Category: Business Mirror

A day after the Ombudsman put Cebu’s P60-billion flood-control projects under scrutiny, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon went straight to flood-prone areas in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, identifying blocked waterways and drainage bottlenecks that the agency says need immediate action.

The DPWH chief visited several areas on Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Mandaue, including A.S. Fortuna Street, Orel Creek in Barangay Banilad, and A.C. Cortes Avenue, where local officials presented existing flooding problems and proposed mitigation measures.

Dizon also inspected Barangay Basak Pardo, Cebu City, an area affected by severe flooding, where he said the DPWH is considering ways to redirect water from drainage systems toward the sea and the South Road Properties (SRP).

Waterways blocked

Dizon said the situation in Basak Pardo is particularly challenging because natural and traditional waterways that once carried water from the mountains of Cebu City have been obstructed by structures, including houses.

As a result, water coming from the mountains is overflowing into nearby barangays, he said.

‘The waterways are all blocked already. So, the water overflows into the barangay, the two barangays there,’ Dizon said.

He said the DPWH is looking at several options to bring water from drainage systems along the national highway down toward the ocean and the reclamation area at SRP.

‘We have to find a way to bring the water down to the SRP because that’s where the water should flow,’ he said.

The agency will coordinate with the Cebu City government and barangay officials in working out a solution, Dizon added.

Mandaue projects

In Mandaue, Dizon reviewed flood mitigation measures already being undertaken by the city, particularly along A.S. Fortuna Street near Rolling Hills. He said the interventions could improve water flow and help reduce the time it takes for floodwaters to subside during heavy rains.

At Orel Creek in Barangay Banilad, officials discussed how the waterway contributes to flooding in the community.

Dizon also inspected A.C. Cortes Avenue, where plans are being considered for a flood gate and pumping station that would discharge water toward the sea.

The proposed system is expected to help prevent backflow and reduce flooding in the area.

Other priority concerns raised during the inspection included funding for flood mitigation in the Innodata area of Barangay Subangdaku and drainage improvements at LH Prime.

The Mandaue City Public Affairs Office said the national government, under the direction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is working to provide funding for these projects in coordination with Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Philip Lo.

‘Right now, everything is top priority. I just wanted to make sure that all the priorities are being given the proper attention, especially in

Cebu City, Mandaue and other places, ay talagang ma-aksyonan agad,’ Dizon said.

Ombudsman investigation

The inspection came a day after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said their office would look into roughly P60 billion worth of flood control projects in Cebu implemented over a six-year period.

Asked about the investigation, Dizon said the DPWH has been cooperating with the Ombudsman and that documents have already been submitted.

‘The investigations are all ongoing and all the documents have already been submitted to the Ombudsman. So let us wait for the Ombudsman for the appropriate action,’ he said.

Dizon also urged the public to allow the Ombudsman, DOJ and NBI to perform their respective roles in investigating possible irregularities.

‘It is the role of the Ombudsman to prosecute, investigate and prosecute. That is also the role of the NBI and the DOJ. Let us allow them to do their jobs,’ he said.

He said the DPWH, meanwhile, would focus on addressing the flooding problems that communities have been experiencing for years.

‘Our main job is to fix all of these problems that as Mayor John Key said is decades na ito. So we will have to just fix them as fast as we can to help our people hopefully alleviate the flooding that has been happening for so many years,’ Dizon said.

No quick fix

Dizon cautioned that solving Cebu’s flooding problems would not happen overnight.

‘There is no overnight solution to flooding. We have to all understand that,’ he said.

He pointed to the lack of dredging over the past decade as one of the issues that has contributed to the need for catch-up work.

‘There has been practically no dredging since 10 years ago,’ Dizon said.

He added that the government has begun addressing these longstanding concerns and that flood mitigation measures are already producing results in some parts of Metro Manila and other areas.

However, he said communities would have to wait for the full impact of the projects to be felt. ‘We will always be here’

Mandaue Mayor Thadeo ‘Jonkie’ Ouano welcomed the DPWH chief’s visit, saying the city has been dealing with flooding for decades and that local governments cannot solve the problem on their own.

‘This has been happening, time immemorial ba, decades na. Pero now we are finally seeing na ma-implement na with the collaboration between local and national government, kasi di din naman talaga kaya kung kami lang,’ Ouano said.

The city government also called on residents to cooperate by properly disposing of waste and helping keep waterways clear.

