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As sustainability shifts from aspiration to expectation, businesses and governments across Asia face a pivotal question: Can cross-border collaboration unlock real, lasting impact?

At the Asia ESG Summit 2025, a key panel titled ‘Navigating the Trans-border Economic Climate Collaboration: Lessons from Asia’s Leaders’, led by Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Danielle Heinecke, will explore how regional leaders are driving sustainability.

The discussion will highlight practical lessons, challenges and proven strategies to help incentivise businesses to adopt ESG principles for compliance as well as for long-term resilience and value creation.

This emphasis on collaboration is timely. From Nov 5 to 7 at the Sunway Resort Hotel, Malaysia, the Asia ESG Summit 2025 will bring together leaders across sectors, from policy, investment, corporate and civil society, to explore Asia’s unique role in shaping a global net-zero future.

With its rapid economic growth, diverse ecosystems and increasing investment in renewable energy, Asia is poised not just to participate in the sustainability transition, but to lead it.

Sime Darby Property sustainability general manager Dr. Yasmin Rasyid will present ‘Fostering Resilient Communities: The Sime Darby Property Approach’.

Among the voices adding depth to the agenda is Sime Darby Property Bhd sustainability general manager Dr. Yasmin Rasyid, who will present ‘Fostering Resilient Communities: The Sime Darby Property Approach’.

Drawing on the company’s integrated ESG framework, Yasmin’s session will offer a strategic overview of the framework’s key pillars, outlining the measurable targets and tangible efforts underway to operationalise this vision within the real estate sector.

The presentation will also address the challenges of integrating sustainability, especially in a landscape where financial-related regulatory disclosures are becoming mandatory.

The importance of moving beyond mere compliance toward a genuine commitment that drives innovation and impact will be emphasised on.

The presentation will challenge the audience to collaborate on building a sustainable legacy that benefits both people and the planet, ensuring value is driven far beyond financial returns and regulatory requirements alone.

Yasmin will conclude with a call to action for SDP’s stakeholders including investors, partners and the communities the company serves.

ACCIO Technologies chief executive officer Lau Cher Han will lead an ESG masterclass on how AI can help organisations drive sustainability.

Technology’s role in ESG also comes to the fore in an ESG Masterclass led by ACCIO Technologies chief executive officer Lau Cher Han. The masterclass is on how AI can help organisations drive sustainability.

As data-driven reporting and regulatory compliance become more complex, digital innovation will be key in managing risk and unlocking new opportunities.

To help delegates navigate the wealth of content, the summit offers three thematic streams:

Responsible investment and circular economy. This stream explores ESG-driven finance, carbon pricing, and circular business models.

Climate and value chain decarbonisation. This stream addresses Scope 3 emissions, data strategies, and industry case studies.

Innovative cleantech and sustainable change. This stream showcases cutting-edge technologies, product demos, and investor or startup engagement.

At a time when ESG is fast becoming a key measure of competitiveness and credibility, the Asia ESG Summit 2025 provides a timely forum for open dialogue, strategic collaboration and regional action.

This year’s summit also marks the inaugural gathering of the Asia ESG Positive Impact Consortium (A-EPIC) a collaborative effort led by Star Media Group (SMG), KG Media, and the Inquirer Group of Companies reflecting the shared commitment of regional media leaders to champion sustainable progress across Asia.

Organised by SMG, with Sime Darby Property as the Urban Biodiversity Partner, the summit offers opportunities to engage with thought leaders and decision-makers shaping the region’s sustainable future.

Join a growing community committed to building inclusive, resilient and environmentally responsible economies.

More and more Filipino consumers individuals as well as companies are joining the shift to electric or hybrid vehicles.

Latest data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers Association of the Philippines and the Truck Manufacturers Association showed that electric vehicles recorded ‘significant traction,’ accounting for 6 percent of the total car sales in the first eight months of 2025. During the period, 18,439 such vehicles were sold.

The spike was fueled by the rising demand for hybrid cars vehicles that are propelled by both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor and for battery electric vehicles.

Government push

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) likewise noted that EV registrations in the first seven months reached 29,715, surpassing last year’s figure. These EV registrations represent about 5 percent of new vehicle registrations, a threefold surge from two years ago.

The Marcos administration has pushed the expansion of EV adoption across the country.

Government agencies are now mandated to prioritize supporting EV units. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously said that 10 percent of the government’s fleet should be electric vehicles. He also set a bolder target: Electric cars must account for at least half of the vehicles on the road by 2040.

