Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Packaging maker Tetra Pak is not closing its doors on expanding its services in the Philippines to include food containers, according to a company official.

Larry Tobias Jr., business development director at Tetra Pak, on Friday told reporters the entry of the company’s packaging for solid food products was ‘a work in progress.’

Tobias added that they wanted to bring ‘as many sustainable solutions into the Philippine market’ as possible.

The company has been operating in the Philippines for nearly four decades. It currently provides packaging for juice, water and dairy products in the country.

The company has yet to penetrate the food segment, Tobias said, as they still need to gauge overall demand.

The Philippines currently makes up only a small share of Tetra Pak’s client base, which mostly seeks its services for dairy products.

A total of 55 percent of its products go to Vietnam. Meanwhile, 29 percent collectively go to Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Despite the small market share, the Philippines is still a ‘very strategic market,’ according to Tobias.

‘We have a very young population compared to other [Southeast Asian] countries . We can see that the market is developing,’ he added.

Segmenting

For now, Tobias said they were focusing on segmenting their categories even further. While the firm has been packaging milk products in the Philippines, Tobias said they have already expanded to include all-purpose cream products.

‘That’s a proof of growth for the market . we can see a lot of innovations and some of the products are fairly unique in the Philippine market,’ he said.

This potential expansion in the Philippines comes as part of Tetra Pak’s massive sustainability agenda.

Based on its 2024 sustainability report, Tetra Pak has cut its greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 54 percent. This keeps the firm on track to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, Tetra Pak Asean sustainability director Terrynz Tan said during a press conference.

Last year, Tetra Pak spent 100 million euros in sustainability research and development, specifically for the improvement of its packaging products.

‘It’s a continuous investment,’ Tan added.

The Philippines has emerged as one of the ‘front-runners’ in the nuclear deployment across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region, according to a unit of Fitch Solutions.

In its report, BMI said that while there was a growing interest from Asean countries in the potential integration of nuclear energy into the electricity power mix, the Philippines and Vietnam ‘stand out’ in terms of rollout readiness.

It noted that the country was a ‘leader’ in the region, given the government’s target to fire up an initial 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power by 2032.

‘We believe there could be opportunities for an accelerated deployment given the Philippines’ capabilities and experience, as the Bataan province houses Southeast Asia’s only existing nuclear power plant, though it never became operational,’ BMI said.

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was hounded by controversies under the leadership of deceased former President Ferdinand Marcos due to safety fears.

The current administration, led by another Marcos, previously sought South Korea’s expertise to weigh on the possibility of reviving the mothballed 620-MW nuclear facility.

Aside from this, BMI also cited the administration’s commitment to addressing regulatory uncertainty.

Marcos provided his go signal for the establishment of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, a move that the government considered crucial to allaying investors’ worries on policy covering the new technology.

Attractive region

‘Critically, we highlight that the Philippines is a signatory to all major safety, security, safeguards and liability instruments, demonstrating its comprehensive engagement with the international nuclear governance framework,’ BMI said.

‘This regulatory maturity, combined with concrete policy support and established institutional capacity, positions the Philippines as the frontrunner in Asean’s nuclear race,’ it added.

Zooming out, BMI said the soaring electricity demand in Asia, fueled by economic growth as well as data center market growth, makes it ‘one of the most attractive regions for nuclear power development in the coming decades.’

While renewables capacity continues to grow across the region, BMI said it remains insufficient to meet the power needs.

‘The unique context in Asia positions nuclear as a long-term solution to deliver clean power while ensuring baseload generation and energy security,’ it said.

Kharam Baricaua Molbog, a native of Solano town in this province, topped the Physician Licensure Examination this month-his second time as topnotcher after ranking first in the Medical Technology Licensure Examination three years ago.

The 25-year-old alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) had the highest score of 91.17 percent among the 4,570 who passed the exam, held on Oct. 4, 5, 11 and 12 in Metro Manila and other test centers nationwide. There were a total of 5,900 examinees this year.

Molbog topped the Medical Technology Licensure Examination in 2022 with a score of 90.20 percent. He graduated summa cum laude meritissimus at UST, earning an outstanding 99.17 percent in his medical course.

‘Late bloomer’

In a chat with the Inquirer, Molbog reflected on his journey to success, saying his path was not always easy.

He said he was not a standout student during his elementary and high school at St. Louis School in Solano.

