Category: Business Mirror

AFTER years of stalled negotiations, the Philippines and the European Union have finally found common ground on a free trade agreement (FTA), driven by sustained negotiations, high-level political backing and growing economic and geopolitical incentives on both sides.

European Union’s Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro said the breakthrough came after intensive work by negotiating teams, a video call between European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefcovic and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cristina A. Roque, and the phone call between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Monday night Philippine time.

‘It was a good call which came after intense work conducted by the two teams on the EU and the Philippine side by the chief negotiators,’ Santoro told the BusinessMirror, noting that the discussions also followed a productive interaction between the European Commissioner for Trade and Philippine trade officials.

Santoro described the outcome as a ‘milestone,’ saying both sides had substantially concluded negotiations and established the final framework of the agreement, leaving only residual technical issues and legal review.

He declined to identify a single sticking point that held up the talks, saying trade negotiations typically involve multiple complex issues.

‘In any negotiation, there are elements which are a bit more complex to be tackled than others,’ Santoro said. ‘Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.’

The breakthrough also reflects a broader convergence of economic and geopolitical interests.

The sixth round of negotiations, held in Manila from May 18 to 22, 2026, saw significant progress in market-access discussions and consolidation of the negotiating text.

The talks were led by Dora Correia of the European Commission and Allan Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Negotiators reported substantial completion of chapters on digital trade, intellectual property and final provisions, while several other chapters had already been provisionally closed during previous rounds on MSMEs, transparency, anti-fraud clause, sustainable food systems, good regulatory practices, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, car annex and code of conduct for panelists and mediators in state-to-state disputes.

For Chris Humphrey, executive director of the EU-Asean Business Council, shifting global dynamics have made closer cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia increasingly important.

Humphrey said the European Union and Asean share a commitment to a multilateral, rules-based trading order and adherence to international law, making them natural partners amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.

‘If you’re sitting in Europe, you’ve lost a good friend in the US,’ Humphrey said, arguing that Brussels needs dependable partners around the world and that Asean can serve as a viable alternative amid growing uncertainty in global trade.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has emerged as an attractive destination for investment because of its young workforce, expanding consumer market and strong services sector.

Humphrey said the FTA would benefit the Philippines not only through increased trade in goods but also through expanded trade in services, an area where the country has significant strengths.

He added that the agreement could boost investment, create jobs and increase opportunities for Filipino businesses seeking access to the European market.

Prof. Victor Andres ‘Dindo’ Manhit, president of Stratbase, said the deal also reflects Europe’s desire to deepen ties with strategic partners amid an increasingly fragmented global economy.

He noted that negotiations were suspended during the Duterte administration amid tensions over human rights concerns but that current conditions have created momentum for both sides to pursue stronger economic engagement.

‘We live basically in a fragmented world,’ Manhit said, adding that countries are increasingly seeking economic cooperation with partners they consider strategic allies.

The agreement is now expected to undergo ‘legal scrubbing’ before signing and ratification by the Philippine Congress and the European Parliament.

Santoro said the negotiations have already crossed a critical threshold, with both sides agreeing on the framework that will underpin one of the Philippines’s most significant trade deals in recent years.

The Cebu City government is stepping up measures to contain African swine fever (ASF) in three upland villages as authorities move to remove more than 50 pigs from affected areas and continue surveillance for additional infections.

Kenneth Siasar, chief of staff of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, during a press briefing said that the city is coordinating with the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) and other offices to contain the spread of the disease in barangays Toong, Buhisan, and Pamutan.

The latest DVMF report cited by Siasar showed seven pig deaths as of Sunday, September 20. He also reported 14 deaths recorded earlier in September, while more than 50 pigs in the affected areas have been identified for culling as part of the containment effort.

Siasar clarified that the city’s use of the term ‘culling’ refers to the removal or separation of pigs in areas affected or considered at risk, rather than indicating that all of the more than 50 animals had already died.

The development places additional pressure on backyard and small-scale hog raisers in the city, who face the loss of livestock and restrictions on animal movement while authorities work to prevent the disease from spreading to other communities.

