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PHL suspends classes, gov’t work; 2 low-pressure areas being watched

RESIDENTS wade through heavy flooding along Araneta Avenue in Quezon City as the southwest monsoon continued to bring torrential rain on Monday. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporters

THE PHILIPPINE government on Monday suspended classes and government work for Tuesday, July 22, as the country continued to reel from the effects of the southwest monsoon and Severe Tropical Storm Wipha (Crising), which left the Philippine landmass at the weekend.

The state weather bureau said it was monitoring two low-pressure areas (LPA) in the country’s north.

In a Facebook post, Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla, Jr., said classes in both private and public schools had been suspended in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Occidental Mindoro.

It would be up to private employers whether to suspend work, he added.

Communications Secretary Dave M. Gomez told Palace reporters Mr. Remulla was authorized to announce suspensions.

As of 2 p.m., the LPAs had a “medium” chance of developing into tropical depressions in the next 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its afternoon weather bulletin.

In a separate report, the weather bureau said one LPA was seen about 1,220 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, while the other was estimated at 405 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon remained the dominant weather system affecting large swaths of the country.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said at least five people died from the combined effects of Crising and the monsoon rains, up from two the previous day. At least seven people were still missing.

The tropical storm and monsoon rains have affected almost 900,000 people from about 226,000 families in 1,556 villages. More than 20,000 people from almost 6,000 families were staying in evacuation centers.

Flooding was reported in 138 areas, with 125 floods having subsided and 38 receding as of the latest data. Seven landslides were also recorded — one in Central Luzon, two in Calabarzon, one in Western Visayas and three in Central Visayas.

The agency said 1,234 houses were affected across multiple regions, including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, Bangsamoro, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Negros Island. Of these homes, 299 were totally damaged.

Infrastructure damage reached P219.37 million, affecting 44 structures in Ilocos, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa and Cordillera.

FARM DAMAGE
The Department of Agriculture (DA) at the weekend estimated farm damage at P53 million in Western Visayas and Mimaropa. More than 2,000 farmers working on more than 2,400 hectares of land were affected.

“Floodwaters have submerged fields planted with rice, corn and other high-value crops,” the agency said. “Poultry and livestock operations have also suffered losses. Meanwhile, damage assessments in the fisheries sector are still under way.”

It said the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Mindoro was affected by flooding. In response, the NFA has been releasing rice stocks to local government units and national agencies, with 500 sacks already distributed in Palawan, it added.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) has been tasked to conduct rapid damage assessments in affected areas to fast-track insurance claim processing. “The PCIC has instructed its personnel to extend full assistance to affected farmers and expedite the processing of their damage claims,” the DA added.

The department said it might offer additional assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk, such as agricultural inputs through its regional field offices, rehabilitation support under the quick-response fund and zero-interest loans of up to P25,000 payable in three years.

Meanwhile, parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region were still experiencing brownouts due to the combined impact of Crising and the southwest monsoon, the Department of Energy (DoE) said in a separate statement.

Power and fuel supply across the country had largely normalized, except in certain areas of CAR, where restoration efforts continued.

As of 10 a.m., three electric cooperatives remained under close monitoring — Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc., Mountain Province Electric Cooperative, Inc., and Abra Electric Cooperative, Inc., based on the latest report from the National Electrification Administration.

“Restoration efforts are well under way, with power already restored in 37 of the 51 affected municipalities, energizing 5,487 customer connections, representing 72.55% of affected areas,” the DoE said.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and actively assisting our local distribution utilities,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said. “We urge all concerned entities to continue proactive clearing operations including the removal of debris and vegetation that may obstruct power lines to accelerate restoration in affected areas.”

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said its transmission facilities remained unaffected.

“All NGCP transmission facilities are currently under normal conditions,” it said in a statement. It was ready to operate its 24/7 command center if monsoon rains or other weather threats disrupt transmission, it added.

Controlled spilling operations were ongoing at Binga and Ambuklao Dams to manage high water levels, with discharges at 161.57 cubic meters per second (cms) and 78.74 cms, respectively.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said about 11,000 customers, or less than 1% of its total customer base, experienced service interruptions as of noon.

