BY ALEX ALAGON
Exceeding expectations. BDO Unibank successfully raised PHP132 billion in fresh funds from its sixth Peso-denominated ASEAN Sustainability Bond issue, more than 26x oversubscribed versus the original offer of PHP5 billion.
BDO Unibank, Inc. (“BDO” or the “Bank”) successfully raised PHP132 billion in fresh funds from its sixth Peso-denominated ASEAN Sustainability Bond issue, more than 26x oversubscribed versus the original offer of PHP5 billion. The issuance was supported by strong demand from both retail and institutional investors that also prompted the early closing of the offer period on July 10, 2026.
The Bank’s latest ASEAN Sustainability Bonds have a tenor of one-and-a-half (1.5) years and a coupon rate of 6.26% per annum. The issue, settlement, and listing date is on July 28, 2026.
The net proceeds of the issuance are intended to finance and/or refinance eligible assets as defined in the Bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework, support the Bank’s lending activities, and diversify the Bank’s funding sources.
ING Bank N.V., Manila Branch (“ING”) is the Sole Arranger and Sustainability Coordinator of this issuance, with BDO and ING as Selling Agents, and BDO Capital & Investment Corporation as Financial Advisor.
Manila – Global professional oral care brand usmile is transforming daily oral hygiene for Filipinos as it strengthens its presence in the Philippines with smart, science-backed devices designed to help stop dental problems before they start. By bringing preventive oral care to the forefront, the brand empowers consumers to make smarter choices for healthier smiles every day.
A leader in the oral care industry across the region, usmile champions innovative dental healthcare methods that reduce the risk of diseases and improve the overall oral health of users around the world.
Encouraging Proactive Dental Wellness in the Philippines
In a country widely recognized as a cheerful nation, smiling is a cultural gesture in the Philippines, serving as a universal language communicating warmth, trust, and community. However, despite the value placed on smiles, oral health remains a significant challenge across the country.
For many Filipino families, the dentist’s chair is often a last resort, waiting until a toothache becomes unbearable before seeking help. Data from the Department of Health (DOH) indicate that 92.4% of the population has tooth decay, and 78% have gum disease.
Aligned with its “prevention over treatment” philosophy, usmile is committed to building healthier dental wellness in the Philippines by encouraging Filipinos to take a proactive approach to their oral health. By making advanced oral care technology more accessible, the brand aims to help more users establish better dental habits and reduce the risk of oral health concerns before they require costly treatments.
Through these efforts, the brand empowers users to navigate their day-to-day lives with a healthy and confident smile.
More than a Decade of Clinical-Grade Prevention
Since its founding in 2015, usmile has spent more than a decade developing smart oral care technologies. Today, it is trusted by over 86 million users in 30 countries, supported by rigorous clinical tests.
Through ongoing collaboration with dentists, oral health experts, and research institutions, usmile turns complex dental science into safe, efficient, and practical solutions for everyday use.
These include targeted formulas for teeth whitening toothpastes, highlighted by Optical White, which recently sold over 100,000 units in a single month. The lineup is completed by three other specialized types: Strength White, Fresh White, and Repair White. It also includes twin-line dental floss picks and water flossers with precision pulse technology. These innovations are engineered to prevent common concerns like cavities, gum disease, and plaque buildup.
Since its official launch in the Philippines in February, usmile has been gaining popularity in the toothpaste category on TikTok Shop in the country. This mirrors its success in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, where it recently got the top spot for premium oral care and won the 2026 EPIC Award for Breakthrough Brand in E-commerce. Don’t wait for dental problems to start. usmile’s lineup of smart oral care devices, including water flossers, whitening toothpaste, and oral care essentials, is now available at TikTok Shop and Shopee. Follow usmile on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest releases and updates. Visit usmile’s official website at usmile.com to learn more.
