Category: Business Mirror

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is expanding its No Co-Payment Policy to more private hospitals, with St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City (SLMC-GC) committing 53 beds for eligible patients.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Beverly C. Ho and SLMC-GC President and CEO Dr. Dennis P. Serrano on Tuesday.

It was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who encouraged more hospitals to partner with PhilHealth on similar undertakings.

The agreement will enable PhilHealth members to access inpatient benefit packages at SLMC-GC without additional out-of-pocket payments under the state insurer’s No Co-Payment Policy or No Balance Billing (NBB) program.

The hospital will also provide assistance to PhilHealth members to navigate their benefits, complete requirements and process the necessary documentation.

‘May this partnership be just the beginning, and that the rest of St. Luke’s network, as well as other private hospitals, follow suit and find this partnership worth emulating,’ Ho said during the signing ceremony.

SLMC-GC Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Director Dr. Anthony R. Perez said the hospital is prepared to accommodate NBB patients, as the facility will distribute the beds across different floors and room configurations instead of placing beneficiaries in a single charity ward.

‘We intend to provide this particular subset of patients the same care given to our paying patients,’ Perez said in a separate media briefing.

Currently, the agreement covers SLMC-GC in Bonifacio Global City. Perez said the hospital’s branch along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City will also soon offer beds for NBB patients.

Administration’s commitment

‘This administration remains committed to making quality health care accessible and affordable to more Filipinos,’ President Marcos said during the ceremony.

‘But we in government cannot do this alone, and that is why we welcome the private sector’s participation in helping us deliver better health outcomes and provide much-needed relief to our patients and their families,’ he added.

Beyond partnerships with private hospitals, Marcos said the government is also strengthening its programs that help reduce the financial burden of medical care, such as through Zero Balance Billing in hospitals under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH also offers the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program, while PhilHealth provides free consultation, laboratory tests and medicines through its ‘Yaman ng Kalusugan Program’ or Yakap.

Marcos urged other private hospitals to also partner with PhilHealth so they can make their medical services accessible to more Filipinos through the government’s No Co-Payment Policy.

Under the MOA, St. Luke’s will initially provide 53 beds for PhilHealth members, which will require specialized treatments through the No Co-Payment Policy of the government.

‘By joining this effort, St. Luke’s also sends an important message: that quality care in leading private hospitals can be made more accessible to qualified PhilHealth members, and that both government and the private sector have a role in making Universal Health Care work,’ Marcos said in his statement after the MOA signing event.

‘We encourage more hospitals across the country to support PhilHealth in advancing Universal Health Care by embracing the No Co-Payment Policy. Together, let us ensure that no Filipino is denied the care that they need only because of financial hardship,’ Marcos said.

‘These are the new initiatives we are undertaking to further expand the support we provide to our patients and to strengthen and improve our healthcare system, so that we can help more people and ultimately achieve the universal healthcare we aspire to,’ he added.

The following hospitals have already expressed their support for the program: Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, and The Medical City Ortigas.

‘We started with St. Luke’s, and we will expand this further so that all our facilities-our healthcare facilities-are truly included in our programs,’ he added.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will now be measured against a set of service-level targets at the country’s main gateway, after signing an Airport Use Agreement (AUA) with New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) that makes the flag carrier’s operational performance a contractual obligation rather than a matter of practice.

The agreement-the first standardized deal of its kind between NNIC and an airline since the private consortium took over the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia)-embeds key performance indicators (KPIs) covering the airline’s use of terminal facilities and infrastructure, and spells out the respective responsibilities of carrier and airport operator.

It also carries mechanisms for addressing persistent failure to meet the agreed standards.

Those benchmarks are calibrated to the service levels NNIC itself must deliver under its concession agreement with the government, effectively pushing the operator’s own obligations down the chain to the airlines that account for the bulk of traffic at the gateway.

NNIC said it intends to use the PAL agreement as the template for similar arrangements with other carriers at NAIA, a move that would extend a uniform performance regime across the airport’s airline tenants.

