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PHL seeks ‘balance’ between energy security, affordability

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Philippine Energy Plan in the runup to 2050 will seek to achieve a balance between incorporating affordable renewable energy (RE) while ensuring energy security, the Department of Energy (DoE) said.

“The blueprint for the energy sector… was designed to strike a balance between energy security, affordability, and sustainability,” Undersecretary Mylene C. Capongcol said at an energy forum on Thursday organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines.

Ms. Capongcol said the DoE has put in place policies that will encourage entry of private-sector investment, while ensuring fair and equal access to the transmission and distribution system.

(The energy transition) will not be cheap… because it involves new and innovative technology like battery energy storage, but eventually, the cost will go down,” Ms. Capongcol said.

The Philippines is targeting a 35% share of RE in the power mix by 2030 and 50% by 2040. The share is currently 22%.

The RE industry’s potential capacity is currently 151.53 gigawatts (GW) after 1,392 project awards.

The transition to cleaner energy faces the so-called “energy trilemma,” requiring it to resolve potential conflicts in achieving energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability.

“Our policy is… preparing so that we have this balance (in the power generation mix) to assure our consumers that there is a steady supply,” said Francis Saturnino C. Juan, chairman and chief executive officer of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 tasks the ERC with promoting competition, encouraging market development, and ensuring greater consumer choice in the electric power industry.

“Conversely, aggressively pursuing renewable energy supports sustainability but may increase costs if not carefully managed. This encapsulates the essence of the trilemma, a challenge we must all confront collectively,” Mr. Juan said.

He said that the “new ERC” aims to be “more responsive, forward-thinking, and decisive” in fulfilling its mandate.

Allan Barcena, assistant vice-president of Energy Development Corp. (EDC), said the company is pushing to boost the capacity of its power plants, particularly those running on geothermal energy.

“We are trying to improve our power plants to not only ensure adequate capacity but a highly reliable capacity at any given time,” Mr. Barcena said.

Geothermal energy, a form of baseload power supply, stands out as “the most reliable renewable resource in addressing all three dimensions simultaneously,” he said.

EDC, a subsidiary of First Gen Corp., operates 1,480.19 megawatts of capacity, equivalent to around 20% of the Philippines’ installed RE capacity.

“The energy trilemma requires solutions that do not compromise one goal for another. Geothermal energy uniquely satisfies this challenge by providing secure, affordable, and sustainable power,” Mr. Barcena said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

SMEs seen playing key role in achieving SDGs

THE Philippines needs to incorporate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to meet the 2030 timeline set by the United Nations (UN), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said.

“At the halfway point to 2030 — the target year set by the UN for the achievement of the SDGs — the challenge before us is how to accelerate,” PCCI President Enunina V. Mangio said in a speech delivered by PCCI Vice-President Jude Aguilar at the PCCI SDG Effectiveness Summit on Thursday.

She called for translating commitments “to concrete, scalable, and effective action and deliver on the promise of the SDGs of a better quality of life for all, in the five years we have left.”

“While small businesses generally recognize that the SDGs are important, for many, these goals remain theoretical,” she added. 

“Nevertheless, a growing number are already incorporating the SDGs in their business practices, and momentum is clearly building,” she said.

About 70% of the PCCI membership consists of SMEs.

“This is where PCCI comes in — to strengthen that momentum by providing support systems such as training, reporting tools, and other forms of assistance that will help institutionalize the SDGs among our SMEs,” she added.

Economy Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon pointed to four systemic challenges that need to be addressed before 2030.

These are financing to accelerate progress on the SDGs, impacts of climate shocks and limited adaptive capacity to natural disasters, risks that hamper economic stability and growth, and political challenges.

She expects the private sector to play a catalyst role in the sustainable development effort.

“The first thing we ask from the private sector is to pioneer technologies, business models, and solutions that accelerate sustainable and inclusive development,” she said.

She also said that the private sector can help bridge financing and capacity gaps by leveraging private capital and infrastructure, generate quality jobs by investing in green industries, and empower smaller enterprises, among others. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Camarines Sur declared free of bird flu

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

CAMARINES SUR has been declared free of avian influenza after five months of surveillance with no new cases detected, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. 