Dizon, for his part, assured Cebu officials that the national government would continue working with local governments on flood mitigation.

‘Walang iwanan ito. We are always here,’ he said.

Dizon said he has visited Cebu repeatedly since becoming DPWH secretary, adding that the agency would continue to work with the province’s local government units.

‘We will always be here for Cebu and our Kababayans,’ he said.

Joining Dizon during the Mandaue inspection were Ouano, Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, Congresswoman Emmarie ‘Lolypop’ Ouano-Dizon, City Administrator Atty. Sally Malig-on Jr., Executive Secretary, Atty. Riczen Gingoyon and representatives from the DPWH Cebu 6th District Engineering Office, City Engineer’s Office, City Planning and Development Office, and Barangay Banilad.

We’ve all heard the saying, ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ It’s a warning that even the most well-meaning plans can lead to terrible outcomes if we don’t think them through. Right now, I’m worried that our lawmakers are walking straight down that road.

Recently, my good friend and House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Miro Quimbo proposed a plan to raise taxes on vape products, sugary drinks, and single-use plastics. The goal seems noble on the surface: offset a massive P50-billion revenue loss that will come from President Marcos’ proposed tax relief for workers. In other words, the government wants to give hardworking Filipinos a break on their income taxes, but they need to find that missing money somewhere else.

On paper, it sounds like a fair trade. Give with one hand, take with the other-but take from products that are considered ‘sin’ or ‘environmental’ items. However, when you look closer, this proposal isn’t a fair trade at all. It’s a tax on the poor, and it could be the final straw for our struggling local industries.

A tax on instant noodles is a tax on the poor

Let’s talk about the tax on single-use plastics. Why is that dangerous? Because if you walk into any sari-sari store or small neighborhood market, you’ll see that the products wrapped in single-use plastics are exactly what poor families rely on every single day. Instant noodles, three-in-one coffee, and shampoo sachets-these are the staples of survival for families living paycheck to paycheck.

When you tax the plastic packaging of instant noodles, you are not taxing a luxury item. You are taxing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a poor child. You are taxing the affordable coffee that helps a factory worker stay awake during the night shift. Manufacturers won’t just absorb this cost; they will pass it on to the consumer. So, while the rich might not notice an extra peso or two on their grocery bill, for a poor family, that extra peso is a choice between food and fare.

This is not just an opinion; it’s basic math. With global inflation spiking due to conflicts like the Iran war, the price of everything is already going up. Now is the worst possible time to add a new tax that hits the most vulnerable the hardest.

Remember the EPR Law: A cautionary tale

This is not the first time we’ve seen good intentions backfire. I have written before about the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law of 2022. That law shifted the burden of garbage collection from the government to private businesses. The idea was to make companies responsible for the plastic they produce. That sounds great for the environment, right?

But in reality, it has been a nightmare for local manufacturers. After the devastation of the pandemic, our small and medium enterprises-the backbone of our economy-are barely surviving. The EPR law forces them to spend millions on waste recovery programs instead of using that money to hire more workers or keep their prices low. Just imagine a candy manufacturer in Manila who is required to collect his candy wrappers in Tawi-Tawi! That’s the effect of the EPR law. The government, which is legally mandated by Republic Act 9003 to collect garbage, has simply passed the buck to businesses.

It doesn’t get more ironic than this: For 20 years, the government failed to solve our solid waste management problem. Instead of fixing their own system, they handed the problem to the private sector, making businesses pay for the government’s failure.

I truly respect Rep. Quimbo, and I’m sure he only has good intentions. That said, as an industry leader who understands the real downsides of adding another tax on plastics, I feel it’s important to speak up for the manufacturers and hundreds of workers who would be affected.

This proposal would not just mean higher prices at the store-it would place even more strain on our manufacturers. They are already paying under the EPR law, and adding an additional excise tax on the materials they rely on could push some local businesses past the point of recovery.

In short, it risks harming the very industries and jobs it is meant to protect. That’s the ‘law of unintended consequences’-good ideas that lead to serious, unforeseen outcomes.

I believe our members of Congress are intelligent people. They understand that when you take a tax away (like the income tax relief for workers), you have to get the money somewhere else. But the ‘somewhere else’ should not be the dinner table of a poor family or the budget of a struggling factory.

We have to stop the cycle of creating laws that sound good in Congress but hurt people in the real world. Instead of reflexively taxing the things poor people use, Congress should take a step back and study why the government has failed to collect garbage properly for two decades. They need to talk to the people on the ground – the small business owners, the environmentalists, and even the garbage collectors themselves-to find a solution that actually works without killing our local economy.