‘This agreement gives us a clearer framework for setting expectations, measuring performance and working together to maintain consistent service standards,’ NNIC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said. ‘That is important to making airport operations more efficient and dependable.’

Lucio Tan III, president and COO of PAL Holdings Inc., the listed parent of the flag carrier, said the arrangement works in favor of both parties and, ultimately, the traveling public.

‘This is a positive development for both PAL and NNIC, and ultimately for our passengers. It supports the continuing modernization of NAIA and our collective goal of delivering a better airport experience.’

The framework targets a structural weakness in airport operations: a single flight depends on several organizations performing their roles on time and in sequence, with no single party holding the others to account.

Delays in check-in, boarding, baggage handling, ramp operations or aircraft turnaround do not stay contained. They cascade into succeeding flights and, at a facility operating near capacity, into the wider airport operation.

By establishing common performance requirements and clearer lines of accountability, NNIC said it will be better positioned to monitor service levels, pinpoint where operational problems originate and compel corrective action.

The operator is applying the same approach to its agreements with ground handling and other service providers, setting operating requirements for companies performing critical functions on behalf of airlines inside the airport.

These arrangements are aligned with existing government regulations and NNIC’s obligations under the Naia concession.

CLOSE to 11 million people are benefiting from public infrastructure projects funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Green Green Green Program (LGSF-GGG), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.

The DILG, which implements the LGSF-GGG program, continues to support local governments in building greener, safer, and more people-centered communities.

The GGG Program provides funding support to beneficiary local government (LGU) for the development and improvement of public open spaces and active mobility infrastructure, including public parks, bicycle lanes, pedestrian walkways, and sports facilities.

The program directly addresses gaps in urban development, particularly the lack of accessible green and public spaces at the local level, while ensuring that projects adhere to prescribed design concepts and environmental principles.

From 2024 to 2025, the LGSF-GGG received a total allocation of P1.755 billion.

A total of 135 LGU projects are currently enrolled in SubayBAYAN, covering the construction, rehabilitation, repair, and improvement of various public spaces and facilities nationwide.

The DILG said it regularly monitors the implementation of these projects and their impact on local communities.

In Muntinlupa City, the Bayanan Lakeshore Public Park was developed as a comfortable, safe, and accessible public space. The improvement has drawn positive feedback from residents.

In Navotas City, the Navotas Green Zone Park in barangay NBBN forms part of the city’s planned development of green spaces. Mayor John Rey Tiangco highlighted its benefits both to residents and the environment.

‘It is not just a place where you can relax, unwind, and take a walk. It also helps the environment,’ Tiangco said.

Meanwhile, residents of Pavia, Iloilo welcomed the improvement of the Municipal Public Plaza, noting how the project has made the area more attractive to residents and visitors.

The DILG said investments in green and accessible public spaces also help LGUs create more pedestrian-friendly communities, support active mobility, provide strategic spaces that can complement local economic activity, and improve the overall quality of life of residents.

Through the GGG Program, the Department remains committed to supporting LGUs in developing free, accessible, ecological, and people-centered public spaces, recognizing that sustainable local development must improve communities while protecting the environment, Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla said.

THE Securities and Exchange Commission is warning the public against fake Facebook pages that uses the name and logo of Just Smile Lending Corp., a company offering loans and other related financial services.

According to the regulator, Just Smile executives has informed the SEC it doesn’t own, operate, control, authorize, endorse or maintain the Facebook pages. The fake pages uses the corporate name ‘Just Smile Lending Corp. Inc.’ and a Magsaysay Blvd., Quezon City, address.

Based on the information and supporting documents submitted to the agency, the reported Facebook pages use variations of the company’s name, logo and other identifying information in a manner that may create the false impression that they are legitimate or authorized channels of Just Smile.

‘Documents submitted to the commission further indicate that persons operating the reported pages may be soliciting prospective borrowers and requesting purported membership fees, processing fees, and similar payments in connection with loan applications while representing themselves as connected with Just Smile,’ according to the SEC.

