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New coal-fired power plants in the Philippines would remain challenging to build even if the government lifts the existing moratorium, according to the Ayala Group’s ACEN Corp.

ACEN president and CEO Eric Francia pointed to growing hurdles in coal development, including weak social acceptance and financing issues, amid the country’s energy transition push.

‘Even if that (lifting of the ban) pushes through, we can’t depend on coal saving the day in terms of energy security and so forth,’ Francia said in an interview.

This comes amid discussions within the government on whether to scrap the ban in response to the raging Middle East conflict, which has put pressure on the country’s energy supply.

The Department of Energy is ‘considering’ the move against the backdrop of elevated fuel prices that could drive up electricity prices next month.

With the country facing a global oil crisis, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has said coal ‘remains one of the cheapest options’ for power generation.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the country’s largest business group, backed the proposed policy shift, noting that the domestic economy cannot run on uncertainty.

‘While the transition to renewable energy remains our long-term goal, our immediate priority must be the stability and affordability of our power grid,’ PCCI president Ferdinand Ferrer said.

Since 2020, a moratorium has been in effect that bans the development of new coal plants as the government seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels. The ban does not cover existing and operational coal plants or those that are already committed.

Major local banks, including BDO Unibank Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Security Bank Corp. and the Development Bank of the Philippines, have strengthened their commitment to ending financing for greenfield coal projects.

Notably, Philippine banks recorded no new coal financing throughout 2024, the first time since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, according to the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development.

For ACEN, which operates one of the country’s largest portfolios of renewable energy assets, doubling down on clean power is the right path forward.

‘We’re not making a judgment that other technologies should not be considered. It should be considered. It should be a typical diversified portfolio to ensure energy security,’ Francia said.

Currently, coal still accounts for the largest share of the country’s power mix at over 60 percent, while renewables make up only 25 percent.

Malacañang gave the assurance yesterday that the government’s development support would benefit all of the country’s 42,011 barangays.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said each barangay would receive P200,000 under the Bawat Barangay Makikinabang Program.

‘This is a non-political program. It is for the people. No political color, non-partisan, and no one will be left behind,’ Recto said in Filipino.

He denied the claim of Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste that 84 barangays in Nasugbu and Taal were denied assistance for political reasons.

‘If there are barangays that haven’t received it yet, it’s because they lack documents, not because of politics. As soon as they complete their requirements, the support will come. It is that simple,’ Recto said.

He said that P100,000 of the cash assistance may be used for development and safety projects such as street lighting, patrol vehicles, CCTVs and power generators for health centers and evacuation facilities.

The rest will fund a ‘finisher program’ for graduating college students to ensure that their education is not disrupted by economic shocks, including those stemming from global crises, he added.

At a press briefing yesterday, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the requirements are necessary for Commission on Audit reports.

‘Please complete all the requirements and don’t be dragged into politics. All of you will receive aid,’ Castro said.

Meanwhile, President Marcos led a rice distribution activity to farmers and vulnerable sectors in Roxas City in Capiz, as part of the administration’s continuing efforts to help communities cope with the effects of rising food and fuel prices.

Marcos also spearheaded the mass oath-taking of more than 8,000 newly promoted teachers and school heads from Western Visayas, marking the largest under the Expanded Career Progression System.

As rising prices and energy costs continue to strain Filipino households, the Social Security System (SSS) is expanding its relief programs with up to ?60 billion in financial support for members, pensioners, overseas Filipino workers, and employers.

SSS said the measures were strengthened in response to inflationary pressures and the broader economic impact of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The relief package includes an enhanced emergency loan program offering up to ?20,000 at a reduced interest rate of seven percent per year, with a six-month repayment moratorium and relaxed eligibility requirements to allow more members to qualify.

SSS said around ?27 billion has been allocated for the emergency loan program, which is expected to benefit about 2.24 million members needing assistance for medical expenses, education, daily needs, and other urgent household costs.

The agency is also preparing to roll out short-term microloans ranging from ?1,000 to ?20,000 through digital platforms and partner financial institutions to provide members faster access to funds.

For members with overdue loans, SSS continues to offer penalty condonation, allowing penalties to be waived once the principal and interest are settled, with payment terms of up to 60 months.

