Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

At least nine farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth P125 million were identified as ‘ghost’ projects by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the agency has submitted the initial audit report of FMRs to the Office of the President, where nine of the over 4,700 projects from 2021 to 2025 were considered ghost projects.

He noted that seven of the FMRs were in Davao Occidental, while the remaining two were in Lanao del Sur.

‘In our audit, those projects were not started, but in the Department of Public Works and Highways [DPWH] report, those projects were listed as completed,’ De Mesa told reporters on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) in Pasay on Wednesday.

While these were a relatively small percentage of the FMR projects, the DA official said this remains crucial to the farmers who were meant to benefit from them.

‘Even though the percentage of this was small, we still don’t want to have this kind of problem. These nine kilometers could have benefitted our farmers. Sayang,’ De Mesa said.

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the audit of every FMR project since 2021 amid the ongoing clamor on controversial flood control works.

The DA explained that even though FMR schemes are identified and validated by the agency, these road projects are commissioned, bid out, and constructed by the DPWH.

‘We must make sure they are done properly, that taxpayers’ money were spent to provide farmers with market access and not squandered for farm-to-pocket projects,’ Laurel said.

Given the 61,000 kilometers considered backlog or pending validation as of July, the DA chief called on lawmakers to pass legislation that mandates a priority list for FMR projects.

Such a move would veer away from the arbitrary selection of where to build those roads, often merely to satisfy parochial concerns.

He also recommended reviewing that priority list every three years to keep it aligned with agricultural needs.

However, the DA noted that funding remains a concern.

To stretch resources, Laurel proposed redesigning road dimensions, such as narrower roadways of 3 meters instead of 5 meters, with shoulders every 300 meters to facilitate traffic movement. This is expected to cut costs and build more roads faster.

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) hopes that the bill mandating its elevation to the Cabinet level would be certified as a priority measure by President Marcos, underscoring that once enacted, it would enable the agency to expand penalties and liabilities and grant the agency the power to arrest erring government personnel, among others.

In an interview on the sidelines of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippines and the United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday held in Makati City, Arta Director General Ernesto V. Perez said the agency has already submitted to the Office of the President the bill reorganizing Arta into the ‘Department of Anti-Red Tape’ or DART.

‘Nag-submit na kami ng proposal this week tapos we also submitted to the Office of the President sa Ledac [Lagislatirve-Executive Advisory Council], hopefully this can be considered a priority bill.hopefully this can be passed also sa House of Representatives. May nakuha kaming support from the Congress,’ Perez said.

Among the proposed amendments to Republic Act 11032 also known as the Ease of Doing Business Law are: Elevating Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) into a Department; Expanding the Powers and Functions of the Department; Authority to Arrest, Expanding Violations and Persons Liable; Criminal Liability for Private Individual Involved in Fixing, among others.

On top of the list of proposed amendments is for ARTA to be reorganized into the Department of Anti-Red Tape (DART) which ‘will now serve as the lead agency for streamlining government services and reducing bureaucratic red tape.’

According to the proposed amendments, to strengthen accountability, Arta’s scope of violations and persons liable should be expanded to include the following: failure to set up, create, and publish a Citizen’s Charter; Failure to establish electronic business one-stop shops; and failure to comply with the Automatic Approval mechanism.

Under the bill, ARTA will also have the authority to arrest.

‘Fixing activities may appear administrative or procedural on the surface, but they pose deep and often irreversible harm to public safety, public order, and the environment,’ Arta noted.

‘When a person obtains a driver’s license without undergoing mandatory training and assessment, they are unlawfully granted the authority to operate a motor vehicle, despite lacking the skill and judgment to ensure safety on the road,’ the country’s anti-red tape watchdog noted.

The agricultural damage caused by recent typhoons and the southwest monsoon surged to more than P2.5 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.

In its latest report, the DA noted that the losses incurred by 85,671 farmers and fishers have reached P2.51 billion, with the volume of production damage across 11 regions pegged at 186,253 metric tons (MT).

Rice bore the brunt of the damage caused by the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and typhoons Mirasol, Nando, and Opong at 134,901 MT.

High-value crops, corn, and cassava also sustained damage at 32,470 MT, 18,871 MT, and 10 MT, respectively.

The report said the value of production losses is P1.51 billion for rice, P705.12 million for high-value crops, P278.14 million for corn, P8.12 million for livestock and poultry, and P260,000 for cassava.

