Category: Business Mirror

Four agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) from Benguet have formalized marketing agreements with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), paving the way for wider market opportunities.

The agreements involve the DAR Provincial Office of Benguet, four ARBOs, and eight BJMP offices in Baguio City and Benguet. They aim to establish a steady market for agricultural products while helping meet the nutritional needs of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Under the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PHAP), participating farmer cooperatives will supply quality agricultural products to BJMP facilities at reasonable prices. The initiative seeks to address hunger and food security concerns while providing farmers with more reliable sources of income through government procurement.

DAR-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Director Sheila B. Enciso thanked the BJMP-CAR for its continued partnership with the Department and reaffirmed DAR’s commitment to strengthening ARBOs through sustained support and market-linking initiatives.

‘Through partnerships like this, we are opening more market opportunities for our agrarian reform beneficiaries while helping provide nutritious food to persons deprived of liberty. DAR will continue to work with our partner agencies to strengthen our farmers’ cooperatives, improve their capacity to supply institutional buyers, and help them achieve a more stable and sustainable livelihood,’ Enciso said.

She also highlighted the Value Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities (VISTA) Project as one of DAR’s initiatives to help ARBOs improve their operations, strengthen their participation in agricultural value chains, and expand their market opportunities.

Through partnerships with government agencies and other institutions, DAR seeks to help farmers’ organizations become more competitive and financially sustainable.

During the open forum, participants discussed government procurement requirements, including compliance with the Sagip Saka Act, which promotes direct market access for farmers and fisherfolk by enabling qualified farmer organizations to supply government agencies.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Lailani A. Cortez assured the participating ARBOs of continued assistance in building their capacity to meet procurement requirements. She also emphasized the office’s readiness to provide training and guidance on government procurement platforms, particularly to help cooperatives overcome digital access and technical challenges when aThe four participating ARBOs are the Taba-ao Cuba Multipurpose Cooperative (TACUMPC) of Kapangan, Caliking Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (CFMPC) of Atok, Bokod Sulfur Spring Multipurpose Cooperative (BSSMC) of Bokod, and Taloy Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (TAFARMCO) of Tuba.

The activity was also attended by BJMP-CAR Regional Director JCSUPT Delvic L. Oreiro, together with BJMP-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Administration JSSUPT Atty. Reynaldo A. Paguirigan Jr. Also present were representatives of the Philippine National Police-Benguet, led by PMAJ Edwin Sergio, and Benguet Provincial Jail Administrative Officer Joice Miller.

Through the PAHP, DAR and its partner agencies continue to promote stronger links between farmer cooperatives and institutional buyers, helping improve food security, expand market access, and create more sustainable livelihood opportunities for agrarian reform beneficiaries.

As the country braces for severe climate impacts driven by the onset of a super El Niño weather phenomenon, major labor organizations are intensifying pressure on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to institute mandatory, legally binding heat safety standards to protect workers across all sectors.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) are calling on DOLE to issue a formal Department Order that explicitly outlines employer mandates, acceptable workplace thermal limits, and strict penalties for non-compliance. The unions warned that voluntary guidelines issued by management fail to shield vulnerable laborers from escalating heat risks.

‘Extreme heat is a matter of life and death. Workers demand and deserve enforceable standards, clear employer obligations, and penalties for noncompliance, not another appeal for voluntary cooperation while their health and lives are at risk,’ TUCP said in a joint appeal.

To fast-track these protections, TUCP urged DOLE to immediately convene an emergency meeting of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, bringing together government, labor, and employer stakeholders to draft and finalize a comprehensive Super El Niño Heat Risk Action Plan.

‘Heat protection is our shared legal and moral obligation, not a mere privilege granted at management’s discretion,’ the union federation emphasized.

Clear wage guarantees

Sentro acknowledged statements from Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino assuring that workers will not face pay deductions during heat-induced work stoppages. However, the organization stressed that without explicit administrative rules, such verbal guarantees remain difficult to enforce on the ground.

‘Workers must not have to choose between risking heat stroke and losing their income,’ said Sentro Secretary General Josua Mata.

Sentro is demanding that DOLE detail exactly how wage protections will apply under various employment arrangements, including shortened operational shifts, full-day suspensions, piece-rate (pakyaw) work, and incentive-based pay models.

The group is also pushing for regulations requiring companies to set science-based exposure limits, institute mandatory rest schedules in cooled designated spaces, and order immediate work halts when temperatures reach hazardous thresholds.

