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    DA sets ₱120 price cap on onions to curb holiday surge

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) begins enforcing a ₱120-per-kilo suggested retail price for red and white onions tomorrow, December 1, to cool sharp price increases ahead of the Christmas season.

    News Dispatch

    Agriculture

    DA flags fake rice import schemes amid ongoing ban

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned the public about scam groups offering fake rice-import “allocations,” particularly in Cebu.

    DA clears 13 Chilean meat exporters for entry

    Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has approved the three-year accreditation of 13 Chilean companies to export beef, pork, and chicken to the Philippines, a move seen to further diversify the country’s food sources amid persistent supply bottlenecks and livestock diseases.

    DA pushes Mindanao modernization with Bukidnon food hub build

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the provincial government of Bukidnon have sealed a P1.97-billion partnership to build a sprawling food hub—an anchor project in the national campaign to modernize agri-logistics and strengthen the value chain in Northern Mindanao.

    DA set to release new import rules to curb prices

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) says updated rules for the minimum access volume (MAV) scheme for pork imports will likely be released before the end of November.

    Corporate

    Homegrown headhunter GESG eyes overseas expansion

    Global Executive Solutions Group LLC (GESG), a longtime Philippine headhunting firm for mid- and top-level executives, is preparing to expand abroad and is searching for a foreign partner.

    Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup concludes 2025 season with high-speed finale

    The 2025 Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup (HPDC) wrapped up at Tarlac Circuit Hill with an action-packed final round that highlighted the growth and determination of its young riders. Three intense races closed the season, with Ronald Galzote winning Races 10 and 11, while Joharry “Jolo” Suba claimed Race 12. Consistent podium finishes throughout the year earned Galzote the title of 2025 HPDC overall champion.

    Aboitiz Group sends aid to earthquake-hit families in Cebu

    The Aboitiz Group, through the Aboitiz Foundation, has distributed Home Recovery Assistance Packages to 225 families in San Remigio, Cebu, whose homes were damaged by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province on September 30.

    Globe cuts over P125 million in energy costs using AI

    Globe Telecom reported saving more than P125 million in energy costs in 2024 by using AI and machine learning across its network and facilities.

    Banking & Insurance

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    Corporate Bulletins

    Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup concludes 2025 season with high-speed finale

    The 2025 Honda Pilipinas Dream Cup (HPDC) wrapped up at Tarlac Circuit Hill with an action-packed final round that highlighted the growth and determination of its young riders. Three intense races closed the season, with Ronald Galzote winning Races 10 and 11, while Joharry “Jolo” Suba claimed Race 12. Consistent podium finishes throughout the year earned Galzote the title of 2025 HPDC overall champion.

    Aboitiz Group sends aid to earthquake-hit families in Cebu

    The Aboitiz Group, through the Aboitiz Foundation, has distributed Home Recovery Assistance Packages to 225 families in San Remigio, Cebu, whose homes were damaged by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province on September 30.

    Security Bank taps WIZ.AI in digital boost bid

    Security Bank has signed a strategic partnership with WIZ.AI, a regional leader in AI-powered voice automation, to strengthen its digital transformation efforts and improve customer engagement.

    Jollibee Group wins regional award for sustainable supply chain work

    The Jollibee Group has earned the Silver Award at the first Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards, held on November 6 in Kuala Lumpur, for its strong commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices. The award recognizes the impact of the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), led by the Jollibee Group Foundation, which helps smallholder farmers in the Philippines become direct suppliers to the company.

    Social Responsibility & Sustainability

    Telco blocks millions of child abuse links in cyberSafety push

    PLDT and Smart have partnered with the Kabahagi Parent Advocates Organization to help protect children with disabilities in Quezon City from online harm, as more Filipino families rely on the internet in daily life. Parents and caregivers in Batasan Hills recently joined a #BeCyberSmart workshop focused on online risks, including online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

    SMC expands Cebu relief, joins major river cleanup drive

    San Miguel Corp. (SMC) is increasing its support for typhoon-affected communities in Cebu. Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang announced during a recent visit that another round of food aid will be distributed by December, following an earlier deployment of employee-volunteers who handed out thousands of relief packs across the province.

    Lender exceeds 2025 sustainable finance goal early

    Security Bank Corp. has exceeded its 2025 sustainable finance target ahead of schedule, releasing P99.4 billion in green and social financing as of October 2025—18 percent above its full-year goal. The bank says the milestone reflects strong demand for sustainable investments in the Philippines and supports its ambition to become a leading partner in the sector.

    Project Silk powers Aboitiz Foods’ AmCham Award sweep

    Aboitiz Foods emerged as a standout at the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ (AmCham) 2nd Corporate Social Impact (CSI) Awards, sweeping major distinctions led by Pilmico Foods Corp.’s flagship Project Silk. 

    Markets

    Capital boost sets stage for MREIT expansion

    MREIT, Inc., the real estate investment trust of Megaworld Corp., has secured regulatory approval to raise its authorized capital stock (ACS) to P8 billion from P5 billion, clearing a major hurdle as it gears up for its next round of property infusions.

