Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, the City Government officially started distributing free school supplies and shoes to public school students – early education to senior high school – in preparation for the new school year of 2025-2026, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
The Muntinlupa City government has started the distribution of free Balik Eskwela packages to public school students.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon visited schools to distribute the free school supplies and shoes, which will benefit nearly 100,000 public school students from early education to senior high school.
Each Balik Eskwela package contains backpacks, notebooks, pad papers, pens and pencils, pencil case and black leather shoes.
This is the third year that the Biazon administration will give free school supplies to public school students in Muntinlupa.
“Ginagawa natin ang lahat para masuportahan ang kinabukasan ng kabataang Muntinlupeño. Kaya yearly din ang distribution natin ng Balik Eskwela packages bilang tulong sa mga gastusin ng mga pamilya at paghahanda ng mga estudyante sa panibagong school year (We are doing everything we can to support the future of Muntinlupeño youth. That is why we also distribute Balik Eskwela packages annually to help families with their expenses and prepare students for the new school year),” Biazon posted on Facebook.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you find the City Government’s release of school supplies for public school students helpful to local society?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, a local lady reached her 100th birthday and received a gift from the City Government in the form of a P100,000 check, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Under Republic Act Number 10868 and City Ordinance 2018-147, all Muntinlupa residents who reach the age of 100 years will receive a cash gift of P100,000.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…
A mother who turned 100 received a P100,000 birthday cash gift from the Muntinlupa City government.
Mayor Ruffy Biazon visited Maxima “Ximang” Entila to celebrate her 100th birthday and give her the P100,000 check.
All Muntinlupa residents who reach 100 years old will receive the P100,000 cash gift incentive under City Ordinance 2018-147 and Republic Act 10868 (Centenarians Act of 2016).
“Nakakabilib si Nanay Maxima “Ximang” Entila—100 years old na, pero ang kwento, energy, at sense of humor niya, parang hindi tumatanda! (Mother Maxima “Ximang” Entila is amazing—she is 100 years old, but her stories, energy, and sense of humor never seem to age!),” the mayor posted on Facebook.
According to Biazon, Entila’s life experience included selling vegetables in Divisoria and establishing her own school.
“Ang dami niyang napagdaanan sa buhay, at bawat isa, may kasamang tawa at aral. Mula sa pagtitinda ng gulay sa Divisoria hanggang sa pagtatayo ng sarili niyang paaralan—hindi siya nagpadaig sa hirap. Pinagtapos niya ang lima niyang anak gamit ang kita mula sa eskwelahang itinayo niya (She has been through so much in her life, and each one has its share of laughter and lessons. From selling vegetables in Divisoria to building her own school—she never gave up on hardship. She sent her five children to college using the income from the school she built).”
When Biazon asked her about her secret to long life, she said it was being happy.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, would you know if there are elderly members of your local community who might be qualified for the P100,000 cash gift for local centenarians? How many centenarians and incoming centenarians are living in your local community right now?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
Welcome back Xbox fans, geeks, role-playing game (RPG) enthusiasts and other gamers!
It is official! Following this year’s Xbox Games Showcase, Team Xbox announced that the sci-fi role-playing game (sci-fi RPG) The Outer Worlds 2 will be released on October 29, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Battle.net, Steam, Xbox Cloud, PlayStation 5 and also on the Xbox Game Pass (XGP) service (Ultimate level).
Watch the in-depth presentation of The Outer Worlds 2 by Xbox studio Obsidian Entertainment in the video below. Also check out the game’s official trailer.
To find out what to expect when playing The Outer Worlds 2, posted below are selected excerpt from the Xbox.com post. Some parts in boldface…
From branching chaos to faction-fueled futures, everything unfolds across Arcadia: a lawless new frontier where your choices cut deeper, the stakes hit harder, and the corporations somehow got even worse. Bigger choices, weirder science, stranger weapons, and even worse decisions. Just the way we like it.
