Category: Business Mirror

THE number of damaged houses in Bogo City and other areas in Cebu has risen to 62,531 as aftershocks of the magnitude 6.9 Offshore Northern Cebu Earthquake on September 30 continue to rock the province.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said as of 12 noon on Wednesday, a total of 9,204 aftershocks, of which 1,682 were plotted and 38 felt were recorded.

The magnitude of these aftershocks ranges between 1.0 to 5.1 on the Richter scale.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its 6:00 a.m. Situation Report issued on October 8, said of the 62,531 affected houses, 4,854 are totally destroyed while 57,677 are partially damaged.

The number of affected families has reached 179,252 or 669,794 people in 245 barangays in 16 cities and towns of Cebu.

The strong earthquake that was traced to the newly-discovered Bogo Bay Fault generated Intensity 7, the highest intensity level. It has so far displaced 6,925 persons, most of whom are now sheltered in six different evacuation centers.

The strong earthquake, a first in Northern Cebu’s history, killed 72 people and injured 559 others. It also triggered two landslides and caused a structural fire. A total of 733 infrastructure facilities were also damaged, including eight road sections and 20 bridge sections, compelling 53 cities and towns to be declared under a state of calamity.

The NDRRMC said P145 million worth of assistance has been provided to affected communities.

Clear homes atop Cebu fault

LOCAL governments in Cebu may need to rework land use plans and relocate residents after experts identified a fault line that triggered last week’s magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the quick response team of Philvolcs has identified the on-land extension of the fault that caused the September 30 earthquake.

Field inspections revealed fresh ground rupture features, including cracks, pressure mounds and fault scarps, in several areas of Bogo City.

‘If houses are located right on top of the fault, our recommendation is that there should be no structures built over an active fault,’ Bacolcol said in Filipino in a media forum. ‘We recommend a five-meter buffer zone on both sides of the fault.’

In addition, local authorities should incorporate the newly mapped fault into their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) and disaster preparedness strategies, he said.

‘The LGU should use the results of the field mapping in their land use planning and preparedness plans so they can integrate the location of the fault,’ he said.

The fault, referred to as the Bogo Bay Fault, was detected through field surveys conducted by Phivolcs on October 3.

The mapped segment runs through Sitio Looc in Barangay Nailon, extending across Barangay Libertad and Barangay Dakit in Bogo City, according to the Phivolcs chief.

Drone surveys and field validation showed that the visible portion of the fault spans about six kilometers on land, though the full length is projected to reach 40 to 50 kilometers, much of which lies offshore.

‘This means a larger part of the fault is under the sea, and what our team is seeing is only its extension. Field verification is still ongoing, and offshore studies will follow to complete the mapping,’ Bacolcol explained.

Smallholder farming has often been viewed as a life of toil with little reward. This International Coffee Month, Nestlé Philippines and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors reaffirm their commitment to rewrite this narrative permanently in the coffee industry.

Project Coffee+, the pilot coffee acceleration initiative of the NESCAFÉ Plan in tandem with the German agency GIZ, has been transforming coffee farmers into agripreneurs, training them in more sustainable and effective methods of coffee growing, and teaching entrepreneurial skills to enable them to run their farms as lucrative businesses. Since 2018, the initiative has uplifted the livelihoods and lives of participating Robusta coffee farmers in Mindanao, where their average yields and incomes have grown threefold.

Transforming coffee farmers’ livelihood and lives

A transformation has been brewing in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat, where 3,000 smallholder farmers who participated in Project Coffee++, the second phase of Project Coffee+, are achieving new levels of income by replacing old ways with new mindsets. They are not simply farmers anymore; they are business owners leveraging regenerative agriculture and entrepreneurial practices to build profitable, sustainable, and resilient livelihoods. Close to 80 percent of all Project Coffee+ participants have since crossed the poverty threshold.

Farmers like Pedro Regidor, Richard Lozaga, and Reynaldo Teofilo, are some of the Project Coffee+ participants who are embracing regenerative agriculture to heal the soil and produce quality green coffee beans. They are proving that coffee farming is a good source of income, particularly with meaningful interventions from the private sector, NGOs, and government agencies. Interventions include technical training, financial support, farming inputs, and access to ready buyers.

