Category: Business Mirror

Despite decades of medical advances, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the country’s most stubborn public health challenges. The grim statistics tell the story: more than half a million new TB cases were recorded in 2021, and by 2023, there were 643 cases for every 100,000 Filipinos-placing the Philippines among the top five nations in the world most burdened by the disease. Behind these numbers are lives disrupted by illness and communities caught in the cycle of poverty and infection.

The rise in TB incidence is not merely a medical concern-it is a social and developmental one. Overcrowded housing, poor nutrition, delayed access to healthcare, and lingering stigma continue to fuel transmission.

But amid these sobering realities, there is hope. The Department of Health’s ambitious plan to screen 12 million Filipinos by 2026 marks a significant turning point. Backed by strong political will-President Marcos’ directive and the doubling of the DOH’s TB budget from P2.6 billion in 2025 to P4.2 billion in 2026-the government is signaling that TB elimination is not a distant dream, but a national priority. (Read the BusinessMirror story: ‘DOH targets 12 million TB screenings by 2026 with new elimination plan,’ November 13, 2025).

The second phase of the Philippine Strategic TB Elimination Plan (PhilSTEP2 2025-2030) represents a forward-looking approach that combines technology, innovation, and inclusive governance. Ultra-portable AI-powered chest X-rays and WHO-approved molecular diagnostics are modernizing case detection. The adoption of a shorter, all-oral regimen for drug-resistant TB-cutting treatment time from two years to six months-is revolutionary, not only for its efficacy but also for its compassion. For many patients, it means fewer side effects, less stigma, and renewed dignity.

Equally promising is the emphasis on prevention. The use of shorter Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment (TPT) and aggressive contact tracing have already led to a significant rise in enrollment, particularly among high-risk groups. The fact that children with non-severe TB can now complete treatment in four months instead of six underscores the DOH’s adaptability in addressing community needs.

Crucially, these medical interventions are being paired with social and behavioral change initiatives. Through grassroots campaigns like TPTodo and health education caravans, the message reaches the smallest barangays: TB is curable, early detection saves lives, and no one should suffer in silence. Such efforts recognize that community engagement is the bedrock of sustainable public health.

The challenge, however, lies in sustaining momentum. Budget allocations must translate into tangible improvements at the local level-functional health centers, well-trained community workers, timely drug supply, and robust data systems. LGUs must be empowered to lead, while private and civil society partners should continue to complement government efforts through outreach, education, and care delivery.

The World Health Organization’s continued partnership and the example of provinces like Guimaras, aspiring to become the country’s first TB-free island, show what is possible when policy, innovation, and community converge.

Tuberculosis may be centuries old, but its persistence in 21st-century Philippines is unacceptable. The numbers are daunting, but the tools to reverse them are finally within reach.

If the Philippines succeeds in turning this corner-not just reducing but eliminating TB-it will stand as proof that even the oldest public health enemies can be defeated when science, leadership, and society unite for a common purpose.

Eliminating tuberculosis by 2030 is not just a health target; it is a moral imperative and a promise of equity, life, and hope for every Filipino.

IN response to rising global and domestic economic challenges, the think tank Stratbase Group is convening top government officials, business leaders, diplomats, and decision makers at the 10th Pilipinas Conference to strategize on achieving stronger economic security, inclusive governance, and sustainable growth.

To be held on November 20-21, 2025, the annual flagship event has established itself as one of the country’s leading platforms for policy dialogue and reform advocacy, bringing together key players from government, the diplomatic corps, business, and civil society.

On the first day of the Pilipinas Conference 2025, a forum titled, ‘Enhancing Cyber Resilience: Approaches, Responses, and Practical Actions’ will open the high-level session aiming to tackle the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape in the Indo-Pacific, exploring the strategic, legal, political, and technical dimensions of safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Discussions will center on cross-border cyber threats, policy and coordination challenges, and the need for stronger public-private collaboration and regional partnerships to enhance collective resilience.

The second day of the conference, themed ‘Strengthening Economic Security and Resilience through Inclusive Governance,’ will spotlight how public-private partnerships can shape policies that protect the economy, empower citizens, and position the Philippines for long-term prosperity.

Among the invited speakers are Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio Dizon, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, and Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla. They will be joined by leading executives from the infrastructure, energy, and business sectors.

‘Economic security is now central to national security,’ said Prof. Victor Andres Manhit, President of Stratbase Group. ‘We need strong governance, transparent institutions, and an empowered private sector to ensure that growth is not only sustainable but also inclusive.’

