Category: Business Mirror

A new condominium that offers tropical vibes is about to rise in the southwestern island off the main Mactan Island of Cebu, a project that would exude luxury sans the exorbitant tag price, according to the developer.

The Palmava by JohnDorf Ventures Corp. is in the blueprint to emerge from a one-hectare area in central Cordova, at the southeastern end of the iconic, and the Philippines’s longest bridge, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

The project is near facilities and amenities, from schools, hospitals and government offices, to business centers, shopping malls, with one mall just across Tower A, and the current upscale mixed-use development projects along Cebu City’s South Road Properties.

The four towers will all be medium rise, at 14 floors for Towers B, C and D, and 12 floors for Tower A, to comply with the building height restrictions due to the island location of the Mactan International Airport.

The towers will have four categories of residential units: the typical studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, and the luxury garden suites at the second floor of the tower. The Garden Suite Residences are set apart from the typical residences from the larger floor space allotted to each unit, with wider balcony spaces for each unit. The Garden Suite Residences have also the three unit sizes, the studio, the one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, the latter two unit sizes with a spacious balcony measuring 24 square meters.

‘Prospective unit owners may also find the affordability surprising,’ the company said. One can own a typical one-bedroom unit at a monthly payment of only P20,000 and the two-bedroom unit for P25,000 monthly payment, cheaper by notches compared to the typical condominium projects across the country.

‘It’s like being in a business class section of an airline bought at an economy fare.’

As the project name Palmava connotes, the aura of the entire condominium project imitates the tropical vibe of the Iberian Peninsula, inspired by the La Palma island in Spain, ‘often referred to as the greenest island,’ the promotions brief of JohnDorf read.

‘Palma also evokes the image of palm trees, which are commonly found in tropical resorts. Nova mean ‘new’ or ‘modern’ in the Catalan language,’ it added.

As the first of four building towers were yet to see actual construction in 2027, the Filipino-owned company said all the 20 studio units of Tower A were all sold out already.

The developer, JohnDorf Ventures Corp., has been in the real estate business since 1986, with many of its earlier projects, mostly subdivisions, spread across many cities in Mindanao, from Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Butuan in the north, to as far south as Davao City in the south.

THE National Police (PNP) has moved to ensure that dismissed, settled, or acquitted cases will not cause unnecessary delays or ‘hits’ in police clearances.

The initiative aims to tighten data accuracy across all police units and protect citizens from the inconvenience of outdated or uncorrected entries in the PNP’s Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (Ciras).

‘May standing directive po tayo na once a court order or resolution is received, dapat within days naka-upload na sa system [We have a standing directive that once a court order or resolution is received, it must be uploaded to the system within days],’ the acting PNP chief, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said in a statement Tuesday.

Courts to blame

HOWEVER, many acquitted persons said that the problem is not with the PNP but with the courts.

‘The courts are very fast in sending copies of warrants of arrest to the police and the National Bureau of Investigation but are notoriously slow in sending the lifting of those warrants,’ a newsman who was recently acquitted from a cyberlibel case by the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City said.

As a result the newsman had to go to three different police offices to present his acquittal decision to lift the ‘hits’ on his name – the police station nearest his office, the police station nearest his residence and the One Stop Shop at Camp Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City.

To address delays caused by the slow transmittal of court resolutions, Nartatez cited the need for tighter coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other agencies in the judiciary.

Gaps

‘WE acknowledge that there are still gaps, especially sa bilis ng dating ng court orders sa mga istasyon [in the speed by which court orders reach the stations]. That is why we are working closely with the DOJ and the judiciary to establish faster data-sharing processes,’ he said.

He added that citizens should not be penalized only because of a delay in paperwork.

The PNP is also simplifying administrative clearance procedures for those whose dismissed cases still appear as derogatory entries, to reduce repetitive steps and prevent applicants from being sent to multiple units just to update records.

‘Gusto natin one-stop process na lang [We want a one-stop process]. And moving forward, we plan to shift more verification procedures online para mas mabilis at mas accessible [so that it will be faster and more accessible],’ Nartatez said.

The move is in line with the directive of President Marcos to strengthen public service delivery, modernize law enforcement systems, and ensure that clearance procedures are fair, transparent, and citizen-centered.

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is soliciting comments from industry stakeholders on the proposed Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) fourth round for run-of-river hydro (RORH) power projects.

‘There is no final rate yet. We are still conducting a public consultation,’ ERC chairperson Francis Saturnino Juan commented when asked about the proposed P6.3846 per kilowatt hour (kWh) FIT-4 for 100 megawatts (MW) of RORH power projects scheduled for delivery in 2028.

