Category: Business Mirror

To strengthen enforcement of solid waste management regulations and promote uniformity among local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the Metro Manila Council (MMC) is set to implement a Garbage Single Ticketing System.

MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes welcomed the proposal, noting that stronger and more harmonized enforcement could help reduce the amount of garbage reaching waterways and drainage systems, which can contribute to flooding.

‘The proper management of solid waste is not only an environmental concern but also a critical part of our flood mitigation efforts. We support initiatives that will strengthen discipline, harmonize enforcement, and encourage every Metro Manila resident to take responsibility for their waste,’ Artes said.

The proposal was made by Las Piñas City Congressman Mark Anthony Santos, who emphasized the need for a unified system of penalties and enforcement against improper waste disposal.

Santos said a single ticketing system would help establish a more coordinated approach to enforcing waste management rules across the metropolis.

‘We need a unified and consistent system that will make enforcement more effective while reminding our constituents that proper waste disposal is a shared responsibility,’ the lawmaker said during the Metro Manila Council meeting held today at the MMDA Headquarters in Pasig City.

Also tackled during the press briefing was the P5,000 anti-littering fine across all LGUs, while Municipality of Pateros imposes a P2,500 penalty.

Those who fail to pay may be required to render community service. The initiative depends on the passing of local ordinances.

Meanwhile, San Juan City Mayor and MMC President Francis Zamora reiterated the importance of developing an Integrated Drainage Master Plan among Metro Manila LGUs to address flooding through a coordinated, region-wide approach.

‘Flooding does not stop at city or municipal boundaries, making it necessary for us, LGUs, to work together in planning and improving drainage systems, waterways, pumping stations, and other flood-control infrastructure,’ Zamora explained.

Artes said that the MMDA is already working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on efforts related to drainage and flood management.

‘The MMDA and DPWH are already working together on this. We are continuously reviewing our flood-control and drainage systems to determine what needs to be improved and upgraded,’ Artes said.

Zamora also requested assistance from the MMDA in conducting regular dredging operations along the San Juan River, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the waterway’s capacity and improving water flow, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

The council also discussed the government’s ongoing proposed waste-to-energy initiatives, which aim to explore ways of converting waste into usable energy while reducing the volume of garbage that ends up in landfills.

During the meeting, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain also presented the proposed Parañaque Spillway Project, a flood-control initiative intended to improve the conveyance and discharge of excess floodwaters and help reduce flooding in vulnerable areas.

In a separate assistance measure, the MMDA announced that they will provide free towing services for vehicles today only, including trucks, that were submerged in floodwaters or stranded due to flooding.

The MMDA said affected motorists may coordinate directly through the official MMDA social media accounts to request assistance. The free towing assistance is available until today, August 18, 2026, only.

‘Overwhelmed’

Following the heavy rainfall, which ‘overwhelmed’ waterways in Metro Manila last Monday and submerged many of its parts in floods, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced the region’s new flood control master plan is expected to be completed this year.

Public Works Secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ B. Dizon made the announcement in a press briefing in Malacañang last Tuesday, where he disclosed the new flood control mitigation measures will include the construction of a water detention basin in Quezon City to prevent the overflow of San Juan River.

‘The logic behind this is to capture and store floodwaters in detention basins we plan to build before they spill into the San Juan River,’ Dizon said in Filipino.

He said they are now considering building the new structure at the Barangay Kaingin Bukid in Quezon City located upstream of the San Juan River. It will be funded under the proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

DPWH noted that the measure will complement its ongoing dredging of the San Juan River to expand the volume of the crucial waterway.

‘The hope is that once constructed, these basins will temporarily hold the floodwaters before they flow downstream, allowing us to discharge the water into the San Juan River only after its water level has receded,’ Dizon said.

The DPWH chief said they are now coordinating with the Quezon City local government unit to secure the right of way for the said project and National Housing Authority to relocate communities, which will be affected by the said initiative.

Biggest mistake

The agency is currently updating its flood control masterplan to include changing needs of local government units (LGU) amid the increasing volume of rains from the changing climate.