Marcos has also urged US-based Tesla to manufacture its electric vehicles in the country.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), in line with Marcos’ directive, the government is providing perks to entice the public to shift to electric vehicles. This includes the reduction or suspension of import tariffs, priority registration at the LTO, and exemption from the number coding scheme, among others.

Grab Philippines

Room for growth

In September, the DOE also released a ‘clearer’ electric vehicle classification system, aimed at ‘building a more organized, accessible, and future-ready EV market in the Philippines.’

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said one of the driving factors behind the EV market growth is the slash in costs of e-vehicles amid tougher competition in the market, particularly in China and Vietnam.

‘[This makes] EVs more affordable to local buyers,’ he told Inquirer.

The economist also noted that more companies and institutions are now adhering to ESG (environmental, social, governance) standards, which includes shifting to more environment-friendly processes and operations.

As ‘green’ consciousness continues to grow among the public, ‘there is more room for growth for EV sales/usage in the country,’ Ricafort said.

Private sector rollouts

In June, ride-hailing giant Grab Philippines launched its ‘GrabTaxi Electric,’ which claims to be the market’s first fully electric, on-demand taxi fleet accredited by the government.

The units were initially deployed in select Metro Manila hubs such as Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, and Pasay.

According to Grab, this move is part of its ‘broader eco-mobility strategy.’

‘This is not just about offering another ride option,’ Grab Philippines country head Ronald Roda said at that time. ‘It’s about fundamentally changing the DNA of urban transport in the Philippines one that aligns with our sustainability commitments, empowers

Filipino commuters, and creates meaningful green livelihoods. Sustainability cannot be a distant ideal; it must be something you can book, ride, and feel today.’

Grab plans to expand the operations of its EV fleet to Davao and Cagayan de Oro before the year ends.

Another firm that’s making the rounds on Metro Manila roads is Vietnamese ride-hailing group Green and Smart Mobility (Green GSM), which has rolled out an initial 2,500 all-electric vehicles.

For Frederick Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Green GSM’s entry will be ‘a game changer for Philippine public transport.’

‘It promises not only to modernize our transport system but, more importantly, to offer commuters a safer, more convenient, and environmentally friendly transport option,’ he said.

Was there any surprise that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would, in the end, appoint Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as the new Ombudsman?

Remulla comes from a political clan that has long been allied with the Marcoses. The man has also proven to be one of the administration’s wiliest and brawniest operators outfoxing the Duterte camp, for instance, by pulling off without a hitch the once-thought-impossible task of arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte and sending him off to The Hague for his crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court.

Under Remulla’s stint as Justice Secretary, Duterte’s ‘spiritual adviser,’ the televangelist Apollo Quiboloy who faces a string of criminal raps in the US, was also successfully flushed out of his hiding place in Davao and clapped in jail on nonbailable charges.

But for the very same reasons, Remulla now comes to his new job freighted with political baggage and bitter opposition from those who feel aggrieved by him. Last week, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte filed a disbarment case against Remulla for the purported ‘kidnapping’ of his father obviously a last-ditch ploy to keep him out of the Ombudsman’s seat.

Not to be outdone, Sen. Imee Marcos waxed melodramatic in a statement on Sunday opposing a Remulla appointment. ‘Black is indeed the color of the nation mournful, anxious, and without hope,’ she said. That’s because ‘the last pillar of accountability is being destroyed by politics in violation of the Constitution.’

Guardrails of accountability

That is, of course, quite ironic given that Imee Marcos had nothing to say when her brother’s predecessor made Samuel Martires the Ombudsman, and Martires then turned the erstwhile independent body into an extension of Duterte’s brand of governance: opaque, erratic, authoritarian, trashing its mandate as a bastion of transparency and integrity in government by, first and most outrageous of all, severely limiting the public’s access to the SALNs (statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth) of public officials.

Duterte himself was the exemplar in refusing to disclose his SALN. Martires, meanwhile, not only barred requests for the President’s SALN, but even proposed that those who made ‘commentaries’ on the SALNs of government officials be penalized with up to five years’ imprisonment.

It can be argued that the morass of corruption and impunity the country finds itself in with trillions of pesos lost to plunder by thieving officials and their henchmen in and out of the bureaucracy was aggravated, made patently worse, by the past administration’s bent for dismantling the guardrails of accountability and good governance, from appointing a compliant Ombudsman to threatening independent oversight agencies such as the Commission on Audit.

Consequential gesture

That is the dark, disreputable backdrop that Remulla must now tear down as he steps into his fixed seven-year term as the new Ombudsman. And he has no time to lose the country, fed up with unending corruption, is in no mood for more delay and distraction.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has said the right words so far about his appointment: ‘As Ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anticorruption measures, and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently.’