Employers with delinquent contributions may also avail themselves of condonation and restructuring programs to settle obligations without additional penalties, helping preserve the social security coverage of their workers.

Pensioners, meanwhile, will receive earlier relief as SSS advances the scheduled 2026 pension increase from September to June. Retirement and disability pensions will rise by 10 percent, while death and survivor benefits will increase by five percent.

SSS said it expects to release about ?6.5 billion from June to August for the early pension hike, directly benefiting millions of pensioners and their families.

SSS president and chief executive officer Robert Joseph M. de Claro said the agency recognizes the pressure faced by Filipino families and businesses and is working to ensure members have access to ‘timely, affordable and reliable financial support’ when they need it most.

The agency added that it remains committed to responding to members’ needs while protecting the long-term sustainability of the social security fund.

Citing growing environmental risks driven by extreme heat and disasters, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has tightened regulations on sanitary landfills following a nationwide audit of waste disposal facilities.

In a memorandum issued April 22, the DENR directed sanitary landfill operators to submit contingency plans covering fire incidents and other emergencies within 15 days of receipt to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).

The contingency plans must include fire prevention and suppression measures, installation and maintenance of gas venting and monitoring systems, inter-agency coordination mechanisms, evacuation and public safety procedures and rehabilitation and mitigation measures.

‘The EMB emphasized that preparedness is critical to minimizing risks to public health, property and the environment, especially under extreme heat conditions,’ said director Jacqueline Caancan.

The department also reminded local government units to immediately cease operations of open and controlled dumpsites to protect nearby communities, emphasizing that the status of closed dumpsites must be verified to ensure compliance with national closure and rehabilitation guidelines.

‘Regional directors were also ordered to conduct regular inspections and validation of disposal facilities, assess risks and site conditions and identify high-risk areas requiring immediate intervention,’ the DENR added.

The stricter landfill oversight forms part of broader efforts to address the country’s rising heat index and the increasing prevalence of fire incidents in waste disposal sites.

Climate drive

Amid these domestic measures, the Philippines is also taking a more active role on the regional stage, leading the ASEAN Climate Week to forge unity among member-states in crafting goals and actions to address the climate crisis.

Juan Miguel Cuna, DENR chief, underscored the urgency of ensuring that national climate plans translate into tangible benefits for communities, especially as flooding and droughts intensify, typhoons grow stronger and sea levels continue to rise.

‘This means protecting and restoring the natural systems that support livelihoods and resilience, from mangrove belts and coral reefs that buffer storm surge, watersheds that sustain agriculture and fresh water, to intact forests that regulate rainfall and stabilize soils,’ he said.

Fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co is in France seeking asylum, Malacañang said Tuesday, April 28, citing information relayed to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the DFA received “highly reliable information” that Co had applied for asylum and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities.

“He was reportedly requested to transfer and is now under the jurisdiction of French authorities at their request due to his asylum petition,” Castro said.

The development hours after Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, who is in Prague, said Co was no longer in the custody of authorities in the Czech Republic.

Government’s next steps

Castro said all Philippine missions in Europe have been directed to verify Co’s status.

“All missions in Europe have been instructed to obtain further official confirmation,” she said.

She added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to meet with the French ambassador to Manila and the Czech Republic’s charge d’affaires to discuss possible steps to facilitate Co’s return.

Vida earlier said he had limited information on how Co left Czech jurisdiction, but disclosed that the former lawmaker holds three passports. His Philippine passport was revoked in December 2025.

Legal hurdles

International law expert Evecar Cruz-Ferrer said the Philippines’ ability to retrieve Co would depend on existing legal arrangements.

“First thing to consider is if we have extradition treaty with that country,” Cruz-Ferrer said.

She noted that asylum claims could further complicate efforts to secure Co’s return.

“Another challenge is if the reason the fugitive is applying asylum falls under the concept of ‘non-refoulment’ and would require the State to not return the fugitive,” she added.

Co has been a fugitive since mid-2025, before investigations into alleged flood control anomalies intensified.

In November 2025, the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against him over a P289.5-million road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.

The arrest and trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague for crimes against humanity. The impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. The campaign against the P1.4-trillion flood control corruption and its perpetrators. The Iran War. The 48th ASEAN Summit, May 8, 2026, in Cebu.

