Category: Business Mirror

MGS made its return to the World of Safety and Security Expo (WOSAS) 2026 with a bigger presence, a wider product lineup, and a vision that goes well beyond smart locks.

After joining WOSAS in 2025 with its smart lock solutions, MGS came back to this year’s edition stronger and more expansive, bringing a new generation of smart home and security innovations directly to the expo floor. Held August 5-8 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, WOSAS 2026 brought together security professionals, businesses, property developers, facility managers, and other industry decision-makers to explore the latest advancements in safety, security, access control, and smart technologies. For MGS, this year’s participation marked more than another appearance on the show floor, it marked how far the brand has evolved.

From Smart Locks to a Smarter Lifestyle

When MGS first joined WOSAS, smart locks sat at the center of its showcase, introducing Filipino consumers and industry professionals to a more intelligent approach to home and property security. This year, that focus has widened considerably.

At WOSAS 2026, visitors got a look at MGS’ expanded collection of smart home and lifestyle technologies, built around the idea that security, convenience, comfort, and automation can work together in one ecosystem. Alongside its latest smart locks and access solutions sat products designed for modern kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces, a reminder, as the company puts it, that security is only the beginning.

A Bigger MGS Booth. A Bigger Product Experience.

The clearest sign of that shift was the booth itself. Rather than centering on smart locks alone, MGS filled its space with a growing portfolio of connected home products: its latest generation of smart locks, smart bathroom solutions, smart kitchen innovations, and other smart home appliances, giving visitors a closer look at how the brand’s approach to connected living has evolved.

It’s a showcase that positions MGS as a company thinking past the entrance, one aiming to build smarter, safer, and more elevated spaces from the front door to everywhere else in the home.

Where Security Meets Smart Home Innovation

WOSAS has established itself as one of the Philippines’ major B2B platforms for safety and security, spanning access control, surveillance, cybersecurity, emergency response, disaster preparedness, fire protection, and smart city technology. That makes it natural territory for a brand like MGS.

As modern security continues to evolve, consumers and businesses aren’t just looking for stronger locks anymore, they’re looking for smarter access, greater convenience, and technology that fits seamlessly into everyday life. MGS’ presence at WOSAS 2026 reflects that shift directly: its smart locks provide intelligent access, while its growing smart home lineup shows how that same intelligence can extend well past the front door.

The Future of MGS Is Bigger Than a Lock

MGS’ journey at WOSAS shows how quickly the definition of security and smart living is changing. What started with smart locks has grown into a broader ecosystem of intelligent home solutions, designed to make everyday spaces not just more secure, but more convenient, comfortable, and connected, and this is only the beginning.

MGS Philippines leaves WOSAS 2026 with a bigger presence, bigger possibilities, and an even bigger vision for the future of smart living. Because for MGS, smart security was never just about protecting what’s behind your door. It’s about transforming everything beyond it.

Discover the latest MGS smart home and security solutions in the Philippines by visiting mgshome.ai or following MGS Philippines on social media platforms.

TWO persons were killed while 9 other students were seriously wounded during another mass shooting in a school, this time in Zamboanga City, sparking another frenzy of hand-wringing over how such violence can be avoided by measures like stricter gun laws, internet and social-media regulation and expanded psychosocial services for youth.

The fatalities included the student-suspect named Jalani and another student.

Livestreamed violent act

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the Grade 9 student involved in the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University-Junior High School livestreamed the incident on social media on the morning of August 18, 2026.

However, Undersecretary Renato Paraiso of the CICC, asked about the mention of the shooter’s alleged addiction to the controversial e-games, said:

‘Hindi pa sya confirmed na Roblox. Hindi pa naiinvestigahan yung phone [It’s not yet confirmed as Roblox. The phone has not yet been examined]. This kid is actually an honor student, grade conscious siya.’

He added, ‘There might be an influence [from the games], but there is no digital evidence yet to prove any link. We are going to investigate with the PNP ACG [Anti-cybercrime Group]. But our initial intervention is to take down the videos and preserve them for the PNP.’