Loud and clear. And while he faces significant skepticism at this point, Remulla can quash such doubts with one simple but consequential gesture: Release the SALNs of all public officials.

By demolishing, on his first days in office, the Martires-era firewall that shielded government functionaries from basic accountability, Remulla will bring back sanity to the Office of the Ombudsman. More importantly, he will help begin the necessary task of restoring the public’s trust in government institutions.

Explosive case

That’s only for a start. The staggering revelations of government abuse and malfeasance will all eventually end up with the Ombudsman, given that the findings of the congressional hearings and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure will only be recommendatory.

It is up to Remulla’s office to provide teeth to the investigations, by meting out just and timely punishment against every single government official found to have defrauded the people.

Yet another explosive case that will test Remulla’s mettle: the charges against Vice President Sara Duterte for the alleged misuse of public funds. The truth about the funds’ fate having been smothered by the Senate’s refusal to tackle Duterte’s impeachment, the Ombudsman now has the task of looking into the allegations anew and rendering judgment on Duterte’s culpability.

”There will be no sacred cows, no exemptions, and no excuses. Public office is a public trust, and those who betray it will be held accountable,” said the PCO in its statement announcing Remulla’s designation as Ombudsman.

The people, long-thwarted in their quest for justice, will hold Remulla and ultimately the Marcos administration to that grave promise.

Power restoration efforts are still ongoing across Masbate, as more than 76,000 electricity consumers remain without supply following the onslaught of Typhoon Opong (international name: Bualoi), the National Electrification Administration (NEA) said on Wednesday.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda returned to the province on Tuesday to assess the progress of ongoing rehabilitation work and address bottlenecks in the restoration process.

In a meeting with Gov. Richard Kho, mayors, and members of Task Force Kapatid (TFK), Almeda was briefed on the extent of the damage and the continuing efforts to restore electricity supply in areas battered by the typhoon.

TFK reported that restoration activities have been hampered by a shortage of line hardware materials and unstable communication signals in remote communities.

Despite these challenges, the task force said aid and materials from both the public and private sectors have started to arrive, helping speed up repairs.

In a statement, the NEA said it remained committed to fully restoring electricity in Masbate as soon as possible, with coordination efforts ongoing among national agencies, local governments and electric cooperatives.

According to Masbate Electric Cooperative Inc. (Maselco), only 24 of 328 barangays, or 7.32 percent under its coverage area, had power restored as of Monday.

Warning

Maselco reiterated in a social media post that residents should not touch or attempt to fix any downed or exposed wires near their homes, warning that this may cause severe electric shock, injury, or even death.

The cooperative estimated the storm’s damage to the province’s electrical infrastructure at P390.3 million.

Meanwhile, residents of Mobo town continue to appeal for assistance following the devastation caused by Opong, which struck the province and other parts of Luzon last week.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Mayor Raymund Doni Salvacion said around 98 percent of the town’s 50,000 residents, spread across 29 barangays, were severely affected, with many losing their homes.

‘We are in the recovery stage, but we are in dire need of construction materials, particularly GI (galvanized iron) sheets, to rebuild homes,’ Salvacion said.

He added that most residents are currently staying in tents serving as temporary shelters.

‘Power has not yet been restored in the municipality, and rechargeable or solar lamps would be a great help for affected residents,’ he said.

Relief operations continue, but Salvacion said more assistance is needed, particularly for rebuilding efforts.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may keep cutting rates through 2026 as it tries to pick up the slack from an expected slowdown in government spending tied to a flood control scandal, while managing a host of other challenges to growth.

Michael Wan, senior currency analyst at MUFG Global Markets Research, said those headwinds may prompt the central bank to trim its policy rate at its final meeting of the year in December, followed by another cut in the second quarter of 2026.

Such moves would bring the benchmark rate down to 4.5 percent below the current 5 percent level that BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. had already called the ‘Goldilocks’ rate, neither too low to stoke inflation nor too high to choke growth.

For now, MUFG expects the central bank to keep policy unchanged at its meeting on Oct. 9, noting the BSP’s more cautious tone on further easing as the peso weakens beyond 58 to the dollar.

‘The path next year for the BSP is partially clouded by recent moves by the government to extend bans of rice imports,’ Wan said in a commentary.

‘But with government spending likely slowing due to recent flood projects corruption cases, and growth still below potential, we think the balance of risks still tilts towards at least one more cut in 2026,’ he added.

In line with consensus

MUFG’s outlook is broadly in line with market expectations. In a survey by the Inquirer last week, 10 of 16 economists said they expect the Monetary Board (MB) to keep the benchmark overnight borrowing rate unchanged at its meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9.