‘We do not take action on these matters without the knowledge of the LGUs or in a way that is inconsistent with their master plans; specifically, the drainage master plan-and even the projects proposed in the 2027 budget-all require certifications from regional and local development councils as well as the LGUs,’ Dizon said.

‘I think the biggest mistake or shortcoming [of the previous administration] in the past was the failure to coordinate DPWH projects with local governments,’ he added.

DPWH is targeting to complete the new masterplan within the year. It is currently using the masterplan, which was crafted during the Aquino administration, when DPWH was still under the helm of former Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson.

SOUTHEAST Asia’s digital finance boom will stall unless governments and industry players invest in shared infrastructure-digital identity, payment rails, and real-time fraud intelligence-that allows financial services to remain affordable, trusted, and sustainable.

According to Maya Bank Inc. President and CEO Simeon Angelo S. Madrid, the region has made significant strides in digital payments and account access, but warned that access alone is not the end goal.

‘Access is necessary, but an opened account or downloaded app is not yet a financial outcome,’ Madrid said. ‘Real progress is when people can transact reliably, save regularly, borrow responsibly and become more resilient to financial shocks.’

To get there, he said, governments and shared infrastructure providers should invest in capabilities that benefit the entire ecosystem: digital identity, payment and settlement infrastructure, real-time fraud intelligence, trusted data-sharing standards, and reliable connectivity.

Stronger common foundations, Madrid argued, reduce friction and system-wide costs, freeing individual providers to channel their investments into better products and services.

‘Strong shared infrastructure creates a foundation on which providers can compete more effectively on price, service, reach and innovation,’ he said.

Madrid cited digital identity as an example, saying it can ease onboarding and curb fraud when it is trusted, reusable, privacy-protecting, and interoperable. Open finance, he added, can widen customer choice-provided consumers genuinely control their data and clear standards govern consent, security, liability, and portability.

On pricing, Madrid said affordability is essential to financial inclusion and consumer trust, but should be weighed alongside transparency, reliability, safety, and choice.

Digital financial services, he noted, require continuing investment in cybersecurity, fraud prevention, settlement and reconciliation, customer support, system resilience, compliance, and product development.

‘Consumers should have access to affordable and transparent services, but affordability does not mean every provider must arrive at the same price,’ he said. ‘Different institutions operate under different licenses, business models and cost structures. What matters is that consumers receive fair value, strong protection, reliable service and continued innovation.’

Madrid also pressed regulators across the region to keep rules clear on desired outcomes, proportionate in implementation, and predictable over time, saying this gives institutions the confidence to keep investing.

‘A progressive regulatory environment sets strong standards and clear outcomes, then gives institutions room to innovate and compete within those guardrails,’ he said, adding that consumer protection and innovation need not be competing objectives.

For the Asean, Madrid said the long-term opportunity lies in strengthening the common digital foundation while preserving the diversity of institutions and business models that have expanded access across the region.

‘Payments and financial services are already becoming more connected across Asean,’ he said. ‘The next step is making sure trust, identity, data, and consumer protection can move with them.’

The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday announced that the four former security escorts of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co may face criminal charges, including plunder, after their recanted their previous statements linking former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the multi-billion flood control scandal.

At a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic Clavano IV disclosed that the Ombudsman has yet to receive an official copy of the recantations of Co’s former bodyguards.

However, Clavano noted that the supposed recantations were already attached to the counter-affidavit submitted by Romualdez last August 7 in response to the plunder, graft, bribery and money laundering charges filed against him for allegedly manipulating and pocketing funds intended for flood control projects of the government from 2022 to 20225 amounting to at least P56 billion.

The case against Romualdez is currently undergoing preliminary investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Romualdez’s camp, according to Clavano, has asked the panel handling the preliminary investigation for extension to file a supplemental counter-affidavit Clavano said the panel has yet to decide whether to grant the defense addition time to file the supplemental counter-affidavit.

