Financing the green, greening the finance

BY DANA GRACIELLE QUIRANTE , ERIN B. ALCALA , INQUIRER RESEARCH

FEBRUARY 26, 2026

ILLUSTRATION BY KIKO BUENAVENTURA

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By the numbers

As the world confronts climate change and biodiversity loss, there is growing recognition that economies must invest in green and sustainable finance. Investment remains vital for development, but it must now serve a dual purpose: to “finance the green” by supporting environmentally friendly solutions, and to “green the finance” by reshaping the financial system to prioritize sustainability.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific broadly defines “green finance” as funding that supports environment-oriented technologies, projects, industries, or businesses. More specifically, it includes environment-oriented financial products or services, such as loans, credit cards, insurances, or bonds. It is also closely linked to concepts such as climate finance and sustainable finance.

Intensified headwinds

Equity and debt are key instruments in green finance. Equity is often used in early stages of projects, while debt—such as loans and bonds—are typically utilized in later stages alongside equity.

In 2024, the sustainable finance market grew to more than $8.2 trillion, up 17 percent from 2023—even so, it faced intensified headwinds as well as growing investor caution.

According to the World Investment Report 2025 released by the United Nations, accelerating growth in the sustainable bond market saw “record issuance of over $1 trillion.” The value of the sustainable fund market also reached a record high at $3.2 trillion.

However, the number of new funds stalled and new inflows to the market fell to their lowest since 2015.

The report found that annual issuance grew at an average rate of 19 percent since 2019, as the market continued to mature and investors aligned their strategies with more sustainable outcomes.

The annual issuance of sustainable bonds as a share of the global bond market remained above 10 percent since 2021, and represented 11 percent of the market in 2024. Green bonds even accounted for 64 percent of total issuance, growing 14 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Complementary action

Advancing green finance requires complementary action from both the public and private sectors. By providing grants for policy reform, the public sector can act as a catalyst to leverage private finance at scale. Meanwhile, the private sector represents a major potential source of financing, seeking opportunities that generate market-rate financial returns and an environmental impact.

Governments can also directly support green growth through sustainable public procurement and eco-efficient investment in public buildings and enterprises.

In the Philippines, institutional investors and underwriters have shown interest in investing in and underwriting green bonds, but most have limited awareness and resources, according to a 2022 survey by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Green Growth Institute.

The study also found that investors have strong preference for small green projects (less than $10 million,) while underwriters prefer larger deals (more than $100 million). Renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable agriculture, and water management were identified as the most promising sectors.

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According to the Global Climate Risk Index, the Philippines ranked fourth most affected by extreme weather globally between 2000 and 2019. As one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, green finance is growing in the Philippines.

First in Asean

In 2016, the Philippines became the first Asean country to issue green corporate bonds. Between 2017 and 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Asean green, social, and sustainability bond standards. In 2019, the Philippines joined the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action and its Helsinki Principles, which promotes national climate action through fiscal policy and the use of public finance.

In 2023, the ADB programmed $10 billion in climate finance for the Philippines between 2024 and 2029 to support low-carbon transport, renewable energy, the development of carbon markets, flood management, resilient coastal development, food security, and adaptive health and social protection.

In 2024, the Philippines ranked as the second top issuer of Asean-labeled green, social, and sustainability bonds, with a total issuance of $15.30 billion. By 2025, the Philippines had already exceeded $10 billion in sustainable finance for renewable energy, according to a report by global bank ING.

The capital invested today will have a lasting impact on tomorrow’s ecosystems and production and consumption patterns. With these green finance initiatives, the Philippines is heading for a sustainable future, creating long-term environmental and economic benefits for both the planet and generations to come. —Dana Quirante and Erin Alcala, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, adb.org, iso.org, unescap.org, worldbank.org, climatebonds.net, unctad.org

Abzocke bei der Rentenauskunft: Täuschend ähnliche Webseiten locken in die Kostenfalle

Stand:24.02.2026, 19:05 Uhr

Von: Vivian Werg  

Private Anbieter imitieren offizielle Webseiten, um für Rentenauskünfte satte Gebühren zu kassieren. Wer genau hinsieht, schützt sich vor teuren Fehlern.

Kassel – Die gesetzliche Rentenversicherung ist für Millionen Deutsche ein zentraler Bestandteil der Altersvorsorge. Sie informiert über Rentenansprüche, rechnet Beitragszeiten an und sorgt dafür, dass niemand wichtige Ansprüche übersieht. Wer jedoch nicht aufpasst, gerät im Netz schnell an kostenpflichtige Drittanbieter anstatt an offizielle Stellen.   

