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Agriculture
Japan talks unlock Philippine farm export gains
Philippines is moving to expand agricultural exports to Japan while simultaneously importing advanced logistics and post-harvest technologies that officials say could reshape domestic supply chains, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said following meetings in Tokyo.
DA reforms El Niño Task Force amid threat of prolonged dry spell
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has reactivated its El Niño task force to prepare for a likely moderate-to-strong dry spell hitting in the fourth quarter of 2026 and lasting into early 2027. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized urgent, coordinated steps to shield crops, farmer incomes, food supply, and prices from harm.
PH market for soups, ready meals seen growing; US exporters have big potential
The Philippine market for packaged soups and ready meals hit $176 million in retail sales in 2025, and is projected to rise to $237 million by 2030, according to the US Department of Agriculture in Manila, citing data from Euromonitor International.
US food giants target Philippines convenience boom
US food manufacturers are moving to capture a bigger slice of the Philippines’ fast-growing convenience meals market, as demand for easy-to-prepare food products accelerates alongside changing consumer lifestyles.
Corporate
VOYA expands Philippine footprint, creates 600 jobs
VOYA Philippines Support Services Corp., the local unit of US-headquartered financial services firm Voya Financial, is expanding its footprint in the country’s IT-BPM sector following the formal signing of its Registration Agreement (RA) with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on May 21.
MCWD, MWPV-Cebu expand water access to households in Compostela, Cebu
The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), together with partner Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) – Cebu, has extended water services to residents of Barangay Canamucan, Compostela, bringing clean, safe supply to around 2,000 households.
LG launches new AI-powered aircons for comfort, energy savings, easy maitenance
As temperatures rise and electricity costs remain a key concern for households, LG Electronics Philippines has launched its LG DUALCOOL™ AI Aircons, a home cooling solution designed to balance comfort, energy efficiency, and simple maintenance.
Meralco Power Academy ties up with NEUST, DLSU to build future-ready energy workforce
Meralco Power Academy (MPA), the education arm of power distributor Meralco, has signed separate partnership agreements with Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) and De La Salle University (DLSU) to bridge academic learning and industry needs.
Corporate Bulletins
LG launches new AI-powered aircons for comfort, energy savings, easy maitenance
As temperatures rise and electricity costs remain a key concern for households, LG Electronics Philippines has launched its LG DUALCOOL™ AI Aircons, a home cooling solution designed to balance comfort, energy efficiency, and simple maintenance.
Meralco Power Academy ties up with NEUST, DLSU to build future-ready energy workforce
Meralco Power Academy (MPA), the education arm of power distributor Meralco, has signed separate partnership agreements with Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) and De La Salle University (DLSU) to bridge academic learning and industry needs.
GSIS expands mall-based service hubs for easier access
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has expanded its Ginhawa Service Hubs to more shopping centers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, bringing its services closer to members and pensioners. New or additional locations include Festival Mall Alabang, Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, Robinsons Novaliches, Robinsons Place Dasmariñas, and SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Salmon Finance leads PH in global responsible finance standards
Salmon Finance Inc. has secured Silver-level Client Protection Certification under the Cerise+SPTF global standards, affirming its commitment to safe, fair, and transparent financial services in the Philippines.
Social Responsibility & Sustainability
Home Credit boosts employee financial welness amid resilience gap
While financial literacy among Filipino adults rose to 74 percent in 2025 (up from 69 percent in 2021), only 30 percent have enough savings for emergencies, per the latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas survey.
Ayala Land hits the brakes on cars, not fun
Ayala Land, Inc. is bringing its popular Car-Free Sundays to Davao and Negros, giving residents a rare chance to reclaim city streets for people instead of traffic.
foodpanda Philippines distributes P62M rider incentives
foodpanda Philippines has distributed over P62 million in incentives to its Ka-panda delivery partners from March to May 2026 through nationwide add-on incentive quests aimed at boosting rider earnings and engagement.
MPIF assesing Tubbataha Reefs health in exploration dive
Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF) is holding the Shore It Up! Tubbataha Exploration Dive until May 27, 2026, by bringing together experts to assess the health of the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park — a critical Philippine marine sanctuary and global biodiversity site in the Sulu Sea.
Markets
Inflation jitters weigh on Philippine peso, stocks
The peso and Philippine equities continued to face mounting pressure as investors grappled with persistent inflation concerns, global market volatility, and cautious sentiment over the domestic outlook.
Filipinos shift toward affordable, convenience-led retail
The Philippine retail landscape is undergoing a clear shift as consumers increasingly prioritize affordability and convenience, driving a rebound for neighborhood sari-sari stores while traditional supermarkets continue to lose ground.
Senator Aquino wars new ad rules burden MSMEs
Senator Bam Aquino has once again criticized the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), raising concerns that a proposed regulation requiring permits for advertisements and promotional campaigns could create an additional bureaucratic burden for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and online sellers.
Peso near lows as markets turn defensive
The Philippine peso is again nearing record lows as persistent inflation, geopolitical tensions, and strong US dollar demand continue to pressure local markets. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the peso could retest historic weakness after falling 1.8% this week and approaching the April 30 intraday low of P61.75 against the dollar.
