Category: Business Mirror

THE Philippines welcomed some 4.42 million in international tourists in the first eight months of the year, which included 355,757 Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad.

This is a slight adjustment from the earlier released figures by the Department of Tourism (DOT), which showed that foreign visitors reached 4.11 million, of which 361,458 were overseas Filipinos.

The adjusted figures are a result of the DOT reworking its data collection strategy on inbound tourists, now tracking figures from both electronic travel (e-travel) records from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI). These are published in the DOT’s newly launched Philippine Tourism Data Dashboard.

DOT Consultant Ma. Cherry Lyn S. Rodolfo told the BusinessMirror that there is a need to ‘accurately capture’ the visitors to the Philippines. For one, she explained, the diplomatic corps and visiting foreign government officials are not required to fill up the online e-travel forms, a usual requirement for arriving travelers from abroad, including Filipinos.

‘But [these diplomats] also check into hotels, go to tourism destinations, and the like,’she explained, even if they are in the country on official business. Rodolfo was among those tasked to finetune the DOT’s data-gathering method, in consonance with the Department of Information and Communication Technology, Bureau of Immigration and Philippine Statistics Authority, among others.

Unadjusted prior to e-travel

THE Immigration bureau said, ‘Passengers exempted from registering [on the e-travel] are foreign diplomats and their dependents; foreign dignitaries and members of their delegation; holders of 9(e) diplomatic visas; and holders of diplomatic and official-service passports.’ The BI issues 9(e) visas to ‘accredited officials of foreign governments, their families, attendants, servants, and employees.’

Last year, the DOT also said cruise arrivals may also not be accurate as some passengers were not able to fill up the e-travel forms, thus needing inputs from the BI.

Rodolfo agreed that it may be better to just ask those currently exempted to fill up e-travel forms. Under the new scheme, there will be a lag time in releasing tourists data as the DOT will always have to consult with the BI’s arrivals records.

The adjusted tourism data, however, only goes back to 2022, when the e-travel system was instituted owing to the pandemic. Prior to this, paper arrival and departure cards were filled up by travelers, except for diplomats and their dependents. As such, the inbound tourists in 2019, often used as a basis of tourism growth, is still recorded as 8.26 million.

The DOT said in a statement that the Philippine Tourism Data Dashboard is an open data platform that gives the public direct access to the country’s key tourism indicators.

US is top source

THE dashboard covers Visitor Arrival data dating back to 2010 and source markets, as well as Outbound Travel data from 2023 to 2025 and the travelers’ destination.

‘Making this information available to the public is not just about transparency for its own sake. It is about giving our stakeholders, from local government units to tourism businesses to ordinary Filipinos, the tools to understand how our industry is doing and where the opportunities are,’ said Acting Tourism Secretary Ma. Bernadita Angara-Mathay.

As per adjusted data from January to August 2026, based on country of citizenship, the United States topped the source markets for the period at 926,575 (up 2.75 percent, year on year); followed by South Korea with 744,732 (down by 21.75 percent); Japan 321,545 (-1.95 percent); China 303,567 (+93.45 percent); Canada 237,989 (+9.07 percent); Australia 237,849 (+5.73 percent); Taiwan 153,700 (+7.9 percent); the United Kingdom 151,574 (-3.41 percent); India 82,692 (+31.6 percent); and Singapore 74,704 (-1.66 percent).

The DOT introduced the Tourism Dashboard as part of its celebration of National Tourism Month in September.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is seeking P23.16 billion for voting machines for the 2028 national and local elections, warning that a funding shortfall could leave the commission 9,310 units short and result in longer queues at polling places.

Comelec officials told lawmakers that only P21.66 billion is currently included in the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP) for the machines, about P1.5 billion less than the commission’s request.

‘Actually, that is what they requested to be provided, the P23.16 billion, because we will be short by 9,310 machines. The result would be longer lines, longer queues at our polling places,’ Rep. Mike Tan of the 4th District of Quezon, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations said.

