Category: Business Mirror

THE government’s fuel marking program continued to yield higher marked volumes and tax collections as of end-September, but volatile oil prices and a weaker peso could sap revenue performance.

Latest data obtained by BusinessMirror showed the Bureau of Customs (BOC) collected a total of P185.284 billion in import duties and other taxes under the fuel marking program from January to September this year.

The amount is up by 1.84 percent from the P181.921 billion raised during the same period a year ago.

Diesel contributed the largest share at P93.592 billion as it remained the most marked fuel at 8.984 billion liters. The revenue collected, however, was down by 0.33 percent despite the increased marked fuel during the nine-month period from P93.908 billion a year ago.

Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip C. Maronilla told the BusinessMirror that stricter anti-smuggling measures resulted in the growth in revenue collections.

With legitimate fuel companies coordinating with the BOC and sharing intel on suspected abusers, Maronilla said importers were forced to declare correct volumes and pay the proper taxes.

However, oil price fluctuations have a ‘big impact’ on its tax collections since 35 percent of the BOC’s revenue share comes from oil importations.

The sudden depreciation of the peso also affects the bureau’s collections, as duties are influenced by foreign exchange valuations upon fuel importation, Maronilla added.

‘So, if the exchange rate is lower when the payment comes here, our collection will also go down,’ the Customs official told the BusinessMirror.

To enhance integrity in the marking system, Maronilla said the BOC will be revising the program next year by engaging a new service provider.

He added that improvements will focus on more consistent, science-based testing, particularly addressing homogeneity concerns when marked fuels mix with additives.

‘We’re looking into improving our collection efficiency and maybe, towards the end of the year, we’ll see the volumes increase,’ Maronilla added.

The fuel marking program was implemented on September 4, 2019, as part of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law, aimed at ensuring oil products available in the market comply with tax regulations.

Based on the law, petroleum products that are refined, manufactured, or imported to the Philippines, such as unleaded premium gasoline, kerosene and diesel, must be marked by an official marking agent after taxes and duties have been paid.

A unique chemical marker is used in marking fuel that can be embedded at a molecular level in petroleum products-gasoline, diesel and kerosene-enabling authorities to test, identify and distinguish petroleum products with paid excise taxes.

SPEAKER Faustino Dy III has vowed to prioritize the passage of a long-overdue Magna Carta for Barangays, a landmark measure that will finally grant barangay officials the recognition, dignity, and compensation they rightfully deserve as full-fledged government employees-not mere volunteers.

Addressing more than two thousand local leaders during the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas National Congress, Dy said the proposed Magna Carta is among the eight legislative priorities of the House of Representatives and a key part of his commitment to strengthen the foundations of grassroots governance.

‘To this day, we cannot clearly define your true status in government,’ he said. ‘Are you genuine government workers, or are your efforts still considered voluntary?’

Dy described the proposed Magna Carta as a long-overdue recognition of the sacrifices and indispensable contributions of barangay leaders.

Under Dy’s HB 3533, the Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, Barangay Secretary, and Barangay Treasurer will be recognized as regular government employees entitled to fixed salaries, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and other privileges.

The proposed salary structure pegs the Punong Barangay’s pay at the same level as a Sangguniang Bayan member of the town or city; Sangguniang Barangay members will receive 80 percent of that rate; and the Barangay Secretary and Treasurer, 75 percent. Cities and towns will have six months from the law’s enactment to identify funding sources and pass ordinances implementing the new salary scheme.

The bill also seeks to ensure basic services in every barangay by requiring the construction or maintenance of at least one deep well for every 1,000 residents to guarantee clean, safe drinking water and mandating daily public transportation access so that no community is left isolated.

To strengthen fiscal independence, the Magna Carta mandates the automatic release of each barangay’s share of national taxes, the direct transfer of road and bridge maintenance funds to the barangay’s general fund, and a 25 percent share of all real property taxes collected within its jurisdiction. It also allocates 10 percent of all other local taxes, fees, and charges collected from residents and businesses to the barangay.