This year’s conference comes at a pivotal moment-after the midterm elections and the opening of the 20th Congress-creating new opportunities for legislation that will bolster economic resilience and attract high-value investments.

‘The Philippines is navigating a rapidly changing global environment. By aligning domestic reforms with international trends, we can create an economy that is more competitive, more connected, and more capable of withstanding external shocks,’ Manhit shared.

Key sessions will tackle economic security and governance reforms that strengthen transparency and accountability in public financial management, and strategic investments in infrastructure and their impact on local industries and job creation.

The economic outlook at the midpoint of the Marcos Jr. administration, the private sector’s role in driving innovation and sustainability; and energy transition and initiatives to secure affordable, clean, and reliable power for Filipinos will also be discussed.

‘The Pilipinas Conference continues to serve as a meeting ground for ideas that shape national policy,’ Manhit said. ‘By bringing together decision-makers and reform advocates, we can move from discussion to action, and from resilience to real, inclusive progress.’

Now in its 10th year, the Pilipinas Conference is touted as a forum for advancing transparency, accountability, and collaboration.

THAILAND obviously won’t settle for nothing less than the overall championship when it hosts the 33rd Southeast Asian Games next month.

Thus, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino tempered down expectations for the 1600-athlete strong Philippine contingent to the December 9 to 20 50-sport games the Thais are hosting in Bangkok, Chonburi and Sonkhla.

‘It’s extremely hard to make an assessment right now because host Thailand has already excluded all the events where we are strong at,’ Tolentino told reporters during a Media Briefing for the SEA Games on Monday at the Milkway Café Restaurant in Makati City.

‘I’m hoping that at least we match our last SEA Games performance,’ he said.

The Philippines ranked fifth overall with 58 gold, 85 silver and 117 bronze medals two years ago with Vietnam ruling the medals race with a 136-105-114 gold-silver-bronze tally followed by Thailand with 108-96-108, Indonesia at 87-80-109 and host Cambodia with 81-74-127.

‘If we can match our overall placing the last time, that’s enough already,’ Tolentino said. ‘There are no events for Carlos Yulo [who opted to skip the games], while the weight classes of some of our medalists in martial arts were removed.’

‘It’s an uphill battle, but we’ll try our best,’ he said. ‘No promises, but surprises.’

The Philippines emerged overall champion when it hosted the games in 2005 and most recently in 2019.

Thailand is a five-time overall champion but last won the prestigious title in 2013 in Myanmar and is dead set at dominating the 574 events it has programmed this year.

Tolentino believes Asia’s No. 1 pole vaulter EJ Obiena, the boxers and Gilas Pilipinas will surely deliver gold medals.

‘We look at the other sports where we have many entries like boxing-[Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist] Eumir Felix Marcial and Weljon Mindoro,’ he said.

Both are already in the pros but heeded the call to fight in Thailand.

Thailand is spending 2.05 billion Thai baht (roughly P3.7 billion) for hosting the games and pegged participation from the 11 countries at 12,506 athletes, the largest in SEA Games history-the hosts are fielding 1,807 athletes, Malaysia 1,580, Indonesia 1,548 and Cambodia 1,515, a report from the thesoutheastasiadesk.com stated.

Besides Olympic and traditional or endemic sports, the Thais included demonstration and value-added sports-flying disc, disc golf, air sports (paragliding and powered paragliding) and 8-a-side tug of war.

Lopez-led microgrid operator FP Island Energy Corp. (FP Island) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with agri-tech startup Agrabah Ventures, Inc. (Agrabah) to support the capability-building and technical assistance of local seaweed farmers in several off-grid islands in Caramoan and Garchitorena towns in Camarines Sur.

The collaboration will focus primarily on boosting the productivity and competitiveness of farmers, fisherfolk and people’s organizations in areas being served by FP Island.

FP Island, a sister company of First Gen Corp. (First Gen), operates microgrids in the off-grid islands of Lahuy, Haponan, and Quinalasag in Camarines Sur. Both FP Island and First Gen are subsidiaries of First Philippine Holdings Corp. (FPH).

Under the MOU, FP Island and Agrabah will aim to improve and strengthen the agri-aquacultural value chain of FP Island-assisted people’s organizations by enhancing their production capacity and quality, and by providing improved financing, market access and linkages to the same people’s organizations.

