How PSEi member stocks performed — January 29, 2026
Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
Nine DPWH flagship projects due by 2028 test Marcos infrastructure push
By Adrian H. Halili and Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporters
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said nine infrastructure flagship projects worth P210 billion are on track for completion by 2028, setting a delivery test for the Marcos administration as it looks to revive growth and restore confidence after last year’s corruption scandals weighed on public spending.
Speaking at a House of Representatives briefing on Thursday, Public Works Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said the projects mark a key milestone under the administration’s “Build Better More” program, which places infrastructure at the center of its economic strategy.
“Another significant milestone that we have to mark here are the nine infrastructure projects for completion under this administration,” he said, framing the timeline as a benchmark for government execution before President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s term ends.
Several of the projects are either nearing completion or entering their final construction phase. Phase 1 of the Central Luzon Link Expressway, a 29.2-kilometer highway connecting Tarlac City to Cabanatuan City, carries a project cost of about P14.9 billion and is scheduled for inauguration by February.
The road is expected to cut travel time across Central Luzon, a major agricultural corridor, improving farm-to-market access and logistics efficiency.
Another project set for completion this year is the P25.3-billion Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project. Mr. Sadain said the program covers 152 road sections and about 20 bridge projects spread across Mindanao, aimed at easing transport bottlenecks in one of the country’s least developed but fastest-growing regions.
“It runs a total of 152 new roads and about 20 projects for bridges that are for completion,” he said.
Flood control, a recurring concern for Metro Manila, features prominently on the list. The Metro Manila Flood Management Project, which costs P24.9 billion, involves the construction of 39 pumping stations across the capital. Mr. Sadain said 16 pumping stations have been completed, while the remaining 23 are scheduled to be finished by 2028.
“This will play a significant role in mitigating flooding in Metro Manila,” he said, pointing to the project’s importance as climate risks intensify and urban congestion worsens.
Traffic congestion in the capital is also a focus of the P12.03-billion Metro Manila Bridges Project, which involves building three bridges across the Marikina River. The bridges are designed to decongest key road corridors by adding alternative routes between Marikina City and Quezon City.
“These are extra connectors that would link Marikina City to Quezon City,” Mr. Sadain said.
Beyond Luzon, two large-scale projects in Mindanao — the Samal Island-Davao City Connector Bridge and the Davao City Bypass Construction Project — are slated for completion by 2028. Both are expected to support trade, tourism and mobility in the Davao Region, which the government sees as a growth anchor outside Metro Manila.
Other projects on the completion list include the Philippines Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project, the Reconstruction and Development Plan for a Greater Marawi, and the Panglao-Tagbilaran City Offshore Bridge Connector, which aims to boost tourism and connectivity in Bohol.
While DPWH officials expressed confidence in meeting the 2028 timeline, right-of-way acquisition remains a critical risk. Mr. Sadain urged lawmakers to sustain funding for land acquisition to prevent construction delays.
“We don’t have much problem on potential delays, as long as we get the necessary allocations for the next two years to fund right-of-way acquisitions,” he said.
Under the 2026 national spending plan, the Public Works department has been earmarked P17 billion for right-of-way funding. Some lawmakers suggested devolving more responsibility to local governments to speed up the process. Rizal Rep. Jose Arturo S. Garcia, Jr., who heads the House Flagship Programs and Projects Committee, said local governments could acquire land faster if given the funds directly.
“Maybe we can fast-track this by providing funds to local governments,” he said in Filipino. “They will handle the right-of-way issues instead of the National Government,” he added, noting that acquisitions could be completed within six months.
NOT A DEVELOPMENT MEASURE
Still, analysts remain cautious. Rene S. Santiago, an international transport development consultant and former president of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, said the DPWH might struggle to deliver all nine projects on time amid lingering fallout from the corruption scandal.
“All of these projects started long ago,” he said in a Viber message. “Six of them might finally get to the finish line, for sure, but not all of the nine.”
