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THE government should halt the approval of new mines amid environmental degradation and alleged human rights abuses resulting from nickel mining, according to an international climate organization.

This, after a report by Climate Rights International (CRI) showed that nickel mining heightened the vulnerability of residents and workers in the Caraga Region to the climate crisis.

CRI’s report titled ‘Broken Promises: Philippines Nickel Mining Threatens Rights and Increases Climate Vulnerability,’ also revealed that mining destroyed fishing and farming livelihoods, and caused severe environmental pollution that threatened drinking water and health.

As such, CRI researcher Krista Shennum urged the government to prevent and remedy environmental degradation and alleged human rights abuses resulting from nickel mining.

‘We’re also calling on the Filipino government to stop permitting new mines until the industry cleans up its act,’ Shennum told reporters at the press conference of the report’s official launch in Quezon City on Tuesday.

‘If the industry is not following laws, if it’s not fully enforcing and complying, then to add more mines is quite concerning,’ she added.

The country stands as the second-largest nickel producer following Indonesia and the world’s leading exporter of raw nickel ore, a mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and the stainless steel industry.

CRI noted that harms to local communities and the environment were being driven by the individual and cumulative activities of these nickel mining projects.

‘Many nickel mining companies in the Caraga Region have links to powerful actors in the Philippines, including active and former politicians, politically connected families, and wealthy businesspeople,’ the organization said.

With this, the CRI said nickel companies should take immediate action to address water and air pollution caused by their operations and ensure proper disposal of mine waste to minimize environmental pollution.

Meanwhile, the international organization said EVs and battery companies that source nickel from the Philippines should use their leverage to ensure that suppliers end and remedy rights abuses, clean up water and air pollution, and protect the rights of environmental and human rights defenders.

EV companies should also increase transparency by providing public information about all companies in their transition mineral supply chains, it added.

‘Electric vehicle and battery companies have unique leverage to demand that the mining industry cleans up its act. Their customers are environmentally conscious and will decide to buy from companies with the cleanest record,’ Shennum said.

‘If EV companies want to position themselves as global leaders in the fight against climate change, they must demand that mining companies in their supply chains respect the rights of communities and end environmentally destructive practices.’

The recent floods and earthquakes that battered the country should not be seen as natural disasters only-they are wake-up calls. They remind us, in the most painful way, that no one is spared when systems fail, when complacency takes over, and when accountability is ignored.

In the past, many Filipinos would shrug off problems that didn’t affect or hurt them directly. If a flood only submerged another town, or an earthquake only damaged another province, we turned away and carried on. We didn’t care if there were obvious lapses, omissions, and commissions that made the impact on lives more severe.

The same attitude explains why we tolerate so many violations in our everyday lives-from ukay-ukay stalls selling smuggled goods, to tricycles clogging main highways, to government agencies bending the rules.

The smuggling and sale of used clothes slowly killed our textile and garment industries. From having about 1.5 million spindles that could hire 35 people on a 24-hour basis decades ago, we now only have about 100,000 spindles in the country. Ukay-ukays are still everywhere: in the malls, garages, subdivision garages, and public markets. Most people don’t care because they are not directly affected.

Government red tape persists despite constant efforts by the administration to curb it. Yes, many are affected, but not everyone, so most of us just let it slide. These acts may seem minor or unrelated, but collectively, they represent a national culture of looking the other way-of tolerating what is clearly wrong because it doesn’t hurt us yet. But today, as we wade through floodwaters and brace for tremors, we see the consequences of that indifference.

Take, for instance, the recent revelations involving a state-owned bank that allegedly allowed a contractor to withdraw as much as P480 million in cash as payments for DPWH projects. Having been in the banking sector myself, I can say with certainty that this is not just bad policy-it’s a dangerous precedent. It erodes trust and exposes how impunity can thrive even in institutions meant to uphold financial integrity. This should also be investigated.

We have seen how disregard for the law and its long-term consequences led to substandard infrastructure-ghost projects, weak flood controls, and poorly built roads and bridges. Now, we are all paying the price. When a retaining wall collapses or a river overflows, it doesn’t ask who you voted for, or what your income is. It simply destroys everything in its path.

I am reminded of the 1980s, when then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. deployed secret marshals to fight rising crime in buses and public transport. Many protested the measure, arguing it was excessive or invasive. But those who had been victims of theft or violence knew why such steps were necessary. Sometimes, decisive -even unpopular-action is needed to restore order and discipline.

