Category: Business Mirror

Andres Muhlach reprising the role that catapulted his dad to teenage superstar status 40 years ago is certainly an interesting case of life’s inevitable cycles.

Viva Communications has recently announced that Aga Muhlach’s unico hijo Andres will be recreating the same role in the contemporary stage adaptation of the hit movie musical Bagets, set to take local theater by storm when it opens in early 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

‘It’s both an honor and a big challenge for me to step into the shoes of Adie, the same character that my dad gave life to in 1984. I cannot aptly describe the feeling when I first learned that I was confirmed for the project because so many emotions came rushing to me. I guess it is too surreal, I mean the feeling that has engulfed me up to this very day. It’s shaping up to be a full circle experience for me,’ he told us.

I asked Aga how he feels about his son reprising his role. ‘It’s unbelievable. Imagine my son will play the same role I did more than four decades ago. Ang saya lang. It will be interesting how they will update the material, the mood, the music to make it relatable to their generation. I am so happy that they are doing a stage musical version of Bagets and I am confident that he and the entire cast will rise above the challenge!’

‘Dad is really cool and so supportive, and he is just as thrilled as everyone else in the family. Even my parents’ longtime friends are talking about it as early as now, and they are also excited how the cast will be interpreting the five characters this time around,’ Andres said. Aside from Aga, the original movie transformed Raymond Lauchengco, Herbert Bautista, JC Bonnin and William Martinez into instant heartthrobs and matinee idols during their time.

Andres continued, ‘I’ve watched Bagets countless times, and I really looked up to my dad growing up. He enjoyed what he was doing and he was happy working on his craft. Dad’s career took off after Bagets and I hope it will do wonders for my career as well.’

Taking it one rehearsal at a time is how Andres does it. ‘I want to be really focused on this project. It’s my first venture into professional theater. A few of the cast members have theater experience, and it helps that we all build a bond this early, and make the bond stronger when the show opens in January.’

The cast have started to undergo intensive workshops. ‘These workshops are certainly eye-openers for the young cast. These help close the gap between how we transition into theater actors from doing work for television and the movies. The first few days were all new to us but we are all moving forward quite well and enjoying all the activities we are part of.’ Andres shared that he appreciates the experts who are all very patient and pleasant since day one-musical director Vince Lim, playwright K-Mee Katanyag and director Maribel Legarda.

Since this is a musical, Andres says he has to polish his vocals and learn the techniques and skills needed for him to sustain both his speaking and singing voice-starting from rehearsals, and throughout his assigned performances.

All the five main actors will have alternates and Andres will share his role with Mico Hendrix Chua. Joining Andres and Hendrix in the cast are Noel Comia Jr., Tomas Rodriguez, Jeff Moses, Sam Shoaf, Milo Cruz, Migo Valid, KD Estrada, Ethan David.

This early, ticket reservations have been announced and Andres is getting more and more hyped up to give his mark to the same ‘Adie’ role that has been attached to his dad for many, many years.

Bagets: The Musical aims to revive the spirit, and reimagine the essence of a film so well-loved in the past so that this new generation can embrace and appreciate it, too. Andres Muhlach takes the lead in this very tall order which I’m sure that he will do so with flying colors, at the same time capture our hearts, too-just like how his famous dad stole ours more than 40 years ago.

Quezon for Environment (QUEEN), church leaders and residents from Atimonan in Quezon Province, together with the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), filed a criminal and administrative complaint on Nov. 3, 2025 against Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Sharon Garin for approving the 1,200-Megawatt (MW) Atimonan One Energy Inc. (A1E) coal-fired power plant project.

In 2020, DOE issued a coal moratorium to halt the development of new coal-fired power plant projects. Despite this, in July 2025, Sec. Garin exempted the Atimonan coal plant project from the moratorium even though it did not meet the requirements for exemption.

Groups and communities in Quezon Province, particularly in Atimonan, strongly opposed Garin’s decision.

‘There is overwhelming opposition against the construction of the Atimonan coal plant. It is not just the church but the people of Atimonan and Quezon Province. Besides, the economic and financial arguments are clearly against it. No one is interested in investing in the construction of coal plants anymore as their era has passed. Even the past DOE leadership has given up on it. DOE Secretary Garin has created a mess, and now she has to face the consequences,’ said Fr. Warren Puno, lead convenor of Quezon for Environment (QUEEN).

