BY ALEX ALAGON
● In 2025, Manulife Philippines planted more than 10,000 native trees and reached nearly 2,000 new Peso Smart learners through community‑led partnerships.
● Sustained coastal and terrestrial restoration programs, in collaboration with Haribon Foundation, strengthened local ecosystems and supported livelihoods in Luzon island.
● Manulife’s Season of Giving mobilized colleagues across the country to donate and volunteer for the causes that matter most to them, with the company matching individual colleague donations dollar‑for‑dollar up to CA$1,000.
MANILA, Philippines – Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading financial services provider Manulife, continues to advance its Impact Agenda, the company’s global commitment to drive better outcomes for its customers, communities, and the planet, with various volunteering and community efforts spread throughout the past year.
To cap 2025’s initiatives, Manulife executives, volunteers, and beneficiaries came together for sustained reforestation efforts, advancing environmental restoration and financial education across communities. Manulife’s annual Season of Giving campaign also empowered its colleagues to support causes meaningful to them through personal donations and volunteerism.
A Year of Environmental and Community Impact
In 2025, Manulife Philippines further advanced its contributions to a healthier planet and community development by planting more than 10,000 native trees covering four hectares of terrestrial and coastal areas. To date, it has planted 31,250 trees across terrestrial and coastal reforestation projects in partnership with Haribon Foundation, local communities, and through
the efforts of colleague-volunteers.
Seedling Preparation: Through the Seedling Nursery Activity, Manulife Philippines colleague volunteers prepared 1,000 native tree seedlings at a nursery site in Sto. Niño, Rizal in February. The activity was conducted in partnership with Haribon Foundation alongside KAT-MAGAT Tourism and Farmers Association and Sto. Niño Integrated School, supporting reforestation
efforts that benefit more than 200 households in the community. Planting these prepared seedlings will commence in 2026, covering eight hectares of forest in the Sierra Madre mountain range.
Mangrove Planting: To support coastal restoration efforts that protect shorelines and local fishing communities, Manulife partnered with Haribon Foundation and the community of Alitas Farmers and Fisherfolk Association (AFFA). These mangrove planting efforts will benefit more than 200 households in Infanta, Quezon. The program has established a dedicated mangrove
seedling nursery that aims to produce a total of 15,000 seedlings by the end of 2027.
Terrestrial Planting: Manulife’s flagship terrestrial restoration site in Real, Quezon, has planted 10 hectares in partnership with Haribon Foundation with the support of the communities in Brgy. Tanuan Farmer’s Association (BATAFA) and Samahan ng Katutubong Dumagat ng Real, Quezon Inc. The restoration efforts benefit nearly 10,000 households in Brgy. Maragondon in
Real.
Financial Literacy: In collaboration with the Corazon Sanchez Atayde Memorial Foundation, Manulife’s Peso Smart program reached s new learners across 18 public elementary schools nationwide in 2025. The award-winning financial literacy program equips young Filipinos with essential financial skills such as saving, budgeting, and investing, while connecting financial
literacy. To date, more than 4,900 Filipino learners have completed the Peso Smart program, which Manulife Philippines pioneered in 2017.
Bayanihan Festival: Manulife Business Processing Services (MBPS), the global shared services center of Manulife, held its inaugural Bayanihan Festival in November 2025. Inspired by the Filipino spirit of community and collaboration, MBPS partnered with Rise Against Hunger Philippines, Waves for Water Philippines, and Reach Out and Feed Philippines for initiatives such as Project Baon to address food insecurity and micronutrient deficiency among Filipino children and humanitarian efforts in disaster-hit Cebu province. There, MBPS mobilized colleague-volunteers and dispensed 2,000 relief kits, 5,000 hot meals, and engaged Manulife’s global colleagues to donate to relief efforts, matching donations dollar-for-dollar.
Code4Future: Manulife IT Delivery Center (MITDC), the fintech arm of Manulife, organized two Code4Future learning sessions in 2025. The sessions, which aim to empower children through coding and creativity, drew 73 young learners and more than 80 MITDC colleague-volunteers. The program aimed to spark curiosity and encourage problem-solving skills while showcasing
how technology can fuel creativity.
