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When Agentic AI decides

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IT was one of those Mondays when the air inside the Iloilo Convention Center felt both charged and careful—charged because about 500 people from tech, business, schools, and government came together to talk about what’s next; careful because that “next” is already here and it’s something both exciting and a bit intimidating: Agentic AI.

I was there as a moderator and rapporteur, lucky to have a front-row seat as experts broke it down. Michelle Alarcon, President of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines, explained that Agentic AI goes beyond the chatbots and image generators we’ve been playing with for the past two years. It’s not just about creating or simulating—it’s about thinking through a task and acting on it. It’s a jump from an AI that waits for you to tell it what to do, to one that can figure things out and get things done on its own.

Alarcon made it clear: AI is no longer just one trend. It’s now a “convergence driver,” connecting other technologies so they work together better. She gave real-life examples: Cursor, which can turn plain instructions into working code, and OpenAI’s Operator, which can book flights or fill out forms without someone watching over it every step. This is the Agentic AI we’re talking about—AI agents that can plan, decide, and carry out multi-step tasks. But she also gave a warning: our rules and safeguards for this level of autonomy are still thin. Without stronger ethics, clear accountability, and transparency, the same tech that can save us time could also make important decisions without anyone taking responsibility.

The succeeding panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Bobby Gerardo, Chair of RASUC VI, echoed that point. From the business side, Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida, Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Western Visayas, said companies are eager to use AI, including Agentic AI, but its benefits will only be real if schools and businesses work together. He said employers now want graduates who can lead AI projects, not just follow them. This connected well with Alarcon’s point—Agentic AI is powerful, but it still needs people with both tech know-how and sound judgment to guide it.

From the education side, Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, National President of PASUC, said bluntly that Agentic AI will be useless if our teachers and students are undertrained. He called for targeted training, quick upskilling programs for faculty, and curriculum changes to include basics like coding and math. Without that foundation, even the best AI tool is like a guitar in the hands of someone afraid to play—full of potential but silent. I have seen it myself: capable people avoiding digital tools, not because they can’t, but because they don’t feel ready or confident.

From the government’s side, DOST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Leah Buendia shared that P2 billion has been invested in AI research from 2022 to 2025. But she reminded everyone that money and plans aren’t enough. For Agentic AI to work in the real world, government, schools, and businesses must work hand in hand. I thought about rural classrooms I’ve visited, where internet is slow and computers are old. In those settings, AI—especially Agentic AI—can feel like a far-off dream. But if resources are allocated well, it could be the very bridge that brings better learning opportunities to these areas.

What makes Agentic AI so powerful is also what makes it tricky: it can act by itself. Imagine a digital tutor that notices a student’s struggle, changes its approach, and keeps their attention alive. Or an AI that grades all papers so teachers can focus more on mentoring. In a school without a science lab, it could run simulations so students can still learn by doing. In business, it could handle a customer’s needs from start to finish without a manager stepping in. But without human checks, it could also make decisions that ignore human context—like denying a refund just because “the system” says so.

Alarcon’s reminder stuck with me: “The goal is not to win the AI race, but to implement it responsibly.” It echoed something I’ve always believed—skills without conscience are incomplete. In schools, communities, and offices, we need to prepare people not just to use AI well, but to use it wisely.

What gave me hope was that 2025 AI Fest Conference, the first of its kind in the country courtesy of DOST Region VI and partners, didn’t stop at theory. There were concrete ideas: linking schools with businesses to design AI-focused programs, testing AI in community settings, and funding AI tools for farming and fisheries. Atty. Peñaflorida even mentioned local businesses willing to partner with universities on projects that solve supply chain problems. These are real, doable steps where Agentic AI can prove its value now.

But the road ahead is uneven. Reliable internet, modern devices, and updated software are still not accessible to all. And even with the right tools, people can resist change. Alarcon warned that without managing this change, the gap between those who master AI and those who do not will grow wider—especially in business and education. In business, that could mean well-adapted companies leaving slower adopters struggling to catch up. Some schools might graduate students fluent in managing AI agents, while others might produce graduates who have never even worked with one.

