Category: Business Mirror

THE Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference is set for a high-intensity, action-packed run crammed into just eight weeks to accommodate Alas Pilipinas’s participation in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December.

The import-laden tournament kicks off on Tuesday with the league using its streamlined Reinforced Conference format-the 12 teams are divided into two pools and will play a single round-robin within their groups and the top three teams from each pool will advance to the second round and face off only against the bottom three squads from the opposite group.

Rankings will follow the FIVB classification system based on total wins, match points, set ratio and point ratio.

At the end of the second round, all 12 teams will be re-ranked from 1 to 12 and the bottom four will be eliminated, and the top eight will advance to the quarterfinals, which will follow a 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, and 4 vs 5 knockout format.

The semifinals, championship and bronze medal matches will also be one-game encounters.

Fresh off a dominant preseason, PLDT is aiming to complete a rare triple crown after sweeping both the PVL on Tour and the Invitational Conference.

Led by Russian ace Anastasiia Bavykina, the High Speed Hitters boast a stacked roster and are gunning to finish the year with a perfect record.

PVL president Ricky Palou expressed optimism for another unforgettable conference during Thursday’s press conference of the import-laced conference-backed by Milcu, Fabriano Appliances, Mikasa and International Container Terminal Services Inc.-at the Discovery Suites in Ortigas.

‘We’re looking forward to a very exciting conference,’ Palou said. ‘It’s going to be more competitive than usual because it’s Reinforced-we still have to see the caliber and skills of the imports. Whoever wins the championship, it’s anybody’s game.’

Creamline will look to bounce back with American spiker Courtney Schwan, seeking to defend its title, while Petro Gazz returns with a proven weapon in Lindsey Vander Weide, a key figure in their 2022 championship run.

Galeries Tower has signed former Chery Tiggo import Jelena Cvijovic of Montenegro, Nxled will lean on Spanish standout Paola Martinez Vela, Akari welcomes American Annie Mitchem, while Capital1 brings in Ukrainian Oleksandra Bytsenko.

Chery Tiggo tapped Cuban veteran Yunieska Robles Batista, Choco Mucho will be reinforced by American Anyse Smith, Cignal will rely on Greek hitter Eva Chantava, Farm Fresh looks to make waves with Belgian Helene Rousseaux, and ZUS Coffee is banking on American spiker Anna DeBeer.

THE Department of Finance (DOF) announced last Thursday of having maintained its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification for its compliance with global standards.

A statement issued by the DOF read that the department sustained its ISO 9001:2015 certification for eight years, following a third surveillance audit conducted in September 2025.

By securing an ISO certification, an organization’s management system, process, service, or documentation procedure has met all the global requirements for standardization and quality assurance set by the International Organization for Standardization.

According to the non-governmental body, ISO 9001 is a standard ‘that sets out the requirements for a quality management system. It helps businesses and organizations to be more efficient and improve customer satisfaction.’

‘This stamp of approval from the ISO is evidence of the kind of public service that we at the DOF are committed to delivering. At the DOF, there is no room for ‘just good enough.’ Everything must be aligned with global standards,’ Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto was quoted as saying in the statement.

The ISO 9001:2015 Certification for its Quality Management System is the most widely recognized quality management standard in the world.

An external team regularly conducts surveillance audits to verify continuous adherence to ISO standards. The third Surveillance Audit on the DOF was carried out on September 17 and 18, 2025.

The audit covered the DOF’s core processes, such as the granting of tax exemptions on importations by the Revenue Office (RO), the support services provided by the Policy Development and Management Services Group, and the functions of the Legal Affairs Office.

The DOF received a feedback score of 99.55 percent in the service quality dimension during the second quarter of 2025.

In 2017, the DOF secured its first ISO 9001 certification (2008 version), covering the core processes of the RO and the Municipal Development Fund Office, and the updated 2015 version later that same year.

Since then, the DOF has maintained its certification through successful recertification audits conducted in 2021 and 2024, alongside annual surveillance audits.

BESIDES the national government agencies and the police force, the Philippine Postal Corp., the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) have pulled in weight to help Masbate’s storm victims and earthquake survivors in Cebu. The Makati city government also sent volunteers and material aid.

The PCSO earlier said that it has already handed out millions worth of evacuation kits and relief goods to families impacted by Typhoon ‘Opong’ in Masbate, and the earthquake in Cebu.

