Category: Business Mirror

THE fatality count of the combined effects of recent storms and the southwest monsoon has climbed to 31 confirmed dead, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported.

Three others remain missing.

This, as the weather bureau warned of yet another episode of moderate to heavy rain affecting several provinces, including the National Capital Region (NCR).

At the same time, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), which acts as the NDRRMC secretariat, reported that the affected population has also increased to 2.2 million families, or 7.7 million persons.

As of 6:00 a.m. on August 26, 346 evacuation centers continue to assist a total of 8,446 families or 28,910 persons.

The NDRRMC said that due to flooding and landslides, a total of 2,700 houses were damaged.

The total cost of damage to public and private infrastructure has also ballooned to P5.5 billion, while damage to crops is pegged at P1.9 billion.

The government said some P1.42 billion in assistance was provided to affected families.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said that the number of localities under a state of calamity has increased to 104 from Tuesday’s total of 102 cities and towns owing to severe flooding.

Severely affected were Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Zambales, which all declared province-wide states of calamities.

In its weather advisory for the southwest monsoon issued at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said heavy rains are expected from Friday to Saturday in Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro.

The state weather bureau said that numerous flooding events are likely under such weather conditions, especially in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers.

Moreover, Pagasa warned that landslides are also likely in moderate to highly susceptible areas.

Zambales, which has experienced severe flooding over the past days, is still experiencing moderate rainfall, along with La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro until Thursday.

On Friday, moderate rainfall will affect Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite and Batangas.

The weather bureau said that under the current weather conditions, localized flooding is possible in urbanized, low-lying, or river-adjacent areas, with the possibility of landslides in highly susceptible areas.

Pagsasa further warned that forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas, and that impacts in some areas may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall.

Furthermore, the DA chief also announced that imported rice shipments will not be allowed to unload at ports in Iloilo from mid-September until the end-November to avoid overlapping with the province’s peak harvest season.

The dual measures will enhance farmers’ bargaining position by boosting the NFA’s influence on palay prices while easing competitive pressure from imported shipments.

The NFA announced last April that it purchased 8.4 million 50-kilo bags or 420,012 MT of palay last year, a 5.32 percent drop from the 8.87 million bags or 443,620 MT it bought in 2024.

The 2025 was only 77 percent of its target of purchasing 545,000 MT from local planters.

‘Procurement fell short of the total target attainment due to operational limitations, particularly full warehouse capacity and limited storage space arising from ongoing warehouse repair and rehabilitation activities,’ it said.

Farmers and suppliers belonging to Philippine Egg Board Association (PEBA) warned that egg retail prices may rise as farmgate prices are higher now due to disease outbreaks.

PEBA President Francis Uyehara said the local layer industry is currently grappling with production issues which catapulted farmgate prices to as much as P7 apiece.

This followed a supply glut in the second quarter when farmgate prices of a medium-sized egg nosedived to P3 per piece.

Uyehara attributed the price increase to disease outbreaks, such as infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT), inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).

‘These three diseases are contributing to the deficiency in production that is now causing an artificial shortage and an increase in the farmgate prices of eggs,’ he told reporters on the sidelines of a poultry trade fair in Pasay City on Wednesday.

Should the upward trajectory in farmgate prices persist, Uyehara warned that this would trickle into retail costs ahead of the typical price hike in December due to the surge in demand.

‘If farmgate prices continue to increase, the retail price will also be forced to adjust to perhaps more than P9 per piece.’

Uyehara, however, said the industry is also struggling to address the outbreaks, which was further compounded by issues in licensing of vaccines.

‘We can’t control these diseases, even with highly specialized veterinarian consultants. They don’t have a conviction that they can address these current outbreaks, since these viruses can mutate,’ he said.

‘There are also issues with the licensing of appropriate vaccines. The registration of the vaccines we need against these diseases takes too long.’

Latest government price monitoring report showed the prevailing price of extra small and small eggs stood at P7 per piece, with medium eggs at P8 per piece. Large and extra-large eggs cost P9 per piece, with jumbo eggs sold at P10 per piece.

PEBA said last May that local layer industry players are culling their flock due to a glut in the supply of small-sized eggs to minimize losses as farmgate prices fell despite soaring input costs due to geopolitical tensions.

Uyehara told the BusinessMirror that the global oil crisis has jacked up prices of animal feeds and other products required by raisers for their operations.

Heat stress and lackluster demand created a surplus of smaller-sized eggs or those that belong in the extra small, small, and medium categories, he added.

