Category: Business Mirror

THE Independent Commission on Infrastructure has asked the Department of Justice to issue an immigration lookout bulletin order (Ilbo) against former Senate President Francis Escudero, former Speaker Martin Romualdez and several other present and former public officials linked to the anomalous flood control projects.

An Ilbo is an order issued by the DOJ directing immigration officers to closely monitor and report the travel of ertain individuals.

Aside from Escudero and Romualdez, other officials subject of the request for ILBO are incumbent senators Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada and Emmanuel ‘Joel’ Villanueva.

Former senators. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. and Maria Lourdes Binay Angeles (now Makati mayor).

The ICI is also seeking Ilbo against several members of the House of Representatives namely Roman Romulo, James ‘Jojo’ Ang , Patrick Michael ‘PM’ Vargas, Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde, Nicanor ‘Nikki’ Briones, Marcelino ‘Marcy’ Teodoro, Florida ‘Rida’ Robes, Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Benjamin ‘Benjie’ Agarao, Leody ‘Ode’ Tarriela, Reynante ‘Reynan’ Arogancia, Teodorico ‘Teodoro’ Haresco, Jr., Antonieta Eudela, Dean Asistio, Marivic Co-Pilar; former congresmen Florencio Gabriel ‘Bem’ Noel and Marvin Rillo.

The request also include government officials identified as Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario G. Lipana, his contractor-wife Marilou Laurio-Lipana, Education Undersecrerary Trygve L. Olaivar, campaign distributor of Escudero Maynard Ngu, Department of Public Works and Highways district engineers Loida Busa, Ramon Devanadera, Johnny Protesta Jr. and Arturo Gonzales Jr.; Rillo’s aide ‘Bogs’ Magalong and Carlene Villa.

Bureau of Immigration spokesman Dana Sandoval said the DOJ has approved the request of the ICI for the issuance of an ILBO against Escudero, Romualdez and 31 others.

‘We confirm receipt of the ILBO issued by the Department of Justice against 33 individuals today, October 8. Their names have been immediately included in our centralized database and their travels will be strictly monitored,’ Sandoval said.

No public hearings

THE ICI will continue its closed-door proceedings despite calls from the Iglesia ni Cristo and several other individuals ang groups to open its proceedings to the public, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said.

‘Well right now, the policy stays. But as long as we keep on informing the public as much as possible with regard to information that would not trample upon the individual rights to others, then no, nothing will change,’ Hosaka said.

‘As I’ve always said before.when our resource persons accuse others, those accusations have to be verified in some way. It’s difficult if we simply listn to someone’s statement, especially without even checking their background or character. So we also look into that,’ he added.

The Iglesia ni Cristo, through its Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, earlier called on the ICI to be transparent with its proceedings as the group is closely monitoring the issue on flood control projects.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan is also asking the ICI to reconsider its position not to livestream its proceedings.

Summons

THE ICI has finally summoned former former Speaker Martin Romualdez and several other individuals to testify about insertions in the national budget and the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects.

Romualdez, a first cousin of PresidentMarcos Jr., is among the lawmakers and government officials who are being linked to anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects.

The former Speaker had denied both allegations, claiming that he never stole public funds or received bribes.

The summon, dated October 8, was sent by the ICC to Romualdez’s office at the House of Representatives.

It requested Romualdez to appear before the commission on October 14, 2025 at 10 a.m at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The ICI said Romualdez will be asked ‘to discuss and confer with the panel under oath regarding his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions and as well as the DPWH flood control projects.’

The ICI also sent an invitation to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to discuss with the panel the procedure of the National Expenditure Program (NEP) and Implementation of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) including the procedures for release of the unprogrammed funds.

‘The primary purpose of the request is to seek authoritative guidance from the DBM on matters about the NEP and the GAA more particularly those line projects which are linked to the ghost projects, substandard or otherwise unfinished implementations of flood control projects including the procedures for the release of the unprogrammed funds, which is a matter under inquiry by the Commission,’ the ICI invitation stated.