Covering daily deliveries through C130 flights, and the Philippine Coast Guard vessel ‘Gabriela Silang’, a larger wave of assistance is set to follow by land with a PCSO caravan scheduled to leave Manila Sunday morning on October 5, delivering more aid to both regions.

The caravan will transport substantial quantities of relief supplies to the affected provinces.

Among the resources being dispatched are 11 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) for Cebu, alongside five dump trucks from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dedicated to carrying essential relief items.

To ensure a steady supply of aid, the convoy will also include at least five wing vans and one bus filled with crucial necessities for the families in need.

Masbate is under a state of calamity as it grapples with the aftermath of the typhoon that displaced thousands, destroyed homes, and severely impacted agricultural lands.

In Cebu, the magnitude 6.9 earthquake has left over 20,000 individuals displaced, with Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio among the most severely affected areas.

Thousands of residents remain in evacuation centers or have been forced to sleep outdoors due to ongoing aftershocks, highlighting the urgent need for immediate assistance.

‘We cannot turn away from the suffering of our fellow Filipinos in Masbate and Cebu,’ stated PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles.

PRC tents as shelter

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., together with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, had personally called Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard Gordon to seek the Red Cross’ assistance in deploying tents for displaced families in Northern Cebu.

Dizon, who closely worked with Gordon during the pandemic response, recalled the effectiveness of PRC tents as hospital extensions during the Covid-19 crisis.

Gordon swiftly mobilized PRC assets from warehouses in Manila, Cebu, and Subic, including prepositioned medical and family tents, food supplies, and emergency equipment ready for rapid dispatch to the hardest-hit communities.

Currently, PRC is on standby and awaiting the go-signal from the LGU, which is identifying an open area where the tent city can be set up. Once the site is confirmed, PRC will also assist in camp management to ensure safety, order, and proper living conditions for displaced families.

Dizon assured that DPWH, in coordination with DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, will provide full logistical support-including air transport via C-130s if necessary-to ensure the swift delivery of aid.

‘The President moved quickly and decisively. That kind of leadership is what our people need in times of crisis. His call to action allows the Red Cross and government agencies to work hand in hand in bringing immediate relief to the victims of this earthquake,’ Gordon said.

‘PRC is an auxiliary to the government. We stand ready to work with DOH, DSWD, DPWH, DND, and all agencies to ensure the welfare of our people,’ Gordon added.

PHLpost delivers hope

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has deployed its fleet of vehicles in Central and Eastern Visayas to support the DSWD in transporting relief supplies to families affected by the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu.

Postal trucks were used to deliver food packs, sleeping kits, and laminated sacks for temporary shelters to Bogo City and nearby municipalities. Postal Area 5 Director Marilyn Alcoy has been coordinating with DSWD Cebu to mobilize trucks and personnel, ensuring timely delivery of aid to evacuation centers and affected communities.

As the country’s universal service provider, PHLPost maintains a nationwide logistics and delivery network capable of reaching even the remotest barangays. The agency also keeps a standby fleet of trucks and has identified facilities nationwide that may serve as logistics hubs during disasters, enabling it to complement government relief operations.

Meanwhile, Makati Mayor Nancy Binay has ordered the deployment of a Search and Rescue Team to Cebu. The team of 12 highly trained search and rescue personnel, including four licensed nurses and EMTs, arrived in Cebu on Wednesday, October 2, to assist in relief and recovery operations in the affected areas.

The team brought critical equipment including specialized search and rescue tools, a generator set, power tools, and a drone to support operations on the ground.

SHFC freezes loan payments

Meanwhile, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), an attached agency under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), has declared a one-month moratorium on housing amortization payments for partner-homeowners in communities affected by recent natural calamities.

The declaration of moratorium is in response to President Marcos, Jr.’s directive and DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling’s instruction to extend urgent support to disaster-affected communities.

The moratorium covers member-beneficiaries affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu, as well as Typhoons Nando and Typhoon Opong in Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region V (Bicol), and Region VI (Western Visayas).

SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa said the moratorium seeks to ease the financial burden of affected families so they can prioritize recovery and rebuilding.

AS I said, mouth-watering deals should fill the air as Christmas nears. That has always been the case, given that Filipino car buffs are suckers for bargain offers.

