SHDA Advances 7-Point Resolutions for More Responsive Housing Sector at 34th National Developers Convention

Bringing together over 400 stakeholders, including national policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and industry leaders from September 16 to 17, the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) concluded its 34th National Developers Convention at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Anchored on the theme "Elevate: Sustaining Progress through Collaboration and Strategic Housing Innovations," the two-day summit wrapped up with the adoption of a strategic 7-point resolution roadmap to accelerate housing delivery and foster a more responsive housing sector.

Formally presented by SHDA Corporate Secretary Atty. Mena R. Ojeda Jr., the Convention Resolutions outline key industry commitments: 1) sustaining engagement with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD); 2) strengthening ease of doing business and participation in Technical Working Groups for the Joint Memorandum Circular involving 15 agencies on housing permitting and licensing; 3) supporting digitization of government-to-government processes and land-titling computerization; 4) strengthening housing taxation efforts, including review of the Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act (RPVARA) and land valuation; 5) enhancing collaboration for affordable and sustainable housing; 6) maximizing economic corridor opportunities alongside solid waste management, water, electricity, and connectivity requirements; and 7) pursuing new and innovative housing developments and interventions responsive to shifting social, economic, demographics, and housing preferences and demand.

These priorities reflected the convention’s discussions. Dr. Winston Conrad Padojinog, Senior Economist at CRC Foundation Inc. and Associate Professor at the University of Asia & the Pacific, delivered a status report on the Collaborative Philippine Housing Roadmap 2025–2040, citing progress in streamlining developer permitting standards, with a mandatory 15-day service-level agreement for License to Sell approvals, zero-backlog initiative across regional offices, and 100% digital tracking for development permits, alongside other roadmap goals still underway. Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Atty. Larry Barcelo discussed tax issuances and compliance requirements; Philippine Institute for Development Studies Vice President Dr. Marife Ballesteros examined housing affordability; and Colliers Philippines Research Director Joey Bondoc provided an outlook on the country’s property market beyond 2026.

An update from Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Deputy Director General for Operations, Undersecretary Dr. Lea Grace Salcedo, covered the presentation of JMC No. 1, s. 2026 under the National Effort for Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies (NEHEMIA) initiative, aimed at streamlining housing processes and supporting an electronic housing one-stop shop. Sessions also covered land acquisition and conversion, digital government services, 4PH project processes, and eNotarization, alongside discussions on the Luzon Economic Corridor, waste management, circular economy practices, and electricity solutions for communities.

Day 2 focused on market trends, design, and innovation. Philippine Survey Research Center Research Director Andrea Dizon shared findings showing that 61% of Filipinos who plan to purchase a house within the next 3 years prefer to live just outside the city. Location and accessibility remain top considerations, with 78% citing opportunity, while 57% prefer to live within 30 minutes' distance from family. The findings highlighted a primary home with location connected to the city corridor, accessible, in close proximity to family, and better space as factors shaping housing choices across generations.

Jacinto C. Ng Jr., Founder and Group Executive Officer of Joy~Nostalg Group | Raemulan Lands Inc., spoke on how synergy and enterprise can transform lives through NING*NING, creating the world’s first grid-connected, utility-scale solar rooftop installation integrated into a socialized housing community. Globe Telecom Vice President Abigail Cardino highlighted connectivity in modern homes and communities, while GIGIL Founding Partner Badong Abesamis and Plus 63 Co-Founder Dan Matutina explored creative strategy, design thinking, and connecting with the modern generation of homebuyers.

Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation Chief Operating Officer Enrique Manuel shared lessons from three decades of developing Bonifacio Global City, highlighting long-term planning, infrastructure, estate management, and the district’s next phase of smart-city, mobility, and sustainability initiatives. PGAA Creative Design Principal Architect Paulo Alcazaren traced the evolution of Philippine subdivision planning and examined more walkable, sustainable communities with greater emphasis on public spaces.

SHDA Chairman Engr. Francis Richmond Villegas emphasized that the convention's value extends beyond the discussions held during the two-day event. “A convention is only as good as what happens after it ends. These resolutions give our members, and the agencies we work with, something concrete to hold each other to,” he said.

Assistant Corporate Secretary and Convention Overall Chairperson Clarissa de Joya highlighted, “What stood out this year wasn't just how many agencies showed up; it was how specific their commitments were, from permitting reforms to a formal review of the property valuation law, while also bringing new perspectives on shifting consumer behavior. That clarity is what will actually move things for the housing community.”

National President Kerwin Padua likewise emphasized the importance of continuing the work initiated during the convention. “Two days of dialogue mean nothing if we don’t act on them. These resolutions are how we make sure this convention outlasts the days it happened in,” he said.

SHDA reaffirmed its commitment to continue collaborating with DHSUD and key government partners, with the Convention Resolutions serving as a guide for public- and private-sector stakeholders in shaping policy and program directions affecting housing development and delivery.