Today, we face a similar challenge. To rebuild our cities, protect our environment, and ensure honest governance, we must first restore accountability and end our culture of apathy. Every citizen, every official, every business must recognize their role in this effort.

Because in truth, the floods and earthquakes are not just natural phenomena. They are mirrors reflecting the cracks in our systems and in our collective conscience.

Let these calamities serve as a wake-up call-that unless we work together, enforce our laws, and care beyond our own interests, we will keep rebuilding from the ruins we ourselves allowed to happen.

We commend Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Aldeguer-Roque for her quick response to our letter bringing to her attention the online sale of unverified automotive batteries, including the one branded ‘GR Lithium Batteries.’

These imported batteries do not bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark, a clear violation of the law, and could present hazards to our motorists. We don’t know if these batteries have passed the government’s quality standard tests, yet they are being marketed with lofty promises and wild claims.

The office of Secretary Roque announced in the media that the DTI will investigate the sellers of these batteries and coordinate closely with the Federation of Philippine Industries.

Jan Cadee Dagoon and Jonathan Higa head the field in the premier 18-and-under division of the Philippine Tennis Association-sanctioned Mayor Edwin Olivarez National Open Juniors Tennis Championships firing off on Thursday in Parañaque City.

The event features 270 young tennis players from across the country and will be staged at the Olivarez Sports Center and nearby Parañaque courts to accommodate the huge turnout.

The tournament will run for two weeks and culminate in the Open Championship.

Dagoon faces stiff opposition in the girls’ singles with Joy Ansay, Mikaela Ngu, Izabelle Camcam, Sabine See and Dania Bulanadi all aiming for the top prize.

On the boys’ side, Antonio Ng Jr., Gavin Kraut, Troan Vytiaco, Felizardo Lota III and Karl Almiron are among the key challengers looking to dethrone Higa.

Dagoon is also bidding for a double title as she joins the fray in the 16-and-under category, where Ayl Gonzaga is the top seed, with Maria Ataiza, Astrid Cablitas, Camcam and Bulanadi also seeking the title.

Ella Paglaluan braces for a duel with Gonzaga in the 14-and-under class, which also features Shaner Gabaldon, Francine Wong, Cablitas and Ataiza. Kyla Caguioa, Amanda Barrido, Tesinha Calingasan and Abby Castigador are among the favorites in the 12-and-under girls’ division.

In the boys’ 16-and-under, Krelz Gecosala carries the momentum of recent triumphs, while also seeking the title are Anthony Cosca, Antonio Bengzon, Vytiaco and Almiron.

Gecosala also holds the top seed in the 14-and-under class, where Cosca, Cristiano Calingasan, Jairo Flores and Tyronne Caro are expected to challenge his dominance.

Leading the 12-and-under boys’ field are Jan Villeno, Yuan Torrente, Gabriel Vitaliano, Liam Harrow, Raven Licayan and Caro, while Harrow headlines the 10-and-under unisex division, joined by Raven de Guzman, Terrence Battalones, Maximus Calingasan and Matias Aguilera in the tournament held under the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala (PPS-PEPP) program, held in honor of Mayor Edwin Olivarez and backed by Universal Tennis, Dunlop, and Icon Golf and Sports.

Typhoon Tino caused massive flooding in some areas of the Visayas and Mindanao.

With this, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded that wading in floodwaters can pose health risk like contracting leptospirosis.

The DOH said that people may get leptospirosis due to floodwaters or handling soil/mud/dirt after a flood, with or without visible wounds, through exposed skin.

The DOH said that symptoms can take as long as one month to appear.

‘There are antibiotics available for prevention [i.e., prophylaxis], and this requires a prescription. Consult your nearest doctor or health center within 24 hours after wading through floodwaters or touching soil/mud/dirt after a flood,’ the DOH said.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection transmitted by many animals, such as rodents and other vermin. Waste products like urine and feces of an infected animal, especially rats, contaminate the soil, water, and vegetation.

Zoonotic disease

It is a zoonotic disease, affecting both animals and humans, caused by the leptospira bacterium found in contaminated water or soil.

Leptospira bacteria can enter the body through breaks in the skin, or through the eyes, nose and mouth. Infected animal urine like those from infected rats can mix with flood water, which then comes into contact with people wading through or playing in it.

Without treatment, leptospirosis in people can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, trouble breathing, and even death.

Symptoms

Leptospirosis symptoms include fever, vomiting, nausea, muscle pain, and headache.

