Category: Business Mirror

For millions of Filipino families, a single bout of sickness does not merely threaten health-it dismantles livelihoods. The stark reality that nearly two-thirds of households cannot afford a P10,000 hospital bill exposes only the visible tip of a crisis iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a devastating cascade of financial ruin: the sari-sari store shuttered for a week, the rent payment sacrificed for medicine, the child pulled from school to care for a confined parent. Illness in the country functions as a punitive tax on the poor, one that extracts not just savings but futures. This is not a healthcare problem alone. It is an economic catastrophe masquerading as a medical one. When a daily wage worker earning P500 to P700 faces hospitalization, the arithmetic is brutal and swift. There is no buffer, no safety net, no room for error. Years of hard-earned progress evaporate in days. The family does not merely lose a breadwinner temporarily; they lose ground they may never recover.

The conventional response to this crisis has been to expand health insurance coverage and hospital access. These are necessary but insufficient. What the data demands is a fundamental pivot toward prevention-not as a wellness buzzword, but as a structural economic strategy. Every illness prevented is a wage preserved, a business kept open, a child’s education uninterrupted. Prevention pays dividends twice: to the household budget and to a healthcare system groaning under the weight of preventable diseases and critical personnel shortages.

Yet prevention requires more than individual willpower. It demands systemic support.

The ‘self-care’ messaging from health experts and socio-civic groups-emphasizing the food on the table, the habits at home, the early doctor visits-assumes a level of choice and control that many Filipinos simply do not have. When inflation consumes household income and essential expenses crowd out everything else, healthy choices become luxury goods. The mother who skips her own check-up to buy her child’s textbooks is not neglecting self-care; she is making an impossible choice in an impossible system.

The government must recognize that public health and economic stability are inseparable. This means subsidizing preventive care with the same urgency applied to emergency treatment. It means regulating food prices and wages so that nutritious meals are accessible, not aspirational. It means building a healthcare workforce sufficient to catch diseases before they become emergencies.

The cost of illness in the country is measured not just in pesos on hospital bills, but in dreams deferred and potential destroyed. A nation that allows two-thirds of its households to remain one sickness away from financial ruin is a nation that cannot claim sustainable development. Preventive healthcare represents not only a clinical intervention but a vital mechanism for economic equity-one that demands our immediate and dedicated attention. This needs to be a policy priority.

Getting sick in the Philippines is no longer just a health concern. For many families, it has become a financial emergency.

This is one of the key findings of Cocolife Idea Hub’s 2026 Emergency and Medical Preparedness Study, titled Ready or At Risk?, which assessed how Filipinos prepare for medical emergencies and the financial challenges they face when illness strikes.

According to the study, only 1 in 6 Filipinos (16%) considered themselves truly prepared for a medical emergency. Nearly half said they felt uncertain or unprepared to manage the financial impact of unexpected hospitalization, suggesting a persistent gap in financial readiness among Filipino households.

The study also found that 62% of respondents had experienced at least one emergency room visit or hospitalization within the past year. For many, medical emergencies are no longer rare events but recurring experiences they must face.

However, financial safety nets remain thin. Sixty-four percent said their emergency funds would cover no more than three days of hospitalization. By comparison, data from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) estimates that the average inpatient stay lasts 5.18 days and costs around PHP82,000. This gap leaves families vulnerable to healthcare expenses that stretch far beyond their savings.

Beyond inpatient care, ongoing health costs add to the pressure. Seven in 10 respondents visit a doctor at least once a year, often paying for routine consultations and tests out-of-pocket due to a lack of outpatient healthcare coverage.

‘Medical emergencies should not be the source of financial ruin for Filipino families,’ said Ma. Rowena Asnan, Cocolife First Vice-President of Marketing and Research. ‘Our study underscores an urgent need to bridge the gap between healthcare reality and financial readiness, ensuring our countrymen have reliable support when they need it most.’

To address these real-world challenges, Cocolife continues to strengthen its Alagang Cocolife brand of care by bringing together its comprehensive suite of health-focused solutions, backed by nearly 48 years of serving Filipinos.

