Marching Toward Fair Pay: Bohol’s Crucial Minimum Wage Hearing

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A Pivotal Moment for Central Visayas

In the steamy halls of the MetroCentre Hotel & Convention Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, July-like August air pulses with anticipation. The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board—known colloquially as the RTWPB-7—is conducting a critical public hearing on the next minimum wage. This is the last major stop in the regional consultation, with the regional wage board’s decision expected this October. 

Just days after the board’s mandated review period began on August 3, 2025, following the 60-day rule tied to Wage Order ROVII-25, voices from all corners of society gather to be heard. 

On the Ground: Rey’s Urgent Message

Civil Engr. Amon Rey Clavano Loquere, Real Estate Broker and the Bohol convenor of the Green Party of the Philippines, stands not for labor, not for only employers—but for balance, deeply rooted in human stories and economic reality.

“I’m representing the management side, via the Cebu Real Estate Board under the Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards,” Loquere explains.

His organization urges the board to adopt a Php 850 daily minimum wage—calculated as the average between the current (approx.) Php 501 and the Php 1,200 sought by labor groups in Cebu unions.

Why such a middle ground? Rey remains clear and passionate:

“Inflation in Bohol is steep—especially food, fish, and education costs.”

He paints scenes most of us know too well: struggling parents at wet markets watching prices rise; students preparing for a new school year under budgets stretched thin. The fishing industry, a lifeline for coastal communities, offers diminishing returns.

His position is not merely pragmatic—it’s a plea. A plea for workers to afford essentials while giving employers, particularly small businesses, breathing room to stay afloat.

Context: What’s At Stake in Region VII

RTWPB-7 is tasked with reviewing minimum wages across the region—including Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental—based on public hearings held throughout August 2025, culminating in this Tagbilaran session. 

The previous Wage Order (ROVII-25), effective since October 2024, set minimums but now must be revisited. 

The new wage order anticipated by October will take effect 15 days after its publication in a general circulation newspapers

Economic Reality vs. Human Need

At its core, the debate is about dignity and survival. Loquere’s proposal—Php 850—seeks to illuminate the path between two extremes. It acknowledges the unions' push for 1,200 and recognizes the unsustainability of keeping wages under 600 in a rapidly rising-cost environment.

Education and fish, staples of Bohol’s economy and daily life, are predictive indicators of poverty pressure. Prices for fish and schooling are among the priorities—because when people can’t eat or send kids to class, social instability follows.

How the Decision Will Shape Lives

Workers: A higher minimum wage means not just increased income, but possibly expanded access to health, nutrition, and education.

Employers: Especially SMEs and family-run operations, they face tighter margins—but Rey’s middleway offers a lifeline.

Bohol’s Future: If this hearing sets a path toward fairer wages, it could boost consumer spending, fueling local markets—but if too steep, it risks job losses or layoffs.

A Region United by Stakes

From labor activists in Cebu demanding Php 1,200, to the Green Party’s mediation proposal at Php 850, every voice in these hearings is vital. The RTWPB-7 must weigh data, empathy, and economic viability before issuing the October wage order.

Why this Moment Matters

Historical Significance: This hearing is part of a long tradition—RTWPB-7 must hold hearings 60 days before the wage order's anniversary 

It’s how democracy in labor rights works.

Economic Pulse: With inflation biting deep, prices across the archipelago, especially staples, are climbing. Rey’s plea is not an outlier—it mirrors a national struggle.

Human Story: Loquere reminds us this isn’t just numbers—it’s families stretching for a meal, students with dwindling school funds, small markets and fisherfolk whose profit margins evaporate.

Looking Ahead

October: Expect the wage board’s decision—likely to land between the extremes.

Implementation: Wage increase becomes effective 15 days post-publication. Employers must prepare; workers brace for relief.

Repercussions: Potential ripple effects on local prices, employment numbers, and social welfare must be monitored.

Final Reflection

Loquere’s voice in Bohol offers a rare bridge—rooted in empathy, pragmatic compromise, and regional realities. As the region awaits the wage board’s ruling, this moment stands as more than policy—it’s a testament to how communities fight for fairness, sustenance, and hope.

Will the wage board heed the cry for equilibrium? Will Php 850 become the new line between survival and collapse? Come October, Bohol—and all of Region VII—waits.

Sunway City: A Living Manifesto of Sustainability

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Stepping onto the grounds of Sunway City, I'm struck by the realization that I'm not just a visitor; I'm here for a purpose. The air is alive with the energy of the Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series on Intergovernmental Processes and Planetary Health, organized by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health. As I settle in, I see that this isn't just a place—it's a living manifesto, a philosophy woven into the very fabric of Sunway's existence.