From bean to bank – Richard Lozaga’s 9MT harvest boosts farm expansion

In 2009, Richard began planting coffee on his 5-hectare farm in Sultan Kudarat. Before joining Project Coffee++ in 2023, Richard’s coffee yield was a little over 7MT – then already a sizable harvest, considering that the national average coffee yield was only 300kg per hectare.

But in crop year 2024, Richard’s coffee output grew to 9MT, proving he could maximize farm productivity by shifting to high-yielding coffee plantlets, regularly pruning and cutting trees, and allocating more areas for coffee.

‘Dahil sa mga natutunan ko sa training sa programa ng Project Coffee+, na-improve ko ang aking farming practices. Nakabili ako ng truck at ng sariling motor na hindi na kailangan pa humiram or mangutang o magtrabaho sa mga ibang sakahan – dahil lang sa harvest ko na kape,’ said Richard. ‘Ang produkto naming kape, hindi kami nahihirapan ibenta kasi alam namin na laging nandiyan ang Nestlé para bilhin ito.’

Richard’s coffee income helped his children earn their college degrees. He built his house, bought five motorcycles and a truck, and many other tools and equipment to operate his expanding farm, which now has a bigger area for coffee and includes a piggery.

Today his children are operating their own coffee farms, after seeing first-hand how income from coffee farming has sustained their needs, providing a comfortable life.

Pedro Regidor: Young orphan turned businessman

At 13, Pedro lost both his parents and had to work to support himself. After many years of working for other farm owners in Sultan Kudarat, he was finally able to purchase a 2-hectare farm and start a family. He began planting coffee in 1997, and after 10 years of hard work, he saw his coffee first harvest totaling 1.5MT in 2008.

Pedro joined Project Coffee+ in 2020, which taught him Good Agricultural Practices for coffee, and how to generate income from other revenue streams. In 2024, thanks to a 6.8MT coffee harvest, his biggest output yet, he was able to invest in a piggery from his coffee earnings.

‘Tumaas ang ani ko noong 2024 dahil nai-apply ko ang aking natutunan sa Project Coffee++ ukol sa responsible sourcing, Farmer Business School, at regenerative agriculture,’ said Pedro. ‘Nakatanggap din ako ng pataba mula sa Nestlé at sa kanilang mga partners kaya malaking tulong para sa ganitong level ng harvest.’

His coffee income has helped give his children a college education, and a sturdy home for his family. He has invested in farm equipment, a bodega, trucks, and motorbikes. His farmland has grown by an additional 23 hectares.

Reynaldo Teofilo: A champion of soil fertility

In Bukidnon, Reynaldo safeguards his farm’s soil to sustain its future productivity. Reynaldo, who has been farming for 35 years, depends on his 1.8-hectare farm for all his income. Seventy percent of his farm’s revenue is from coffee, while 30 percent is from other crops.

His initial coffee yield was 300kg per hectare, barely enough to support his spouse and their two children. In order to optimize the profitability of his farm, he joined a NESCAFÉ Plan training program on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for coffee in 2017, then Project Coffee+ in 2018.

In 2020, Reynaldo made a breakthrough – his earnings rose to six figures when he harvested 1.3MT per hectare of coffee. He came to appreciate the full benefits of regenerative agriculture, and fully embraced its techniques, including agroforestry, rejuvenating aging trees, mulching, grafting, and composting. He has also diversified his crops, earning significantly from fruits and other produce. In 2024, his farm achieved record revenues, as the quality of his coffee crop merited an attractive price.

‘Dahil sa Project Coffee+ marami akong nakuhang technical assistance upang mapalago ang aking farm at ngayon, ang laki ng kinikita ko dahil sa kape.’ Reynaldo explained. ‘Ipagpapatuloy ko ang paggamit ng mga regenerative agriculture practices at ng GAP. Nais kong maabot ang 3MT per hectare na coffee harvest sa 2026.’

Project Coffee++ culminates in optimism for coffee farming tomorrow

Project Coffee++ built directly on the results of Project Coffee+ which substantially increased the yields and incomes of farmers in Bukidnon and Sultan Kudarat.

From 2022 to 2025, Project Coffee++ provided training to develop farmers’ skills in management and finance, and sustainable practices to improve soil health, such as composting, organic fertilizer application, and soil cover, boosting both farm income and environmental health.

