Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 31

ATI secures PSE approval for April 3 delisting

ASIANTERMINALS.COM.PH

LISTED PORT OPERATOR Asian Terminals, Inc. (ATI) said it has secured approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) to delist from the local bourse on April 3.

In a media release on Thursday, ATI said it received notice from the PSE approving its petition for voluntary delisting.

The approval followed the completion of a tender offer and the subsequent share crossing of tendered shares conducted jointly with Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC).

ATI and MIC, as proponents of the tender offer, acquired at least 95% of ATI’s outstanding shares, in line with the PSE’s ownership requirement for voluntary delisting.

The company’s public shareholding has fallen below the minimum public float required under PSE rules. Trading of ATI shares has also been suspended as part of the process.

“With MIC’s participation, ATI is poised to embark on a new chapter of sustained growth as it further expands its role in facilitating efficient and sustainable trade in support of industries, communities, and the broader Philippine economy,” ATI said.

ATI said port and terminal operations will continue without changes.

Last week, MIC said it completed the acquisition of shares in ATI from Seawood Resources, Inc., Kayak Holdings, Inc., and Asiasec Equities, Inc., among others.

The tender offer resulted in the acquisition of 177.61 million ATI common shares, of which 101.19 million were allocated to MIC and 76.42 million to ATI under its share buyback program.

ATI operates several terminals in the country, including the Manila South Harbor, the Port of Batangas, Batangas Container Terminal, and off-dock yards in Sta. Mesa, Manila, and Calamba, Laguna. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

New research paper charts path toward smaller Fed balance sheet

REUTERS

IF THE US Federal Reserve truly wants a smaller balance sheet, it can get there with regulatory changes, tweaks to the payment system and more frequent market interventions by the ​central bank, new research published by the Brookings Institution said on Wednesday.

In a paper written by Darrell Duffie, professor of management and professor ‌of finance at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, the academic sketched out a complex path that would take some time to achieve. Mr. Duffie wrote that the key focus of any move to reduce the overall size of the Fed balance sheet comes down to reducing the market’s still very strong appetite for reserves.

To temper that appetite, Mr. Duffie wrote liquidity rules could be relaxed ​to make financial firms more comfortable with keeping less liquidity on hand. The central bank’s Fedwire payment system could be changed to more closely ​link firms’ incoming and outgoing payments, further reducing the need to keep excess cash on hand.

The Fed could also change the rate it pays to financial firms and lower it for reserves beyond a given level. And finally, the Fed could use temporary liquidity injections, called temporary open market ​operations, more frequently, as opposed to the current system that puts that type of liquidity management largely on autopilot.

“I’m not taking a stand on whether the Fed should ​reduce its balance sheet,” Duffie told reporters in a virtual meeting. “That’s a big cost-benefit analysis that I’m leaving up to the Fed.”

But he noted “the benefits of a large balance sheet are quite tangible” and having a system flush with liquidity brings financial stability benefits and has worked well for the Fed’s monetary policy mission.

“The costs are more intangible and sometimes verge into politics,” as some worry about how large Fed holdings can affect Fed independence, among other concerns, Mr. Duffie said.

REGIME CHANGE
Mr. Duffie’s work to map out a path toward smaller Fed holdings ​comes as Kevin Warsh, a staunch critic of a large Fed balance sheet, has been tapped to succeed current Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell when his leadership term ends in May. Treasury Secretary ‌Scott Bessent has also been critical of a large Fed footprint in asset markets.

Big Fed holdings are the product of economic crisis and the Fed’s response to those events.

The size of the Fed’s balance sheet has risen from just under $1 trillion just before the onset of the financial crisis in 2008 to a current level of $6.6 trillion, which is down from the $9 trillion peak hit in 2022.

Fed holdings swelled over several episodes in which the Fed aggressively bought Treasury and mortgage bonds to smooth dysfunctional markets and to provide economic stimulus beyond what could be delivered by the Fed’s traditional tool to achieve its goal, which is changes in short-term rates.

The side effect of bond buying has been a massive increase in bank reserves, as firms that sold bonds to the central bank were credited with Fed-generated cash. At the same time, post-crisis regulatory systems have driven banks to hold reserves.