Cut off from Earth, Arcadia is a colony cracking under pressure, torn apart by space-time rifts, shifting alliances, and three power-hungry factions locked in a war for control. It’s louder, riskier, and more unpredictable than anything the Halcyon system ever threw at you.
You’ve been sent in as an Earth Directorate agent, but how you handle the mission – who you help, hinder, or exploit – is entirely your call. Build your character with expanded traits, flaws, and backgrounds that shape every decision and unlock new ways to fight, sneak, talk, or blow things up.
Players can play the game in 3rd-person view.
At the heart of The Outer Worlds 2 are three factions with fundamentally opposing visions of what humanity should be:
The Protectorate: A military regime powered by endless resources that believes people are happiest when they don’t have to think for themselves. Order is peace. Obedience is comfort. Truly loved by all loyal citizens – just ask them.
Auntie’s Choice: The loud, smiling merger of Auntie Cleo’s and Spacer’s Choice. They promise freedom, fulfillment, and a future where your only real choice is which Auntie’s product you’ll need next.
The Order of the Ascendant: Rogue scientists turned faith-based futurists, determined to perfect humanity by solving the Universal Equation. They worship patterns, predict the future through math, and perform rituals in labs with terrifying precision all in service of a better tomorrow.
Each faction has its own areas, followers, audio design, and propaganda. You’ll see the war in real-time as towns change hands, radio stations shift tone, and the world responds to your choices.
And thanks to Arcadia’s ever-present radio system, you won’t just hear the news – you’ll be the news. Your decisions are retold with spin, bias, and cheery jingles tailored to each faction’s agenda. One station might call you a folk hero. Another might name you public enemy number one. All of them think you should try their new line of health tonics.
RPG systems have been reimagined for this sequel to give players more freedom and more flavor. For example, Traits and flaws dynamically evolve based on how you play. Steal enough and you’ll be offered Kleptomaniac, which boosts loot sales but risks auto-theft when you so much as glance at an item.
Science weapons and armor return in full force. The Shrink Ray is back – only now, you can crush enemies underfoot once they’re bite-sized. And yes, there’s a suit of armor made from something that used to be alive. His name is Gary.
First-person view is available for those who want it. Lots of new weapons and unique shooting experiences await gamers.
Movement and combat also feel better across the board. Dash, leap, and parkour your way through Arcadia, or switch to third person and marvel at how cool you look while doing it.
You’ll travel with six companions, each with personal stakes in the colony’s future – and their own opinions on what you’re doing.
One might beg you to spare a faction leader. Another might ask you to murder an entire town. Sacrificing a companion could help you survive a key moment, but lock you out of their questline – and you’ll hear about it. On the radio. From the faction you just betrayed.
This is one of the companions players will encounter in the game.
These aren’t just followers. They’re allies, wild cards, and occasional liabilities who breathe fire (literally). And each one brings something different to the table:
Niles: Another Earth Directorate recruit torn between duty and defection.
Inez: A former experiment from Auntie’s Choice with a grafted combat edge and a moral core.
Aza: A chaos-loving Rift worshipper with a taste for violence and room to grow – maybe.
Marisol: A stoic killer from the Order of the Ascendant with calculations to settle.
Tristen: A walking tank and judge from the Protectorate, looking to dispense justice – or redefine it.
Valerie: A floating, chirping support unit with unexpected upgrades and untapped potential.
The Outer Worlds 2 will be available in two editions: Standard Edition for $79.99 USD and a Premium Edition for $99.99 USD. The Premium Edition includes up to five days early access, DLC Pass for two future expansions, Corporate Appreciation Premium Pack (Golden Moon Man armor and helmet, signature melee and long-range weapons, a loyal Golden Sprat pet), plus a digital artbook and soundtrack.
If you purchase the Standard Edition or are playing with Xbox Game Pass and decide you want the Premium Edition, you can upgrade at any time for $29.99 USD. Upgrade before launch to play up to five days early and get the pre-order bonus Commander Zane Battle Pack, in addition to all the digital extra content.
