A man, who is the first client of Lingap Para sa Mahirap Poblacion satellite office inside the Davao City Recreation Center compound along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City, fills up a form for an assistance application on Thursday. The Lingap Poblacion is the city goverment of Davao's 6th Lingap Para sa Mahirap satellite office in the city. LEAN DAVAL JR
The city government of Davao brings the services of Lingap Para sa Mahirap closer to residents in the downtown area by opening Lingap Para sa Mahirap Poblacion office inside the Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras Gym) compound along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City on Thursday.
The blessing and inauguration of the 6th Lingap Para sa Mahirap satellite office was graced by City Information Office (CIO) chief Harvey Lanticse, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Kristine Abdul Mercado, Lingap Para sa Mahirap officer in charge Ytalia Bohol, several barangay chairmen and barangay executives.
“This brings us to today wherein we celebrate the commencement of another Lingap satellite office’s operation — the Lingap-Poblacion Satellite Office. This satellite office aims to cater to the needs of Dabawenyos in the downtown area. This eliminates their need to spend resources just to get to SPMC – where our main office is currently located,” said Bohol.
Bohol said the opening will also decongest the main Lingap Center at SPMC.
The Lingap Program has been one of the flagship programs of the city government of Davao wherein Dabawenyos may avail assistance for drug prescriptions, laboratory fees, hospital bills, and burial costs.
“Lingap has undergone various developments, including digitalization which streamlined the processes involved in providing medical and funeral assistance to Dabawenyos. We launched the City Public Assistance Management System for this purpose, aligning with the key priorities of the City’s administration,” Bohol said.
Bohol said in 2023, a total of 214,423 medical and funeral assistance was provided bu the office, which is higher than the 2022’s 151,120.
The city has expanded the Lingap Para sa Mahirap by opening satellite offices in various areas of Davao City including Bunawan, Calinan, Marilog, Paquibato, and Toril.
“Although Lingap has seen a constant increase in its number of beneficiaries since its institutionalization, our clientele has further increased since the establishment of these satellite offices,” Bohol said.
Bohol said the new Lingap office is now ready to cater to Dabawenyos located in the downtown area.
Vice President Sara Duterte bares that people around her father and two siblings, former President Rodrigo Duterte; Davao City First District Representative Paolo and Mayor Sebastian, told her that the they are preparing to run for national position in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. Screenshot photo during the VP's presser
Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday night said she will release a video that will expose a story of the “handler” of former senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes, Senator Risa Hontiveros, and Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers Party-list.
The vice president claimed no one knows that a “video” is in her possession that will directly link the “handler,” who she said is behind the impeachment plot against her.
This after Trillanes said 22 articles are outlined in their impeachment complaint against the vice president, covering betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes.
According to Duterte, Trillanes, Hontiveros, and Castro have one “handler” and she knows who is it but she will not identify the “handler” until its story is mentioned in the Good Government inquiry of the House of Representatives (HOR).
“Iisa lang ang handler ni Risa Hontiveros, Sonny Trillanes and France Castro. Although si France I think she is serving two masters. Hindi siya direct doon sa isa. Dito lang siya sa isa. Isa lang ang handler nilang tatlo. Meron kasi siyang kwento hindi ko mailabas hangat hindi pa lumalabas yung kwento. Lalabas ito sa good government na inquiry,” Duterte said.
“About (story) sa akin na related sa kanya. May video pa yun eh. Tapos sabi nila ako daw yung hindi mapagkatiwalaan ni hindi pa nga lumalabas yung video, wala ngang nakakaalam nung video eh. Ako lang,” Duterte said.
The vice president said she knows who (is behind) the impeachment plan but she will only divulge the identity at a proper time. When the story about the “handler” comes out, she vowed to tell everything.
“Alam ko kung sino (nasa likod) pero hindi ko siya masabi at a proper time seguro pag lumabas na yung story about sa kanya sasabihin ko yung lahat ng alam ko. Pero hindi pa kasi lumalabas dito sa hearing yung pangalan niya. So pag merong nagsalita diyan about sa kanya, sasagutin ko at sasabihin ko kung sino,” she said.
The vice president said the impeachment rumor was started by Castro. She even cited Castro’s grounds for impeachment that she pronounced last year that stated “Especially on the misuse of public funds and technical malversation and violating the 1987 Constitution because a government official is bound to follow the Constitution, and it’s a ground for impeachment if you don’t.”