The city government is continuing disease surveillance in the affected barangays to determine the extent of infection and identify possible sources of the reported deaths.

Authorities are also looking into possible movements of pigs from other towns, including Consolacion and Liloan, as part of efforts to trace potential transmission routes.

Siasar said testing is being conducted within a 500-meter radius of affected areas. Carmel Pedroza

Police personnel are also being deployed to help enforce movement restrictions around the affected barangays, particularly in areas where pigs cannot immediately be removed.

The city is coordinating with its Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) for equipment that will be needed to remove dead pigs from affected areas.

These measures are aimed at preventing infected animals from being transported beyond the identified hotspots, a key concern for the local hog industry given the economic losses associated with ASF outbreaks.

Siasar said affected hog raisers may receive indemnification under Department of Agriculture (DA) guidelines, although the amount depends on the animal’s age, weight and classification.

Under the rates cited during the briefing, pigs aged 21 to 90 days are covered for P4,000, while hogs weighing 25 to 70 kilograms are covered for P8,000. Sows are covered for P12,000.

The assistance, however, applies only to registered animals.

Siasar acknowledged that some affected hogs are not registered and therefore may not qualify for the regular DA indemnification program. The city is seeking other forms of assistance, including support through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, for affected raisers who may be left outside the regular compensation system. The city is also looking at alternative sources of livelihood for affected families while restrictions remain in place.

Siasar said some residents have received cockerels, while ready-to-lay chickens have also been provided with assistance from private companies.

The livelihood interventions are intended to help households whose income from hog raising has been disrupted by the outbreak and the resulting movement controls.

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) is proposing a new technical assistance program worth about $1 million for the Philippines and six other countries to address gender gaps in the energy and transport sectors, including women’s participation in jobs and leadership.

The proposed assistance, which will also cover Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste, includes a regional component for cross-country work.

The Philippines is earmarked $25,000 under the program, according to the ADB.

According to the multilateral lender, the program will support participating countries through analytical work, policy advice, institutional support, capacity development, and assistance in project design and early implementation.

‘The support will address common constraints across energy and transport operations, including women’s limited participation in technical and leadership roles, institutional and workplace barriers to recruitment and career progression, and gaps in the accessibility, affordability, reliability, and safety of services for women,’ the Manila-based development bank noted in its project document.

The ADB expects the assistance to generate cross-regional evidence and strengthen policy dialogue on gender equality in the two sectors. It will also support the integration of inclusive approaches into energy and transport operations.

The proposed program will be financed by the ADB’s ‘technical assistance special fund,’ with India receiving the largest country allocation at $300,000. Uzbekistan follows with $195,000, Tajikistan with $145,000, Sri Lanka with $120,000, and Timor-Leste with $115,000 in country allocation.

The regional component has $200,000.

According to the ADB, the initiative is aligned with its energy policy and sector strategies, as well as the country partnership strategies and priorities of participating developing member countries.

The project has yet to move beyond the proposal stage, with the ADB granting concept clearance on June 30, 2026.

BUSINESSMAN Jaime T. Cruz, whose name appeared alongside Vice President Sara Z. Duterte in corporate records presented during her impeachment trial, also had connections with her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The former President appointed Cruz as a Special Envoy to China for Trade and Investments and later offered him the position of president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

These connections came under scrutiny during Tuesday’s impeachment proceedings when Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo questioned Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Gerardo del Rosario regarding Cruz’s repeated appearance in companies associated with Vice President Duterte.

Del Rosario confirmed that Cruz’s name appears in the incorporation records of Metro City Chow Foods Corp., Great Jolly Times Food Corp., Davao New Royal Taipan Foods Corp., Davao Emerging Taipans Corp. and Davao Bounty Times Food Corp.

SEC records showed that Cruz and Vice President Duterte were both original subscribers of Metro City Chow Foods Corp. Cruz was listed as the largest original subscriber, while Duterte was the second largest. Both individuals continued to appear as shareholders and directors in the company’s 2025 General Information Sheet (GIS).

