Category: Business Mirror

Protection means something different to everyone. For some, it means taking care of their health. For others, it means securing their family’s future or preserving the passions and businesses they have worked hard to build.

As many people look ahead to 2027, three individuals are sharing what they want to protect most, and why protection is deeply connected to the lives they choose to build.

For yoga instructor Des Irlanda, protection begins with health and well-being. After spending years in the corporate world, she eventually pursued yoga as a way to turn her passion for healing and wellness into a purpose-driven career.

‘This 2027, I want to protect the health and well-being of the people around me, and that includes my students,’ she shares. ‘For me, yoga is not just about exercise. It’s beyond that. It’s healing, finding balance on and off the mat, and of course it’s self-care.’

Today, she strives to create a safe and supportive space where her students can slow down, reconnect with themselves, and make their health and well-being a priority.

For entrepreneur and mother of four Joy Astilla, protection is closely tied to family. Her experience as a mom inspired her to build a business that caters to the needs of parents and families.

‘ I have four kids, and my parents also live with us,’ she says. ‘ I know the struggle of having to have so many roles: a wife, a mom, a daughter.I always want to give them the best and lagi ko iniisip yung mga pangangailangan nila.I want to give them a good life and I want to make it easier for them.’

For her, protecting her family also means protecting the purpose behind the business she built. By continuing to offer useful and practical products for parents and children, she hopes to support other families going through the everyday challenges of raising a family.

Meanwhile, Noel Bartolome Jr., an off-road racer and car enthusiast, sees protection through the eyes of passion. What began as a love for cars and off-roading eventually grew into a business of his own, offering automotive parts and services, detailing, and gear and accessories for fellow enthusiasts.

‘This 2027, I want to protect my passion for off-roading,’ Noel says. ‘(I also want) to continue our initiatives to help people in rural communities, especially in areas that are difficult to reach with ordinary vehicles.’

For Noel, protecting his passion goes beyond taking care of his vehicles and the business he has built around them. It also means being able to use that passion with purpose-reaching communities, helping others, and continuing the work that matters to him.

Their stories reflect a simple truth: protection is personal. It can mean protecting your health and family, securing your livelihood, pursuing the passions that matter to you, or safeguarding the future you are working to build.

For Malayan Insurance, protection has always been about helping everyday Filipinos take care of what matters most to them. Through its range of non-life insurance products, Malayan Insurance supports people in securing their families, properties, businesses, livelihoods and the things that they’ve worked hard to build.

Having the right protection gives people the confidence to keep moving forward-to pursue their passions, care for others, take on new opportunities, and build toward the future they envision. And with greater peace of mind, they can focus on what matters: the people, pursuits, and communities that give their lives meaning.

This 2027, Malayan Insurance invites Filipinos to ask a simple but meaningful question: What are you trying to protect?

John Hay, soon to be United States Secretary of State, called the war with Spain a splendid little war, and by the scoreboard he was right. It lasted fewer than four months and ended with the US occupying Cuba, and owning Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, the last purchased from Spain for US$20 million. The crowd went home satisfied and Hay lives on in Baguio City as the name of Camp John Hay, an American military rest camp that became a mountain resort.

The crowd had been watching the wrong game. Within two months of the Treaty of Paris, American soldiers were fighting the Filipino forces that had been their allies against Spain. The Philippine War was declared over on July 4, 1902, and estimates of Filipino civilian deaths run well past 200,000. Cuba was the reason for the war. Manila was its consequence, and the consequence outlasted the victory by almost four years. In fact, by more than 120 years.

Cheering for the winner of a war runs on the same instincts as cheering for a team. The result arrives quickly, it is easy to read, and the fan goes home with it. A game ends at the final whistle and a war does not. The result is recorded in the first months. The consequences are recorded over generations.

Energy intelligence firm Vortexa reports that Iranian seaborne crude exports fell from a 14-day average of 230,000 barrels per day at the start of September 2026 to zero by the second week of the month, and they had not recovered as of October 15. About 83 million barrels of Iranian crude sit aboard tankers, 43 million of them trapped west of the Strait of Hormuz. ‘The blockade is doing what years of sanctions never managed,’ said Claire Jungman, Vortexa’s director of maritime risk and intelligence. The International Monetary Fund projects that Iran’s economy will shrink 7.6 percent this year. By the scoreboard, the US is winning.

