Category: Business Mirror

The Marcos administration has expanded housing production and financing since taking office, but economists said the government will need to significantly accelerate housing delivery over the next two years if it hopes to make a meaningful dent in the country’s housing shortage.

Data obtained by the BusinessMirror from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) showed the government had produced or financed 575,693 housing units from July 2022 to June 2026.

The figure represents almost 51 percent of the administration’s recalibrated target of 1.13 million housing units by the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term.

Of the total, 81,295 units were delivered through direct housing provision, 368,731 were assisted through government financing programs, while 125,667 units were produced under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

While the government’s accomplishments point to measurable progress in expanding housing supply and financing, Ateneo de Manila University economist Ser K. Peña-Reyes said the pace remains insufficient to substantially reduce the country’s housing shortage.

‘The housing gap remains very large, and significantly higher annual production, together with faster project completion and stronger private-sector participation, will be needed if the government hopes to substantially reduce the backlog within the next several years,’ Peña-Reyes told this newspaper.

Earlier this year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revised the country’s estimated housing need for 2023 to 2028 to 3.7 million housing units, down from the previous estimate of 6.5 million, following the adoption of a new methodology.

Unlike the earlier estimate, the revised methodology distinguishes the country’s housing backlog from its broader housing need. Aside from the existing shortage of homes, the estimate also accounts for projected household formation, housing damaged by disasters, and homes requiring repairs.

Peña-Reyes said the revised estimate should not be interpreted as evidence that the country’s housing problem has dramatically improved.

‘The housing backlog of 3.7 million units through 2028 is an estimate of unmet housing need after accounting for new household formation and other demographic factors, making it a moving target rather than a fixed stock,’ he said.

Based on the government’s reported accomplishments, Peña-Reyes estimated that housing production and financing have averaged roughly 140,000 to 145,000 units annually since July 2022.

While this represents steady progress, he said substantially higher annual output would be needed if the administration hopes to significantly narrow the country’s housing shortage before the end of its term.

Beyond building homes

Even as the government continues to increase housing supply, newly appointed Congress liaison and economist Jose Ma. Clemente ‘Joey’ Salceda said the next phase of the administration’s housing agenda should focus on making homeownership more attainable for Filipino families.

In an online commentary, Salceda said the government has already laid much of the groundwork through the expanded 4PH Program, which now covers not only vertical housing projects but also horizontal developments, lot-only projects, community mortgage arrangements, and rental housing.

‘The first phase of the housing agenda was about producing houses. The next phase should be about producing homebuyers,’ he said.

Salceda said expanding homeownership would allow more Filipino families to build assets and strengthen their long-term financial security.

Salceda proposed simplifying access to housing finance through a unified application system that will cover Pag-IBIG Fund, the Social Security System (SSS), the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), government financial institutions, and accredited private lenders.

He also proposed allowing lenders to consider broader sources of household income, including earnings from spouses, overseas workers, small businesses, and digital work when evaluating borrowers’ repayment capacity.

Other recommendations include allowing qualified first-time homebuyers to temporarily use their Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) savings for down payments, strengthening the secondary mortgage market, expanding financing for pre-owned homes and housing repairs, and providing targeted support to borrowers who can afford monthly amortizations but lack sufficient funds for a down payment.

‘Projects should be measured not only by the number of units completed, but also by occupancy, repayment, travel time, access to services, and the growth of household assets,’ Salceda also said.

Rising risks

However, sustaining or accelerating housing production and financing may become more difficult as developers and the government contend with rising construction costs and global uncertainties.

DHSUD had earlier acknowledged that higher labor costs and geopolitical developments could eventually affect housing prices, although the agency said it is maintaining its housing targets.

Labor accounts for about 30 percent of total housing development costs, meaning wage increases could eventually push up housing prices.

Yap also said tensions in the Middle East could increase transportation and logistics costs, although the extent of the impact would depend on how developers respond to the situation.

Peña-Reyes said the risks extend beyond labor costs. He said higher prices of cement, steel and other construction materials, coupled with rising wages, could increase housing production costs and delay project implementation.

A prolonged conflict in the Middle East could also push global oil prices higher, increasing transportation, logistics and financing costs across the housing sector.

‘The greatest threat to the government’s housing targets is probably not a lack of demand but the interaction of rising costs and implementation bottlenecks,’ Peña-Reyes said.

To help cushion the impact of higher costs on homebuyers, DHSUD said the Pag-IBIG Fund continues to offer subsidized interest rates of 3 percent for socialized housing loans and 4.5 percent for low-cost and economic housing loans.

