Category: Business Mirror

The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. III (DOST-III / DOST-CL) and WPH Digital, a Singapore-based AI and digital innovation company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate regional digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across Central Luzon.

The collaboration brings the Philippines’ National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS-PH) closer to regional implementation by combining DOST-III’s public-sector mandate with WPH Digital’s expertise in AI, digital transformation, and practical technology implementation.

The agreement was formally signed by Dr. Julius Ceasar V. Sicat, Regional Director of DOST Central Luzon, and Mr. Vincent Leoh, Managing Director of WPH Digital, on 19 August 2026. Held at the opening of the joint program, the ceremony was witnessed by over 50 key delegates and industry leaders representing diverse business, technology, and public sectors from across Central Luzon. ‘We believe AI adoption is not a technology challenge – it is a capability challenge,’ said Mr. Vincent Leoh, Managing Director of WPH Digital. ‘Through WPH Academy, we help people build AI capabilities, and through WPH Digital, we help organisations apply those capabilities using practical AI solutions. When capability building and practical implementation come together, organisations start seeing real value from AI.’

Democratizing Generative AI Across Central Luzon

By bringing enterprise-grade digital expertise directly to Region III, the collaboration demonstrates how government and private-sector organisations can work together to democratize access to advanced Generative AI and cloud computing technologies beyond Metro Manila. The initiative positions Central Luzon as a key regional innovation hub, driving competitiveness across local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), industries, and public sector operations.

Human Capital and Workforce Readiness First

At the heart of the partnership is a strong emphasis on talent reskilling, practical capability-building, and workforce development. Rather than viewing technology solely as a displacement risk, the collaboration equips local professionals and civil servants to use Generative AI as a productivity multiplier-fostering a resilient, highly competitive regional talent pool equipped for modern, future-ready workflows.

As an immediate step toward putting the partnership into action, DOST-III and WPH Digital conducted the Generative AI for Modern Business Operations workshop. The practical capacity-building session provided business leaders, IT professionals, and regional stakeholders with hands-on exposure to practical AI solutions, cloud-native platforms, and execution strategies designed to deliver practical business value.

Beyond training and capability-building, the collaboration is intended to help organisations translate these capabilities into actual implementation, enabling them to identify practical AI opportunities and develop solutions that can be applied within their operating environments.

International Cross-Border Tech Collaboration

The MOU highlights cross-border technology transfer between Singapore’s private sector and the Philippine government. By bringing Singaporean tech consulting expertise to Central Luzon, WPH Digital showcases how international private-sector solutions can actively contribute to regional development goals in organisations and communities across Southeast Asia.

Trusted AI with Certified Governance

The partnership also underscores the importance of responsible and governed AI adoption as organisations move from experimentation to implementation. WPH Digital brings AI governance expertise backed by the internationally recognised ISO/IEC 42001 standard, which provides a structured framework for responsible, secure, ethical, and governed AI adoption.

A Replicable Blueprint for Regional Action

The alliance establishes a repeatable model for regional government-industry partnerships throughout the Philippines. Moving beyond high-level strategy, DOST-III and WPH Digital provide a structured model for continuous technical implementation, capacity building, and enterprise enablement across provincial economies.

The longer-term ambition is for this model to extend from national government agencies to provincial and local government units (LGUs), and eventually across other regions of the Philippines. By connecting national AI priorities with regional capability-building and practical

implementation, the collaboration has the potential to provide a scalable model for AI capability-building and implementation beyond Central Luzon.

TWO WorldTeams and eight ProTeams have officially confirmed to heat up the 30th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi 2026 (LTdL2026) scheduled September 27 to October 4.

Completing the 20-team line-up for this year’s race are nine Continental teams and the Malaysian National Team which all set to tackle the 1,285.5-km route spanning eight stages.

The two WorldTeams are Kazakhstan’s XDS Astana and Dutch outfit Picnic PostNL while the eight ProTeam entrants are Tudor Pro Cycling Team (Switzerland), Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Equipo Kern Pharma and Burgos-Burpellet (Spain), TotalEnergies and Unibet Rose Rockets (France), Bardiani CSF-Saber (Italy) and newcomer Modern Adventure Pro Cycling from the United States.