Agriculture infrastructure also sustained damages amounting to P4.72 million; irrigation facilities, P3.28 million; and machinery and equipment, P143,000.

The DA said 74,689 hectares of agricultural areas were affected by the storms and habagat. Of these, 66,967 hectares have a chance to recover.

The agency said it has allocated P766.42 million in agricultural inputs, including rice, corn, and vegetable seeds that would help those affected by typhoons. Drugs and biologics for livestock were also included.

The DA said it offers loans of up to P25,000 through the Survival and Recovery loan program from the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC). These loans come with a three-year repayment term, interest-free.

It also noted that an initial amount of P237 million for the indemnification of insured affected farmers would also be released through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC).

The DA recently said it continues to gather field reports from areas affected by severe tropical storm Opong, which recently swept through key agricultural zones in central Philippines, including the islands of Mindoro and Masbate.

Last month, the agency revised downward its palay production forecast for 2025 to 20.3 million metric tons (MMT).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the revised forecast for paddy rice output in 2025 during a recent hearing on the agency’s budget at the House of Representatives.

‘We revised our target from what we can see until the end of this year. We slightly lowered it to 20.3 MMT.’

The latest figure is lower than the agency’s initial projection of 20.45 MMT. However, this is around 300,000 metric tons (MT) more than the record 20.06 MMT output in 2023.

The country’s rice production fell by nearly a million tons to 19.09 MMT last year as El Niño ravaged plantations.

Because of the supply shortfall caused by the drought, the country’s rice imports reached an all-time high of 4.8 MMT last year.

TEAM North flexed its muscle in multiple divisions to seize control with eight wins out of 12 matches in the Four-Ball event of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. North vs South Elite Junior Championship at The Country Club in the City of Santa Rosa on Wednesday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Sarines twins Mona and Lisa extended their winning streaks with impressive victories alongside different partners-Mona with Kendra Garingalao to edge Brittany Tamayo and Kimberly Baroquillo, 2 and 1, and Lisa with Alexie Gabi for a 2 and 1 win over Rafella Batican and Zuri Bagaloyos.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excitement and enthusiasm were clearly visible in the youngest divisions, with juniors relishing the chance to represent their regions. But it was in the older brackets-the 11-14 and 15-18 age groups-where the tension and focus intensified, adding layers of drama, thrill and competitiveness to the event.

With a four-point lead after Day 1, Team North is in prime position, but with the Foursomes today (Thursday) and Singles on Friday, the battle is far from over. The South squad will need to regroup and mount a comeback if it hopes to close the gap in this high-stakes regional showdown.

Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz has introduced the Philippines as a major hub for economic services market in Asia.

In his speech at the recent Philippine Country Forum at the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in China’s capital city, FlorCruz urged Chinese investors, innovators and business owners to choose the Philippines as a destination for their next projects.

‘The Philippines is a strong and stable country, and a global center of competitive services in Asia,’ the country’s envoy to China said. ‘We are open for business and we welcome China-our largest trading partner-to partner with us in high-growth services and industries.’

This year marks 50 years of Philippine-Chinese formal diplomatic relations, but trade and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have spanned for more than a thousand years.

According to FlorCruz, the Philippines is further improving its business-friendly climate, as well as new benefits from the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act-a piece of legislation that lowers corporate income tax and provides clearer and more focused incentives for businesses.

The law aims to make the country a more attractive business destination, support the recovery of companies and strengthen its competitiveness in the region.

Also, the envoy highlighted FiberHome-a Chinese networking and telecommunication equipment provider with successful Philippine operations.

FiberHome, FlorCruz said, is living proof that progress can be achieved by investing in the Philippines.

‘We invite Chinese businessmen to visit the Philippine Pavilion and explore the possibilities of future cooperation-combining China’s cutting-edge technology and Filipino excellence in the field of services,’ he said.

MAKATI Medical Center (MakatiMed) reached a historic milestone on August 20, 2025, with the proclamation of its chapel under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The celebration was marked by a solemn mass presided by His Eminence Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, joined by priests and ministers from the Archdiocese of Manila.

During the liturgical celebration, Cardinal Advincula formally installed Fr. Moses Eduardo Ciego as chaplain of the newly proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel.

Following the mass, he led the blessing of the chapel marker which serves as a lasting testament to the hospital’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary under this title.

The hospital’s devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe was initiated years ago under the leadership of then medical director Dr. Raul G. Fores. This was strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the hospital community turned to prayer and intercession amid unprecedented trials.