These five developments have put in sharp relief the leadership and management style of Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr., the 17th Philippine president.

In assessing BBM’s presidency, after three years and ten months, remember the three Rs. I am not talking of the three Rs of basic education – reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic, the three Rs where the average 15-year-old Filipino fails dismally, by global standards. The average 15-year-old cannot read, cannot write, cannot count.

In BBM’s three Rs, he passes with flying colors, if not magnificently. The three Rs – restoration, resilience, reimagine.

Restoration

After 36 years in the political doldrums, BBM has restored the Marcos name as a viable and strong brand that can capture the highest national office hands down. In the May 2022 presidential elections, Marcos Jr. won 31.6 million votes – the greatest number of votes ever won by a presidential winner. The 31.6 million was 58.77 percent of the total votes cast. This is the first time since 1969 (when Ferdinand Marcos Sr. won with 61.47 percent) that the presidential winner bagged the majority of the total votes cast.

Marcos Jr. restored the gold standard in winning the presidency by a majority vote of voters. From 1992 to 2016, previous winners were just minority presidents – Fidel Ramos, 23.58 percent; Joseph Estrada, 39.86 percent; Gloria Arroyo, 39.99 percent; Noynoy Aquino, 39 percent. There is no official record that Cory Aquino won the presidency. She was proclaimed president by People Power.

Marcos Jr. restored economic growth to a robust and sustainable growth path, despite extreme challenges. Rodrigo Duterte averaged a 2.45 percent GDP growth rate in his first four years. BBM will average exactly five percent in his first four full years – 5.5 percent in 2023, 5.7 percent in 2024 and 4.4 percent in 2025 and 2026.

BBM restored the way the drug problem should be minimized, if not licked. Through rehabilitation of victims and prosecution of drug criminals – not through murder on a massive scale.

BBM has restored decency in governance. He exposed the largest act of corruption ever – the systematic stealing of P1.4 trillion of flood control money.

The scam is breathtaking in its simplicity and execution. Think of flood control projects along rivers and usually flooded areas. Assign coordinates. The DPWH engineers did that. Assign cost. The DPWH engineers did that. Allocate the money through the national budget. The congressmen and the senators did that. Then pocket the money. Do not start or complete the projects.

In the House, the alleged syndicate leaders were former speaker Martin Romualdez and his COO for the racket, Ako Bicol party-list congressman Zaldy Co. In the Senate, the alleged syndicate leaders were Senate president Chiz Escudero and Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada. Plus former senators Bong Revilla and Nancy Binay.

Martin has been barred from traveling. His billions of assets have been frozen. Chiz will be barred from traveling.

Of course, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos has her own restoration work. She restored the elegance and beauty of Malacañang Palace (including building clean and well-maintained toilets). The Bahay Pangulo official residence; the Teus, Laperal and Goldenberg mansions; the Philippine International Convention Center; the Pasig River and the PhilCite, now the Likhang Pilipino exhibit halls.

BBM restored agriculture as one of the economy’s main engines of growth. He restored the dignity of farmers – 610,000 of them, by condoning their debts of P57 billion. Agriculture is now one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy: 2.6 percent in 2025, from -1.8 percent in 2024, 1.1 percent in 2023 and a dismal 0.20 percent for 20 years. Zero hunger is targeted by 2030, with a P297-billion budget for agriculture in 2026, including P10 billion for rice for all, P30 billion to modernize the rice industry and P33 billion for farm-to-market roads.

The opposite of restoration is ouster.

Digong Duterte was removed from the Philippine political milieu with his arrest in March 2025 and his full trial beginning this year in the Netherlands for crimes against humanity. The evidence against him – murder and attempted murder – is compelling and convincing. His ultra-expensive lawyer, a certain Kaufman, has lost every major defense motion he filed. Digong’s arrest is legal. The ICC has jurisdiction to try him. The charges are valid and merit a full trial. His ‘war on drugs’ is not mere rhetoric but well-planned, massive, systematic, perpetrated on a civilian population.

VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment by the House and her trial by the Senate – for bribery, misuse of confidential funds, corruption, unexplained wealth, murder of drug victims and the plot to assassinate Marcos Jr., Mrs. Louise Araneta Marcos and Martin Romualdez – will mean Duterte will be a dead political brand by 2028. With the Anti-Money Laundering Council’s systematic recording and monitoring of her bank accounts, where at least P6.77 billion was transacted, in the public perception, Sara is a multi-billionaire, the origin of whose wealth cannot be explained.