“Last year pa lang meron na siyang grounds for impeachment, kaya sinasabi ko ginagawan nila ng paraan para pasok lahat yung kailangan nila doon sa pinag-usapan nila na grounds. Ngayon ang track ni France Castro and Sonny Trillanes is impeachment,” she said.
“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned to buy things they
don’t want to impress people they don’t like.”— Will Rogers
***
If we have money – lots of it – we think we can be happy. Sure, money can buy happiness, some people claim. They can always use money to go to another country, to buy what they want, to use other people for their own contentment.
But at the end of the day, you may conclude that money isn’t everything. The happiness you get from having money is not at all total happiness. Once the money is gone, happiness is gone, too.
You get to know your friends – if they really are your friends – once you don’t have any money. They are your friends only because you have the means, the capabilities, the power, and the wealth.
Let me tell you a story told by Willi Hoffsuemmer. Read it silently and learn a lesson or two from it:
There was once a poor shoemaker who was always in a good mood. He was so happy that he sang from morning to night. There were always children standing at his window and listening to him sing.
Next door to him lived a very rich man. He spent his nights counting his money, and then went to bed in the morning, but he could not sleep because of the shoemaker’s singing. One day, he figures out how he could keep the shoemaker from singing.
So, he invited the shoemaker to come over and see him. He did. To his great surprise, the rich man gave him a little bag filled with gold coins. When the shoemaker got back home, he opened the little bag. Never in his life had he ever seen so much money.
The shoemaker counted it all out carefully, and the children watched him. It was so much that he was afraid to let it out of sight and so he took it along to bed at night. But even there, he kept thinking about the money and could not sleep.
So, then he got up and took the bag of money up to the attic. But on second thought, he was afraid it was not safe there. So, the next morning, he brought the money downstairs again.
He then thought of hiding it in the fireplace. “But I’ll just put it in the chicken coop. No one would look for it there,” he said to himself.
But he was still nervous about the money and so he dug a deep hole in the garden and hid it there. He was so preoccupied with the money that he never got back to making shoes. Nor could he sing any more. He was so worried that he could not produce a single note. And worst of all, the children did not come around to visit him any longer.
Finally, the shoemaker was so unhappy that he dug up the money and hurried back to his neighbor with it. “Please take this money back,” he said. “Worry about it has made me sick, and even my friends do not come to see me anymore. I would rather be a shoemaker like I was.”
Soon, the shoemaker was again as happy and contented as before and he sang and worked the whole day.
If the story makes you contemplate with your life, then here’s another similar story but different which was written by a certain De Mello:
A barer was passing under a haunted tree when he heard a voice say, “Would you like to have seven jars of gold?” He looked around and saw no one. But his greed was aroused, so he shouted eagerly, “Yes, I certainly would.”
“Then go home at once,” the voice said. “You will find them there.”
The barber ran all the way home. Sure enough, there were the seven jars – all full of gold, except for one tat was only half-full. Now the barber could not bear the though of having a jar half-filled.
He had all the jewelry of his family melted into gold coins and poured them into the half-filled jar. But the jar remained as half-filled as before. This was exasperating! He saved and skimped and starved himself and his family. To no avail. No matter how much gold he put into the jar, it remained half-filled.
So, one day, he begged the king to increase his salary. His salary was doubled. Again, the fight to fill the jar was on. He even took to begging. The jar devoured every gold coin thrown into it and remained stubbornly half-filled.
The king now noticed how miserable and starved the barber looked. “What is wrong with you?” he asked. “You were so happy and contented when your salary was smaller. Now, that it has been doubled, you are so worn out and dejected. Can it be that you have the seven jars of gold with you?”
The barber was astonished. “Who told you this, your Majesty?” he asked.
The king laughed. “These are obviously the symptoms of the person to whom the ghost offers the seven jars. He once offered to me. I asked if this money could be spent or was merely to be hoarded and he just vanished without a word. That money cannot be spent. It only brings with it the compulsion to hoard. Go and give it back to the ghost this minute and you will be happy again.”
See, happiness is not just about money and wealth. I know, some of you will still argue that money matters when it comes to happiness. But having lots of money means wanting more. You can never be satisfied with what you have. You will long for more wealth. And in the end, you lost completely the happiness which you had before.
