Category: Business Mirror

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.

THE Kampihan ng Maralita at Manggagawa (Kamanggagawa) Party-list group and several other labor groups on Wednesday filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the orders issued by the Regional Trial Court in Pasig City enjoining the implementation of the P85 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

The petition, likewise, sought to stop the RTC in Navotas City from hearing another application for issuance of a status quo ante order filed by the Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations Inc. (APFF)

Likewise, the petitioners asked the SC to issue an order guiding the lower courts to outrightly reject and dismiss petitions against wage orders to prevent the proliferation of similar cases.

The petition stemmed from the status quo ante order issued by the Executive Judge of the RTC in Pasig dated July 23, 2026 and the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by Pasig RTC Branch 152 dated July 30, 2026 stopping the implementation of the P85 minimum wage hike approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Metro Manila in two tranches.

The first amounting to P60 took effect on July 25 and the remaining P25 will take effect on January 20, 2027.

The SQAO and TRO were issued in response to a petition filed by construction companies Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc.

Also assailed in the petition is the order issued by the Navotas RTC on August 3, 2026 setting APFF’s application for SQAO for clarificatory hearing.

The petitioners argued that any order from the lower court enjoining a wage order is prohibited under Article 123 of the Labor Code.

The said provision mandates that any party aggrieved by the wage order by the regional board may file an appeal before the commission within 10 days which will be decided within 60 days

Furthermore, the petitioners said the trial courts are prohibited from issuing TROs or any injunctive relief against wage order under Article 126 of the Labor Code which states: ‘No preliminary or permanent injunction or temporary restraining order may be issued by any court, tribunal or other entity against any proceedings before the Commission or the Regional Boards.’

‘The issue of the propriety of the determination of minimum wage is likewise akin to a political question. The lower courts do not have the power to settle questions regarding the ratio and wisdom behind a Wage Order,’ the petitioners said.

‘The respondent lower courts and judges have arrogated upon themselves the settlement of an issue beyond their mandates. They neither have the authority nor the necessary knowledge, expertise and experience to ascertain the propriety and wisdom of Wage Orders,’ they added.

The petitioners added that wage orders are social protection measures mandated by the Constitution.

‘Courts must exercise extreme caution and yield to social justice mandates rather than issuing ex-parte or interlocutory stays against wage increases,’ the petition stated.

The petitioners also pleaded to the SC to decide on the merits of the petition even if the issues they raise become moot and academic.

Joining Kamanggagawa Party-List group as petitioners are the Workers and Peasants Party of the Philippines (WPP), Uni Global Union – Philippine Liaison Council (Uni-PLC), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), National Federation of Labor (NFL), Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro), Unified Filipino Service Workers (UFSW), Partido Manggagawa (PM), and the Council of Teachers and Employees in Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (Coescup).

THE death toll of the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and the southwest monsoon has climbed, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reporting 21 and the National Police (PNP), 26.

As of 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the NDRRMC casualty count included 14 injured and one missing.

Most of the victims were from Benguet province due to a landslide. The latest two fatalities in Atok, Benguet, were confirmed following the retrieval of their bodies. In Baguio City, the death toll also climbed to 10; three in Rizal, and three in Batangas, the agency reported.

Meanwhile, the number of affected persons continued to grow, with the NDRRMC receiving reports of the effects of the inclement weather from various regions in Luzon.

So far, the NDRRMC said 909,133 families or a total of 3.14 million people were affected in Regions I, II, III, V, VI, IX, Calabarzon, CAR, NCR and Mimaropa.

A total of 22,893 families or 80,442 people remain in 881 different evacuation centers.

Floods and landslides induced by days of nonstop rains have also destroyed a total of 972 houses, as well as P2.1 billion worth of public and private infrastructure. Close to P200 million worth of crops were lost.

The NDRRMC said that P342,103,574 worth of assistance was provided to affected families. The weather bureau reported improved weather conditions on Wenesday, with Occidental Mindoro forecast to receive 50 to 100 mm of rain until Thursday.

Post-disaster efforts

THE PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., meanwhile, announced that the force has stepped up post-disaster recovery efforts as communities start to repair the damage caused by tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

In line with this, Nartatez said he has directed police units in affected areas to maintain heightened visibility and work closely with local governments as they begin restoring normal community activities.

‘Our responsibility does not end with search and rescue operations. We will remain engaged in the recovery phase by maintaining security, supporting relief efforts, and helping communities recover from the effects of the disaster,’ Nartatez said.

