Following the Gateway Group’s takeover of Honda Cars Alabang, the dealership will eventually move to a new location. — PHOTO FROM HONDA CARS ALABANG
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Following the Gateway Group’s takeover of Honda Cars Alabang, the dealership will eventually move to a new location. — PHOTO FROM HONDA CARS ALABANG
PHOTO FROM HONDA CARS ALABANG
LOCATED AT the corner of Alabang-Zapote Road and Investment Drive in the busy Madrigal Business Park in Alabang, Honda Cars Alabang has been operating for over two decades — serving the needs of upscale residential communities like Ayala Alabang, Ayala Hills, BF Homes, Portofino, Tahanan Villace, Versailles, and others.
At the beginning of August, the Gateway Group formally took over the management of Honda Cars Alabang from its previous operator. While promising a “seamless transition,” the Gateway Group said in a release that it will incorporate “its best customer experience practices, making new vehicle ownership and maintenance as hassle-free as imaginable.” A temporary showroom is currently in place to handle sales and service transactions.
This is the first Gateway-operated Honda Cars dealership in the area, and the group’s sixth Honda Cars dealership overall — joining Cainta, Cauayan, Fairview, Marcos Highway, Talisay (Cebu), and the soon-to-be-opened Manila Bay showroom.
Presently, the 3,725-square-meter Honda Cars Alabang facility on Investment Drive can display one vehicle in its temporary showroom, while its service department can accommodate 17 vehicles at any given time, assuring Honda car owners turnaround times “as quick — and more thorough — than independent car-service facilities.” While waiting for their vehicles to be serviced, clients can enjoy amenities at the customer lounge, “where Gateway-level hospitality is always assured,” continued a release from the Gateway Group.
Honda Cars Alabang can be reached at (02) 8424-4056, or through 0939-775-2053 and 0939-795-7344. The dealership will eventually move to a new location at Km. 23 Uding’s Compound, West Service Road, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.
THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has upheld Petron Corp.’s refund claim of nearly P44 million for excise taxes mistakenly paid on its importation of alkylate.
The tax tribunal en banc denied the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) petition, citing the Supreme Court ruling in Petron Corp. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (G.R. No. 255961, March 20, 2023), which is now final and executory.
Alkylate is not listed as an excisable article under Section 148(e) of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) nor can it be classified as “other similar products of distillation,” since it is not a direct product of distillation.
“As such, there is no other recourse but for the Court En Banc to order the refund to respondent (Petron) of the total amount of Php43,912,370.00 representing erroneously paid excise tax upon the importation by respondent of alkylate, a non-excisable item,” Justice Maria Rowena Modesto-San Pedro wrote in a 21-page ruling promulgated on Aug. 1.
The tax court quoted the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing that the doctrine of strict construction of tax laws in favor of the taxpayer applies, as Petron’s refund claim is based on the absence of a legal basis for the tax, not on a tax exemption.
“The Supreme Court has already ruled that alkylate is not subject to excise tax under Section 148(e) of the NIRC,” the CTA en banc added.
“The Supreme Court ruled that respondent (Petron) is entitled to a refund of excise tax it had paid in connection with its importation of alkylate on various dates from July 22, 2012, to November 6, 2012, considering that there is no law subjecting alkylate to excise tax, as Section 148(e) of the NIRC does not subject alkylate to excise tax.”
The case before the CTA en banc originated from the Bureau of Customs’ (BoC) implementation of a BIR letter dated June 29, 2012.
On July 18, 2012, the BoC issued Customs Memorandum Circular No. 164-2012 implementing the BIR letter, which stated that alkylate is subject to excise tax under Section 148(e) of the NIRC, classifying it as a “product of distillation similar to that of naphtha.”
Following this, Petron imported 9,774,282 liters of alkylate in October 2016 and January 2017. These importations were subjected to an excise tax of P4.35 per liter, totaling P43,912,370, on the basis that alkylate was a product of distillation.
Petron filed an administrative claim for a refund of these excise taxes with the BIR Excise Large Taxpayers Audit Division II on Oct. 8, 2018.
