Category: Business Mirror

FORMER Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Executive Director Alexander Ramos is pushing for the creation of a bullying and threat identification and escalation framework that would equip teachers to spot warning signs of student violence early, arguing that schools cannot keep waiting for tragedies before recognizing a problem.

‘We should not wait until bullying becomes violence before we recognize that there is a problem. Teach our teachers how to identify the levels, give them a clear escalation process and intervene while there is still an opportunity to prevent something worse from happening,’ said Ramos, who also serves as advisor for cybercrime investigation at Scam Watch Pilipinas.

His call came after a junior high school student shot and killed a fellow student at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus in Zamboanga City on August 18 before taking his own life. Two others were injured in the attack, which authorities are still investigating.

Ramos cautioned against automatically attributing the incident to bullying while investigators are still establishing the circumstances and motive. He said, however, that the string of violent incidents in schools this year underscores the need for a system that helps teachers identify bullying, threats, intimidation and behavioral changes before they escalate.

Under his proposal, the framework would give teachers practical indicators and clear protocols for intervention rather than relying solely on students to formally report incidents.

It would distinguish ordinary disagreements from repeated bullying, identify patterns of intimidation and threatening behavior, and flag higher-risk situations involving threats of serious harm, references to weapons, self-harm or violent retaliation.

‘The problem is that bullying is often treated as either present or absent. Hindi ganoon kasimple [It’s not gthat simple]. We have to understand the degree. Is it teasing? Is it repeated humiliation? Is it social exclusion? Is there intimidation? Are there threats already? Is the child showing signs of retaliation or extreme distress? Teachers should know the difference,’ he said.

Ramos said bullying is often viewed too narrowly, with attention focused mainly on physical aggression, when schools should also be able to recognize repeated humiliation, social exclusion, cyberbullying and significant behavioral changes among students.

‘Teachers are with these students every day. They may be the first people outside the family who can see that something is changing. But we cannot expect them to act on warning signs if we have not given them the tools to understand what those signs mean,’ he said.

He added that teachers should know when an issue can be handled at the classroom level, when guidance counselors and parents should be involved, and when a case must be elevated to school administrators or authorities.

Physical security measures such as guards, bag inspections and weapons restrictions address only part of the problem, according to Ramos.

‘We have to stop the weapon from entering the school, but we also have to ask what happened before someone decided to bring that weapon in the first place,’ he said.

The Zamboanga shooting is the latest in a series of violent incidents involving students since classes opened this year. In July, the Senate was told that at least 15 cases of school-related violence and threats had been recorded over a three-week period beginning June 16, leaving at least three students dead and 32 others wounded.

The deadliest was the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two students aged 14 and 15 opened fire on schoolmates, killing three and injuring at least 20. Police said the suspects claimed during initial questioning that they had been bullied, although authorities continued to investigate the motive.

Days earlier, seven Grade 5 pupils at Bethel Academy in General Trias, Cavite were injured after allegedly being attacked by a Grade 8 student armed with a kitchen knife, while a separate stabbing at Cavite National High School left a senior high school student wounded. A Grade 8 student in Bacolod City was stabbed, allegedly by a Grade 7 student, outside Sum-ag National High School on June 29.

On July 1, a Grade 11 student at Cabaluay National High School in Zamboanga City stabbed and wounded two classmates whom he allegedly accused of bullying him. On July 31, a 13-year-old student was stabbed and killed by a 14-year-old classmate inside Las Piñas National High School following an argument that police said stemmed from P10 in unreturned change.

MAGNOLIA ended the first part of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50th Season Governors’ Cup on a high note-thanks to Jerom Lastimosa.

The Hotshots guard scored a career-high 30 points last Saturday to lead his team to a 115-101 win over Phoenix Super LPG. With Lastimosa in charge, Magnolia won its third straight game after a 1-3 win-loss start before the league takes a six-week break.

Lastimosa’s strong play allowed him to capture the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period August 11 to 14.

Lastimosa shot 11-of-14 from the field, while also dishing out three assists, and contributing two steals to beat the likes of Justin Arana of Converge and Chris Newsome of Meralco for the plum handed by sportswriters covering the PBA beat.

‘More than his offense, it’s his defense,’ Magnolia coach LA Tenorio said about Lastimosa. ‘It’s good that he responds well. The players know he’s the one I often scold because I know what he’s capable of contributing to this team.’

