Category: Philippine Star

Metro Manila’s urban landscape is often dominated by concrete, but Mapúa University is helping to change that by providing a research-based blueprint for revitalizing green spaces. The university’s commitment to urban greening is a core part of its mission to improve the quality of life, environmental health and biodiversity in densely populated areas.

As the Philippines’ leading engineering and technological institution, Mapúa equips its students with the skills and mindset to create sustainable urban solutions.

By introducing important insights such as Place Theory and placemaking principles-a design approach that prioritizes people over infrastructure, imparting latest global best practices and skills, emphasizing sustainability and motivating learners to spearhead research and initiatives that address environmental challenges, Mapúa has been at the forefront of balancing aesthetics with functionality.

The university’s work is exemplified by a recent thesis from architect Sharmaine Baes, who explored the potential of transforming underutilized urban spaces into green areas.

Her research, titled ‘Improving Quality of Urban Residual Spaces Through a Place Theory Approach: A Case Study of District 1, Pasay City,’ proposed converting “residual spaces”-such as vacant lots and plots under elevated infrastructure-into safe, vibrant public areas. This work has been presented as completion of her Master of Science in Architecture – Major in Urban Design program.

Baes’ study addressed the challenges of densely populated cities like Pasay by recommending underutilized residual areas as alternatives for parks and gardens. She proposed converting residual spaces, such as easements, vacant lots and plots under elevated infrastructures into safe, open areas with vegetation to reduce urban heat and provide areas for rest and recreation.

Her research, which included spatial analysis, site observations, stakeholder interviews and surveys, revealed that residents frequented residual areas for walking, resting, selling and socializing even if they were not safe, picturesque or accessible.

She, however, stated that by applying the Place Theory, an assessment framework, and participatory design from concerned communities, residual areas can be transformed into sustainable, vibrant public spaces that have site-specific facilities like pocket parks, open green spaces, modular libraries, mist-cooled waiting sheds, gender-inclusive comfort rooms and PWD-friendly amenities.

Architect Baes also integrated environmental sustainability into her work by introducing concepts like reverse vending machines and modular green infrastructure to promote recycling and climate resilience. Her proposal is not only practical but also highly replicable due to a newly developed Assessment Framework, which could serve as a catalyst for future urban policy reform if adopted by local government units (LGUs).

Mapúa University’s School of Architecture and Planning, Industrial Design and the Built Environment dean Dr. Junar P. Tablan affirmed Baes’ findings by saying that scaling up green spaces in Metro Manila is possible if done incrementally.

‘This can be included in the 25-year development plan for each LGU in Metro Manila. The realistic timeline for this to see significant results would be at least 10 to 20 years of strong enforcement and a strong campaign of environmental policies, as well as a cultural shift in how the spaces are being valued and utilized,’ said Tablan.

He also stated that the success of green space projects depends on local urban development policies, such as zoning reforms, public realm contributions and designated community gardens for food access and greenery, as well as the formal recognition of residual spaces as vital public infrastructure.

Urban greening initiatives would also prosper if they had the collaborative support of industry partners to provide technical expertise, local communities that will share lived insights which will inspire context-sensitive, inclusive designs and the academia to lead research, guide execution and evaluate impact.

Through research like Baes’s and the intentional efforts of institutions like Mapúa, urban greening is becoming a key priority on the national agenda.

Team North flexed its muscle across multiple divisions, seizing control of the competition with eight wins out of 12 matches in the opening Four-ball format of the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior Championship at The Country Club here on Wednesday.

What began as a tightly contested showdown between Luzon’s finest junior golfers and the top talents from the Visayas-Mindanao region quickly evolved into a dominant performance by the North squad, which handled the pressure and pace of the day with poise despite the punishing heat.

As the dust settled at high noon, Team North established a commanding 8-4 lead – an emphatic opening statement in the season-ending showdown of a year-long junior golf tour that featured seven tournaments in each region. Played at some of the country’s premier championship courses, the tour culminates in this Ryder Cup-style North-versus-South battle.

Team North captain Francis Talion attributed their strong Day 1 performance to careful planning, preparation and a deep understanding of both their own players and the opposing team’s potential lineup.