Spectators follow the score because spectators do not receive the bill. Russian crude now makes up 80 percent of the high-risk exports Vortexa tracks across Iran, Russia and Venezuela. China needs Iranian crude less urgently now because Russian barrels have filled the gap. Oil flows from the rest of the Gulf have recovered to just over 81 percent of pre-war levels. In the US, gasoline prices rose 9.1 percent in September alone, the energy index rose 5.2 percent, and annual inflation reached 3.7 percent, against 2.4 percent in February. Diesel, which moves farms, freight and ships, is up 70 percent since then.

Manila stands further down that line than Washington does. The Philippines draws between 95 and 98 percent of its crude from the Middle East, depending on the estimate, and September inflation reached 7.2 percent, the highest since March 2023 and well above the 1.7 percent of a year earlier. For the poorest 30 percent of households it reached 9 percent. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has raised its policy rate three times this year to 5.0 percent, Brent crude trades around US$100 a barrel, and the peso sits above P62 per US dollar, weaker than the record low it set in May.

The same war threatens the remittance line as well. About 2.4 million Filipinos work in the Middle East, and they sent home roughly $6.5 billion in cash remittances in 2025, about 18 percent of the national total. Some estimates put potential job losses among those workers at 200,000 to 340,000 if the war continues. A country that buys its fuel from one region and sends its workers to the same region has made one bet twice.

In July 1898 the Philippines was a footnote to a victory. Footnotes are where a war files its long consequences, and the footnotes of the Hormuz blockade are being written in pump prices in Metro Manila, in BSP rate decisions, and in remittance corridors that run to Riyadh and Dubai.

How much of the bill Manila pays depends on four decisions Manila controls: where it buys crude, how much of its fuel it refines at home, how much of its electricity runs on imported fuel, and which countries it sends its workers to. None of them has to wait for a ceasefire, and none of the decisions can be handed to the winner.

Hay was right about the scoreboard. The people who paid were never in the stadium.

E-mail me at mangun@gmail.com. Follow me on Twitter @mangunonmarkets. PSE stock-market information and technical analysis provided by AAA Southeast Equities Inc.

NIDO Petroleum Philippines Pty. Ltd. and consortium partners will spend at least $25 million per well to pursue drilling activities in offshore Northwest Palawan.

In a filing, Nido said the estimated expenditure for the drilling well activities in Service Contract (SC) 91 is at least $18 to $25 million per well.

The SC91 will be developed by its operator, Nido Petroleum, and other consortium members including Alcorn Petroleum and Minierals Corp., Forum Energy Phillippines Corp., Oriental Petroleum and Minierals Corp., The Philodrill Corp. and PNOC Exploration Corp.

The SC 91 covers an offshore area of about 103,034 hectares in the Northwest Palawan Basin and replaces the former SC 6B, which expired on Feb. 28, 2024. The new contract includes aims to re-evaluate and develop untapped oil reserves in the Cadlao Oil Field, which previously produced about 11.2 million barrels of oil between 1981 and 1991.

The redevelopment plan for SC91 will consist of two phases. The first will involve the drilling of one well with an upfront three to nine month extended well test in case drilling outcome favors commerciality.

The second phase will involve adding one to three wells, with production restart estimated to commence in the second half of this year or first half of 2027.

Exploration well drilling is conducted to establish the extent and size of a petroleum deposit that has already been discovered. Appraisal drilling is then carried out once oil or gas has been discovered in order to assess the extent of the field, the reserves, the possible rate of production, and the properties of the oil and gas.

Production activities will commence following successful exploration and appraisal confirmation of the commercial viability of the discovered hydrocarbon resources. Production will involve the drilling and completion of production wells.

Nido Petroleum was formally awarded the petroleum service contract in April this year by the Department of Energy.

The SC91 is part of the government’s push to expand indigenous oil and gas exploration under Presidential Decree 87.

This season, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf celebrates a beloved Filipino delicacy with two new ube-flavored drinks. Launching alongside The Giving Collection, these Philippine-exclusive sips are available for a limited time from October 23, 2026, to January 10, 2027. Share the cheer and enjoy a taste of local flavor this season.

It’s Ube Season at CBTL!