Due to the BIR’s inaction and the approaching two-year prescriptive period, Petron filed a Petition for Review with the CTA in Division on Oct. 12, 2018. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. placed healthcare high on the national agenda, outlining a series of new and expanded initiatives aimed at improving access, affordability, and quality of care for all Filipinos. His speech struck a hopeful tone, signaling the administration’s readiness to invest political capital and financial resources in one of the country’s sectors that need most urgent attention.
The Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), which represents the biopharmaceutical industry, welcomes these developments. The President’s focus on healthcare reform is both timely and necessary. However, while the direction is encouraging, the road ahead will require careful execution, close collaboration, and a strong commitment to sustainable reforms.
Among the key measures announced is the year-round provision of free dialysis for patients with kidney disease. For those in need of a transplant, the government has increased coverage to P2.1 million from the previous P600,000. PhilHealth will now also cover post-operative services and essential medicines for transplant patients starting this year.
Expanded PhilHealth benefits were also highlighted. These include increased financial coverage for critical procedures such as open-heart surgeries and heart valve interventions, greater support for patients with severe dengue, and enhanced coverage for cataract removal — now up to P187,000. Access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is also set to expand.
In addition, the allocation of P1.7 billion for cancer medicines not currently covered by PhilHealth is a noteworthy development. The President also cited alternative sources of assistance for patients, such as the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF), the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
These initiatives signal that the government is listening, both to the healthcare community and, more importantly, to the families struggling with high out-of-pocket health expenses.
The plan to establish a network of 53 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers across 32 provinces adds to the momentum. These facilities, offering free consultations, X-rays, and laboratory tests, have the potential to bring timely care to underserved communities provided they are adequately staffed and equipped. Complementing this is the PhilHealth Yaman ng Kalusugan (YAKAP) program, which aims to strengthen primary care delivery at the community level.
Taken together, these initiatives reflect a more holistic view of health, one that spans prevention, early detection, treatment, and recovery. However, as with any reform agenda, the ultimate test will lie in execution.
Sustainability is another key consideration. This is where effective public-private collaboration becomes vital. PHAP has expressed its readiness to support government efforts in implementing and strengthening these reforms.
The biopharmaceutical sector plays a central role in ensuring access to life-saving medicines and health technologies. But achieving this requires regulatory agility, particularly in improving the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) process. Delays in HTA decisions can hinder timely access to innovative treatments, especially in a rapidly evolving landscape of scientific breakthroughs.
Streamlining the HTA process does not mean compromising scientific rigor. It means ensuring that assessments are timely, transparent, and responsive to patients’ needs. Striking this balance is essential if the healthcare system is to remain adaptive and relevant.
Equity must also remain front and center. While the reforms address major causes of illness and death such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and kidney failure, efforts must continue to ensure that the benefits reach those who need them most.
The President’s pronouncements represent a positive and much-needed step forward. But healthcare systems are complex ecosystems that thrive only through coordinated action. Ultimately, what matters most is whether these reforms translate into real, measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary Filipinos by reducing financial hardship and improving health outcomes.
As the Philippines enters a new chapter in healthcare reform, it is clear that no single sector can do it alone. Real progress will require the active collaboration of government, industry, healthcare professionals, and patients united by a shared vision of a future where every Filipino, regardless of income or location, has access to quality, affordable care.
PHAP and the biopharmaceutical industry remain committed to being part of this collective effort. Whether by accelerating access to innovative treatments, supporting regulatory reform, or strengthening health systems, the private sector stands ready to contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of every Filipino.
Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.
PARIS — France’s constitutional court blocked the re-introduction of a pesticide accused of harming bees, in the latest twist in a fierce political battle in the European Union’s biggest agricultural producer.
The court said the re-authorization of acetamiprid, part of the neonicotinoid group of pesticides banned in France, as proposed under a farming bill passed last month did not provide sufficient safeguards on the use of the crop chemical.
The planned relaxation of France’s neonicotinoid ban fueled opposition to the legislation, with a petition against it gathering over 2 million signatures, a record for a petition on the website of France’s National Assembly.
