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Negotiations start for 3 bundled regional airports

DOTR

THE Department of Transportation said it entered the negotiation phase for the P16.05-billion bundled development project for airports in Davao, Siargao, and Bicol.

Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Jim C. Sydiongco told reporters that the government panel is negotiating with the proponents on the terms, scope and coverage of the unsolicited proposal.

The unsolicited proposal was submitted by the Philippine Regional Airports Consortium of Filinvest Infra-Solutions Ventures, Inc., JG Summit Infrastructure Holding Corp., and Asian Infrastructure and Management Corp.

He said the review panel is currently assessing the proposal, with approval hinging on responsiveness to passenger forecasts, stakeholder demand, and plans to modernize and develop air navigation and aerodrome facilities.

Mr. Sydiongco said the primary consideration for the panel remains the consortium’s financial offer.

Once the government and the proponent conclude the negotiation phase, the government will formalize the Original Proponent Status and initiate the Swiss Challenge process, under which another party can put forward its own offer, which the consortium will have the option to match.

According to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, the P16.05-billion bundled airport project includes the development, operation, and maintenance of the Davao International Airport and Bicol International Airport over a 30-year concession period, and Siargao over a 15-year concession period.

The Davao Airport project is divided into two phases, the PPP Center said, with phase one including the modernization and expansion of passenger terminal building. The second phase covers the construction of a new cargo terminal.

The Bicol Airport is also divided into two phases and has a completion timeline of 2056. This project involved the renovation of the existing international area of the passenger terminal building and capacity augmentation.

The Siargao Airport project aims to expand and renovate the airport to comply with International Air Transport Association Level of Service Optimum Standards. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Exporters wary of BoC service fee hikes

ICTSI.COM

THE Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said Customs service fees could increase significantly with the introduction of a new processing system.

In a statement over the weekend, the group said that “while it supports the streamlining and digitalization of government processes, it opposes the proposed fee hike relating to the use of the new customs processing system.”

“We understand that the fee involved is about P300, information that we cannot validate at the moment because we were not provided a copy of this proposal,” it said.

“Based on this initial information, may we register our strong opposition to the said proposal because of the huge jump in fees,” it added.

The current fee schedule involves a P45 per entry charge for cargo data exchange center e-trade lodgement, a P40 per container charge on the Go Fast platform for managing container returns, and a P55 E-Konek import permit and lodgement fee.

Exporters also pay a P18 fee for an e-trade manifest via sea and a P23 fee for an e-trade manifest via air.

“Fee increases such as this will directly impact the costs of products and services and will negatively impact the competitiveness of our exports and importers,” the group said.

The proposed new system, Philexport said, should first undergo a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) by the Anti-Red Tape Authority.

“The result of the RIA should help guide the Bureau of Customs (BoC) in assessing the viability of implementing the customs processing system in the context of trade and economic development,” it said.

“Further, the BoC should bear or subsidize the cost of developing and deploying the new system since modernization initiatives are public investments intended to benefit the trading community and enhance national competitiveness,” it added.

Philexport President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. also called for another public consultation once the service provider has been determined and to get a breakdown of the cost components of the fee to determine any duplicate or unnecessary charges.

The BoC organized a consultation last month, which Philexport participated in.

Set to replace the BoC’s E2M (electronic-to-mobile) system, the proposed customs processing system seeks to address a number of issues raised by stakeholders.

These include delays in system response, failure to receive notifications, encoding and format errors, integration gaps with other systems, and system limitations in supporting document attachments. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Cyber-literacy shortcomings hindering economy’s growth potential — analysts

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Vectorjuice from Freepik

CYBER-LITERACY skills deficiencies are holding back the economy’s potential because they delay the transition to the digital economy, analysts said.

Angel T. Redoble, chairman and founding president of the Philippine Institute of Cyber Security Professionals, said the lack of skills in the general population, as opposed to the highly trained teams responsible for cybersecurity functions, make the overall system vulnerable to cyberattack.

“No matter how expensive your cybersecurity implementations are, or how well-trained your cybersecurity team is, they don’t attack you directly — they’re going to attack ordinary users,” he said on the sidelines of the BusinessWorld Cybersecurity Insights Forum last week. 

A cyber-literate person is deemed capable of protecting personal data, practicing digital etiquette, and assessing information online, analysts said.

A 2025 report by Cisco Systems, Inc. found that only 6% of organizations in the Philippines have “mature” cybersecurity systems that can handle cyberthreats.