The measure further promotes human capital and economic empowerment. Each barangay will be required to sponsor at least one college scholar every year, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses. Barangay residents will also be given priority in employment for government construction and development projects in their communities.

To promote economic self-reliance, the bill encourages the establishment of barangay-based cooperatives, with local governments directed to provide full assistance and support.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be tasked to craft the implementing rules and submit to Congress the necessary budget estimates for salaries, benefits, and other provisions.

If enacted, the Magna Carta for Barangays will mark the most comprehensive reform in local governance since the 1991 Local Government Code-a historic measure ensuring that barangay officials are no longer seen as volunteers but as vital pillars of public service.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is pushing for greater transparency in the beneficial ownership of corporations by requiring the disclosure of varying controls that owners exercise and by expanding access to such information.

The SEC on October 10 issued for public comment the draft memorandum circular on the Revised Guidelines on Beneficial Ownership Disclosure and Transparency.

The draft guidelines aim to consolidate all the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC pertaining to the identification, declaration and submission of accurate beneficial ownership information by all corporations registered with the commission.

Developed in collaboration with Open Ownership and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the policy aligns with the multi-pronged approach of the Financial Action Task Force to beneficial ownership disclosure. It prohibits bearer shares, mandates disclosure of nominee arrangements, and imposes proportionate sanctions for non-compliance and false declarations.

‘By strengthening beneficial ownership information disclosure, we are addressing critical gaps that enable corruption and financial crime in the country, complementing broader government efforts to combat corruption and illicit financial activities,’ SEC Chairman Francis E. Lim said.

‘This policy underscores our unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in the corporate sector, aligning the Philippines with global standards in combating money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism,’ he said.

The proposed rules will apply to all entities under the jurisdiction of the SEC, including domestic stock and non-stock corporations, partnerships, foreign corporations, one-person corporations and incorporators, directors, trustees, officers, and shareholders or members of corporations, among others.

All beneficial owners of the covered entities shall be disclosed, with their respective categories reported. There are nine categories of beneficial owners under the draft, categorized from A to I, namely: Ownership, Contractual Control, Board Election Power, Dominant Influence, Direction of Board, Property Stewardship, Nominee Arrangements, Other Control Mechanisms, and Senior Management.

Senator Camille Villar has called on the government to fill thousands of unoccupied positions and regularize long-serving job order (JO) and contractual workers to make government service more efficient, cost-effective, and responsive to the public.

Her statement comes amid the ongoing Senate budget deliberations for fiscal year 2026, where the Civil Service Commission (CSC) revealed that over 83,000 first-level positions across government remain unfilled and that the qualification standards for many positions are already outdated, having last been reviewed 15 years ago.

‘Every unfilled position means slower service, heavier workloads, and wasted taxpayer money,’ Villar said. ‘The best way to make government more efficient is to empower the very people who keep it running, our job order and contractual workers who have been serving the public for years.’

To address these long-standing gaps, Sen. Villar filed the ‘Regularization of Work Engagement in Government Service Act,’ which seeks to grant permanent appointment and civil service eligibility to qualified individuals under casual, contractual, contract-of-service, job order, and similar work arrangements.

Under the proposed measure, individuals who have rendered at least five (5) years of continuous service in national government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs), and state universities and colleges (SUCs), or ten (10) years in local government units (LGUs), will be appointed to permanent plantilla positions within their respective agencies. The bill also directs agencies to request staffing modifications from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to accommodate the regularization process.

Villar’s proposal also aligns with the CSC’s ongoing efforts to modernize qualification standards and update outdated pay scales, which CSC Chairperson Marilyn Yap said must be reformed to reflect current skills and responsibilities. The senator emphasized that modernizing government staffing policies must go hand in hand with securing the welfare of workers who have long been part of the system but remain excluded from regular status and benefits.

By converting long-serving contractual and job order workers into permanent employees, the government can cut costs, reduce inefficiency, and strengthen accountability which are key priorities in addressing recurring problems of underspending and slow project execution.