‘I told him that learning is his responsibility now,’ Tenorio said. ‘Whether something happens within the team or not, he’s the one I’m going to call out.’

Lastimosa said he doesn’t mind being scolded by Tenorio during games and practices.

‘That’s where we learn,’ Lastimosa said. ‘I never take it for granted when the coach gets mad at me. It means he cares and just wants to improve my game.’

Providing children with balanced nutrition during their first 2,000 days, from pregnancy through early childhood, can help lay the foundation for better health and development, according to Nestlé Philippines.

The first 1,000 days, covering pregnancy through a child’s second birthday, has long been recognized as a critical period for establishing lifelong health. But Nestlé Philippines is also looking at the succeeding years, arguing that opportunities to improve children’s nutritional status extend beyond age two.

‘The first 1,000 days is indeed very important,’ said Edelweiss Sicat, nutrition advocacy lead of Nestlé Philippines, during a recent media roundtable in Makati City. She noted, however, that appropriate nutrition, fortification and healthier food choices can continue to support children’s development in the years that follow.

Jose Uy III, senior vice president and head of corporate affairs at Nestlé Philippines, emphasized that the broader focus does not diminish the importance of the first 1,000 days.

Cha Sy, corporate nutritionist at Nestlé Wellness Campus and project lead, said efforts could include food fortification and expanding access to products that contribute to children’s nutritional needs.

The company also reiterated that breastfeeding remains the best option for infants. Uy said breast-milk substitutes are intended for situations in which mothers are medically unable to provide sufficient breast milk.

Beyond nutrition

The discussion also highlighted the role of added sugar and overall lifestyle in children’s health.

Sy stressed the importance of limiting added sugars as part of a healthier diet. For a 2,000-calorie daily diet, Sicat said the commonly cited limit for added sugars is about 50 grams, or roughly 10 teaspoons. This refers to sugars added to foods, such as table sugar and honey, rather than naturally occurring sugars in whole foods.

Naturally occurring lactose in milk and sugars found in whole fruits are treated differently from added sugars in dietary guidance, Sy explained.

But she said the broader issue goes beyond sugar intake, with nutrition advocates and policymakers increasingly considering children’s overall diet, physical activity and lifestyle.

‘The broader issue, however, goes beyond sugar intake,’ Sy said, noting that digitalization is changing how children spend their time.

Uy likewise pointed to the growing use of digital devices and sedentary activities, saying nutrition policies should be complemented by efforts to encourage children to remain physically active.

The company also called for major food and nutrition policies to be grounded in scientific evidence and developed through consultation with stakeholders.

‘Any major policy that is being created by legislators or the government has to undergo scientific or evidence-based assessment,’ Uy said, adding that consultation with affected sectors and regulatory impact assessments are also important.

He also urged policymakers to consider whether food and nutrition interventions remain accessible and affordable to Filipino families.

This is particularly relevant as the government continues to address the country’s ‘triple burden of malnutrition’-undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight and obesity.

Sicat said a proposed Philippine nutrition profiling model is also being evaluated as a possible tool for providing clearer guidance on the nutritional characteristics of food products.

Uy said Nestlé Philippines and other industry organizations have participated in discussions on nutrition-related policies, while emphasizing that decisions on proposed measures ultimately rest with the appropriate government agencies.

Building healthier generations

Nestlé Philippines said its focus on the first 2,000 days is consistent with its broader goal of helping improve the quality of life of Filipino families.

‘The focus on the first 2,000 days therefore represents a broader view of childhood nutrition: ensuring that children receive appropriate nourishment during pregnancy and early childhood while creating healthier habits that can continue into later years,’ Uy said.

For policymakers, he said the challenge is to ensure that nutrition interventions are supported by credible scientific evidence, meaningful consultation, and policies that Filipino families can realistically afford and access.

‘The ultimate objective is not simply to address nutritional deficiencies today, but to help build healthier generations of Filipinos in the years ahead,’ Uy said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that it has reinforced its disaster response operations as rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ continue to affect vulnerable areas.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., in a statement, emphasized that police units remain deployed nationwide to assist communities in need.

‘Our priority is to keep our personnel and resources where they are most needed. We will continue rescue and evacuation operations, secure evacuation centers, clear critical roads, and deliver assistance to communities that remain affected,’ he said.

PNP teams have already rescued 180 individuals and supported 164 relief operations amid the incessant rains.

