Category: Business Mirror

WHEN sleep orders go undiagnosed and untreated, the quality of your days suffer just as much as the quality of your nights.

While we may routinely dismiss persistent fatigue and brain fog as the price of a modern lifestyle, they are often red flags for a deeper issue: poor sleep quality that compromises our overall health.

It’s easy to pin these symptoms on daily stress, but the culprit could be more clinical than psychological. An undiagnosed sleep disorder can operate in the shadows, creating a ripple effect of unseen, adverse effects that impact every aspect of our lives.

‘Most of my patients are surprised to realize how long they’ve been living with a sleep disorder without knowing it,’ says Dr. Michael Sarte, a pioneering figure in

Philippine sleep medicine and a champion of better sleep. ‘The symptoms are there-they’ve just been calling it something else.’

Hele, a sleep clinic that offers a reimagined sleep testing experience, believes that quality sleep is a right, not a luxury-a conviction shared by Sarte, who brings his

decades of clinical experience to the clinic as one of its sleep specialists.

Together, they have identified seven areas of daily life where undiagnosed sleep disorders quietly take their toll, and how quality rest becomes the remedy.

THE HIDDEN COST OF UNDIAGNOSED SLEEP DISORDERS

Relationships: The irritable partner. Sleep deprivation wears down your emotional resilience, leading to mood swings and a short temper. This creates unnecessary-and avoidable-friction in your relationships. Restful sleep restores your headspace, allowing you to be fully present and patient with your partner.

Family and kids: The distant member. Substandard sleep can mean watching your kids’ milestones from the sidelines because you are too exhausted to be more present. When you prioritize quality rest, you regain the energy to move from being a spectator to an active participant in your kids’ most precious moments.

Career: the productivity cliff. Daytime sleepiness is not just a nuisance; it often leads to a productivity cliff, where focus wanes and decision-making slows. When your brain struggles to process and retain information, it not only affects your daily tasks but can also lead to career stagnation. To stay sharp and on track, quality sleep should not be optional. It is a necessity for meeting deadlines with clarity and maintaining your professional edge.

Education: The academic hurdle. For students, poor sleep quality results in lower attention spans, reduced memory consolidation, and falling asleep during class-all leading to sub-optimal academic performance. Worse, a chronic lack of quality sleep can prevent younger children from reaching their full potential and ability to excel in school, as their brains are deprived of the needed recovery time.

Good sleep is vital if parents want their children to make the most of their education. It is the foundation that allows students to remain attentive in class and maintain the mental sharpness required to excel in school.

Social life: The cancelled plans. Sub-quality sleep fuels the need for extra Zs, leading to social withdrawal. You find yourself cancelling plans or skipping gatherings because you simply do not have the energy to participate. Waking up well-rested does not just mean making it to weekend brunch; it means having the energy for enthusiastic kwentuhan, to catch up with old and new friends.

Physical health: The never-ending flu. Sleep is vital to repairing the body. A lack of good sleep leads to a weakened immune system, making you more susceptible to illness and slowing your recovery time. Good quality sleep is your first line of defense. By prioritizing rest, you ensure that your body has what it needs to fight off diseases and maintain peak physical health.

Mental well-being: The vicious cycle of anxiety and depression. Quality sleep is essential for every aspect of your inner world, allowing you more room to process emotions, experiences, and manage your mental load.

Without it, your brain struggles to process emotions, which can trigger or worsen cycles of anxiety, stress, and low mood. Better sleep creates the mental room needed to handle life’s changes with a balanced mood.

PATH TO QUALITY SLEEP

IF any of these sound familiar, it’s time to take a closer look-not with fear, but with empowerment.

‘We now understand that sleep is one of the most powerful determinants of long-term health. In my years of practice, I have seen how undiagnosed sleep disorders silently affect the lives of otherwise healthy people-with consequences that compound over the years. Getting tested, whether in a clinic or in a hospital, is the single most important step you can take before those consequences become harder to reverse,’ says Sarte.

Hele provides a stress-free way to understand and improve your sleep. By addressing root causes rather than just symptoms, they help you restore your energy and enjoy a fuller, more balanced life.

