Category: Business Mirror

PHILIPPINE inflation may stay above 6 percent through year-end as potentially weak harvests and the Middle East conflict continue to threaten domestic supplies, according to a congressional think tank.

The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said in a new discussion paper that inflation would remain above the central bank’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent despite easing in recent months.

CPBRD expects inflation to settle between 6.4 percent and 7.3 percent in the third quarter and between 6 percent and 7.3 percent in the fourth quarter.

Official data showed that inflation averaged 2.8 percent in the first quarter before accelerating to 6.8 percent in the second quarter.

‘Another point of interest is that only one of the 16 forecast runs yielded a CPI with an inflation rate below 6 percent. To wit, even with volatility, it is highly unlikely that inflation will fall below 6 percent in 2026,’ the report noted.

CPBRD said upside risks include weaker-than-expected harvests in the third and fourth quarters due to the monsoon, a possible super El Niño, and fertilizer constraints.

The Middle East conflict could also prolong commodity shortages and raise the cost of imported fuel, fertilizer, and other production inputs. Other risks include elevated electricity rates, peso depreciation, and the pass-through of wage increases to consumer prices.

Based on projections by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro), CPBRD said the Philippines is expected to post the highest full-year inflation among the six Southeast Asian economies covered by the study.

The country’s average inflation forecast for 2026 nearly doubled to 5.75 percent from 2.9 percent, marking the largest upward revision at 2.85 percentage points. This was followed by Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore.

CPBRD emphasized that ‘very high inflation can inflict serious and lasting costs on the economy and the people.’

Persistently high prices erode household purchasing power, weaken consumption and investment, and widen income inequality, according to the think tank.

CPBRD said poor families are hit hardest because food accounts for a larger share of their spending.

It added that high inflation could also prompt further interest rate increases, raising borrowing costs, and weighing on economic growth.

CPBRD urged the government to consider a ‘more conservative fiscal policy’ anchored on a leaner and more carefully targeted national budget.

The approach would trim lower-priority expenditures and limit the need for new taxes, which the study described as ‘non-deflationary in nature.’

‘This entails cuts in lower-priority spending items while continuing transfers to the marginalized to lessen adverse impact on overall consumption,’ it added.

CPBRD also called for measures that would address the economy’s supply constraints and reduce its exposure to external shocks.

These include developing a more resilient and reliable power grid, establishing affordable mass transportation for people and goods, and offering incentives for firms and households to invest in productivity-enhancing or energy-saving initiatives.

THE National Police (PNP) has intensified efforts to prevent Filipino jobseekers from being lured into joining armed conflicts abroad.

In a statement, the PNP Chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said the PNP is investigating reports of Filipinos being recruited to participate in foreign conflicts through combat-related activities.

‘We are coordinating with the Armed Forces and the intelligence community regarding this serious matter. If there is any, our goal is to shut down the network of recruitment in the interest of protecting all our kababayan,’ he said, adding that this is in line with the directive of President Marcos Jr. through the guidance of Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, to strengthen efforts against illegal recruitment and protect Filipinos from schemes that could put their lives and safety at risk.

Earlier, reports said a Filipino was killed while fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reports said the Filipino had signed a contract with the Russian armed forces in May.

There were claims that at least three more Filipinos were recruited.

The PNP reminded jobseekers to exercise caution when considering employment offers involving overseas security or other related work.

The public is also urged to verify recruitment offers and report suspicious activities to authorities. With PNA

FLAGSTAFF, Arizona-Parent-teacher conferences can conjure a familiar scene: adults crammed into child-size chairs, listening to teachers run through a list of students’ achievements and struggles.

For many families, they can also mean frustration. Today’s school conferences are sometimes 15 to 20 minutes, with little time for parents to ask their own questions. Adults may arrive with their own baggage about their time in school. They may be worried about being judged or dreading what a teacher may say about their child.

For teachers, conferences can mean pressure to give a snapshot of a child’s progress, with the next opportunity to connect months away-if at all.