The declaration follows disease-control guidelines set by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. issued Memorandum Circular No. 27 declaring the province clear of the H5N9 bird flu virus.

Local government units (LGUs), the DA, and the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) collaborated to contain the outbreak, carrying out culls and disinfections, and enforcing movement restrictions. — Andre Christopher H. Alampay

Blockchain backed as tool for improving budget transparency

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it supports proposals to deploy blockchain technology in preparing the budget to make the compilation of the spending plan more transparent.

“I think it’s a good move for both the Senate and the House to push for the adoption of blockchain in government… I think it’s a step forward in ensuring better governance,” Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda told the House appropriations panel on Thursday.

According to Mr. Aguda, blockchain serves as a ledger “where all transactions are written and are forever kept. It’s a technology that (deters attempts to) modify, subvert or delete information.”

He noted that blockchain experts are readily available, currently engaged in banking and regulatory compliance jobs.

The DICT is currently providing technical assistance to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in setting up a blockchain platform for budget documents.

Asked how much is needed to implement blockchain, he said: “It might range from a couple of hundred million to maybe a billion or so, depending on the scope.”

Measures have been filed in Congress seeking to establish a government-managed blockchain ledger that records all transactions in the budget cycle.

These include Senate Bill No. 1330, filed by Senator Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV, and House Bills No. 4075 and 4489,by Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba and Party-list Rep. Brian Daniel Poe Llamanzares, respectively.

Next year, the DICT is seeking a P18.9-billion budget, including P675.88 million for the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), P463.09 million for the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and P440.54 million for the National Privacy Commission.

Separately, the NTC reported that about 193 million subscriber identity module (SIM) cards have been registered as of July.

Of the total, Globe Telecom, Inc. accounted for 86.55 million, followed Smart Communications, Inc. 83.8 million, and DITO Telecommunity Corp. 23.63 million, NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca B. Lopez told the committee. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

90 e-commerce ‘trustmarks’ issued

DTI.GOV.PH

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it has issued 90 e-commerce “trustmarks” as of Sept. 10, to improve public confidence in electronic transactions.

“The DTI is giving online merchants, e-retailers, e-marketplaces, and digital platforms until September 30 to register for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark,” DTI said on Thursday.

Department Administrative Order No. 25-12 requires online merchants, e-retailers, e-marketplaces, or digital platforms to register for a trustmark.

According to the DTI, mandatory registration of online merchants and platforms follows a surge in consumer complaints about online transactions.

In the eight months to August, the DTI fielded 13,000 such complaints.

“The DTI has issued the digital badge to several major companies, signaling early industry compliance,” it said.

These include Shopee Philippines, Inc. (Shopee), Bytedance Philippines, Inc. (Tiktok Shop), Lalamove Philippines, Inc. (Lalamove), and LG Electronics Philippines, Inc. (LG).

Other companies registered for the trustmark were Asahi Electrical Manufacturing Corp. (Asahi), Cherenz Global Mfg., Inc. (TOUGHMAMA), Concepcion Midea, Inc. (Midea), Concepcion Carrier Air Conditioning Co. (Carrier), and First Digital Finance Corp. (Billease).

It also issued digital badges to Mailtag Ortigas Corp. (DHL Express), Pan-Eurasia Sales Marketing Corp. (Dowell, Edamama, and Tefal), QuadX Inc. (Gogo Xpress and ShippingCart), and Tosot Philippines Corp. (Tosot).

Eryl Royce R. Nagtalon, officer-in-charge of the DTI E-Commerce Bureau, said the trustmark will help consumers identify legitimate and accountable online businesses.

“It serves as a mark of compliance with legal and regulatory standards, providing consumers with greater assurance that they are engaging with trustworthy businesses,” he said.

“As more businesses apply for a Trustmark, consumers will recognize it as a mark of safety and trust,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

India given center stage at Agri-Food Summit

A WOMAN cleans rice grains at a wholesale market in Navi Mumbai, India, Aug. 4, 2023. — REUTERS

INDIA was accorded the spotlight at the 2025 Agri-Food Summit, with the Department of Agriculture (DA) calling India a key partner in achieving food security for the Philippines.