The state-run fund has also increased the maximum housing loan amount to P10 million.

The agency added that Filipinos affected by the Middle East crisis may also avail themselves of housing loan moratoriums and calamity loan assistance.

Despite these measures, Peña-Reyes said the outlook remains highly dependent on global developments.

‘If another major oil price shock or prolonged geopolitical disruption occurs, the government will likely have to either allocate more resources to housing or accept that fewer units can be delivered within the same budget,’ Peña-Reyes said.

I LEFT off last week’s article with the first round of The Open Championship in the books. Jackson Suber was in the lead, followed by a host of players. Day 2 saw a better round for crowd favourite Rory McIlroy. He followed up his first round +2 with a -3 day two to get to red numbers.

The second day however belonged to two players-Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns. Both proved that great play makes it possible to shoot record scores, with the two scoring -8 62s.

Bryson DeChambeau played another solid round to back-up his opening 67 with another under par round of 66. He finished the second round just shy of the lead…until he was informed of a penalty he was being assessed.

Bryson being Bryson, he wasn’t letting this go without a fight and a whole lot of drama. The penalty stems from his perceived improvement of his lie when his ball went into the deep stuff at hole 5.

While looking at his lie and building a stance, he was deemed to have improved his lie when he trampled on tall grass behind his ball. This improved his swing path, ‘moving’ the tall grass which would have been a hindrance to making a normal backswing. Opinions are mixed but a ruling was made and Bryson really had no choice.

Day 3

ON moving day, it was New Zealand’s Ryan Fox who came out firing. He recorded his own record-tying 62 and shot up the leaderboard. Local darling Tommy Fleetwood plays another solid round and gets near the lead. Sam Burns takes outright lead with steady play, going 4-under in the front nine.

It seems like each day, someone can go low. This shows the depth of the fields in professional golf nowadays. Consistency separates top players from rest but talent-wise, no one is dominating. As a result, everyone knows that with four good rounds, anyone has a chance to win. Gone are the days when top dogs can intimidate whole fields.

Final round

SAM BURNS started at -10, two shots clear of Ryan Fox and Si Woo Kim. The chasing pack made moves early, led by Cam Young shooting a 5-under 29 on Royal Birkdale’s opening nine. As in previous rounds, the course played tough but scoreable. There were a number of record 62s, with frontrunners Burns and Fox both recording their own 62s in previous rounds.

In my opinion, links golf is how the game was really meant to be played. Great rounds are rewarded, while sloppy play gets penalized. The course plays difficult but low scores can still be had. Unlike some US Opens where growing the rough and baking out greens ’til they’re rock hard is supposed to be a source of pride for being the ‘toughest test,’ Open Championships are fairer tests where birdies can be made as are doubles and triples.

I also like how the RandA keeps courses looking natural-brown when dry, green when it’s been raining before Open week. While the perfectly manicured surroundings of Augusta National is great on TV, we all know it’s artificial, like an airbrushed, edited, touched-up version of a golf course. Au naturel Open venues are a refreshing break from picture perfect courses.

But going back to the golf, I think the most difficult thing in golf is keeping a lead. The mentality shifts from trying to score low to managing your round. Instead of attacking, leaders often get defensive, playing ‘commercial’ shots, settling for pars. Sam Burns isn’t new to being in the driver’s seat on the final day of a major.

At the 2025 US Open, he was leading until a bad break and and even worse call from officials caused his round to unravel and gave way to JJ Spaun. This time with the lead at Royal Birkdale, he started with a steady par at the first and a tidy birdie at the second. A good start. But just after back-to-back bogeys on 4 and 5, Burns finds himself not only caught, but replaced by Korean Si Woo Kim at the top.

By the home 9, it was Si Woo Kim on top at 10-under. Just a shot back and at the clubhouse was Cam Young after a 64 even with an unfortunate bogey on his 72nd hole. At another major venue, sitting at the clubhouse one shot back would mean the end of the week. But crazier things have happened at majors and bogeys and worse are scattered all over Royal Birkdale.

As it turned out, that was exactly what happened. After Cameron Young completed his round, Si Woo Kim slowly made mistakes one after the other and lost the lead, and then some. Sam Burns’ efforts just wouldn’t get repaid. Burns wasn’t hitting terrible shots. But his body language didn’t convey confidence or willingness to claw back. He looked dejected most of the day. He would have chances but just couldn’t seem to get over losing the lead early.