The conference may be brief, but it can set the tone for a family’s relationship and partnership with the teacher. Parents, teachers and school administrators have these tips to make the conference productive and help build a stronger connection between home and school.

Communicate early and figure out what works

SCHOOLS typically offer several early opportunities for parents and teachers to connect, from meet-the-teacher events and back-to-school nights to open houses. By the time conferences are on the calendar, parents and teachers should already be communicating.

But sometimes it can take weeks, or even months, to hear from your child’s teacher, who must establish relationships with dozens of families. Don’t wait, say parents and teachers alike. Take the initiative and reach out yourself.

‘Do you want to set your child up for success? It’s a yes or no. And if it’s a yes, then you have to be very involved,’ said Bell White, a Houston mother of two.

When her son Lennox, now 8, was in preschool, four teachers came and went during the school year. White quickly learned how important it was to stay engaged with the school.

Since then, she has introduced herself to each of her son’s teachers at the first opportunity, even if virtually. She tells them how she prefers to communicate-whether over email, phone or via a school app-and when she’s most reachable.

Technology can make it easier for parents with multiple children or busy schedules to stay connected, and for teachers to send quick messages or reminders. But with schools using multiple platforms, some parents say it helps to establish a preferred way to communicate.

Early in the relationship, parents and teachers should focus on building trust, said J.B. Robinson, a clinical psychologist and dean of students at National University in San Diego. Positive interactions are like putting money into a relationship bank that can be drawn on when challenges arise, he said. For parents, that can mean showing interest in the classroom and recognizing the effort that goes into creating a positive learning environment. Teachers can similarly begin with questions about the individual child, rather than immediately moving into classroom expectations or academic performance.

Whatever the nature of your first communication with a teacher, try not to worry that you’re bothering the teacher. Your child’s growth is the priority, and communicating with you is part of the teacher’s job.

Make the time count

PARENT-TEACHER conferences are designed to address students’ academic and social progress, identify concerns and discuss what comes next, but there may not be time to cover everything parents or teachers want to discuss.

‘The teacher and the parent need to go in with realistic expectations as to what can actually be accomplished in one parent-teacher conference and see that more as a starting point for a conversation,’ said Robinson, the psychologist. The meetings can also be ripe for tension. Teachers may be having dozens of back-to-back conferences, while parents may arrive with weeks’ worth of questions, all seemingly valid. Depending on the school and the child’s grade, some teachers follow a set agenda, with presentation slides, packets or lists of topics to cover.

Emily Henderson, who teaches first and second grade at BASIS Charter School in Flagstaff, Arizona, says her conversations are mostly individualized, with some focusing more on academics and others on social-emotional needs.

‘We use parent-teacher conferences to really talk about strengths, talk about weaknesses of students, and then come up with a plan together to address those concerns or address those needs,’ Henderson said.

Given time constraints, parents should come with just a few thoughtful questions, teachers say. But remember this is a starting point. It’s totally reasonable to set up another conference later in the year, even if your school doesn’t have one scheduled. Or you can continue the conversation online or over the phone.

What to do if your kid is present

SOME schools recommend that students join the conference, and in other cases, a parent may want to bring them along-or need to, if they lack child care. For younger students, teachers recommend asking in advance whether they should attend, if that is an option. If you do plan to bring the student or younger siblings, let the teacher know ahead of time so they can prepare for a more engaging meeting or set up a few distractions.

If younger students are present, it is up to administrators and teachers to engage them and speak directly to them, said Kellie Hintze, head of school at BASIS Flagstaff.

‘When I have younger students at a meeting, we typically have a mini meeting with the student and the parent,’ she said. ‘Then we can dive a little deeper or have those long, drawn-out conversations that a student wouldn’t want to be a part of or be able to focus through.’

Older students have more agency over their learning and are better positioned to contribute to discussions about their progress, challenges and possible next steps, experts say.

‘We’re doing students a disservice when we’re not teaching them how to advocate, when we are not teaching them those communication skills, to have the tough conversations when they need to be had,’ said Kendrick Friendly, who is a high school assistant principal with Denver Public Schools. ‘This is a safe space for those conversations to happen.’