Indian Ambassador Harsh Kumar Jain opened the summit by calling for closer collaboration between the two countries, which he characterized as “friends by choice” and natural partners in the region.

Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro said India is a promising source of expertise in food safety, quality standards and sustainable farming.

“We see promising opportunities. in rice and livestock… where India’s expertise can support our food security priorities. Food processing and value adding open up opportunities for our farmers and enterprises to reduce losses and ensure quality,” Mr. Navarro said.

The summit follows a state visit to India by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. a month prior, with both sides broadly agreeing to increase trade and investment.

Mr. Navarro said agrifisheries trade between the two countries was $554.27 million in 2024, up from $455.8 million a year earlier.

India’s top exports to the Philippines include buffalo meat, processed potatoes, soy bean products, and ground nuts.

Global exports of Indian agricultural products were valued at $51.4 billion in 2024-2025, with exports to the Philippines worth $420 million.

India is the leading exporter of rice and became the top producer of the grain in the 2024-2025 season with output topping 149 million metric tons, surpassing China — Andre Christopher H. Alampay

First-half trade deficit revised upward to $24.41B

BW FILE PHOTO

THE trade deficit in the first six months was revised upward to $24.41 billion after a preliminary estimate of $23.97 billion, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

A year earlier, the deficit had been $25.06 billion.

Imports were revised to $65.70 billion from $65.22 billion initially reported. The year-earlier import tally had been $61.50 billion.

The value of merchandise exports in the first half was revised to $41.29 billion from $41.24 billion previously. The year-earlier total had been $36.44 billion.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee expects export to decline 2% this year while imports are expected to grow 3.5%.

Red-hot Eala easily advances to quarterfinals of Sao Paulo Open

ALEX EALA — WTATENNIS.COM

AND the South American streak continues for the red-hot sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala.

Ms. Eala claimed her seventh straight win with a sweep of Argentina’s Julia Riera, 6-1, 6-4, to barge into the quarterfinals of the 2025 WTA250 Sao Paulo Open on Thursday at the Villa-Lobos State Park in Brazil.

The Filipina pride, ranked No. 61 in the world, hardly broke a sweat for the second straight match as she needed only 77 minutes to clobber WTA No. 188 Riera and bolster her back-to-back title bid on the heels of her historic Guadalajara Open conquest marked by five consecutive wins in Mexico last week.

Ms. Eala, the No. 3 seed, previously scored a 6-0, 6-2 first-round drubbing of WTA No. 380 Yasmine Mansouri of France in only 70 minutes for a methodical campaign so far in front of a surprisingly pro-Filipino Brazilian crowd.

“I said the other day that Brazilians are super hospitable. That’s one thing I think you have in common with the Philippines, so I’m feeling at home. I loved the atmosphere tonight,” said the 20-year-old rising star Ms. Eala, slowly becoming a fan-favorite in the tennis world.

Ms. Eala’s home court advantage in Sao Paulo should serve handy against fellow trailblazer Janice Tjen, WTA No. 130, of Indonesia at a still-to-be-announced game time on Friday after the ongoing doubles’ prelims for a seat in the Final Four.

Ms. Tjen, 23, stunned No. 7 seed and WTA No. 464 Martina Okalova of Slovakia, 6-1, 6-0, to become the first Indonesian woman to reach a WTA quarterfinal since Angelique Widjaja in 2004. She did the same feat in the US Open to follow the footsteps of Ms. Widjaja as well in 2003.

Winner advances to the semis against either No. 2 seed Solana Sierra Argentina or No. 6 seed Francesca Jones of Great Britain.

Like her roaring start against Ms. Mansouri, Ms. Eala narrated almost the same story opposite a familiar foe in Ms. Riera by sprinting to a 4-0 start in the first set behind her crisp return game and vastly-improved service.

Ms. Riera, 23, went on to win just a game in the first frame and not even her stronger resistance with a 2-1 lead in the second set proved enough at the jaws of Ms. Eala’s searing 5-2 closeout punctuated by a backhand winner.

Ms. Eala is now 2-1 in head-to-head matches against Ms. Riera, who scored a 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 win in the French Open qualifying finals that denied the Filipina a historic main draw seat as early as 2024.