    GCash IPO feature draws strong demand, expands access for small investors

    GCash’s new in-app feature for buying shares in initial public offerings (IPOs) and follow-on offerings (FOOs) is gaining traction, opening fresh growth opportunities for listed companies while making the stock market more accessible to everyday Filipinos.

    Treasury marks milestone as PH nears 2025 borrowing goal

    Finance undersecretary Karlo Fermin Adriano described the BTr as keeper of the nation’s “passbook,” responsible for raising about 90 percent of the government’s borrowing needs—an essential task that supports everything from public services to long-term economic plans.

    Google chips beckon as Meta weighs shift

    Shares of Alphabet jumped Tuesday after The Information reported that Meta Platforms is weighing a move to adopt Google-designed chips—a potential shake-up in the fast-moving artificial intelligence hardware race.

    Travel

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    Energy

    Foreign-backed firms partner in Quezon wind project

    The Triconti Windkraft Group has teamed up with Singapore-based Levanta Renewables to develop a new onshore wind farm in Atimonan, Quezon. The project secured incentives under the government’s fourth Green Energy Auction (GEA4), the companies announced Sunday.

    Fuel prices seen dropping sharply this week

    Motorists can expect cheaper fuel starting Tuesday, with industry players forecasting significant price cuts—especially for diesel and kerosene.

    Nearly 1,000 MW of capacity added since mid – 2025 — DOE

    The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Thursday that 956 megawatts (MW) of new power generation have been added to the national grid since the second half of 2025. The boost comes from 12 renewable energy plants, one oil-based plant, and one natural gas plant, the agency said on Thursday.

    REDC launches Bukidnon hydro tests, plans four new plants

    Repower Energy Development Corp. (REDC) has started commissioning its new 18.2-MW run-of-river hydropower plant in Bukidnon. The facility, located along the Pulangi River between Valencia City and San Fernando, employed more than 900 workers during round-the-clock construction.

    Transport & Communications

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    Property

    Capital boost sets stage for MREIT expansion

    MREIT, Inc., the real estate investment trust of Megaworld Corp., has secured regulatory approval to raise its authorized capital stock (ACS) to P8 billion from P5 billion, clearing a major hurdle as it gears up for its next round of property infusions.

    Megaworld, Accor team up to rebrand Manila Bay Hotel

    Megaworld Hotels and Resorts has partnered with global hospitality group Accor to rebrand the 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel in Parañaque as Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside, set to become the world’s largest Mövenpick property.

    SEC green lights Sta. Lucia’s rental pool investments

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved Sta. Lucia Land Inc.’s rental pool investment offerings under the agency’s streamlined SEC RENT program, which simplifies how real estate firms register non-traditional investment products.

    SM to open Cebu convention center in 2026

    SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), the hospitality arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc., is ramping up its nationwide MICE—meetings, incentives, conventions and events--footprint with the upcoming SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, set to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.

    Environment

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    Technology

    Filipinos face relentless surge in daily scams 

    More than three in four Filipino adults encountered a scam in the past year, with attempts striking at a pace of nearly one every two days, according to the 2025 Philippine State of Scam Report from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and Gogolook.

    Kaspersky urges PH companies to adopt “cyber immunity” amid rising attacks

    Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky is calling on public and private organizations in the Philippines to move beyond traditional defenses and adopt “cyber immunity” — a security-by-design approach meant to keep systems resilient even when attacked.

    Financial firms race to secure expanding digital frontiers

    The financial sector is rapidly moving into a more digital and interconnected era, driven by cloud technology, open data sharing, and artificial intelligence. But as banks and insurers innovate, they are also exposing themselves to rising cyber risks.

    Airbus launches high-tech research hub in Korea’s R&D capital

    Airbus has opened a new Airbus Tech Hub in Daejeon, strengthening South Korea’s position as a key technology partner.

    Health & Science

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    Opinion

    Valuation shock shatters an industry titan

    November 13, 2025 will not fade easily from the memory of Manuel Villar. For the Filipino property magnate—ranked the country’s third wealthiest by Forbes—that date marked a reckoning. His flagship investment holding firm, Villar Land Holdings Corp., formerly Golden M.V. Holdings, finally submitted its long-delayed 2024 audited annual report to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). The filing arrived seven months past deadline—and detonated like a financial depth charge.

    Nets, nations, and the stingy sea

    It was an easy, sun-splashed Sunday morning on the shores of Bagac.

    Transparency on Trial: ICI to livestream hearings amid public outcry

    The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is opening its floodgates—digitally. Soon, the commission will livestream its proceedings, bowing to public pressure for transparency that has swelled louder than the floods the controversial infrastructure projects failed to contain.

    Cebu quake exposes structural, systemic fault lines

    The recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo City, Cebu on September 30, offers more than just a regional wake-up call—it delivers a national warning.

    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,...