The Department of Agriculture (DA) has welcomed the creation of United Ube PH Association Inc., a unified national group aiming to strengthen and expand the Philippine ube industry. Formed following a July meeting convened by Agriculture Secretary Francis Tiu Laurel Jr., the organization secured official registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission this month as a non-stock, non-profit entity. It unites farmers, cooperatives, processors, traders, exporters, researchers, and government representatives across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Nestlé Philippines has expressed optimism over the Department of Agriculture’s new dedicated office for coffee development, saying the unit will deliver stronger, more focused government support for the local industry.

Damage to the agriculture sector from the southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay has surpassed P1 billion, according to the 7 a.m. advisory today from the Department of Agriculture’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center. The figure marks a sharp rise from the P689.66 million reported just last Thursday.

The Department of Agriculture is fast-tracking the Clark National Food Hub with the full backing of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., moving the project from planning to construction.

Smart Communications has upgraded its Infinity Plans with ROAM+, the Philippines’ first annual roaming wallet giving members year-round international connectivity.

In an era defined by fast-changing technology, shifting customer demand, and intense global competition, adaptability has emerged as the most vital quality for effective business leadership. This was a central topic during the panel discussion Decisions Under Pressure: How Leaders are Navigating 2026, held at the inaugural ACC CXO Forum in Hong Kong.

Security Bank Chief Financial Officer JD Yap has been named one of four co-chairs of the newly launched East Asia and Pacific Regional Chapter of the SME Finance Forum, giving the Philippines a seat at the table in regional efforts to expand financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI), the exclusive bottler and manufacturer of PepsiCo beverages in the country, stepped up its focus on employee safety and emergency preparedness by hosting a national Disaster and Typhoon Preparedness Webinar on July 28, 2026. The virtual gathering united PCPPI team members, known as Bravehearts, from across the nation to share actionable guidance on identifying disaster risks, prepping for emergencies, staying updated on critical developments, and mounting effective responses during natural calamities.

Following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake off Flores Island, Indonesia, Globe is extending free call, text, and data services to its customers in the country to support emergency communication. The quake caused widespread damage, landslides, power outages, and displacement, with rescue efforts still ongoing.

Corporate social responsibility is moving beyond the occasional donation drive, with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham Philippines) using its 2026 Corporate Social Impact (CSI) Awards to spotlight programs that deliver measurable, sustainable benefits to communities.

McDonald’s Philippines is expanding its Crew-ators employee creator program, giving restaurant crew members access to skills training, mentorship, and content creation opportunities beyond their regular roles.

SM Hotels & Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) is using hospitality training to help Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) build skills, find jobs, and prepare for reintegration into society.

Philippine financial markets may remain trapped in a cautious trading environment as investors balance hopes of global monetary easing with stubborn domestic inflation, currency weakness, and geopolitical uncertainty.

Philippine markets may stay on edge as investors juggle Middle East risks, oil prices and the next move by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, but fading rate-hike bets are giving both the peso and stocks some breathing room.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping Philippine retail, but technology alone will not determine which businesses succeed, according to venture capital firm Kickstart Ventures, which says disciplined execution and sound business fundamentals remain the strongest drivers of sustainable growth.

Philippine retailers are bracing for another challenging year, with industry growth expected to remain in the single digits as higher operating costs, cautious consumers, and intensifying competition from online sellers continue to squeeze margins, according to the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA).

Vivant Water is treating 2026 as a pivotal year as it moves from building its presence across the water industry to scaling operations, investments, and its project pipeline.

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.

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.

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.