‘Jaime T. Cruz’s name appears in the records of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation based on its Articles of Incorporation,’ del Rosario said.

Cruz was also connected to Gencorp Industries Inc., a company declared by the Vice President as a business interest in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), even though Duterte’s name did not appear in the company’s incorporation documents or GIS.

The JTC Group of Companies Philippines Inc. was identified as Gencorp’s largest corporate subscriber, owning 55 percent of the company. Cruz was listed as the representative of JTC in Gencorp’s corporate records.

Tulfo asked whether ‘JTC’ referred to Jaime T. Cruz, but the SEC official stated that the company’s incorporation documents did not provide such information.

The senator-judge then asked the House prosecution panel if the Cruz mentioned in the corporate records was the same businessman appointed by former President Rodrigo Duterte as Special Envoy to China for Trade and Investments.

Private prosecutor Erwin Matib confirmed that they were referring to the same person.

Matib also confirmed that Cruz was the businessman who had been offered the position of PhilHealth president and CEO during the Duterte administration.

Former President Duterte appointed Cruz as Special Envoy to China for Trade and Investments in October 2019. Earlier that year, Duterte offered Cruz the leadership position at PhilHealth, but Cruz declined the appointment.

The prosecution is examining Vice President Duterte’s corporate and financial connections as part of Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which includes allegations involving unexplained wealth and issues related to asset declarations.

AFTER years of stalled negotiations, the Philippines and the European Union have finally found common ground on a free trade agreement (FTA), driven by sustained negotiations, high-level political backing and growing economic and geopolitical incentives on both sides.

European Union’s Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro said the breakthrough came after intensive work by negotiating teams, a video call between European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefcovic and Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Ma. Cristina A. Roque, and the phone call between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Monday night Philippine time.

‘It was a good call which came after intense work conducted by the two teams on the EU and the Philippine side by the chief negotiators,’ Santoro told the BusinessMirror, noting that the discussions also followed a productive interaction between the European Commissioner for Trade and Philippine trade officials.

Santoro described the outcome as a ‘milestone,’ saying both sides had substantially concluded negotiations and established the final framework of the agreement, leaving only residual technical issues and legal review.

He declined to identify a single sticking point that held up the talks, saying trade negotiations typically involve multiple complex issues.

‘In any negotiation, there are elements which are a bit more complex to be tackled than others,’ Santoro said. ‘Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed.’

The breakthrough also reflects a broader convergence of economic and geopolitical interests.

The sixth round of negotiations, held in Manila from May 18 to 22, 2026, saw significant progress in market-access discussions and consolidation of the negotiating text.

The talks were led by Dora Correia of the European Commission and Allan Gepty of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Negotiators reported substantial completion of chapters on digital trade, intellectual property and final provisions, while several other chapters had already been provisionally closed during previous rounds on MSMEs, transparency, anti-fraud clause, sustainable food systems, good regulatory practices, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, car annex and code of conduct for panelists and mediators in state-to-state disputes.

For Chris Humphrey, executive director of the EU-Asean Business Council, shifting global dynamics have made closer cooperation between Europe and Southeast Asia increasingly important.

Humphrey said the European Union and Asean share a commitment to a multilateral, rules-based trading order and adherence to international law, making them natural partners amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.

‘If you’re sitting in Europe, you’ve lost a good friend in the US,’ Humphrey said, arguing that Brussels needs dependable partners around the world and that Asean can serve as a viable alternative amid growing uncertainty in global trade.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has emerged as an attractive destination for investment because of its young workforce, expanding consumer market and strong services sector.

Humphrey said the FTA would benefit the Philippines not only through increased trade in goods but also through expanded trade in services, an area where the country has significant strengths.

He added that the agreement could boost investment, create jobs and increase opportunities for Filipino businesses seeking access to the European market.

Prof. Victor Andres ‘Dindo’ Manhit, president of Stratbase, said the deal also reflects Europe’s desire to deepen ties with strategic partners amid an increasingly fragmented global economy.

He noted that negotiations were suspended during the Duterte administration amid tensions over human rights concerns but that current conditions have created momentum for both sides to pursue stronger economic engagement.