With less than three weeks to go before its opening, the 20th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2026) has completed preparations and is ready to welcome its largest edition since its inception in 2005.

Marking two decades of growth and development, ITE HCMC 2026 will not only be the Expo’s largest edition to date, but will also reaffirm its position as one of Vietnam’s leading platforms for international tourism trade promotion and cooperation, supporting the country’s global integration, destination promotion and the continued elevation of Vietnam’s tourism profile on the international stage.

Taking place from 27-29 August 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, under the theme ‘Vibrant Connections – Global Destinations,’ ITE HCMC 2026 is organized under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. The Expo is jointly organized by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, with the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, C.I.S Vietnam Advertising and Exhibition Joint Stock Company, and relevant agencies and organizations directly involved in its implementation.

For its 20th edition, ITE HCMC 2026 is expected to bring together more than 520 exhibitors and brands, 34 provinces and cities, 260 high-level international buyers from more than 40 countries and territories, approximately 600 international delegates, 50 high-level delegations, more than 21,000 pre-scheduled B2B appointments, around 30,000 visitors, and 60 international media outlets.

20 YEARS OF ADVANCING THE GROWTH OF HO CHI MINH CITY AND VIETNAM

First held in 2005, ITE HCMC has evolved from a regional trade event into one of Vietnam’s leading platforms for international tourism trade promotion. Over the past 20 years, the Expo has brought together government agencies, localities, tourism businesses and international partners, contributing to the promotion of Vietnam’s image, strengthening inter-regional connectivity, expanding international cooperation and creating new momentum for tourism growth.

Beyond its expanding scale, ITE HCMC has generated tangible opportunities for collaboration, catalyzing new tourism linkages and products, cooperation agreements, and investment opportunities, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism industry.

A notable milestone in the development of ITE HCMC 2026 is its strong implementation of the policy of mobilizing social resources and leveraging the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in event organization. In line with this direction, the Expo has strengthened engagement with and mobilized support from businesses, airlines, organizations, and partners both domestically and internationally. These partnerships have provided additional resources for the organization of the Expo while enhancing the quality of B2B networking, international buyer hosting and professional programs.

The collective support of the business community not only contributes to the success of ITE HCMC 2026, but also demonstrates the Expo’s broader role in connecting and mobilizing resources across society, while driving the development of tourism in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.

The 20th-anniversary milestone also marks the most significant expansion in the Expo’s history. During its initial period from 2005 to 2010, ITE HCMC brought together approximately 210 exhibitors and brands, 120 international buyers from 18 countries and territories, and more than 3,200 B2B appointments. By 2026, the Expo is expected to welcome more than 520 exhibitors and brands, 260 international buyers from more than 40 countries and territories, and over 21,000 pre-scheduled B2B appointments.

Notably, the number of B2B appointments has increased by more than eightfold compared with the Expo’s early years, underscoring the growing appeal and effectiveness of ITE HCMC as a business networking platform for the domestic and international tourism community.

One of the defining strengths of ITE HCMC over the past two decades lies not only in its scale, but also in its Hosted Buyers Programme – a professional tourism trade promotion initiative that remains the only program of its kind in Vietnam to systematically select, invite and host qualified international tourism buyers with genuine business needs and the potential to generate commercial transactions beyond the Expo.

In 2026, the Hosted Buyers Programme is expected to bring together 260 high-level international buyers from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America and Oceania. They represent leading global tourism groups, companies and organizations, including TUI Group, DERTOUR, Travco Corporation, American Express Global Business Travel (AMEX GBT), Flight Centre Travel Group, Thomas Cook, Trip.com Group, Education First (EF), Luxury Escapes, DidaTravel, FCM Travel India, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Ignite Travel Group, Goway, Remote Lands, Collette, BCD Meetings and Events, HelmsBriscoe, Fora Travel, Travel Edge, MCI Group, and more.

To maximize the effectiveness of business networking, the Organizing Committee has completed the international buyer selection process and pre-scheduled appointments across the full business connection program, including:

? Buyers – Sellers Speed Dating – taking place on the morning of 26 August 2026, ahead of the Opening Ceremony. The session provides international buyers and exhibitors with an opportunity to quickly identify potential partners and establish initial connections before entering the official business meetings.

? B2B Business Matching – taking place on 27 and 28 August 2026, with more than 21,000 B2B appointments pre-scheduled based on each business’s product portfolio, target markets and specific partnership needs.