The case filed before the Office of the Ombudsman accuses Garin of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019), as well as committing grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Complainants charge Garin for unlawfully allowing the Atimonan coal plant project to proceed despite the coal moratorium, even as it did not fall under any of the exemptions, thereby risking serious harm to local communities and the environment.

‘Sec. Garin clearly violated her own Department’s coal moratorium when she conveniently greenlighted the Atimonan coal plant despite DOE’s previous decision to bar the long-stalled project due to the existing ban. Her approval bears the hallmarks of corruption by accommodating a project to the point of breaking existing regulations. Even the DOE’s Oct. 14, 2025 advisory, which expanded the exemptions to the coal moratorium, cannot be retroactively applied to justify the Atimonan coal plant project, although this seems to be Garin’s intention. In the face of ongoing protests and investigation into the flood control issue, Garin should be investigated for facilitating the endorsement and approval of projects supposedly banned by the government,’ said Atty. Aaron Pedrosa, PMCJ chief legal counsel.

Atty. Pedrosa added that the project also violates the Department of Health (DOH) – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2021-0001, also known as Guidelines for the Operationalization of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Review Process for Development Projects, as the project proponent has yet to send an application for Health Impact Clearance Certificate.

‘Quezon Province is a coal corridor with five operating coal plants with a total capacity of 2,250 MW. It is burning the people’s health, livelihood, and future. We have been fighting against these environmentally degrading projects for decades now. Communities here deserve to breathe clean air. We will not stop fighting until they are held accountable. They need to rectify their decisions now and heed our call,’ said Ma. Luisa Opalda, one of the complainants and a resident of Atimonan.

The groups urge the Office of the Ombudsman to promptly act on the case filed to deter public officials from extending undue advantage to projects that may harm public welfare.

PMCJ, together with other concerned organizations, calls on the government to reaffirm its implementation of the coal moratorium, address the communities’ concerns about livelihood loss and health impacts, and hold those who enable the exacerbation of the climate crisis to account.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) launched a package of interventions to boost the local banana industry which remains to be battered by plant diseases and trade challenges.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to fight the spread of Panama disease and restore competitiveness in global markets.

Tiu Laurel said the spread of Fusarium wilt tropical race 4, commonly known as Panama disease, was the industry’s most urgent threat.

He added that the disease has affected around 15,500 hectares in the Davao Region, which places at risk the Cavendish variety that serves as the backbone of Philippine banana exports.

‘The DA is firmly committed to supporting our banana farmers and exporters in addressing this challenge,’ Tiu Laurel said at the 32nd Joint General Assembly of the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) and the Banana Export Industry Foundation (BEIF).

Under the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) for 2025, the DA said it will distribute 106,000 banana planting materials for farm expansion and rejuvenation, along with 120,000 units of organic fertilizer to improve soil health.

It added that deploying over 215,000 biological control agents such as Trichoderma to protect plant health and reduce postharvest losses.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel also acknowledged the growing challenges of bananas in international trade.

He noted that Vietnam has overtaken the Philippines as China’s top banana supplier, while Philippine shipments to Japan continue to face higher tariffs than those from Vietnam, Mexico, and Peru.

‘Unless these inequities are addressed, our market share will remain at risk,’ Tiu Laurel warned, as he urged continued negotiations in the upcoming review of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).

He also stressed the need for research on disease tolerance, breeding strategies, and new technologies such as gene editing to secure the industry’s long-term viability.

‘With unity, science, and sound trade policy, the Philippine banana industry will not only recover but thrive,’ Tiu Laurel said.

The Philippines held a six-year streak as the world’s second-largest exporter of bananas before it slipped to third place in 2023 after being dislodged by Guatemala. It maintained the same spot last year.

Recognizing that every canceled school day carries long-term effects on children’s learning, the Department of Education (DepEd) is working with other government agencies to establish a unified and timely guideline for class suspension announcements.

At a recent inter-agency meeting joined by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Commission on Higher Education (Ched), the Philippine Science High School (PSHS), and the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), DepEd moved to develop uniform national protocol on class suspensions to rationalize class suspension guidelines and minimize learning loss.

‘Gaya ng sabi ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., kailangan nating harapin at paghandaan ang mga hamon ng kalamidad sa edukasyon.Hindi natin kayang pigilan ang bagyo, pero kaya nating paghusayin ang ating paghahanda para maging mabilis, malinaw, at maayos ang mga desisyon kapag kaligtasan at kinabukasan na ng mga bata ang nakataya,’ Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara said.