The initiative closely involved various stakeholders including the Department of Agriculture, its training arm (DA-ATI), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and state universities in Northern Mindanao and SOCCKSARGEN, to strengthen the coffee value chain. The learning materials produced with the help of these stakeholders will be instrumental in the continued training of other farmers in the country. As the Project Coffee+ initiative draws to a close, Nestlé believes its successes can be replicated in other coffee-producing regions.

‘The NESCAFÉ Plan seeks to help equip our coffee farmers to increase supply for the steady rise in coffee demand,’ said Joey Uy III, SVP, Corporate Affairs Head of Nestlé Philippines. ‘The conclusion of Project Coffee++ validates our conviction at Nestlé – that Filipino coffee farmers can considerably improve their production volume and earnings sustainably, resulting in a higher quality of life, and preserve productivity against climate change impacts, while producing among the best Robusta coffee beans in the world.’

Project Coffee ++ combines the ecological wisdom of regenerative agriculture to boost yields and quality, along with the role of agripreneurship to generate greater value from bean to cup, which is good for both profitability and the planet.

Honda Philippines, Inc. (HPI), the No. 1 motorcycle manufacturer in the country, has reinforced its market leadership by surpassing the 1 million cumulative retail sales from October 2024 to September 2025.

This achievement highlights HPI’s position as the market leader in the two-wheel industry and reaffirms its commitment to delivering high-quality, reliable motorcycles. Moreover, this also means that at the same time, HPI achieved 1 million customers’ dreams, thus strengthening the company’s mission of bringing the joy of mobility to every Filipino.

The achievement was powered by five of Honda’s most popular models, each known for its performance, style, and reliability. Four (4) of this models: CLICK125, BeAT, XRM125 and TMX 125 Alpha is locally manufactured in the Philippines. In the Automatic Category, one of these models is the very famous CLICK125 that definitely changed the game with its bold and sporty design, reliable and fuel-efficient engine, and digital meter panel that is perfect for urban riders, and The BeAT continues to win young and playful riders with its compact and lightweight design, giving a sleek look. Adventure seekers turn to the ADV160, which combines powerful performance with advanced safety features like Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and enhanced comfort for long rides. For the underbone category, the iconic XRM125 continues to dominate both rural and urban roads, offering versatility, style, and toughness that fit different riding needs. HPI also remains a trusted companion for work and business with the iconic TMX125 Alpha, built for durability, excellent fuel efficiency, and easy handling.

‘This milestone is not just a reflection of our sales success, but also of the strong bond we’ve built with our Riders through the years. HPI remains committed to introducing innovative and reliable motorcycles that match the lifestyle and aspirations of Filipinos,’ said Takeshi Kobayashi, President of Honda Philippines, Inc.

Honda’s achievement underscores its dedication to making two-wheel mobility more exciting, safe, reliable, and convenient for every Filipino, from students and professionals to entrepreneurs and big bike enthusiasts. And as the company celebrates this major milestone, it continues to look ahead with the promise of creating more models that blend performance, efficiency, and comfort for the modern rider.

The Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) is beefing up its commitment to inclusive nutrition, ensuring that the nation’s 115 million citizens, particularly the marginalized sector, have access to safe and adequate nourishment.

This commitment, underscored by the philosophy that ‘no family should be left behind,’ was a key theme at the recent ‘Optimizing Nutrition Across Life Stages’ conference held at the Philippine Women’s University in Manila.

Vannizsa Ramas of DOST-FNRI articulated the government’s unwavering stance, emphasizing that every Filipino must be able to access safe, acceptable, and nutritionally adequate food, especially in times of crisis. With the Philippines frequently battered by natural disasters, the government is intensifying its focus on making inclusive nutrition a centerpiece of disaster relief operations.

Evaluate relief goods

This focus is echoed by experts who stressed the need to look beyond mere distribution. Social worker Evelyn Valencia challenged the audience to critically evaluate relief goods:

Are these foods nutritionally balanced?

Are they safe?

Will they aid in the recovery of survivors?

Are they acceptable in terms of taste and cultural preference?

Do they reach the most vulnerable groups?

Valencia highlighted that groups with specific nutritional needs, such as children, pregnant individuals, the elderly, and the handicapped, are a prime concern, as they require tailored support. This sentiment drives the imperative to incorporate a nutritional lens into every aspect of disaster aid.

