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Manila Water posts P3.7B net income in ’21
March 1, 2022 5:53 p.m.
Manila Water posted consolidated earnings of ₱3.7 billion for 2021, 18% lower than the previous year as the full-year effect of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted customer demand and business operations, even as domestic and international operations outside the East Zone Concession showed improved performance.
Despite the challenges, including an ongoing tariff freeze, the Company pushed through with its projects to ensure prudent compliance to regulatory and service commitments, with group CAPEX at nearly ₱17 billion for the year.
On a group level, revenues declined 4% to ₱20.3 billion due to lower billed volume across all segments in the East Zone Concession and in several domestic subsidiaries, with the full-year impact of COVID-19 restrictions significantly affecting customer consumption.
Cost and expenses for the period stood at ₱9.2 billion in 2021, up 7% from last year, as business and operating activities ramped up coming from restrictions imposed under the Enhanced Community Quarantines (ECQ) in 2020.
This increase was partially offset by lower power and chemical costs in line with lower production during the period.
For its operations in the East Zone Concession, 2021 saw revenues decline by 6% to ₱9.2 billion, mainly driven by 4% decline in billed volume.
Meanwhile, cost and expenses rose by 11% to ₱5.5 billion for the period, driven by the resumption of repairs and maintenance, collection, connection, and sanitation activities with the relative easing of ECQ restrictions from the previous year.
These activities are in compliance with increasing service obligations in the East Zone Concession, even as it continues to operate under a tariff freeze on implementing approved adjustments.
Despite the challenges posed by ECQ restrictions on project execution, the East Zone Concession continued with its capital expenditure program, consequently posting nearly ₱14.0 billion worth of projects for the year.
Said projects focus on water supply, network reliability and wastewater expansion in line with the fulfillment of service obligations under its Service Improvement Plan.
Some notable projects are the East Bay Project which will provide an additional 50 million liters per day (mld) of water supply to customers by extracting water from Laguna Lake. Furthermore, the Wawa Calawis project will provide total additional supply of 518 mld, with 80 mld already available by end 2022.
These projects will further augment available water supply to East Zone Concession customers and ensure reliable water service, with continued collaboration with key government agencies MWSS, NWRB and NIA. East Zone Concession customers currently continue to experience 24×7 water supply but the growing demand will require investments in additional infrastructure.
Looking at the businesses outside the East Zone Concession, Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) saw improvement in profitability with the good performance of its North Luzon and Central Luzon clusters. Specifically, MWPV’s Laguna Water saw a 2% growth in billed volume, driven by the increase in consumption with the energization of its Laguna Wellfield.
For Manila Water Asia Pacific (MWAP), equity share in net income of associates more than doubled in 2021, with improved performance from East Water in Thailand, as well as by bulk water supply operations of Thu Duc Water and Kenh Dong Water in Vietnam.
Lastly, 2021 marked key wins for Manila Water for both its domestic and international businesses. For MWPV, it secured a 200 mld bulk water supply contract for the Province of Pangasinan.
This ₱8.0 billion, 25-year project will provide bulk water supply to over 1.3 million customers in the province.
For MWAP, 2021 signaled the entry of Manila Water in the Middle East market as it successfully closed two Management, Operations and Maintenance (MOM) contracts with the National Water Company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its Northwest and Eastern clusters, respectively. These MOM contracts are in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s long-term plan towards a public-private partnership for its water utility.
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NephroPlus Philippines strengthens nationwide presence with 50 clinics
7:09 p.m. June 27, 2026
NephroPlus Philippines announced the expansion of its nationwide network to 50 dialysis clinics, a major milestone in its mission to make quality dialysis care more accessible to Filipinos.
NephroPlus recently opened its 50th clinic in Orion, Bataan. The achievement follows the addition of eight newly acquired clinics located in Cauayan, Isabela; Laurel, Batangas; Orani, Bataan; Cagayan de Oro; Aliaga, Nueva Ecija; Kamagong, Quezon City; Bacoor, Cavite; and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay in Mindanao. The expanded footprint strengthens the company’s ability to serve patients in high-chronic kidney disease (CKD)-prevalence areas with limited access to specialized renal healthcare services.
The expansion also aligns with the broader international growth strategy of NephroPlus, Asia’s largest dialysis provider, while contributing to the country’s pursuit of universal health coverage through infrastructure and workforce developments. The company helps create local employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, clinical staff, and admin personnel in the communities it serves.
“Reaching 50 clinics in the Philippines is a defining milestone not just for NephroPlus but for every Filipino living with kidney disease, who deserves access to world-class dialysis care closer to home. The Philippines is now our second-largest country of operations globally, a testament to the trust communities here have placed in us. Our focus remains where it has always been, on our guests, their outcomes, and their right to live normally. At NephroPlus, life can be normal even when kidneys aren’t,” said Rohit Singh, Group CEO of NephroPlus.
Altogether, NephroPlus Philippines brings a total capacity of 686, serving an estimated 2,866 patients every month.
Standardizing Quality Across a Growing Network
As NephroPlus Philippines continues its nationwide expansion, the company ensures to invest in systems and processes that enable every clinic to deliver the same standard of care to its guests everywhere.
“Consistency is crucial for a continuously expanding network like NephroPlus,” said Gowtham Arumugam, Country Head of NephroPlus Philippines. “As much as we want every Filipino to receive the world-class dialysis they deserve, we first ensure that every clinic we open meets our NephroPlus standards – care that is safe, ethical, and compassionate. This demonstrates our commitment to quality dialysis care for our guests.”
This quality is evident across the company’s operational excellence, workforce development, and digital innovation.