He also failed to pass the University of the Philippines College Admission Test in 2014. This made him realize to do better with determination, he said.

‘I kept working hard in college and med school, so that perseverance finally paid off when I topped both licensure exams,’ said Molbog, who lives with his grandmother, a retired teacher, since his parents are working in Canada. His father Jennirex Molbog is an IT specialist, and his mother Josenia Baricaua-Molbog, a nurse.

He had a reputation in school as a ‘late bloomer,’ or so he was called, but soon enough his drive to succeed became evident.

Even his downtime still had room for more knowledge, as Molbog listened to classical music-particularly Mozart, one of his favorites-between his intense review sessions.

Molbog said he plans to specialize in either cardiology or radiation oncology. He also aims to do his part in addressing the shortage of medical professionals in Nueva Vizcaya, which has only two cardiologists.

In recognition of his exceptional achievement, the provincial government is due to hand over P200,000 to the newly minted doctor.

‘His success, twice over as a national topnotcher, proves that grit, humility and world-class excellence can be nurtured in our province,’ Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose Gambito told the Inquirer, praising Molbog’s dedication and resilience.

‘We are proud to honor him under our Topnotchers Incentive Ordinance and look forward to the many lives he will touch as a physician,’ Gambito said. ‘Molbog’s performance underscores sustained excellence from premedical training through medical school, positioning him as one of the standout performers in recent board examinations.’

Current and former high-ranking officials of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) have called for the ‘immediate and irrevocable’ resignation of Jose Arnulfo ‘Wick’ Veloso, the president and general manager of the state-run pension fund, accusing him of ‘poor investment decisions’ that resulted in losses amounting to P8.8 billion.

In a strongly worded letter to Veloso dated Oct. 14, past and present members of the GSIS’s board of trustees alleged that the fund’s top executive had pursued risky investments ‘marked by a disturbing lack of transparency.’

‘Your continued presence at the helm of the GSIS puts the welfare of its 2.6 million members-dedicated public servants who have entrusted their life savings and future security to this institution-in imminent danger,’ they wrote.

‘The primary mandate of the GSIS is to manage its funds with utmost prudence, diligence, and loyalty. Your current trajectory suggests a departure from this sacred mandate, prioritizing transactions that serve interests other than those of the members,’ they added.

The letter was signed by Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez, chair of the legal oversight committee; Emmanuel de Leon Samson, chair of the risk oversight committee; Rita Riddle, chair of the audit committee; board member Evelina Escudero; and former board members Jocelyn de Guzman Cabreza and Alan Luga.

The signatories also cited what they described as ‘a pattern of actions seemingly designed to bypass proper governance,’ including the alleged practice of splitting investment transactions-a ‘clear tactic,’ they wrote, intended to evade the mandatory board review for investments exceeding P1.5 billion.

They accused Veloso, who recently returned to his post after a preventive suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman, of ‘fabricating issues and weaponizing administrative procedures to retaliate against [board] members exercising their fiduciary duty of oversight.’

Keep ‘politics’ out

In a statement, Veloso said he would stay in office for as long as he has the trust of President Marcos, adding that the call for resignation was ‘not entirely unexpected.’

‘I categorically state that the allegations against me are baseless. I am addressing them squarely and transparently in the proper legal forum, where they rightfully belong,’ he said. ‘I appeal to everyone to spare GSIS from politics.’

‘Our performance speaks for itself,’ Veloso said, citing figures as of August 2025. He pointed to GSIS’s total assets climbing to P1.92 trillion and a total income of P231.06 billion, with net income reaching P100.02 billion.

‘These results clearly demonstrate that, despite market headwinds, GSIS remains financially strong, resilient, and highly profitable,’ he added.

Veloso, who also sits on the board, noted that only four of its nine members signed the letter.

‘As an appointee of the President, I serve at his pleasure. I will continue to fulfill my responsibilities as President and General Manager of the GSIS for as long as I have his trust and confidence.’ he said.

In July, Veloso and several other GSIS officials were suspended by the Ombudsman after an anonymous complaint questioned the fund’s P1.45-billion investment in Alternergy Holdings Corp. The other GSIS officials were executive vice presidents Michael Praxedes and Jason Teng, vice presidents Aaron Samuel Chan and Mary Abigail Cruz-Francisco, officer Jaime Leon Warren, and acting officer Alfredo Pablo.