DOST-FNRI’s commitment to inclusivity is being operationalized through partnerships with various government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders. Ramas stressed the urgency of integrating health and nutrition as the core of all disaster preparation efforts.

Dr. Leonora Panlasagui, Dean Emeritus of the College of Nutrition at Philippine Women’s University, further emphasized that nutrition inclusivity is paramount for those ‘at the bottom of the pyramid,’ including residents in rural areas. She called for a unified, collaborative effort among all sectors.

Nutritional inadequacy

Consumer advocate Elsa Gaspar brought attention to the frequent nutritional inadequacy of food pantry items, noting common deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and often dangerously high sodium content. She and others have observed that relief efforts sometimes suffer from poor management of donations, such as a ‘truck of chocolates’ or ‘a truck of cheese,’ which, while well-intentioned, fail the test of nutritional balance. This underscores a critical need for nutritional screening and management of donations to ensure true inclusivity and efficacy.

The panelists agreed that there should be a call to action where health and nutrition must be the foundation of disaster resilience. The collaborative spirit of the conference, which brought together social workers, academic institutions, consumer advocates, and government bodies, signals a concerted push to move beyond reactive aid.

The shared goal is to ensure that, through collaboration, innovation, and a firm commitment to the principles of social work, all Filipinos-especially the most vulnerable-receive the proper nutritional resources necessary not only for survival but for full recovery and well-being. This requires ongoing work to ensure people are ready and not left behind when calamities strike.

To enhance access to essential medicine in isolated parts of the country, the government has allowed the use of ‘telemedicine’ to provide for the manpower needs of more pharmacies without compromising public safety.

President Ferdinand Marcos witnessed the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Regulatory Sandbox Pilot Program for Flexible Supervision of Pharmacies of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and nine pharmacy chains.

The initiative allows licensed pharmacists to remotely supervise multiple community pharmacies.

‘The program aims to address the gap in the availability of registered pharmacists through flexible supervision mechanisms, including telepharmacy and video supervision,’ the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

Based on data from the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), the country has a shortage of 27,500 registered pharmacists.

Under Republic Act No. 10918 or the Philippine Pharmacy Act, the government is required to have one registered pharmacist for every pharmacy.

The program is expected to be piloted in Caloocan, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis and will last until 2027.

The initiative will run from 2025 to 2027, with potential pilot areas including Caloocan, Manila, Abra, Ilocos, La Union, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Iloilo, Negros, and Misamis.

The nine pharmacy chains and community-based establishments which will participate in the program are Carlos Drugs – Lucena, Inc.; Z.C. Ramthel Corporation (Cecile’s Pharmacy); Actimed, Inc. (Generika Drugstore); Medford RX Solutions, Inc. (MedExpress Drugstore); Mercury Drug Corporation; Rose Pharmacy, Inc.; Southstar Drugstore, Inc.; Joleco Resources, Inc. (St. Joseph Drug); TGP Pharma, Inc.; and Watsons Personal Care Stores (Philippines) Inc.

THE House of Representatives Committee on Infrastructure co-chairman on Thursday urged Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Francis Lim to clarify his recent statement attributing an alleged P1.7-trillion market value loss to the flood control project scandal, saying it does not reflect the actual performance and historical trends of the Philippine stock market.

Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro was referring to Lim’s remarks during a forum of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (Finex), where he said, ‘The flood control project scandal has shaken public confidence, wiping out an extraordinary P1.7 trillion in market value of our publicly listed companies in just three weeks, despite rising corporate earnings.’

‘Investors aren’t fleeing because of weak fundamentals; they’re fleeing because of weak integrity. It’s a stark reminder that corruption is a weapon of mass wealth destruction,’ Lim added.

However, Ridon pointed out that Lim’s statement ‘does not accurately reflect current and historical conditions of the Philippine capital market.’

‘While it is true that over the last three months the Philippine Stock Exchange index [PSEi] declined from a high of 6,525.04 in July to a low of 5,953.46 in September-an 8.75 percent drop-an objective review of PSEi movements over various timelines shows that weak fundamentals, not the flood control scandal, remain the principal reason for market underperformance,’ Ridon said.

On a six-month view (April 10-October 9), the PSEi had already reached 6,077.82 as early as April 11, 2025. Although a short recovery followed, the broader decline began after July 14, or two weeks before President Marcos exposed the flood control corruption scandal in his State of the Nation Address.