Pure Ube Ice Blended® – a balanced and velvety ube blended with milk into a smooth, frosty purple treat with a hint of sweetness

Ube Latte – Rich ube meets bold espresso and milk for a blend that’s creamy yet coffee-forward, crowned with a silky cream cap

Have it to-go or take it slow. Your holiday sip awaits at CBTL.

Follow @cbtlph on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more updates.

CHARMING Ormoc City is charting a bold course in Philippine sports development, determined to establish itself as both a regional training hub and a premier sports tourism destination.

Under the leadership of Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez and Congressman Richard Gomez, and with the full backing of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the city is steadily building the infrastructure and programs to make that vision a reality.

The city’s commitment was highlighted during its 79th Charter Day celebrations, where PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio addressed 1,500 delegates of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines from across the country.

‘Ormoc City is the perfect showcase for sports tourism. It’s not only a great destination, it’s a great host,” Gregorio said.

In his speech, Gregorio pointed out the sports tourism success of Thailand and Vietnam, whose minister of sports is likewise the minister of tourism as well as in Korea and Poland.

‘They are using sports and tourism to collaborate and to promote the destination because they know that the biggest tourism events in the world are sports events,” added Gregorio, citing the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, among others.

Ormoc’s ambition is reflected in the facilities already completed and those still under construction.

A modern pentathlon training facility, a boxing gym, obstacle course, wall climbing modules, BMX track, a fencing gym, skateboarding park, karate and martial arts gym, track oval, and rowing facilities at Lake Danao where the PSC donated boats and assigned coaches from the national team to propagate the sport.

All of these form the backbone of a sports complex designed to serve athletes and the entire community. These venues are envisioned not only as training grounds for elite competitors but also as attractions that will draw tourists, tournaments, and international events to the city.

Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez expressed her gratitude to the PSC and emphasized the city’s holistic approach.

‘We thank the PSC for believing in Ormoc’s vision. These facilities are not just for athletes but for families, communities, and visitors. Our goal is to make Ormoc a premier sports tourism destination, where people can dream big, train hard, and enjoy world-class experiences,’ she said, highlighting the city’s intent to blend athletic excellence with tourism appeal.

Part of the month-long festivities for the Charter Day celebration was the unveiling of an obstacle course and a wall climbing facility aside from showcasing a new multi-level dormitory that can house at least 120 athletes, all within the vicinity of the track oval and sports complex.

‘Ormoc is building facilities for multiple sports from karate dojos, martial arts training to obstacle courses and even rowing at Lake Danao,” said Gomez, president of the Philippine Modern Pentathlon Association and second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

‘This is part of our mission to establish Ormoc as a regional training hub, where athletes can prepare for national and international competitions while the community benefits from sports tourism,’ added the congressman from Leyte province representing the fourth district.

National sports associations have already begun to take notice. Karate Pilipinas President Ricky Lim praised Ormoc’s initiative for its plan to build a dedicated training facility for karate and donated new mats.

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‘Thank you for sharing your space for karate. In return, we promise to propagate the sport here. We are donating new mats, and eventually, we will bring the national team to Ormoc to train and teach the youth for free. This is how continuity in sports development is achieved,” said Lim.

Chairman Gregorio, in closing, emphasized PSC’s commitment to supporting the city’s ambitions.

‘Ormoc City is fast becoming a regional training hub for Philippine sports, with facilities that rival international standards,” said Gregorio.

‘With Mayor Lucy and Congressman Richard all out in their dedication, we are confident that Ormoc will become a model for sports development and tourism in the Philippines,’ he added.

SHARES of Mynt Inc. (PSE: GCASH) slightly fell on its second day of trading on Wednesday at the Philippine Stock Exchange, closing at P6.59 from its offer price of P6.60 apiece.

Abacus Securities Corp. said its opening day of trade being flat suggests active price stabilization by the offering’s underwriters.

The broker said, however, selling pressure appeared limited, with total offer volumes staying below half of the total bid volume throughout most of the session.

‘Conversely, local buyers seemed willing to absorb whatever foreigners were selling. Then again this might be the stabilization fund; but our view is that there is evidence that the hype worked to some extent,’ it said.