Samuel V. Jacoba, founding president of the National Association of Data Protection Officers, said the growing demand for CISO (chief information security officer)-as-a-service is an opportunity for the digital economy.

“To be competitive in the global economy, we’ll keep on producing world-class cyber professionals in all fields,” he said on the sidelines of the event.

The Philippines ranked 27th in cybersecurity literacy skills, according to a 2023 report cybersecurity company and VPN service provider NordVPN.

“Cyber-literacy is definitely at the core of our aspiration to be a digital economy,” Angelito M. Villanueva, FinTech Alliance.PH chairman and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. executive vice-president and chief innovation and inclusion officer, said on the sidelines of the event.

He cited the need to invest in improving basic reading and writing skills to help make them more cyber-literate.

The digital economy’s contribution to the Philippine economy was 8.5% in 2024, against 8.6% a year earlier, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

PEZA to push for increased powers, faster proclamations of ecozones

ABOITIZINFRACAPITAL.COM

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Senior Reporter

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is seeking amendments to the PEZA law and studying ways to speed up the proclamation of economic zones (ecozones).

PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga added that the target for ecozone proclamations this year is 30.

“We are hoping that the process will be a lot faster in terms of proclamation, because we really need to accelerate the entry of investments. Maybe that is something we need to work on with Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto,” he told reporters last week.

“I am sure he will be pro-ecozone development. I am sure he will help us speed up the process,” he added.

So far, two ecozones have been proclaimed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in 2026. These are the expansion of the First Industrial Township-Special Economic Zone in Tanauan City, Batangas and a new information technology park in Iloilo City.

This year, Mr. Panga said 15 more ecozones are in the pipeline for proclamation by the President.

Meanwhile, he said PEZA is looking to restore authority and powers previously exercised by PEZA by amending the PEZA law.

“These are the things that we need to reinstate for a more empowered authority,” he said.

In particular, PEZA wants to restore its power to issue fire safety inspection certificates and certificates of origin, create a mechanism that can expedite the proclamation process, and gain the power to venture into various types of economic zones.

PEZA is also looking to strengthen the organization by adding more deputy directors-general.

“It is a 30-year-old law, so it is high time that we revisit the provisions, align it with global standards, and modernize the way we do business in the PEZA zones so that we can accelerate the entry of more investors in the Philippines,” he said.

For 2026, PEZA is hoping to approve P300 billion worth of investment pledges, which if borne out would be 15% higher than its approvals in 2025, a growth projection it described as “conservative.”

“P300 billion is the fighting target. We have made some adjustments because if you look at our average growth rates, it is about 23% yearly,” he said.

“That P300 billion is just 15% growth, so we are also being conservative, although we are trying to maintain positive growth trajectory,” he added.

He said PEZA is expecting to register Tier-1 suppliers to NVIDIA, as well as a P6-7 billion investment from UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.’

“’Yung AstraZeneca, supposedly last year pa ’yon (The AstraZeneca investment should have come in last year), so we are hoping that this year, they will apply with us,” he added.

Port cargo volume exceeds 2025 target

ICTSI

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said it exceeded its 2025 target with 307.64 million metric tons (MMT) of cargo throughput for the year, up 6.3%.

Citing preliminary data, foreign cargo volume rose 4.62% to 193.10 MMT, while domestic cargo rose 9.27% to 114.55 MMT.

Last year, PPA container ports served 8.57 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 9.31%.

PPA fell short of its 2025 passenger traffic target of 85.41 million, recording 82.42 million passengers, up 4.58%.

In the fourth quarter, PPA logged cargo throughput of 74.43 MMT, up 4.36% from a year earlier.

The port regulator logged container throughput of 2.18 million TEUs, up 3.31%. Passenger traffic in the fourth quarter was 19.32 million, up 5.46%.

For 2026, the PPA said it is expecting cargo volume to grow 4.03% to 320.94 MMT, driven mainly by foreign cargo.

The PPA said foreign cargo volume is expected to rise 4.28% to 202.73 MMT. Domestic cargo volume is seen rising 3.61% to 118.22 MMT.

Container throughput is forecast to increase 3.94% to 8.88 million TEUs. For this year, passenger traffic is expected to grow 5.78% to 87.26 million. 

The PPA said it remains optimistic about cargo and passenger traffic growth due to continued investment in port upgrades. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Multi-year rule eased for routine service renewals

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said government agencies no longer need to obtain a multi-year contractual authority (MYCA) to renew routine services repeatedly procured over the past three years.