TUCP added specific workplace demands, including mandatory paid breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, unhindered access to free drinking water, continuous heat-stress monitoring, emergency medical protocols for heat-related illnesses, improved ventilation systems, and mandatory safety training for staff.

Informal sector

While physical interventions like fans, proper ventilation, and engineering controls can mitigate heat exposure in factories and warehouses, labor leaders warned that millions of outdoor and informal economy workers remain completely unprotected.

Street vendors, waste pickers, agricultural workers, fishermen, and gig-economy delivery riders face the double burden of hazardous weather conditions and catastrophic income loss when extreme heat prevents them from working. To bridge this gap, Sentro is advocating for temporary, government-funded income support and emergency relief funds during officially declared heat emergencies.

Additionally, Mata called on state agencies and academic research institutions to systematically track heat-related occupational illnesses, lost working hours, lost income, and gaps in current social safety nets.

‘We need evidence, not assumptions,’ Mata stressed, pointing out that comprehensive data is essential to identify the most vulnerable worker demographics and calculate the true cost of safeguarding their lives and livelihoods.

A legislator has filed a bill seeking to turn recyclable household waste into a source of cash and essential goods for Filipino families while promoting responsible waste management nationwide.

Filed by Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas, House Bill 11146, or the proposed Basura to Ayuda Act, would allow individuals, households, homeowners associations, and civic organizations to collect non-hazardous recyclable materials and exchange them for points redeemable for food, groceries, and cash.

‘Through this bill, we hit two birds with one stone. We are strengthening the culture of recycling and environmental protection while giving our fellow Filipinos an opportunity to earn from their waste,’ Vargas said.

The measure draws inspiration from the Quezon City government’s Trash to Cashback program, which uses a point-based system to encourage waste segregation and recycling while allowing participants to redeem collected materials for household essentials, including rice and eggs.

Under the measure, recyclable materials such as plastic bags and bottles, wrappers, sachets, and metals can be collected and redirected for recycling and other productive uses.

‘Quezon City has proven that this is an effective solution for solid waste management while providing incentives to our fellow Filipinos for helping clean the environment. It is time to implement this nationwide to protect the environment,’ Vargas said.

To ensure that the program offers meaningful incentives, the bill sets minimum exchange rates for recyclable materials. Every kilogram of recyclable plastic would entitle participants to one kilogram of commercial-quality rice or its cash equivalent, while every kilogram of metal waste would be exchangeable for two kilograms of rice or the corresponding cash value.

The proposal comes amid the country’s continuing waste management challenges. Data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources indicate that the Philippines generates about 61,000 metric tons of solid waste daily. Improperly managed waste can clog waterways, aggravate flooding, and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the bill, the DENR, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Trade and Industry would be responsible for coordinating the nationwide implementation of the program, establishing standardized trade-in centers, and ensuring consistent exchange rates across communities.

The measure also provides incentives for individuals who report hazardous waste and assist authorities in its safe retrieval, helping prevent dangerous materials from posing risks to communities and the environment.

Vargas said making recycling a nationwide practice would help strengthen environmental protection while giving households an additional opportunity to benefit from responsible waste disposal.

‘We must care for and protect our environment today to ensure that we leave behind a clean, safe, and thriving country for the next generation,’ Vargas said.

THE Pickle Yard Conference League (PYCL) hopes to play a much bigger role in the rapidly growing sport of pickleball in the country, with the Season 2 kicking off on Saturday at The Pickle Yard SOMO in Bacoor City, Cavite.

With a good mix of Filipino and international players bannering the rosters of the eight participating teams, the league is aiming to provide local talents with regular competition and consistent exposure to different playing styles as the sport continues to gain a strong following in the country.

PYCL commissioner John Regison Talusan said the second season will focus on raising the level of competition while giving Filipino players opportunities to learn from their international counterparts.

‘Season 2 is about raising the level of competition,’ Talusan said. ‘We want our Filipino players to be tested by international athletes, different playing styles and different competitive backgrounds, while giving overseas players a chance to experience the energy and talent of Philippine pickleball.’

Season 2 runs until November 27, with matches scheduled on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The league also hopes to strengthen the exchange between local and foreign players, allowing both sides to gain experience in a competitive environment like the PYCL.

Among the featured players for the new season are Filipino-British Mikar Fisher and Filipina-Australian Crystal Mildwaters, who will join international players Amore Cook, Cody Temple and Nico Almeida in the tournament.