A total of 689 policemen have been mobilized, with patrol vehicles, buses, and trucks providing ‘Libreng Sakay’ services to transport stranded residents.

‘I commend our personnel who continue serving despite difficult conditions. I remind you to remain compassionate and professional even in difficult conditions,’ Nartatez said.

Police units were also tasked to intensify monitoring of flood-prone areas and maintain order in evacuation centers.

Coordination with local governments, disaster response agencies, and volunteers has been strengthened to ensure timely delivery of relief.

‘To our fellow Filipinos who are still waiting for assistance, your PNP is here to help. We will continue coordinating with local governments and other response agencies to reach you and bring you to safety,’ Nartatez said.

THE House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may reduce the number of witnesses it plans to present regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the prosecution will reassess its remaining witnesses after hearing the testimonies of former Department of Education disbursing officer Edward Fajarda and Office of the Vice President Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio.

‘We have seen that Gina Acosta’s testimony was significant, so we expect Edward Fajarda’s testimony to be equally substantial,’ Chua said.

Fajarda previously testified during the House investigation regarding the handling of confidential funds at the Department of Education while Duterte was Education secretary. Other potential witnesses from the Armed Forces are also included in the prosecution’s pre-trial list.

Chua said some witnesses may no longer be needed if earlier testimonies are already sufficient to establish the prosecution’s claims. The panel previously used the same strategy in presenting evidence regarding allegations that Duterte threatened President Marcos, removing witnesses whose testimonies would have repeated information already presented.

‘If we believe the evidence is already strong and that we have proven everything that needs to be proven, then our next steps will depend on our legal strategy in the coming days,’ he said.

Private prosecutor and House prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. confirmed that Fajarda and Ortonio remain among the upcoming witnesses.

Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson for the House prosecution panel, questioned the process used by the Office of the Vice President in handling its P125-million confidential fund in December 2022.

Acosta testified that, upon Duterte’s instructions, she turned over the entire P125 million to Col. Raymund Lachica, then head of the vice president’s security team.

According to Acosta, Lachica also provided information regarding the confidential programs and activities to be funded. She said Duterte approved the release of the money to Lachica because he supposedly knew how to carry out confidential operations.

Acosta acknowledged, however, that handling confidential funds was not normally part of a security officer’s duties.

Adiong argued that government financial controls are designed to separate the people who identify activities, handle funds, and prepare or verify liquidation documents. He said allowing one person to participate in several stages of the process raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency.

The prosecution also raised concerns about the documents used to liquidate the confidential funds, describing the process as potentially involving unverifiable or ‘ghost’ transactions.

State auditors who testified during the impeachment proceedings identified deficiencies in documents submitted to support some confidential fund transactions involving the OVP and the Department of Education.

According to Acosta’s testimony, Lachica received the confidential funds and later submitted utilization documents that were used in the liquidation process.

Adiong argued that this arrangement deserves closer examination because the same individual allegedly helped determine the activities to be funded, received the money, and later supplied supporting documents.

He also maintained that Duterte authorized the transfer of the funds, citing Acosta’s testimony that she acted under the vice president’s instructions.

In addition, Chua compared the questioned transactions to ‘ghost projects,’ saying the prosecution has concerns about whether some reported beneficiaries, goods, medicines, and activities can actually be verified.

Chua added that acknowledgment receipts were among the main documents used to support the transactions, while questions remain regarding the identities of some recipients and the actual purchases involved.

‘Everything appears to be ‘ghost’ transactions, with nothing shown to be genuine or valid. And all the evidence they used consisted only of acknowledgement receipts,’ Chua said.

THE Philippine Embassy in Norway took part in the inaugural ‘Ube Festival’ in Oslo, which aimed to showcase purple yam or ube and the rich Filipino culture, heritage, and identity on August 8 at the Skippersuppa at the heart of the Norwegian capital.

In his remarks, Ambassador Enrico T. Fos highlighted that ube is uniquely Filipino, having been part of Filipino family traditions, celebrations, and shared memories for generations-long before its international rise in popularity.

Fos added that celebrating ube also means honoring the farmers, communities, and institutions whose knowledge, creativity, and traditions have made it an important part of Filipino culinary heritage.

The event also gave Norwegian and international guests a chance to discover not only the distinct taste of ube, but also the Filipino culture’s warmth and richness.