The SEC said that the unauthorized use of the name, identity, logo or regulatory information of a registered lending company is being used to mislead consumers, obtain personal or financial information, induce payments under false pretenses, or facilitate other fraudulent transactions.

The regulator also advised the public to exercise caution when dealing with social media pages or accounts claiming to represent financing or lending companies, and to independently verify the company’s identity and official channels before entering into any transaction.

It added that the public should not send money for membership fees, processing fees, insurance fees, verification fees or similar advance payments based solely on representations made through social media or messaging applications. They should also avoid providing personal, financial or sensitive information to unverified accounts or persons.

‘Persons who may have been contacted by, solicited by, or transacted with the reported Facebook pages are advised to preserve all available evidence, including screenshots, account or page links, chat messages, mobile numbers, transaction receipts, payment details and other electronic records,’ the SEC said.

THE Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said on Tuesday no Filipino seaman has lost a job or missed a deployment because of the ransomware attack that crippled its seafarer documentation system.

Marina said it has issued more than 500 temporary certifications and granted document extensions to those with immediate departures.

The agency said the certifications, issued since August 15, serve as interim proof of a seafarer’s credentials while its Seafarer’s Identity Document (SID) and Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) System remains down.

The documents are verifiable by Port State authorities, it said.

The certifications are ‘very temporary,’ the Marina said, and actual SIDs will be released through the seafarers’ respective manning agencies once the system has been restored.

The agency said all expedite applications have been granted certifications on the same day of the applicant’s appointment.

The Marina pegged the 500-plus certifications against an estimated 890,000 Filipino seamen certified as meeting international standards, or roughly 0.06 percent of the seafaring population-a comparison that measures the interim documents against the entire certified workforce rather than against the number of applicants with pending transactions during the outage.

The Marina said it met with 50 licensed manning agencies (LMAs) to address deployment concerns directly and to ensure that affected seafarers receive assistance.

Marina Administrator Sonia Malaluan appealed to all manning agencies to give seamen correct information and to report immediately to the agency any problem encountered in the use of the issued certifications.

Seamen with pending appointments for the issuance or renewal of their SRB or SID may be granted an extension of their Seafarer’s Identification and Record Books (SIRBs) that are nearing expiration or have already expired, provided they have an immediate departure to board a vessel.

Qualified seafarers must personally visit their selected processing center and present a request letter from the employing company; a confirmed airline electronic ticket; an approved Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) contract, a notarized company contract, or a Certificate of Employment; and a confirmed online appointment for the SRB or SID application.

The SID and SRB System has been offline since August 14, when the Marina suspended nationwide processing of the two documents until further notice. Both are mandatory credentials for Filipino seamen seeking employment aboard ocean-going vessels.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through its Cybersecurity Bureau-National Computer Emergency Response Team (CSB-NCERT), earlier confirmed that a ransomware incident was behind the shutdown.

The incident was reported to the NCERT on August 13.

Currently, Marina is rebuilding the affected database and server environment, while forensic investigation and validation of the affected infrastructure continues.

The NCERT said it is still determining the full extent of the compromise.

THE Philippine Embassy in Beijing has advised Filipinos to comply with China’s new immigration regulation, State Council Decree No. 841, which will take effect on September 15, 2026.

In its August 24 advisory, the Embassy stressed that the decree does not abolish existing visa categories or restrict legitimate travel.

Instead, it reinforces requirements that visa purposes must match actual activities, that all documents are authentic, and that invitation letter issuers and visa agencies are legally accountable.

A valid visa will not necessarily guarantee admission, as border authorities retain the power to assess whether a traveler meets China’s entry requirements.

Violations could lead to rejection of applications, denial of entry or exit, fines, or bans lasting several years.

China’s State Council Decree No. 841, formally titled the Regulations of the State Council on Exit and Entry Administration, was approved on June 29 and promulgated on July 22, 2026.

It applies to mainland China’s immigration system only. Hong Kong and Macau maintain their own immigration laws, visa categories, and border-control procedures.