‘Basically, we started by making critical projections on how the other team might compose their roster for Day 1 – that’s what we based our own lineup on,’ said Talion, who also took the time to study each of their players’ personalities and how well their playing styles would complement one another.

‘Of course, we didn’t just consider their skills, but also their personalities, to ensure strong on-court chemistry and effective partnerships,’ he added.

The girls’ 7-10 pairings struck first blood for Team North. Athena Serapio and Ronee Dungca delivered a strong 3 and 2 win over Soleil Molde and Claren Quiño, while Mavis Espedido and Tyra Garingalao overwhelmed Denise Mendoza and Francesca Geroy with a 4 and 3 victory. These early wins set the tone for the North’s momentum.

While the Four-ball format – where each player plays their own ball and the best score per hole counts – often introduces a layer of unpredictability, it was Team North that adapted best. The format rewards aggressive shot-making and strong chemistry between partners, creating opportunities for dramatic swings in momentum. But it was North’s consistency and composure under pressure that stood out, limiting the South squad’s chances to rally.

With Team North holding a commanding lead after Day 1, Talion hinted at minimal changes for Day 2, when action shifts to Foursomes, emphasizing the importance of team familiarity.

‘It’s all about chemistry. One of the key factors for Day 2 will be the lessons from today – what worked, what didn’t, and how the team handled different moments,’ said Talion.

‘We do have a few players who aren’t feeling 100%, so there will be some minor adjustments. But overall, we’ll aim to stay consistent based on their strong performance,’ he said.

Even in divisions where South showed flashes of resistance, North’s pairings remained in control. Zach Guico and Halo Pangilinan cruised to a 5 and 4 romp in the boys’ 7-10 division, toppling Lucas Revilleza and James Rolida.

South’s Ethan Lago and Kvan Alburo, however, foiled Zoji Edoc and Asher Abad, 3 and 2, in the other match.

In the boys’ 11-14 category, Zianbeau Edoc and Jacob Casuga outplayed South’s top gun Ralph Batican and Marcus Dueñas, 5 and 4, while Vito Sarines and Ryuji Suzuki smothered South’s Jared Saban and Ken Guillermo, 3 and 2.

The Sarines twins – Mona and Lisa – extended their winning streaks with impressive victories alongside different partners. Mona teamed up with Kendra Garingalao to edge out Brittany Tamayo and Kimberly Baroquillo, 2 and 1, while Lisa, paired with Alexie Gabi, matched the feat with a 2 and 1 win over Rafella Batican and Zuri Bagaloyos. Their performances secured yet another sweep for the North in the girls’ 11-14 category.

Team South staged a stunning comeback in the final match of the day, as Eric Jeon drained a clutch pitch-in birdie on the challenging No. 18. The dramatic finish lifted his pairing with Mhark Fernando III to a thrilling 1-up victory over North’s Zach Villaroman and Jakob Taruc.

Trailing by two with just five holes to play, Jeon and Fernando mounted a spirited rally in the closing holes to square the match after 17 holes before Jeon’s brilliant birdie sealed the deal on the final green, earning loud cheers from South supporters.

‘I hit a good drive, but my approach came up a bit short. Still, I read the line perfectly from 23 yards and pitched it in for birdie,’ said Jeon. His clutch finish and the dramatic turnaround could prove pivotal, giving South a surge of confidence and much-needed momentum heading into Day 2, especially after trailing by as many as six matches earlier in the day.

Patrick Tambalque and Kristoffer Nadales delivered the eighth win for North with an emphatic 5 and 3 romp over Alexis Nailga and Armand Copok in the other boys’ 15-18 match.

Meanwhile, the South’s girls’ 15-18 squad lived up to their promise of dominance, delivering a commanding shutout against the North. Crista Miñoza and Precious Zaragosa led the charge with a 6 and 4 rout of Rafa Anciano and Chloe Rada. Their momentum was mirrored by Tashanah Balangayan and Mikela Guillermo, who also posted a decisive 6 and 4 win over Levonne Talion and Tiffany Bernardino – completing the South’s emphatic sweep in the premier division.

Despite trailing by four points, Team South skipper Alfred Gaccion remained optimistic, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back in tomorrow’s alternate shot format.