Volleyball and some basketball teams coming from the High School and Senior High School Davao City based teams were welcomed in grand rites at the 21st Gaisano Grand Cup launch last 26 July at the Gaisano Grand Citigate. (Photo by Aldin Celi)
Davao City – School-based volleyball teams were welcomed during the 2026 Gaisano Grand Cup launching held Sunday, 26 July at the Gaisano Grand Citigate Mall.
Some 42 teams were greeted by Commissioners Abet Bernan and Jon Develos along with tournament director Aldin Celi.
“Volleyball is the newest addition of the Gaisano Grand Cup which will be for High School and Senior High School-based teams and we welcome them with open arms going to the league’s 21st season,” said Commissioner Abet Bernan.
Basketball will still be the main activity in this year’s Gaisano Grand Cup which will have its welcome launch this August 15. Games proper will be in September as Gaisano Grand Skygym is still under renovation.
“We are still finalizing the teams which will be participating in the 12 Under, 14 Under and 18 Under categories,” added tournament director Aldin Celi.
By Jon Develos
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE – The City Government of San Jose del Monte has intensified its emergency response after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) mentioned in a Water Forum a possible reduction of water supply allocation to the local water district, resulting in potential operational adjustments due to El Niño.
“We are now operating below the critical level and historic low of 152.19 meters in Angat Dam, far below its minimum operating level of 180 meters. This is the lowest since 2010. If there will be no rains in the coming days, we are expecting to reach 149 meters by the weekend. By that level, we will have to use the low-level bypass outlet that can only accommodate 32 cubic meters per second (CMS) from the current 46 CMS,” Jose Alfredo Escoto, MWSS deputy administrator, said.
CSJDM Mayor Florida “Ate Rida” Robes convened key water agencies today, 21 July 2026—the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), and National Irrigation Administration (NIA)—to formulate immediate and long-term interventions aimed at mitigating the impact of El Niño and maximizing the remaining water resources available to Bulacan.
Mayor Robes urged the water regulatory agencies to acknowledge the severity of the situation so that the government can immediately identify and implement solutions to address the crisis.
“The reduction in San Jose del Monte’s allocation will inevitably affect thousands of households. We are treating this with the highest level of urgency. The City Government has mobilized every available resource and convened the country’s key water agencies to ensure that every possible intervention is undertaken to lessen the impact on our residents,” she said.
The reduced allocation places even greater strain on the city’s water distribution system, which is still undergoing extensive rehabilitation after years of deteriorating infrastructure inherited by the city’s interim water service operator, Metro Pacific Bulacan Water (MPBW).
The drastic reduction comes as the NWRB warned that Bulacan Province could face a worsening water crisis if Angat Dam continues to fall below its minimum operating level, threatening the water supply of thousands of families that depend on the reservoir.
“We are encouraging local water utilities providers to repair leaks to reduce water losses and reactivate deep wells. The water districts just need to send us request letters and we will fast-track the needed regulatory approvals,” Engr. Del Satore, Monitoring Division of NWRB, said.
MWSS has added that rotational pressure management may be implemented at night time in Metro Manila and Bulacan if the water in Angat Dam continues to fall.
As part of its immediate response, MPBW is targeting to complete several measures within 45 days. These include the continued repair of pipe leaks, with 206 leaks already repaired to reduce water losses and allow more supply to reach consumers.
MPBW is also working on the reactivation of deep wells in Francisco Homes–Guijo, Yakal, and Kaypian; the construction of communal shallow wells in Graceville, Muzon East, and Citrus; the installation of modular treatment plants and static water tanks in various barangays; rotational water supply; and, the continued deployment and coordination of water delivery operations in affected communities.
To further improve water quality, MPBW has completed the installation of specialized treatment equipment that enables the use of potassium permanganate to address elevated manganese levels in raw water sourced from Angat Dam. This treatment process effectively oxidizes and removes manganese through filtration, resulting in safer and clearer water for consumers.
Mayor Robes assured residents that the City Government will continue providing transparent and timely updates on water availability, service interruptions, water rationing schedules, and the progress of ongoing emergency response projects.
