Category: Business Mirror

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is building a workforce prepared to respond when disaster strikes in gthe wake of the magnitude 7.8 offshore earthquake off Maasim, Sarangani.

In a statement, the DAR said the agency intensified its disaster preparedness efforts to ensure its employees can continue serving communities safely and effectively, even in times of crisis.

DAR Regional Office XII, led by Regional Director Marianne S. Lauban-Baunto, gathered its employees for a three-day Disaster Management Training with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Regional Office XII to equip them with practical skills to respond safely and effectively during emergencies last week.

The training reflects the direction of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III to put the safety and welfare of employees first, recognizing that a prepared workforce is better equipped to continue serving agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and the public even in difficult situations.

Assistant Regional Director Rahyll Saga emphasized that the training came at a crucial time following the June 8 earthquake and the series of tremors that continued to affect parts of the region.

‘The recent earthquake reminded us that emergencies can happen at any time. This training gives our employees the knowledge and practical skills they need to protect themselves, assist others, and respond calmly when disaster strikes,’ Saga said.

BFP officials including F/Senior Supt. Randolf Arbutante and lawyer Jeraniel Taporco led discussions on fire safety, forest fire management, and emergency response. Employees also took part in hands-on exercises on using fire extinguishers and safely shutting down liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks during fire incidents, giving them first-hand experience in responding to situations where every second counts.

For many employees, the lessons carried greater meaning after experiencing the recent earthquake and the succeeding tremors in the region. It showed the value of being prepared, not only for their own safety but also for the communities they serve, while helping ensure that government services can continue even during emergencies.

By investing in the safety and readiness of its people, DAR continues to build a workforce capable of responding effectively to crises while remaining committed to delivering public service when it is needed most.

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) has partnered with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) ‘to strengthen disaster preparedness, climate adaptation and institutional resilience’ across the archipelago.

The partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, establishes a framework for cooperation on information exchange, hazard monitoring, capacity development and coordination between the two organizations.

The ADB didn’t disclose the value of the agreement.

A statement by the Manila-based multilateral lender read that the collaboration with the private sector group is intended to improve ‘institutional readiness’ ahead of the typhoon season while strengthening long-term response capabilities for future emergencies.

ADB Vice President for Administration and Corporate Management HK Yu expects the partnership would reinforce the bank’s business continuity and organizational resilience while deepening cooperation with the private sector.

‘Our partnership is an important step in strengthening ADB’s business continuity and organizational resilience. It also reflects ADB’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to advance preparedness, coordination, and long-term resilience amid growing risks,’ Yu said.

The agreement comes as the Philippines remains among the world’s most disaster-prone countries, facing frequent typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and other natural hazards that disrupt economic activity and affect communities across the country.

Just last week, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) attributed the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Inday (international name Bavi) to the death of 26 persons from six regions, up from 22 on July 14.

The ADB has continued to expand its support for the country’s disaster resilience efforts through financing and policy reforms. In 2025, the multilateral lender approved a $500-million policy-based loan that provides the Philippines with quick access to financing following disasters triggered by natural hazards or health-related emergencies.

The financing also supports reforms aimed at strengthening disaster resilience and enabling faster response and recovery efforts to minimize the impact of disasters on the economy as well as on the lives and livelihoods of Filipinos.

For its part, PDRF said the partnership brings together a multilateral development institution and a private sector disaster resilience organization to strengthen preparedness and response efforts through institutional cooperation.

‘We are going to achieve great things together and blaze a new trial for others to follow,’ PDRF President Rene S. Meily was quoted as saying in a statement.

According to ADB and the 17-year-old PDRF, the partnership seeks to strengthen institutional and operational linkages that support disaster resilience, improve climate adaptation, and promote private sector participation in preparedness efforts.

The collaboration is expected to contribute to broader resilience initiatives across the Asean region by leveraging the organizations’ respective networks and expertise, the statement read.

