The Bureau of Animal Industry has approved AVAC ASF LIVE—developed by AVAC Vietnam—as the first African Swine Fever vaccine for commercial sale in the Philippines, nearly seven years after the 2019 outbreak cut the national hog herd from 13 million to roughly 8 million heads.

Damage to the agriculture sector from the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng has climbed past the ₱3 billion mark, rising to ₱3.39 billion as of 2 p.m. September 2, the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed. The figure is up from ₱2.84 billion just 30 hours earlier, at 8 a.m. September 1 — and authorities warn the total will likely rise as field assessments continue.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Energy (DOE) are exploring cheaper, more varied feedstock options to make local bioethanol price-competitive with imported fuel—while safeguarding farmers and existing crop industries—as the government eyes a higher fuel-ethanol blend and reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking a P198.45-billion budget for 2027—P17.25 billion or 8 percent less than the P215.69 billion approved for 2026—even as it faces persistent pressures to secure food supply, boost farm incomes, and strengthen national food security.

Amid AI-driven digital transformation, PLDT Inc. emphasized customer-centricity, strategic investment, and partnerships for sustainable growth and resilience at the inaugural ACC CXO Forum in Hong Kong. Led by PLDT Global, the event gathered global industry and tech leaders to explore value creation in the digital economy, reflecting PLDT’s shift from telco provider to integrated digital services partner.

Advent Upgrade Solar Inc. (AUSI) and Proterial Philippines Inc. have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to supply solar power to Proterial’s LIMA Estate facility, marking the industrial park’s first ground-mounted solar project.

Areit Inc., the real estate investment trust sponsored by Ayala Land Inc., has appointed Eduardo Javier P. Carballo as chief operating officer, effective September 7. The appointment bolsters the company’s leadership and financial capabilities as it advances its expansion and portfolio growth goals.

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has become the country’s first universal bank to earn both ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security) and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 (data privacy) certifications, underscoring its commitment to protecting customer information amid growing digital transactions.

Fifty-one Security Bank employees from six local branches volunteered August 1, 2026, to paint new classrooms at Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS), supporting the Security Bank Foundation (SBFI)’s education and nation-building mission.

The Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI), the social development arm of the Malampaya gas project joint venture, has launched two community-run enterprises in Oriental Mindoro—combining steady livelihoods for local residents with ongoing marine conservation work.

Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) has launched two community-run enterprises in Oriental Mindoro that will provide additional income for fisherfolk while channeling part of their earnings into marine conservation.

The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have formalized a partnership to combine research, innovation and agricultural expertise in support of smallholder farmers. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, the two institutions will collaborate on farmer training, knowledge sharing, technology transfer and capacity building to lift productivity, strengthen farm enterprises and advance sustainable practices nationwide.

Global gold demand stayed resilient amid market volatility, reflecting strong long-term investor confidence in the metal as a reliable way to preserve wealth. In the first quarter of 2026, total global demand hit 1,231 tons - valued at a record US$193 billion. This strength held even though gold prices dropped 15.4 percent in the second quarter, driven by expectations of higher interest rates.

Philippine Seven Corp., operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, is pressing ahead with aggressive expansion despite the rapid growth of hard-discounters, confident that its convenience-store format remains sufficiently differentiated to withstand the new competition.

Many aspiring business owners look far and wide for the next big concept, but some of the most promising opportunities lie right within familiar culture, traditions, and communities.

Philippine markets enter September with little room for complacency, as investors weigh the appeal of battered stock valuations against inflation, oil and currency risks that could keep sentiment fragile.

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.