‘We’ll be reviewing today’s pairings and likely making a few adjustments – minor changes that we believe will better suit our strategy for tomorrow,’ said Gaccion. ‘It’s definitely going to be a different setup with the alternate shot format.’

Although Team South was outshone in several areas, Gaccion acknowledged both the challenges and bright spots from the day’s performance.

‘We expected our 15-to-18 teams to step up, and they did – we’re pleased with how they performed,’ he said. ‘Unfortunately, a few of our key players just didn’t have their best day, and that certainly impacted our overall standing. But with some fine-tuning, we’re hopeful for a better outcome tomorrow.’

Despite the deficit, Gaccion emphasized that the team is far from finished.

‘We’re still in contention. We’ll try to bounce back tomorrow and hopefully do good,’ added Gaccion.

The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) vowed to intensify the monitoring and evaluation (M and E) of the country’s policies and programs to ensure these help improve the lives of Filipinos.

Speaking at the 12th M and E Network Forum, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan emphasized how progress should be measured not just by growth figures, but by looking at the impact of government actions on ordinary Filipinos.

‘Impactful growth means better public services, more secure and sustainable livelihoods and stronger public trust in government. M and E plays a central role here. It helps us see whether commitments are being met, whether resources are used wisely, and most importantly, whether programs are delivering real benefits to our people,’ Balisacan said.

The recent enactment of Republic Act 12145, which reorganized the National Economic and Development Authority into the DEPDev, strengthens the development planning agency’s mandate for evidence-based policymaking.

During the M and E Forum, discussions covered how M and E can guide budget and planning decisions and ensure that evaluation findings are used to improve government programs and policies.

The event also emphasized how M and E can help bridge gaps between data and decision-making.

The DEPDev said institutionalizing M and E at the project and program level is also expected to strengthen accountability.

This has become more important amid recent corruption issues that have surfaced in the government’s flood control projects.

In addition, M and E is seen to help prioritize limited resources to maximize impact.

‘That is why this forum is so important. It brings all of us together to turn the President’s mandate into action-to ensure that growth and public expenditure are translated into measurable outcomes and tangible benefits for every citizen,’ Balisacan said.

The DEPDev, in collaboration with development partners, has been conducting several M and E initiatives across critical growth sectors, including agriculture, labor, health and social protection.

To expand the pool of evaluators in the country, the DEPDev said capacity-building initiatives are being undertaken in the regions, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Balisacan said M and E should not just be a compliance tool, but a genuine driver of inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.

There is an interesting article published Sept. 29 on the IMF Blog, written by Mr. Jay Surti, that I wanted to highlight following Filipinos growing reliance on nonbank financing.

The article, titled ‘Explainer: Five Megatrends Shaping the Rise of Nonbank Finance,’ starts off with the observation that half of all financial assets worldwide are now held and intermediated by companies that are not classified and regulated.

The global financial crisis of 2008, he wrote, froze the financial system. Banks pulled back credit, families tightened their belts and companies laid off workers, leading to an extremely difficult moment for the financial services industry.

Today, he pointed out, the landscape of finance has changed, with different types of investors and firms providing businesses, consumers and governments with credit and liquidity.

More than a billion more people now have access to credit from new tech-based lenders. Families also have more options to finance purchases and to diversify retirement portfolios. Equity, fixed income and derivatives markets, he said, have all seen strong growth.

However, he noted, these developments have not been driven by banks, but by ‘nonbank’ financial institutions that have stepped up, increasing their share of global credit and finance from 43 percent during the 2008 crisis to nearly 50 percent by 2023, based on recent data.

Half of all financial services worldwide, Mr. Surti wrote, are now offered by companies that are not classified and regulated as banks.

Nonbank financial institutions, he said, encompass very different kinds of enterprises, and exact definitions vary. Broadly, the sector includes financial companies that provide credit, trading and investment services, but do not take deposits from the public or have accounts with the central bank.

That means, they are not covered by safety nets like deposit insurance and liquidity assistance which banks have access to in exchange for comprehensive prudential regulations.

Given the nonbanks’ size and importance, Mr. Surti warned, their growth also brings risks.