Worsening impact of the climate crisis on education

Findings from the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) show that every additional day of school closure lowers a Grade 4 student’s achievement by up to 12.4 points in mathematics and 13.9 points in science.

The data further suggest that losing just 10 learning days can drop a child’s science score from 500 to below 380.

Meanwhile, EDCOM II data also revealedl that during School Year 2023-2024, the country lost more than 20 school days due to climate-related events, disrupting classes for over 11 million learners-or about 42 percent of the public school population.

DepEd said this pattern reflects the worsening impact of the climate crisis on education.

Angara said that the challenge now is to ‘adapt.’

‘Disasters will keep coming, but learning should not stop. We need clear, coordinated, and science-based decisions that keep our students both safe and learning,’ Angara said.

Advisory template

During the meeting, the agencies agreed to develop a DILG advisory template to help local governments issue timely and consistent suspension announcements, require regional and division offices to report the frequency and impact of suspensions, and publish official data on lost school days to inform national and local policy decisions.

DepEd also plans to strengthen its make-up class policy and Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) to keep learners engaged when in-person classes are canceled. While modular and online learning options have helped sustain instruction during disruptions, DepEd noted that these cannot fully replace face-to-face learning, especially for younger students who still depend on close teacher guidance.

‘We understand that safety must always come first, but we also need to be ready to help students recover from lost time. Our goal is to make every day of learning count, rain or shine,’ he concluded.

COLLEGE of Saint Benilde made sure to get its revenge over Mapua in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101 men’s basketball tournament as the Blazers beat the Cardinals, 75-65, at Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday.

The Blazers, who lost to Mapua in last year’s Finals, improved to 6-3 won-lost in Group B to keep their hold of the pool’s second seed.

The win gave Benilde some much-needed breathing room in the team standings but coach Charles Tiu wasn’t entirely thrilled.

‘We had to take care of the ball which we did in the first half but we made mind boggling mistakes in the second half,’ he said. ‘Thankfully, we defended well enough to win the game.’

As a team, the Blazers turned the ball over 21 times and also didn’t help their cause that the defending champions had active hands with 10 steals as a squad.

Still, those mistakes weren’t enough to dampen the momentum Benilde built in the first quarter.

The Blazers started out the game hot with an 18-0 lead which Mapua had a tough time dismantling.

The Cardinals were able to finish the third salvo strong, shaving Benilde’s deficit to six, 64-58, but they would only score seven lowly points in the final frame. They never took the lead the entire game.

Tony Ynot powered Benilde with an all-around game of 25 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a steal, while reigning MVP Allen Liwag also recorded a double-double in the win with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Cyrus Cuenco finished with 14 points and seven rebounds and Earl Sapasap scored for Mapua, which, despite crumbling to a 4-5 card in Group A, still remained as the second seed behind Perpetual Help (8-1).

THE Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) mounted a month-long anti-corruption campaign, which called on creatives to stand up and speak out against the misappropriation of public funds, in light of the flood control projects controversy.

CAP is an organization of Filipino creatives and cultural workers ‘advancing people’s movement for freedom of expression, justice, and democracy.’ For its anti-corruption movement last month, called ‘Koraptober,’ the group rolled out a prompt list that invited creatives to produce ‘any form of art that speaks out.’

The outputs must be based on the list’s rotating set of words related to the corruption issue, such as ‘baha,’ ‘luxury car,’ and ‘sigaw,’ among others.

‘Remember: art has the power to expose thieves, fuel resistance, and lift our collective fight,’ CAP wrote in its prompt list post. ‘Artista ng bayan, tuloy-tuloy ang laban! Korap, ibagsak!’

One of the featured artworks in CAP’s ‘Koraptober’ was Luha ng Buhaya. Created by student-artist Don Angelou Laureta, the painting reimagines its namesake Filipino idiom about the tears of a cold-hearted crocodile that feigns remorse.

In Laureta’s scene, the subject animal assumes its role as the icon of corruption and greed in Philippine politics. Her crocodile wears a barong Tagalog and is draped in the Philippine flag, its colors inverted with the red on top to symbolize a national time of war and unrest, as the country reels from the systemic and deep-rooted crimes of its leaders. The subject holds in its left hand the scales of justice, where a single peso coin outweighs the value of the common people, embodied here as a helpless farmer wearing a salakot, hugging its knees.