The Filipina ace then returned the favor in the 2024 WTA100 Cary Tennis Classic in North Carolina, United States, 6-3, 6-1.

Ms. Eala still proceeded to make her main draw debut in this year’s French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, where she became the first Filipina winner in any Grand Slam main draw ever after stunning world No. 15 Clara Tauson of Denmark in the US Open first round, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11).

That stellar run catapulted her to an all-time high momentum in the WTA125 Guadalajara Open to become the first Filipina WTA champion in history with wins over No. 187 Arianne Hartono of the Netherlands, 6-2, 6-2, No. 122 Varvara Lepchenko of the United States, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, No. 380 Nicole Fossa Huergo of Italy, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, No. 418 Kayla Day of the USA anew, 6-2, 6-3, then No. 134 Panna Udvardy of Hungary, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. — John Bryan Ulanday

PBA looks back, pays tribute in Season 50 opener on Oct. 4 and 5

LAS VEGAS — A weekend of fun, fellowship and nostalgia ushers in PBA Season 50 on Oct. 4 and 5.

It’s a grand spectacle that intends to gather the biggest number of PBA personalities as possible — past and present — as the league celebrates a giant milestone five decades after opening shop in 1975.

League pioneers and the players that followed their footsteps will gather in a glitzy affair at the Meralco Theater on Oct. 4, looking back and reliving memorable moments. A bit earlier, members of the 12 current ballclubs take their turns mingling with the fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The next day, the league honors the achievers of the past season in the Leo Awards at the Novotel Hotel, immediately followed by the Season 50 opening rites at the Big Dome.

PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, as the tradition dictates, will declare the season open, then a one-game showcase gets the ball rolling for the season where TNT is to defend its Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup crowns and San Miguel Beermen its All-Filipino throne.

“It’s a year-long celebration with a theme ‘Solid Ang Galing, Solid ang Laban.’ But the main goal remains to entertain the fans with exciting games and make them happy. We’ll go around and bring the PBA closer to the fans,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

Games in New York, Bahrain and Dubai are among matches overseas slated in the three-conference calendar. The Philippine Cup will be the opening fare followed by the Governors’ Cup (with imports with unlimited height) then the Commissioner’s Cup (featuring imports with 6-foot-6 ceiling).

Format is single round robin in the elims with the top four gaining twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals versus the next four. Both the semifinals and the finals will be best-of-seven affairs.

“There will be no more playoff for No. 8 spot. Ties will be resolved by quotient tiebreak,” said PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, presiding the league planning session here at the MGM Grand.

The league is also looking to arrange a separate mini-invitational to possibly accommodate a guest team.

“Meron kasing guest team na gustong lumaro sa Philippine Cup. It was turned down by the board since it’s All-Filipino. Eastern begged off while an Indonesian team eh medyo nabitin dahil sa gulo sa kanila at the moment,” said Mr. Marcial. — Nelson Beltran

Alas Pilipinas faces tough Tunisia in men’s volleyball championship

SHOWTIME.

After a long wait, Alas Pilipinas gets to show off how far it had gone preparing for this one moment as it clashes with a formidable Tunisia in tonight’s start of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship unfurling on Friday and ending Sept. 28 at the MOA Arena.

The Filipinos, mentored by Italian Angiolino Frigoni, will be bannered by 14 of the country’s best and brightest headed by Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo when they battle the 11-time African champions at 7 p.m.

Also named into the team Wednesday night were Leo Ordiales, Michaelo Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Louie Ramirez, Kim Malabunga, Jack Kalingking, Vince Lorenzo, Owa Retamar and Eco Adajar.

“We have a great balance of veterans who bring experience and leadership, and younger players who bring energy and fresh perspectives,” said Mr. Bagunas, named Alas’ team captain.

“It’s an honor to be part of this historic event. We’re excited to play and show the level and brand of Philippine volleyball on the world stage,” Mr. Espejo, for his part, said.

Alas had gone into a European tour, jumping from Morocco, Romania and Portugal, just to prepare for this mammoth 32-nation tournament.