‘By filling unfilled positions and recognizing the contributions of those who have long served, we not only build efficiency but we also restore dignity in public service,’ Villar said.

A rich collection of thrillers and fright movies will be screened for free for Halloween at the Benilde Design + Arts Campus.

Organized by the Film Department of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of New Media Arts (SNMA), Lagim! Benilde Film Horror Festival Vol. 2 promises a selection that is ‘scarier than ever’ with a lineup which showcases the original works of young talents from the college and beyond.

The initiative was founded in line with the mission of the institution’s Film Program to encourage the students to expand their knowledge and explore diverse genres.

In Lagim!, the budding creatives are given a platform to exhibit their creativity and skills in blending narratives and cinematic techniques to evoke fear and suspense among viewers. ‘Since its inception, Lagim!’s goal has always been to create a community of filmmakers to explore genre filmmaking along with our other microfestivals Ligaw! and Lantad!’ shared Benilde Film Program OIC chairman Alec Tash Berame.

Ligaw! is the program’s Valentine’s special screening every February, whereas Lantad! is scheduled every June for Pride Month.

‘This year, we kept the focus on quality and storytelling above all,’ he added. ‘The films continue to push the boundaries of the horror genre, and it will make us reflect on the things we fear the most.’

Lagim! Benilde Film Horror Festival Vol. 2 will run for two days with a total of 14 short films on view.

Set A includes Nomadiko by Gabriel Mercado, Pater Noster by Ivan Bustos, The Allegory of Jack and Jill by Dylan Cerio, Handaan by Gab Tolarbas, Lulan by Carlo Manere, Pintig by Apollo Ravelo, and Leng Leng by Mark Andrew Lim. Set A is slated for October 28, 2025.

Set B comprises Batib/t by Carlo Gula, Roleta by Tristian Yaranon, Mangan Tamu by Ilythea De Los Reyes, Façade by Louie Canieso and Allistair Bersaluna, Pater Noster by BJ Domantay, ang embalsamador, baliw, at bangkay by Jasper Tan, and Natitira by Chester Dizor. Set B is lined up for October 29, 2025.

Lagim! Benilde Film Horror Festival is free and open to the public. It will run from 5 pm to 8 pm on the scheduled dates. Each set will be followed by a talkback session with the filmmakers.

The event will be held at the 12th Floor Screening Room of the Benilde Design + Arts Campus, 950 Pablo Ocampo Street, Malate, Manila. Interested participants may register at tinyurl.com/LagimVOL2. An e-mail will be sent to confirm seat availability.

THE government plans to build 500,000 new houses by 2028 as part of its nationwide effort to provide affordable homes and reduce the number of squatters or informal settlers, the National Housing Authority (NHA) said.

More than 100,000 units have already been completed, with ongoing projects including low-rise and mid-rise buildings in major cities and provinces.

The target forms part of the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the Marcos administration flagship housing initiative.

‘For this term, our target is to build at least 500,000 housing units. We’ve already completed more than a hundred thousand, and construction is ongoing,’ NHA general manager Joeben Tai said in a mix of English and Filipino on the sidelines of the National Housing Expo 2025 on Thursday in Pasay City.

With the government’s expanded housing program, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said even low-income earners will now be able to afford to buy homes through the financial support from the Home Development Mutual Fund also known as Pag-IBIG Fund.

The initiative is expected to help reduce the country’s number of informal settlers, which the National Housing Authority (NHA) said is at 1.5 million.

‘Through the Pag-IBIG Fund, affordable housing loans can now be obtained, including the offer of a three percent interest rate per year for our low-income countrymen,’ the chief executive said in Filipino in his speech during the National Housing Expo 2025.

The Housing Expo is the first to be sponsored by the government to promote the joint initiatives of the government, private sector, and stakeholders to address the country’s housing shortage.

A total of 51 contractors participated in the event, held during the ongoing celebration of National Shelter Month.