Questions to consider

PARENTS don’t need to arrive with a long list of questions. A few thoughtful ones can help clarify what a teacher considers success, what they are seeing in the classroom, what support is available and how to stay connected throughout the year.

Consider asking:

1. How do you prefer to communicate with parents, and how often should we check in?

2. What does success look like for my child this year?

3. How do you identify when a student is falling behind, and who should I speak with about getting additional support?

4. What are you noticing about my child that I might not see at home?

Leave with a plan

PARENT-TEACHER conferences do not resolve every concern, but they should identify next steps, whether those are regular check-ins, strategies for improved behavior or additional resources, such as tutors, specialized instruction or extracurricular activities.

Before leaving, make sure everyone knows what happens next, who is responsible for it and when you’ll check back in. Don’t be afraid to request another conference later in the year. Remember: Your child’s growth is the priority, and it will take everyone in the room to get there.

AS it marked 81 years of independence on August 17, Indonesia’s relationship with the Philippines stands as one of Asean’s more established and multifaceted partnerships.

Both countries are not only immediate maritime neighbors but also fellow founding members of the bloc, with interests that increasingly converge in security, trade, energy, food security and regional connectivity. More than seven decades after establishing diplomatic ties, the relationship has acquired a practical dimension that goes well beyond traditional political and cultural exchanges.

The two countries formally established mutual relations on November 24, 1949, and signed a Treaty of Friendship in 1951. The relationship has since evolved through successive mechanisms for political consultation, as well as economic and security linkages, culminating in what their governments describe as a ‘Strategic Partnership.’

Geography remains one of the most important drivers of the relationship. The Philippines and Indonesia share maritime boundaries in the Sulu and Celebes seas, making cooperation at sea a matter of both national security and economic necessity. The waters separating the two have long been vulnerable to smuggling, illegal fishing, trafficking and other transnational crimes, but they are also vital routes connecting communities and economies in the southern Philippines and eastern Indonesia. This has made maritime cooperation one of the most durable pillars of bilateral ties.

That cooperation received fresh impetus this year when the two countries held the eighth meeting of their Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation in Jakarta on April 23. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono agreed to pursue more practical cooperation in border management, maritime security, trade, investment, energy and consular concerns. The meeting also underscored the importance of bilateral coordination as the Philippines assumed Asean chairship for 2026.

Security cooperation is particularly visible along the countries’ shared maritime frontier. In March, Philippine and Indonesian naval and coast guard units conducted another round of the Coordinated Patrol Philippines-Indonesia, or CORPAT PHILINDO, designed to improve interoperability, maritime surveillance and the prevention of illegal activities. The continuing patrols are significant not only because they protect the countries’ respective borders but also because they demonstrate how neighboring states can address common security concerns through routine cooperation.

Defense ties are also becoming more operational. The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Indonesian military have agreed to explore greater logistics coordination, while enhancing joint operations and coordinated patrols in the Sulu and Celebes seas. The creation of a logistics subcommittee under their military cooperation mechanism points to a relationship moving beyond exercises and personnel exchanges toward more practical capabilities.

The economic relationship, meanwhile, has considerable room for expansion. Indonesia was the Philippines’ largest source of imports among Asean members in 2025, with imports from the former reaching $10.18 billion, or 28.8 percent of total imports from the regional bloc. The figures underline Indonesia’s importance as a supplier of fuel, transport equipment, food and other goods, even as the Philippines continues to seek greater access for its own exports to the Indonesian market.

A most promising development was President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to Cebu for the 48th Asean Summit in May. Business groups announced the creation of an ‘Indo-Phil nickel corridor,’ supported by cooperation on data sharing, policy and regulatory dialogue, investment and the development of environmental, social and governance standards. The initiative is particularly significant as the two countries accounted for an estimated 73.6 percent of global nickel mine production in 2025.