Some cases have distinct pain in the calf muscles, and reddish eyes. Severe cases may have jaundice (yellowish body discoloration), dark-colored urine, light-colored stool, low urine output, and severe headache. Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases; some people have no symptoms.

It generally takes two to 30 days to get sick after having contact with the bacteria that cause leptospirosis.

Therefore, people must consult doctors immediately after being exposed to, wading or playing in, flood waters as there is a preventive antibiotic prescription, the DOH said.

The long weekend gave our kababayans a long respite from their monotonous routine in the city. The All Saints’ Day, or Undas, provided Filipinos precious time to visit the graves of their loved ones and meet close relatives in a reunion of sorts.

For those traveling to the provinces, the visit was memorable and worth the inconveniences they underwent during the trip. The holiday was all the break the Filipinos need from the hectic pace of urban living.

The traveling experience in last week’s long weekend, for sure, was not at all smooth sailing. One can imagine the queues and the rush to airports, seaports, bus terminals and expressways.

Commuters are used to and had expected the chaos at the embarkment stations. Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport had expected over 1.3 million passengers would pass through NAIA’s three terminals from October 27 to November 5, averaging about 135,000 to 140,000 passengers daily.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other airport officials assured the public that they were ready to make travel safe, smooth and convenient for all passengers during last week’s weekend break. One official even vowed to deliver a world-class airport experience even during the busiest days of the year.

Making the traveling experience of Filipino commuters pleasant and efficient is a challenge, especially during Undas and other holidays, like the Lenten period and the Christmas season.

Our infrastructure lack in the transportation sector prevents us from delivering the comfort to Filipino commuters. Fortunately, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has prioritized infrastructure through the government’s ‘Build Better More’ (BBM) program.

One key infrastructure project is the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (BCIB) that will provide a permanent road link between the provinces of Bataan and Cavite.

Spanning 32.15 kilometers across Manila Bay, the bridge will directly connect Barangay Alas-asin in Mariveles, Bataan to Barangay Timalan Concepcion in Naic, Cavite, reducing travel time from five hours to just 45 minutes.

The megastructure is expected to be completed by 2030 and hopes to redefine economic activity, regional mobility and the tourism potential in Bataan and across Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.

I am optimistic that solutions to the traveling inconvenience of our commuters are forthcoming. The Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), North-South Commuter Railway System (NSCR), Edsa Busway modernization and MRT-7 are among these game changers that will improve the traveling experience of Filipinos.

These high-capacity infrastructure projects for the commuters will respond to the growing demand in the economy.

As I’ve written here in my previous columns, once the subway and Manila-Pampanga train system (NSCR) are completed, the four-hour commuting from Pampanga and Bulacan to Metro Manila and vice versa will be cut down to 30 minutes to one hour.

The MMSP, meanwhile, will provide relief to commuters by transporting them to their eventual embarkment point at much-reduced travel time. Set to become fully operational by the end of 2029, it spans 33 kilometers across eight local government units in Metro Manila, and will pass through three central business districts.

It is an expansive system that will be interconnected with LRT-1, MRT-3 and MRT-7 at the Common Station, LRT-2 at Anonas Station and a physical run through into the NSCR-EX at FTI and Bicutan Stations.

The P488.5-billion project is expected to serve around 370,000 passengers a day in its first year of full operations, with capacity to serve up to 1 million passengers a day in later years.

The NSCR project, on the other hand, aims to reduce travel time between Clark, Pampanga and Calamba, Laguna to just two hours and service over 800,000 passengers daily once operational.

A flagship project under the ‘Build Better More’ program, the NSCR is a mega railway network spanning 148 km., with 37 stations and 464 train cars and encompassing three segments-the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) and PNR Calamba (Solis-Calamba).

The mass transport project will run across 26 cities and municipalities in Central Luzon, the National Capital Region and Calabarzon. It is designed to serve over 800,000 passengers daily once it becomes fully operational.

These three major infrastructure projects will hopefully fix the woes of our commuters, especially during key holiday seasons. Families on provincial trips will have more quality time to spend after a shorter travel. They are world-class amenities that our commuters deserve.

Divine Adili returned from a three-game absence to power Ateneo to a 78-74 victory over University of the East on Wednesday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Nigerian center, who has been nursing back issues, delivered 15 points-10 in the final frame where the Blue Eagles erased a seven-point deficit-along with 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block.