Abacus warned that as Mynt prepares to report earnings next month via parent company Globe Telecom Inc., the risk of a disappointment is higher not only because of the hype but also due to the precedent set in second quarter, which saw a decrease quarter-on-quarter.

‘For those who are looking to buy GCASH, therefore, it is probably best to wait until Globe’s third quarter earnings release and/or briefing, which will probably be in the second week of November,’ added the trader.

COL Financial Inc., meanwhile, said that the GCash e-wallet operator is primed to capitalize on the country’s surging adoption of digital finance.

COL Financial projects Mynt’s revenues to expand by 15 percent this year to reach P91.7 billion. The online stockbrokerage firm also forecast another 24-percent growth to P113.6 billion in 2027, propelled by steady transaction volume gains and rapid growth within its ‘CreditTech’ credit portfolio through subsidiary Fuse Financing Inc.

Meanwhile, we expect net income to increase by 18 percent year-on-year to P20.4 billion in 2026 and 26.8 percent year-on-year to P25.8 billion in 2027, COL Financial said.

The broker also expects Mynt’s credit arm to increase to P132.3 billion by 2028, a 40.2-percent three-year compound growth rate from 2025, outperforming broader industry trends.

Meanwhile, Eric Jurado, hedge fund manager at SeA (Southeast Asia) Focus Portfolio, said Mynt’s broader growth narrative will play out over the coming decade.

‘The IPO does not automatically make these services better. That remains Mynt’s responsibility. But the capital raised and the company’s transition to public ownership can support its next phase of growth, including product development and business expansion,’ Jurado said.

‘The ultimate measure of success for users will be whether Mynt continues to deliver useful, reliable services and expands access to financial opportunities,’ he added.

According to Jurado, Mynt’s debut gives investors a chance to hold a direct stake in a premier Philippine fintech enterprise, proving that a Philippine business can attract capital at scale and gives investors another opportunity to participate in the country’s corporate growth.

‘The real questions are whether [Mynt] can keep serving more customers, strengthen its competitive position, grow earnings per share and create lasting value for its owners. Today, the market gave GCASH its first public price. From here, the business must build its long-term value,’ he said.

The Philippines could fetch more than $100 million in investments for five major crops from international institutions, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency presented 27 proposals during the recent Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Investment (HIHI) forum, which was held in its headquarters in Rome.

Officials made a pitch to international financial institutions and private investors, focusing on coffee, seaweed, mango, jackfruit, and cocoa. This aims to raise farmers’ incomes, generate economic opportunities in rural communities, and enhance climate resilience.

‘We had about 12 bilateral [meetings], so we can expect big investment…the minimum we can expect is $100 million,’ De Mesa recently told reporters.

This figure exceeded the $57.4 million in investments that the DA initially sought prior to presenting the projects in the international forum.

Of the five priority crops, De Mesa noted that projects on seaweed and coffee accounted for the lion’s share or more than 50 percent of the generated investments.

Earlier, the FAO said coffee and seaweed account for the largest investment requirements, at roughly $26.4 million and $24.8 million, respectively.

Additional proposals lean towards processing, machinery, and other value addition for mango, jackfruit, and cocoa.

The international agency noted that the Philippines’ investment profile offers an average projected internal rate of return of 24.6 percent, and a total estimated net present value of $42.2 million.

The proposals were developed through a collaboration between the DA, FAO, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which are part of a broader effort to mobilize public and private financing for Philippine agriculture.

The agency said this moves beyond traditional development assistance towards investments that can deliver both financial returns and measurable development benefits.

FAO Representative in the Philippines Lionel Dabbadie said food security, rural prosperity, and climate resilience will not be achieved through isolated interventions.

‘They require investment at scale. The Hand-in-Hand Initiative brings together data, policy and finance to turn development priorities into investment opportunities,’ Dabbadie said.

‘The portfolio presented by the Philippines illustrates how partnerships between government, the private sector and international organizations can help de-risk investments and generate economic returns, while improving farmers’ livelihoods and strengthening the resilience of agrifood systems.’

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects the bidding for the operations and maintenance (OandM) of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the privatization of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to be completed next year, with the timelines possibly extending into the second quarter of 2027.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the NSCR bidding is targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2027 based on the current schedule, but this could move to the second quarter depending on approvals.