For more information on SHDA membership, initiatives, and advocacy, visit shda.ph or contact the SHDA Secretariat at shda.secretariat@gmail.com.

Philippine Schools Face Renewed Focus on Safety and Reporting

MANILA, Philippines — Recent fatal shootings at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Banga National High School have intensified attention on school safety and emergency preparedness across the Philippines.

The incidents occurred alongside efforts to strengthen schools’ ability to respond to threats. On September 3, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted a nationwide school safety drill covering armed threats and other emergencies. The exercise emphasized alerts, lockdowns, emergency communication, and first-aid response.

An August 11, 2026 survey by Agile Data Solutions Inc. found that 86.7% of 1,900 respondents considered school threats very or extremely serious. Meanwhile, 80.2% said they were likely or very likely to report suspicious activity.

Despite this willingness, several factors could discourage people from reporting. The most commonly cited barrier was fear of being wrong, selected by 33.4% of respondents. Lack of trust in authorities followed at 25.3%, while 22% cited fear of retaliation. Another 14.8% said not knowing whom to report to could discourage them.

The findings suggest that reporting is not simply a matter of encouraging people to speak up. Clear procedures, trusted reporting channels, and guidance on what to report can reduce uncertainty.

The survey also found a link between procedural knowledge and intent to report. Overall, 77.3% said they knew how to report a school threat. Among those who knew how to report, 54.6% said they were very likely to report suspicious activity. This compared with 21.8% among those unsure how to report and 23.1% among those who did not know.

School safety concerns also extend beyond extreme incidents. Of respondents, 27.2% said they had personally experienced or witnessed some form of school threat. Among this group, 52% cited bullying involving violent threats, followed by physical violence at 28.6%, online or social-media threats at 26.9%, and bomb threats at 22.1%.

Respondents also identified multiple layers of school safety as important. CCTV coverage was selected by 53.3%, followed by stronger disciplinary policies at 53.1%, student awareness programs at 52.3%, campus security personnel at 50.5%, and entry and exit checkpoints at 47.7%.

Together, the findings highlight that preparedness goes beyond emergency drills and physical security. It also depends on whether students, families and school personnel know how to recognize concerns, where to report them, and how information will be handled.

HUAWEI Gives Students One Last Chance to Upgrade Their Academic Setup with 2026 Better Together Promo

Manila, Philippines — Students looking to upgrade their learning and productivity setup have one final opportunity to take advantage of HUAWEI’s “2026 Better Together” Back-to-School promotion, which runs until September 30, 2026.

With only a few days remaining, the promotion offers selected HUAWEI MatePad models bundled with accessories designed to create a complete 4-in-1 workstation for students. The bundles combine a MatePad tablet with a smart magnetic keyboard, Bluetooth mouse, and HUAWEI M-Pencil, giving learners the flexibility to type assignments, navigate applications, take notes, sketch ideas, and work on creative projects from virtually anywhere.

A Complete Workstation for Learning and Creativity

The HUAWEI MatePad family is designed to support different aspects of student life, from everyday schoolwork to creative projects. Select models come with the Ultra Clear PaperMatte Display, which reduces screen glare while providing a paper-like texture for writing. This can provide a more natural experience for students who spend long hours taking digital notes or working on assignments.

Beyond its hardware, HUAWEI’s ecosystem provides tools aimed at making multitasking more convenient. Students can run applications side-by-side, move files between floating windows, and manage multiple tasks without constantly switching between screens.

For academic work, PC-Level WPS Office provides tools for creating and formatting documents, while HUAWEI Notes can help students record, transcribe, and summarize lectures. Meanwhile, aspiring digital artists can use GoPaint and its creative tools to develop illustrations and other digital artwork.

The combination of hardware and software allows students to move between studying, productivity, and creative work using a single portable setup.

Flexible Payment Options for Students

Adding further flexibility, all HUAWEI MatePad devices included in the extended promotion are available with 0% installment options for up to 24 months. This gives students and their families an alternative way to manage the cost of upgrading their academic devices.

The promotional offers are available on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last.

With the “2026 Better Together” Back-to-School promotion ending on September 30, students interested in the MatePad bundles still have a limited window to explore the available deals.

For complete bundle details, availability, and promotional offers, visit the HUAWEI Online Store before the promotion ends.

Vivo Introduces OriginOS 7 Globally, Bringing Smoother Performance and Smarter AI to Smartphones

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Vivo has officially introduced OriginOS 7 globally, its latest operating system designed to deliver a smarter, smoother, and more intuitive smartphone experience. Unveiled in Shanghai, China, on September 21, OriginOS 7 combines performance improvements, advanced multitasking, cross-device connectivity, personal AI capabilities, and deeper customization.

According to Vivo, OriginOS 7 builds on the foundation of OriginOS 6, with the company focusing on what it describes as a new level of smoothness and intelligent functionality.

At the heart of the new operating system is the next-generation Origin Smooth Engine, which improves graphics computation, memory management, and system scheduling. Its Ultra-Core Computing technology dynamically allocates processing resources based on user demand. Vivo’s internal testing indicates that OriginOS 7 can reduce app cold-start times by 10% and improve app page switching by 11%. Memory Fusion can also reclaim up to 60% more memory and free as much as 25GB of additional storage on a 256GB device under Vivo’s test conditions.

For multitasking, Origin Workbench allows users to coordinate up to five active applications within a unified workspace. This is designed to make activities such as working on documents, checking notes, messaging, and reviewing content easier to manage without constantly switching between separate screens.

OriginOS 7 also introduces Origin Animation, featuring physics-inspired interactions such as Fluid Motion and Spring Animation. These technologies are designed to make swiping, scrolling, and transitions feel more natural and responsive.

Connectivity is another major focus. Supported Vivo smartphones can connect with devices such as Apple Watch, AirPods, iPad, Mac, and Windows PCs through various features. Vivo Office Kit enables functions including task handoffs, note synchronization, and cross-screen file transfers, while selected iCloud content can be accessed through Vivo File Manager.

The operating system also introduces Jovi, Vivo’s personal AI agent. Through supported devices, Jovi can assist with retrieving files, summarizing information, organizing tasks, and other productivity functions. Snap Note can transform photos of whiteboards, handwritten notes, and presentation slides into editable documents.

Meanwhile, users can personalize their devices through features such as Wiggle Theme, Glint Theme, StickIt, and Pet Pals, offering more interactive lock-screen and home-screen experiences.

OriginOS 7 will be available on the Vivo X500 Series, as well as new X Fold and V Series devices. Availability and features may vary by device, software version, and market, with further Philippines availability details expected through Vivo’s official channels.

PH Economy Risks Losing PHP 603B Yearly to Digital Fraud Without Stronger Safeguards - Report

Manila, Philippines — The Philippine economy risks losing roughly PHP 603 billion annually, or nearly 3% of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to illicit mule account networks without stronger identity safeguards, according to a joint whitepaper released by IDfy Philippines and CIBI Information, Inc.

The report, "Mule Hunting: Are We Chasing Ghosts?," analyzed transaction data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which saw PHP 24.74 trillion in combined transaction flows through PESONet and InstaPay in 2025. The report noted that about PHP 1.088 trillion in transactions were at risk of digital fraud, with 55.4% directly dependent on authorized push payment (APP) scams and account takeovers (ATO) that require mule accounts to exfiltrate stolen cash.

The vulnerability stems from hyper-accelerated digital adoption. The Philippines surpassed its target to digitize 50% of retail payments three years early, reaching 52.8% in 2023. However, this rapid growth created a gap that transnational syndicates actively exploit.

Despite the scale of the shadow economy, official cybercrime reporting remains low at under 2%. While Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) data indicates 34% of Filipinos suffered financial scam losses, victims rarely file formal complaints due to small transaction values and legal complexity. This allows weaponised mule accounts to remain active and clean for months.

The whitepaper estimates that 60% to 70% of mule accounts involve voluntary participation, driven by a rampant "mule-for-hire" market where verified bank and e-wallet accounts are bulk-purchased for PHP 500 to PHP 5,000, according to NBI data. The remaining 30% to 40% are coerced through sophisticated schemes like romance-investment frauds and fake remote job scams.

Regulatory pressure is rapidly escalating under the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) and BSP Circular 1213, which fundamentally shift liability for fraud losses from consumers to financial institutions. Institutions that fail to deploy real-time fraud management systems face full, unlimited reimbursement liability for customer losses.

Crucially, the circular restricts SMS and Email OTPs to initial account setups, prohibiting their use for high-risk actions such as fund transfers, payee additions, and credential changes. To secure the digital grid, institutions are urged to adopt multi-layered, resilient authentication that requires server-side biometrics, cryptographic device binding, and real-time AI behavioral risk scoring.

"Clinging to interceptable OTPs is no longer just legacy technology; under AFASA, it is a direct financial liability for institutions," said Raghuraman Chandrashekhar, Country Head of IDfy Philippines. "No single institution can close this gap alone. What works is layering device intelligence, real-time AI transaction monitoring, and biometric verification into a unified defense stack."

Industry experts emphasized that closing the gap requires a multi-layered architecture rather than isolated safeguards. Collaborative systems like Fraud Intelligence Data Sharing (FIDS), AI-driven transaction monitoring, and server-side facial authentication must operate in unison, with the AFASA regulatory framework binding them into an end-to-end defense mechanism that mule networks cannot bypass.

For the full version of the report, visit idfy.ph/mule-hunting-whitepaper-landing.