This means the decree governs the mainland side of the journey: entry or exit through a mainland airport or land checkpoint is subject to the new rules, while admission into Hong Kong or Macau is decided under those territories’ separate immigration systems.

The regulation introduces clearer grounds for denying foreign nationals’ entry.

Visa or immigration authorities may bar a person for one to five years if false materials are submitted or false statements are made during a visa application abroad or at a Chinese border checkpoint.

The same maximum applies to foreigners punished for obstructing border administration or penalized for fraudulently obtaining documents or crossing illegally.

One of the most consequential provisions is its link to Beijing’s sanctions and economic-security measures.

Under Decree No. 841, foreigners placed on China’s Countermeasure List, Unreliable Entity List or Malicious Entity List-or otherwise subjected to legally authorized countermeasures-may be denied visas or refused entry when the underlying decision calls for such restrictions.

The official explanation says the rule is intended to strengthen China’s legal response to foreign sanctions, interference and what Beijing describes as ‘long-arm jurisdiction.’

The measure does not automatically bar every employee of a listed company.

Instead, it creates a formal link between sanctions designations and immigration controls, potentially exposing designated individuals and relevant personnel to visa denial, entry bans or other immigration consequences.

Officials and legal experts also emphasize that the decree is an enforcement measure, not a wholesale rewrite of China’s visa categories.

It does not abolish visa-free arrangements, create a universal visa requirement, or automatically bar employees of companies targeted by Chinese measures.

Instead, it gives authorities more explicit grounds to scrutinize and reject applications or deny entry where a traveler’s documents, stated purpose or immigration history raise concerns.

There are about 12,000 Filipinos living in mainland cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xiamen, while 140,000 Filipinos reside in Hong Kong and 30,000 in Macau, mostly employed in domestic work, hospitality and construction.

Tourism flows are also significant, with more than 1.19 million Filipino tourists visiting Hong Kong and 1.16 million traveling to Macau in 2024.

The Embassy assured that legitimate travel remains permitted but urged Filipinos to keep their visa category, invitation letters and actual activities consistent, and to consult the Embassy or China’s National Immigration Administration hotline (12367) for guidance.

AMID concerns that the country’s poverty measure no longer reflects current economic realities, the government is nearing completion of its review of the methodology used to determine who is considered poor.

Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) Arsenio M. Balisacan on Tuesday said the review of the poverty metric is ‘almost’ complete, but stressed that the current methodology should remain in place for now to ensure consistency in measuring the Marcos administration’s progress toward its single-digit poverty target under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028.

Last week, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that poverty incidence fell to a record-low 9.7 percent in 2025, equivalent to 11.08 million Filipinos. This was down sharply from 15.5 percent in 2023 and 18.1 percent in 2021.

The decline, however, has also renewed questions over whether the country’s poverty measure remains appropriate for current living standards and economic conditions. ‘Part of the controversy or the claim is that that metric is now low, and we agree that that deserves a review,’ Balisacan said.

Under the latest PSA data, an individual is considered poor if their monthly income falls below the per capita poverty threshold of P2,927, or P35,121 annually. For a family of five, the poverty threshold is P14,634 per month.

The latest thresholds were 5.5 percent higher than the P2,775 monthly per capita threshold and the P13,873 monthly threshold for a family of five in 2023.

Balisacan, however, said the current metric should be retained for the remainder of the administration’s term so its poverty-reduction gains can be measured against the same baseline.

He explained that the government needs to use a ‘consistent ruler’ to determine whether its programs, policies, and strategies are delivering the intended results.

‘I think that it’s proper that we use the same metric throughout, and then maybe in the next government, they can set their own metric standard to measure their progress. In the meantime, we are preparing for an update of the thresholds,’ Balisacan said.

The same principle applies to calls for the Philippines to adopt a higher poverty threshold following its transition to upper-middle-income country status, an issue earlier reported by this newspaper. Balisacan acknowledged that the country’s current poverty threshold is ‘slightly below’ what would be expected given its current per-capita income or gross national income per capita, and said an adjustment is warranted.

