The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), together with Atikha Overseas Workers Communities Initiative Inc., is exploring how institutionalized care — long seen with skepticism — can evolve into a viable sector for investment while remaining aligned with traditions such as pagsisilbi, or service to elders.

During a recent virtual consultation with Non-Resident Filipinos (NRFs) in Australia, stakeholders identified a key challenge: how to develop retirement communities that offer dignity, independence, and quality healthcare without clashing with the cultural expectation that families care for aging parents at home.

The discussion signals a broader policy shift by the CFO, which is moving toward more proactive diaspora engagement. Instead of focusing solely on administrative support, the agency is positioning itself as a driver of reintegration strategies that could open opportunities for private investment in retirement infrastructure.

At the center of the conversation is the need to reframe institutional care not as abandonment, but as “professional care” that complements the Filipino family system.

Participants emphasized that for Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) to gain traction in the Philippines, they must be designed as extensions of the family, rather than as Western-style nursing homes.

This cultural nuance is critical for investors.

Research on “transnational aging” shows that while overseas Filipinos recognize the practical benefits of integrated healthcare and managed retirement living, emotional barriers remain. Concepts like hiya (shame), particularly around perceptions of neglecting elderly parents, continue to shape decision-making.

To address these concerns, the CFO and its partners are calling for deeper market research, including focus group discussions and case studies, to better understand how returning Filipinos assess retirement options and what would make institutional care acceptable.

The consultation, which included leaders from Australian Filipino community groups in Ballarat and Melbourne, serves as groundwork for a Retirement Forum on May 18, 2026. The forum is expected to highlight investment opportunities, healthcare access, and the logistics of reintegration for returning migrants.

Michael Apattad of the CFO Policy Planning and Research Division underscored the importance of grounding policy in real-world insights.

He said these consultations are vital to ensuring that the Philippine government’s retirement programs are not just aspirational, but practical and culturally resonant for the millions of Filipinos who call the world their home.

As the Philippines prepares for a wave of returning retirees, the challenge and opportunity for both government and investors is clear: build a retirement care sector that is not only modern and scalable, but unmistakably Filipino.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the fuel and food situation was assessed during a Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) committee meeting presided over by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“Good news, dahil sa ngayon ang buffer stock ng supply ng langis ay tumaas mula 52 hanggang 54 days. At napag-usapan din ang malawakang rollback sa presyo ng diesel,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

“At ayon din kay Secretary Kiko (Francisco) Tiu Laurel Jr., may sapat na supply bigas, chicken, at pork sa Pilipinas na aabot sa katapusan ng taon,” she added.

Alongside these updates, Malacañang said it will propose to Congress the UPLIFT Bill, aimed at unlocking government funds and accelerating support for key sectors amid ongoing global uncertainties.

“Napag-usapan sa UPLIFT committee meeting ang balak gawing batas na UPLIFT Bill. Layunin nito, una, alisin ang dalawang taong pagbabawal sa pagsasama sa panukalang budget ng mga item na idineklarang ipon o savings,” Castro said.

“Pangalawa, magbibigay ito ng listahan ng mga programs, activities and projects na maaaring pondohan. At pangatlo, bibigyan ng kakayahan ang pamahalaan na magamit ang unreleased appropriations at unobligated allotment mula sa FY 2025 at FY 2026 GAA,” she added.

Castro described the proposed measure as urgent, noting its alignment with current economic and geopolitical conditions.

The developments come under Executive Order No. 110, signed on March 24, 2026, which declared a state of national energy emergency in light of the conflict in the Middle East. The order also institutionalized UPLIFT as the government’s whole-of-government response framework to stabilize energy supply, sustain economic activity, and protect vulnerable sectors.

Malacañang said the proposed bill is intended to strengthen fiscal flexibility and improve the government’s ability to respond to emerging national priorities.

The public may also access the UPLIFT website (www.uplift.dbm.gov.ph), which outlines government programs anchored on five pillars: saving lives, ensuring sufficient fuel supply, assisting sectors in need, keeping food prices within reach, and ensuring electricity supply.

In a news release dated earlier this week, the DFA has announced the completion of the Foreign Assistance Leveraged for Cybersecurity Operational Needs (Falcon) Program, a capacity-building initiative conducted with the US Department of State and Australian firm CyberCX.