‘In other words,’ Ridon said, ‘the market’s weakening predated the scandal.’

‘These figures demonstrate that the ongoing corruption scandal is a convenient but inaccurate explanation for the market’s weakness and the broader slowdown in the economy,’ Ridon said.

He stressed that while good governance is vital in maintaining investor confidence, market performance primarily depends on sound economic management and private sector response to fundamental growth challenges.

‘The responsibility for improving market performance rests primarily with our economic managers and private-sector leaders in addressing fundamental growth constraints,’ he added.

NEWLY-APPOINTED Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has assured that graft and other related cases may be filed before the Sandiganbayan in the coming weeks against those involved in the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects.

Remulla, who took his oath on Thursday before Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, told reporters that investigators are determined to build strong cases against the perpetrators of the massive corruption involving government projects.

‘We’re really just making sure the case is airtight because we don’t want to be the reason for any delay. So, the timeline will depend on that,’ Remulla said.

‘But, likely within the next few weeks, when we file, we’ll be ready for trial. We’re at the preliminary investigation stage now. But it’s moving forward,’ he added.

Remulla said he would be prioritizing the resolution of cases to be filed in relation to anomalous flood control projects involving officials of the Department of Public Works and highways (DPWH).

‘I think we need to focus on that, conduct case build-up, and make sure that well-prepared cases are file either before the Sandiganbayan or the Regional Trial Court, depending on the jurisdiction,’ he explained.

Remulla also said that he has already secured the commitment of the Supreme Court through acting Chief Justice Leonen for the conduct of continuous trials involving flood control projects.

‘We want these cases to proceed smoothly,’ he stressed.

When asked if the Ombudsman will not spare even relatives of President Ferdinand Marcos who will be found to be involved in these anomalies, Remulla said: ‘We don’t have a choice, evidence is evidence. Can we ignore the evidence if it exists? That’s our challenge, to produce the evidence.’

Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, cousin of the President, is under investigation after being accused of receiving kickbacks from flood control projects.

At the same time, Remulla said he would look into ‘forgotten’ and aging cases pending before the Office of the Ombudsman such as the Pharmally case.

Former senator and chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Richard Gordon during the 18th Congress earlier urged Remulla to reopen the case which involves the alleged anomalous transfer of P421.4billion COVID funds from the Department of Health to the Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service for the purchase of P8.6 billion worth of face masks, face shields, and personal protective equipment during the pandemic.

Gordon expressed belief that former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged crimes against humanity in relation to his bloody anti-illegal drug war, can still be held liable for the anomaly.

Former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, former budget undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao and Pharmally official Lin Weixiong have been charged with graft before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the controversy.

It was determined by Remulla’s predecessor, former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, that the funds were transferred during the period of March to December 2020 to PS-DBM to outsource DOH’s procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies and equipment without compliance with the requirements imposed by law. Martires noted that the rules only allow outsourcing of procurement tasks to another government agency for the purpose of hastening the project implementation.

However, the former Ombudsman pointed out that the arrangement resulted in a more complicated process which was inconsistent with the purpose to hasten project implementation.

‘We will look into that because it seems to have been forgotten, buried and left-behind. But, this kind of case should not be forgotten. We know there was a lot of noise around it and many believe something wrong, happened,’ Remulla said.

The Senate held hearings, but nothing progressed from there, so we need to revisit it,’ he added.

Remulla, however, would not say if the review would cover the possible culpability of Duterte, noting that this would depend on the evidence.

‘I’m not sure yet. Actually, I was not able to follow the hearings closely. But of course, it comes up in other forums I’ve been part of. We’re aware of what happened in many ways. But, responsibility will always depend on the evidence. It always comes down to evidence,’ he explained.

In his message before administering Remulla’s oath, Justice Leonen urged Remulla to prioritize cases that would address corruption in the country.

‘And may you have the wisdom to find and give priority to the strategic cases and issues that would lead to fundamental reform and rid corruption from our society,’ Justice Leonen said.

Leonen also disclosed that the Court en banc has agreed to create a working committee that will conduct an inventory of all projects within the judiciary that have been contracted to and implemented by the DPWH, if any.

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced last Thursday its chief has approved the release of P716.15 million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to replenish the agency’s quick response fund (QRF).