The court’s ruling is a setback for supporters, including most of France’s farming unions and conservative politicians, including Senator Laurent Duplomb who gave his name to the bill.
They had argued that acetamiprid is authorized elsewhere in Europe, as it does not pose the same risks as other neonicotinoids banned at EU level, and without it crops like sugar beets and hazelnuts face severe disease losses.
However, the FNSEA and JA, two of France’s main farmer unions, welcomed the court’s approval of most of the legislation, including steps to simplify planning permission for livestock buildings and water reservoirs for irrigation.
President Emmanuel Macron, whose centrist allies in parliament were divided over the legislation, would sign the bill into law “as soon as possible” in line with the court’s decision, the Elysee said. — Reuters
FENDI unveils a charm-filled world for the Fall/Winter 2025-26 Collection with the launch of the new Fendi BFF Maxi and Mini Charms and Fendi Match Platform Sneakers with Charms. First seen on the Fall/Winter 2025-26 anniversary runway, the charms, part of a limited series, are crafted in upcycled fabrics and fur to combine the brand’s craftsmanship with playfulness and creative circularity. The accessories come in two sizes. Luxurious materials and intricate details such as mini Baguette bags and Fendi dressing bring these characters to life. These include the charm Silvia which is dressed in a mini replica of the equestrian outfit designed by Karl Lagerfeld and worn by a seven-year-old Silvia Venturini Fendi in 1967 in a famous picture. Meanwhile, the new Fendi Match Platform Sneakers with Charms feature a higher platform and playful miniature charms. It now comes with a 5-centimeter platform and a smaller FF logo to give full focus to the interchangeable, removable charms, allowing full customization. Each pair is complemented by a set of three decorative charms that are exclusive to each colorway. The sneakers are available in four color combinations with matching chevron-patterned laces. These are available in selected Fendi boutiques worldwide and on fendi.com.
Nora Hair Salon gets recognition
THE Kami Charisma Japanese Hair Salon Guide (much like the Michelin Guide for top-rated restaurants) is a prestigious annual guide to Japan’s best salons. The Nora Hair Salon has been repeatedly featured and awarded on this prestigious list. With 12 branches in Tokyo and Osaka and three locations in the Philippines (SM North, Makati, and Robinsons Place Manila), Nora is growing in the country through their partnership with Techno Holdings Corp. The salon’s name was inspired by the Norwegian play A Doll’s House, where the main character, Nora, transforms into the ideal woman of a new era. The salon was founded in Aoyama, Japan, in 2007, and it focuses on thoroughly analyzing customers’ hair concerns, offering immersive shampoo experiences, creating innovative and signature styles, and performing precise layering — key traits of a Japanese hair salon they are very proud of. Another feature unique to Nora is the emphasis placed on the shampooing process in their shampoo bed. More than just a relaxing massage, it also encourages hair growth, stimulates blood flow, and, to some extent, has lifting properties. Nora also offers a hair spa. The salon was also a pioneer in Milktea coloring — mixing the color palette in proportions to produce soft and dreamy highlights. Nora Hair Salon will be opening the Nora Lab, its own hairstylist training academy, set to launch this August in Shangri-La Plaza. Two more branches of the salon are opening this year, increasing the total number of Nora Salons to six. Visit @norahairsalon.manila on Instagram for details.
Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy launch sustainability initiative
GAP, Old Navy, and Banana Republic are stepping up their commitment to sustainability, launching a campaign that encourages customers to reuse, recycle, and make mindful shopping choices. The American apparel brands have launched a new eco-conscious initiative in partnership with MAD Travel, a social enterprise focused on reforestation and community development. Customers who opt to use the store paper bags will be charged a minimal fee of P2 per bag used in-store and ordered online, with 100% of the proceeds directly supporting reforestation efforts in selected areas in the Philippines. Every peso collected will go towards planting trees and helping rural communities through MAD Travel’s environmental programs. MAD (short for Make A Difference) Travel’s mission is to educate local communities about restoration and sustainability in the context of green economies that can end poverty of people and planet. In 2024, the organization’s efforts rehabilitated 4,000 hectares of land in Zambales, working closely with Aeta communities to plant 62,000 seedlings. Gap has stores at SM Mall of Asia, Megamall, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Abreeza, Glorietta 4, Shangri-La Plaza, TriNoma, Alabang Town Center and Evia Lifestyle Center; Old Navy in Bonifacio High Street, One Ayala, Shangri-La Plaza; while Banana Republic is in Central Square and Rustan’s Makati. Shop online too at gap.com.ph, oldnavy.com.ph, and bananarepublic.com.ph.
