Category: Business Mirror

WORKERS who fall ill or get injured while performing their jobs during floods and other calamities may claim benefits under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program, the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) said.

ECC released an advisory as heavy rains and flooding continue to expose workers who still have to report for duty to hazardous conditions.

Among those facing greater risks are construction workers, delivery drivers, electric line workers, rescuers and others whose jobs require them to work despite severe weather.

Coverage extends to compulsory members of the Social Security System (SSS), including self-employed workers, household workers and sea-based overseas Filipino workers.

Meanwhile, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) members, including uniformed personnel, are also covered by the program.

Benefits available for qualified work-related cases include sickness and disability benefits, medical reimbursement and rehabilitation services.

Families of workers who die because of work-related causes may also receive death and funeral benefits under the program.

These are separate from benefits workers may already receive from the SSS or GSIS, according to ECC.

ECC said it is also strengthening coordination with government agencies and the private sector to reach workers requiring assistance more quickly, particularly during disasters.

The commission, chaired by Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino, said the EC Program forms part of the government’s protection for workers who suffer work-related sickness, injury or death.

ECC said disaster preparedness should also include knowing where workers can seek assistance when illness or accidents strike on the job.

Private-sector workers may file their EC claims with the SSS, while government workers may submit claims through the GSIS.

ECC also urged employers to keep their workers’ contributions updated to ensure access to available benefits.

Executive Director Kaima Via B. Velasquez said workers should know what assistance is available when their jobs expose them to risks during severe weather.

‘During the rainy season and other calamities, it is important for workers to know their rights and benefits under the EC Program and coordinate with the nearest ECC, SSS, or GSIS office if they become ill or are injured because of work,’ Velasquez said.

THE Embassy of Malaysia hosted an investment briefing for the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), in conjunction with DEX Connex 2026.

The event brought together senior representatives from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Malaysian technology companies, government agencies, and industry stakeholders to explore strategic investment opportunities in the Philippines’ rapidly growing digital economy.

The program highlighted the investment potential of the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and BCDA’s flagship economic zones, particularly Clark and New Clark City, while showcasing opportunities for Malaysian technology companies to establish a long-term presence in the Philippines through innovation, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships. It also featured BCDA and BDB Law’s presentations on the Philippine investment landscape, available fiscal incentives and business establishment opportunities, followed by a networking session and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between Safe Truck and IoT Philippines.

Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony and Executive Vice President Atty. Gisela Z. Kalalo of BCDA underscored both countries’ shared commitment to deepen cooperation in digital innovation and investment.

In her remarks, Attorney Kalalo welcomed the Malaysian delegation and reaffirmed BCDA’s commitment to fostering partnerships with innovative Malaysian companies seeking to establish a presence in the Philippines.

Opportunities unprecedented

IN his keynote, Abdul Malik emphasized that the digital economy has become one of the defining pillars of Asean’s future growth and competitiveness, then presented unprecedented opportunities for Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies, innovation and digital investment.

‘Malaysia does not view the Philippines simply as another export market. We see the Philippines as a strategic partner in building Asean’s digital future,’ he pointed out. ‘By combining Malaysia’s technological capabilities with the Philippines’ dynamic market, highly skilled workforce and ambitious digital transformation agenda, we can create partnerships that generate lasting economic value, strengthen regional competitiveness and contribute towards a more resilient and digitally connected Asean.’

The ambassador noted that the Philippines has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising digital economies, driven by a young, digitally connected population, a globally competitive English-speaking workforce, and strong government support for digitalization.

He also highlighted that initiatives such as the Luzon Economic Corridor represent a new generation of economic development that integrates world-class logistics, smart infrastructure, innovation districts and digital connectivity, creating attractive platforms for technology-driven investments.

Trade partners

MALAYSIA and the Philippines continue to enjoy strong and expanding economic relations. In 2025, total bilateral trade reached approximately $8.32 billion, reaffirming the two countries’ roles as important regional trading partners. As both pursue digital transformation and innovation-led growth, technology and digital services are expected to become increasingly important drivers of bilateral economic cooperation.