Most of the affected households were in Cavite, Bulacan, and Rizal, with others in Metro Manila, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon.

“Our crews are continuously working to restore power service to affected areas as soon as possible,” Meralco Vice- President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said in a separate statement. “We are closely monitoring the situation and urging our customers to continue observing electrical safety practices.” — with Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Philippines and US agree to bolster deterrence in disputed South China Sea

Filipino and American air force servicemen at this year’s Exercise Cope Thunder. — PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE

THE PHILIPPINES and the US last week affirmed their commitment to boosting deterrence measures in the South China Sea amid China’s increasing assertiveness in the contested waterway.

In a statement on Monday, Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo M. Año said he had met with US Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio in Washington, DC, where both sides discussed efforts to deepen their alliance and expand cooperation in defense and security.

“They underscored the need to enhance deterrence in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea and the importance of maintaining peace and security in the region for the economic security of both the Philippines and the United States,” he said.

The meeting came as both countries aim to counter increasingly aggressive Chinese activities in the region, including the deployment of China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels near Philippine-occupied features.

The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty obligates both nations to come to each other’s aid in case of an armed attack in the Pacific area, including the South China Sea.

Relations between the two countries have strengthened under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who has taken a more assertive stance against Beijing’s maritime claims.

The Marcos administration has expanded joint military exercises with US forces, opened additional sites under their Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and pursued stronger ties with other Indo-Pacific partners.

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea through its so-called nine-dash line, a sweeping assertion that overlaps with the exclusive economic zones of Southeast Asian nations such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal in The Hague voided China’s expansive claims, ruling in favor of the Philippines. China, however, has rejected the ruling and continues to maintain a large presence in disputed areas, including Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands.

Mr. Año said his discussion with Mr. Rubio included future activities aimed at enhancing defense cooperation and building a “credible deterrence posture” in the region.

“They also underscored the importance of engaging with traditional allies and other like-minded partners to ensure a rules-based international order and a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” he said.

The visit came amid growing regional concern over China’s militarization and use of force in the South China Sea, including recent water cannon incidents targeting Philippine resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippines has increasingly leaned on multinational cooperation to shore up its maritime defenses. It has participated in more frequent joint patrols and multilateral naval exercises in the South China Sea, often alongside US forces and other regional partners.

Multinational military cooperation, once rare in the contested waters, is fast becoming routine. Earlier this year, the Philippines conducted trilateral air and sea patrols with the US and Australia.

Washington has repeatedly assured Manila of its “ironclad” defense commitments under the Mutual Defense Treaty.

Beijing, for its part, has accused the US of stoking tensions and interfering in regional matters. It maintains that its activities in the South China Sea are lawful and aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty.

Despite diplomatic overtures, tensions continue to rise. Philippine officials have reported nearly daily sightings of Chinese maritime militia vessels within its EEZ. Confrontations at sea — including ramming incidents and the use of lasers and water cannons by Chinese forces — have led to repeated diplomatic protests from Manila. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Philippines needs 7,000 classrooms yearly to address backlog, says PIDS

BW FILE PHOTO

By Adrian H. Halili, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINE government must build at least 7,000 classrooms annually in the next 15 years to close the country’s severe public school classroom gap, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said.

In a statement on Monday, PIDS highlighted the urgency of sustained infrastructure investment in education.

“If education is something important to us as a nation, we should be able to put our heads together to address this issue,” PIDS Senior Research Fellow Michael Ralph M. Abrigo said.

He said the Department of Education (DepEd) should consider alternative solutions beyond building alone. “DepEd is not in the business of constructing buildings. Their mission is improving education, and classrooms are just one part of that.”

Earlier this year, DepEd estimated it would take 55 years to bridge the backlog of about 165,000 classrooms if the present pace of construction continues.

To expedite progress, Mr. Abrigo urged the government to adopt flexible classroom scheduling, promote shared space agreements for underused facilities and develop a forward-looking infrastructure master plan.

He also recommended a forward-looking master plan that will be regularly updated to identify areas with impending demand and ensure that classrooms are built ahead of enrollment surges.

He also cited the need for transparent, data-driven planning and coordinated infrastructure deployment, noting that construction timelines are slowed by phased budgeting, site verification, bidding and hazard assessments.