In a Jan. 29 circular, Acting Budget Secretary Rolando U. Toledo said amendments to the MYCA rules now exempt “regular and recurring services” such as janitorial, security, and maintenance contracts.

It said the eased rules are aligned with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 12009, the National Government Procurement Act, and its implementing rules and regulations.

However, he noted that the DBM may still issue a MYCA for regular and recurring contracts under “justifiable circumstances” on case-by-case basis with sufficient justification.

Services covered by the MYCA exemption include janitorial, security, telecommunications, drinking water supply, office space rentals, venue and equipment leases, as well as fuel fleet cards, water distribution, and electricity services.

In addition, Mr. Toledo said agencies are required to conduct annual reviews to assess market conditions and renegotiate contract prices if costs fall.

Renewals must also be backed by performance evaluations to ensure service providers deliver satisfactorily, instead of undertaking another procurement process.

“NGAs (National Government agencies) shall also ensure that the annual funding requirements for regular and recurring services intended for renewal are appropriately reflected in their budget proposals to be submitted to DBM for the applicable fiscal years,” it said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

NCR retail price growth hits 10-year low

PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL A. PALMA

RETAIL PRICE growth for general goods in the National Capital Region (NCR) slowed in 2025 to the weakest reading in 10 years, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA said growth in the general retail price index (GRPI) in Metro Manila slowed to 1.1%, from 1.8% a year earlier.

The 2025 reading was the weakest since the 0.6% posted in 2015.

“The primary contributor to the downtrend in the annual average growth rate of the GRPI was the slower annual average increase recorded in the index for food at 1.4% in 2025 from 2.4% in the previous year,” the PSA said in its report.

The food sub-index accounted for more than a third of the GWPI.

Other commodity groups that posted weaker year-on-year growth were beverages and tobacco (3% from 3.5%); chemicals, including animals and vegetable oils and fats (2.1% from 2.4%); manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials (1.1% from 1.3%); machinery and transport equipment (0.4% from 0.5%); miscellaneous manufactured articles (0.8% from 1.4%).

Meanwhile, retail price growth for mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials came in at -1.0%, reversing a 0.4% rise last year.

GRPI growth in Metro Manila rose 1.5% year on year in December, against November’s 1.4%.

The December reading was the strongest in 17 months, or since the 1.9% posted in July 2024. — Pierce Oel A. Montalvo

Charoen Pokphand signals PHL expansion plans — DTI

CPF-PHIL.COM

THAI conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) has indicated to the government its plans to expand in the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

In a statement over the weekend, the DTI said CPF executives briefed on their plans to grow in the Philippines.

The company has been growing 35% annually since it started 10 years ago, CPF Philippines Chairman Sakol Cheewakoset said.

“We want the Philippines to overtake Vietnam (as a top overseas market) in a few years,” he said, adding that the company needs government support to realize this goal.

CPF currently operates facilities in all the major Philippine island groups.

The company is currently engaged in agriculture and aquaculture, including pigs, chicken and egg production, among others.

Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said the company is deemed critical in achieving food security.

In a separate statement, the DTI said that Thai fiber cement manufacturer Shera PCL has also requested government support to accelerate growth in the Philippines.

“We want the second phase of our investment to supply the entire country, and we plan to achieve that by investing more,” Shera Chief Executive Officer Ongon Taechahamaphant said, adding that the company plans to supply products for government and private projects.

With a 120,000-metric ton capacity in the Philippines, the company generated P2.7 billion in revenue last year while employing 150 workers.

Ms. Roque noted ample room for the company to expand in the Philippines, particularly in mass housing. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Coal dev’t contract process set for streamlining

REUTERS

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it plans to introduce a new type of contract that will accelerate the development of confirmed coal deposits.

In a draft circular, the DoE proposes awarding coal operating contracts structured to allow miners to start production faster.

“Aside from proclaimed coal mining reservation areas, there are other areas in the country with existing data that confirms the existence of mineable coal reserves of commercial quantity that may already be developed and produced thereby reducing the period required to utilize coal resources,” the DoE said.

Contracting for coal operations is currently governed by DC2017-09-0010, which covers the full lifecycle of activities, including exploration, within proclaimed coal mining reservation areas.

The DoE seeks to accelerate the utilization of the country’s coal resources by setting clear guidelines to allow companies to start mining directly.

Under the proposed rules, the DoE may grant development and production coal operating contracts based on applicants’ nominated areas of interest and the DoE’s publication of coal areas open for application.