That decision would come as authorities widen a probe into alleged graft in flood control contracts, a controversy blamed for the peso’s weakness and one that threatens to slow infrastructure spending.

The government aims to keep infrastructure investment at 5 to 6 percent of gross domestic product. This spending is seen as crucial to meeting the Marcos administration’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent growth target this year.

When the MB convenes, they will have fresh inflation data to weigh: consumer prices rose to a six-month high of 1.7 percent in September, driven by higher food and transport costs.

Even so, the increase was milder than the 2 percent consensus forecast and marked the seventh straight month that inflation stayed below the central bank’s 2 to 4 percent target range.

A decision to stand pat would pause an easing cycle that began in August last year, during which the central bank lowered rates by a total of 1.5 percentage points.

In a separate note, Jun Neri, lead economist at Bank of the Philippine Islands, said the pace of monetary easing may slow as consumer price pressures could build in the coming months.

He added that the BSP may reduce rates further in 2026 if growth loses momentum, most likely in the first half of the year, ‘before inflationary pressures build in the latter part.’

‘A more conservative approach is justified as cutting rates aggressively could leave the economy vulnerable to inflation shocks that might force a sharp policy reversal later on,’ Neri said.

‘Another rate cut remains possible this year, although the decision will depend on the GDP data due in November.’

Business tycoon Hans Sy won the prestigious Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) 2025 ‘Management Person of the Year’ award for his contributions to environmental stewardship, social inclusion and economic growth.

Sy, chair of China Banking Corp. and SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s executive committee, is the 49th recipient of the award overall, and the third in the Sy family.

His father, SM Group founder Henry Sy Sr., was awarded in 1999, while his sister, SM Investments Corp. vice chair Teresita Sy-Coson, received the award in 2016.

Hans’ appointment was approved by MAP members during their general membership meeting on Wednesday.

In selecting Sy as this year’s awardee, MAP said judges had recognized his role in establishing SM Prime as a ‘benchmark for sustainable and resilient urban development.’

While he stepped down as president in 2016, Hans was able to grow SM Prime into one of the largest property development firms in Southeast Asia. Its portfolio now includes 88 local shopping malls spanning more than 9.4 million square meters. It has likewise developed at least 186,000 residential units.

Sy is likewise feted for allowing more access to quality education and ‘athletic excellence’ in his capacity as chair of the National University (NU), which the SM Group acquired in 2008.

Since then, NU has grown to 12 campuses and affiliate schools, with more than 70,000 students enrolled.

Apart from this, MAP highlighted his efforts to personally support vulnerable children through CHILD Haus, a temporary shelter for children with cancer. Henry Sy Sr. was among the major supporters of CHILD Haus through various donations.

‘What matters most’

‘I have never seen myself as someone deserving of awards or recognition. I simply try to do my part. What matters most to me is using what we build to make a difference in our country,’ Hans said in a statement.

‘At SM, it has long been our responsibility to create spaces that protect people, support communities, and help Filipinos stand stronger for the future.’

The conferment of the prestigious award will be on Nov. 24.

Other awardees in recent years were former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson (2024), Jollibee Foods Corp. CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong (2023), and DMCI Holdings Inc. chair and president Isidro Consunji (2022).

MAP likewise announced the election of its board of governors for 2026 to 2027, including BPI Wealth president and CEO Maria Theresa Marcial, DITO CME president and COO Donald Patrick Lim, SKAL Makati International chair and former Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. vice chair Rafael Alunan III.

Discover style, substance, and opportunity at the ‘Curated Spaces: Home and Lifestyle Fair’.

From October 8 to 12, this five-day showcase by the Villar Group brings together the best in design, innovation, and modern living at The Courtyard, Evia Lifestyle Center.

More than just a home fair, the event is an invitation to experience the art of living well and the promise of investing wisely across the group’s premium residential brands namely Brittany, Crown Asia, and Villar City each known for creating communities that define elevated living.

Here, the promise of living well is expressed through the elegant craftsmanship of Brittany’s enclaves like Elara in Villar City; Deux Maison in Crosswinds, Tagaytay City; and Pievana in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. It’s also evident in the modern vitality of Crown Asia’s residential developments in Villar City including Siena, Trieste, and Novus Prime Residences.

Live beautifully, invest brilliantly

Together, these developments form a portrait of distinction that appeals to homebuyers and investors who see beyond the aesthetic, recognizing the value of a home that grows with time and taste.

Curated Spaces brings that beautiful vision to life, enabling guests to experience how thoughtful design and sound investment can coexist.