Resilience

The above narration also shows the resilience of the Marcos political name and leadership quality. It narrates too the resiliency of the Philippine economy, which is today worth P29.9 trillion or $533.92 billion, the 32nd largest in the world.

Reimagine

Imagine the Philippines as the most strategically located country in Asia. Manila is just hours away from Asia’s major business and financial capitals – Beijing, Tokyo and Singapore. The two great powers, the United States and China, both covet the Philippines for trade, economic and strategic reasons. The US military presence in the Philippines (nine bases) is proof of its hegemonic intention in Asia, the US being also a Pacific power. Of course, China does not want a threat, real or imagined, in its own backyard.

Defending champion National University Nazareth School overpowered hapless Bethel Academy, 25-12, 25-12, to complete a sweep of Pool A in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 yesterday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.

Raine Alonzo led the Lady Bullpups’ relentless charge for a 4-0 win-loss record as they built momentum heading into the knockout quarterfinals.

‘Masaya po na nakapasok kami sa quarterfinals na walang talo. Lahat po pinaghirapan namin may kinalabasan,’ said Alonzo, producing eight points from attacks.

Bella Cruz added six markers while Jhayna Bulandres and Diza Berayo scored five each for NUNS, who will face St. John’s Institute in the Last 8 action starting tomorrow.

Far Eastern University-Diliman dominated Pool C with a perfect 4-0 record following a 25-16, 25-18, victory over San Felipe Neri Catholic School.

After two Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons in Makati were suspended over misconduct cases, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla yesterday warned SK officials against corruption.

Remulla said the SK chairpersons of Barangay Dasmariñas and Barangay Magallanes were found guilty of misconduct by the city council.

‘Corruption has reached the SK even in the richest barangays. We do not choose who to go after, whether in poor or wealthy communities,’ Remulla said. ‘Shame is gone. You should be ashamed. You are well-off, yet you still steal.’

Records showed that the SK chairperson of Barangay Dasmariñas was suspended for six months after she allegedly demanded a 20-percent kickback from a supplier for a Halloween project.

Investigators said the arrangement was confirmed through messages and a phone call.

The SK official was also accused of submitting a resolution bearing fake signature of the SK secretary.

She resigned on March 8, but her resignation is still subject to acceptance.

The SK chairperson of Barangay Magallanes was suspended for three months after supposedly submitting documents with forged signatures, including that of an SK council member who was abroad at the time.

Remulla said the SK officials may face falsification charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

He said the cases should serve as a warning to other youth officials to uphold integrity in public service.

And the climb begins.

Third-ranked Adamson and fourth-seeded University of Santo Tomas gun for each other’s heads in a knockout setto to kick off the rare stepladder Final Four in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball Wednesday, April 29, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Action erupts at 3 p.m., with the lucky winner climbing the mountain for another win-or-go-home duel against back-to-back champion and the second-seeded National University in the second stage – which will be a knockout match anew – for the right to face La Salle in the finals.

The mighty Lady Spikers (14-0) advanced straight to the best-of-three finals after wiping out the entire opposition for two rounds, thus turning the traditional semifinals to a stepladder one for the first time since 2022. It’s also La Salle’s first sweep since 2014.

But Adamson and UST have to meet in the eye first before even thinking of challenging the titleholder NU, much more the unbeaten La Salle.

‘We have our eyes on the prize,’ said ace Lady Falcon Shaina Nitura, the presumptive Season MVP. ‘Grateful kami na nakuha ‘yung gusto naming Final Four (spot). Now, we focus sa mismong Final Four, sa kung anong pinaghirapan ng team.’

With solid coverage from Nigerian stalwart Frances Mordi, who finished just second to Nitura in the MVP race, the Lady Falcons clinched the third seed with a 9-5 slate to dodge a complication with the Golden Tigresses and the Lady Tamaraws at 8-6, which set the stage for a playoff.

And it was UST that came out of the eliminator alive to complete the Final Four over the weekend. Now with little to no break, the Golden Tigresses try to jump off the clip anew in a second straight do-or-die match against a well-rested Adamson unit.