The sleep clinic ensures flexible scheduling and premier comfort that patients can look forward to, making testing calm, accessible, and reassuring for both parents and children.

Located at the Makati Diamond Hotel, the sleep clinic provides a curated, staycation-inspired space that blends medical grade monitoring with a warm comforting environment.

THE Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) on Wednesday announced that a P2.08 government funding for the country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games in 2019 has been fully liquidated.

The PHISGOC said it has secured a certification from the Philippine Sports Commission’s Accounting Department that all fundings for the SEA Games held from November 30 to December 11, 2019, have been accounted for in response to a declaration by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that it is reopening inquiries into allegations of anomalies.

At the same time, the PHISGOC stressed that it ‘welcomes any and all inquiries’ about the games that genuinely united the entire country in celebration of the Filipino athletes capturing the overall championship in those Games.

PHISGOC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara said the organization’s records have long been completed, submitted and independently examined and that it stands ready to cooperate with any legitimate inquiry.

‘Although post-Games obligations and responsibilities were delayed by the pandemic, the PHISGOC expenses were fully liquidated in March 2022,’ he said.

The PSC certification read: ‘This is to certify that based on the records of the Accounting Division of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the PHISGOC Foundation has submitted all (100%) of the liquidation reports covering the financial assistance granted by the PSC in connection with the hosting of the 30th SEA Games amounting to P2.082 billion.’

Suzara said all PHISGOC financial documents were audited by independent auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers/Isla Lipana and Co.

The PHISGOC said the record of the hosting itself stands as the organization’s strongest testament as the Philippines dominated the Games with 149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze medals-a total of 387-making it the most successful SEA Games campaign in the country’s history.

‘It was a multi-agency, multi-department organization whose main purpose was for a successful hosting by the Philippines,’ Suzara said. ‘We achieved this and the entire country rejoiced.’

Suzara also pointed to the New Clark City (NCC) facilities, which continue to benefit Filipino athletes and remain the country’s only internationally certified athletics (World Athletics-certified as Class 1) and aquatics (World Aquatics) venues capable of hosting competitions up to the regional level.

‘The NCC sports facilities was a milestone project built by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in a record 18 months and was built in time for the Games,’ he said.

PHISGOC said it is prepared to address any specific allegation through the proper channels as and when it is formally raised, and to make its records available to any legitimate inquiry.

AT LEAST 200 retired employees of Philippine National Bank (PNB) on Wednesday gathered outside the Supreme Court (SC) to criticize the Philippine National Bank (PNB) for its alleged delaying tactics in connection with their 20-year-old class suit seeking to recover an estimated amount of at least P1 billion representing unpaid allowances for the period of 1989 to 1996.

Lawyer Goldelio Rivera, former PNB branch manager and counsel of the retired PNP employees, lamented that they have been engaged in a legal battle against the bank since 2006 when they filed the class suit by way of a petition for mandamus.

Among the petitioners were then 60 incumbent officers and rank and file employees and 15 former employees of PNB.

In their petition for mandamus filed in April 2006, the petitioners argued that prior to the enactment of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 6758, otherwise known as the ‘Salary Standardization Law,’ they were receiving allowances and cost of living allowance (COLA) equivalent to 40 percent of their basic salary, or P300.00, whichever is higher.

However, after the enactment of R.A. No. 6758 and the consequent issuance of Department of Budget and Management-Corporate Compensation Circular (DBM-CCC) No. 10, PNB discontinued the payment of their COLA and other allowances, despite the Supreme Court’s pronouncement in De Jesus v. Commission on Audit that DBM-CCC No. 10 is ineffective and unenforceable due to its non-publication

Rivera noted that the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Pasay City have ruled in their favor on May 15, 2008 and ordered PNB to pay the petitioners and its former and incumbent employees and officers the back pay of their COLA and special amelioration allowance of 40 percent and 10 percent respectively of their basic salary covering the period of July 1, 1989 to May 26, 1996 or up to their separation from service whichever comes first.

The trial court also directed PNB to pay petitioners and its former and incumbent employees the sum equivalent to 10 percent of the back pay of their COLA and amelioration allowance as and by way of attorney’s fees.