From Trash to Tree-sure: Manulife Philippines also unveiled in its newly opened agency office at the Ayala North Exchange the mural called “From Trash to Tree-sure,” a unique centerpiece embodying the company’s commitment to sustainable business practices and innovation. The mural was crafted from 18.35 kilos of old Manulife t-shirts from past team events, 9.85 kilos of
repurposed tarpaulins, and 56.6 kilos of used beverage cartons. It was built by Manulife financial advisors and colleague-volunteers in collaboration with sustainability-focused interior design firm JunkNot, through its Trash Innovation Exchange for Upcycling Project.
To close Impact Agenda efforts in 2025, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Karen Leggett, joined colleague-volunteers from Manulife Philippines, Manulife China Bank Life, and Manulife Investments Philippines along with Peso Smart Pinay graduates from Quezon City and Peso Smart teachers from the San Miguel Elementary School in Pasig to prepare 200 native tree
seedlings for terrestrial planting in Tanay, Rizal in 2026.
“Taking part in volunteer opportunities like this seedling activity underscores our commitment to supporting communities and championing sustainability through hands-on action,” said Leggett. “Each seedling we plant is a tangible promise to restore forests, protect vital ecosystems, and unlock new opportunities for Filipino communities to thrive. By coming together with partners and volunteers, we are not only cultivating a safer, more resilient future, but also inspiring lasting change for generations to come. We stand united in our mission to transform intent into impact—a testament to the power of collective action.”
Colleague-Driven Impact
In 2025, Manulife colleagues in the Philippines registered more than 13,000 volunteering hours through their participation in different Impact Agenda initiatives. This was further amplified in Manulife’s global Season of Giving campaign, where
colleagues are encouraged to donate to charities and volunteer with community organizations of their choice.
Manulife matches colleagues’ donations dollar-for-dollar up to CA$1,000 in Asia during the Season of Giving, which ran from November to December. This matching mechanism transforms individual generosity into a collective, deep impact across markets. The company also recognizes volunteer hours for any of the colleagues’ chosen initiatives, ensuring that
colleagues can support causes of personal significance.
“Filipinos entrust us with their financial futures, and that trust comes with a clear responsibility to invest back in meaningful and lasting ways,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “The Season of Giving puts this belief into action. We know meaningful change starts with personal commitment, so we take pride in empowering our people to champion the causes that matter most to them.”
Initiatives like Peso Smart, reforestation projects, and Season of Giving campaign reflect Manulife Philippines’ continued
commitment to the communities it serves. By combining hands-on local engagement and colleague-driven charitable giving, the company continues to demonstrate that lasting impact comes from consistent action and collective effort.
In November, Manulife Financial Asia Limited won the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards 2025 in the category of Top Sustainability Advocates in Asia for its outstanding commitment to sustainability through its Impact Agenda, environmental stewardship, and strategic integration of sustainable investing across its operations. The recently launched Manulife Longevity Institute underscores this commitment by creating a global platform to drive action that helps people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives by 2030—in Asia and around the world.
To learn more about Impact Agenda and Manulife’s commitment towards building a better business to better the world, visit manulife.com.ph.
- DCPO crushes ‘Bora-bora’ mufflers and improvised cannons
THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) used a heavy-duty road roller to flatten hundreds of confiscated noise-making devices at its campgrounds on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
The destruction ceremony involved 296 modified motorcycle mufflers (commonly known as bora-bora) and 270 lantakas (improvised cannons made from tin cans).
Authorities stated that the items were seized in multiple operations targeting unauthorized use, public disturbance, and traffic hazards.
The DCPO highlighted that these devices pose significant dangers to life and property, in addition to contributing to noise pollution in the city.
Following the destruction, police officials issued a warning to the public regarding the legal consequences of using such devices.
“Police strictly warn the public again about the fines and cases they may face,” the DCPO statement said, citing violations under City Ordinance 0334-12, the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (RA 4136), and the Clean Air Act (RA 8749).
THE PHILIPPINE Competition Commission (PCC) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to enhance cooperation in promoting fair competition and protecting commuters in the public land transport sector.