‘We’ll take it one game at a time. Sana malagpasan uli namin ‘yung next game namin,’ said libero captain Detdet Pepito.

In the men’s division with a traditional Final Four, top-ranked Far Eastern University and five-peat champion NU shoot to arrange a quick finals rematch with twice-to-beat incentives against separate rivals. The Tamaraws collide with the fourth-ranked Ateneo Blue Eagles at 11 a.m., followed by the Bulldogs’ another finals bid against the Santo Tomas Golden Spikers at 1 p.m.

NU salvaged the second seed and the other win-once bonus after a 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 28-26 win over UST in a playoff the other day.

The death of a delivery rider while waiting for a government cash aid under the scorching sun is not a story of bad luck. It’s a classic case of bad processes. Sadly, after only two weeks, the misery was repeated in the case of taxi drivers longing for fuel subsidy. It’s not an isolated failure but a deeper design flaw. How much more if they’re not published?

It’s a visible symptom of an invisible system failure. When people are forced to line up for hours just to receive public assistance, the system is quietly declaring that inefficiency is acceptable and human discomfort is collateral damage.

But, why must the people suffer just to be served? It’s not about heroism. It’s about redesigning the process so that their dignity, health and safety are built in from the start.

Because in any system, whether private or public endeavor, waiting under extreme conditions should never be normalized – it should be engineered out. Otherwise, they become a silent risk and a potential headline waiting to happen. So, how do we solve this problem?

The systemic solution

Enter the Systemic Solution. It starts with root cause analysis, map the process, remove bottlenecks, redesign queues, add shade, hydration, digital scheduling and real-time communication.

Set limits on waiting times, and continuously monitor metrics, ensuring rapid feedback loops, accountability and reasonable standards that protect the people.

Here are the basic steps:

1. Go to the place where the action is. The Japanese call it the Gemba Walk, the place where value is created. Don’t solve problems from an air-conditioned office. Officials must visit the place under the same difficult circumstances.

Use a stop watch. Observe how long must people wait. Where queues are forming. Who gets prioritized. The uncomfortable truth often appears quickly. Design the system for the people.

2. Do a root cause analysis. Ask ‘why?’ at least five times excluding the question – why did the rider die? It should start with: Why did he have to wait for hours? Because of slow processing. Why slow? Because of manual verification. Why do manual verification? Because of inaccurate data. Why inaccurate data? Because there’s no demand forecasting. Why no forecasting? Because of the absence or improper data-driven planning.

3. Eliminate wastes in the process. One solution is digitized pre-registration. Remove on-site paperwork marathons. Allow the drivers and riders to book their time slot. Pay through e-wallets to remove physical lines. If not, decentralize the distribution centers closer to the communities. Don’t improve the line. Eliminate the need for the line.

4. Standardize and visualize the process. Have clear signs and directions – where to go, what step they’re in and how much waiting time is needed. Provide clear, simple instructions. Have a real-time queue board to let people know how far they’re from the distribution point. This eliminates confusion that causes delay – the delay that creates risk.

5. Build respect for everyone. Build tents for people willing to wait, provide free water stations and medical standby facilities. Give priority lanes for vulnerable groups like senior citizens and PWDs. Establish reasonable processing standards. Limit the requirements to two IDs, driver’s license and national ID.

6. Continuous feedback loop. Even if you think the process yielded no issue, still gather feedback from beneficiaries. Measure waiting times every day. Then adjust staffing requirements and proceed with an unimpeded flow. The solution doesn’t stop after one fix. Do small improvements, every day.

Free training program

The problem is not that delivery riders and taxi drivers are impatient. The problem is that the system requires them to wait and suffer. If the process forces them to choose between earning a living and standing for hours under the sun, then the process itself is the real casualty.

It’s only a matter of time before the next victim emerges.

Enough of these issues. I’m offering my consulting and training program free for any government agency to avail itself of it, subject to very minimal conditions. That includes a 30-day pilot implementation, transparent performance metrics and a public commitment to sustain improvements beyond initial results.

Sounds too good to be true? Only if results aren’t measured. This limited offer stands on transparent metrics, time-bound pilots and verifiable outcomes. You don’t want to miss it.