? Pre- and Post-Tours – destination familiarization programs for international buyers and media before and after the Expo, providing destinations with opportunities to showcase their tourism products, services and attractions directly to international partners through first-hand experiences.

THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE EXHIBITION ECOSYSTEM TO DATE

Entering its 20th edition, ITE HCMC 2026 brings together the most comprehensive and diverse tourism ecosystem in the Expo’s history, featuring more than 520 exhibitors and brands, alongside the participation of leading National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) such as the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), as well as tourism promotion agencies from Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation), Nicaragua, and numerous other international partners.

The Expo also brings together 34 provinces and cities across Vietnam, alongside leading companies from the travel, accommodation, aviation, transportation and travel technology sectors.

More than an exhibition space, ITE HCMC 2026 serves as a comprehensive tourism trade platform, providing businesses with opportunities to showcase their products, connect with potential partners, gain insights into emerging tourism trends and expand international cooperation.

ITE HCMC 2026 – MORE THAN AN EXPO: A PLATFORM FOR REGIONAL TOURISM COOPERATION AND POLICY DIALOGUE

Going beyond its role as a tourism trade promotion event, ITE HCMC 2026 continues to strengthen its position as an influential regional platform for tourism cooperation, policy dialogue and knowledge exchange across the Asia-Pacific.

The concurrent organization of high-level diplomatic engagements, a series of industry forums and business networking programs creates a unique space where policy-making, trade promotion and innovation converge – a distinctive value proposition that few tourism trade events in the region can offer.

By bringing together government leaders, tourism authorities, industry players, international buyers, global organizations and other stakeholders, ITE HCMC 2026 provides a platform not only to connect businesses and destinations, but also to exchange perspectives, explore emerging opportunities and shape the future of tourism cooperation in the region.

TOURISM DIPLOMACY: THREE SUBREGIONAL MEETINGS OF TOURISM MINISTERS CONVERGE IN HO CHI MINH CITY

A major highlight of ITE HCMC 2026 is Ho Chi Minh City’s simultaneous hosting of three Tourism Ministers’ Meetings of Mekong subregional cooperation frameworks, further reaffirming the city’s role as a regional hub for tourism cooperation and connectivity, and as a meeting point between government-to-government diplomacy and tourism trade promotion.

The high-level meetings taking place in conjunction with the Expo include:

? 1st Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (afternoon of 26 August 2026): The inaugural Tourism Ministers’ Meeting under the CLV cooperation framework will focus on directions for strengthening tourism linkages, developing joint tourism products and promoting visitor exchanges among the three countries, followed by a press conference to announce the outcomes of the Meeting.

? 7th Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (afternoon of 27 August 2026): The Meeting will discuss initiatives to strengthen tourism cooperation within the ACMECS framework, enhance destination connectivity and promote sustainable tourism development, followed by a press conference

? 8th Cambodia – Laos – Myanmar – Viet Nam (CLMV) Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (afternoon of 27 August 2026): The Meeting will review progress in tourism cooperation and identify strategic directions for tourism development across the subregion in the next phase, followed by a press conference.

? Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOMs) (26 August 2026) and Working Group Meetings (25 August 2026): These meetings will prepare key content, draft documents and cooperation initiatives for consideration at the three Tourism Ministers’ Meetings.

A SERIES OF INDUSTRY FORUMS AND CONFERENCES: FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO DESTINATION BRANDING

Alongside its high-level diplomatic engagements, ITE HCMC 2026 will bring together a distinguished lineup of international organizations, including UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), as well as global corporations and partners such as Google, Mastercard, EuroCham and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), alongside leading international research and consulting organizations.

On 27 and 28 August 2026, the Expo will dedicate the Exhibition Hall Stage and the 2nd-Floor Conference Room to a comprehensive program of bilingual Vietnamese-English forums, conferences and panel discussions, open to tourism businesses, government agencies, researchers, content creators and the media.

27 August 2026

? High-Level Tourism Forum – under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of MICE Tourism: Innovation, Sustainability and Global Connectivity.’ The Forum will bring together leaders from the Government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, alongside representatives from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Mastercard and Google.

? Vietnam Destination Branding Development Forum 2026 – featuring three panel discussions exploring the shift from destination promotion to destination brand management, the factors shaping destination perceptions in a changing environment, and performance measurement for destination brand development. Speakers will include representatives from MMGY Global, QUO and The Outbox Company.

? EuroCham Conference – under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of Tourism: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Medical Tourism and Sustainable Development.’ The conference will explore three key topics: the application of AI in MICE tourism, medical tourism, and sustainable development linked to international visitor markets.

