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Poverty-based targeting may overlook many vulnerable older Filipinos—studies

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Many older Filipinos who are not officially classified as poor remain economically vulnerable. This suggests that poverty rates alone may fail to identify many seniors who could benefit from social protection programs, according to studies presented during the recent ‘Inclusive Social Protection Services in the Philippines’ Policy and Research Forum. The forum was organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and Australia’s flagship Social Protection, Inclusion, and Gender Equality (SPRING) program in the Philippines. Presenting a study on household vulnerability to income poverty, PIDS supervising research specialist Deanne Lorraine Cabalfin said poverty statistics alone are insufficient for identifying older persons at economic risk. The study found that while only 7.8% of senior citizens were classified as poor in 2023, 24% were vulnerable to falling into poverty. The official poverty threshold measures whether households can afford a minimum basket of...
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The crossroads of poverty and sustainability

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“At the crossroads , hunger meets hope. The hand that takes from the river must also plant for tomorrow. Poverty and sustainability are not two roads, but one path we must learn to walk together." (UNKNOWN) Can there really be a crossroads between poverty and circularity ? It sounds poetic—but in Germany, it’s becoming architectural, even political. Repurposing used shipping containers into social housing seems, on its face, like a simple act of reuse. Yet it sits squarely at that very intersection: poverty alleviated, and sustainability advanced at once. The question is: why should the government even care? And what kind of society are we if we don’t?   Why recycled containers matter It’s not a brand-new dream. German companies like Containerwerk have long converted used freight containers into affordable micro-apartments, using high-efficiency insulation and modular design. In Bremen, entire “container villages” have been built for refugees—two to three stories hig...
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The true economics of electric vehicles

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are often sold to us as the greener, more efficient alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel cars. But beneath that glossy promise lies a critical question: what is the real cost—and the real emissions—if our electricity still comes from fossil fuels? Let’s start with a cold, practical truth: in the Philippines , more than 60 percent of our electricity is generated by coal . The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that in 2024, coal made up around 62 percent of the country’s power mix—and projections suggest it will barely dip to 60 percent by 2027. Department of Energy data confirm this: fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, oil) still dominate, while renewables contribute a much smaller share.   Globe Telecom ’s shift: Good, but not enough? Globe Telecom recently announced a plan to roll out 20 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) in its fleet, aiming to save at least ₱ 100 million in fuel costs in the long run. This is part of a larger plan: by ...
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Using social media wisely

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A PHONE can connect us to a friend across the world within seconds, yet it can also make someone sitting beside us feel completely ignored. Social media is neither simply good nor bad. It is a powerful tool whose value depends greatly on how wisely we use it. Social media allows families to remain connected, especially when distance separates loved ones. It can spread useful information, support small businesses, provide learning opportunities, encourage charitable action, and give people platforms to share creativity. Used properly, it can strengthen relationships and contribute positively to society. Yet the same platforms can become sources of comparison, envy, anger, misinformation, vanity, and distraction. Endless scrolling can consume hours without producing anything worthwhile. Arguments can become vicious, private matters can become public, and carefully edited images can make ordinary lives appear disappointingly inadequate. The first discipline we need is self-control ....
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Ilocos Norte celebrates living treasure’s 102nd b-day

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LIVING TREASURE. Magdalena Gamayo , a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Awardee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2012, celebrates her 102nd birthday on Thursday (Aug. 13, 2026). The House of Representatives has approved House Bill 982 , declaring Aug. 13 of each year as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte to celebrate the birth of the icon, known for her commitment to preserving the Ilocano traditional handwoven fabric called “ inabel .” ( Lei Adriano) By Leilanie G. Adriano PINILI, Ilocos Norte—Ilocos Norte celebrated on August 13, 2026, the 102 nd birthday of Magdalena Gamayo, the province's revered “master weaver” and one of the country's most distinguished traditional artists, honoring a lifetime of dedication to preserving the centuries-old “inabel” weaving tradition. Born on Aug. 13, 1924, in Pinili , Gamayo has spent decades mastering the intricate art of handloom weaving. The celebration was held in the quaint barangay of Lumbaan-Bicb...
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Laoag adopts Safer Cities Initiative to strengthen public safety

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By Dominic B. dela Cruz,  Staff reporter LAOAG CITY —The city government of Laoag has adopted and institutionalized the Department of the Interior and Local Government ’s ( DILG ) “Safer Cities Initiative” to strengthen public safety, order and decency in public spaces. The nationwide initiative calls on local government units to enact and strictly enforce community safety measures. Laoag City Vice Mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas , who authored the measure, said it is timely amid recent violent incidents in schools involving minors. He said measures such as curfew enforcement , noise regulation and public decency standards can help prevent disturbances and promote a safer environment for residents and visitors. Under the measure, existing city and provincial regulations on curfew, excessive noise and public drinking will be harmonized and strengthened. Minors 17 years old and below are prohibited from loitering, roaming or staying in public ...
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Researchers, media practitioners push for stronger child-sensitive reporting to improve child protection

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Researchers , journalists, broadcasters, and child rights advocates have called for more child-sensitive reporting on issues involving children, stressing the importance of responsible, evidence-based communication in protecting children's rights and welfare. The call was made during the launch of “Ang Bata sa Lente ng Pananaliksik at Midya,” a national webinar series organized by the Philippines Communication Society (PCS) in partnership with the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), and the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT). Opening the webinar, PIDS President Philip Arnold P. Tuaño emphasized the role of evidence and responsible communication in shaping public understanding and institutional responses to children's needs. "The studies we tell, the images we share, the language we use, and the policies we advocate all influence how s...
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