To manage short-term interest rate levels, the Fed has developed a suite of tools that have delivered strong control of the federal funds rate, the Fed’s main monetary policy tool.

The challenge for the Fed is that if too much liquidity is taken out of the system, the Fed loses control of short-term interest rates. That happened in 2019 when the Fed was allowing bonds it owned to mature and not be replaced, in a bid to cut the size of holdings, and was about to happen late last year.

After drawing down the balance sheet from 2022 onward, since December the Fed has been aggressively buying Treasury bills to rebuild liquidity through the tax season, in what it billed as a purely technical operation.

It is widely expected to slow those purchases once May rolls around. — Reuters

Stuff to Do (03/27/26)

Join the 1st Southeast Asian Congress of Hispanists

THE Embassy of Spain is presenting the first Southeast Asian Congress of Hispanists this week. The event brings together scholars, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to the study of the Spanish language, literature, and culture. Participants from across Southeast Asia, along with invited experts from Europe and the United States, will come together at the Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros from March 26 to 27 to foster dialogue on the role of Hispanic studies in a global and multicultural context. The event is being held through the Instituto Cervantes and its Cultural Section and in collaboration with the Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española and the Fundación Duques de Soria. Further information may be found at https://www.hispanismosea.org/.

Watch the OPM Friends at Newport World Resorts

FOR A NIGHT of classic hits and feel-good nostalgia, Groovin’ The Greatest Hits will be staged on March 27, 8 p.m., at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport World Resorts, Pasay City. Known for their lively, dance-filled concerts, OPM Friends is an all-star lineup of veteran Filipino performers composed of Celeste Legaspi, Leah Navarro, Mitch Valdes, Nanette Inventor, Pat Castillo, Pinky Marquez, Bo Cerrudo, and Ding Mercado. The supergroup first came together in 2024 through the OPM Friends Carol for a Cause initiative to raise funds for colleagues in the music industry facing serious medical and financial challenges. They now occasionally bring together legendary voices of the era to perform enduring classics such as “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” and “Umagang Kay Ganda.” Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets and Newport World Resorts Box Office, ranging in price from P1,800 to P7,800.

Join NCCA’s Pakudos cultural recollection

THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will be staging its first Lenten cultural recollection, titled Pakudos. The activity will kick off with a Holy Mass and be followed by a cultural performance by MB Rosie Sula, Sinukwan Kapampangan, Powerdance, Manunubli ng Sinala, and JM Yosures, who are all respected cultural performers from their regions. The Lenten presentation will be held on March 27, 5 p.m., at the Rizal Park Open-air Auditorium in Manila.

Catch a concert at City of Dreams

THIS MONTH’s concerts at City of Dreams Centerplay continue with The Golden Sound of the Platters at the Grand Ballroom on March 27 and 28. Staged by Steve O’Neal Productions, tickets are priced at P3,000, P5,000 and P7,000 available via TicketWorld: https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=TGSOTP26.

Immerse in BTS and Huntrix experiences

GH MALL and Estancia are offering BTS Comeback and Huntrix Energy experiences in their spaces for Earth Hour. On March 28, both Ortigas Malls will banner K-pop. The Armyverse is invited to GH Mall to celebrate BTS’ comeback while Huntrix is invited to Estancia Mall for the “Golden” fans of K-Pop Demon Hunters. There will be music, activities, and a chance to meet fellow K-pop fans. Everyone is welcome to bring their light sticks and dress up in their best outfits to celebrate with the K-pop community, while also supporting a great environmental cause. Shoppers can join either event with a single or accumulated receipt worth P1,000.

Go to an Earth Hour concert

WWF-PHILIPPINES, in partnership with Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, will lead the main Earth Hour 2026 switch-off this weekend. It will be held at Arcovia City in Pasig on March 28. The event will feature sustainability-focused activities, including a youth fair, a local hour bank initiative, and an Earth Hour virtual run, culminating in a symbolic lights-off ceremony followed by an “unplugged” concert with The Ridleys, Clara Benin, and Lola Amour. Simultaneous switch-off activities will also take place across Megaworld Lifestyle Malls nationwide, reinforcing the call for collective climate action.