The six-month suspension, the Ombudsman said, was intended to prevent those accused from influencing the investigation.

Suspension lifted

In the same month, the Confederation for Unity Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) and ACT Teachers pressed for swift action on the Ombudsman case, saying ‘heads should roll’ for GSIS’s ‘unauthorized’ and ‘irresponsible’ investment in Alternergy.

Courage is composed of state employees and ACT represents public school teachers, who are among the biggest contributors to the pension fund.

The Ombudsman’s order was lifted in September after the antigraft body determined there were ‘insufficient grounds’ to believe the officials’ continued stay in office would affect the inquiry.

Also in July, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the Department of Finance would check if Veloso and the others violated ‘any rule imposed by law or board resolution’ when they made certain investment decisions.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian threw his support behind the probe ‘as this shows the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency in all public institutions, especially those managing workers’ funds.’

In their letter, the signatories pointed not only to the Alternergy investment but also to other ‘transactions of particular concern’ that they said had been split to avoid oversight.

They alleged that GSIS’s dual-tranche investments in Monde Nissin Corp., Nickel Asia Corp., Bloomberry Resorts Corp. and DigiPlus Interactive Corp. have already incurred combined losses of P3.67 billion.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros in August called for a probe into GSIS’s P1.2-billion investment in DigiPlus, an online gambling operator, which suffered a brutal sell-off over the past three months amid calls to ban online games.

‘Unacceptable risk’

The GSIS officials also flagged a proposed P456-million investment in Figaro Culinary Group Inc., noting that the company ‘failed to meet the P15-billion minimum market capitalization requirement’ and that the proposed investment ‘is more than 50 times the maximum allowable exposure of P8.5 million.’ Data from the stock exchange showed Figaro has a market capitalization of P3.28 billion.

They further warned that GSIS’s investments in private equity funds managed by Neuberger Berman and NightDragon would introduce ‘a grave and unacceptable level of risk to members’ retirement funds, fundamentally violating this core mandate.’

The letter also questioned GSIS’s investment in Udenna Land Inc., calling it a ‘rescue’ of businessman Dennis Uy’s Clark Global City project, as well as what they described as the ‘reckless’ bulk purchase of condominium units for resale from 8990 Housing Development Corp.

Incurred since 2023

The executives likewise criticized the proposed acquisition of The Centrium, a corporate center in Parañaque City, saying the transaction proceeded despite ‘questionable and conflicting valuations issued by various private appraisers, as well as by the Parañaque Assessor’s Office and the Commission on Audit.’

‘Poor investment decisions have led to GSIS huge losses of P8.8 billion,’ they said. ‘Despite our repeated inquiries and formal requests for your explanation, you have failed to provide a substantive response or engage in a discussion regarding these critical concerns.’

‘To prevent further erosion of trust and to safeguard the future of our members, your resignation is the only honorable and viable course of action,’ they added.

The losses cited in the letter were incurred since 2023, a year after Veloso was named GSIS chief by President Marcos.

Veloso was the president and CEO of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) prior to his appointment to GSIS. He was an international banker and was appointed as the first Filipino CEO at HSBC Philippines until he transferred to PNB in 2018.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) has grounded the entire operations of aircraft operator Woodland Airpark following the crash of an ultralight aircraft in Concepcion, Tarlac, on Saturday, leading to two fatalities. Caap Director General Retired Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario said in a statement on Saturday that Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez likewise ordered the immediate conduct of a safety and operations audit for Woodland Airpark.

Rosario said the directive aims ‘to assess the airworthiness of the aircraft and the operator’s compliance with aviation safety standards.’

According to Caap, under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations, ultralight aircraft fall under the category of Non-Certificated Type Aircraft, signifying that they are authorized solely for recreational purposes.

‘The aircraft is restricted to operate within its designated Flying Club Aerodrome, limited to a maximum altitude of 800 feet and must be conducted strictly under Visual Flight Rules conditions,’ the aviation authority pointed out.

Caap said it will take appropriate action against any individual or organization that would be found to have violated existing aviation safety laws and operational guidelines. Based on an earlier police report, the two individuals who died from the ultralight aircraft crash were identified as a male pilot (19 years old) and a female passenger (18 years old). Both were residents of Pampanga.

The investigation into the cause of the plane crash is ongoing

Lindsey Vander Weide scored five consecutive cross-court kills to lift Petro Gazz past winless but gritty Chery Tiggo, 25-15, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Saturday at Capital Arena in Ilagan City, Isabela.