Romualdez statement

THE office of Romualdez on Wednesday confirmed receiving an invitation from the ICI, stating that the former speaker is prepared to appear before the commission.

In a brief statement, the lawmaker said he welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the commission and fully supports its mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance.

The former speaker is expected to appear on Tuesday, at 10 a.m., before the ICI.

‘Representative Romualdez welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the commission and fully supports its objective of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance,’ the statement read.

Romualdez also expressed his readiness to appear before the commission in connection with its ongoing inquiries.

‘In this regard, Rep. Romualdez is prepared to appear before the Commission,’ the statement added.

In the case of Party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co of Ako Bicol, who previously served as chairman of the Appropriations committee, the ICC issued a subpoena requiring him to appear before the commission and to bring various documents in relation to flood control projects undertaken by companies where he or his family have beneficial interest.

The documents include contracts, records, and reports for all government projects, project proposals, and master plans related to flood control. Accounting forms and documents such as vouchers, invoices, and official receipts relevant to those contracts.

Incorporation and registration documents, including articles of incorporation, latest General Information Sheets, financial statements, and Income Tax Returns.

Co managed to leave the country for alleged medical treatment in the United States before the massive corruption scandal broke out.

When asked if those persons invited or subpoenaed by the ICI will not cooperate, Hosaka said the commission might seek relief before a court by filing a petition to hold them for indirect contempt.

‘The powers or authority of the ICI is to issue subpoena with regard to contempt powers then we have to go to, to follow a proper procedure which is going to the courts and probably fil a petition for indirect contempt,’ Hosaka said.

HOUSE of Representatives Deputy Minority Leader Leila M. de Lima and Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno of Akbayan have both filed separate resolutions seeking a congressional investigation into the alleged misuse, irregularities, and inefficiencies in the Department of Health’s (DOH) Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) and other related health programs.

De Lima filed House Resolution 353 following reports of massive wastage of DOH funds and potential corruption among government officials, employees, and private contractors-resulting in what she described as ‘haunted hospitals,’ or abandoned, incomplete, and non-operational health facilities across the country.

‘More and more anomalies are being uncovered in the DOH. With so many incomplete or abandoned hospitals and health facilities, are you the Department of Health or the Department of Haunted Hospitals?’ de Lima, the nominee of the party-list group Mamamayang Liberal, asked.

‘These issues of incompetence and irregularities are very alarming and frustrating, especially for the Filipino people who urgently need quality, accessible, and affordable medical services,’ she said.

De Lima lamented that despite the billions of pesos allocated for the construction of hospitals and health centers, many remain unfinished or deliberately left incomplete.

During the House deliberations on the proposed 2026 DOH budget, Diokno flagged that only 200 of the 600 health centers constructed under the HFEP were operational as of 2025. This observation echoed findings cited in de Lima’s resolution, which referred to a 2024 Commission on Audit (COA) report revealing that 123 projects worth P11.5 billion were not completed within their contract deadlines.

Moreover, during the House plenary debates on the DOH budget for next year, de Lima also expressed alarm over the insufficient supply-or complete lack-of medicines in public hospitals, as well as the questionable allocation of government-procured mental health medicines worth hundreds of millions, which are nearing expiration, a portion of which was reportedly delivered to the Rotary Club of Quezon City, but denied by a former official of the latter organization.

In a similar move, Diokno, joined by the Akbayan Reform Bloc members, Reps. Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, filed HR 351 urging the House Committees on Public Accounts and Health to investigate alleged irregularities and inefficiencies in the HFEP, which has received hundreds of billions in funding over the past decade.

The HFEP was designed to construct, rehabilitate, and upgrade barangay health stations, rural health units, and other medical facilities nationwide. However, Diokno pointed out that despite massive allocations, many of these facilities remain idle or underutilized.