28 August 2026

? Google Session – under the theme ‘The Future of Travel: Driving Growth with New Google Solutions.’ The session will explore the traveler journey in the age of AI, the role of YouTube in inspiring travel, and practical guidance on applying digital tools to tourism.

? Tourism Technology Investment and Startup Connection Day – bringing together a delegation of 11 Korean startups, introduced by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and CNTTECH, alongside investment funds and partners from the Startup World Cup ecosystem.

? TED x Ho Chi Minh City 2026 – under the theme ‘Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City,’ featuring two content sessions focused on Cultural Stories and Innovation and Sustainable Tourism Development, with speakers from Vietnam and around the world.

In parallel, destinations, businesses and tourism promotion organizations will host a wide range of thematic workshops, destination presentations and networking activities throughout the Expo.

A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES AND GUESTS

To strengthen connections, showcase Vietnam as a destination and facilitate engagement among international delegations, the Organizing Committee will host a series of accompanying activities, including:

Welcome Hosted Buyers and Hosted Media (evening of 25 August 2026) – marking the beginning of ITE HCMC 2026’s networking activities and welcoming international buyers and media representatives.

Vietnam Night (evening of 26 August 2026) – showcasing the richness of Vietnamese culture through an artistic program and networking experience for international delegations, buyers and media.

ITE HCMC 2026 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (morning of 27 August 2026) – taking place at the Exhibition Hall Stage, followed by an exhibition tour for leaders, delegates and invited guests.

ITE HCMC 2026 Destination Briefing for Hosted Buyers and Hosted Media (evening of 27 August 2026) – combined with the LoaLoa Show Culture and Dining Show, offering an immersive cultural and culinary experience inspired by stories of Vietnamese destinations.

Thank You Party (evening of 28 August 2026) – concluding the main official program with a tribute to partners, sponsors and supporting organizations.

Alongside the series of high-level meetings, the Organizing Committee will also organize Post-show Tour for Hosted Buyers and Hosted Media on 28 and 29 August 2026 for international delegations, providing opportunities to showcase distinctive tourism products and the development potential of Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations across Vietnam.

A PUBLIC-FACING EXPERIENCE: THREE DAYS OF TOURISM AND CULTURE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

More than an event for the tourism industry, ITE HCMC 2026 will expand its public-facing experience, transforming the Expo into a major three-day tourism and cultural celebration running from the afternoon of 27 August through 29 August 2026.

Visitors will have the opportunity to discover new destinations, tourism products and services, alongside travel promotion campaigns, special offers, OCOP products and local specialties presented by destinations and businesses from across Vietnam.

The public program will also feature artistic performances, cultural exchanges, culinary experiences and a wide range of interactive activities. This open and vibrant space will not only offer diverse experiences for residents and visitors, but also enable businesses to strengthen brand visibility, engage directly with consumers, stimulate tourism spending and contribute to driving travel demand.

A LARGE-SCALE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGN

Marking its 20-year journey, ITE HCMC 2026 not only reflects on two decades of growth, but also opens the door to a new phase of tourism development. With its largest-ever scale, a high-quality Hosted Buyers Programme, a series of regional Tourism Ministers’ Meetings, a diverse program of industry forums, and a comprehensive tourism business ecosystem, the Expo continues to strengthen its role as a leading platform for international tourism trade promotion and cooperation in Vietnam.

The Organizing Committee is implementing an integrated communications campaign before, during and after the Expo to promote ITE HCMC 2026 and Vietnam tourism across key international markets, while maximizing the media and promotional value for participating destinations and businesses.

A key component of the campaign is the International Media Programme, expected to welcome approximately 60 international media outlets, specialized trade publications, content creators, KOLs and digital media platforms from multiple countries, complemented by a comprehensive digital communications campaign across domestic and international channels.

Through this multi-platform communications network, ITE HCMC 2026 will amplify the visibility of Vietnam’s destinations, tourism brands and products, while creating greater opportunities for tourism trade promotion, international cooperation and destination marketing. The campaign will also contribute to strengthening the Expo’s profile and influence as a leading international tourism trade platform in the region.

‘VIBRANT CONNECTIONS – GLOBAL DESTINATIONS’: FROM VISION TO ACTION

Commenting on the program of activities for the 20th edition of the Expo, Mr. Pham Huy Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said:

‘The 20th anniversary of ITE HCMC 2026 is not simply a milestone in time; it also reflects the Expo’s growing maturity in terms of scale, quality and standing. Over the three days of the event, Ho Chi Minh City is honored to host the Tourism Ministers’ Meetings of Mekong subregional cooperation frameworks, while also bringing together a series of thematic forums addressing the trends shaping the future of tourism, including artificial intelligence (AI), destination brand management, medical tourism and tourism technology startups.