Remulla said the child in conflict with the law (CICL) died after jumping from the fifth floor of the school building following the shooting, which also resulted in the death of a Grade 10 student.

Remulla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is conducting a thorough investigation to establish the motive behind the shooting, determine the ownership and source of the firearm used, and find out how it was brought inside the school campus.

The PNP is also looking into whether security or procedural lapses may have contributed to the incident.

The DILG condoled with the families of the dead and assured the school community that authorities are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure the safety and well-being of students and school personnel.

In a statement, PNP Chief PGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police organization will provide verified information as appropriate and appealed to the public to refrain from sharing unconfirmed reports, photos, or videos that may cause unnecessary concern.

The suspect was a 4th-year high school student whose father is an official of the Zamboanga City Customs Office. The boy used a Glock 9 mm and brandished an M16 assault rifle, a source told the BusinessMirror.

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno on Tuesday relieved the District Commander of the Enforcement and Security Services (ESS) in Zamboanga port, the father of the suspect. The BOC chief noted that although ESS Zamboanga chief Lt. Lars Jalani had nothing to do with the incident, the order was necessary to ensure an impartial investigation.

Allegedly, the student who belongs to the ‘top of the class’ went berserk and came to school ‘live-streaming’ his violent act.

The source said the suspect was looking for a class teacher, an alleged male LGBT, for still unknown reasons.

Day of prayer, mourning

Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Anthony ‘Ernald’ Andal, SJ, on Tuesday declared the observance of a day of mourning and prayer on August 19, Wednesday.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, in a statement, condemned the incident.

‘I demand a thorough investigation and call on the DepEd and the local government of Zamboanga to provide immediate psychosocial support to distressed learners and school personnel.’

According to Gatchalian, clear answers on how the shooter obtained two firearms and brought these into the school premises need to be provided.

House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III said in a statement, ‘As lawmakers, our work cannot begin only after a tragedy has happened. We have to look for the gaps before another family has to bury a child.’

Health Secretary Edwin Mercado directed the immediate deployment of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) teams. ‘We are ready to provide professionals to support the processing and healing of those involved, as well as assistance with medical expenses,’ the DOH said.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said, ‘my heart goes out to the parents who are grieving today. My sympathies are likewise with all the families affected by this tragedy, as well as the teachers, learners, and school personnel who experienced this terrible incident.’

Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) has directed its Regional Office IX to coordinate with the school and other concerned authorities and to make psychosocial support available to affected learners, teachers, and families as needed.

Previous cases

The Zamboanga school shooting was preceded by several other school attacks. In June, at a public high school in Tacloban City, three students were killed, and about 20 others were injured when two of the students of the same school opened fire randomly at fleeing victims.

In Cavite, a Grade 8 student attacked and injured seven Grade 5 pupils with a kitchen knife at Bethal Academy. Days later, another stabbing occurred following a fistfight at Cavite National High.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said schools should be among the safest places in the country, noting these are where Filipino children are entrusted to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams.

‘I have directed our law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and to determine what more must be done to prevent another family, another school and another community from suffering the same grief,’ he said.

‘We will work with our schools and communities to strengthen the safeguards that protect our students and ensure that they can pursue their education without fear,’ he said.

Gordon: Kids under pressure

Expressing deep shock and sadness, former senator and now Red Cross chairman Richard J. Gordon said, ‘What makes this even more disturbing is that a child reportedly had access to two firearms, including an M16 and a .45-caliber handgun.

‘How did a child get access to these weapons? This should never have happened. And this is not the first time we have seen violence involving children in our schools. It is getting worse. We have seen students attacked with knives and guns inside schools, and now we are seeing another shooting involving a young student.

‘We have to ask ourselves: Are our children beginning to imitate the violence they see around them?’

Beyond social media discipline, Gordon said, the other problems besetting children should be addressed urgently: ‘Our children are under enormous pressure. They face bullying, academic pressure, family problems, isolation, and problems that adults sometimes do not see. They need guidance. They need someone to talk to. They need parents and teachers who will listen before a problem becomes a tragedy.’

