Monday, 07 July 2025, 3:26 am

    Just in

    Top News

    PSEi forecasts trimmed amid weak FDI, tepid growth outlook

    The Philippine stock market faces a more subdued outlook for 2025 as leading brokerages sharply lower their year-end forecasts for the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi), citing disappointing foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and muted corporate earnings growth.

    News Dispatch

    Agriculture

    DA plans disposal of E. Coli-tainted onions seized in Mindanao port 

    Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said smuggled onions intercepted at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in early June will be destroyed as recommended by the Bureau of Plant Industry after samples tested positive for Escherichia coli bacteria.

    PCAFI urges Congress to reform agri import tariffs, MAV system

    The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) is calling on Congress to prioritize amendments to key provisions on agricultural imports, specifically advocating for reforms in tariff utilization and the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) system—moves seen to significantly impact domestic agricultural productivity and competitiveness.

    DA rolls out Gulayan sa Bayan for food security

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has formally released policy guidelines for the proposed Gulayan sa Bayan (GSB) program, which aims to improve food security and address malnutrition through the establishment of community-based vegetable nurseries nationwide.

    DA lifts poultry import ban from Brazil

    Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has lifted the import ban on poultry and related products from Brazil, following confirmation that the country is now free of avian influenza.

    Corporate

    Engtek transitions Calamba plant to 100% hydro from First Gen

    Engtek Group has expanded its renewable energy (RE) partnership with First Gen Corp., the country's leading RE producer, as part of its decarbonization strategy. This development sees Engtek’s second Philippine manufacturing facility, Asaba Manufacturing Philippines, Inc., transition entirely to hydroelectric power supplied by First Gen, marking a significant step toward the company’s 45 percent GHG emissions reduction target by 2030.

    ATM rollout enhances payroll and cash access in PH

    Security Bank has teamed up with global electronic payments provider Euronet to roll out co-branded white label ATMs across the Philippines, a strategic move aimed at enhancing payroll services and expanding access to cash for corporate clients.

    MGreen early listing plans counts SPNEC as backdoor option

    MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen),  the green energy arm of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), is exploring the possibility of a public listing, with key advisors recently retained to guide the process, its listed affiliate, SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) told the Philippine Stock Exchange. 

    SM builds inclusive workplace through policy, programs, and design

    SM Investments Corp. is deepening its commitment to workplace inclusion through strategic policies and corporate support that reflect the needs of a multigenerational and diverse workforce.

    Banking & Insurance

    spot_img

    Corporate Bulletins

    Engtek transitions Calamba plant to 100% hydro from First Gen

    Engtek Group has expanded its renewable energy (RE) partnership with First Gen Corp., the country's leading RE producer, as part of its decarbonization strategy. This development sees Engtek’s second Philippine manufacturing facility, Asaba Manufacturing Philippines, Inc., transition entirely to hydroelectric power supplied by First Gen, marking a significant step toward the company’s 45 percent GHG emissions reduction target by 2030.

    ATM rollout enhances payroll and cash access in PH

    Security Bank has teamed up with global electronic payments provider Euronet to roll out co-branded white label ATMs across the Philippines, a strategic move aimed at enhancing payroll services and expanding access to cash for corporate clients.

    New Smart deal brings e-load income to micro-entrepreneurs

    Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has entered into a strategic partnership with D One Legacy PH Corp. to equip more Filipinos with tools to succeed in the digital economy while strengthening Smart’s market reach through grassroots retail distribution.

    Grab PH donates e-bikes in support of active transport push

    Grab Philippines has partnered with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and donated pedal-assist bicycles and helmets to 20 individuals as part of the agency’s Active Transport Program, underscoring a joint commitment to sustainable mobility and road safety.

    Social Responsibility & Sustainability

    SM builds inclusive workplace through policy, programs, and design

    SM Investments Corp. is deepening its commitment to workplace inclusion through strategic policies and corporate support that reflect the needs of a multigenerational and diverse workforce.

    Pilmico, Iligan City launch corn post-harvest hub

    Pilmico, the food and agribusiness arm of Aboitiz Foods, has partnered with the Iligan City Government to launch "Project Silk Iligan Post-Harvest Support," an initiative aimed at strengthening the yellow corn value chain through improved infrastructure and farmer support.

    Western Visayas leaders urge urgent action on integrated water infrastructure

    Western Visayas is confronting deepening water insecurity amid fast-paced economic growth—and Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) and Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. stepped forward at Water Dialogue 2025 in Iloilo City on to catalyze a collaborative path forward. 

    Converge extends anti-fraud training to educators

    Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a leading fiber broadband provider, reinforced its corporate social responsibility and digital advocacy by extending online fraud awareness training to educators, highlighting its broader commercial commitment to safe digital environments.

    Markets

    PSE pushes retail investing to combat gambling trend

    The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is ramping up efforts to attract more retail investors to the local stock market as it faces the challenge of competing with the growing popularity of online gambling and non-essential spending.

    Hotel101 Global debuts on Nasdaq July 1

    DoubleDragon Corp.—the brainchild of Jollibee’s Tony Tan Caktiong and Mang Inasal pioneer Injap Sia—said Tuesday that its subsidiary, Hotel101 Global, will begin trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “HBNB” starting July 1 (evening Manila time).