The DPWH has been embroiled in a graft scandal involving officials and district engineers accused of colluding with senior lawmakers to siphon off billions of pesos earmarked for flood control projects. The controversy led to tighter procurement rules and slowed public works last year, weighing on economic growth.
Jose Enrique A. Africa, executive director of think tank IBON Foundation, said projects in densely populated urban areas are more vulnerable to delays compared with more straightforward projects in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. He added that higher infrastructure spending does not automatically translate into broad-based development.
“While completing infrastructure is a test of the government’s project competence, it really isn’t a measure of national development,” he said in a Viber message.
Nigel Paul C. Villarete, a senior adviser at Libra Konsult, Inc., said the challenge lies in execution rather than planning. “Project development and execution is another thing, and this is where the gap emerges,” he said, adding that closing that gap would allow most projects to move forward.
The push to complete the nine projects comes as Mr. Marcos signals more infrastructure spending ahead.
After the seventh meeting of the Economic and Development Council (EDC) earlier this week, the President said more big-ticket projects are under review as the government seeks to spur investment and growth after last year’s slowdown.
The EDC, under the Department of Economy, Planning and Development, acts as a gatekeeper for major public investments. Approvals from the council are expected to unlock priority projects in the coming months, a move the administration is counting on as it sets 2026 as a turning point for faster delivery, stronger governance and renewed investor confidence.
The Philippine economy grew 3% in the fourth quarter, the slowest in almost five years and bringing full-year growth to 4.4%. This was way below the state’s 5.5-6.5% target for the year.
The Palace said the government is banking on fresh investment in technology, faster infrastructure spending and tighter governance to support growth this year.
“The administration is currently implementing measures to boost private investment in technology and other sectors, increase agricultural production, accelerate infrastructure development, pass priority legislation and strengthen good governance,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told reporters in Filipino via Viber.
Manila urges restraint on calls to expel China envoys
By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter
PHILIPPINE officials cautioned against moves to expel Chinese diplomats, saying such action should be treated as a last resort as Manila seeks to manage rising tensions with Beijing through diplomatic channels.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said on Thursday that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) views the declaration of Chinese Embassy personnel as persona non grata as an “option of last resort,” underscoring the administration’s preference for dialogue and consultation despite growing political pressure at home.
“While it is within the remit of the DFA, such action is an option of last resort, second only to the downgrading of relations, when diplomatic relations with a certain country have so seriously fractured that no intervening remedy can stabilize interaction and engagement,” she told reporters, quoting a DFA statement.
Such a step, she added, carries significant risks, including the possibility of reciprocal action by the other country, which could further strain political, economic and people-to-people ties.
Ms. Castro said the DFA has taken note of resolutions filed in both chambers of Congress seeking to declare certain Chinese Embassy officials persona non grata, as well as a similar move by the municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan targeting China’s ambassador.
The Philippines and China have faced months of heightened friction, driven by overlapping claims in the South China Sea and a series of maritime confrontations that have hardened rhetoric on both sides.
Calls for tougher action against Beijing have gained traction among lawmakers and local officials, reflecting public anger over incidents involving Philippine vessels and Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships.
The DFA, Ms. Castro said, remains in direct communication with Beijing on bilateral and international issues affecting the Philippines and continues to pursue national interests through diplomatic engagement.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is aware of the proposals and exchanges between Philippine and Chinese officials and remains in close contact with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro.
She said the DFA’s position reflects the President’s own approach as the country’s chief architect of foreign policy. “There can be firm action alongside diplomacy,” Ms. Castro said, signaling that restraint does not preclude stronger responses if circumstances warrant them.
On Wednesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Ambassador Jing Quan would promptly leave the Philippines if declared persona non grata by Mr. Marcos.
Embassy spokesman Ji Lingpeng said the ambassador would depart “with immense pride and honor” if asked to go and insisted that any expulsions would not deter Beijing from defending its position.
Mr. Ji added that he and the embassy’s media affairs team would stand or leave together if individuals were named persona non grata, responding to a Senate resolution signed by 15 senators that criticized recent embassy statements as inconsistent with diplomatic norms.
