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Asia exports to outperform with 2024 growth of 7.4%

A worker uses a microscope at an electronics manufacturing assembly plant in Biñan, Laguna, April 20, 2016. — REUTERS

EXPORTS from Asia are expected to grow 7.4% this year, outperforming other regions, the World Trade Organization (WTO) reported.

In its October Global Trade Outlook and Statistics, the WTO upgraded its forecast for world merchandise trade growth in 2024 to 2.7% from the previous estimate of 2.6%.

Meanwhile, its estimate for world merchandise trade in 2025 was downgraded to 3% from 3.3% previously.

“The demand for traded goods was weaker than expected in Europe but stronger than foreseen in Asia,” the WTO said.

In particular, the WTO projects exports in Asia to grow 7.4% this year. This is faster than the expected growth in exports from the Middle East (4.7%), South America (4.6%), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (4.5%), Africa (2.5%), and North America (2.1%). Exports from Europe are expected to decline 1.4%.

“Stronger-than-expected Asian export growth has been sustained by increased shipments of electronics, automotive products, and other manufactured goods from China,” WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa said in a briefing last week. 

“But other economies in the region are also reporting strong export growth, including India, Vietnam, and Singapore,” he added.

Meanwhile, imports are expected to grow faster in the Middle East to 9%. It was followed by South America (5.6%), Asia (4.3%), North America (3.3%), CIS (1.1%), and Africa (1%). Europe is expected to see a decline of 2.3% in imports.

Next year, the WTO projects exports from Asia to grow the fastest at 4.7%, while the region is expected to import 5.1% more in 2025.

“Exports from Asia surged following the COVID-19 pandemic but have plateaued at a high level, partly explaining the region’s weak export growth since then,” the WTO said.

“If the forecast is realized, by the second quarter of 2025, Asian exports will have risen 29.4% compared to their average level in 2019,” it added.

However, the WTO identified regional conflicts, monetary policy divergence, and fragmentation of supply chains linked to geopolitical factors as among the risks to the trade outlook.

“An escalation of the conflict in the Middle East could have negative consequences for global and regional trade flows, particularly for any countries directly involved,” it said. 

“The effects would also be felt in other regions, including through further disruptions to shipping and rising energy prices due to higher risk premiums,” it added.

Mr. Ossa said that the WTO sees more and more “evidence of decoupling and fragmentation of trade based on geopolitical concerns.”

“Trade is increasingly conducted among like-minded countries, with the war in Ukraine accelerating the process. However, we have yet to observe a global trend of regionalization or near-shoring,” he added.

When asked about the possible effects of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on global trade, Mr. Ossa said that it is something that the WTO has not formally evaluated yet, but he noted that conversations concerning the topic are ongoing.

“On the one hand, there’s, I think, a shared concern about deforestation and a shared willingness to also do something to protect forests,” he said.

“On the other hand, there’s a concern, of course, about fairness. From a historical sense, there’s also a concern about implementation,” he added.

He said that member countries are not just concerned with what regulations such as the EUDR try to achieve, “but also how they are achieving it and whether they are imposing excessive burdens on, for example, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries.”

In a statement sent over the weekend, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said that Philippine companies badly need more support to ensure compliance with sustainability rules.

Citing a report by the Danish Industry and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Philexport said that the Philippine firms have turned out to have among the lowest levels of awareness, levels of the EU’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) legislation.

“In light of this, the study underscores the need for support measures to prepare companies for increased demands, enabling local firms to better benefit from upcoming opportunities and ensuring that EU companies meet their supply chain impact targets,” it added.

In particular, it said that implementing ESG training for SMEs is needed to establish a foundational understanding within the firms of what ESG entails and the business opportunities it presents.

Citing the study, Philexport said that 72% of the Philippine companies cited their unfamiliarity with the EU legislation.

However, it is said that the lower awareness could be attributed to the fewer demands faced by the Philippine firms.

The EU Commission said on Oct. 2 that it proposed to move the implementation of the EUDR to Dec. 30, 2025 for large companies and to June 30, 2026 for micro and small enterprises.

The EUDR was previously scheduled for implementation by the end of 2024 for large companies. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Senators urge gov’t to build modern nuclear plant instead of reviving BNPP

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINE government should build state-of-the-art nuclear power plants instead of trying to revive the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which may be too old to function, Philippine senators said at the weekend.

“The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant should be separated from the talks about the adoption of nuclear energy here in the Philippines,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” D.  Pimentel III told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.