Täuschend echt: Verbraucherschützer warnen vor dreister Abzocke mit inoffziellen Online-Angeboten (Symbolbild) © Rainer Berg/ Westend61/ Imago

Und während die offiziellen Angebote zuverlässig und transparent sind, nutzen Betrüger die wachsenden Online-Angebote der Deutschen Rentenversicherung (DRV) und anderer staatlicher Stellen aus, indem sie dieselben Services gegen Gebühr anbieten. Künstliche Intelligenz macht diese Maschen zunehmend raffinierter. Fake-Portale lassen sich durch KI immer professioneller gestalten und sind oftkaum noch von echten Behördenseiten zu unterscheiden. Ein häufiger Fehler in der Altersvorsorge kann indes viele Deutsche Tausende Euro kosten.   

Fake-Webseiten, die Rentenauskunft gegen Geld anbieten, durch KI kaum noch von DRV-Seiten unterscheidbar

Millionen Bürger wollen wissen, wie hoch ihre spätere Rente ausfällt, welche Arbeitszeiten berücksichtigt wurden und ob ihr Versicherungsverlauf vollständig ist. Wer nach entsprechenden Keywords im Netz sucht, läuft Gefahr, auf einer Fake-Website zu landen. Diese sehen aus wie die offizielle Webseite der Deutschen Rentenversicherung (DRV), führen durch scheinbar vertraute Formulare – doch dahinter stecken clevere Kriminelle. Private Anbieter kassieren mit diesen täuschend echten Internetseiten ab, warnt das Europäische Verbraucherzentrum Deutschland (EVZ).

„Diese Angebote haben wirklich eine neue Qualität erreicht – und die Verwechslungsgefahr wird weiter zunehmen“, betont Karolina Wojtal, Juristin und Co-Leiterin des Europäischen Verbraucherzentrums Deutschland (EVZ). Künstliche Intelligenz ermögliche es, Layouts und Texte schnell und präzise an offizielle Webseiten anzupassen. „Für Verbraucher wird es dadurch immer schwieriger, private Dienste von staatlichen Angeboten zu unterscheiden.“

CRITICAL THINKING!

 

Psychological Behaviour

 · 

Posted by 

Ayaz Ali

 

CRITICAL THINKING!

1. If you hurt someone, no matter how long it takes, apologize. People don't forget how you made them feel.

2. If someone does you a small favour, thank them.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated.

3. If someone takes time out to do something nice for you, make sure you show gratitude.

Everyone is busy nowadays and not everyone cares.

4. Most people are very emotional. So, remember, a few negative words can easily break someone's heart. Thus, think before you speak.

5. Don't ever disrespect something that means a lot to someone. Destroying people's precious moments in life is vile.

Some only have those memories to live with.

6. You don't have to be verbal to hurt someone. Sometimes, negative actions are enough.

Body language also plays an important role in communication.

A simple dirty look can knock someone's self-esteem.

It can heighten self-consciousness especially for someone who suffers from Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

7. Be kind always. Everyone is suffering to some extent even if it doesn't show on their face.

If you're kind, you have nothing to lose and in return will earn respect and admiration from people.

But, if you're not, you will only break hearts and people will remember you for that.

8. Believe in someone. This might be small for you, but it is everything to someone else.

People need motivation to thrive. Some seek it from people. If you believe in someone, it shows that you care.

Never give up on people you care about. Always be there and support them. It can give them a reason to keep going.

9. People will need some form of help in life. Help someone if they ask you for help, and don't refuse unless you have a valid reason.

10. Be kind. Little acts of kindness can build positive relationships and restore faith in humanity.

MUSIC IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE

By Klaus Döring

Music is an important part of our life as it is a way of expressing our feelings as well as emotions. No matter where you are living on this globe.  Some people consider music as a way to escape from the pain of life. It gives you relief and allows you to reduce stress. ... Music plays a more important role in our life than just being a source of entertainment.

Music affects our emotions. When we listen to sad songs, we tend to feel a decline in mood. When we listen to happy songs, we feel happier. Upbeat songs with energetic riffs and fast-paced rhythms (such as those we hear at sporting events) tend to make us excited and pumped up. 

Music means the world to me. It makes me think about how it relates to life and I love the beats. Music is a way to express yourself, keep you company while you're alone, and always give you something to do. Music is a way of expressing me and being able to relate to other people.

It won't be a surprise to most that music can affect the human brain emotionally. ... Happy, upbeat music causes our brains to produce chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which evokes feelings of joy, whereas calming music relaxes the mind and the body.