Separately, the municipal council of Kalayaan in Palawan — a strategic outpost within the disputed South China Sea — passed a resolution dated Jan. 27 declaring Mr. Jing persona non grata within its jurisdiction.
The move is largely symbolic and carries no legal authority to expel a foreign diplomat, a power that rests solely with the National Government, but it highlights intensifying local backlash against China.
Kalayaan administers parts of the contested Spratly Islands and serves as the Philippines’ frontline community in the South China Sea, making it a focal point of domestic sentiment tied to sovereignty and maritime rights.
Diplomatic analysts said statements from the Executive branch carry particular weight, as the authority to declare a foreign diplomat persona non grata lies exclusively with the President, acting through the DFA.
Josue Raphael J. Cortez, a diplomacy lecturer at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said Congress and local governments might issue resolutions or recommendations but do not have the final say on actions that could carry wide diplomatic and economic consequences.
Mr. Cortez said the Palace position is consistent with the Philippines’ longstanding policy of seeking the peaceful settlement of disputes and keeping communication channels open, even amid sharp disagreements.
“Our bilateral ties are not merely shaped and defined by a specific issue area but are a nexus of politics, economics and cultural aspects,” he said via Facebook Messenger.
Marcos: Co, other fugitives will be arrested this year
By Erika Mae P. Sinaking
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is confident that former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co, who is accused in a multibillion-peso graft case, and other high-profile fugitives hiding overseas would be apprehended and returned to the Philippines within the year, Malacañang said on Thursday.
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the President is not frustrated by the slow pace of Mr. Co’s arrest, citing his confidence in law enforcement agencies and the Department of Interior and Local Government, which are coordinating efforts to track the former congressman abroad.
“The President remains confident in the work being done by our agencies, especially in pursuing fugitives,” Ms. Castro told a Palace briefing in Filipino. “We cannot say that the President is frustrated, because he knows that the heads of government agencies pursuing fugitives are carrying out their work in accordance with his directives.”
The case against Mr. Co is part of a broader graft scandal involving misuse of public funds, procurement irregularities and corruption linked to flood control projects. The controversy has eroded public trust and triggered multiple investigations, alongside calls for tighter oversight and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Mr. Co, the former chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, is accused of graft and malversation in connection with a P289.5-million “ghost” flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. His co-accused are already in custody. Mr. Co has denied the allegations and has sought relief from the courts while abroad.
Earlier on Thursday, the Supreme Court released Mr. Co’s petition against Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, showing that the verification and certification of the filing were notarized in Sweden on Jan. 15. The document carried an apostille from Nacka, Sweden, indicating that Mr. Co personally appeared before a Swedish notary public, who verified his identity and witnessed the signing of the documents.
The filing added a layer of complexity to efforts to locate the former lawmaker. Interior Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla earlier said Mr. Co had been last tracked in Lisbon, Portugal, underscoring the challenges authorities face in pinning down his whereabouts.
Apart from Mr. Co, Philippine authorities are also pursuing other fugitives believed to be outside the country. Businessman Charlie “Atong” Tiu Hay Sy Ang is believed to be either in Cambodia or Thailand. Mr. Ang faces multiple kidnapping charges filed before courts in Santa Cruz and Los Baños in Laguna province, as well as in Lipa City, Batangas, over the disappearance of at least 34 cockfighting enthusiasts.
Former presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque is also outside the Philippines and is in Vienna, Austria. He faces a qualified human trafficking case linked to now-illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, a sector that has been the subject of intensified scrutiny by authorities.
Analysts said that alongside efforts to arrest suspects, the government’s push to recover misused public funds could play a practical role in strengthening cases tied to the flood control probe. While restitution is not mandated by law, it may influence prosecutorial strategy and public perception.
Edmund S. Tayao, president and chief executive officer of Political Economic Elemental Researchers and Strategists, said restitution is not a legal requirement for inclusion in the government’s Witness Protection Program, but may signal cooperation.
“That is not a requirement enshrined in law,” he said by telephone. “However, in legal practice, actions that show remorse may mitigate a person’s situation. If the issue involves money, returning part of what was allegedly abused may signal willingness to cooperate.”