‘This is a matter that needs to be looked into because the health of the Filipino people is at stake. Hundreds of billions of pesos have been allotted for this program, yet it has not delivered on its promise of accessible healthcare for our countrymen,’ Diokno said.

Data presented by Akbayan shows that the HFEP budget ballooned from only P43.5 million in 2007 to P34.7 billion in 2025, with a cumulative allocation of P241.4 billion over the past 18 years. The DOH has also disclosed that around P400 billion has been released to local government units (LGUs) under the program in the last decade.

Despite the hefty funding, Diokno said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa himself admitted that only 200 out of 600 HFEP-built centers are functional, comparing the unfinished facilities to ‘flood control projects’ left incomplete.

‘These irregularities undermine the objectives of Republic Act 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which guarantees equitable access to quality healthcare for all Filipinos,’ the Akbayan resolution added.

Both lawmakers stressed that Congress has the constitutional duty to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds and to protect the integrity of programs meant to deliver essential health services.

De Lima previously filed HR 46 in July to probe the unpaid claims of private hospitals under the DOH’s Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (Maifip) program, which had caused several hospitals to temporarily suspend the acceptance of guarantee letters.

With the filing of HR 351 and 353, lawmakers are calling for a full-blown congressional inquiry to determine accountability and institute reforms that will prevent further waste of public funds and ensure that government health programs truly serve the Filipino people.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has turned over a total of P2.6 million of farm machineries and equipment (FMEs) to two agrarian reform beneficiaries’ (ARB) organizations (ARBOs) to boost the income of small farmers in Ifugao province.

Funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), the initiative aims to empower ARBs and support rural enterprises in the province.

DAR said they expect farmers to benefit from increased productivity, reduced costs, and improved market access.

In Alfonso Lista, the agency handed over a P1.438-million hauling truck to the San Quintin Rural Improvement Club Inc. (RIC).

The vehicle is expected to provide a faster and safer mode of transporting farm produce and reduce postharvest losses, cut costs, and expand market opportunities for ARB members.

RIC President Eliza Sevilleja said the new vehicle will significantly support the cooperative’s mission of promoting sustainable agriculture and community empowerment.

‘This hauling truck will greatly ease the burden of our local farmers.’

Meanwhile, in Lamut, DAR also turned over a P1.2-million four-wheel-drive tractor to the One Lamut Agriculture Cooperative (OLAC). The tractor is expected to improve land preparation, reduce production costs, and enhance the overall efficiency of OLAC’s farmer-members.

OLAC General Manager Grace Marie Balaquit said the provision of the tractor will strengthen the cooperative’s operations and inspire members to improve their services.

Both turnovers were formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Trust Agreement between DAR-Ifugao and the recipient ARBOs, outlining clear guidelines for the use, management, and maintenance of the machinery.

DAR officials, led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Laurence Bulayungan and Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) Leonor Bascos, emphasized that DAR’s mandate extends beyond land distribution to include vital support services that directly uplift farmers’ livelihoods.

The twin projects demonstrate DAR-Ifugao’s ongoing efforts to promote mechanization and rural enterprise development. Beyond easing farm labor and transport challenges, the new machinery is expected to foster cooperative growth, create more income opportunities, and contribute to the broader socio-economic development of agrarian reform communities in the province.

SEN. Loren Legarda vowed to block on ‘every step of the way’ the government’s plan to put up a nuclear plant in her home province, Antique.

Legarda also cautioned government agencies not to seek budget allocation for any study involving nuclear energy with Antique as a possible site. ‘It will not ply. Don’t waste money on any study on that,’ she said.

Legarda made her intentions known during the Senate Finance committee hearing on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Thursday.

Antique has been recommended as a nuclear energy site, Legarda said as she expressed surprise that her home province was among the fewer than 10 areas recommended as a possible nuclear plant site.

‘Just put it on record, I am not in favor of that, and I think the provincial government will not be in favor, and my fellow kasimanwa will not be in favor,’ Legarda said.

Directing her questions to Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla III, Legarda asked what the basis was for identifying Antique as a possible nuclear energy site.

