*ASEAN Opens Regional Dialogue on Circular Economy in Manila: From Waste to Wealth*

*MANILA, September 22, 2026 — New World Manila Bay Hotel* — The Philippines is hosting the *ASEAN Regional Dialogue on Circular Economy* from *September 22-23, 2026*, bringing together more than 200 policymakers, business leaders, MSMEs, and sustainability champions from 10 ASEAN Member States.

Themed *"Circular ASEAN: Closing the Loop, Opening Opportunities,"* the two-day dialogue is organized by the *Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)* in partnership with the *EU-ASEAN Green Economy Programme, UNIDO, and the ASEAN Secretariat.*

The dialogue comes at a critical time: ASEAN generates over 50 million tons of plastic waste annually, with the Philippines identified as a major contributor to ocean plastic. At the same time, new EU and ASEAN regulations are requiring products to be designed for reuse, repair, and recycling.

*Day 1 Highlights — September 22*

Opening the dialogue, *DTI Secretary* said the circular economy is no longer an environmental advocacy but a trade imperative:

"If we want to export to Europe and to each other, we must be circular. The future ASEAN product is refillable, repairable, recyclable, and traceable."

*DENR Undersecretary Jonas R. Leones*, in charge of Policy and International Affairs, presented the Philippines' progress on *Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act* — where 800+ large companies are now required to recover their own plastic packaging. He also announced the pilot *Pasig River Interceptor Project* with The Ocean Cleanup as a model for turning recovered waste into value.

Key sessions on Day 1 included:

 *Panel 1: Policy Harmonization* — Can ASEAN create one circular standard?

*Panel 2: Business Models That Work* — From refilling stations in sari-sari stores to plastic-to-school-chairs (Green Antz), PH MSMEs showcased profitable circular models.

*Panel 3: Financing Circularity* — BDO, BPI, and ADB discussed green loans for circular MSMEs.

*Day 2 Focus — September 23*

Tomorrow will focus on *LGUs as Frontliners* with DILG Undersecretaries, including *Atty. Jon Paulo V. Salvahan (Plans and Programs)* and discussions on how to integrate circularity into local solid waste management plans.

A *Circular Marketplace* at the New World Hotel lobby features 30 Filipino circular enterprises — from eco-bags made from kangkong to building materials from shredded sachets.

*Expected Outcome:*

The dialogue is expected to produce the *Manila Call to Action on Circular Economy*, a joint statement urging ASEAN to:

1.  Create a regional EPR framework by 2028

2.  Establish an ASEAN Circular Economy Innovation Fund for MSMEs

3.  Include informal waste workers in the transition

The event at New World Hotel is open to registered participants and will be livestreamed on DTI Philippines Facebook page.

“WE ARE AT LEVEL 9” IN BSKE PREPARATIONS Declared by COMELEC Chair

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia emphasized that the poll body continues to prepare for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) based on the law currently in effect.

Speaking to the media at the COMELEC Main Office in Intramuros, Manila, on September 18, Garcia said the decision on whether the BSKE will proceed or be postponed does not rest with COMELEC, but with Congress.

Garcia explained that, as of September 18, the elections were still scheduled for November 2, prompting COMELEC to continue its preparations.

“At the level of 1 to 10, we are already at 9 in terms of preparation,” Garcia said.

He stressed that COMELEC’s actions are guided by the law in force each day. While the poll body must prepare for the scheduled elections, Garcia said those preparations would immediately stop if Congress enacted a new law changing the election schedule or fixing the terms.

For COMELEC, the message is clear: prepare according to the law, remain ready for any change in legislation, and implement whatever Congress ultimately provides.

— COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia

Media interview, COMELEC Main Office, Intramuros, Manila

September 18, 2026

*JSCC Marks 5 Years of Delivering Justice Real Time at Summit in Manila Hotel*

*MANILA, Philippines — September 21, 2026* — The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) convened its *2026 Summit today, September 21, 2026, at The Manila Hotel*, celebrating *5 Years of Delivering Justice Real Time* — a milestone that has transformed how justice is accessed and delivered in the Philippines.

With the theme *"Five Years of Reforms, One Vision: Justice in Real Time,"* the summit gathered  the *Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, the Department of the Interior and Local Government led by Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Hon. Maria Filomena D. Singh Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines and Chairperson, JSCC TWG on Processes and Capacity Building, Mr. Peter Adams Counselor for Development Embassy of Australia in the Philippines, Mr. Siavash Lahbati Country Manager, International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and Team Leader, EU-GoJust Programme III together with judges, prosecutors, public attorneys, law enforcers, jail officers, local government leaders, partners, and civil society.