‘Maybe in the next administration, that is recommended. I think that’s usually the practice in many countries,’ he said.

The World Bank’s international poverty lines are currently set at $4.20 per person per day for lower-middle-income economies and $8.30 for upper-middle-income economies, both in 2021 purchasing power parity terms.

At around P97 per person per day, the Philippines’s national poverty threshold is closer to the lower-middle-income benchmark.

THE ongoing impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte and the run-up to the 2028 presidential elections could weigh on confidence, reform implementation and the passage of planned revenue measures, Moody’s Ratings warned.

Despite Moody’s affirmation of the Philippines’s ‘Baa2’ investment-grade credit rating and keeping its outlook stable, it said political noise could pose risks to the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts if it delays reforms or undermines investor confidence.

‘A reversal or stalling of the reforms underpinning prior gains in economic and fiscal strength-including from political developments weighing on policymaking-or a material erosion in institutions and governance strength would put downward pressure on the rating,’ the ratings agency said.

With the government announcing a broader tax package, Moody’s noted that offsetting revenue measures have yet to be legislated and any delay or dilution could slow fiscal consolidation.

A more pronounced deterioration in fiscal and government debt metrics relative to peers, such as if the current slowdown continues to erode medium-term growth potential or if the growing debt stock cannot be arrested, could likewise lead to a rating downgrade, Moody’s added.

‘Nevertheless, a material shift in overall policy direction appears unlikely given that most major economic reforms have already been legislated and the focus is increasingly on execution,’ it noted.

The Department of Finance (DOF) said Moody’s affirmation reflects the resilience of the Philippine economy’s underlying fundamentals, citing its strong access to domestic and international funding markets and sufficient foreign-currency reserves to weather global capital flow volatility.

‘We welcome the stable outlook credit-rating affirmation, even as the world deals with real headwinds. Moody’s assessment confirms our strong macroeconomic fundamentals, and that the reforms we’ve put in place are working,’ Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go was quoted in a statement as saying.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) also welcomed Moody’s affirmation, which recognizes the economy’s ability to withstand global economic headwinds.

‘On the part of the BSP, we will continue working to bring inflation back close to target, safeguard the soundness of the country’s banking system, promote a safe and efficient payments and settlements system, and prudently manage the country’s international reserves,’ it said in a separate statement.

Moody’s also noted the Bureau of the Treasury’s ‘proactive’ liability management, which lengthens average maturity and maintains a predominantly fixed-rate, local-currency stock, to continue in mitigating refinancing and interest-rate risks.

‘The affirmation reinforces that we are on the right track in managing the National Government’s debt portfolio and strengthening our fiscal position,’ National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza was quoted in a separate statement as saying.

‘Our objective is to sustain this progress and, over time, move up the credit rating ladder toward our coveted A rating,’ she added, noting that the Treasury will continue to pursue prudent fiscal and debt management policies aimed at strengthening the government’s fiscal position and preserving investor confidence.

Moody’s said it expects fiscal consolidation to stay on track, as the government’s response to recent energy shocks has been measured.

Credit upgrade if…

A credit rating upgrade would be possible if the Philippines sustains a record of fiscal consolidation that puts government debt on a firm downward trajectory and reverses the deterioration in debt affordability.

Stronger growth that lifts the economy’s medium-term potential through higher private investment and productivity gains would also be credit positive, it added.

Moody’s expects the fiscal deficit to widen to around 4 percent of gross domestic product this year on higher energy imports and peso depreciation, before narrowing as energy prices ease and export demand firms.

WHILE the Philippine Nickel Industry Association welcomed Executive Order 122 as ‘a pivotal step in advancing the Philippines’ critical minerals industry and strengthening the country’s position in an increasingly competitive global market,’ mining-affected communities slammed President Marcos for an alleged ‘overly optimistic’ view of the critical minerals industry.