Under the Alagang Cocolife portfolio are Cocolife Aruga, the Philippines’ first results-oriented life and health insurance plan; Cocolife Agapay, an investment-linked life and health solution that combines protection with long-term savings; Cocolife Kalinga, an affordable term life and health insurance plan; and the Critical Illness Benefit Rider and Hospitalization Income Benefit Rider, which provide additional financial support during serious illness and hospital confinement.

Beyond individual protection, Cocolife Healthcare extends this commitment to organizations through more than 25 years of experience providing healthcare solutions for companies nationwide. As the country’s first ISO 9001:2015-certified healthcare program provider, it continues to partner with leading hospitals, clinics, and healthcare platforms to help support the health and well-being of Filipino employees and their families.

As Filipinos continue to navigate rising healthcare costs, the study highlights the importance of proactive financial preparation. Through Alagang Cocolife, Cocolife remains steadfast in delivering practical protection that empowers Filipinos to face the future with confidence and peace of mind.

A quarter-point rate hike looms as inflation risks ‘broaden’ and policy credibility takes priority, according to Bank of the Philippine Islands’ (BPI) Lead Economist.

In a commentary he wrote, BPI Senior Vice President and Lead Economist Emilio S. Neri Jr. said the lender expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to deliver a 25-basis point rate hike at next Thursday’s policy meeting, with inflation risks remaining ’tilted to the upside’ despite the recent moderation in headline inflation.

According to Neri, adverse weather remains a ‘key concern,’ with habagat-driven monsoon rains and flooding raising the risk of further crop damage just as food supply conditions were beginning to stabilize.

‘Elevated domestic fertilizer prices could further add to farm input costs as the planting season gets underway in the coming months,’ Neri said in the commentary issued last Thursday.

Looking ahead, he said the potential onset of a Super El Niño in the latter part of the year could ‘compound’ agricultural supply disruptions and keep food prices elevated into 2027.

During the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing last Monday, BSP Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja said the central bank will update its inflation forecasts in accordance with the ‘risk factors’ that it is currently tracking.

‘One of them is the price of crude oil in the international market. Second, the potential effect of El Niño which the peak impact will be experienced in the fourth quarter of 2026 until the first half of 2027,’ added Abenoja.

In his commentary four days later, Neri wrote that oil prices remain ‘volatile’ as US-Iran talks swing between de-escalation and renewed tensions, while rising producer prices in China add another channel for imported cost pressures.

Further, he said the approved NCR wage hike, once implemented, would add to domestic inflation pressures by raising labor costs, particularly in labor-intensive services.

‘Beyond the direct impact on prices, potential second-round effects could make inflation more persistent as businesses pass higher labor costs through to consumers,’ Neri added.

Taken together, he said these risks increase the likelihood of inflation lingering above the central bank’s target range through 2027.

APART from domestic inflation woes, Neri said a sharper depreciation in the local currency ‘would amplify’ imported inflation, which may require tighter policy even if the underlying shock remains ‘largely supply-driven.’

He cited that the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) have ‘declined significantly’ to $103 billion as of July, from $113 billion at the onset of the US-Iran war in late February.

While reserves remain ‘adequate by traditional metrics,’ Neri emphasized that ‘the sustained drawdown points to a gradual erosion of the Philippines’ external buffers.’

‘Without a rate hike, a faster depletion of GIR from spot-market intervention could add to Peso weakness and further lift inflation expectations,’ he stressed.

Within the trading session on Wednesday, the Philippine peso hit its all-time weakest intraday level of 61.995 but recovered as it closed at 61.815 against the dollar, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) showed. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/08/19/rate-hike-may-be-good-defense-for-philippine-peso/)

Monetary policy

NERI also emphasized that monetary authorities staying their hands in an effort to support growth could risk allowing inflation expectations to become less anchored without addressing the underlying supply constraints.’

He said monetary policy can manage cyclical demand but cannot address constraints on potential output, hence leaving ‘limited scope’ for lower rates to offset a ‘predominantly’ supply-driven shock.

Neri explained further that the ‘binding constraint’ on Philippine growth is increasingly structural rather than cyclical, with governance challenges also weighing on economic activity, something monetary policy cannot remedy.