‘Why is it [Antique] identified among several areas or districts, or provinces cited for a nuclear site? Binabaha tayo, may bundok tayo, may katutubo tayo,’ Legarda told Lotilla, who was a former Secretary of Energy (DOE).

Lotilla, who is also from Antique, said the identification of possible nuclear energy sites in the Philippines was made by an interagency body, but said that, as DOE, he is not privy to the science behind the selection process.

‘There’s an interagency on the nuclear program chaired by the DOE that has been conducting studies, and Antique was identified as a possible site. In addition, the interagency is looking for other sites,’ says Lotilla.

He said that from the DENR standpoint, he will depend on the government’s direction through Congress.

Nevertheless, he said, should Congress decide to move ahead to implement the nuclear program, he vowed to enhance the capacity of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in line with its regulatory function that includes the issuance of the environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

But Legarda reiterated her opposition to the plan. ‘May I know which government agency studied it? Antique was among the less than 10 areas where a nuclear power plant would possibly be constructed. I am not in favor, and I am not alone. I will block it every step of the way. Whichever agency, I will stop it,’ she said.

Lotilla promised to look into Legarda’s query and vowed to find out more from the interagency committee and provide more information to the lawmaker.

He said even as DOE Secretary then, he was not aware of the details because what the interagency body had was a mere survey of what the suitable site.

He added that he has no access to the specific studies that came up with Antique as a possible nuclear energy site.

‘In the past, there was a study on the northern part of Antique, but it did not push through. Even before the declaration of a Protected Area, there, at that time, there was consideration of fault line and so on,’ he shared.

FIVE more Cebu-based business process outsourcing (BPO) companies have been added to the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole) list of establishments to be investigated for possible violations of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Law.

BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN)-Cebu Spokesperson John Kyle Enero said on Wednesday that the group has now identified a total of 28 BPO companies that may have violated safety standards and labor rights during and after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30.

‘Our initial announcement to the public was that 10 BPO companies were potentially liable for violating OSH standards and labor rights. On October 6, that number rose to 23, and as of now, our total count is 28,’ Enero said during a Senate hearing.

‘We have a copy of the list of companies with potential violations of OSH standards. We want these firms to be included on Dole’s list for investigation during inspections.’

The updated list will be forwarded to DOLE for formal investigation in its upcoming inspections.

Last week, a group of BPO employees flagged 10 BPO firms for violating safety protocols after several agents were reportedly forced to report for duty during the earthquake.

According to the group, emergency exits of their working floors were blocked, preventing them from leaving the building. Retaliatory actions, including sanctions, loss of incentives and explanation notices were supposedly issued to employees who refuse to work.

On October 6, DOLE issued suspended the operations of a BPO company, until it has addressed the unsafe conditions and labor violations that pose danger to its workers. The order was lifted on Thursday after the company complied with the agency’s requirements.

‘We observed many issues during our inspections of some BPOs. For instance, their emergency lighting systems were not working. That’s a major concern during emergencies, especially since we know BPOs operate at night,’ Dole-7 Regional Director Roy Buenafe said.

According to Buenafe, the agency has so far completed the inspection of two of the six BPO companies that are under DOLE’s initial list for allegedly violating OSH protocols. He added that all six cases were expected to be processed by the end of the day, noting that some firms had yet to comply with the orders.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo instructed the labor department to discuss with other government agencies the filing of an illegal detention case against the BPO companies who prevented workers from using their building’s emergency exits.

‘Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies or other government agencies na pwedeng magfile ng kaso. Illegal detention, I want it filed,’ Tulfo said.

TENNIS sensation Alex Eala captured her breakthrough Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles title anw d served as anchor as Filipino athletes made it a ‘September to remember.’

On a high from her milestone first-round victory at the US Open main draw in August, Eala followed up with her maiden championship run at the Guadalajara WTA 125 Open in Mexico.