Inside the fair, every brand partner has been chosen to reflect the same spirit of discernment that defines Villar Group’s communities.

The timeless sophistication of Mercedes-Benz and the free-spirited power of Harley-Davidson capture the refinement and independence of those who choose Brittany and Crown Asia. Fitness brands like Decathlon, Paceline Indoor Cycling, and FS Multiply, a distributor of golf simulators, bring vitality and momentum to a life lived in balance. Meanwhile, the craftsmanship of Fashion Interiors and AllHome reflects the artistry behind every well-appointed home, as Gratia Manila’s finely crafted local bags lend a distinctive touch of Filipino creativity.

The Brittany Hotel Villar City completes the experience proof that hospitality is good business made personal. Alongside it, sister brands Botanica Salon and Spa and Kinder City add the right mix of pampering and play to the lifestyle Villar City stands for.

Fairgoers can look forward to exciting on-the-spot promos and exclusive discounts from participating brands as well as from Brittany, Crown Asia, and Villar City making it the perfect opportunity to take that next step toward owning your dream home and living the lifestyle you’ve always envisioned.

Suburban sophistication

All of this unfolds within the dynamic setting of Evia Lifestyle Center, the Villar Group’s own symbol of modern suburban sophistication.

Its Courtyard becomes a living gallery of curated experiences with its installations. interactive zones and live weekend performances. Besides the fair, visitors can indulge in the warm comforts of Coffee Project or savor delightful treats from DC Delights.

For investors, the Home and Lifestyle Fair offers a glimpse into the future of Villar City, an emerging metropolis, where residential, retail, and leisure spaces come together to create vibrant, progressive districts.

At the same time, it’s a place to dream, be inspired, and experience how design can elevate the everyday. And for those ready to take their next step toward a home of their own, the fair sweetens the journey with exclusive promos and discounts available only during its five-day run.

Come and visit Curated Spaces: Home and Lifestyle Fair to experience what it truly means to live beautifully and invest wisely.

Taal Volcano in Batangas recorded 10 earthquakes in 24 hours, down from 20 the previous day, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Thursday, Oct. 9.

From October 1 to 9, a total of 78 volcanic earthquakes and four tremor episodes were recorded. In comparison, Phivolcs documented 189 volcanic earthquakes and 129 tremors in September.

The four tremors occurred during the two phreatic eruptions on Oct. 2.

Phivolcs defines volcanic earthquakes as those ‘generated by magmatic processes or magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano.’ Volcanic tremors are ‘continuous seismic signals with regular or irregular oscillations and low frequencies (typically 0.5 to 5 Hz) that can last for more than a minute.’

In its latest update, Phivolcs reported the emission of 1,892 metric tons (MT) of sulfur dioxide from Taal’s main crater. The gas plume rose 600 meters before drifting southwest, which the agency classified as a ‘weak emission.’

No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the Main Crater Lake on Taal Volcano Island (TVI), locally known as ‘Pulo,’ at the center of Taal Lake.

Phivolcs also noted the absence of ‘vog,’ or volcanic smog, during the latest observation.

The agency reminded the public that Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Taal Volcano, ‘which means that it is still in an abnormal condition and should not be interpreted as having ceased unrest or the threat of eruptive activity.’

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake was recorded early Thursday, Oct. 9, in the island town of Panukulan, Quezon province.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tectonic tremor struck 25 kilometers northeast of the municipality at a depth of 10 kilometers around 2:51 a.m.

A tectonic earthquake is caused by the sudden movement of rocks along faults and plate boundaries.

Instrumental Intensity I was recorded in the coastal town of Infanta on the mainland part of northern Quezon. Instrumental intensities are determined using an intensity scale.

Phivolcs said it does not expect any damage or aftershocks from the quake.

Panukulan and two other municipalities Polillo and Burdeos are located on Polillo Island off Lamon Bay, facing the Pacific Ocean in the northern part of the province.

Government work and classes at all levels were suspended in Pugo, La Union, following the magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck the town at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to the local government unit (LGU).

‘In light of the recent earthquake and in prioritizing the safety and well-being of all, classes at all levels and work in government offices within the Municipality of Pugo are suspended today, Thursday,’ the LGU said in a Facebook post.

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the earthquake’s epicenter was located 2 kilometers northeast of Pugo at a depth of 10 km.

Intensity V was felt in Baguio City, while instrumental intensity III was felt in Aringay, LA Union, Bontoc, Mountain Province; Sison, Pangasinan; Intensity II in San Fernando, La Union; Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija, and Dagupan City; and Intensity I in Lingayen and Urdaneta, Pangasinan.