In his message for the occasion, Saturnino P. Javier, MD, MakatiMed interim co-president, CEO and medical director, emphasized how the consecration of the chapel reflects the hospital’s gratitude for divine guidance and protection: ‘All these 55 years of MMC, our healthcare workers continue to carry out their noble tasks of saving lives, promoting health, assuaging pain, and curing afflictions. Today, August 20, MMC does all these while affirming its devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.’

Under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the chapel now stands as a sanctuary of faith, hope and healing for the entire MakatiMed community.

SECRETARY of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro co-chaired a foreign ministerial meeting on ‘Reinforcing Cooperation to Achieve a Secure and Stable Maritime Domain’ during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s 80th Session.

On September 24, 40 countries actively participated in the meeting, which was co-hosted by the Philippines with Australia, Estonia, Greece, Japan, the Netherlands, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Acknowledging the current challenges in ensuring a secure and stable maritime domain, there was renewed commitment to multilateralism and the shared stewardship of the world’s oceans.

In particular, emphasis was placed on international law, cooperation across shared maritime issues such as the protection of the marine environment, ensuring freedom of navigation and commerce, facilitating global connectivity, and securing critical underwater infrastructure.

‘As a growing coalition across regions, we reaffirmed international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [or UNCLOS as the constitution for the oceans,] and the legal framework in addressing global challenges to security and stability at sea.’ Lazaro said at the meeting.

Hope From Within (HFW), a multi-stakeholder cancer advocacy campaign spearheaded by global healthcare leader MSD in the Philippines, recently marked its 10th anniversary with a renewed commitment to strengthen its focus on the needs of Filipino cancer patients. The milestone celebration served as a powerful call to intensify efforts to close critical gaps in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment access nationwide.

‘Hope From Within has become more than a campaign, it is a movement that opens doors for patients,’ said Allan Ancheta, Business Unit Director for Oncology at MSD in the Philippines.

‘Whether it’s supporting access to early screening, expanding treatment options, or building partnerships that empower communities, HFW has been about making quality cancer care a reality for more Filipinos. Our commitment is to continue breaking barriers, so no patient is left behind,’ he added.

Building on foundational initiatives like Cancer Game Plan PH and Tita Hope Talks, which focused on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, improving financing models, and securing cancer assistance funds, HFW has evolved.

In 2024, the campaign expanded into precision medicine with the launch of ‘Hit the Mark.’ This initiative unites patient groups, medical societies, laboratories, and healthcare companies to champion equitable access to biomarker testing and personalized treatment for lung cancer patients. Initially partnering with Hi-Precision Diagnostics, Hit the Mark recently welcomed Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. Eligible patients now benefit from a single, unified form for convenient access to vital lung cancer biomarker tests (including EGFR and PD-L1), providing oncologists with critical tools for recommending the most appropriate treatment options from the start.

Patient Safety Day 2025

The HFW anniversary coincided with Patient Safety Day 2025 which highlighted that true safety in cancer care means more than preventing harm; it requires timely diagnosis, affordable treatment, and equitable access to innovative therapies. For many Filipinos, these remain out of reach, creating urgent gaps in care that HFW seeks to close.

‘We cannot talk about patient safety without addressing accessibility,’ said Andreas Riedel, President and Managing Director of MSD in the Philippines.

‘Safety is compromised when treatment is delayed or denied. That is why we continue working with partners to strengthen the cancer care continuum, whether through financing reforms, awareness campaigns, or biomarker testing so that every Filipino patient gets the care they need, when they need it,’ Riedel emphasized.

Redefining cancer care

Since its inception in 2015, HFW has been at the forefront of efforts to redefine cancer care through education, patient empowerment, and policy advocacy. Over the years, the platform has reached more than 20 million Filipinos, mobilizing communities, patient groups, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to work together toward the full implementation and funding of the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA).

‘Every Filipino cancer patient deserves the best possible chance, not just to survive, but to live well,’ said Riedel.

He shared that Hope From Within was founded on the principle of placing patients at the center of all healthcare decisions.

‘Ten years on, our mission is stronger than ever: to find real solutions that close the cancer care gap, make treatment accessible, and give every patient the dignity of hope,’ added Riedel.