‘We live basically in a fragmented world,’ Manhit said, adding that countries are increasingly seeking economic cooperation with partners they consider strategic allies.

The agreement is now expected to undergo ‘legal scrubbing’ before signing and ratification by the Philippine Congress and the European Parliament.

Santoro said the negotiations have already crossed a critical threshold, with both sides agreeing on the framework that will underpin one of the Philippines’s most significant trade deals in recent years.

THE Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday took a firm stand on the demand letters it sent to the companies linked to Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.

At a news conference,DOE-Renewable Energy Management Bureau legal officer Atty. Gabriel Corpuz said the agency issued a total of 27 termination letters since December 2024, with the latest sent in December 2025, to Solar Philippines, its affiliates, and subsidiaries.

‘There’ s a demand also in the terminal letters for the payment of financial obligations under the RE [renewable energy] contracts and the P24 billion amount is the aggregate of all the amounts being demanded by DOE from Solar Philippines and all its affiliates and its subsidiaries. I hope this clarifies the issue,’ said Corpuz.

Lawyer Tony La Viña, acting as the spokesperson of Leviste, said recently that the congressman had never received any demand letter regarding the alleged P24-billion penalties and liabilities. He also claimed that what the Leviste-Legarda camp described as ‘harassment’ only began after the young congressman became vocal against flood-control anomalies in 2025, a claim that runs against the timeline of the DOE letters’ issuance.

It may be recalled that the DOE slapped Solar Philippines a P24-billion fine in forfeited performance bonds and administrative obligations. The bond was allowed to expire without replacement and that repeated government demands for compliance and payment went unanswered.

The DOE later on referred the matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to initiate civil and criminal proceedings.

A civil complaint was filed against Leviste before the Taguig Regional Trial Court for refusing to honor the conditions stipulated in the RE service contract awarded to the companies he founded and owns.

A 55-page complaint said Leviste should be held accountable for the alleged non-delivery of a major solar project awarded under the government’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP).

The DOE recently filed a supplemental estafa complaint against Leviste and former executives regarding 1,380 megawatt (MW) of irregular and undelivered solar and wind projects.

‘As far as I know, we’ve already filed cases to the DOJ for the criminal part. And then the collection case or the civil case is with Solgen [Solicitor General]. I do believe that the Solgen has already filed a case in court. And then the DOJ is under preliminary investigation. While the Ombudsman, I think they’re still under preliminary, if I’m not mistaken. So it’s still ongoing,’ Garin said.

Asked about the strength of the cases filed against Leviste, the energy secretary commented that it is up to the courts to decide. ‘Now, is the case strong or weak? Or is it winnable or not? That’s for the courts to decide and not us, nor the accused, nor the lawyers of the accused. So I’d rather not comment on the strength or weakness of the case. So we’ll just discuss it in court,’ she said.

It may be recalled that the DOE terminated163 RE service contracts from 2024 through 2025 due to developers failing to meet contractual obligations and work program requirements.

Of these, about 64 percent were awarded to Solar Philippines.

The total capacity of the canceled contracts reached nearly 18,000 megawatts. Of which, 59 are solar projects totaling 12, 271.29 MW.

Toilet paper, a product that is used for a few seconds before being disposed of forever, is typically made with trees, energy-intensive manufacturing processes and chemicals that can pollute the environment.

Experts say more consumers are seeking toilet paper made from recycled content or sustainable materials, but it can be hard to know what to look for.

Sustainable toilet paper often costs more, but can have significant environmental benefits. According to the Environmental Paper Network, a coalition of nonprofits, more than 1 billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of water and 1.6 million trees could be saved if every American used one roll of toilet paper made from recycled content instead of a roll made from forest fibers.

Here are some recommendations for buying sustainable toilet paper or reducing overall toilet paper use:

n Toilet paper made from recycled fibers. North American toilet paper has traditionally been made from fibers from trees in Canada and eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. Pulp made from the trees is bleached to create a bright white color, but the chlorine that’s often used can hurt the environment. Large amounts of electricity and heat are used to remove moisture and form square sheets.