The Toyota Yaris Cross SE retails for P1.69 million. — PHOTO FROM TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES
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The Toyota Yaris Cross SE retails for P1.69 million. — PHOTO FROM TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES
PHOTO FROM TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES
TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES (TMP) added the new Yaris Cross SE variant to top the hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) offerings of the Yaris Cross model line. In a release, TMP said that the grade is “crafted for those who want a sportier edge, a smarter drive, and a more sustainable ride.”
The SE is distinguished by a front bumper with grille garnish, rear bumper with chrome garnish, a rear spoiler, and fog lamp garnish. Other exterior upgrades include SE-exclusive dynamic front and rear skirts, a roof spoiler, and garnishes on the back door and grille.
Inside is a digital rearview mirror with front and rear digital video recorder, additional ambient lighting, a digital signal processor for richer and crisper audio, and premium touches like an upgraded horn. As in the V and S grades, the SE gets the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assistance features.
For more information, visit any Toyota dealership nationwide or www.toyota.com.ph/yaris-cross. The Toyota Yaris Cross SE retails for P1.69 million.
THE PESO could move sideways against the dollar this week as markets await developments regarding the US Federal Reserve’s leadership amid reports that the Trump administration is now searching for a new central bank chief.
The local unit dropped back to the P57 level on Friday, weakening by 14 centavos to close at P57.11 per dollar from its P56.97 finish on Thursday, which was a two-week high.
Meanwhile, week on week, the peso jumped by P1.035 from its P58.145 close on Aug. 1.
“The dollar-peso closed a bit higher. The market initially reacted to the weaker dollar-peso overnight due to strengthened dovish Fed bets. However, strong buying interest ensued later on and rebounded to the high of P57.22, mainly due to profit taking and ahead of the weekend,” a trader said in a telephone interview.
The peso was also weighed down by data showing that the Philippines’ debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio hit a 20-year high in the second quarter, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.
The government’s debt as a share of GDP was at 63.1% at the end of June, the highest ratio since 2005.
This was up from the 62% seen at end-March and the 60.9% posted a year earlier. It is also above the 60% debt-to-GDP threshold considered by multilateral lenders to be manageable for developing economies.
The government aims to bring down the debt ratio to 60.4% by the end of 2025 and to 56.9% by 2028 as part of its fiscal consolidation efforts.
For this week, the trader said markets will monitor any comments about the Fed from US government officials. “The market will await developments on the Fed’s staff and if they will get replaced as their independence is threatened.”
The trader sees the peso moving between P56.90 and P57.30 per dollar this week, while Mr. Ricafort expects it to range from P56.75 to P57.35.
The dollar firmed on Friday but was heading for a weekly fall as weakening economic data leads traders to price in the probability of more interest rate cuts this year, and as investors evaluate US President Donald J. Trump’s nominations to the US Federal Reserve, Reuters reported.
The dollar has dropped since the prior week’s jobs report for July showed employers added fewer jobs than expected during the month, while job gains from previous months were also revised down sharply. Other data including a weakening housing market and services sector data are also pointing to a slowing economy.
Mr. Trump on Thursday, meanwhile, said he will nominate Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Stephen Miran to serve out the final few months of a newly vacant Fed seat, while the White House seeks a permanent addition to the central bank’s governing board and continues its search for a new Fed chair.
Bloomberg News reported on Thursday that Fed Governor Christopher Waller, who voted for a rate cut in the Fed’s last meeting, is emerging as a top candidate to be the central bank’s next chair when Jerome H. Powell’s term ends in May.