Ryan Fox, the gritty Kiwi was the only one left to mount a charge. Fox isn’t one to back down and it showed. After narrowly missing the green on the par 3 14th, his ball ended up by the wall of the greenside pot bunker. With no stance and swing, he had to play sideways and back. With nerves of steel, he managed to save bogey and promptly birdied the 16th to get the lost shot back.

On the par five 17th, tied for the lead, he again had a terrible break when his lay-up iron off the tee again trickled into a fairway bunker preventing him to go for the green. But he still had a makeable birdie that just slipped by. Needing a birdie on the last to win or at least a par to force a playoff, Fox threaded his drive down the narrow landing area and had a great chance to stick his approach shot close.

Burns, just one back of clubhouse leader Cam Young, could still catch him with a birdie at the last. He also made a good drive at the last hole and had a chance to join Young at -9.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

RYAN FOX, the 39 year-old New Zealander, is no stranger to gritty wins all over the world. Even though he’s a latecomer to the PGA Tour, he quickly proved that he belongs by winning at the highest level.

He’s won The BMW at Wentworth, Europe’s top tournament, as well as The Alfred Dunhill Links. On the PGA Tour, he won at Myrtle Beach in 2025 and again at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, both in playoffs.

At last week’s Open Championship, needing a birdie at the last hole to win, Fox never looked flustered. He maintained his quick playing style, as if immune to the magnitude of the occasion. He hit his approach right on line, around 12 feet short.

Without any drama, he lined up his putt and hit the winning stroke, as if he was just practicing at his home club. The putt had the perfect line and just enough legs to reach the hole. And just like that, Ryan Fox wins The Open Championship, only the second one for New Zealand.

With Fox’s win, the 2026 golf majors come to a close. In order, 2026 majors were won by Rory McIlroy, Aaron Rai, Wyndham Clark, and Ryan Fox.

Milkfish fry manual counting in local hatcheries is labor-intensive, inaccurate, inefficient, and consume long hours.

To improve the fry counting process, the M-eye Fry Counter, a technology utilizing machine vision and automation, is being developed through a project being implemented by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-MIRDC).

Although the project is still in the research and development (RandD) phase, the team has designed and developed a working prototype and has already achieved significant accomplishments in providing a non-invasive, highly-accurate, faster, and cost-effective solution for counting milkfish fry.

Every year, the Philippines requires approximately 5 billion milkfish fry.

However, the project noted that existing manual counting methods remain labor-intensive and have limited operational efficiency and technological advancement in hatchery operations.

Imported fry-counting technologies are available, but they are often expensive and lack local technical support.

To address these challenges, DOST-MIRDC is implementing the project, ‘M-Eye Fry Counter: An Innovative Machine Vision-based Precision Fry Counting Solution to Streamline Milkfish Fry Distribution.’

Funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), the project aims to design and develop a machine vision-based milkfish fry counter that will help streamline hatchery operations and improve counting accuracy.

The project has reported significant progress in the development and testing of the automated fry counting system. Through different series of testing, the prototype has achieved an accuracy rate of over 95 percent.

However, further refinements are still ongoing to achieve a better level of accuracy.

The project team said that accuracy evaluations were based on comparisons with manual counting methods, which can often result in errors that can affect the baseline reference used in evaluating system performance.

One of the key improvements observed in the updated versions of the system is the significant reduction in counting time, which demonstrates the M-Eye Fry Counter’s potential to enhance efficiency compared with traditional manual counting methods.

To further validate the reliability of the technology, additional stress tests and experimental trials will be conducted for its field testing.

The team is also exploring opportunities to reduce production costs, particularly through local fabrication and bulk manufacturing.

Despite these developments, the project still remains in the RandD stage. Further field validation across various milkfish-producing areas in the country is necessary to ensure the technology’s effectiveness, reliability, and adaptability under different hatchery conditions.

In line with its objective of automating fry counting, the project team emphasized that the technology is not intended to displace laborers.

Instead, it is expected to enhance operational efficiency by allowing farm workers and operators to focus on other essential hatchery and farm management tasks.

Suddenly, the 1990s are in vogue and making a comeback. Music especially. And the Philippines isn’t lagging behind the return of Oasis, Pulp, and Deftones, among others. The Eraserheads, Wolfgang, and Teeth, to name but a few, have made huge splashes in their return.

And there, too, are those bands from the 90s that, after doing their club circuit, have released their debut albums after some 30 years.