Also worth watching is local ace Bien Zoleta-Manalac, who just a month ago helped power PH soft tennis to historic bronze medal finish in the women’s event at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

The eight franchises that will be competing for the Season 2 title are the Thrifty Drivers, Dentacare Pearly Whites, Cartivo Movers, Konjac Zero Phoenix Force, GFOXX Paragon, Black Mamba Aces, Cebuana Lhuillier Gems and DreamSkin Radiants.

Talusan expressed confidence that Season 2 will generate more interest from both the young and old enthusiasts of the sport. Given the kind of preparations all teams have undertaken, it is also expected also surpass the success of the inaugural staging.

Backing the event are NEXXGEN, BT Sports Apparel, UET International Corp., Healthy and Pure Brand, Million Glow by Kimsdiary, Immuni, Salonpas, Filmore Apartments, Fortun and Santos Law Offices, Les Alajeras Jewelry, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, Dear Self Aesthetic and Wellness Center, GrabKa Sports Center, i-fern, Luigi Reyes, Red Planet Hotels and Robinsons Movieworld.

Former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon lauded the Supreme Court’s recognition of unprogrammed appropriations as a valid budgetary tool, while urging Congress to seek clarification on portions of the decision that may encroach on its constitutional authority over budgeting.

Based on his reading of the decision, Drilon said the Court affirmed that unprogrammed appropriations are not unconstitutional in themselves. They provide standby spending authority that may be exercised only when the funding conditions prescribed by law are met.

He said seeking clarification is appropriate because the ruling, as currently written, may go beyond constitutional review by prescribing fiscal conditions that, under the 1987 Constitution, should be left to the best judgment of Congress.

Drilon said the ruling affects Congress’ authority to determine appropriations.

Drilon also congratulated the court, saying its release comes at a crucial stage in the preparation of the 2027 national budget.

‘We look forward to seeing how the reforms will be reflected in the 2027 budget,’ Drilon sais.

As amicus curiae during the proceedings, Drilon defended the constitutionality of unprogrammed appropriations while warning that their implementation could violate constitutional limits.

He also acknowledged that flaws or abuses in the mechanism may require correction. But the standards needed to address them should be expressly imposed by Congress through legislation, with the Court determining whether those standards comply with the Constitution.

For Drilon, identifying a constitutional defect does not necessarily authorize the Court to write budget guidelines that would replace Congress’ express conditions. Doing so, he warned, raises concerns about judicial legislation.

‘Congress determines appropriations and their lawful conditions. The Executive implements the budget within those conditions. Both functions remain subject to the Constitution,’ Drilon said.

Replacing the funding trigger enacted by Congress, he warned, could narrow legislative discretion and restrict the Executive’s ability to implement the budget under the approved framework.

Drilon said clarification would help establish the boundaries of judicial review while preserving constitutional safeguards against the misuse of public funds.

‘The concern therefore extends beyond one administration or one budget. It involves the scope of the budget powers available to future Congresses and Presidents,’ he said.

Vice President Sara Duterte said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must be held accountable for passing a national budget she claimed clearly contradicts the National Expenditure Program (NEP), after the Supreme Court declared the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA) unconstitutional, invalidated the 2025 GAA, and struck down certain provisions of the 2026 national budget.

‘He must answer why he signed a budget that does not even align with his own administration’s proposal. The national budget belongs to the people; it is not a tool for politicking and the personal interests of those in power,’ Duterte said in a statement released on Wednesday.

In a decision issued on Tuesday, the SC declared 2024 and 2025 GAAs unconstitutional because Congress unlawfully increased spending limits beyond the President’s budget proposal, citing a P449.5 billion increase in 2024 unprogrammed funds and a P17.99 billion Special Road Fund increase in 2025, alongside specific 2026 budget provisions.

Duterte said that the SC has already defended the law.

‘Now it is time for Marcos and the members of Congress who violated the process and indulged in funds that should have gone toward improving the lives of Filipinos to be held accountable to the public,’ Duterte said, adding that the ruling upholds the Constitution and ‘ensures that the rule of law prevails, based on its decision.’

She also felt vindicated, saying that her warning in 2024 was right after all, claiming that the Bicameral Conference Committee is ‘no longer doing its job.’

‘Instead of reviewing and debating, it has become a mere stamping pad and rubber stamp for Malacañang’s wishes regarding the national budget,’ she said.