The Malaysian delegation, led by MDEC, consists of leading technology companies: IDmeta Sdn. Bhd., WAHDAH Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Snappymob Sdn. Bhd., Theta Service Partner Sdn. Bhd., Eco Community Sdn. Bhd. and Safe Truck. They represent a diverse range of expertise, including digital identity, software engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise digitalization, smart mobility, sustainability technologies, and digital platforms, reflecting Malaysia’s growing capabilities as one of Asean’s leading digital economies, the Embassy of Malaysia said.

The embassy remains committed to supporting the internationalization of Malaysian companies and strengthening economic diplomacy with the Philippines. Through close collaboration with MDEC, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation or MATRADE, and Philippine partners, the embassy will continue to facilitate business engagements that contribute to deeper bilateral economic ties, increased digital investment, and enhanced linkages in emerging technology sectors.

The engagement marked another important milestone in strengthening Malaysia-Philippines economic relations, reinforcing both countries’ shared aspiration to build a more innovative, digitally connected, and resilient ASEAN. By fostering closer collaboration between governments, industry and technology innovators, the initiative is expected to create new opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange and sustainable economic growth in both countries.

THE artificial intelligence (AI) boom is translating into stronger manufacturing and export activity across Asia-Pacific, giving chip-producing economies a lift even as the broader global economy slows, Moody’s Analytics said.

In its latest Global Outlook, Moody’s said the AI investment cycle has become a key reason the world economy has avoided a sharper slowdown, as demand for chips, power and computing infrastructure continues to drive capital spending.

‘A steady stream of new AI models has pulled fresh capital into chips, power, and computing, driving stock prices skyward and sparking a global capital expenditure spree,’ Moody’s said.

The impact, however, is uneven across economies.

While gross domestic product (GDP) gains are harder to capture in countries that import much of the hardware used in data centers, Asia-Pacific economies that manufacture semiconductors and other computing equipment are seeing the boom feed more directly into production and exports, the analytics firm said.

The Philippines is positioned within this regional supply chain, with the local semiconductor and electronics industry expecting continued growth as demand for AI-related hardware expands.

Recently, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI) President Dan Lachica said the industry now expects 10-percent growth in 2026, after initially projecting flat growth. The sector grew 16 percent in 2025.

Also, SEIPI has proposed that Pax Silica, the planned semiconductor-focused industrial hub under the Luzon Economic Corridor, serve as a manufacturing anchor that brings together advanced manufacturing, research and development, logistics, digital infrastructure and supporting industries.

The proposal would seek to expand the country’s role beyond its traditional concentration in semiconductor assembly and testing.

On the other hand, the Philippines is also covered by a 12.5-percent US tariff rate for economies with trade agreements with Washington, while semiconductors and other products are among the exemptions under the US tariff regime.

The carve-outs are particularly relevant to technology exporters because they limit the impact of tariffs on semiconductor shipments.

Elsewhere in Asia, Taiwan, the world’s leading producer of advanced chips, grew by nearly 9 percent in 2025 and is expected to post double-digit growth this year, Moody’s said.

The strong performance reflects the scale of the AI-driven investment cycle, but Moody’s warned that the boom may not continue at its current pace.

Stretched equity valuations, supply constraints and uncertainty over the longer-term profitability of AI-related investments could lead to a pause, it said.

‘With the AI boom papering over the strain from higher inflation and tight policy, the risks facing the baseline forecast tilt firmly to the downside. Geopolitics tops the list,’ Moody’s said.

It expects global GDP growth of 2.5 percent in 2026 and 2.8 percent in 2027, below the more than 3-percent pace the global economy could sustain.

THE amount of money being poured by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) into household coffers of their families back home may be plateauing amid rising inflation at home and in their host countries.