In implementing the direction of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to strengthen the mobilization of social resources for the city’s events, the Department of Tourism has taken a leading role in proactively coordinating and mobilizing strategic support from airlines, businesses and organizations both domestically and internationally. The commitment of our partners has contributed additional resources for transportation, accommodation, destination familiarization tours and the organization of professional programs, thereby enhancing the overall quality of ITE HCMC and further demonstrating the effectiveness of the public-private partnership model in advancing tourism development. This is also a practical solution contributing to the city’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth in the coming period.

We are also committed to bringing the Expo closer to the public. A tourism promotion event can only be truly meaningful when the value it creates reaches the wider community – from business and partnership opportunities for the industry to cultural experiences, travel incentives and special offers for residents and visitors. This is also how we are building a ‘Global Destination’: a destination that is not only recognized by international friends, but also one that its people can take pride in, actively participate in and benefit from the growth of tourism.’

CO-CREATING A NEW CHAPTER FOR VIETNAM’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Marking its 20-year journey, ITE HCMC 2026 not only reflects on two decades of growth, but also opens the door to a new phase of tourism development. With its largest-ever scale, a high-quality Hosted Buyers Programme, a series of regional Tourism Ministers’ Meetings, a diverse program of industry forums, and a comprehensive tourism business ecosystem, the Expo continues to strengthen its role as a leading platform for international tourism trade promotion and cooperation in Vietnam.

The Organizing Committee warmly welcomes national tourism organizations, destinations, tourism associations, businesses and partners from Vietnam and around the world to connect markets, expand partnerships and co-create new value for the future of Vietnam’s tourism industry.

ADVINTEL Inc. announced last Tuesday of having entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aiming to expand access to formal financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The agreement, signed on August 6, ‘provides the foundation for launching ‘SME Trust,” read the company’s statement.

It explained that ‘SME Trust’ is a credit-profile registry that integrates digital identity verification, credit data systems, cybersecurity, and electronic KYC technologies into the DTI’s network of over 1,400 ‘Negosyo’ centers.

Trade Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona was quoted in the statement as saying ‘SME Trust’ is expected ‘to ensure that businesses in rural communities enjoy the same digital visibility as those in urban centers.’

FOURTEEN years after cityhood, the fast-growing City of Cabuyao is investing in people as much as infrastructure. Home to thousands of registered businesses and major industrial locators, Cabuyao faces the challenge of turning commercial activity into opportunities that reach its growing urban population.

For Mayor Dennis Felipe C. Hain, that means looking beyond the factories, roads and investments that have transformed Cabuyao’s landscape in recent years.

Cityhood must also be felt when a family seeks help during an emergency, when a student struggles to remain in school, or when a resident looks for work or tries to start a business.

‘Bagong Cabuyao is not merely a slogan,’ Hain said in a recent interview. ‘It is a commitment to every Cabuyeño family to provide faster, orderly and honest service.’

Cabuyao became a component city of Laguna on August 4, 2012, following the passage of Republic Act 10163 and the ratification of its cityhood. With 365,202 residents across 18 barangays, Cabuyao is now the country’s only component city whose population is classified as entirely urban. That distinction reflects both the scale of its transformation and the pressure it faces to expand public services alongside economic activity.

That urban growth has widened Cabuyao’s economic opportunities, but it has also increased demand for hospitals, classrooms, employment, and social services.

A city shaped by its people

As the city marks its 14th cityhood anniversary, the local government is using the celebration to highlight not only Cabuyao’s progress but also the participation of residents, businesses, and communities in its continuing development.

The anniversary activities included a taxpayers’ night, tournaments at the newly renovated badminton and pickleball courts, a bike fun ride, and a fun run that attracted around 4,000 participants.

A photography competition and exhibit, along with the HAIN sa Nayon Cooking Fest, also showcased local creativity and community talent.

Beyond the celebrations, Hain’s response to the demands of urban growth has been to combine direct public spending with partnerships involving private providers, national government agencies and educational institutions.

The approach starts with helping residents overcome immediate difficulties. It then seeks to give them the education, skills, and livelihood opportunities needed to participate in the city’s economy.

Bringing government closer

For Hain, the first test of public service comes when residents turn to government during an emergency.