A separate PIDS study identified the National Capital Region, Calabarzon, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as having the widest gaps in classroom-to-student ratios. Most shortages were reported in elementary schools, followed by junior and senior high schools.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has also urged DepEd to factor in population growth, building deterioration, disaster vulnerabilities, and the capacity of private schools when mapping out long-term classroom needs.

Under the 2025 national budget, DepEd was given P28 billion for basic education facilities, P7.18 billion of which was earmarked for new kindergarten, elementary and high school buildings, while P6.13 billion was allotted for school repairs.

Maria Ella Calaor-Oplas, an economics professor from De La Salle University in Manila, said the state should expand its school voucher program.

“One of the programs that can greatly facilitate education despite the limited classrooms is by government providing vouchers,” she said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “The government doesn’t have to worry about classrooms and the quality of education because the private schools should be able to provide that.”

Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, convenor of think tank InfraWatch PH, said the government should pursue public-private partnerships (PPP) to help bridge the infrastructure gap.

“PPPs for public classrooms had already been undertaken in the past, and this has contributed to reducing the shortage, particularly as government continues to find itself in a very limited fiscal space,” he said.

However, Mr. Ridon cautioned that such arrangements must comply with competitive bidding processes to ensure optimal outcomes for the government.

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara earlier said the agency might pursue PPPs to fast-track the construction of about 105,000 classrooms.

Marcos unlikely to tackle Trump’s policy vs illegal immigrants in US visit — envoy

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (farthest left) and US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson (second from left) as he arrived on Sunday in Washington, D.C. for an official visit. — PCO

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and American President Donald J. Trump are unlikely to tackle deportation-related issues concerning overseas Filipinos in the US, Manila’s envoy to Washington said on Sunday, as the second Trump administration intensifies crackdown against illegal immigrants.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said the two leaders would probably not talk about Mr. Trump’s signature program against illegal immigrants, as the envoy had already talked with the US Department of Homeland Security on cooperation.

“As I’ve always said, those who have a legal path should have already contacted the immigration lawyers,” he told a press briefing late Sunday (Manila time), according to a video posted by the Radio, Television Malacañang on YouTube.

As Mr. Trump ramps up deportations under his “America First” agenda, the deportation of undocumented Filipinos risks rippling through the Philippine economy, where millions depend on remittances to survive.

In the first five months of the year, cash remittances grew by 3% to $13.77 billion from $13.37 billion a year prior.

Around two-fifths of the Philippines’ remittance flows come from the US, with the latest central bank data showing that the US was the top source of remittances in the five-month period, accounting for 40.2% of the total.

“The bottom line is there is really not much room for discussion, but to simply work in such a way that all Filipinos are up for deportation will be deported to the Philippines and not to another country,” the envoy added.

This comes as Mr. Marcos visits the American capital for an official trip, the first Southeast Asian leader to meet with Mr. Trump after assuming office last January. The Filipino leader will be in the US until July 22.

Mr. Romualdez noted that Filipino-American lawyers are also extending their services to aid Filipinos up for deportation.

According to the envoy, while there is no exact number on how many Filipinos may be deported, the figure is “perhaps a little less than 100,000.”

“But again, these are confidential matters that the Homeland Security and the US immigration only inform us about when they see that it’s important for the Philippine Embassy to work with them on how we can repatriate the Filipinos,” he added.

“At the end of the day, the laws of the United States must be respected, just like we expect citizens who come to the Philippines to also respect our laws.”

An estimated 4.6 million people in the US identified as Filipino in 2023, according to estimates published by the US Census Bureau. Filipino-Americans are the third-largest Asian origin population living in the US, accounting for approximately 19% of the country’s Asian population.

The Philippine government has urged the US government to deport undocumented Filipinos directly back to the Philippines and not to third countries like El Salvador, with Mr. Romualdez stressing that the Philippines is willing to accept all its nationals.

According to the Philippine envoy, around 100 to 300 Filipinos have been deported from the US so far this year, with some cases involving allegations of criminal activity.

APPEASING TRUMP
Josue Raphael J. Cortez, who teaches diplomacy at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, said that Mr. Marcos’ possible decision to avoid discussing deportation issues reflects a form of appeasement, as his government focuses on negotiating lower US tariffs.