The 20-year-old ace fought with much intensity and passion all the way through, sealing it with a searing comeback from a set down to beat Hungary’s Panna Udvardy, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.

With her exploits, Eala smashed her way to the top of the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s roster of achievers for the ninth month of 2025.

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena, the Alas Pilipinas Men, darter Lovely Mae ‘Bebang’ Orbeta and pickleball player Bambi Zoleta also produced noteworthy performances in the other fronts.

Obiena helped stage a world-class street pole vault event-Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge at the Ayala Triangle-and gave local fans a complete treat by beating his foreign rivals for the gold with his season’s best 5.80 meters.

Alas Pilipinas spiked its stint in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship at home with a massive upset of No. 21 Egypt, 29-27, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21.

It was the country’s first-ever win in the global meet and the team nearly made more history but lost to No. 14 Iran, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22, in a close battle for a round of 16 berth.

Writing history for Philippine darts, Orbeta hit the bull’s eye at the World Darts Federation (WDF) World Cup in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, capping an exceptional run with a dominant 7-2 victory over seasoned American Paula Murphy in the finale.

A decorated soft tennis player, Zoleta showed topnotch skills in another sport, copping a pair of gold medals at the World Pickleball Championship Tier 5 in Bali.

Zoleta beat Indonesian Angie Bong, 21-15, for the tiara in the women’s singles 19+ 4.5 category, and teamed with Patricia Raymundo in overpowering Marine Demol and Mila Yatmi, 21-6, for the doubles mint.

Also making it to the September honor roll were Joseph Arcilla, Samuel Nuguit, Patrick Mendoza, Bien Zoleta, Princess Catindig and Christy Sañosa, who topped the mixed team division of the 9th Asian Soft Tennis Championships in Mungyeong City, Korea, as well as the Philippine team that claimed the Overall Nation Championship Trophy at the FIA Asia Pacific Motorsport Championship in Sri Lanka.

THE acceptance of the Ant Group’s global wallet gateway, Alipay+, has expanded to over 100 countries and regions giving users an edge when travelling.

In a statement, Alipay Connect Pte. Ltd. (DBA Alipay+) said that with the expansion of its network, it now connects 1.8 billion users and 40 international payment partners.

The Singapore-headquartered firm added that in the first half of 2025, over 6.5 million consumers made cross-border payments for the first time, bringing new opportunities to global merchants.

‘Alipay+ aims to support the travel ecosystem with AI-powered payments and digital services to enable online and offline merchants, tourism partners, and other fintechs to create customer-centric engagements for mobile-savvy consumers,’ Ant Group Co. Ltd. Senior Vice President Douglas Feagin was quoted in the statement as saying.

‘Through greater collaboration, we can create a new future of travel, one that enhances the experience for consumers, and promotes growth and connectivity,’ Feagin added.

Alipay+ now offers a built-in AI travel agent that integrates Trip.com, Agoda and Grab and called ‘Alipay+ Voyager.’ The platform also has ‘Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit,’ an AI-as-a-Service solution for digital wallets to build AI-native solutions. The company also offers an ‘Expanded Global Blue’ in-app tax refunds for more partners, creating ‘an end-to-end digital experience.’

According to the company, it is also deepening collaborations with national payment networks. Alipay+ transactions via national standardized QRs have almost doubled, the firm claims. ‘This is mainly due to the ease by which travellers can make payments at SMEs and merchants in smaller cities through Alipay+.’

‘Travel has a significant impact to local economies, and we believe that mobile wallets can be a catalyst for growth, connecting travellers and businesses in more ways than ever,’ Feagin said.

Alipay+ is a unified wallet gateway with cross-border payment and digitisation services that help connect global merchants to consumers.

Its operator claims that consumers enjoy ‘seamless payments’ in a broad choice of deals and the ‘convenience of digital services using their preferred payment app/e-wallet while travelling abroad.’

Many small and medium-sized businesses already use Alipay+ digital tools to enhance efficiency and achieve omni-channel growth, according to the company.