Even as the June-only cash remittances posted the highest June cash remittance value on record, cash transfers from Filipinos working abroad are growing at the slowest pace in years due to the war-tied inflation.

Jeremaiah Opiniano, Institute for Migration and Development Issues (IMDI) and professor at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) told the BusinessMirror on Monday: ‘The numbers seem to reveal that even if the June-only cash remittances are the highest June cash remittance on record, cash transfers from overseas Filipinos are slowing down.’

Opiniano said this after latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed cash remittances or the money sent home by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) reached $3.04 billion in June 2026, the highest monthly cash remittance level recorded in the first half of 2026 and also the highest June-only cash remittance level on record.

Data from the central bank, however, showed that the $3.04-billion cash remittances in June 2026 grew by 1.7 percent from the $2.987 billion in June 2025.

This is the slowest growth rate in cash remittances since February 2022 or in four years and four months when the growth rate of the money sent home by OFWs was at 1.3 percent.

In the January to June 2026 period, cash remittances amounted to $17.149 billion, up 2.4 percent compared to the $16.753 billion in the six-month period in 2025.

The 2.4-percent cumulative growth rate, Opiniano said, ‘seems to show that the growth of cash remittances from overseas Filipinos may be reaching a plateau.’

The 2.4-percent growth rate in the six-month period is the slowest cumulative growth rate for the January to June period since the January to June 2020 period or during the pandemic when cash remittances declined by 4.2 percent.

Surprisingly, however, Opiniano said the six-month cash remittances from the Middle East are US$30 million higher in 2026 compared to the same six-month period last year.

This goes to show, he said, that ‘Filipinos abroad are trying their best to send money amid rising inflation at home and in their host countries, and the running economic impacts of the Middle East conflict.’

On a month-on-month basis, however, the $3.04-billion remittance inflows in June were 12.05 percent higher than the $2.713 billion sent home by overseas Filipino workers in May 2026 or in the previous month.

For his part, Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong and Co., said the slowdown in remittance growth to 1.7 percent in June is ‘more a story of moderation than a cause for concern.’

‘A combination of base e?ects, softer economic conditions in some host countries, geopolitical uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, and timing-related factors likely weighed on growth during the month,’ added Ravelas.

Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP), said: ‘Higher living costs in host economies may have also constrained the amount available for transfer, while base effects from relatively stronger inflows a year ago likely contributed to the softer year-on-year growth rate.’

That said, Asuncion emphasized that remittances continued to expand and remained at a ‘relatively high level’ in absolute terms, suggesting that ‘overseas Filipino workers remain employed and continue to provide an important source of support for household consumption and overall economic activity.’

Low contribution to GDP

Opiniano also pointed out: ‘The contribution of remittances to GDP as of the second quarter is 7.1 percent-the lowest since the BSP started tracking this metric.’

Thus, he underscored the need for the national government to ‘continue finding other revenue sources and not just let overseas Filipinos save the day.’

In a statement, the central bank said the United States remained the top source of inflows, followed by Singapore and Saudi Arabia, based on reported remittance transactions by origin.

ON August 12, Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy received 40 portable power generators, each with a capacity of 6 kilowatts, donated by a Philippine private business group.

The humanitarian initiative was launched after a meeting between Ambassador Yuliia Fediv of Ukraine and Senator Erwin Tulfo. The generators, supplied by Highball Traders Inc., will be used exclusively for civilian purposes and provide backup electricity to socially important facilities, while supporting communities affected by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The equipment was transported from the Philippines to the Port of Gdansk in Poland, then subsequently delivered to Ukraine through the ‘rescEU Donations Scheme’ of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with the support of Poland’s Governmental Strategic Reserves Agency.

The Embassy of Ukraine expressed its sincere gratitude to Tulfo, Highball Traders Inc., Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc., KLN Logistics, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, the Embassy of Poland in the Philippines, RARS, and everyone who helped make the delivery possible.