“While we cannot control the effects of El Niño or the declining water level of Angat Dam, we can control how quickly and decisively we respond. We will continue working hand in hand with our national government partners to ensure that every available drop of water reaches our people. We ask for the cooperation and understanding of every San Joseño as we confront this challenge together.”
From left to center: Joshua Crisostomo, president of SJDM HOA Confederation; Atty. Roberto Rob S. Rodrigo (MPW assistant vice president for Legal); Roldan Pineda, chief operations officer, Metro Pacific Bulacan Water; Jonet S. Sanalila (MPW assistant vice president for corporate development and communications); San Jose del Monte Rep Arthur B Robes; San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida “Rida” Robes; Rosemarie Galvez, general manager, SJDM Water District, Aurelio Jose Jr., chairman, SJDM Water District; JM Lazo, chief finance officer, Metro Pacific Water, and Arvin Joson, SJDM City Engineering Office
METRO Pacific Water (MPW), which operates in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan as Metro Pacific Bulacan Water (MPBW), has broken ground on its P70 million-worth Phase I Tanawin Reservoir to Igay Reservoir Transmission Project, a major water infrastructure initiative that will deliver an additional 15 million liters per day (MLD) of treated water and expand reliable water service to approximately 15,000 additional households across the city.
The project forms part of MPBW’s efforts to strengthen San Jose del Monte’s water supply system, which has been strained by aging and deteriorated facilities inherited from the previous operator, high water losses, and the continuing impact of the El Niño dry spell on Angat Dam that is expected to last until the first quarter of 2027.
“MPBW only began interim operations in June, but we are already implementing both emergency measures and the long-term plan needed to build a more reliable and resilient water system for San Jose del Monte. This project is a critical step in that direction because it expands our capacity to move around 15 MLD of treated water to 15,000 households, improving service reliability to residents who have endured years of low pressure and interruptions,” Andrew Pangilinan, president and CEO, said.
“We welcome this infrastructure project from our interim service operator because San Joseños need both immediate relief and long-term solutions. This project will help improve water access for thousands more households while strengthening the city’s water infrastructure. The City Government will continue working closely with MPBW, the San Jose del Monte Water District, and national agencies to ensure that critical projects like this move forward while we continue addressing the urgent needs of affected communities,” Mayor Florida “Ate Rida” Robes said.
The transmission project involves the construction of a 3.4-kilometer, 400-millimeter-diameter pipeline that will transfer treated water from Bulacan Bulk Water to the Igay Reservoir. Once completed, the project will improve reliable water service to residents in Kaypian, Sto. Cristo, Caybanban, San Roque, Paradise III, San Isidro, Yakal, Guijo, Poblacion, Poblacion I, and Mulawin.
Pipelaying works are scheduled to begin in August 2026, with project completion targeted by December 2026.
The project comes as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has warned of a possible reduction in the water supply allocation for the San Jose del Monte Water District due to the continued decline of Angat Dam’s water level, which may require operational adjustments across the city’s water distribution system.
“While we are starting the long-term infrastructure work now, we are also implementing a 45-day emergency response to address the immediate effects of El Niño and the reduced Angat supply. Our priority is to maximize every available source of water, reduce system losses, and provide additional support to the most affected communities,” Pangilinan added.
As part of its immediate response, MPBW is fast-tracking the detection and repair of pipe leaks across the city. To date, it has repaired 206 identified leaks, helping reduce water losses and improve the volume of supply reaching consumers. The interim service operator is also working on the reactivation of deep wells in Francisco Homes–Guijo, Yakal, and Kaypian; the construction of communal shallow wells in Graceville, Muzon East, and Citrus; the installation of modular treatment plants and static water tanks in various barangays; and the continued deployment and coordination of water delivery operations in affected communities.
“These emergency measures and the Tanawin-to-Igay transmission project are part of one direction: stabilize supply now while building the infrastructure needed for a stronger system in the future,” Pangilinan added.