A family seeking medical assistance may already be worried about a patient and the cost of treatment. Yet it may still have to secure certifications, identify the appropriate program, and approach several offices before receiving help. Other residents face similar difficulties when dealing with a death in the family, sudden unemployment or damage caused by natural calamities.

This was the problem Cabuyao sought to address through its HAIN Centers.

‘We brought the offices together in one place so people would no longer have to go back and forth,’ Hain said. ‘When they arrive, someone should immediately respond to their needs.’

The HAIN (Help and Assistance for Individuals in Need) Center, located near City Hall, serves as the broader one-stop shop. It facilitates medical certifications and referrals, as well as assistance for medicines, burial expenses, unemployment and calamity-related needs.

Instead of requiring residents to determine which office should handle their case, the center consolidates assistance and referrals in one location.

The HAIN Center inside Cabuyao City Hospital focuses on patients whose PhilHealth benefits and personal resources are insufficient to cover their medical expenses.

After evaluation and approval, the LGU may shoulder the remaining medical expenses of qualified patients.

Chief of Staff Richard C. Hain oversees the coordination and processing of requests coursed through the hospital-based center.

The help and health assistance centers respond to different circumstances, but both are part of the same HAIN assistance framework.

They were designed around the idea that residents should not have to understand the full government bureaucracy before they can receive help.

Protecting families through healthcare

Mayor Hain also views healthcare as part of the city’s economic development. An illness can keep a worker from earning, force a student to leave school and consume money intended for food, education, or a family business.

‘Health is wealth,’ he said. ‘Whether you are rich or poor, everything else loses its value if your health is not in order.’

Making financial assistance easier to obtain, however, addresses only one part of the problem. The treatment itself must also be available without exhausting either the patient’s finances or the LGU’s resources.

For Cabuyao City Hospital Chief Gregorio Fabros, this is where partnerships become important.

‘You are always limited by the budget. How can you provide the service if you do not have the money?’ Fabros said.

He cited Cabuyao’s dialysis program, which operates through a public-private partnership.

According to Fabros, the private partner provides the service, while PhilHealth covers qualified treatments, laboratory procedures, and consumables.

The center has operated since 2021 and has 19 dialysis machines. It currently serves around 107 regular patients over three shifts. Those who medically require dialysis three times a week may receive covered sessions throughout the year.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the facility also accepted infected dialysis patients from different parts of Calabarzon. The Department of Health later provided around P10 million in assistance after the center took on these cases.

With the existing schedule already full, Cabuyao is considering opening a second dialysis center.

The arrangement illustrates how the city tries to make its resources go further.

The LGU provides funding where necessary, but it also taps PhilHealth, private expertise and national government support instead of financing every part of a service on its own. Sustaining such arrangements requires both adequate resources and a continuing commitment from the city government.

Investing in people

While healthcare helps prevent illness from pushing a family further behind, education, in the mayor’s view, gives that family a way to move forward.

Through the Iskolar ng Bagong Cabuyao program, the city has expanded assistance to students from different circumstances.

The scholarship program was initially limited to academic achievers. Its eligibility criteria have since been expanded to include solo parents attending college, children of solo parents, students with disabilities, and children of persons with disabilities.

Scholarship support has also been extended to students who excel in sports, while the city plans to include young people with talent in music, arts, and other fields in the near future.

The wider coverage recognizes that students do not all begin from the same position. A solo parent may have to balance school with raising a child. A student with a disability may face additional healthcare, transportation and accessibility expenses.

‘Education is an investment that does not lose its value,’ Mayor Hain said. ‘The success of a place depends on proper education.’

Chief of Staff Hain also noted that a student’s future can be interrupted not by a lack of ability but by a family’s difficulty in paying for transportation, school supplies and other expenses.

‘A student should not be forced to give up his or her dreams simply because the family cannot afford tuition, transportation, school supplies or other expenses,’ he said.

Scholarships must therefore follow clear qualifications and proper evaluation. Academic performance matters, but financial need, perseverance, family circumstances and talent should also be considered.

‘Every student who finishes college has the chance to improve the life of an entire family,’ the Chief of Staff added.

The expanded scholarship program served an estimated 5,000 beneficiaries in 2025 and is targeting as many as 10,000 in 2026. Supporting more students has also required Cabuyao to expand the physical space available for learning.

At Pamantasan ng Cabuyao, the addition of Bagong Cabuyao Hall has expanded the facilities of the locally funded university. Mayor Hain said the number of students enrolled there has nearly doubled since he took office in 2022.