The nine Continental Teams are Terengganu Cycling Team and Malaysia Pro Cycling (Malaysia), Thailand Continental Cycling Team (Thailand), 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines (Philippines), Nusantara Cycling Team (Indonesia), WheelTop Rotor Chengdu Cycling Team (China), Aisan Racing Team (Japan), KSPO (South Korea) and St George Continental Cycling Team (Australia).

In contrast to last year’s 22-team field, two notable omissions from the start list are ProTeam outfits Uno-X Mobility and Polti VisitMalta.

National Sports Council (NSC) Director-General, Jefri Ngadirin said that while the total number of teams has been reduced compared to last year’s edition, it remains fully compliant with the ProSeries race quota set by UCI.

‘The primary reason for reducing the team quota is part of cost-saving measures implemented across all government ministries, departments and agencies in light of current national economic and global geopolitical uncertainties,’ Ngadirin said.

‘LTdL achieved these savings through two key areas-reducing appearance fees and travel allowances for WorldTeams,’ said Jefri during the official team lineup announcement at MSN, Bukit Jalil, recently. ‘We declined requests from teams such as EF Education and Uno-X, as Astana and Picnic PostNL had confirmed their entries earlier.’

Stages on Langkawi Island were omitted from this year’s route as part of logistics cost-containment measures, which typically incur high operational expenditure.

Nevertheless, with a lineup featuring two WorldTeams and eight ProTeams, LTdL26 is expected to maintain a high level of competition, fierce, thrilling and unpredictable – especially with three formidable mountain stages at Gunung Jerai, Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands.

‘Astana, Picnic and Tudor regularly feature in cycling’s three Grand Tours which is the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana,’ Ngadirin said. ‘TotalEnergies and Caja Rural also race the Tour de France, Bardiani and Unibet compete in the Giro while Kern Pharma and Burgos feature in the Vuelta.’

‘Therefore, the teams confirmed for this edition are formidable contenders in top-tier global cycling and I am confident they will field strong rider combinations to secure victory,’ he added.

Newcomer Modern Adventure Pro Cycling is a newly formed team this year but the South Carolina-based setup is guided by world cycling legend George Hincapie, a former lead domestique for Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans, alongside former Tour de France and Giro stage winner Bobby Julich.

Ngadirin added that MSN, as the main organiser, eagerly awaits the final rider rosters to be submitted by respective teams, given that this year’s route profile is regarded as one of the most gruelling in the race’s history since its inception in 1996.

‘Some teams have submitted initial rider lists, but we expect them to make a last-minute revisions and field their strongest lineups,’ he said. ‘Achieving top results means securing crucial UCI ranking points, especially in these end season races.’

LTdL2026 will flag off from Shah Alam on September 27 and conclude in Putrajaya on October 4, covering a total distance of 1,285.5 km across eight stages.

Classified as a 2.ProSeries event on the UCI Asia Tour calendar, the race is co-organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) through MSN in collaboration with the Malaysian National Cycling Federation.

LTdL 2026 – TEAMS

UCI WORLDTEAMS

XDS Astana (Kazakhstan)

Picnic PostNL Netherlands)

UCI PROTEAMS

Tudor Pro Cycling Team (Switzerland)

Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (Spain)

Equipo Kern Pharma (Spain)

Burgos-Burpellet (Spain)

TotalEnergies (France)

Unibet Rose Rockets (France)

Bardiani CSF-Saber (Italy)

Modern Adventure Pro Cycling (USA)

UCI CONTINENTAL

Terengganu Cycling Team (Malaysia)

Malaysia Pro Cycling (Malaysia)

Thailand Continental Cycling Team (Thailand)

7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines (Philippines)

Nusantara Cycling Team (Indonesia)

WheelToprotor Chengdu Cycling Team (China)

Aisan Racing Team (Japan)

KSPO (South Korea)

St George Continental Cycling Team (Australia).

NATIONAL TEAM

Malaysia National Team

FOUR months into the final stretch of 2026, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is within P83.534 billion of its P300-billion investment goal, after approvals more than doubled from a year earlier.