Senators aghast

Senators were aghast at the latest school shooting and vowed to keep pushing pending initiatives for a more integrated approach to ending school violence and keeping campuses safe.

The Committee on Women is scheduled to mount another hearing this Thursday on the wave of school shootings across the country.

‘We will continue the fights against NVE [nihilistic violent extremism], against online grooming for serious violent activity, and other threats to the safety of our children this Thursday,’ Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Women’s committee chair, said in a statement hours after the Zamboanga violence broke.

‘In truth, if violence is not just being perpetrated, but also put on display, copied, or even livestreamed, then that means the [problem society faces is even deeper and bigger,’ added the chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.

For Sen. Joel Villanueva, ‘The tragic school shooting in Zamboanga is a painful reminder that our children deserve nothing less than a safe and secure environment.

He then cited the reforms they are pushing under the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2), which ‘not only encompass the school curriculum, but also the safety of our students, who are exposed to social and environmental factors.’

As co-chair of Edcom2, Villanueva said he supports ‘proposed measures that directly address school violence and strengthen safety and security in our schools.’

At the same time, they are eyeing possible legislation ‘to tighten gun control and promote responsible firearms ownership, storage, and safety, particularly to prevent children and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to firearms. These are difficult but necessary conversations, because no weapon should ever find its way into a classroom or be used to cut short the life of a child.’

The bill on social media ban for children is among the Ledac priorities.

Senator Mark A. Villar renewed his push for Senate Bill No. 2321, or the proposed Ligtas Act, will establish a comprehensive safety and security framework for basic education institutions nationwide. The measure includes stronger threat assessment and reporting mechanisms, closer coordination between schools and law enforcement agencies, emergency response protocols, parent notification systems, first-aid preparedness, regular emergency drills, and crisis counseling.

Villar also cited Senate Bill No. 2133, or the proposed Students’ Guidance Counseling Act, to strengthen guidance and school-based mental health services and provide students with greater access to qualified professionals, preventive programs, referral mechanisms, and appropriate intervention.

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is set to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) that voided its earlier decision to revoke the operating permits of Siqujor Island Power Corp. (Sipcor).

Premiere Island Power REIT Corporation (PREIT), a Villar-backed real estate investment trust whose primary sponsor and major lessee is Sipcor, received last Tuesday a decision from the Court of Appeals (CA), which granted Sipcor’s petition for review filed in September last year and reversed the ERC’s decision.

Sipcor,a power generation company operating diesel and bunker-fired power plants on Siquijor Island, will keep PREIT updated on the finality and execution of the decision, as well as the recovery of its operating authority. Once achieved, Sipcor intends to lift the suspension of the amended the April 2022 lease agreement.

‘Taking into consideration the Court of Appeals’ Decision in favor of Sipcor without prejudice to any action or remedies that may be pursued by the ERC, PREIT shall continue to evaluate internally and confer with Sipcor regarding the potential lifting of the suspension, subject to the formal restoration of its authority to operate.

‘The eventual lifting of such suspension, which remains contingent upon material developments on the matter, is expected to have a favorable effect on PREIT’s overall financial condition upon the resumption of revenue recognition arising from the lease,’ PREIT said in a disclosure.

ERC Chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan refused to comment on the merit of the case. However, the ERC, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), will file a motion for reconsideration (MR).

‘I would not comment on the decision itself or the merits of our case. But please note, regardless of the final outcome of the case-we will file our MR through the OSG-the term of Sipcor’s provisional authority to operate had already expired. So, Sipcor cannot just resume operations without filing for its renewal,’ Juan said via Viber on Wednesday.

In August last year, the ERC revoked the provisional authority to operate and ordered a cease-and-desist for Sipcor’s generation facilities.

Citing major operational breaches, the ERC said Sipcor lacks operating certificates for several generator sets, failed to submit reportorial disclosures, and violated the power supply agreement. It was also cited for prolonged power outages caused by poor maintenance planning and delayed parts replacement, which led to extended shutdowns.