Having seen Obsidian’s video presentation and the detailed information released on Xbox.com, it looks like The Outer Worlds 2 will be a loaded and feature-rich game. The developers added new features here and there, ensured the conversation sequences have enough depth, made some adjustments on gameplay features inherited from the 2019 game, and they came up with an all-new sci-fi setting (a new colony with environments that are large and ideal for exploring personally) as well as a new cast of characters.
Instead of the “blank slate” protagonist seen in The Outer Worlds, the sequel has Earth Directorate agent as the playable protagonist and there will be ways on how gamers can play the game as they want to (within the limits set within).
Quite predictably, the upcoming game still has that anti-capitalism theme like the first game, only this time they added themes of dictatorship, propaganda, and war.
While Obsidian Entertainment’s video presentation of The Outer Worlds 2 is clearly comprehensive, they failed to emphasize the aspect of space travel in the sequel. Considering the limited budget of The Outer Worlds, it was understandable that the game’s space travel was simplistic and really limited in terms of scope and freedom of travel.
I was hoping The Outer Worlds 2 would have better space travel and more interactivity such as being able to pilot the space ship and be able to blast enemy ships similar to what Bethesda pulled off in Starfield. Perhaps Team Xbox and the developers will come up with another trailer of The Outer Worlds 2 showing space travel.
To put things in perspective, I am a fan of The Outer Worlds (2019) and I replayed it a lot – including finishing the two DLC releases – on Xbox One and on Xbox Series X over the past few years. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, The Outer Worlds was technically Fallout with space travel and some Wild West-inspired elements. The 2019 sci-fi RPG clearly does not have the high production values and epic design of Starfield, and yet it has certain elements and features that made it more enjoyable than Bethesda’s 2023 game.
Are you ready to explore new worlds and take part in combat and intriguing tales? Obsidian Entertainment really looked like they gave it their all in The Outer Worlds 2.
The way I look at it right now, The Outer Worlds 2 looks very promising and it could deliver the great stuff and high enjoyment that Avowed lacked. If the upcoming game really turns out great to play on October 29, 2025, I might be convinced to go back to subscribing to Xbox Game Pass again to play it. Right now, The Outer Worlds 2’s retail prices are simply too high for me and I am certain there are other Xbox fans and other gamers who feel the same way. Do you have $79.99 for the standard edition of The Outer Worlds 2? Are you satisfied with what Team Xbox prepared for the $99.99 premium edition?
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, incumbent Vice Mayor and Mayor-elect April Aguilar was the guest of honor during the General Membership Assembly of the Senior Citizens Association of Talon Singko Chapter in Barangay Talon Singko, the City Government announced via social media.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the social media announcement of the City Government. Some parts in boldface…
Over a thousand senior citizens from Cluster 3 of Talon Singko gathered on Thursday, June 5, at the Talon Singko Covered Court for their General Membership Assembly, organized by the Senior Citizens Association of Talon Singko Chapter.
Mayor-elect April Aguilar was warmly welcomed as the guest of honor and delivered a heartfelt message to the attendees. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of caring for the elderly and acknowledged their essential role in shaping the city’s future. She highlighted the city government’s continuing efforts to support the needs of senior citizens through programs such as the Green Card health program, free medical missions, financial assistance, and livelihood training designed to support their well-being.
Incumbent Las Piñas Vice Mayor and incoming Mayor April Aguilar greeted the members during the general assembly in Barangay Talon Singko. (photo source – Las Piñas City PIO)
Mayor-elect April Aguilar also assured the attendees that her administration will continue to promote policies that protect and uplift the elderly sector, ensuring that they remain active, supported, and involved in the life of the community.
Among those present at the event were Dr. Esther H. Oliveros, Head of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Las Piñas, Ms. Teresita Sanchez, President of the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of Las Piñas (FSCALP), and Bro. Demetrio F. Ablir, President of the SCA-Talon 5 Chapter.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? What do you hope the incoming Mayor will do for the members of your local community once she takes office? What kind of service do you want to see from the City Government over the next three years?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
While a lot of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) have closed down as a result of the nationwide ban on them, there still over nine thousand illegal aliens – who used to be POGO employees – on the loose nationwide, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. It was also revealed that some of the illegal aliens are carrying infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
At least 9,000 undocumented foreign nationals who previously worked for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs)–including those with infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis–remain on the loose.