‘There are indications that the panel of investigators may implead as part of the plunder charge the former security escorts of Zaldy Co, four of whom recently allegedly recanted their earlier statement implicating former Speaker [Martin] Romualdez, Co, and other officials in the alleged cash deliveries at the heart of this case,’ Clavano said.

‘But for all intents and purposes, the investigators do plan to include them as part of the charge because if they will not become witnesses for the prosecution, then they are merely respondents in a crime where they delivered billions of pesos to the respondents in this case,’ he added.

It may be recalled that the Ombudsman has tagged Romualdez as ‘the central figure in a scheme built on the diversion of public funds meant for flood control projects.’

In elevating the complaint to the preliminary investigation stage against Romualdez, the Ombudsman gave weight to the sworn statements of eight of the 18 former soldiers who formerly served as Co’s security escorts.

The Ombudsman said Co’s former bodyguards gave firsthand accounts about the amounts delivered from Co to Romualdez believed to be kickbacks from flood control projects.

The witnesses, according to the Ombudsman, were present, moved with Co, and witnessed the exchange of money firsthand.

The Ombudsman also noted that the affidavits of the bodyguards are corroborated by an independent evidentiary trail – from money exchange companies to bank transfers to shell companies – all using personalities tied to Romualdez.

However, four of the security escorts recanted their affidavits a day before Romualdez filed his counter-affidavit allegedly due to monetary considerations.

Clavano said lawyer Levito Baligod, who serves as legal counsel for Co’s former security personnel, has turned over several evidence including a flash drive containing video recordings to prove that there was money involved over their decision to withdraw their sworn affidavits.

‘If we can show na may consideration yung pag-recant nila, then it will only bolster our position that these affidavits, yung unang affidavit ay totoo talaga,’ Clavano said.

A ‘massive’ financial education campaign must be rolled out in the Philippines to shield consumers from fraud amid the advent of artificial intelligence-enabled technologies, according to the head of the fintech industry group in the Philippines.

FinTech Alliance.PH Chairman Lito M. Villanueva said during a forum last Tuesday the campaign must be geared toward consumers.

‘If you’re talking about who’s the weakest link in terms of the entire ecosystem around cyber fraud, definitely one loophole is consumer protection, or the consumers themselves, because in Filipino, ‘budol’ is real, right?’ Villanueva added.

He said that such a campaign is all the more needed ‘because of the advent or the proliferation of agentic AI or AI-enabled technologies.’

‘Ordinary consumers would not be able to determine what’s real and what’s not, right?’ he added.

Villanueva said this responsibility falls on the shoulders of industry players.

‘That’s really the challenge amongst players in the industry. If there is one thing or commonality across all competitors in the industry, that is really about sharing fraud data insofar as helping to combat fraud as an industry,’ he added.

According to Villanueva, cybersecurity issues should be ironed out alongside gaps or barrier to scale inclusive digital finance if the country wants to embrace digital transformation.

‘It’s definitely not just on data infrastructure, not just on enabling regulatory framework, but also cybersecurity,’ he said.

According to Villanueva, issues on cybersecurity must be faced head-on because ‘if you are to look at statistics right now, you’ve seen double-digit growth year-on-year in terms of cyber fraud.’ He cited the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (Afasa) as one of the ‘good interventions’ to address the so-called gaps.

Villanueva said that efforts must go beyond the law, reiterating the ‘practical’ need to have a ‘massive’ financial education campaign.

He, however, didn’t explain how ‘massive’ this campaign should be.

The figures are staggering yet strangely invisible: P50 billion-yes, billion with a ‘b’-vanished from the pockets of Overseas Filipino Workers and their families in 2024 alone. Not lost to fraud, not stolen through theft, but quietly extracted through foreign exchange markup fees that most recipients never even knew they were payingOur OFWs have long been celebrated as ‘modern-day heroes,’ and for good reason. Their remittances constitute a critical lifeline for the economy, consistently ranking among the largest sources of foreign currency inflows and keeping millions of households afloat. Yet while we honor their sacrifice with rhetoric, we have allowed a predatory practice to flourish that siphons off a significant portion of their hard-earned income before it even reaches their families.