One line from Ms. Mira Dy of AWS Singapore summed it up for me: “Predict and optimize (Traditional AI), create and simulate (Generative AI), reason and act (Agentic AI).” That last part—reason and act—means AI is no longer just the future; it’s already here, shaping our present. But it can still be improved, and that improvement depends on us—on whose judgment and values it reflects.

As I walked out of the ICC hall after AI Fest Day 1 sessions, I thought of what we often tell students: leadership is about creating more leaders, not collecting followers. In the same way, Agentic AI’s real worth will be measured not by how much it can do alone, but by how wisely and humanely it works with us. Its abilities are impressive, but the real power lies in the choices we make with it—and for now, those choices are still ours.

***

Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.

Empowering Dreams: SM Foundation awards scholarships to 33 College Freshmen from Batangas

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THIRTY-THREE (33) college freshmen from various areas in Batangas were awarded scholarships by SM Foundation in a ceremony held at SM City Batangas, Monday, August 4

The awarding ceremony attended by SM Foundation representatives and officials from SM City Batangas and SM Store Batangas, was a significant milestone for the aspiring students, who were accompanied by their proud parents as they participated in the orientation and contract signing at the mall’s Event Hub.

In his welcome message, SM City Batangas Assistant Mall Manager Bernard Coronel extended his congratulations to the scholars and their families.

“You are here not just because of your academic excellence, but because of your resilience, your determination and your unwavering belief in the power of education to transform lives.” he said. As SM Scholars, you carry with you the legacy of a program built on the vision of uplifting Filipino youth through education. “

Highlighting the impact of the program, an SM scholar alumnus, Richard Amante, SM Store Batangas Manager, Personal Shopper 2 shared also an inspiring message during the event.

“SM didn’t just give me an education and a job — it gave me a home, a family, and a future,” the alumnus shared. ” Trust your process, work with your heart, and believe in what you can become. Because dreams do come true. I’m a living proof.”

The scholarship provides full tuition coverage, monthly allowances, and access to various activities and opportunities designed to support academic and professional development. These include assemblies, part-time work during school breaks, on-the-job training, and employment opportunities within the SM Group after graduation.

The Scholarship Program, established in 1993 by the SM Group founder Henry Sy Sr., aims to make education accessible and to support the development of future professionals through structured support and long term opportunities, enabling scholars to uplift their families and contribute meaningfully to their communities. It has now supported over 6,000 scholars across the country.|

Using econometrics to solve quandaries in public policy making

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ECONOMETRICS is a technical field that rarely makes headlines, yet its impact on public policy is undeniable.

In the Philippines, only a handful of individuals are recognized experts in econometrics, but remarkably, several of them have held key positions in government.

Names like Ernesto Pernia, Solita Monsod, Felipe Medalla, and the current National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) secretary, Arsenio Balisacan, are among the few who have used their expertise to shape national policies.

However, despite the presence of these experts in leadership roles, econometrics itself is rarely credited as a decision-making tool in public discourse.

Why does Secretary Balisacan, with his deep econometric background, not openly advocate for its use in policy formulation at NEDA?

The answer may lie in the technical complexity of econometrics, which often makes it inaccessible to the public and to policymakers who favor more straightforward approaches.

Why Econometrics Matters in Policy-Making

Econometrics applies statistical and mathematical models to real-world economic data, allowing policymakers to make informed decisions based on empirical evidence rather than intuition or political pressure. It plays a crucial role in:

1. Assessing Policy Effectiveness – Determining whether policies achieve their intended goals.

2. Forecasting Economic Trends – Predicting the potential impact of new policies.

3. Resource Allocation – Ensuring funds and efforts are directed where they yield the greatest benefit.

4. Monitoring Economic Performance – Providing real-time assessments to adjust strategies as needed.

Two Cases Where Econometrics Can Provide Clear Answers

1. The Polymer vs Abaca Fiber Debate in Currency Production – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently replaced abaca-based banknotes with polymer currency, citing durability and security.

However, reports suggest polymer bills are still being counterfeited, raising questions about whether the switch was beneficial.

