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In an era when technology buzzwords dominate policymaking, entrepreneur and digital technology advocate Ann Cuisia is taking a different route. Instead of pushing for more hype, she’s pushing for design – system design, to be precise.

Her latest proposal, called the National Budget in Action (NBA) Framework, isn’t just a policy blueprint. It’s a business story about how data transparency, when built with the discipline of digital infrastructure, can become an engine for trust, innovation, and even economic growth.

‘The goal of transparency is not achieved by naming a tool,’ Cuisia said in her new essay. ‘It is achieved by designing a system that guarantees access, accountability, and auditability regardless of the technology behind it.’

The business case for transparency Cuisia, who has spent years building fintech and blockchain projects in the Philippines, knows how data flows shape economic behavior. She argues that when public finance data becomes open, searchable, and verifiable, the private sector also benefits – from better risk assessments to cleaner supply chains and improved investor confidence.

Under the National Budget in Action Act, all government budget documents would be published through a single, unified online portal. From appropriations to disbursements, every transaction would be visualized, searchable, and downloadable. The system’s design is simple but powerful: transparency that can be audited, cross-referenced, and reused by anyone, from journalists to startups.

‘It’s transparency you can click, track, and trust,’ Cuisia explained. ‘When public data is structured well, it becomes fuel for innovation.’

Indeed, analysts have long noted that open data ecosystems – from Estonia’s e-Government model to Singapore’s Smart Nation portal – have led to thriving technology sectors and stronger investor sentiment. Cuisia believes the Philippines can achieve the same by building its own public-facing data infrastructure.

A multi-stakeholder safeguard What makes her framework stand out is redundancy. Instead of leaving all budget data in one government-controlled server, the NBA design allows for mirror websites hosted by NGOs, media outlets, and universities.

‘When transparency has redundancy, it becomes irreversible,’ she said. The idea borrows from cybersecurity principles: backup systems are not a luxury but a necessity. In this model, redundancy isn’t waste – it’s resilience.

Incentivizing accountability The framework also includes market-like incentives. A Transparency Rewards Fund would compensate journalists, civic data scientists, and whistleblowers who uncover verifiable misuse of funds. For Cuisia, this turns fiscal oversight into a participatory economy where integrity has measurable value.

‘This shifts transparency from passive disclosure to active participation,’ she said. ‘We’re not creating gatekeepers – we’re empowering watchdogs.’

Meanwhile, a National Budget Watch Council composed of civil society, government, and citizen representatives would oversee implementation and maintain data integrity.

Tech-neutral, innovation-friendly Despite her background in blockchain, Cuisia stresses that her proposal is technology-neutral. She believes laws should define outcomes, not platforms. ‘Let technology serve those goals, not define them,’ she noted.

That flexibility keeps the framework adaptive – allowing blockchain, AI, or any future tool to be layered into the system without legislative bottlenecks. For tech companies and startups, this means a fertile environment for solutions that enhance public-sector efficiency without the risk of being legislated out of relevance.

From criticism to construction Cuisia’s call to action goes beyond advocacy. It’s a design-thinking exercise applied to governance: if transparency is an asset, how do you build its infrastructure?

‘The first step was to reject prescriptive policymaking,’ she said. ‘The second step is to replace it with something better. Transparency as infrastructure – not as a slogan.’

By reframing transparency as both a governance principle and an innovation platform, Cuisia’s National Budget in Action vision sits at the intersection of public accountability and private-sector opportunity.

Her message to policymakers – and investors – is clear: when citizens can see where every peso goes, confidence grows. And in business, confidence is the currency that keeps economies moving.

‘Fiscal transparency isn’t just a moral imperative,’ Cuisia said. ‘It’s a market advantage.’

As a devoted family, we cherish the tradition of dining out to commemorate milestones that punctuate our lives- birthdays, anniversaries, work achievements, or simply being together. These occasions are more than just meals; they are opportunities for connection, laughter, and creating cherished memories around a table. It is within this context that I wish to bring to light a growing sentiment shared by countless families like ours: the heartfelt desire to include every member of our family in these celebrations, especially our beloved fur babies- Wade (shih tzu), Stella (corgi), and Luna (pug).

Every time we prepare to step out for one of these celebratory meals, we are faced with the familiar, difficult decision of leaving our furry companions behind. They are not merely pets; they are integral parts of our household. To leave them at home, alone, while we partake in family festivities, feels incomplete.