‘Based on the timeline, first quarter next year,’ Lopez told reporters on the sidelines of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Infrastructure Forum. ‘If we can start this year… maybe, let’s say, second quarter next year.’

In January, the DOTr said it expected to award the NSCR operations and maintenance (OandM) contract by the fourth quarter of 2026, with bidding set for July to August and a target contract award in October 2026.

In July, Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the bidding for the P229-billion concession would likely draw around 10 offers from Philippine, French and Japanese conglomerates, and that the DOTr would close submissions by the end of September and announce a winning bidder before the end of the year.

Partial operations of the NSCR between Valenzuela and Malolos are targeted to begin in December 2027, with the Malolos-to-Clark segment expected to open by October 2028.

Batan earlier explained that the DOTr needs the winning contractor to prepare and mobilize in time for the target partial commencement of operations.

The NSCR is co-financed under official development assistance by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

For MRT-3, whose privatization proposals have been submitted to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, Lopez said the OandM bidding would likely follow a similar track.

‘Same siguro, second quarter,’ he said, noting that bundling the MRT-3 with Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) is not an option at this point, describing them as separate undertakings.

In May, Lopez said the DOTr aimed to award the MRT-3 contract between June and July 2027, with the winning bidder taking over operations of the rail line by October 2027.

The concession is expected to run for 20 to 25 years at an estimated project cost of $800 million, or around P48.22 billion, and the would-be operator will be tasked with raising the line’s ridership from more than 1.3 million passengers per day.

A market sounding held at the ADB headquarters drew interest from 74 local and international companies from 14 countries.

The MRT-3 has been under government control since the build-lease-transfer agreement with the Sobrepeña-led Metro Rail Transit Corp. expired in July 2025.

Lopez noted that the schedules set with the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) may shift if bidders raise questions or supplemental bid bulletins are needed. He added that foreign-funded projects require extra steps, such as securing a letter of no objection from the ADB.

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‘Sometimes, even if you put a timeline, if there’s like a meritorious reason… not to push through with the date of opening of bid, because there are like bid questions, we need supplemental bid, the timeline adjusts,’ he said. ‘It’s quite complicated, not the usual bidding that we know under the procurement law.’

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday again called out the Chinese Embassy in Manila over its latest social media posts, saying their ‘escalatory and undiplomatic’ tone has undermined efforts to stabilize bilateral relations, but stopped short of declaring Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata.

In a strongly worded statement, the DFA reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy while reminding all diplomats accredited to the country to observe restraint and responsibility in their public statements.

‘The escalatory and undiplomatic tone and language used in the latest social media statements of the Chinese Embassy erode mutual trust and confidence, and severely undermine the efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations,’ the DFA said.

The latest rebuke came just three days after Ambassador Jing was summoned by the DFA over remarks that triggered criticism from lawmakers and security officials, who viewed them as an attempt to pressure Manila over its policies toward Taiwan, the West Philippine Sea, and its growing security cooperation with allies.

Instead of easing tensions following the October 19 summons, the Chinese Embassy launched a series of social media posts defending the ambassador and taking aim at Filipino lawmakers who had called for diplomatic action against him.

Among the most controversial was a post featuring Senate Resolution No. 746 filed by Risa Hontiveros, which urged President Marcos Jr. to declare Ambassador Jing *persona non grata* or request his recall.

The embassy accompanied the resolution with the caption: ‘Since you don’t welcome us, we don’t welcome you, either. Fair enough.’

The post quickly drew attention as one of the sharpest public responses yet by the embassy to calls for the envoy’s expulsion.

The embassy’s online campaign came after several lawmakers criticized Ambassador Jing for warning that China-Philippines relations had reached an ‘extremely sensitive and critical juncture,’ remarks that some officials interpreted as a threat.

The DFA’s latest statement appeared aimed directly at the embassy’s continuing online attacks.

‘All diplomats are expected to conduct and express themselves in a manner befitting diplomatic envoys, especially on social media,’ the department said.

It added that the embassy’s recent statements did not reflect the ‘longstanding spirit of constructive engagement’ between Manila and Beijing.

‘Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions,’ it said.

At the same time, the DFA reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to the One China Policy, which is anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communiqué.

‘The People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China,’ the DFA said, adding that the Philippines fully understands and respects Beijing’s position that there is only one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory.