Laureta fills the scene with other harrowing imageries. Beside the anthropomorphic crocodile are unfinished infrastructure projects, including a building made of money and a cut-out highway leading into floodwaters, and, by extension, the demise of the general public due to neglect. It’s a scene in ruins, punctuated by the dancing flames rendered with such realistic motion and intensity.

Laureta is an Architectural Drafting student at Sorsogon State University and a member of the Kurit-Lagting Art Collective and CAP Bicol. For him, art is not only a form of self-expression but also a tool for education and social change. His works often reflect the struggles of ordinary Filipinos, using visual storytelling as a measure of activism.

‘#Koraptober amplifies voices like Laureta’s, reminding us that art remains one of the most powerful forms of protest,’ CAP Bicol said in a press release. ‘In the end, Luha ng Buwaya is more than an indictment of corrupt leaders. It is a mirror held up to the nation, urging every viewer to ask whose tears are we shedding, and when will we stop mistaking the crocodile’s for our own. Through his art, Laureta reminds us that silence is complicity and that even in the darkest times, art can still light the way toward justice.’

A LAWMAKER has filed House Bill 5750, or the proposed ‘Emman Act,’ which aims to protect Filipinos from online hate, harassment, and doxxing-while upholding the public’s right to freely criticize and hold officials accountable.

Named after Emman Atienza, who passed away following severe online bullying, Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez said the measure seeks to strike a balance between freedom of expression and digital responsibility.

Benitez, however, clarified that the measure does not cover public officials, emphasizing that citizens’ right to criticize, question, or satirize those in government remains fully protected.

‘I believe in free speech, and I believe that social media is a powerful platform-one that has given everyone a bullhorn to share ideas, express opinions, and hold those in power accountable,’ Benitez said. ‘But in recent years, some have used this same freedom to harass, malign, and spread hate. What was meant to empower has been used to destroy.

Under the bill, penalties would be imposed on acts such as cyberlibel, online hate speech, cyberstalking, doxxing, and the non-consensual sharing of private information. Expressions inciting hatred or discrimination based on gender, sexuality, or other personal attributes would also be punishable.

Digital platforms would also be mandated to take immediate action against online abuse by promptly removing or disabling content classified as cyberbullying or harassment. They would be required to suspend or ban users proven to have committed prohibited acts, assign trained personnel to monitor and flag harmful content, provide transparent reports on content removal requests and corresponding actions, and establish clear mechanisms for users to report abuse and seek redress.

They would also be required to preserve the data for their possible use as evidence in court proceedings.

Under the proposed measure, violations of the prohibited acts would be penalized according to the severity of the offense. Light violations or acts of online hate and harassment-such as insults, mockery, or other offensive remarks that do not amount to threats, incitement, or doxxing-would be punishable by arresto menor or a fine ranging from P20,000 to P50,000, or both.

For more serious offenses, such as targeted online harassment that causes emotional distress, doxxing, cyberstalking, or coordinated online mob attacks, the penalty would be arresto mayor and a fine between P50,000 and P200,000. The heaviest penalties-prisión mayor and a fine from P500,000 to P1,000,000-would apply to cases involving online harassment amounting to incitement or when the offender is a public officer or employee who abuses their position.

Minors found guilty of violations would undergo counseling and digital responsibility education, with support from the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) and the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with parents, guardians, or schools.

Benitez said the bill’s ultimate goal is to create ‘safer online spaces without making them silent,’ reminding everyone that ‘we can disagree without being disagreeable.’

THE Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Tuesday filed its third report with the Office of the Ombudsman, recommending the prosecution of eight engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and several private individuals who were allegedly responsible for the P72.3 million ghost flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan.

In its 18-page report signed by the ICI chairperson, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes, the commission identified the alleged culprits as DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Ernesto Galang, Jaypee Mendoza, John Michael Ramos, Irene Ontingco, Joshua Roxas and Bernando Villafuerte.

The ICI also named the officers of construction firm Topnotch Catalyst Builders led by Eumir Villanueva as among those who should be held accountable for the missing flood control project.

The said individuals, according to the ICI, may be held liable for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Malversation and Falsification provisions of the Revised Penal Code, Government Procurement Reform Act and Presidential Decree 1759 which penalizes contractors and subcontractors who violate any provisions of contracts involving public works projects of the government, and public officials who allow such violations.