FP Island will provide funding support or in-kind resources while Agrabah will provide technical guidance on production and post-harvest practices, as well as share market insights and pricing trends to help communities align their products with market needs.

It said the MOU with Agrabah represents another step to improve living conditions in the off-grid Camarines Sur islands. Before FP Island opened in 2021 its microgrids-or small and localized electricity networks-the islands either suffered from long hours of blackouts or from the total absence of electricity service.

THE Philippines and South Korea have signed an agreement for a program aimed at protecting and empowering Filipino farm workers abroad.

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA), along with other government agencies, signed a new joint memorandum for the implementation of Korea’s Seasonal Workers Program (SWP).

Other government agencies included were the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

The agency said the agreement would unite national and local efforts in deploying Filipino seasonal workers to South Korea. It would also guarantee fair labor practices, legal protection, and proper welfare, while promoting ethical recruitment and agricultural cooperation between the two nations.

Under the deal, the DA will initiate agricultural training, livelihood programs, and reintegration support for returning workers.

The agency will also work closely with local governments and the DMW to ensure deployments match the country’s agricultural priorities and global standards.

The memorandum also called for an integrated support system to bolster monitoring, welfare assistance, and coordination with Korean local governments. This would ensure Filipino workers receive the care and protection they deserve, the agency said.

‘This partnership ensures that our seasonal workers are protected, empowered, and equipped to contribute to both nations’ agricultural growth,’ the DA said.

‘The deal stands as a clear commitment: the Philippines is building global partnerships to uplift its farmers and secure better opportunities for Filipino workers abroad.’

Boost aquaculture

In May, the DA said it will receive a $16- million grant from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) to advance local aquaculture development and community-based agribusiness.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Koica Country Director Jung Youngsun signed the Records of Discussions (RDs) to bankroll two separate grant assistance projects.

The $10-million grant would fund the project aimed at helping local fishermen boost their income by enhancing aquaculture production and strengthening the value chain, which will run for seven years.

The remaining $6-million funding would diversify income sources and strengthen the agricultural activities of marginal farmers in the region through the establishment of an Agribusiness Incubation Center in Zambales and the enhancement of the existing DA Technology Business Incubation facility in Tarlac.

Koica previously provided $20.78 million worth of grants to the Philippine government, which includes three other projects on agri-mechanization development, smart agriculture, and dairy herd improvement currently being implemented by the DA.

Leading developer in VisMin Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) sustained its growth momentum in the first nine months of 2025, posting a ?3.1-billion consolidated net income, up 6% year-on-year from ?2.9 billion in the same period last year.

The company’s latest performance reaffirms its market leadership in the Visayas and Mindanao property sectors, according to the 2025 Colliers Philippines Real Estate Market Study, which ranked CLI as the top residential developer in VisMin with a 18% market share.

Revenues for the period reached ?14.3 billion, a 2% increase from ?14.1 billion year-on-year, reflecting steady topline growth across both property sales and recurring income streams.

‘CLI’s sustained performance is being driven by real demand in VisMin’s growth cities,’ said Jose Soberano III, Cebu Landmasters Chairman and CEO. ‘Our portfolio is intentionally diversified and anchored on segments that continue to move. This focus allows us to deliver steady returns while building communities that hold their value over time.’

Robust property sales and expanding recurring income

Real estate sales remained the company’s primary revenue driver contributing ?12.4 billion, supported by construction progress and unit completions across its economic, mid-market, and premier developments.

CLI’s diversification strategy also bore fruit, with recurring income growing 72% during the period. Hotel revenues more than doubled, up 101%, driven by new openings and stronger occupancy rates, while rental income rose 49% from newly leased spaces. The expansion underscores the company’s continuing efforts to build a more balanced and integrated business model through hospitality and leasing ventures.

Sustained demand and strong project pipeline

Residential reservation sales jumped 27% to ?19.3 billion, fueled by sustained housing demand and the success of new launches such as One Manresa Place in Cagayan de Oro and Casa Mira Homes Gensan. Nearly 80% of total take-up came from new launches, reflecting the company’s ability to capture emerging housing demand and maintain high sell-out rates across projects.

As of September 30, 2025, total assets grew 18% to ?128.7 billion, supported by project completions and strategic land acquisitions. CLI’s net debt-to-equity ratio remained healthy at 1.63x, underscoring its disciplined capital management.

