Just in

Top News

Nickel Asia unit secures P9.36B loan for Leyte solar project

A renewable energy unit of Nickel Asia Corporation has secured ₱9.36 billion in financing for a solar power project in Leyte.

News Dispatch

Agriculture

DA sets up Food Security Task Force to counter global supply threats

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will formally launch a Food Security Task Force on Monday, April 6, in a decisive move to shield the country’s food supply from the impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Fuel price hike hits Benguet farmers; DA rolls out aid

Rising fuel costs are putting pressure on vegetable farmers in Benguet and nearby provinces, increasing transport expenses and threatening incomes and supply, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

DA expands P20 rice program in Samar, Leyte

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expanded its ₱20-per-kilo rice program, “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!”, in Leyte and Samar to help more low-income families access affordable food.

P50/kilo price cap on imported rice set

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced Tuesday that he will...

Corporate

Bank of Commerce posts record profit, ROE at 16-year high

Bank of Commerce, an affiliate of San Miguel Corporation, continued its strong post-IPO trajectory in 2025, posting record financial metrics since its 2022 listing. 

Lopez Inc majority seeks audit amid investment questions

The majority bloc of Lopez, Inc., led by Eugenio Lopez III, has called for an audit of the privately-held family holding firm’s books, escalating tensions over recent high-value transactions involving key energy assets.

OceanaGold Philippines boosts community spending to P569M

OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. is raising its social investments to a combined P569 million in 2026, marking a significant increase following strong operational and financial performance in 2025 and reinforcing its push for community-centered mining.

Jollibee leads IPOPHL push for well-known marks

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines is ramping up efforts to strengthen intellectual property (IP) protection, with a focus on well-known marks, geographical indications (GIs), and patents to support both established brands and emerging enterprises.

Banking & Insurance

spot_img

Corporate Bulletins

SM boosts communication with online platform

SM Investments Corporation is strengthening how it communicates with stakeholders through its online platform, SM In Focus, which has gained over 137,000 subscribers and more than 2.5 million views since launching in late 2024.

Manila Water assures steady supply during Holy Week

Manila Water Company said customers in the East Zone will continue to receive reliable water service throughout Holy Week, even as demand rises due to the summer season.

DMW secures 4th year in ATRAM SDG Fund

D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. (DMW) has been selected anew as an investee of the ATRAM Philippine Sustainable Development and Growth Fund for 2026, marking its fourth consecutive year in the sustainability-focused portfolio.

Popular smartphone brand now easier to own as Home Credit rolls out big discounts, 0% plans

Home Credit Philippines has launched a nationwide promotion making the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series more affordable for Filipino consumers.

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

OceanaGold Philippines boosts community spending to P569M

OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. is raising its social investments to a combined P569 million in 2026, marking a significant increase following strong operational and financial performance in 2025 and reinforcing its push for community-centered mining.

Hands that once erred now create hope

Through the Baking Behind Bars program, persons deprived of liberty are discovering that their hands, once tied to past mistakes, can now measure, knead, shape, and create. The same hands that once led them astray are now turning flour and water into something meaningful.

SMC cleanup of Alabang River improves flood control in Muntinlupa

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has cleared a key section of the Alabang River, helping improve water flow and reduce flood risk in nearby communities, roads, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

ILO trains youth for green construction jobs

An initiative backed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) is equipping young Filipinos with green and digital construction skills, as the industry undergoes rapid transformation driven by sustainability and technology.

Markets

IPOPHL expands anti-counterfeit drive to online markets

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines is intensifying its campaign against counterfeit goods, broadening enforcement to digital platforms and local communities as it pursues a “zero counterfeit” goal.

loilo City welcomes “bolanteros” to sell in newly revamped public markets

Iloilo City is making room for a little extra hustle and bustle for various retailers each Tuesday, which is designated market day.