Peza approved P216.466 billion worth of investments from January to August, equivalent to 72.16 percent of its P300-billion target for the year.

The amount was 104.53 percent higher than the P105.834 billion approved during the same period last year.

The increase came alongside a rise in the number of approved projects, with the Peza Board clearing 196 new and expansion projects in the first eight months, 9.50 percent more than the 179 projects approved in the same period in 2025.

The projects are expected to generate $6.604 billion in exports and 26,994 direct jobs nationwide.

August contributed significantly to the year-to-date total. On August 20, the Peza Board approved 22 new and expansion projects worth P64.565 billion, more than four times-or 334.13 percent above-the P14.872 billion approved in August 2025.

‘Our job now is to move these projects forward quickly and ensure their benefits reach more Filipino workers and communities,’ Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said.

Manufacturing accounted for the largest share of approved projects during the eight-month period, with 80 projects.

It was followed by 31 ecozone development projects, 30 information technology and business process management projects, 19 facilities projects, 15 logistics projects, 15 export-oriented projects for the domestic market, four tourism projects and two utilities projects.

Most of the approved investments remain concentrated in Luzon, which accounted for 161 projects. The Visayas had 23 projects, while Mindanao had 12.

The Philippines was the largest source of investors among the approved projects, followed by the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.

Large-scale investments also accounted for a substantial portion of the approvals. About 34 projects were classified as big-ticket investments, with a combined value of P193.713 billion.

The investment approvals come alongside continued activity in existing economic zones.

Peza’s ecozone reports for the first half of 2026 showed actual exports of $32.89 billion, up 2.35 percent from the same period last year. Direct employment in the zones reached 1.82 million, 1.56 percent higher than the first half of 2025.

‘With four months to go, Peza remains relentless in turning investor confidence into lasting economic opportunities for the country,’ Peza Director General Tereso Panga said.

The impending closure of DHL Supply Chain’s Muntinlupa warehouse is raising the stakes in a labor dispute involving 473 workers who have been on strike over alleged union busting and demands for recognition and collective bargaining.

The DHL United Workers Union (DUWU) entered its seventh consecutive day of strike on Tuesday as it continued to demand union recognition and good-faith negotiations with management.

DUWU said the Muntinlupa warehouse is nearing closure at the end of the month.

The union and its allies have also raised concerns over alleged retrenchment, job insecurity, unpaid wages and other issues affecting workers.

According to the union, the dispute has gone through nine hearings between DUWU and the management, but has yet to yield progress or positive outcome for its demands.

‘We formed the union to achieve our rights to a living wage, fair benefits, regular employment, and others,’ DUWU President Nap Aromin said.

Aromin said the workers continued their strike despite what the union described as attacks against their organization.

‘We will continue to face DHL until they have no choice but to respect the union and negotiate with us in good faith.’

The union has also questioned the company’s refusal to pay workers for work performed on every 31st day of the month.

Aromin said workers are seeking adequate wages and benefits instead of remaining at the minimum wage.

‘We are asking for sufficient wages instead of remaining at minimum wage, and instead of not being paid for working on every 31st day of the month.’

Meanwhile, SENTRO Deputy Secretary General Joanna Bernice said DUWU’s strike is ‘a legitimate exercise of workers’ collective rights.’

‘On one hand, we have workers practicing their right to strike, and on the other, we have management busting their union.’

Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña likewise called on DHL to uphold its commitments to workers’ rights to organization, collective bargaining and freedom of association.

‘DHL’s global commitments to respect workers’ rights to organization, bargaining, and freedom of association must not simply be performative.’

The dispute has also drawn support from workers, women and youth groups, as well as lawmakers who have joined mobilizations in support of DUWU.

The union and its allies have scheduled a candle-lighting protest in Pasig City on Wednesday to press DHL management on union recognition and good-faith negotiations.

RISING medical costs, gaps in existing health coverage and complex treatment options have given rise to a healthcare confidence gap, leaving Filipinos unable to seek proper medical care when the need arises.