The nickel initiative was part of a broader economic agenda. The two sides also reached agreements on food security, agricultural technology, renewable energy, financing and aviation, while Indonesia agreed to supply more fertilizer to help Philippine agriculture.

Energy is another important area: Indonesia remains a major supplier of coal to the Philippines, but the latest discussions also point toward cooperation in renewable energy, including potential hydropower and solar projects. The challenge now is to turn these agreements into investments, jobs and industries that create value in both countries rather than simply increasing the movement of commodities.

This is where connectivity becomes crucial. The Philippines and Indonesia are both members of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area, or BIMP-EAGA, which seeks to integrate economies in the less-developed and geographically distant parts of the four countries. At the May summit in Cebu, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Prabowo emphasized connectivity, energy security, food security and investment as priorities for the subregion. The latter separately urged the Philippines to accelerate physical and energy interconnection with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

The emphasis on ports and connectivity also naturally connects the bilateral relationship to the Philippines’ broader logistics ambitions. Modern ports like the International Container Terminal Services Inc. serve as links in supply chains that connect businesses, communities and markets across borders. For the Philippines and Indonesia, improving maritime connectivity could support trade in minerals, agricultural products and manufactured goods while strengthening the economic integration envisioned under BIMP-EAGA and Asean.

Ultimately, the strength of Philippine-Indonesian relations lies in their breadth and practicality. The two countries share geography, economic priorities, and regional objectives to sustain their cooperation. As Indonesia celebrates its independence, the Philippines has good reason to view the occasion not simply as a national celebration next door, but as a chance to reaffirm a partnership built over 77 years-one that is increasingly defined by secure seas, stronger supply chains, greater connectivity and a shared stake in a stable and prosperous Southeast Asia.

Citibank’s PHL office honored

THE Euromoney magazine published by Triple Private Equity Ltd. recently awarded Citibank NA 47 global, regional and local market awards, including the coveted ‘World’s Best Bank for Large Corporates’ and ‘World’s Best Bank for Securities Services,’ the lender said in a statement. In the Philippines, its Manila Branch was also recognized as ‘Best Digital Bank for Large Corporates,’ underscoring the bank’s continued commitment to delivering innovative digital solutions that help clients operate more efficiently, manage liquidity and payments seamlessly, and navigate increasingly complex business environments, the lender’s statement read.

Security Bank CFO to co-chair Asian group

THE Security Bank Corp. announced that its Chief Financial Officer John David G. Yap has been named one of four co-chairs of the newly-launched East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Regional Chapter of the SME Finance Forum, a global network established by the International Finance Corp. (IFC). In a statement, the lender said the appointment recognizes Yap’s extensive experience in SME banking. It also gives the Philippines a voice in regional discussions on expanding access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across East Asia and the Pacific, read the statement.

Senate President Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd) and local government units (LGUS) to ensure the timely repair and replacement of monsoon-damaged classrooms, a move that he says is crucial to the safe resumption of classes in affected areas.

According to the DepEd, the combined effects of two tropical cyclones and the enhanced southwest monsoon damaged 6,681 classrooms as of August 14.

‘Tuwing bumabangon tayo mula sa mga kalamidad, kailangang agarang kumpunihin o palitan ang mga nasirang silid-aralan upang ‘wag malagay sa panganib ang mga mag-aaral dahil lamang sa mga pasilidad na hindi agad naaayos [Each time we survive a calamity, we need to immediately repair or replac e damaged classrooms so that learners are not put in danger from unattended facilities],’ said Gatchalian.

He emphasized that if these classrooms are not repaired or replaced, the shortage of facilities for basic education will get worse. As of July last year, DepEd data showed that the classroom backlog stood at 147,000.

The 2026 national budget’s P67.9 billion allocation for basic education facilities covers the replacement of school buildings. The DepEd recently announced that it would allocate P34.355 million for cleanup and clearing operations in 1,195 affected schools, while P201.586 million is allotted for minor repairs in 4,114 classrooms.