‘But why would it still operate if its power supply agreement with Prosielco [Province of Squijor Island Electric Cooperative Inc.] was already terminated and Prosielco had already conducted its CSP [competitive selection process] and contracted with a new power provider,?’ Juan commented.

THE National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., on Wednesday ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) to beef up its coordination with the management of social media platforms in taking down all the photos and videos in relation to the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University on August 18.

The incident was live-streamed by the minor that carried out the gun attack and Nartatez wants to ensure that netizens, particularly minors, will no longer have access and capability to re-post and share any video and screenshots in connection with the incident.

‘This is an unfortunate incident that should be treated with utmost sensitivity, especially that there were minors involved in the content. Let us all be compassionate over this tragedy and it starts by showing respect and becoming responsible netizens,’ the PNP chief said.

‘We appeal to everyone to refrain from sharing or reposting the videos and photos of the incident. These materials can cause further distress to the victims, their families and the public, and may also interfere with the ongoing investigation,’ he added.

Nartatez said the PNP-ACG and other concerned units were already directed to monitor and report the spread of sensitive videos online.

Following the incident on Tuesday morning, police teams were sent to the Ateneo de Zamboanga University to respond and conduct an investigation to come up with a clear picture of what happened.

One of the key aspects of the investigation, according to Nartatez, was how the minor was able to smuggle two firearms inside the school.

But he said the investigation will go beyond the actual gun attack, as he stressed that a thorough investigation must be carried out to determine all the circumstances that prompted the minor to carry out the attack.

‘We have to dig deeper into this matter, especially that this is not the first time that this tragedy happened. Our focus is to check if there’s a pattern or identify intervention measures to prevent the repeat of this kind of incident,’ the PNP chief stressed.

Another aspect of the investigation is on the issue of responsible gun ownership as Nartatez pointed out the need to add more teeth in running after those whose firearms became easily accessible to minors.

The PNP has been closely working with the Department of Education in coming up with measures that will ensure the safety of all schools and other learning spaces across the country.

A STRING of typhoons and monsoon rains catapulted agricultural damage to fisheries and farm fields to more than P1.4 billion, according to a report from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agricultural damage from the southwest monsoon and typhoons Luis and Maymay has already climbed to P1.42 billion, affecting 43,340 farmers and fisherfolk.

While the weather disturbances have ravaged 34,572 hectares, the agency said 28,445 hectares could still recover.

The DA, however, noted that the volume of losses was pegged at 35,083 MT, with further damage and losses expected as assessments and validation in affected regions continue.

Broken down, rice accounted for the majority of losses at 21,848 MT valued at P794.4 million. Most of the damage was recorded in vegetative and reproductive stages.

The high-value crops trailed behind, with losses at 10,702 MT worth P454.91 million. This included upland and lowland vegetables, such as spices, legumes, calamansi, citrus, and root crops.

Other commodities such as corn and cassava also recorded damage and losses of 2,426 MT worth P74.51 million and 97 MT valued at P1.79 million, respectively.

The fisheries and aquatic resources sector recorded P9.26 million in damage, affecting several seafood produce, such as milkfish, tilapia, mangrove crab, oyster, and giant freshwater prawn. It also damaged fishing boats and gear.

Losses in the livestock industry stood at 22,376 heads worth P12.11 million, which included chickens, swine, cattle, carabaos, and goats, among others.

Furthermore, irrigation facilities, farm structures, and machineries also had damages valued at P59.76 million, P15.82 million, and P1.37 million, respectively.

Given the gravity of the weather disturbances on the farm sector, the DA said it has issued a series of interventions to help affected farmers and fisherfolk.

This includes P210.93 million worth of farm inputs such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds.

Around 3,631 50-kilo bags of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) were distributed to the affected local government units (LGUs) of Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, and Mimaropa.

The DA also earmarked an initial amount of P35.67 million to indemnify 5,005 insured affected farmers and fisherfolk through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).