The lawyer added that the Pasay RTC ruling was affirmed by the Court of Appeals (CA) in a decision issued on June 16, 2016.

This prompted PNB to elevate the issue before the SC.

The High Tribunal, in a decision issued on March 29, 2023, affirmed the trial court and the CA rulings.

It also castigated PNB for employing delaying tactics by filing unnecessary pleadings and asking for several postponements of the proceedings before the trial court.

The SC also said PNB’s prayer for the remand of the case to the trial court can be considered as another attempt to delay the payment of respondents’ monetary claims.

PNB has filed a motion for reconsideration of the 2023 ruling which is still pending before the High Court.

‘The retirees just wanted to express their sentiment against the delaying tactics of the Philippine National Bank. No less than the Supreme Court has ruled that PNB is engaged in delaying tactics,’ Rivera said in an interview.

‘Our message to PNB is to stop its delaying tactics and I just hope that the Supreme Court will resolve PNB’s motion for reconsideration very soon,’ he added.

Rivera added that around 8,000 retired and active employees of PNB stand to benefit once the SC’s judgment becomes final and executory.

Marlo DV Soria, also a former employee of PNB and one of the petitioners in the case, said petitioners are praying for the immediate resolution of the case as some of them are already old and suffering from various illnesses.

‘We are hoping that the resolution of the case will be expedited. Some of us urgently need money for maintenance medications and other medical expenses,’ Soria said.

THE quintet against financial crimes and grifters is now complete after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) inked a deal with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday-the fourth agency the central bank has joined forces with to maintain the public’s trust in the country’s banking industry.

Last Wednesday, officials of the central bank and the country’s Justice department signed an ‘information-sharing agreement’ to ‘strengthen’ the investigation and prosecution of financial account scams and related offenses under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (Afasa) or Republic Act (RA) 12010.

BSP General Counsel Roberto L. Figueroa said the signing of the agreement goes beyond the execution of a legal instrument.

The agreement ‘marks an important milestone in strengthening the institutional framework through which our government protects the public against financial account scams,’ Figueroa said.

The central bank’s chief legal officer underscored the importance of signing this type of agreement against the backdrop of financial account scams, which he said ‘inflict damage that extends well beyond monetary loss.’

‘They undermine confidence in our financial system, exploit the trust of consumers and leave countless individuals and families bearing the consequences of sophisticated criminal activity,’ Figueroa added.

Moreover, he pointed out that as financial services become ‘increasingly’ digital and transactions occur with an ‘unprecedented’ speed, the institutions tasked with safeguarding the public must, likewise, be capable of responding with ‘speed, precision and close coordination.’

This, Figueroa stressed, is why Afasa is important. He explained that RA 12010 recognizes that addressing financial account scams requires more than the efforts of any single institution.

‘Even the BSP cannot do it alone. We need the help of everyone, of all institutions, individuals and groups in society,’ he added.

Figueroa explained that the Afasa establishes a legal framework that enables regulators, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and covered institutions to work together while respecting the rule of law, due process and the safeguards that govern the handling of information.

As such, he considers the agreement as giving a ‘practical effect’ to the legal framework of the Afasa.

According to the central bank, the agreement establishes the procedures for the DOJ to request and receive financial account information from the BSP’s Consumer Account Protection Office, pursuant to the Afasa and the BSP Circular 1214.

According to the central bank, the agreement also sets out safeguards to ensure that shared information is used only for authorized purposes and protected in accordance with the law.

Figueroa added that the agreement supports the BSP’s mandate to ‘promote a safe, sound, stable and efficient financial system while reinforcing our efforts to protect financial consumers from financial fraud.’

‘Timely, relevant and lawfully shared information strengthens the ability of prosecutors to assess evidence, build cases and pursue accountability against those who exploit financial systems for financial gain,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Elmore O. Capule, the Deputy Governor for the Corporate Services Sector of the BSP, said that the number one obstacle to investigating scams is the Bank Secrecy Law or RA 1405.

‘So we were very fortunate that we were able to enact the Afasa, especially the power of the BSP to look into deposits,’ Capule said in his allocution during the ceremonial signing of the agreement.

He added that the agreement ‘sends a very strong message that the government is fighting as one to protect the Filipino public.’