He cited the classic ‘run on a (non)bank’ scenario. Like banks, open-ended and money market funds make long-term investments, but promise customers the ability to withdraw at any time. During the early-COVID ‘dash for cash’ in 2020, Mr. Surti cited, some were running out of cash (a liquidity crisis) and needed help from central banks, including the Federal Reserve. While governments did not lose money, they did take on risk for these nonbanks.

Another scenario he cited is the ‘margin call plus contagion’ scenario. Borrowing on margin to make bigger bets enhances profits, but also raises risks. Some hedge funds and family offices (wealth managers focused on one or more wealthy families), he said, borrow large amounts of money with little collateral to bet on events like stocks or bond price swings.

In times of stress anywhere in the financial system, he said, the institutions the nonbanks borrow from often go from requiring too little collateral to requiring too much, amplifying risks for everyone.

If these bets go wrong, he warned, the nonbanks may collapse, triggering losses and illiquidity for their creditors and broader market stresses.

Thus, he highlights the need to protect the public by ensuring that the government gets more and better data. Nonbanks, he said, borrow heavily from banks and others in the financial system, yet their disclosure and reporting requirements are quite light.

Neither market participants nor financial regulators have a comprehensive view of the macro-financial stability risks arising from the sector.

Taxpayers, he said, are often called in to help out in times of stress, so they deserve to know more about the risks nonbanks take. When transaction information can’t be public for competitive reasons, it should be visible to regulators – and shared across borders.

The data gathered by government, he suggested, should be used to improve risk analysis. Regulators, he said, can also do more with the data they already have to map connections between banks and nonbanks, and among nonbanks. Using new models and technology can help them gain a better understanding of global financial risks.

Governments should also utilize risk analysis to strengthen supervision, Mr. Surti said, noting that as risks are better understood, national and international regulators can more quickly spot and intervene forcefully to make global finance less vulnerable to shocks.

Nonbanks, Mr. Surti explained, are a diverse group that needs to be better understood and to ensure that their riskiest activities are appropriately regulated to reduce potential risks to the financial system and economic activity while allowing space for dynamism and innovation in the provision of financial services.

Among the megatrends driving the growth of nonbanks, he said, are governments turning to new lenders, enhancing liquidity and holding down rates – new nonbank buyers for bonds such as US Treasuries provide additional liquidity, helping markets operate efficiently, which can help hold down the interest on national debt that taxpayers ultimately pay.

Mid-sized businesses, he said, have gained more access to funding, supporting economic activity, employment and financial resilience.

Private credit funds can provide funding for businesses that may be too large or risky for banks to lend to, but too small to issue their own bonds. Many such funds are managed by private equity firms, which in turn get financing from banks and other nonbanks.

These nonbanks – typically insurers, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and endowments – that provide funding to private credit funds tend to have lower leverage and funding that is more stable over longer terms compared to banks.

So, they don’t have to pull funds back as quickly during times of stress, increasing the financial system’s resilience.

Credit, he noted, is available in a wider variety of amounts and durations, from longer-term auto loans, to ‘buy now, pay later’ loans, and small mobile money loans. Fintech lenders have driven this trend by pioneering new sources of data for underwriting and making servicing cheaper through automation, enabling firms to make smaller loans to more people. In emerging and developing economies, they have made mobile payments available to more people, and with a broader set of financial services following behind.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the British embassy in Manila yesterday signed an agreement aimed at enhancing regulatory quality and streamlining government processes in the country.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) formalized a partnership in which the British embassy will provide technical assistance for ARTA’s regulatory initiatives, including the adoption of innovative frameworks, conducting regulatory impact assessments and participating in relevant capacity-building activities.

‘This MOU serves as a testament to the continuation and the expansion of a mutually beneficial relationship that has already yielded substantial outcomes,’ ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez said in his speech during the signing ceremony yesterday.

‘It represents a shared commitment by the Philippines and the United Kingdom to move forward together in strengthening governance,’ Perez said.

Under the MOU, both parties will also collaborate on knowledge sharing through conferences, workshops and roundtable discussions, while ensuring alignment with national regulatory policies and international best practices.

The partnership also seeks to support regional initiatives such as the United Kingdom-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Integration Program.

This program aims to improve regulatory and standards systems in ASEAN member states, reduce red tape and create a more stable environment for business investment.

