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ASEAN nations plan tariff talks with United States

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s prime minister, speaks during ASEAN Malaysia 2025 events in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 8, 2025. — BLOOMBERG

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his country and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partners will dispatch officials to Washington, D.C. for talks following President Donald J. Trump’s rollout of global tariffs.

“There may be limited room to revisit the underlying intent, but there is still scope for adjusting the policy’s implementation,” Anwar said in his opening speech at the ASEAN Investment Conference 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. “The global trading system is under intense strain, more so than at any point in recent memory.”

Southeast Asian nations were hard hit by the so-called reciprocal tariffs rolled out by Mr. Trump last week, though they vary depending on each country’s trade relationship with the US. Malaysia faces a 24% levy; US tariff on Indonesia was set at 32%; and Vietnam exports will be charged at 46%. The US tariff on Singapore was set at 10%, while the levy for the Philippines will be 17%.

In response, countries across the region are examining both policy responses to support their economies while seeking relief from the tariffs in talks with the US. Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc on Monday canceled afternoon meetings in New York to hurry to Washington, people with knowledge of the matter said earlier. Mr. Trump’s tariffs on Vietnam and other countries take effect at 12:01 a.m. in Washington on Wednesday.

Indonesia has announced plans to send a heavyweight delegation to Washington next week, including Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and the economy and foreign ministers.

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira will also visit the US, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in a statement on Sunday, without specifying any timing. “What we will communicate to the US government is that Thailand is not just an exporter, but we are a reliable ally and economic partner,” Paetongtarn said.

Singapore will set up a taskforce to address economic uncertainties, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told lawmakers on Tuesday, warning that the official growth forecast of 1%-3% for 2025 is likely to be revised lower.

Mr. Wong said a Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting will be convened this week to discuss how the bloc can work together to boost trade and as a “strong signal of ASEAN’s commitment to regional economic integration.”

The Philippines on Monday said it may cut tariffs on US products, while also consider joining a potential collective response by ASEAN.

Malaysia is the current chair of the ASEAN group of 10 Southeast Asian countries. Anwar said over the weekend that Malaysia will lead efforts to coordinate a regional response by Southeast Asia toward US tariffs.

On Tuesday, he deviated slightly from a distributed written copy of the speech by specifically mentioning ASEAN’s role in US talks.

“As part of our soft diplomacy of quiet engagement — and I built this consensus among ASEAN leaders — we will be dispatching together with our colleagues in ASEAN, our officials to Washington to begin the process of dialogue,” Anwar said.

Noting that the bloc accounts for total trade in goods of $3.5 trillion, Anwar also called for more internal economic cooperation, including more regulatory alignment, cross-border logistical work and digital connectivity.

“With the barrage of tariffs sweeping across the world in fast and furious fashion, we are witnessing the fraying of the global order,” Anwar said. “Therefore, ASEAN must rely more on itself.”

Anwar, who was Malaysia’s finance minister during the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis until he fell from grace with then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, said the “Trump tariffs” are not the first challenge to multilateralism and won’t be the last.

“If ASEAN can hold its nerve — staying open, pragmatic and cohesive — it may yet be among the last believers in a world that works better when it works together,” he said. — Bloomberg

Closing the distance to digital access

FREEPIK

At the turn of the millennium, internet access was still limited to a relatively small portion of the globe. Two decades later, it has become one of the most transformative forces of modern life. In fact, a quarter-century into the digital age, high-speed internet has arguably become a basic requirement for participating in modern life.

On an individual level, access to fast internet is a categorical improvement in one’s quality of life offering unprecedented benefits: from seamless communication with companies and government agencies, open access to professional-level educational material, virtually unlimited entertainment options, and everyday conveniences such as online banking and grocery delivery.

On a societal level, internet connectivity has become a global infrastructure of its own — an information and commerce superhighway that functions both as an open node in an incredibly lucrative trade network worth billions, if not trillions of dollars, and a national security risk that can threaten democracies.

Since his inauguration, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has placed a strong emphasis on advancing the country’s information and communications technology, marking it as part of his 10-point agenda for economic renewal and long-term growth. In promoting a Digital Philippines, he had said: “Digitalization is the call of today; not of the future — but of the present. It is here. It is needed, and it is needed today.”

The Philippines, in general, is thriving in cyberspace. According to the Digital 2025 report by DataReportal, the Philippines has 97.5 million individuals using the internet at the start of 2025, representing online penetration at 83.8% of the total population.

Additionally, when analyzing trends over time, the number of mobile connections in the Philippines increased by 17 million (or about 13.4%) between the start of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, according to data from GSMA Intelligence. About 98.2% of those mobile connections can also now be considered “broadband,” which means that they connect via 3G, 4G, or 5G mobile networks.

However, as DataReportal pointed out in the report, while the number of Filipinos enjoying the benefits of internet connectivity is growing, there are still many being left behind.

“Kepios’ analysis indicates that the number of internet users in the Philippines increased by 792,000 (+0.8%) between January 2024 and January 2025. And for added perspective, the Philippines’ internet adoption rate (i.e. the percentage of the total population that uses the internet) remained unchanged during the same period,” the report noted.

“But these user figures also suggest that 18.8 million people in the Philippines did not use the internet at the beginning of 2025, suggesting that 16.2% of the population remained ‘offline’ at the start of the year.”