Econometrics can be used to analyze the total costs of both materials, factoring in production expenses, environmental impact, and economic benefits for abaca farmers. A rigorous cost-benefit analysis could determine which currency material is truly superior in the long run.

2. Asphalt vs Cement for Road Construction – The Philippines produces large amounts of asphalt as a byproduct of oil refining, yet the government predominantly uses cement for roads.

Cement production, however, requires extensive mining, thus harming the environment. Econometric models could compare the long-term costs and benefits of using asphalt versus cement, incorporating factors such as durability, environmental impact, and economic effects on local industries.

This data-driven approach would help policymakers make a more sustainable choice.

Real-World Success Stories

In the Philippines econometrics has already played a role in shaping major policies, including:

* Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) – Studies confirmed improved health and education outcomes for beneficiaries.

* Tax Reforms (CREATE Act 2021) – Forecast models supported corporate tax cuts, which encouraged foreign investments.

* Bangko Sentral Monetary Policy – Inflation control measures were guided by econometric analysis.

* Renewable Energy Policy – Data-driven studies justified opening the energy sector to foreign investors.

The Future of Econometrics in Policymaking

Despite its potential, econometrics faces challenges in public governance, including limited data availability, resistance from traditional policymakers, and the complexity of its models.

However, greater transparency and investment in training government officials could help integrate econometric insights into mainstream policymaking.

By embracing more of econometrics, the Philippines can move towards more evidence-based governance, ensuring that policies are not just politically palatable but also economically sound.

The question is: will our leaders take the step to make data-driven decision-making a norm rather than an exception?| – BNN

BSKE voters registration, ano na?

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Larawang kuha ni Janette Banaag na nakalathala sa Bantay Trapiko sa Batangas City.|

MAGULO, siksikan, singitan, at walang sistema . Ganito inilarawan ng isang netizen at ng iba pang nakapuna sa isinasagawang on-going SK registration sa Waltermart, Calicanto, Batangas City.

Ngunit sino ang dapat kumilos, o hindi naging handa para rito?

Mula pa noong makatapos ng May 2025 national and local elections, alam ng lahat na ng susunod naman ay ang paparating na Barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) sa Disyembre 1, 2025, [sapagkata wala pa namang pinal na desisyon kung magkakaroon ng postponement ito]. Ilang buwan na ang nakalilipas, sinabi na ng Commission on Elections na magkakaroon ng schedule ng voters registration para rito; at noong July 9, 2025 ay pinagtibay ng Comelec ang Resolution No. 11155 na nagtatakda ng voters registration mula August 1 to 10, 2025.

Kung gaanong kaabala sa pagpapapogi ang mga barangay officials (Sangguniang Pambarangay at Sangguniang Kabataan) upang sila ay muling iboto sa darating na halalang pambarangay at pang-SK, dapat naman sana ay ganoon din sila nagpaka-abala sa pagpapaalala sa kanilang mga kabarangay na may darating na voters registration ng August 1 to 10, 2025.

Gayundin naman, ang Comelec mismo, ay dapat nanging ganap ang paghahanda para rito. Lalo na sa malalaking lungsod gaya ng Batangas City. Hindi naman tam ana ang sisisihin dito ay ang pamahalaang lungsod dahil hindi naman saklaw ng LGU ang gawaing ito ng voters registration.

Alam mismo ng Comelec na napaka-ikli lamang ng panahon na inbilaan para sa voters registration, disinsana ay nagkasa na kaagad sila ng maayos na proseso ng rehistruhan, gaya ng pagtatakda ng sapat na oras, lugar na pagdarausan ng registration at pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga ahensya ng pamahalaan at maging sa pribadong sektor kung kinakailangan. Alam naman nila kung gaano kalaki ang populasyon ng lungsod, sana’y naghanda sila ng maayos na Sistema – pwede namang dagdagan sana ang lugar kung saan pwede magparehistro, o sa mas malalaking lugar kaga ng Coliseum, at may tuwirang ugnayan s aibang ahensya para naasistehan sila sa proseso gya ng pagtanggap ng mga applicants for registration, pagpapapila, komunikasyon at iba pa. Maaaring naghanda ngunit hindi naging sapat at kulang na kulang.