This predicament frequently leads to a less-than-ideal dining experience. Our conversations might be punctuated by glances at the clock or a subconscious urge to rush through our meal, all driven by the underlying concern for our fur babies back home. The thought of them waiting, perhaps missing us, often cuts short the very leisurely enjoyment these special occasions are meant to provide, diminishing the overall experience we seek to create.

In response to this recurring challenge-our family has-like many others-adapted our approach to dining out. These days, before making any reservation or plans, our first step is to scour online reviews and websites, searching for restaurants that welcome pets. We hope to find establishments that understand and cater to our need to bring our fur babies along, allowing us to enjoy a truly inclusive family outing without worry or guilt.

However, the reality of this search is often disappointing. This cultural shift in how we perceive and integrate pets into our lives calls for a corresponding evolution within the hospitality industry. Just as families seek restaurants that cater to children, offer diverse menus, or provide specific ambiance, there is a growing segment of the population seeking venues that extend their welcome to all family members, including the four-legged ones.

It is with this earnest conviction that I wish to share the collective wishes of many pet lovers and extend a heartfelt call to restaurants. We implore you to consider becoming more accommodating to pets and provide a designated space within your premises where our fur babies can comfortably join us. This is not merely a request for convenience; it is a plea for inclusion and understanding.

While I understand that such a change presents logistical considerations regarding hygiene, comfort, and potential disruptions, these challenges are certainly surmountable. Many successful pet-friendly establishments around the world have demonstrated that, with proper management, designated spaces can seamlessly integrate pets into the dining experience without compromising the comfort or enjoyment of other patrons.

Let us work together to create dining experiences that truly embody the spirit of family, allowing us to make cherished memories with all our loved ones. Opening your doors to our fur babies would not just be accommodating; it would be a profound gesture of understanding and welcome that would resonate deeply with many.

National University avoided a two-game losing streak after rallying past Adamson, 56-54, on Wednesday in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena.

Coach Jeff Napa and company bounced back after a 66-59 loss to University of the Philippines last Saturday that ended their unbeaten start.

Jake Figueroa pushed the pace for NU with 17 points, three assists, two rebounds, three steals and two blocks in the win that sent the Bulldogs to a 4-1 record. ‘This (win) wasn’t on me. This is because of the players,’ coach Jeff Napa said.

‘I credit them. Our defense was nice. We couldn’t shoot. I tip my hats off to them, they gave it all. The players did this, not me,’ he added.

The Soaring Falcons led by as much as 11 points at the five-minute mark of the final period, 52-41.

The Bulldogs, however, answered with a. defensive and offensive masterclass, ending the game with a blazing 15-2 run to secure the victory.

Cedrick Manzano spearheaded Adamson, which dropped to 1-4, with 16 points and four rebounds, but to no avail.

The image of Our Lady of Lourdes in Cabetican, Bacolor, Pampanga has finally been brought out for veneration after a few weeks of careful restoration.

Back in 2023, people, especially residents of the barangay where the image is revered, expressed regret after the over 100-year-old sculpture was taken out for encarna or repainting by an unknown artist.

While the encarna did not affect the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is venerated at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, or the Sunken Shrine of Cabetican, people lamented how the image was treated without considering its heritage.

As the Archdiocesan Committee on Church Heritage of Pampanga said on Friday, Oct. 3, the ‘well-loved image [.] has now been restored to how it should have been,’ pointing out the need to preserve the image’s historical integrity and spiritual significance.

Based on the website Pintakasi, the devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes in Cabetican started in 1906, when the image was brought by the people, carrying her on their shoulders while on board a native banca.

The church, which was buried by volcanic ash and subsequent lahar flows after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, is now led by its rector, Rev. Fr. Fernando David, while the image was restored by Capampangan artist Joseph Magcalas.

Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL) is planning to raise up to $600 million from the issuance of new shares in its Philippine business to address a shortage of capital related to its loss-making American unit.

In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the Campos-led company said it was considering an equity raise through private placement at Del Monte Philippines Inc.

While it has yet to announce the final size of the offering, it is looking at raising between $500 million and $600 million from the share sale.

A private placement refers to the sale of securities to select investors, including institutional investors, instead of the general public.

DMPL’s planned equity raising is seen to help ‘reduce the group’s leverage and address the capital deficit resulting from the recent impairments relating to the US business,’ the company said in the published minutes of its annual general meeting.

DMPL currently has around $1.3 billion in debt, raising concerns that its equity has been ‘substantially eroded.’

Dilution

The firm also noted that share dilution would be expected as part of the planned equity raise, but DMPL would remain the majority shareholder in Del Monte Philippines.