Mr. Trump has pressured Mr. Powell all year to cut interest rates, building on his past comments critical of the Fed chief that emerged during his first term as president shortly after he elevated Mr. Powell to the Fed chair role. Mr. Powell’s term ends in May. Critics have said the president should let Fed chair Powell complete his term without interference.
Traders now see a 89% chance of a rate cut at the Fed’s September meeting, and are pricing in 58 basis points in cuts by yearend.
Mr. Trump also fired a top Labor department official on the heels of the weak jobs report, raising concerns that the Trump administration may have a larger influence over economic releases.
The dollar index nonetheless gained on Friday. It was last up 0.21% on the day at 98.19 but on track for a weekly loss of around 0.5%.
The next major US economic release will be consumer price data for July due on Tuesday, which will be watched to see whether tariffs are reigniting inflation pressures.
The Fed now faces risks to both its inflation and jobs goals, with policymakers needing to balance which seems the more serious threat in deciding whether it is appropriate to reduce interest rates, St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem said on Friday. — Aaron Michael C. Sywith Reuters
In July, inflation-adjusted wages were 18.4% to 25.9% lower than the current daily minimum wages across the regions in the country. Meanwhile, in peso terms, real wages were lower by around P81.47 to P139 from the current daily minimum wages set by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.
PHILIPPINE SHARES may continue to move sideways as investors search for fresh catalysts, including tariff policy announcements from the Trump administration and listed companies’ financial results.
On Friday, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped by 0.39% or 25.31 points to close at 6,339.38, while the broader all shares index fell by 0.22% or 8.65 points to 3,767.41.
Week on week, the PSEi climbed by 0.53% or 33.25 points from its 6,306.13 finish on Aug. 1.
“The PSEi went sideways this week as investors weighed the lift from the second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) and cooling July inflation against global policy uncertainties and potential third quarter growth risks,” online brokerage 2TradeAsia.com said in a market note.
“For the past nine weeks, the local market has been moving alternately between gains and losses. The lack of clear direction reflects investors’ indecisiveness as they continue to weigh mixed factors from prospects of further policy easing by the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas), risks and uncertainties on the US’ protectionist trade policies, and the overall status of the general economy,” Philstocks Financial Inc. Research Manager Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.
Philippine GDP expanded by 5.5% in the April-to-June period, slightly faster than the 5.4% growth in the first quarter but slower than the 6.5% expansion in the second quarter last year. This matched the lower end of the government’s 5.5%-6.5% growth target for this year.
For the first half, GDP growth averaged 5.4%, slightly below the government’s goal.
Meanwhile, Philippine inflation slowed to a near six-year low of 0.9% in July from 1.4% in June and the 4.4% print in the same month a year ago. This marked the fifth straight month that it settled below the central bank’s 2-4% target.
Year to date, the consumer price index averaged 1.7%, slightly higher than the BSP’s 1.6% full-year forecast.
For this week, Mr. Tantiangco said the market will look for leads.
“Investors are expected to watch out for updates regarding US President Donald J. Trump’s trade policy plans, primarily on his chips and semiconductor tariffs. Investors are also expected to continue monitoring second quarter corporate reports,” he said. “Prospects of further easing by the BSP following supportive economic data this past week may continue to give the market support.”
“Chart-wise, based on its performance from mid-July to present, the local market is still bearishly biased. To negate this trend, the market must first go above its most recent low (6,222.04 last July 31) and most recent high (6,466.10 last July 24),” he added.
2TradeAsia.com put the PSEi’s immediate support at 6,300 and resistance at 6,600.
“The ongoing second quarter earnings season will serve as a critical period for validating fundamental theses, which have shifted amidst evolving macroeconomic pressures,” it said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
In Barangay Alitas in Infanta, Quezon Province, where saltwater and freshwater quietly converge, trees with roots rising from the shallows dominate the landscape. These salt-tolerant trees, known as mangroves—or bakauan in Filipino—have long sustained the community with food, protection, and resilience.
For Sherwin P. Aveno, a 36-year-old rice farmer and part-time fisherman, mangroves are more than just trees. As president of the Alitas Farmers and Fisherfolk Association Inc. (AFFAI), he believes that mangroves are a lifeline for their community.