The company’s landbank expanded to 188 hectares, providing ample runway for future developments. Among the notable additions is a 79-hectare property in Liloan, Cebu, envisioned to become a mixed-use township with residential and commercial components.

CLI now has 131 projects in its portfolio, including 102 residential developments and an expanding income-generating portfolio of 10 hotels and six office properties, reinforcing its position as a leading full-spectrum developer in the region.

Commitment to community resilience

In recent months, the Visayas and Mindanao regions faced natural challenges, including an earthquake and Typhoon Tino, which tested community resilience. CLI promptly activated emergency protocols across all project sites, coordinated with local authorities, and ensured the safety of employees, residents, and tenants.

No major structural damage was reported following inspections, and operations have since normalized. Beyond ensuring safety, CLI also extended relief assistance to affected communities in coordination with partner LGU, reflecting its people-first culture and commitment to nation-building.

Industry leadership and recognition

Reaffirming its market leadership, Colliers Philippines once again named Cebu Landmasters the top developer in VisMin in its 2025 Real Estate Market Study, citing the company’s 18% share in residential sales take-up.

CLI’s operational excellence and strong governance practices also earned recognition from several organizations. It received top distinctions at the 2025 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards, including Best Developer in Visayas, Best Developer in Mindanao, and Best Housing Developer.

The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) awarded CLI a two-Golden Arrow rating for corporate governance excellence for the second consecutive year, while the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) named the firm 2025 Distinguished Exemplar – Employer of the Year, recognizing its strong workplace culture and employee engagement.

‘Each phase of our growth is tied to real needs on the ground,’ Soberano said. ‘We invest in projects that make sense for the market and ensure the quality of life of Filipino families, and we maintain the integrity and commitment to deliver them well. This mission guides how we build and how we run the organization,’ Soberano highlighted.

AFTER two decades of coaching leaders and developing himself in the process, Marcel Schwantes has learned a key lesson: Leadership isn’t a destination. It is an ever-evolving process of learning and growing.

‘The best leaders never stop evolving,’ he says in an article in Fast Company.

You prove your leadership ‘when your patience is tested, your humility is questioned, and your self-awareness is the difference between escalating a conflict and or inspiring a breakthrough.’

As communicators, these are valuable lessons for us. Here, he shares with us four lessons every great leader eventually learns in Want to be a better leader? Master These Skills.

1.Humility is a strength

While humility is often mistaken for weakness, groundbreaking research tells another story. Bradley Owens and David Hekman found that humble leaders don’t assume that success is guaranteed.

Instead, they test their progress, revise plans, and seek feedback. They empower others to take initiative and celebrate team wins over personal credit.

Far from soft, humility gives leaders flexibility and strength, says Schwantes. They avoid reacting from ego or abusing power, and instead lead from integrity, self-control, and emotional intelligence.

2.Great leaders learn from others

‘Strong leaders know they don’t know it all,’ says Schwantes. ‘They constantly seek wisdom from others and expand their perspective beyond their own experience.’

They remain lifelong students. Remember the saying: If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.

3.Patience gives you an edge

Research shows that patient people make more progress toward tough goals, feel more satisfied when they achieve them. They also experience less stress and depression.

‘Humility is one of leadership’s most underrated strengths,’ says Schwantes.

He notes that impatient leaders tend to jump to conclusions and act impulsively. Patient leaders, by contrast, are steady and rational. In conflict, they listen first, respond calmly, and diffuse tension. That kind of presence builds trust and teams and resilience in teams.

4.Self-awareness is nonnegotiable

In a study reported by Harvard Business Review, teams with less aware team members made worse decisions, coordinated poorly, and struggled with conflict compared with teams led by self-aware individuals.

Self-awareness, after all, is the foundation of emotional intelligence. Leaders who cultivate it see the bigger picture, regulate emotions, and empathize with others.

As emotional intelligence expert Daniel Goleman put it:

‘If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy, have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going very far.’

In short, ‘keep climbing. Keep growing. The best leaders aren’t identified by the peak they’ve reached, but by their willingness to take the next step.’

PR Matters is a roundtable column by members of the local chapter of the United Kingdom-based International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s premier association for senior professionals around the world. Millie Dizon, the Senior Vice President for Marketing and Communications of SM, is the former local chair.

The National Food Authority (NFA) has lowered the floor price of aging rice stocks by at least P2 per kilo in its bid to attract more bidders in its December auction.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson expressed the hope that the reduced floor price would entice more buyers for the agency’s aging rice stocks during its second tender on December 5.