It also offers loans of up to P25,000 from the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), which come interest-free with a three-year repayment term.

WORKERS who fall ill or get injured while performing their jobs during floods and other calamities may claim benefits under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program, the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) said.

ECC released an advisory as heavy rains and flooding continue to expose workers who still have to report for duty to hazardous conditions.

Among those facing greater risks are construction workers, delivery drivers, electric line workers, rescuers and others whose jobs require them to work despite severe weather.

Coverage extends to compulsory members of the Social Security System (SSS), including self-employed workers, household workers and sea-based overseas Filipino workers.

Meanwhile, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) members, including uniformed personnel, are also covered by the program.

Benefits available for qualified work-related cases include sickness and disability benefits, medical reimbursement and rehabilitation services.

Families of workers who die because of work-related causes may also receive death and funeral benefits under the program.

These are separate from benefits workers may already receive from the SSS or GSIS, according to ECC.

ECC said it is also strengthening coordination with government agencies and the private sector to reach workers requiring assistance more quickly, particularly during disasters.

The commission, chaired by Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino, said the EC Program forms part of the government’s protection for workers who suffer work-related sickness, injury or death.

ECC said disaster preparedness should also include knowing where workers can seek assistance when illness or accidents strike on the job.

Private-sector workers may file their EC claims with the SSS, while government workers may submit claims through the GSIS.

ECC also urged employers to keep their workers’ contributions updated to ensure access to available benefits.

Executive Director Kaima Via B. Velasquez said workers should know what assistance is available when their jobs expose them to risks during severe weather.

‘During the rainy season and other calamities, it is important for workers to know their rights and benefits under the EC Program and coordinate with the nearest ECC, SSS, or GSIS office if they become ill or are injured because of work,’ Velasquez said.

THE Embassy of Malaysia hosted an investment briefing for the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), in conjunction with DEX Connex 2026.

The event brought together senior representatives from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Malaysian technology companies, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to explore strategic investment opportunities in the Philippines’ rapidly growing digital economy.

The program highlighted the investment potential of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and BCDA’s flagship economic zones, particularly Clark and New Clark City, while showcasing opportunities for Malaysian technology companies to establish a long-term presence in the Philippines through innovation, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships. It also featured BCDA and BDB Law’s presentations on the Philippine investment landscape, available fiscal incentives and business establishment opportunities, followed by a networking session and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Safe Truck and IoT Philippines.

Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony and Executive Vice President Atty. Gisela Z. Kalalo of BCDA underscored both countries’ shared commitment to deepen cooperation in digital innovation and investment.

In her remarks, Attorney Kalalo welcomed the Malaysian delegation and reaffirmed BCDA’s commitment to fostering partnerships with innovative Malaysian companies seeking to establish a presence in the Philippines.

Opportunities unprecedented

IN his keynote, Abdul Malik emphasized that the digital economy has become one of the defining pillars of Asean’s future growth and competitiveness, then presented unprecedented opportunities for Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies, innovation and digital investment.

‘Malaysia does not view the Philippines simply as another export market. We see the Philippines as a strategic partner in building Asean’s digital future,’ he pointed out. ‘By combining Malaysia’s technological capabilities with the Philippines’ dynamic market, highly skilled workforce and ambitious digital transformation agenda, we can create partnerships that generate lasting economic value, strengthen regional competitiveness and contribute towards a more resilient and digitally connected Asean.’

The ambassador noted that the Philippines has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising digital economies, driven by a young, digitally connected population, a globally competitive English-speaking workforce, and strong government support for digitalization.

He also highlighted that initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor represent a new generation of economic development that integrates world-class logistics, smart infrastructure, innovation districts and digital connectivity, creating attractive platforms for technology-driven investments.

Trade partners

MALAYSIA and the Philippines continue to enjoy strong and expanding economic relations. In 2025, total bilateral trade reached approximately $8.32 billion, reaffirming the two countries’ roles as important regional trading partners. As both pursue digital transformation and innovation-led growth, technology and digital services are expected to become increasingly important drivers of bilateral economic cooperation.