“That plant is beyond rehabilitation. That cannot be used anymore as an operating nuclear plant. It’s too dangerous.”

He said considering nuclear power is crucial since technology has improved over the years, but the government should also look at other sources of energy to address its power generation issues.

Last week, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and South Korean President signed a deal to conduct a feasibility study on the rehabilitation of the BNPP. The Department of Energy and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. agreed to hold a comprehensive technical and economic feasibly study on the plant.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility Co. Ltd. have also signed a deal to collaborate on low-carbon energy projects and the deployment of nuclear power facilities.

The 620-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Plant was built during the administration of the late dictator President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. and was shut down in 1986 amid corruption allegations and safety concerns. Its construction was completed in the 1980s but it was never used.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who heads the Senate ways and means committee, noted that while the Bataan plant might be the quickest route to harnessing nuclear energy, the government is better off exploring modern nuclear technology.

“It would be more prudent for the country to use the latest and safest nuclear technology in it first foray into nuclear power,” he said in a Viber message.

Mr. Gatchalian added that Manila could seek Seoul’s help through the Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) to determine if reviving the Bataan plant is “commercially feasible and safe.”

Meanwhile, Senate Deputy Majority Floor Leader Joseph Victor G. Ejercito said he is open to reopening the BNPP. “South Korea should have the expertise and experience to assist our nuclear program,” he said in a Viber message.

“The BNPP has been demonized, but it seems people now have realized the benefits of nuclear energy source as many countries like the US, France and other European countries have developed tremendously because of a successful energy mix that includes nuclear power.”

The Department of Energy expects nuclear power to start feeding into the country’s grids by 2032, Energy Director Michael O. Sinocruz earlier told congressmen.

Washington and Manila’s Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, also known as the 123 Agreement, entered into force on July 2, the US State Department said in a statement on July 9. Both countries signed the deal in November.

The pact provides a legal framework for the export of nuclear materials, equipment and components from the US to the Philippines.

The House of Representatives last year passed on final reading a bill that seeks to establish a Philippine Atomic Regulatory Authority that will oversee the use of nuclear energy in the country.

“South Korea, like the US, is a major exporter of nuclear energy and so has a vested interest in promoting this so they can sell their technology and expertise abroad,” Ibon Foundation Executive Director Jose Enrique “Sonny” A. Africa said in a Viber message.

“The strategic direction of energy development in the Philippines should be towards an indigenously provided and run renewable energy as possible,” he added.

The Philippines is hard-pressed to find other sources of indigenous energy as the Malampaya gas field, which supplies a fifth of its power requirements, nears depletion.

The gas field is expected to run out of easily recoverable gas by 2027.

Manila plans to raise the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 35% by 2030 and to 50% by 2040 from 22% now.

Senators are set to continue deliberations on a bill that seeks to promote the production of indigenous natural gas and liquefied natural gas, which the government sees as a transition fuel toward adopting more renewable energy sources.

“While there are risks from nuclear plants, nuclear energy is a source of clean, stable energy that can offset the fluctuations from intermittent sources like water and wind,” Foundation for Economic Freedom President Calixto V. Chikiamco said in a Viber message.

Manila told to speed up upgrade of navy abilities

FILE PHOTO of BRP Sierra Madre taken March 29, 2014. — REUTERS

THE PHILIPPINES should beef up its naval warfare capabilities by streamlining investments in the country’s shipbuilding industry to help boost deterrence against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, defense analysts said.

Manila should also leverage its geographic features and abundant mineral resources to fast-track the development of a robust domestic warship and fighter plane manufacturing industry after the signing of a law that seeks to boost the country’s defense posture.

The Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, which President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed into law last week, mandates the government to support local defense manufacturers.

Experts said the law would help secure Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially amid lingering Chinese presence within Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

“The key focus of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Act should first be to develop the naval capabilities in its equipment, arms, naval vessels and communications, including radar systems, specifically aimed against China’s defense weaponry and surveillance,” Rocio Salle Gatdula, a defense economist currently taking up security studies at Georgetown University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Tensions in the South China Sea [should force] the Philippines to prioritize maritime security,” she added, urging the government to enhance the Philippine Navy’s capabilities with advanced materiel such as anti-ship missile systems and submarines.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have worsened in the past year as China continues to block ships ferrying provisions for Filipino troops stationed at a beached vessel at Second Thomas Shoal.

The international community has criticized China’s use of water cannons against smaller Philippine vessels.