In recent years, we saw shoegaze band Sonnet 58 put out their debut album, Crossing Oceans. And early this 2026, New Wavers Crimson Daze have released their album Burning Cold to celebrate the band’s 30thAnniversary.

The original four-piece band – Jon Malamug on vocals and guitar, Ryan Nachura on guitar and vocals, Raymund Marcelo on bass and vocals, and Nikko Go on drums – played the club circuit (Brannigan’s in Greenhills and Asylum along West Avenue among others) with a mixture of original pieces and New Wave covers.

However, in one of life’s many twists and turns, Marcelo migrated to the United States while Nachura went to Canada, and the band was no more. At least they thought so until 2025, when Marcelo and Jane Vega founded Common Denominator, Inc. (CDI), which was built around the idea of supporting music, culture, and creative communities.

‘Our initial project was Record Rampage, a vinyl and live performance event that we held in Megamall last year,’ related Marcelo.

Among the bands that performed were the Republicats, Karilyo, Sonorik Order, and, in what was supposed to be a one-off reunion, Crimson Daze.

‘But the reunion sparked something in the band as we were well-received,’ shared Marcelo. ‘It is because of that reception and us seeing the growth of vinyl once more in the Philippines that we decided to put out our old songs.’

CDI provided the platform, support, resources, and production to fully realize the old songs and finish old unused ones into an album.’

The old tracks, recorded at Shinji Tanaka’s Sound Creation Studios back in 2005, were pulled out. With the Republicats’ Renmin Nadela producing, the old songs were polished and the new tracks finished at Polysonic Studio last year.

Burning Cold, with its nine tracks under the CDI label, was pressed in the US and released this past January. Despite a limited run of 200 copies, the album has almost sold out.

‘I think that further gave us belief that Crimson Daze has a second life,’ pointed out Marcelo.

The current line-up seems familiar and yet different. The original quartet remain but have added two new members in Melvin Sotto on keyboards and Allan Figueroa on guitars.

And there are plans for more new material and new shows.

‘Sometimes, songs take years to be completed with opportunities arriving later than expected,’ summed up Marcelo. ‘And sometimes, all it takes is one person or a company like CDI to believe in us and bring those songs to life.’

Copies of Crimson Daze’s Burning Cold can be purchased through the Facebook pages of Raymund Marcelo and Jane Vega.

DEFENDING champion Team North heads into the 2026 International Container Terminal Services Inc. Elite Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Finals expects a far tougher challenge from a South squad playing on its home course when the Ryder Cup-style championship unfolds August 17 to 20 at Pueblo Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City.

The event, organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. and which serves as a World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) counting tournament, brings together the top 48 junior golfers from the six-leg Luzon (North) and Visayas-Mindanao (South) series in a battle for regional supremacy.

North claimed a convincing 26 1/2-21 1/2 victory in last year’s inaugural edition at The Country Club in Canlubang after dominating the opening two team formats before finishing the job in singles.

That reinforced the importance of making a fast start, particularly in the Four-ball and Foursomes sessions where momentum can quickly swing an entire match.

This year, however, Team South hopes a familiar Pueblo layout and a roster of talented local standouts will help reverse last year’s result and make the title race considerably tighter.

The youngest competitors are expected to ignite the tournament as North’s Winter Serapio, Jaicee Cervantes, Andrea Dee and Jehanne Mendoza square off against South’s Soleil Molde, Ana Marie Aguilar, Vanya Go and Akeisha Yocte in the girls’ 7-10 category.

The boys’ division promises just as much excitement with South’s Ethan Lago, Stephen Clementer, Lucas Revilleza and Darren Ong taking on North’s Zach Guicio, Zoji Edoc, Kenzo Tan and Kingston Ching.

Another closely contested battle looms in the girls’ 11-14 category, where North’s Cailey Gonzales, Georgina Handog, Mavis Espedido and Quincy Pilac face South’s Marqaela Dy, Brittany Tamayo, Rafella Batican and Zuri Bagaloyos.

The boys’ 11-14 class likewise features some of the country’s brightest young prospects, with North banking on Chan Ahn, Vito Sarines, Javie Bautista and Jacob Casuga against South’s Ken Guillermo, Jared Saban, Ralph Batican and Mico Woo.

Focus will also center on the premier girls’ 15-18 division, where South’s Tashanah Balangauan, Precious Zaragosa, Apple Gotiong and Lois Lane Go seek to outplay North’s Lisa Sarines, Rafa Anciano, Mona Sarines and Kendra Garingalao.