Figueroa emphasized that ‘stronger institutional collaboration enhances our collective ability to identify organized actors who exploit the financial system, disrupt their operations and hold them accountable under the law.’

A statement distributed by the BSP read the central bank considers the agreement as promising ‘quicker action’ against online scams.

‘Competent authorities will be able to trace and identify individuals behind suspicious transactions faster and help prevent further losses due to fraud,’ read the statement.

The agreement’s signing comes six months after BSP officials also signed information-sharing agreements with the National Bureau of Investigation, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the Securities and Exchange Commission in February.

One of the most important parts of running a business is keeping internal processes streamlined.

When each step in your daily operations is handled efficiently, your team works more consistently and has boosted productivity. You can integrate several business tools into your existing workflow to make this possible. This article highlights some of these tools and explains how they can support a more organized and well-coordinated work environment.

A Project and Task Management Platform

Daily business operations often involve multiple responsibilities that must be handled at the same time. Different employees may be working on separate assignments, while managers need to monitor progress without constantly asking for updates. A project and task management platform can bring a sense of organization to this process. It keeps tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities in one place, allowing team members to easily see what needs to be done and what still requires attention. This gives everyone greater visibility into the progress of ongoing work. With a shared system in place, teams won’t have a difficult time coordinating tasks and staying on schedule.

A Team Communication Platform

Misunderstandings can quickly arise when business conversations are scattered across platforms. Important information sent through different messaging apps, email threads, and separate chat groups can be easily overlooked. Utilizing a team communication app or websitethat’s simple to navigate can address this issue. This kind of business tool gives your team a central place to discuss projects, ask questions, and share updates throughout the workday. Having better access to information helps teams stay aligned with current priorities and avoid confusion, keeping work moving without unnecessary interruptions.

An Accounting System

Accurate financial records are essential for managing your business responsibly. Not only do they give you a clearer view of your income and expenses, but they also help support tax compliance.

When you search for ‘accounting system Philippines’ online, make sure to pick one that’s compliant with the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) requirements. This way, the tool can help you manage financial information more accurately while supporting your regulatory obligations.

The right accounting system can simplify bookkeeping, organize transaction data, and provide the necessary financial documents that make tax preparation easier. What’s more, with automated features, the system can handle repetitive accounting tasks with minimal errors. As a result, your team can spend less time managing financial records and more time planning for your business’s growth.

A Document Management and Cloud Storage Solution

Employees need reliable access to the files they use daily for work. Ensuring these materials are readily available helps them complete tasks without unnecessary delays. A document management and cloud storage solution can support reliable access to key files across your organization, keeping important materials in one central location and making them easier to find or share.

Many document and cloud storage solutions come with added features that improve security and workplace collaboration. Some include access controls that limit sensitive files to authorized employees. Others allow you to maintain version histories, which helps your team confirm if they’re working from the latest copy of a document. Using a solution that suits your business’s needs can reduce confusion, protect important business records, and make collaboration more organized.

An Inventory or Supply Tracker

Unexpected stock shortages and excess inventory can have significant effects on your business’s day-to-day operations. Low stocks may delay production or customer orders, while excess items can occupy valuable storage space and tie up business funds. Monitoring stock levels closely helps prevent either situation, and an inventory or supply tracker allows your team to do so more accurately.

This business tool is designed to give your team better visibility into current inventory levels in real time. With up-to-date records, it’s easier to know when products or supplies need to be replenished. This allows your business to plan purchases more effectively instead of relying on manual stock checks or outdated records.

Additionally, many inventory tracking systems can monitor the movement of goods as they’re received, sold, or transferred between locations. This reduces the chances of discrepancies that can lead to ordering mistakes or delays in fulfilling customer requests.

A Client or Customer Tracker

Every interaction with a customer can provide information that benefits future transactions. Details such as contact information, purchase history, previous inquiries, and service requests can help your team deliver more consistent support. That said, recording and updating this information manually can take time and lead to incomplete records. This is where a client or customer tracker can be useful.