The two countries reached a “provisional agreement” on Philippine resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era ship that Manila deliberately grounded at Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to bolster its claims, after repeated sea encounters.

China’s use of so-called “gray-zone” activities, or coercive tactics just shy of direct armed confrontation, including the use of water cannons and ramming tactics against Manila’s vessels pushed the Philippines to enact a self-defense posture law, Chester B. Cabalza, founding president of Manila-based think-tank International Development and Security Cooperation, said in a Facebook chat.

The Philippine Defense department should also look at investing in “small and litoral” ships that can counter China’s conventional warships through agility, to improve Manila’s sea patrol capabilities, according to Ms. Gatdula.

Manufacturing coastal defense missile systems could also limit Bejing’s encroachment of Philippine waters, she added. “These are some areas that the self-reliant defense posture could hone in to protect ourselves but also avoid unnecessarily large confrontations with China.”

In 2016, a United Nations-backed tribunal based in the Hague voided China’s claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea for being illegal. Beijing has rejected the ruling.

Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. in October said the Philippine military must be armed with “asymmetric capabilities,” pushing for modern defense technologies.

“Using asymmetric capabilities will allow the Philippines to explore unconventional tactics to counter our bigger and more advanced adversaries,” Ms. Gatdula said.

Mr. Cabalza said the Defense secretary’s advocacy for asymmetric capabilities would help push the implementation of a “comprehensive archipelagic defense.”

The Philippines should look at building dual-use infrastructure such as sea ports along the country’s shorelines to fast-track the country’s shipbuilding capabilities, Don McLain Gill, an international relations lecturer at De La Salle university, said in a Messenger chat.

Dual-use infrastructure refers to facilities that can both be used by civilians and the military.

“We must invest in research and development of our skilled labor towards defense manufacturing as well, and this would involve a lot of capacity building and training from within and through our partnerships as well,” he added.

The government should put in place good governance policies, such as a stronger Freedom of Information (FOI) regime, in the defense law’s implementation to prevent corruption, which could undermine the country’s defense industry, Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, said in a Messenger chat.

“The Department of National Defense should make an effort to institute FOI mechanisms to facilitate the proper engagement of civil society, especially media, with the defense industry. It should foster a culture of openness and accountability,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

NGCP seeks ERC approval to connect Mindoro, Batangas

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said it is seeking Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approval for the 500-kilovolt (kV) Batangas–Mindoro Interconnection and Backbone Project (BMIBP).

The NGCP filed an application to the ERC for provisional authority to carry out the P90.65-billion transmission project.

The current power system of Mindoro Island consists of 69-kV transmission lines connected to various load-end substations operated by the Small Power Utilities Group of the National Power Corp., and independent power producers, the company said.

“BMIBP will be able to provide a reliable interconnection facility that can deliver sufficient power from the Luzon grid to immediately address the present and foreseen supply deficiency on the island,” the NGCP said.

With the forecast increase in demand for Mindoro island, the grid operator said that “the current source of power can no longer accommodate future load requirements.”

To help address this, the NGCP is proposing the development of a drawdown substation linked to the existing 69-kV network in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

The BMIBP will also provide Mindoro with access to “more reliable and competitive generation sources on the Luzon grid.”

Aside from addressing power supply challenges in Mindoro, the transmission project will also help absorb the output of offshore wind projects with a potential capacity of 28 gigawatts.

The BMIBP will consist of two stages. With an estimated cost of P45.59 billion, the first stage involves the development of a combination of overhead transmission lines and submarine cables from Pinamucan Substation in Batangas to the proposed Calapan substation in Oriental Mindoro.

The second stage, which will cost P45.06 billion, involves the energization to 500 kV of the overhead transmission lines and submarine cables from Pinamucan to Calapan 500-kV substations and the full development of the Calapan 500-kV substation.

“The immediate approval of this application would enable the NGCP to commence with RoW (right-of-way) activities and file the necessary expropriation cases,” the grid operator said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

DBCC to review targets in ‘special meeting’

BUDGET SECRETARY AMENAH F. PANGANDAMAN — COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT FACEBOOK PAGE

THE cabinet-level Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will convene in a “special meeting” early next month to review its macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal targets through 2028, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.

“I think we scheduled it sometime in November,” Ms. Pangandaman, who also chairs the DBCC, told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Friday.

The DBCC in June maintained its gross domestic product (GDP) growth target for this year at 6-7% and 6.5-7.5% for 2025. It also expects the economy to grow by around 6.5-8% between 2026-2028.