*From MOA to Movement*

The JSCC was formally established through a Memorandum of Agreement in 2010 but was revitalized in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. What started as an emergency coordination mechanism to decongest jails and allow virtual hearings has become the central reform platform of the Philippine justice system.

 

In his opening message, *Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo* said:

> "Five years ago, we promised justice in real time — not justice delayed. Today at The Manila Hotel, we can say we delivered. We brought the courts closer to the people, we brought data into decision-making, and we brought institutions together. But the work is far from done."

*5-Year Highlights Presented at the Summit:*

*1. Decongestion and Jail Reforms:*

From 2021 to 2026, JSCC's coordinated efforts reduced jail congestion from 364% to under 180% nationwide through improved bail processes, release orders via video conferencing, and institutionalization of the *BJMP-DOJ-PAO-PNP Joint Referral System*.

*2. E-Courts and Virtual Justice:*

Over 3,500 courts are now equipped for videoconferencing hearings. As of August 2026, more than 1.2 million hearings have been conducted virtually, cutting the average case disposition time by 40%.

*3. Justice Zones:*

From 12 justice zones in 2020 to *32 operational justice zones today*, including new zones in BARMM, Bicol, and Eastern Visayas. Justice Zones allow LGUs, police, prosecutors, and courts to work as one unit — eliminating the classic "turfing" that delays cases.

*4. Evidence-Based Policymaking:*

The *Justice Sector Data Dashboard*, launched in 2023 with support from the EU-GOJUST and USAID, is now live — tracking case aging, jail population, warrant execution, and conviction rates in real time.

DILG Secretary *Jonvic Remulla* added that police and LGU coordination has been key: "When the PNP, BJMP, and LGUs move together, justice moves faster. That is real-time justice on the ground.

The JSCC Summit proceedings were livestreamed via the Supreme Court and DILG official Facebook pages.

#JSCC #JusticeZone #JSCCSUMMIT

#DeliveringJusticeRealTime 

#BayanihanParaSaKatarungan

*PH Firms Must Think ASEAN to Grow, Joey Concepcion Tells First Philippine-ASEAN Business Forum at Citadines Bay City Manila*

*PASAY CITY, Philippines — September 18, 2026* — "We cannot be great just in the Philippines. We must be great in ASEAN."

This was the strong call of *ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Philippines Chair Jose Ma. "Joey" Concepcion III* in his opening message at the *First Philippine-ASEAN Business Forum* with the theme *"Advancing Philippine Enterprises in ASEAN's Next Growth Chapter,"* held today, *September 18, 2026, at Citadines Bay City Manila*.

Addressing business leaders, MSMEs, policymakers, and ASEAN envoys at the hotel's ballroom, Concepcion said the Philippines has long been inward-looking, while its neighbors like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia have used ASEAN as a launchpad for global growth.

 "ASEAN is not 9 other countries. ASEAN is our market. 680 million people. A $3.8 trillion economy. Yet less than 5% of our MSMEs export to ASEAN. We have to change that mindset — from local to regional," Concepcion said.

*Opening Message Highlights*

In his opening remarks, Concepcion laid out three urgent realities for Philippine enterprises:

*1. ASEAN's Next Growth is Different*

The next chapter is not about cheap labor, but about digital, green, and sustainable trade. He noted that under the new ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2026-2035, compliance with ESG, carbon tracking, and digital payment interoperability will be required to do business across borders.

*2. MSMEs are the Backbone, But They Are Left Behind*

99.5% of Philippine businesses are MSMEs, but only 10% are digitalized and even fewer are export-ready. "We keep talking about big corporations. But if we don't bring MSMEs into ASEAN, there is no inclusive growth," he stressed.

*3. Partnership, Not Competition*

Concepcion called for "transformational partnerships" — where big business mentors small, government opens market access, and ASEAN shares supply chains. He cited Go Negosyo's model of mentoring OFWs and youth entrepreneurs.

> "The Vietnamese entrepreneur thinks of ASEAN as his customer from Day 1. The Filipino entrepreneur thinks of barangay, city, maybe Manila. Today at Citadines Bay City Manila, we want to change that thinking. We want Philippine products in Jakarta supermarkets, in Bangkok convenience stores, in Singapore hospitals," he said.