At higit sa lahat, ang may pinakamalalaking ambag sana para sa maayos na pagpaparehistrato ay ang mga tao mismo. Oo. Ang mga mga nagrerehistro mismo. Alam mo sa iyong sarili kung rehistradong botante ka o hindi; o kung kailangan mo ang pagsasaayos ng iyong rehistro gaya ng pagtatama ng datos. Wala sanang siksikan, tulakan, singitan o maging mahahabang pila at pagkapuyat gay anito, kung ang mismong mga mamamayan ay inaalam ang kaniyang responsibilidad sa panahon ng pagrerehistro.|

Farmworker appreciation day, pero parang di naman pinapahalagahan – Imee

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Senator Imee R. Marcos | Photo courtesy of Senator Imee R. Marcos/FB

NAGBIGAY ng masinsinang pahayag si Senadora Imee Marcos bilang pagpupugay sa mga Pilipinong magsasaka sa pagdiriwang ng Farmworker Appreciation Day, kahapon Agosto 6, habang nananawagan ng reporma at konkretong aksyon upang tugunan ang matagal nang krisis sa sektor ng agrikultura.

Bukod dito, mariin ding inilahad ng Senadora ang panawagan na magtakda ng farmgate floor price para sa palay at iba pang produktong agrikultural, imbes na puro Suggested Retail Price (SRP) lamang sa palengke ang binibigyang pansin.

“Paano makakabawi ang magsasaka kung binibili ang palay nila ng P15 kada kilo, pero ang gastos nila ay higit pa roon? Panahon na para tayo ay magkaroon ng sariling ‘farm bill’ na may tunay na proteksyon sa presyo at kita ng ating mga bayani sa bukid,” ani Marcos.

Binigyang-diin rin niya ang matinding kakulangan sa post-harvest facilities, gaya ng drying pavements, na nagdudulot ng halos 23% post-harvest loss sa palay dahil sa pagpapatuyo sa mga lansangan.

“Dahil wala tayong maayos na post-harvest support, sayang ang ani ng magsasaka—nadudurog, nadudumihan, nasasayang,” dagdag ng Senadora.

Sa huli, ibinunyag ni Marcos ang lumalalang problemang kinakaharap ng mga magsasaka, kabilang ang pangungutang, kawalan ng kita, at mga ulat ng dumadaming kaso ng suicide sa hanay ng mga magsasaka.

“Masakit man isipin, pero may mga magsasaka tayong pinipiling wakasan na lang ang buhay dahil wala na silang ibang maibenta kundi ang sarili nilang pag-asa. Sa araw na ito ng pagkilala sa kanila, sana’y huwag natin silang kalimutan sa mga panukala, pondo, at prayoridad ng ating pamahalaan,” pagwawakas ng senadora.|

GHF-run food distributions in Gaza are sites of “orchestrated killing and dehumanisation” that must be shut down

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Palestinians at the GHF distribution site in Netzarim putting their lives at risk to receive some food. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). All four distribution sites operated by the GHF are located in areas under full Israeli military control and “secured” by private American armed contractors. Between 7 June and 24 July 2025, MSF health centres in close proximity received 1,380 injured people, including 28 dead bodies from the GHF sites with 174 gunshot wounded. MSF calls for an immediate cessation of the GHF distribution mechanism and urges states and private donors to refrain from funding what is essentially a death trap.

Jerusalem, 7th August 2025 – An analysis of Doctors Without Borders /Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical data, patients’ testimonies, and first-hand medical witnessing at two Doctors Without Borders clinics in Gaza, Palestine, point to both targeted and indiscriminate violence by Israeli forces and private American contractors against starved Palestinians at food distribution sites run by the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Doctors Without Borderscalls for the immediate dismantling of the GHF scheme; the restoration of the UN-coordinated aid delivery mechanism; and calls on governments, especially the United States, as well as private donors to suspend all financial and political support for the GHF, whose sites are essentially death traps.