An early bird is Hariphil Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), which is celebrating its 24th year with exclusive deals from Chevrolet and BPI.

Ciana Mae Calsena says a promo that runs until October 31, will grant the buyer of a Chevrolet Captiva a P140,000 cash discount or an all-in down payment (DP) of only P46,000 (based on 20-percent DP).

‘The Chevrolet Captiva isn’t just a car, it’s a trusted family partner that’s made efficient for everyday use and ready for long drives on weekends,’ says Ciana. ‘The Captiva’s advanced safety features includes six airbags, an elevated ride height, MacPherson suspension, and an 18-inch alloy wheels.’

Ciana adds: ‘You stay in control no matter the road conditions. With a 7-seat capacity and flexible cargo configurations, the Captiva adapts to whatever the day demands, whether you are planning for a road trip, grocery run, or school drop-off. Fold the seats for up to 1,709 liters of space, and you’ll have room for everything that matters.’

THE Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) recently held two road safety seminars to build a culture of responsible riding through education and community partnership.

Teaming up with the Mandaluyong City-based Shigi Shigi Riders Club, Inc., the MDPPA embellished the seminar with a poster-making contest at the Highway Hills Integrated High School in Mandaluyong City.

Some 146 students from Grades 8 to 12 attended the event that centered on safe driving practices, personal and vehicle safety, pedestrian awareness, road courtesy and understanding traffic rules and road infrastructure.

‘Teaching road safety at a young age is critical because it lays the foundation for responsible behavior on the road,’ said MDPPA’s Richard Victoria.

A similar event was held in Cavite as part of the 2025 anniversary celebration of Motorsiklo Xklusibo’s ‘Walang Mintis sa Disisais.’

Held at Megaworld Maple Grove in General Trias, the road safety talk focused on real-world issues faced by motorcycle riders, including the most neglected traffic signs, intersection etiquette and the importance of wearing proper helmets.

‘Sometimes, it’s the little things we overlook that put us most at risk,’ said Victoria. ‘Many riders miss important traffic signs or forget how to navigate intersections safely, even if they’ve been riding for years. That’s why we focus on real-world issues like these during our seminars, which beginner and veteran riders alike encounter every day but may not always pay attention to.’

For more than 50 years now, MDPPA has been at the forefront of advocating safer roads through awareness campaigns, public engagement and education-based outreach programs.

By equipping riders with knowledge that addresses both long-standing and emerging road issues, MDPPA ensures that safety remains a shared responsibility across generations and communities.

MDPPA members include leading motorcycle manufacturers Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha and TVS.

Among the many goals of MDPPA is addressing the global industry gaps in road safety, regulation compliance, environmental protection, technology, and innovation through active consultation, representation and communication with various stakeholders.

To learn more about the various advocacies of MDPPA, Nicole Lucena directs us to visit https://mdppa.site/.

PEE STOP The inauguration of the new Lexus building at BGC Taguig on Sept. 26 was cancelled due to Super Typhoon ‘Opong.’ It was moved to Nov. 6, says Lexus AVP Jade Sison-Mendoza. Wise decision. Had the gathering pushed through, many guests might have missed it as ‘Opong’ battered many parts of the country that day, including Metro Manila. Casualties reached 26 as of last count, with destruction of properties and agricultural crops estimated at millions of pesos.Paulo P. Cuento reports that new buyers of select Volvo Plug-in Hybrid and All-Electric models will get a chance to win a trip for two to Europe. This exclusive promo runs until October 31, 2025.

The ADB’s latest Asian Development Outlook is a useful reality check. Slowing global growth, trade tensions and domestic governance problems have combined to nudge the Philippines’ GDP forecast down-modestly for now, but with risks that could turn a small downgrade into a meaningful derailment.

First, the external shock is palpable. The ADB highlights higher US tariffs and broader trade uncertainty as a drag on advanced-economy demand that, in turn, bleeds into the Philippines’ export and investment prospects. The imposition of a 19 percent tariff on Philippine exports to the US raises costs for exporters, and make long-run planning harder for businesses. For an economy that relies on both merchandise exports and foreign investment, the new tariff environment elevates downside risk. It is therefore appropriate that forecasts were trimmed-and that the government treats the change as urgency to diversify markets, upgrade product competitiveness, and support exporters adjusting to higher trade costs.