Good thoughts don’t always lead to good results. If we don’t think things through carefully, Rep. Quimbo’s ‘good intentions’ could end up hurting the poorest Filipinos-and our local industries. Let’s hope our lawmakers choose wisely and make the right course correction before it’s too late.

Simplify, do not complicate

To discourage indiscriminate dumping and clear clogged, stagnant waterways in Metro Manila and other urban areas, I propose a simple, budget-neutral solution that local government units (LGUs) can implement immediately:

Pass a Penalty and Reward Ordinance: LGUs should enact a local ordinance that imposes a mandatory fine-such as P500-on anyone caught dumping garbage into waterways.

Incentivize citizens via smartphone reporting: To ensure enforcement, the ordinance should offer a 50 percent reward (e.g., P250) to citizens who capture photo or video evidence of violators using their smartphones. LGUs can receive these submissions through dedicated portals on their official websites and social media pages, while barangay officials assist in identifying local offenders.

Include community service options: If a violator is unable to pay the fine, the ordinance should require them to complete two days of community service-specifically focused on cleaning local waterways-so the community still benefits.

If strictly enforced, this self-sustaining reward system would create a strong deterrent against illegal dumping and significantly reduce the garbage accumulation that drives urban flooding.

Plastic recycling: A high-value resource strategy for LGUs

I believe local government units have a major opportunity to convert municipal plastic waste into a valuable economic and operational asset. Unlike organic waste, plastic waste preserves much of its high chemical energy content through recycling-making it an underutilized reserve of energy and raw materials. By turning plastic waste from a disposal challenge into a localized resource, LGUs can help build cleaner, more energy-resilient, and economically sustainable communities.

In my next column, I will fully detail the negative effects of raising taxes on vape products, sugary drinks, and single-use plastics.

Dr. Jesus Lim Arranza is the Chairman Emeritus of the Federation of Philippine Industries and concurrent Chairman of the Anti-Smuggling and Anti-Illicit Trade Committee.

A HYPOTHETICAL 2028 presidential and vice presidential race is shaping up to be a tight contest, with the Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo-Rafael ‘Raffy’ Tulfo tandem holding only a 3-percentage-point lead over the Sara Z. Duterte-and Maria Imelda Josefa ‘Imee’ R. Marcos pairing in the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey of Octa Research.

The Q2 2026 survey showed 45 percent of adult Filipinos saying they would vote for the Robredo-Tulfo tandem if the May 2028 elections were held today, compared with 42 percent who would support the Duterte-Marcos tandem.

The latest figures represent modest gains for both hypothetical tickets from the previous quarter. Support for Robredo-Tulfo rose by 1 percentage point from 44 percent in Q1 2026, while the Duterte-Marcos tandem gained two points from 40 percent.

Octa pointed out that the results underscore how competitive the hypothetical matchup has become, with neither tandem establishing a decisive advantage nearly two years before the 2028 elections.

Robredo-Tulfo v Duterte-Marcos is now the most competitive tandem pairing Octa has recorded across the TNM series. Earlier rounds saw Duterte-Marcos ahead by 15 to 25 points, but Robredo-Tulfo pulled ahead by 4 points in Q1 2026.

With that lead tightening to 3 points in Q2 2026, the race has remained within the margin of error for two straight quarters.

Octa said the survey also found that 8 percent of respondents would not vote for either tandem, while 4 percent said they did not know whom they would support and 1 percent refused to answer.

The three-point gap is particularly significant in light of the survey’s reported ±3 percent margin of error. As such, the results should be viewed as an indication of current public sentiment rather than evidence of a definitive lead or a forecast of the eventual election outcome.

Octa has likewise cautioned that hypothetical tandem matchups at this stage should be interpreted as an early snapshot of voter preferences. A similar warning accompanied the poll’s earlier results, when Robredo-Tulfo led Duterte-Marcos by 4 percentage points.

The numbers point to a potentially competitive contest between two political groupings with distinct bases of support.

Robredo, a former vice president and now mayor of Naga City, and Tulfo, a senator, have emerged as a hypothetical combination that continues to attract substantial support. The tandem previously registered 44 percent in Octa’s Q1 survey, ahead of Duterte-Marcos at 40 percent.