Ms. Pangandaman has raised the possibility of an upgraded 2024 growth target amid slowing inflation and improved public spending.

However, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said last week that any changes to the government’s macroeconomic targets will be for next year.

The DBCC is also set to meet in January to review the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF), Ms. Pangandaman said.

According to a 2022 resolution adopted by Congress, economic managers should review or update the MTFF in three years, or by 2025, before the start of the 20th Congress.

“By 2025, there is a provision there that we need to review the MTFF,” she said.

The MTFF aims to consolidate the National Government’s (NG) resources to ensure that these are efficiently utilized and generate multiplier effects for the economy.

Based on the MTFF, the government aims to lower debt as a share of GDP to 60.6% by the end of 2024 and to 60.4% by the end of 2025. It also sees the debt-to-GDP ratio falling to 60.2% in 2026, 58.4% in 2027 and 56.3% in 2028.

At the end of June, the NG debt-to-GDP ratio was 60.9%, still above the 60% threshold deemed by multilateral lenders as manageable for developing economies.

Meanwhile, the government expects the deficit-to-GDP ratio to decline to 5.6% this year, according to the MTFF. It is expected to fall steadily to 5.35% in 2025, 4.73% in 2026, 4.13% in 2027, and 3.72% in 2028.

In the first half, the deficit-to-GDP ratio stood at 4.9%, against the 4.8% ratio posted a year earlier.

2025 BUDGET SIGNING
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is scheduled to sign the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, next year’s proposed budget, into law before the holiday break, according to Ms. Pangandaman.

“Based on the calendar that I saw, by end of November, the Senate will be finished (passing the budget.) So, maybe give them at least one to two weeks for the bicam,” she said.

“I expect that the budget will be passed at the same time as last year, maybe (Dec.) 18, 19, or 20, sometime before Christmas.”

The House of Representatives passed its budget bill on Sept. 25.

After the Senate approves its version, legislators from both chambers will harmonize both versions of the budget bill in bicameral conference before sending the measure to the Palace for signing.

Next year’s P6.352-trillion spending plan is 10.1% higher than the P5.768-trillion budget this year and is equivalent to 22% of GDP.

In reviewing the government’s growth and fiscal targets, the DBCC must assess whether there have been improvements in macroeconomic stability, private and public sector efficiency, and infrastructure, Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development Director Ser Percival K. Peña Reyes said via Viber.

More than reviewing its targets, the government must adopt “bolder reforms” to address the tight fiscal space, Action for Economic Reforms coordinator Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III said via Viber.

“Further economic performance could have been better if government would be more decisive in addressing the narrow fiscal space through bolder reforms,” he said, citing the need to introduce new taxes or reform the military pension system.

Jonathan L. Ravelas, senior adviser at professional services firm Reyes Tacandong & Co., said the Philippine economy will likely grow between 5.8-6% this year, slowed by tepid consumption.

If realized, this would fall below the DBCC’s current 6-7% full-year growth target.

“Although first half has averaged 6%, I don’t see it maintaining in the third and fourth quarter,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the same event on Friday.

“That’s because of consumption… people aren’t feeling the drop in inflation.”

In the three months to June, private consumption grew 4.6% year on year, the weakest reading since the first quarter of 2021.

In the year to date, inflation averaged 3.4%, settling within the central bank’s 2-4% target range.

Third-quarter GDP data will be released on Nov. 7. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Duterte, friends face uphill battle after drug testimony

PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

FORMER Philippine President Rodrigo R. Duterte faces an uphill legal battle here and overseas after a former police colonel linked him to the systematic murder of thousands of drug suspects during his six-year term, human rights experts said.

“This means that the [extrajudicial killings] were committed upon and under his direction, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) President Ephraim B. Cortez said in a Viber message at the weekend. “It will establish his accountability for the killings as a principal by inducement.”

Royina M. Garma, a long-time police officer and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager under the Duterte government, told a congressional inquiry last week Mr. Duterte had ordered them to give rewards for drug war killings, patterned after the Davao model where he allegedly used police brutality to rid the city of illegal drugs.

She said she met Mr. Duterte in May 2016, when he alledly told her he needed someone who could scale the Davao template against illegal drugs nationally.

Policemen in anti-drug raids received P20,000 to P1 million for the killings, she told a House of Representatives hearing.

“Garma’s statement is proof that the killing was systematic and on a national scale and that these were carried out as a policy with full knowledge of Duterte and his top police officials,” Mr. Cortez said. “This will provide the nexus between the alleged crime against humanity and Duterte and his cohorts.”