Comelec’s machine requirement is part of its proposed P29.5-billion budget for 2027, which is 46 percent higher than its P20.2-billion allocation under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

At least P23.92 billion of the proposed budget is earmarked for preparations for the 2028 national and local elections, including procurement and system preparation, voter-related activities and other election requirements.

Despite the size of the proposed allocation, Comelec has yet to make a final decision on which voting machines will be used in 2028.

‘No, Mr. Speaker, it is still subject to bidding and procurement. The terms of reference are still in draft form,’ Tan said when asked whether the machines for the elections had already been determined.

Comelec is still finalizing the terms of reference based on recommendations from its Advisory Council. No commission resolution has yet been issued approving the machines for the 2028 polls.

Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice questioned the need to proceed with a new-machine procurement without first establishing the technical and financial viability of the 2025 units.

He called for an independent assessment of the options, including the potential costs of acquiring new machines versus reusing or refurbishing existing units.

Comelec said it is preparing an independent engineering study to assess the technical and cost considerations, while incorporating its experience from the recent Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.

‘We are just waiting for the conclusion of the Bangsamoro elections so we can incorporate the conduct of the BARMM elections into the study that will be conducted by Comelec,’ the representative said.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia earlier said the number of registered voters is projected to rise from about 68 million in 2025 to 74 million by 2028, adding to the commission’s preparations for the next national elections.

TRADE between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations is expected to hit another historical high this year as economic ties between the two sides continue to expand despite growing uncertainty in global trade, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Yan Dong said on Monday.

‘The Asean-China trade volume is expected to create another historical new high,’ Yan said during the 25th Asean Economic Ministers-Ministry of Commerce Consultation in Pasay.

The trade volume reached $1.05 trillion in 2025, crossing the $1-trillion mark for the first time. In the first eight months of 2026, Asean-China trade grew 25.6 percent, Yan said.

The continued expansion in trade comes as businesses across the region contend with higher energy and commodity costs, supply-chain disruptions, and a more uncertain global trading environment.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the scale of the Asean-China economic relationship carries a responsibility for both sides to remain responsive to the needs of their economies and people.

‘For businesses, the effects appear in higher fuel and shipping costs. For families, they are felt in prices of transport, electricity, food, and other daily needs,’ Roque said.

Roque said the region cannot prevent every disruption but closer cooperation could strengthen its ability to respond and adjust to changing conditions.

Yan also called for closer cooperation between China and Asean amid what he described as growing unilateralism and protectionism in global trade.

‘China and Asean countries should work together to address difficulties and challenges, jointly defend our interests in economic cooperation and trade, promote the prosperous development of regional economy, and continuously create certainty to global economic and trade exchanges, and also create certainty,’ Yan said.

The Chinese official said additional tariffs and economic and trade frictions were affecting global economic growth, underscoring the need for greater certainty in regional trade.

The push for stronger economic ties also extends to Asean’s partnerships with Australia and New Zealand, as the bloc seeks to adjust its economic cooperation to shifting trade and investment patterns.

Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said two-way trade between Asean and Australia and New Zealand reached $153.9 billion in 2025.

The partnership has also expanded beyond traditional trade to areas such as digital trade, economic resilience, micro, small, and medium enterprises [MSMEs] development, and sustainable growth.

Gepty said Asean should make fuller use of the modernized trade framework with Australia and New Zealand while strengthening cooperation in digital trade, helping MSMEs more actively in regional and global value chains, and improving supply-chain resilience.

‘At the same time, as the global trading environment becomes more complex, our partnership can provide a platform for closer dialogue and coordination on emerging economic issues,’ he also said.

Following the global unveiling of its latest innovations at IFA, Anker today brings its next chapter to the Philippines with the local introduction of its Ultimate, Unified: Anker, bringing together its growing portfolio of technology designed to make everyday life more seamless.

For nearly 15 years, Anker has evolved from a charging brand into a global technology company with expertise spanning charging, audio, smart home, power, and more. Over the years, dedicated brands such as Anker, soundcore, eufy and Anker SOLIX have built deep expertise within their respective categories, developing their own technologies, products and communities.