Bridging the digital divide

The unequal access to digital technologies like the internet and smartphones or laptops is a global issue known as the digital divide. But this problem is made far more challenging in a country like the Philippines, as its natural topography as an archipelago makes it both difficult and expensive to deploy broadband infrastructure to far-flung areas.

Remote provinces typically have low population density, which means higher costs per household for service providers. Moreover, natural obstacles like mountains and forests can impede signal transmission and increase the complexity of construction.

In 2024, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) found that despite progress in recent years towards improving connectivity across the country, significant disparities in access and affordability remain, particularly in rural areas.

“Mobile data affordability has shown positive strides in recent years, making it a more accessible option for many Filipinos. However, mobile network performance, particularly in terms of speed, still lags behind ASEAN counterparts,” the PIDS study titled ‘Making Broadband Universal: A Review of Philippine Policies and Strategies’ noted.

The study further pointed out that while the Philippines enjoys near universal 4G coverage at 99% and promising 5G penetration at 70%, its mobile broadband speed lags behind Southeast Asian leaders. Citing an Ookla report in August 2023, PIDS found that the Philippines has average fixed broadband upload and download speeds of 6.21 megabits per second (Mbps) and 25.47 Mbps, respectively, compared to Singapore with 81.41 Mbps download speed.

Meanwhile, citing the 2022 Global System for Mobile Communications Mobile Association (GSMA) Connectivity Index, PIDS also noted that the Philippines ranks third lowest in terms of mobile data affordability, scoring a mere 47.01 out of 100.

“Access and internet speed fall sharply in rural regions, leaving many communities disconnected from the online world’s opportunities,” the study said, adding that regions with lower development and urbanization, like Region VIII and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), have much slower internet speeds. For example, Region VIII’s fastest fixed broadband is only around 40 Mbps, while BARMM’s average mobile download speed is barely 10 Mbps.

Nonetheless, the study acknowledged the government’s commitment to bridging these gaps as initiatives like the National Broadband Plan, and satellite service liberalization are promising steps towards achieving universal broadband access.

“It is important to foster partnerships among government, private sector, and civil society through comprehensive sharing agreements and robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks,” the PIDS study said, noting that program and policy implementation must be strengthened through better monitoring and evaluation.

To bring the President’s vision of a Digital Philippines to life, the government has also introduced measures such as the Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project (PDIP), a US$288-million endeavor funded by a World Bank loan, aiming to boost broadband connectivity and strengthen cybersecurity nationwide. The PDIP also covers the completion of the national fiber backbone, connecting Metro Manila to Southern Luzon, and the establishment of 772 free Wi-Fi sites across Mindanao, with emphasis on Regions XI and XIII.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has been at the forefront of such measures. The agency is expediting the National Broadband Plan, which aims to establish a robust digital infrastructure backbone across the country, and as of 2024, the DICT had started rolling out fiber-optic and satellite connectivity, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Ultimately, the goal is to enable more Filipinos to participate in the digital economy and access essential online services such as telemedicine, e-learning, and e-commerce.

“Digitalization is the way… to make our country competitive worldwide. This is the way to breach the digital divide because when you have a digital divide, you have an economic divide, a gender divide, a generational divide. So, we need to bridge that. That’s what we’re doing in all these digitization efforts,” DICT former Secretary Ivan John Uy said. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

How 5G technology redefines internet access

macrovector | Freepik

In an increasingly digital country, Filipinos have long been clamoring for reliable high-speed internet access not just in their homes but also on the go. Work, education, and even business utilize in one way or another stable internet connection. The way Filipinos connect to the internet has changed drastically over the past decade, and the advent of fifth-generation (5G) technology has made it all possible.

Ten years ago, neighboring Asian countries like Thailand had an average Internet speed of 7.4 megabytes per second (Mbps), and Malaysia with 4.3 Mbps. Meanwhile, according to the Asia Pacific Journal of Business Review, the Philippines averaged a measly internet speed of only 2.8 Mbps, placing the country at 104 among 160 countries. By 2021, the Philippines catapulted to 64th globally, with an average download speed of 71.85 Mbps, an upload speed of 70.32 Mbps, and a latency of 19 milliseconds.

In 2015, the Philippines was known to have “Asia’s Worst Internet Service” mainly due to slow adoption of new technology and over-reliance on 2G, 3G, and 4G-LTE connections. These earlier generations of mobile connectivity had significant limitations that hindered the country’s internet performance.

First commercially launched in 1991, 2G, which stands for second-generation mobile networks, was revolutionary at its time, introducing digital technology, enhancing voice quality, and replacing analog systems in mobile communications. However, the network only had a theoretical maximum speed of around 40 kilobytes per second at its peak.

Similarly, 3G, or the third generation of cellular network technology, brought about significant improvements by introducing mobile internet capabilities. Launched in Japan by NTT Docomo in 1998, the new network enabled users to share a band of frequencies, improved spectrum usage efficiency, and increased data rates to up to 2 Mbps.

Wireless standards then evolved and gave way to fourth generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE). First introduced for commercial use in Norway in 2009, the innovation’s minimum internet speed of 12.5 Mbps is already significantly higher than its predecessor. Additionally, it’s the first network with the capability to allow its users to stream both video and audio files, talk to others without experiencing lag or jitter, and play mobile games due to improved network capacity.