The Malaysian delegation, led by MDEC, consists of leading technology companies: IDmeta Sdn. Bhd., WAHDAH Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Snappymob Sdn. Bhd., Theta Service Partner Sdn. Bhd., Eco Community Sdn. Bhd. and Safe Truck. They represent a diverse range of expertise, including digital identity, software engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise digitalization, smart mobility, sustainability technologies, and digital platforms, reflecting Malaysia’s growing capabilities as one of Asean’s leading digital economies, the Embassy of Malaysia said.

The embassy remains committed to supporting the internationalization of Malaysian companies and strengthening economic diplomacy with the Philippines. Through close collaboration with MDEC, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation or MATRADE, and Philippine partners, the embassy will continue to facilitate business engagements that contribute to deeper bilateral economic ties, increased digital investment, and enhanced linkages in emerging technology sectors.

The engagement marked another important milestone in strengthening Malaysia-Philippines economic relations, reinforcing both countries’ shared aspiration to build a more innovative, digitally connected, and resilient ASEAN. By fostering closer collaboration between governments, industry and technology innovators, the initiative is expected to create new opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange and sustainable economic growth in both countries.

THE artificial intelligence (AI) boom is translating into stronger manufacturing and export activity across Asia-Pacific, giving chip-producing economies a lift even as the broader global economy slows, Moody’s Analytics said.

In its latest Global Outlook, Moody’s said the AI investment cycle has become a key reason the world economy has avoided a sharper slowdown, as demand for chips, power and computing infrastructure continues to drive capital spending.

‘A steady stream of new AI models has pulled fresh capital into chips, power, and computing, driving stock prices skyward and sparking a global capital expenditure spree,’ Moody’s said.

The impact, however, is uneven across economies.

While gross domestic product (GDP) gains are harder to capture in countries that import much of the hardware used in data centers, Asia-Pacific economies that manufacture semiconductors and other computing equipment are seeing the boom feed more directly into production and exports, the analytics firm said.

The Philippines is positioned within this regional supply chain, with the local semiconductor and electronics industry expecting continued growth as demand for AI-related hardware expands.

Recently, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI) President Dan Lachica said the industry now expects 10-percent growth in 2026, after initially projecting flat growth. The sector grew 16 percent in 2025.

Also, SEIPI has proposed that Pax Silica, the planned semiconductor-focused industrial hub under the Luzon Economic Corridor, serve as a manufacturing anchor that brings together advanced manufacturing, research and development, logistics, digital infrastructure and supporting industries.

The proposal would seek to expand the country’s role beyond its traditional concentration in semiconductor assembly and testing.

On the other hand, the Philippines is also covered by a 12.5-percent US tariff rate for economies with trade agreements with Washington, while semiconductors and other products are among the exemptions under the US tariff regime.

The carve-outs are particularly relevant to technology exporters because they limit the impact of tariffs on semiconductor shipments.

Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwan, the world’s leading producer of advanced chips, grew by nearly 9 percent in 2025 and is expected to post double-digit growth this year, Moody’s said.

The strong performance reflects the scale of the AI-driven investment cycle, but Moody’s warned that the boom may not continue at its current pace.

Stretched equity valuations, supply constraints and uncertainty over the longer-term profitability of AI-related investments could lead to a pause, it said.

‘With the AI boom papering over the strain from higher inflation and tight policy, the risks facing the baseline forecast tilt firmly to the downside. Geopolitics tops the list,’ Moody’s said.

It expects global GDP growth of 2.5 percent in 2026 and 2.8 percent in 2027, below the more than 3-percent pace the global economy could sustain.

THE amount of money being poured by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) into household coffers of their families back home may be plateauing amid rising inflation at home and in their host countries.

Even as the June-only cash remittances posted the highest June cash remittance value on record, cash transfers from Filipinos working abroad are growing at the slowest pace in years due to the war-tied inflation.