‘PNIA thanks President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for this decisive and forward-looking policy direction. At a time when countries around the world are competing to secure critical minerals, investments, technologies, and supply chains, the President has sent a clear signal that the Philippines intends not only to participate in this global opportunity, but to compete for it,’ PNIA said in a statement.

PNIA joined the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) in welcoming Marcos’ latest policy supporting the mining industry.

In a statement, PNIA said the declaration of all critical mineral projects as national priority projects is very significant.

‘This is a major shift in perspective. It recognizes that our mineral resources are not simply commodities to extract, but strategic national assets that can support industrialization, infrastructure, energy security, digital transformation, and the clean energy transition.’

Moreover, PNIA said that it also puts government-industry partnership in its proper context. Responsible mining is not solely a private-sector undertaking. It is a national development endeavor in which government and industry have distinct but complementary responsibilities. Government provides the policy direction, standards, safeguards, and enabling environment; industry brings investment, technology, expertise, and execution. The greater value comes when both work toward the same national objective.

The Executive Order also advances reforms that PNIA sys it has consistently advocated, including stronger inter-agency coordination, streamlined and digitalized permitting, and more predictable processes. The directive to establish a virtual one-stop shop and enable simultaneous rather than sequential processing is particularly encouraging.

‘For investors, strong policy direction builds confidence, but consistent implementation sustains it. The Executive Order therefore sends an important signal to the global investment community. The task now is to translate that direction into faster, clearer, and more predictable processes on the ground,’ the group said.

PNIA, likewise, welcomed the strengthened role of the Mining Industry Coordinating Council. Its mandate to review regulatory gaps, address barriers to investment, monitor implementation, and regularly convene government provides an important institutional platform to sustain coordination and reform over the long term.

‘These directions strongly complement the objectives of PNIA’s Nickel Initiative, which has consistently brought government, industry, and other stakeholders together to identify practical reforms that can strengthen Philippine mining competitiveness. The progress we are seeing demonstrates what sustained government-industry dialogue can achieve. The challenge now is to build on that progress and move with greater speed and coordination.’

The global race for critical minerals is already underway. The Philippines has the resources, the global interest is here, and we now have an even stronger national policy direction. Our shared task is to convert this moment into responsible investments, stronger industries, quality jobs, and lasting prosperity for Filipinos.

At the same time, the anti-mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) expressed its indignation on Monday over EO 122 that is said promotes ‘sustainable mining,’ which has been debunked as a concept.

ATM in a statement said the emphasis on privatization and expansion of mineral lands is a direct threat to food and water security and poses health risks to affected communities. We completely reject the provision declaring ‘relinquished, expired and cancelled’ mining contracts to be converted into mineral lands.

Moreover, the group said that local autonomy is given little value, virtually dismissing the expressed provisions of laws on local government’s role in the approval of mining contracts.

Worse, the group said that transparency and accountability are not given enough attention when they should precisely be highlighted given that political dynasties, including the President’s cousin and family, are direct beneficial owners of mining companies.

‘If this is not checked, mining contracts will be the next corruption nexus. Related to this, there is no mention of the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative [EITI] and its important work,’ ATM said.

The group said that while the MICC is strengthened, ‘it still utterly lacks civil society participation while ensuring private sector participation.’ It even ensures that MICC’s work is aligned with FPIC guidelines, but does not recognize that the Indigenous Peoples’ sector strongly rejects these revised FPIC guidelines, it said.

ATM said a mine audit is absolutely absent when this should be a requisite to determine the application of the EO’s other provisions, such as privatization of mining assets and declaration of mineral reservations.

THE loss of the will to live, withdrawing from family and friends, a lack of interest even in activities and things that once sparked joy, and sleeping too much or too little are the classic symptoms of a person who may be courting suicidal thoughts. And yet, as beloved celebrities like chef Anthony Bourdain, comedian Robin Williams, and others who have taken their own lives have shown us, a happy and successful exterior can mask struggles with hopelessness and despair.