He added that Ms. Garma’s testimony could be used as evidence in domestic and international tribunals.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating Mr. Duterte and his cohorts for alleged crimes against humanity for the deadly drug war.

Carlos H. Conde, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said they hope Ms. Garma’s revelation could help build the case against Mr. Duterte before the ICC.

“She implicated high-level officials such as Duterte and Senator [Christopher Lawrence T.] Go, and provided the details of how the system worked, [which] is definitely important,” he said in a Viber message. “These are leads the ICC can pursue, and could encourage other potential witnesses to come forward.”

“If anything, this should force the ICC to quicken the pace of its investigation and finally bring a measure of justice and accountability for the thousands of victims of the drug war.“

The drug war led to more than 12,000 deaths, mostly urban poor, according to Human Rights Watch. It added that at least 2,555 killings have been attributed to the national police.

Mr. Duterte’s former spokesman and lawyer Salvador S. Panelo said Ms. Garma’s claims of the so-called Davao model of payment and rewards are “pure imagination or fertile speculation.”

“No one has come out to validate the existence of such adverted Davao model during the mayorship of then Davao Mayor Duterte,” he told BusinessWorld in a Viber chat. “Garma does not claim that she was part of or an operator or executioner of the Davao model. How then could she have known of its operation, assuming it did exist?” he asked.

Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a lecturer at the School of Diplomacy and Governance at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, told BusinessWorld in a Facebook Messenger chat that Ms. Garma’s testimony could fuel international scrutiny of the country.

Even if the Philippines withdrew from the ICC in 2018, Mr. Cortez said the tribunal “will work to find a way to continue the prosecution” given the dynamics in the international system.

“If we do not permit it, similar to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s pronouncements that he would not surrender Duterte to the ICC, then it will surely tarnish our reputation on the global stage,” he said via Messenger chat.

“The testimony will impact our standing in international human rights forums more because we have to be pragmatic that despite the reforms that the incumbent regime has promulgated, human rights organizations are still wary of the state of human rights in the Philippines,” he added.

The Marcos government’s  inaction could weaken the country’s bid for a nonpermanent seat in the United Nations Security Council in 2027-2028, Benilde’s Mr. Cortez said.

“Linking it to consequentialism, our international allies can possibly link our inaction to us not practicing what we are supposed to advocate for,” he added.

Substandard rebars sold in Mindanao, Luzon – PISI

PIXABAY

THE Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) said that results of its test-buy operations show that substandard rebars, enough to build more than 10,000 houses per month, are being sold in Luzon and Mindanao.

“The steel industry had found substandard rebars in random test buys in Mindanao last September, just a few weeks after finding the same problem in its July test buys in Northern Luzon,” PISI said in a statement sent over the weekend.

“Based on the information gathered from the test buys, the inferior rebars are enough to build more than 10,000 houses per month, putting at risk up to 30,000 people,” it added.

With the findings, PISI said it has asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to conduct a surveillance audit of the companies involved.

PISI has been conducting the test buys in coordination with the DTI.

According to PISI, it bought rebars from hardware stores in Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Samal Island, Cotabato City, Pagadian City, and Iligan City from Sept. 9-13.

“The Mindanao rebars failed to meet the minimum standard requirements for weight and are prone to brittleness,” PISI said.

“These were the same findings for the Northern Luzon rebars that were tested by the Bureau of Philippine Standards Testing Laboratory in Cavite,” it added.

Earlier this year, PISI also ran test buys in North Luzon, wherein it bought 33 samples from 16 hardware stores in Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya.

During which, PISI found 13 of the samples substandard, failing to meet the minimum standard requirements for mass variation and elongation. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

BCDA commissions study on positioning New Clark City as sports events hub

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed a deal with South Korea’s Fine TME to conduct of a study on the efficient operations and maintenance of the sports facilities in New Clark City.

“The willingness of our Korean partners to share their expertise in building smart, inclusive cities will help us set global standards on urban development through New Clark City,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang said.

“We are confident that with their expertise and technical know-how, we can further transform New Clark City into the Philippines’ model of urban development catalyzed by a smart city and sustainable technologies,” he added.

According to the BCDA, the partnership signed on Oct. 8 with Fine TME aims to promote New Clark City as a hub for national and international sports events in Asia.

The BCDA has also signed partnership deals with South Korea’s RMS Platform and Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Urban Development Corp. (KIND).