‘The first auction in October failed because not many participants joined. It wasn’t that attractive for them. So, we slightly adjusted the prices,’ Lacson told reporters in a recent press briefing.

He also said the food agency will conduct an auction every month to free up its warehouses of aging rice stocks.

Under the revised scheme, the NFA will sell 1.16 million 50-kilo bags or 57,920 metric tons (MT) of aging rice with a total transaction value (TTV) of P1.44 billion.

Broken down, the bulk of the volume consisted of stocks aged more than three months to six months at 578,340 50-kilo bags (28,917 MT). This was followed by rice stored for over six months to nine months at 457,340 50-kilo bags (22,867 MT).

Meanwhile, the minimum acceptable price (MAP) for rice stocks stored in warehouses for more than three months to six months is P25.16 per kilo; for more than six months to nine months, P24.63 per kilo; over nine months to 12 months, P23.84 per kilo.

For rice stocks aged over 12 months to 15 months, the MAP stands at P23.31 per kilo, while those aged more than 15 months to 18 months, and over 18 months, the floor price is P22.52 per kilo.

For the initial auction, the NFA introduced a graduated pricing scheme, with floor prices ranging from P27.96 to P25.01 per kilo depending on how long the rice has been stored.

Under current rules, the grains agency’s rice stocks are considered ‘aging’ starting from the third month after milling.

The second auction is open to interested farmers’ organizations, cooperatives, or groups and private individuals or entities engaged in the grains business, including processing, wholesaling, and retailing.

‘We’re hoping the auction in December will be more successful because of the current import ban, and there won’t be enough stocks,’ Lacson said. ‘It’s also included in the country’s buffer stock, so we should release it to help tame rice prices.’

Last month, the NFA said it is seeking about P3 billion in additional funds to rent private warehouses and buy more unmilled rice following the damage caused by typhoons.

Lacson said NFA warehouses are already ‘almost full,’ making it difficult to expand procurement without additional government support.

‘Right now, to be honest, we don’t have funds for renting warehouses because the NFA as a [government-owned or -controlled corporation] relies only on rice sales to cover expenses. And our expenses are bigger than the money coming in.’

A TOTAL of 26 regional trial courts have been designated as special courts to handle corruption-related cases in relation to the ongoing investigation into the multibillion anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects of the government.

The designation is pursuant to Republic Act No. 10660, an act strengthening the functional and structural organization of the Sandiganbayan.

Under RA 106660, the RTC has exclusive original jurisdiction when the graft case does not involve damage to the government or any bribery; or when it involves damage to the government or bribery arising from transactions not exceeding P1 million.

On the other hand, jurisdiction over graft cases involving public officers occupying positions lower than Salary Grade 27 belong to the RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, and Municipal Circuit Trial Court in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 or the Judiciary Reorganization Act.

‘This is just the first batch. All regions will have designated anti-graft courts,’ the SC said.

The SC said five courts were designated as special courts for corruption-related cases; five in Regional III (Central Luzon; four in Region IV-A (Calabarzon), four in Region V (Bicol Region); four in Region VII (Central Visaya); and four in Region XI (Davao Region).

The SC did not name the specific courts and judges for security purposes.

The designated judges will undergo training from the Philippine Judicial Academy, with lectures led by Sandiganbayan associate justices.

The training will cover substantive and procedural laws such as Republic Act 7080 or the Law on Plunder, RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, rules on bail in plunder cases, evidentiary rules in anti-graft cases, the rule on cyber warrants, and rules on forensic evidence, among others.

ICI begins inspecting flood projects

In a related development, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure announced that it has started its inspection of flood control projects in the province of Cebu where more than 200 people died due to flash floods brought about by Typhoon Tino.

The ICI, which was created by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., said the inspection is being conducted in coordination with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar.

The investigating body is focusing its probe on flood control projects situated in key areas such Mandaue City, the Municipality of Liloan, Talisay City, and Cebu City.

Head coach Tim Cone threw out the window whatever displeasure he has on Juan Gomez de Liaño as he invited Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño to the men’s national pool for the Doha 2027 Cup Asia Qualifiers that start with Gilas Pilipinas’s away games against Guam on November 28 and December 1.

Gomez de Liaño got Cone’s ire when he scored in the waning seconds of Converge’s 106-96 win over Ginebra last Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.