DMPL said it had already evaluated ‘all available options’ to address its capital deficitand recapitalize its business.

DMPL is also considering disposing of some of its assets to reduce debt, and engaging its bankers to ‘explore options relating to the group’s various loans.’

‘These lender banks have been collaborative and the management team is working closely with them on the matter,’ it said.

DMPL has long been posting losses because of its US subsidiary, Del Monte Foods Holdings Ltd., which has already put up its assets for sale.

However, DMPL auditor Ernst and Young said it was not able to get enough evidence to review the ‘appropriateness’ of DMPL’s share in Del Monte Foods’ losses. -INQ

True to its commitment of republishing ‘some of the best out-of-print ‘lost classics’ of Philippine literature,’ Exploding Galaxies brings back into circulation two important volumes: ‘Sarap: Essays on Philippine Food’ and ‘Palayok: Philippine Food Through Time, On Site, In the Pot’ by Doreen G. Fernandez and Edilberto N. Alegre.

‘Seeing ‘Sarap’ and ‘Palayok’ republished is incredibly gratifying. I remember on the 10th year anniversary of her passing, my mother-Doreen’s sister-was so moved at the many tributes remembering her, and amazed that 10 years on, not only had she not been forgotten but her work continued to be recognized as pioneering and revolutionary,’ says Maya Besa Roxas, niece of Doreen G. Fernandez.

Doreen Fernandez and Ed Alegre

Reviving the classics

The release of these two volumes on Oct. 15 via Exploding Galaxies and select branches of National Book Store, Fully Booked, Kultura, Mt. Cloud Bookshop in Baguio, and Everything’s Fine in Makati commemorates a couple of milestones. First, Exploding Galaxies’ push into nonfiction, and second, republished editions in excelsis since they first came into circulation in 1988 (‘Sarap’) and 2000 (‘Palayok’).

‘Novels and fiction have been our focus, but we heard the call of Doreen Fernandez’s books as something just as urgent to republish,’ says Mara Coson, Exploding Galaxies publisher. ‘These books have long been out of print and yet [are] so sought after.’

Doreen Fernandez | Photo by Stella Kalaw

Touted as seminal guides to Filipino food culture and identity for their ‘elegant prose that teaches us to taste, contextualize, and appreciate the world around us’ (Ambeth Ocampo), as well as their bold takes on Filipino food ‘as an essential marker of Filipino identity’ (Clinton Palanca), the new editions offer fresh opportunities for Filipinos to (re)connect with Fernandez and ‘Palayok’ co-author Alegre.

Gianne Encarnacion, Kitty Jardenil, Elle Shivers, and Eva Yu all lend their artistic points of view on ‘Sarap,’ while photojournalist Jilson Tiu makes a go at ‘the eateries and arteries of Manila, of first catches and ferments, of kitchens, tables, and fiestas all over the country’ in ‘Palayok.’ Kristian Henson and Miguel Mari, meanwhile, designed the tactility and beauty of the books and the weight of the written words.

Edilberto Alegre | Photo by Doreen Fernandez

An invitation to join the voyage

Lakan Uhay Alegre, son of Edilberte N. Alegre, lauds the re-release. ‘In college, when I was already reading more of Tatay’s works, I had found out that there were limited copies of ‘Sarap,’ and that its market value had quadrupled from its original selling price. How can scholars truly understand Filipino food if ‘Sarap,’ a canon on Filipino food studies, remains rare and inaccessible?’

‘Republishing ‘Sarap’ comes with making invaluable knowledge on Filipino food affordable. Like freshly caught sapsap sold at the talipapa, the republication of ‘Sarap’ is a blessing,’ he adds.

Rendered with renewed visuals and typography that speak to the modern reader, Fernandez and Alegre’s invitation is unflinching in its metaphorical gaze. To enamor you with such language is beauty that keeps you well-fed for a lifetime.

‘We invite our readers as well to join the voyage: we want readers who cook, who like to eat, who enjoy reading about cooking and eating, who are curious about the subtext beneath our food.’-Doreen G. Fernandez and Edilberto N. Alegre, ‘Sarap,’ (pg. vii)

On a day meant to showcase international talent, it was the locals who delivered the drama.

ZUS Coffee and Akari opened the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday with thrilling five-set action at Ynares Center Montalban-but without their highly anticipated imports, who were sidelined by what the league hinted was a move by the sport’s national federation to dictate its schedule.