Signed on Oct. 7, the partnership with RMS Platform covers the proof of concept on an eGovernment digital platform for New Clark City.

“The proposed platform is seen to be a one-stop shop for citizens and locators, providing them access to city information, various web-based services, and online transactions,” the BCDA said.

Meanwhile, the partnership with KIND aims to explore innovative solutions for developing cost-effective and sustainable housing projects in New Clark City.

“These signing events coincided with Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s first state visit to the country, with an aim to enhance the bilateral relations between South Korea and the Philippines in a myriad of fields of cooperation, including infrastructure development, trade, and investments,” the BCDA said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Dennis Lustico: 50 pieces for 25 years

By Joseph L. Garcia, Senior Reporter

STORMS could not dampen Dennis Lustico’s day. His 25th anniversary show, titled Pamana, was postponed by a typhoon about a month ago. On Oct. 3, Mr. Lustico went on with his show at the storied Goldenberg Mansion by the Malacañang complex, despite drizzles throughout the day.

Attended by the First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos, the fashion spectacle opened with a show of power, with members of the diplomatic corps walking the length of the mansion.

Ambassadors Constance See (Singapore), Laure Beaufils (the UK), MaryKay Carlson (the US), and Endo Kazuya (Japan) were among those who walked the runway (the ambassadors from Thailand, Malaysia, Norway, Egypt, Hungary, and Romania round out the list). Each wore a Filipiniana outfit made by Mr. Lustico — they were conservative, bearing in mind the stature of the wearer.

Mr. Lustico and event chair consul Agnes Huibonhoa have chosen Fashion Aid Philippines (FAP) as the beneficiary of the salon show/benefit. FAP is a non-profit which aims to “promote the cultural, social, and economic consciousness of the public” as well as help the new generation of Filipino designers and their accompanying industries: shoemaking, hair and makeup, and various other artisans in the clothing trade.

The real show began with a cocktail dress with a large collar — the silhouette is ’60s and Space Age, but the collar’s shape also calls back to the panuelo, the fichu draped over the native Filipina traje de mestiza dress.

The various outfits on the runway continued on the theme of reimagined Filipino: think a dress shaped like a barong, but puffed up here and there for something new. Sometimes, the effect isn’t immediately noticeable: there were dresses with 3D sprigs, embroidered or floating completely on a translucent piña outfit, which turned out to be various species of plants in the Philippines like anahaw and moringa. The theme, after all, was a celebration of heritage (the meaning of “pamana”). For the collection, Mr. Lustico used local fabrics such as abaca, piña, and other indigenous weaves from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Mr. Lustico dedicated his time to collaborating closely with artisans from Aklan, Lumban, and the northern regions of Luzon, according to a statement. Distinctive patterns that follow the likeness of gumamela (hibiscus), kalabasa (squash) leaves and flowers were seamlessly integrated into fabrics woven exclusively for the show. According to him, thoughtful placement of patterns on sheaths of piña considered how the fabrics would be cut into contemporary garments. Lumban’s tradition of needlework was also celebrated, such as in the aforementioned embroidery of anahaw and moringa leaves.

Another part of the show was inspired by the stone houses of Batanes, where small wooden squares, each one individually cut and lacquered, were used to embellish tops and shift dresses. Fringe trimmings were also incorporated into his designs as a nod to the thatched roof of the bahay na bato, according to a statement.

The effect was stunning. The fringes were laid out in a certain way so that under the light, they all seemed to be moving in different directions, appearing like living, moving pixels that played with the eyes.

Another part of the show saw rich dresses such as in plum, silver, pink, and gold — strips of fabric were distressed to a point so they would be shaped like feathers: a strong central spine with soft “down,” appearing like soft, giant plumes that moved as the model walked. The effects were palpable: it made the show a multi-sensorial experience, the details seeming less that you could touch them, but more that they could come alive and touch you. Overall, it was a clever collection, worthy of its scale and its venue.

In a statement, Mr. Lustico said, “I was truly engrossed by the process. Everyday at the studio, I would be excited to see the outcome of each piece.

“When you honor the process and not rush things, you really learn so much from every garment,” he said. “When someone finds lasting connection with my designs or deeply relates to it, that’s when I know that I did a beautiful job.”