In 2025, the country’s Total Health Expenditure (THE) reached P1.87 trillion, a 15.1 percent increase from 2024’s THE of P1.63 trillion. Of this, 41.2% was paid out-of-pocket, placing a direct financial burden on individuals and families, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. Meanwhile, 2026 medical costs can potentially increase to 16.1 percent, indicating a continued rapid increase in healthcare spending which highlights the need for better healthcare funding among Filipinos.

These numbers indicate a health crisis that affects even affluent families who have the financial means to pay for healthcare when a serious illness strikes. After all, major illnesses and healthcare concerns can mean more than medical expenses. They can disrupt business interests, investments, and other financial priorities.

A premium health insurance solution, InLife Global Care (www.inlife.com.ph) aims to address these gaps to give Filipinos greater choice, flexibility and confidence when important healthcare decisions arise.

‘Healthcare confidence is knowing that when a serious medical situation happens, you have choices, resources, and someone you can rely on to help you move forward. InLife Global Care aims to provide all these and more, to help those who have worked hard to build their careers, businesses and family wealth, and who recognize that protecting their health is just as important as protecting their financial future,’ said InLife chief product and innovation officer Jose Eduardo O. Ang.

For many Filipinos, healthcare confidence means having the financial protection that does not reduce savings or business cash flows, family protection, long-term health coverage, funds to cover healthcare costs that may not be sufficiently covered by one’s health maintenance organization (HMO), and treatment options whether locally or abroad.

InLife Global Care provides all these and more. It gives up to P125M annual coverage, with cashless service options and the flexibility to choose how and where one receives care, with access to accredited healthcare providers in the Philippines and abroad.

InLife Global Care delivers not just comprehensive inpatient coverage but also outpatient and preventive care benefits for essential healthcare needs, especially as a supplement to one’s HMO coverage such as major hospitalization, serious illnesses and cancer treatments, outpatient benefits including consultations and diagnostics, and even emergency treatment outside areas of coverage for up to P12.5M (subject to policy terms, conditions, limits and exclusions).

For Filipinos seeking protection beyond their working years, InLife Global Care is renewable annually until age 99, and includes a built-in life insurance benefit that provides additional protection up to age 70, for as long as the plan remains active.

‘InLife’s 115 years of experience gives us a deep understanding of what matters to Filipino families. They want world-class care, but they also want the reassurance of knowing that they and their families have someone they can depend on when difficult healthcare decisions arise. That is what we mean by world-class care. Filipino heart. InLife certainty,’ said Ang.

ALEX Eala has practically hit the big time, indeed. Proof of that once more is the fact that she’s been included in the mixed doubles event of the 2026 US Open now underway with the qualifying matches being completed in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York.

Seemingly, only the tennis elite are highlighted in mixed-doubles play, making Eala a certified world superstar this early in her career.

That is really something to crow about as Eala is not even a Grand Slam winner yet. And she has yet to crash into the Top 10 world rankings.

But she’s slowly inching her way up. Only last Monday, August 24, she was upgraded to No. 18 from No. 20, another huge hop that should auger well for the 21-year-old Filipino superstar, morale-wise.

With her new ranking, Eala officially becomes the first Southeast Asian to achieve that plateau-another feather to her cap going into the last Grand Slam of the season.

It’s a shame that Eala’s mixed-doubles debut was scheduled at 10 p.m. last night, August 25 Philippine time-or hours away before I had to finish this piece in time for deadline.

But whatever the result is, Eala deserves our absolute applause in her team-up with Felix Augur-Aliassime, the world No. 4 from Canada.

We can only pray and hope that they did well against the husband-and-wife team of Ukraine’s world No. 9 Elina Svitolina and France’s Gael Monfils.

Svitolina is the same player that Eala beat earlier this year during the Filipina’s winning streak against several of the Top 10 campaigners in the world.

It was that streak, fashioned across the globe before wildly cheering Filipino crowds, that helped carve Eala’s glory-rich niche now sweeping the global tennis landscape.

Should Eala-Aliassime get past Svitolina-Monfils in the Round of 16 of the Top Draw, they’d meet the winner of the match between Aryna Sabalenka-Novak Djokovic and Leylah Fernandez-Frances Tiafoe.

Sabalenka, of course, is the world No. 1 from Belarus while Serbia’s Djokovic holds the all-time record of 24 Grand Slams in a tie with Virginia Wade.