A new Doctors Without Bordersreport, This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing, documents the horrors witnessed by Doctors Without Bordersstaff at two clinics that regularly received mass influxes of casualties following violence at sites run by the GHF, an Israeli-US proxy that has militarised food distribution. Between 7 June and 24 July 2025, 1,380 casualties, including 28 dead, were received at the Doctors Without Borders Al-Mawasi and Al-Attar clinics in southern Gaza, located near the GHF-run distribution sites. During those seven weeks, our teams treated 71 children for gunshot wounds, 25 of whom were under the age of 15. Faced with no alternatives to find food, starved families frequently send teenage boys into this lethal environment, as they are often the only males in the household physically able to make the journey.

Patients have also included a 12-year-old boy hit by a bullet that had passed all the way through his abdomen, and five young girls, one of whom was only 8 years old and suffered a gunshot wound to her chest.

“Children shot in the chest while reaching for food. People crushed or suffocated in stampedes. Entire crowds gunned down at distribution points,” says Raquel Ayora, Doctors Without BordersGeneral Director. “In Doctors Without Borders’nearly 54 years of operations, rarely have we seen such levels of systematic violence against unarmed civilians.”

“The GHF distribution sites masquerading as ‘aid’ have morphed into a laboratory of cruelty,” says Ayora. “This must stop now.”

An initial analysis of the gunshot wounds among patients arriving at the Al-Mawasi clinic found that 11 per cent of the gunshot injuries were to the head and neck, while 19 per cent were to areas covering the chest, abdomen, and back. By contrast, people arriving from the Khan Younis Distribution Centre were far more likely to arrive with gunshot wounds to the lower limbs. The distinct patterns and anatomical precision of these injuries strongly suggests the intentional targeting of people within and around the distribution sites, rather than accidental or indiscriminate fire.

“We’re being slaughtered. I’ve been injured maybe 10 times,” says Mohammed Riad Tabasi, a patient who was treated at the Doctors Without Borders Al-Mawasi clinic. “I saw it with my own eyes, about 20 corpses around me. All of them shot in the head, in the stomach.”

In May, Israeli authorities sought to dismantle the UN-led humanitarian response and replace it with a militarised food distribution scheme operated by GHF. All four GHF-run distribution sites are in areas under full Israeli military control, and “secured” by private American armed contractors. The GHF has been touted by the Israeli and US governments as an “innovative solution” – a supposed answer to their unproven claims of aid diversion in Gaza and unfounded accusations of UN failure. The sites are nothing but a deadly scheme, institutionalising the Israeli authorities’ starvation policy of Gaza that started on 2 March, with the full siege they imposed on the Strip as part of their ongoing genocidal campaign.

The way this scheme operates attempts to strip people of their dignity. Over the seven weeks, Doctors Without Borders teams treated 196 patients with injuries following chaotic scrambles at the GHF distribution sites. Patients included a five-year-old boy with severe head injuries and a woman who died of asphyxiation, likely caused by the suffocating crush of a crowd.

People who manage to secure any food rations at the sites often face the risk of violent looting and theft of aid by other starved people. Our medical teams were required to add a new acronym to their patient registry: BBO – Beaten By Others. This refers to people injured either in the crush of the crowd or by being beaten and robbed of their supplies immediately after receiving them. It is dehumanisation by design.

“On 1 August, the same day the US special envoy to the Middle East visited GHF sites, 15-year-old Mahmoud Jamal Al-Attar was killed around the Al-Shakoush GHF site while trying to get food,” says Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa, Doctors Without Borders emergency coordinator in Gaza. “He arrived at the MSF Al-Mawasi clinic after being shot in the chest.”

“We treat only a fraction of the total number of people killed and injured at these sites. There is no other way to describe the murder of children as anything but intentional,” says Zabalgogeazkoa. “Despite the condemnations and calls for dismantling it, the global inaction to stop GHF is baffling.”

Between 27 July – 2 August, 186 people with wounds from gunshots, shrapnel or assault and stabbing were treated in Doctors Without Borders’ Al-Mawasi or Al-Attar clinics after being wounded at GHF sites. Two of them died. On 3 August Doctors Without Borders clinics received three more wounded people, one who had been shot in the neck and two with shots to the head.|

Brother volunteers join hands with locals to restore the coast of Batangas and its biodiversity

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Brother Philippines and its sister company, Brother Industries (Philippines), Inc., reinforced their long-term environmental commitment by mobilizing 196 dedicated volunteers for their annual Coastal Cleanup on June 28, 2025, in Sitio Calumbuyan, Calatagan, Batangas. This initiative underscores the Brother Group’s dedication to sustainability and community well-being, especially as Brother Philippines celebrates its 25th year in the country.