Increasingly, manufacturers are making toilet paper from recycled paper products, which avoids material from freshly cut trees, and are using chlorine-free bleaching techniques. Once used, toilet paper itself is flushed and not recycled.

Looking for recycled content is a good place for environmentally-conscious consumers to start, said Gary Bull, professor emeritus of forest economics at the University of British Columbia. Preconsumer materials include scrap materials from manufacturing or unsold paper. Postconsumer materials come from paper products that have already been used. Making toilet paper from postconsumer recycled fibers improves its sustainability because paper is ‘one of the easiest materials on the planet to recycle,’ Bull said.

n Evaluating sustainability claims. The best way for a scientist to evaluate the carbon footprint of an item is doing a life cycle assessment, which calculates the environmental impacts from when a tree is a seedling to when its fibers are converted into toilet paper and flushed down the drain, Bull said. But that method isn’t within reach of consumers, so advocates have undertaken third-party assessments.

Some companies add those labels to packaging to show that their processes have been vetted. Bull said labels on bath tissue from the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative indicate the company is making scientifically-proven efforts to be sustainable. Both groups’ standards include conserving water, wildlife, and biodiversity as well as compliance with applicable forestry laws to keep ecosystems healthy.

Sustainable toilet paper brands typically cost more per square foot than conventional products. But Russel said prices will likely drop if consumers continue buying it and manufacturers expand production.

n Bamboo, alternative materials and energy. Alternative materials such as fast-growing bamboo are often billed as more sustainable than toilet paper made from trees, but consumers should focus on toilet paper made with recycled materials instead, said Ronalds Gonzalez, an associate professor at North Carolina State University and expert on fibers used in the hygiene industry.

Gonzalez said pollution from manufacturing processes can reduce the benefits of using bamboo. Gonzalez recently co-authored a study that found bamboo toilet paper made in China that is available in the US had a higher environmental impact than toilet paper made in the US with imported forest fibers, largely because Chinese manufacturers use electricity generated by coal. The study found the bamboo toilet paper’s environmental impacts could be reduced when it was produced in regions that use renewable energy.

n Bidets can remove the need for toilet paper. Bidets are devices that allow people to rinse after using the bathroom so they can reduce or avoid wiping. They’re another way people can reduce their toilet paper use.

Bidets, which are popular in Europe, can be a separate wash basin or a device added to toilets that generate a stream of water. Some people still use a small amount of toilet paper to dry off. Bidets that can be attached to your toilet and don’t use electricity can cost around $30, while toilet seats with fancy options such as heated water and air dryers can exceed $600. Some bidets require a plumber or contractor to install.

Bidets are a sustainable alternative to conventional toilet paper because ‘you’re not using any sort of logging, it’s water that’s already coming to your household and it’s very little water,’ Russel said.

The man who wrote in morsels had the most to say.

Antonio ‘Tony’ Maghirang was a music writer, critic, and fan. He was and is synonymous with the late great Jingle magazine. A journalistic institution in the music scene who reviewed multiple albums in the space of a few paragraphs. He was succinct, didn’t mince his words, and was never going to sugarcoat anything.

And that is how we met. Or clashed, if you will.

In 1982, Tony reviewed Canadian progressive rock band Rush’s Moving Pictures album. He trashed it and even compared it to a local band’s release (that was new wave and not even prog rock).

I walked over to the Jingle offices along P. Tuazon and 7th Avenue (I lived around the corner along 8th Avenue) and handed over a letter to the editors for their Bongga and Boquilla section for letter writers.

I expressed my protest and ended the missive by telling Tony to ‘clean your ears with hydrochloric acid.’

I thought that was the end of that, except that letter spawned a life of its own, with some other readers siding with me and some not in agreement. And it went on for a while in the letter column.

Thirty-six years later, in 2018, I was invited by my cousin Bing Pascual to cover a Valentine’s show she was producing featuring Lolita Carbon and Noli Aurillo at the Manila Hotel.