‘The more durable solution lies in advancing reforms across government, from infrastructure execution and agricultural productivity to energy security,’ said Neri.

A 25-basis-point hike, he said, would therefore be ‘consistent’ with the Monetary Board prioritizing price stability while ‘leaving the burden of addressing supply-side constraints where it belongs: with structural and fiscal policy.’

As such, Neri said tighter monetary policy to address inflation would therefore ‘reinforce’ the need for the fiscal side to accelerate reforms, improve spending execution, and tackle bottlenecks that monetary policy cannot resolve.

KPC Importation Services is strengthening its support for Filipino entrepreneurs through its weekly ‘Importing Masterclass: The Strategic Way to Start a Business,’ an online training program designed to help aspiring and existing business owners better understand international sourcing, supplier verification, and the importation process.

Held every Sunday at 6 p.m. via Google Meet, the masterclass forms part of KPC’s continuing commitment to educate aspiring entrepreneurs, existing business owners, working students, overseas Filipino workers, and other Filipinos who want to learn how to import smarter and start a business more efficiently.

The program covers KPC’s history and key milestones, strategic product sourcing through Alibaba, supplier negotiation and legitimacy verification, and the creation and optimization of an Alibaba account. Participants are also introduced to the process of creating a KPC account and securing a KPC Code, as well as the company’s importation routes, extended services, and the strategic advantages of importing with KPC.

The training aims to address common challenges faced by first-time importers, particularly in finding legitimate suppliers, identifying products with market potential, and understanding the processes involved before bringing goods into the Philippines. For existing business owners, the masterclass also provides an opportunity to strengthen sourcing strategies, explore new product categories, and improve supply chain operations.

KPC’s importer education initiatives extend beyond its weekly sessions. In November 2025, KPC Importation Services and Alibaba.com conducted an Advanced Workshop on Alibaba.com Trading and Global Market Expansion, attended by hundreds of business owners from across the country. The workshop provided participants with insights on international sourcing, supplier verification, and opportunities in global trade.

The initiatives reflect KPC’s broader direction as more than a traditional Freight Forwarder in the Philippines, with the company expanding its role to include sourcing education, importer training, and business development support.

‘Kilala nila si KPC as a forwarder, but we don’t just ship the products; we cater to the whole 360 part of the business. Ini-empower namin yung mga clients namin. More than their shipments, priority namin ang growth nila,’ said Mr. Khelvin P. Cruz, CPA, MBA, CEO of KPC Importation Services.

Through this approach, KPC continues to position itself as a Trusted Freight Forwarder that goes beyond importing packages, helping Filipino entrepreneurs gain access not only to logistics services but also to knowledge, sourcing opportunities, and supplier networks that can support long-term business growth.

SELF-RATED poverty and hunger among Filipino families increased by 4 percentage points, from 35 percent in March 2026 to 39 percent in July, equivalent to an increase from about 9.2 million to 10.2 million families, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey by OCTA Research.

The non-commissioned, nationwide survey was conducted from July 4 to 11, 2026, through face-to-face interviews with 1,200 respondents. It has a ±3 percentage-point margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.

The increase was particularly prominent outside the National Capital Region (NCR). While self-rated poverty declined by approximately 3 percentage points in NCR, it climbed by around seven points in Balance Luzon, three points in Mindanao, and two points in the Visayas

Mindanao, usually billed as the ‘Land of Promise,’ continued to post the highest level of self-rated poverty among the major areas at 58 percent, followed by the Visayas at 46 percent, Balance Luzon at 33 percent and NCR at 18 percent. As expected, the burden was also significantly heavier among lower-income households, with 62 percent of Class E families identifying themselves as poor, compared with 37 percent of Class D and 20 percent of Class ABC households.

The survey likewise showed a 4-percentage-point increase in self-rated hunger, from 17 percent in March to 21 percent in July. OCTA estimated that the increase represents roughly 1.1 million additional families, bringing the number of families that experienced involuntary hunger to approximately 5.6 million.

However, the survey found that most hunger episodes were occasional. Among families that experienced hunger, 68percent said it happened only once, while 19percent said it occurred a few times. Overall, 87percent reported experiencing hunger only once or a few times, while 13percent said it occurred often or always.