A group of hydro power developers is appealing to the commission to issue ‘reasonable rates,’ higher than the proposed rate ‘for us to be encouraged to develop more.’

‘The reality is we’re not just producing water or power, but we are also taking care of the watershed and the infrastructure that we contribute to the countryside,’ said Philhydro Association Inc. president Gertrude Roque on the sidelines of the 2025 Philippine Hydro Summit and Exhibition.

The group proposed for the ERC to adopt the actual average capacity factor in the computation of the FIT4 as this best represents the true conditions and challenges of operating RORH power plant.

‘Considering that a number of RORH plants are now commercially operational, there is ample actual and historical data to use that are verifiable by regulators. RORH plants are not only Influenced by the efficiency of turbines but also the availability of water flowing in the river, which are all reflected in the actual and historical data of operational plants considering the site-specific nature of hydropower development and the nature of required works, extensive exposure to geological conditions, access problems, and flooding, which affects the actual,’ Philhydro said.

Roque said industry stakeholders must acknowledge the ‘very real challenges’ in the development of RORH power. These are complex permitting, lagging infrastructure, financing limitations, market ambiguities, and the need for genuine lifetime trust-building with communities.

For the DOE’s part, Secretary Sharon Garin acknowledged that the road to RORH development can be long and complex. ‘Yet, acknowledging these challenges is only the first step. If we are to translate our shared commitment into tangible results, we must now chart the path forward and establish concrete, measurable commitments from all sectors to accelerate development while upholding integrity throughout the process,’ the energy chief said.

NutriAsia, the makers of the Philippines’ best condiments and sauces, made waves at the 2025 Panata Awards bagging one Gold and two Silver trophies during the prestigious awards night held at the Fairmont Makati last November 14, 2025.

NutriAsia’s innovative digital-to-retail shopper engagement program SHOP N’ SNAP clinched the Gold Award for Innovative Execution Through Mobile Award. The groundbreaking campaign leveraged mobile gamification to drive consumer interaction in supermarkets nationwide, turning everyday grocery shopping into a fun, rewarding experience while significantly boosting trial and repeat purchases across NutriAsia’s portfolio of brands.

Meanwhile, UFC Overload, NutriAsia’s bold new range of ready-to-use all-purpose sauces launched in 2024, bagged two Silver Awards: Best Showcase for Integrated Marketing Communication and Best Showcase for Disruptive Creatives.

UFC Overload disrupted the condiment category with its ‘Eats-All-Purpose’ positioning the brand as a versatile line of thick, flavor-packed sauces designed to elevate everything from fried chicken and grilled meats to noodles, fries, and even pizza.

The multi-channel campaign combined striking out-of-home visuals, viral social media challenges, influencer partnerships, and in-store activations that resonated strongly with Gen Z and millennial home cooks.

The three-woman team that proudly accepted the awards on stage represented the cross-functional powerhouse behind these campaigns: Marion Carlos – Jr. Asst Media Manager; Rosalin Conaco – Sr. Media and Corporate Marketing Manager, Madz Javier- Sr. Consumer Engagement Manager.

‘This recognition is a testament to how Filipino creativity, powered by technology and deep consumer understanding, can create real impact both in-store and online,’ said James Lim, Sr Group Category Head for Corporate Marketing and Communications for Nutriasia. ‘Shop N’ Snap and UFC Overload are perfect examples of how NutriAsia continues to innovate to stay relevant and loved by Filipino consumers everywhere,’ Lim explained.

The Panata Awards, organized by the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA), is the country’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition for excellence in brand-building, advertising, and marketing effectiveness.

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched a rehabilitation program for the abaca industry in Bicol after typhoon Uwan ravaged plantations.

PhilFIDA said its crop damage report showed that typhoon Uwan destroyed over 55,000 hectares across the region’s five abaca-producing provinces.

Of this, 1,402 hectares were slightly damaged; 18,097 hectares were moderately damaged; and 35,699 hectares were heavily damaged.

Furthermore, the agency said the typhoon wiped out an estimated 7,492.90 metric tons (MT) of fiber worth over P38 million.

For farmers still reeling from the impacts of last year’s typhoons Pepito and Kristine, the agency said such a destruction proved a ‘crushing setback.’

‘Bicol is the country’s abaca powerhouse-the region that introduced Manila hemp to the world,’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.