One of the media guests was Tony Maghirang, and he sat right before me. Tony turned and asked, ‘Rick, galit ka pa sa akin?’

I said no. Heavens, I was a 15-year-old kid in 1982. I wouldn’t even write such a thing today. I apologized, and Tony accepted. We became friends and worked together on a couple of projects where I invited him to cover Space-Ta, Kiss the Bride, Ebe Dancel, Wolfgang, and other launches.

During the Ebe Dancel EP launch, Tony made it in spite of battling gout.

‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ he told me as he sauntered in with a limp.

But Tony was a trouper. Even decades after Jingle, he still stayed relevant, even with all the new jack writers coming in, and that says something about who he is as a writer and a person.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, when the Jingle documentary Jingle Lang ang Pahina became available for online viewing for a limited time, that letter I wrote was recounted by Tony, and he named me. This was shot in 2012, six years before we renewed acquaintances.

I viewed it with my equal parts shame and glee, and no offense was taken. I did, after all, write it.

A few years ago, Ian Urrutia invited Tony and me to be panelists for a special screening of the Jingle documentary along with its director, Chuck Escasa. And what a thrill it was sitting next to Tony discussing those good old days, aside from hearing Chuck’s love letter to the pioneering music magazine and guest Jing Garcia’s cool anecdotes.

We had lunch afterwards in a nearby restaurant in Poblacion, Makati, where he regaled me with tales from his Jingle days.

It was a pleasure working with Tony in the final eight years of his life. We became colleagues in the Soundstrip section of Business Mirror and Rolling Stone Philippines. We would sit next to each other during events, and I would frequently invite him to my events, and he vice versa. He even supported my underground record label, Eikon Records, reviewed some (thankfully, he didn’t trash them), and even purchased a Keltscross T-shirt that I made.

We started as ‘not really friends’ but ended up as really good friends. When you work with an institution like Tony Maghirang, you soak up as much knowledge and wisdom from them.

I sit stunned at his passing. I know all lives come to an end. But as I said, he is an institution. The man might not be here anymore, but the memories, his words, his articles, and his presence surely enriched Filipino music history.

Green developer Arthaland is taking its sustainable residential vision north with the opening of the Arthaland Gallery in Quezon City, featuring Liv, its newest residential development in the Katipunan area.

Designed as an immersive touchpoint for prospective homeowners, the gallery brings the project’s vision closer to the market, allowing visitors to experience firsthand how thoughtful design, sustainability and contemporary urban living come together in a community positioned within one of Quezon City’s established residential and education hubs.

Located at the corner of Rajah Matanda Street and Katipunan Avenue, the gallery is about 3 kilometers, or roughly Jive to 10 minutes, from the Liv project site.

‘The Arthaland Gallery experience was designed to give visitors a feel for Liv even before it is completed. They can see and experience the units and lifestyle we are creating at Liv as

Arthaland expands its presence in Quezon City,’ says Celeste Cariño, associate vice president for business planning and development, Arthaland.

The space includes a display area, a digital kiosk, a scale model of the development, a unit finishes area, and fully furnished studio and one-bedroom model units. It will also have a café operated by the local brand Switch Coffee, with an indoor space and an al fresco area open to the public.

The gallery was launched through a symbolic Tree of Life ceremony attended by the Arthaland project team and partners.

Cariño says the Tree of Life reflects the values behind Liv, including balance, harmony, unity, and the interconnectedness between people and nature.

During the ceremony, the representatives led by Cariño watered a plant to symbolize the nurturing of shared roots. The tree then lit up from its roots upward, formally opening the gallery. The Tree of Life will eventually be part of Liv’s podium design.

She describes Liv as a glue bringing together carefully crafted residences, study and work areas, wellness facilities, and social spaces to create a vertical community centered on connection, well-being, and sustainable living. The development builds on

She says Arthaland’s experience in the mid-market residential segment for sustainability, wellness, exceptional quality, and thoughtful design is geared to benefit more people.