The MOU, effective upon notification by both parties that domestic requirements for its effectivity have been met, is set to remain in force until Oct. 31, 2026, with a possible extension of up to two years.

The agreement does not constitute a binding financial commitment but allows both sides to share costs for joint activities following government accounting rules.

Bills amending old laws, as well as those pushing for artificial intelligence (AI) regulation and more, are being prioritized for the 20th Congress, according to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) on Wednesday, October 1.

The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), a joint effort between Congressional leaders and the President to align priority laws, has unveiled 44 bills it wishes to prioritize.

This was the first LEDAC meeting with newly installed leaders Senate President Tito Sotto and House Speaker Bojie Dy. The DEPDev initially proposed 33 measures from executive agencies, to which Congress added 11 more bills.

Two of these measures were proposed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., namely the Amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act and the Amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act.

‘We aim to sustain the strong momentum we established during the 19th Congress. With continued collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives, we are confident in our ability to push forward a legislative agenda that delivers meaningful change and a brighter future for all Filipinos,’ DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

The DEPDev listed the 44 LEDAC bills as follows:

Amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act

Amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act

Department of Water Resources (DWR) Bill

Waste-to-Energy Bill

EPIRA Amendments: Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) Strengthening Bill

National Land Use Act

Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics

Blue Economy Act

Amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law

Progressive Budgeting for Better and Modernized Governance Act

Right to Information Act

Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act

Philippine Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Act

Amendments to the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act

National Center for Geriatric Health

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) Act

Amendments to the Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act

Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act

Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act

Amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act

Amendments to the Local Government Code

General Tax Amnesty

Extension of Estate Tax Amnesty

Amendments to the Fisheries Code

Amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law

Amendments to the Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Law

Amendments to the Biofuels Act

Cybersecurity Act

Amendments to the National Building Code

Amendments to the Magna Carta for MSMEs

National Reintegration Bill

Reprogramming of Seal of Good Local Governance

Digital Payments Act

Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development

Classroom-Building Acceleration Program Act

Requiring Civil Servants to Waive Bank Secrecy

Law on Online Gambling

Disaster Risk Financing Insurance

Strengthening the Bases Conversion and Development Authority

Presidential Merit Scholarship Program

Disqualifying Relatives of Officials (4th degree) in Government Contracts

Fair Use of Social Media, AI and Internet Technology in Elections

Modernizing the Bureau of Immigration

Magna Carta for Barangays

Several bills on the LEDAC list appear to address recent corruption scandals involving government officials.

The flood control kickback scheme in the Department of Public Works and Highways exposed several weaknesses in government mechanisms against corruption and money laundering. Several lawmakers have been implicated in the Bulacan flood control mess, while several government contractors have been accused of executing ghost control projects.

Mapua delivered a fitting tribute to the golden anniversary of the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ via a 90-89 triple overtime cliffhanger over Lyceum of the Philippines University Wednesday in the 101sth NCAA basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was a victory that set in motion the Cardinals’ title defense that came on the very same day and venue where one of the best, if not the best, sporting moments – which featured an unforgettable boxing duel between greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier – was staged exactly 50 years ago.

Jc Recto paced his team with 16 points that came with nine rebounds, three assists and a game-high five steals while Marc Cuenco scattered 14 points, including that one free throw with 12 seconds remaining that eventually turned out the dagger.

It launched Mapua’s campaign for a back-to-back crown, or just a season after ending a long championship wait that spanned 33 years.

Yam Concepcion likewise came through with a double-double effort of 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Clint Escamis, the 2023 MVP who decided to skip turning pro to suit up one final time for his alma mater, had an opening day mishap where he missed all his five 3-point attempts and finished with only eight points after fouling out late in regulation.

Good thing the others stepped up.

It was a heartbreaking finish for the Pirates, who appeared to have taken control in the second OT when it led by as much as five points early in that period only to disintegrate in the end.

LPU had one final chance to steal the win in the dying seconds but Lyon Pallingayan’s short jumper was fangless and off the mark.

Concepcion plucked the rebound to seal the deal.

The scores:

Mapua 90 – Recto 16, Sapasap 16, Cuenco 14, Concepcion 13, Gonzales 11, Escamis 8, Igliane 8, Ryan 2, Gulapa 2, Nitura 0, Lazarte 0, Delos Reyes 0, Reyes 0, Abdulla 0.