Signed by PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo and LTFRB chairperson Vigor Mendoza II, the agreement establishes protocols for notification, policy coordination, investigation support, and information sharing. Both agencies commit to consult on transport policies, review LTFRB rules for compliance with the Philippine Competition Act (PCA), and jointly address matters involving anti‑competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, anti‑competitive mergers and acquisitions, and other violations of the PCA.
The MOA also provides for joint task forces when needed, logistical support for investigations, and access to relevant information subject to confidentiality and data privacy safeguards. It also covers capacity‑building activities and advocacy initiatives to raise awareness of competition law among transport operators and commuters.
“This agreement strengthens our ability to safeguard commuters by embedding competition principles in public transport regulation,” said PCC chairperson Aguinaldo. “Working closely with LTFRB ensures better services, more choices, and fairer prices for the riding public,” he added.
The signing was witnessed by PCC executive director Kenneth Tanate and LTFRB executive director Loumer Bernabe.
THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) formally filed charges on Tuesday, Jan. 13, against an individual allegedly involved in a fireworks display that violated the local firecracker ban.
The case, lodged at the Office of the City Prosecutor, stems from a video that circulated on social media showing a group of individuals lighting fireworks in Barangay Sasa during the New Year’s Eve celebrations on Dec. 31.
According to authorities, the viral footage served as key evidence in identifying the suspect.
This latest filing brings the total number of individuals charged for violating the ordinance during the recent holiday season to six.
The City Government of Davao continues to strictly enforce the ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, a long-standing policy credited with maintaining zero firecracker-related casualties in the city for years.
Authorities reiterated that the ordinance is in place to ensure public safety and minimize accidents during festivities.
Photo courtesy of Madayaw Davao
A 32-YEAR-OLD house painter listed as the top five city-level target was arrested early Tuesday morning, Jan. 13, 2026, during a coordinated search operation in Malagamot, Barangay Panacan.
Operatives from the Sasa Police Station (PS4), led by PLT Arnel Haradji under the supervision of Acting Station Commander Maj Noe L. Macolbacol Jr., executed two search warrants at the residence of alias Mark in Purok 22, Abad compound, Malagamot.
The operation, launched at approximately 3:29 a.m., was conducted in coordination with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion XI and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI.
Executive Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan issued an arrest and seizure armed with search warrant numbers 2596 and 2597, authorizing the police to raid the suspect’s home.
The search yielded eight heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu with an estimated value of P161,024, a .38 caliber revolver without a serial number, and two rounds of live ammunition.
The drug evidence was turned over to the Davao City Forensic Unit for laboratory examination, while the firearm underwent ballistic testing. Meanwhile, alias Mark is now detained at the Sasa Police Station, facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
File photo courtesy of DCPO
ABOITIZ Renewables, Inc., the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation, partnered with leaders of the Bagobo Tagabawa Indigenous Peoples group in planting 1,000 arabica coffee seedlings along Mt. Apo’s Sibulan Trail, creating a natural biofence to help safeguard strict protection zones while also generating potential income for the tribe.
The tree planting activity was done in partnership with the Tribal Councils of Sibulan Clusters 1 and 2, the Barangay Council of Sibulan, and the Apo Sandawa Porters’ Association (ASPA), with support from the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
This initiative marks the second year of the ‘Kahoy Mo, Kinabuhi Ko’ project, a community-led reforestation effort designed to prevent encroachment into environmentally sensitive areas of the country’s highest peak. The coffee biofence protects biodiversity-rich zones from unauthorized entry while offering Indigenous communities a sustainable livelihood through future coffee harvests.
“Human namo makigkonsulta sa NCIP XI (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Region XI), misugod ang konseho og tanom og kape sa gitudlong lugar niadtong Oktubre 2025. Gipili namo ang kape aron mahimong buhing utlanan sa SPZ, maprotektahan ang lasang sa Mt. Apo samtang naay tanom nga puwede ma-ani ug ibaligya sa IP community “After consulting with NCIP XI, the council began planting coffee in designated areas. We chose coffee as a living boundary for the SPZ, protecting Mt. Apo forest while providing a crop the IP community can harvest and sell,”,” said Aboitiz Renewables external relations supervisor for Southern Mindanao Christe Torres.