Workers work on the metal structure of a high-rise building that is being constructed along Quimpo Boulevard in Davao City on Wednesday. The country is leading among surveyed Southeast Asian countries in plans to adopt data strategy in the construction industry, according the a research conducted by a leading global provider of construction management software. LEAN DAVAL JR.
Davao City ranked first in economic dynamism and infrastructure among highly urbanized cities in Visayas and Mindanao in the recent Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Ranking.
The CMCI is an annual competition conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) wherein cities and municipalities competitiveness is measured through five indicators including economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resilience, and innovation.
Among highly urbanized cities in Visayas and Mindanao, CMCI results showed that the city is the most competitive in economic dynamism earning the highest score of 7.5468, and 8.4445 in infrastructure.
Davao City has consistently been in the top 10 of the most competitive highly urbanized cities since 2015.
This year, the city ranked 7 out of 33 highly urbanized cities with a significant increase in its score from 49.08 in 2023 to 49.83 in 2024.
Christian Cambaya, Davao City Investment Promotions Center’s (DCIPC) Investors Assistance and Servicing Unit Head, said the increase of the number of business establishments in the city from 2023 to 2024 contributed significantly in the city’s performance in terms of economic dynamism.
“The increase of business establishments can be attributed to the initiatives of the city government to simplify the business process in the city including the application of permits which are automated,” he said in an interview with the City Information Office.
“Similarly for DCIPC, applications for investor incentives can be lodged online,” Cambaya added.
The report submitted by the Davao City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to the DTI also shows that high impact areas for economic dynamism in the city includes the active establishments in the city, the cost of doing business, and safety compliant businesses.
In terms of infrastructure, the city government’s investment, distance to ports, availability of basic utilities, health, and education infrastructures significantly boosted the city’s standing.
Cambaya said that the ranking is a reflection of the continuous efforts of the city government in pushing for the growth and development of the city.
Davao City also ranked first in Information Communication Technology (ICT) Plan, ICT Use-BPLS Software, online payment facilities, Land Use Plan, Disaster Risk Reduction Plan, Local Risk Assessments, compliance with National Directives, and compliance with Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Citizens Charter. CIO
When a friend broached the idea of partnering with me in launching a PR agency of sorts, I encouraged her to do it solo. I’m kind of a perfectionist and I didn’t want that to get in the way of our friendship. I did tell her I was just around if she wanted to pick my brain. I thought then that it would be a good idea to share my experiences as a PR and communications consultant.
When I retired early from my corporate career years ago, I decided to go into consulting. I banked on my previous work experiences, lifting from the extensive and complex work I did in communications. The fact that I used to work in one of the top five corporations in the country helped boost my qualifications. All these earned me consultancy contracts with a diverse set of clients.
I consider as my first real client one of the biggest real estate companies in the Philippines. I did PR work for their developments in Davao Region for about 12 years, and for their Northern Mindanao projects for a few years. In between, I also accepted multiple short- and long-term communications projects. Overall, I’ve worked with international NGOs, multigovernment organizations, big corporations, and even a national celebrity for her multiple advocacies. So what have I learned in over 15 years of consultancy? There are many but let me focus on four lessons that I won’t forget to this day.
Do not blindly follow what the client wants. The project’s regional coordinator wanted me to write for the newsletter about the visit of their country director. I readily agreed because it was a directive from the client and would document such a rare visit. However, the country director was not impressed. He wanted the story to focus on their project, not him. I realized I should have done a deeper study of how they treat their content, and provided advice to the coordinator on story angles. From then on, I always ask if a client has a content style guide.
Do not give a fully detailed proposal. The president of a national conglomerate I formerly worked for sent for me. He said the CEO had given him marching orders to ensure their company’s reputation could keep up with their expansion into real estate. I conducted a PR audit and then developed a comprehensive PR campaign, complete with timelines, activities, tactics, metrics, the whole shebang. It was too late when I realized I had given them all the ingredients and instructions to run the PR campaign themselves. I never did try to find out if they did, but I was happy to have been part of its inception.
Do not accept projects outside your expertise (and don’t let them undermine your expertise). I was eager to do a PR campaign for an environmental NGO because their advocacy was close to my heart. But they wanted to do a benefit to raise funds. Event management was not my cup of tea, even if I hired a subcontractor. They also wanted to use the amount of funds generated as a metric in my performance as a consultant. That made me feel queasy and served as the final straw to walk away.