LPU 89 – Villegas 23, Versoza 14, Daileg 13, Barba 8, Pallingayan 7, Gordon 5, Aurige 5, Aviles 5, Matienzo 4, Moralejo 3, Montaño 2, Peñafiel 0.

Quarterscores: 19-21; 34-44, 63-55; 74-74 (reg.); 80-80 (OT); 90-89 (2OT)

The Archdiocese of Cebu has formally installed Archbishop Alberto ‘Abet’ Uy as its new shepherd during a Solemn Canonical Possession and Installation Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral on Tuesday, September 30.

Led into the cathedral by Msgr. Vicente Rey Penagunda, Vicar General and Cathedral Rector, Archbishop Uy took his place at the ‘cathedra’, the bishop’s throne symbolizing his authority as the 25th Bishop and fifth Metropolitan Archbishop of Cebu. He succeeds Archbishop Jose Palma, who retired after nearly 15 years as the province’s chief pastor.

In his Words of Thanks, Archbishop Uy declared: ‘My good people in Cebu, I am here, reporting for duty. The Archdiocese of Cebu is so big and my capacity is so little. Please be good to me. I promise to give you my best, so we can walk closer to Christ, our true shepherd.’

The new prelate expressed gratitude to his family, clergy, religious, lay faithful, and those who joined the celebration both onsite and online. He described his family as his ‘first home, first teachers, first good friends, and constant source of support.’

‘I come to you as your unworthy servant, fully aware that I cannot complete this mission alone. I will always need God’s unfailing help and yours as well,’ he said, vowing to work with priests, consecrated men and women, lay faithful, government officials, and other faith leaders in building ‘bridges, not walls, for the good of every Cebuano.’

Archbishop Uy also acknowledged the people’s yearning for authentic leadership.

‘In our country today, people long for leaders who are transparent, accountable, and faithful to their mission. I want to embrace that call as your shepherd, and I ask my brother priests to walk with me in this same spirit of integrity,’ he said.

Reflecting on his new responsibility, he quoted an Irish sailor’s prayer: ‘Lord, the ocean is so big, and my boat is so small. Have mercy on me.’

He ended with a humble promise: ‘I do not dream of being a great Archbishop. I may not be the best Archbishop. But I promise you this, I will give you my very best, so that together we may walk closer to Christ, our true Shepherd.’

Messages of support

Palma, Archbishop-Emeritus, urged the faithful to welcome Uy with openness and unity.

‘With the installation of our new Archbishop of Cebu, His Excellency, Most Rev. Alberto Uy, I invite all of you to embrace this moment of synodality, this wonderful opportunity for unity and growth within our community,’ Palma said.

He assured his successor of continued support: ‘To Archbishop Abet, I assure you, in my own little way, I am just a text away. Expect our love and support in any way possible.’

Papal Nuncio Most Rev. Charles John Brown also called on Cebuanos to ‘love, pray, respect, and help’ the new shepherd, while Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle reminded the faithful that ministry must be rooted in service, not worldly recognition.

‘Jesus was not seeking celebrity status, nor marching bands, nor millions of likes and views. He was seeking to do God’s will no matter what the cost,’ Tagle stressed.

CIVIC Welcome

A day prior to his formal installation, a civic reception was held at the Cebu Capitol in honor of the new archbishop. Among those present were Governor Pamela Baricuatro, Vice Governor Glenn Soco, Cebu mayors, church leaders, and civic figures including former Chief Justice Hilario Davide III.

Baricuatro hailed Cebu as ‘the cradle of faith and birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines,’ noting that Uy’s appointment by Pope Francis last July marked ‘another chapter in the faith journey of the Cebuanos.’

‘We are deeply grateful for Archbishop Palma’s years of faithful service and spiritual guidance,’ she said.

‘We are filled with hope as we welcome Archbishop Uy, who has been known for his simplicity, compassion, and genuine love for the poor,’ the governor added.

Uy, in his Capitol address, highlighted that Cebu now has ‘four new leaders’ – a new archbishop, a new governor, a new vice governor, and a new Cebu City mayor.