Finally, in 2019, South Korea became the first country to offer 5G commercially, giving its mobile users rates of up to three gigabytes per second along with lower latency and better bandwidth. Today, 5G is an essential requirement for mass Internet of Things (IoT) deployments, particularly in the development of smart cities and across various industries, due to its ability to handle the sheer volume of data traffic and device connections that smart cities and industrial sectors demand with high reliability.

The technology arrived in the Philippines not long after. Globe Telecom first introduced 5G technology for Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) in select towns in June 2019. Smart Communications then followed suit in July 2020, targeting post-paid subscribers in Metro Manila who had 5G-eligible smartphones.

The introduction of the technology resulted in a massive boost to internet connections for Filipinos. Based on data from Ookla, fixed broadband download speeds nearly tripled from 23.46 Mbps in June 2020 to 66.86 Mbps in June 2021, consequently pushing the Philippines 47 spots from 109th to 62nd in the world in terms of internet speed.

It can be argued that several factors, such as better cyberinfrastructures built around the country, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which drove the demand for quicker networks in 2020, may have played key roles in boosting internet speed in the country back then.

Ultimately, the adoption of 5G technology made a significant and lasting impact in bringing the Philippines up to average global standards in internet speed and connectivity. While challenges remain, particularly in ensuring nationwide coverage and widespread adoption of 5G-capable devices, the future of internet access in the Philippines looks brighter than ever due to a transformative technology that has set new benchmarks for mobile internet performance in the country. — Jomarc Angelo M. Corpuz

The Philippines sees steady gains in internet connectivity

dict.gov.ph

High-speed internet is often defined by fast download and upload speeds that enable seamless online transactions. With an internet penetration rate of approximately 89% in 2024, most Filipinos rely on their devices to access the web, according to Statista.

Recent data from Ookla, a global connectivity intelligence firm, shows that the Philippines ranks 65th globally for mobile internet speeds and 58th for fixed broadband as of February 2025. Mobile users experience an average download speed of 58.83 megabytes per second (Mbps) and an upload speed of 8.63 Mbps. For fixed broadband, average download speeds reach 94.40 Mbps, with upload speeds nearly identical at 94.38 Mbps.

In the second quarter of 2024, Luzon led in fixed internet speeds, with the five fastest regions recording median download and upload speeds exceeding 90 Mbps. Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces attracted the bulk of high-speed broadband investment.

CALABARZON, home to over 16 million people, recorded the highest median fixed download speed at 99.55 Mbps. The region also has the second-largest percentage of households with fixed broadband access at 23.4%, trailing only Metro Manila’s 26.4%.

Eastern Visayas, on the other hand, ranks at the bottom with a median download speed of 38.43 Mbps due to limited broadband infrastructure.

Meanwhile, internet performance in the Philippines has steadily improved over the past two years. Ookla reported that the median fixed download speed increased by 51%, from 62.51 Mbps in the second quarter of 2022 to 94.42 Mbps in the same quarter of 2024. Upload speeds also improved, rising from 58.65 Mbps to 94.13 Mbps over the same period.

Singapore and Thailand lead the region, with median fixed broadband download speeds surpassing 200 Mbps. Malaysia and Vietnam posted comparable speeds at 132.72 Mbps and 135.00 Mbps, respectively.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) former Secretary Ivan John Uy said the Philippines now ranks sixth in internet penetration in the region, climbing from ninth place in less than two years.

“If we continue on this trajectory, with a 14% increase in our index in recent years, I’m hoping that by 2028, we will be in the top three in ASEAN,” the former secretary explained. “Our ASEAN neighbors are not sitting back. They are also infusing huge amounts of investments in their Internet connectivity. So, we need to double what they are putting. If they are putting one peso, we need to put two pesos because we’re the ones trying to catch up.”

Push for better internet

The DICT is implementing the National Broadband Plan (NBP), a large-scale initiative to expand broadband access. The program focuses on deploying fiber broadband networks and wireless technology to improve internet speed and affordability.

As part of the NBP, the government launched the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project to strengthen connectivity and enhance digital government services. The first phase covers Regions I, III and the National Capital Region (NCR), and is set for completion by 2026. Once operational, it will improve internet reliability and extend access to underserved areas.

In 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. approved the $288-million Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project (PDIP) to complete the country’s national fiber backbone and expand high-speed internet access to underserved areas. The World Bank is funding the project through official development assistance.

The government also continues to expand its Free Public Internet program, which currently serves 9.8 million Filipinos. Mr. Uy reported that the program to date has 13,462 free Wi-Fi sites across 1,401 cities and municipalities, including 3,040 sites in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. By 2028, the DICT aims to increase the number of free Wi-Fi sites to 125,000 nationwide.

Beyond government-led efforts, major internet service providers (ISPs) are aggressively expanding their networks. PLDT, which began rolling out fiber-optic infrastructure in 2015, had reached 17.3 million households by the end of 2023. Converge ICT Solutions, Inc., another major broadband provider, added 900,000 new homes in 2023, bringing its total coverage to nearly 16 million homes. Globe Telecom has also continued investing in network upgrades to enhance broadband services in both urban and rural areas. — Mhicole A. Moral

Tamaraw protectors receive mobility and equipment aid from Toyota PH

In photo (from left) are TMP President Masando Hashimoto and DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga during the turnover of Toyota Tamaraw UV and Bantay Tamaraw Kits

Toyota Motor Philippines Foundation (TMPF), the social and humanitarian arm of the country’s leading automotive company, turns over a brand-new locally produced Tamaraw vehicle and “Bantay Tamaraw Kits” as support to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Tamaraw Conservation Program (TCP). 

