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RDC-7 okays P97 billion budget
philstar4d ago

RDC-7 okays P97 billion budget

A total of P97.21 billion worth of budget proposals for 2027 from 40 regional agencies has officially been approved by the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC)-7, which comprises big-ticket projects aimed at fostering economic growth, social development, and infrastructure expansion.

#ECONOMY
Stitch in time saves nine
manilatimes4d ago

Stitch in time saves nine

The installation of solar panels had a significant and positive impact. Electricity expenses were greatly reduced, power supply became more stable, and our equipment was able to operate continuously, even during the frequent power interruptions in the region.” ROXAS CITY, Capiz — In the heart of the “Seafood Capital,” where the rhythmic hum of sewing machines has served as the background score for decades, Bernabeth Magallanes recently faced a crisis that no needle and thread could mend. Magallanes is the steward of Margarita Fashion House, a name synonymous with Capiceño elegance. Founded by her mother in the 1970s under a different moniker, the atelier became the go-to destination for the province’s most important milestones. From heavy velvet graduation gowns to the intricate lace of heirloom wedding dresses, the shop didn’t just sell clothes; it sold memories crafted through bespoke tailoring. However, the legacy that survived decades of changing hemlines almost unraveled under the weight of a modern economic shift: the rise of “ready to wear” (RTW). The bespoke battle For generations, the Filipino consumer’s relationship with fashion was deeply personal. A visit to the mananahi (tailor) was a rite of passage. But in the last decade, the influx of fast-fashion giants and affordable e-commerce platforms has drastically altered the landscape. Today’s consumers increasingly prioritize the convenience and instant gratification of RTW over the multiple fittings and higher costs of custom-made garments. For Margarita Fashion House, this trend was already a headwind before the Covid-19 pandemic turned it into a gale. Lockdowns silenced the social events — weddings, proms and fiestas — that were the lifeblood of bespoke fashion. “Operational costs, particularly electricity expenses, continued to rise, while income remained uncertain,” Magallanes recalled. Even as she pivoted to social media marketing, the disruption of material supplies and mounting debts threatened to permanently shutter the 50-year-old family legacy. Turning point The salvation of Margarita Fashion House didn’t come from a new fashion line, but from a strategic government intervention. The Roxas City Public Employment Service Office invited Magallanes to explore the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Adjustment Measure Program (AMP). By 2024, the application was approved, and by 2025, a transformative set of equipment arrived at the shop: a full array of solar panels. According to DOLE Capiz information officer Mary Chris Medina, the assistance was designed specifically for businesses reeling from economic displacement. For a tailoring shop where heavy-duty sewing machines, irons and industrial lighting run for 10 hours a day, electricity is the single largest overhead after labor. “The installation of solar panels had a significant and positive impact,” Magallanes said. “Electricity expenses were greatly reduced, power supply became more stable, and our equipment was able to operate continuously, even during the frequent power interruptions in the region.” Tailoring a new future The reduction in utility costs has allowed the fashion house to lower its price points, making its bespoke services more competitive against the flood of mass-produced RTW items. It has also allowed Magallanes to retain her skilled staff — artisans whose specialized knowledge of Filipino embroidery and pattern-making are becoming a vanishing craft. Today, the hum of the machines in Roxas City is once again steady. By merging 1970s craftsmanship with 21st-century green energy, Margarita Fashion House is proving that the era of the personal tailor isn’t over — it’s just getting a second wind. For Magallanes, the solar panels provided more than just kilowatts; they restored the confidence to keep her mother’s dream alive. “The support restored hope in the future of our house,” she said. In the battle between the factory and the atelier, the atelier is finally fighting back — powered by the sun. *** What is the DOLE Adjustment Measure Program? The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Adjustment Measure Program (AMP) serves as a vital economic safety net designed to preserve employment and enhance the resilience of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the face of economic displacement. In a landscape often characterized by market volatility, natural disasters and shifting consumer trends, MSMEs frequently find themselves vulnerable to operational collapse. The DOLE-AMP intervenes not merely as a temporary subsidy, but as a strategic catalyst for long-term sustainability. One of the primary ways the program assists MSMEs is through technological and equipment provisioning. By providing modern tools — such as the solar energy systems recently utilized by heritage businesses in Capiz — the program directly slashes the high overhead costs that often cripple small operations. This reduction in utility or production expenses allows business owners to reallocate limited capital toward employee retention and product innovation, effectively turning a period of distress into a window for modernization. Furthermore, the DOLE-AMP focuses on human capital development. It offers holistic support that includes livelihood assistance and capacity-building for workers who may be at risk of being laid off. By improving the skills of the workforce and providing the necessary hardware for a business to pivot, the program ensures that MSMEs can adapt to new economic realities, such as the transition from traditional storefronts to digital marketplaces. The program’s impact is particularly felt in the regions, where MSMEs are the backbone of the local economy. By stabilizing these enterprises, DOLE-AMP prevents a domino effect of local unemployment. Ultimately, the program reinforces the idea that government intervention is most effective when it empowers businesses to become self-sufficient, ensuring that the “Filipino brand” of entrepreneurship can weather any storm.

#ECONOMY
Philippines leads Asia-Pacific in mobile payments
philstar4d ago

Philippines leads Asia-Pacific in mobile payments

The Philippines has cemented its position as a mobile wallet-first economy, standing out as the only market in Asia-Pacific where mobile money services dominate online payments, according to a report by Entrust.

#ECONOMY
EDITORIAL - Taxi drivers or highway robbers?
philstar4d ago

EDITORIAL - Taxi drivers or highway robbers?

The operator of a taxi company has been issued a show cause order by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board after one of its drivers allegedly tried to overcharge Korean singer Soobin while he was here in Cebu.

#TECH
Everything Added To Starfield Since Launch (April 2026)
in_ign4d ago

Everything Added To Starfield Since Launch (April 2026)

Ever since Starfield launched in September of 2023, Bethesda has been updating its giant space adventure. The biggest content drop, the Shattered Space Expansion, dropped a year later in September 2024, and now Starfield is about to come to PS5 alongside both free and paid updates. Let’s look at everything they’ve added since launch. Full Patch Notes:https://bethesda.net/en/game/starfield/newsTimecodes:0:00 - Intro0:31 - FOV Sliders0:52 - DLSS and Better Eating1:17 - Improved Widescreen and FSR 3 Added1:36 - Improved Photo Mode1:56 - Detailed Surface Maps2:19 - Modular Difficulty2:42 - Ship Interior Decorating2:53 - NG+ Trait Change, Third-Person Dialogue Camera, Improved Inventory3:05 - Framerate Unlock on Xbox Series Consoles3:26 - Bethesda Creation Kit Added3:52 - Bounty Hunting, Ammo Crafting4:09 - Land Vehicle Added4:26 - Shattered Space4:46 - PS5 Release5:30 - Complete Bounty Series5:51 - Free Lanes6:42 - Terran Armada7:33 - Outro

#TECH