David Michael M. San Juan, a professor at De La Salle University and convener of Professionals for a Progressive Economy, said restitution could also serve the public interest by allowing the government to recover funds earlier in the process.
“Restitution is akin to an admission of guilt somehow, so it binds the prospective witness to ensuring that his or her participation is fully discussed, with full details on co-conspirators’ participation in the plunder of public funds,” he said via Facebook Messenger. “It also protects public interest by ensuring that stolen funds are returned right away rather than after a long wait.”
The Department of Justice has admitted several state witnesses in connection with the flood control investigation, including three former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways and a private contractor. These witnesses have returned more than P316 million in cash to the government under agreements formalized with the department.
Under the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, witnesses receive security, relocation assistance, legal immunity for offenses they testify about and financial and health support. In return, they must testify truthfully and comply with strict security and confidentiality rules.
“They clearly know how the crime was committed,” Mr. San Juan said. “They can help identify the masterminds.”
Both analysts cautioned that restitution and witness testimony alone would not be enough to address public concerns. Mr. Tayao said many high-profile cases in the Philippines hinge on witness accounts, but the deeper issue remains institutional.
“Our problem is systemic, not just about personalities,” he said, adding that stronger safeguards, including traceable payment systems, are needed to reduce dependence on insider testimony in corruption cases. — with Chloe Mari A. Hufana
SC upholds ruling on VP’s ouster bid
THE Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday affirmed with finality its decision to block the impeachment of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio, rejecting a motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives.
“By a unanimous vote of all those participating [justices], the Supreme Court en banc denied with finality the Motion for Reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives, which sought to reverse the Court’s July 25, 2025 Decision that declared the Articles of Impeachment against Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte unconstitutional,” SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting told a media briefing.
The Court held that the fourth impeachment complaint, transmitted to the Senate on Feb. 5, 2025, violated the constitutional one-year bar rule, which prohibits initiating impeachment proceedings against the same official more than once within a 12-month period under Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution.
The SC clarified that the first three complaints were not included in the House Order of Business within the required 10 session days, which should be understood as calendar days when the House holds session.
The ruling also clarified the distinction between the two modes of initiating impeachment. The first mode involves a regular deliberative process via the Committee on Justice, while the second mode allows a complaint signed by at least one-third of all House members to “immediately initiate” proceedings.
The Court emphasized that the due process clause embodies a fundamental commitment to “reasonableness, fairness, and non-arbitrariness.”
It noted that even under the streamlined second mode, all endorsing members should have been given copies of the complaint and supporting evidence to ensure the process remains a “class of its own” (sui generis) rather than an arbitrary act.
The resolution is immediately executory, and no further pleadings will be allowed, the SC said in its resolution.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa took no part in the proceedings, while Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh was on leave, said Ms. Ting.
This finality signals that any new attempts to impeach the Vice-President may only proceed after the one-year ban officially expires on Feb. 6.
“We respect the Supreme Court’s decision on the prior impeachment proceedings involving Vice-President Sara Duterte,” Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said in a statement.
“However, once the one-year bar lapses on 6 February, the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress will be prepared to receive and act on any new impeachment complaints filed against the Vice-President,” Mr. Ridon added.
Manila Rep. Joel R. Chua, chairperson of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said the House of Representatives may revise its rules on impeachment to align with the SC decision.
Mr. Chua, a member of the House prosecution team and the House Committee on Justice, said he would confer with colleagues on how best to amend the rules in a manner they deem appropriate and compliant with the ruling, noting that inputs may be sought from the complainants, some of whom are now members of the House.
“While I do not agree with the Supreme Court decision, we will abide by it because as a lawyer, I am an officer of the court and swore to respect and uphold our system anchored on the rule of law,” Mr. Chua said adding that his remarks reflect his personal view as a lawmaker. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking
NBI may act vs fake Marcos records
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will likely take action against the proliferation of fabricated medical records linked to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s recent hospitalization, the Palace said on Thursday.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the agency started its probe even before receiving any directive from the Palace.