The duo are heavily favored over the Fil-Canadian Fernandez and American journeyman Tiafoe.

The 23-time major winner Serena Williams is paired with four-time Slam champ Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish star who is returning from a four-month hiatus after hurting his right wrist.

Their opponents will be qualifiers, and should they pull through, they will face the winners of the match between Belinda Bencic-Flavio Cobolli and Taylor Townsend-Alexander Zverev.

Eala’s first singles foe this year will be known possibly on Friday, August 28 Philippine time.

This will be Eala’s second US Open appearance, advancing to the second round last year with a 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 win over Denmark’s Clara Tauson before losing to Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-4, 6-3.

The US Open dangles the biggest winner’s purse of $5.5 million (roughly P116 million) in both the men’s and women’s divisions among all four majors.

Yes, Virginia, we are in the wrong racket.

THAT’S IT By just showing up and playing her first match in the US Open, Alex Eala will earn $190,000-win or lose. If she reaches the Round of 16, she gets $480,000; a quarterfinal stint is worth $780,000, semifinal $1.450 million and runner-up $2.8 million. If Eala remains healthy and active in the next 10 years, she’d be a billionaire by age 31-easily. Tennis is where the money is. Like golf.

THE House prosecution panel said on Tuesday that testimony and financial records presented during Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial indicates an apparent effort to spend the Office of the Vice President’s entire P125 million confidential fund allocation within just 11 days before the end of 2022.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia-ur Rahman Alonto Adiong, prosecution spokesperson, cited the testimony of hostile witness Lemuel Ortonio, an OVP assistant secretary and assistant chief of staff. Ortonio confirmed that the entire P125 million was reported as disbursed from December 21 to 31, 2022.

‘It appears that there was a deliberate effort to exhaust the P125 million in only 11 days,’ he said.

Ortonio also testified that unused cash allocations expire at the end of the year and that any remaining balance must be returned to the National Treasury.

Adiong said the 11-day spending period becomes more notable when compared with the OVP’s use of confidential funds in 2023.

According to the OVP’s accomplishment reports, the office covered 132 areas in 11 days in 2022. In comparison, it covered 127 areas over 52 days during the first quarter of 2023, 111 areas over 67 days in the second quarter, and 122 areas over 79 days in the third quarter.

‘What is also striking is that they were able to use the entire P125 million in only 11 days,’ Adiong said.

‘What does this suggest? It appears that there was a pattern of spending P125 million every quarter,’ he added.

Adiong said the spending pattern should also be considered alongside Ortonio’s account of how the confidential funds were requested.

Ortonio confirmed that the OVP had no confidential fund allocation when Duterte assumed office in July 2022.

On August 22, Duterte requested P250 million in confidential funds from the Department of Budget and Management. However, the supporting physical and financial plan was prepared and approved only on September 16, after the DBM requested the necessary documents.

The OVP eventually received P125 million in December.

Adiong said the sequence of events raised questions about how the amount was determined and why the entire P125 million was spent before the end of the year.

‘It raises more questions than answers,’ he said.

During the same press briefing, prosecution legal spokesperson and counsel Benjamin Tolosa Jr. separately questioned whether confidential funds were necessary to ensure Duterte’s security during official activities.

Tolosa cited former Vice President Leni Robredo, whose office did not receive confidential funds during her term.

‘She also had no confidential funds, yet no untoward incident occurred,’ Tolosa said.

He added that the senator-judges could consider this comparison when determining whether the use of confidential funds for Duterte’s security was justified.

The prosecution is presenting evidence concerning Duterte’s alleged misuse of P500 million in OVP confidential funds. The amount was released in four tranches of P125 million each from December 2022 through 2023.

Outline

IN addition, Duterte has yet to sufficiently account for the P500 million in confidential funds released to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in 2022 and 2023, prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia told the Senate Impeachment Court on Tuesday.

During the 18th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, Divinagracia outlined alleged irregularities in the request, disbursement and liquidation of the confidential funds. The money was released in four tranches of P125 million from December 2022 through 2023.

Divinagracia alleged that the OVP repeatedly changed its explanations for the funds and failed to provide sufficient details and supporting documents.