‘We owe it to our abaca farmers to help them recover quickly and rebuild stronger. Their resilience fuels rural economies, and we will stand with them every step of the way,’ he added.

To start the region’s recovery, PhilFIDA and DOLE said they will activate a Labor Incentive Program under the labor agency’s TUPAD cash-for-work scheme.

The partnership aims to restore 4,505.81 hectares of abaca farms within three months and help thousands of families in the region regain their footing.

As such, some 23,619 farmers will be mobilized to clear debris, trim damaged stalks, reinforce standing plants, and replant uprooted or shallow-rooted abaca.

Slightly damaged stands will be trimmed and rehabilitated, while heavily affected farms will undergo full replanting with disease-free suckers screened by PhilFIDA and local abaca focal persons.

PhilFIDA also said its technicians will map damaged sites, verify the extent of losses, and document conditions. These reports would be needed by DOLE before releasing any cash-for-work payments.

Farms will undergo pre-replanting inspections to confirm planting materials are available and areas are properly cleared, according to the agency.

Furthemore, PhilFIDA said replanting density will depend on the level of damage: 400 suckers per hectare in severely hit farms, 200 in moderately affected areas, and 100 in slightly damaged zones.

After replanting, a joint inspection team will check survival rates of replanted suckers and certify results, the agency said.

PhilFIDA said farmers will receive DOLE’s cash-for-work incentives: P3,000 per hectare for slightly damaged farms, P5,000 for moderate damage, and P10,000 for heavily damaged areas.

In 2024, Bicol accounted nearly one-third of the nation’s abaca output, with Catanduanes alone contributing 82 percent.

WITH deepening economic, health and education inequalities, the Philippines should overhaul its tax system to make the country’s wealthiest pay more, according to a study by Oxfam Pilipinas and Action for Economic Reforms (AER).

In their study titled ‘Inequality at a Breaking Point: A Call to Embed Equality in the Philippines’ Economic Agenda,’ economic constraints, malnutrition and underinvestment in education drive inequality in the Philippines.

The Philippines also remains one of the most unequal economies in Asean, with a Gini index of 40.7 in 2021, and significant disparities in wealth and income distribution, the study said.

‘While high growth has contributed to poverty reduction in East Asia, the Philippine experience highlights that growth alone is insufficient without equitable access to opportunities and strong redistributive policies,’ AER Executive Director Filomeno Sta. Ana III said.

As recommended in the study, progressive taxation targeting income, assets and wealth is the ‘most effective’ in achieving equity.

Although income taxation in the Philippines is theoretically progressive, the study said making progressive taxation truly effective depends on the government’s ability to obtain full information, particularly from the self-employed and other hard-to-tax groups.

‘Collecting the right taxes on assets and wealth is difficult to do, especially when State capacity is weak. It does not help that the Philippines has a very strict law on the confidentiality of bank accounts and deposits,’ the study said.

‘Relying solely on income and wealth taxes to generate the huge resources necessary for sustainable development is inadequate,’ it added.

Despite revenues generated from indirect taxation being substantial, the report said indirect taxation on the consumption of goods and services is regressive, with the tax burden mainly falling on the lower-income groups.

‘To ensure progressivity, tax revenues should fund public goods that primarily benefit the poor,’ the report added.

Apart from progressive taxation, the report recommended pursuing transformative reforms for sustainable and inclusive growth, such as transparency and accountability in public funds and projects.

The government should also invest in education and training, as well as the full implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law, with a focus on primary healthcare.

Oxfam Pilipinas Executive Director Lot Felizco said addressing multidimensional inequality should be a priority for the government and all institutions.

‘We need to reorient policymaking and programs to address inequality in all its forms: promote not just economic growth but pillars of sustainable development, such as health and education,’ Felizco said.

MASTERCARD and GCash have plugged into Google Pay to provide users with fast, secure and seamless transactions.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, Mastercard said its cardholders from select issuers can now pay in stores using their Android mobile phones equipped with near-field communication (NFC) technology, as well as online and in-app through Google Pay.

The service will initially be available for Chinabank Mastercard Credit Card, EastWest Bank Mastercard Credit Card, GCash (via Tap to Pay feature), RCBC Mastercard Credit Card and Zed Mastercard Credit Card cardholders.

Mastercard added that more partner banks are preparing to enable Google Pay soon, allowing additional consumers to benefit from secure, convenient digital payments.

‘This innovation not only simplifies everyday payments but also accelerates the country’s journey toward a digitally inclusive economy, where secure, tokenized transactions become the norm for all,’ Mastercard country manager for the Philippines Jason Crastro said.