Jeremaiah Opiniano, Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI) and professor at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) told the BusinessMirror on Monday: ‘The numbers seem to reveal that even if the June-only cash remittances are the highest June cash remittance on record, cash transfers from overseas Filipinos are slowing down.’

Opiniano said this after latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed cash remittances or the money sent home by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) reached $3.04 billion in June 2026, the highest monthly cash remittance level recorded in the first half of 2026 and also the highest June-only cash remittance level on record.

Data from the central bank, however, showed that the $3.04-billion cash remittances in June 2026 grew by 1.7 percent from the $2.987 billion in June 2025.

This is the slowest growth rate in cash remittances since February 2022 or in four years and four months when the growth rate of the money sent home by OFWs was at 1.3 percent.

In the January to June 2026 period, cash remittances amounted to $17.149 billion, up 2.4 percent compared to the $16.753 billion in the six-month period in 2025.

The 2.4-percent cumulative growth rate, Opiniano said, ‘seems to show that the growth of cash remittances from overseas Filipinos may be reaching a plateau.’

The 2.4-percent growth rate in the six-month period is the slowest cumulative growth rate for the January to June period since the January to June 2020 period or during the pandemic when cash remittances declined by 4.2 percent.

Surprisingly, however, Opiniano said the six-month cash remittances from the Middle East are US$30 million higher in 2026 compared to the same six-month period last year.

This goes to show, he said, that ‘Filipinos abroad are trying their best to send money amid rising inflation at home and in their host countries, and the running economic impacts of the Middle East conflict.’

On a month-on-month basis, however, the $3.04-billion remittance inflows in June were 12.05 percent higher than the $2.713 billion sent home by overseas Filipino workers in May 2026 or in the previous month.

For his part, Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong and Co., said the slowdown in remittance growth to 1.7 percent in June is ‘more a story of moderation than a cause for concern.’

‘A combination of base e?ects, softer economic conditions in some host countries, geopolitical uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, and timing-related factors likely weighed on growth during the month,’ added Ravelas.

Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP), said: ‘Higher living costs in host economies may have also constrained the amount available for transfer, while base effects from relatively stronger inflows a year ago likely contributed to the softer year-on-year growth rate.’

That said, Asuncion emphasized that remittances continued to expand and remained at a ‘relatively high level’ in absolute terms, suggesting that ‘overseas Filipino workers remain employed and continue to provide an important source of support for household consumption and overall economic activity.’

Low contribution to GDP

Opiniano also pointed out: ‘The contribution of remittances to GDP as of the second quarter is 7.1 percent-the lowest since the BSP started tracking this metric.’

Thus, he underscored the need for the national government to ‘continue finding other revenue sources and not just let overseas Filipinos save the day.’

In a statement, the central bank said the United States remained the top source of inflows, followed by Singapore and Saudi Arabia, based on reported remittance transactions by origin.

ON August 12, Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy received 40 portable power generators, each with a capacity of 6 kilowatts, donated by a Philippine private business group.

The humanitarian initiative was launched after a meeting between Ambassador Yuliia Fediv of Ukraine and Senator Erwin Tulfo. The generators, supplied by Highball Traders Inc., will be used exclusively for civilian purposes and provide backup electricity to socially important facilities, while supporting communities affected by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The equipment was transported from the Philippines to the Port of Gdansk in Poland, then subsequently delivered to Ukraine through the ‘rescEU Donations Scheme’ of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with the support of Poland’s Governmental Strategic Reserves Agency.

The Embassy of Ukraine expressed its sincere gratitude to Tulfo, Highball Traders Inc., Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc., KLN Logistics, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, the Embassy of Poland in the Philippines, RARS, and everyone who helped make the delivery possible.

According to the Ukrainian Embassy, the assistance is ‘much more than 40 generators; it is a tangible expression of the solidarity of the people of the Philippines with the people of Ukraine.’

The embassy said: ‘As Russia continues its deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, this support will help strengthen the energy resilience of Ukrainian civilian communities and ensure the continuity of essential services.’