At Marinig National High School, meanwhile, a classroom shortage previously required students to report in two shifts. As part of the cityhood anniversary activities, Cabuyao opened a new building with 28 classrooms.

City officials said the additional space now allows students to attend under the same schedule. The local government is also studying the installation of solar panels to reduce the building’s recurring electricity costs.

Not every student, however, will follow a university path. Cabuyao also wants technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to remain accessible even though the city does not operate an institute of its own.

Rather than wait until it could build one, Mayor Hain said the city has partnered with more than 30 schools and training institutions in Laguna and Metro Manila.

Cabuyeño TVET scholars enroll in courses offered by these institutions, while the city provides transportation from Cabuyao to their training schools and back.

The partnerships allow students to use facilities and pursue programs that are not yet available locally. They also help Cabuyao align training with the skills required by industries operating in and around the city.

Where Cabuyao lacks the facility, it finds an institution that already has it. The city then tries to remove the next practical barrier by helping students reach the school.

Connecting talent with opportunity

Cabuyao’s economic agenda seeks to create an environment where businesses can invest, expand and generate employment. As of July 2026, the city had 5,664 registered businesses. It is also home to more than 30 companies within the Light Industry and Science Park, apart from other industrial locators operating across the city. For 2026, the city expects to generate P1.022 billion in locally sourced revenues.

Beyond attracting investments, the city aims to connect prepared workers with companies seeking employees while giving residents room to build businesses of their own. For qualified microenterprises, the city has waived the mayor’s permit fee. The measure is intended to encourage sari-sari stores, food sellers, online merchants, repair shops, and home-based entrepreneurs to formalize their operations.

A permit fee may be a minor expense for a large company. For a microentrepreneur, however, the same amount could already be used to purchase products, ingredients or tools.

‘Many of them lack access, information and the capacity to pay. This limits the opportunities available to them, and that is what we want to address,’ Mayor Hain said.

Chief of Staff Hain also stressed that waiving the permit fee does not relax the rules governing businesses.

Qualified microenterprises must still comply with health, sanitation, fire-safety, zoning and consumer-protection requirements. The city is reducing the financial burden of registration while retaining standards intended to protect the public.

‘In the long term, this measure can help small businesses grow, create jobs, and contribute more to the local economy. A small business today may become a larger employer and taxpayer in the future,’ he added.

Broadening participation in the local economy, however, is not limited to microenterprises. Cabuyao is also seeking to make its processes easier for larger companies that can bring capital and employment into the city.

Mayor Hain said the city wants to accelerate permit processing while ensuring that requirements remain transparent, predictable and consistently applied.

At the same time, Cabuyao is aligning its university and technical-vocational programs with the skills industries require.

The relationship works both ways. Companies need qualified workers to operate and expand, while residents need a clear path toward the jobs being created within their city.

Those who choose self-employment likewise need the skills and business environment that will allow a small enterprise to survive and eventually grow.

‘We need to match what our schools produce with the requirements of investors and industries so that our graduates have jobs waiting for them,’ Mayor Hain said.

New infrastructure is expected to deepen these connections. The Laguna Lakeshore Road Network includes connecting roads and interchanges in Cabuyao and is designed to improve mobility between Metro Manila and Laguna. Construction of the North-South Commuter Railway is also underway. Once operational, its southern section is expected to strengthen Cabuyao’s connectivity with Metro Manila and other parts of Laguna.

The city is also rehabilitating and widening local roads, opening access routes to ease congestion, and strengthening flood control, traffic management and waste management in preparation for further urban growth.

Taken together, these efforts seek to create a reinforcing cycle. New investments generate employment and expand the city’s resources. Education, training and public services equip residents to fill those jobs or establish businesses.

A healthier and better-trained population, in turn, strengthens Cabuyao’s ability to attract and retain investors.

The challenge for Cabuyao, as with other fast-growing Philippine cities, is to ensure that investments do not remain confined to business districts or economic reports. They must translate into jobs, incomes, and opportunities that reach households.

‘By 2031 or 2032, Cabuyao will look very different,’ Mayor Hain said. ‘That is what we are preparing for.’

New roads, railways and investments may change Cabuyao’s physical landscape. But the city’s success will ultimately be measured by whether those changes create better lives for the people who call it home. Fourteen years after cityhood, that is the promise behind Cabuyao’s ambition to become the place to be.