One of the main benefits of this tool is that it keeps important customer records together, so that they are easier to access whenever employees need them. Centralizing customer information also reduces the need to sift through emails, spreadsheets, or handwritten notes to find relevant details, since most modern trackers have search and filter features. As a result, employees can quickly review previous interactions before responding to inquiries or following up on requests, allowing them to provide more informed assistance.

Every business has room to improve the way it operates, and the right tools can make that process much easier to manage. Choosing solutions that address your company’s specific needs allows your team to work more effectively without adding unnecessary complexity. As your business continues to grow, these improvements can create a stronger foundation for handling new challenges and opportunities. The result is an organization that can operate with greater confidence as its responsibilities expand.

TEAM Manila-Philippines outclassed Texas Pride Elite Team from host Rio Grande Valley, 8- 1, to regain the 2026 Pony International World Series 18-Under Girls Softball Championship before a big crowd at the McAllen Softball Complex in McAllen City, Texas, recently.

The Big City Softbelles, champions in 2023 and 2024 Pony World Series also hosted by McAllen, represented the Asia Pacific Region in the tournament that drew teams from the US, Mexico, Guatemala, Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

‘We are very proud of the team’s accomplishment as we always do our best to support the further advancement of these ‘world class’ youth athletes who come from poor families in the provinces with a promise of free college education from reputable universities in Manila,’ said Team Manila Softball President and Manila Councilor Rafael ‘Che’ Borromeo.

Borromeo bared that two universities in Texas have shown interest in recruiting a number of standouts from Team Manila-Philippines, which is supported by Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso, International Terminal Container Services Inc., San Miguel Corp. and the Philippine Sports Commission.

According to Borromeo, Texas AandM University and Texas Lutheran University are keen on recruiting ace pitcher Edralyn Borrico-who starred in the championship match-from Smokey Mountain in Tondo.

Mary Antoinette Sicapore, Angelica Jean Latriz, Claire Olarte and Rhea Manalo are also being eyed by the university.

Members of Team Manila-Philippines were voted as 2012 PSA Athletes of the Year for winning for the country its first-ever championship in softball history in the 2012 Girls Big League Softball World Series in Kalamazoo, Michigan USA, as well as the 2017 and 2018 PSA Awards for being the pre-pandemic back-to-back Pony World Series Champions held in Hemet, California USA.

A team from Manila was also named as a Major Awardee in the 2023 PSA Awards.

A new era of inclusive leadership and industry collaboration begins with the official establishment of the Building Pride Council (BPC), a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered, non-stock, non-profit professional association dedicated to advancing diversity, professionalism, innovation, and collaboration across the construction, building, engineering, architecture, and design sectors.

Founded by industry professionals who believe that the future of the built environment is shaped by diverse perspectives and shared purpose, the Building Pride Council serves as a platform where professionals, organizations, and allies can connect, collaborate, and lead meaningful change.

The Council brings together architects, engineers, interior designers, developers, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, planners, project managers, consultants, and allied professionals committed to building a stronger, more inclusive, and future-ready industry.

More than an organization, the Building Pride Council is a movement that promotes ethical leadership, professional excellence, innovation, mentorship, and meaningful collaboration. It advocates for safe, respectful, and empowering professional environments while creating opportunities for networking, learning, leadership development, and industry partnerships.

‘The strongest foundations are built not only with concrete and steel, but with integrity, collaboration, and people who are empowered to lead,’ said Karlo Calleja, Founder and Chairman of the Building Pride Council. ‘Our vision is to unite professionals across disciplines, celebrate diversity, strengthen industry partnerships, and create a built environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.’

The Building Pride Council was established by its founding leadership composed of:

Karlo Calleja – Founder and Chairman, Industry and Partnerships

Ar. Harvin Julius Lasquero – Founding Director, Research, Innovation and Knowledge

Ar. Bejay Florendo – Founding Director, Membership and Professional Development

Engr. John Carlo Lopez – Founding Director, Advocacy and Policy

Together, they envision an organization that not only supports LGBTQIA+ professionals and allies but also welcomes every industry professional who believes in diversity, ethical leadership, collaboration, and excellence regardless of background, identity, or discipline.