Manila FAME reimagines Filipino design

THE 72nd Manila FAME trade show is set to feature over 400 original products by Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as look back at iconic pieces and look forward to circular production.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Mission (CITEM), the three-day fair puts Filipino home, fashion, and lifestyle products in the international limelight. It will be held from Oct. 17 to 19 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“Manila FAME’s 2024 edition will showcase a larger portfolio this year. We have a 30% increase in the number of exhibitors compared to last year, with close to 350 Philippine enterprises presenting a wide range of artisanal products,” CITEM executive director Leah Pulido Ocampo said at the press preview on Oct. 10 in Makati City.

She added that, while last year was their comeback from the pandemic, there will be “more vibrancy this year,” with more people, exhibitors, and buyers expected to come.

The 2023 edition generated a total of $6.6 million in export sales, with more than 4,000 local and international visitors logged throughout the event. This year, CITEM is set to welcome close to 10,000 local and international visitors.

“It will be a show of force, not only for the fashion and lifestyle industry, but the entire export community,” said Ms. Pulido Ocampo.

DIVERSITY IN SUSTAINABILITY
Manila FAME this year will center on the theme of “Reimagination.”

“It is basically about sustainability and circularity. We are looking at keywords like ‘reusability,’ ‘recyclability,’ and ‘upcyclability,’ with each designer having their own interpretation of it, so there will be diverse takes on sustainable and circular production and design,” Ms. Pulido Ocampo said.

Playful colors, traditional patterns, and rich textures will also highlight the country’s inherent artistic diversity, with the Artisans Village centered on regional MSMEs.

PJ Arañador, who is curating this section, said in a statement that the products will take inspiration from the indigenous baybayin script and from local weaves and materials.

“Our culture is unique, our heritage from our grassroots villages. And Filipino artisans proudly sustain this through their appreciation and promotion to the world,” he said.

Products will include wearables, accessories, furniture and furnishings, and lighting from Bohol, Tarlac, Bicol, Aklan, Antique, Bacolod, and Iloilo.

UNREAL YET NATURAL
The Design Commune, which culminates the product development program for Manila FAME, will be presented in two pavilions for this edition.

The home and lighting sector is curated by designers Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco, who worked with 25 local companies to develop 150 prototypes. The fashion sector is curated by designer Maco Custodio, who worked with 15 local enterprises to come up with 90 prototypes.

Ms. Nazareno told BusinessWorld that their section worked under the theme “Beyond Reality,” so that they could present “playful, imaginative, and inventive pieces.”

The display will include clay pots, rocket-shaped carpets, woven barrels, and uniquely carved closets.

For Mr. Custodio, the theme for the fashion section is “Parametrics,” referring to design based on existing organic structures, be it topography or patterns found in nature.

“The goal is to challenge the exhibitors to be curious and conscious. Narratives give products a different dimension. It creates value,” he said. The various shoes and bags on display will invite visitors to find out the inspirations and stories behind them.

NOSTALGIA AND THE NEW
There will be a few new sections of the trade show this year.

To retrace Manila FAME’s humble beginnings and pay homage to the 1980s and 1990s, the show will be introducing “Nostalgia,” a vignette of products from 22 companies and designers that have joined the fair in the past. In it will be the likes of the peacock chair, shell clutches, and sinamay hats.

“It will give context to why Manila once earned the nickname ‘the Milan of Asia’,” explained Ms. Pulido Ocampo.

On the other hand, to penetrate the fast-growing market for parts for furnishings, Manila FAME is introducing Philippine Components. It will mainly feature architectural panels and wall coverings made of paper, woven textiles, stone, shell, and other natural materials.

The setting will also introduce other parts and furnishings such as cabinet and door handles, cabrioles, and banisters, showing applications across architectural, interior, and industrial design. It will be curated by Manila FAME creative director Tony Gonzales.

Finally, pinyapel, a term coined combining pinya or piña (Filipino for “pineapple”) and papel (paper), will take center stage for one section. The sustainably sourced paper material made of discarded pineapple leaves, developed by the Design Center of the Philippines, will be shown through various applications by select local manufacturers: OMO furniture, Triboa Bay, South Sea Veneer, Calfurn, Industria, MCCA, Masaeco, Oro Handmade, Tadeco Home, and One of T.

“All of these materials and products have the potential to be picked up by buyers all over the world. It’s all about presenting them well, with good curation, to make sure they stand out,” Ms. Pulido Ocampo said.