Launched in 2022, Brother Philippines’ annual coastal cleanup has become a cornerstone of the company’s ongoing corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, carried out in vital partnership with the local government of Calatagan, Batangas.

This year’s endeavor saw 196 volunteers from both Brother Philippines and Brother Industries (Philippines), Inc. working hand-in-hand to remove approximately 160 sacks of trash from the coast of Sitio Calumbuyan.

Beyond the immediate removal of waste, the activity serves a dual purpose: it not only helps preserve the area’s fragile marine biodiversity but also significantly raises awareness about the urgent need for sustained, community-led conservation efforts.

The coastal cleanup activity stands in strong alignment with Brother Philippines’ global environmental advocacy and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), specifically SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

SDG 13 calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, recognizing that healthy oceans play a critical role in regulating the global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, SDG 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development, emphasizing the protection of marine ecosystems from pollution.

By actively cleaning coastal areas and protecting marine life habitats, Brother Philippines directly contributes to mitigating plastic pollution — a major driver of climate change and a severe threat to aquatic ecosystems — thereby fostering a healthier planet for all.

“Our annual Coastal Cleanup is more than just an event; it’s a tangible expression of our deep-rooted commitment to the environment and the communities we serve,” said Glenn Hocson, President of Brother Philippines.’

“Seeing 196 volunteers come together to dedicate their time and effort to this cleanup reaffirms our promise to create lasting, positive change. We believe that through collective action, we can ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” Hocson added.

The Coastal Cleanup forms an integral part of Brother Philippines’ broader CSR portfolio, which includes programs such as the Green Project, which encourages customers to give back empty Brother ink bottles for responsible disposal; Brigada Eskwela, supporting educational infrastructure; and Lakbay Aral, providing beyond-the-classroom learning opportunities for students. As the company commemorates its 25th year of operations in the Philippines, the success of the coastal cleanup stands as a powerful testament to the company’s long-standing promise to foster positive, enduring change in the communities it proudly serves while remaining in its mission to protect the environment and inspire action for a cleaner and healthier future.

For more information about the Brother Group’s environmental activities and sustainability initiatives, please visit https://global.brother/en/sustainability/eco/policy.

Dinapigue SK opens dialogue on sustainability with NAC mining subsidiary

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Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members from the six barangays of Dinapigue engage in an open dialogue on sustainability with the management of Dinapigue Mining Corporation.

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Dinapigue, Isabela engaged in a dialogue with Dinapigue Mining Corporation (DMC), a subsidiary of listed natural resources development company Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), to address issues concerning sustainability.

SK leaders from the six barangays of Dinapigue conferred with the top management of DMC to discuss sustainability and explore ways to integrate sustainable practices across the municipality.

“It is critical that the communities we work with are onboard our sustainability efforts and are part of the journey as we endeavor to achieve our sustainability goals,” explained DMC Resident Mine Manager Engr. Edwin Casiano.

Among the key concerns the SK leadership raised included literacy among the youth, indigenous peoples’ (IP) education, and the management of solid waste – particularly plastic. These priorities align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) such as Building Sustainable Communities (SDG 11), Access to Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduced Inequality (SDG 10), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).

“We’ve seen on Facebook the recent flood of trash in Manila and understand the problems that plastics can bring to communities. That’s why with DMC’s help, we want to turn our plastic wastes into something of value,” said Barangay Dibulo SK Chairman Marcelo Candelario.

Barangay Bucal Sur SK Chairman Roger Corpuz who also works as a Mine Production Coordinator for DMC, says his barangay needs more reading materials and a sustainable program to help increase reading comprehension and literacy among the youth.