After yielding to Creamline in four sets on Tuesday, the Angels continued to lean on the one-two punch of Vander Weide and Brooke Van Sickle, who scored 25 points each, while also making major adjustments with rookie Jules Tolentino running the plays and Myla Pablo playing as the starting opposite spiker. With the Crossovers threatening to force a decider with a 21-19 lead in the fourth set, Vander Weide caught fire, accounting for five in the Angels’ blistering 6-0 run to close the match in two hours and eight minutes.

‘I think the season is shorter than it was when I was here the first time. So, every game counts,’ said Vander Weide. ‘We’re only three games into season. But at the same time, that’s kind of a good portion in the season. So, I knew we couldn’t take another L on the road. And I think all of us kind of lit that fire underneath us.’

The returning American hitter, who led the team to a championship in 2022 as the Best Import and Finals MVP, had 19 kills, five aces, and a block to go with 11 excellent receptions.

Van Sickle, the reigning Season MVP, also had a tremendous floor defense with 20 digs and 15 excellent receptions to lead the Angels’ rise to a 2-1 record behind unbeaten Pool B leaders Akari and ZUS Coffee. Tolentino dished out 21 excellent sets, as Pablo and MJ Phillips had 10 points each after combining for seven of the team’s 13 kill blocks.

‘The whole team stepped up, came in, and contributed. So, overall, a great team win,’ said Petro Gazz coach Gary Van Sickle.

Petro Gazz, which rebounded after a four-set loss to rival Creamline on Tuesday, battles unbeaten Akari on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre at 4 p.m. After splitting the first two sets, Petro Gazz squandered a 21-17 lead in the third, off two big blocks from MJ Phillips and Ranya Musa. But it committed three errors in Chery Tiggo’s four straight points to tie the frame.

Cess Robles and Yuni Batista kept the set tied at 23. But Van Sickle came to the rescue with a massive cross-court kill to reach set point, followed by a frame-clinching off-speed for the 2-1 match advantage.

Mylene Paat also had her moment in the fourth, drilling four straight points to gain a 19-16 advantage before Van Sickle and Vander Weide’s heroics for Petro Gazz.

Chery Tiggo remained winless in three games, as it continues to search for its first victory against Galeries Tower also on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.

A fire gutted a commercial area in Barangay Santiago on Friday night, damaging three buildings and causing an initial estimated loss of P16 million.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Pagadian City Central Fire Station said the blaze started at 8:20 p.m. in one of the establishments before spreading to nearby structures.

The fire reached the third alarm and was responded to by BFP teams from various municipal fire stations in Zamboanga del Sur, along with provincial and city fire trucks, water tankers, a backhoe, and ambulances.

The structure identified as Alvin Bazaar, owned by Alvin Uy Ang, was totally damaged, while another of his properties, Alvin Home Depot, sustained partial damage.

The main store of Mercury Drug pharmacy was spared by its firewall, but its warehouse was partially damaged.

BFP investigators are still determining the origin of the fire.

No casualties were reported. The fire was declared out after three hours. /mcm

Romantic beach strolls, fresh seafood, and exceptional sunsets-what’s not to love about living next to the ocean? Offering many health benefits, coastal communities are the epitome of living in paradise.

Today, let us explore recent developments, which allow many coastal communities to thrive even in the face of climate change. Here are some of the modern approaches people have done to make coastal communities a better and safer place to call home.

Disaster education and preparedness

In the Philippines, automatic flood warning devices are now placed along the banks of vulnerable communities. Early warning systems, in particular, are prioritized to serve as a preventive measure.

Our country takes into account several factors in developing these warning systems. Disaster risk knowledge takes precedence and is based on the systematic collection of data.

Detection, monitoring and assessment of possible hazards are then identified. Once the risks are confirmed, warnings are disseminated by local officials.

Lastly, preparations are done at all levels of the community. These various steps ensure that the whole community adequately protects itself even before the calamity strikes.

Coastal greenbelts

Another way coastal communities mitigate the threat of damage from natural calamities is by establishing coastal greenbelts. Either natural or manmade, coastal greenbelts are strips of vegetation that are created along coastlines.