Duterte, meanwhile, has publicly expressed to run for the presidency in 2028, Marcos, while the incumbent senator and estranged sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., gives the hypothetical ticket a combination of the Duterte and Marcos political bases.

Earlier Octa results showed a pronounced regional dimension to the matchup. In the Q1 survey, Robredo-Tulfo posted particularly strong support in the National Capital Region and Balance Luzon, while Duterte-Marcos dominated Mindanao.

Octa explained the regional divide suggests that the strength of the two hypothetical tandems cannot be measured solely by their national percentages. The ability of either side to expand its support across geographic and demographic groups could prove critical if the matchup eventually materializes.

Regionally, Octa said the Robredo-Tulfo tandem records its highest levels of support in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan)-84 percent, Bicol Region (71 percent), Central Luzon (71 percent), Ilocos Region (69 percent), Western Visayas (68 percent), and Negros Island Region (61 percent). Meanwhile, the Duterte-Marcos tandem posts its strongest support in Caraga (97 percent), Northern Mindanao (92 percent), Davao Region (91 percent), Bangsamoro region and Central Mindanao (both 88 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (87 percent), and Central Visayas (82 percent). The results reveal a pronounced regional divide: Robredo-Tulfo performs strongly across several Luzon and Visayas regions, while Duterte-Marcos dominates throughout Mindanao and also leads decisively in Central Visayas. Individual-region figures are based on smaller subsamples and carry wider margins of error than the national and major-area numbers.

‘By locality, the Robredo-Tulfo tandem leads among urban residents [48 percent versus 38 percent], while Duterte-Marcos leads among rural residents [47 percent versus 40 percent]. Robredo-Tulfo also leads among both male respondents [48 percent versus 43 percent] and female respondents (42 percent versus 41 percent), although the gap among females is only one percentage point. These results suggest that Robredo-Tulfo draws comparatively stronger support from urban and male respondents, while the rural vote favors Duterte-Marcos,’ Octa said.

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition filed by three lawyers seeking to compel the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee (SBRC) to release to the public its draft partial committee report on the multi-billion anomalous flood control projects.

The decision junking the petition for mandamus and certiorari filed by lawyers Eldrige Marvin Aceron, Sikini Labastilla and Purificacion Bartolome-Bernabe was reached during yesterday’s regular en banc session of the Court.

The petitioners sought the release of the draft partial committee report after it was leaked to several media outlets in February this year.

They argued that the ‘deliberative process privilege’ can no longer be invoked after then SBRC chairman, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, disclosed the report’s contents to the public in numerous occasions.

The alleged leaked draft reportedly recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges, including plunder, against several senators and other public officials in connection with the flood control scandal.

The petitioners pointed out that the public has the right to information under Article III, Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution.

Last week’s storm is yet another reminder of our region’s severe disaster risks-and how quickly lives and properties can be lost.

Fortunately, the Philippines is responding positively to the threats posed by storms, typhoons and other natural calamities. Acting ahead of a disaster rather than waiting for it to happen is the only logical move that can save lives and minimize property losses.

We as a nation must do more to keep the damage to a minimum and avoid the trauma that goes with calamities. For one, I believe that more resources should be allocated to areas that are historically on the path of destructive typhoons.

To recall, the Philippines in September 2025 took a landmark step toward forecast-based action by passing the ‘State of Imminent Disaster’ law-the first in the world to authorize the use of national and local resources for anticipatory action.

The law lent more credence when tropical storm ‘Maymay’ lashed the northern part of Luzon and other areas last week. The storm is a relatively weak weather disturbance with winds of 55 kilometers per hour. The heavy rains it generated for many days, however, have matched, if not exceeded the damage expected from a stronger typhoon.

The rains saturated and soaked many areas that resulted in flooding and landslides.

A hillside gave way in Benguet province and collapsed on a small restaurant on Thursday, burying three employees in the kitchen. The national disaster agency also confirmed two others have been killed in a landslide in Rizal province the day before the Benguet incident.

Perhaps, local government units (LGUs) should be more pro-active ahead of crises as what Republic Act No. 12287, or the ‘Declaration of State of Imminent Disaster Act,’ demands. Pre-existing anticipatory action plans will prove essential in protecting lives across the country.

The law has established a legal framework that allows national and local governments to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive ‘anticipatory action’ before a severe calamity strikes.

It requires a pre-disaster risk assessment indicating a highly probable disaster with severe or catastrophic projected impacts and gives sufficient lead time for early intervention.