Music is a form of art; an expression of emotions through harmonic frequencies. ... Most music includes people singing with their voices or playing musical instruments, such as the piano, guitar, drums or violin. The word music comes from the Greek word (mousike), which means "(art) of the Muses.

Music is love. David Crosby sang this wonderful song already in 1971. "Everybody's sayin' music is love .

Music tells stories. Well, composers and musicians use music to tell stories. From all over the world.  Music can be used to depict characters, places, actions and even emotions. Music is often used to heighten a mood, or to express a thought or feeling when mere words are not enough.

“[Music] can propel narrative swiftly forward, or slow it down. It often lifts mere dialogue into the realm of poetry. It is the communicating link between the screen and the audience, reaching out and enveloping all into one single experience.” The best stories engage all of the senses.

One of the great things about music in general, and in particular concert music, is that playing it opens up a whole new world of experience that further enhances the mind, physical coordination, and expression. Music lovers, who are also amateur performers, may choose to play in community ensembles (orchestra, band, choir), take lessons, perform with others, compose, and nearly anything else a professional musician may do, while maintaining their regular lives. All of this involves intense physical coordination in performing an instrument alone or with others, while reading musical notation, and adding delicate or strong nuanced changes to the music that only a performer can bring. In general, to an amateur musician, music can provide an escape from everyday life or an alternative means of expressing one's own capabilities. It is an important part of their lives and fills a need or an urge to create music.

I have been a music lover since my 4th birthday. Meanwhile, living as a German expat in the Philippines, I found out that Filipinos and Germans are music lovers. Among indigenous Filipinos, one important function of music is to celebrate or commemorate important events in the human life cycle. Fortunately, until today, these rich indigenous musical traditions live on. They serve as a reminder of the Filipinos' long history of musical talent and ingenuity.

Such is the case of Philippine music which today is regarded as a unique blending of two great musical traditions – the East and the West. ... The majority of Philippine Music revolves around cultural influences from the West, due primarily to the Spanish and American rule for over three centuries.

Becoming a German expatriate in the Philippines in 1999, I have attended many music events. I fell in love with Filipino classical music. So what does music really mean to Filipinos? It simply tells them where they've been and where they could go. It tells a story that everyone can appreciate and relate to, which is why it's a big part of every Filipino culture. 

Music of the Philippines (Filipino: Himig ng Pilipinas) include musical performance arts in the Philippines or by Filipinos composed in various genres and styles. The compositions are often a mixture of different Asian, Spanish, Latin American, American, and indigenous influences.

Notable folk song composers include the National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro, who composed the famous "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" that recalls the loving touch of a mother to her child. Another composer, the National Artist for Music Antonino Buenaventura, is notable for notating folk songs and dances. Buenaventura composed the music for "Pandanggo sa

Loving the environment through Green Public Procurement

By Amenah F. Pangandaman

Published Feb 25, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Feb 24, 2026 04:38 pm

BEYOND BUDGET

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

February has always been associated with love. While the most popular kind is romantic love, I believe there are other kinds of love. One is love for the environment. Because for me, loving oneself, another, and the country must also equate to loving the environment that sustains them.

Thus, when I was the secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, I advocated for climate resilience and sustainability, especially through public procurement.

I realized that the government has enormous power to influence outcomes simply through how it spends funds. Public procurement represents an average of 13 to 20 percent of our gross domestic product. In fact, for Fiscal Year 2025, our climate change expenditures grew by 152.7 percent from the previous year’s budget. This was the highest budget increase since 2015, accounting for 18.3 percent of the National Budget, well above the target of 9.0 percent under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028. For me, the numbers do not reflect mere statistics. These are investments in safer homes and communities, more resilient infrastructure, and a more sustainable future for the nation.

A significant part of our country’s sustainability journey is Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA), the biggest anti-corruption measure in recent history, which incorporates green procurement.

For those who may not know, Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a process by which procuring entities (PEs) seek to procure goods, projects, and services with reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle. Under the law, PEs must integrate and implement green practices, as well as environmentally relevant criteria or requirements, into the design and specifications of their procurement projects.

This is not only to achieve value for money and meet specific organizational needs, but also to benefit society and the economy while reducing adverse environmental impact. It is part of strategic procurement planning and in support of the Philippines’ commitment to accelerate climate action, strengthen disaster resilience, and achieve broader policy objectives on energy, water, and material efficiency; waste reduction; pollution and emission prevention; climate change mitigation; and circular economy, among others.