END of September: That’s the inextendible deadline for the Senate to approve Senate Bill 2387, which proposes to fix the tenure of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years instead of the current four-year term.

Sen. Francis Escudero, at the same time, exhorted his colleagues to act forthwith on the measure, which impacts the November barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Delivering his sponsorship speech on the measure under Committee Report 77, Escudero said the Senate must act forthwith on the proposal before the end of September to ensure predictability in the conduct of the upcoming Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) scheduled in November.

He noted that the filing of certificates of candidacy is already set for next month, underscoring the need for Congress to decide promptly whether the elections will proceed or be reset under the new term structure.

‘Mr. President, I ask that the body act on this bill with urgency for or against it, before the end of September, given the fact that the Barangay Elections is scheduled to be conducted this November and the filing of Certificates of Candidacy are slated already in the coming month,’ Escudero said.

‘Although I favor this measure, I hope this body will give priority to this measure so that we can decide on it and so that there will be predictability with respect to the coming elections-whether indeed it will push through or will be postponed in accordance with the new term that will be approved by Congress, should I decide in its wisdom,’ he added.

The Constitution empowers the Congress to determine the term of barangay officials, a policy judgment affirmed by the Supreme Court in Macalintal v. Senate, Escudero added. He noted that the Court recognized the need to balance continuity against accountability, and administrative efficiency against democratic change.

‘That is the policy judgment which the present measure asks us to consider-whether, as a matter of policy, a five-year term provides a better governing window than the four years presently provided by law,’ he also said.

Escudero argued that a five year term provides a better governing window than the current four years, allowing barangay and SK officials sufficient time to organize, implement, and evaluate programs without the disruption of frequent elections.

‘Barangays are planners, implementers, first responders, peacekeepers, conciliators, and frontline service providers – all at a scale where government knows the family, the street, and often the problem by name,’ he said.

He added that the proposal is not unprecedented, citing past laws, namely Republic Acts 6653 and  8524 that also prescribed five year terms for barangay officials. ‘This bill is a termsetting measure, enacted in the exercise of the power expressly conferred upon Congress by Article X, Section 8 of the Constitution,’ Escudero pointed out.

Committee Report 77, jointly prepared by the Committees on Local Government and of Finance, has recommended the approval of SB 2387 with amendments, taking into consideration SB 2067 filed by Sen. Imelda Josefa Remedios Marcos.

At Monday’s committee hearing presided over by Escudero, multisectoral representatives expressed strong support for the five-year-term. The Liga ng mga Barangay, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), and the National Youth Commission (NYC) all backed the measure, stressing that a longer term would institutionalize stability and break the cycle of frequent postponements.

FOR students starting at a new school, the first day holds many questions: Will they see any familiar faces? Who will they sit with at lunch? Who will they play with at recess? ‘I’m this much nervous,’ said Iman Fair-Seldon, 5, holding her hands about 4 inches (10 centimeters) apart. Iman will start first grade next month at a new school in southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia. Despite the nerves, she said she is excited to make new friends.

Starting at a new school or making a big transition, such as moving from elementary school to middle school, can be challenging. Parents may want to help but aren’t always sure what to say or do. Here’s some advice from both grown-ups and the ultimate experts: kids who have gone through transition themselves.

Schedule playdates and go to birthday parties

PARENTS of young children have significant influence over where their children spend time and with whom, experts say. They can seek out activities that create opportunities for connection, such as parks, playgrounds and birthday parties, and decide when their children are ready for activities like sleepovers.

‘Initially, parents have a huge impact when it comes to the friends that children have,’ said Dr. Asha Barber Sutton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate dean of academic affairs at National University in San Diego.

‘More than we would like to believe, our actions as caregivers make a difference in terms of how children experience the world.’

Amira Fair, Iman’s mother, says she prefers to keep to herself, but she pushes past those feelings to help her daughter develop relationships. ‘I make it my business to exchange numbers and try to schedule monthly playdates,’ she said. ‘One thing I tried to do, especially at her old school, was go to every single birthday function, say hi to the parents, get a present, see the family.’

Let kids navigate their own friendships

PARENTS can’t manage every friendship for their children, experts say. Instead, they can help children develop their own sense of what makes a good friend: Are they kind? Are they honest? Can you be yourself around them? Some difficult interactions can help children learn what they value in a friend and how to handle conflict, Sutton said.