Empowering patients with digital tools

In keeping with its commitment to providing patient-centered resources, HFW will soon launch Let’s Talk Lung, a new AI-powered chatbot accessible via the campaign’s website. This digital innovation provides patients, caregivers, and the public with quick, reliable answers to common questions about lung cancer, including symptoms and diagnostic tests. Building on HFW’s award-winning platform, the chatbot expands the campaign’s capacity to empower patients with accurate, accessible, and easy-to-understand information anytime, anywhere.

HFW’s decade of sustained advocacy reflects the true power of partnership, yielding significant results-from championing the passage of the NICCA in 2019 to helping secure increased cancer assistance funding. Moving forward, MSD in the Philippines and its diverse partners across government, healthcare, and patient communities remain united by one goal: delivering equitable, comprehensive, and safe cancer care to every Filipino.

‘Ten years is just the beginning,’ Riedel concluded. ‘We will keep working until every Filipino patient feels seen, heard, and supported, and until no one has to fight cancer alone.’

President Donald Trump’s administration said Tuesday that the state of Minnesota and its governing body for high school sports are violating a key federal law against sex discrimination by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.

The ruling came from the civil rights offices at the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services. The agencies said the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are violating Title IX ‘by allowing males to compete in female sports and occupy female intimate facilities.’

The agencies said they found that the league has allowed transgender athletes to compete in girls Alpine and Nordic skiing, girls lacrosse team, girls track and field, girls volleyball and girls fastpitch softball.

‘The Trump Administration will not allow Minnesota or any other state to sacrifice the safety, fair treatment, and dignity of its female students to appease the false idols of radical gender ideology,’ Craig Trainor, the federal Education Department’s acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a statement.

Trump’s administration initiated its investigation after he issued an executive order in February giving the federal government wide latitude to pull funding from entities that ‘deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities’ by allowing transgender athletes to participate.

The Minnesota State High School League said in response back then that it would follow state law – not the executive order – and continue to allow transgender athletes to compete in prep athletics. Associations in some other states signaled they also might defy the president’s order, but others took a wait-and-see approach.

The federal agencies gave the state and league 10 days to voluntarily accept a list of conditions to reverse their policies or risk imminent enforcement action.

The state Department of Education said in a statement it is ‘reviewing the letter and remains committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive school community.’

The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Trump administration has launched over two dozen investigations of transgender policies in schools and colleges, including access to sports, locker rooms and bathrooms, according The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit news organization. The US Education Department said in August that Denver schools violated Title IX by creating all-gender bathrooms.

Trinasolar International Systems Business Unit (ISBU), the project development arm of China’s Trinosolar Co. Ltd., signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with AdventEnergy Inc., the retail electricity supply arm of Aboitiz Power Corp., for the 49.9-megawatt alternating current (MWac) Mabini solar project in Pangasinan.

The solar power project is scheduled for commercial operations in the third quarter of next year and is expected to generate 110.84 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity in its first year, equivalent to the annual energy consumption of over 24,000 households. This project is expected to reduce 76,549 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The Mabini solar project earlier secured a green lane certification from the Board of Investments (BOI). The certification aims to fast-track permitting and licensing for strategic energy investments.

‘The Mabini Solar Project shows what can be achieved through strong cooperation between the Advent and Trinasolar,’ said Trinasolar ISBU Southeast Asia Country Manager Derek Wang. ‘Together, we are advancing the country’s renewable energy goals and creating lasting value for local communities.’

Wang signed the PPA with AdventEnergy Assistant Vice President for Retail Operations Rence Pazcoguin, Vice President for Retail Operations and Portfolio Management John Davis Mangubat, President James Byron Yu.

‘We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Trina Solar as we bring a stronger and more sustainable energy future to our customers and deliver lasting impact to the industries we serve,’ said Yu.

Filipino renewable energy (RE) developer Spotlight Power, Inc. is the developer of the Mabini solar power project, with support from Trina Solar.

Last March, AboitizPower said it has set aside P78.1 billion for capital expenditures (capex) this year, majority of which will be used to expand its renewable energy (RE) portfolio, aligning with its goal of increasing its clean energy capacity to 4,600 MW by 2030.

The company said it will continue to make huge bets on RE. Last year it set aside 72 percent of its capex budget of P73 billion for clean energy projects.

These include the 159-MWp Laoag solar project in Pangasinan, the 17-MW Tiwi binary geothermal plant in Albay, the 45-MWp Armenia solar project in Tarlac, and the 173-MWp Calatrava solar project in Negros Occidental.