The contract area may cover up to 15 coal land blocks within a single coal region and must include areas where the DoE has confirmed there is enough coal to mine. These areas should have verified coal data, so no further exploration is needed before mining.

Each contract may last for 10 to 20 years, depending on how much time is needed to develop and mine the coal. Upon expiration of the initial term, the contract may be renewed three consecutive times, for a total renewable period not exceeding 12 years.

The Philippines imports most of its coal requirements, which is responsible for around 60% of power generation. It, however, seeks to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and attain a renewable energy share of 35% by 2030. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Why boards must rethink risk and resilience

IN BRIEF:

• Boards face an increasingly interconnected risk environment requiring closer integration of governance, risk, and compliance functions.

• Technology, cybersecurity, sustainability and workforce changes must be aligned with clear business objectives and supported by measurable risk assessment.

• Effective enterprise resilience depends on strong governance culture, qualified decision-making, and open collaboration between boards and management.

Risk has become a constant presence in boardroom discussions. That was evident at the 2025 SGV Knowledge Institute and SGV Consulting forum held in November, titled “Harmony in Action: Navigating Enterprise Resilience through Governance, Risk, and Compliance Synergy.” The discussions reflected how governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), while viewed as separate functions, are also seen as interconnected mechanisms for enterprise resilience.

CHANGING RISK ENVIRONMENT
Boards today are operating in a risk environment that is increasingly non-linear, accelerated, volatile and interconnected. The nature of risk has shifted since the pandemic, when companies and organizations focused mainly on reporting financial risks. Today, boards face multiple, overlapping crises rather than isolated incidents. These crises have implications across supply chains, energy prices, regulatory compliance and geopolitical exposure. As a result, risk, compliance, and internal audit functions are expected to manage several issues simultaneously, often with limited resources.

During the session, a reference was made to a recent study by the EY Center for Board Matters, which identified five agenda items currently top of mind for boards in the Asia-Pacific region: geopolitical volatility and resilience; shaping tomorrow’s workforce; artificial intelligence, cyber security, and digital transformation; sustainability integration into business models; and rethinking the board of the future. The panelists said these themes also strongly resonate with Philippine boards.

Geopolitical volatility was highlighted as a significant concern. Although the Philippines is generally described as a consumption-driven economy, companies here are often deeply connected to global markets. Medel Nera, a director at various Publicly Listed Entities and also either Chairman or a Member of various Audit Committees, cited the example of a Philippine manufacturing-exporting company that sources materials from nearly 60 countries and serves customers in 120 countries. Such companies are directly affected by developments in other parts of the world, including geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and trade disruptions. Boards, therefore, need to recognize geopolitical risk as material and prepare for its potential impact.

Workforce-related risks were also discussed, where fewer professionals and more alternative work arrangements have made the workforce more selective. New generations of employees are more likely to ask for remote work and a better work-life balance. Practices that were effective in the past may no longer be suitable. Organizations need to rethink how they attract, retain, and manage talent as a resilience strategy.

Technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and big data, was featured prominently in panel. There is high interest in AI tools, but daily adoption in operations and production is still low. One reason cited was concern over potential job losses resulting from automation. There are also risks in cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, and technology misuse.

The panelists emphasized that technology initiatives should be aligned with business objectives. Boards and management should first clarify organizational goals, such as revenue growth, brand strength, profitability, or operational efficiency. Then, determine which technology strategies support those goals.

Security controls should be designed around these business-driven technology requirements, rather than implemented as isolated initiatives.

Cybersecurity was described using an analogy: attackers tend to avoid difficult targets and focus on easier ones. Organizations need balanced security measures. Controls cannot be so restrictive or costly else they hinder operations, but at the same time, they must be strong enough to deter intrusion. The aim is to establish security measures appropriate to the organization’s risk exposure and operational needs.

Responsible adoption of AI was also stressed. Panelists noted that employees have to use AI productively, while stopping misuse like plagiarism or security gaps. Clear policies on acceptable use and approved platforms were cited as necessary measures to manage these risks while maximizing potential benefits.

From the public sector perspective, Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe said that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has implemented reforms focused on digitalization. These include developing digital infrastructure, with a push to explore blockchain technology, and online portals for government procurement to promote transparency.

SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG INTEGRATION
Sustainability was discussed as an integral component of enterprise resilience. Many companies are implementing sustainability programs in response to requirements set by global parent organizations. These initiatives contribute to environmental stewardship, corporate reputation and long-term economic viability.

Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Executive Director and Chief Finance, Risk, and Sustainability Officer of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) and President and CEO of mWell, said sustainability is embedded across MPIC’s operations. Performance indicators and incentives now include not only financial targets but also environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outcomes. Major investments are mapped against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Responsibility for sustainability initiatives has expanded beyond a dedicated team to include finance, risk officers, and internal auditors, supporting a more integrated approach.

THE BOARD OF THE FUTURE
Though board effectiveness needs improvement, urgent priorities like profitability, compliance, and operations often push long-term development aside. Some organizations have included younger board members and provided board-level training on sustainability, AI, and technology. According to the panelists, a mix of experiences creates balance and supports organizational resilience.

Achieving synergized risk management remains a challenge. Collaboration among governance, risk, compliance and internal audit is widely supported but at times difficult to implement. Organizational culture plays a significant role. In some companies, compliance and internal audit are seen as obligations rather than value-adding functions. Sometimes, board directives are diluted as they pass through management layers, or communication between the board and management is limited.

Ms. Cabal-Revilla noted that one way to enable GRC initiatives is to quantify risks. By assigning financial value to potential risks and losses, organizations can offer clearer business cases to senior management and boards. Tangible, data-driven proposals are more likely to gain approval and support.

From Ms. Berberabe’s experience in the private sector, governance was described as essential to achieving long-term profitability. Organizations that view GRC as strategic assets, rather than regulatory requirements, are better positioned for sustained performance.

All panelists stressed the importance of communication and collaboration between boards and management. Mr. Nera encouraged management not to be intimidated by board members and highlighted the value of upfront communication in areas for improvement. Clear roles, open dialogue and a strong tone from the top were identified as critical factors in building resilient organizations.

THRIVING IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING BUSINESS LANDSCAPE
As organizations navigate overlapping crises and shifting workforce dynamics, the integration of sustainability and technology into strategic planning becomes essential for long-term resilience. The emphasis on clear communication and collaboration between boards and management is also crucial for fostering a culture that views GRC as a strategic asset instead of just an obligation for compliance. By quantifying risks and aligning technology initiatives with business objectives, organizations can better prepare for any challenges ahead.

Ultimately, the future of effective governance lies in the ability to adapt, innovate, and work synergistically across functions, ensuring that enterprises not only survive but thrive in a rapidly changing business landscape.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

 

Ryan Gilbert K. Chua is the consulting leader and Warren R. Bituin is the technology consulting leader of SGV & Co.

Eala faces Sonmez of Turkey in Round 1 of Abu Dhabi Open

ALEX EALA — FACEBOOK.COM/MUBADALAABUDHABIOPEN

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA resumes her campaign in the WTA Tour against Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez in Round 1 of the stacked WTA 500 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open starting on Monday at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre.

It will be the third duel between two good pals with the 20-year-old Filipina holding a 2-0 head-to-head advantage after wins in the 2023 W60 Nantes in France and the 2025 Eastbourne Open in England.

Ms. Eala, WTA No. 49, plunges into action with an all-time high morale after bringing the first-ever WTA tournament at home, the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open where she reached the quarterfinals after a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to eventual champion Camila Osorio of Colombia (WTA No. 84).

Game time is still to be determined after the ongoing qualifiers but hopes are high for Ms. Eala to go deep in the rich Middle East city despite going up against a stacked squad led by reigning champion, No. 1 seed and WTA No. 10 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.

Also in the fray are world No. 11 Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia (No. 2 seed), No. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark (No. 3 seed) and No. 15 Emma Navarro of the United States (No. 4 seed).

Ms. Tauson is a familiar foe whom Ms. Eala beat in the Round 1 of the US Open, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (13-11), to become the first Filipina winner in any Grand Slam main draw.

Former Grand Slam champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia (No. 24), whom Ms. Eala drubbed in the 2025 Miami Open that ignited her entry to the Top 100 and later on Top 50 as the first Filipina to do so, is also among the top seeds along with No. 18 Liudmila Samsonova of Russia, Filipina-Canadian Leylah Fernandez (No. 23) and Paula Badosa (No. 26) of Spain.

“Practice day,” said the weary Ms. Eala, who wasted no time refining her bearings upon landing in the bustling city. She left Manila on Friday night.

Ms. Eala will also strut her stuff in the doubles, teaming up with Southeast Asian (SEA) pal Janice Tjen of Indonesia, WTA No. 59.