‘The explanations keep changing, there are no details or supporting documents, and there appears to be concealment rather than clarification. Until now, the people’s P500 million has not been accounted for,’ she said in Filipino.

According to the prosecution, Duterte requested the first P250 million before submitting the required supporting plan.

Divinagracia claimed that the amount was determined first and the plan was prepared only after the Department of Budget and Management requested it.

She also argued that Duterte’s authority and approval appeared on key documents-from the initial request to the liquidation-and that the reports were prepared to comply with formal requirements rather than reflect the actual use of the funds.

Divinagracia noted that four reports followed the same template and each accounted for exactly P125 million, with no remaining amount returned. She further alleged that when the Commission on Audit questioned medical and food assistance expenses worth P40 million, P42 million and P40 million in the first three accomplishment reports, those entries disappeared from the final report while the total remained exactly P125 million.

The prosecution also claimed that the liquidation documents were submitted late and contained irregular or backdated receipts. Divinagracia said some receipts were submitted 10 months late, while more than 100 were dated approximately one year after the reported payments.

She added that certifications supporting the expenses allegedly contained no amounts, names, locations or dates and were signed by the same person who received the money.

Meanwhile, the Impeachment Court declared Ortonio a hostile witness after determining that his continued employment under Duterte gave him an adverse interest in the proceedings.

Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero issued the ruling after Ortonio confirmed that he reports directly to Duterte, serves at her pleasure and holds a co-terminous position that he would lose if she were removed from office.

The ruling allows Divinagracia to ask Ortonio leading questions during direct examination, although Escudero reminded the prosecution that misleading questions remain prohibited.

Before the ruling, Ortonio admitted that he had declined several invitations to attend a 2024 investigation by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability concerning the OVP’s confidential funds. He also confirmed that he had not sought judicial relief against the invitations.

Ortonio has worked under Duterte in various positions since she served in the Davao City government. He was previously chief of staff of the Office of the Davao City Vice Mayor from 2008 to 2010, chief of staff of the Office of the Davao City Mayor from 2010 to 2013, head of the Davao City Investment Promotion Center from 2016 to 2018 and head of the city’s Human Resource Management Office beginning in 2018. He joined the OVP in July 2022.

A Land Bank of the Philippines witness previously identified Ortonio as the official who accompanied former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta when the confidential funds were withdrawn. Acosta earlier testified that, upon Duterte’s instruction, the funds were turned over to then-Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group commander Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.

Divinagracia questioned Ortonio’s claim that he had no personal knowledge of how the money was spent, noting that his signatures appeared on the OVP’s responses to COA. She also pointed out that Duterte, Acosta and Lachica – whom the prosecution identified as the officials with direct knowledge of the transactions-had not provided complete explanations.

Snacks maker Mondelez Philippines Inc. is cautiously optimistic about its prospects for this year even as changing consumer preferences weighed on its sales in 2025.

Mondelez Philippines Corporate and Government Affairs Lead Caitlin Punzalan said the company saw a slowdown in the local market last year, but this was not due to the decline in snacking.

‘There was a slowdown for the Philippines in 2025 because of some big consumer shifts in preferences for other formats,’ Punzalan told reporters on Tuesday in Mandaluyong City. ‘They’re snacking on something else.’

The company, however, did not provide more details about its sales performance.

The change is shaping how the company approaches the market, with Punzalan saying Mondelez continues to look for ways to adapt its products while providing what consumers consider value.

The company noted that while there is still room for growth in the Philippines, it is mindful of risks from global and domestic developments that could affect consumer demand and business activity.

‘We know there’s an opportunity for snacking, but we also are cautious in terms of global and local events that could hamper business growth,’ Punzalan said, citing the Middle East crisis earlier this year as an example of an external shock that affected businesses.

‘So, [we’re] cautiously optimistic. We know that snacking, there is potential for growth for sure. But we just need to prepare for any external factors, whatever they may be.’

The company said it so far avoided raising prices in response to the geopolitical tensions and does not have a price increase planned for this month.

Punzalan said the company has tried to keep prices at the same level ‘as much as possible,’ particularly since higher fuel costs and other pressures could dampen demand.