Liv champions connectivity with development’s location, with dual access to Katipunan Avenue and Esteban Abada Street, Liv features a dedicated bridgeway connecting directly to Ateneo de Manila University’s Gate 1. It also has dual street access and is about a five- minute walk from LRT 2 Katipunan Station. Miriam College, the University of the Philippines, and a range of schools, commercial establishments, and lifestyle destinations are also within easy reach.

The 46-story Liv North will be the first of the two towers in the development, offering 748 residential units. Studio, One-bedroom, and Two-bedroom units range from approximately 24 to 70 square meters and are designed for investors, parents seeking homes for their children, and professionals seeking a well-connected address near leading educational institutions and key business districts.

The model units at Liv were designed by Hong Kong-based RGBA Design Ltd., which worked with Arthaland on interior architecture and hospitality design. Founded and led by Rowena Guevara Berroya, Cariño says RGBA brings more than two decades of experience across the Philippines and Asia, with a portfolio that includes collaborations with major hospitality groups. For Liv, Cariño says RGBA designed the interiors to make the most of compact urban spaces without making them feel restrictive, creating homes that are functional, flexible, and distinctly personal.

Cariño describes the 25-square-meter Studio model unit as envisioned for a young achiever who is beginning to build her future while expressing her own style. Instead of a conventional bed arrangement, the model unit features a custom bunk bed with a study area underneath, creating distinct spaces for rest, work, and creativity while keeping the living area open. Large operable windows bring fresh air and natural light into the unit, while the separate toilet and shower areas allow two routines to run simultaneously.

Adaptable layouts also allow the spaces to evolve as residents’ needs change, while biophilic elements bring a touch of nature into the home.The approximately 40-square-meter One-bedroom model unit takes a different approach, designed for a resident who has grown into their own identity and values independence, comfort and intentional choices. A private balcony extends the living space, while large operable windows bring in natural light and fresh air. The separate toilet and shower areas provide added privacy and convenience, particularly when entertaining guests.

Liv North is targeted for turnover in July 2031.

EVEN against the backdrop of a weak local currency and the resurgence of global oil prices, the central bank still has to scrutinize more data on inflation, growth, exchange rate and capital flows as it must be sure to maintain ‘sufficient interest-rate support,’ according to a former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) deputy governor.

‘The challenge for the BSP is to maintain sufficient interest-rate support without making the cost of capital so high that it begins to damage the very growth and investment that the economy needs,’ former BSP Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message.

Asked if the central bank should continue raising interest rates given the weak local currency and high oil prices, Guinigundo said the BSP ‘should be data-dependent,’ hence the need to gather more data on inflation and growth, exchange rate and capital flows.

This, the former BSP deputy governor stressed, as he weighed the advantages of raising the policy rate further against the risks that would come with further tightening.

Guinigundo explained that a higher rate can strengthen the peso, anchor inflation expectations and support portfolio flows.

However, he pointed out that if the policy rate ‘stays high for too long,’ it can ‘unnecessarily suppress domestic demand, investment and employment.’

‘In short, a relatively high rate can buy monetary and exchange-rate stability, but it comes at a cost,’ added the former central bank deputy governor.

Moving forward, Guinigundo said it is more important to look at the real policy rate and interest-rate differential after adjusting for inflation and exchange-rate expectations rather than the nominal policy rate alone.

‘That distinction is particularly important now because the BSP is already dealing with both inflationary pressures and peso weakness; its recent decision explicitly cited the need to anchor inflation expectations and mitigate broader price pressures,’ he also told this newspaper.

In an earlier commentary, the former central bank deputy governor explained that the issue is not simply whether the BSP should raise, hold or eventually cut its policy rate.

‘The more fundamental question is whether monetary policy is sufficiently restrictive in real terms to bring inflation back to target and keep expectations firmly anchored,’ Guinigundo noted.

The Monetary Board, the highest policy-making body of the BSP, has raised the key interest rate by a total of 75 basis points since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, delivering three separate quarter-point rate hikes at the Monetary Board’s rate-setting meetings held on April 23, June 18, and August 27.

These policy actions brought the Target Reverse Repurchase (RRP) Rate to 5 percent.