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The statement also appeared intended to dispel Beijing’s serious concern that the ‘Philippine side continued to make negative moves on Taiwan-related issues.’

Despite mounting calls from lawmakers for stronger action against Ambassador Jing, the DFA stopped short of announcing any punitive measure.

Instead, it left open the possibility of future steps.

‘The DFA likewise reiterates that it reserves the right to take further diplomatic action as it deems necessary,’ the department said.

The latest exchange underscores the increasingly contentious tone of diplomatic engagement between Manila and Beijing, with disputes over the West Philippine Sea now spilling into public exchanges between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials on social media.

Reacting to the DFA statement, the Chinese Embassy remains defiant, stating it ‘does not accept’ DFA’s statement on China pushing back against attacks and smears on China.

‘The Embassy is always committed to managing differences with the Philippines through diplomatic channel. Meanwhile the Chinese Embassy will not remain silent when China’s interests and dignity are undermined. This is the duty that diplomatic mission must perform.,’ the Embassy said in a statement.

On the Taiwan issue, the Embassy said it appreciated the reiteration of Manila on one-China policy

‘Under current circumstances, this public statement is timely and necessary in preventing certain forces from sabotaging China-Philippines relations by playing with the Taiwan question,’ the Embassy said.

Nearly one in two Filipino adults is living with overweight or obesity. According to the latest National Nutrition Council’s report on the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s 2025 Updating Survey, prevalence reached 44.5%, up from 39.8% in 2023, underscoring the growing need for accessible care.

Addressing this burden requires access to medical assessment, appropriate treatment and ongoing support. For patients prescribed medicines, both cost and the ability to obtain their treatment consistently can affect access to care.

Against this backdrop, Novo Nordisk Philippines has announced lower suggested retail prices for the 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg strengths of its once-weekly semaglutide formulation indicated for weight management, effective October 2026.

Semaglutide (Wegovy®) is a prescription medicine. For weight management, the formulation is indicated for eligible patients alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. A physician must assess treatment suitability, explain the benefits and risks, and guide dosing and follow-up. The prevalence of overweight and obesity does not, by itself, determine eligibility for medication.

The new suggested retail price for the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg strengths is ?8,188 per pen, down from ?9,900, a reduction of approximately 17%. The suggested retail price for the 1.0 mg strength is ?9,279 per pen, down from ?9,900, or approximately 6%. Each pen contains four doses of its labelled strength, providing four weeks of treatment when used once weekly as prescribed.

Eligible senior citizens (SCs) and persons with disabilities (PWDs) receive a further 20% discount, bringing the confirmed prices to ?6,550 per pen for the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg strengths, and ?7,423 per pen for the 1.0 mg strength.

The affected strengths are used during the early stages of the prescribed dose-escalation schedule. The equal suggested retail prices for the 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg strengths mean there is no increase in the suggested price per pen at that prescribed dose step. Costs at subsequent strengths may differ and should be considered when planning ongoing care.

‘Medicine costs are one part of the access challenge,’ said Wei Sun, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines. ‘Reliable availability, appropriate prescribing and ongoing medical support also matter. The price adjustment should be understood as one step within that broader need.’

The price adjustment sits alongside Novo Nordisk Philippines’ Live, which aims to build understanding of obesity as a disease and encourage Filipinos to seek appropriate medical guidance. Disease awareness and access to care are connected: recognising the need for support is a first step, while obtaining assessment, appropriate treatment and follow-up enables people to act on that understanding.

Lower prices can reduce a financial barrier, but broader access also depends on patients being able to reach healthcare professionals, obtain their prescribed medicine through licensed pharmacies and receive follow-up care. Planning for treatment should therefore consider medicine availability and the overall cost of care, including consultations, any necessary tests and subsequent prescribed doses.

Obesity care should be based on individual health needs and may include nutritional support, physical activity, behavioural interventions, medicines or other treatment options, as clinically appropriate. A medical consultation can help patients understand their options and develop a care plan suited to their circumstances.

Patients prescribed semaglutide should obtain it only from licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription. They should confirm the prescribed strength, stock availability and actual retail price with the dispensing pharmacy, including applicable senior citizen or PWD discounts. Questions about dosing, side effects or interruptions in treatment should be discussed with the prescribing physician.