safer, Aira said meaningful change requires commitment from every sector of society.

‘If we truly desire to see change in our nation, we are all responsible,’ she said, calling on government agencies to strengthen survivor-centered laws and services, the private sector to invest in safer online platforms and reporting systems, and faith leaders and communities to create environments where children feel safe to seek help.

‘Protecting Filipino children cannot be the responsibility of one sector alone. It requires all of us,’ she said.

The scale of the crisis

According to IJM data, Osaec is a crime that often takes place inside homes, facilitated by trusted adults such as parents, relatives, or neighbors acting as traffickers. One of its most devastating forms is the livestreaming of child sexual abuse, where a local trafficker abuses a child in real time in exchange for money from a foreign sex offender abroad.

The Scale of Harm study by IJM and Nottingham Rights Lab revealed that in 2023, nearly half a million Filipino children, or one in every 100, were trafficked to produce child sexual exploitation material. The study also found that a quarter of a million Filipino adults were involved in this form of trafficking.

IMJ stated that despite the passage of the Anti-Osaec and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act (RA 11930) in 2022, harmful cultural norms continue to perpetuate the abuse.

For Atty. Sam Inocencio, IJM Philippines National Director, one of the greatest honors in her 23 years of working on this mission has been to witness the courage of survivors.

‘Their courage, young women and men who have endured so much, and who now stand not just as witnesses, but as leaders, as partners, to help transform the very systems that once failed them. Survivor voices play an essential role in transforming behaviors and shifting social norms in our communities,’ said Inocencio.

Per casework reports from the Philippine Government and the Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD), with IJM support, a total of 1,689 survivors had been rescued from 2011 to July 3, 2026, with 568 of them fully recovered from their trauma and living independent lives. A total of 465 suspects have been arrested, with 296 perpetrators convicted.

The campaign aligns with the broader national vision of Bayang Walang Bahid ng Osaec (‘A Nation Free from Osaec’), launched jointly by IJM and the Philippine Government at the 2024 National Summit Against OSAEC attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

‘Building on this vision, survivor leaders will work hand in hand with local government units, barangay officers, and schools to ensure ordinances are passed and implemented effectively, while awareness drives reach the communities and families most at risk,’ added IJM.

Aside from local hotlines, anyone with information about Osaec incidents may reach the PNP Women and Children Protection Center’s ‘Aleng Pulis’ helpline through its Facebook page or by calling 0966 725 5961 (Globe) or 0920 907 1717 (Smart). Another reporting channel is the Iacat 1343 Actionline, which operates nationwide. Iacat stands for the Interagency Council Against Trafficking.

Renaissance man Dr. Michael V. Maranan, also known as ‘Mentor Mike,’ recently launched not one, not two, but four empowering books that bridge business, leadership, logistics, customs brokerage, and personal development-fields that he has successfully specialized in.

The four books that were launched during the event that took place last July 21 in Quezon City are From Eight to Infinity: Secret Stories and Lessons from the Life of Dr. Mike Maranan, Confessions of a Licensed Customs Broker, The Business That Fits You, and Ang Negosyong Swak Sa’yo.

According to Maranan himself, From Eight to Infinity: Secret Stories and Lessons from the Life of Dr. Mike Maranan is an inspirational memoir that chronicles Dr. Maranan’s personal journey – from humble beginnings and life’s challenges to becoming a successful entrepreneur, educator, and business leader.

The book is intended to inspire entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and anyone seeking motivation to pursue their dreams despite adversity.

As the title suggests, Confessions of a Licensed Customs Broker draws from decades of Maranan’s professional experience and provides an honest and practical look into the realities of customs brokerage beyond passing the licensure examination.

Designed for customs brokers, students, importers, exporters, logistics practitioners, and professionals, this book serves as both an educational resource and a practical career guide.

The Business That Fits You challenges the common mindset of following trends and instead encourages readers to discover the business that genuinely aligns with their personality, strengths, interests, lifestyle, resources, and long-term vision.

This title is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, professionals considering entrepreneurship, and existing business owners seeking greater alignment with their goals.

Written entirely in Filipino, Ang Negosyong Swak Sa’yo provides relatable advice to help aspiring entrepreneurs understand their strengths, avoid costly business mismatches, and confidently choose opportunities that match their personality, current life season, and future aspirations.

The book is intended to empower more Filipinos to make informed business decisions using practical and easy-to-understand guidance.

Each of these four books represented years of the author’s professional experience, personal reflection, and advocacy for entrepreneurship, education, leadership, and personal growth.

For Maranan, the books also reflected his continuing mission of using education and real-world experience to create lasting impact beyond the pages of his books.

All four books are now available online. Official purchase links and QR codes will be released through Mentor Mike’s official social media platforms and digital channels immediately following the launch to provide convenient nationwide access. The books will also soon be available on TikTok, Shopee, and Lazada.