This was according to Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz, who reported during the House quad-committee (quad-comm) hearing on Monday, June 9, that the agency was facing detention and deportation challenges regarding individuals linked to POGOs.
Cruz said that about 600 foreign nationals were already crammed within the PAOCC detention in Pasay City. What’s worse is that they cannot be deported because they have lost their passports.
“[We have] a monthly expenditure of millions for food and healthcare. Medical needs are [also] rising with detainees diagnosed with illness such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, respiratory infection, and even cases of HIV,” he said.
“Actually sir dito po kami nanlulumo, three weeks ago nagpa-cremate po tayo ng isang HIV [patient] (Actually, we were saddened by the fact that we had to cremate three weeks ago an HIV patient),” he added.
The agency official said PAOCC’s detention facility was already overcrowded, as such “enforcement actions against an estimated 9,000 illegal foreign workers have been temporarily suspended”.
PAOCC said those on the loose pose risk to the society.
“‘Yung mga POGO workers, noong pumunta dito hindi naman healthy lahat yan. ‘Yung iba dyan may sakit na (Those POGO workers, when they went here, they weren’t really healthy. Some of them were already sick), that’s why we have cases of tuberculosis, HIV,” Cruz told lawmakers.
“Kapag pakalat kalat ‘yan sir, hindi natin alam kung sino pa ang kinontak o nagkaroon pa ng physical contact ‘yan (If they’re on the loose, we don’t know with whom they are having physical contact with),” he added.
Quezon 2nd district Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez also raised concern about illegal aliens who remain at large. He said they have become engaged in criminal activities, such as kidnapping and torture.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be former POGO employees among the foreigners living in your local community? Are you concerned that the sick illegal aliens on the loose could be spreading disease all over the Philippines?
Welcome back Xbox fans, geeks, retro gaming enthusiasts and other gamers!
I finally did it! I finally played the arcade version of the classic game Smash T.V. as I recently purchased Midway Arcade Origins (Xbox 360) on the Xbox store. Thanks to backward compatibility, Midway Arcade Origins operated smoothly on my Xbox Series X and it comes with more than thirty arcade games owned or published by Midway Games from the early 1980s to the early 1990s.
My history of playing Smash T.V. is awkward. The very first time I played the game was not in the arcade but with the Smash T.V. port released on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
The classic game debuted in arcades in 1990 and during that precise point of time, I rarely visited arcades here in the Philippines. I started visiting arcades more starting in 1992 as the fighting game craze started luring new gamers driven by the popularity of Street Fighter II. To the best of my memory, I saw very few arcade machines of Smash T.V. and never got to play the game. In fact, there were very few arcade machines that had the dual joystick control set-up which was exactly required to play Smash T.V.
The 2D sprite activity and action can get pretty wild and intense on-screen during battle. Expect lots of waves of enemies coming in before you proceed to the next room.
To make things clear, arcade games were already popular here in the Philippines and there were lots of local arcades particularly in shopping malls. As for playing Smash T.V. on the SNES, it was fun but the SNES control pad was not ideal for the immense in-game shooting.
Going back to Midway Arcade Origins, I played Defender first and had some bouts of fun with it. After that, I went back to the main selection and scrolled through the many other games offered until I saw Smash T.V. and selected it. As soon as I started playing, I was immediately engaged as the fun kept growing as I played.
Apart from dealing with dangerous enemies, you will also encounter in-game hazards such as this room releasing snakes a lot.
Firstly, the game made fine use of the two analog sticks of the Xbox controller which was the closest thing to matching the dual joysticks set-up of the original arcade game. The left analog stick was for movement while the right analog stick allowed me to shoot in different directions. The severe limitations on shooting on the controller of the SNES were completely gone, and as I played the game more on Xbox, I found myself moving around enemies and obstacles while being able to fire at directions where shooting was needed.