Adili’s return helped Ateneo snap a five-game losing streak after starting the season with four consecutive wins. The victory lifted the Blue Eagles to an even 5-5 record, tying the Adamson Soaring Falcons at fifth place.

‘Divine, having him back, I don’t think we can overemphasize how important that is. We’ve been a team that, if you study the stats, really struggled around the basket this year. it’s pretty evident that when Divine is out there, it changes the dynamic for the team, and we got more out of him today than we expected,’ Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin said.

It was Ateneo’s first win a month since defeating archrival La Salle, 81-74, on October 5. The victory serves as a crucial springboard for the Blue Eagles as they prepare for their second-round clash with the Green Archers on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UE led by as many as 11 points, 63-52, in the third quarter and entered the final period still ahead, 64-57, but Ateneo was determined to end its slump.

The Blue Eagles reclaimed the lead Adili’s his layup with 3:46 left, 72-71. However, John Abate quickly responded for the Red Warriors with an and-one play to restore a 74-72 advantage with 2:15 remaining.

That turned out to be UE’s final basket of the game, as Ateneo sealed the win from the free throw line. Ian Espinosa and Adili combined to sink six of ten free throws in the last 1:42 to complete the comeback.

‘I feel really excited to be back. I’ve been itching to get back, and I got the opportunity today. I’m just going to keep looking to get 100 percent healthy, do my rehab, and control what I can control,’ said Adili, who has been dealing with a back injury since the start of the season.

Kymani Ladi had 16 points and nine rebounds, while Espinosa chipped in 13 markers.

The win also marked Ateneo’s 16th straight triumph over UE, a streak that dates back to the second round of Season 87. The Red Warriors remain winless at 0-10 this season.

Precious Momowei led UE with another monster performance of 19 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal. Abate contributed 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds.

Wello Lingolingo, returning from a three-game suspension, tallied 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists but struggled with his shooting, going just 6-of-21 from the field-including several crucial misses down the stretch.

UE will continue to chase its first win on Saturday when it faces the University of the Philippines at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

MANY people rarely give time to think about what’s actually happening deep inside their bodies, specifically the gut. Little do people know that inside their bodies lives a thriving community-trillions of microorganisms quietly working around the clock to keep us healthy or can make us sick.

An invisible universe called ‘gut microbiome’ is one of the fastest-moving frontiers in medical science today. Some think it’s just ‘gut flora,’ but it’s now being perceived as a powerful regulator of how our bodies function, from how we digest and fight infection to how we think and feel.

Long ignored invisible organ

DOCTORS have always believed that the gut is vital, but what’s new is how deeply it connects to the rest of the body. Some scientists now call the gut microbiome the body’s ‘second brain,’ which talks to the immune system, influences hormones, and even sends chemical messages that affect mood and memory.

A nutritionist once said that when the gut’s microbial community is balanced, the rest of the body functions more efficiently. However, once balance breaks down, inflammation takes over, and that’s when health problems start cropping up.

Across dozens of global studies, an unhealthy gut has been linked not only to digestive issues, but to obesity, diabetes, allergies, heart disease, and even depression. Simply put, when the gut is out of rhythm, the whole system feels it.

From bacteria to biomarkers

DR. Jeremy Lim, CEO and co-founder of AMILI, Southeast Asia’s first precision gut microbiome company, said during the recent Manulife Philippines Longevity Forum that the gut should be viewed as a dynamic ecosystem unique to every person. He explained that each individual carries a microbial ‘identity’ that shapes how the body responds to food, stress, and even medicine.

Lim pointed out that the gut’s microorganisms do far more than digest what we eat-they produce compounds that regulate inflammation, strengthen immunity, and communicate with the brain through biochemical signals.

He has also noted in previous discussions that many chronic diseases long blamed on lifestyle or genetics are increasingly being understood as microbiome-related. When the gut loses its diversity, he said, the body’s resilience often weakens as well.

Food as medicine

A GROWING body of research has also changed how experts see food. What was once just nutrition is now considered microbiome nourishment. Diets rich in fiber like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, even traditional fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and Filipino favorites such as atchara and burong isda help cultivate beneficial microbes. Highly processed diets, on the other hand, diminish them.

Lim emphasized that the microbiome is ‘blurring the line between food and medicine,’ since food doesn’t simply fuel the body but programs it. With tools such as gut profiling, doctors can now study microbial DNA from stool samples to craft personalized nutrition and wellness plans. Instead of one-size-fits-all recommendations, people may soon receive health advice tailored to their unique microbiome composition.