    HPE, Juniper shares surge as merger gains DOJ clearance

    Shares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. and Juniper Networks Inc. surged Monday after the tech companies reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice on their proposed USD14 billion merger, under a settlement that addresses competition concerns.

    Nike shares soar despite Q4 earnings fall

    Shares of Nike Inc. surged 15 percent on Friday, as investors embraced the company's upbeat outlook and strategic “Win Now” plan, despite a steep drop in both quarterly and full-year earnings for the period ending May 31.

    Travel

    spot_img

    Energy

    MBC flags risks in WTE, biomass projects ahead of GEA

    The Makati Business Club (MBC) has raised critical concerns about the viability of Waste-to-Energy (WTE) and biomass projects in the Philippines, highlighting unresolved cost, regulatory, and feedstock supply issues that could undermine their inclusion in the upcoming Green Energy Auction (GEA) round.

    Fuel prices set for second week of rollbacks

    Fuel prices are expected to drop again on Tuesday, July 9, providing relief for both businesses and households. According to Jetti Petroleum Inc., gasoline prices may fall by P0.70 to P0.90 per liter while diesel could see a reduction of P0.10 to P0.30 per liter.

    Winds of Change: First turbines for Alternergy’s Tanay wind farm arrive

    A fresh surge of momentum has swept into the Tanay Wind Power Project, the flagship green energy initiative of listed power firm Alternergy Holdings Corp.

    MGreen early listing plans counts SPNEC as backdoor option

    MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen),  the green energy arm of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), is exploring the possibility of a public listing, with key advisors recently retained to guide the process, its listed affiliate, SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) told the Philippine Stock Exchange. 

    Transport & Communications

    spot_img

    Property

    Highlands Prime’s Trealva: A fresh take on mountain living

    Highlands Prime Inc., a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, is picking up pace as it readies the turnover of Trealva at Midlands West—a breezy, highland-chic development slated for completion in the second quarter of 2026. 

    Bohol welcomes landmark luxury Rresort by Accor’s MGallery Collection

    South Palms Resort & Spa in Panglao is set to open in August this year, marking a milestone in the evolution of Bohol’s tourism and luxury hospitality sectors.

    Iconic hotels return as tourist arrivals hit 2.9M

    The real estate market maintained its growth momentum in the first half of 2025, bolstered in part by a resurgence in tourism and strong demand across the office, industrial, and residential sectors, according to Santos Knight Frank’s latest market report.

    Arthaland unit to acquire Makati property for P1.49B

    Arthaland Corp. said on Tuesday that its wholly owned subsidiary, Zileya Land Development Corp., is acquiring condominium units in the Mid-Land Mansions property from ISOC Land Inc. for a total consideration of P1.49 billion.

    Environment

    spot_img

    Technology

    Smarter parcels, faster routes, fewer errors

    The way your favorite shampoo or snack bar gets from the factory to your nearby shelf is changing—and fast. 

    Cisco study: AI driving urgent network overhaul globally

    A global shift in enterprise network architecture is underway as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and real-time data reshape the demands placed on corporate IT infrastructure, according to a new study released Thursday by networking giant Cisco.

    Lenovo taps NVIDIA, Intel & IBM to power next-gen AI factories

    Lenovo has announced a major expansion of its Hybrid AI Advantage™ portfolio, introducing new services, industry solutions, and validated hybrid AI platforms designed to help enterprises build and scale AI “factories” across modern IT environments. This positions Lenovo as a critical enabler in the growing enterprise AI market, as corporate AI budgets are projected to reach nearly 20 percent of total IT spending by 2025.

    Code-to-cloud just got faster: Fortinet revamps FortiCNAPP for hybrid and multi-cloud defense

    Fortinet has announced major upgrades to its cloud-native security platform, Lacework FortiCNAPP, reinforcing its commitment to code-to-cloud protection. The updates include faster threat detection, deeper visibility, and simplified operations—helping customers secure applications and workloads across hybrid and multi-cloud environments with greater agility.

    Health & Science

    spot_img

    Opinion

    Duty, drugs, dismissal

    It was a sight to behold: billions of pesos worth of seized drugs, sealed in plastic, and under heavy security fed into a roaring industrial incinerator. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stood by, face mask on, watching calmly, almost dispassionately.

    A Promise the Nation Can’t Comprehend

    For years, the Philippines has looked ahead with optimism, banking on its so-called “demographic sweet spot.” With around two-thirds of the population between the ages of 15 and 65, the country seemed poised for rapid economic growth—a young, able-bodied workforce ready to fuel productivity and progress.

    Vote smart or pay the price

    You can feel it in the air, even if no one says it out loud. The world is tilting, and tension is building between countries that no longer trust each other. The US and China—two giants locked in a stare-down—are turning tariffs into weapons. Everyone knows what comes next: slower global growth, just when the world is finally getting back on its feet after the pandemic.

    The Duterte Arrest: A Complicated Affair of Sovereignty and Justice

    Here we are again, watching the political drama unfold with the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. It’s strange how something that’s supposed to be about justice often turns into a series of complex, tangled arguments, full of political posturing and personal pride.

    Sports & Entertainment

    spot_img

    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,...