Secondly, Smash T.V. on Midway Arcade Origins is the genuine arcade experience from the controls to the functionality, gameplay, the visual design and 2D sprites that dominated the screen. For those who don’t have the original arcade machine, this is the closest thing to enjoying the arcade fun of Smash T.V. in the comfort of home. I can also say that the game ran smoothly on my Xbox Series X and not a single case of slowdown nor any cases of visual distortions ever happened!
To really defeat an end-of-level boss like this one, you need to use whatever special weapons or power-ups that appeared during battle. Be mindful of the enemy’s powerful defense and attacks.
This face particular end-of-level boss deteriorates further as I kept on attacking him with special weapons.
More on the gameplay, it is undeniably challenging as many enemies enter and their different abilities to attack you ensures lots of intense moments of action and struggle to survive. The on-screen action is often intense and still the gameplay did not grow tiresome to me. More on the combat, there are always huge and powerful enemies (end-of-level boss) at the conclusion of each level and defeating them will push you to use special weapons as soon as they pop up.
Lastly, there is also the prize aspect of the game (which has a dystopian TV concept inspired by the 1987 film The Running Man starring Arnold Schwarzenegger) which allows you to collect prizes (in cash or prize items) while playing. The prizes can add a lot to your score and even your potential entry into the online leaderboards (see below).
There is nothing like collecting prizes in the game! It is as thrilling as the action.
Between the levels are the bonus segments in which the value of the prizes you collected will be added to your overall score (technically in-game money earned).
Thirdly, I really like the online leaderboards and score attack mode that came with Midway Arcade Origins. For Smash T.V., the score attack challenge is to score as many points as you could using only one turn (which comes with the initial six in-game lives). Score attack does not allow any continues (that is for free play mode) and this was enough to make me focus on my skills, moves and timing when it comes to fighting waves of several enemies that entered the in-game arenas.
I was able to make my presence felt online as the servers for the leaderboards are still functioning and recording in-real time the scores achieved.
Every time you encounter new enemies, you have to observe how they move, attack and behave.
Smash T.V. is a classic not only because of its immense fun gameplay, entertainment impact and timeless game design, but also because it was a creative wonder from significant game creators such as Eugene Jarvis (Defender, Robotron 2084), John Tobias (Mortal Kombat) and Mark Turmell to name a few. The game borrowed elements from The Running Man and the creators made their own concept that mixed well with the game design they came up with. The result is a highly playable, challenging and ultimately enjoyable video game. To learn more about the creation and history of Smash T.V., watch the in-depth videos of PatmanQC and Slope’s Game Room below.
“Big money! Big prizes! I love it!”
Smash T.V. is a lot of fun and its gameplay never gets old. It is currently my favorite of all the games in Midway Arcade Origins and it is an excellent addition to my retro gaming experience on my Xbox Series X.
Once again, inflation in the Philippines went down as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recently confirmed that the headline inflation landed at 1.3% for the month of May 2025, according to a news article by Philippine News Agency (PNA). The said inflation result is the lowest since November of 2019.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of PNA. Some parts in boldface…
Headline inflation further slowed to 1.3 percent in May this year from 1.4 percent in April, the lowest recorded since the 1.2 percent in November 2019, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday.
In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said this brought the year-to-date average inflation to 1.9 percent which is at the lower end of the government’s 2 to 4 percent target range.
Mapa said the downtrend was primarily brought about by the slower increase in the index of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels at 2.3 percent from 2.9 percent in April. Restaurant and accommodation services also recorded a slower inflation of 2 percent from 2.3 percent in April.
Mapa said the faster annual decline was likewise recorded in the transport index, at 2.4 percent in May from 2.1 percent in the previous month. Food inflation meanwhile remained at 0.7 percent. Mapa, however, said rice inflation was at -12.8 percent from -10.9 percent in April.
According to Mapa, the rollout of the PHP20 per kilogram rice program in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” helped lower rice prices.