Google Pay uses Mastercard’s tokenization technology, which replaces sensitive card information with a unique token stored on the user’s device and protected by a cryptogram.

Mastercard cardholders can download the Google Wallet app from the Play Store and add their card, and start choosing Google Pay at online checkout, confirm their purchase, and pay.

For in-store transactions, cardholders can tap their Android devices at contactless payment terminals.

Meanwhile, GCash also announced that it can now be fully integrated with Google Pay, enabling users to link their GCash wallets to the platform for transactions.

The feature is initially available to select users and will roll out to more customers soon, GCash said.

GCash users need to download Google Wallet from the Google Play Store, open the GCash app and tap on their Profile to link their account.

To activate the service, users must download the Google Wallet app and agree to bind and proceed with biometric verification.

Once complete, a prompt will appear that will redirect them to the Google Pay app, where they need to sign in.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to require Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to explain the non-declaration of his donors in his submitted statement of contributions and expenditures (Soce) for the 2025 midterm polls.

The poll body made the move in the wake of Marcoleta’ public admission that he intentionally left out the names of his campaign donors from his Soce ‘to honor their request for anonymity.’

The lawmaker’s Soce indicates that he spent a total of P112.8 million for his senatorial campaign-more than twice of his declared 2025 Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), which amounts to P51.9 million.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the show cause order against Marcoleta, to be issued next week, will give the senator a fair opportunity to explain his side.

‘To give the senator a proper venue to explain. It’s difficult when things are said on social media, people might claim we aren’t acting.This is necessary so we can formally ask for his explanation, since the SALN is already public and we also have a copy of the Soce,’ Garcia told reporters in an interview on Wednesday.

He clarified that the poll body is not initiating a motu proprio case, but wants to ensure transparency and allow Marcoleta to address the issue.

Under Section 99 of the Omnibus Election Code, all candidates are required to provide a detailed list of the donors and personal expenses incurred during their respective campaigns.

As far as the Comelec is concerned, Garcia said, no candidate is exempt from such rule.

‘Donations received during the campaign period must all be declared. Otherwise, what’s the point of taking an oath before us if some items will not be included?,’ he added.

Garcia said falsifying a Soce is an election offense punishable by one to six years imprisonment.

It may also constitute perjury and falsification of a public document, which carry heavier penalties

Diabetes Philippines is urging the public to get tested for diabetes immediately. Doctors warn that most people are diagnosed too late, only after severe complications such as kidney disease, heart attack, stroke, foot problems, or eye damage have already developed.

To address this crisis, Diabetes Philippines and AstraZeneca officially launched the ‘STOP Diabetes ACT NOW’ campaign on November 14, 2025, coinciding with World Diabetes Day. The campaign issues an urgent call for Filipinos to undergo earlier screening for diabetes, a lifestyle disease affecting 4.7 million Filipino adults and the fifth leading cause of death in the country, to significantly reduce the risk of developing severe, life-threatening complications.

‘Early screening is one of our most powerful tools because if we know the risk of diabetes earlier, we will be able to treat it earlier. Preventing complications, protecting quality of life, and reducing the burden of families and our healthcare system is our goal,’ said Dr. Fatma Tiu, President of Diabetes Philippines.

Diabetes Philippines, formerly known as the Philippine Diabetes Association (PDA), is the umbrella organization for all associations and entities in the Philippines committed to the care and prevention of diabetes. It is a member of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).

Undiagnosed individuals

According to the latest report from the IDF, approximately 7.5 percent or an estimated 4.7 million Filipinos aged 20 to 79 years old are living with the disease. Alarmingly, the same statistics also show that an estimated 53.5 percent of adults in the country remain undiagnosed, highlighting the need for early screening of Type 2 diabetes to prevent disease progression.

The Philippine Statistics Authority also reported that diabetes was the fifth leading cause of mortality among Filipinos in 2024, emphasizing its severe impact on national health.

‘We want to look for the 50 plus percent of the Filipinos who don’t know yet that they are diabetic. Diabetes Philippines will go around the country with the help of PhilHealth and look for these individuals. These are high-risk individuals who have a great chance of preventing the alarming complications of diabetes,’ said Dr. Tiu.

The strategy focuses on aggressive early treatment. This involves setting specific goals and training primary care physicians to ensure patients receive prompt care. Furthermore, the plan promotes the optimized management of comorbidities, treating not just diabetes, but also hypertension, high cholesterol, and elevated uric acid. Finally, the initiative will continue to advocate for a preventive lifestyle for all Filipinos.