The program wrapped up with a two-day simulation on April 14–15 at the DFA headquarters in Pasay City, testing how the agency would respond to a large-scale cyberattack, an increasingly urgent concern as governments worldwide face hacking attempts targeting sensitive data and public services.

Officials said the exercise validated the DFA’s ability to detect, respond to, and recover from cyber incidents, including coordination across teams handling investigation, technical recovery, regulatory compliance, and crisis communication.

Undersecretary Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-de Vega described the effort as part of a broader push to safeguard the country’s digital diplomatic infrastructure.

She emphasized in her opening remarks that the current threat environment demands that cybersecurity be treated as an “indispensable function of modern diplomacy and national security.”

The initiative comes at a time when AI-powered cyberattacks — ranging from phishing to deepfake-driven fraud — are becoming more common, while geopolitical rivalries have increased risks of state-backed cyber intrusions targeting government systems.

For ordinary Filipinos, stronger cybersecurity at the DFA means better protection of personal data submitted for passports, visas, and other consular services.

It also helps ensure the reliability of official documents issued by the department, including those processed through DFA-CERT, which handles authentication and apostille services used for employment, study, and migration abroad.

At the closing ceremony, the CyberCX team formally turned over a cybersecurity strategy and roadmap to the DFA’s Office of Asset Management and Support Services and its Information and Communications Technology Division.

US Embassy representatives, including Acting Deputy Economic Counselor Taylor Fincher, witnessed the turnover, highlighting continued cooperation between Manila and its allies on digital security.

Assistant Secretary Charmaine A. Serna-Chua said the program produced concrete tools to improve the DFA’s response to cyber incidents, including an Incident Communications Guidance Booklet and the formalization of DFA-CERT processes.

The lessons from the simulation will also help fast-track improvements in the DFA’s internal systems, including how records are secured and managed during cyber emergencies.

With more government services moving online and with Filipinos increasingly relying on digital platforms for travel and overseas work, officials said strengthening cyber resilience is no longer optional but essential.

The Falcon Program, they added, marks a step toward ensuring that Philippine diplomacy — and the services that support millions of Filipinos worldwide — remain secure in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo on Tuesday (April 28) joined a site inspection of the landfill in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City, where an underground fire linked to methane gas continues to burn beneath decades of accumulated waste.

At the site, Ambassador Endo, together with Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, and Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, received a briefing on the ongoing response from a Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) expert team dispatched from Japan.

Ambassador Endo conveyed his appreciation to the JDR team and expressed hope for the early resolution of the situation, saying Japan stands ready to continue supporting Philippine agencies as they work to fully extinguish the fire and stabilize the 41‑hectare landfill.

The visit highlighted close coordination among the Embassy of Japan, Philippine national government agencies, and local officials as operations continue to contain remaining hotspots and manage the fire’s public health and environmental impacts.

The JDR team, deployed under the Japan Disaster Relief program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), began work on April 23 following a request from the Philippine government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Led by Minister Naobumi Yokota of the Embassy of Japan, the six‑member group of Japanese disaster experts is tasked to conduct technical assessments and provide guidance to Philippine authorities battling the lingering landfill fire.

In a recent statement, JICA said the expert team will remain in the Philippines for the duration of its mission “to carry out technical assessments and provide guidance in close coordination with relevant Philippine authorities.”

The Navotas facility, once one of Metro Manila’s main disposal sites, has been the source of smoke and hazardous air that have affected residents in Navotas and neighboring areas, prompting calls for stronger enforcement of safe closure standards for aging landfills.

Philippine officials told Ambassador Endo that the incident has underscored the need for proper landfill closure and gas management systems, as well as long‑term monitoring to prevent similar fires.

They said technical inputs from the Japanese experts are expected to improve ongoing suppression efforts and help shape future protocols for dealing with complex waste‑related emergencies.

The report, The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action, found that psychosocial risks — such as long working hours, job insecurity, and workplace harassment — are now a major driver of illness and death worldwide.

These risks are primarily linked to cardiovascular diseases and mental disorders, including suicide, and result in nearly 45 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually.

Economically, the toll is steep: losses tied to these risks are estimated at 1.37 percent of global GDP each year, reflecting reduced productivity and the cost of poor health.

“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO.

“Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance and sustainable economic development,” he added.

The ILO defines the psychosocial working environment as how jobs are designed, organized, and managed, including workload, autonomy, job security, and workplace culture.

The report identifies three key layers shaping worker well-being:

• The job itself — including demands, skills match, and task design
• Work organization — such as workload, pace, and supervision
• Workplace systems — including policies, contracts, and management practices

When poorly handled, these factors can combine to create harmful conditions, leading to stress, burnout, and long-term health problems.

The findings are based on global data covering five major risk factors: job strain, effort–reward imbalance, job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace bullying and harassment. These were matched with health data from the World Health Organization and the Global Burden of Disease study to estimate their impact.

The report also warns that rapid changes in the world of work — driven by digitalization, artificial intelligence, and remote work — could worsen these risks if left unmanaged.

At the same time, these shifts offer opportunities to redesign work in healthier and more flexible ways, provided governments and employers act proactively.

The ILO emphasized that integrating psychosocial risk management into occupational safety and health systems, and strengthening dialogue between governments, employers, and workers, will be key to reversing the trend.

By addressing these risks at their root, the report concludes, countries and companies can protect workers while strengthening productivity and long-term economic resilience.

In a news release, the Social Watch Philippines–Alternative Budget Initiative (SWP-ABI), the country’s largest network of budget advocates, called on the DOH to release machine-readable budget documents, expand public consultations before issuing policies, and ensure programs are evidence-based and inclusive.

In a recent dialogue with DOH officials, SWP-ABI, led by Prof. Ma. Victoria Raquiza of SWP and the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance, welcomed the agency’s openness to civil society but stressed the need for stronger public scrutiny as the budget process moves forward.

The group raised concerns over limited access to PhilHealth benefits, especially for children with developmental disabilities and persons with disabilities. The group also flagged the funds under the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) also commonly known as guarantee letters.

“Guarantee letters oftentimes compel patients to seek political favors from politicians to avail of medical services and is treated as political currency to secure votes. Access to healthcare is a right so Filipinos should not have to beg for it. It should go directly to public hospitals or be coursed through PhilHealth, without requiring endorsement from politicians,” said Raquiza.

Representing the DOH, Undersecretary Albert Domingo assured the CSOs that the department remains committed to inclusive governance. He emphasized that public consultations and information-sharing shall be sustained with a view to strengthening partnership with civil society.

SWP-ABI, particularly its Health Cluster, is a network of civil society organizations and individuals that has advocated for the passage of the Universal Health Care Law in 2019 and the just return of ₱89.9-billion PhilHealth funds.

Citing a 2023 survey by Aon and TELUS Health, the report found that 60 percent of Filipino workers said mental health struggles have negatively impacted their productivity — second only to Malaysia at 62 percent and higher than Vietnam (53 percent) and Thailand (50 percent).

Beyond productivity, stigma remains a major barrier. The same study showed that 75 percent of workers in the Philippines believe disclosing mental health concerns could limit their career opportunities — one of the highest rates globally.

Across Asia, more than half of workers share this fear, reflecting a workplace culture where speaking up may come at a cost.

The report underscores that how work is designed and managed — through long hours, heavy workloads, and job insecurity — is increasingly shaping both employee well-being and business performance.

“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” said Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO.

“Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organizational performance and sustainable economic development,” Azzi added.

Globally, an estimated eight in ten office workers report not having enough time to complete their tasks, based on a 2025 study cited in the report, highlighting the widespread nature of excessive workload pressures, including among Filipino workers.

Still, the Philippines is among countries whose occupational safety and health (OSH) frameworks already recognize that worker health includes both physical and mental dimensions, placing responsibility on employers to address these risks.

The ILO stressed that psychosocial risks — ranging from long hours and job insecurity to workplace harassment — can be prevented if companies address their root causes through better job design, clearer expectations, and stronger worker support systems.

As workplaces evolve with digitalization, remote work, and artificial intelligence, the report warns that these pressures could intensify unless addressed early.

By tackling these risks, the ILO said, countries like the Philippines can build healthier workplaces that not only protect workers but also improve productivity and economic resilience.

The team, deployed under the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), began work on April 23 following a request from the Philippine government through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Led by Minister Naobumi Yokota of the Embassy of Japan, the six-member group is tasked to conduct technical assessments and provide guidance to Philippine authorities battling the lingering fire at the 41-hectare Navotas landfill.