Tai said the agency is focusing its programs on Filipinos who cannot qualify for Home Development Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund loans, particularly those earning below P15,000 a month.

The government estimates that around 1.5 million families still live as squatters nationwide.

The Pag-IBIG Fund, which organized the two-day expo, said more than 30,000 potential homebuyers registered for the event.

It featured more than 50 private developers offering over 100,000 brand-new homes under Pag-IBIG’s housing loan program and 30,000 acquired assets at discounts of up to 40 percent.

Alongside the NHA, other key shelter agencies showcased their respective programs, such as the Social Housing Finance Corporation’s Enhanced Community Mortgage Program and the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation’s online housing fair.

In July, the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, the National Real Estate Association, the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines, and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association committed to build around 250,000 housing units in support of the government’s flagship housing program.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has since reduced the national housing target to about 300,000 units by 2028, according to the midterm update of the Philippine Development Plan.

Pag-IBIG’s offerings

Under Pag-IBIG’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing Program or 4PH Program, its 17 million active members or those who made contributions in the last six months may avail themselves of loans for the payment of both vertical and horizontal socialized housing units.

‘Beneficiaries and graduates of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino or 4Ps program can also apply [for housing units] with the help of our Expanded 4PH [program],’ Marcos said.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is the flagship program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which provides conditional cash transfer to poor households to improve their health, nutrition, and education.

Through the assistance of Pag-IBIG, Marcos said 57,000 members of the government-owned and-controlled corporation (GOCC) were able to acquire their own homes or to repair their existing ones.

Of these, three million have accessed P75 billion in cash loans.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said even minimum wage earners can secure a housing loan through the co-borrowing arrangement.

‘They can have a maximum of three people under co-borrowing,’ she told reporters in an interview at the sidelines of the Housing Expo.

Since Pag-IBIG initiated reforms in its programs, Acosta said the percentage of delinquents from its list of borrowers was pegged at 5 percent.

‘We can’t make it just 2 percent otherwise we will be strict on foreclosures,’ she said.

Unlike other financial institutions, which immediately foreclosed properties in case of loan default, Pag-IBIG Fund provides a 9-month grace period to its borrowers.

She urged Pag-IBIG borrowers to promptly settle their loans since the funds, which they used, came from all of the GOCC’s members.

Pag-IBIG Fund is currently auctioning off 30,000 foreclosed properties at the Housing Expo 2025. The common reasons for the default were the displacement of a worker and non-remittance of loan payments.

Despite the defaults, Acosta assured the public that the P1.17-trillion Pag-IBIG fund remained secure.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) forged ties with local governments, schools, and stakeholders to boost its massive coconut planting program.

The signing of the memoranda of agreement (MOA) was part of the intensified rollout of MCPP to plant 100 million coconut palms by 2028.

The MOA was signed by Local Government Units (LGUs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), farmer groups, alongside the Contract Signing with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

PCA Administrator Dexter Buted said this move marked a shared commitment to restore farms, empower coconut farmers, and sustain livelihoods across generations.

‘When [President Marcos] laid down the vision to plant 100 million coconut palms by 2028, he was setting a national vision of revitalized farms, empowered farmers, and a sustainable agricultural economy,’ Buted said.

He said the program is a bid to replace senile and damaged trees, expand productive areas, and rejuvenate hope in the industry.

In 2024, Buted reported that the PCA planted 8.6 million coconut seedlings, which will increase to 15.3 million in 2025, and 25.4 million annually from 2026 to 2028.

The program will be reinforced by hybridization, enhanced seed production centers, and the propagation of high-yielding, climate-resilient coconut varieties.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., represented by Undersecretary Roger Navarro, affirmed the agency’s support, citing the coconut sector as a critical driver of both food security and national economic growth.

Anchored on a whole-of-the-nation approach, the agreements outline shared responsibilities of PCA and its partner agencies.

LGUs and SUCs will spearhead nurseries and provide technical support, while DA-accredited CSOs will manage the supply, handling, transport, and delivery of quality coconut seedlings to designated drop-off points.