Balance Luzon recorded the highest hunger incidence among the four major areas at 27 percent followed by NCR at 19 percent, the Visayas at 17 percent and Mindanao at 14 percent. By socioeconomic class, hunger was reported by 35 percent of Class E families, compared with 20 percent of Class D and 8 percent of Class ABC households.

At the regional level, Bicol posted the highest reported hunger incidence at 56 percent followed by Northern Mindanao at 37 percent, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) at 34 percent, Caraga at 29 percent and Eastern Visayas at 28 percent.

OCTA cautioned that regional figures should be interpreted carefully because of their larger margins of error.

Despite the deterioration in overall poverty and hunger indicators, self-rated food poverty declined by three percentage points, from 31 percent in March to 28percent in July. OCTA estimates that this translates to a decrease from about 8.1 million to 7.4 million families who considered themselves food-poor, or roughly 700,000 fewer families.

It said the improvement was recorded across all four major areas. Food poverty fell from 12 percent to 9 percent in NCR, 22 percent to 18 percent in Balance Luzon, 39 percent to 37 percent in the Visayas and 53 percent to 52 percent in Mindanao.

Nonetheless, Mindanao registered the highest level of food poverty at 52 percent, while Class E households continued to carry the heaviest burden at 38 percent, compared with 28 percent for Class D and 14 percent for Class ABC.

The survey also points to continuing financial pressure, mainly low wages among households that remain food-poor. The median amount families said they need each month for food expenses to no longer consider themselves food-poor remained at P10,000. However, the median additional amount they said they currently lack increased from P4,000 in the first quarter to P5,000 in the second quarter.

Uneven recovery

THE latest figures paint a mixed picture of household welfare, with improvements in one measure of food security occurring alongside worsening perceptions of overall poverty and an increase in reported hunger.

OCTA noted that the rise in self-rated poverty was driven largely by conditions outside NCR, while Mindanao continued to register the highest levels of both poverty and food poverty. Balance Luzon, meanwhile, recorded the highest hunger incidence among the major areas.

The results also highlight the continuing vulnerability of Class E households, which recorded substantially higher levels across all three indicators-self-rated poverty, hunger and food poverty-than Class D and Class ABC households.

The results highlight the continuing vulnerability of Class E households, which recorded substantially higher levels of self-rated poverty, hunger, and food poverty than Class D and Class ABC households.

For policymakers, OCTA said these findings underscore the importance of closely monitoring household incomes, employment stability, food prices, and access to financial assistance, particularly for families with limited financial buffers.

OCTA’s survey suggests that while fewer families described themselves as food-poor, more experienced at least one episode of hunger during the preceding three months.

Overall, the Q2 2026 TNM results indicate that improvements in food poverty have a long way to go as they have yet to translate into broad-based economic security, with poverty and hunger remaining significant and uneven challenges across the country.

VICE President Sara Z. Duterte may continue facing separate criminal, civil, and administrative cases even after the conclusion of her impeachment trial, according to the House prosecution team.

House prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan explained that an impeachment proceeding is separate from other legal actions and does not prevent agencies such as the Office of the Ombudsman from pursuing cases based on the same allegations. She said impeachment is considered sui generis, meaning it has its own nature and process, allowing criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings to continue alongside it.

Kapunan made the statement in response to questions regarding complaints filed against Duterte before the Ombudsman involving alleged misuse of public funds.

Several complaints have been filed against the Vice President, including a December 2025 complaint by a group that included former Finance undersecretary Maria Cielo Magno involving alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds. Another complaint was later filed in January 2026 by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and civil society group The Silent Majority.

‘The impeachment trial is separate; it is what we call sui generis [a proceeding unique in nature]. A criminal case, a civil case, or an administrative case may proceed alongside it,’ Kapunan said during an online press briefing.

She emphasized that impeachment has a different purpose and standard of evidence compared with criminal cases. She explained that criminal cases require proof beyond reasonable doubt, while impeachment cases require ‘clear and convincing evidence.’