While suicide rates in the Philippines are lower than global statistics (an estimate 3.2 to 3.5 deaths per 100,000 Filipinos are by suicide, according to the Department of Health), they remain a serious cause for concern. Thirty percent of suicide cases are by individuals between the ages of 15 and 24, men are four times more likely to commit suicide than women, and whether they push through with it or not, 1 in 5 youths have seriously thought of ending their lives.

What would drive someone to resort to such an irreversible and permanent act? ‘Mental illness or personality disorder affect a person’s ability to make sound judgement,’ says Carmina Charmaine G. Bernardo, MD, FPPA, FPCPsych, psychiatrist and Head of the Mood and Anxiety Resource and Referral Center, Institute of Neuroscience, from the country’s top hospital Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph).

‘But so can a traumatic life event like a bad breakup, death in the family, physical or emotional abuse, financial loss, or a ruined career. A person dealing with a painful illness or terminal disease may decide to end their suffering prematurely. Intense feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, and being a burden to others have also pushed people to take their own lives. ‘In other words, certain triggers or stressors compel people to take action and free themselves from what they perceive to be unbearable and unending physical or emotional pain.’

The challenge for anyone who knows of a friend or loved one thinking of taking their life is to be aware of their triggers and stressors, and observant of out-of-the-ordinary behavior.

‘Of course, this is not always easy, as a person thinking of committing suicide can pretend that all is well so as not to arouse suspicion,’ explains Bernardo. ‘Some even appear suddenly calm and happy after experiencing severe depression. This could mean that they are resolved with their decision to end their life.’

Looking out for a friend or family member with suicidal thoughts is a huge responsibility. Still, if you can prevent them from pushing through with it, you could actually save a life-and that is no mean feat.

Bernardo cites common triggers and warning signs:

Specific dates and occasions. Everybody gets a case of the birthday blues: Maybe the special day reminds us that we are getting older or have no one significant to celebrate it with. ‘Birthdays, anniversaries, and special holidays can be sensitive times for suicidals,’ reveals Bernardo. ‘In fact, an international team of researchers discovered that Monday has the highest risk of suicide mortality, as does New Year’s Day. Call a friend or loved one to check on how they’re doing or make plans to go out on that day. Your company will be a welcome distraction from their dark thoughts.’

Reckless behavior. Does your friend or family member drink too much, drive too fast, not watch where they are going, miss doctor appointments, or skip prescription medication? ‘A lack of regard for their safety, health, and well-being can mean they no longer value their life,’ shares Bernardo. ‘Offer to accompany them to their appointments or drive them home when they are under the influence.’

Seeing people. While suicidals tend to withdraw from the world, others will go out of their way to seek out certain friends or relatives. Perhaps they will forgive someone-or ask someone for their forgiveness. ‘It is likely a form of closure before they end things,’ says Bernardo. Giving away prized possessions is another sign of ‘saying goodbye’ by offering something to remember them by. ‘Simply accept the token and assure the person that it will be in your safekeeping for now. It’s a subtle way of saying you will give it back when things get better.’

Talking about suicide is never easy, both for the person contemplating it and the one who speculates a loved one is strongly considering taking their life.

‘But it has to be done,’ says Bernardo. ‘Ask them pointblank gently and coming from a place of concern and sincerity. And be prepared to listen-not judge, scold, or dismiss their feelings. Let them talk and express themselves as much as they want. Sometimes, venting provides them with much-needed relief from negative thoughts.’

For the emotionally vulnerable, knowing that someone genuinely cares for them and wants to help them get out of their black hole can be enough reason to live. ‘Offer hope and the prospect of better things ahead if they just give themselves and others a chance,’ says Bernardo.

Most importantly, evaluate if a suicidal friend or family member is in immediate danger. Those at the highest risk already have a specific suicide plan, the means to carry out the plan, the time set, and an intention.

‘If an attempt is imminent, make sure they don’t have access to lethal objects that they can use to harm themselves like drugs, guns, or knives. And never ever leave a suicidal person alone,’ stresses Bernardo. ‘The best that you can do is to call emergency services, or bring the person to the nearest hospital where they can get the necessary professional help.’