The first thing that got my attention upon entering my room at the lucky 8th floor were the magazines. This gives you an idea of my interest and genuine curiousity of learning more about this particular place even though it's my second time here. The first time was through collaboration with the Tourism Office of Malaysia who included Sunway Lagoon among our itinerary during our 2019 trip here before the Covid pandemic struck the world.

But my Kuala Lumpur journey truly began again tonight at the Welcome Dinner held at Sunway University. The buffet was composed of sumptuous and healthy dishes, a thoughtful and fitting start to a workshop focused on planetary health and sustainable living. This meal, more than just dinner, was a perfect introduction to Sunway's core values.

The Transformation of a City

It's clear that Sunway City is a testament to what's possible. The sprawling 2,000-acre site, a former tin-mining wasteland, has been reborn as an integrated township where nature and human life coexist in a delicate and beautiful balance. It’s a deliberate, long-term master plan to create a harmonious urban landscape, a bold declaration of "A Township Master-Planned in Harmony with Nature." From the lush greenery to the serene lakes and the iconic "Tree of Life," it's a powerful visual story of transformation.

I was especially impressed by the focus on strategic resource and waste management. The "Quay to Solving Flash Flood Woes" article highlights how Sunway's efforts, guided by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are mitigating flash floods and safeguarding water resources. This is more than just engineering; it's a profound commitment to stewardship that extends far beyond a company's bottom line.

A Community of Heroes

A truly sustainable city, I'm learning, is built not just on infrastructure but on human values. The #SUNWAYHEROES campaign, with its powerful silhouette of figures "Standing as a Force for Good," really resonated with me. It’s a call to action, showing that this commitment goes beyond the environment. The "Beyond Firewalls" article in one of the magazines reinforces this, highlighting how Sunway recognizes the importance of protecting its digital community with the same dedication it uses to protect its physical one. This is a holistic approach that anticipates modern challenges and prepares for them.

The workshop tomorrow itself feels like a critical part of this larger vision. With a focus on the carbon footprint and global policy, the agenda demonstrates that local actions have global consequences. Being here, I feel like I'm part of this ongoing story of change, a participant in a narrative of resilience and collective responsibility. This isn't just a workshop; it's an opportunity to learn from a city that has become a living model for what is possible when vision, community, and purpose align to create a sustainable future.

As I walk the vibrant grounds of Sunway City, the air buzzing with the energy of the Capacity Development and Training Workshop Series, it becomes clear that this isn't just a place—it's a living manifesto. The articles from the Sunway magazine paint a compelling picture of a company not merely building townships, but actively constructing a culture of sustainability and resilience from the ground up. This isn't corporate jargon; it's a philosophy woven into the very fabric of Sunway's existence, a dramatic shift from passive development to proactive stewardship.

A City Designed to Embrace Nature

Sunway City itself with its sprawling 2,000-acre site which was a former tin-mining wasteland, has been reborn as an integrated township where nature and human life coexist in a delicate and beautiful balance.  This transformation isn't an accident. It's the result of a deliberate, long-term master plan to create a harmonious urban landscape. Sunway's commitment to "A Township Master-Planned in Harmony with Nature" is a bold declaration—a promise to prioritize green spaces, biodiversity, and clean water. The images of lush greenery, serene lakes, and the iconic "Tree of Life" are powerful symbols of this pledge.

The company's focus on strategic resource and waste management and building resilient water systems, like the "Quay to Solving Flash Flood Woes," directly addresses the most pressing environmental challenges. The article highlights how Sunway's efforts, guided by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are mitigating flash floods and safeguarding water resources. This is more than a simple engineering feat; it's a testament to a deep-seated belief that a company's responsibility extends beyond its bottom line and into the well-being of the planet and its people.

The Human Element: Standing as a Force for Good

But a sustainable city is more than just green buildings and smart infrastructure. It requires a fundamental shift in human behavior and a commitment to collective responsibility. This is where Sunway's ethos truly shines. The image of the #SUNWAYHEROES campaign, with its powerful silhouette of standing figures, is a dramatic call to action. It embodies the idea of "Standing as a Force for Good."

This commitment isn't limited to environmental stewardship. It extends to social issues, including cybersecurity—a modern-day threat to personal and planetary health. The "Beyond Firewalls" article shows that Sunway recognizes the need to protect its digital community with the same vigor it uses to protect its physical one. This holistic approach to safety and well-being demonstrates a forward-thinking mindset that anticipates future challenges and prepares for them.

A Global Vision with a Local Impact

Sunway's mission is grand in its scope with their mentions of the carbon footprint and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), show a company that is not only looking inward but also engaging with global policy and climate action.  This is the essence of planetary health—the understanding that local actions have global consequences, and that a healthy planet requires interconnected solutions.

As I attend the workshop tomorrow, I am now a part of this story. I'm not just a guest in Sunway City; I'm a participant in its ongoing narrative of change. The very fact that Sunway University is hosting an event on intergovernmental processes and planetary health speaks volumes. It shows a commitment to education, collaboration, and building a network of leaders dedicated to a common goal. This is a story of a city that refuses to be a bystander, choosing instead to be a pioneer and a living model for what is possible when a community, a company, and a vision align to create a sustainable future.

Consumer Safety Alert: Toxic Food-Like Plastic Toys Threaten Children’s Health

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In the bustling maze of Divisoria, where vendors sell everything from cheap trinkets to household goods, a quiet danger lurks in plain sight—plastic toys made to look like food. Sold for as little as ₱50, these seemingly harmless playthings are drawing alarm from watchdog groups after tests revealed they may be laced with toxic chemicals.

Toys That Look Like Food—But Act Like Poison

BAN Toxics, a nonprofit watchdog for chemicals and waste, recently sounded the alarm on the growing prevalence of food-replica plastic toys—brightly colored hamburgers, glossy chocolates, sunny-side up eggs, and candy-like trinkets marketed for toddlers’ learning and play.

But behind their enticing appearance lies a toxic cocktail. Using a Vanta C Series Handheld XRF Chemical Analyzer, the group tested five toy samples purchased from Divisoria’s ambulant vendors. The results were chilling: traces of arsenic, antimony, barium, bromine, lead, and mercury—all substances known to cause severe, long-term health damage.

Worse still, all the toys were suspected to contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a material long criticized for its hazardous chemical additives.

The Hidden Dangers of PVC

PVC is commonly used in toys because it makes plastic flexible, colorful, and durable. Yet, medical and environmental research has linked it to a devastating list of health risks:

Cancer risks (especially of the liver, testicles, and brain)

Endocrine disruption, where chemicals interfere with natural hormone functions

Reproductive and immune system damage

Developmental harm in children

“These toys may look like food products and can dangerously confuse children into handling non-edible items, which can lead to toxic chemical exposure,” warned Thony Dizon, Advocacy and Campaign Officer of BAN Toxics.

The problem doesn’t stop at chemical exposure. Many of these plastic food replicas are small enough to fit into a child’s mouth—or worse, break apart into swallowable pieces—posing a dual risk of poisoning and choking.

When Play Becomes a Health Hazard

The danger is amplified by just how realistic these toys appear. Toddlers—still learning to tell apart real food from pretend—may mistake the shiny plastic burger or candy for the real thing. Their instinct to explore through touch and taste increases the likelihood of accidental ingestion or prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals.

According to the Endocrine Society, chemicals that mimic or block natural hormones, known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), can wreak havoc on a child’s development. These can impair growth, weaken immunity, and even alter reproductive health later in life.

What the Law Says

The Philippines already has safeguards in place. Under the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2009-005-A, it is unlawful to manufacture, import, or sell children’s toys containing more than 0.1 percent of specific toxic plasticizers like DEHP, DBP, and BBP.

But enforcement remains a glaring weakness. Toys slip into the market unchecked, particularly in informal markets like Divisoria, where cheap prices often overshadow safety standards.

Call for Immediate Action

BAN Toxics is urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local government units (LGUs) to act swiftly:

Conduct post-marketing surveillance to remove dangerous toys from circulation

Issue a public health advisory to warn parents and caregivers

Tighten monitoring of toy imports and local manufacturing

“Food-like plastic toys pose significant dangers to children and should be regulated,” Dizon stressed. “A consumer alert from the FDA is urgently needed.”

The Holiday Season Risk

The timing of this warning could not be more urgent. With the “ber months” rolling in, toy sales are set to surge as parents and relatives shop for gifts. Left unchecked, these toxic food-like toys could easily find their way into the hands—and mouths—of thousands of Filipino children this Christmas season.

Protecting Children, Protecting the Future

BAN Toxics has vowed to continue its monitoring efforts to safeguard children from hidden toxic threats. But the ultimate responsibility lies not just with watchdogs, but with government agencies tasked to protect consumers, vendors who sell the products, and parents who unknowingly buy them.

Children deserve toys that spark joy, creativity, and imagination—not silent threats to their health. What appears to be a harmless ₱50 plaything may, in truth, carry a lifelong cost no family should ever have to pay.