Partnership

While Stop Diabetes refers to early screening, Dr. Tiu said Act Now is Diabetes Philippines’ partnership with multinational biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

‘We have been partners for over four years in trying to look for these individuals where diabetes complications can be prevented, where dialysis may be avoided. We are very proud and happy to inform you that we have done a lot already,’ said Dr. Tiu.

She said that the organization has established extensive partnerships across the country, working with local government units (LGUs) and retail drug stores to facilitate early screening for kidney damage. Their collaborative efforts also extend to working with medical clinics, government agencies, and non-government organizations (NGOs). Dr. Tiu reported that they have already screened 2,447,926 individuals so far.

‘The good news is that we have screened a large number of people. The bad news is that the results show that 62 percent of those screened, even those without any symptoms, tested positive for UACR [Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio],’ said Dr. Tiu. She added, ‘This percentage is very high, and if we do not treat this, the condition will progress and eventually lead to dialysis.’

Urine test

UACR stands for Urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio, a simple urine test that measures the amount of protein (albumin) and a waste product (creatinine) in the urine to assess kidney function. A high UACR can indicate kidney damage. This test is crucial for individuals at risk for kidney disease, such as those with diabetes or high blood pressure.

Through the ‘STOP Diabetes ACT NOW’ program with AstraZeneca, the primary goal is early detection, early action, and achieving better patient outcomes. Specifically, the objective is to reduce the progression of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to End-Stage Renal Disease and dialysis, and to lower early premature mortality by providing care sooner and more effectively.

The core strategy is to collaborate across the entire healthcare ecosystem to ensure routine screening, rapid diagnosis, and timely access to appropriate treatment that prevents CKD progression.

To make kidney function screening accessible, affordable, and convenient, Dr. Tiu said they are bringing the test to both clinical and community settings. Although PhilHealth does not yet cover UACR screening, the Diabetes Philippines partnership will augment existing screening tools for early kidney complication detection. They also plan to expand screening services through clinics and pharmacies for early diagnosis.

Diabetes in the Workplace

Diabetes Philippines is urging employers to prioritize workforce health and well-being, calling for stronger efforts to address diabetes as a critical workplace issue. Given the prevalence of long hours, high stress, and sedentary routines, diabetes is quickly becoming a major, yet often overlooked, challenge in the modern working environment.

Also in observance of World Diabetes Day 2025, Diabetes Philippines is leading a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about how work environments influence lifestyle-related diseases. The organization’s advocacy is supported by healthcare company Novo Nordisk Philippines, which shares the commitment to promoting diabetes education, prevention, and care in the country.

‘The weight of the matter is this: the way we work is shaping the way we get sick,’ said Dr. Reynaldo Rosales, Treasurer of Diabetes Philippines.

‘Obesity and diabetes are deeply connected. A sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits create insulin resistance over time. Without early intervention, we risk seeing diabetes affect people at younger ages,’ he continued.

Small changes

Dr. Rosales emphasized that small changes in the workplace can yield major health benefits-from regular health checks to healthy food options and activity breaks during the workday.

‘Education and awareness must begin where people spend most of their day-at work,’ said Dr. Nines Bautista, Vice Chairman and Vice President of Diabetes Philippines.

‘Our call to action is clear: let’s make every workplace a space for health. We aim to empower employees and employers alike to build healthier habits together,’ added Dr. Bautista.

Novo Nordisk Philippines, a partner of Diabetes Philippines, continues to support efforts that promote awareness, early detection, and management of diabetes nationwide.

‘Workplaces are critical environments for promoting good health,’ said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. ‘By supporting Diabetes Philippines and its initiatives, we hope to help organizations create spaces where prevention and early action become part of everyday work life.’

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Tuesday handed over modular housing units to the San Juan City government for more than a hundred families displaced by a recent fire.

Located in barangay Batis, the structures will function as temporary shelters while longer-term arrangements are being prepared. The site can accommodate up to 156 families.

DHSUD said the units will also double as the staging area for a housing project under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. The families affected by the fire are being considered as potential beneficiaries of the program.

DHSUD said it is the first in-city staging area under the Expanded 4PH initiative to become operational in Metro Manila.

The San Juan 4PH project will be carried out by the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), which is overseeing the shift toward faster on-site construction for the development.

‘We are not using traditional construction technology here. We will be using a much faster system, which will allow quicker implementation. But we assure you the project will be sturdy,’ SHFC president Federico Laxa said in Filipino.