Parents can also ask questions to help their children think about what they value in friendships: What qualities do you like in your friends? Who makes you feel comfortable being yourself? Those conversations can give children a framework for evaluating their own friendships when problems arise, experts say. Jaiden Journet, a 14-year-old starting at a new high school in North Carolina, suggests parents ask their kids: ‘Have you found anything you have in common with anyone?’

Help kids get involved

PARENTS also can support their children through encouragement, especially if they are shy or anxious. Encouraging children to get involved in extracurricular activities or to try something new can help them meet people with similar interests.

Shia Watts, 16, says trying something new led her to some of her friends at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California.

‘Last year, I was part of theater production. I’d never done that before, but I met so many amazing people,’ she said.

When Jamir Gonzalez transferred last year to Uncommon Camden Prep High School in New Jersey, he joined the baseball and debate teams.

‘If you have any hobbies, find out if they have that at your school, and if they do, talk to the people that are there,’ said Jamir, now a 16-year-old senior.

Once students find opportunities to connect, starting the conversation is the next step, experts say. Smiling, complimenting others and asking questions can help start a conversation and keep it going.

Iman, the New Jersey 5-year-old, remembers how she met her now ‘B-F-F-F-F-F.’ It started with a compliment. ‘I think I said, ‘I like your shirt,’ and then she said, ‘Thank you.’ And I said, ‘So what’s your name?” she recalled.

Put down the cellphones-sometimes

STUDENTS may find it harder to start conversations when their peers are on their phones, wearing headphones or focused on screens. Experts say parents can encourage children, particularly teens, to put devices away at times so they can be more present and engaged with the people around them. One way to help: Stop texting your child at school, some teachers and experts say.

But being too harsh with older children’s tech limits can isolate them socially, Sutton said. Still, parents should talk with their teens about expectations around technology, social media and gaming, including knowing who kids are interacting with online.

Technology can also help children maintain friendships when circumstances separate them, Sutton said. ‘If you move away, it’s no longer like, ‘Hey, I moved out of state, and I can never see you,’ ‘ she said. ‘We have FaceTime, and we can still stay connected to friends in that way.’

Even one friendship counts

FEELING connected and having a sense of belonging at school can have an important effect on students’ well-being. If a student feels staff and peers at their school care about them, they are less likely to have poor mental health, use substances, or be involved in violence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and they are more likely to have better grades and attendance.

But a student needn’t have a large friend group to feel connected. Even one relationship can make a meaningful difference, said Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise, a nonprofit that focuses on gun violence prevention in schools.

‘Even if you only have one really strong friendship or one strong trusted adult, one strong sense of belonging, that can be enough to really positively affect your well-being and your trajectory through school and life,’ she said.

For students who are nervous about starting over, Hockley said, it can help to remember that other students may be looking for connection, too.

‘There’s also someone else just like you in that same space who’s also saying, ‘I would like to meet someone. I’d like to make a friend,’ ‘ she said. ‘It can be intimidating, but it’s not hard once you practice it.’

HEAD coach Tim Cone trusts his team that well that he’s confidence level remains high with an all-Filipino lineup with naturalized player Justin Brownlee recovering from injuries.

‘It’s going to give more opportunity for guys like Kevin Quiambao and Carl Tamayo to step up and get major minutes,’ said Cone two days before Gilas Pilipinas plays with a home court advantage against Jordan on Friday at 7:30pm at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the fourth window of the FIBA 2027 World Cup Asia Qualifiers.

‘And for Dwight Ramos to be more of a go-to-guy,’ added Cone whose wards face Iran next on Sunday in the same venue.

‘So, you lose someone, but that means other people get opportunities and we are going to try to take advantage of those opportunities,’ he said. ‘We believe that we have the right people capable of filling the slot.’

Besides Quiambao, Tamayo, Ramos and CJ Perez, 7-foot-3 Kai Sotto is back to man the paint with 6-foot-11 AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Troy Rosario, Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana.

Ramos was the second leading scorer in the last six World Cup Qualifiers matches with a 13.5-point average highlighted by his 18 points in a 102-106 double overtime loss to New Zealand last July 3 in Auckland.

Quiambao is averaging 9.2 per contest in World Cup qualifiers and delivered a valuable 23 points also against New Zealand, while Tamayo posted 17 points against New Zealand although he averages 5.2 points per game.

Also in Cone’s 14-player pool are Juan Gomez de Liaño, Chris Newsome, Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos.

The Philippines is 2-4 win-loss in Group E of the qualifiers behind undefeated Australia (6-0), Iran (5-1), Jordan (5-1), New Zealand (4-2) and Syria (2-4).