Do not settle for a rate you’re not happy with. There will always be negotiations over your professional fee. If you feel the fee you’re getting is not commensurate with your efforts, you won’t be happy working on the project. If you’re not happy working on the project, you run the risk of giving a mediocre performance, risking the quality of results. Poor results will then tarnish your reputation. I’m sure by now there are formulas for coming up with a consultancy rate. During my time, when PR consultants were rare in Davao, I had to come up with my own formula based on some research. The basics I make sure to factor in are experience, knowledge, skillset, scope of work, and level of effort. Make sure to separate your professional fee from operational costs and any out-of-pocket expenses.
Rule of thumb is this – if you’re a newbie, do not charge as a seasoned consultant. Otherwise, you’ll lose clients even before you get them. Good luck consulting!
TAGUIG, Philippines—CIVIC Merchandising Incorporated, a leading force in the heavy equipment sector, recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a grand event attended by its valued partners and esteemed guests last September 17.
Established in 1974, CIVIC has evolved from a spare parts business to selling used equipment and becoming a dealer of major international brands such as Volvo, growing through a commitment to customer service and a civic duty of giving back, that influenced the company name.
“We are here because of you, because of all the support from all the different segments, and everybody contributed to where we are right now. So, this is our way of giving thanks,” Mr. Ronald Yao said during the conference.
CIVIC has undergone significant changes over the decades, most notably in 1995, and its mission is encapsulated in its tagline, “Where service comes first.”
Looking forward, CIVIC is embracing sustainability and innovation, aiming for projects such as the digitalization of systems, and transitioning to electric equipment and hybrid service vehicles.
“When we say sustainability initiatives, we have set our targets. By the year 2030, we aim to achieve 70% reduction of our net carbon emission,” Ms. Mary Grace Lim-Ramos shared.
Despite encountering challenges, including an increasingly competitive market with over 20 new players, CIVIC remains confident in its future, attributing its success to the foundational values of hard work and customer care.
“…with how we work and with how we got our foundation, the values we got from our first generation are our edge; the value of hard work, the value of taking care of our people, and taking care of our customers. We have quality equipment, we have quality people, and we go beyond partnership. When we say go beyond partnership, we do not just consider you as partners or clients, we are your friends and we are one call away”, Mr. Ronald Yao elaborated.
CIVIC is developing more programs to highlight their customer service capabilities. One of which is the “Unli Service Project”, a new customer-focused initiative offering free labor for an extended number of years, going beyond the typical warranty period to help customers maximize their equipment’s lifespan, as mentioned by Mr. Scott Chester Ngo.
During the celebratory night, CIVIC also addressed how it has navigated through major crises, such as the Asian financial crisis and the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“During COVID, our sales dropped by 90% in one week… but I’m very proud of that time because, at the peak of COVID, we were given an award by Volvo as the only country that increased their market share,” Mr. Ronald Yao said.
Reflecting on its half-century of success, CIVIC expressed its profound gratitude to its customers, suppliers, bank partners and employees, crediting their continued trust and support as essential to reaching this milestone and enabling them to go beyond partnership (By: Nicole Hermione Atayde)
From left, Holcim Philippines Chief Sustainability Officer Samuel Manlosa, Jr., President and CEO Nicolas George, ASKI Microfinance Executive Director Jane Manucdoc, and ASKI Foundation Executive Director Elena Velasco during the signing ceremony of the partnership on September 13
Leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc., ASKI Foundation, and Alalay sa Kaunlaran Microfinance Social Development, Inc. (ASKI Microfinance) are expanding their partnership to support the construction and renovation of houses for disaster resilience.
Under the partnership, Holcim will fund the project, which aims to help at least 30 families in Nueva Ecija build or improve their homes for disaster resilience. The initiative expands the successful 2023 program that helped 37 families in Aurora strengthen their houses against extreme weather.
ASKI Foundation will conduct community awareness campaigns on using the right building materials for the right application, ensuring efficient material consumption and lower construction costs. ASKI Foundation will also train local masons on using Holcim products on resilient building.
ASKI Microfinance, meanwhile, will extend home-strengthening microloans to qualified clients in Nueva Ecija. These clients must use Holcim products such as general-purpose cement Excel ECOPlanet and TectorCeram Skimcoat and TectorPlast Tile Adhesives.