The foundations for this reform were laid years earlier through the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB), which adopted the Philippine GPP Roadmap and technical specifications for prioritized common use and non-common use supplies and equipment. This aims to mainstream GPP in government procurement, ensuring that environmental criteria are considered in government spending. In fact, the GPPB has noted, in its 2018-2022 Agency Procurement Compliance and Performance assessment reports, a gradual increase in the adoption of green specifications in the procurement of non-common use supplies and equipment. From 26 percent of PEs considering the environmental impact of their procurement projects, it increased to 90.91 percent in 2022.

This momentum was further fueled by the 2022 United Nations Environment Programme, which commended the Philippines for its highest rating for sustainable public procurement monitoring efforts. Building on these successes, the GPPB Board, which I then chaired, approved Resolution No. 19-2023, marking a pivotal moment with the introduction of mandatory green specifications for seven broad product categories of non-CSEs. This initiative is a gamechanger, as it paved the way for a more sustainable and flexible procurement system across the nation.

The NGPA further strengthened these reforms. Section 73 of the NGPA introduced GPP as one of its strategic procurement planning approaches. The NGPA also promotes greater weight in evaluating proposals with green specifications.

The GPP is designed to achieve environmental sustainability. Encouraging the purchase of goods and services that have a reduced environmental impact, including energy-efficient products made from recycled materials or that have a lower carbon footprint. By prioritizing these products, PEs can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices.

In addition, implementing GPP leads to longterm economic efficiency. Electronic or information communication technology energy-efficient products may have higher investment costs but result in lower operational and maintenance expenses over time.

Further, by adopting GPP, PEs can drive market demand for green products and services, stimulating innovation and development of more sustainable solutions, ultimately leading to a greener economy.

And GPP contributes to improving our country’s public health by reducing pollution and promoting the use of non-toxic materials. It also supports fair labor practices and local sourcing, which have positive social impacts.

Beyond budget, I believe that the GPP is essential in unlocking a sustainable and resilient future for our nation. It is a promise that should be kept.

As Citizen Mina, I hope that we can keep this promise to the Filipino people, especially future generations. But, as with everything grand, we can only achieve this through collective action. The government, civil society organizations, the private sector, and every Filipino must work hand-in-hand to secure this future. Hence, let’s work together towards a sustainable future by supporting Green Public Procurement.

(Amenah F. Pangandaman is the former Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.)

Heart Evangelista brings hope and warmth to the forgotten elderly

Named among the Top 10 influencers in Paris Fashion Week

By Robert Requintina

Published Feb 24, 2026 10:55 am

Actress and global fashion icon Heart Evangelista was deeply touched by her visit to an elderly resident at Tahanang Mapagpala in Malolos, Bulacan.

During the visit, as shown in a video clip, Heart chatted with the elderly, and a grandmother reminded her about the importance of goodness and a pure heart.

Heart Evangelista

"Blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the pure in heart," said a grandmother in a wheelchair.

"That hit a core. I really needed that, Nay," Heart's emotional response.

They shared a heartfelt conversation about aging, family, and care.

"You need children to take care of you when you are old," said the grandmother.

"Yes. Nay, you were sent a lot of children like me to give you sparks of happiness," Heart said.

Recently, Heart also visited another facility for the poor and abandoned elderly in Rizal province.

At Anawim, a home founded by Catholic lay preacher Bo Sanchez, Heart performed songs and dances for the elderly and brought gifts, including wheelchairs and basic necessities.

Heart appears to enjoy spending time with the elderly, sharing her blessings and affection.

Meanwhile, Heart's return to television promises to be more personal and moving in the new season of "Heart's World," her lifestyle and reality series. The first season aired last year, while her previous drama series was in 2022.

Heart shared that viewers can expect a more passionate and in-depth second season of "Heart’s World."

She explained that while the first season focused on glamour, fashion, and her international achievements, the new season will highlight her personal experiences and offer an unfiltered look behind the scenes of life as a celebrity and international fashion icon.

“We need drama. I don’t have drama; they were surprised by the plot twist. There’s a lot of drama. It’s very interesting, this second season,” she shared.

Heart, who is also a businesswoman and influencer, added, “I am divinely protected. And when somebody’s divinely protected, which we all are, you will reach your dreams no matter what.”

Despite the challenges she has faced, Heart proudly shared that her heart remains gentle.

Her mother, Cecilia Ongpauco, was also moved after watching the new season of "Heart World."

“I thought she was just being cute and posing. No, it was way different. That's why I cried. She just loves it and gives it more than her own. Made me so proud,” said Mommy Cecilia.

Heart admitted her mother is not easy to please, so this support and praise from her "momager" means a great deal.

The first episode of Heart World Season 2 will premiere on March 7 and air every Saturday at 9:30 p.m. on GMA Network.