The ceremonial turnover, held at the DENR Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City, was led by DENR secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) president Masando Hashimoto, and TMPF president Jose Maria Aligada.

The donations are part of a collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the DENR and TMPF, signed synchronously with the release of the Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw in Dec. 2024.

In photo (from left) are TCP Deputy Coordinator Neil Anthony del Mundo, TMP First Vice President Josephine Villanueva, TMPF President Jose Maria Aligada, TMP President Masando Hashimoto, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, DENR Undersecretary for Legal and Administration Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo Jr., Assistant Director for Biodiversity Management Bureau Mariglo Rosaida I. Laririt, DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Felix S. Mirasol Jr., and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro City Environment and Natural Resources Office and Concurrent TCP Coordinator Efren L. Delos Reyes.

As the first tranche of support, TMPF handed over a Tamaraw Utility Van (UV) long wheelbase variant to aid in the patrolling and monitoring by “Bantay Tamaraw Rangers” as well as in the mobility operations of the TCP Office on the island of Mindoro. In addition, DENR-MIMAROPA regional officials and TCP Office representatives received Php500,000-worth of Bantay Tamaraw Kits, consisting of mountaineering gears, equipment, and tools on behalf of the Bantay Tamaraw Rangers.

The Bantay Tamaraw Rangers are volunteer Indigenous People (IP) and barangay residents dedicated in protecting the critically endangered Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) and their known habitats in Mounts Iglit-Baco Natural Park, which spans across Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. To date, the TCP Office has eighteen (18) registered rangers who will soon receive a complete set of equipment each.

In his message, TMP president Masando Hashimoto paid tribute to Tamaraw protectors, saying “we salute you for risking yourself on the ground to protect our Tamaraws.”

“Now, it is your turn to be protected too – from the harsh mountain conditions and various dangers of trekking and camping for weeks in the wilds.”

Hashimoto also mentioned that the initiative is part of the global Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, particularly in “Establishing a Society in Harmony with Nature.” Under this challenge, TMP collaborates with the DENR on various environmental initiatives, including reforestation, afforestation, marine life conservation, and recently, biodiversity conservation.

On top of in-kind donations, TMPF is also committed to provide a Php3-million conservation fund to support key program initiatives, including Tamaraw habitat monitoring and research, support programs for Barangay and Indigenous People (IP) volunteers, equipping the Tamaraw Research and Conservation Center, and various Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) activities.

Founded 35 years ago, TMPF is the corporate foundation of TMP with a focus on four (4) core pillars of Health, Education, Environment, and Community Service.

 

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Meralco sees spike in April electricity rates

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

CUSTOMERS of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) may expect higher electricity rates this month as the power distributor anticipates increases in generation and transmission charges.

“We are still waiting for some billings, but indications point to possible increase in the generation and transmission charges,” Joe R. Zaldarriaga, vice-president and head of corporate communications at Meralco, said in a statement on Tuesday.

The projected higher generation charge was attributed to the increase in prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), the trading platform for electricity.

Power plants that went on outage accumulated an average lost capacity of almost 1,000 megawatts (MW), failing to meet the average demand, which jumped by over 1,000 MW, Mr. Zaldarriaga said, citing initial information.

Data from the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines showed that the average price of electricity at the WESM surged by 95.5% to P5.34 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as demand rose while supply declined due to forced outages.

Available supply decreased by 4.4% to 19,611 MW, while demand grew by 5.9% to 13,670 MW.

For Luzon alone, the WESM rate climbed by 102.7% to P5.50 per kWh.

The Luzon grid was placed under yellow alert on March 5 due to thin power reserves.

Transmission charges are also expected to increase due to higher ancillary service charges driven by elevated prices at the reserve market.

Generation charges, which cover the cost of power purchased from suppliers, usually account for more than 50% of the monthly electricity bill. Transmission charges, meanwhile, refer to the cost of delivering power from suppliers to the distribution system and constitute around 3% of the bill.

A slight relief, however, is expected to cushion the possible increase, as Meralco will begin implementing the P19.95-billion refund to its customers, as approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The refund, which must be implemented within three years, translates to an average rate of P0.1189 per kWh.

“We hope that the start of the implementation of the refund approved by ERC will help mitigate these possible increases in these bill components. This is equivalent to around 20 centavos per kWh downward adjustment for residential customers starting this month,” said Mr. Zaldarriaga.

In March, the power distributor raised electricity rates by P0.2639 per kWh to P12.2901 per kWh due to higher transmission charges.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

PHL rolls out fully online registration for companies

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, Reporter

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has transitioned to a fully online and paperless system for company registrations, with the goal of improving the ease of doing business.

The commission issued Memorandum Circular No. 3 on April 4, mandating the use of the SEC Zuper Easy Registration Online (ZERO) system for company registration through the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company or eSPARC and the One-Day Submission and E-registration of Companies (OneSEC) portals, the SEC said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

SEC ZERO is a module under eSPARC that eliminates the need for physical signatures, notarization, and the submission of hard copies of registration documents.

“SEC ZERO exemplifies our commitment to digitalization and sustainability, making the process of setting up a business easier and faster than ever. By allowing companies to authenticate their registration documents online, company registration can now be completed anytime and anywhere,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said.