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P600 million in 2027 to bankroll the construction of facilities in Benguet that will address the persistent problem of vegetable supply glut.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the BusinessMirror that the DA has allocated an initial amount of P600 million under its 2027 National Expenditures Program (NEP) to build a mega cold storage and vegetable processing facilities beside the Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center.

‘It’s one complex. Hopefully, it will be operational by 2028,’ the DA chief told this newspaper.

The recent successive typhoons and torrential downpours in Benguet resulted in Chinese cabbage and carrots being discarded along Labey-Lacamen Road in Tublay, Benguet.

For the DA chief, the availability of these facilities are crucial to address the problem of oversupply.

‘What happened in Benguet this year may also be called force majeure, with excessive rain hobbling the supply chain,’ he said. ‘Our long-term solution is mega cold storage and vegetable processing facilities.’

In the meantime, the DA has ramped up its efforts to prevent supply gluts that result in depressed prices, including the enhancement of its market early-warning system.

The initiative aims to solve the long-standing problem for vegetables, where seasonal harvest surges tend to overwhelm markets.

As such, the DA said persistent oversupply has forced farmers to dump unsold vegetables along waysides rather than shoulder transport costs, since these may not fetch enough to cover expenses.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the system would complement regional help desks by providing a clearer picture of what is happening on the ground.

‘We want to move from reacting to problems to anticipating them,’ Guevarra said. ‘The monitoring system will give us alerts on upcoming harvests, weather disturbances, and other developments that could affect the supply chain to help us trigger assistance earlier.’

She added that regular harvest projections would improve planning, while more transparent and timely farmgate price monitoring could help curb market abuses by middlemen.

The system would also trigger alerts for logistics and other assistance, which the DA said would allow the government to respond more quickly to emerging supply and market disruptions.

SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada may need to undergo surgery after twisting his left knee while standing up from a seated position before he was brought to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) to undergo an X-ray for his right knee.

Estrada was seen limping while being assisted by jail personnel in getting out of the ambulance that brought him to CSMC for his scheduled medical procedure.

The senator’s orthopedic surgeon Fernando Syquia said Estrada was supposed to undergo a check for the arthritis of his right knee.

However, the 63-year-old lawmaker suffered a ‘pretty bad’ meniscal tear in his left knee prior to being brought to the hospital

When asked if there was a need for Estrada to stay longer in the hospital, Syquia said it would depend on his pain tolerance.

‘If the pain cannot be controlled adequately with the medications that we gave…he might have to be admitted for the pain medications,’ Syquia said.

‘I explained to the senator that these types of tears usually end up with surgery, because if you have a complete tear at the root of the meniscus, it’s as if the meniscus is not functioning at all,’ he added.

However, Estrada was seen being escorted out of the hospital at 4:25 p.m. for his return to the Quezon City Jail.

The senator is being detained on plunder and graft charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly receiving kickbacks from the government’s flood control projects amounting to over P573 million for the period 2024-2025.

Last Tuesday, the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division granted his motion for leave seeking permission to undergo knee X-ray at CSMC after experiencing persistent pain in both knees, which makes it difficult for him to walk.

The Sandiganbayan allowed the senators to leave his detention cell at around 11 a.m. for his scheduled knee x-ray at 1 p.m.

The anti-graft court directed the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to return to him not later than 3 p.m. of the same date.

In his motion for leave, Estrada noted that prior to his detention on June 1, 2026, he had been suffering from joint effusion in his knee joints and intermittent pain in both knees.

He was previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that affects his mobility.

Felt a lump in your neck? Have a mouth sore that refuses to heal? Or perhaps your voice has been hoarse for weeks?

These symptoms may seem minor, but they can sometimes be early warning signs of head and neck cancer. According to Dr. Daniel M. Alonzo, head of the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (HCCH) Head and Neck Center of Excellence, recognizing these signs and seeking medical attention early can make a significant difference in treatment and recovery.

Head and neck cancers can develop in the mouth, throat, nose, sinuses, larynx, salivary glands and other structures in the head and neck. Because these areas contain vital structures that control breathing, swallowing, speech and the senses, treatment must address not only the cancer but also the patient’s ability to function and maintain quality of life.

‘The best way to prevent damage to function is early diagnosis. If there is cancer, early diagnosis and early treatment lead to an excellent outcome with no impact on function,’ said Dr. Alonzo.

Know the warning signs

Dr. Alonzo said the symptoms and behavior of head and neck cancers vary depending on where they develop.