Disasters overlap in the Philippines, leaving no time for communities to recover, but large-scale pre-emptive evacuations proved the most critical outcome of early warning and government action as shown last year.

Over 1.5 million people in 2025 were evacuated ahead of typhoon’s Uwan’s landfall-a nationwide effort to move communities to safer ground before conditions deteriorated. And although the storm caused extensive damage, casualties remained comparatively low-with 213 deaths following typhoon Tino and 33 following Uwan.

Without the actions that followed the anticipatory action trigger, the loss of lives would have been exponentially higher, as previous disasters show.

The law reminds our LGUs to pre-position relief goods, mobilize response teams, execute pre-emptive evacuations, distribute early cash or food aid, and secure livelihood assets like livestock and boats.

But last week’s typhoon should not lull us into believing that the typhoon season has already heralded La Niña. On the contrary, we should brace for El Niño more.

The UN Meteorological Organization (WMO) has just warned that El Niño, a powerful climate pattern shaping global weather, will intensify starting this month despite the current wetter conditions.

The WMO has stepped up coordination, climate information services and early warning to help those affected prepare for potential impacts, including governments, humanitarian agencies, such climate-sensitive sectors as agriculture, and health as well as vulnerable communities.

‘El Niño is one of the most closely monitored climate phenomena in the world, but forecasts in themselves do not prevent hazards, people do,’ says WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

She said El Niño is developing against the backdrop of unprecedented ocean heat and rising temperatures, but governments and communities have a window of opportunity to anticipate risks and act before impacts unfold.

‘The decisions we make today will shape the impacts we experience tomorrow,’ Saulo said, adding that WMO and its members are committed to ensuring that credible and relevant climate information reaches those that need it most.

Again, as in a typhoon season, preparations are a must to reduce the damage of El Niño on crops and our farmers. A nation like the Philippines that is prone to extreme weather should be a step ahead of impending disasters.

NLEX import DeQuan Jones underwent surgery in his lower right leg and ankle that were fractured during an accidental collision with TNT Tropang 5G’s Brandon Rosser-Ganuelas during the Philippine Basketball Association game that the Road Warriors won to remain on top of the Governors’ Cup on Tuesday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

‘He’s in high spirits,’ NLEX governor in the PBA board Ronald Dulatre told the BusinessMirror on Wednesday after visiting Jones, who will also undergo surgery in his right fibula once the swelling subsides.

Doctors, according to Dulatre, said that it will take at least four months for Jones to recover but he has to undergo strength and psychological conditioning for a year before he can be play again.

Jones sustained the horrible injury while driving to the basket against Rosser-Ganuelas in the 7:27 mark of the third quarter and had to be wheeled out on a stretcher-he made the thumbs up sign and was smiling on the way to the ambulance.

He was called for an offensive foul and even without an import, NLEX went on to win, 118-111, for a guaranteed berth in the quarterfinals with a league-leading 7-1 win-loss record.

The Road Warriors, Dulatre said, would potentially play without an import when they face Converge at 5:15 p.m. on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

‘Unless we can find someone who is available here who can beat today’s [Thursday] 12 noon deadline in the PBA office, maybe we can have an import,’ Dulatre said. ‘But for now, all our concern goes to DeQuan Jones.’

The PBA allows teams to play without an import-due to injury or emergency reasons-for two consecutive games, otherwise sanctions will be imposed.

‘Coach Jimmy [Alapag] already has a few names in mind, but we cannot name them yet,’ Dulatre said.

The PBA will have a two-month break after’s Friday’s play date-the other game at 7:15 p.m. pits Meralco against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel-to give way to the fourth window of the FIBA 2027 World Cup Asia Qualifiers on August 28 and 30 at the Mall of Asia Arena and the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games in September.

Robert Bolick had 27 points, five rebounds and eight assists and LJ Gonzalez finished with 28 points to lead the Road Warriors, who drew 23 points from Jones in the victory over the Tropang 5G.

THE Philippines showed promise ahead of the Asian Games after bagging silver and bronze at the 39th Thai King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championships 2026 in Bangkok.

The men’s regu team of Jason Huerte, Jom Lerry Rafael, Reynaldo Asilum Jr., Ronsited Gabayeron and Glindel Phori defeated Brunei and China before stunning Malaysia to reach the final for the first time in seven years.

The team, however, yielded to perennial world champion Thailand 12-15, 11-15 in the battle for gold.