First of its kind in the Nordic country, it featured a culinary competition, games, a cultural program, and booths selling ube products and other Filipino delicacies.

A review of available clinical evidence reveals a clear gap regarding the claimed mortality benefits of replacing saturated fats with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), or simply reducing overall fat intake. Conclusion: There is no solid clinical evidence demonstrating a direct mortality benefit.

Part 1: The Direct Clinical Evidence

A critical evaluation of trials directly testing whether increasing MUFA and/or PUFA intake reduces hard clinical outcomes-such as cardiovascular events or mortality, rather than intermediate markers like blood cholesterol or triglycerides-highlights key limitations in the standard narrative.

1. PREDIMED – Mediterranean Diet Interventions

Trial Details: A large multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Spain evaluated 7,447 high-cardiovascular-risk adults across three groups: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil (high in MUFA), a Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts (high in MUFA and PUFA), and a control group advised to reduce total fat intake.

Clinical Outcomes: The primary endpoint measured major cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death). After a median follow-up of 4.8 years, the intervention groups showed an approximate 30% relative risk reduction compared to the control group. This translates to an absolute risk reduction of roughly 3 major events per 1,000 person-years.

Interpretation: While often cited as proof that unsaturated fats protect the heart, the absolute benefit is minor on an individual level. Furthermore, the trial evaluated a broader dietary pattern rather than isolated fat replacement.

2. Older Diet-Heart RCTs of PUFA Replacement

Sydney Diet Heart Study (SDHS): Randomized men following a coronary event to diets replacing saturated fat with safflower oil (high in omega-6 PUFA) versus a control group. A modern re-analysis revealed that the high-PUFA group had HIGHER all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality compared to controls-showing harm rather than benefit, despite lowering cholesterol.

Minnesota Coronary Experiment (MCE): Older RCTs from the 1960s and 1970s replaced animal fats with vegetable oils. Modern recoveries of this raw data show no clear reduction in coronary heart disease events or overall mortality from replacing saturated fat with PUFA.

Meta-Analyses: Systematic reviews pooling these early trials fail to reliably demonstrate that replacing saturated fat with PUFA lowers total or cardiovascular mortality when strictly controlled trial data is reviewed.

3. Monounsaturated Fats Alone

There is a total lack of RCTs isolating MUFA intake that show reductions in cardiovascular events or mortality. While smaller feeding trials show favorable effects on blood lipids, no RCT has proven that MUFA alone reduces hard clinical outcomes outside of whole-diet interventions like PREDIMED.

Part 2: Methodological Flaws in Key Studies

1. The ‘Low-Fat’ Control Group Trap

In PREDIMED, the control group was instructed to follow a low-fat diet. When humans restrict dietary fat without strict caloric monitoring, they almost universally compensate by eating more carbohydrates, starches, and sugars. The slight difference in heart attack rates may not represent a victory for olive oil and nuts, but rather a defeat for the high-carbohydrate diet pushed onto the control group.

2. Lack of Objective Dietary Verification

PREDIMED relied heavily on self-reported Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs), which are prone to social desirability bias. While researchers conducted spot-checks for olive oil and nut biomarkers, they had no objective way to track the control group’s total sugar, starch, or fat intake over the 5-year period.

3. Instructional Disparity

The intervention groups received personal dietary counseling every three months and free supplies of olive oil or nuts, whereas the control group received only a leaflet once a year for the first few years. This created a strong Hawthorne Effect, where the group receiving attention and free food naturally engaged in better overall health behaviors.

Part 3: The Numbers behind Meta-Analytic Reviews

The 2020 Cochrane Systematic Review-the primary source cited for saturated fat reduction-included 15 randomized controlled trials with roughly 56,000 participants followed for 4 to 5 years. A closer look at the exact figures reveals the following:

All-Cause Mortality: The relative risk was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.90-1.03), showing no statistically significant difference in overall lifespan.

Cardiovascular Mortality: The relative risk was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.80-1.12), showing no significant difference in deaths from heart attacks or strokes.

Non-Fatal Heart Attacks: The relative risk was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.87-1.07), showing no significant difference between groups.

Combined Cardiovascular Events: This composite endpoint (including non-fatal events and surgeries) showed a relative risk of 0.83 (17% reduction). However, in absolute terms, event rates dropped from 8.5% in the control group to 7.0% in the intervention group-an absolute risk reduction of just 1.5%.