The mechanics of this extraction are deceptively simple. When an OFW sends $1,000 home, traditional banks and remittance institutions apply a markup of 3 to 5 percent on the exchange rate-pocketing roughly P3,000 that should have gone to groceries, tuition, or medicine. Across millions of transactions annually, these percentages compound into the estimated P40 billion lost by personal customers, with another P10 billion disappearing from MSME transactions.

What makes this situation particularly egregious is the veil of opacity surrounding it. According to Wise Philippines, only 21 percent of Filipinos engaged in international transactions are aware that these markups exist. The vast majority remain in the dark, believing they are receiving the ‘real’ exchange rate while institutions quietly pad their margins.

The argument from traditional financial institutions-that these markups represent legitimate costs of currency conversion and risk management-rings hollow in an era of real-time global transactions and digital clearing systems. The 3 to 5 percent premium may have been justifiable decades ago when international transfers required manual processing and significant hedging. Today, fintech shows cross-border transfers can be done for a fraction of these costs; persistent margins suggest institutional inertia-protected by consumer ignorance and regulatory indifference.

The economic implications extend beyond individual households. That P50 billion represents purchasing power permanently removed from the Philippine economy-money that could have stimulated local consumption, funded small businesses, or spent for education. The multiplier effect of this lost capital across thousands of communities is incalculable.

So what is to be done?

First, the BSP and relevant financial regulators must mandate transparency in remittance pricing. Financial institutions should be required to disclose the total cost of transactions-including the exchange rate markup.

Second, financial literacy programs should also cover how international transfers work. OFWs attend pre-employment orientation seminars-an ideal chance to teach them how to compare remittance options and spot hidden fees. Knowledge is the best protection against exploitation.

Third, policymakers should explore frameworks that promote competition in remittances. Fintechs like Wise, which offer transparent mid-market exchange rates, show that lower-cost options are available. Lowering barriers to entry for qualified providers with strong security standards would pressure traditional institutions to cut markups or risk losing market share.

Finally, OFWs and their families must vote with their wallets. The P50 billion figure represents collective power-power that can be redirected toward institutions that offer fairer rates. Comparing remittance services should be as routine as checking prices at the local market.

Our modern-day heroes deserve better than to have their sacrifice diminished by hidden fees and opaque practices. It is time to address this issue head-on and ensure that every peso an OFW sends home goes directly to the family who earned it.

Ten of the Philippines’ club champions are taking their rivalry indoors as Break 100 Premier Golf and Sports Lounge stages The Match: Battle of Club Champions on August 22, bringing together accomplished golfers from some of the country’s most prominent clubs for a high-stakes simulator competition.

Representing their respective clubs are Perry Josef Bucay of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club; Allan Guy of Manila Golf and Country Club; Bayani Garcia of Cebu Country Club; Rey Bolano of Riviera Golf Club; David Holden of The Orchard Golf and Country Club; Justin Tambunting of Alabang Golf and Country Club; Andres Lorenzo of Sta. Elena Golf Club; Gabriel Macalaguim of Tagaytay Highlands International Golf Club; Jay Laurel of Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club; and Marvin Mendoza of Valley Golf and Country Club.

Each has already conquered his respective club. At Break 100, however, they will meet on equal ground, under the same indoor conditions and against the same course simulation, putting the spotlight squarely on consistency, strategy, decision-making, and execution.

The competition begins with a qualifying round that will determine player seeding before advancing to head-to-head match play among the top eight. The winners will then move on to the semifinals, culminating in the championship round where one player will emerge as the inaugural winner of The Match: Battle of Club Champions.

‘We know all of these golfers are champions of their respective clubs. What’s interesting about indoor golf is that everyone gets to play in the same competition and the same environment,’ said Patricia Paulo, President of Break 100 Premier Golf and Sports Lounge.

For Break 100, the event is more than a one-day competition. It forms part of the club’s broader effort to develop a stronger competitive indoor golf community and introduce new formats that bring golfers together beyond the traditional course.

For Engr. Ronald Paulo, one of the partners of Break 100 Premier Golf and Sports Lounge and the visionary behind the Club Champions competition, the event is the realization of a long-held ambition.