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero on Sunday urged Congress to reassess the country’s juvenile justice laws in the wake of the recent school shooting in Tacloban, saying no humanmade statute is ‘perfect or untouchable’ and must be revised when no longer responsive to current realities.

Escudero, who coauthored Republic Act No. 9344 in 2006 and its amendatory law Republic Act No. 10630 in 2013, said his long involvement in crafting the juvenile justice framework obliges him to support a fresh, evidencebased review amid fresh debates on juvenile accountability, school safety gaps, and gun access.

‘Matagal na akong mambabatas at palagi kong sinasabi [na] iisang batas lamang ang inukit sa bato at galing sa Diyos, at ‘yon ang hindi natin pwedeng baguhin. Lahat ng iba pang batas, sinulat lang sa papel…galing ‘yon sa tao. Walang perpektong mambabatas na alam ang lahat para makagawa ng batas na hindi na pwedeng baguhin habang buhay,’ Escudero said at the conclusion of a two part edition of his Chiz Wiz podcast tackling the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

The senator noted that even the framers of the 1987 Constitution included mechanisms for amendment, recognizing that no law can anticipate all future problems. ‘Kinikilala nila na hindi nila angkin ang lahat ng talino para sagutin ang mga problemang noong sinulat nila ‘yon.’

According to Escudero, revisiting the law should not be seen as an admission of error but as a necessary response to changing circumstances.

‘Dapat bukas kaming lahat na mambabatas sa anumang pagbabago at tingnan ang pagkakataon para pagandahin, ayusin, iwasto, pabilisin, at tiyakin na mas maayos ‘yung mga batas na ating ipapasa alangalang sa interes ng ating bansa, mga kababayan, at siyempre ang mga kabataang Pilipino,’ he said.

Responding to questions from his podcast guests, he clarified that RA 9344 and RA 10630 already contain accountability, intervention, and rehabilitation mechanisms for children in conflict with the law, contrary to claims that minors ‘cannot be punished.’

Escudero said he supports a ‘fullcycle review’ of the juvenile justice system to address gaps in implementation and strengthen measures that protect public safety while upholding the principles of juvenile justice.

‘Ang batas ay para sa tao. Kung hindi na tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng panahon, tungkulin naming ayusin at iakma ito,’ he concluded.

German logistics firm Rhenus has expanded its warehousing operations in the Philippines, opening a new warehouse facility in Parañaque and a new head office in Pasay as it deepens its push into the country’s growing logistics market.

The expansion comes as the logistics group ramps up services for multinational clients in the country, including technology and engineering firm Bosch Philippines, which it supports with storage, handling, fulfillment and value-added warehousing services.

‘Rhenus is committed to continually investing in the Philippines as we strengthen our local logistics capabilities. This marks another step in supporting the market’s evolving needs through reliable operations, modern facilities, and solutions tailored to customers in the country,’ said Deepak Sharma, managing director of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Philippines.

The company said its local warehousing operations run on a fully electric material handling equipment (MHE) fleet and follow processes designed to minimize waste, part of its pitch as a sustainable logistics provider in a market shaped by rising consumer demand.

Rhenus holds a ‘preferred supplier’ status from the Bosch Group for overland services, a recognition the German conglomerate grants to providers that have consistently delivered strong performance over an extended period.

‘Our longstanding business relationship with Bosch reflects our shared focus on operational excellence and reliable logistics support. As supply chains continue to evolve globally, and as markets such as the Philippines become increasingly important in regional growth, we remain focused on delivering reliable and efficient logistics solutions tailored to local business needs,’ said Ricardo Almeida, global strategic account manager at Rhenus.

The Rhenus Group posts annual turnover of EUR 8.2 billion and employs 39,000 people across 1,300 business sites in more than 70 countries, offering transport, warehousing, customs clearance and value-added services along the supply chain.

RESCUED Philippine eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan, who was reportedly being attacked by some 30 monkeys when it was saved on July 3, passed away on the morning of July 18, the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announced.