The marquee boys’ division is expected to produce some of the tournament’s most compelling matches as North’s Shinichi Suzuki, Jakob Taruc, Nathan Belandres and Santi Asuncion battle South’s Alexis Nailga, Sebastian Sajuelas, Clement Ordeneza and Roman Tiongko.

THERE is a new foldable in town as Samsung introduces the Galaxy Z Fold8, a wider but shorter version of its flagship foldable Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. There’s been a lot of interest in the Fold8 as BTS member j-hope, a Samsung ambassador, has been spotted holding it.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 brings dual 50MP rear cameras and 10MP front cameras on both displays. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy with a 4,800mAh battery. At just 201 g, Fold8 is Samsung’s lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet.

Samsung created the Galaxy Z Fold8 because the brand believes that different people want different things from their portable devices as AI becomes part of many people’s everyday lives.

When folded, the Z Fold 8’s 10:16 cover screen is comfortable for messaging, social updates, browsing, and short-form video. When unfolded, the 4:3 main display is larger. When rotated, the same display ratio is perfect for reading articles, e-books and long-form content.

Samsung’s Flex Titanium technology is used in the new foldables and this strengthens the durability of the screens and reduces the visibility of the crease on the inner screen. With up to 3,000 nits of brightness, Vision Booster and a low-reflection display finish, the main screen stays vivid and easy to see even in outdoor settings.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, which has the slimmest fold ever, is described as the ‘ultra foldable built for maximum productivity.’ It has a 200-megapixel main camera, a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, and a screen that Samsung says ‘has been engineered from the inside out.’ The camera promises nice and crisp photos and videos. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor exclusive for Galaxy, the Z Fold8 Ultra also has a much larger battery capacity at 5,000 mAh. The foldable has hinge and magnetic optimization to lessen the pressure when you fold and unfold the device. This makes it easier for those with disabilities to use the phone.

Of course, foldables are about multitasking so when unfolded, the Z Fold8 Ultra lets you open three apps at the same time, two side by side on both screens and one at the bottom.

As part of its suite of Galaxy AI features, the new phones will have the proactive Now Nudge, which reminds you of appointments, calls, messages, or meetings that you might have missed or failed to see on your device.

Another new Galaxy AI feature is Gemini Notebooks, which turn photos, recordings, and documents into infographics, meeting minutes, and more.

The new foldables aim to create a more intelligent canvas for creativity with Photo Assist (makes sophisticated edits effortless and seamless), My FanCam (creates social-ready content without manual cropping), and Document Scan (detects edges and captures multiple pages easily).

At 180g with a thinness of 6.1mm, the Galaxy Z Flip8 is the lightest and thinnest Flip handset. It has an Advanced Armor Aluminum frame for durability and refined proportions, so it’s easier to hold and/or put in your pocket.

The new FlexWindow, upgraded Now Brief, and AI-powered automation offer ways to use the Flip8 without having to open it.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra comes in Violet Shadow, Cream, and Graphite with Green Shadow as an online exclusive.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 comes in Lavender, Cream, and Graphite with Pistachio as an online exclusive.

The Galaxy Z Flip8 comes in Pink, Cream, and Graphite with Mint as an online exclusive.

MARKING another step in its commitment to empower the next generation of learners, Globe has activated a new 5G network facility at Miriam College, strengthening mobile connectivity across the campus and supporting a more dynamic digital learning experience for students, faculty, and staff.

As technology continues to transform education, reliable connectivity has become essential to students’ learning, collaboration, research, and resource access. The newly activated facility enhances network coverage and capacity throughout the campus through Globe’s advanced 5G network, helping create a more seamless and productive environment for teaching, learning, and campus operations.

Beyond strengthening digital access, the partnership opens avenues for students to participate in Globe programs designed to build future-ready skills and leadership capabilities. Through initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, digital content creation, volunteerism, internships, and grants, students can gain valuable experiences that complement their academic journey and prepare them for the evolving demands of the digital economy.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners by combining technology, innovation, and meaningful pathways for personal and professional growth.

‘Globe is proud to partner with Miriam College in this important step toward better connectivity and stronger digital support for the campus community,’ said Globe General Manager for Greater Manila Area Melchor Rebutica. ‘By activating this new 5G site, we are helping ensure that students, faculty, and administrators have the reliable connection they need for learning, collaboration, and innovation while also creating possibilities for young people to grow through Globe’s student programs that support skill-building, creativity, and future-ready careers.’