To put this in perspective, the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) is 56. Fifty-six people must strictly modify their fat intake for over four years for a single individual to avoid one non-fatal cardiovascular event.

When evaluating hard clinical endpoints rather than intermediate lipid markers, the claimed benefits of swapping saturated fats for plant oils remain overwhelmingly negligible.

The article is based on critical investigative research and the mathematical evaluation of clinical trials supporting current health and nutrition advice. For Mr. Gonzalez’s full background, please see https://plantationbay.com/cred. The views expressed are those of the author and not of the publication.

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday said 14 suspected trafficking victims were rescued at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 and Clark International Airport (CIA) Terminal 2 while attempting to leave the country.

In a statement, the BI said the victims, who were recruited to work in Russia, were rescued last August 8. Two of their suspected recruiters were arrested.

Among the rescued victims were six men, in their early 40s to 50s, who attempted to travel abroad via a Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong.

The victims initially claimed to be on a vacation with former colleagues from the military, but gave conflicting statements on the details of their trip.

They later admitted that they were bound for Russia where they were recruited to work and offered a US$3,000 monthly salary.

Meanwhile, the other eight victims were rescued in NAIA after attempting to depart on board a Cebu Pacific flight to Singapore.

The victims, composed of six males and two females in their 30s to 50s, also initially claimed to be on a business trip, but later admitted to be heading to Russia where they were offered a high-paying jobs, as well as Russian citizenship.

The eight victims admitted that that their facilitators, a male and a female, were also traveling on the same flight with them. They insisted that the trip was merely for business purposes.

All 14 victims and the two suspected facilitators were turned over to the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking for further investigation and filing of charges against the recruiters.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado has warned aspiring overseas workers anew not to fall prey illegal recruitment schemes.

‘These recruiters will promise you high salaries and even citizenship, but victims often fall into distressing situations,’ said Viado. ‘Protect yourselves from these predators. They recruit Filipinos solely for their own gain, but will not hesitate to put your lives and safety at risk once you are in a foreign country,’ he warned.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara on Wednesday said that the motive behind the recent tragic school shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) in Zamboanga City remains a ‘mystery,’ but did not discount the possible involvement of online groomers.

‘So ‘yun, ang sinasabi ko kanina medyo misteryoso pa sa atin kung ano ang nag- trigger dito. Maaring di ba, sabi nga nung isang official dito, huwag natin iroll-out na may groomer siya online,’ Angara, who went to AdZU, told reporters in an interview with the media shortly after he met with university officials led by President Fr. Guillrey Anthony M. Andal, SJ, Zamboanga City local government officials, and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) for a joint security briefing to evaluate campus protocols and streamline emergency measures.

Angara also called on entire communities to adopt a whole-of-nation approach to campus safety and youth well-being.

Although it is not yet conclusive, Angara said that the possible connection of online gaming world that could lead to the danger of grooming may be a ‘factor.’

‘Hindi rin natin alam na totoo yun ha? Hindi pa conclusive ‘yun. So maaring it could be a factor but we don’t know yet at this stage,’ Angara said, adding that an online groomer may use ones emotional reactions like anger to manipulate victims online.

Angara also said that the student is not depressed for he did not lack love of family.

Meanwhile, DepEd officials and Angara extended his deepest condolences to the grieving families and the entire Ateneo de Zamboanga community. He emphasized that learner safety and youth welfare are universal concerns that transcend public-private school distinctions.

‘Dapat natin i-approach itong problema bilang isang komunidad, dahil problema ito hindi lang ng isang eskwelahan pero palagay ko problema ito ng ating kabataan, ng komunidad, at ng bawat komunidad sa buong bansa,’ Angara said, calling for unity across all sectors.

During discussions with school officials and local authorities, Angara highlighted that while physical safeguards-such as perimeter fences, CCTV cameras, metal detectors, and heightened police visibility-are vital, they must be paired with active community engagement and strong emotional support systems within schools.

‘Tinitignan natin hindi lang seguridad, hindi lang bakod, hindi lang CCTV, hindi lang metal detector. Importante din iyon, pero importante din ang mag-reach out ang ating komunidad starting sa school communities…Talagang makihalubilo tayo sa ating mga estudyante, kilalanin natin sila, kumustahin natin sila. Kasi ang silbi talaga ng eskwelahan hindi lang magturo, kung hindi parang pangalawang tahanan,’ Angara explained.