Join art workshops at Gateway Gallery

THE 2026 edition of Art in the City, with the theme “Visual Composition Made Easy: Still Life in Oil Pastel,” is set to take place at the Gateway Gallery Studio on March 28, 2 to 5 p.m. This initiative is made up of eight art workshops for aspiring artists and creators. The first will be led by Jasmin Lacay of Grupo Kwadro. The workshop and art materials are free, but donations are encouraged. Interested participants may sign up here:

https://forms.gle/omyYtv2s7hzb4XPs9. Meanwhile, Araneta City itself will have all its malls participate in Earth Hour, with lights going off that day from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Watch a musical homage to National Artists

HONORING the enduring legacy of the country’s National Artists for Music, the University of the Philippines Manila Chorale (UPMC), in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is restaging the concert Tanglaw: Pamana ng Himig with the special collaboration of National Artist for Music Dr. Ramon P. Santos, at the Metropolitan Theater Manila on March 29. The concert seeks to illuminate and celebrate the richness of Philippine cultural heritage by bringing to life the timeless works of the country’s National Artists for Music, offering audiences a deeper appreciation of their lasting contributions to Filipino artistry. The concert will feature a repertoire including Dinggin Mo. O Yahweh, Kaslonon, Tuksuban by Ramon Santos; Digdiwi, Ay Kalisud, and Kaming Magmamani arrangement by Antonio Buenaventura; Purihin si Yahweh by Lucrecia Kasilag; Umawit Kang Masaya by Lucio San Pedro; Ang Pagpapala by Francisco Feliciano; Buligi and O Bayan Ko by Ryan Cayabyab; Lagi Kitang Naalala by Leopoldo Silos with arrangement by Noel Velasco; Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal by Ernani Cuenco and Levi Celerio with arrangement by Mark Anthony Carpio; Kenkoy by Nicanor Abelardo with arrangement by Ruben Federizon; Galawgaw by Levi Celerio with arrangement by Fidel Calalang, Jr.; and lastly, Payapang Daigdig by Felipe de Leon with arrangement by Lucio San Pedro.

Celebrate Binondo Day at Lucky Chinatown

LUCKY CHINATOWN will be taking center stage in the celebration of Binondo’s 432nd founding anniversary on March 29, bringing together culture, heritage, and festive experiences in the heart of the world’s oldest Chinatown. Binondo will be coming alive with parades and cultural activities, and the mall will offer experiences that explore the district’s rich Filipino-Chinese history. At the core is the Chinatown Museum, where 18 immersive galleries trace Binondo’s past, from early Chinese settlements and religious traditions to trade, art, and the rise of Filipino-Chinese identity. Beyond the museum, the Imperial Wing extends the journey through authentic dining and heritage-inspired retail. For more details, visit Lucky Chinatown’s social media pages.

Listen to Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU), through the FEU Center for the Arts, is presenting the Pundaquit Virtuosi from Zambales in Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ on March 31 at the FEU Chapel. A Holy Week presentation, it will include reflections between musical passages while surrounded by the chapel’s Stations of the Cross, a National Cultural Treasure created by National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco. This special Lenten event is presented in partnership with the FEU Campus Ministry. It is free to all visitors on March 31, 5 p.m., at the FEU Chapel. Limited seats are available so pre-registration is needed via https://forms.office.com/r/Tb3m5a9W49.

Gold becomes more useful as a piggy bank than a haven

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Mamewmy from Freepik

By Marcus Ashworth

GOLD’s reputation as the ultimate store of value has been tarnished by its 15% decline since the Iran conflict began. It’s failed to act as a haven or a geopolitical hedge. However, that’s not unusual — the pattern seen this month mirrors similar price corrections during the 2008 global financial crisis and when COVID struck in March 2020. After all, gold is easy to sell and many holders will be able to reap large profits: Despite the recent drop, it’s still up by more than 50% in the past year.

One new market dynamic, though, is that central banks, the biggest gold buyers over the past four years, are starting to contemplate using some of their holdings to pay for vastly increased energy and defense expenditure. The sharp rise in energy prices has certainly hit some resource-poor countries hard and, with petrol rationing already becoming a feature in several countries, it must be tempting to raid the piggy bank. Central bankers are the custodians of national wealth, with reserves management one of their principal tasks; taking some of the profit from gold’s better than 150% gain during the past five years to meet emergency needs makes sense.