In the Philippines, these often refer to mangroves and beach forests. They serve as an effective barrier in protecting communities from water-related catastrophes. They also help maintain natural ecosystems by serving as habitats to migratory birds and fish. Sustainability and safety

Lastly, one of the best ways coastal communities protect themselves from natural disasters is by practicing sustainable habits.

From taking care of mangroves to keeping the ocean clean, community efforts to protect the environment help ensure safety in times of trouble.

Other sustainable initiatives help protect the natural landscape. Developers that take into consideration environment-friendly design help ensure the safety of their planned communities. To exemplify, Rockwell Land uses sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems to reduce energy consumption, minimize trash and reduce water consumption in their coastal project Aruga Resort and Residences-Mactan.

The creation of green spaces, like landscaped gardens and outdoor recreational spaces, can also help. Besides promoting health and wellness, they serve as buffers to protect the residences from the worst of the weather.

Bliss by the beach

Overall, coastal communities are some of the best places to live in. While natural calamities are sometimes unpredictable, the development of early warning systems, disaster resilience measures and natural buffers help ensure the safety of these neighborhoods.

Don’t be afraid to chase your happiness in a beachside home. Check out a coastal community and enjoy life by the beach today.

Paper company Steniel Manufacturing Corp. will raise up to P315.3 million via a follow-on offering in November to expand its warehouse in Davao del Norte.

This is one of Steniel’s first major projects since resuming trading at the local bourse.

Steniel on Friday disclosed that the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) had approved its application to offer up to 157.65 million common shares at up to P2 each.

The final price will be set on Oct. 24. The offer period is set on Nov. 3 to Nov. 7.

The shares will be listed on the main board of the PSE on Nov. 17, Steniel said in its disclosure.

Based on its latest preliminary prospectus, Steniel will use part of the proceeds from the offer to expand its paper warehouse in Panabo, Davao del Norte. The project is tagged at P250 million.

Spanning 1.9 hectares, the expansion project will add new logistics and production capacities to the warehouse.

At the same time, Steniel will use part of the proceeds to fund its working capital requirements.

Capital-intensive

‘Note that the company’s operations are working capital-intensive, as [Steniel] must maintain a sufficient buffer stock of raw materials to ensure continuous production,’ Steniel said in its prospectus.

The company first announced the follow-on offering last February. That was nearly a year since it resumed trading on the PSE.

To recall, trading of Steniel shares was suspended in 2006 after it defaulted on a P636-million term loan agreement with several banks.

This was due to ‘working capital drain,’ as Stenial had also been repaying past debts. The loan balances were later sold to third-party entities.

By July 2006, Steniel’s shareholders approved the filing of borrower-initiated petitions for corporate rehabilitation.

A company or debtor-in this case, Steniel-files for corporate rehabilitation in court to help restore it to a ‘position of successful operation and solvency.’

This is granted when a court finds that it is economically feasible for such a company to continue operations.

Steniel appealed to the PSE in 2017 to lift the trading suspension after its petitions were dismissed by different courts. But the PSE pointed out that the company’s stockholders’ equity had been negative since 2008.

Steniel addressed this via share swap and purchase deals with its creditors.

A rebel was killed and a high-powered rifle was seized in an encounter with government forces in Sitio Balagbag, Barangay San Lorenzo, Norzagaray, Bulacan on Friday afternoon.

According to a report from the Philippine Army’s 703rd Infantry Brigade, the clash occurred at about 2:40 p.m. as government forces of the 73rd Division Reconnaissance Company were responding to reports from residents about the presence of about 20 armed insurgents allegedly involved in extortion and subversive activities.

As the soldiers approached the target area, they were met with gunfire, resulting in a 10-minute firefight. The insurgents later retreated northwest, leaving behind one dead comrade, one M14 rifle, and five jungle packs.

No casualties were reported on the side of government troops. The identity of the slain insurgent is still being verified by authorities.

703rd Infantry Brigade commander, Brig. Gen. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, said pursuit operations have been launched to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent them from regrouping.

He said the Army is also coordinating with nearby military units, the Philippine National Police, and local government officials to tighten security measures and block possible escape routes.

‘This successful operation reflects the vigilance and professionalism of our soldiers, as well as the growing cooperation between the military and the community,’ Osias said in a statement.

‘We remain steadfast in ensuring peace and security in Central Luzon. I urge the remaining insurgents to surrender and avail themselves of the government’s reintegration programs so they can live peacefully with their families.’