The Council will roll out professional networking events, industry forums, learning sessions, advocacy campaigns, and strategic partnerships that promote inclusive growth throughout the Philippine construction and building industry, with a long-term vision of expanding collaborations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Call for Founding Board Members, Members and Strategic Partners

As part of its inaugural launch, the Council is currently inviting visionaries and collaborators to join its Founding Board of Directors and help shape the future of the organization. Opportunities are available for:

(1) Mechanical Engineer (ME)

(1) Electrical Engineer (EE)

(1) Electronics and Communication Engineer (ECE)

(1) Interior Designer

In addition, membership is now open to licensed professionals, aspiring practitioners, and students across the built environment, including:

Architects

Interior Designers

Engineers

Developers

Contractors

Project and Construction Managers

Business Leaders and Executives

Manufacturers and Suppliers

Allied Professionals and Industry Advocates

Students and Emerging Professionals

Founding Board Members will play a pivotal role in shaping the Council’s strategic direction, governance, programs, and industry initiatives. They will help establish a lasting legacy by advancing inclusive leadership, strengthening professional collaboration, and driving positive transformation across the construction, building, and design industry.

Professionals, organizations, institutions, and companies that share the Council’s vision are likewise invited to become strategic partners and collaborate in building a more innovative, inclusive, ethical, and future-ready built environment for the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region. w

A Grade 8 learner was stabbed on the grounds of Las Piñas National High School on July 2, 2026, leaving parents worried, teachers on edge and local officials searching for answers.

The attack leaves many of us baffled. Why are more young Filipinos turning to violence, and what is being done to stop it?

After visiting the hospitalized student, I believe that schools need stronger mental health programs to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This should be a wake-up call. Every child deserves to learn and grow in a safe place. Violence among children should never feel normal. Parents, teachers, government and communities need to replace a culture of violence with one of care, respect and compassion.

Making schools safer takes more than guards and security cameras. Schools need more counselors, better guidance programs and youth support services that deal with the real reasons behind violence, before things get out of hand.

We, adults, should listen to young people and give them real support and opportunities, so they don’t end up on a dangerous path.

I am pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 2133, or the Students’ Guidance Counseling Act. It aims to put more licensed guidance counselors, psychologists, school social workers and other mental health workers in schools nationwide.

The proposed bill tackles a basic problem-the lack of mental health professionals in our schools. It recommends the hiring of more counselors, psychologists and social workers to fix a lopsided ratio: one counselor for every 14,000 students.

This builds on Republic Act No. 12080, which creates the position of School Counselor Associate, with the government budgeting P2 billion to hire thousands of them. The law lets college graduates with a background in psychology or behavioral science provide mental health support in schools.

Research from Cambridge University Press show a troubling rise in depression among young Filipinos. Cases of moderate to severe depression among those aged 15 to 24 more than doubled over eight years. Other studies show similar trends, as school pressure, money problems at home and other stress keep piling on students.

We cannot ignore the mental health of our youth. Many students are under heavy pressure at school and dealing with personal problems at the same time, but they often have nowhere to turn even in the age of social media. That hurts not just their grades, but their health and their future.

The shortage of guidance counselors in the country is severe. The current ratio falls far short of the global standard of one for every 250. The Department of Education says thousands of counselor positions remain unfilled nationwide, which limits how well schools can step in early when students are struggling with anxiety, depression, bullying or other problems.

I believe that SB 2133 will help close the gap by requiring public schools to have at least one qualified counselor, associate counselor or social worker on staff, with ongoing training. The bill also promotes mental health and wellness programs, better systems for referring students to help and faster ways to step in when a student needs care.

We want enough professionals in place to guide and support Filipino learners. Catching problems early and responding quickly matters, so we can back up our young people before things get worse.

The goal is to make schools safer and more supportive by giving them the staff and systems needed to address mental health issues before they turn into more serious social problems.

Schools should be places where every student feels supported and cared for. We should keep listening to what young people are going through and take their mental health seriously.

Better access to counseling and mental health support will help young people make good choices and build better future. When we invest in their well-being, we help them make good decisions and shape a brighter path for our country. It falls on all of us -parents, teachers, government and the community- to make sure every young Filipino grows up safe, cared for and hopeful.