SEC ZERO is integrated with the electronic SEC user registration environment (eSECURE), which verifies users before they can access the SEC’s online services, as well as the Electronic Submission Authentication Portal (eSAP), which uses one-time passwords to electronically authenticate SEC-required documents in place of conventional paper-based signatures.

“The credentialing process through eSECURE, plus authentication via eSAP, further enables us to filter out fraudulent individuals seeking to misuse the corporate vehicle to defraud the public. With this, those registering corporations are properly identified and can be held accountable, if necessary,” Mr. Aquino said.

Since its launch in July of the previous year, SEC ZERO has facilitated the registration of 1,874 companies. The application is part of the SEC’s third phase of digital transformation initiatives.

Effective April 7, all domestic stock corporations — excluding lending and financing companies — are required to be processed through SEC ZERO. This includes corporations wholly owned by Filipinos as well as those with foreign equity.

Filipino-owned domestic stock corporations may still register via OneSEC.

Lending companies, financing companies, and foreign corporations will continue using the traditional process under eSPARC for three months following the effectivity of Memorandum Circular No. 3. After this transition period, SEC ZERO will be mandatory for all types of corporations.

The SEC recorded a 6% increase in new company registrations, reaching 52,304 in 2024, compared with 49,506 in 2023, largely attributed to streamlined digital application processes.

In October of the previous year, the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) report ranked the Philippines 16th out of 50 economies in terms of regulatory framework, with a score of 70.68. This positions the country among the top 40% of economies globally for regulatory quality.

However, the report also ranked the Philippines 24th in public services and 36th in operational efficiency.

The B-READY report evaluates the business and investment climate across three pillars: regulatory framework, public services, and operational efficiency.

“I certainly appreciate the convenience that this new rule brings. I anticipate more enterprises will consider incorporating, given how easy it is now,” Ateneo de Manila Policy Center Fellow Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco said in a Facebook message.

“But it is incumbent upon the SEC to educate the public on how this works and how it benefits our economy. This will likely require a massive nationwide education campaign,” he added.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message that the SEC’s recent move is part of the government’s broader digitization efforts to improve efficiency and productivity.

“However, it is essential that this process is digitally secured and validated to mitigate risks such as misrepresentation, hacking, and other cybersecurity threats,” he said.

CREC profit up 10.8% in 2024, driven by electricity sales

CREC.COM.PH

CITICORE Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) reported a 10.8% increase in attributable net income for 2024, reaching P618.3 million, driven primarily by a 42% rise in electricity sales.

Revenues surged by 40%, rising to P5.1 billion from P3.7 billion in the previous year, primarily due to increased electricity sales, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Electricity sales grew by 42%, reaching P4.2 billion, largely as a result of a higher customer base and improved generation output from its portfolio of off-takers.

“The robust growth in our electricity sales significantly contributed to the revenue increase. We thank our customer base for the trust they place in our pure renewable energy portfolio,” said CREC President and Chief Executive Officer Oliver Tan.

“We are optimistic that we will continue to gain momentum as we energize our first gigawatt, which will benefit from our off-take contract with the government through the Green Energy Auction program,” he added.

Earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation (EBITDA) rose by 16%, increasing to P1.8 billion from P1.5 billion in the prior year, the company said.

CREC’s goal of energizing 5 gigawatts of renewable energy over the next five years is “in full speed,” according to Mr. Tan.

The company said that 13 of its projects have been certified by the Department of Energy as energy projects of national significance, allowing for the expedited implementation of these projects.

CREC, directly and through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, manages a diversified portfolio of renewable energy generation projects, power project development operations, and retail electricity supply services.

Currently, the company holds a combined gross installed capacity of 285 megawatts from its solar facilities across the Philippines.

At the local bourse on Tuesday, shares of the company increased by 1.87%, closing at P3.82 per share. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Digital transformation in Philippine agribusiness: A look at Australia

WIRESTOCK-FREEPIK

(Part 2)

Digital transformation is part of what is known as the Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0, which includes, among others, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, digitalization and data analytics. It must be pointed out, however, that the Philippines has failed to complete IR 1.0 (the Age of Mechanization), IR 2.0 (the Age of Electrification), and IR 3.0 (the Electronic Age).

Because of serious errors in economic policy making of the Government over the last 50 years, the first industrial revolution (which first happened in England in 1790-1830) was never completed in the Philippine economy because in the first place, we never had an authentic green or agricultural revolution, which, in a large economy like ours, is a pre-requisite to the first industrial revolution. In fact, we are still struggling to attain food security. Our agricultural sector is far from having benefited from the Machine Age, still using to a great extent the labor-intensive farming techniques that have been with us for centuries. The whole country is still suffering from serious shortages of energy, with large areas, especially in hundreds of small islands, still suffering from lack of electricity or high energy costs.

We can claim, though, that we have advanced quite a bit in the electronics revolution, with our consumers having the reputation of being among the biggest consumers per capita of smart phones and e-mail services. We are also among the larger exporters of electronic and semi-conductor components, although at the lower end of the manufacturing value chain.

The question that can be posed about the topic of digital transformation is to what extent can our backward agricultural sector (the Achilles heel of the Philippine economy) absorb the technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. More specifically, to what extent can there be a digital transformation of the Philippine agricultural sector.