A statement issued by the DBM read that the allocation is expected to be used to procure and stockpile family food packs and non-food items in DSWD warehouses. The statement added these items are expected to benefit around 424,681 families.

The DBM added that the fund is expected to be used for ‘Emergency Cash Transfers’ for some 41,502 households affected by the Southwest Monsoon and Tropical Cyclones ‘Mirasol,’ ‘Nando,’ and ‘Opong’ in Regions V, IV-B and II.

Moreover, the fund is expected to support transport and delivery services, stand-by funds for regional offices, and other logistical support needed to swiftly distribute relief goods and emergency assistance.

‘This replenishment helps guarantee the DSWD can continue to provide food, shelter, and cash aid to families when they need it most,’ DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman was quoted in the statement as saying.

The DBM said the amount released to DSWD will be charged against the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund under the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (Republic Act 12116).

Data from the DBM showed P13.034 billion was released from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRM) Fund from January to September this year. The NDRRM Fund may be used to provide aid, relief and rehabilitation to affected communities. It can also be used to repair and rebuild infrastructure damaged by natural or human-induced calamities within the current or past two years.

So far, P7.965 billion remains in the balance of the NDRRM Fund, which government agencies can still tap until the end of the year.

There is also P1 billion in People’s Survival Fund, an annual allocation to provide long-term finance stream for adaptation projects to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems to climate change, under the NDRRM Fund.

The DSWD QRF is a standby fund that first response agencies can tap to immediately provide relief and assist areas stricken by catastrophes and crises. If the QRFs of first response agencies reach 50 percent or lower, they may request replenishment to the DBM, which will be approved by the Office of the President.

SUCCESSIVE typhoons and the earthquake in Cebu last month could erode the country’s employment gains in August, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Based on the Labor Force Survey (LFS), the country’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.9 percent, representing a total of 2.03 million jobless Filipinos, or a reduction of 560,000 compared to the July survey.

The PSA said the country’s underemployment rate also declined to 10.7 percent or 5.38 million underemployed Filipinos. This is 1.42 million less than what was reported in July.

‘There is a risk in September because of a lot of typhoons. While there is a substantial portion of our labor market that is somehow protected from these kinds of disasters, there is a portion of our labor market that is dependent on weather conditions,’ National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said in the vernacular.

‘Workers in agriculture and retail sale are among those that are dependent on weather conditions. The earthquake in Cebu could also have an impact on employment [in September]’ he added.

Favorable weather conditions also helped buoy the number of Filipinos in the Labor Force to 52.13 million Filipinos aged 15 and over who were employed, unemployed, and underemployed. This was 3.49 million more than the 48.64 million reported in July 2025.

A total of 50.1 million Filipinos were employed in August, a 4.05-million increase compared to July 2025. This translated to an employment rate of 96.1 percent.

Compared to last year, there were 942,000 jobs created in August 2025. This is mainly composed of older workers, or those between 35 and 44 years old (260,000 workers) and the 55 to 64 years old with 244,000 workers.

Most of those between 35 and 44 years old found jobs in construction, administrative services, and manufacturing; while the 55 to 64 years olds were in agriculture and wholesale and retail trade.

It may be noted that there was also an addition of 116,000 employed among the 65 years old and over. These workers were mostly in agriculture, fishing, and aquaculture.

On a year on year basis, PSA data showed construction posted the largest increase in jobs with 540,000 workers; fishing and aquaculture, 448,000; and administrative and support services activities, 307,000 jobs.

These were followed by agriculture and forestry, with an addition of 300,000 jobs and other service activities with 239,000 jobs.

Other service activities include repairs of computers and personal and household goods; laundry services; domestic services; funeral related activities; other personal service activities; and other personals services for wellness except sport activities.

DepDev’s call

Meanwhile, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) emphasized the need to protect vulnerable workers and pushed for better work policies and programs to sustain the growth of the country’s labor market in August.

The country’s chief economist said the government plans to implement structural improvements particularly to sectors that are dependent on weather conditions, as well as defend them from uncertainties in both the domestic and global front.

‘We aim to enhance resilience in sectors vulnerable to disruptions, such as retail trade and agriculture, by prioritizing improvements in logistics, infrastructure, digitalization, and workforce development, particularly among micro, small, and medium enterprises [MSMEs],’ DepDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

‘The government is also ramping up investments in climate-resilient infrastructure and proactive measures, alongside timely emergency employment programs to support workers affected by disruptions,’ he added.