Heart stands out in Paris

Once again, Heart solidified her status as a global fashion icon when she landed among Lefty’s Top 10 Key Voices for the January 2026 Paris Menswear Fashion Week.

Heart breached a heavily male-dominated influencer landscape, posting a 5.4 percent engagement rate that generated $3.34 million in Earned Media Value (EMV).

With her in the Top 10 were K-pop idols Mingyu (Seventeen), The8 (Seventeen), and Hyun-jin (Stray Kids); Thai actor and singer Nattawat Jirochtikul (Fourth); and other talents and brand ambassadors in the Asia-Pacific region.

The only other female in the list was Chilean-Mexican singer Mon Laferte, who performed and appeared at the Willy Chavarria show.

During the Menswear Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2026 last month, Heart Evangelista attended high-profile shows by Amiri, Sacai, Patou, Hermès, LGN Louis Gabriel Nouchi, and Kenzo.

According to observers, Heart’s strong media impact — especially being the only Filipino representative in the latest Lefty ranking — proves that she continues to drive significant luxury fashion value in the Asia-Pacific region.

Lefty is the influencer marketing platform for leading luxury and lifestyle brands. It identifies the right influencers from a broad number of qualified online profiles, using advanced systems to gain a deep understanding of their demographics, audiences, and profile statistics.

Through Lefty’s Industry Reports, brands can uncover unparalleled insights into the ever-evolving worlds of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.

The last time Heart Evangelista entered Lefty’s Top 10 was during Paris Fashion Week in June 2025. Meanwhile, no Filipino representative ranked in the Lefty report for Paris Fashion Week in September 2025, when Heart was notably absent from any shows during that period.

Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival is painting the sky alive this summer

By MBrand

Published Feb 23, 2026 10:45 am

The Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival makes its highly anticipated return this summer, reaffirming its stance as one of the biggest and most iconic hot air balloon festivals in the Philippines! 

Since its debut in 2014, the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival has captivated its thousands of audiences with its unique blend of aviation spectacle, live music, and immersive on-ground experiences. 

After a 5-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the festival returned successfully to the skies over Lubao last April 2025. More than 70,000 people flocked to Pampanga to celebrate its much-awaited comeback. From hot air balloon flights to electrifying performances from your favorite local artists, this festival served it all! 

This 2026, we’re keeping the streak and bringing you two days of breathtaking hot air balloon flights, thrilling attractions, and an exciting lineup of artist performances you can’t resist! Happening on March 7-8, 2026, at Pradera Verde in Lubao, Pampanga, the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival is set to be a landmark celebration and a must-attend destination event. 

Kicking off the festivities at sunrise, festival-goers can expect a mass ascension of over 25 colorful hot air balloons flown by both local and international pilots. Experience the skies of Lubao with spectacular balloon flights you can hop on right there and then. 

Throughout the day, attendees can also enjoy a wide range of activities. Take in the magnificence of Pampanga’s landscape with helicopter and ultralight rides, bask in gastronomic food bazaars, and immerse in nature with the crowd favorite outdoor zoo attraction. 

Pradera Islands, the newest theme park destination in Pampanga, located within the sparkling grounds of Pradera Verde also welcomes thrill-seekers and families alike for adrenaline-pumping rides, immersive attractions, and island-inspired adventures. 

At sunset, the festival transforms into a dynamic concert experience, featuring acts from the biggest names in the Philippine music scene, delivering high-energy performances to cap off each day in unforgettable fashion.

This year’s lineup fulfills every OPM fan’s fantasy with musical acts from jikamarie, Illest Morena, Hev Abi, Flow G, Arthur Nery, December Avenue, Dionela, Maki, IV of Spades, Kamikazee, and Parokya ni Edgar! 

And for the first time ever, former Rivermaya bandmates Rico Blanco and Bamboo will share the same stage at this year’s Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival!  Bamboo is set to perform on the first day (March 7) while Rico’s set takes place on the second day (March 8). It’s safe to say that this year’s lineup ate. 

Festival tickets are priced at PHP 500 for General Admission and  PHP 1,500 for VIP. To get the most out of Lubao, you can purchase two-day passes for PHP 800 for General Admission and PHP 2,500 for VIP. Get your tickets at all SM Ticket outlets nationwide and/or online atwww.smtickets.com. 

The Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival 2026 is organized by BLUE SKIES Hot Air Balloon AdVentures Association Inc. and Forthinker, Inc., in partnership with Pradera Verde and Pradera Islands Theme Park, with the support of the Provincial Government of Pampanga.