In his clinical experience, nasopharyngeal cancer is among the more frequently encountered head and neck cancers, followed by cancers of the oral cavity. Other cancers may develop in the oropharynx, larynx and salivary glands.

Thyroid cancer is also common in the head and neck region, he noted, although it is often discussed separately because most thyroid cancers are slow-growing and well-differentiated and are highly treatable.

Risk factors also vary by cancer type. Smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, advancing age and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are among the known risk factors for head and neck cancers.

Age can also play a role. Dr. Alonzo said oral cavity cancers are more commonly seen among older adults, particularly those in their late 60s and beyond, and are strongly associated with age and lifestyle factors such as smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.

Oropharyngeal cancers, on the other hand, are increasingly being seen in younger patients, including those without a history of smoking or heavy alcohol use. Dr. Alonzo attributed much of this trend to HPV.

He emphasized that HPV vaccination can substantially reduce the risk of HPV-related cancers when administered at the recommended age.

The location of a tumor can also determine how early it is detected. Dr. Alonzo said cancers of the nose and sinuses may go unnoticed until they have grown considerably, while cancers of the oral cavity may be easier to spot because lesions can be visible in the mouth.

A mouth sore that does not heal, however, should not simply be dismissed as an ordinary singaw.

‘If you have a sore that doesn’t heal after three weeks, get it examined immediately, as stage 1 or 2 oral cancer is very curable,’ said Dr. Alonzo.

The same applies to persistent changes in the voice.

‘If you are hoarse for more than three weeks, see a doctor right away, as stage 1 larynx cancer has an excellent cure rate,’ he added.

Other warning signs include persistent nosebleeds, ongoing one-sided nasal obstruction, hearing loss or muffled hearing, a sensation of blockage in one ear, and ringing or tinnitus in a single ear.

In the mouth and throat, symptoms to watch for include persistent mouth or throat sores, sore throat, pain or difficulty when swallowing, hoarseness, and spitting or coughing up blood.

A lump in the neck is another important warning sign, particularly in an adult.

‘A lateral neck mass on the side of the neck in an adult must be considered malignant until proven otherwise,’ Dr. Alonzo said.

While these symptoms can have causes other than cancer, persistent or unexplained symptoms should be evaluated rather than ignored.

Why an ENT specialist?

Because many head and neck cancers first present through symptoms involving the ear, nose or throat, Dr. Alonzo said an ENT specialist-or otolaryngologist-is often the appropriate physician to consult.

‘The most common entry of patients with head and neck cancers is an ear, nose, and throat symptom or sign,’ he said.

An ENT specialist can examine the affected area, determine whether further testing is necessary and, when appropriate, coordinate a biopsy and imaging studies such as CT, MRI or PET scans.

At HCCH, patients can also be referred among ENT subspecialists depending on their condition. These include specialists in the nose and sinuses, ear, larynx, maxillofacial bones, pediatric ENT and reconstruction.

When a diagnosis of cancer is confirmed, care shifts to a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists such as head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and nutritionists, depending on the patient’s needs.

In nasopharyngeal cancer, for example, treatment may involve radiation and medical oncology alongside nutritional and other supportive services.

‘There is one doctor who is the captain of the ship, who leads the team from beginning to end of the journey, but everyone gets involved along the way,’ Dr. Alonzo explained. ‘The multidisciplinary team revolves around the patient and around the disease.’

Saving function, not just life

For head and neck cancer patients, successful treatment involves more than eliminating the tumor.

Dr. Alonzo said doctors must work to preserve the airway for breathing, swallowing and its related functions such as chewing and taste, as well as speech, hearing and smell.

Appearance is another important consideration, particularly because some head and neck surgeries can affect facial structures.

For this reason, rehabilitation is an integral part of recovery. Depending on the patient’s condition, this may include voice rehabilitation, swallowing therapy and facial reanimation to restore facial movement and symmetry.

‘Saving a life is only part of the goal,’ Dr. Alonzo said. The ultimate goal is to cure the patient and prolong life while preserving function, appearance and dignity.

At HCCH, this continuum of care extends from diagnosis and treatment to management of complications, rehabilitation and long-term surveillance.

Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen

For Dr. Alonzo, one of the biggest challenges in improving outcomes is changing the way people respond to symptoms.

A neck mass, for example, may be painless and may not interfere with eating or daily activities, leading patients to postpone consultation.

His advice is simple: don’t wait for a symptom to become painful or disruptive before seeking help.

‘If you notice any symptom-any of what I enumerated earlier-have it checked early. When you get examined early, you get the right diagnosis and the right treatment by the right doctor at the right time,’ he said.