To sustain the gains of the labor force, the DepDev aims to advance policies and strategies under the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan 2025-2034, the country’s national employment master plan that aims to solve unemployment and other labor market challenges.

‘We aim to support the transformation of the labor force toward higher-paying and more productive jobs by attracting investments, developing a competitive and skills-ready workforce, and strengthening labor market governance to effectively respond to evolving conditions,’ he said.

Balisacan also echoed his support for the Government Internship Program (GIP), which provides Filipino youths with work experience within public service.

The PSA data showed the employment rate for Filipino youths aged 15-24 also rose to 88.3 percent, amounting to 5.92 million.

‘Enhancing school-to-work transitions and strengthening youth employability will enable young Filipinos to acquire the skills needed to thrive in the workplace. As industries evolve, we must ensure that our workers are equipped with the competencies required in new and emerging sectors-so that no Filipino is left behind in our country’s development journey,’ Balisacan added.

DOLE cites steady recovery

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) weighed in on the August jobs data, saying, ‘This is a powerful manifestation of our economy’s resilience and continued strength, reflecting a marked improvement from 4.0 percent recorded in August of last year.’

According to Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, ‘This performance is even more impactful when viewed against the 5.3 percent unemployment rate in July 2025, demonstrating an aggressive and successful recovery.’

Laguesma said the August LFS results highlight stronger employment creation, with the rate reaching 96.1 percent compared to 94.7 percent in July.

‘[This highlights] the strong driving job recovery and employment creation across the country and confirming that more Filipinos are participating in the labor market,’ he said.

He added that job quality also improved, as underemployment declined to 10.7 percent from 14.8 percent in July.

‘This indicates that the country is transitioning more workers from insufficient and inadequate part-time work to substantial, more permanent and decent employment,’ Laguesma said.

To sustain the momentum, DOLE said it will continue its employment facilitation initiatives through a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach to ‘unlock the full potential’ of the workforce and assure its global competitiveness.

Laguesma also said the department plans to expand its pre-employment and internship initiatives-including Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), Government Internship Program (GIP), and JobStart Philippines-to help young workers gain practical experience, develop essential skills, and build stronger work values.

‘DOLE will remain steadfast in its commitment to efficient, honest, and transparent public service in the implementation of our programs, projects and activities. Our ultimate core mission is to empower every Filipino worker through programs that cultivate a competitive, dynamic and robust workforce,’ he added.

THE head of the Visayan bloc in the House of Representatives believes that eradicating corruption in the government goes beyond enacting more laws-it requires a moral awakening among Filipinos.

Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez said on Wednesday that corruption in the country is rooted in a moral crisis, where people’s sense of righteousness has been eroded by the normalization of corrupt practices.

‘Corruption is, ultimately, a moral crisis. To end it, we must rebuild our sense of righteousness-our belief that truth still matters, that decency still counts, and that no one is too small to make a stand,’ the lawmaker said in a statement.

He said that while legislation is important, it is ‘more conscience’ that is truly needed to address systemic corruption.

‘The solution is not just more laws, but more conscience. Moral renewal must begin in homes, schools, and public life. Integrity must be celebrated as much as corruption is condemned. We must make doing the right thing the rule again, not the exception,’ Benitez said.

He described corruption as ‘not just a failure of systems-it is a failure of conscience.’ He lamented that the Filipino people have lost their moral compass, and that once-noble values such as bayanihan, pakikisama, and utang na loob have been twisted into justifications for silence, favoritism, and complicity.

‘Tragically, we now witness it everywhere: bribes treated as ‘normal,’ cheating dismissed as ‘smart,’ and honesty ridiculed as ‘idealistic.’ When corruption becomes a way to survive, righteousness starts to look foolish-and the nation begins to rot from within,’ he added.

The lawmaker also pointed out that the country’s leadership mirrors this moral decay, as those who rise through corrupt systems often weaken the very moral foundations they should be upholding. Institutions such as schools, churches, and courts-once considered moral anchors-are also suffering from a loss of credibility.

Benitez said that the campaign against corruption must not be viewed merely as a political undertaking but as ‘a battle for the Filipino soul.’