In a statement, the PEF said Sawaga-Dalwangan’s death is ‘a painful reminder of the serious threats Philippine Eagles continue to face and of the importance of preventing shooting, trapping, and other harm to wildlife.’

The initial examination found no evidence of new external trauma or internal bleeding. However, the veterinarians observed that her heart was thickened and unusually firm, her liver was enlarged, and her stomach was greatly enlarged, containing a large amount of compacted prey fur.

‘We understand that many people followed Sawaga-Dalwangan’s recovery and shared our hope that she would survive. We remain grateful to the communities, government agencies, veterinarians, supporters, and partners who helped rescue and care for her.

‘These findings do not yet establish the cause of death. Tissue samples from her organs have been collected for microscopic examination and further laboratory analysis,’ the PEF said.

PEF said it will release a consolidated report once the remaining veterinary and laboratory results have been completed.

Before her death, Sawaga-Dalwangan had been showing encouraging signs of recovery. Her wounds were healing, her hydration and appetite had improved, and she was displaying normal behavior such as preening and casting food remains.

However, on the morning of July 18, she suddenly experienced seizures.

Despite immediate emergency intervention, she passed away shortly afterward.

To recall, Sawaga-Dalwangan was discovered in a weak, dehydrated, and wounded state near the Sawaga River in barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The rescue was carried out by resident Marven Linoy, with assistance from the Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain Indigenous Political Structure and the Inhandig Tribal Multi-Purpose Cooperative, who claimed that monkeys were reportedly ganging up on the eagle, which he thought was just a chicken.

MORE than 1,000 delegates from 62 countries from AsiaPacific, Europe, Africa, and the Americas are converging in Manila this week for one of the year’s biggest diplomatic gatherings.

Despite the scale, authorities say there will be no suspension of classes and no special lanes on city roads.

Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers-except Myanmar’s-opened their meeting in Manila Monday, their third inperson session this year and seventh overall if virtual and informal meetings are included.

Alongside the 10 Asean ministers, top diplomats from dialogue partners such as the United States, Russia, China, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom are expected in the coming days.

Hellen Barbers de la Vega, directorgeneral of the Asean National Organizing Council, said preparations remain manageable: ‘As of this writing, we have no indication, re: suspension of classes.’

In Cebu last May, classes were suspended when Asean leaders met for the 48th Summit.

De la Vega added there is no need yet for designated Asean lanes on city roads, though special lanes are in place inside the airport for arriving delegates.

The Manila meetings include Asean Plus One sessions with dialogue partners and Asean Plus Three sessions with China, Japan, and South Korea. There will also be conferences on East Asian cooperation for Palestinian development and on MekongJapan initiatives.

Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Asean SecretaryGeneral Kao Kim Hourn will hold trilateral meetings each with Trkiye, Norway, Switzerland, and Brazil foreign ministers.

On Thursday, Asean ministers will meet separately with China, Japan, and South Korea, then convene with the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) to tackle regional and global security issues.

Later that day, the 19 members of the East Asia Summit-comprising 11 Asean states plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the United States-will hold their own foreign ministers’ meeting.

The highlight is Friday’s commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Asean Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), the bloc’s peace blueprint. In addition to the 58 current signatories, five or six new countries-including Sweden, Poland, Romania, Cyprus, and Lithuania-are expected to accede.

DFA Spokesperson Dominic Xavier Imperial said the weeklong meetings provide ‘a very good opportunity, a venue for dialogue partners in Asean to engage and discuss whatever is impacting not only regionally but also globally.’

Beyond the South China Sea disputes, Asean will address the Myanmar crisis, Cambodia-Thailand border tensions, and global conflicts including the IranUS war, RussiaUkraine war, and the Korean Peninsula.

Eight Middle East states-Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE-are already TAC parties, along with Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, and North Korea.

Imperial emphasized Asean’s resilience: ‘Despite the challenges, it remains united, it remains towards the path of maintaining Asean centrality…adhering to the principles of the Asean Charter.’

Decisions reached by the foreign ministers will be elevated to Asean leaders and dialogue partners, who are expected to meet again in Manila this November.