DREO, one of the fastest-growing home comfort and lifestyle appliance brands globally, officially launches in the Philippines through ACE Home Solutions Store, introducing a new generation of innovative cooling and air comfort solutions designed for today’s modern homes.

The launch event, held at ACE Home Solutions Store M Makati, features an intimate podcast-style conversation featuring Juancho Trivino with wife Joyce Pring and DREO executives to discuss how comfort, design, and smart technology are shaping contemporary Filipino lifestyles.

In partnership with OUR HOME, the event venue will be transformed into a welcoming living room environment showcasing how DREO products seamlessly integrate into modern homes while delivering superior performance and comfort.

Founded in the United States in 2021, DREO has rapidly grown into a global home comfort brand, shipping more than 20 million units worldwide, operating in over 23 global markets, and appearing in more than 26,000 retail locations globally.

DREO is particularly known for pioneering technologies such as HyperSilent, TurboPoly Air Circulation, TurboWind Airflow, and intelligent airflow solutions that deliver powerful performance while maintaining exceptional energy efficiency and low noise levels.

The Philippine launch highlights several of DREO’s most exciting home comfort categories, including air circulator fans, humidifiers, misting fans, and other smart home innovations that support healthier, more comfortable living environments.

To celebrate the launch, ACE Home Solutions Store had the ACE x DREO Selfie Challenge in-store promotional activity from August 8 to 10, giving shoppers a chance to win exclusive DREO products simply by taking a selfie at the display area and posting it on social media while tagging ACE Home Solutions Store.

With its combination of cutting-edge technology, thoughtful design, and accessible innovation, DREO aims to redefine everyday comfort and help Filipino consumers create homes that feel better, every day.

Visit ACE Hardware Philippines on Facebook, @acehardware_ph on Instagram and ACE Hardware PH on Youtube to watch the podcast episode.

August 11, 2026 – OMODA and JAECOO Philippines reinforces its commitment to nationwide accessibility with the opening of two new dealerships in Davao City and Cebu City, in partnership with MG Gateway South Corp., expanding the footprint of OMODA and JAECOO in Visayas and Mindanao. The new facilities provide customers with full sales and after-sales services-from vehicle inquiries and test drives to ongoing maintenance support. This dual inauguration marks another milestone in the brand’s ongoing nationwide expansion, strengthening its ability to serve Filipino motorists with smarter, more accessible, and technology-led mobility.

Meanwhile, the inauguration of the OMODA and JAECOO Davao Matina dealership was attended by representatives from various financial institutions, together with representatives from OMODA and JAECOO Philippines.

With a rapidly expanding dealership network, a growing portfolio of electrified vehicles, and continued innovation in intelligent mobility through initiatives, from the AIMOGA humanoid robot to its Smart Cockpit technology released in Indonesia, OMODA and JAECOO Philippines is bringing smarter, more accessible, and technology-driven mobility closer to Filipino drivers across the country. More than just new vehicles and showrooms, these efforts translate into a seamless ownership experience-from intelligent in-car features to reliable after-sales support-ensuring that Filipino drivers can embrace the future of mobility with confidence and ease.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday said the police force has committed to beefing up security measures in 108 areas tagged by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as ‘areas of concern’ for the first-ever parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) scheduled this coming Sept. 14.

‘Ensuring the peaceful elections in BARMM is a continuing process. Security measures are in place, but regular monitoring and real-time adjustments are being done based on the situation on the ground,’ he added.

The classification covers areas facing varying levels of security risks that could affect the conduct of the polls.

Comelec classifies red zones as areas marked by severe risks and previous violent incidents that may warrant increased election oversight, while orange zones are areas confronted with serious armed security challenges.

Yellow zones are areas with a documented history of election-related disturbances, while green zones are considered secure localities with no identified security threats.

Lanao del Sur has the highest number of red zones with 21, followed by Maguindanao del Sur with 11 orange zones. Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan have areas classified from low to high risk, while Tawi-Tawi remains relatively secure and stable.

‘The goal has always been to provide the safest environment for all our kababayan in the area to freely choose their next leaders, and eventually prove that BARMM is way different now compared to what it was known in the past, especially during elections,’ Nartatez stressed.

He also said the PNP will also strengthen coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines as part of its election security preparations.

‘We call on the public to remain alert and vigilant and report to authorities if they find any suspicious individuals or groups that may threaten security,’ he added.

Around 400 candidates are vying for 86 positions in the autonomous region’s first parliamentary elections.

The elections will be held in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and more than 63 barangays in Cotabato classified as special geographic areas.