IN the wake of alleged abuse of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) workers during and after the earthquake in Cebu, a senator who belongs to a family that rents out office space to BPOs pushed the passage of a bill that provides stronger protection for workers of those establishments.

Citing the experience of workers in certain BPO companies in Cebu, whose safety was reportedly disregarded by employers during and after the September 30 magnitude 6.9 earthquake, Sen. Camille Villar said the earthquake underscored the urgency of the measure, as she called out Cebu-based firms that forced employees back to work amid the recent disaster.

Cebu-based BPO workers assailed unsafe return-to-work policies, harassment, and threats of job loss for prioritizing their safety as they were forced to report back to work shortly after the killer quake.

‘No worker should ever have to choose between their safety and their job. The welfare of our BPO employees must always come first,’ Villar said, reiterating her call for swift passage of the measure.

Senate Bill 1401, or the ‘BPO Workers’ Welfare and Protection Act,’ seeks to institutionalize comprehensive safeguards for employees in the outsourcing sector. A key provision directs the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) to establish and strictly enforce Occupational Health and Safety Standards (OHSS) for BPO work, aligned with International Labor Organization (ILO) recommendations. These standards must be reviewed annually and applied in all establishments, with compliance subject to regular inspections.

In the case of Cebu, the Dole had penalized one BPO company for breach of safety standards.

Villar said these events emphasize why her measure is crucial: ‘BPO workers are at the frontline of our global service industry. Protecting their welfare means protecting the dignity of Filipino labor and ensuring shared prosperity.’

The bill further requires each company to craft its own Workplace Occupational Health and Safety (WOHS) policy, consistent with national standards but adaptable to local conditions.

SB 1401 mandates employers to review these policies annually with input from a designated Workplace Occupational Health and Safety Officer (Wohso), Enforcement Officers, and other authorized representatives, ensuring that safeguards evolve with emerging risks and workplace realities.

Beyond workplace safety, the proposed measure also prohibits the imposition of excessive company bonds and fees on employees who leave before a set period, and explicitly protects them from discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or any other status recognized under human rights standards.

LAST week, I shared my reflections in ‘Gratitude in Five Baskets’. As October unfolds, I find myself drawn into a new thread of gratitude-one focused on our everyday heroes as parents. Just this past month, we celebrated Teacher’s Day and Grandparents’ Day. For this column, let me begin this gratitude series by honoring a quiet but crucial group: pharmacists and health professionals who accompany us in our wellness journey.

From teachers and grandparents to health guides

WE teach our children gratitude, respect and care through celebrations like Teacher’s Day and Grandparents’ Day. In the same way, our pharmacists play a kind of silent mentorship-they advise, protect, and empower our family’s health with utmost simplicity and kindness.

The most fearful time for many of us was during Covid. Back then, my daughter Meagan and I spent a lot of time in Ormoc, Leyte, because she was training with the national fencing team in a bubble camp. I recall our multiple trips to Watsons at SM Ormoc, since it was walking distance to our favorite hotel, Pina Suites.

From choosing immunity boosters, to health equipment like thermometers, to Covid tests, I remember the pharmacists in that branch always greeted us with a smile and gave us practical and prompt recommendations. Being away from home for weeks at a time, it became a calming ritual for my 14-year-old Meagan as she explored skin products at Watsons every visit. She even made a jingle for Watson’s and kept singing it for a while. It goes, ‘What’s on your mind.Watsons,’ which she later pushed me to send to the Watsons Marketing group. They were so nice and gave her a surprise gift bag full of goodies for her effort.

Beyond medication: Prevention as parenting

AS I taught Meagan and Marcus since they were toddlers to wash their hands before and after meals, or later on when they started school to be mindful of their surroundings: that if many people are sick in their class, they should be pro-active and take their supplements with zinc or use their Betadine throat spray. I have always hoped they would carry those habits into adulthood. Those small acts were my way of parenting toward prevention. Watsons, through its parent company AS Watson, mirrors that same mission as they elevate pharmacists’ role to guide us in preventive care across life’s stages.

Just this year, Watsons Philippines entered key partnerships that will train their pharmacists in diabetes care (with Diabetes Philippines Inc.) and will offer free obesity screenings (with Novo Nordisk). These are tools for families to act earlier and ask smarter questions. When we bring our children or parents into a pharmacy, I realize that we can turn ordinary visits into conversations about wellness, not just quick purchases.

We often think of pharmacists as dispensers of pills. But many of them are our first point of contact for our whole family. For our young and silver generations in the house, we might ask for flu medicine for our child or have questions on prescriptions for our aged loved ones.

On September 25 was World Pharmacist Day. ‘On this meaningful day, we extend our deepest gratitude to over 3,000 pharmacists and nearly 10,000 health professionals at AS Watson across the globe. Their commitment goes far beyond in-store services-they also provide online consultations in most of our markets, ensuring customers receive trusted health advice anytime, anywhere. Their expertise is essential in helping our customers navigate their health journeys with confidence,’ said Peter Macnab, international commercial director of AS Watson.

In line with the global celebration of World Pharmacist’s Day, Watsons Philippines joins in the global initiative to empower its pharmacists with expanded health services, aiming to build a healthier future for Filipinos and the wider region.

Modeling help-seeking for our children

WE teach our children to ask questions in class. Let us also model humility by seeking help ourselves-whether from doctors, teachers, or pharmacists. In doing so, we show our children that health, like learning, is a shared journey. I want my children to remember not only how I cared for them, but also how I asked for support when I needed it.

As AS Watson notes, younger generations and the silver generation alike are gravitating toward proactive health. This shift encourages us parents to lean into prevention, not reaction. Every pharmacy trip becomes a lesson-supervise label reading, ask the pharmacist for precautions, and talk about the role of preventive care.

Starting a gratitude habit

FOR every parent reading this, I invite you that in your next drug store visit, stop and look the pharmacist in the eyes, and say, ‘Thank you.’ Tell your children what role that person plays in your health Because gratitude is more than an emotion-it is a practice of seeing, acknowledging, and inviting connection. Let us extend it to all who guide our families in health.

THE House Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee (BARC) has proposed amendments to the 2026 General Appropriations Bill that would allocate P272.3 billion in additional funding for three key sectors: education, health, and agriculture.

The revisions were presented by Committee Chairperson Rep. Mikaela Suansing during a meeting on Wednesday.

Under the proposed amendments, the education sector, which includes the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and the Philippine Science High School System (PSHS), will see a total increase of P56.64 billion.

This is an additional P18 billion on top of the previous P38-billion increment, bringing the sector’s 2026 budget to P1.36 trillion, or 4.36 percent of GDP-the first time it exceeds the 4-percent milestone.

The health sector, covering the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth, will receive an increase of P92.57 billion, up from an earlier P89 billion. The additional P3.2 billion is attributed to the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).

Meanwhile, the agriculture sector, which encompasses the Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), will get an additional P8.7 billion, bringing the total increase to P53.75 billion.

These increases were made possible by reallocating P255 billion previously set for flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with P202.96 billion redirected to education and agriculture, while the remainder supports other agencies.

Suansing emphasized the collaborative effort behind the amendments, expressing gratitude to the BARC members for their ‘wisdom and hard work’ across multiple days of deliberations.

‘The results of our first BARC session were unprecedented, and with these refinements, we have further strengthened the allocations for our key sectors,’ she said.

Senior Vice Chairperson Rep. Albert Garcia moved for the substitution of the entire House Bill No. 4058, including all approved special provisions, for plenary consideration on Friday during the period of amendments.

The House of Representatives is ‘on track’ for the expected approval of House Bill 4058, or the proposed P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for fiscal year 2026, Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III announced on Tuesday.

The GAB will enter the period of amendments and second reading on October 10 and is targeted for final approval on third reading by October 13.