She also said keeping prices stable is one way of limiting the impact of external cost pressures on consumers.

In its 2026 State of Snacking report, Mondelez found that 38 percent of Filipino snackers choose snacks that offer nutritional benefits, such as being high in fiber or a source of vitamins.

The report also found that Filipino consumers remain frequent snackers, with only 5 percent skipping morning snacks and another 5 percent skipping afternoon snacks. About 37 percent seek energy-boosting snacks in the morning, while 30 percent do so in the afternoon.

Punzalan said Mondelez continues to offer products with nutritional components while using portion sizes as another way of responding to changing consumption patterns.

‘Portion control’ is also part of the company’s broader mindful-snacking strategy, which encourages consumers to consider how much they consume rather than restricting snack consumption. Moreover, product reformulation is also an ongoing process, she said.

The company’s latest snacking report said its global portfolio is also moving toward individually wrapped portions or products carrying its Mindful Portion label. In 2025, around 94 percent of Mondelez International’s net revenue came from snacks meeting that criterion, it said.

Plastic tax

Mondelez is also pushing back against a proposed increase in the tax on single-use plastics, arguing that additional charges could affect consumers and businesses across the food supply chain.

Punzalan said the company does not support an increase in the single-use plastic tax, adding that it is already complying with the country’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law.

Rather than relying on a higher tax, Punzalan said the company supports the existing EPR framework, which requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the plastic packaging they put into the market.

‘We know that plastic waste is not just manufacturers’ responsibility; it’s everyone’s,’ she said. ‘Consumers, governments, other community stakeholders.’

The Philippine Plastics Industry Association had already called the proposed single-use plastic excise tax ‘discriminatory’ during a December 2025 House hearing.

Meanwhile, Mondelez said its Philippine operations are already being supplied with 100 percent renewable energy through a combination of hydropower, solar power and bioenergy.

The Golden Icons Foundation, Inc., in collaboration with the Jaffer Family Foundation, continues to turn its commitment to social impact into tangible opportunities for communities through a comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on livelihood, education, mobility, and community empowerment.

The initiative brought meaningful assistance to members of the Indigenous community in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, through the Vehicle Turnover Ceremony, marking the donation of a Tuk-Tuk vehicle and motorcycles intended to support sustainable livelihood and educational transportation. More than providing transportation, the vehicles are envisioned as practical tools for creating greater mobility, access, and economic opportunity for the community. They can help residents reach schools, workplaces, markets, training opportunities, and essential services-addressing one of the barriers that communities in geographically isolated areas often face.

As part of the same initiative, the Golden Icons Foundation also turned over 11 sewing machines to members of the Sibagat community.

The sewing machines are intended to provide individuals with opportunities to develop practical skills, generate income, and build sustainable sources of livelihood.

Through skills-based assistance, the Foundation hopes to move beyond short-term relief and help families develop the capacity to become more self-reliant and economically empowered.

The initiative reflects the Foundation’s belief that meaningful development is not only about providing immediate assistance, but also about providing people with the tools, skills, and opportunities to build a better future.

Education remains at the heart of the Golden Icons Foundation’s advocacy.

In July, 17 scholars received their monthly educational allowance as part of the Foundation’s commitment to provide 10 months of continuous educational support.

The scholars come from communities in Bukidnon, Davao, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur and receive comprehensive assistance designed to help remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent students from continuing their education.

Depending on their individual needs, the educational assistance includes:

Boarding or rental support

Transportation assistance

School uniforms

Food and meal allowance

Monthly educational allowance

Other essential educational needs

For many of these students, the assistance represents more than financial support. It provides them with the opportunity to stay in school, continue their education, and pursue aspirations that may otherwise be beyond their family’s financial capacity.

The Foundation also allocated support for a training facility, further strengthening its commitment to skills development and community empowerment.

The facility is envisioned as a space where community members can gain practical knowledge and develop skills that may lead to employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

This approach reflects the Foundation’s broader philosophy:

Empower people not only by giving assistance, but by giving them the tools and opportunities to create their own future.