Here, we must turn to the distinction that we have made between the sector of agriculture that is composed of millions of small farmers growing such traditional crops as rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits as well as livestock (especially hogs and poultry) and aquaculture products (fish, seaweed, prawns, etc.). It is easy to conceive of the other sector — the commercial farms consisting of thousands of hectares of farms growing bananas, pineapples, coconut, coffee, cacao, mangoes, avocado, bamboo, durian, palm oil, etc.) — adopting the technologies of IR 4.0. These questions were answered by the speakers in the Forum on the Digital Transformation of Philippine Agribusiness that was recently sponsored by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).

Obviously, it is that sector of Philippine agribusiness consisting of large commercial plantations as already exist in the banana and pineapple industries where there are many opportunities to apply some of the more advanced technologies in digitalization (as well as mechanization).

Already, we are witnessing the banana and pineapple plantations in Mindanao using drones, robots, data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence in the growing, harvesting, and transporting of their respective crops. In this context, let me refer to the great surprise of a Philippine delegation to Spain when they were invited to visit a vineyard in Toledo owned by Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global Group through Emperador Distillers (a sister company of Megaworld), which bought the company that produces and markets the famous international liquor brand Fundador. When someone from the Philippine delegation asked the farm manager of the 700-hectare vineyard how many workers worked under him, he replied “12.” That vineyard is a prototype of farm operations in labor-scarce countries like Spain that has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world. Obviously, that vineyard in Spain should not be replicated in the Philippines where there are still abundant human resources as can be inferred from our rates of unemployment and especially underemployment.

Here let me refer to the agribusiness country par excellence in the world. I am referring to Australia, that despite being a First World country still has a high percentage of their GDP and labor force accounted for by agribusiness.

In a recent article that appeared in the Financial Times (Jan. 24, 2025) entitled “A test bed for the future of farming,” we can already envision the future of large-scale agribusiness ventures in the Philippines. Let me quote relevant passages from the FT article.

“Justin Dickens is driving his truck along the edges of his farm outside the town of Orange in New South Wales when he gestures to a group of calves in a field. They are going to make ‘good eating,’ he says, checking their weight gain in an app on his phone… Dickens and his wife Amy rear Speckle Park cattle — a breed that produces fewer carbon emission and less methane than rival breeds in Australia, they say. Now they have the data to prove it. Their farm is all about the numbers, Dickens says: they have installed Australia-made sensors that monitor how much how each cow is eating, which pastures are more productive, whether a specific animal is struggling…

“Agricultural technology — often called ‘agritech’ — has been dubbed the new green revolution. Robotics and AI have made their presence felt in commercial greenhouses, potato fields and fruit farms; synthesized products such as dairy-free cheese and plant-based proteins are now in supermarkets. Over $200 billion of investment has been poured into the sector globally in the past decade, according to AgFunder, a venture fund that compiles data on the food technology sector, funding attempts to grow crops, rear animals and create food more efficiently and sustainably — not to mention strengthen food security in volatile geopolitical environment.”

Despite our having failed to complete IR 1.0, IR 2.0, and IR 3.0, it is possible for our agribusiness sector to make significant advances in IR 4.0 as long as we can accelerate the reconsolidation of some of the millions of hectares of farms that were unwisely fragmented by a poorly implemented agrarian reform program.

In the forum on the Digital Transformation of the Agribusiness co-sponsored by UA&P and SEARCA, one of the resource speakers was Christian Moehler, CEO and Founder of Lionheart Farms, a pioneer in reconsolidating small coconut farms into as much as 3,000 hectares in Rizal town, Palawan, south of Puerto Princesa.

I am familiar with the way data analytics was applied productively to his operations. One of our graduating students from the UA&P’s Master in Business Analytics course, Jericho Bonostro, applied data science to the planning of where to plant new coconut seedlings in Lionheart’s reconsolidated coconut farm. He analyzed thousands of data points on the climate experienced by the region to which the farm belongs over a number of years. Through data analytics, the study was able to identify portions of the farm where it would not be advisable to plant the new seedlings because the data revealed that there was a very high probability that the specific area would be devastated by a future natural calamity. Such information saved the company significant capital that would have otherwise been invested in seedlings and planting expenses.

(To be continued.)

 

Bernardo M. Villegas has a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard, is professor emeritus at the University of Asia and the Pacific, and a visiting professor at the IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. He was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission.

bernardo.villegas@uap.asia

The ephemeral and the solid

CREATURES 1 - 4 by Perry Martin Mamaril, 2025, bamboo, rattan, handmade paper, and LED lights. — — ALICIA A. HERRERA

An exploration of Baguio art now in Metro Manila

THE SOUND of gongs and the smell of smoke herald the beginning of ritual sacrifices in the Cordillera region. When the chicken is killed, its blood spills onto the ground, the culmination of paying tribute to the spirits and a joyous celebration of the earth.

This very scene is where the latest exhibition at the Ateneo Art Gallery, Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth., takes its name. It is a show that serves as an exploration or survey of Baguio art.

Aside from presenting works by the current zeitgeist of Baguio-based artists, it delves into their history and cultural context, dating back to the founding of the Baguio Arts Guild in 1986.

The exhibit is an extension of the book Tiw-tiwong: an Uncyclopedia to Life, Living, and Art, in Baguio, the Cordilleras and Beyond, published by Baguio Kunst Publishing in 2023.

For one of its main proponents, artist Kawayan de Guia, the book’s aim is to chart the relationship between indigenous communities and the artists, whether schooled or unschooled. The exhibition brings these connections to life at the Ateneo Art Gallery.