BY JULA MAE E. BESEOS, PhD in Agricultural Engineering/Central Mindanao University
A SOLAR-POWERED aquaponics system developed through engineering innovation and community partnership is helping demonstrate how renewable energy and smart agricultural technologies can support sustainable food production and climate-resilient farming in schools and communities.
The project is an initiative of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) of Central Mindanao University (CMU), led by Dr. Jula Mae E. Beseos and Dr. Roejae Carlo A. Ang, in collaboration with undergraduate student researchers, and was implemented at the Bukidnon National School of Home Industries (BNSHI) in Maramag, Bukidnon, as its partner institution.
The initiative combines fish production and soilless vegetable cultivation in an integrated, closed-loop aquaponics system powered by solar energy. It was developed as part of the department’s commitment to advancing climate-smart agriculture and supporting school-based food production initiatives.
At the heart of the system is an Arduino-based automated monitoring and control setup equipped with sensors that continuously track important water quality parameters, including temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen.
These measurements help maintain suitable conditions for Nile tilapia and Black Behi pechay while providing users with real-time information for managing the aquaponics system. The system is powered by a 435-watt solar panel supported by a battery backup, allowing it to continue operating at night and during periods of limited sunlight.
According to the research team, calibration and validation tests showed that the sensors provided accurate and reliable measurements, making them suitable for automated monitoring and system management.
As a co-author, we also examined different combinations of water quality sensors to determine the most effective monitoring configuration. Results showed that the combination of temperature and pH sensors provided the most stable water conditions and the highest filtration efficiency.
The addition of a dissolved oxygen sensor further improved the system by providing a more comprehensive picture of the aquatic environment.
The study likewise compared two filtration designs—a five-drum system and a three-drum system—to determine their effects on vegetable production and fish growth. Throughout the production cycle, the researchers monitored temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and nitrate levels to assess the performance of the two systems.
While both filtration systems produced comparable plant heights and supported healthy tilapia growth, the five-drum filtration system demonstrated better performance in vegetable production. It produced an average pechay yield of 0.0291 kilogram per plant, compared with 0.0222 kilogram per plant from the three-drum system. The findings highlight the importance of effective filtration in aquaponics systems.
The research team explained that the five-drum design provided improved mechanical and biological filtration, creating a larger surface area for beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms play a critical role in converting fish waste into nutrients that can be absorbed by plants, thereby improving nutrient cycling and supporting crop production.
The researchers also observed that water temperature had a positive relationship with pechay yield, while increasing pH levels were associated with lower production. Dissolved oxygen, meanwhile, remained within the recommended range during the experiment, indicating that both filtration systems were able to maintain suitable conditions for tilapia culture.
Beyond its technical and research value, the project has become an educational facility for BNSHI students. The system provides learners with hands-on exposure to agricultural engineering, renewable energy, automation, environmental monitoring, and sustainable food production, supplementing their curricular requirements through actual laboratory demonstration.
The initiative also complements the Department of Education’s Gulayan sa Paaralan Program by introducing an energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable approach to producing vegetables and fish. Through the integration of aquaculture, crop production, solar energy, and automated monitoring, the project demonstrates how schools can contribute to food security and improved nutrition while providing students with practical knowledge and skills relevant to modern agriculture.
Looking ahead, the research team recommends integrating additional water quality sensors, particularly for ammonia and nitrate monitoring, to further improve real-time system management and long-term sustainability.
The researchers also encourage the replication of solar-powered aquaponics systems in other schools and farming communities, particularly in areas seeking climate-resilient and energy-efficient food production technologies.
The cultivation of high-value crops is likewise recommended to increase the economic potential of aquaponics systems, diversify food production, and provide additional income opportunities for communities. Through the collaboration of ABE faculty, student innovators, and community partners, the project demonstrates the potential of science, technology, and engineering to address pressing agricultural challenges.