*The Challenge to Philippine Enterprises*

Concepcion challenged DTI, PCCI, and the private sector to launch concrete programs, not just forums:

- An *ASEAN Ready PH Mentorship Program* for 500 MSMEs

- A *Philippine-ASEAN Business Matching Platform* to connect Filipino suppliers directly to ASEAN buyers

- Stronger push for Filipino strengths: food and halal, health and wellness, creative industries, IT-BPM services, and construction services

He ended his opening message with a personal reflection on his 40 years in business:

 "I started with a small factory. No one taught me ASEAN. I learned it late. But our young entrepreneurs today have TikTok Shop, have RCEP, have low-cost logistics. They can be ASEAN-ready faster than we ever were. Our job is to open the door for them."

The First Philippine-ASEAN Business Forum, co-organized by ASEAN-BAC Philippines, DTI, and PCCI, continues today at Citadines Bay City Manila with panels on financing, digital trade, and sustainable supply chains.

SiGMA Foundation donates 3,500 wheelchairs to the Philippines

The SiGMA Foundation has formally donated 3,500 wheelchairs to the Philippine Amusement

and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), supporting communities across the Philippines affected by

the southwest monsoon and strengthening a longstanding partnership between the two

organisations.

The ceremonial turnover took place on Wednesday, 16 September, at PAGCOR’s Corporate

Office at the MET Live Building in Pasay City, Metro Manila. SiGMA Asia Managing Director Neil

Shih represented the SiGMA Foundation, while PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Alejandro H. Tengco represented the government corporation.

In its effort to help individuals in need across the province and cities, PAGCOR will distribute

wheelchairs as part of its relief goods programme. The idea is to assist people with mobility

problems in functioning more independently and participating in everyday activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shih highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring SiGMA’s

presence in the Philippines extends beyond its role as an events organiser.

“For SiGMA, our presence in the Philippines has always been about more than

organising an event. Since we established SiGMA Asia in Manila, we have received

tremendous support from PAGCOR, the Philippine government, our industry partners

and local communities.”

He added that the organisation’s growing presence in the country comes with a corresponding

responsibility to contribute to the communities that support it.

“As our platform continues to grow in the Philippines, we also believe our responsibility

to contribute to the community should grow with it.”

Supporting mobility and independence

The contribution demonstrates the SiGMA Foundation's commitment to programmes that deliver

real social impact. According to Shih, the importance of the wheelchair for the people who

receive it is much bigger than the mere object itself.

“A wheelchair may appear to be a simple piece of equipment, but for the person

receiving it, it can mean much more. It can mean mobility, independence, dignity and the ability to participate more fully in everyday life.

The Foundation worked with PAGCOR to ensure wheelchairs could reach communities and

individuals in need through PAGCOR’s established relief efforts.

For PAGCOR, the donation also represents an extension of its relationship with SiGMA, which

has developed through three successful gaming summits held in Manila. Tengco recalled the

early stages of the partnership, including his first meeting with Neil Shih when the organisation

was seeking PAGCOR’s support to establish a gaming conference in the Philippines.

At the time, Shih told Tengco that he expected the inaugural event to attract at least 10,000

delegates. Tengco recalled questioning the scale of that projection, having recently attended a

gaming conference in Macau with considerably fewer attendees. The first SiGMA Summit in

Manila subsequently attracted close to 15,000 delegates.

A partnership beyond business

Reflecting on how the relationship has evolved since those early discussions, Tengco described

the partnership between PAGCOR and the SiGMA Group as warm and established, with the two

organisations now looking beyond events and industry development to community outreach.

He said the wheelchair initiative demonstrated what could be achieved through cooperation

between the private sector and government.

Tengco thanked Shih and the SiGMA Group for their support, while signalling PAGCOR’s

willingness to continue working together on future initiatives.

“The wheelchairs are ready to be distributed to the different parts, cities, municipalities

and provinces of the Philippines. So, on behalf of PAGCOR, I would like to thank you

[SiGMA Foundation] for the support that you are providing to PAGCOR ”

The PAGCOR Chairman also suggested that community-focused initiatives could become a

regular part of the organisation’s relationship, with opportunities to identify further ways to

support communities across the country.

Shih likewise emphasised the importance of the partnership, thanking Tengco, Senior Vice

President Dan Cecilio and the wider PAGCOR team for their continued trust and cooperation.

“The relationship between SiGMA and PAGCOR has developed far beyond the traditional

partnership. We share a common interest in supporting the responsible development of

the industry while also creating a positive impact beyond the business community.”