Datu Jun Tolentino, Tribal Chieftain of Cluster 1, said that the coffee biofence supports Mt. Apo’s ecosystem while creating livelihood options for upland families.
Noreen Vicencio, first vice president and general manager for Hydro Operations at Aboitiz Renewables, said the project shows that conservation is strongest when communities lead it.
“By supporting a coffee biofence along Mt. Apo, we are helping protect a critical ecosystem while enabling Indigenous families to build a sustainable source of income. This is how we translate renewable energy into shared value, where environmental protection and livelihoods grow together,” she said.
Ocean Cove by Aspire proudly hosted a coastal clean-up drive at Brgy. Bago Aplaya, Talomo, Davao City, joined by the dedicated employees of Filinvest Land, Inc. Mindanao. This meaningful initiative is one of the many nature-centric CSR activities the company has been championing all year round.
Through Pusong Filinvest, Filinvest Land, Inc. continues its crusade to protect our environment and help make the world a better place—one shoreline at a time.
Davao City, Philippines — Filinvest Land, through its award-winning corporate social responsibility arm Pusong Filinvest, recently led a highly impactful coastal cleanup activity in Davao City, highlighting how even simple community actions can contribute to global environmental solutions. This effort was carried out in partnership with Ocean Cove by Aspire, LGU through Barangay Bago Aplaya, and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Davao.
The coastal cleanup underscored the urgent need to protect marine ecosystems from the mounting threat of ocean pollution. According to global estimates, an average of 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the oceans each year, endangering marine biodiversity, damaging coral reefs, and disrupting aquatic food chains. Plastic waste can persist for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics that are ingested by marine life and ultimately entering the human food supply.
While many view coastal cleanup activities as routine volunteer events, Filinvest emphasizes that these efforts have widespread and sustained environmental and social benefits. More than removing visible waste, such initiatives help raise public awareness, engage local communities, and foster shared responsibility for preserving coastal and marine environments.
“Coastal cleanup drives may seem common, but when communities come together for a purpose, the ripple effects are enormous,” said a representative from Pusong Filinvest. “Every piece of waste removed from our shores protects habitats, improves water quality, and sends a powerful message about environmental care.”
This initiative reinforces Filinvest Land’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and community empowerment—an extension of its legacy of trailblazing the Philippine building and real estate sector for more than half a century. Known for its forward-looking, future-ready developments, Filinvest integrates sustainability and community well-being into every aspect of its work.
Beyond delivering high-quality products and developments, Filinvest continues to invest in programs that advance both environmental protection and quality of life. Through Pusong Filinvest, the company remains committed to making the world a better place—one coastal area, one community, and one sustainable initiative at a time.
DAVAO Region’s inflation rate climbed to 2.2%, accelerated by the price of food and nonalcoholic beverages in December 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority XI monthly report.
The main commodity group of food and nonalcoholic beverages recorded a 2.1% inflation rate with a share in the uptrend of inflation of 98.2%. Primary contributors were cereals and products, such as rice, with a -3.5%.
The other three contributors were fish and other seafood (11.5%), vegetables, tubers, plantains (6.6%), and meat and other slaughtered parts of land animals (1.6%).
The second commodity group was housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel, sitting at 1.5% and 13% percent share. Contributors are namely rentals (1.4%), electricity (2.0%), and charcoal (15.9%).
In September 2025, the region’s inflation rate was at 0.6% and was driven mainly by the same commodity group, where electricity was the major contributor with a 9.2% when compared to 7.6% in Aug 2025.
The 2025 annual average inflation rate in the region is at 0.7% and is lower when compared to 2024’s 4.0%. In 2025, Jul was recorded as the lowest at -0.4%, and December was the highest at 2.2%.
For inflation rates by province, Davao del Sur ranks top with 3.5%, while Davao City is at 2.5%. Davao Occidental has the lowest inflation rate with 0.8%.