House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers said that Duterte’s legal challenges would not automatically end after the impeachment trial. He explained that other proceedings may continue depending on the facts and evidence presented in separate cases. According to Barbers, the main issue before the Senate Impeachment Court is whether Duterte should remain in office based on the evidence presented during the trial.

Pattern

OFFICIAL House records submitted to the Senate Impeachment Court reportedly show what prosecutors described as a pattern of withholding information and resisting congressional scrutiny regarding Duterte’s confidential funds. Barbers pointed to the Office of the Vice President’s non-participation in the 2024 House inquiry and its efforts to prevent the release of documents requested by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

Barbers said these actions reflected a lack of transparency and cooperation during the congressional investigation. The Senate Impeachment Court recently took judicial notice of official House records from the 2024 inquiry after Duterte’s defense team agreed to their custody and submission.

Among the records was an August 21, 2024 letter from then-OVP Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez to Commission on Commission on Audit Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba, which prosecutors said discouraged compliance with a House subpoena seeking documents from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education. Also included were Duterte’s September 23, 2024 letter declining participation in committee deliberations and requesting the termination of the inquiry, as well as a November 5, 2024 position paper from Lopez, former OVP Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta, former DepEd Special Disbursing Officer Edward Fajarda, and others refusing to attend hearings and asking for the investigation to be stopped.

Barbers said these records showed the difficulties encountered by House investigators in obtaining documents and testimonies needed to examine the use of confidential funds. He stressed that because public funds were involved, government officials should provide clear explanations to the Filipino people.

The impeachment complaint against Duterte accuses her of alleged misuse, misappropriation, and irregular liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential funds. This includes P500 million released to the Office of the Vice President from December 2022 to September 2023 and P112.5 million released to the Department of Education in three quarters of 2023 while Duterte was serving as Education secretary.

Kapunan maintained that the Senate Impeachment Court should evaluate the case based on the evidence presented during the proceedings, saying, ‘Let us follow the evidence.’

POWER utilities that have the means to reduce technical system losses should also bear their cost instead of automatically passing them on to consumers, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Thursday.

During a Senate Committee on Energy hearing, Gatchalian said that distribution utilities are in the best position to invest in equipment, substations, upgraded lines, and distributed energy systems that can bring down technical system losses.

‘Kung sino ang may kapangyarihan dapat siya ang sumalo dahil incentives iyan. Walang incentives na babaan at ipapasa mo rin, wala ka rin incentive na mag-invest sa mga technology [Whoever has the power should shoulder it because that creates incentives. If you can simply pass it on, there is no incentive to reduce it and no incentive to invest in technology],’ he said.

Gatchalian said system loss is inherent in transmitting electricity and cannot be eliminated, but utilities should be encouraged to minimize losses that can be reduced through better technology and infrastructure.

He proposed treating system loss as a cost of the distribution utility instead of part of its recoverable revenue, which is currently shouldered by consumers and subjected to value-added tax.

‘Kung parte yan ng cost, expense na iyan ng distribution utility [If that becomes part of the cost, then it becomes an expense of the distribution utility],’ he said.

Gatchalian cited options, such as upgraded substations and distributed energy systems, including rooftop solar, which could reduce the need for long line extensions and consequently lower line losses.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, panel chairman, agreed that infrastructure investment should be examined beyond distribution utilities, pointing also to transmission facilities of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP).

‘Siguro po kailangan na rin mag-upgrade ang National Grid Corporation of the Philippines [Perhaps the NGCP also needs to upgrade],’ he said.

Tulfo later asked if some utilities had failed to modernize over the years because existing rules allowed them to recover system losses from consumers.

‘Hindi sila nag-invest through the years iyong capital expenditure expenses para to modernize. Dahil umasa lang po sila diyan sa systems loss na yan [They did not invest through the years in capital expenditures to modernize because they relied on that system-loss mechanism],’ he said.

He argued that consumers should not be made responsible for utilities’ failure to invest in better infrastructure.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), meanwhile, acknowledged that distribution utilities are required to meet technical and performance standards and may be penalized if they exceed allowable system-loss levels.