CEBU – The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (Creba) is calling on the government to overhaul socialized housing compliance rules, streamline licensing procedures, and introduce a housing interest subsidy to tackle the country’s massive housing backlog.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of Creba’s 53rd National Convention, National President Noel Toti Cariño stressed that national housing policy must shift focus from simply building units to ensuring target beneficiaries can actually afford and occupy them.

To address financing barriers, Creba proposed an interest subsidy program administered by the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) and funded directly by participating developers. Under the proposed mechanism, non-recoverable contributions from developers would lower monthly loan interest payments for eligible buyers.

‘This way, we are addressing the issue of affordability, not just the issue of production of homes,’ Cariño said, pointing out that existing requirements often result in vacant units built in inconvenient or low-demand locations.

The proposal has been submitted to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Executive branch, where it is currently under review.

Categorizing beneficiaries

National Convention Chairman Jose Soberano III emphasized the need to differentiate between buyers who can qualify for loans with financial help and lower-income families who cannot afford to borrow at all.

Soberano noted that while Pag-IBIG subsidies can assist employed and self-employed buyers, lower-income households require direct assistance from agencies like the National Housing Authority through programs such as rent-to-own schemes.

Soberano added that a workable financial model is essential for developers to recover capital and sustain private sector participation.

Creba also raised concerns over regulatory delays, particularly a DHSUD memorandum requiring sales proceeds from temporary Licenses to Sell (LTS) be placed in escrow. Cariño argued that locking up funds constrains capital developers need to push projects forward after already investing heavily in land acquisition and planning.

The association welcomed DHSUD’s decision to restore processing authority to regional offices, noting that recent centralization threatened to delay developments across the Visayas and Mindanao.

AS Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers and Leaders conclude the 20th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) in Makati, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla is confident of a stronger, more effective, and regional response to combat evolving transnational crimes.

On Wednesday, Asean leaders including Remulla, the AMMTC chairman; Goh Pei Ming (Singapore), Dato’ Seri Setia Awang Haji Sufian bin Haji Sabtu (Brunei Darussalam), and Maj. Gen. Kongsavat Boulnieng (Laos) concluded the meeting.

Delegations and officials also represented Vietnam, Malaysia (led by Home Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman), Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar.

Dato’ Astanah Abdul Aziz attended the meeting as the Deputy Secretary-General of the regional body for the Asean Political-Security Community.

At a news briefing on Wednesday, Remulla enumerated three significant outcomes of the three-day meeting, which saw Asean Member State Ministers and Leaders actively taking part in the discussions.

Remulla said the AMMTC has advanced the Asean Declaration to Protect Children against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, including material created with Artificial Intelligence; took up the first Asean Region Trafficking in Persons Report, providing the region an overview of the drive against trafficking in persons, and agreed to adopt a joint statement that sets the next steps in trafficking in persons, terrorism, and cybercrime.

‘In December 1997, Asean ministers met for the first time in Manila to discuss transnational crime. AMMTC has come home. All 11 ASEAN Member States sat for consultations with Japan, China and the Republic of Korea,’ Remulla said.

Much has changed since 1997, including online scams, trafficking, money laundering and drug trafficking; now they feed each other, and they move across borders, he added.

The Philippines will soon turn over leadership to Singapore for the 21st AMMTC.

Border control

REMULLA said the DILG is coordinating with various law-enforcement agencies, including possible conduct of joint operations with Asean neighbors to strengthen the Philippines’ capability to secure its borders.

‘That is an internal security matter that we are taking up to strengthen our borders,’ he said, admitting that it has been a point of concern for authorities.

‘We are upgrading our capacity, upgrading our technology, and upgrading our monitoring to better protect our borders,’ he said.

Internal security to protect the country’s border is ongoing to protect its borders and prevent trafficking in humans, particularly for those who make use of backdoor channels, admitting that it is a complicated matter that require close coordination between and among law-enforcdement agencies in the Philippines and its Asean neighbors.

‘Remember, we have the third largest coastline in the world. Thinking that there’s a simple solution to a complicated problem makes it a simplistic affair. But it is not. It is very complicated but we are focused and we are determined to protect our borders,’ he said.

Remulla underscored the strength of regional cooperation, citing the interception of 521 kilos of suspected shabu in Laos from Malaysia, which is bound for the Philippines.

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He said close coordination between and among agencies, including intelligence sharing, proved effective in combating drug trafficking in this case.