According to the Ukrainian Embassy, the assistance is ‘much more than 40 generators; it is a tangible expression of the solidarity of the people of the Philippines with the people of Ukraine.’

The embassy said: ‘As Russia continues its deliberate attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, this support will help strengthen the energy resilience of Ukrainian civilian communities and ensure the continuity of essential services.’

Some of the families that were affected by a recent rockfall in Naga City are among the initial 56 beneficiaries of the city government’s low-cost housing program, which is moving forward despite rising construction costs.

The city has prioritized 18 families in barangay Uling who were affected by the rockfall, while the other initial number of beneficiaries are from barangay Cantao-an, Mayana, Lanas, Naalad, Tangke, Cogon and Lutac.

Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong said the housing program was conceptualized last year but has faced several challenges, including delays and higher prices of construction materials amid the fuel crisis.

‘Daghang [Major] challenges because this was conceptualized na last year pa,’ Chiong said, noting that the original allocation is no longer sufficient to cover the increasing cost of construction.

The city initially allocated P28 million in 2025 for 160 housing units, with a budget of P160,000 per unit. Due to the increase in material prices, the city is raising the allocation to P200,000 per house this year.

About P20 million has been set aside for the construction of another 100 houses under this year’s allocation.

Chiong said 77 housing units are currently under construction, while the city is also taking measures to help reduce construction expenses.

The local government has asked suppliers to deliver aggregates and other construction materials to City Hall, allowing the city to handle their delivery to project sites.

‘We asked them to deliver the aggregates here at City Hall, and we will be the ones to deliver them to the project sites,’ Chiong said.

The project, which is a city-led initiative that aims to address woes on housing backlogs, will provide 20-square-meter houses free of charge to qualified beneficiaries. It is intended for families living in damaged, overcrowded or substandard homes, including those whose roofs, walls and other portions of their houses have deteriorated.

However, Chiong said the city cannot immediately proceed with all the originally targeted units because some identified beneficiaries are living on land they do not own.

‘We need a consent or deed of donation from the owner of the land because what we are extending is only the houses,’ he said. The mayor said barangay officials are helping identify families who are most in need of housing assistance. Beneficiaries are also required to provide documentation, including photographs of their existing houses.

City Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Joveno Garcia said the program is designed to address the city’s housing backlog while improving the living conditions of vulnerable families.

‘Providing housing is essential to improving the quality of life of vulnerable families by ensuring access to secure, durable and healthy living environments,’ Garcia said.

Garcia said the project will also generate jobs for local residents during construction and stimulate demand for locally sourced materials.

He added that the initiative supports social equity and inclusive development by giving economically disadvantaged families access to affordable and dignified housing.

The housing program also forms part of Naga’s efforts to assist families living in areas vulnerable to hazards, particularly landslides and rockfalls.

Despite the challenges, Chiong said the city government remains committed to finding ways to continue the program and provide safer homes for families in need.

DAVAO CITY-Young lawmakers of the Bangsamoro government have pushed the Parliament’s approval of laws for the youth covering maritime travel safety, protection of the youth involved in early and forced marriages and transparency in governance.

In the fourth gathering of the Bangsamoro Youth Parliament (BYP), it pushed for six bills and three resolutions for possible endorsement to the Bangsamoro Parliament and other concerned institutions.

BYC Chairperson Nasserudin Dunding said the six approved bills covered safe maritime transport for students, transparency and access to information, economic development, pluralistic youth health advocacy, emergency health access, and Toril development and child welfare.

The three resolutions focused on protecting survivors of Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM), interventions to address the learning and literacy crisis, and strengthening youth economic empowerment and agricultural development.

The youth-crafted measures were among the outputs of the five-day parliament held July 27-31 at the KCC Convention Hall in Cotabato City, where Young Members of Parliament (YMPs) from across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) deliberated on issues affecting young people and their communities, the BYC said.

Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Mohammad Yacob and Deputy Speaker Baintan Ampatuan received the approved measures for possible policy consideration in the regular Bangsamoro Parliament.

‘The goal is not only to train future leaders but to ensure that the ideas and policies developed by our young parliamentarians can contribute to the region’s governance,’ Dunding said.

He said the YMPs underwent parliamentary orientations, committee workshops, mock legislative sessions, sponsorship and defense of proposed measures, and plenary deliberations before approving the final bills and resolutions.

Their gathering also marked a milestone when they elected the first women to serve as Youth Chief Minister and Youth Parliament Speaker. They were Lolwa Musa as the Youth Chief Minister and Faykha Khayriyyah Ala as presiding officer over the Fourth BYP as its speaker.

Ala said she hoped the experience would lead to stronger collaboration among young leaders across BARMM.

‘I am looking forward to seeing my fellow youth parliamentarians from different backgrounds collaborate and build networks to create programs for the betterment of the Bangsamoro-not only for individual provinces but through interconnected efforts that will benefit the entire region,’ she said.

Fayeza Muizz Paniorotan, one of this year’s Best Proponent awardees, said the youth parliament gave young people a platform to raise issues affecting their communities and turn them into concrete policy proposals. ‘The youth are often underrepresented, but we are capable, aware of what is happening in our communities, and ready to offer real solutions.’

BYP Floor Leader Mustashar Astarani of Tawi-Tawi said the parliament reminded delegates of the responsibility that comes with representing their communities. ‘As someone given the opportunity to serve and represent the youth, it is our responsibility to amplify the voices of the communities we represent.’

A 2-kilometer farm-to-market road (FMR) in Barangay Bilibinwang, Agoncillo, Batangas is expected to boost farm production, benefiting agrarian reform beneficiaries in the area.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Batangas, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Batangas District Engineering Office No. 3, and representatives from the DAR Central Office (DARCO) and DAR Regional Office (DARRO), recently conducted a final inspection of the completed road project.

Spanning 1.9821 kilometers across three sections, the FMR is expected to provide agrarian Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries and farming communities in the area with safer and more convenient access to markets, agricultural production areas, and essential services.

The final inspection aimed to ensure that the completed road meets the prescribed standards for quality, safety, and durability before its formal completion and use by the intended beneficiaries. The inspection team also identified necessary corrective measures for the contractor to address, ensuring that all remaining concerns are resolved and that the project fully complies with the required specifications.

For the ARBs of Barangay Bilibinwang, the road is more than a transportation link. It is an important infrastructure that can help ease the movement of farm inputs and agricultural products, reduce transportation challenges, and provide farmers with better opportunities to bring their produce to markets.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Abdullah Balindong emphasized that investing in reliable rural infrastructure is essential to supporting ARBs and strengthening their capacity to sustain and improve their livelihoods.

‘A farm-to-market road is more than just a physical connection. For our agrarian reform beneficiaries, it is a pathway to better market access, lower transportation costs, and greater opportunities to increase the value of their farm produce. By ensuring that these projects are built to quality standards, we are investing in the productivity, income, and long-term welfare of our farmers,’ he said.

The DAR continues to work closely with partner agencies to ensure the timely and quality implementation of FMR projects that directly respond to the needs of ARBs and farming communities.

MAG-IINA, a psychological horror film about three generations of women haunted by grief, madness, and a dark family secret, topped the winners’ list at the 2026 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.

Directed by Guelan Varela-Luarca and Giancarlo Abrahan, the film won the prestigious Balanghai trophy for Best Film in the Full-Length Film category.

The festival jury cited MAG-IINA for ‘pushing the boundaries of filmmaking,’ highlighting its layered narrative that explores dark family secrets, deep-seated grief, and matriarchal dynamics while exposing broader truths about Philippine society and politics.

The film was also recognized for its exceptional technical artistry, commanding performances from its predominantly female cast, and bold, fearless, and visionary filmmaking.