Though the Thunderbelles’ Anna DeBeer and the Chargers’ Annie Mitchem warmed up and were ready to suit up, both were relegated to the bench after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) refused to endorse the International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) required for foreign players to compete.

‘The PVL regrets to inform the public that the foreign guest players will not be permitted to participate in the ongoing season-ending conference until their ITCs are duly approved,’ the organizing Sports Vision wrote in a statement Tuesday.

Sports Vision claimed it had submitted all necessary documentation on time-including signed clearances from players, their federations and clubs. PVL insiders believe the PNVF is using the ITC approval as leverage to force the league to end its tournament earlier, reportedly to accommodate preparations for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in December.

‘The PNVF reportedly demanded that the Reinforced Conference end by Nov. 16, despite the PVL having structured the tournament to run until Nov. 27, including the finals,’ the league wrote in a statement. ‘We already adjusted our calendar to support the national program-even moving the conference to start after the national team’s commitments concluded on Sept. 30.’

Suzara in hospital

The PVL further claimed that stakeholders are questioning the PNVF’s motives, accusing the federation of placing political control above sport development.

The Inquirer reached out to the PNVF and to the federation’s president, Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, but has yet to receive a response at press time. A source said the volleyball chief was under the weather, which Suzara confirmed when he messaged the Inquirer: ‘I am in the hospital.’

Despite missing their reinforcements, ZUS Coffee roared back from a 1-2 set deficit to stun Akari, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 26-24, 15-7, in a two-hour, 32-minute marathon.

Down 6-7 in the fifth, the Thunderbelles unleashed a nine-point run, powered by Riza Nogales’ timely hits and Fiola Ceballos’ back-to-back aces.

AC Miner, who had 10 points and was instrumental in forcing a decider, admitted they missed DeBeer’s presence-but made sure to win it for her.

‘Even though we prepared with Anna, and it would’ve been better if she was there so we’d be complete, we still gave it our all today,’ Miner said. ‘Even though I only really got going near the end, I’m still thankful because everything clicked and we managed to reach the fourth and fifth sets.’

Coach Jerry Yee said the late ruling caught the team off guard, but the Thunderbelles adjusted on the fly.

‘We weren’t super prepared, but it’s okay,’ said Yee. ‘We’ve always trained with different combinations, so we just went out there and played.’ INQ

Nogales led ZUS with 15 points, including five blocks. Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chinnie Arroyo added 14 each, while Ceballos and Kate Santiago chipped in 13 and 11, respectively. Setter Clo Mondoñedo tallied 28 excellent sets, and libero Alyssa Eroa anchored the defense with 22 digs and 21 receptions Eli Soyud fired 22 points to lead Akari, while rookie Chennie Tagaod scored 18 in her debut. Alas veterans Fifi Sharma (13 points, four blocks), Justine Jazareno (32 digs), and Mars Alba (24 excellent sets) also delivered-but fell short without Mitchem.

An individual was apprehended on Tuesday for a malicious social media post against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that was reported to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Facebook user Michael Romero, with the username ‘Mike Romero,’ posted a photo of Marcos Jr. overlaid with a red arrow pointing to the president’s head with the caption, ‘Headshot.’

Romero posted the same photo with a different caption, and he explained under the comments that the ‘system’ removed his post, and he claimed that he made an error in his caption.

‘My post earlier was deleted by the system. Mistake in the caption,’ his comment read.

After gaining attention on the social media platform, the NBI Cybercrime Division identified Romero and conducted a surveillance to locate him.

Romero admitted ownership of the Facebook account after being confronted by authorities, which led to his arrest in his residence in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

According to the NBI, his post was a violation of Inciting to Sedition of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Following the arrest, the NBI warned against posting malicious content on social media. /apl

Gov. Edgar Aglipay has ordered a thorough investigation of the collapse on Monday of the Piggatan Bridge here, which sent five trucks crashing down and left parts of the national highway linking the capital city of Tuguegarao to the northern towns of Cagayan impassable.

The bridge, constructed in 1974, had an 18-ton load limit, far below the estimated 50-ton combined weight of the five vehicles-an 18-wheel, two 16-wheel, and two smaller trucks-passing through it at the time of its collapse.

Aglipay, who inspected the bridge on Monday night, urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to hold accountable those who might have violated regulations.

‘If found liable, the truck operator and drivers should be [face] criminal and civil [charges],’ he said at a briefing.

Aglipay also ordered the strict monitoring of other aging bridges in the province, including Buntun connecting Tuguegarao and Enrile town, Gava and Baybayog, both in Alcala town, and Magapit in Lal-lo town, to ensure the durability of these structures and to avoid accidents.