‘It’s a shift from general wellness to precision health,’ Lim said in past interviews, noting that this technology could reshape how healthcare approaches prevention.

The Philippine connection

THIS scientific movement is beginning to reach Filipino audiences like the collaboration between Manulife Philippines and AMILI to make microbiome awareness more accessible and empower Filipinos to make better-informed decisions about their health.

‘We’re proud to support Manulife’s customers in the Philippines with actionable, science-backed health insights,’ he said, which is consistent with AMILI’s focus on turning scientific discovery into practical health improvement.

For his part, Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines, said the company is focused on delivering innovative solutions that support the evolving health needs of Filipinos. ‘This collaboration with AMILI allows us to offer a unique health experience that goes beyond traditional insurance, empowering our customers to take a proactive approach to their health.’

Lim has also underscored that gut health should not be viewed as a luxury. Even without specialized testing, he said, people can already take simple steps to protect their microbiome by eating more plants, include fermented foods in meals, sleep well, and manage stress. These may sound basic, but they nurture the living ecosystem inside every person.

The potential of microbiome science extends far beyond digestion. Researchers are now exploring how adjusting gut bacteria might improve vaccine effectiveness, enhance mental health, or help patients recover faster from surgery and chemotherapy.

Lim called this a ‘new dimension’ of medicine, where understanding the microbiome allows for proactive and preventive care rather than purely reactive treatment. For a country like the Philippines, where non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and diabetes remain major health burdens, the gut may turn out to be an overlooked ally.

The quiet revolution within

AFTER centuries of treating bacteria as enemies, science is now learning to see them as partners. The gut microbiome reminds us that health isn’t only about killing germs or curing disease; it’s about coexistence and balance.

‘For decades, medicine focused on eradicating bacteria,’ Dr. Lim said. ‘Now, we’re discovering that some of our best defenses come from the bacteria living within us.’

In the end, the gut may be the most important organ that’s never truly known. And as scientists continue to uncover its secrets, the next great revolution in health might not come from a laboratory or a pill-but from the quiet intelligence of the microbes that have been with people all along.

THE Philippine Embassy in France has confirmed that the bust of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was stolen from its pedestal at Place José Rizal in Paris, three years after its inauguration in the historic 9th arrondissement.

Philippine Ambassador to France Eduardo José de Vega said the deputy mayor of Paris has reached out to the embassy and assured them that the city government is investigating the art theft.

‘The city government of Paris is investigating the matter, and we are awaiting their report. We appreciate their timely response to our request,’ de Vega told BusinessMirror.

The bronze sculpture was unveiled in June 2022 at the plaza named after Rizal, near the site where he studied ophthalmology under Dr. Louis de Wecker in 1885-1886. It remains the only public monument in Paris dedicated to a Filipino figure.

Paris-based journalist Richard Villanueva said members of the Filipino community noticed the bust missing days after the Louvre heist made headlines.

Prior to the theft, the monument had also been subject to repeated acts of vandalism, including the placement of masks, books, and other inappropriate items on the bust.

The embassy said it is closely coordinating with French authorities and the Filipino community in Paris to monitor developments.

THE country’s inflation held its ground in October, unchanged at 1.7 percent from September, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The figure was lower than the 2.3 percent inflation recorded in the same month last year, bringing the year-to-date average from January to October to 1.7 percent.

According to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, the stable inflation reflected the effectiveness of government measures in tempering supply pressures and maintaining price stability.

‘The steady headline inflation rate shows that our coordinated interventions are helping to maintain adequate supplies and keeping essential goods affordable,’ he said in a statement.

‘We remain vigilant in managing risks from weather disturbances, global market volatility, and other domestic factors that may affect prices in the coming months.’

Earlier, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projected October inflation to fall within the 1.4 to 2.2 percent range.

Housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels continued to be the main driver of inflation, with a 2.7-percent increase and a 34.6 percent share in the overall index.

Meanwhile, restaurants and accommodation services followed with a 14.6-percent share (0.2 percentage point contribution), while food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 13.0 percent (0.2 percentage point).

Faster price increases were recorded in four commodity groups during the month: Clothing and footwear (1.8 percent from 1.7 percent), housing and utilities (2.7 percent from 2.1 percent), information and communication (0.7 percent from 0.6 percent) and personal care and miscellaneous goods and services (2.5 percent from 2.4 percent).