‘This has been my dream since we started Break 100, to create something highly competitive, something that we could talk about for years to come,’ he said.

For the players, being a club champion already requires a combination of skill, composure, adaptability, and, sometimes, a little luck. But taking on fellow champions in an unfamiliar indoor format presents an entirely different challenge.

As one of the competitors, Marvin Mendoza, champion of Valley Golf and Country Club, sees the tournament as an opportunity for players to adapt to a different kind of competition.

‘First, get comfortable with the technology. Second, stay patient. Because this is a brand-new format, it’s a completely different experience from playing on a traditional course,’ Mendoza said.

For David Holden, champion of The Orchard Golf and Country Club, luck remains an undeniable part of the game. ‘First and foremost, you need luck. Because at golf, nothing is predictable,’ Holden said. Jay Laurel, champion of Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club, believes adaptability could ultimately determine who takes the title.

‘[The champion] will be the person who can adjust the fastest to the technology of indoor golf,’ Laurel said.

Meanwhile, the champion of Alabang Golf and Country Club, Justin Tambunting, expects patience to be especially important as the players get accustomed to the simulator format. ‘I think we are all not used to this, that’s why it will take a lot of patience,’ Tambunting said.

Beyond individual performance, the competition also brings an added sense of pride as players represent their respective clubs. For Bayani Garcia, champion of Cebu Country Club, that responsibility adds another layer to the competition.

‘Any time we get to wear the colors of our club, it gives extra weight to the tournament and extra motivation,’ said Bayani Garcia. ‘I have a lot to play for, not just for myself, but for my club and for Cebu.’

The tournament also highlights the growing role of technology in the modern golf experience. Break 100’s simulator setup allows players to record their swings and access performance feedback, including AI-assisted swing scoring, while its technology recreates different playing conditions to provide an immersive experience that closely mirrors elements of outdoor golf.

Patricia Paulo stressed that indoor golf is not intended to replace the traditional game, but to complement it. ‘For me, indoor and outdoor golf should complement each other. It should be an ‘and’ rather than an ‘or,” she said.

Located within Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Break 100 is open to both members and non-members, creating an accessible space where experienced golfers can sharpen their skills, competitive players can test themselves in new formats, and newcomers can discover the game in a more relaxed setting.

Golf enthusiasts, friends, and sports fans are invited to witness the action live on August 22, starting at 1:00 p.m. at Break 100 Premier Golf and Sports Lounge in Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. Come watch the country’s club champions go head-to-head, cheer for your club, and enjoy an afternoon of competitive indoor golf, good food, drinks, and exciting matchups. Everyone is welcome to come, watch, and be part of this landmark showdown.

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed local governments (LGUs) to intensify preventive measures against floods and rain-induced landslides owing to the inclement weather that continues to threaten many parts of the country.

The DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) reported that more than 17,000 barangays have moderate to very high susceptibility to flooding and rain-induced landslides from August 17 to 19, 2026.

Moreover, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said it is currently monitoring a low-pressure area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility which has the potential to develop into a tropical depression. Combined with the prevailing southwest monsoon, it is expected to bring heavy rains that may inundate communities and trigger flash floods and landslides, the weather bureau said.

In an advisory, the DILG instructed LGUs to conduct pre-disaster risk assessments covering floods, flash floods, rain-induced landslides, debris flow, strong winds, and other hydro-meteorological hazards.

LGUs were also directed to carry out preemptive or mandatory evacuations in communities repeatedly affected by floods and landslides when conditions warrant, while ensuring that health facilities and evacuation centers have dependable power supplies and functioning generator systems.

Using their respective hydro-meteorological hazard maps, LGUs must identify and prioritize communities in flood- and landslide-prone areas and preposition the personnel and equipment needed to clear road obstructions and keep routes open for emergency response and relief operations.

The DILG, likewise, directed local disaster risk reduction and management personnel to closely monitor river levels in moderately vulnerable areas. In high-risk zones, LGUs must implement preemptive evacuation protocols, particularly for households near active river systems, keep waterways clear, and strictly restrict access to identified flash flood-prone areas.