‘These agreements institutionalize transparent fund utilization, adherence to agricultural standards, and efficient grassroots implementation,’ the PCA said.

Furthermore, partners also signed a Pledge of Commitment affirming unified support for the PCA in executing its national mandate.

MCPP operates alongside the Coconut Fertilization Program (CFP), through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). This targets nutrient-deficient palms to ensure long-term sustainability and productivity for coconut farmers banking on the industry.

‘As the ink dried on the agreements, the ceremony stood as a unified national commitment to advance the coconut sector as a key pillar of food security, inclusive growth, and economic resilience.’

PCA noted that MCPP is not set in motion as a strategic force for building a more robust, sustainable, globally competitive coconut industry.

Araneta City (ACI Inc.) has chosen First Gen Corp. (First Gen) to provide renewable energy (RE) to some of its properties under the government’s Retail Aggregation Program (RAP) and the Retail Competition Open Access (RCOA) program.

Under the agreement signed last October 14 by representatives of Araneta City and First Gen, the latter would pool the power demand of over 200 retail and service tenants in Ali Mall and New Frontier Theater, including the events and concert hall, as well as the over 9,000 apartments in 18 residential towers of Manhattan Gardens, and directly supply these aggregated customers with renewable energy (RE) from First Gen’s Pantabangan-Masiway and Casecnan Hydroelectric Power Complex in Nueva Ecija.

‘Each of our properties has energy demands, and switching to retail aggregation and using RE is a strategic move that will enable us to improve energy efficiency and effectively manage our electricity costs,’ said Antonio Mardo, ACI Inc. senior vice president of operations, ‘We hope that our relationship with First Gen will continue over the years and even expanded.’

RAP enables multiple electricity end-users within the same contiguous area to combine their power demand and collectively purchase electricity directly from a supplier while RCOA allows consumers with a monthly peak demand of at least 500 kilowatts over the past year to choose their own electricity suppliers.

By aggregating end-users and choosing First Gen, ACI not only secures cost-efficient electricity but also reduces the carbon footprint of its operations with RE usage.

Spanning 35 hectares in the heart of Metro Manila, Araneta City is a trailblazer in commercial and retail developments in the Philippines. Known as the City of Firsts, Araneta City has been a pioneer in property development, seamlessly integrating retail, entertainment, residential, hospitality, and office spaces for over 70 years.

‘We are privileged to transition Ali Mall, an iconic retail landmark, to retail aggregation and RE. We are aligned in our common goal to make a decarbonized and regenerative future iconic and look forward to continuing to partner with Araneta City in its sustainability journey,’ said Carlo Vega, First Gen Chief Customer Engagement Officer.

First Gen, the leading RE producer in the Philippines, has 300 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity from the Pantabangan-Masiway and Casecnan hydro complex, as well as the Agusan River facility in Bukidnon. Its RE portfolio also includes 1,300 MW of capacity from geothermal, solar and wind. In partnership with Prime Infrastructure Capital, First Gen also operates four gas-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 2,017 MW.

These facilities support baseload requirements and help offset the intermittency of renewable sources, helping stabilize power supply and enhance energy security.

Basic Energy Renewable Corp. (BERC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Basic Energy Corp. (BEC), and ACMobility, the Ayala Group’s mobility platform, have partnered for the installation and management of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs).

The partnership, dubbed Basic RePower-ACMobility charging facilities, will debut at the Total stations along South Luzon Expressway (SLEX Northbound) in Sta Rosa, Laguna; Total North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Apalit, Pampanga; and Ecooil EDSA in Mandaluyong. This pilot site will serve as a model for future installations across the country, demonstrating how partnerships among key energy and mobility players can accelerate the Philippines’ shift toward electrified transport.

The partnership also includes a development of a platform called Evro that allows drivers can easily locate, monitor, and pay for their charging sessions.

‘This partnership with ACMobility signifies Basic Energy’s strong commitment to advancing clean energy and sustainable transport,’ said Basic Energy CEO Oscar de Venecia, Jr., adding that the partnership will boost BEC’s Green Energy E-Transport Program and related e-charging facilities.