For the college, the initiative reinforces the institution’s commitment to providing students with an environment where technology enhances learning, creativity, and collaboration. The strengthened connectivity will help support academic excellence while enabling learners to take full advantage of moments that prepare them for the future.

‘Miriam College is committed to empowering students to become compassionate leaders and changemakers in an increasingly interconnected world,’ said Miriam College President Dr. Gina Lizares. ‘Through this partnership with Globe, we are strengthening the digital learning experience on campus while creating opportunities that encourage innovation, leadership, and meaningful engagement beyond the classroom.’

By bringing together digital infrastructure and student development initiatives, Globe and Miriam College are helping equip young people with the tools and experiences they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

AUSTRALIA on Wednesday urged countries such as the Philippines to help shape a stable and inclusive Indo-Pacific by strengthening partnerships, upholding international law and resisting the forces of strategic rivalry.

This was Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s reaffirmation of Canberra’s commitment to a rules-based regional order during her visit to Manila for the 59th Asean Foreign Ministerial Meetings.

At a foreign policy address at De La Salle University addressing an audience of diplomats, academics and students, Wong said Canberra sees both countries as ‘middle powers’ with the capacity to influence the region’s future, rather than simply respond to the actions of larger states. She said Australia seeks ‘a balance of power where no country dominates and no country is dominated,’ adding that: ‘We do not want any single power to set the terms around our future.’

Wong described Philippine-Australian relations as being at their ‘most dynamic,’ citing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The partnership spans defense, maritime security, cyber security, trade, investment and development cooperation.

Recalling Marcos Jr.’s reference to the shared values of bayanihan and Australian ‘mateship,’ the foreign minister said both concepts reflect relationships built through effort, shared sacrifice and collective responsibility.

She likewise underscored the importance of Asean centrality at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the ‘Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.’ Wong said the treaty remains a cornerstone of the regional architecture by committing states to mutual respect, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the renunciation of the threat or use of force, and cooperation despite differences in history and national interests.

‘We are not to be defined by rivalry,’ she insisted, while urging countries to invest in partnerships ‘before crisis closes the door to cooperation.’

‘Not turn inward, but invest…’

WARNING that strategic competition has intensified across the Indo-Pacific, Wong said the risk of miscalculation is increasing as military capabilities expand while mechanisms for dialogue struggle to keep pace.

The Australian government official said the changing strategic landscape demands that countries resist the temptation to turn ‘inward and instead invest’ in stronger regional relationships and greater collective resilience.

Affirming Australia’s support for the rules-based international order, Wong described the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award as a landmark decision and reiterated Canberra’s longstanding support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or Unclos. She said Australia has consistently called for compliance with the ruling and stressed that respect for international law remains essential to preserving sovereignty, stability and the peaceful management of disputes.

The foreign minister also expressed concern over recent developments in the region, including China’s military build-up and missile launch, saying such actions underscore the need for greater transparency and clearer strategic intent to reduce the danger of miscalculation. Australia, she said, will continue to voice concerns over destabilizing conduct in the South China Sea while advocating the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law.

‘Aussie beef in bistek and caldereta’

REINFORCING regional maritime security, Wong announced that Australia will provide A$160 million over the next decade to expand maritime cooperation with Southeast Asian partners. The initiative includes enhanced maritime domain awareness, improved maritime governance and strengthened civilian maritime capabilities.

She also announced A$18 million in additional bilateral maritime assistance for the Philippines over four years and A$10 million to support drone technology and operator training for the Philippine Coast Guard.

Beyond security cooperation, Wong linked energy security directly to economic resilience, saying recent conflicts have exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains and underscored the importance of reliable access to fuel, fertilizer and food.

She noted Australia’s role as a major supplier of liquefied natural gas, agricultural products and beef to the region, joking that Australian beef often finds its way into Filipino favorites such as caldereta and bistek.

‘We share the region, we share the future,’ she said, emphasizing that regional prosperity depends on open trade and resilient supply chains.

Shaping the future with AI

WONG also outlined Australia’s efforts to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, including a new artificial intelligence framework designed to capture AI’s economic opportunities while ensuring its safe and responsible use.

She said Australia hopes to work with Asean partners to shape the technology’s future collectively ‘rather than letting [it] shape the future,’ describing digital cooperation as another pillar of regional resilience.

Wong noted that Canberra was Asean’s first dialogue partner and has now been a Comprehensive Strategic Partner for five years. She said Australian ministers have made more than 140 visits to the member countries since the current government took office, while two-way regional trade has reached nearly A$200 billion.