Sam Manlosa, Jr., Holcim Philippines Chief Sustainability Officer: “We are excited to expand our successful partnership with ASKI and ASK Foundation to help build resilient homes for the most vulnerable in the Philippines. This initiative gives us a more holistic contribution to climate action and complements our ongoing efforts to decarbonize operations. This program also shows the value of integrating sustainability in the business for positive results and social impact.”
Jane Manucdoc, Executive Director, ASKI Microfinance: “As a social development advocate, there is no greater joy than seeing clients uplift their lives and live peaceably within the safety of their homes. The ASKI and Holcim Resilient Housing Program is dedicated to providing livable, resilient, and affordable homes for families in need. This initiative not only addresses the critical need for housing but also ensures that these homes are built to withstand natural disasters, offering long-term safety and stability. By empowering families with secure and sustainable housing, the program fosters stronger, more resilient communities, ultimately providing a foundation for a better future.”
ASKI was started in 1986 by Christian business leaders in Nueva Ecija to support the community’s development by providing microfinancing access to small entrepreneurs and other members of society not served by bigger funding institutions. It has grown to serve rural communities and overseas Filipino workers with a portfolio of Php1.7 billion with 92 branches in Regions 1, 2, and 3, serving more than 100,000 clients and insuring more than 800,000 members and their families.Safety Management System).
Dabawenyos visit the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office inside Magsaysay Park in Davao City on Thursday to claim their voter's certificate. The proposed measure seeking to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections from December 2022 to December 2023 due to issues plaguing both the Barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan systems starts rolling in the Senate. Edge Davao
The Commission on Elections-Davao Region (Comelec-Davao) is anticipating an influx of candidates and supporters during the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) starting next week for the May 12, 2025 national and local elections.
Speaking during “Wednesdays Media Forum at the Habi at Kape,” lawyer Gay Enumerables, Comelec-Davao assistant regional director, said that the election officers have coordinated with the security cluster in preparation for the surge of aspirants seeking to run for public office and their constituents during the filing of COCs.
The filing of COCs will start on Oct. 1 until Oct. 8. The election period for national and local positions will start on Feb. 11 and March 28, respectively
Enumerables added that some towns requested Comelec-Davao for bigger venues in anticipation of larger crowds, which will be secured by police and military personnel.
“Every filing of COCs is really like a fiesta, so our election officers are preparing,” she added.
She added that the poll body has not recorded any election-related violence in the region, although Comelec-Davao officials have yet to meet with the security sector to discuss potential areas that may be put under the list of “areas of concern” during elections.
For Davao City, applicants for the positions of mayor, vice mayor, and House of Representatives will be received at the Comelec-Davao’s third district office while applicants gunning for seats in the city council will be at their respective Comelec-Davao district offices in Magsaysay Park.
Meanwhile, Enumerables said that as of Sept. 21, Comelec-Davao recorded a total of 374,160 processed applications for registration, transfer, reactivation, and correction since Feb. 12. Out of this total, over 150,000 were for registration of new voters.
She said the registration deadline would be on Sept. 30.
Enumerables said that election officers were very aggressive in conducting satellite registrations in barangays across the Davao Region, particularly in far-flung areas, which helped lessen the crowd at the district offices of Comelec.
Enumerables said that through satellite registrations, Comelec-Davao has covered all barangays in the region, reaching even the Lumad communities. She added that they Davao did not encounter major problems during satellite registrations, save for power outages in the provinces. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
Aeon Luxe Properties, Inc. is a leading real estate developer in Mindanao, specializing in crafting luxurious and innovative homes. Our mission is to create communities where people can live, work, and play conveniently, transforming Davao's skyline and setting industry benchmarks with projects like Aeon Towers and Aeon Bleu.
Aeon Luxe Properties Inc (ALPI) President and Ceo Ian Y. Cruz bared the company’s vision to create an urban sanctuary that combines two of the essential things homebuyers are looking for.
“Our vision of creating an urban sanctuary that combines luxury with convenience is becoming a reality, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and partners,” said Ian Y. Cruz, President and CEO of Aeon Luxe Properties.
Aeon Luxe Properties proudly announces the topping-off of their Aeon Bleu Residential Towers (Tower 1 and 2) last September 20, 2024. The event marks a significant milestone in the construction of this premier residential complex, aimed at providing luxurious and modern living spaces in the heart of Davao City.