Angara also emphasized that safe environments begin at home, urging parents to stay closely attuned to their children’s well-being.

He added that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has repeatedly emphasized creating a welcoming atmosphere where teachers actively check on learners’ well-being and older learners serve as protective kuya and ate to their schoolmates.

To address security vulnerabilities, the PNP would step up police visibility around school perimeters, while barangay tanods will be deployed to reinforce safety, especially in schools lacking security guards.

Angara also underscored the need to scale up socio-emotional learning and mental health initiatives across all schools, as psychosocial support interventions are currently being delivered to affected individuals by the university.

He also met with school principals from the Zamboanga City Schools Division Office (SDO) to directly address frontline operational concerns, focusing on strategies to address classroom shortages and concrete steps to heighten campus security measures.

Addressing the online aftermath of the incident, Angara reiterated an urgent appeal to the public, digital content creators, and news outlets to practice responsible digital behavior and protect the dignity of minors.

‘Ang pagprotekta sa mga bata ay nangangahulugan din ng pagprotekta sa kanilang privacy at dignidad,’ Angara emphasized, citing reports of unverified rumors and graphic, content circulating online. Ang pagpapakalat ng mga hindi kumpirmadong detalye, sensitibong larawan, o marahas na video ay lalo lamang nagpapalalim ng trauma at nagdudulot ng karagdagang dalamhati sa mga nagdadalamhating pamilya, mga batang mag-aaral, at mga empleyado ng paaralan,’ Angara said.

DepEd urges the public to immediately cease sharing sensitive images or unverified accounts and to grant affected families the dignity, space, and privacy needed during this painful period.

As the police investigation continues, Angara appealed to the public and the media to avoid making premature conclusions while the facts are still being established.

DepEd continues to coordinate closely with local government units, security forces, private school associations, and mental health professionals to ensure comprehensive, sustained support and reinforced safety measures across campuses nationwide.

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has finally moved to tighten rules on the imports of artificial sweeteners, as the government seeks to curb its ‘long-practiced’ unregulated entry that erodes demand for local raw sugar.

SRA issued Sugar Order (SO) 5, which imposes a P25-per-kilo clearance fee on the importation of artificial sweeteners under Harmonized System (HS) codes 2106 and chapter 29, which are used in the manufacture of food and beverages.

This covers, but is not limited to, sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame potassium, processed stevia, as well as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium.

The SRA decided to issue the order following consultative meetings in which stakeholders raised their ‘grave concern’ on the effects of ‘the long-practiced unregulated importation into the country of artificial sweeteners’ on the local sugar sector.

The agency noted that despite its substantial impact on the five million Filipinos dependent on the domestic sugar industry, ‘the importation into the country of ‘artificial sweeteners’ remains unregulated.’

‘Artificial sweeteners have sweetness that far exceeds that of cane sugar (i.e., 2 to more than 500 times); thus, it is necessary to integrate the effects thereof upon the welfare, growth, development, and competitiveness of the sugar industry and the health and well-being of the Filipino people,’ the SRA said.

An import clearance from the regulatory agency is required before shipments are released by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

The SO 5, however, stipulated that applications for clearance for release would be deemed approved if the SRA failed to act on the application after five working days from its submission.

Meanwhile, the SRA said its monitoring personnel would conduct unannounced inspections of the warehouse, transportation, and/or ledger of the imported goods, products, and ingredients covered under the SO.

Industry stakeholders have been raising the alarm over a ‘largely unregulated influx’ of artificial sweeteners that threatens the local sector’s viability.

In February, the SRA said it received a manifesto from the sugar industry which called on the government to regulate artificial sweeteners and impose tighter measures on other sugar substitutes.

The manifesto was signed by major sugar federations nationwide along with sugar millers, refiners, and allied industry groups.

Furthermore, the Philippine Sugar Millers’ Association Inc. (PSMA) backed the government’s bid to regulate synthetic sweeteners.

This came after Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito and Negros Occidental Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez filed Senate Bill 2114 and House Bill 9088, respectively, to amend Republic Act (RA) 10659 or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act (Sida).

‘Policies focused on strengthening domestic production and ensuring fair market conditions are essential to protecting the industry from market volatility, sustaining rural livelihoods, and promoting long-term food security,’ the PSMA said.