“The expert team will stay in the Philippines for the duration of its mission to carry out technical assessments and provide guidance in close coordination with relevant Philippine authorities,” JICA said in a news release issued late last week.

Fire not fully out, smoke continues to spread

While earlier reports said the fire was “under control,” authorities clarified that this does not mean it has been fully extinguished. As of April 23, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) continued to report “smoldering conditions” at the site — an indication that underground hotspots remain active.

Satellite monitoring by the Philippine Space Agency (PSA) showed that air quality across Metro Manila has yet to return to normal, with smoke drifting as far as Bulacan and Bataan.

Environmental monitors from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported at least eight areas in Metro Manila experiencing unhealthy air quality levels, affecting cities including Navotas, Malabon, and parts of Quezon City.

In nearby Obando, Bulacan, more than 300 residents were evacuated due to heavy smoke, with some reports placing the number closer to 400.

The situation has shifted from a visible blaze to a more difficult phase: underground smoldering.

This means the fire is burning beneath layers of waste, making it harder to extinguish and prolonging smoke emissions for days — or even weeks.

Authorities have been using a combination of methods to suppress the fire, including covering hotspots with soil; compacting and cooling the waste mass; water misting to reduce smoke; aerial water drops with support from the Philippine Air Force (PAF); and deployment of heavy equipment such as bulldozers and excavators

The Japanese team is expected to help refine these methods, particularly in fire suppression, air pollution monitoring, and waste management.

A later update noted that Japanese experts had already approved the fire-control methods being used, indicating close coordination and ongoing response operations.

Long-standing PH-Japan disaster cooperation

The JDR deployment highlights Japan’s long-standing disaster response partnership with the Philippines.

“The Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) program is a core pillar of JICA’s cooperation with partner governments, providing timely assistance in times of disaster and supporting recovery efforts,” JICA said.

In the Philippines, JDR support dates back to the 1990 Baguio earthquake and has continued through recent disasters, including humanitarian assistance after the 2025 Cebu earthquake.

JICA, which implements Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), supports development and disaster response efforts in more than 140 countries.

This move solidifies the ongoing bilateral recognition of HPAI-free zones, ensuring that trade from designated areas remains uninterrupted.

Following an evaluation by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), the UK was confirmed to maintain robust veterinary oversight and effective mitigation measures, resulting in a low risk of importing infected products from approved zones.

The circular covers live birds, both poultry and non-poultry, including day-old chicks, hatching eggs, and poultry meat, provided these originate from UK areas certified as free from HPAI.

At the core of the policy is “regionalization,” a risk-based approach that allows trade to continue from specific areas of a country proven to be free of disease, even if outbreaks occur elsewhere within its borders.

This means the Philippines can source poultry products from unaffected zones in the UK instead of imposing a blanket nationwide ban, helping ensure more stable and diversified food supply channels.

The move builds on the United Kingdom’s existing system accreditation to export poultry products to the Philippines and aligns with DA Administrative Circular No. 09, series of 2025, which outlines guidelines for recognizing disease-free zones in partner countries.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the policy supports efforts to stabilize supply while safeguarding public health.

“Regionalization gives us flexibility in sourcing food while maintaining strict safeguards,” Tiu Laurel said.

“This strengthens food security by ensuring a steady and safe supply of poultry products for Filipino consumers, even when animal disease outbreaks occur abroad,” he added.

All imports will remain subject to agreed import terms and conditions, as well as existing DA regulations on animal health and food safety.

The circular will take effect 15 days after publication on the DA’s official website and upon filing with the Office of the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center in Diliman, Quezon City.” 

PCO Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that 86.8 percent of the 665 national government agencies are complying with the directive.

She added that 2,933 agencies and entities have adopted flexible work arrangements to reduce fuel and electricity use.

The President earlier ordered national government agencies to limit power consumption in

government offices and promote hybrid work setups.

Castro also said the government is accelerating the development of renewable energy projects to boost supply.

“Para naman tiyakin na matatag ang ating supply ng kuryente…kasalukuyan nang pinapabilis ang paggawa sa 22 renewable energy projects na may katumbas na 1,471 megawatts capacity,” Castro said.