According to the World Gold Council (WGC), an industry body, central banks hold more than $4.3 trillion of gold reserves. They now represent about a fifth of the market, roughly double their prior long-term presence, and this appears to be a persistent trend — the world isn’t getting any more stable. China has led the accumulation since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This diversification away from conventional dollar assets was spurred by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control leading the West in seizing as much as $330 billion of Russia’s reserves, according to the Brookings Institute. Moscow has been the largest seller of gold this year, the WGC says, perhaps to defend the weakening ruble.

Earlier this month, the governor of the National Bank of Poland — the biggest buyer last year, according to the WGC — raised the prospect of selling some of its stash in a meeting with the Polish president. Turkey’s central bank may use gold held at the Bank of England as collateral to prop up the lira rather than outright currency market intervention, Bloomberg News reported this week. They’re unlikely to be the only countries seeking to tap their reserves of the yellow metal to meet current financial needs; several major Middle Eastern and Asian countries are cited by industry website mining.com as potential sellers. This year had already seen a notable slowdown of purchases; the WGC estimates central banks bought just five net metric tons of gold in January, versus a monthly average of 27 tons last year.

Even if liquidity-driven selling pressure diminishes, it’s unlikely gold will return to the speculative fervor of last year, with a shift into more of a balanced two-way market looking more probable. Some countries may resume their buying at modestly reduced prices; others may sell to pay bills. After all, that’s what central bank reserves are meant to be there for.

BLOOMBERG OPINION

Monde Nissin income slips to P9.72 billion

BW FILE PHOTO

MONDE NISSIN Corp. reported a 0.76% decline in attributable net income to P9.72 billion in 2025 from P9.79 billion in 2024.

Consolidated revenue rose 4% to P86.5 billion in 2025, the company said in a disclosure on Thursday.

Reported net income reached P8.6 billion, up from P450 million in 2024.

The listed food and beverage manufacturer said its fourth-quarter results showed increases in net income and revenue.

Fourth-quarter revenue rose 5.7% to P23.2 billion, while core net income attributable to shareholders increased 8.1% to P2.5 billion, supported by higher gross profit.

During the same period, the company posted net income of P1.9 billion, reflecting a smaller impairment reversal in the meat alternative business compared with the prior year. This was partly offset by a P501-million non-cash loss from fair value adjustments on the guaranty asset.

The Asia-Pacific branded food and beverage (APAC BFB) segment reported a 4.7% increase in full-year net sales to P72.8 billion. Fourth-quarter net sales rose 5.8%, driven by volume growth in biscuits and other categories.

Domestic business sales rose 5.4% for the full year and 5.7% in the fourth quarter.

Gross profit declined 1.8% to P25.3 billion for the full year but increased 2.9% to P6.8 billion in the fourth quarter.

“Our APAC BFB business delivered steady topline growth in the fourth quarter, supported by volume growth in biscuits and other categories, while noodle revenue improved by 3.4% sequentially in Q4,” Monde Nissin Chief Executive Officer Henry Soesanto said.

“Although higher edible oil costs continued to put pressure on gross margins, our pricing actions and cost-saving initiatives, including reformulation, contributed to a modest, incremental sequential margin improvement. We anticipate mid to high-single-digit revenue growth in our domestic business for Q1,” he added.

Revenue from meat alternatives under Quorn Foods declined 2.9% for the full year on a constant currency basis but increased 0.3% in the fourth quarter.

Gross profit for the segment rose 20% to P3.5 billion for the full year and increased 33.8% to P1 billion in the fourth quarter.

Gross margin expanded by 417 basis points (bps) to 25.6% for the full year and by 584 bps to 27.4% in the fourth quarter, driven by transformation initiatives, lower input costs, and price increases, partly offset by lower production volumes.

“Constant currency sales declines eased further and stabilized in Q4, with gross margin expanding over 500 bps year on year. Despite a challenging category, we met full-year EBITDA guidance, with a modest reversal of prior impairment losses, reflecting steady progress in our ongoing transformation,” Mr. Soesanto said.