Making schools safer will not come from higher fences or additional guards. It will come from real investment in every student’s well-being. This is a necessary step toward closing the gap in our education system.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched a $3.5-million South Korea-funded digital platform as part of its digitalization efforts to provide real-time data and improve policymaking.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Agriculture-Based Central Data Ecosystem (AbCDE) platform would fast-track farm assistance, enhance supply chain monitoring, and stabilize food prices.

Among the system’s capabilities that the DA chief touted was the shortened processing time for registration in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) to five minutes from the usual 10-day processing, allowing them to service more farmers and fishers.

‘This is a tool to get more real-time data as fast as possible to manage prices, control inflation, and (achieve) food security,’ he told reporters on the sidelines of the platform’s launch on Wednesday.

AbCDE was developed in partnership with South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Agency of Education, Promotion, and Information Service in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (EPIS).

The unified digital hub could verify beneficiaries, track interventions, and monitor agricultural supply chains in real time, which the DA said prevents duplication in records and disconnected databases.

It also slashed the time needed to roll out new support programs by 80 percent, with seeds, fertilizer, and financial assistance completed in five days from the previous 26 days.

More than another government’s modernization project, the DA chief described it as a long-overdue overhaul of a system weighed down by outdated processes.

‘For many years, our sector grappled with over a hundred disparate digital initiatives functioning in isolation,’ he said. ‘Today, with the introduction of the Agriculture-Based Central Data Ecosystem Platform 1.0, we are embarking on a transformative journey in public service.’

The DA chief said South Korea’s contribution goes beyond providing technology.

‘Your invaluable expertise has equipped us with a ‘super brain’ to effectively monitor supply chains and stabilize prices in real time,’ he said.

‘Together, we are sowing the seeds of a digital revolution that will enhance farm incomes and secure food security for generations to come.’

Kadiwa sales

Meanwhile, the DA reported that the government’s Kadiwa program generated more than P4.4 billion in sales over the past four years.

The DA said Kadiwa generated P4.42 billion in sales from July 2022 to July 20, 2026, which benefited more than 12 million Filipino consumers through 22,178 marketing activities nationwide.

The P20 rice program held the lion’s share of the sales at P2.4 billion since it launched last May 2025, distributing 121,271 metric tons (MT) of rice to roughly 12.1 million beneficiaries.

The cheaper rice’s beneficiaries include vulnerable sectors, minimum wage earners, public transport workers, indigents, and registered farm and fisherfolk.

Furthermore, the DA said Kadiwa has grown to 805 active Benteng Bigas selling sites, including 295 with regular selling schedules, while the P20 rice program has already been rolled out in 57 provinces. The broader Kadiwa network currently operates 827 regular outlets nationwide.

With an El Niño looming and global conflicts driving up farm production costs, the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) will convene top government and industry leaders to discuss how the country can avert another crisis and keep prices stable.

The Food Security Forum, scheduled on July 23 at Frabelle Corporate Plaza in Makati City, will bring together Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. President Danilo Fausto, and Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. Board Member Caitlin Punzalan to examine the country’s readiness against mounting threats to food production.

The discussions come as fertilizer and fuel prices remain under pressure amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

At the same time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration projects a 92-percent probability that El Niño will develop between June and August and last into early 2027.

The Department of Agriculture has already reconvened its El Niño Task Force to prepare for the expected dry spell after the farm sector suffered P57.78 billion in losses in 2024 from the combined effects of El Niño, successive typhoons, and animal diseases. The disasters pulled agricultural output down by 2.1 percent to P1.73 trillion.

‘Food security is at the heart of economic stability. Every disruption in food production eventually reaches Filipino households through higher prices and greater uncertainty.

Through this forum, EJAP seeks to convene government, industry, and the media to encourage evidence-based discussions and policy ideas that will help the country build a more resilient and sustainable food system,’ EJAP President Ted Cordero said.

The forum will review lessons from the 2023-2024 El Niño episode, assess preparations for the expected dry spell, and discuss measures to strengthen the country’s long-term food security-one of the Marcos administration’s key priorities.

It is part of the organization’s continuing series of policy discussions for deeper public understanding of major economic issues and the challenges shaping the country’s growth outlook.