In the Philippines, this evolution builds on Anker’s growing local presence, with products available across retail and online channels. As technology becomes increasingly connected, Anker continues to focus on creating products that combine thoughtful design, advanced technology and everyday practicality.

‘Ultimate, Unified’ captures this next chapter, a commitment to bringing together innovation across categories while keeping the consumer experience at the center.

Anker Essentials For Your Newest iPhone

At the heart of Anker’s latest innovations is a simple idea: technology should make every moment with your devices more seamless. Designed as Anker Essentials For Your Newest iPhone, the latest additionals bring together three everyday essentials, staying connected, staying powered and charging smarter.

The Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 is designed to deliver clear calls and immersive audio while keeping users aware of the world around them, while the Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro brings fast magnetic wireless charging with active cooling technology. Completing the lineup is the Anker Nano Charger, a compact charging solution with a smart display designed to provide a more intuitive charging experience.

For the upcoming iPhone 18 series, model identification will be supported on the Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro and Nano Charger (OTA version). The Anker Nano Charger (OTA version) will receive an OTA update on September 30, ensuring compatibility with the latest generation of iPhone models.

Together, these three essentials showcase how Anker is bringing smarter, more purposeful technology into the everyday iPhone experience, from the way users listen and communicate, to how they charge at home and stay powered on the go.

Anker soundcore AeroClip 2: Loud World, Clear You

Designed for consumers who move through busy environments without wanting to disconnect from the world around them, the Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 brings a new approach to open-ear audio.

Its standout innovation is its advanced voice-calling system, combining two voice pickup units that capture mechanical vibrations from the vocal cords with four MEMS microphones. The system works with the THUSS AI Chip, which cross-references these signals in real time to separate the user’s voice from surrounding noise.

The result is technology built around one clear promise: ‘Loud World, Clear You.’

The six-sensor hybrid array gives AeroClip 2 a dedicated approach to voice separation, while the THUS AI Chip delivers approximately 150 times the previous generation’s AI computing power for this specific task.

The technology behind AeroClip 2 has also been recognized for its speech-quality performance. In September 2026, AeroClip 2 received a Guinness World Records certification for World’s Clearest Open-Ear Clip-On Earbuds for Calls, Powered by Anker THUS AI Chip.

Beyond calls, AeroClip 2 is designed around the open-ear philosophy, allowing users to enjoy their audio while remaining aware of their surroundings. Its C-bridge design sits comfortably along the ear, while the Golden- titanium wire inside the silicone bridge and a Comfort-Grip Zone were developed using data from more than 2,000 3D ear scans. For everyday listening, AeroClip 2 features a 12mm dual-magnetic high-excursion driver, LDAC support, Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certification, and HearID 5.0. It is also Apple Made for iPhone (MFi) Certified, with native iOS connection for a seamless experience with iPhone users. AeroClip 2 offers up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 32 hours with the charging case, while a 10-minute charge can provide up to four hours of use.

With its open-ear design, and all-day comfort, AeroClip 2 is built for consumers who want to stay connected without needing to pause their day.

Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro: Charging, Now Air-Conditioned

While AeroClip is designed to keep users connected, the Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro is designed to keep their devices powered, while addressing one of the most challenges of wireless charging, HEAT.

Magnetic wireless charging can generate heat, particularly when charging at higher speeds. The MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro addresses this with an active cooling system designed to maintain a hand-friendly surface temperature of 36°C or below while delivering full 25W wireless charging. The technology has received SGS Premium Performance certification for its charging and heat-dissipation performance.

Inside, the power bank combines a low-resistance battery cell, a miniature fan, dedicated air ducts, temperature sensors, and graphene thermal management. Together, these components are designed to draw heat away from the charging coil and manage temperature during charging.

In Anker’s internal laboratory testing, the MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro can charge an iPhone 17 Pro to 50% in 25 minutes.