Mega Sardines is expanding into the mainstream United States grocery market, with the Philippine brand set to go on sale in 2,750 stores operated by American retail firm The Kroger Co. by mid-September.

Mega Prime Foods Inc. (MPFI) Chief Executive Officer Michelle Tiu Lim-Chan said the products are already being shipped to the US, covering Kroger and its banners Mariano’s, Fry’s, Dillons and Pick ‘n Save.

Mega is currently the first and only Filipino brand listed with Kroger, according to the company.

The rollout has been in development for about nine months, including Mega’s participation in major US food trade shows to gauge consumer interest, the company official said during a press briefing at the company’s main headquarters last Tuesday.

She said the company decided to proceed with the expansion amid trade and geopolitical uncertainties as demand for sardines remains strong in the US.

‘Actually, it’s about timing, because the sardines right now is moving. There’s a lot of demand,’ she told reporters on the sidelines of the event, noting that some US stores have experienced sardine shortages.

‘We’re not really concerned with geopolitical (tensions), because it’s about food security. So, sardines, it’s a food product.’

Mega may also adjust its products for US consumers based on sales performance, including developing variants with lower sodium content or using olive oil.

The company has not set a specific sales or revenue target for the US market this year, saying it first wants to assess how its products perform in mainstream retail.

‘Initial orders, however, have already increased as retailers seek additional stocks. We have already shipped five containers to the US. And there is also shipping every week because we feel that there is a lot of demand.’

The US is being considered as one of Mega’s potentially larger international markets, alongside its existing markets in Malaysia, Canada and Dubai.

In Dubai, it’s second largest market after the Philippines, the brand is sold through Carrefour, giving it an established presence in mainstream retail.

Long-term plans

Despite the international push, exports currently have only a small account of Mega’s business, leaving the domestic market as its main source of sales.

‘As of now, it’s not a big percentage. Within 5 to 10 percent of exports. So, that’s it. That’s why we still have a lot of domestic markets. We really need to take care of our domestic markets,’ Lim-Chan said.

Mega has also recently entered Azerbaijan, Kenya and Jordan and has at least 10 other countries in its pipeline, the company said.

For Lim-Chan, the company’s longer-term international strategy could eventually extend beyond exporting its existing products.

This could include acquiring or developing brands in other markets, as well as gaining access to additional fishing grounds and sources of raw materials.

Heavy rains induced by the prevailing southwest monsoon flooded low-lying areas in Luzon, including the National Capital Region (NCR), claiming three more fatalities in Caloocan and Cadiz cities.

This is as the weather bureau reported that rains due to the southwest monsoon may continue to drench Luzon in the next four days, threatening to cause more flooding and trigger life-threatening landslides.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said all three victims died due to drowning

This brings the death toll to 26 from the combined effect of Tropical Cyclone Luis, Maymay, and the southwest monsoon.

The number of affected population continues to grow, with reports from various local DRRMCs coming in.

So far, 1.47 million families or 5.15 million persons have been affected, NDRMMc said.

While some of those displaced by the flooding in the past few days have started to return home, the NDRRMC said a total of 6,338 families or 21,591 persons remain in 313 evacuation centers.

Flash floods that swept shanties and two to three meters of floodwater damaged 1,989 houses, with total damage to public and private infrastructure reaching P3.1 billion, and damage to crops pegged at P1.4 billion, the NDRRMC also said.

The government continues to assist affected families, with the cost of assistance as of Tuesday now reaching P760 million.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that monsoon rains will continue to affect Luzon until Friday or Saturday, possibly triggering widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides.

In its weather advisory issued at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Pagasa said 100 to 200 mm of rain is due to affect the following provinces: Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro in the next three days.

Light to moderate rain or 50 to 100 mm rain is set to affect Metro Manila, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique; Ilocos Sur, Abra, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, and Occidental Mindoro.

A FIVE-DAY regional gathering aimed at advancing energy cooperation, investment, and connectivity across Southeast Asia is scheduled next month.