Newly licensed agriculturist and DMC IP scholar Donalyn Galope of the Agta tribe shared the need to increase efforts to encourage more families from the IPs to allow their youth, especially girls, to pursue college education which she says is a continuing challenge in the IP communities.

Dinapigue Agta tribe member, licensed agriculturist, and DMC indigenous peoples’ scholar Donalyn Galope raising IP concerns during the dialogue with DMC management

DMC Community Relations Manager Rosaldo Buscaino says that apart from the Company’s scholarships funded through its Social Development Management Program and Corporate Social Responsibility program, the company also plans to establish an Indigenous Learning System to further supplement the education needs of the Dinapigue IP community.

To address the issue of solid waste in the community, DMC intends to collaborate with the Municipality of Dinapigue for the creation of a recycling and upcycling plant to turn recyclable waste into new products.

“The mutual commitment forged between DMC and the whole of the Dinapigue Sangguniang Kabataan to address sustainability issues is half the battle already won. We look forward to more collaborations like this with the community because at the end of the day, sustainability is a shared interest,” said Buscaino.

Impeachment, interrupted again!?

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THE Supreme Court’s decision to stop the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte hit a nerve for many of us. I’m no lawyer, but I’ve taken a couple of subjects in constitution, logic, law, and legislation, worked for years in newsrooms, and spent more than two decades as an educator to know when something feels off. And this one did. I respect the Court. I respect the institution. But when every justice echoes the same verdict—and many trace back to one political era—it’s fair to wonder: is this about justice, or alignment?

The decision sounded firm, but for some, it left more questions than comfort. But the context matters. The same Court that once said an impeachment begins when referred to a committee now says, no, that’s not how it works anymore—and they applied that change backwards. The House thought they were following the rules. Suddenly, the rules shifted. Imagine playing chess, only to be told after your checkmate that kings no longer move that way. You do not need to be a constitutional expert to feel something unfair happened there.

Legal luminaries and professors from UP Law School were quick to speak out. Their concern? That the decision made impeachment harder—not in terms of truth, but in terms of technicalities. Instead of looking at whether an official abused power, the process now gets clogged with procedural detours. One expert compared it to a basketball game where the referee stops mid-match, rewrites the playbook, and expects the players to just adapt. That is not reform; that is obstruction.

Take, for example, the Court’s new interpretation of the one-year bar rule. It used to be simple: once a complaint is sent to the House committee, that’s when the one-year countdown starts. But now, even complaints that are never acted on count. And because three complaints were quietly ignored, they say the fourth one violated the rule—even if it followed everything that was previously understood. That’s like saying silence is action. How does that make sense to ordinary folks trying to follow a system?

But here’s where I find a bit of hope. Because the ruling stopped the trial, it also gave the House time. Time to prepare better. Time to gather stronger evidence. Time to show the Filipino people—live on TV, online, in classrooms and karinderias—what this case is really about. This delay could be a setup for a bigger reckoning. A second chance to get it right, and to do it in front of everyone.

That kind of transparency can change things. When Filipinos witness the truth—when they hear where the public’s money went, how the power was used or abused—they remember. They talk about it in jeepneys, at family dinners, and in faculty rooms. It chips away at fake narratives. And that is how democracy slowly heals.

Yes, some say we should tread carefully. I agree. We cannot throw stones at the judiciary carelessly. But neither should we pretend our institutions are perfect. They are not. This decision may feel like a loss, but it also gives us a map. Now Congress knows what it needs to do if it wants to try again. The line is clearer now—even if we do not agree with where it was drawn.

And let us not forget what this episode revealed about our leaders. We now know who stood up, who stayed quiet, and who looked the other way. Words like balimbing and trapo aren’t just labels—they’re warnings. Let’s not forget them when it’s time to vote. Public service isn’t about saving friends. It’s about standing up for the people.

In my years leading a Jesuit school, I learned that reflection comes before action. We don’t rush to judge—but silence, when truth is on the line, becomes complicity. In politics, that means naming harm, even when it’s hard. Especially when it is unpopular. Justice needs both wisdom and courage.