The ICI said Alcanara approved the disbursements of payments to Topnotch for a non-existent project while it was Hernandez who recommended the release of payment to the construction company.

On the other hand, Galang, Mendoza, Ramos, Ontingco and Roxas consented to the release and processing of payment to Topnotch despite the absence of any construction.

The ICI said Villanueva, together with the officers and members of Topnotch board, made it appear that the project was completed in accordance with the plans.

‘These falsification indicate that the scheme was intended to enable the release and receipt of government funds without the completion of any actual work,’ the report stated.

Aside from possible criminal charges, the ICI also recommended the filing of administrative charges for grave misconduct, gross dishonesty conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service under Republic Act No. 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public Officials and Employees against former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former undersecretary for operations Roberto Bernardo, former undersecretary for planning and public-private partnership Maria Catalina Cabral and the eight engineers.

The ICI said Bonoan and the other respondents ‘appears to have failed to implement existing policies and duties necessary to ensure the proper implementation of the project.’

‘Their acts and omissions indicate a failure to exercise the required diligence and oversight expected of public officers entrusted with the administration of public funds, thereby resulting in evident injury to the government,’ the report stated.

‘Hence, the deliberate failure of the concerned public officials to fulfill their duties clearly warrants the filing of appropriate administrative charges,’ it added.

The subject ghost flood control project implemented by the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office through Topnotch involves the construction of a river bank protection structure at Bagong Silang, Purok 4, Plaridel, Bulacan.

The ICI observed that this deviation was not supported by sufficient documentary evidence to justify or authorize such relocation.

‘The results of the COA technical inspection, together with the available records, clearly establish that the project was never constructed at the designated location in the Approved Bid Plans, thus, not implemented, despite the unwarranted release and full payment of the contract cost by the DPWH to Topnotch,’ the ICI said.

At a press briefing, Reyes said the ICI is planning to hire more lawyers and investigators that would increase its work efficiency and output.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the new report would undergo fact-finding investigation prior to the conduct of a preliminary investigation.

‘The documents we have to evaluate to see if they are lacking materials so that if we do a preliminary investigation the information we pass on to the accused will be complete. It’s hard to build up a case when you are conducting an investigation,’ Remulla explained.

Remulla said the two referrals earlier submitted by the ICI to the Ombudsman are now undergoing preliminary investigation.

‘Ombudsman eyes Romualdez negligence’

FORMER Speaker Martin Romualdez may be held liable for gross inexcusable negligence for backing the appointment of resigned Party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co of Ako Bicol as head of the Appropriation committee which was responsible for coming out with 2025 budget which has been tagged as the ‘most-corrupt’ budget in Philippine history.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla made the pronouncement at a press briefing on Tuesday, noting that the same administrative offense was recommended by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to be filed against former Public Works Secretary (DPWH) Manuel Bonoan and several other high-ranking officials for their alleged failure to exercise due diligence in ensuring the proper implementation of the agency’s projects.

Remulla explained that it was Co who worked with some senators in coming out with the final version of the budget which included insertions and diversions.

As the leader of the House, Remulla hinted that Romualdez failed to ensure that Co’s actions were aboveboard.

‘If fingers do not point to the former Speaker, as the leader of the House, he was responsible for the appointment of Zaldy Co, although Zaldy Co was elected on the floor, everybody knows that he was the Speaker’s choice, that’s why we have to hold him accountable for that,’ Remulla said.

‘It’s a novel theory. I know we are crossing the boundary of a normal legal theory, but we have to stretch it a bit because the whole government machinery and the Filipino people suffered damages due to the acts of Zaldy Co and if there is nothing criminal about it, then it’s negligence at least,’ he added.

Remulla said investigators are looking into all the testimonies given during the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee’s investigation into the flood control scandal in putting up a case for gross inexcusable negligence against Romualdez.

He added that the Ombudsman is also trying to locate former marine sergeant Orly Regala Guteza who earlier testified before the Senate that Romualdez and Co received kickbacks from flood control projects.

New task force to probe Villars

REMULLA also disclosed that a new task force will be created to look into flood control and other infrastructure projects in Bacoor, Cavite and Las Piñas that allegedly gave unwarranted benefits to the Villar family.