Development cooperation, including the long-running ‘Australia Awards’ scholarship program, remains central to her country’s commitment to helping build stronger institutions and more resilient communities across the region, Wong added.

Australia, she concluded, is prepared to ‘lift and carry our share of the weight’ in addressing regional and global challenges alongside its Southeast Asian partners.

Kia Philippines, a subsidiary of ACMobility, marks a new chapter in sustainable travel with the return of a local automotive icon with the new Kia Sportage. Now in its fifth generation, the Sportage is one of the original pioneers of the compact SUV segment in the Philippines. Today, it evolves to embody the global ‘Kia Movement,’ blending its rich, trusted legacy with cutting-edge innovation, bold design, and eco-conscious technology for a new generation of Filipino drivers.

‘The Kia Sportage has occupied a special place in the hearts of Filipino motorists as a pioneer of the compact SUV segment,’ said Jay Lopez, Managing Director of Kia Philippines. ‘By moving forward with this new generation, we honor the Sportage’s rich heritage with a sustainable hybrid SUV that respects its roots while delivering the premium comfort and bold design modern drivers demand.’

A Legacy of Bold Design, Reborn

The new Kia Sportage pays homage to its history with a sophisticated aesthetic shaped by Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. Up front, the Sportage combines tradition with innovation. The brand’s iconic Tiger Nose Grille, flanked by Kia’s Star-Map Signature LED headlights and projector foglights, establishes a bold and recognizable face. This sharp front fascia flows into a sleek, aerodynamic silhouette that complements the stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, which come standard across all variants, ensuring a commanding and modern presence on the road. Moving to the rear, the Sportage’s Smart Power tailgate adds everyday utility and convenience while maintaining the SUV’s clean, modern lines.

Hybrid Performance Without Compromise

While the original Sportage won over Filipinos with its rugged dependability, the fifth-generation model introduces a new era of performance. The Sportage is powered by a cutting-edge 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid drivetrain paired with a 1.49kWh lithium-ion battery. This advanced system blends responsive turbocharged power with exceptional efficiency, generating an impressive combined system output of 235 PS and 367 Nm of torque, offering the perfect balance for both daily city commutes and long weekend getaways.

Innovative Comfort, Connectivity, and Safety

Inside, the Kia Sportage prioritizes space and connectivity with a premium cabin design anchored by a 12.3-inch LCD infotainment system that supports Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. The vehicle ensures a refined experience with its premium leather seats, allowing occupants to enjoy their media through either a premium 6-speaker or an immersive 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, depending on the variant.

Safety remains paramount across the entire line-up. Driving confidence is enhanced by Kia DriveWise, the brand’s comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. Standard safety equipment across all variants includes cruise control, six airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system. For advanced protection, the top-tier SX model features Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist.

Designed for the Drive, Priced for the Future

To cater to diverse lifestyle preferences, buyers can choose between two well-equipped variants. The versatile EX starts with an introductory price of Php 1,898,000 until the end of this month (regularly priced at Php 1,978,000). The premium, feature-packed SX starts at Php 2,098,000 with an optional two-tone interior for Php 2,128,000.

The new Kia Sportage is available in four color options: Heritage Blue, Wolf Grey, Snow White Pearl, and Gravity Grey. While the top-tier SX is available in all four colors, the EX variant is limited to Wolf Grey, Snow White Pearl, and Gravity Grey. Both variants also come with Kia’s 5-year or 160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty.

‘We invite Filipino drivers to step into the future with a vehicle that perfectly balances high performance and efficiency,’ said Lopez. ‘The new Kia Sportage is a bold statement of what modern mobility can be: smart, sophisticated, responsible, and truly embodying a Movement That Inspires.’

The new Kia Sportage is now available for sale at all Kia dealerships nationwide. Customers who want to experience the vehicle in person can catch its exclusive public display at SM Aura from July 24 to July 26, 2026.

Hours after a phone call with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s meetings in Manila, President Donald Trump ordered the imposition of a 12.5-percent tariff on nearly all Philippine products.

Washington alleged that the Philippines-along with 60 other economies-has inadequately enforced bans on goods produced by forced labor.

In a notice released Friday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said it completed its Section 301 investigation and, after reviewing public comments, testimony, recommendations from the Section 301 Committee and advisory committees, as well as the direction of the US President, determined that additional duties were warranted.