More importantly, the solar-powered aquaponics system offers a practical model of how renewable energy and smart farming technologies can help build more sustainable, resilient, and food-secure schools and communities in Mindanao.
Through engineering innovation and strong community partnerships, the project demonstrates how renewable energy and smart agricultural technologies can contribute to addressing food security challenges while equipping students and communities with practical knowledge and skills for a more sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural future.
GLOBAL / PARIS – World Wellness Weekend (WWW) returns for its landmark 10th anniversary edition, September 18–20, 2026, activating a powerful global network of wellness
professionals, municipalities, hotels, spas, fitness clubs, and community leaders across 187 countries.
What began in France and Belgium as a small initiative has evolved into one of the world’s largest decentralized wellness movements for millions of participants in 2,000+ cities under a shared mission: Wellness for All.
This year, World Wellness Weekend aims to reach 15,000 venues worldwide with 150+ Ambassadors and Coordinators with 20,000+ free, inclusive wellness experiences.
From sunrise yoga in Bali to sound healing in London, forest bathing in Japan to community fitness festivals in Argentina, the movement is transforming how the world experiences health, connection, and prevention.
A Decade of Transformation: Wellness Becomes a Global Priority
The 10th edition is grounded in the evolving understanding that wellness is no longer optional, it is essential.
Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing For All), WWW reflects a decade-long shift in which wellness has moved from lifestyle trend to a core driver of public health, education, tourism, and economic development.
According to the World Wellness Report 2026, the global wellness economy has grown from $4.5 trillion to a projected $7 trillion by the end of 2026, as consumers increasingly prioritize prevention, resilience, and longevity over traditional luxury consumption.
WWW is built on five universal pillars:
● Vitality & Movement
● Serenity & Mindfulness
● Nutrition & Immunity
● Sleep & Creativity
● Purpose & Solidarity
Connect. Recharge. Wellness is Energy: Turn your Wellness ON!
This year’s global slogan reflects the movement’s core philosophy: wellness should be accessible, joyful, and embedded in everyday life, not confined to exclusive spaces or elite services.
Across three days, participating venues will open their doors for free activities including fitness classes, mindfulness sessions, educational workshops, nature experiences, and community gatherings.
A Truly Global Footprint
In 2026, World Wellness Weekend spans every continent with unprecedented engagement:
● Europe: Strong institutional backing, including the European Week of Sport (40 countries), Fondazione Sport City (116 cities in Italy) collaboration and municipal wellness policies. Spain will kick-off with extended celebrations beginning Thursday 17 September.
● Asia-Pacific: Japan plans to activate all 47 prefectures with over 500 venues, blending ancient traditions like forest bathing among 2,000 year-old cedar trees on Yakushima Island, with modern wellness technology at fitness clubs like Renaissance and Mizuno Sports Service.
● Americas: Argentina (178 venues) and Brazil (197 venues including all 150 Buddha Spas) lead large-scale community activations, while Mexico, Canada, and the United States continue expanding public-private wellness initiatives with 90+ Planet Fitness clubs.
● Middle East & Africa: UAE, Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, and Cabo Verde expand wellness tourism and community access programs.
● Oceania: Australia and New Zealand grow participation through hot springs, resorts, and community wellbeing hubs.
Flagship country activations include:
● Italy (635 venues): nationwide Sport City collaborations and fitness club participation with CIWAS – Confederazione Italiana Wellness & Sports
● Spain (569 venues): city-wide wellness festivals, inclusive public programming, and cultural wellness routes, in Marbella, Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona, Canary Islands & Baleares.