Mary Ann Lopez, Kristine Lapsit, Rachelle Palomar, Nieva Jane Salon, Heart Makiling and Rhea Mae Dela Cruz ranked third in women’s Quadrant.

Philippine SepakTakraw Inc. president Karen Tanchanco Caballero said the results showed they are moving in the right direction, but also indicated there is still work ahead as they continue their preparations for the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games next month.

The podium finishes are also expected to serve as momentum for the country as it plays host to the ASTAF U19 Asian Sepak Takraw Championships in Manila this November.

Barugo, Leyte. SM Foundation has turned over the Barugo Municipal Hospital Wellness Hub to the local government of Barugo, introducing a community-centered healthcare facility designed to promote holistic healing, intergenerational connection, and compassionate care for children and older adults.

The Barugo Municipal Hospital Wellness Hub brings pediatric and geriatric services together under one roof, fostering a nurturing environment where children and older adults can heal, learn, and thrive together. Combining modern medical care with warm, home-like spaces, the center promotes healing across generations while reducing anxiety and preserving the dignity of every patient.

The hub welcomes patients through a reception and waiting area designed with child-friendly and age-friendly features. Comfortable seating, natural lighting, indoor plants, and a dedicated play corner create a calming atmosphere while patients wait for their consultations.

At the heart of the facility is a shared activity area where children and older adults can participate in guided programs such as arts and crafts, music therapy, storytelling, light exercise, and other social activities. By encouraging meaningful interaction between generations, the space promotes emotional well-being, reduces social isolation among older adults, and helps children develop empathy and social skills.

Supporting these shared spaces is a centrally located nurses’ station that allows healthcare workers to efficiently monitor both pediatric and geriatric patients. Its strategic layout provides clear visibility of the wards and activity areas, enabling quicker response times while supporting coordinated patient care.

Separate pediatric and geriatric wards are designed to meet the unique needs of each patient group. The pediatric ward provides a safe and comforting environment with child-sized beds and ample space for parents or caregivers to remain close throughout treatment and recovery. Meanwhile, the geriatric ward features anti-slip flooring, adequate lighting, and mobility-friendly beds that support the safety, comfort, and independence of older patients.

To help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, the wellness hub includes a fully equipped isolation room that protects vulnerable patients, particularly children and older adults. Patients and caregivers also have access to dedicated, accessible toilets and shower rooms fitted with wider doorways, grab bars, and non-slip flooring to ensure safety, comfort, and privacy.

The facility embraces universal and biophilic design principles, incorporating warm wood finishes, black metal accents, glass elements, and abundant natural light. Its layout minimizes walking distances for healthcare workers while maximizing visibility, efficiency, and patient safety.

Additional features include an assistive device area for the organized storage of mobility and daily living aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, and pediatric gait trainers. The hub also features a rainwater catchment and handwashing area, an eco-friendly open-air utility space that collects rainwater while providing an accessible handwashing facility for patients, staff, and visitors.

Separate pediatric and geriatric wards are designed to meet the unique needs of each patient group. The pediatric ward provides a safe and comforting environment with child-sized beds and ample space for parents or caregivers to remain close throughout treatment and recovery. Meanwhile, the geriatric ward features anti-slip flooring, adequate lighting, and mobility-friendly beds that support the safety, comfort, and independence of older patients.

To help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, the wellness hub includes a fully equipped isolation room that protects vulnerable patients, particularly children and older adults. Patients and caregivers also have access to dedicated, accessible toilets and shower rooms fitted with wider doorways, grab bars, and non-slip flooring to ensure safety, comfort, and privacy.

The facility embraces universal and biophilic design principles, incorporating warm wood finishes, black metal accents, glass elements, and abundant natural light. Its layout minimizes walking distances for healthcare workers while maximizing visibility, efficiency, and patient safety.

Additional features include an assistive device area for the organized storage of mobility and daily living aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, and pediatric gait trainers. The hub also features a rainwater catchment and handwashing area, an eco-friendly open-air utility space that collects rainwater while providing an accessible handwashing facility for patients, staff, and visitors.

Pag-IBIG Fund, Avida Land Corp. and Amaia Land Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding to expand quality housing choices for Filipino workers under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program. The partnership will explore special rates on identified homes that qualified members may finance through Pag-IBIG Housing Loans of up to ?10 million.