ERC Chairperson Francis Juan said utilities also have an incentive to undertake capital expenditure programs when their losses exceed regulatory caps, as they already have to absorb the excess.

‘Sila naman din ay mayroong natural na insentibo na mag-roll out ng mga capital expenditure programs upang mapababa halimbawa ang kanilang system loss.

Dahil nga kung sila ay above the cap na, mamabutihin nilang sila ay makapag-invest sa mga makabagong kagamitan nang sa ganoon ay mapababa nila ang kanilang system loss [They also have a natural incentive to roll out capital expenditure programs to reduce their system loss. If they go beyond the cap, it would be in their interest to invest in modern equipment so they can bring their system loss down],’ Juan said.

The Senate is studying several proposals to reform or remove system-loss charges as lawmakers determine which electricity losses may reasonably be passed on to consumers and which should instead be absorbed by companies capable of preventing or reducing them. With PNA

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) sees the construction of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension moving forward with fewer hurdles following the Villar family’s donation of land to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

MPIC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said the development will allow Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), a subsidiary of the infrastructure conglomerate, to continue building the extension of the train system.

‘I think it will help out the population in the outlying areas if you have good public transportation because the jobs are here in Manila, right?’ Pangilinan said.

He said better connectivity would allow people living farther from major employment centers to access jobs without shouldering the higher costs of living closer to their workplaces.

‘When you build it close to the jobs, you save on expenses. But you need to have a good public transportation.’

The Villar family’s land donation to the DOTr is intended to support infrastructure for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, which expands rail connectivity south of Metro Manila.

The extension is expected to improve access between Cavite communities and the capital, giving commuters an alternative to road-based transportation and potentially reducing the time and cost of daily travel.

LRMC is a joint venture of MPIC’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Sumitomo Corp., and Macquarie Investments Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.

The consortium won the concession to operate and maintain LRT 1 in September 2015 through a P65-billion 32-year concession agreement with the Department of Transportation and the Light Rail Transit Authority. Under the deal, LRMC will operate and maintain the existing rail line and will expand it further up to Niog in Cavite. So far, it has extended the system up to Dr. Santos in Sucat, Paranaque.

Last month, the DOTr said the Villar family is willing to donate land for the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension, effectively clearing the right-of-way hurdle that has stalled the project’s completion.

‘The Villar family wants to donate their land,’ Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said, dismissing reports that right-of-way acquisition remains a problem for the rail line’s southern extension.

The commitment removes what had been considered a major obstacle to the timely delivery of the project, which the Light Rail Transit Authority has committed to complete before the end of the Marcos administration’s term in 2028.

The measles-rubella vaccination campaign in Central Visayas has vaccinated nearly 98,000 children, bringing the region’s accomplishment rate to 15.5 percent, as the Department of Health (DOH) and local government units intensify efforts to reach more children and counter vaccine misinformation.

The latest DOH Central Visayas accomplishment report, covering data as of August 19, 2026, at 10 p.m., showed that 97,661 children aged 6 to 59 months have been vaccinated out of the region’s target of 630,214.

A total of 532,553 children remain to be vaccinated.

Among the areas covered, Mandaue City posted the highest coverage at 21.9 percent, followed by Lapu-Lapu City at 18.3 percent, Bohol Province at 15.6 percent, Cebu Province at 15.2 percent and Cebu City at 12.9 percent.

The latest figure represents an increase from the 11-percent accomplishment recorded in Central Visayas as of August 16, when 69,046 children had been vaccinated.

The figures come as the region continues the third phase of the nationwide Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity (MR-SIA), implemented under the Ligtas Tigdas 2026 campaign.

Mercado urges stronger Visayas vaccination push

DOH Secretary Dr. Edwin Mercado, who assumed the health portfolio earlier this month, said the department is shifting greater attention to the Visayas and Mindanao as the third phase of the vaccination campaign continues.

‘First of all, I’d like to thank our dear mayor, congresswoman, for inviting us over to witness the vaccination,’ Mercado said during an interview in his visit to Cebu on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

‘This is actually the third phase of our MR-SIA vaccination drive and given the current situation in Luzon, we are already shifting our attention towards Visayas and Mindanao,’ Mercado added.