Micro scam hubs

REMULLA also said that authorities are also closely looking into the operation of at least three micro scam hubs in Metro Manila following the successful raid of a scam hub in Zamboanga Sibugay early this month.

The hub was dubbed as the largest Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) that continues to operate despite the ban by the Marcos administration more than two years ago.

Authorities arrested 244 foreigners, mostly Chinese, during the operation.

Remulla said the operation of micro scam hubs may proved difficult to track because of the size of the employees, which range between 10 to 20 people only.

He said the Pogo operation is small and they would only rent a small house, instead of a big building or space.

He said that these small micro hubs are operated both by foreigners with local contacts and partners.

He also debunked the claim that the anti-Pogo campaign is ningas-kogon, saying there has been no let up in the operation, resulting in the dismantling of the hubs and arrest of employees.

NXLED shook off a second-set setback with a decisive surge in the closing frames, overpowering Galeries Tower, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19, to seize the solo lead in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab series on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Chameleons hammered down 14 blocks against Galeries Tower after racking up 23 against the Farm Foxies last week.

‘Well, it’s nice to see that we have the same resilience that we showed in the last part of the PVL On Tour, and especially during the Invitational,’ said Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti. ‘So we started definitely following the same line. So I see a bunch of determination in the team.’

The Chameleons will have nearly two weeks to recharge before returning to action against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in a marquee showdown between two of the conference’s hottest teams on November 3 at 6 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Choco Mucho was seeking to match Nxled’s blistering start against Farm Fresh at presstime, setting the stage for a potentially high-stakes clash between the league’s early contenders.

Jonah Sabete-Escamillan spearheaded the Chameleons’ charge with a game-high 22 points, adding three blocks, nine excellent receptions and six excellent digs in a superb all-around performance.

MJ Phillips chipped in 14 points on 11 attacks and three kill blocks, while three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle delivered a double-double of 12 points and 13 excellent digs as Nxled wrapped up the one-hour, 45-minute encounter.

Gel Cayuna orchestrated the Chameleons’ attack with 20 excellent sets while contributing eight points, and veteran libero Bang Pineda anchored the floor defense with 10 excellent digs.

Nxled finished with a commanding 14-4 advantage in blocks and a 61-46 edge in attacks, making the difference in a match that briefly threatened to slip away after the Chameleons’ second-set letdown.

‘I see the team definitely more calm and serene, even if we are facing difficult situations, because this conference is made of teams that are all very good. There is not a single team that you can consider weak,’ Guidetti said. ‘And so it’s really important to see that this kind of energy is definitely being constant.’

Galeries Tower, meanwhile, remained winless after absorbing its third straight defeat.

Alyssa Bertolano led the Highrisers with 13 points, seven excellent digs and six excellent receptions off the bench. Jean Asis added eight points, while Erika Deloria and Lycha Ebon chipped in seven apiece. Lams Lamina managed six excellent sets as Galeries Tower struggled to sustain its offensive rhythm against Nxled’s imposing defense.

The Highrisers will seek to break into the win column against the Flying Titans on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed) partners with De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ) to strengthen access to psychological and psychiatric services for students and employees, reinforcing the hospital’s commitment to supporting mental health and well-being through accessible, professional, and confidential care.

Under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), MakatiMed will serve as a referral partner of DLSZ for individuals who may require psychological assessment, psychotherapy, or psychiatric care. The partnership establishes a coordinated referral process that connects students and employees with appropriate mental health professionals based on their needs.

Through this collaboration, MakatiMed will provide online or in-person psychological and psychiatric services to referred individuals. Its team of psychologists and psychiatrists will oversee the management of cases, determine the appropriate duration and number of sessions, and monitor progress in accordance with professional and ethical standards.

Beyond individual consultations, MakatiMed will conduct at least one free seminar engagement annually for students, parents, and other members of the Lasallian community. These sessions will feature topics related to mental health and wellness, helping promote awareness and encourage informed conversations about psychological well-being.

In her statement, Dr. Ruby P. Ramos, School Principal of DLSZ emphasized the importance of the partnership in strengthening mental health support within its community. Dr. Ramos said, ‘Partnering with a trusted institution like Makati Medical Center enables us to reinforce our commitment to holistic student development. Together, we are creating a safer, more compassionate school environment where every Lasallian can thrive mentally, emotionally, and academically.’

Through this partnership with DLSZ, MakatiMed continues to advance its commitment to patient-centered care, recognizing that mental health is an essential component of overall well-being and that timely access to appropriate professional support can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.