Volatility to persist as PSEi tests support

Philippine financial markets are expected to remain fragile this week, with investors bracing for continued volatility as risk aversion dominates sentiment and the benchmark index struggles to regain footing above key levels.

Robinsons Retail exits bourse after years of undervaluation

A dozen years after its market debut, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (RRHI) is heading for an exit from the Philippine Stock Exchange, as its board backs a voluntary tender offer by controlling shareholder JE Holdings, Inc.

Travel

spot_img

Energy

Senator Gatchalian pushes zero-interest EV loans, incentives

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday pushed a new package of non-fiscal incentives, including zero-interest loans, to accelerate the country’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs), citing risks from heavy dependence on Middle East oil.

PCC flags barriers, pushes power market reforms

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has raised concerns over structural and operational barriers that continue to dampen genuine competition in the country’s retail electricity market, following a strategic policy dialogue with the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

Fuel prices to rise again despite assured supply — DOE

Fuel prices in the country are expected to increase again this week, driven by global oil market pressures linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Nickel Asia unit secures P9.36B loan for Leyte solar project

A renewable energy unit of Nickel Asia Corporation has secured ₱9.36 billion in financing for a solar power project in Leyte.

Transport & Communications

spot_img

Property

Ayala Land approves P10B share buyback

Ayala Land Inc., the property development arm of the Ayala Group, said its Executive Committee has approved a share buyback program of up to P10.0 billion, signaling confidence in its long-term value while providing near-term support to its stock.

4PH housing drive reaches thousands, set to accelerate

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) reported that its Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program delivered housing assistance to thousands of beneficiaries in the first quarter of 2026, as the agency prepares to speed up implementation nationwide.

GT Capital buys 20%  of property firm

GT Capital Holdings, Inc., the listed investment arm of the Ty Group, has acquired a 20 percent direct stake in Federal Land NRE Global Inc. (FNG), strengthening its foothold in the country’s property sector.

Better commutes key to Metro Manila growth

Metro Manila’s real estate future may depend less on skyline ambition and more on a simpler question of how easily people can get to work.

Environment

spot_img

Technology

Nanucell powers nationwide expansion with major PLDT Enterprise digital deal

Health and wellness distribution platform Nanucell Inc. has partnered with PLDT Enterprise, along with ePLDT and Multisys Technologies Corporation, to upgrade its digital infrastructure as it expands its operations nationwide.

Globe joins global tech giants in massive Asia cable project

Globe Telecom has partnered with a group of international firms to develop the Candle Cable System, a major undersea network aimed at improving internet connectivity across Southeast and East Asia.

Converge boosts internet speeds nationwide amid fuel crisis

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has announced a temporary nationwide speed increase for its FiberX internet plans to help customers cope with rising fuel costs and their impact on daily expenses and mobility.

Aboitiz unit upgrades Laguindingan airport airside facilities

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) has completed a series of upgrades to the airside facilities of Laguindingan International Airport to improve safety, efficiency, and reliability of operations.

Health & Science

spot_img

Opinion

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.

Fuel crisis or policy gap?

Airline executives were caught off guard when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that Philippine carriers may be forced to cut flights—or even ground planes—due to a possible jet fuel shortage tied to the escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Choked Hormuz puts global food supply at risk

Food, not fuel, may prove the first and most immediate casualty of the Middle East conflict as disruption grips the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea lane with an outsized role in feeding the world.

Eala storms toward WTA’s elite circle

The desert—both in Dubai and Indian Wells—has been kind to Alex Eala.

Sports & Entertainment

spot_img

Exclusive

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.

Aboitiz focus on industry, townships follow jobs

For three decades, the Aboitiz Group has been quietly building a real estate portfolio that spans homes, offices, and commercial spaces. But in recent years, it has made a deliberate pivot away from crowded residential battlegrounds toward a less glamorous, far more strategic corner of the market: industrial development. The bet is simple but bold—build where factories, logistics, and infrastructure go first, and let communities grow organically around them.