This Thursday, July 9, 2026, photo courtesy of the Land Bank of the Philippines shows Landbank President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz (right) and Makati City Mayor Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay-Angeles signing an agreement at the Makati City Hall to advance the digitization of government transactions through the Landbank’s Link.BizPortal.

Under the agreement, Landbank will serve as the depository and financial settlement bank for Link.BizPortal transactions of the City Government of Makati.

The bank will also provide transaction monitoring, reporting, and technical support to ensure a smooth transition.

Travelers exploring Cebu province can now access 17 accredited clean toilet stops strategically located along key tourism and transportation corridors under the provincial government of Cebu’s Clean Toilet Stop Partnership Program.

The initiative, implemented through partnerships with local governments and private establishments, is designed to provide motorists, commuters, residents, and both local and international tourists with clean, safe, and accessible restroom facilities while traveling across the province.

Beyond improving public convenience, the program also promotes Cebuano hospitality and encourages greater community participation in tourism development.

The accredited toilet stops are distributed across northern and southern Cebu to ensure wider accessibility.

In northern Cebu, the designated facilities include the SeaOil Gas Station in Poblacion, Daanbantayan; ARC Fuel Gas Station in Purok Upo, Hagnaya, San Remigio; Shell Gas Station in Dakit, Bogo City; Bastap in Luyang, Carmen; Boardwalk in Poblacion, Compostela; Shell Gas Station and Café in Hika, Poblacion, Compostela; Shell Gas Station along the Central Nautical Highway in Labogon, Mandaue City; Mactan Shrine in Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City; and the Shell Gas Station along M.L. Quezon National Highway in Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City.

Meanwhile, accredited facilities in southern Cebu include RM Shoppe in Poblacion, Sibonga; Caltex (SOS Ceres Stop) in Poblacion, Argao; VANZ Gas Station in Lagunde, Oslob; SeaOil in Bonbon, Aloguinsan; Fill It Up in Dakit, Barili; Shell Gas Station in South Poblacion, Naga City; Robinsons Shell Cebu in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City; and Jas Trading and General Services Inc. along Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Toledo City.

To make the facilities easier to locate, the provincial government has also provided a QR code that directs travelers to the Google Maps locations of all accredited Clean Toilet Stops.

Last month, the program was formally launched after the Cebu Provincial Government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with participating local governments and private establishments, paving the way for the accreditation of public and private facilities as official toilet stops along major tourism and transport routes.

Gov. Pamela Baricuatro said the quality of tourism should be measured not only by visitor arrivals but also by the experience guests have while exploring the province.

She emphasized that seemingly small details, such as access to clean restrooms, can leave a lasting impression on visitors, contribute to better public health, and reinforce Cebu’s standing as one of the country’s premier tourism destinations.

She added that providing a comfortable, safe, and welcoming environment for guests reflects the province’s commitment to delivering quality tourism experiences.

The governor also expressed gratitude to business owners, managers, and local government leaders who partnered with the provincial government, noting that tourism development is a shared responsibility among both the public and private sectors. Provincial Tourism Officer Rowena Lu Y. Montecillo said participating establishments underwent inspection and validation to ensure compliance with the standards set under the Clean Toilet Stop Partnership Program before receiving accreditation.

THE Senate sitting as the Impeachment Court on Monday allowed the prosecution to secure subpoenas for selected bank documents, as well as records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, Carpio Lawyers; and 19 entities identified by the prosecution.

In a ruling, Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero overruled the defense’s objections and allowed the production of financial documents covering the period from 2007 to 2021, saying these would help establish a financial baseline relevant to the allegations under Article II, which involves claims of unexplained wealth.

After reviewing the requests, Escudero said the court found the documents sufficiently defined, identifiable, and materially relevant to the case.

He noted that similar financial records had been examined in past impeachment proceedings, including that of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, and cited the law recognizing impeachment cases as exceptions to bank secrecy protections.