It is also designed to function as more than a portable battery. The built-in 0°-80° stepless kickstand supports hands-free viewing, while a smart display provides information including the connected iPhone model, battery level, battery health, temperature, charging mode, and estimated time remaining. Its magnetic connection provides up to 12N of holding force, while 45W self-recharging can bring the power bank to 80% in approximately 52 minutes.

With a 10,000mAh capacity and a compact 220g design, the MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro is designed to be a practical everyday companion for users who want fast, intelligent, and more comfortable wireless charging on the go.

Price and Availability

The Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 is now available for P9,995 only in Burgundy Red, Midnight Black, Cloud White and soon to be available in Mist Blue.

The Anker MagGo Power Bank 2 Pro is now available for P5,995 only in Phantom Gray, Starlight Silver and Polar Night and soon to be available in Burgundy Red.

Both products are now available through Anker’s official e-commerce stores on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop and soon be available on Anker authorized stores and retail partners nationwide and Authorized e-commerce stores in Anker Charging on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop and Anker soundcore on Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

For more information on Anker’s latest products, promotions, and updates, follow Anker Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Anker

Anker Innovations, known globally as Anker, is a consumer technology company founded in 2011 with a commitment to Ultimate Innovation. Its products span charging, power, audio and video, smart home, robotics, health and creative tools, serving more than 200 million customers across over 180 countries and regions. To learn more, visit Anker.com.

In a scene in ‘Jingle Lang ang Pahina,’ filmmaker Chuck Escasa’s documentary on the late and lamented influential music publication, one of its writers, Juaniyo Arcellana, described teenage life during martial law in the Philippines: ‘Either mag-aktibista … mamundok ka, or another outlet is to become an artist, writer, guitarist.’

Those who gravitated to the second choice discovered Jingle Chordbook-Magazine. For at least two decades, from its first issue in 1970 till the early ’90s, Jingle was sought after by kids who learned to play the guitar through its list of songs with their corresponding chords. Others looked forward to laughing at the jokes on the Grin Page and reading the feature articles and record reviews.

Many writers who graced the pages of Jingle went on to pursue various careers in business, the academe, media, and other fields. But one of the few who stuck to chronicling the music scene was Tony Maghirang – who had maintained a column, Sound Sampler, on the pages of SoundStrip until his death on Sept. 21 of natural causes.

He was 71.

Maghirang – who finished Industrial Engineering at UP Diliman and also wrote extensively on computers and technology – would always be known to his readers as a music journalist.

SoundStrip asked six of Maghirang’s colleagues and friends to recall the times they spent with him.

Ces Rodriguez

Former Jingle managing editor

‘Tony got into Jingle via Bongga and Boquilla, our letters page. He impressed us enough to ask him to write, beginning with record reviews.

‘He famously gave a bangaw [the lowest] rating to Tommy Tanchanco’s [Chaos] album, ‘New Move for Error,’ which prompted Tommy to turn the bangaw into a pun he wore at gigs.

‘He also had a snit with the Apo [Hiking Society] when he called one of its albums either mediocre or middle of the road.

‘These were moments we would look back on and have a giggle over.

‘The thing with Tony is, he knew how to capture the scene as it was. He observed it but also conveyed the energy of the moment. Solidly. And he never stopped writing, exploring, baring his guts.

He was supposed to write a book about Pinoy punk for Jessica Zafra’s writing workshop. It got stalled because of [what he referred to as] ‘other irons in the fire.”

Edwin P. Sallan

SoundStrip editor and former Jingle contributing editor

‘Incredibly prolific, remarkably efficient. That pretty much sums up Tony’s storied career. Tony was the original short and sweet reviewer. Subconsciously, he was a big influence in the way many of us in Jingle, myself included, wrote our reviews and feature stories.’

‘One fellow reviewer, the equally late, great Didits Gonzalez, later came up with his own ‘fast and furious’ reviews after his Jingle stint. But I think Tony created the template. And he made it look so easy. What many other writers, myself included, can’t sum up in so many paragraphs, or even in a full article, Tony could do in just one to a few paragraphs.