Continuing the commitment

The event also brought together media, partners and stakeholders for interviews, photography

For SiGMA Foundation, the donation forms part of its ongoing commitment to giving back to the

communities in the markets where the SiGMA Group operates. In the Philippines, that

commitment is being delivered in partnership with an organisation with an established national

reach and infrastructure to distribute assistance to communities in need.

Shih said the initiative demonstrated the potential of collaboration between government and

business when both sides share a focus on community support.

“Today, the ceremony is a meaningful example of what can be achieved when the private

sector and government work together with a shared purpose. We hope these 3,500

wheelchairs will make a difference to thousands of Filipinos and their families.”

The donation also reinforces SiGMA’s continued commitment to the Philippines, where its

events have brought together the international gaming industry and local operators, regulators,

government representatives, and other stakeholders.

As the Foundation continues to develop its social impact work, the wheelchair donation provides

a tangible example of how established industry partnerships can extend beyond commercial

activity to support communities and individuals across the country.

For more information on SiGMA Foundation events and initiatives, visit the SiGMA website.

*12th Annual Public Policy Conference Opens at The Westin Manila, Calls for Reshaping Economic Institutions for Human Capital Development*

*MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — September 17, 2026* — The *12th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC)* opened today, September 17, 2026, at the *Grand Ballroom of The Westin Manila Hotel, Mandaluyong City*, with a strong call to overhaul the country's economic institutions to build stronger, more inclusive human capital.

Carrying the theme *"Reshaping Economic Institutions for Transformational Partnerships in Human Capital Development,"* the conference gathered over 600 participants including national government officials, economists, private sector leaders, academe, youth representatives, and development partners.

The APPC is the flagship conference of the *Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS)*, organized this year in partnership with the *Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev)* and the *National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Offices*.

*From Infrastructure to People*

In his keynote address at The Westin Manila, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the Philippines is at an inflection point where economic growth must be driven not just by infrastructure and foreign investments, but by people.

 "For years, we invested heavily in Build, Build, Build. Now we must invest in People, People, People. Our economic institutions — DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DOH, DOLE — were built to work in silos. The 12th APPC challenges us to reshape them into one ecosystem that produces healthy, skilled, and adaptable Filipinos," Balisacan told delegates.

PIDS President Dr. Philip Arnold P. Tuaño echoed the urgency, citing that the Philippines faces a triple challenge: learning poverty, skills mismatch, and an aging workforce that remains unsupported in midlife transitions.

"Human capital is not just about the youth. It is about the 45-year-old woman reskilling, the PWD who needs mobility to work, the senior citizen who still wants to contribute. If our institutions are not inclusive, our growth is not sustainable," Tuaño said.

*Highlights at The Westin Manila*

The one-day conference at Mandaluyong featured four high-level plenary sessions:

*1. Plenary 1: Reimagining Education Institutions*

Panelists from DepEd, CHED, TESDA, and PBEd discussed the proposed Philippine Skills Framework that will integrate senior high school, technical-vocational, and higher education tracks to address the 40% skills mismatch reported by employers.

*2. Plenary 2: Health as Human Capital*

DOH and PhilHealth presented reforms to shift from curative to preventive and workplace-based health systems, including nutrition, mental health, and menopause-friendly workplace policies.

*3. Plenary 3: Transformational Partnerships in Action*

Industry leaders from IT-BPM, construction, and creative industries shared models of co-designed curricula, dual training systems, and industry-funded scholarship programs that guarantee employment.

*4. Plenary 4: Financing Human Capital*

The Department of Finance and PAGCOR discussed innovative financing, including the proposed Skills Futures Fund and expanded use of PAGCOR's social responsibility fund for human capital programs like wheelchairs-for-livelihood and assistive devices.

A key moment of the conference was the launch of the *APPC 2026 Policy Agenda* which recommends:

- Creation of a *National Human Capital Coordinating Council*

- Establishment of *Regional Human Capital Innovation Hubs* in partnership with LGUs and the private sector

- Mandatory *Lifelong Learning Credits* for workers aged 40 and above

The conference concluded with a commitment signing between PIDS, DEPDev, private sector partners, and civil society groups to pursue transformational partnerships beyond 2026.

The full proceedings and research papers from the 12th APPC held at The Westin Manila Hotel, Mandaluyong City will be available at http://www.pids.gov.ph starting September 20, 2026.