For more information on CITEM and Manila FAME, visit fameplus.com. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

TikTok launches #TikTokShopSmart to guide Holiday shoppers

NEWSROOM.TIKTOK.COM

AS THE HOLIDAY season has kicked off in the Philippines and deals have started popping up left and right in the market, shopping smart is becoming more crucial. This is the initiative behind TikTok’s newly launched social campaign, #TikTokShopSmart, aimed at promoting smarter and safer online shopping for consumers.

“As we approach the busiest time of the year for online shopping, we recognize the importance of providing our users with a trusted, safe, and enjoyable platform to shop on,” Franco Aligaen, Marketing Lead for TikTok Shop Philippines said during the TikTok launch event last Tuesday.

The campaign will provide a series of helpful tips and advice to empower consumers to make informed decisions, such as finding verified sellers and understanding how to compare product reviews.

“This is really more of educating our users on the tools that are available to keep shopping safe and secure,” Bea Bautista, Communications head of TikTok PH said.

The #TikTokShopSmart campaign also promotes the existing key features of TikTok Shop, which aim to ensure product authenticity and consumer confidence, backed by the application’s safeguards in every transaction.

The platform has even partnered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) to ensure product authenticity, Ms. Bautista said.

The security features include authentic product descriptions and customer reviews and ratings, and the TikTok Shop Mall, which offers curated products from reputable sellers. Also, there is a robust customer service process, as well as advanced safety technologies to detect and address fraudulent activities and policy violations.

“Our goal is to help customers shop smarter,” Mr. Aligaen said.

Through the initiative, customers can now focus on enjoying the holidays rather than worrying about the safety or quality of their purchases, he added.

SUPPORTING LOCAL MSMEs
For the upcoming holiday mega sales, TikTok Shop encourages consumers to support local businesses through its “Buy Local, Shop Local” campaign.

“It provides a platform for businesses of all sizes to reach an audience, that includes MSMEs, that forms the backbone of the Philippine economy,” Ms. Bautista said.

As of November 2023, TikTok Shop has promoted more than 300,000 locally produced products and brands on the platform, with more MSMEs expected to follow, Ms. Bautista added. — Edg Adrian Eva

MPTC seeks P15-billion investment for CCLEx expansion

CEBU-CORDOVA LINK EXPRESSWAY (CCLEX) — CCLEX.COM.PH

METRO PACIFIC Tollways Corp. (MPTC) aims to secure a P15-billion investment from Spanish infrastructure development company Acciona S.A. this year for the expansion and upgrade of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEx), the company’s president said.

“What we need is about P15 billion. We will probably try to shoot for that amount. I hope they put in more,” MPTC President and Chief Executive Officer Rogelio L. Singson told reporters on the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines general membership meeting last week.

“To me, CCLEx alone does not make sense. You need to connect to the city side of Cebu and bring it close to the airport on the Lapu-Lapu and Cordova side,” he added.

He said MPTC is currently in talks with Acciona and that the company is hoping to sign the deal within this year.

To recall, MPTC said previously that it was in negotiations with a European firm for the expansion of CCLEx, which is part of the company’s strategy to make the expressway viable, as it currently reaches only 30% of its projected traffic volume and struggles to meet the target of 50,000 motorists per day.

The P33-billion CCLEx is an 8.9-kilometer toll bridge that connects the town of Cordova on Mactan Island to Cebu City via the South Road Properties.

The tollway company plans to expand both ends of CCLEx, linking it to Bacalso and Lapu-Lapu.

“Whatever they will invest is going to be used to complete those two segments,” Mr. Singson said.

Acciona specializes in infrastructure development, including roads, expressways, and renewable energy projects. Acciona is also MPTC’s partner in building CCLEx.

Separately, MPTC, through NLEX Corp., said the Toll Regulatory Board has approved the collection of new toll rates for NLEX Connector starting Oct. 15.

NLEX said the toll adjustment is part of its program to collect the opening toll for NLEX Connector on a staggered basis to soften its impact on motorists.

Based on the approved toll matrix, class 1 vehicles will be charged P119, class 2 vehicles will pay P299, and class 3 vehicles will be charged P418.

Initial rates for NLEX Connector were first implemented last year, or four months after the opening of the Caloocan to España Section, the company said, adding that full rates will be collected once the NLEX Connector project is finished.

NLEX Corp., a unit of MPTC, is the concessionaire of NLEX Connector, which is an eight-kilometer all-elevated highway to be developed along the C3 up to the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa in Manila.

“The road provides them with a reliable alternative route that is accessible 24/7, without truck bans, thus increasing travel convenience and improving the movement of goods and cargo,” NLEX said.

MPTC is the tollway arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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