‘That was his gift. That is what I will miss most about Tony Maghirang.’

Bernie Bagaman

Former San Miguel Corp. PR executive and Jingle contributing writer

”Di ako talaga punk fan, pero noong binigyan ni Tony ng angel [highest rating] yung Urban Bandits at Betrayed, bili naman ako. No future sa pader!!!’

Bert Sulat Jr.

Former University of the East PR executive and Jingle contributing writer

‘In the early years of Facebook in our Pinoy lives, I would often refer to him as Tony Toni Tone whenever his birthday came up. Genre-wise, that pop reference might have been ill-fitting, given his much heavier and less glammy preferences, but it was meant in the spirit of being a kindred soul in music appreciation.

‘More recently, in early 2022, he [gave] me a soft copy of his novel, ‘Ang Kagilagilalas na Makeup Artist (Karma Mo, Kakambal Mo!),’ to give it a read and provide thoughts. Not sure that I deserved the advance read, but it sure helped to keep me preoccupied, habang nakapila for some four wee hours para mai-register ang aking first-time voter na anak, back when social distancing and face-masking were still mandatory.

‘When that enjoyable, engrossing, and barreling odyssey of a novel saw print later on, I scored two copies, and Tony delivered the books himself and invited me to its launch.

‘Technically, I did not know him well enough, but in the brief and few dealings I’ve had with him, in person or through chats or his published writings and low-key damn-it opinions, [I felt that] he truly embraced the writer’s life, including its glorious loneliness…’

Jing Garcia

Current Manila Times Sunday IT editor and former Jingle contributing writer

‘When I was working at A2Z Records, sinita niya ako for playing Blue Monday too loud, kasi wala sina Ces at Leslie [David]. And I was alone with him in the shop. Coming from a man who reviews heavy metal records.’

The day Maghirang died, Garcia posted on Facebook: ‘He was my very first tech editor when I started contributing to PSICOM in the ’90s. That was really where my journey in tech journalism started. Tony was patient with me, especially with my very limited knowledge of tech in those early days of the internet.

‘When I came back to The Manila Times, Tony became one of my regular weekly tech columnists. He covered the enterprise side of tech like it was second nature to him.

‘Masaya kasama si Tony. Ang sarap kausap, lalo na pag music [ang topic]. He was one of the true-blue, legit rock journalists who really knew and understood the local music scene.’

Dinna Bellosillo-Sacris

Former Score Magazine contributing writer

‘While on break from college, I worked at The Shop, or A2Z, the record store Tony once co-owned with his Jingle cohorts [led by Ces Rodriguez]. He was already a favorite music critic then, [either] revered by readers who were delighted by his ‘angel’ reviews, [or hated] by displeased music fans who wanted to disembowel him over his ‘bangaw’ ratings.

‘Since then, he became Kuya Tony to me – one of three lifelong friends I would see whenever I am in Manila, long after going back to college, starting a family, working as a record label executive, and uprooting to Cebu.

‘Now my heart feels like it is getting pulled between two poles. I know I am going to grieve for a long time for this loss. Yet, it still doesn’t feel like goodbye to me, not just yet. But the realization is now sinking in.

‘I won’t get updates from him anymore on the goings-on in the local music scene, new artists and album recommendations, or movies and TV series to binge on, or jokes and puns pulled out of nowhere to cut the monotony of my uneventful days.

‘Ate Ces, Manny Espinola and I have lost one true friend. Over the phone a couple of months ago, Tony was suggesting that I write a music review. I told him I would do it once I could review a BTS album [in the style of Tony Maghirang.] Then a quick ‘he he!’ response from him.’

Tony Maghirang is survived by his wife Aurora, daughters Arianne and Arabelle, and son Arnel.

THE Supreme Court (SC) has warned that it would not hesitate to impose necessary penalties against public officers who will be found engaged in corruption and extortion.