Mercado called on local government units in the region to coordinate closely with the DOH regional office and develop communication plans that will reach all eligible families, particularly those with children aged six months to 59 months.

The Health Secretary said the parents he had spoken with showed generally positive acceptance of the vaccination program and appeared aware of its benefits. ‘I think naman very positive yung acceptance ng ating mga parents,’ he said.

Mercado stressed that the potential complications of measles and rubella are far more serious than the risks associated with vaccination, while emphasizing that the campaign seeks to build population immunity and close gaps in protection.

‘Baka mag-extend pa tayo depende kung ano ang outcome next week,’ Mercado said, adding that the priority is to strengthen information efforts so more children can be vaccinated within the next two weeks.

Naga City reports no significant vaccine hesitation

Amid concerns over vaccine misinformation in some parts of Central Visayas, Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong said his local government has not encountered significant vaccine hesitation or complaints related to the measles-rubella campaign.

Asked by Cebu media on Wednesday morning, August 19, whether residents had been refusing or resisting vaccination, Chiong said he had not received reports of opposition.

‘Wala ko kadungog og pagdili. Hopefully, nagsige sila. Wala man sad reklamo [I haven’t heard of any opposition. Hopefully they will continue it. There were no complaints yet],’ he added.

Chiong said barangay officials remain an important link in monitoring concerns and feedback from residents. He added that he can coordinate directly with barangay captains should issues arise.

The mayor also encouraged residents to take advantage not only of the Ligtas Tigdas campaign but of other government immunization and health programs available in their communities.

Health workers, nurses and midwives stationed in barangays, along with regular visits by doctors, help bring basic health services closer to residents, he said.

Chiong also said he has reached out to companies through their corporate social responsibility programs to support community health initiatives.

Naga City’s experience provides a contrasting picture to the vaccine hesitancy reported in other parts of Central Visayas, where health officials have identified misinformation and fear of side effects as barriers to vaccination.

DOH: Data key to fighting misinformation

Mercado said the DOH Health Promotion Bureau is strengthening its information campaign by providing factual information and data demonstrating the benefits of vaccination.

‘The only way is to really show the proof, to really show data kasi numbers do not lie,’ Mercado said.

He added that the DOH is looking at providing regular data updates to media organizations so the public can be better informed about vaccination accomplishments and developments in the different regions.

The DOH briefer noted that Central Visayas has recorded 16,441 refusals, equivalent to about two percent of the region’s target population.

More than 46 percent of these refusals were reportedly linked to fear of side effects.

Health authorities say misinformation remains a significant challenge as the campaign seeks to reach children who are unvaccinated or under-immunized.

LGUs urged to become vaccination champions

DOH officials also emphasized that local governments have a crucial role in convincing parents to have their children vaccinated.

Usec. Mary Ann Maestral said the DOH appreciates the efforts of local leaders, particularly in Cebu, who have produced videos and other messages encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated.

The officials urged LGUs to continue helping disseminate accurate information and counter false claims about vaccines.

Gloria Balboa said local chief executives can serve as trusted voices or ‘influencers’ in their communities because residents often look to their local leaders for guidance.

‘Ang ganda din na ang local chief executives would also be the one to become sort of influencers,’ Balboa said.

He urged local officials to tell their constituents that vaccines are safe and effective and that children need the protection they provide.

Balboa also called for expanding vaccination sites beyond traditional health centers.

Daycare centers, malls and other accessible community locations can serve as additional vaccination venues, making it easier for parents to bring their children for immunization.

He also emphasized the role of health workers and barangay health workers in actively identifying and reaching families in communities where vaccination uptake remains low.

‘Marami pong mga interventions na pwede nating gawin at kailangang pagtulungan po natin ito,’ Balboa said.

The campaign, he stressed, requires the cooperation of the DOH, other government agencies, LGUs, development partners, communities and parents.

He also encouraged parents whose children have already been vaccinated to share their positive experiences with other families.

‘Yung mga good news, yun ang dapat nating i-marites,’ Balboa said, underscoring the importance of spreading positive and factual stories about vaccination.