“There was no need to elevate the issue; the NBI acts quickly. They already know what is happening in our government and in our surroundings,” she said in Filipino.
“So, even without an order coming from the President, the NBI is mandated to investigate this matter.”
The Palace on Wednesday evening confirmed the claims that circulated online concerning the President’s health, including a falsified medical document, were fake.
The Presidential Communications Office said in a statement said the documents did not come from any legitimate medical examination, adding that Mr. Marcos is “well” and fully capable of performing his duties.
“The deliberate spread of falsified medical information is irresponsible, deceptive, and a clear violation of the President’s right to privacy,” the office said, warning that such claims risk alarming the public and undermining trust in institutions.
It added the President continues to actively discharge his responsibilities.
St. Luke’s Medical Center Quezon City, where Mr. Marcos was admitted last week, also debunked the supposed medical bulletin.
“St. Luke’s Medical Center strictly upholds patient confidentiality and data privacy. Medical results are released only to the patient himself/herself through authorized and official hospital channels,” it said in a statement on Wednesday night. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
Sugar industry still admin priority
THE sugar industry remains a priority under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto said on Thursday, pledging to review stakeholder concerns and elevate them to relevant offices for policy consideration.
Following a meeting with the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform Chair Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan on Wednesday, Mr. Recto sought to align strategies to tackle urgent challenges in the sector.
The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) said the meeting was part of the Marcos administration’s wider initiative to develop coordinated and responsive measures for the sugar industry amid ongoing challenges in production, pricing and supply.
“The Executive Secretary also stressed the importance of close coordination between the executive and legislative branches, as well as continuous dialogue with farmers, millers, and other stakeholders,” the OES said in a statement.
Mr. Pangilinan outlined key policy recommendations to stabilize production and improve market conditions, emphasizing the urgency of coordinated government action.
Mr. Recto also highlighted the importance of strong coordination between the Executive and Legislative branches to ensure policies are implemented effectively. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
Zaldy Co asks SC to halt graft reso
FORMER Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co has filed a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to halt an Ombudsman resolution that found probable cause to charge him with graft-related offenses, with court papers revealing he was in Sweden.
In a 571-page petition for certiorari and prohibition filed on Jan. 25 through this lawyer, Mr. Co sought to nullify the resolution issued by the Ombudsman last year, which ordered the filing of criminal charges against him before the Sandiganbayan.
The Ombudsman found probable cause to indict Mr. Co and others for one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019, one count of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code, and another graft-related offense under RA 3019. Charges against two other respondents were dismissed for lack of probable cause.
He argued that the Ombudsman acted with grave abuse of discretion, claiming the resolution was issued in an “arbitrary” and “capricious” manner and with evident partiality. He said the Ombudsman allegedly disregarded an interim report by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) that did not recommend his indictment.
The petition also alleged violations of his constitutional right to due process, saying the investigation was conducted with undue haste and that the Ombudsman had supposedly pre-judged his liability.
He asked the High Court to issue a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction to stop the implementation of the Ombudsman resolution, including the prosecution of related criminal cases before the anti-graft court.
Court documents show Mr. Co’s verification and certification were notarized in Nacka, Sweden on Jan. 15, indicating his personal appearance before a Swedish notary. The filing did not state the duration or purpose of his stay abroad.
SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae L. Ting, told reporters on Thursday that the SC will deliberate on Mr. Co’s petition, including whether it may be affected by rules barring fugitives from seeking judicial relief, while the Ombudsman, through Assistant Ombudsman Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV, said the office will not be distracted by what it described as “dilatory tactics” and will pursue its investigation and prosecution of the flood control-related cases already filed before the Sandiganbayan. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking
Bill allowing unused data rollover filed in Senate
A BILL mandating telecommunications providers to roll over unused prepaid or postpaid internet data has been filed in the Senate.
Senate Bill No. 1671, filed by Senator Rafael T. Tulfo, seeks to remove the expiration period for prepaid load credit and allow unused postpaid data to roll over into the succeeding month.