In a 14-page ruling penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the Court’s Second Division affirmed the decision issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) on May 30, 2024 and resolution dated September 17, 2024, which found Police Senior Superintendent Amador Hernandez, an aviation security officer, guilty of grave misconduct.

The Court also upheld his dismissal from the service, the forfeiture of his retirement and other benefits, and perpetual disqualification from reemployment in any government agency or instrumentality, including any government-owned or controlled corporation or government financial institution.

The ruling stemmed from the petition for review filed by Hernandez seeking the reversal of the CA’s rulings which affirmed the administrative decisions and resolutions of the Office of the President and the National Police Commission (Napolcom).

Both tribunals found him administratively liable for grave misconduct for extorting the amount of P5,000 from a lady passenger.

The passenger was accosted by aviation security personnel on October 3, 2011 at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport during check-in for carrying Philippine currency in excess of P10,000 as required under the law

She was then escorted to the airport security station chief’s office where Hernandez and another individual spoke to her about her violation of a banking circular limiting the amount of Philippine currency that may be taken outside of the country.

The passenger narrated that the two threatened to bring her to Customs authorities which would delay her flight boarding and result in the confiscation of her money.

To avoid such scenario, the lady passenger asked Hernandez what she could not and the latter replied ‘kung ano maluwag sa iyo’ (Whatever is convenient for you).

When the passenger offered P1,000 for her release, the police officer merely laughed at her.

After some negotiation, the passenger agreed to pay P5,000 for her release.

The lady passenger later filed an administrative complaint against Hernandez before Napolcom for grave misconduct for extorting money from her which ruled against the latter.

Hernandez subsequently appealed Napolcom’s ruling before the Office of the Preside which also denied his appeal, prompting him to elevate the case before the CA.

The CA affirmed both the decisions of the Napolcom and the Office of the President, which led Hernandez to bring issue before the SC.

Hernandez argued that CA ruling relied solely on the ‘bare statements given by the lady passenger and her companions.’

He added that the CA affirmed the findings of the Napolcom and of the Office of the President despite lacking factual and legal basis.

In denying his petition, the SC held that the CA acted within the bounds of its authority by affirming his liability after reviewing the evidence on record.

‘The established facts place petitioner’s actions squarely within the scope of grave misconduct, as it amounted to ‘unlawful behavior’ and a ‘deliberate violation of a rule of law.’ His unlawful behavior is further attended by corrupt intent, shown in how he used his public office to procure monetary benefit for himself,’ the SC said.

The Court also stressed that having a long track record of good service or that such misconduct was the officer’s first offense cannot be used as basis to lower the penalty against him.

‘Public office is a public trust. Any violation of this trust through grave misconduct is punishable by dismissal from service,’ the SC stressed.

The SC noted that the petitioner did not only extort money from the lady passenger but he also tried to conceal his wrongdoing by executing a sham waiver.

THE Philippine government could generate up to P2.68 billion in additional revenue by reclassifying frozen pork jowl and imposing higher tariffs, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

A local manufacturer that uses frozen pork jowl as a raw material warned that this move will trickle down to the cost of processed meat products, such as sausages and longganisa, with Filipino consumers feeling the pinch of higher prices. Frozen pork jowl is used for a vastly popular Filipino fare, ‘sisig,’ which is carried by both low-end and high-class restaurants.

The DA claimed that the government could potentially generate P1.34 billion to P2.68 billion in revenue if the corresponding tariff rate on swine meat is applied to frozen pork jowl through a reclassification.

The agency disclosed its estimates during the Tariff Commission’s public hearing on the DA’s petition to modify the tariffs levied on frozen pork jowl by reclassifying it as swine meat.

The DA based its figures on the average three-year tariff collection from frozen pork jowl of P893 million at the current 10-percent rate.

Should the government reclassify the commodity as swine meat and levy it with 25 percent as stipulated in the tariff scheme under Executive Order (EO) 62, this could grow to P2.23 billion.

When EO 62 lapses in 2029, the tariff scheme on pork imports will revert to 30 percent for in-quota and 40 percent for out-quota shipments. Revenues could then climb to P3.57 billion.