Second, domestic vulnerabilities matter just as much-if not more. ADB singled out the controversy around flood-control projects as a ‘heightened risk.’ Corruption, contract mismanagement and politicized public works do more than erode public trust; they destroy capital, delay critical infrastructure, and raise the cost of borrowing and doing business. Infrastructure built poorly or stalled by scandal becomes a recurring liability: vulnerable communities remain exposed to flooding, budgetary resources are wasted, and the private sector loses confidence.

Third, the apparent resilience of domestic consumption is a double-edged sword. The ADB and other analysts note that household spending has supported growth amid benign inflation. That is welcome. But deeper inspection shows this consumption is increasingly credit-fueled: higher credit-card use and salary-based loans have helped maintain demand, yet ANZ Research’s warning that some of these practices are ‘unhealthy’ should not be dismissed. Consumption driven by increasing household debt-without significant investment in assets or productive ventures-can obscure fundamental weaknesses. When interest rates or employment conditions shift, the weak link will show up in defaults. Policymakers and regulators should allow domestic demand to support growth while promoting responsible lending, improving financial literacy, and incentivizing savings and productive investment.

Fourth, the inflation outlook allows for policy flexibility, enabling further monetary easing as ADB expects inflation to remain within the BSP target. The BSP has already reduced rates to support growth. However, given global volatility, rate cuts must be data-driven, and temporary support should be linked to structural reforms that ensure financial stability.

The recent ADB downgrade should sharpen political will across the executive, the legislature and watchdog institutions. The Philippines has the demand fundamentals and demographic tailwinds to achieve stronger, inclusive growth. But that path requires greater transparency, fiscal discipline, responsible credit expansion and a proactive diversification of trade and investment ties.

The forecast downgrade serves as a warning, not a verdict. Policymakers need to act swiftly and decisively-addressing corruption that harms infrastructure, safeguarding household finances, and preparing the economy to withstand external shocks. By taking these steps, the Philippines can maintain and enhance its growth potential. Failing to act could turn today’s modest downgrades into more significant losses in the future.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday formally proclaimed the first nominees of Abono, Ang Probinsyano, and Murang Kuryente to take over the three party-list seats in the House of Representatives once reserved for Duterte Youth.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the proclamation capped the poll body’s monthslong deliberations after Duterte Youth lost its bid to stop the cancellation of its registration.

On September 30, the clerk of the commission issued a Certificate of Finality and Entry of Judgment, affirming that the August en banc decision voiding the group’s registration was final and executory.

‘They will fulfill the three seats supposedly to be awarded to the Duterte Youth after the en banc decision disqualifying them became final and executory,’ Garcia said in a press conference.

Abono’s Robert Raymond Estrella, Ang Probinsyano’s Alfred delos Santos, and Murang Kuryente’s Arthur Yap received their certificates of proclamation after their groups each secured one seat in the May 2025 polls.

Abono garnered 254,474 votes, Ang Probinsyano 250,886 votes, and Murang Kuryente 247,754 votes.

Chairman Garcia said the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) followed the same formula applied in the disqualification of An Waray, where the next party-list in line was proclaimed to fill the vacancy.

‘The decision of the NBOC is based on the recommendation of the Commission’s Law Department and Supervisory Group.At the same time, we also applied Banat vs. Comelec. The Supreme Court said an integer cannot be treated as a person. That’s why we went down to three, consistent with what we did in the An Waray case,’ he explained.

Duterte Youth had won 2.33 million votes, the second-highest tally among party-list groups in the May elections, which would have entitled it to three seats.

But the Comelec en banc declared its registration void ab initio for failure to comply with mandatory requirements of publication and hearing when it first sought accreditation in 2019.

The Supreme Court did not act on its petition for a temporary restraining order within the 30-day period, effectively sealing its disqualification.

Estrella, delos Santos, and Yap will now join the House as party-list representatives for a full three-year term ending June 30, 2028.

AT least P1 billion in election funds have gone to waste following the Supreme Court’s decision striking down two Bangsamoro redistricting laws, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday.

The SC recently voided Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Redistricting Act of 2025, and BAA No. 58, or the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Districts Act of 2024, declaring both unconstitutional.