‘This should be a wake-up call. Let’s not wait for more disasters before we act,’ he added.

‘Just seconds’

‘It happened in just seconds,’ Jonathan Relos, one of the truck drivers passing through the bridge, recounted the moment it collapsed around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

He said he was transporting 650 sacks of palay that would be delivered to Cauayan City in Isabela province, where the grain sold for P12.80 per kilo, higher than the P11 buying price in northern Cagayan.

‘I was aiming to earn for my two children’s school expenses. But now, it’s gone,’ Relos, 41, said in Ilocano.

He appealed to the authorities to allow them to recover their cargo of palay so the sacks could be transferred to another truck and sold before the grains rot.

Alcala Mayor Cristina Antonio, in a statement, said the bridge’s structural lifespan should be checked.

‘Could the bridge be nearing its lifespan, and could this have been a factor in its collapse? Also, should the lifespan of a bridge first draw near before it is replaced?’ she asked.

Describing Piggatan Bridge as a critical artery for the Cagayan Valley region, Antonio stressed its role in connecting Cagayan to neighboring provinces and Metro Manila.

‘All vehicles, including heavy trucks, have no alternative except to pass through the national highway and Piggatan Bridge. They have no other way,’ she said.

‘Cagayan is one of the country’s rice and corn granaries, and it cannot be helped during harvest season that tons of produce are transported. Shouldn’t bridges with higher load limits have been built to serve today’s pressing needs?’ Antonio said.

DPWH action

Oscar Gumiran, district engineer of DPWH’s First Cagayan Engineering District Office, declined to comment further, saying he did not want to preempt actions by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.

However, Gumiran confirmed that a team from the DPWH Bureau of Designs had been sent to Alcala to assess the structure after its collapse.

Antonio criticized the department’s previous advisories, which urged heavy trucks to unload cargo and ferry goods in batches across older bridges.

‘As the agency in charge of public works, DPWH should have the planning and foresight to install bridges that meet the demand of the times, instead of putting the blame and burden of adjusting upon the public. ‘Overloading’ should not be made a convenient excuse,’ she lamented.

One of the drivers was injured and taken to a local hospital, while four trucks had yet to be towed from the collapsed bridge as of Tuesday

Consumer prices climbed in September at their fastest pace in six months, driven by surging food costs after a series of storms that flooded farms and destroyed crops – a setback seen to make the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) more guarded in its next policy steps.

Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, quickened to 1.7 percent in September from 1.5 percent in August, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday.

It was the strongest reading since March, when inflation stood at 1.8 percent. Even so, the figure came in better than the 2-percent median forecast of economists polled by the Inquirer last week.

September also marked the seventh consecutive month that inflation remained below the BSP’s 2- to 4- percent target range.

Prices pressures

Transport prices, which reversed seven straight months of decline after posting a 1 percent gain in September, emerged as the top driver of inflation.

State statisticians flagged mixed price movements of diesel and gasoline last month, though most of the weekly adjustments were upward.

Food prices also nudged inflation higher, rising 1 percent in September from 0.9 percent in August. The increase was driven by a spike in vegetable costs, which jumped 19.4 percent, the fastest in eight months.

The PSA said storms had disrupted harvests and pushed up prices of staples like cabbage, chilies, peppers and pumpkins.

Rice prices, meanwhile, posted a milder decline of 16.9 percent from 17 percent previously, extending their slump despite the ongoing import freeze.

‘The slight uptick in inflation underscores the sensitivity of domestic food prices to supply disruptions,’ said Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development. ‘We are working closely with various agencies to stabilize supply, keep essential goods affordable, and safeguard household welfare.’

Probable pause

Separately, the BSP said it would assess the September inflation data ‘to determine the appropriate monetary policy response.’

But while inflation continued to stay below the central bank’s target range, a fresh rate cut is seen to be unlikely this week, given the peso’s weakness. The local currency has slipped to the 58-per-dollar level and could stoke imported inflation.

Ten out of 16 economists polled by the Inquirer last week expected the Monetary Board to keep the policy rate steady at 5 percent on Oct. 9.

‘Looking ahead, a potential month-on-month increase in rice prices following the suspension of rice imports, along with the impact of adverse weather, could add some upward push to inflation,’ analysts at Chinabank Research said.

‘While overall price growth is still expected to remain low for the rest of the year, increased upside risks to the inflation outlook could prompt the BSP to adopt a more cautious stance and keep interest rates on hold at Thursday’s policy meeting,’ they added.