“There has never actually been a Baguio show in Manila, in a museum, ever. There have been a lot of exhibits of certain individuals in galleries, but there hasn’t been anything that sort of encapsulates a holistic view of Baguio,” he told the press at a preview on April 5.

“I don’t know if it’s a Manila-centric thing. Well, everyone wants to go to Baguio, so why bring the works down? There was no reason to do that because everyone just comes up,” he said.

A highlight in this exhibition of Baguio art is a recreation of Santiago Bose’s installation Bamboo Radar, which greets visitors at the lawn of Ateneo’s Arete building, which houses the gallery.

Mr. De Guia’s father, National Artist Kidlat Tahimik, also contributed an “unconscious curation” of wood carvings, bulul figures, and sculptures that he had picked up over the years.

“Back in ’86, with the guild, our appreciation for precolonial art had begun to seep in among the younger artists. I think now, we have people who are grounded in Cordilleran art. There was really a transition back then. It used to be exotic for some of us to play with our ancestral art, but I think it’s become full-blooded and grounded, coming out naturally with our expression,” he said.

Ateneo Art Gallery director Victoria “Boots” Herrera added that the exhibit tries to understand “the essentials of what Baguio art is, its history, the works, and where it’s heading.” The exhibit includes works of founding members of the guild: National Artist Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, photographer Tommy Hafalla, Rene Aquitania, Willy Magtibay, and Perry Mamaril.

“We have a lot of work from artists that have passed, but have really defined the ‘Baguio art style.’ [The show is] trying to understand the aesthetics of it,” Ms. Herrera said.

The exhibit also branches out to include contemporary Baguio-based artists like Katrin de Guia, Carlo Villafuerte, John Frank Sabado, Rocky Cajigan, Nona Garcia, Leonard Aguinaldo, Dehon Taguyungon, Gail Vicente, Randy Gawwi, Abbie SJ Lara, Bong Sanchez, Irene Bawer Bimuyag, and Rogelio Guinannoy.

For Baguio Arts Guild founding member Mr. Magtibay, the show presents a wellspring of “art reflecting the soul of the region.” His installation of the native dalikan (stove) is one that he considers both cultural and personal.

“The hearth is where life happens. It’s where you cook your food. Several times I’ve witnessed indigenous people perform rituals in front of the dalikan. It’s a sacred place where you seek comfort on stormy nights when it’s raining. For me, it’s my place of refuge,” he said.

Relative newcomer Ms. Vicente, an outsider who moved to Baguio to pursue art, hopes to tap into this wellspring. She leads the recreation of the late Roberto Villanueva’s Earth Song installation, made from handkerchiefs, scarves, towels, and fabrics representing motherhood.

Mr. De Guia, who co-curated the exhibit along with Nona Garcia, explained that Ms. Vicente’s initiative was welcome given the “ephemeral nature” of the installation, first put up in the 1990s. “Robert believed that art is of the moment, and that the involvement of the community is all-encompassing. That was the trademark and a big element in the equation of Baguio art. But we couldn’t figure out how to represent him here, since his work is long gone.”

The revival of the project can be seen within the halls of the gallery, among other Baguio art. Guests who visit the show throughout its run are encouraged to contribute fabrics to the piece.

As part of the exhibit, there will be screenings of Baguio-centered films by Kidlat Tahimik, Egay Navarro, Rica Concepcion, Kidlat de Guia, Abbie SJ Lara, Mervine Aquino, Ruben Domingo, and Angel Velasco Shaw. A mosaic workshop by Kabunyan de Guia, Olie Olivete, and Guiler Lagac of The Mighty Bhutens will be held at a later date, still to be announced.

“I can’t say where Baguio art is going, but I think there’s a very healthy momentum now,” Kidlat Tahimik said. “The young people are naturally thirsty for what was once considered shameful, primitive, uncivilized art. We’ve at least been able to pull the brakes on that kind of thinking.”

Gongs. Smoke. Blood. Earth. is on view until July 20 at the Ateneo Art Gallery at the Arete building in Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Century Pacific Food ‘cautiously optimistic’ for 2025, sets P3-B capex

CENTURY PACIFIC Agricultural Ventures, Inc., a subsidiary of Century Pacific Food, Inc. — CPAVI.COM.PH

FOOD and beverage manufacturer Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CNPF) said it is “cautiously optimistic” about its growth for 2025, citing improving consumer spending despite ongoing global uncertainties.

“We are already seeing signs of a better consumer environment as we enter 2025. So far, our Q1 (first quarter) has gone as planned. While this provides grounds for optimism, we remain mindful of lingering cost pressures and ongoing shifts in the global trading environment,” CNPF Chief Finance Officer Richard Kristoffer S. Manapat said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We plan to approach 2025 with caution — remaining agile and responsive to change. We believe our diverse and resilient portfolio positions us well to navigate these headwinds while continuing to pursue our goal of double-digit growth, all while staying true to our mission of delivering affordable nutrition to the market,” he added.

For 2025, CNPF has earmarked approximately P3 billion in capital expenditure (capex) to expand its production capacity in the tuna, coconut, and pet food segments. The company is also targeting mid-teen growth in both profit and revenue for the year.

This statement comes as CNPF reported a 14% increase in net profit for 2024, reaching P6.3 billion, up from P5.6 billion in 2023, primarily driven by its export businesses.