The court approved requests involving 19 corporations and Carpio Lawyers, finding preliminary evidence linking Duterte to these entities through official filings and her declared assets. It ruled that the subpoenas were not exploratory in nature and limited them to peso-denominated accounts relevant to Article II.

However, foreign currency accounts were excluded without written consent from depositors. Requests involving JTC Group of Companies and Pikimong Pikimong Philippines Corporation were denied due to insufficient initial linkage.

Deadline

THE Senate Impeachment Court ordered banks to submit the requested records by July 30, 2026, with the documents initially to be reviewed in-camera by the presiding officer to prevent the disclosure of sensitive information. Only peso-denominated accounts will be covered, while foreign currency deposits are excluded without the consent of the depositors.

Subpoenas were also issued to the AMLC for records involving Carpio, whether individually or jointly with Duterte, as well as accounts tied to their law firm and several corporate entities. However, the court denied requests for records linked to certain companies, citing the prosecution’s failure to establish their relevance to the case.

Escudero emphasized that the records from 2007 to 2021 would be used solely to establish a comparative financial baseline and not to prove separate impeachable offenses outside the current charges. He added that the admissibility of the documents would still depend on the prosecution’s ability to link them to alleged unexplained wealth during Duterte’s term.

INDEPENDENT think tank Stratbase Institute on Friday said the Philippines made the right strategic and diplomatic decision in pursuing the 2016 arbitral ruling, as evidenced by the nearly 30 diplomatic missions that joined the country in commemorating the ruling’s 10th anniversary.

The broad international participation underscored growing global support for the Philippines’ assertion of its rights in the West Philippine Sea and reaffirmed the significance of the landmark ruling.

In a statement, Stratbase Institute president Victor Andres Manhit said the presence of representatives from 26 foreign missions at its recent Makati forum marking the award’s 10th anniversary reflected the international community’s resolve to ensure that the landmark ruling remains relevant amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

‘By standing firmly with the Philippines, these partners are ensuring that the 2016 Arbitral Award remains a living document that defines the future of a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific,’ he said.

The forum was headlined by ambassadors from Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, who all affirmed their support for the arbitral ruling.

Also present during the forum were the chief of missions of the United States, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Ireland, Israel, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, and Austria.

The foreign missions of Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Italy and Thailand were also represented in the forum.

The event comes as international recognition of the arbitral ruling continues to expand.

Data from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative showed that as of January 2025, 27 governments had publicly called for the award to be respected.

Between November 2022 and October 2024, 18 countries-including France, South Korea, and Norway-strengthened their positions by explicitly recognizing the ruling as legally binding.

Last July 12, EU Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas, on behalf of the 27 EU member states, affirmed that the ‘2016 Arbitral Award, adopted by the independent and impartial arbitral tribunal in accordance with Unclos, was final and legally binding upon the parties to the proceedings.’

‘As a landmark decision in the peaceful settlement of disputes, it must be respected and fully implemented by the parties involved,’ she said.

She added that the EU was concerned by the steady increase of tensions and dangerous incidents in the South China Sea ‘and firmly opposes any unilateral actions that threaten to undermine regional stability and the international order based on international law and the rule of law.’

Other ambassadors were equally firm in their recognition of the award’s finality.

During the forum, Indian Ambassador Sri Harsh Kumar Jain affirmed that New Delhi considers the 2016 Arbitral Award to be ‘final and binding’ and that it constitutes the basis for peaceful dispute resolution. South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa said Korea fully supported the Philippines’ chairmanship of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, adding that ‘prosperity flourishes when seas unite rather than divide, when rules prevail over coercion, and when freedom of navigation and overflight are respected in accordance with international law.’

The Stratbase Institute acknowledged these nations for their courage in calling out dangerous and destabilizing conduct, such as the use of water cannons and most recently the launch of a nuclear-capable missile in the Pacific.

Manhit said the collective recognition is being translated into tangible action, with Australia planning a new defense cooperation arrangement for 2026 and the United Kingdom commencing formal negotiations for its own Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (Sofa).