He said the company continues to manage potential impacts from macroeconomic and geopolitical developments.

Monde Nissin reported cash and cash equivalents of P15.4 billion and a net debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13 as of Dec. 31, 2025. Outstanding debt stood at P1.6 billion, while operating cash flow reached P11.3 billion for the year.

Monde Nissin shares rose 3.02% to P6.49 apiece on Thursday. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Peso sinks further as market eyes Iran deal

PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE PESO slid further against the dollar on Thursday due to lingering uncertainty over the war in the Middle East as markets awaited clearer signs of a potential de-escalation or ceasefire.

The local unit declined by 13 centavos to close at P60.23 against the greenback from its P60.10 finish on Wednesday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso opened Thursday’s trading session sharply weaker at P60.20 per dollar. It traded lower than Wednesday’s close the entire day, with its intraday best at just P60.15 and its weakest showing at P60.275 against the greenback.

Dollars traded went down to $1.17 billion from $1.71 billion on Wednesday.

“The dollar-peso closed higher, still due to uncertainties between the US and Iran and a lack of clear terms for the resolution of the war,” a trader said in a phone interview.

The trader added that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) off-cycle meeting did not materially affect trading on Thursday, although its impact could be felt on Friday once the market digests signals from officials.

“The market also expected an off-cycle meeting, mainly just signaling assurance that they are monitoring,” the trader said.

The Monetary Board was scheduled to have its next policy review on April 23, but BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said they decided to hold a meeting on Thursday as the economic situation has shifted drastically since they last met on Feb. 19.

At its review, the BSP kept the policy rate at 4.25%, with Mr. Remolona saying that adjusting their monetary settings would have limited effectiveness as current inflation risks due to the war in the Middle East are largely supply-driven.

The central bank now expects headline inflation to average 5.1% this year — well above its 2%-4% tolerance band. Annual inflation last breached its target in 2023.

“At the same time, the BSP sees continued weak economic growth in 2026. To raise the policy rate at this time would delay the recovery,” the central bank said in a statement.

“Looking ahead, mounting risks to inflation will require sustained vigilance. Monetary policy will focus on addressing likely second-round effects that may arise.”

For Thursday, the trader sees the peso moving between P60 and P60.40 per dollar.

Meanwhile, MUFG Global Markets Research Senior Currency Analyst Lloyd Chan said in a report that the peso is among the weakest performing currencies in Asia, “reflecting sensitivity to oil prices and risk sentiment.”

For Mr. Chan, oil prices must go down or the US-Israel war on Iran has to ease for the peso to recover.

Mr. Remolona said on Thursday that the peso, at its current level, has not warranted heavy intervention from the central bank.

The BSP chief added that they have internal thresholds showing at what level they expect the peso’s weakness to become inflationary, which help guide their inflation forecasts, policy decisions, and the extent of their activity in the foreign exchange market.

“So far, we don’t intervene to maintain a level for the peso. We intervene largely to dampen the swings in the peso that are inflationary,” Mr. Remolona said. — Aaron Michael C. Sy with a report from Katherine K. Chan

Woman pleads not guilty to attempted murder of singer Rihanna

RIHANNA in a promotional video for Fenty Beauty in 2018. — COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG

LOS ANGELES — A Florida woman pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the attempted murder of singer Rihanna after authorities said she fired gunshots at the Grammy-winning musician’s Los Angeles mansion this month.

The woman, Ivana Lisette Ortiz, appeared briefly in Los Angeles Superior Court wearing yellow prison attire. Her attorney entered a plea of not guilty to the 14 charges she faces, which include one count of attempted murder and 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm.

Judge Theresa McGonigle rejected a request to reduce Ms. Ortiz’s bail, which is set at $1.875 million. The judge also said Ms. Ortiz, 35, cannot work as a licensed speech therapist in California while the case is pending.

Ms. Ortiz, who is from Orlando, faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors accused Ms. Ortiz of driving up to the front of Rihanna’s home in the Beverly Crest neighborhood of Los Angeles on a Sunday afternoon and firing approximately 20 gunshots. Rihanna, her partner A$AP Rocky, and their three young children were home at the time, according to prosecutors. No one was struck by gunfire.