Abrahan was named Best Director, while Varela-Luarca won Best Screenplay. The film also earned awards for Best Production Design, given to Katrish Aristoki, and Best Original Musical Score, awarded to David Yuchico.

During his acceptance speech, Abrahan recalled that when they first tried to submit the film last year, he worried that it might not be accepted because they were attempting to make what he described as an ‘impossible film.’

‘I’m really, really so glad. It takes a village, it takes a family to make something impossible, possible,’ he added.

Abrahan also remarked that while their film may be ‘vomit-inducing’ and ‘disgusting,’ there are still far more disturbing and repulsive things happening outside the film, calling for corrupt individuals to be jailed.

In the Short Film category, Silkscreen by Rey Anthony Villaverde won Best Film, while Gabriela Serrano of Elenita, Elena, Elaine was named Best Director.

2 Valid IDs by Ma-an L. Asuncion-Dagñalan and Abet Pagdagdagan Raz received the Special Jury Award in the Full-Length Film category and later won the Audience Choice Award in the same category.

The Special Jury Award in the Short Film category went to Para-Paraan by Mae Chan Li, while Hoy, Hoy, Ingat! by Norvin de los Santos won the Audience Choice Award for Short Film.

In the acting categories, Marietta Subong for 2 Valid IDs and Ruby Ruiz for Status: Rejected shared the Best Actress award, while Martin del Rosario won Best Actor for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam.

Bituin Escalante was named Best Supporting Actress for A.ni.mál, while Lucas Andalio of MAG-IINA and KD Omalin of Hand of God shared the Best Supporting Actor award.

The Best Ensemble Performance went to Martin del Rosario, Yayo Aguila, Epi Quizon, and Miguel Ordon for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam.

Other winners included Lysa Catolico and Jazmine Gin R. Pateña, who won Best Screenplay in the Short Film category for RUNO!; John Rogers, who won Best Editing for A.ni.mál; Adam Dumaguin, who won Best Cinematography for Tayo Lang Ang Nakakaalam; and Elian Idioma, who won Best Sound Design for the same film.

The NETPAC Award for Full-Length Film went to Status: Rejected by Vahn Leinard C. Pascual, while The River Flows in Different Places by Lot-Lot Hermosura received the NETPAC Award for Short Film.

THE young female star has had body odor since she was a teenager but she’s now in her 20s and she still does not smell good. Her co-workers and the staff and crew of the shows she has worked in are always talking about her. They are also wondering why her family and closest friends haven’t given her hygiene-related advice. She’s had two boyfriends and is said to be dating someone new and yet-not one of them has told her what she needed to hear. It does not seem to be bad hygiene because the young female star seems to shower every day so it must be something else.

ONCE A CHEATER

IS it true that one of the reasons why the celebrity-influencer and the handsome actor split years ago was due to the latter’s cheating? He allegedly cheated on the beautiful celebrity-influencer with an older actress, who is lovely and talented. Aside from that, their parents could not get along. The handsome actor’s dad is known for being a stage father. While the celebrity-influencer’s dad is usually quiet, he won’t stand for his daughter not being treated well.

GOODBYE

WHEN the two teenagers joined a show, they were naturally drawn to each other and they became really close. It got to a point when the girl had to tell the guy to slow down because she was not yet ready for a serious relationship. People who watched the show found the guy aggressive and rude. Eventually, they became a couple. But last month, netizens noticed that the guy’s videos and photos of and with the girl have been set on private. The rumor is that he allegedly cheated on her.

FAMILY WOES

THERE are rumors that the offspring of two showbiz personalities (they are not married) was caught shoplifting. The girl was said to have been arrested and brought to a police station, where appropriate charges were filed against her. This comes after her father’s marital troubles. The non-couple is said to be very attentive to the daughter to make up for all the time when she did not know who her real father was. She lived a happy life with her mom, the father she grew up knowing, and her siblings-that is, until all hell broke loose about her paternity.