‘We may be putting up a new task force for the river drive and for the flood control of Las Piñas- Bacoor area because the lands that benefited from these projects are there. They are the landowners that benefitted from that. So, we have to look at that also. We will be forming a new task force for that, just for Villar itself.

Remulla was referring to the multi-billion peso 11-kilometer Zapote River Drive project and other improvements extending to boundaries of Bacoor properties.

The Ombudsman said it is known among the residents that the Villar family owns the said land.

‘You saw the river wall. You’ll ask who paid for the project, the government or them? It’s that simple. So we’ll determine that later on when we look at the project’s costing and what happened there,’ Remulla said.

‘I think it should be something that should have been done a long time ago,’ he added.

During his term as justice secretary, Remulla said the Department of Justice will be looking into the alleged ‘prohibited interest’ of the Villar family in the estimated P18.5 billion infrastructure projects in Las Piñas City.

Remulla said the investigation is necessary following a news report that a close relative owns a construction firm that undertook several infrastructure projects, including flood-control projects, in the city.

St. Luke’s Medical Center Inc. has established a Center for Comprehensive Breast Care in its hospitals in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and in Quezon City.

The center mainly houses all of St. Luke’s experts and services on breast health, from early detection of cancer, diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation and long-term recovery.

It has a multidisciplinary team of specialists-from surgeons to radiologists-working in harmony to provide seamless, coordinated care.

Maria Cecilia M. Pagdanganan, head of St. Luke’s breast center in Quezon City said they hope to cut the delays in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, both of which causes anxiety to the patient.

‘What we want to do is when the patient comes, the doctor is there, they can do the readings of the tests, among others. If the patient needs biopsy, we’ll do the biopsy. And then once it’s cancer.it should be managed by different specialists,’ Pagdanganan said.

She said once a patient comes in for consultation, a multi-disciplinary team will come up with a plan what they think is best for the patient.

‘Of course, not all recommendations will be followed, but included in the multidisciplinary team is the patient herself. She would want to decide on what needs to be done to go. Our concept is to shorten all of these things, such as laboratories, to prevent the patient from waiting for too long on the result, which is causing anxiety.’

Pagdanganan said the hospital took three years to launch the center as they have to gather institutional evidence on what’s best for the patient.

‘We also have a way of auditing the doctors. All doctors who will join us are willing to answer questions regarding on (his actions on) why did you not do this (process).’

The service could be more expensive compared to the other centers, but Pagdanganan said they will do what is best and provide the right treatment, which ‘at the end of the day is more economical for the patient.’

She said St. Luke’s is pushing for this type of patient treatment to be included in the packages of health maintenance organizations, as there are numerous medical studies that indicated that such strategy helps patients.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has approved the Tatak Pinoy Strategy (TPS), a multiyear national industrial roadmap that aims to ‘strengthen’ key sectors, create jobs, and lift Filipino products to global standards, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Signed through Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 104 on October 24, the measure directs all government agencies to give preference to local products and services in their procurement.

In a statement on Monday, DTI explained that under the Strategy, local suppliers can be awarded contracts if their bids are within 25 percent of the lowest foreign offer.

‘This measure ensures that the government’s purchasing power directly supports Filipino enterprises,’ added the Trade department.

DTI, the agency leading the program, said the TPS serves as a ‘national framework for industrial transformation’ anchored on five pillars: people, infrastructure, technology and innovation, investments, and sound financial management.

For her part, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina A. Roque, who also chairs the Tatak Pinoy Council, said the Strategy opens new opportunities for local industries to scale and compete globally.

‘The TPS empowers our MSMEs and industries to innovate with purpose, produce with pride, and compete globally with confidence. We thank the President for his swift approval of this landmark policy that will boost our economy and generate more jobs for Filipinos,’ Roque said.

According to DTI, plans and priorities are ‘clearly outlined’ in the TPS framework to help domestic enterprises become more globally competitive, including nine priority sectors identified for their potential to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth and industrial development.

The nine priority sectors under the Tatak Pinoy Strategy are: IT-BPM; Food and Agro-processing; Cement, Steel, and Construction Materials; Semiconductors; Electronics and Electrical Devices; Automotive, E-Vehicles, and Automotive Components; Pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics, and Health Products; Defense Manufacturing; Chemicals and Industrial Inputs.

According to the TPS, these sectors were selected based on their export potential, domestic value-added, employment generation, and alignment with global value chains.