The agreement forms part of continuing efforts by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and Pag-IBIG Fund to strengthen partnerships with private developers. Pag-IBIG Fund recently increased its maximum housing loan amount to ?10 million per borrower and invited more leading developers to have their projects accredited and made accessible to qualified members through Pag-IBIG financing.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said the partnership advances the Marcos administration’s efforts to expand homeownership through stronger government support and private-sector participation.

‘We continue to heed the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to expand homeownership through stronger collaboration between government and the private sector. By helping developers connect their available housing inventory with Pag-IBIG Fund members and affordable financing, we give more Filipino workers quality housing choices within their means while supporting a stronger housing sector,’ Aliling said.

He added that closer cooperation with private developers also supports DHSUD’s efforts to facilitate their compliance with the balanced housing development requirement, helping generate more socialized housing projects and expand the supply of affordable homes.

Pag-IBIG Fund has introduced financing measures that serve members across different income segments. Qualified borrowers under socialized housing may avail themselves of a subsidized interest rate of 3%, while members purchasing homes above the socialized housing ceiling may benefit from promotional rates of 4.5% or 5.75%, depending on the loan amount. With its higher loan ceiling of ?10 million, the agency is expanding affordable financing not only for socialized housing borrowers but also for middle-income Filipino workers seeking homes that suit their needs and financial capacity.

Avida and Amaia are residential brands of Ayala Land. The partnership builds on Ayala Land’s commitment to expanding access to quality homes across different segments of

the market, while strengthening collaboration with government and other stakeholders to make homeownership more accessible to Filipino families.

Avida Land President Raquel S. Cruz said Pag-IBIG Fund’s competitive housing loan rates and higher loan ceiling provide Avida and Amaia greater opportunities to serve more Pag-IBIG members.

‘Our longstanding partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund has helped make homeownership possible for many Filipino families. With its competitive housing loan rates and increased loan ceiling of up to ?10 million, we see an even greater opportunity for Avida and Amaia to serve more middle- and upper-middle-income members and pursue further synergies that will help more Filipinos own quality homes,’ Cruz said.

The parties will also explore the registration and accreditation of identified Avida and Amaia projects for Developer-Assisted housing loan processing, including qualified Amaia projects under Expanded 4PH. They will study measures to streamline documentation, loan processing and the release of proceeds, while assisting prospective buyer-borrower-beneficiaries in meeting program requirements.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta said the agency continues to work with a growing number of trusted developers to provide members with more quality housing choices and make homeownership more affordable.

‘At Pag-IBIG Fund, we understand that every member has different housing needs and financial capacities. In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to expand homeownership, we are working with a growing number of trusted developers to bring our members more quality housing choices and special offers. By combining these with our affordable rates and housing loans of up to ?10 million, we hope to help our members find homes they can comfortably afford, with monthly payments that may be comparable to or even lower than rent. In this way, their hard-earned money goes toward a home they can truly call their own and a better future for their families,’ Acosta said.

Acosta, Cruz and Amaia Land Vice President Aris C. Gonzales signed the agreement, with Aliling and Ayala Land President and CEO Meean B. Dy serving as witnesses. Also present were Pag-IBIG Fund Deputy Chief Executive Officers Alexander Hilario G. Aguilar, Robert John S. Cosico, Benjamin R. Felix Jr. and Marcial C. Pimentel, along with other senior officers.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara commended the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following its decision to remove the expiration period for service credits earned by public school teachers serving as the frontliners of the country’s democratic process.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 11212-A, teachers may now claim and utilize their earned service credits at any time following their poll duties, repealing the previous rule that required credits to be availed of within three months.

‘Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga guro. Hindi biro ang magsilbi sa halalan-dinaranas nila ang matinding puyat, pagod, at minsan pa’y panganib, para lang maprotektahan ang boto ng bawat Pilipino…Kaya naman nararapat lamang na hindi natin ipagkait o limitahan ng strict deadlines ang kanilang karapat-dapat na pahinga at benepisyo. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Comelec sa mabilis na pagdinig sa ating pakiusap at sa pagkilala sa sakripisyo ng ating mga guro,’ Angara said, as he thanked the poll body for responding swiftly to the concerns raised by educators, such as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), regarding the need for flexible leave entitlements.

Around 600,000 public school teachers serve as electoral board members and support personnel in every election.

The new guidelines cover services rendered in National and Local Elections (NLE), Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), as well as special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recall elections.

DepEd reiterated its commitment to working alongside Comelec and other government bodies to safeguard the welfare, allowances, and rights of public school teachers during national and local electoral exercises.