The company maintains a robust operational framework that includes active compliance monitoring, standardized clinical protocols, structured onboarding of newly integrated centers, regular quality audits, and continuous patient feedback mechanisms. From operations to senior leadership, direct engagement across all clinics helps strengthen accountability and ensure consistent standards of care.
Every patient at NephroPlus is referred to as a “Guest,” based on the company’s Guest Care Model, which is a commitment to safe, ethical, and patient-centered care. To support this philosophy, the company recently launched the NephroPlus Hemodialysis Training Center in Quezon City, its first-ever training facility in the country. The center develops highly skilled dialysis professionals through programs aligned with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Nephrology, and international standards.
Complementing its investments in infrastructure and workforce development, NephroPlus is leveraging technology to enhance guest support nationwide. Earlier this year, the company launched its Guest App, a first-of-its-kind digital platform designed to support comprehensive renal care management beyond treatment sessions. Apart from appointment scheduling, guests can access a learning hub, lifestyle guidance, and a patient community network that overall support their healthcare journey.
NephroPlus Philippines’ ongoing investments in clinic expansion, professional training, and healthcare innovation are a collective effort to reinforce its global commitment: to provide every guest living with kidney disease the opportunity to live a fuller, healthier, and more meaningful life.
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Kaspersky detected more than 92,000 malware attacks disguised as AI services in 2026
2:10 p.m. June 10, 2026
From January to the beginning of May 2026, Kaspersky solutions detected more than 92,000 attacks of malware and potentially unwanted applications worldwide disguised as popular Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents and AI services.
Cybercriminals exploited trusted brands to lure victims into downloading malicious files, with fake ChatGPT applications accounting for almost half (49%) of all detected attacks, while Claude and Gemini each represented 18%. Kaspersky presented these insights at its annual flagship European conference, Kaspersky HORIZONS, in Rome on May 19.
Since the beginning of the year, Kaspersky researchers have identified more than 15,000 samples of malware masquerading as agentic AI software, including fake versions of rapidly growing tools such as OpenClaw. Among these samples were banking trojans, spyware, exploits, and malware downloaders capable of deploying additional malicious payloads.
In May 2026, Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) also uncovered a new campaign linked to the Silver Fox advanced persistent threat (APT) group. In this operation, attackers distributed fake Claude AI applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, targeting users seeking access to AI tools. Once launched, the malicious installers silently deployed malware onto victims’ devices, enabling long-term access to compromised systems and sensitive information.
“The introduction of AI agents into enterprise environments changes the nature of trust itself. Every automated action becomes part of a wider chain of systems and data exchanges, which means security is no longer just about protecting endpoints – it is about controlling how intelligence, permissions, and decisions propagate across interconnected AI-driven processes,” explains Dmitry Galov, Head of Russia and CIS units at Kaspersky GReAT. “Users should also keep in mind that attackers are actively leveraging popular AI services as a lure to steal victims’ confidential data and funds. Taking into account the evolution of modern threat landscape, reliable security solutions are becoming an essential part of digital life.”
To protect against evolving threats, Kaspersky recommends organizations:
- Protect corporate infrastructure against a wide range of threats. Use solutions from the Kaspersky Next product line that provide real-time protection, threat visibility, investigation and advanced response capabilities. If a company lacks cybersecurity workers, it can adopt managed security services such as Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and / or Incident Response that covers the entire incident management cycle – from threat identification to continuous protection and remediation.
- Equip your cybersecurity team with in-depth visibility into cyber threats targeting your organization. The latest Kaspersky Threat Intelligence delivers rich, contextual insights throughout the entire incident management cycle, enabling timely identification of cyber risks. AI-powered open-source intelligence search enhances your team’s ability to uncover and respond to emerging threats with greater precision.
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Honda PH expands export business through Click125
5:27 p.m. May 21, 2026
Honda Philippines Inc. (HPI), the leading motorcycle manufacturer in the Philippines, continues to expand its export operations as it officially begins exporting Click125 to N.C.X. Co., Ltd Cambodia and Laos, the exclusive manufacturer, distributor, and assembler of Honda motorcycles in the area.
The initiative marks another milestone in HPI’s commitment to bringing Philippine-made motorcycles to the global market while strengthening its presence across Southeast Asia.
The send-off ceremony, attended by HPI Executives, Management Members, and Project Leaders on May 15, 2026, celebrated the dispatch of the first batch of Click125 units bound for Cambodia and Laos. Export containers and actual motorcycle units prepared for shipment were also showcased during the event, highlighting HPI’s growing international business operations and dedication to delivering high-quality mobility products beyond the Philippines.
As one of Honda’s highest-selling motorcycle models in the country, the Click125 has become a trusted choice among riders because of its aggressive yet minimalist design, fuel-efficient engine, and advanced features suited for everyday commuting. Its reliable performance and riding comfort have made it popular among Filipino Customers, making it a strong model for export to neighboring Southeast Asian markets.
“The Click125 export to NCX Cambodia and Laos marks another significant achievement for Honda Philippines as we bring one of the most trusted motorcycle models of Filipino riders to international markets. This milestone reflects our commitment to showcasing the quality of Philippine-made motorcycles and delivering the Joy of Mobility to more customers across the region.,” said Takeshi Kobayashi, President of Honda Philippines, Inc.
For more product information, visit www.hondaph.com. Stay updated on HPI’s newest products and promos by following Honda Philippines, Inc. on Facebook at facebook.com/hondaph, Instagram at instagram.com/hondaph_mc/, YouTube at Honda Philippines_Motorcycle, and TikTok at tiktok.com/@hondaphilippines. For inquiries, contact (02)-8581-6700 to 6799, and 0917-884-6632.