“Mangroves help us because they become breeding grounds for fish,” Mr. Aveno said in Filipino, emphasizing the importance of mangroves to their daily catch.
photo by Edg Adrian A. Eva, BusinessWorld
Forester Thaddeus C. Martinez, Manager of the Natural Resources Management Department at Haribon Foundation, AFFAI’s partner environmental organization, told BusinessWorld that mangroves are a nature-based solution to climate change due to their ability to capture and store up to five times more carbon than terrestrial trees.
“Carbon absorption in a mangrove forest is bigger. Why? Because it’s also in the soil, the mangrove area’s capacity to sequester carbon,” Mr. Martinez said in mixed English and Filipino.
“There is more carbon stored in the soil. So, it’s a combination of the tree’s functions and the soil.”
He added that they also serve as a habitat for various species of fish and crustaceans, which provide a source of livelihood for the community.
“So, if there are no mangroves, how will they multiply? That’s one of the basics, but sometimes, many people don’t appreciate this,” Mr. Martinez said.
A 2012 report by The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) shows that mangroves can significantly reduce the height of wind and swell waves by 13% to 66% over a distance of just 100 meters.
“When a typhoon hits, instead of experiencing the full force of a Signal No. 3 storm warning—which indicates destructive winds—we feel a weaker impact,” Mr. Aveno said.
photo by Edg Adrian A. Eva, BusinessWorld
Human threat
Like other wildlife, Mr. Martinez said, mangroves are also not spared from threats caused by human activity.
Mangroves are cut down to be used for furniture and other household items, or as fuel wood.
Before the restoration efforts began, Mr. Aveno said that his fellow fisherfolk were cutting down mangrove trees to create pools for fish farming.
A report from the Climate Change Commission said that the Philippines has already lost a vast portion of its mangrove forest cover over the past century.
From an estimated 450,000 hectares in 1920, mangrove coverage declined to 317,500 hectares by 1990, and further decreased to 311,400 hectares in the most recent statistics.
It added that the conservation of the remaining mangrove forests is crucial, as they play a vital role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration.
To reverse decades of degradation, restoration efforts are now underway—led by both local communities and corporate partners.
Manulife and Haribon’s mangrove restoration initiative
To help protect and expand the country’s mangrove forests, Manulife Philippines, the local arm of one of the world’s leading financial services providers, has launched a mangrove restoration initiative with the Haribon Foundation on May 30.
The expanded partnership aims to plant more than 15,000 mangrove seedlings across various sites in Quezon Province over the next three years.
Since 2022, they have also collaborated to plant over 21,250 native trees in the Sierra Madre mountain range.
This time, the effort has expanded to the seashore, underscoring Manulife’s Impact Agenda commitments to accelerate a sustainable future, as well as Haribon’s ‘Forest for Life’ conservation campaign.
“We will be going into the back roads and doing the seed plantation ourselves. Hopefully, with these small actions, we can create some interest and willingness to take action on these very important issues in the wider community,” Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Philippines, said during the launch event.
Meanwhile, Haribon Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, Arlie Endonila, expressed her appreciation for the recent expanded partnership with Manulife.
“I’ve read through Manulife’s Impact Agenda. It is truly amazing how it aligns with Haribon’s vision and mission, especially in ensuring not only a healthy environment but also the well-being of the communities,” Ms. Endonila said.
After the launch, BusinessWorld and other media members were invited to see and be involved in the mangrove restoration project.
photo by Edg Adrian A. Eva, BusinessWorld
During that time, Haribon led the planting of over 100 seedlings in the area managed by the Alitas Farmers and Fisherfolk Association Inc. (AFFAI).
Ken Carlo Peñaflor, a forester from the Haribon Foundation, said that restoring a mangrove forest is a long and meticulous process.
Two mangrove species commonly found in the area each require specific tidal conditions to survive and flourish.
The Tall-stilt Mangrove, locally known as Bakauan-lalaki, is ideally planted in the inner or landward zones.
Meanwhile, the Asiatic Mangrove, or Loop-root Mangrove, locally called Bakauan-babae, thrives in the outer zones closer to the shore.