“This is the kind of conduct that easily could have resulted in numerous homicides,” Deputy District Attorney Alexander Bott told the court.

Ms. Ortiz fled the scene but was arrested a short time later in Los Angeles. Mr. Bott said she was found in a car with a rifle and a wig for a disguise.

Rihanna, singer of “We Found Love” and “Umbrella,” has won nine Grammy Awards. — Reuters

Labor dep’t backs ILO program modernizing construction skills

MEGAWIDE.COM.PH

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said it supports an International Labour Organization (ILO) initiative to expand digital and green youth skills training for those entering the construction industry, citing the need to align workforce capabilities with evolving industry demands.

In a statement on Thursday, the DoLE said the introduction of new training modules on Building Information Modeling (BIM) and green construction skills could help address skills mismatches and improve employability, particularly among young workers.

The modules were presented during the Partnership forum for DigiGreen Construction Skills on March 25 in Quezon City, attended by representatives from government, industry, labor, and academia.

Labor Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres noted that the construction sector accounts for about 10% of the workforce but is undergoing rapid transformation due to digitalization and the need for climate-responsive development.

“DoLE remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen employability, improve job matching, promote quality apprenticeships and training-to-employment pathways, and align workforce development with the needs of an evolving labor market,” Ms. Torres said. 

According to the DoLE, the launch of the BIM and Introduction to Green Construction Skills programs provides the youth with innovative competencies designed to open doors to higher-paying, future-ready roles. 

These modules, implemented through the ILO–Korea Partnership Programme known as Advancing Digital and Green Skills for Youth in ASEAN, aim to equip workers with expertise most valued by modern employers.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that as of January, construction accounted for 9.6% of total employment and forms part of the broader Industry sector, which comprises 18.3% of the workforce.

Targeting young, low- to medium-skill workers, the ILO initiative aims to equip participants with practical skills that might improve access to higher-quality employment. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Pivot to BIMP EAGA-ANZ for sources of synergy in AI and energy

STOCK PHOTO | Image by DC Studio from Freepik

By Antonio A. Ver

In the past, the market reserved a special place for the best product and another for the cheapest product. But lately the calculus dictates that products’ physical visibility takes front and center. One can buy only what can overcome the puzzles that lie between the farms and the markets.

In this light, the pivot to the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines – East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) – Australia New Zealand (ANZ) Corridor makes sense. Shorter travel time makes more sense than longer travel time when it comes to the physical movement of goods.

Now more than ever, there is a need to look at possibilities beyond mere face value and more towards synergy, to create a whole that is much greater than the sum of its component parts.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The strategic value of the Australian region specifically highlights the National Electricity Market (NEM), Tasmania’s renewable stability, and the potential for specialized high-performance computing (HPC) projects, such as those currently under development in Queensland. Thus, this frames the connection between BIMP-EAGA and ANZ as a diversified Asia-Pacific strategy for latency-tolerant AI workloads, while maintaining a realistic assessment of necessary infrastructure and governance requirements.

For two decades, the dominant metaphor for digital infrastructure has been the “cloud” — a weightless, placeless abstraction. That metaphor is collapsing. Artificial Intelligence, particularly large-scale model training, consumes electricity at scales that rival industrial manufacturing. A single hyperscale data center can draw 100-200 megawatts (MW) continuously; clusters under development are projected to reach gigawatt-scale by 2030.

Traditional hubs like Singapore face formal moratoria and grid saturation. This material grounding forces a re-evaluation of geography.

This essay analyzes whether the BIMP-EAGA region, in conjunction with Australia and New Zealand, could form a viable Asia-Pacific computing corridor. It argues that while these locations merit serious consideration, their success hinges on addressing infrastructure gaps and governance realism.

The viability of these locations depends on transparently modeled variables: capital and operating expenditure (electricity tariffs and cooling), power system dispatchability, network connectivity (latency and redundancy), and regulatory stability (data sovereignty and permitting).

ENERGY: BEYOND BASELOAD TO DISPATCHABILITY
BIMP-EAGA: The region holds substantial resources, such as Sarawak’s 3,500 MW of hydropower and Mindanao’s geothermal capacity. However, grids remain fragmented. The challenge is ensuring 99.99% availability for hyperscale loads without dedicated generation.

Australia: The National Electricity Market (NEM) offers 65 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity. While transmission congestion exists, the mature electricity derivatives market allows for sophisticated price hedging. Tasmania, with 90% renewable generation, offers a high-stability, low-carbon alternative.

New Zealand: Offers an 85% renewable grid. While the market is smaller, the government’s 2025 infrastructure strategy prioritizes data centers with streamlined permitting.

CRITICAL MINERALS, DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY
The physical infrastructure of AI depends on copper, nickel, and rare earths. Indonesia and the Philippines hold significant nickel reserves, while Australia’s Lynas Rare Earths operates a critical processing facility. Locating computing near these supply chains reduces logistics risk, particularly for integrated facilities that combine processing and component assembly.

Meanwhile, when it comes to digital connectivity, model training is latency-tolerant, making BIMP-EAGA’s 35-70ms latency to Singapore and Tokyo acceptable. However, inference workloads requiring <50ms for interactive applications will still favor hubs like Johor or Batam. Australia’s east coast serves Oceania well but faces 80-120ms latency to Southeast Asia.

GOVERNANCE REALISM, CARBON EXPOSURE, WORKLOAD SEGMENTATION
BIMP-EAGA operates as “developmental regionalism,” coordinating infrastructure within the constraints of distinct national systems.

Australia and New Zealand offer higher regulatory stability but face their own complexities, such as Australia’s state-federal divisions.

Meanwhile, corporate buyers increasingly require 100% renewable power. This favors Sarawak’s hydro, Tasmania’s wind/hydro, and New Zealand’s geothermal assets over coal-reliant grids in Kalimantan, unless dedicated renewable offsets are established.

The corridor is most competitive for Training Clusters, which prioritize low-cost power and land over millisecond latency. Inference, by contrast, will remain concentrated near population centers.

3 SCENARIOS FOR 2035
Scenario A (Strong Policy): Effective coordination attracts 500-1,000 MW of training capacity to EAGA.

Scenario B (Incremental): Investment remains concentrated in established hubs, with EAGA attracting 100-300 MW in isolated projects.

Scenario C (Carbon-Driven): Corporate mandates push demand toward high-renewable locations like Tasmania and New Zealand.

CONCLUSION: CONDITIONAL PROMISE
The BIMP-EAGA, ANZ regions offer genuine assets for a diversified Asia-Pacific computing strategy. The “cloud” is heavy, and its weight requires managing constraints into comparative advantages. Success depends not on resource abundance alone, but on the harder work of grid integration and regulatory coordination.

 

Antonio A. Ver is the chairman, president, and CEO of Energies PH, the chairman of Energies Global Data, and chairman of Energies Global Endowment “Ideas for the World.” He was program director for BOT Projects in the Department of Transportation and Communications from 1989 to 1995. He had oversight in telecommunications, civil aviation, traffic, ports, maritime, coast guard, light rail and urban mass transport systems until 1995. He was independent director, from 2009 to 2015, of the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. that manages the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. He is founder and first-elected president, and is incumbent chairman of the Asia Pacific Basin for Energy Strategies, an energy and economic think-tank, and an Organization in Special Consultative Status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2014. He was founder-trustee, and first elected president of Energy Service Company Association of the Philippines.

China launches long-term care insurance system to help alleviate aging challenges

REUTERS

BEIJING — China has announced the rollout of a long-term care insurance system, a move aimed at easing the burden on families caring for the rapidly growing elderly population, and bolstering the country’s social safety net.

The plan, released by the China’s state council on Wednesday, pledges to provide services or financial support for basic nursing and medical care for people with sustained disabilities lasting six months or more.

The official Xinhua news agency said the plan was an important component of China’s social security system and key to “actively addressing population aging.”

The announcement comes around three weeks after China’s National People’s Congress, where authorities said they would refine supportive policies for seniors, including pension financing, wellness and care.

By 2035, the number of people aged over 60 in China is expected to reach 400 million — roughly equal to the combined populations of the United States and Italy — meaning hundreds of millions of people are set to leave the workforce at a time when pension budgets are already under strain.

Experts are warning of further declines in China’s population, which fell for a fourth consecutive year in 2025,

as the birth rate dropped to a record low.

The long-term insurance framework sets a three-year target to build “a unified system covering the entire population.” It follows pilot programs that began in 2016.

For disabled individuals, the program addresses a fundamental need and dramatically improves people’s quality of life, officials said.

“Bathing, haircuts, eating, dressing changes — these are no longer distant hopes for those confined to a sickbed, but rather bedside, accessible, attentive care,” said Wang Wenjun, deputy head of the National Healthcare Security Administration during a press conference on Thursday.

Funding will come from employers, individuals and government subsidies, with a total contribution rate of roughly 0.3%.

Residents in both rural and urban areas will draw from the same fund pool and receive the same benefits, Wang said

China still faces wide discrepancies in care and services between rural and urban areas and authorities have vowed to “markedly narrow” the rural-urban healthcare gap by 2035. — Reuters

DigiPlus partners with Pacquiao for games, MannyPay integration

DIGIPLUS.COM.PH

DIGIPLUS Interactive Corp. said it has partnered with professional boxer Emmanuel D. Pacquiao, Sr. to launch co-branded digital games and integrate the MannyPay payment platform into its services.

In a statement on Thursday, DigiPlus said the partnership, unveiled on March 25, will cover its platforms ArenaPlus and GameZone, with Mr. Pacquiao serving as brand ambassador.

The agreement also includes the integration of MannyPay, a payment platform chaired by Mr. Pacquiao and operated by Traxion Pay, Inc., a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)-licensed entity.

The companies said the integration is designed to support high-volume digital transactions, including same-day settlements and wallet management.

DigiPlus said the move aligns with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) rules requiring the use of BSP-accredited payment channels. It added that it maintains a surety bond covering verified player wallets of up to P1 million each.

The partnership also includes the rollout of nine digital games themed after Mr. Pacquiao, including Super Ace Pacquiao, Pacman’s Color Game, and Gates of Manny Super PacMan.

“As the digital entertainment scene in the Philippines continues to evolve, our audience is seeking more than just games. They want authentic, narrative-driven experiences. And so this collaboration allows us to combine the legendary story of our boxing hero… with our robust technological infrastructure, providing our players with an innovative, secure, and truly local experience,” DigiPlus Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco said.

The agreement also covers GameZone initiatives, including tournaments featuring digital versions of local card games such as Tongits and Pusoy.

“This partnership with DigiPlus is special because it was created with our countrymen in mind. Whether it is through the games that tell my story, or handling payments with MannyPay, we are showing the world what Filipinos are capable of. I am also honored to be representing ArenaPlus and GameZone as we continue to champion the spirit of The Winner in everything we do,” Mr. Pacquiao said.

DigiPlus said the new games and MannyPay features are available to users who have completed electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) verification.

At the local bourse on Thursday, DigiPlus shares fell by 4.6% to P17.02 apiece. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno

MPIF to hold marine conservation program nationwide on March 29

METRO PACIFIC Investments Foundation (MPIF) said it will hold Shore It Up! Weekend 2026, a marine conservation program to be implemented across eight sites nationwide.

In a statement, MPIF said the initiative will take place in Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte, Alaminos City in Pangasinan, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, Medina in Misamis Oriental, Cordova in Cebu, Marinduque, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, and Mabini in Batangas.

The program, now in its 18th year, will include coastal and underwater cleanups, as well as mangrove planting activities scheduled for March 29.

MPIF said the activities will involve volunteers from local communities, schools, youth groups, civic organizations, and environmental groups.

Participating communities will also observe Earth Hour on March 28 at 8:30 p.m., the foundation said.

“Shore It Up! has always been about bringing people together around a shared responsibility for our seas and our communities. These efforts may begin with a single weekend, but they reflect a much bigger commitment—to be more mindful of how our actions affect our environment and to take part in protecting it in ways that are both practical and meaningful,” MPIF President Melody del Rosario said.

She added that cleanup activities help raise awareness and support longer-term efforts such as mangrove restoration and marine conservation.

MPIF said the program aims to strengthen partnerships with local government units and communities while supporting coastal and marine conservation efforts. — ALB

1...303132...14,169Page 31 of 14,169
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube