Profit Over Protection? SM Store Draws Flak for Children’s Shirts Depicting Foreign Wildlife as Filipino

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a country blessed with some of the richest biodiversity on Earth, a glaring oversight has sparked a wave of outrage from conservationists, educators, and concerned citizens alike. The SM Store—one of the largest retail chains in the Philippines—is under fire for selling children’s shirts that inaccurately depict foreign animals as part of the nation’s native wildlife.

Instead of proudly showcasing the Philippines' own unique fauna, the designs on the shirts feature species that have no place in our forests, skies, or grasslands: the European hedgehog, the American bald eagle, an Australian sulfur-crested cockatoo, and what appears to be a Kouprey—an extinct species of Indochinese wild cattle that hasn’t been seen in decades.

"Waddahek! How can you sell children’s shirts with such inaccurate depictions of our native wildlife?” was the impassioned reaction from netizens, echoed in reposts of a statement originally shared by Dr. Mundita Lim, a renowned wildlife expert and vocal advocate for Asian biodiversity. The outcry was not merely about aesthetics. It was about truth, education, and respect for the natural heritage we so often take for granted.

This wasn’t just a design flaw—it was a missed opportunity.

In a time when Philippine biodiversity is under serious threat from deforestation, climate change, poaching, and urban sprawl, every chance to raise awareness counts. The SM Store’s shirts, targeted at young impressionable minds, could have been tools of enlightenment. Instead, they’ve become examples of how profit often trumps purpose, and how a lack of basic research can lead to damaging misinformation.

“We appreciate the idea of promoting wildlife conservation,” many commenters shared. “Basta paki ayos lang po. Just get the facts straight.” It’s a fair ask. After all, a simple online search could have introduced designers to the Philippine eagle—the majestic national bird now critically endangered, the adorable but vulnerable Philippine tarsier, or the rare Visayan warty pig. There’s no shortage of charismatic, beautiful, and real Filipino species to feature.

And yet, what made it onto those shirts were animals kids might only see in foreign documentaries or zoos abroad—none of them representing our country’s ecological identity.

This is more than a critique of design—it’s a wake-up call.

We must stop allowing laziness to dictate how we educate our youth. From textbooks to T-shirts, truth matters. Every image, every story, every message leaves an impression. If we're serious about building a generation that will protect our environment, then let’s ensure we’re giving them the right information. Otherwise, we’re not just failing the children—we’re failing the future.

In a country where environmental destruction often takes a backseat to economic development, it’s easy to dismiss this controversy as trivial. But symbols matter. Representation matters. Accuracy matters.

To the SM Store and other brands with the power to influence minds: you can do better. Use your platform not just to sell, but to inform, inspire, and ignite action. Our wildlife—and our children—deserve nothing less.

PARE to DOE: reform existing subsidy mechanisms

 

June 13, 2025 – Following the Department of Energy's (DOE) statement deeming electricity subsidies as "impossible," Partners for Affordable and Reliable Energy (PARE) urges the government to reassess and reform existing subsidy mechanisms to provide immediate relief to Filipino consumers.

"Declaring subsidies impossible overlooks the potential of optimizing current programs and removing burdensome charges that inflate electricity costs," said Nic Satur Jr., Chief Advocacy Officer of PARE. "Instead of dismissing subsidies outright, the government should focus on practical reforms that can alleviate the financial strain on consumers."

PARE highlights that while large-scale subsidies may require extensive legislative processes, there are actionable steps that can be taken promptly:

• Remove the 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on Electricity: Eliminating VAT on electricity can significantly reduce monthly bills for all consumers, especially low-income households.

• Enhance the Lifeline Rate Subsidy: Currently, the lifeline rate benefits consumers using up to 100 kWh per month. PARE advocates extending this to those consuming up to 200 kWh, ensuring broader support for indigent households.

• Reform the Senior Citizen Discount: By making the senior citizen discount indigency-based, the subsidy can be more effectively targeted to those in genuine need, reducing redundancy and leakage.

These recommendations align with findings from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), which identified inefficiencies in the current subsidy system, including overlapping benefits and the application of VAT on subsidies, effectively taxing the assistance provided to consumers.

"We have existing frameworks like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP), and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) that demonstrate the government's capacity to provide targeted assistance,so why is it impossible for electricity consumers" Satur added. "It's just a matter of political will and administrative efficiency."

PARE calls on the DOE, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and National Electrification Administration (NEA) to collaborate on implementing these reforms. By optimizing current systems and removing unnecessary charges, the government can provide immediate relief to consumers without the need for new legislation.

PARE urges all regulators—DOE, ERC, and NEA—to enforce stricter oversight of electric cooperatives and distribution utilities. A well-managed, transparent, and service-oriented co-op can secure better Power Supply Agreements (PSAs), which in turn result in lower generation rates for consumers. Efficiency at the distribution level is itself a form of subsidy—consumers benefit from better pricing and fewer losses.

"The goal should be to make electricity affordable and accessible to all Filipinos," Satur concluded. "Practical reforms, not dismissive declarations, will achieve this."

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Dry Taps and Broken Promises: Marcos’ School Visit Exposes PrimeWater’s Failures in Bulacan

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

It took no less than the President of the Republic to uncover what Bulakenyos have known — and suffered — for years: the Villars’ PrimeWater is failing its public.

When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited public schools in Bulacan on June 9, 2025, as part of the nationwide Brigada Eskwela campaign, he expected to see hopeful preparations for the upcoming school year. Instead, he found dry toilets, empty water tanks, and broken promises.

The President's frustration was evident as he personally inspected the restrooms at Barihan Elementary School in Malolos and Tibagan Elementary School in San Miguel. These are not just any random institutions — they are government-funded schools responsible for safeguarding the health and dignity of our youth. And yet, they had no water.

“One of the things that I noticed is the bathrooms… Kailangan na kailangan natin linisin at pagandahin ang mga bathrooms,” the President said.

“Hindi naman mahirap gawin ‘yun — except walang tubig.”

PrimeWater in the Crosshairs — Again

The culprit? A now all-too-familiar name: PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation, owned by the Villar family — the country's wealthiest political dynasty.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed during a June 11 briefing that Barihan Elementary School is under the jurisdiction of a joint venture between the City of Malolos Water District (CMWD) and PrimeWater.

The same PrimeWater whose contracts span 73 — possibly up to 130 — water districts across the Philippines. The same PrimeWater that was the target of intense criticism during the May 2025 midterm elections, directly impacting Senator-elect Camille Villar’s campaign. Camille is the daughter of former Senate President and billionaire tycoon Manny Villar, while her brother Manuel Paolo heads PrimeWater.

The Presidential Ultimatum

Marcos, dismayed by the squalid state of basic sanitation in the schools, immediately ordered the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) to investigate. LWUA President Jose "Joy" Salonga has since facilitated urgent talks between CMWD and PrimeWater.

According to the Palace, PrimeWater promised to repair the pump station serving two affected barangays by June 13. They also committed to coordinate with drainage contractors to restore the damaged main water line.

But these promises ring hollow to many residents who have long experienced unreliable service — or no service at all.

“Water is expected to return to normal levels upon completion of the repair and restoration of damaged pipelines before school opening,” Castro said optimistically.

But public trust in PrimeWater has eroded — and for good reason.

The Villar Empire and the Water Crisis

The Villars have turned public utilities into private empires. Water, one of life’s most essential needs, has become a profit center under their control. And the public, particularly in underserved communities, pays the price — literally and figuratively.

From Bulacan to Cavite, from Nueva Ecija to Bukidnon, complaints about PrimeWater’s poor service, excessive billing, and mismanagement are rampant. A Rappler report earlier this year titled “Dry Taps, Darkness, and the Villars’ Prime Plague” exposed how these failures transcend geography.

Residents in affected areas speak of dry faucets, rusty water, and unresponsive customer service. Schools, hospitals, and households alike suffer — while the Villars rake in dividends.

A Broken Pump, a Broken System

Let’s be clear: this isn't just about a single pump station in Barihan. It's about a broken system where public-private partnerships are poorly monitored, where accountability is elusive, and where the most vulnerable — our students, our teachers, our communities — are the first to be neglected.

President Marcos’ inspection has, if anything, shown the value of true leadership visibility. But the bigger question remains: will these inspections lead to real reform? Or will PrimeWater’s promises go the way of countless others — down the drain?

A Call to Action: Restore, Reform, Reclaim

This issue demands more than a patch job. It calls for a national reckoning with how we privatize basic services. PrimeWater must not only fix the pump — it must face the public with transparency, accountability, and urgency.

LWUA’s upcoming report on PrimeWater’s nationwide contracts must be made public, scrutinized thoroughly, and used as the basis for decisive policy action. Local government units and water districts must be empowered to terminate abusive or underperforming contracts.

“Abangan po natin ang magiging trabaho ng PrimeWater kung tutupad sila sa kanilang pangako,” Castro remarked.

Yes, let’s wait. But let’s not hold our breath.

Bagong Pilipinas Deserves Better

President Marcos has championed the vision of a Bagong Pilipinas — a New Philippines. But as long as children sit in classrooms with filthy restrooms and dry taps, that vision remains a cruel illusion.

More school inspections, Mr. President. More accountability from water utilities. More protection for the Filipino people.

The state of our public schools is a mirror of our national priorities. And right now, that reflection shows negligence, greed, and a deep betrayal of public trust.

Let us hope it doesn’t take another presidential visit to fix what should have never been broken.