But Mr. Frigoni, however, sounded the alarm, saying they couldn’t do it alone and needed the fans to support them.

“I’m telling the Filipinos, please come. We need you. As supporters, we need you because we are going to fight together against Tunisia. Don’t let us fight alone,” he said.

After Tunisia, the country will take on Egypt next Tuesday and Asian powerhouse Iran on Thursday also at MOA.

The one-game opener will be spiced up by a performance by South Korean K-Pop group BOYNEXTDOOR starting at 4:30 p.m. along with some local acts.

After the one-game opener, action shifts to higher gear on Saturday with a total of eight matches scheduled that day.

At MOA, it will be the United States versus Colombia at 10 a.m., Cuba against Portugal at 1:30 p.m., Germany versus Bulgaria at 5:30 p.m. and Slovenia against Chile at 9 p.m.

On the other side at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, it will be Canada versus Libya at 10:30 a.m., Japan against Turkey at 2 p.m., the Netherlands versus Qatar at 6 p.m. and Poland against Romania at 9:30 p.m.

The event is backed Rebisco, SM, PLDT, SMART, Metro Pacific Investment, Honda Philippines, Meralco, Sony, Lenovo, LRT Line 2, officially sanctioned by the FIVB, partnered with Volleyball World, Mikasa, the official ball, Mizuno, Gerflor and Senoh Corp. — Joey Villar

KC Chiefs seek redemption vs Eagles in Super Bowl rematch

THE Kansas City (KC) Chiefs will look to avoid their first 0-2 start since 2014 when they host the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl LIX rematch on Sunday.

This version of the Andy Reid Bowl comes seven months after the Eagles scored the first 34 points in a lopsided 40-22 victory in New Orleans, ending the Chiefs’ bid for an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat.

“We’ll learn from this,” Reid, the winningest coach in the history of both the Chiefs and Eagles, vowed after that game. — Reuters

Last playoff berth

The Storm needed every ounce of resolve to net them the victory they needed. Down 10 late in the third quarter and seemingly staring at the end of their season, they clawed back possession by possession, play by play, until the game and their postseason hopes were again within reach. When Erica Wheeler rose for a mid-range jumper that found the bottom of the net with 19 seconds left in the match, the comeback was complete. They had beaten the Valkyries 74–73, in the process snatching the last WNBA playoff berth hitherto still up for grabs.

Fittingly, the Storm relied on a bench player to deliver the breakthrough — the presence of such notables as Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, and Gabby Silliams notwithstanding. Wheeler, 33 and well-traveled, came off the sidelines firing, hitting five threes and pacing the late rally with veteran poise. Her pull-up from the free throw line in their last possession of the set-to gave them the lead for good. That the Valkyries still had chances made the finish all the more tense. Janelle Salaün, brilliant most of the night, missed both a driving layup and a contested three in the dying moments. When Wheeler secured the rebound and ran out the clock, the 12,500-strong crowd at the Climate Pledge Arena exhaled.

The Storm’s 23rd win of the year locked them into the playoff picture regardless of results the WNBA’s remaining games heading into the playoffs. The outcome also has the Valkyries’ seeding jeopardized; a triumph in their last outing is now required for them to avoid dropping to eighth. Such are the margins at this stage of the season; one shot can rearrange the bracket and recalibrate expectations.

That the Storm once more found themselves in such a scenario spoke volumes of their inconsistent campaign. They have been tested repeatedly in close games — nearly 30 in which the outcome hinged on the final five minutes — and not always with happy endings. Their recent home stretch was a struggle, too, losses piling up in a building that had once been a fortress. Yet when the pressure reached its peak, they responded. Ogwumike, a steadying presence amid the tumult, noted that while it was not ideal to back into the postseason, there was a measure of satisfaction in taking the spot outright, and doing it in dramatic fashion.

What comes next is anyone’s guess. Seattle has enough talent to be more than just a first-round participant. Unfortunately, they have likewise exhibited an alarming tendency to throw away seemingly comfortable leads in familiar territory, a weakness those above them in standings will be keen to exploit. That said, they can afford a moment of relief. In a season defined by tense finishes, they once again walked the tightrope. And this time, they reached the other side.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

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