Energy
Green Lane speeds P360B wind investments forward
The government’s Green Lane initiative is accelerating major renewable energy investments, with the Board of Investments stepping up efforts to fast-track four offshore and onshore wind projects worth a combined P360.67 billion.
Alsons ramps up renewables amid Mindanao power demand
Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. is accelerating investments in renewable energy and grid-support technologies as rising electricity demand in Mindanao strengthens the case for additional power capacity across the country.
First Gen: New hydro projects to deliver P16B annual income by 2031
First Gen Corp. expects its upcoming hydro power projects to generate roughly P16 billion in net income annually once fully operational by 2031.
Rooftop solar payback period shortens sharply – report
The payback time for rooftop solar systems in the Philippines has dropped significantly as electricity prices rise and panel costs fall, making the technology far more attractive to users, according to global energy think tank Ember.
Property
Megaworld-led share swap deal targets income growth
Megaworld Corp., along with Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. (TIHGI) and Southwoods Mall, Inc. (SMI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with listed real estate investment trust MREIT, Inc. to pursue a strategic property-for-share swap.
Nuvali makes history with first BERDE CBD
Ayala Land’s Nuvali Estate has become the first commercial business district in the Philippines to secure a BERDE 5-Star Certification under BERDE Districts Version 1.0.0, after its Lakeside and East Bloc districts were recognized by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC).
Ayala Malls reimagines spaces for work, community
Ayala Malls is repositioning its malls as multi-use community hubs with the launch of Our Common Place, an initiative that transforms retail environments into flexible spaces for work, rest, connection, and social support.
Filinvest Land leasing revenues rise amid mall growth
Filinvest Land, Inc. said its mall business continued to strengthen in the first quarter, with leasing revenues climbing 17 percent year-on-year to P744 million as higher tenant occupancy and stronger consumer traffic boosted recurring income.
Technology
Citycare Property streamlines HR operations with Boomi, cuts onboarding time and boosts satisfaction
Data activation firm Boomi announced that New Zealand-based social infrastructure provider Citycare Property has modernized its HR and employee management systems using the Boomi Enterprise Platform, delivered with support from partner Adaptiv.
Globe Business launches AI platform to fix customer experience gaps
Customer experience is now a top driver of growth, but many local businesses lose sales and customer loyalty because their systems are not connected or unified.
China’s Guodong eyes Philippines as overseas growth hub
China’s Guodong Group is accelerating plans to expand into the Philippines, positioning the country as a key hub in its overseas growth strategy as it explores telecom tower acquisitions and digital infrastructure partnerships.
Ayala, Mitsubishi, Mynt eyes P7B revenue from ‘Smart Life’
A new partnership among Ayala Corp., Mynt, and Mitsubishi Corp. is projected to generate around P7 billion in revenues as the companies roll out “Smart Life” digital services aimed at making everyday transactions faster and more convenient for Filipinos.
Opinion
Senate descends to institutional absurdity
If anyone still believed the Philippine Senate had reached rock bottom, the May 25 session suggested there was, in fact, a trapdoor beneath the floor.
Senate power shift risks Estrada-style backlash
The sudden leadership shake-up in the Senate ahead of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Dutertel may yet prove a poisoned chalice—a glittering prize that offers control today but threatens political liability tomorrow.
A house divided: Lopez family rift tests corporate governance
“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every house divided against itself will not stand.” In the Lopez corporate universe, the verse now reads less like scripture and more like a live governance case file—complete with injunctions, contested boardrooms, and competing versions of who nearly switched off the lights.
The Days Ahead
Several things have changed over the past month. The global economy is now poised to face another severe slowdown and rising inflation as a result of the Middle East conflict. While the impact on countries may differ in magnitude, the oil supply shock will squeeze economic activity and raise prices significantly.
Exclusive
Visayas roots, Singapore routes: Top Line redraws its map
Singapore is no longer just a distant dot on Top Line Business Development Corp.’s growth chart. It has become a very literal marker of how far the company has travelled in 12 years, from a Visayas-based real estate developer to an emerging energy player now thinking in global supply routes.
Sunlight Air chooses precision over size aloft
In an aviation industry often driven by scale and speed, Sunlight Air is taking a more measured route. The boutique carrier is building its business around efficiency, discipline, and destination depth, convinced that smarter operations can deliver both commercial returns and environmental gains.
PSAC urges stronger funding for Philippines startups
The Private Sector Advisory Council is raising a clear warning. In a recent meeting with the Department of Trade and Industry, PSAC said the Philippine startup scene is slipping behind Southeast Asian peers, not for lack of ideas but for lack of capital that actually moves.
Tariffs rattle, AI thrives: Gruppo EMS builds ahead
Amid escalating US-China trade tensions and renewed tariff uncertainty from Washington, EMS Group of Companies is expanding production, accelerating its push into artificial intelligence hardware, and positioning the Philippines as an increasingly strategic alternative manufacturing base for global electronics firms.