The ceremony commenced with a blessing of the buildings, led by Fr. Emmanuel Gonzaga, followed by an official ceremony. Key figures in attendance included Francisco T. Cruz, Chairman of the Board; Ian Y. Cruz, President and CEO; Alvin Y. Cruz, Lesley Ann C. Arquiza, Lesley Diane C. Co, Engr. Ferdinand Manucot, Construction Manager; Engr. Juvenel Lim, Project Manager; and Mr. Marlon Ferolin of Land Bank. Special guests from Reyna ng Davao, the construction team, brokers, agents, suppliers, and the sales team were also present to celebrate this momentous occasion.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the completion of this phase of Aeon Bleu,” said Ian Y. Cruz, President and CEO of Aeon Luxe Properties. “Our vision of creating an urban sanctuary that combines luxury with convenience is becoming a reality, thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and partners.”
About Aeon Bleu
Aeon Bleu is a sprawling complex that consists of six magnificent buildings, featuring three opulent residences, a luxurious condotel, sophisticated residential offices,and the exclusive Club Aeon. The complex offers seamless connectivity to recreational and commercial establishments while being enveloped by lush green spaces. Whether you’re seeking vibrant entertainment, sumptuous dining, or a shopper’s paradise, Aeon Bleu provides an unparalleled urban living experience designed for both families and professionals.
Aeon Luxe Properties is committed to creating sustainable and secure living environments, featuring energy-efficient structures, 24/7 security, cutting-edge amenities, and prime locations that promise long-term investment value.
For more information, visit Aeon Luxe Properties.
Fresh vegetables and other basic goods are on display at a market stall inside the Agdao Public Market in Davao City in this undated photo. The Philippine Statistics Authority said the country's headline inflation slightly increased from 3.8 percent in April to 3.9 percent in May. LEAN DAVAL JR
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its economic growth forecast for the Philippines this year and 2025 as it expects monetary easing and decelerating inflation to drive growth.
In the September edition of its flagship publication, Asian Development Outlook (ADO), the ADB said the growth forecast for the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) was unchanged from the July edition, at 6% for 2024 and 6.2% for 2025.
“Moderating inflation, monetary easing, and sustained public spending, particularly on major infrastructure projects, will support Philippine economic growth this year and the next,“ the Manila-based multilateral lending said.
The ADB’s figures fall within the lower end of the Marcos administration’s GDP target range of 6% to 7% for the year and 6.5% to 7.5% for next year.
The Philippines posted a growth rate of 6.3% in the second quarter of 2024—the fastest in five quarters—on the back of strong consumption activities.
The ADB also lowered its inflation forecast to 3.6% in 2024 from its April estimate of 3.8%, reflecting the sustained deceleration in food prices partly due to lower tariffs on rice imports.
Inflation is expected to ease further to 3.2% in 2025 compared to the previous estimate of 3.4%, according to the lender.
“Most of the ingredients for the Philippines’ sustained economic growth are in place—rising government revenues are boosting public expenditures on infrastructure and social services, increasing employment is driving consumption, and reforms to open the economy to more investments are underway. With inflation slowing, the country is in a strong position to lead growth in Southeast Asia,” said ADB Philippines country director Pavit Ramachandran.
The bank said risks remain due to potential severe weather events, which could drive inflation higher.
“External factors such as a sharper slowdown in major advanced economies and the People’s Republic of China, financial volatility due to US monetary policy decisions, geopolitical tensions, and rising global commodity prices also pose threats to growth,” the ADB said.
The bank cited the government’s public infrastructure spending, which is seen to range between 5% and 6% of GDP annually from 2024 to 2028, after hitting 5.8% of GDP in 2023.
The government’s “Build Better More” infrastructure program includes 66 ongoing projects and another 31 approved for implementation as of August 2024.
“The infrastructure program aims to enhance physical connectivity through railways, bridges, and airports, or strengthen water management through irrigation, water supply, and flood control,” the ADB said.
“Climate change mitigation and adaptation, digital connectivity, energy, and agriculture projects are also prioritized under this program,” it added.
The ADB said it is financing key infrastructure projects, such as the Malolos Clark Railway Project and the South Commuter Railway Project, which will link Metro Manila to northern and southern provinces in Luzon.
The bank is also supporting the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project and the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project, which aim to enhance flood and climate change resilience in three major river basins in the country.