This approach exemplifies transactional diplomacy, prioritizing economic concerns while steering clear of topics like illegal migration that Mr. Trump is sensitive about, he added.

“We are trying to negotiate for something and given that Trump has been wary of illegal migrants and the Philippine government is already doing something about it, then we now opt to bring other relevant and pressing matters to the negotiating table,” he said via Messenger chat.

Washington earlier this month slapped Manila with an unexpected 20% tariff, higher than the “Liberation Day” levy of 17%. Mr. Marcos, joined by a Philippine delegation, is currently in Washington to negotiate the duties, as well as explore business opportunities for the country.

Cybercrime victims in PHL double in 2024

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

DESPITE HIGHER cybersecurity awareness, the number of individuals who fell victim to cyber incidents, such as text scams, phishing, and hacking, in the country doubled in 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

Preliminary results of the National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey (NICTHS) showed that over 50.9 million, or 62.5% of Filipinos with ICT devices encountered technology-enabled incidents last year. This is a significant jump from the 31.1% reported in 2019.

This comes even as Filipinos report an increased awareness on cybersecurity or data privacy, with 33.4% saying they are aware, up from the 24.1% identified in 2019.

Philippines’ average daily internet usage in 2024 reached 4.6 hours

“The scammers are taking advantage of the innocence or the vulnerabilities, especially those who are senior citizens and children,” National ICT Planning, Policy and Standards Bureau Director Ma. Victoria C. Castro said in a forum on Monday.

“So, a big campaign is needed. It’s not only by DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), but really to push forward the government in coming up with all of this awareness,” she added.

PSA said text fraud was still the most prevalent incident, accounting for 57.1% of the total cases. This was followed by hacking (7.8%), phishing (6.1%), and cyberbullying or e-libel (1.1%).

Of the total, only 1.6% of those who experienced any cybercrime attempts and 1.9% of those who were victimized reported the incident.

The statistics agency saw an uptick in households with internet access at home to nearly half or 13.56 million households in 2024 from 17.7% in 2019.

Most households with internet access were in the National Capital Region (68.7%) and Central Luzon (61.3%), while the lowest rates were recorded in Zamboanga Peninsula (21.2%) and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (27.7%).

Meanwhile, two out of three individuals aged 10 years and above, or 67.3%, reported using the internet last year. This is 41.9 percentage points higher than the 25.4% recorded in 2019.

Metro Manila surpasses national average in internet usage

However, at least 29.9 million individuals did not use the internet, with around 1.9 million or 6.3% citing privacy or security concerns as their reason.

The majority of them use the internet at home daily.

In terms of the digital economy, the NICTHS also found that Filipinos are skeptical of using electronic payment methods when purchasing online due to cybersecurity concerns.

“A secured digital economy depends on a resilient security infrastructure and strong data privacy safeguards,” Ms. Castro said. “We recognize that concerns over data breaches and identity theft undermine user confidence and slow down digital adoption.”

She said the DICT will prioritize “strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure across government and business platforms, conducting nationwide public awareness campaigns on data protection and responsible digital behavior, and establishing clear accountability mechanisms for data breaches and misuse of personal information.”

The DICT will coordinate with its attached agencies, the National Privacy Commission, the National Telecommunications Commission, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, she added.

Ms. Castro also said that cybersecurity efforts should be brought down to the local level.

“There’s a lot of information campaigns. So, at the national level, it needs to be translated into a local level — I mean, down to our citizenry, especially the scams.”

CYBERSECURITY MEASURES
The DICT also laid out its legislative agenda, which includes refiling a cybersecurity bill to the 20th Congress and integrating cybersecurity elements in the E-Governance and Konektadong Pinoy bills.

Last month, the Palace said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is expected to sign the Konektadong Pinoy bill, a measure that would modernize the country’s digital infrastructure. It includes provisions aimed at improving cybersecurity standards for internet services nationwide.

The National Government also released the National Cybersecurity Plan 2023-2028 last year, which serves as the country’s policy direction and operational guidelines for a “trusted, secured, and resilient cyberspace for every Filipino.”

The NICTHS, first released in 2019, evaluates the access, use, and impact of ICT among households and individuals across the Philippines.

PSA, along with the DICT, surveyed 81.38 million individuals aged 10 years and above across the country from Feb. 5 to March 12, 2024. — Katherine K. Chan

Start of VP trial up for discussion

Senate President Francis G. Escudero — SENATE PRIB

SENATE PRESIDENT Francis G. Escudero on Monday said that the proposed start of the impeachment trial of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio will still be open for plenary discussion once the Senate convenes on July 28.

“This will be discussed by the members of the Senate impeachment court once we resume. But that is what we are (pushing for) because we need to give notice to the parties before a hearing is held,” Mr. Escudero told reporters.

Last week, Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva said the Senate is eyeing Aug. 4 as the new date to reconvene as an impeachment court.

The Senate was originally expected to convene as an impeachment court on July 29, a day after Congress opens. Senator judges must take their oath before the trial begins.

Mr. Escudero added that the one-week period once the 20th Congress convenes would allow the House of Representatives to comply with the orders of the Senate impeachment court.

Senators in early June voted to return the impeachment complaint back to the House to clarify its constitutionality and that it would pursue the impeachment proceedings in the next Congress.

“The second order should have been made by the 20th House of Representatives, not the previous. If they can’t comply by Aug. 4, we’ll talk about it then,” Mr. Escudero said.

Earlier, the House prosecution panel submitted a document to the Senate certifying that the chamber adhered to the Constitution. It has not yet submitted the second order. — Adrian H. Halili

Cha-cha push not political — Garbin

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address before the joint session of the 19th Congress at the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives, July 22, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR /KJ ROSALES

A LAWMAKER on Monday defended a push to amend the country’s 1987 Constitution, saying his proposal would be limited to easing economic restrictions and would not affect political provisions, amid concerns over possible broader changes.

Resolution of Both Houses No. 1 does not seek to touch upon the Charter’s political provisions, such as the country’s form of government nor politicians’ term limits, said Party-list Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr., who authored the initiative.

“This is not a political maneuver,” he said in a statement. “It is a focused, calibrated move to lift legal barriers that have long stood in the way of economic prosperity.”

“The resolution targets provisions that have long discouraged foreign investment, hindered global partnerships, and stifled national development,” he added.

Mr. Garbin last week submitted a proposal that seeks to insert the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law,” allowing Congress to relax the 40% cap on foreign ownership in sectors such as public utilities, education, mass media and the exploitation of natural resources.

His proposal also seeks to amend Article 1 of the Constitution by including “exclusive economic zone” and “continental shelf” in defining the country’s national territory.

Charter change (Cha-cha) efforts have been a recurring theme in Philippine politics, but previous attempts have always faltered due to lack of public support, driven in part by concerns about political motives.

Mr. Garbin said those opposing Cha-cha should not resort to spreading misinformation just to smother support for his proposal. “If you oppose the amendments, campaign against them. That’s your right. But let us not resort to fearmongering or misinformation.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Congressmen eye ‘pro-worker’ bloc

Workers take a break at a construction site along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, Jan. 30, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL B. PABALATE

LAWMAKERS are planning to form a bloc at the House of Representatives to give the much-needed push for “pro-worker” reforms in the lower chamber, a congressman said on Monday.

In a statement, Albay Rep. Raymond Adrian E. Salceda said that neophyte lawmakers are seeking to form a congressional alliance to support a sweeping list of proposals, including the abolition of regional wage boards.

“We’re mostly talking to freshmen, [and] the people I’ve spoken with are also having their own conversations,” he said. “So I expect this bloc to reach a decent number.”

The possible grouping seeks to push a “national living wage” by first putting an end to the practice of setting minimum wages via regional wage boards, he added. Lawmakers have previously argued the system delivers slow and meager increases that fail to keep up with rising costs.

Mr. Salceda said they would also pursue other labor reforms like ensuring wage parity for women and “vulnerable” workers, while also expanding workers’ social protection on healthcare and maternity benefits.

The hatching coalition’s labor agenda also includes strengthening the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain. They also seek to set minimum pay rates and standardize benefits for gig workers. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

House to finalize priority bills next week

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address before the joint session of the 19th Congress at the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives, July 22, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR /KJ ROSALES

THE House of Representatives would finalize its proposals for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s legislative agenda when Congress reconvenes next week, as lawmakers await the new composition of the chamber’s leadership, its spokesman said on Monday.

“For priority bills, we have to wait for the organization of the House,” the chamber’s spokeswoman Priscilla Marie T. Abante said in a media briefing in Filipino. “Only then will the House leaders and party leaders begin discussions on the priority bills to be submitted.”

The Common Legislative Agenda is a list of priority bills jointly proposed by the Presidential Palace and lawmakers, and it would compose of measures that the government and private stakeholders want Congress to pursue.

“Although members of the House already filed their priority bills… the priority measures of the House, as an institution, will later on be discussed after the organization,” said Ms. Abante.

Lawmakers will convene on July 28 to formally open the 20th Congress, when Mr. Marcos is also expected to deliver his annual address before a joint session in the afternoon. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PLDT, Smart support integrating children’s rights into green reporting

STOCK PHOTO | Image by jcomp from Freepik

TELECOMMUNICATIONS company PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have joined the call to integrate children’s rights into sustainability reporting and business practices of publicly listed companies (PLCs).

The companies support the study conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and UNICEF Philippines (UNICEF).

On their joint study covering sustainability reports of 86 Philippine PLCs in 2023, it found that children’s rights are rarely explicitly addressed in corporate sustainability reports.

It also showed that firms commonly address child labor, but they often overlook broader areas concerning children, such as those aligned with “participation, protection, responsible marketing, and environmental impacts.”

SEC Commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo said that PLCs in the country are “in a unique position to drive transformation by integrating children’s rights into their corporate sustainability strategies.”

“This helps eliminate exploitative practices, promote friendly policies, and foster an environment where children can thrive,” he said.

PLDT and Smart joined fellow private sector representatives from Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and Sta. Lucia Realty and Development in discussing why children matter to their businesses and how they have been incorporating children’s rights into their sustainability strategies and reporting frameworks.

“As we aim to make meaningful connections through generations, we want today’s children to understand that the PLDT Group’s child protection initiatives and, in fact our focus on sustainability, is our way of showing that we care about them and their future,” said PLDT and Smart Chief Sustainability Officer Melissa Vergel de Dios. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

P178-million tax evasion cases filed vs shoemaker 

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) has filed 34 criminal charges against a Philippine-based shoe company before the Court of Appeals over its alleged tax deficiencies worth P178.8 million, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said.

“We thank Secretary Remulla and the entire DoJ prosecution team for their swift and decisive action against [the company] and their use of Ghost Receipts,” Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr. said in a statement.

The BIR said it found these fraudulent practices through its Run After Fake Transactions (RAFT) Program, which targets the use of fictitious receipts issued by non-existent or ghost companies.

The scheme used by the company to evade the correct payment of taxes and misrepresentation in its tax filings covers taxable years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

The BIR said the information impleaded the firm’s officers, while the Justice department indicted the others for making untruthful declarations, returns, and other statements in the Annual Income Tax returns.

BusinessWorld has reached out to the company for their comment through text and phone call but received no response.  — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

2 preschool siblings drowned in Cotabato river

COTABATO CITY — Rescuers on Sunday found two preschool siblings lifeless after being swept away by rampaging floodwaters while at one side of the Kabacan River in Barangay Aringay in Kabacan, Cotabato last Friday.

Officials of the Kabacan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office confirmed to reporters on Monday, that the six-year-old Jackelyn L. Saidona and his four-year-old brother, Johayrin were last seen playing at one spot in the Kabacan River in Barangay Aringay last Friday.

Local executives said combined local government emergency responders from Cotabato’s neighboring Kabacan, Carmen, and Matalam towns first found the boy on Saturday afternoon in the downstream stretch of the Kabacan River and, subsequently, recovered the cadaver of his sister several hours later.

Barangay officials said the Saidona siblings were swept away by rampaging floodwaters while at the river and disappeared.

Kabacan Mayor Evangeline P. Guzman had provided the parents of the two children with initial monetary support that they could use in facilitating the burial of the two children. — John Felix M. Unson

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