‘Four new leaders mean four new beginnings, four fresh opportunities to dream together, to build together, and to hope together,’ he said, emphasizing that true leadership is about service, not power.

The Cebu Provincial Board also passed a resolution formally welcoming Uy and extending the felicitations of the August Body and the people of the province.

Embassies in Manila have expressed condolences and pledged support to the Philippines after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu on Tuesday night, September 30.

Latest information shows the quake has killed as many as 60 people, with numbers still expected to rise.

At least seven embassies have expressed sympathy for those affected by the earthquake as of Wednesday noon (October 1).

The United States and Canada said they were ready to assist the Philippine government’s response to the earthquake.

“We stand ready to support the government’s response as #FriendsPartnersAllies,” US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson posted on social media, adding that the embassy was monitoring updates from PHIVOLCS.

The Canadian Embassy conveyed sympathy to affected communities, saying it ‘mourns the loss of lives’ and is prepared to work with Philippine agencies, humanitarian partners, and the international community ‘to help meet urgent needs.’

The European Union, Germany, India, Slovenia, and Australia issued similar statements. EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro said the bloc ‘stands in solidarity’ with the Philippines, while German Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the tragedy.

India’s mission in Manila, the Embassy of Slovenia, and Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown likewise extended their condolences to the victims and their families.

The embassy messages came as authorities continued search and rescue efforts in Cebu, where the death toll has climbed past 60, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday at a press conference.

The numbers are still expected to rise as the OCD said it is still “receiving additional numbers of reported casualties.”

The quake’s epicenter was 19 kilometers northeast of the city of Bogo, which has an estimated population of 90,000.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered agencies to swiftly provide aid to affected residents.

More than 300 aftershocks were recorded after the quake.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines at 5.6 percent this year, but trimmed its projection for 2026 amid heightened uncertainties from global trade policy changes.

In a report, the ADB said it expects the Philippine economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year, unchanged from its July forecast.

If realized, Philippine economic growth would fall within the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent growth target for the year.

The ADB also expects the Philippines to remain a bright spot in Southeast Asia this year, posting the second-fastest growth in the region, next to Vietnam’s 6.7 percent.

In the first semester, the Philippine economy posted an average growth of 5.4 percent.

For 2026, the ADB’s new growth projection is 5.7 percent, slightly lower than the previous forecast of 5.8 percent.

The forecast is also below the government’s target of six to seven percent growth for 2026.

The ADB adjusted the 2026 forecast due to a more challenging external environment, heightened uncertainty, shifting trade and investment policies, as well as a lower growth forecast in major advanced economies, which could weigh on trade and investment prospects.

Despite the risks, ADB country director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries said the country’s growth outlook remains resilient.

‘Though these uncertainties pose increased risk, we see strong domestic demand anchoring growth, with sustained investments and an accommodative monetary policy supporting the economy’s expansion,’ he said.

The report also showed that the ADB expects inflation to ease further this year to 1.8 percent, slower than the 2.2 percent forecast it provided in July.

Inflation averaged 1.7 percent from January to August.

For next year, the ADB expects inflation to rise to three percent and return to the government’s target range of two to four percent.

Inflation is expected to remain low due to slower global commodity prices and muted food prices, as well as improvements in the local rice supply.

The ADB noted, however, that adverse weather conditions and climate shocks could put pressure on commodity prices.

Corruption issues in the government’s flood control projects also pose risks to the economic projections.

‘Corruption has broad impacts on economic growth in general and investment sentiment. So we’re monitoring that and how that may be affected going forward,’ Jeffries said.

With the economy driven mainly by domestic consumption, he said the ADB did not reduce the GDP forecasts due to the recently exposed corruption issues.

‘But it’s certainly a heightened risk. Between now and our December update, there may be more quantifiable data available that may alter our projections,’ he said.

Despite the corruption issues, he reiterated the ADB’s continued support for projects in the country.

‘We don’t anticipate backing off if the government requests more of our assistance,’ he said.

He emphasized that the ADB has strict oversight measures in place to ensure that loan disbursements are used for their intended purpose.

The ADB also has strict technical and financial qualifications in the procurement of projects.

While the government has flagged contractors that cornered a significant amount of flood control projects, the ADB said an officially sanctioned government blacklist would be needed to debar firms from its projects.