The USTR said a 12.5-percent tariff on Philippine products was the ‘appropriate response’ to what it described as actionable trade practices under Section 301 of the US Trade Act.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel ‘Babe’ Romualdez noted the new tariff rate is lower than the earlier 19-percent levy but said Manila will negotiate to bring it down further.

‘We are going to negotiate on the basis that we will remove the child-labor goods from our list of exports if it is proven to be so,’ Romualdez said. Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty is heading the team.

The additional duties took effect at 12:01 p.m. Philippine time on July 24. However, goods already loaded onto vessels before that time and entered for US consumption before 12:01 p.m. Philippine time on July 28 are exempt from the new tariff.

The decision came even as Philippine trade officials maintained throughout the investigation that forced labor is not prevalent in the country’s export sector.

In its formal submission to the USTR earlier this month, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said shipments denied entry into the US over forced-labor concerns totaled about $2.71 million, equivalent to roughly 0.01 percent of the $48.25 billion worth of Philippine goods imported by the US from 2023 through the first two months of 2026.

The DTI also argued that Philippine-made products, including exports bound for the US, ‘do not rely on forced labor,’ citing existing labor laws, enforcement mechanisms and trade data.

According to the USTR report, the tariffs cover all Philippine exports except steel, aluminum, copper, wood products, vehicles, and semiconductors.

Exemptions were also granted for civil aircraft, engines and parts, ground flight simulators, and pharmaceutical inputs. The USTR also added 471 products to the exemption list after public consultations, including:

Agriculture and food-instant coffee, planting seeds, livestock feed inputs, sugar products.

Critical minerals and metals-vanadium oxides, pig iron, aluminum and battery scrap.

Manufacturing and chemicals-semiconductor equipment, fertilizer/pesticide inputs, pharmaceutical ingredients.

Humanitarian and cultural goods-food, clothing, medicine donations, worn clothing, antiques, and works of art.

Categories

The USTR grouped the 60 economies slapped with tariffs under the Section 301 into three categories:

10 percent tariff economies-17 countries including India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and the UK, which have partial or reciprocal regimes.

MFN-cap economies-EU and Taiwan (10 percent cap); Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland (12.5 percent cap).

12.5 percent tariff economies-38 countries including the Asean countries Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam; BRICS economies Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa; other APEC members Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Hong Kong and Peru.

Disruptions

Exporters said they are now are preparing for possible disruptions to shipments and orders, with business groups warning that uncertainty could immediately affect trade even as the government continues discussions with Washington.

Country trade officials said talks with US authorities remain ongoing despite the tariff decision, expressing hope that the Philippines’s newly adopted Joint Administrative Order (JAO) on forced labor would support its position.

During a virtual press briefing on Friday, Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said the government remains engaged with US authorities following Washington’s decision.

‘We are very much encouraged by the continued positive engagement of the US with respect to this particular issue, including the recent issuance by the Philippines of the JAO,’ Rodolfo said.

The JAO, signed by the Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Finance (DOF), establishes an interagency mechanism for investigating and prohibiting the importation of goods produced wholly or partly through forced labor.

DTI Export Marketing Bureau Director Bianca Pearl Sykimte said the JAO was not issued solely in response to the US investigation but also to protect domestic industries from unfair competition.

‘We issued the JAO because we subscribe to the principles of decent work. It also affects the competitiveness of our businesses when we allow or we don’t have a mechanism to stop the importation of goods from forced labour which tend to be cheaper,’ she said.

Business groups, however, said the tariff could create immediate uncertainty for exporters while awaiting further guidance on its implementation.

Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said buyers and manufacturers may delay transactions until they have greater clarity on the measure.

‘Of course, the buyers will hold. And the manufacturers and exporters will also hold out until they’re sure if their production will be bought or not. Unless they can find another market for it,’ Ortiz-Luis said in a phone interview.

‘So, of course, there’s a certain cost disruption in the supply chain. The uncertainty, until it’s all clarified who’s exempted and who’s not, it will have an effect immediately,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) President Robert Young said the additional tariff further erodes the country’s price competitiveness, particularly for labor-intensive exports.

‘The 12.5 percent tariff imposed by US on Philippine exports is one more cross to bear in our free-on-board price quotations to buyers, especially in the garment and apparel sector,’ Young said.

He noted that Philippine products are already 10 to 15 percent more expensive than those of several ASEAN neighbors because of higher electricity, labor and logistics costs.

‘Therefore, we might end up losing purchase orders. Our sourcing strategies will be diverted. And eventually, export business to [the US] will come to a halt for the Philippines,’ he said.