In areas with low landslide susceptibility, residents should remain alert for warning signs such as sudden changes in water flow or clear water turning muddy.

In moderately susceptible areas, LGUs should consider preemptive evacuation, particularly for residents living at or near the foot of gullies and creeks.

Residents in highly susceptible areas are strongly encouraged to evacuate to safer ground. Those from communities where landslides have already occurred must not be allowed to return until authorities have assessed the area and declared it safe.

The DILG stressed that LGUs must act before conditions worsen, particularly in communities already identified as vulnerable to flooding and landslides, to protect lives and ensure that emergency response operations can be carried out without delay.

Renowned author, journalist and wellness advocate Stephanie Zubiri comes into focus as Toshiba’s Takumi Master of Soulful Living by Toshiba Lifestyle, a global leader in premium home appliances. This partnership marks a strategic milestone for the Japandi Suite, bringing together the minimalist precision of Japanese craftsmanship and the functional warmth of Scandinavian design to create the ultimate expression of quiet luxury.

Known for her acclaimed work in food and travel, Stephanie has dedicated her career to telling stories that matter. Through her platform Soulful Feasts, she has championed the idea that wellness is a holistic pursuit, one that begins in the heart of one’s home. Her philosophy-that life is enriched by purpose and quality-serves as the foundation for this meaningful collaboration.

‘I have always believed that our homes should be a sanctuary-a place where we cultivate our well-being with intention,’ said Zubiri. ‘Toshiba’s Japandi Suite resonates deeply with this. It isn’t just about high-end appliances; it’s about how these tools integrate effortlessly into daily life, helping our homes run smoothly so we can be more present for the experiences that truly matter.’

The Japandi Suite is tailored for those who appreciate thoughtful design. The collection features a 3-in-1 Water Dispenser that masterfully blends hydration and ice-making, ensuring that pure, crystal-clear ice is always available. The Japandi Microwave Oven acts as a versatile culinary partner, employing advanced technologies, like ChefDefrost, ChefFry, ChefSteam, and ChefGrill to turn everyday meal preparation into an effortless, health-conscious experience. Meanwhile, the Japandi Digital Rice Cooker, with its copper-coated binchotan pot and enzyme-activation tech, ensures that the most essential part of the meal is consistently perfect, fluffy and nourishing.

‘Stephanie Zubiri is the embodiment of a Takumi Master. She is someone who brings a rare level of passion and dedication to everything she touches,’ said Anna Marie Alejandro, general manager of Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines. ‘Her ability to find the profound in the everyday aligns perfectly with Toshiba’s vision. We wanted to partner with someone who could show our customers that these appliances are more than just technology-they are partners in creating a life that feels more balanced, deliberate, and truly soulful.’

Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines continues to set a new standard for modern living by combining advanced performance with an aesthetic that prioritizes calm and clarity; inviting everyone to rediscover the joy of the home, transforming daily routines into cherished, meaningful rituals.

More information on Toshiba Lifestyle’s newest product line-ups and campaigns can be found at www.toshiba-lifestyle.com/ph and its official pages on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is offering septic tank cleaning services to its residential and semi-business customers this August in select parts of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Cavite Province at no extra cost.

Maynilad’s sanitation program is one of the company’s efforts to lessen pollution loading into Metro Manila’s river systems. ‘We ask our customers to avail of this service, as it will help to protect community health and the environment,’ said Engr. Zmel Grabillo, Maynilad’s Head of Wastewater Management.

Customers residing in Barangay 80, 89, 138, 139,142 to 146, 148, 149, 151, 160, and 162 in Caloocan; Brgy. Almanza I, Manuyo II, Pamplona 1, Pamplona III, Pillar Village, Pulang Lupa I, Pulang Lupa II, Talon I, and Talon II in Las Piñas; Brgy. Port Area, Quiapo, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Sta. Cruz, and Sta. Mesa in Manila; Brgy. Don Carlos, San Rafael, and San Roque in Pasay; Brgy. Don Galo, San Martin de Porres, Sun Valley, and Tambo in Parañaque; Brgy. Commonwealth, Paltok, Payatas, Salvacion, San Antonio, San Isidro, Sta. Lucia, and Sto. Niño in Quezon City; and Brgy. Dalandanan, Malinta, Maysan, and Parada in Valenzuela may avail of Maynilad’s desludging service.