Manila, Philippines – 2GO, the country’s premier multimodal logistics solutions provider, continues to strengthen its reputation as a reliable local partner of leading international brands and organizations.
2GO Forwarding, the freight forwarding arm of the 2GO Group, operates through a nationwide network that spans 33,000 barangays and delivers scalable logistics for industries such as pharmaceuticals, FMCG, automotive, and events. With access to sea, land, and air transport, the unit provides customers with end-to-end logistics tailored to their operational needs.
Seamless Logistics and Mobility
For restaurant groups with extensive operations across the Visayas and Mindanao, efficient inter-island movement is essential to maintaining stock levels, product freshness, and store stability. Bigby’s Quality Food Corp., a homegrown restaurant group with 26 branches under brands such as Bigby’s Café & Restaurant, Boy Zugba, and The Tuna Bar, has seen significant improvements in its logistics efficiency with 2GO handling its island-to-island deliveries.
Henrik Kelly Yu, CEO of Bigby’s Quality Food Corp., said, “Before, I think the challenges of our shipments were the island-to-island deliveries. But now with 2GO, it’s very convenient. Deliveries to Dumaguete, Bohol, Tacloban, Cebu—it has been very life-changing for our business to have this kind of service.”
Delivering Healthcare with Precision
Pharmaceutical distribution requires efficiency, accuracy, and consistent reliability. For Zuellig Pharma Corporation, the Philippines’ leading distributor of medicines and healthcare products, 2GO Forwarding has become a trusted partner in ensuring life-saving medicines and medical products reach their destinations safely and on time. The partnership has proven vital during peak demand periods, where uninterrupted delivery means uninterrupted access to healthcare.
Paul Sanchez, Director of Zuellig Pharma, said, “When we experienced logistics challenges, 2GO immediately stepped in to ensure our operations remained unhampered and delivery commitments were met. Their professionalism, precision, and ability to manage critical pharmaceutical cargo with utmost care have been instrumental to our mission of safeguarding healthcare access across the country.”
Powering Philippine Sports
Beyond healthcare, 2GO Forwarding also supports the movement of people and equipment for some of the Philippines’ most anticipated international sporting events. As the official logistics partner of IRONMAN Philippines, 2GO provides transport and forwarding solutions that ensure sporting gear, race materials, and participants arrive on time and in full. This capability has made 2GO an integral part of the country’s growing sports tourism industry.
Princess Galura, President and General Manager of Sunrise Events Inc., said, “We are excited to continue our partnership with 2GO, whose end-to-end logistics and travel services help bring our MICE events to life—organized, on time, and seamless. Their reliable support ensures that our equipment arrives where it’s needed and that attendees can travel conveniently across islands. With 2GO, every event delivers a smooth and memorable experience for athletes and spectators alike.”
Operational Excellence
2GO Forwarding’s flexible service offerings have also supported businesses in the agriculture, food manufacturing, and MSME sectors. For the Strawberry-Guyabano Farm and Delibites Concepts Corporation in South Cotabato, 2GO’s transport solutions have helped streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve delivery performance.
Hannah Mamon, the owner, shared that faster transport cut delivery time from four days to two and that direct store deliveries helped eliminate pilferage. She said, “I was able to save on warehousing, shutting down Davao and Cagayan de Oro… dahil sa streamlining na na-address ni 2GO.” She added that 2GO’s Less than Container Load (LCL) service enabled her to ship small packages with clear and predictable rates. “The efficiency and reliability, na pwede mag twice a week o kahit once a week, kaya mabilis ang turnover ng inventory sa operations.”
Commitment to Partners
2GO Forwarding’s track record across industries highlights its ability to adapt to the unique requirements of every client, from healthcare to sports. The business unit remains focused on delivering solutions that enable organizations to make a meaningful impact on the communities they serve.
Faye Alonzo, Business Unit Head of 2GO Forwarding said, “We see our role as more than transporting goods—we help businesses expand, communities thrive, and vital services reach the people who need them most. From healthcare and food to sports and MSMEs, we move what matters, ensuring every shipment travels safely and seamlessly across cities and regions. This commitment to enabling growth and enriching lives is at the heart of what we deliver to every partner we serve.”
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