● United Kingdom (188 venues): nationwide spa, fitness, and hotel activations, including all David Llyod Clubs, and Aqua Sana with the support of the UK Spa Association. ● India (163 venues): luxury hospitality and traditional wellness integration ● Indonesia (124 venues): regenerative wellness tourism in Bali
● Japan (507 venues): national institutional engagement across all prefectures with the support of Mayors from North (Hokkaido) to South (Kyushu)
Wellness Cities in Action
Across the world, cities are redefining urban life through wellness:
● Marbella transforms public parks and seafronts into wellness stages
● Madrid activates schools, universities, and cultural institutions
● Tigre (Argentina) and Cabalango declare WWW an “event of public interest” ● Higashikawa (Japan) integrates wellness into municipal health systems ● Barcelona strengthens its position as a European wellness capital
These initiatives reflect a broader shift toward “Wellness Cities”, urban environments designed for movement, connection, and mental wellbeing.
Strategic Global Partnerships
World Wellness Weekend 2026 is strengthened by major cross-sector alliances, including:
● Wellness in Travel & Tourism (WITT) and Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) ● World Cleanup Day (UN-recognized), combining environmental and human wellbeing ● European Week of Sport (European Commission)
● Campaign Nonviolence Action Days
● Industry leaders such as Spafinder (40th anniversary celebration), hospitality groups, spa associations, and global wellness networks
These partnerships reinforce a shared vision: wellness as a unifying force across industries and societies.
From Hotels to Public Parks: A Movement Without Borders
From luxury resorts to community centers, hospitals, schools, and public parks, WWW continues to democratize access to wellbeing.
Hotels, spas, and fitness brands, including global hospitality groups such as Marriott International, Accor, J Wellness Circle, RIU, Banyan Group, Mandarin Oriental, Six Senses, Hard Rock Hotels, Hyatt and are opening their doors alongside grassroots community organizers, reinforcing the idea that wellness is both universal and inclusive.
Ambassadors and coordinators in over 150 countries ensure local relevance while maintaining a shared global mission.
A Decade of Impact and a Vision for the Future
As World Wellness Weekend enters its second decade, its mission is expanding beyond awareness into systemic change: integrating wellness into public policy, workplace culture, tourism, education, and city design.
Founder Jean-Guy de Gabriac emphasizes a simple guiding belief:
“Wellness is not a luxury, but a collective responsibility. We need to think Global, act Local and make wellness Social.”
In addition, to further mark its 10th anniversary, gathering all the success, impact, and knowledge gathered from the past editions, World Wellness Weekend is proud to share the Wellness Report developed in partnership with CCIcomms to showcase the impact of the activity throughout those years and how the project has impacted the international community for the better.
A COMMUNITY of gamers, artists, and LGBTQIA+ advocates in Davao is coming together for a common purpose: raising funds for children living with HIV while helping combat the stigma that continues to surround HIV.
On August 15–16, 2026, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., BBG and FOSTR will present BBG: Origins at QH Cafe in Obrero, Davao City. The two-day charity fundraiser brings together board games, an art fair, and the bear and queer communities in a welcoming space that celebrates creativity, inclusion, and community- supported by operational partners YYMHAF, AERO, and Suscents.
Proceeds from the event will support initiatives benefiting children living with HIV, including the development of educational storytelling projects that promote empathy, awareness, and help reduce HIV-related stigma. Through games, art, and shared experiences, the organizers hope to encourage meaningful conversations while fostering a more informed and compassionate community.
BBG is a nonprofit community initiative dedicated to building inclusive spaces through board games, while FOSTR champions LGBTQIA+ advocacy, volunteerism, and community engagement in Davao, with YYMHAF as the clothing partner, AERO and Suscents as the scents partner that sells queer-friendly products- a partnership by queers.
The event is made possible through the support of QH Cafe as Official Venue Partner, Mindanao Times as Official Media Partner, Love Yourself as Community Partner, and several local artists, businesses, and volunteers.
The public is invited to attend and support this community-driven fundraiser. Event updates and registration details will be announced through the official social media pages of BBG Davao and FOSTR.
MANILA, Philippines — A year after vowing to hold government officials tied to the flood control scandal accountable, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has convinced only 10% of Filipinos that his administration has done enough, according to the inaugural release of The National Momentum Survey.