Consolidated revenue increased by 12% to P75.5 billion, largely due to the strong performance of its diversified portfolio.

Original equipment manufacturing (OEM) exports saw a 36% revenue growth, driven by a low base, favorable input costs, and robust global demand.

The branded segment, which accounts for the majority of CNPF’s sales, grew 7% in revenue, led by higher volume across its brand portfolio. This segment includes marine, meat, milk, and other emerging verticals.

Operating cash flows reached P8.1 billion, enabling the company to fund capacity expansion, increase dividends, and meet debt repayments.

“Our results in 2024 underscore the resilience and balance of our synergistic portfolio. Diversification enabled us to navigate economic challenges more effectively, with exports benefiting from favorable commodity cycles and global demand, providing support amidst a subdued domestic environment,” Mr. Manapat said.

“We are particularly grateful for the sustained growth we’ve experienced, despite ongoing inflationary pressures on Filipino households. Throughout, we remained focused on delivering affordable nutrition — ensuring our products remain accessible. Additionally, we reinvested margin gains into brand-building, innovation, and promotional activities to support consumers and stimulate demand,” he added.

CNPF shares rose by 9.06%, or P2.90, to close at P34.90 per share on Tuesday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Still ironclad: US reaffirms its commitment to alliance with the Philippines

PHILIPPINESTAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines last week underscored the two countries’ deep ties amid — or despite — an increasingly uncertain environment.

The uncertainty comes from many factors. There were initial misgivings regarding the commitment of the new administration of US President Donald Trump, who has been making unconventional executive decisions not only domestically but also on foreign policy.

He announced that he would impose sweeping tariffs on American imports from the rest of the world. These will take effect today, April 9.

And then, here at home, the Philippines continues to grapple with China’s provocative maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea. Furthermore, reported spying activities here have given rise to deep concerns regarding its next moves.

The fact that Mr. Hegseth chose to make the Philippines his initial stop in his Indo-Pacific tour — his first official overseas visit as defense chief — is a strong indication of Manila’s strategic importance to Washington.

That the alliance of the US and the Philippines is “ironclad” has been a characterization often invoked at the height of China’s provocative acts in recent years. Changes notwithstanding, Mr. Hegseth’s visit showed that this remains so.

He met with his counterpart, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. In their conversation, the former underscored America’s enduring commitment to the Philippines and pledged continuity in US security assistance, including the continuation of $500 million in military financing. This sends a strong signal that programs initiated under the previous administration will not only be maintained but strengthened under the new US administration.

Mr. Hegseth’s visit, then, did not just reaffirm existing ties — it elevated them. Just days after his engagements in Manila, the US State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Philippines involving 20 F-16 fighter jets. This move reflects Washington’s view of the Philippines’ strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia,” the announcement stated.

During their meeting, the two defense chiefs outlined a bold and forward-looking defense agenda, agreeing on several initiatives that will significantly enhance interoperability, readiness, and joint capability between the US and Philippine armed forces.

There are several initiatives: the deployment of advanced capabilities, for instance, includes the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), a cutting-edge mobile anti-ship missile platform, along with highly capable unmanned surface vessels. These assets are designed to provide strategic coverage of vital sea lanes from Philippine coastal positions to reinforce deterrence. This will form part of the 40th iteration of the Balikatan exercises scheduled from April 21 to May 9 this year.

This year’s Balikatan will serve as a clear demonstration of this deepened partnership. With new technologies, joint exercise, and high-level strategic alignment, the exercise will not only boost interoperability but also send a clear signal to the region — that the US and the Philippines are ready to respond to any challenge, together.

Filipinos themselves are well aware of the strategic importance of such an exercise. In a Stratbase commissioned survey conducted last month by SWS, the findings showed that 77% of Filipinos agree that the Philippine government must further strengthen its alliance with other countries. This will be accomplished through joint patrols, joint sails, and joint military exercises to assert and defend the Philippines’ territorial and economic rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Indeed, as Balikatan 2025 draws near, Filipinos can take confidence in the strengthening of the Philippines’ defensive posture, backed by the world’s most powerful military.

Other initiatives that were discussed include the special operations forces training to be held in Batanes, the crafting of a defense industrial cooperation vision statement, and a bilateral cybersecurity campaign.

The new Defense Industrial Cooperation Vision Statement was released a few days before Mr. Hegseth’s visit, and it outlines plans for co-production of unmanned systems, enhanced logistics cooperation, and the reduction of barriers to defense technology transfer — promoting not only maritime security but also economic security.

“The United States and the Philippines are committed to a strong and enduring alliance that is anchored in a shared, ironclad commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Built on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement, and the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the United States and the Philippines have developed close and continuing bilateral defense cooperation. Defense and security cooperation has been a vital pillar of engagement in the ever-deepening partnership between the United States and the Philippines,” the first paragraph of the statement read.

Finally, because both countries recognize the importance of digital resilience, they have launched a campaign to strengthen cyber defenses. This includes the development of secure defense networks, a capable cybersecurity workforce, and operational cooperation.

These initiatives go beyond building military capability. They position the US-Philippines alliance as a credible force for deterrence in the face of mounting threats in the region. As coercive actions in the West Philippine Sea continue to challenge Philippine sovereignty, we take comfort in the message: the Philippines does not stand alone.

 

Victor Andres “Dindo” C. Manhit is the president of the Stratbase ADR Institute.

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