‘While we do acknowledge that the actual amount would depend on historical import volumes and the applicable tariff [rate], it illustrates how a seemingly technical classification issue can have substantial fiscal implications,’ the DA said.

It added that these revenues could contribute to government programs supporting the development and competitiveness of the domestic livestock industry, such as the P20-billion annual allocation under the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (Ancef).

The Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act (Aidca) created the Ancef, which comprises tariffs collected from livestock, poultry, and dairy imports.

Domino effect on consumers

Local manufacturer Mishie Tongson from PrimeAgri said reclassifying and imposing higher duties on frozen pork jowl would be ‘unfair’ for producers of processed meat goods, already subject to value-added tax (VAT).

‘If we impose a high tariff or reclassify it to be similar to the classification of [swine] meat, everything will have a domino effect on the supply chain,’ Tongson said.

She added that on top of imposed taxes, the increase in minimum wage and transportation costs would be added to manufactured goods, ‘which will ultimately be passed onto the consumer.’

‘The business owner is just processing it; everything that increases [along the supply chain] is passed on to the consumer. So if that happens, almost all of our pork products will become more expensive,’ Tongson added.

Government data showed that imports of frozen pork jowl increased to 138,000 metric tons (MT) in 2025, from 111,000 MT in 2023. Shipments of the commodity, however, declined by 24 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2026.

The European Union is the Philippines’s top supplier of frozen pork jowl, accounting for 79 percent of shipments in the reference period.

The Cebu City government is considering the use of transparent school bags in public schools as part of efforts to strengthen campus security and prevent students from bringing prohibited items into school premises.

Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, said the use of transparent bags is among the policy directions being considered by the city government following discussions on school security measures.

Siasar said the proposed measure could address concerns over the privacy implications of inspecting students’ bags, as the contents would be visible without requiring school personnel to open and search them.

‘This is for the safety of your children,’ Siasar said during a press briefing on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.

He said students generally would not be expected to bring items other than books, notebooks, and other school-related materials to campus, making transparent bags a possible additional layer of security.

The proposal comes as the city government also works with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on other measures intended to strengthen security in schools, including the deployment of metal detectors.

Siasar said the documentation required by the Local School Board for the metal detectors has been completed, although he could not confirm whether the equipment had already been delivered to the schools.

‘As far as the local school board is concerned, the documentation is okay, it can be delivered,’ he said.

He added that the city government is coordinating with the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) on school-security concerns.

The city’s security measures also include discussions on the inventory and accountability of service firearms issued to government employees.

Siasar said the matter was among the concerns discussed between the mayor and PNP officials, particularly the need to account for government-issued firearms.

He also noted that individuals who are not deemed capable of safely handling firearms should not be allowed to carry them, subject to existing licensing and regulatory requirements.

‘This is part of the discussion with the mayor of the PNP, the inventory,’ Siasar said.

The push for additional security measures follows renewed attention on school safety and the challenges of preventing weapons and other prohibited items from entering school premises.

Electricity prices in the Visayas could fall by nearly 54 percent under the regional application of the Secondary Price Cap (SPC), as the Department of Energy (DOE) moves to stabilize the grid following the return of several generating units.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has begun applying the SPC separately to the Visayas and Mindanao grids, a change that would allow price spikes in the two regions to trigger the cap without being diluted by lower prices in Luzon.

The new treatment took effect beginning with the August 2026 billing period and is expected to be reflected in consumers’ September bills.

Based on ERC simulations cited by Garin, the regional SPC could bring the average August Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) price in the Visayas down to P8.47 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from P18.59 per kWh, a reduction of nearly 54 percent.

In Mindanao, the average WESM price could fall to P8.69 per kWh from P19.56 per kWh, or nearly 56 percent lower.

Garin said the previous SPC mechanism combined the prices of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao in determining whether the price cap would be triggered.

Because Luzon accounts for a much larger share of the market, high prices in the Visayas and Mindanao could be offset by lower prices in Luzon.