The non-commissioned survey, conducted by newly founded public opinion research firm Momentum Research, found that most Filipinos consider the administration’s efforts to address the flood control corruption scandal either “insufficient” (43%) or “lacking” (41%), with only 4% unsure and 1% declining to answer.
Regionally, nearly half of Filipino respondents in Metro Manila (48%), the Rest of Luzon (49%), and Visayas (46%) said the Marcos Jr. administration had made some effort to hold those behind the flood control anomalies accountable over the past year, but described that effort as “insufficient” (See Table 1).
Mindanao respondents were the most dissatisfied, with 61% saying the administration had done nothing at all to genuinely address the corruption scandal. This was followed by Metro Manila (43%), Visayas (40%), and the Rest of Luzon (31%).
Satisfaction with the administration’s response remained low across all regions: 14% in the Rest of Luzon, 9% in Visayas, 8% in Metro Manila, and just 6% in Mindanao — the lowest nationwide.
Momentum Research founder and CEO Cleve Arguelles, a political scientist, said the survey findings point to a public that, while giving the administration some credit for taking action, largely believes it has fallen short of what the flood control scandal demands.
“The latest survey data suggests that while many Filipinos recognize the Marcos administration has taken steps to respond to the flood control scandal, a larger public sentiment is that more could have been done,” Arguelles said in a statement.
“Accountability, particularly over the alleged anomalies in flood control projects, has emerged as one of the issues Filipinos most want the President to address,” he added.
Even along political lines, satisfaction with the administration’s flood control response was thin.
Self-identified Pro-Marcos respondents were the only faction where a plurality expressed some satisfaction. Although even among them, more said the effort had fallen short (46%) than those who said it was enough (42%). Just 9% of Pro-Marcos respondents believe the administration had done nothing (See Table 2).
In contrast, Pro-Duterte respondents were the most critical of the administration, with only 2% saying its efforts to curb corruption in flood control projects were adequate. A majority of them (60%) said the Marcos government made no meaningful effort, while the remaining 34% said some effort had been made but was not enough.
Among respondents aligned with the political opposition — such as former Vice President Leni Robredo, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and Sen. Bam Aquino, and their allies — 47% said the administration’s efforts were inadequate to solve the flood control scandal, while 45% of them said it had done nothing at all. Only 6% considered the response sufficient.
Meanwhile, independents, or those who did not align with any political faction, followed a similar pattern to the opposition. Nearly half (48%) said the effort had fallen short, while 36% said the administration failed to respond to the problem. Only 10% said the Marcos Jr. government had done enough.
“The most striking finding is that dissatisfaction extends even to Pro-Marcos respondents. When even your own supporters think more should be done, the public is sending a clear signal that accountability remains unfinished,” Arguelles said.
These findings are consistent with Momentum Research’s broader data on public sentiment. When respondents were asked what the government should prioritize, 43% of Filipinos pointed to corruption or the flood control scandal (See Figure 1). This was the top response, higher than jobs and livelihood (28%), and prices and inflation (23%).
A separate question asked what Marcos should address in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), and 33% named accountability for the flood control scandal — the third-highest response, behind lowering prices of goods (60%) and job creation (38%) (See Figure 2).
Respondents were allowed to pick three issues at most for both questions.
The nationwide survey was conducted from July 13 to 16, just two weeks before the president is expected to deliver his fifth SONA. It was done through face-to-face interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,438 Filipino adults. It has a ±2.6% national margin of error and a 95% confidence level.
Subnational margins of error are ±7% for the National Capital Region, ±4% for the Rest of Luzon (North, South, and Central Luzon), ±6% for Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao — all at a 95% confidence level.
The National Momentum Survey is Momentum Research’s flagship initiative, capturing what Filipinos think, feel, and stand for on the country’s most pressing sociopolitical issues. The inaugural July 2026 issue also covers public opinion on government performance, Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, and the 2028 National Elections.
To explore the complete survey findings, visit Momentum Research’s website at www.momentumresearch.ph and access our live dashboard.