Moreover, some Maynilad customers in Cavite Province, particularly Brgy. Aniban II, Habay I, Kaingin, Ligas II, Ligas III, Mabolo II, Mabolo III, Maliksi II, Maliksi III, Mambog II to Mambog IV, Malino III, Real I, Real II, Salinas I, San Nicolas III, and Sineguelasan in Bacoor City; Brgy. Anabu I-C, Bayan Luma II, Malagasang II-A, Malagasang II-B, Malagasang II-D, Malagasang II-F, Tanzang Luma I to Tanzang Luma VI Toclong I-A, and Toclong II-B in Imus City may avail of the company’s septic tank cleaning services at no extra cost. Septic tank cleaning service normally costs around Php 4,700 per truck.

Maynilad customers interested in availing of the company’s septic tank cleaning service may call the Maynilad Hotline 1626 to determine the requirements and procedures. Additional information is also available in the company’s website, www.mayniladwater.com.ph, and social media accounts (X: @maynilad, Facebook: /MayniladWater).

Maynilad operates the largest water concession by population served within a single concession area in the Philippines. It is a concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (certain portions), Quezon City (certain portions), Makati (west of South Super Highway), Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon, all in Metro Manila; the cities of Cavite, Bacoor and Imus, and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is stepping up implementation of the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project in Davao Oriental to secure individual titles for agrarian reform beneficiaries, in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and concerned indigenous people’s tribes with ancestral domain claims or land titles.

The DAR Davao recently held a coordination meeting on the implementation of the SPLIT Project involving the lands of the Kilusang Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran (KKK) in Barangay Taocanga, Municipality of Manay.

The meeting was particularly significant because one of the two landholdings previously covered by a Collective Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CCLOA) is situated within an area covered by a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). This situation calls for careful consideration of applicable laws and procedures, as well as full respect for the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples throughout the process.

The DAR delegation was led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Atty. Joebar C. Pondoc and PARPO I Virginia J. Batosalem, together with CARPO-LTID Roy L. Balilahon, CARPO-PBDD Arlene B. Linsag, and Manay MARPO Raul C. Brion.

During the meeting, DAR officials engaged in dialogue with leaders of the Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) and the Ancestral Domain Management Office (ADMO). The Indigenous leaders openly shared their perspectives and insights, particularly on the cultural, legal, and community considerations that need to be observed in the implementation of the project.

Pondoc emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on meaningful consultation and respect for the rights of all stakeholders.

‘We want to ensure that our Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries [ARBs] receive the support and services they deserve, but we also recognize the importance of respecting the ancestral domain and the rights of our Indigenous Peoples. Through proper consultation and coordination, we can move forward without compromising either,’ he said.

Rather than rushing the process, the participants agreed to move forward through proper consultation, coordination, and compliance with established procedures. Among the identified next steps is the preparation of a project profile for submission to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region XI, in support of securing the required Field-Based Investigation (FBI) and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) certification precondition.

For DAR Davao Oriental, the initiative goes beyond the parcelization of collective landholdings and the issuance of individual titles. It is about ensuring that ARBs receive the services and opportunities they are entitled to while safeguarding the ancestral domain, rights, culture, and traditions of Indigenous Peoples.

The continuing coordination among DAR, NCIP, IPS, ADMO, and other concerned stakeholders reflects a shared commitment to a fair, lawful, inclusive, and culturally sensitive agrarian reform process.

Ultimately, genuine agrarian reform is not only about land and titles. It is about creating opportunities for communities to grow, thrive, and build a better future while honoring the history, culture, and identity rooted in the land.

For DAR Davao Oriental, supporting ARBs and respecting ancestral domain go hand in hand in building an inclusive and sustainable future for all.