So while this chapter did not end the way 8 of 10 Filipinos hoped, it is not the end. The bigger story is still being written. The next impeachment attempt may be stronger. The next generation, more alert. Democracy takes effort. It asks us to care even when it’s tiring. As Filipinos, we don’t just vote and walk away. We stay in the room—because it belongs to all of us.

I’m no lawyer, but I teach. And I want my students to know that asking questions isn’t defiance—it’s duty. That’s the democracy I believe in. Not perfect, but honest. Not silent, but brave.

Because in the end, it is not just court rulings that keep us free. It is us. It is our voices, our votes, our vigilance. The robes may be heavy, the words technical, the halls echoing with power—but in a democracy, the people still matter most. And truth? Truth always finds a way back to the light.

***

Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.

SLBPIP helps propel Lemery’s cityhood  goal

By
Balikas Online
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0

THE investment of Sinisian Lemery Batangas Port and Industrial Park Corp. (SLBPIPC) for a logistics and supply chain hub facility in this town is helping drive Lemery’s push for cityhood, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro L. Leviste said during the SLBPIP inauguration Friday

Leviste described SLBPIPC’s decision to establish its integrated port and industrial complex in Sinisian as a “vote of confidence” in the leadership of Batangas province and the officials of Lemery.

The young legislator emphasized that it took wise planning and sound governance to encourage investors that will help progress the towns along the Balayan Bay which in turn proved that Lemery is now ready for its quest to cityhood. He gives emphasis that local leaders like Vie Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas have  rightfully espoused worthwhile investment like the SLBPIPC.

SLBPIPC CEO Ferdinand Co affirmed that the project started during the incumbency of Vice Governor Mandanas when the latter was still the governor of Batangas, and former Lemery Mayor Larry AIilio, the late father of incumbent Mayor Ian Alilio.

Co also recounted the company’s challenging yet inspiring journey, which began with the groundbreaking in 2019. Despite disruptions from the Taal Volcano eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic, SLBPIPC pursued its vision to address critical logistics gaps.

“Aside from meeting logistics and industrial needs, this complex now provides more than 300 jobs, excluding haulers and truckers, and generates taxes that help the economy and community,” Co added. “We are proud to support Lemery’s growth and its goal of becoming a city.”

By the way, SLBPIPC is now home to both cement and oil silos catering to both local and international players.

The Lemery Cement Silo imports quality cement in bulk and in 40kg. bags to be placed in cement silo and with packing facilities in 40kg. and jumbo bags for local markets. LCSTC is offering Uno Type 1 and Barako Type 1T brands. It also carry CGBFS (granulated ground blast furnace slag) being supplied to batching plants to make ready mix concrete more durable, eco-friendly and cheaper.

On the other hand, the Lemery Oil Terminal Corp. (LOTC) is servicing Unioil and Insular Oil, two downstream oil players in the country.

Meanwhile, Lemery is also home to the multi-billion peso steel mill project of SteelAsia Lemery Works Inc. which has been granted a “green lane” endorsement by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Board of Investment One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI).

SteelAsia’s project has an initial investment cost of P19.3 billion.

Cong. Leviste pointed out that “Batangas has vast areas along Balayan Bay and Lemery’s coastline ready for development, and Sinisian’s future tax payments will help boost Lemery’s income to levels needed for its cityhood.”

The Local Government Code (RA 7160), as amended by RA (11683), so provides that a town can be converted into a component city if it has (i) )annual income of not less than P100-million for two consecutive years based on the 2000 constant prices as certified by the Department of Finance; (ii) a territory of not less than 100 square kilometer as certified by the Land Management Bureau (LMB); and a population of not less than 150,00 as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Section 1 of RA 11683 also provides that the shortage on the requirement on territory or population can be allowed by the requirement on income is a non-negotiable requirement.

The town of Lemery is certified as a first-class municipality. Based on RA 11964, a town that is declared first class if it recorded a P200 million annual income.

Clearly, SLBPIPC and SteelAsia Lemery Works, Inc. will be the best driving factors to keep Lemery’s economic growth.

Lemery Mayor Ian Kenneth Alilio lauded SLBPIPC for being the first major industrial project to locate in the municipality; and as the town’s lucky charm, it encourages the entry of other industries into Lemery.|

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