“This ensures that consumers are able to fully utilize the services they have already paid for, rather than losing credits or data because of fixed expiration periods,” Mr. Tulfo said in the explanatory note.
He added that the proposed measure also supports wider access to digital services, notably for users who rely on connectivity for their livelihood, education, and communication.
Mr. Tulfo said that all unused data from postpaid subscribers at the end of the year may be used as rebates, for the succeeding year’s subscription fees.
The measure states that all data from a prepaid subscription which remained unrenewed within five days will be considered consumed.
The bill exempts subscribers who have availed of any unlimited internet data package without a data cap.
Any internet service providers who fail to comply with the measure will be fined P50,000 per violation per subscriber. Repeated violations will also be sanctioned with the revocation or cancellation of their license, registration, or franchise. — Adrian H. Halili
DSWD told to issue new aid distribution guide
A SENATOR on Thursday called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to fast-track the issuance of new guidelines for the distribution of financial assistance.
“This would help ensure that financial assistance, such as the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, remains free from political interference,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement.
Lawmakers earlier included a provision in the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA) barring political involvement in the distribution of government aid and other forms of financial assistance.
“(The agency) needs to come up with mandatory requirements, protocols, and reporting mechanisms. New guidelines are needed to be clear and in accordance with Section 19 of the GAA,” Mr. Gatchalian said.
Section 19 of the GAA states that all cash assistance and other forms of financial aid distribution shall be carried out exclusively by authorized government officers and personnel or accredited partners.
Congress earlier approved the provision to stop self-promotion of politicians and ensure that all projects are credited to the government. — Adrian H. Halili
NGOs, academe tapped to join Cebu landfill probe
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has tapped environmental groups and academic experts to join a composite team investigating the collapse of a landfill in Binaliw, Cebu City, as the government seeks to ensure a transparent probe.
In a statement on Thursday, DENR said Secretary Raphael PM. Lotilla issued Special Order No. 2026-32, creating the investigation team composed of the agency’s technical officials and representatives from non-government organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions.
The move comes amid a broader review of the country’s solid waste facilities, following the Jan. 8 collapse of a landfill in Binaliw, Cebu City, which crushed a materials recovery facility and killed 36 workers at the site.
Third-party members of the composite team include Aileen Lucero, the national coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, a network of NGOs, academic institutions, and other civil society groups. Also joining the probe is University of San Carlos College of Engineering Chair Janice B. Jamora.
“By involving experts from academia like the University of San Carlos and civil society leaders from EcoWaste Coalition, we are ensuring that our findings are not only credible but also rooted in the best available science,” Mr. Lotilla was quoted as saying in the statement.
According to the DENR, the team will conduct an engineering and environmental appraisal of the 17-hectare landfill, assess compliance with environmental permits and sanitary landfill standards, and formulate a rehabilitation plan.
The team will also evaluate alternative waste disposal sites and recommend long-term measures to strengthen solid waste management for monitoring and enforcement. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel
Customs raids illicit cigarette plant in Pampanga
THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) raided an illegal cigarette plant in Pampanga, defying tax obligations that erode government revenues, it said on Thursday.
The operation carried out on Jan. 28 in Mexico, Pampanga, found a cigarette manufacturing warehouse without valid permits or authority to locally manufacture cigarettes, the agency said in a statement.
Customs said the plant is allegedly producing local cigarettes known as “Two Moon,” equipped with cigarette-making machines and manufacturing paraphernalia for brands such as Mighty, H&P, Playboy, and Carnival.
During the operation, authorities apprehended 63 Filipinos, including 11 females, and six male Chinese nationals found inside the premises
“Illicit cigarette manufacturing undermines legitimate businesses, deprives the government of much-needed revenues, and poses serious risks to public health,” BoC Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said.
In a separate statement, the BoC said that a passenger found carrying cocaine worth P43.4 million was intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Jan. 22.
It added that authorities found 8.19 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the individual’s checked-in baggage after suspicious images were detected during the x-ray screening of their luggage, prompting a physical inspection. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante