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MSME business sentiment improves in 2025 — BCG

People buy food items at a market in Quezon City, Nov. 22, 2024. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

MOST Philippine micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are expecting stronger results this year after a slow recovery last year, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) said.

Citing the results of a study conducted with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), 73% of 3,098 MSMEs surveyed are expecting “stronger results” in 2025.

BCG Principal Jamie Bawalan, who presented the study at the MSME Bayanihan Caravan on Tuesday, said only 43% of the MSMEs responded that they performed better in 2024 relative to 2023, a sentiment more pronounced among MSME owners in wholesale and retail as well as food services.

“But then we asked about 2025; what we actually found is a very high level of optimism with exactly 73% of all our MSMEs across different sectors actually expressing that they think that they will do and fare much better in 2025 than in 2024,” she said.

“It shows that our MSMEs are hopeful, even though last year was seemingly not easy,” she added.

In the short term, she said MSMEs are more focused on growing their revenue, expanding their customer base, and improving their products and services.

To unlock this growth, she cited the need to make resources available to MSMEs.

“There is room to improve access for MSMEs across most business growth support areas, but access to credit or the ability to take out loans was especially challenged,” she said.

In particular, she said there is only a 33% level of optimism among MSMEs in terms of their ability to access loans and credit.

“We see that there is a big divide between reality and perception. We realized and found that less than 10% of our MSMEs actually ever took out bank loans, and 55% of our MSMEs have actually never taken out a bank loan,” she added.

On Tuesday, the DTI unveiled three programs: NxtGen in Franchising Philippines, Small Business Corp. (SBCorp.) Money App, and a tie-up with GCash.

“Through these programs, we are bridging divides and demonstrating that a Bagong Pilipinas begins with listening and then developing straightforward people-centric solutions,” Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque said in a keynote speech delivered by Undersecretary Blesila A. Lantayona.

NxtGen in Franchising Philippines hopes to create a pipeline for future franchise brands.

The SBCorp. Money App is the company’s new mobile application, replacing the previous web-based loan application and evaluation system.

“This shift to PhilSys-enabled electronic Know-Your-Customer simplifies the onboarding process for our clients and enhances security by verifying identities using national ID data,” SBCorp. President and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. Bastillo said.

He said that the new application will help make financing more accessible, efficient, and secure for MSMEs nationwide.

On Tuesday, DTI also signed a memorandum of understanding with GCash to deliver tailored digital business solutions directly to MSMEs.

“By integrating these digital financial tools directly at all DTI regional and provincial offices and the DTI Negosyo Centers, we ensure that these tools and services reach even the most remote communities, helping close the rural-urban digital divide and bringing opportunities of success even closer to home,” Ms. Lantayona said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Cheaper imports, P20 subsidized rice blamed for palay farmgate decline

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE further decline in the farmgate price of palay (unmilled rice) was largely caused by competition from cheap imports and the government’s subsidized P20 rice program, a farmer’s group said.

“This confirms what many farmers from various parts of the country have been complaining about,” Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives, Inc. National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said via Viber.

“Normally, palay prices go up after the harvest and into the May-June planting season,” he said, “but this time, prices have been going down,” he added.

He noted that rice imports that are already in the country are cheap, with 5% broken-grain rice averaging P29.50 per kilo in June — compared to P40.67 per kilo in June 2024 — ex-pier and with tariffs already paid.

Ex-pier costs include the purchase cost from source country on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, plus freight, insurance, and tariffs.  

Meanwhile, the landed price of imported rice with 25% broken averaged P26.34 per kilo in June, against P41.09 a year earlier.

He also said the P20-per-kilo rice program has led traders to hedge and buy palay from farmers at low prices “in case they have to compete with this cheap rice.”

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing Congress to pass a bill seeking stricter oversight of rice imports and restoration of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) regulatory powers.

The farmgate price of palay fell 31.8% year on year in June to an average of P16.99 per kilo. Month on month, the average palay farmgate price fell 4.3% compared to May.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. in a separate statement said the claim that the P20-per-kilo rice program is behind the declining palay prices is “simply not true,” noting that it has helped the NFA decongest its warehouses and has allowed the government “to buy more palay from farmers.”

“On the contrary, we need to accelerate the expansion of the subsidized rice program,” he said.

“Every bag of rice sold at P20 frees up space for two sacks of palay, which we can purchase at better prices than what private traders offer,” he added.

Mr. Montemayor said NFA’s buying has been minimal “due to congestion of its warehouses and strict standards (clean and dry) when buying palay from farmers.”

“Even without these constraints, its funds can absorb only 5% at most of the harvest volume,” he added.

“The government has passed the blame to palay traders and has asked farmers to report to them traders who are ‘nambabarat,’ (forcing them to accept low prices),” he said.

“But it is very possible that the drop in palay prices is to a large extend due to its own rice subsidy programs, its unlimited import policy, and its failure to support palay prices through the NFA,” he added.

Currently, the NFA buys palay at a minimum of P17 per kilo for fresh grade and up to P24 per kilo for dry.

“To support this effort, the agency is acquiring more trucks, upgrading its warehouses, and requesting a larger procurement budget,” Mr. Laurel said.

As of June 30, the NFA procured 149% of its first half target, approaching capacity “in response to the clamor from farmers for the agency to buy more palay,” he added.

The DA urged Congress to pass the proposed Rice Act before the first harvest of 2026. It is currently conducting “on-the-ground consultations” with farmers and lawmakers in preparation for congressional deliberations.

It said it is backing a provision that would give the NFA “some control” over rice imports.

It’s “critical gap that leaves the DA with limited ability to manage domestic supply,” Mr. Laurel said. The Rice Tariffication Law of 2019 allowed unlimited rice importation by the private sector, though requiring them to pay import tariffs, and removed the NFA’s own power to import rice and sell rice directly to consumers. 

The law was amended last year to increase the allocation for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to P30 billion from P10 billion, paid out of rice tariff collections.

Mr. Laurel said the consultations will “help shape the government’s response to the recent decline palay prices, which threatens to discourage future planting.”

IEMOP ‘religiously’ enforcing rules vs noncompliant WESM members

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), the operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM), said it is enforcing the rules against market participants that fail to meet their financial obligations.

“IEMOP has religiously enforced the rules of the WESM, including the timely issuance of default and suspension notices, and imposition of financial penalties,” the WESM operator said in a statement on Tuesday.

IEMOP said it is authorized by WESM rules and market manuals to impose appropriate sanctions, including suspension and deregistration, as warranted.

“These measures protect the interests of compliant participants and preserve market discipline,” it said.

The WESM is a centralized venue where energy companies can buy power when their long-term contracted supply is insufficient for customer demand.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry (PCCI) has urged IEMOP and the Energy Regulatory Commission to address the issue of WESM members defaulting on payments for their transactions.

“These defaults distort market signals and expose law-abiding market players to significant financial risk. Imposing the burden on compliant WESM members effectively penalizes those who fulfill their financial obligations while relieving delinquent members of their responsibility,” the PCCI said in a statement.

“Ultimately, the costs resulting from defaults are passed on to consumers through higher electricity prices or market fees,” the business group added.

The PCCI called on the IEMOP to fully exercise its authority under WESM rules “to protect market integrity and prevent the undue subsidization of noncompliant members by those in good standing.”

“IEMOP should implement a policy framework that ensures defaulters are held accountable and that compliant members are protected from bearing the cost of others’ failures,” the group said.

IEMOP said that it shares the same view with PCCI that all WESM participants must satisfy all their financial obligations on time.

It clarified, however, that any amount unpaid by defaulting WESM customers is not passed on to consumers nor delinquencies subsidized by consumers. These remain receivables borne by generation companies and other WESM sellers.

For noncompliant market participants, IEMOP said it collected penalties consistent with WESM Penalty Manual (Issue 3.0). These penalties are returned to consumers through their respective distribution utilities, electric cooperatives, and electricity suppliers. 

“We likewise support PCCI’s call for transparency in the billing practices of Retail Electricity Suppliers (RES),” IEMOP said. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the principles of transparency, competition, and efficiency in the operation of the WESM — ensuring a fair and reliable marketplace for all.” — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

PHL waste management not keeping pace with growth in hazardous waste volumes

CARGO containers with wastes seized by the Bureau of Customs in 2020. — BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

THE INCREASE in hazardous waste volumes in 2024 outstripped any improvements in the Philippines’ capacity to manage waste, according to government data.

Hazardous waste volumes rose 13% year on year to 269,552 tons in 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in a report.

Oil accounted for 33% of the total hazardous waste, followed by miscellaneous waste at 51.77 thousand tons and wastes with inorganic chemicals at 39.44 thousand tons.

Calabarzon accounted for 43% or 114,988 tons of the hazardous waste in 2024.

The PSA said the number of material recovery facilities totaled 12,855 in 2024, up 8.7% from 2023.

The number of sanitary landfills rose 14.7% to 343, it added.

However, the number of reported illegal dumpsites increased 84% to 79. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Mackerel import permits suspended

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it suspended the issuance of permits to import certain mackerel and torpedo scad species, following reports permits have been misused in ways that could destabilize the fish market.

Memorandum Order No. 38 orders an immediate halt to the issue of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for horse mackerel, including Atlantic and Japanese jack mackerel; Indian mackerel; wahoo; and both torpedo and hardtail scad.

The DA cited reports of misdeclared or diverted shipments of fishery products, which it said undermines efforts to stabilize supply and prices while disrupting legitimate trade channels.

Known as alumahan (mackerel) and galunggong (scad), these fish varieties are household staples for many families due to their affordability, the DA noted.

The DA clarified that the order is not an import ban “but a temporary measure to ensure full compliance with regulations and alignment with national interest.”

“The order will be lifted based on the result of a thorough investigation and review of current importation protocols, with the goal of ensuring integrity and accountability across the fish supply chain,” it said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Quick ban of online gambling ads sought; bills vs operators readied

BW FILE PHOTO

A SENATOR on Tuesday called on the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to quickly take down all ads promoting online gambling instead of waiting for operators to comply with its order on the ad ban with an Aug. 15 deadline.

“I am calling on PAGCOR to do its part,” Senator Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo told a news briefing in mixed English and Filipino. “Stop all advertisements for online gambling. It should be banned on TV, radio, newspapers, social media — everything.”

Last week, the state gambling regulator ordered licensed operators, suppliers, system administrators and gaming venue operators to remove online gambling ads by Aug. 15. But Mr. Tulfo questioned the delay.

“Why Aug. 15?” he asked. “Between now and Aug. 15, many more will be addicted to gambling. Let’s do it now because the problem will only get worse.”

The lawmaker said he would file a bill next week seeking a total ban on online gambling platforms, citing growing concerns over their social impact.

“Something has to be done, that’s why I’m filing a bill that will stop [online gambling platforms], not just… strictly regulate them,” he added.

His remarks echo calls from other senators who have argued that the social costs of gambling addiction far outweigh potential government revenues.

Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri earlier filed Senate Bill No. 142 or the Anti-Online Gambling bill, which seeks to impose a total ban on online gambling on mobile devices. The bill also requires internet service providers to restrict public access to gambling websites and apps.

Mr. Zubiri described the rise of gambling addiction in the country as a “silent epidemic,” particularly among the youth.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian also raised alarms about the growing number of underage students engaged in online gambling. In an unnumbered Senate resolution, he called for an inquiry into the issue.

“There have been reports that learners are being exposed to and are actively participating in online gambling platforms,” he said.

While existing laws prohibit minors from engaging in gambling, Mr. Gatchalian said there is still no clear national policy or educational initiative aimed at reducing gambling exposure among students.

PAGCOR reported that gambling revenue in the first quarter rose 27.44% to P104.12 billion. Online and electronic gambling businesses accounted for P51.39 billion, or almost half of gross gaming revenue.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has said he is open to regulating or taxing online gambling, following proposals from the Department of Finance to impose levies on gaming sites.

Meanwhile, Party-list Rep. Marcelino C. Libanan said he would file bills that seek to curb the rise of mobile-based gambling platforms.

In a statement, the House of Representatives minority leader said the rapid expansion of gambling apps accessible via smartphones — amplified by social media and influencer marketing — has created an “invisible threat” to Filipino families.

“We are preparing urgent proposals to clamp down on mobile-based gambling platforms, especially those targeting Filipinos through social media, paid influencers and algorithm-driven advertising,” Mr. Libanan said.

“Our laws must evolve swiftly before this invisible threat tears more Filipino households apart,” he added.

He said mobile gambling’s widespread availability has enticed Filipinos, particularly the youth and low-income groups, with the promise of easy money, fostering a new wave of addiction.

He also urged PAGCOR and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to strictly regulate online gambling platforms and launch public awareness campaigns about the dangers of digital betting.

“Online gambling is being sold to Filipinos as casual fun,” he said. “But it’s anything but harmless. It is fast becoming a serious public health issue.”

Mr. Libanan also called on civil society including teachers, religious groups and community leaders to help combat online betting.

“The government alone cannot fight this battle,” he said. “We need homes, schools and churches to treat online gambling not as a private shame, but as a public threat.”

The lawmaker did not give details about the specific proposals but said the legislative package would focus on limiting access to gambling apps, regulating digital ads and increasing penalties for unlicensed platforms.

The bills come amid rising concern over gambling-related debt, mental health problems, and family conflicts attributed to unregulated online betting, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. — Adrian H. Halili and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

SWS: 66% of Filipinos support impeachment trial for Vice-President

VICE-PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO — PHILIPINE STAR/ RYAN BALDEMOR

SIX OF 10 Filipinos think Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio should undergo an impeachment trial, according to a poll by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Commissioned by think tank Stratbase ADR Institute, the survey found that 66% of Filipinos think the Vice-President should answer the impeachment charges against her before the Senate.

Support for the trial was strongest in Metro Manila, where 76% backed the move. It was followed by Luzon at 69% and the Visayas at 67%. Mindanao, Ms. Duterte’s political stronghold, registered the lowest support at 55%.

“The data indicates growing public expectations for institutional accountability and prompt action,” SWS said in a statement.

Ms. Duterte, a likely contender in the 2028 presidential race, is facing charges of secret fund misuse, unexplained wealth and alleged destabilization efforts including plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his family and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. She has denied all accusations.

The impeachment complaint, filed in February, gained the support of more than 200 congressmen — well beyond the constitutional threshold of one-third required to elevate the case to the Senate for trial.

In a separate SWS survey conducted from June 25 to 29, 44% of respondents said the Senate was deliberately delaying the start of the trial. This comes despite calls from lawmakers and civil society groups to immediately begin proceedings.

“Transparency, accountability and due process are the foundations of a functioning democracy,” Stratbase President Victor Andres C. Manhit said in the statement. “Any perception of delay or inaction risks undermining public trust — not just in individuals, but in the system itself.”

The Senate earlier voted not to dismiss the complaint but returned the articles of impeachment to the House to certify that the charges do not violate the Constitution and that the lower chamber intends to pursue the case in the 20th Congress.

This decision followed intense debates after a Duterte ally in the Senate filed a motion to dismiss the case on the same day the chamber convened as an impeachment court.

The SWS survey also found that 59% of Filipinos were already aware of the impeachment case. Awareness was highest in Metro Manila, followed by the Visayas (64%), Luzon (57%), and Mindanao (52%).

“This level of awareness reflects a more engaged and vigilant public,” Mr. Manhit said. “Filipinos are watching closely and expect the country’s democratic institutions, particularly the Senate, to act decisively and impartially.”

“When half the population is already informed about an ongoing impeachment case, it shows that citizens are not just passive observers. They are actively following developments, asking questions and expecting accountability from public officials,” he added.

The Senate is expected to reconvene as an impeachment court on July 29, a day after the opening of the 20th Congress. A new set of senator-judges will be sworn in on the same day. — Adrian H. Halili

House ‘Cha-cha’ push to ease foreign ownership rules

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A PHILIPPINE congressman on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking to amend the 1987 Constitution to ease foreign ownership limits in key industries and reinforce the country’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Party-list Rep. Alfredo C. Garbin, Jr. submitted Resolution of Both Houses No. 1 at the House of Representatives, proposing changes to economic provisions of the Constitution.

His measure will 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.

“Our Constitution is not written in stone,” Mr. Garbin told reporters after filing the resolution. “It’s not the 10 Commandments, and it is not an infallible instrument of manifest destiny.”

Mr. Garbin argued that the foreign equity restrictions of the Charter are outdated and have stifled competition.

“These restrictive economic provisions only resulted in monopoly or oligopoly and do not favor competition,” he said in mixed English and Filipino. “This constitutional injunction on foreign equity participation does not help attract investors.”

The proposed measure also seeks to convene Congress into a constituent assembly to discuss the amendments, a move that Mr. Garbin said would ensure transparency and avoid self-serving changes such as term extensions.

“In a constituent assembly, we can propose anything but conclude nothing because there is always the twin requirement, which is the proposal and the ratification by the sovereign Filipino people,” he said.

Charter change (Cha-cha) efforts have been a recurring theme in Philippine politics. Previous attempts have either stalled in Congress or failed to gain public support, partly due to concerns about political motives.

The House passed a resolution in 2023 supporting a constitutional convention, and a year later, it pushed joint discussions on amendments by both chambers of Congress. A signature drive to support Cha-cha also fizzled amid allegations that lawmakers were behind the initiative.

Mr. Garbin’s resolution also proposes changes to Article 1 of the Constitution to bolster the country’s maritime claims. It seeks to explicitly include “exclusive economic zone” and “continental shelf” in the definition of national territory.

“Though the article mentions territorial sea, it is silent on the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf, which we won valiantly in the arbitral case in The Hague,” Mr. Garbin said. “It is much better that we should expressly incorporate these terms into our Constitution.”

The proposed addition would reinforce the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral tribunal victory against China that voided Beijing’s sweeping nine-dash line claim over most of the South China Sea.

China has refused to recognize the ruling, and tensions have continued to escalate due to its persistent presence within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Mr. Garbin said support for his resolution is growing in the House, with several political party leaders signaling backing for the measure.

If adopted, the resolution would trigger formal deliberations in Congress on constitutional amendments — a politically sensitive issue that has long divided lawmakers and the public alike. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Distant typhoons bring heavier rains and flooding to PHL — study

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Katherine K. Chan

TROPICAL CYCLONES located hundreds of kilometers away from the Philippines trigger heavier rains and flooding in the country than those that make landfall, a recent study showed.

At least one-third of the rainfall recorded from July to September 2024 can be attributed to typhoons far from the country yet still affecting the southwest monsoon, research by the state weather bureau, the Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University, and their Japanese partner institutions revealed.

“An average of 33.1% of the rainfall during the southwest monsoon season is caused by tropical cyclones that do not make landfall but enhance the Habagat, pulling in large amounts of moisture from the surrounding seas and turning otherwise moderate monsoon rains into torrential downpours,” the report read.

It said that while the “direct” effect of tropical cyclones produces an average of 15.4% of the rainfall during the season, its “indirect” effect brings over twice the said amount.

The remaining 51.5% is caused by the southwest monsoon alone, it added.

Scientists behind the study discovered this phenomenon after analyzing weather data and rainfall patterns along the western coast of the country during the peak southwest monsoon season from 1961 to 2022.

“It was found that tropical cyclones that form farther away from the Philippines tend to move northeast of Luzon and are thereby more likely to enhance the monsoon,” the Ateneo de Manila University said in a statement.

“In contrast, those that form closer to the country often take shorter, westward tracks and thus have a weaker effect on the southwest monsoon,” it added.

The southwest monsoon, locally referred to as “Habagat,” brings warm and moist winds from the southwest, producing rainfall over the western parts of the Philippines between May and September.

In July 2024, Super Typhoon Carina, although it did not make landfall, strengthened the southwest monsoon, triggering torrential rains and widespread flooding throughout Luzon. Its impact claimed 48 lives and left P8 billion in damage.

The study urged local governments and disaster response agencies to learn the difference between rains induced by the southwest monsoon alone and those influenced by tropical cyclones.

This could help authorities and flood-prone communities, such as Metro Manila, Zambales, Ilocos, and Palawan, prepare better for calamities.

“Understanding these distinctions is crucial for local governments and disaster response agencies, especially as climate change increases the unpredictability of both tropical cyclones and seasonal rainfall,” the study read.

Last month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced the start of the rainy season due to the southwest monsoon.

In a 4 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Zambales, Bataan, the rest of Visayas and Mindanao; while the rest of Luzon may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms.

A low-pressure area was spotted 1,050 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon at 3 p.m., which could bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Caraga, eastern Visayas, Catanaduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate.

DFA: 8 seafarers now in PHL custody

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THE EIGHT rescued Filipino crew members of the MV Eternity C are now in the joint custody of Philippine government agencies in Jeddah and their shipping agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Tuesday.

“Eight out of the 21 Filipino seafarers of the ill-fated MV Eternity C have safely disembarked at the port city of Jizan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and are now in the joint custody of the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, the Migrant Workers’ Office-Jeddah, and their shipping agency,” the DFA said in a statement.

Last week, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that Houthi rebels in small boats attacked and sank the MV Eternity C using drones and rocket propelled grenades as it was sailing in the Red Sea near Yemen.

The DFA added that the rescued Filipino seafarers will undergo mandatory medical assessment before their scheduled repatriation.

“We are working round-the-clock with their manning agency and the shipping company to ensure they receive the care and support they need,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said in a separate statement.

He added that the DMW and the DFA are working to account for the remaining 13 Filipino crewmen from the MV Eternity C. The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier was carrying 22 crew members, 21 of which were Filipinos.

“The DMW has conducted home visits to the families of the 13 seafarers, and assured them of their full support and assistance,” it added.

The attack on the MV Eternity C was among the latest attacks by Houthi rebels after it pledged support for Palestinians in Gaza, since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in 2023. — Adrian H. Halili

PHL, Oman to ink MoU for OFW safety

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are seen at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE PHILIPPINES is looking to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman for the protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by January next year, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

“The MoU establishes safeguards for Filipino workers through ethical recruitment standards, fair employment terms, joint dispute resolution mechanisms, and regular monitoring through a bilateral Joint Committee,” the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Through ongoing partnerships, the department remains committed to helping OFWs access dignified work, fair treatment, and new skills to thrive abroad,” the DMW added.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said that the agency is also looking to streamline the deployment of Filipino workers.

“By forging digital partnerships with host countries like Oman, we can make recruitment faster, more transparent, and more worker-friendly,” Mr. Cacdac added. “Tech solutions can ensure every step is secure, accountable, and focused on protecting OFWs.”

Omani Minister of Labor Mahad Bin Said Ali Baawain said that the Middle Eastern country is actively looking for more Filipino domestic workers, technicians, port staff, among others. — Adrian H. Halili

SCS tensions hinder energy projects

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

TENSIONS OVER disputed waters have discouraged potential investors from pursuing energy projects in the Philippines, hampering Manila’s pursuit of an independent energy sector, according to the Energy chief.

“[The conflict in the South China Sea (SCS) is] definitely [affecting us], because no investor will risk millions or billions of pesos when they are not sure if they are secure,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin told Palace reporters on Tuesday in mixed English and Filipino.

She said even the Malampaya gas field, which lies within Beijing’s expansive nine-dash line claim, requires constant monitoring by the Philippine Coast Guard and military to ensure operations remain safe from threats.

“That’s a major activity and a major investment. If you’re in a disputed area or near it, legitimate investors will shy away from that,” she said.

The Philippines has been pushing to tap offshore oil and gas reserves to reduce dependence on imports and shore up energy security. However, repeated confrontations with Chinese vessels in contested waters have raised concerns about the viability of projects in the region.

Despite these geopolitical headwinds, the government remains optimistic that the three new wells of Malampaya could yield gas by late next year, ensuring the electricity supply even beyond Mr. Marcos’ term in 2028.

If drilling results are positive, the new wells could supply electricity for up to 10 years.

Two wells — Camago-3 and Malampaya East — are showing excellent prospects, while the government is hopeful that the third, Bagong Pagasa, will also become an additional source.

Once gas is confirmed, Ms. Garin said connection to the existing Malampaya platform could be completed within a year, enabling power generation from the new wells by late 2026.

Meanwhile, the Energy chief said that the government plans to award eight more gas exploration contracts, including two of the world’s first hydrogen contracts and two for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Malampaya, the Philippines’ first and only indigenous gas resource, supplies about 20% of Luzon’s electricity needs and has been producing since 2002.

During an aerial inspection on Monday, Mr. Marcos flew over the platform and drilling ship Noble Viking, which is currently boring through at least three kilometers of seabed at the three sites off Palawan. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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