The 23-year-old Ms. Tjen beat her junior rival Ms. Eala, 6-4, 6-1, in the WTA 250 Sao Paulo Open quarterfinals last year but they’re now joining forces for SEA tennis against Ms. Fernandez (doubles No. 68) and Kristina Mladenovic of France (doubles No. 49).

Leading to Abu Dhabi, Ms. Eala is having a roaring start to her 2026 season so far following a semifinal finish at the ASB Classic in Auckland, an exhibition championship in the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne and a Last 8 stint in Manila.

Ms. Eala also came off a historic main draw debut in the Australian Open, the first Pinay to do so as well, albeit she bowed to WTA No. 99 Alycia Parks — the fastest serve in women’s tennis history — 6-0, 3-6, 2-6 in Round 1 before a jampacked crowd in Melbourne as one of the world’s rising stars. — John Bryan Ulanday

Philippines has bigger chance of staging higher-level tournaments

RIZAL MEMORIAL TENNIS CENTER — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA

IT’S AN A+ grade for the Philippines in serving as host of a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tournament for the first time in history at the new-look Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

From players to coaches, WTA officials and fans, the country passed the test across the board with flying colors for now a bigger chance of staging higher-level tournaments in the coming years.

“It’s a smashing success. We’ve talked to some of the coaches and players; and all of their reviews were very good. There are minimum standards (court, venue, hotel) that were supervised by the WTA but I think we went beyond that, including the exceptional hospitality of the Filipino people. Everyone is happy and want to be part of something great,” beamed Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Secretary General and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, a former tennis player himself.

“Well, to tell you the truth, it’s an excellent turnout… If you’re asking me if the Philippines would be ready to do a tournament of a higher caliber, then they’re ready,” said WTA supervisor Cristina Romero Contla from Mexico.

The Philippines never had a tennis tournament of international standards as the WTA until this year with the Philippine Sports Commission led by Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and the PHILTA teaming up to make it happen, thanks to an inspiration from world sensation Alexandra Eala.

Although Ms. Eala failed to reach the final of her first professional home tournament, the bigger picture of trying to impress the world with the country’s capability to stage international events was achieved, not to add a thrilling finale that was supported by the Filipinos nonetheless.

Tickets, in fact, were sold out from Day 1 to the final with or without Ms. Eala as crowd darling Donna Vekic of Croatia and eventual champion Camila Osorio of Colombia were showered by an equally warm love from the home fans.

For the WTA, that exceptional Filipino hospitality — marked by the nail salons, spas and other wellness service inside the venue atop the standardized gyms, hotels and courts — was the X Factor, putting the Philippines in a league of its own compared to other countries as a host.

“Well, I have to say that I have done several 125s and I have to say this has a very high standard for it. Actually, it competes with 250s in different categories. And I think that the most important part is that we all felt very welcome here in the Philippines,” added Ms. Contla.

The distinguished players, who have been all over every city for the year-round WTA Tour, agreed.

“I think aside from Colombia, this is No. 1 for me,” said Ms. Osorio, whose magical run in Manila included a 6-4, 6-4 win over local star Ms. Eala and punctuated by a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 win over Paris Olympics silver medalist Ms. Vekic. “I’ve never seen many people in my match away from home. It’s a pleasure to play for you. I hope I can come back.”

“It was really a pleasure playing in front of you. This city deserves a bigger tournament in the future so I hope to come back. I don’t know much Filipino but maraming salamat,” added Ms. Vekic, dubbed as “adopted Filipina” after being a good sport to Ms. Eala despite losing in their last two overseas matches leading to Manila.

“It is super nice. I think that everybody agrees with me that the tournament seems to have existed for years. It is so well-organized,” added German legend Tatjana Maria, the No. 1 seed in the trailblazing tourney. “It is super, super good here. Everyone is super kind.”

All of these signs lead to a WTA 250 next year, most if not everyone expects.

But while the country checked all the boxes in its first WTA foray as part of a three-year contract with the WTA and as much as Filipino fans wanted it, there’s more to it than hosting a 250 or higher level.

Compared to the 125 level which WTA owns and offers for franchise in up to 60 cities each year, the 250s, 500s and 1000s are already set annually with ownership from private entities.

“Of course, people want bigger and better ones, that’s expected. But it’s a different process,” Mr. Tiangco clarified. “We’ll have to deal with them. It’s either you lease or buy it so we have to negotiate. It’s not a sure thing.”

For now while trying to pull all the stops for 250s and higher tournaments, the Philippines will make the most out of its WTA franchise even with the base 125 levels along with the planned hosting of Asian junior and ITF tournaments. — John Bryan Ulanday

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