Tuesday, 23 December 2025, 10:17 am

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    Gov’t reviews plan to sell state-owned coconut chemicals plant

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the government is reviewing whether to proceed with the planned sale of United Coconut Chemicals Inc. (Cocochem), a state-owned coconut chemicals facility in Batangas, as global demand for coconut-based products rises.

    News Dispatch

    Agriculture

    Gov’t reviews plan to sell state-owned coconut chemicals plant

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the government is reviewing whether to proceed with the planned sale of United Coconut Chemicals Inc. (Cocochem), a state-owned coconut chemicals facility in Batangas, as global demand for coconut-based products rises.

    Sugar import ban to stay another year

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the ban on sugar imports will remain in place until December 2026, clarifying that it will not end in September 2026 when the current crop year ends.

    Budget boost paves way for more farm-to-market roads in 2026 

    Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. welcomed Congress’ decision to more than double funding for farm-to-market roads (FMRs), calling it a “game-changing investment” for farmers, food supply chains, and rural economies as lawmakers finalize the 2026 national budget.

    DA steps up market checks ahead of Christmas

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has tightened the monitoring of wet markets as demand for food rises ahead of Christmas, aiming to keep prices stable and protect consumers.

    Corporate

    ACEN secures up to P15 billion credit line from Metrobank

    ACEN Corp., the power generation arm of the Ayala Group, has secured loan agreements with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. for an omnibus credit line of up to P15 billion.

    Binalot eyes overseas comeback, provincial expansion

    Binalot Foods Corp., the fast-casual brand famed for meals wrapped in banana leaves, is sharpening its growth playbook as it deepens its Philippine footprint and eyes a return to overseas markets.

    Land Bank sells stake in PDS to PSE

    State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines has agreed to sell its 2.15 percent stake in Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDS) to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) for P80.62 million.

    Monde Nissin backs FDA reforms at CanCham business forum

    Monde Nissin Corp. reaffirmed its commitment to food safety and transparent regulation during a business forum organized by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CanCham) in Makati City.

    Banking & Insurance

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    Corporate Bulletins

    Globe AT HOME 5G WiFi now available on Shopee, Lazada, and GrabMart

    Globe AT HOME has launched its 5G Home Prepaid WiFi on major e-commerce platforms Shopee, Lazada, and GrabMart, making fast, fiber-like internet easier to buy and set up at home.

    Globe, Taguig City hold digital safety workshop for students

    Globe partnered with the Taguig City government to hold a Children’s Digital Safety Workshop in November, at the CDRRMO Training Plaza in Barangay Central Signal, aiming to help protect young people online.

    Home Credit to expand fun run in 2026

    Home Credit Philippines will hold a bigger edition of its Takbo Para sa Life fun run in 2026, following the strong turnout of its first event in February 2025.

    Converge donates computers to Pampanga orphanage

    Converge ICT Solutions Inc. shared the spirit of Christmas by donating three desktop computers to the Children’s Home of Eucharistic Love and Kindness (CHELK), an orphanage in Pampanga.

    Social Responsibility & Sustainability

    Toyota drives health access with Mobi-Care program

    Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) Foundation is blending mobility and healthcare with the launch of Mobi-Care, a community initiative designed to strengthen basic health service delivery in Santa Rosa City and Batangas City.

    Lender scales up education, livelihood and sustainability initiatives

    Lender scales up education, livelihood and sustainability initiatives CSR Security Bank said it expanded its community, education, and sustainability programs across the country in 2025, reaching thousands of Filipinos through livelihood support, disaster response, education, culture, and green financing. The bank supported livelihoods by providing cacao seedlings and poultry kits to 40 farmers and solo parents in Aklan, mentoring 980 families in Cebu on small business and financial skills, and assisting 661 families affected by disasters in Cebu through food relief. Solar-powered streetlights were also installed in a remote community in Pampanga to improve safety and access to clean energy. Education remained a major focus. With the Security Bank Foundation, the bank donated 901 classrooms to 153 public schools nationwide, trained school leaders and teachers, supported more than 300 scholars, and provided free eye checkups and eyeglasses to 1,170 students. Security Bank also promoted culture and inclusion by supporting women leaders through the Bravo Empowered Women Awards, backing heritage events, and launching its first Paint for the Planet art competition, which drew more than 300 Filipino artists. On the environment, bank employees and partners planted 940 mangrove seedlings in La Union as part of a long-term goal to plant 10,000 mangroves to help protect coastal communities from climate risks. In sustainable finance, Security Bank exceeded its 2025 target by disbursing ₱99.4 billion in green and social loans. These funds helped provide clean water to 500,000 households, expand healthcare facilities with 544 beds and clinic rooms, and create livelihood opportunities for more than 400,000 people, mostly women. Security Bank said these milestones reflect its commitment to inclusive growth, environmental protection, and long-term community development across the Philippines.

    Solaris turns over first community support for rooftop solar host in Cavite

    JinNavitas Solaris Inc. (Solaris), the renewable energy unit of...

    Aboitiz Foundation aids Typhoon Tino-hit families in Liloan

    The Aboitiz Foundation, through OneAboitiz, provided home recovery assistance to 285 families in Liloan, Cebu whose houses were totally damaged by Typhoon Tino. Each family received ₱30,000 to help start rebuilding, bringing total support for the municipality to ₱8.5 million.

    Markets

    DTI extends trustmark voluntary phase deadline

    Online sellers received a boost after the Department of Trade and Industry announced it will defer mandatory registration under the Philippine Trustmark program, extending the voluntary phase until December 31, 2026, from the earlier 2025 deadline.

    Patience pays off in smart trading

    Smartrade is trying to change the way Filipinos approach trading. Instead of chasing quick wins, the learning firm pushes beginners to study, practice, and respect the market.

    Nike finds its footing amid pressures

    NIKE Inc. posted mixed results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, reporting revenues of USD12.4 billion and diluted earnings per share of USD0.53, as the sportswear giant pushed forward with its turnaround amid margin pressure and uneven demand.

    US inflation surprise spurs Wall Street rally

    U.S. stocks jumped Thursday after a long-delayed inflation report delivered a clear upside surprise, snapping Wall Street out of a four-session slide and reigniting hopes for interest-rate cuts.

    Travel

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    Energy

    Fuel prices roll back today

    Fuel prices are coming down today, giving motorists some relief during Christmas week.

    DOE, UK sign deal to support offshore wind, microgrid projects

    The Department of Energy (DOE) and the British government have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on offshore wind and microgrid development in the Philippines.

    Meralco ready to handle power concerns during holidays

    The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) says it is fully prepared to respond to any electricity service issues over the holiday season. Crews and personnel will be on standby 24/7, including Christmas Day, to ensure reliable service for over 8 million customers.

    ERC clears NGCP’s P12.96B Camarines Sur substation

    The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) 500-kilovolt substation project in Milaor, Camarines Sur, which will serve as a connection point for offshore wind power projects. The project costs P12.96 billion.

    Transport & Communications

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    Property

    Rockwell buys majority stake in Alabang Town Center for P21.6 billion

    Rockwell Land Corp., led by the Lopez group, has acquired a majority controlling stake in Alabang Town Center (ATC) for P21.6 billion.

    Megaworld raises P1.86B from stakes sale

    Megaworld Corp. cashed in on two portfolio investments, raising a combined P1.86 billion and boosting fresh capital for the listed property arm of billionaire Andrew Tan.

    DM Wenceslao tower gains PEZA status

    DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc.’s 8912 Asean Avenue has secured a major regulatory boost after the government declared the property a Philippine Economic Zone Authority–registered Information Technology Center, strengthening Aseana City’s appeal to global IT and business process management locators.

    Injap’s debt-free Dragon chases P500B glory

    Edgar “Injap” Sia II is not known for thinking small. But the DoubleDragon chairman’s latest target—P500 billion in annual revenue and P50 billion in net income by 2035—pushes even his own reputation for audacity.

    Environment

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    Technology

    Kaspersky warns of rising online scams during holiday season

    Kaspersky has warned Filipinos to be on alert for online scams as digital shopping and cashless payments increase during the holiday season in the Philippines.

    Executives look beyond traditional ERP in push for AI-driven investments

    Rimini Street said a new global survey shows senior business leaders are rethinking how they invest in technology, with a growing focus on artificial intelligence, automation and resilience.

    Couchbase launches AI services to help enterprises deploy agentic AI at scale

    Couchbase, Inc. has announced the general availability of Couchbase AI Services, a new set of tools designed to help enterprises build, deploy and manage agentic AI applications in production environments.

    EMSA awards Airbus €30m contract for maritime surveillance drones

    The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) has selected Airbus to provide maritime surveillance services using its Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system under a €30 million framework contract.

    Health & Science

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    Opinion

    Metals mania signals rate cut, USD doubts

    Metals are having a moment. And it is loud, shiny, and unapologetically macro. 

    Slow trading is radical in fast-money times

    The trading world has turned impatience into a business model. Scroll any social feed and you’ll see promises of instant wins, luxury lifestyles, and financial freedom on demand. Charts blink, testimonials shout, urgency sells—but thought rarely does. In this culture, patience is often seen as a liability rather than a virtue.

    All revved up, nowhere to go

    There is a familiar sound in Philippine policymaking: an engine idling in neutral. It is neither progress nor collapse, just the quiet waste of momentum. This is where the government’s automotive incentive programs now stand. RACE and CARS were meant to strengthen local vehicle assembly, yet both remain stalled by delays, budget constraints, and unpaid commitments.

    Thousands lose jobs in brutal anti-graft war

    President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s anti-corruption blitz in flood-control and public-works agencies was meant to clean house. Instead, it is triggering political, economic, and social tremors that now overshadow its stated purpose. The irony is hard to ignore: a campaign launched to restore trust is increasingly viewed as deepening uncertainty.

    Sports & Entertainment

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    Exclusive

    Boeing deepens strategy cuts as operations take center-stage – sources

    Boeing Co has embarked on deeper-than-expected cuts in its strategy ranks, halving the number of planners working within key divisions as it refocuses energies on tackling industrial pressures, people familiar with the matter said.

    Maynilad may consider sourcing water from Manila Bay if desalination cost eases to affordable levels

    Maynilad Water Services Inc., the water utility of Metro Pacific Investment Corp., may consider Manila Bay as source of potable water for its concession area in Metropolitan Manila and nearby towns if the cost of desalination comes down or large consumers such as factories start extracting water from the salt-water bay for their needs.

    Converge mulls sale-leaseback deal for fiber network, plans dividend payout

    With the aggressive fiber network rollout behind it, Converge...

    Converge’s Dennis Anthony Uy Plans $1 Billion “Silicon Valley” Project In Pampanga

    Dennis Anthony Uy, co-founder of publicly listed Converge ICT,...