Coronavirus Lockdown: Lessons From Pandemic, Waste Management, and More!

More news about how the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines is being handled by the public and the government. 

Iloilo City, along with the rest of the Philippines, is filled with garbage. Notably plastic.  This pollution  increased during the pandemic. 

https://punto.com.ph/iloilo-city-powers-up-waste-management-with-project-agubay/

According to the City Environment Office (CENRO), Iloilo City, home to nearly half a million residents, faces a growing waste crisis, generating more than 314 metric tons of waste daily — nearly 40% of which is plastic. To address this urgent challenge, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. (CCFPI), Central Philippine University (CPU), and the Iloilo City Government have launched Project AGUBAY, a first of its kind data-driven Solid Waste Management Information System (SWM-IS) covering 180 barangays.

The project’s name, AGUBAY — derived from the Ilonggo word meaning “to support, to guide, to help” — also stands for Awareness, Guidance, Unity, Biodiversity, Action, and Yield. This reflects its mission of empowering communities with tools and knowledge to create more sustainable waste solutions.

Addressing Iloilo City’s waste challenge

Iloilo City’s waterways and coastal areas have long been vulnerable to plastic pollution, worsened by the surge in single-use plastics during the COVID-19 pandemic. With nearly half a million residents across 180 barangays, including 26 situated in riverine and coastal areas, inefficient collection systems and non-functional material recovery facilities (MRFs) have left waterways vulnerable to pollution.

“This project aims to ensure no barangay is left behind in the city’s fight against waste,” said Cecile Alcantara, President of Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Inc. “By investing in digital tools and community empowerment, Project AGUBAY shows how collaboration between business, academia, and local government can turn sustainability goals into real, on-the-ground progress.”

Smarter, Faster Waste Solutions

At the heart of Project AGUBAY is the Solid Waste Management Information System (SWM-IS) — a centralized digital platform that generates real-time reports to help barangays and the city government:

• Formulate and update Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management (BESWM) Programs in 152 barangays.
• Build a centralized SWM database for stronger city-wide monitoring and governance.
• Deploy Barangay Material Recovery System (BMRS) equipment to improve segregation, collection, and diversion.
• Train barangay leaders and city stakeholders in implementing sustainable waste solutions.

“Each barangay has unique waste challenges. With real-time data, we can design solutions that truly fit community needs — saving time, resources, and strengthening accountability,” said Dr. Mary O’ Penetrante, Project Team Lead from CPU.

They don’t say exactly why or how this increase happened but I guess one is not suppose to ask questions.

The economy continues to slump proving corruption is more powerful than the actual shutting down of the economy.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/ph-retail-braces-for-strong-q4-on-bonuses-remittances

PHILIPPINE retail is expected to benefit from a traditionally strong fourth quarter, driven by employees’ holiday bonuses and higher remittances from overseas Filipinos, consultancy Colliers Philippines said. 

With inflation projected to settle below the government’s two to four percent target in 2025, disposable incomes are likely to support heightened consumer spending this season.

In its latest market report, Colliers urged mall operators and retailers to intensify marketing campaigns and curate holiday events to attract shoppers. 

Experiential retail, including activity centers, bazaars, concerts, and family-friendly installations, has proven effective in increasing foot traffic and time spent in malls, the firm noted. 

It also highlighted the growing importance of omnichannel strategies, as consumers increasingly mix online and offline shopping. Enhanced digital platforms, streamlined checkouts, discounted shipping, and expedited deliveries complement physical stores, which remain critical to Filipino shopping habits amid near pre-pandemic traffic levels.

Colliers sees opportunities for developers to attract foreign brands, particularly in home furnishing and personal accessories, which typically occupy large mall spaces and accelerate overall space absorption. 

The firm said these trends signal a shift toward more immersive and premium retail experiences in the Philippines.

Shopping is only near pre-pandemic levels which means the economy is not back not normal. 

The BSP has released a book highlighting lessons lear ned from the pandemic.

https://pia.gov.ph/news/bsp-unveils-in-mindanao-its-book-highlighting-lessons-from-pandemic/

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) brought the story of its battle against the pandemic to Mindanao on Nov. 19, with the regional launch of “Leading the BSP in the Pandemic”, a book by former BSP Governor and now Monetary Board Member Benjamin E. Diokno.

The event in Cagayan de Oro City marked the book’s first launch in Mindanao.

BSP Mindanao Regional Director Judith G. Dolot said the publication documents a crucial period in the country’s economic history.

“We’re not just launching a book,” Dolot said. “We’re preserving a defining chapter of our country’s economic history.”

Dolot said the book outlines how the BSP worked to keep the economy operating during the height of global uncertainty. She also cited Diokno’s role in leading the institution through COVID-19 pandemic.

She described Diokno as a leader who protected the economy during the darkest months of the pandemic.

Diokno said he wrote the book to give Filipinos a behind-the-scenes account of the pandemic, which began shortly after he assumed office.

“Lockdowns were imposed. The economy collapsed. The COVID pandemic was worse than war because we’re facing an invisible enemy, it was all over, and potentially lethal. Managing the economy during this time was an uncharted territory, especially for monetary authorities and world leaders. Back then, there was no existing playbook on how they should respond to keep the economy and the financial systems stable,” he said.

Diokno said the Monetary Board convened in person every Thursday to act quickly. Under his leadership, the BSP cut policy rates, injected liquidity into the economy, and extended up to P540 billion in interest-free provisional advances to support government emergency programs.

“Our actions were guided by our mission to bring the BSP closer to the Filipino people. During the unprecedented health and economic crisis, we did not shy away from our responsibility. We stood up and protected the interests of the people we serve,” he said.

The BSP also set limits on credit card charges, issued regulatory relief to banks, accelerated digital payments, and expanded consumer protection through an AI-powered chatbot and legislative measures.

Despite global credit downgrades, the Philippines kept its investment-grade rating during the pandemic. Diokno credited this to coordinated fiscal and monetary action.

“Internally, we continued our reforms to make the Philippines more agile and resilient in these new ways. We invested in our people, ramped up digital transformation, upgraded key infrastructure, and deepened research culture within the organization,” he added.

Dolot thanked Diokno for documenting the BSP’s response. “In dark times, there are people who will always step up, no matter what. And MBM Ben Diokno is one of those,” she said.

She said the book shows how the BSP, together with government partners, the private sector, and the financial community, developed monetary and financial measures that supported businesses, protected workers, strengthened the financial system, and assisted Filipino families.

COVID was worse than war?  Hilarious!!  Because now we see that corruption is worse than the pandemic. That means corruption is worse than war and the enemy is not invisible. The enemy is Filipinos.