Mangrove restoration process
Mangrove life begins in a nursery, where seedlings are nurtured in a controlled environment for 6 to 8 months to ensure they are ready for planting.
Once ready, the seedlings are planted in areas that have been denuded or damaged due to human activity or strong typhoons.
Mangroves are expected to become partially viable, or begin capturing carbon, by the time they reach the sapling stage, which is around three years old.
Mangroves typically mature between 5 to 10 years, with an overall lifespan ranging from 20 to 100 years.
Mr. Martinez gladly said that mangroves planted at sites in Alitas have a high survival rate of 85%, sometimes even reaching 92%.
He expressed optimism that the initiative will be sustainable due to the support of the community, along with Manulife’s long-term commitment.
Mr. Hora assured that Manulife’s commitment to the restoration initiative is long-term and goes beyond just planting seeds.
The company will continue to support Haribon and the community until the mangroves become viable.
Mr. Hora added that they also plan to expand the initiative to other areas of the country.
“This is just the beginning. We want to continue working with Haribon,” Mr. Hora said.
“We will sustain our efforts because we truly believe in what we are doing. So, yes, we will also continue to focus on other areas of the country.”
For fisherman Mr. Aveno, initiatives like this are warmly welcomed by the community, as they could spark the growth of other industries, such as eco-tourism, which has already started and is providing new jobs now for the community.
POWER distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is seeking to procure 900 megawatts (MW) of electricity via a competitive selection process (CSP).
It currently has three other CSP applications pending.
“There is another one coming in — a 900-MW baseload CSP,” according to Meralco Senior Vice-President and Head of Regulatory Affairs Jose Ronald V. Valles.
Mr. Valles said the auction is scheduled for late 2025.
The proposed CSP forms part of Meralco’s 2025 power supply procurement plan to obtain over 2,100 MW of capacity, which has been approved by the Department of Energy (DoE).
The CSP policy requires distribution utilities to procure power at a least-cost basis.
Meralco has requested DoE certificates of compliance for the three other CSPs, involving 200 MW of renewable energy baseload power, 600 MW worth of baseload, and 450 MW worth of mid-merit power.
Baseload power plants generate a steady supply of electricity to meet regular demand, while mid-merit plants are designed to operate during periods of intermediate demand.
“There is another one in the pipeline but we are still waiting for the resolution of the DoE with respect to these three CSPs because these are more urgent in terms of the commercial operations date that we are looking at for the distribution utility,” Mr. Valles said.
He said that Meralco’s application for the 200-MW CSP is now under review after the power distributor submitted its reply on the comments of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Energy Regulatory Commission.
The company has yet to receive the review of the ERC and PCC for its 600-MW and 450-MW CSPs.
In a statement on Sunday, Meralco confirmedreceipt of the show-cause order issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for alleged failure to submit complete fuel data for the January to October 2022 period.
The order stems from the ERC’s request in January 2023 for documents related to the power supply agreement (PSA) between Meralco and Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).
The ERC required submission of invoices and fuel cost computation for the period.
“As ERC’s directive was for the declared purpose of verifying generation charges ‘being passed on to its consumers,’ Meralco complied and provided ERC with copies of the invoices for its then existing PSA with PEDC — notwithstanding that these documents had already been previously submitted under Meralco’s regular reports to ERC,” the company said.
For the fuel cost computation, Meralco said that it clarified that its then PSA with PEDC was a financial contract with a fixed price or single tariff for the duration of the contract term.
“This means that it does not specify any fuel cost component, in contrast to a two-part tariff that distinguishes fixed costs from fuel costs on a monthly basis. Given this, the fuel cost computation was obviously not applicable,” the company said.
Following Meralco’s submission in 2023, the company said it did not receive any further communication from the ERC.
“At the outset, Meralco emphasizes that it does not only validate but scrutinizes the fuel components of the generation charges before these are passed through to its consumers,” the company said.
Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT Inc.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. —Sheldeen Joy Talavera
Mangrove restoration process
“This is just the beginning. We want to continue working with Haribon,” Mr. Hora said.