With no governing law in place, the Court said the poll body has no legal basis to proceed with the region’s parliamentary elections this month.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said all election materials deployed in the field will have to be returned to warehouses, while automated counting machines must be reconfigured.

Ballots, he added, will be destroyed because they no longer match any new redistricting law.

‘It is P1 billion and above because that already includes, of course, the printing of that many ballots. For the rentals, maybe we have not fully paid yet, but there are milestones.with partial payments. We have also procured other materials,’ Garcia said in a press conference.

Garcia stressed that the commission cannot prepare again until the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) enacts a new redistricting law.

‘All preparations have to start if there’s already a law. Maybe there are a few preparations we can do not related to the law, but most of Comelec’s activities are only when there is a statute because that’s where it is stated how the districts are divided,’ he said.

He also said the Comelec is willing to assist the BTA in drafting the new measure, but emphasized it will not influence parliament’s decision since it is under the latter’s ‘pure, absolute discretion.’

BTA to draft new law

Meanwhile, Bangsamoro interim Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua vowed that parliament will immediately pass a new law so the elections can push through next year.

‘In full compliance with the Court’s directive, the Bangsamoro Government will immediately work to enact a new redistricting law-one that ensures meaningful representation, advances equitable development, and stands firmly on constitutional grounds,’ Macacua said in a statement.

He added that the BTA is ‘saddened by the delay’ but acknowledged that the buffer period could help ‘strengthen the integrity of our democratic process.’

‘We call on our partners, stakeholders, and the entire Bangsamoro community to remain united and steadfast as we navigate this challenge. Together, we will ensure that our first parliamentary elections are built on the strongest possible legal foundation-an enduring step towards peace, stability, and a stronger Bangsamoro,’ he said.

If the new redistricting law is enacted and survives constitutional scrutiny, the region’s first parliamentary elections are set to push through on March 31, 2026.

THE Sandiganbayan’s Special Fifth Division has affirmed its decision, denying Senator Jinggoy Estrada’s motion to immediately dismiss the 11 graft charges filed against him in connection with alleged irregularities in the disbursement of his P231.5 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) from 2008 to 2010.

In a 22-page resolution, signed by Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses and Maryann Corpus-Mañalac and Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, the Sandiganbayan held that Estrada failed to raise arguments that would warrant the reversal of its ruling issued last March 26, 2025 denying the senator’s demurrer to evidence.

A demurrer to evidence is a motion filed by an accused after the prosecution rests its case, asserting that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a conviction.

If the demurrer to evidence is granted, the accused is acquitted.

‘After a careful perusal of the arguments raised by accused Estrada in his motion for reconsideration, the Court finds no cogent reason to disturb its findings in the assailed resolution denying his demurrer to evidence,’ the anti-graft court declared.

With the denial of his demurrer to evidence, the Sandiganbayan said Estrada’s lawyers may present their evidence during the continuation of the trial on October 2, 2025.

The Sandiganbayan did not give credence to Estrada’s claim that the graft cases should be dismissed as the acts alleged in these cases were the same acts cited in the plunder case filed against him which had already been dismissed.

‘The Court must stress that even granting hypothetically that the present charges for violation of Section 3 [ e ] of R.A. 3019 are indeed the same predicate acts for which accused was charged in the plunder case, the same does not, by itself, warrant the dismissal of the present cases,’ the Sandiganbayan said.

It added that the Rules of Court or jurisprudence does not mandate the dismissal of a separate graft case on account of the charge being a predicate act in a prior case for plunder.

‘The only reason to sustain such an argument would be if the same places the accused in double jeopardy, which is not the case herein.,’ it added. But, the Sandiganbayan said the double jeopardy rule does not apply to Estrada’s graft case, noting the difference in the elements of graft and plunder.

It noted that in the plunder case, Estrada was accused of ‘unjust enrichment’ and amassing ‘ill-gotten wealth’ while the graft cases rest on the issue of ‘causing undue injury to the government’ and ‘giving unwarranted benefits and advantage to private persons.’

Furthermore, the Sandiganbayan said the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against Estrada to support a verdict of guilt in the graft cases, thus, warranting the defense presentation of evidence.

‘With the denial of his demurrer to evidence and the instant motion for reconsideration, accused Estrada is now given the chance to rebut the pieces of evidence and the prima facie case built by the prosecution against him,’ the anti-graft court stressed.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Office of the Special Prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman accusing Estrada of receiving kickbacks by endorsing non-governmental organizations (NGOs) owned and controlled by pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles to the appropriate government agencies as partners-implementers of his PDAF-funded projects which turned out to be fictitious.

It can be recalled that last year the Sandiganbayan acquitted Estrada of plunder in the P183 million PDAF but was convicted of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery.

He was sentenced to eight to nine years imprisonment for direct bribery and meted out a special temporary disqualification from holding public office and perpetual disqualification to vote.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of P3 million.

However, the anti-graft court eventually reversed its decision and cleared Estrada of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery due to lack of evidence.

Motorcycle taxi platform MOVE IT is elevating industry standards with a Driver-Led, Tech-Reinforced Safety Commitment – a comprehensive program that pairs professionalized rider training with live safety technologies at scale.

The company reported a 99.999% incident-free completion rate across thousands of daily rides, and says its priorities are now squarely on the remaining ~0.001% trips.

‘Near-perfect isn’t the finish line,’ said MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto. ‘Leadership in safety means raising the bar every day – professional riders, real-time protection, and transparent accountability on every single trip.’

At the MOVE IT Moto-Taxi Road Safety Dialogue, 31 MOVE IT rider-partner communities signed the Katuwang sa Kaligtasan sa Kalsada, a pledge that anchors a community-led safety culture across the motorcycle taxi sector.

Driver-Led Safety: Professional Standards by Design

MOVE IT’s Pasado Bago Pasada framework subjects every rider to rigorous onboarding, continuous upskilling, and bi-annual retraining.

Highlights of the Pasado Bago Pasada Framework:

Every rider undergoes full government clearance verification. MOVE IT reports 100% compliance with document requirements.

Almost 60% of motorcycles pass inspection on the first attempt, underscoring the strict compliance standards for roadworthiness before deployment.

More than 80% of applicants clear the initial skills test, with the remainder retrained until they meet safety benchmarks.

All riders are mandated to retrain every six months, reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement.

MOVE IT also collaborated with Ateneo’s Bulatao Center for Psychological Services to produce a first-of-its-kind Behavioral Assessment Tool for the motorcycle taxi industry, set to roll out this quarter. Unlike conventional tests that focus solely on technical skills, the tool is designed to measure how riders make decisions, manage stress, and respond to high-pressure or unexpected situations on the road. By grounding assessments in behavioral science, MOVE IT raises the bar on rider professionalism, ensuring that safety is defined not just by ability, but by judgment and conduct in real-world conditions.

Tech-Reinforced: Progressive Safety Innovations

While professional standards are central, MOVE IT said technology is equally critical in keeping roads safe. Through its strategic partnership with Grab, the platform has strengthened its safety infrastructure to support thousands of rides in real time.

In its relaunch in 2023, MOVE IT rolled out first-of-its-kind safety tools in the industry – from live location sharing and in-app SOS integration, to passenger and driver verification selfies and AI-driven trip monitoring.

The platform has since expanded its safety stack with additional tools designed to address some of the most common risks on Philippine roads:

Overspeeding Alerts provide real-time reminders when riders exceed safe limits, reinforcing responsible driving behavior and reducing accident risk.

Fatigue Nudges monitor trip patterns to detect signs of overwork, prompting riders to take breaks and ensuring they are alert before going on the road.

AudioProtect records trip audio in the background, giving both riders and passengers added security by providing clear context for investigations and ensuring fairness in resolving disputes or safety-related reports. Audio Protect will be live on MOVE IT in Q4 2025.

Together, these features aim to prevent accidents before they happen, protect riders and passengers during trips, and deliver greater transparency when incidents occur.

Fair Accountability: Shared Protection and Rapid Response

MOVE IT said professional riders and advanced technology must be backed by transparent accountability.

Reports filed through the app prompt swift investigation, with high-risk cases leading to preventive suspension pending due process. The same standards apply to complaints from riders against passengers.

An Emergency Response Unit of volunteer riders serves as first responders, reaching incidents within 30 minutes to provide aid and coordinate with hospitals and authorities.

All trips are insured, covering both passengers and riders, through partnerships with providers including AIG and Cocolife.

The Coalition for Filipino Commuters, an advocacy group for passenger rights and interests, commended MOVE IT’s progress, calling it ‘inspiring to see how MOVE IT, together with other platforms, is proactively transforming and growing our industry for the better through their respective pioneering efforts.’ At the same time, the group stressed that ‘platforms can only go so far on their own. It is time to standardize these safety measures through the official legalization of motorcycle taxis.’

Jacinto closed with a call for collective action: ‘Safety is not a milestone but a daily mission. We will continue to raise the standards – through professional riders, progressive technology, and fair accountability – until every commuter embraces motorcycle taxis as a truly reliable and viable transport option for our nation.’

THE adverse trio of tepid capital formation growth, weakness of the manufacturing sector, and governance risks could become a ‘persistent drag’ on the country’s growth and development, according to a think tank.

In its latest brief, Global Source Partners Country Analyst Diwa Guinigundo said while the Philippine economy has been resilient, given these challenges, the country needs to be more proactive in addressing its development constraints.

‘The Philippine economy has demonstrated resilience through past shocks, but resilience alone will not suffice in the face of slowing capital formation, manufacturing weakness, external imbalances, and governance risks,’ Guinigundo said.

‘Without timely and credible policy action, the ‘dark clouds ahead’ may settle into a more persistent drag on the country’s development trajectory,’ he added.

Guinigundo said data supported assessments that gross domestic capital formation (GDCF) has kept the country’s economic performance lackluster.

The latest data supported this concern, which showed that the GCDF growth slowed to only 2.4 percent in the first six months of 2025, compared to 6.6 percent in same period last year.

He added that while the recent downgrade in the country’s economic growth outlook by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) may be marginal, these are projected before the ‘full weight of global and domestic risks is felt.’

IMF projection

In a briefing in Manila on Wednesday, IMF Mission Chief for the Philippines Elif Arbatli Saxegaard told reporters that the Washington-based lender projects GDP to average 5.4 percent in 2025 and 5.7 percent in 2026.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) GDP target is at 5.5 to 6.5 percent in 2025 and 6 to 7 percent in the 2026 to 2028 period.

‘Although the Philippine economy remains broadly resilient, its performance in the first half of 2025 fell short of expectations. The IMF stresses that sustained policy discipline and structural reforms are essential to bolster competitiveness, attract investment, and support growth over the medium term,’ Guinigundo said.

Apart from this, he noted that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) estimates that the country’s Balance of Payment (BOP) and Current Account (CA) deficits could widen further.

The BOP is projected to post a steeper decline of 1.4 percent of GDP to a deficit of $6.9 billion for 2025 and post -0.6 percent of GDP to a deficit of $3.4 billion in 2026.

With this, the current account shortfall is expected to stay at 3.3 percent of GDP in 2025 and 2.9 percent of GDP in 2026.

‘In combination with political uncertainty linked to corruption revelations in major infrastructure projects, particularly flood control, this could undermine investor confidence and sustain depreciation pressures on the peso,’ Guinigundo said. ‘Such pressures risk amplifying imported inflation and complicating monetary policy management.’

Guinigundo said domestic price issues have also surfaced. Rice and fish prices remain elevated along with expensive pump prices, straining household budgets nationwide.

Flood, crop damage

Earlier, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said La Niña conditions, which may develop from September to December, could lead to flooding and crop damage in high-risk areas.

‘Given this backdrop, the BSP may find it prudent to hold its policy rate steady in the upcoming Monetary Board meeting, prioritizing financial stability over short-term growth support,’ Guinigundo said.

Earlier, local economists believe that faster inflation in September is not enough reason to exit its easing cycle when the Monetary Board meets next week.

On Wednesday, the BSP said it projects that September 2025 inflation will settle within the range of 1.5 to 2.3 percent. If the high end of the outlook is reached, this will be the second fastest inflation on record this year.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will release the latest inflation print on October 7, ahead of the October 9 policy meeting at the BSP.

Ateneo de Manila University economist Luis F. Dumlao told BusinessMirror on Wednesday that the inflation projection was still within the 2 to 4 percent inflation target of the BSP.

This means, Dumlao said, the BSP has ‘space to be dovish.’ He said any reduction in policy rates will help support the country’s GDP growth.

Dumlao said the country’s GDP growth is growing slower than its natural growth of around 6.2 percent. Reducing policy rates can help boost the country’s economic performance this year.