Continuing from last week, children notice kindness, and they mirror how we value those who serve. My husband is a great example of showing that acts of gratitude, whether big of small, is important. He would gather all of his old running shoes and shirts regularly and share it to either our drivers, guards or even employees in the office. Whenever there is a typhoon is his home province, he would be the first to ask what we things in the house can we send, on top of the monetary support he gives.

I saw that same spirit reflected in our daughter Meagan. In her valedictory address, she offered gratitude not only to her teachers but also to those who made her daily life at school feel like home. Below is an excerpt of her speech:

‘I’d like to start by saying that I did not come out of the womb this way. I was not born an academic weapon. It has been a really difficult road to get to this point. But when my beloved Chi Chi, my auntie, is asked by her friends, ‘Oh, how does Meagan do this?’ she always says that it takes a village-because it truly did take a village.

‘And how lucky I was that my village included Kuya Marlon, welcoming me with a smile and a good morning every day of school since the third grade. Another big part of the village that raised me, apart from the people who welcomed me every day, are the people who raised me in my second home-my teachers.’

Hearing those words as a mother, I couldn’t help but feel a lump in my throat. Gratitude, when taught early, finds its own voice. It reminded me that no achievement stands alone; it is always rooted in a web of kindness, humility and support.

When I see both my children joke around with our drivers or the guards in school, or think about how to help them, I am proud that they know respect and gratitude belong to everyone-especially to those who quietly help us in our everyday lives. It warms my heart that the granddaughter of Marcus’ yaya and our driver’s daughter were both named after Meagan. These small, meaningful connections-acts of naming, of remembering-show that gratitude, when lived, ripples outward.

In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to think that parenting is a competition-who’s more hands-on, who bakes from scratch, who manages to juggle everything with a smile. But the truth is, parenting has never been a solo act. It has always been communal. From our parents and siblings, to teachers, yayas and even neighbors, every family’s rhythm depends on teamwork. Every act of care, no matter how ordinary, becomes a small miracle that keeps the family whole.

Our helpers often carry the emotional weight of our absence. They are the ones who comfort our children when we are in meetings, who ensure the pets are fed when we are away, who quietly remember which day is P.E. day or who likes extra rice for lunch. I am not always there for all of my son’s games but our driver, whether I am present or not, always finds a corner in the court to cheer him on. Afterward, he would tell me how my son played, what moves he made, and how the game went. Hearing his account, filled with pride and excitement, makes my son feel seen and supported.

Gratitude, I’ve learned, is not a reaction to something extraordinary-it is a rhythm we choose daily. It does not need to wait for big occasions or milestones. It lives in how we call our helpers by name, how we make small talk in between tasks, or how we make sure our staff have their own moments of rest. Even saying, ‘Thank you for waiting’ or ‘Ingat sa pag-uwi’ are quiet affirmations that what they do matters. In many ways, these caregivers are our extensions of safety and love. They are the bridge between the spaces we cannot always fill. They help us nurture our families not because it’s part of their job description, but because they choose to care.

As this Gratitude Series comes to a close, I am reminded once again that parenting is never a solo act. It is a shared mission woven through countless unseen acts of love. The yayas who calm our children, the drivers who bring them home safely, the guards who greet them with a smile-they are all part of the our support system that allows us to focus, to grow, and to be present for what matters most.

So today, I invite you to look around your home and think about your own story. Say ‘thank you’ not just in words but with genuine attention. Listen when they speak. Ask about their families, their dreams. Let your children see you practicing gratitude not as a ritual but as a way of life.

Because one day, when our children become adults, they will carry not only our love but our example. They will remember how their parents valued the people who made life smoother, kinder, and more possible. And when they too lead families or teams of their own, they will pass forward that same humanity.

Parenting with gratitude means recognizing that every helping hand is a blessing-and that sometimes, the quietest hearts make the loudest difference.