On the contrary, slower inflation was observed in food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.5 percent from 1.0 percent), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.0 percent from 4.1 percent), health (2.7 percent from 2.8 percent), transport (0.9 percent from 1.0 percent), and recreation, sport, and culture (1.9 percent from 2.1 percent).

The PSA identified five key commodities that largely shaped October’s inflation: other pelagic fish (11.7 percent, contributing 0.4 percentage point), rentals (2.6 percent, 0.3 percentage point), pork (9.8 percent, 0.3 percentage point), restaurants and cafes (2.5 percent, 0.3 percentage point) and electricity (4.1 percent, 0.2 percentage point).

Meanwhile, food inflation continued to ease nationwide at only 0.3 percent in October from 0.8 percent in September. In October 2024, food inflation stood at a much higher 3 percent.

Core inflation also slowed slightly to 2.5 percent from 2.6 percent in the previous month.

By region, inflation in the National Capital Region (NCR) quickened to 2.9 percent from 2.7 percent in September, while areas outside NCR saw inflation ease to 1.3 percent from 1.5 percent.

Central Visayas posted the highest regional inflation at 2.6 percent, while the Bangsamoro region recorded the lowest, with deflation at -1.3 percent.

Inflation among the country’s poorest households stood at 0.4 percent in October, rebounding from -0.2 percent in September but sharply lower than the 3.4 percent recorded in the same month a year earlier.

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is currently inspecting all tourism road projects that have been constructed in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco told reporters that she has instructed regional directors to conduct a due diligence on some 883 kilometers of tourism roads that had been completed by the DPWH from 2022 to 2024. This had been suggested by Senator Loren Legarda during the DOT’s budget presentation at the Senate in September.

‘I’m personally aware of many tourism roads that have been constructed because I have been to these destinations. But the due diligence has not yet been fully completed across all the regions. It’s ongoing at the moment,’ she said.

Asked if she had given the regional directors a deadline to submit their reports, Frasco said, ‘As soon as possible. My personal advocacy and pitch has been to improve tourism infrastructure. It’s not my mandate, but it is absolutely necessary for tourism to succeed. So the more that we can see that the budget is being devoted the right way to projects that actually benefit local communities, the more possibility there is of adding [to the] budget, because the fact remains that there’s zero budget for new tourism roads in 2026.’

Budget for new projects?

The DOT chief confirmed that she had already raised the idea of proposing a budget for new tourism roads with newly installed DPWH Secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ B. Dizon, who has been seen as always supportive of the industry. ‘He didn’t make the [DPWH] budget for 2026, but I did pitch to him. And we’re hopeful that they see how important it is to invest in our destinations, because it really helps our stakeholders to have tourism roads,’ she underscored.

Under the National Expenditure Program for 2026, DPWH’s proposed budget for the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program next year is P3.55 billion, down from this year’s P6.1 billion allocation. (See, ‘Do your own spot checks, tourism roads may be next ghost projects, DOT told,’ in the BusinessMirror, Sept. 27, 2025.)

A number of goverment agencies whose projects had been implemented by the DPWH have already discovered ghost or substandard projects such as farm-to-market roads, in the case of the Department of Agriculture, health centers for the Department of Health, and classrooms for the Department of Education.

Meanwhile, Frasco said the DOT hesitates to further announce new targets for inbound tourists, despite an anticipated increase in arrivals from mainland China, with the rollout the electronic visa (e-visa) scheme for the market starting November. ‘I don’t want to give a number anymore because I don’t control the policy on e-visas,’ she said in a mix of Filipino and English.

6.7M target despite China fix

‘It’s really beyond my control. So it’s hard to assume a mandate that I don’t have. All I can do is to continue to sell the country, to market the country, and to communicate that the e-visa has now resumed, and we’re ready to receive Chinese tourists once again,’ she said.

The DOT has been drawing up a National Tourism Development Plan since 2012, a blueprint of strategies to reach several goals such as visitor arrivals, tourists’ spending, employment, and contribution to local economic output. The agency missed its 7.7-million inbound tourists target last year, however, which Frasco has been blaming on the suspension of the e-visa by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

‘So that has led to a conservatism, which I feel is necessary, a pragmatism that is dictated by the barriers to entry. We’re grateful that the e-visa has been resumed, but its suspension caused wide damage to the country, and we don’t anticipate surges as early as the end of this year,’ she said.

In a Senate budget hearing, Frasco said the agency projects 6.7 million inbound tourists in 2026. The DOT is already working with tourism stakeholders in the Philippines and in China, along with Philippine carriers ‘to rebuild that market.’