In May, the average price of regular milled rice declined to PHP43.19 per kg from PHP51.11 in May 2024. The average price of well-milled rice likewise fell to PHP49.45 per kg from PHP56.06 per kg while special rice also declined to PHP59.80 from last year’s PHP64.41 per kg.
The bottom 30 percent income households experienced zero percent inflation in May 2025, a sharp decline from 5.3 percent in the same month last year.
The National Capital Region also posted a slower inflation rate of 1.7 percent in May, down from 2.4 percent the previous month while other regions maintained a low average inflation rate of 1.2 percent.
More stable cost of living – In a separate statement, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the continued decline in the country’s headline inflation shows progress toward easing price pressures and achieving a more stable cost of living for Filipinos.
“We are encouraged by this development. It reflects the success of our sustained efforts to protect the purchasing power of Filipinos and ensure a more affordable cost of living,” said DEPDev officer in charge and Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rosemarie Edillon.
To sustain this downward trend, DEPDev said the Marcos administration is committed to implementing targeted policies aimed at mitigating inflationary pressures and safeguarding the purchasing power of Filipino families.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) are strengthening their collaboration to ensure the availability of safe and effective animal vaccines amid ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian influenza outbreaks.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think it is possible for Philippines inflation to fall below 1% by the end of the year?
Recently in the City of Las Piñas, incumbent Vice Mayor and Mayor-elect April Aguilar led the release of relief assistance to several fire victims in Barangay Almanza Uno, the City Government announced via social media.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the social media announcement of the City Government. Some parts in boldface…
The City Government of Las Piñas, led by Vice Mayor April Aguilar, continued its relief operations on Tuesday morning, June 3, for families affected by the fire that struck the Samatierra Compound in Almanza Uno.
Vice Mayor Aguilar personally returned to the evacuation center at the covered court of Almanza Uno to oversee the distribution of essential items to the 260 displaced individuals. Sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and food packs were provided to ensure the basic needs of evacuees are met while they remain in temporary shelters.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office, in coordination with the barangay and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, facilitated the orderly delivery of assistance. Modular tents were also set up to provide each family with privacy and comfort during their stay at the evacuation center.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? When was the last time a huge fire hit your local community and left several families homeless?
For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673
In what could be a possible sign of economic slowdown in the Philippines, manufacturing activity for the month of May this year slowed down as demand from foreign markets weakened, according to a BusinessWorld news report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…
GROWTH in Philippine manufacturing activity slowed in May due to declining output and weaker demand from foreign markets amid global trade tensions.
The S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which measures the country’s monthly factory performance, settled at 50.1, slipping from 53 in April. This was the lowest index since the 49.4 contraction in March.
A PMI reading above 50 denotes better operating conditions month on month, while a reading below 50 shows the opposite.
“The promising growth observed at the beginning of the second quarter signaled a notable cooling in May,” Maryam Baluch, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said in a report on Monday. “While new orders continued to increase, they did so at a slower pace, overshadowed by contractions in other areas.”
S&P Global data on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) showed that only the Philippines expanded in May, while Vietnam (49.8), Myanmar (47.6) and Indonesia (47.4) all declined.
In its report, S&P Global said output declined in May, the second contraction in the past three months.
“Overall, the downturn was marginal, but companies noted softer demand conditions weighed on production,” it said.
Despite continuing to signal a rise in new sales, the rate of expansion in new orders was slight and weaker than in April, it added. This was reflected in the softer rate of increase in input buying activity.
“The situation was further exacerbated by a deteriorating demand from foreign markets, with May witnessing a sharper drop in new export orders,” Ms. Baluch said. “As global trade tensions escalate, the outlook for overseas demand appears increasingly precarious,” US President Donald J. Trump paused his reciprocal tariffs in April for 90 days but continues to apply a 10% baseline tariff rate for most trading partners.
Ms. Baluch said the drop in production requirements was accompanied by a fresh decline in employment and the inventories of both purchases and finished goods.
S&P said employment numbers declined for the first time in four months.
The pace of job shedding was marginal, but the strongest in 11 months, which factories attributed to voluntary resignations and the nonreplacement of those roles.
S&P also cited the limited manpower for a renewed buildup of backlogs across Filipino producers.
“On a brighter note, inflationary pressures remain modest and historically subdued, which could play an important role in supporting demand moving forward,” she said.
However, cost burdens and output charges rose to the highest since January.
“The stability of price pressures may also provide a necessary buffer against the challenges posed by a cooldown in new orders and external market uncertainties,” she added.
S&P Global said manufacturers expect new orders to continue to rise, supported by confidence in the year-ahead outlook for production, but the degree of optimism was the third weakest in the series’ history.
Analysts also said trade tensions and softer demand weighing down the country’s manufacturing activity in May.
The anticipation for higher tariffs likely caused subdued exports, said Reinielle Matt M. Erece, an economist at Oikonomia Advisory and Research, Inc.
“The persistent trade tensions continue to weigh on global trade, causing exports to drop as higher tariffs may be imposed,” he said in a Viber message.
Philippine exports in the first four months rose 9.5% to $26.87 billion, according to the local statistics agency.
Mr. Erece said domestic demand slowed as the election-spending season ended. Stronger manufacturing activity is expected later this year, as local authorities continue trade talks with the US Trade Representative, he added.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines’ manufacturing sector will rebound this month?
In the view of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Philippines will become a more attractive destination for foreign investors due to the new rules streamlining the value-added tax (VAT) refund process, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) expects the new rules streamlining the value-added tax (VAT) refund process — a key reform under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act – will make the Philippines a more attractive destination for foreign investors.
In a televised interview, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said the new regulations are consistent with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader goal of making the country more business-friendly.
“Ang expectation natin, makikita ng mga dayuhang investors na seryoso ang pamahalaan na pagbutihin ang pagnenegosyo at papadaliin ang pagnenegosyo dito sa ating bayan (Our expectation is that foreign investors will see that the government is serious on business and in easing the doing of business in our country),” Lumagui was quoted as saying in a news release on Saturday.
“So, we’re hoping that it will encourage foreign investors to do business here in the Philippines,” he added.
According to the BIR chief, the main objective of CREATE MORE, as well as other BIR efforts, is to ease the doing of business and payment of taxes.
Republic Act No. 12066 or the CREATE MORE Act amended the National Internal Revenue Code to provide greater tax relief and incentives for businesses, particularly exporters.
To implement this, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 37-2025 on April 10, which reduces the documentary requirements for VAT refund claims.
Under the new guidelines, certified true copies of invoices or receipts may now be submitted in place of original documents.
There was also a reduction of three documentary requirements, particularly the proofs of registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission or Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), whichever is applicable, and the copies of Import Entry and Internal Revenue Declarations/Informal Import Declaration and Entry or Single Administrative Document.
For claims involving amortized input VAT on capital goods, prior certifications from the Bureau of Customs may be reused if already submitted in past filings.
Furthermore, for VAT refund claims starting April 1, exporters are no longer required to submit actual proof of shipment, such as bills of lading.
Instead, the BIR will rely on a certification from the Export Marketing Bureau of the DTI, following a newly signed agreement between the two agencies.
“Ngayon pinadali natin ang proseso sa pakikipag-coordinate sa DTI. So, may kanya-kanyang role ang bawat isa para hindi na rin magdoble-doble ang mga requirements at pag-iimbestiga kung talagang merong mga inexport ang isang entity (We made the process easier through our coordination with the DTI. Each agency now has specific roles to prevent duplication in the submission of requirements and in investigating the goods exported by a business entity,” Lumagui explained.
“Patuloy din ang pag-e-examine natin kung ano ang pwede nating i-streamline na mga proseso para mas mapadali pa ang pagnenegosyo sa ating bayan (We also continue to examine what other processes we can streamline to make doing of business in our country easier),” he added.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the changes made will help the Philippines attract more foreign investors?
Author Carlo Carrasco 