‘This is very important and a big change in the monthly bill of our countrymen, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao,’ Garin said.

She stressed, however, that the price cap is not a substitute for addressing the supply constraints that caused the price surge.

‘The price cap alone is not enough,’ Garin said, adding that the DOE is pursuing measures to improve generation reliability and address recurring and prolonged plant outages.

Supply recovery

THE department is simultaneously working to restore generating capacity and strengthen reserves in the Visayas grid.

Garin said at least 758 megawatt of capacity across the Visayas and Mindanao grids has been recovered as generating units return to service.

Among the units cited were an 82-MW unit that has been operational since September 4, Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) Unit 2 in Toledo with a capacity of 169 MW, TVI Unit 1 with 169 MW, Therma South Inc. Unit 1 with 150 MW, and GN Power Kauswagan Unit 2 with 138 MW.

The recovery, however, has not been without setbacks. Garin said TVI Unit 1 suffered a forced outage shortly after returning to service.

DOE field offices were deployed to inspect and audit the facility and work with the operator to restore the unit to stable and sustained operation.

The 150-MW Panay Energy Development Corp. Unit 3 in Iloilo also remains under restoration.

Despite the setbacks, Garin said the return of generating units has allowed the power reserve in the Visayas grid to gradually increase.

The DOE is also coordinating with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to accelerate the integration of 253 MW of battery energy-storage capacity in Cebu, Panay, Leyte and Negros.

Garin said the government is pursuing several measures while waiting for longer-term generation projects to come online, including battery storage, the restoration of existing plants and interim solutions such as power barges.

New generation capacity will take time to develop, she said.

Coal-fired power plants can take about three to five years to construct, while gas-fired plants may require about five years.

Solar projects can be developed faster but are not sufficient on their own to meet the energy requirements of the Visayas and Mindanao.

‘We’re catching up,’ Garin said, adding that the DOE is pushing investors to accelerate projects that normally require several years to complete.

She stressed that stabilizing the power situation requires cooperation among generating companies, electric cooperatives, distribution utilities, TransCo, NGCP, Napocor and local governments.

Meanwhile, the DOE is also examining the sharp movement in electricity prices.

Garin said she instructed the DOE Legal Services Bureau to formally communicate with the Philippine Competition Commission and Philippine Electricity Market Corp. to determine whether there was possible market abuse during the period of tight supply.

The DOE is also coordinating with the ERC and other power-sector agencies to monitor market conduct, stabilize supply and ensure that the recalculated charges are correctly reflected in consumers’ electricity bills.

MEASURES will be put in place to address the latest Chinese ramming incident that targeted a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Bfar) vessel off Palawan on September 18, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said.

‘Definitely. This definitely needs to be addressed and we’ll be talking with the National Security Advisor and the National Maritime Council. Kasi unarmed vessel ito [Because this is an unarmed vessel], Bfar vessel, [and this (ramming) has] no rhyme, no reason,’ he said in an interview.

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship hit the Bfar ship BRP Datu Magat Salamat (MMOV-3015) broadsides while the latter was carrying out a fuel subsidy mission for Filipino fishermen off Hasa-Hasa Shoal, West Philippine Sea.

‘It’s not merely a violation of maritime rules, but a criminal act by the CCG. So, we will be addressing that. I’m not going to talk about specifics now, but definitely our personnel are already developing options for addressing this,’ Teodoro said.

He said the Chinese action needs to be addressed as soon as possible since the incident took place in Philippine territory.

He added that if any of the Bfar personnel manning the ship were injured in the incident, that action by the CCG can also be considered as a criminal act.

Teodoro said Filipinos reportedly claiming that the CCG is right in ramming the BFAR ship are guilty of treason.

‘[That is] not acceptable, at katrayduran na sa Republika ng Pilipinas iyon [that is treachery against the Republic of the Philippines], plain and simple,’ he said.

The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) earlier condemned the incident, noting that is a serious breach of the 1972 Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Colregs), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), and the 2016 Arbitral Award.