The Department of Energy (DOE), in collaboration with the Asean (Association of Souheast Asian Nations) Center for Energy (ACE) and Leverage International, officially launched the other day the 26th Asean Energy Business Forum (AEBF-26).

The gathering, which will take place from October 5 to 9, is expected to bring together energy minsters from the 11 Asean Member States, global industry leaders, and more than 1,500 delegates from across the region.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country’s hosting of AEBF-26 provides an important opportunity to translate Asean’s shared energy priorities into stronger partnerships, concrete investments,and projects that benefit the region.

‘As Asean Chairman, the Philippines wants AEBF-26 to be a platform where governments, industry, and investors move beyond discussions and build the partnerships needed to unlock the region’s enormous energy potential,’ Garin said.

ACE Executive Director Dato’ Ir. Ts. Razib Dawood underscored the scale of investment required to support Asean’s growing energy requirements and clean energy transition.

‘Our region needs around $200 billion in annual energy investment by 2030 and 75 percent of that, roughly $150 billion, must go toward clean energy. In 2001, we mobilized just $30 million. That gap is precisely what AEBF-26 exists to help close,’ Dawod said.

AEBF-26 will feature policy dialogues, high-level roundtables, business-to-business engagements, and exhibitions covering key regional priorities, including the Asean Power Grid, Renewable Energy Certificates, energy efficiency, and energy financing and investment.

The forum will also feature the Philppines Energy Investment Forum and the Asean Sustainable Aviation Fuel Conference, alongside the launch of the 9th Asean Energy Outlook and the Asean Energy Investment Report, as well as actives under the Sustainable Asean Energy Management Accreditation Scheme (Seamas) Program for the Energy Efficiency Certification Scheme.

Three more communities in Naga City have gained security of tenure through the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP)-one of housing initiatives under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

On August 18, Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President and CEO Federico Laxa and Mayor Leni Robredo awarded the checks totaling over P65.8 million to Mabolo Village Homeowners’ Association Phases 1 and 2 and Saint Joseph Homeowners Association in a ceremony held in Barangay Pacol. Representing Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, Assistant Secretary Johnson Domingo also attended the event.

A total of 420 families will benefit from the awarding, which served as one of the highlights of the Jesse Robredo Day-a special working holiday in Naga honoring the legacy of the late Interior Secretary and City Mayor.

The latest awarding brings the total number of ECMP beneficiaries in Naga City to more than 800 families, with combined loan assistance reaching around P92 million. In June, SHFC also awarded checks to two other ECMP communities in the city, further strengthening its support for Nagueños seeking secure and affordable housing.

The milestone reflects Secretary Aliling’s vision of making government housing programs more responsive to the needs of communities, in line with President Marcos’ directive to bring government services closer to the people.

President and CEO Laxa said the latest awarding builds on SHFC’s continuing efforts to expand access to secure tenure among low-income communities. ‘Simula ngayon, makakatulog na nang mahimbing ang ating mga kababayan,’ he added. ‘Magkakaroon na sila ng kapanatagan at hindi na sila mangangamba na mapaalis pa sa kanilang lupain.’

Thanking DHSUD and SHFC for their continued efforts to assist her constituents, Mayor Robredo praised the CMP as a ‘life-changing’ program, particularly for allowing families to remain in their existing communities. ‘The best ang CMP kasi onsite. Hindi na sila mamomroblemang ilipat sila,’ she said.

Meanwhile, Mabolo Village Phase 1 President Rowena Bañas and Mabolo Village Phase 2 President Marissa Ramirez expressed their gratitude, describing the housing assistance as an ‘answered prayer.’ Sharing the sentiment, Saint Joseph HOAI President Nilo Villaflor underscored the timeliness of the assistance, noting that their community had been facing the threat of eviction before being enlisted under the ECMP.

Launched last year, the ECMP is SHFC’s improved and streamlined version of the 38-year-old CMP, designed to make housing assistance more responsive, accessible, and transformative for organized low-income communities.

To date, 47 ECMP projects have been approved, benefiting more than 8,000 families across the country.