Getting enough protein-and getting it from quality sources-is important at every stage of life. In the Philippines, however, nutritional gaps remain a concern, particularly among young children and older adults.

While child stunting continues to decline, progress remains slower than national targets. Among older Filipinos, inadequate protein intake may contribute to frailty and sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function.

These concerns were among the issues discussed at a recent trade seminar organized by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), ‘From Supply to Innovation: Empowering Nutrition with U.S. Dairy Ingredients.’ The event brought together food manufacturers, nutrition experts, and industry leaders to explore ways of improving nutrition through food innovation.

Addressing protein gaps

When overall protein intake is limited, the quality of the protein consumed becomes particularly important. High-quality proteins, including dairy proteins and eggs, provide all nine essential amino acids needed by the body for growth, repair, and maintenance.

For older Filipinos, protein inadequacy is a significant concern. Data from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in 2023 showed that 72.4 percent of adults aged 60 and above did not meet their Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for protein. Among those aged 70 and older, the figure rose to 80.4 percent. Their mean intake was about 40 grams per day, compared with an EAR of 53 grams.

Dietary patterns also highlight the importance of food variety. Well-milled rice remains the largest contributor to protein intake across demographic groups, accounting for about 31.8 to 37.4 percent of total protein consumption.

Rice remains an important staple and source of energy and nutrients. However, rice protein alone does not provide the same balance of essential amino acids as some higher-quality protein sources. Combining rice with other protein-rich foods can therefore improve the overall nutritional quality of the diet.

‘Rice remains a staple of the Filipino diet and an important source of protein. However, rice protein alone may not provide all the essential amino acids needed to meet nutritional requirements,’ said Dr. Cecilia Acuin, Associate Professor at the Institute of Human Nutrition and Food, Philippines.

‘Complementing rice with other high-quality protein sources like dairy can help improve the overall quality of the diet,’ she added. ‘By combining affordability with high-quality protein and essential nutrients, the food industry can play an important role in improving nutrition for Filipino consumers.’

For older adults, ensuring adequate protein intake is particularly important because insufficient intake can make it harder to maintain muscle mass and physical function. Sarcopenia is associated with greater risks of disability, mobility limitations, hospitalization, and loss of independence.

Getting more nutrition from every peso

Beyond protein adequacy, experts at the seminar also emphasized the importance of making nutritious choices accessible and affordable.

‘There is a common perception that nutritious foods are expensive,’ said Dr. Sylvia Chungchunlam of the Riddet Institute, New Zealand. ‘Rather than solely focusing on price, it’s important to view foods through a nutritional lens. Good choices like dairy deliver high nutritional value for the amount spent.’

Milk and dairy ingredients such as skim milk powder, whey, and milk proteins provide high-quality protein containing all nine essential amino acids. Milk also supplies a range of vitamins and minerals, including calcium.

For consumers, however, nutrition is only one consideration. Food also needs to be affordable, convenient, tasty, and readily available.

USDEC’s Consumption Tracker found that 75 percent of Filipino respondents considered good value for money the most important factor influencing food and beverage purchases, while 58 percent looked for high-quality nutritional ingredients.

The findings reflect a broader balancing act among consumers who want healthier choices without stretching their food budgets.

‘Value today is no longer defined by price alone,’ said Anoo Pothen, Vice President, Strategic Insights, U.S. Dairy Export Council. ‘Consumers define value for money as nutritious products that are also affordable, convenient and tasty.’

A role for food innovation

The challenge, experts noted, is to translate these nutritional priorities into foods that consumers can realistically incorporate into their everyday diets.

Dairy ingredients can give food manufacturers flexibility to develop products with additional protein and other nutrients across categories, including beverages, yogurt, bakery products, snacks, and ready-to-eat foods.

‘The Philippines remains one of USDEC’s most important markets globally and the largest destination for U.S. dairy exports within Southeast Asia,’ said Dali Ghazalay, Regional Director, U.S. Dairy Export Council, Southeast Asia.

As Filipinos navigate nutritional needs at different stages of life, improving access to quality protein does not necessarily require abandoning familiar foods. Instead, experts point to the value of complementing staples such as rice with diverse, nutrient-rich protein sources.

For food manufacturers, this presents an opportunity to develop products that combine nutrition with the affordability, taste, convenience, and accessibility that consumers increasingly expect.

Ultimately, improving nutrition across the life cycle may begin with a simple principle: what people eat matters not only in quantity, but also in quality.