Ligtas Tigdas continues through August 28

The DOH Central Visayas and local government units are continuing the MR-SIA from August 10 to 28, targeting approximately 630,000 children aged six months to five years in the region, with eligible children in Cebu and Bohol prioritized.

The campaign is being implemented through provincial and municipal health facilities, barangays, communities and temporary vaccination sites.

Dr. Faith Curaraton, DOH 7 Regional National Immunization Program medical coordinator, previously emphasized that the supplemental campaign is designed to provide children with additional protection against measles and rubella.

She stressed that the vaccines are free, safe and effective.

The Cebu Provincial Government is supporting the campaign through its health personnel and facilities. Gov. Pamela Baricuatro earlier issued Executive Order No. 40 creating the Provincial Immunization Task Force to strengthen coordination among government agencies and LGUs.

Sixteen provincial and district hospitals, together with rural health units, are being utilized as vaccination sites, while barangay health workers are helping identify eligible children and facilitate registration.

Three phases of the nationwide campaign

The Ligtas Tigdas campaign was launched in response to the continuing risk of measles transmission and the presence of zero-dose and under-immunized children.

Measles and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis, severe diarrhea, blindness and, in severe cases, death. Children below five years old are particularly vulnerable.

The first two phases of the nationwide campaign have already been completed.

Phase I, conducted across all regions of Mindanao from January 19 to February 20, vaccinated 2,348,031 children, or 82.2 percent of the target population.

Phase II, covering Metro Manila and its bordering barangays in Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, as well as Batanes, vaccinated 1,134,621 children, or 83.8 percent of the target.

Phase III began on August 10 and covers all regions of Luzon except the National Capital Region, as well as the Visayas.

As of August 16, Phase III had vaccinated 1,612,946 children, representing 26 percent of its overall target.

What started as a small automotive parts business in Ormoc City in 1992 has grown into an established name in the automotive and motorcycle industry in Eastern Visayas.

At the heart of that growth is ESE Auto Parts Enterprises Inc., the main business behind a growing network of retail, service, and distribution operations built to serve different needs of the market.

Today, that network includes Bikerbay in Ormoc City, a one-stop shop for motorcycle riders and customers; ESE Auto Moto in Tacloban City, its one-stop automotive and motorcycle retail and service destination; and ESE United Parts, the company’s distribution arm covering Regions 7 and 8.

Together, they represent one ESE network with a shared purpose: to make quality automotive and motorcycle products more accessible to dealers, businesses, and everyday customers.

A Distribution Network Built on Local Strength

Over the years, ESE has built a strong foothold in Eastern Visayas through relationships with dealers and customers, supported by its sales force, logistics fleet, fulfillment centers, warehousing, and technology-driven operations.

Its network now reaches 8 provinces and 167 municipalities and cities, with more than 550 B2C dealers and 100+ B2B customers.

Through ESE United Parts, the company continues to strengthen its distribution footprint across Regions 7 and 8.

Part of this growing portfolio is Gumande Tires, with ESE serving as its Regional Distributor for Regions 7 and 8 bringing the brand closer to more motorcycle dealers, shops, and riders throughout Central and Eastern Visayas.

But ESE sees this as only the beginning.

From its strong base in Eastern Visayas, the company’s vision is to eventually build a wider and stronger presence across the whole Visayas region.

Not simply by reaching more places, but by becoming the kind of partner, dealers and businesses can depend on as they grow.

Growing Business. Creating Opportunities.

ESE also believes that growth should create opportunities for people.

This is reflected in its ongoing partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through JobStart Philippines, a program that helps prepare young Filipinos for employment through career coaching, life-skills development, technical training, and workplace internships.

Through the program, young participants are given an opportunity to experience an actual working environment, develop practical skills, and better prepare themselves for employment.

For ESE, it is more than a manpower program. It is a chance to help young people take their first meaningful step into the workforce and hopefully build careers of their own.

ESE Auto Parts Enterprises Inc. at its core.

Bikerbay serving Ormoc.

ESE Auto Moto serving Tacloban.

ESE United Parts connecting Regions 7 and 8.

One growing organization, with a bigger vision ahead:

To bring ESE’s products, service, partnerships, and opportunities to more communities across the Visayas.