The realization of these initiatives was made possible through the generous support of the Jaffer Family Foundation, whose commitment to community development and belief in the advocacy of the Golden Icons Foundation helped transform these programs into tangible assistance for communities and students.

The partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration in creating sustainable social impact.

For the Golden Icons Foundation, the goal is not simply to provide donations. It is to create a continuum of opportunity-from education and skills development to livelihood and community empowerment.

Through this collaboration, a vehicle can become a means of mobility and livelihood. A sewing machine can become a source of income. A training facility can become a place where new skills are developed. And an educational allowance can become the reason a student is able to remain in school.

These individual forms of assistance contribute to one larger objective: creating opportunities that can change the trajectory of families and communities.

The initiatives form part of the Golden Icons Foundation’s continuing commitment to its mission:

‘Empowering Children. Developing Skills. Creating Future Icons.’

The Foundation believes that every child and every community has the potential to thrive when given access to opportunity, education, skills, and meaningful support.

Through partnerships such as this, the Foundation aims to create programs that do not end with a single donation or ceremony, but continue to generate impact long after the assistance has been delivered.

In this 1xBet review, we look at the prospects of last year’s US Open champions ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam.

Alcaraz has yet to find his form

Carlos Alcaraz last took to the court four months ago. After defeating Otto Virtanen in the round of 32 at the ATP 500 Barcelona Open, Alcaraz withdrew from his match against Czech player Tomáš Machác due to a serious wrist injury. The former ATP No. 1 was forced to miss Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and his recovery process is still not complete.

Meanwhile, the dual power of recent years in men’s tennis has given way to Jannik Sinner’s dominance. The world No. 1 won Wimbledon, but in Paris the Italian exited early after suffering sudden dizziness caused by extreme heat. In the long-term betting market, Sinner is the clear favorite for the upcoming US Open at odds of 1.64. Alcaraz is second at 3.06.

In 2024-2025, these two players shared the Grand Slam trophies. Back then, the odds on both men winning were roughly equal, ranging from 2.50 to 2.65. Feel the difference?

Experts are skeptical about Carlos’s chances, as he has now gone 120 days without competitive match practice. Several hard-court ‘warm-up’ tournaments in Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati are held ahead of the American major. Players not only earn prize money and ranking points there, but also use these events to prepare for the more prestigious tournament. It was recently announced that Alcaraz will skip Cincinnati and return to action directly at the 2026 US Open.

At the moment, there is no 100% guarantee that the Spaniard will participate. He is listed as the No. 3 entry on the tournament’s official website, but everything will depend on his condition in the second half of August.

Andy Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, does not recommend that Carlos return to competition in a best-of-five-set tournament, where even an early-round match can last three to four hours. Add to that the prospect of playing every day in the high temperatures and humidity typical of New York in early autumn.

An injured wrist poses a particular danger. The joint plays a crucial role when the racket makes contact with the ball, and it will be difficult for Alcaraz to produce his trademark shots.

The Spaniard is also set to lose the No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings to Alexander Zverev. This means that at the 2026 US Open, Jannik and Carlos will no longer be placed at opposite ends of the draw, making a clash between the fierce rivals possible as early as the semifinals. Sinner has beaten Alcaraz in their last two meetings, but both players were in optimal condition at the time. Now, everything has changed – the Italian has at least a physical advantage. There are also rumors about the Spaniard’s psychological state.

Sabalenka lacks consistency

Aryna is the undisputed favorite at all the 2026 Grand Slams, yet the world No. 1 has not won a single major this year. Sabalenka’s results have been declining:

Australian Open – runner-up;

Roland Garros – quarterfinals;

Wimbledon – round of 16.

The Belarusian has won prestigious tournaments in Miami and Indian Wells, but those successes came in the second half of March. On the downside, she suffered early exits in Madrid, Rome, Berlin, and Toronto. Moreover, Sabalenka consistently lost to significantly lower-ranked opponents.

At this point, any underdog could pose a serious challenge to the defending US Open champion. The history of women’s tennis over the past decade shows that Grand Slams can easily be won by players who are not even ranked in the world’s top five.

The 2026 US Open starts on August 30. Follow the thrilling battles on the courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with 1xBet!