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Jobless Filipinos surge to 2.86M in September 

The number of unemployed Filipinos surged to 2.86 million in September 2026 as employment growth failed to keep pace with an expanding labor force, pushing the jobless rate to its highest level in recent months.

News Dispatch

Agriculture

Manila conference to chart inclusive farm modernization across Asia-Pacific

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are bringing together governments, agribusinesses, technology providers, and development partners in Manila this month to expand access to affordable farm machinery and services—key to cutting production costs, easing farm labor shortages, and raising incomes for millions across the Asia-Pacific region.

Palay, corn slump drags Philippine farm output down 5% in Q3

A sharp contraction in palay and corn production dragged Philippine agriculture and fisheries output down 5 percent in the third quarter of 2026, outweighing gains in livestock and poultry and underscoring the uneven recovery across the country's food-producing sectors.

Philippine agricultural trade deficit widens as exports slump

The Philippines’ agricultural trade deficit widened by nearly a quarter in September 2026 as a sharp decline in export earnings outweighed higher import spending, underscoring the country’s persistent dependence on foreign food and farm products.

DA seeks P1B for ASF vaccine for small hog farmers; move seen key to restoring domestic pork supply 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is asking Congress for at least P1 billion to fund free African swine fever (ASF) vaccine for smallholder hog raisers nationwide starting next year.

Corporate

Globe makes self-care accessible with regional wellness benefits

Amid busy daily schedules, Globe is making self-care easier to access with its new Wellness Pillar, turning mobile subscriptions into more than just connectivity.

Jollibee Group earns Golden Arrow honors again

Jollibee Foods Corporation, widely known as the Jollibee Group, has once more earned distinction at the 2026 Golden Arrow Awards from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), securing two Golden Arrows for the second year running. This achievement also marks its fifth consecutive year receiving the prestigious recognition, reflecting steady progress in upholding high standards of corporate governance. The honor follows strong performance in the 2025 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) assessment, where the company improved its overall score compared to the previous year. The Golden Arrow Awards recognize publicly listed Philippine companies that meet rigorous regional governance benchmarks, with the award granted to those achieving a score of at least 75 points across key areas including shareholder rights, stakeholder relations, transparency, board oversight, and sustainability. Group Global President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong emphasized that the accolade underscores years of dedicated work across the organization, noting that robust governance remains central to sustainable growth, greater accountability, and lasting value for all stakeholders. As the business continues to expand, the Jollibee Group affirmed its ongoing commitment to refining governance practices that support both strategic goals and the interests of those it serves.

Anko expands to Laguna, Cavite; Philippine store count reaches 9

Australian home and lifestyle brand Anko is growing its footprint across the Philippines, opening three new locations before the end of 2026 and expanding beyond Metro Manila for the first time since its 2024 launch.

Estate Water puts desalination expertise forward to boost water security in climate-hit areas

Estate Water, the non-East Zone arm of Manila Water, is stepping up its range of water solutions with a new seawater desalination plant at Ayala Land’s Lio Tourism Estate in Palawan.

Banking & Insurance

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Corporate Bulletins

Globe makes self-care accessible with regional wellness benefits

Amid busy daily schedules, Globe is making self-care easier to access with its new Wellness Pillar, turning mobile subscriptions into more than just connectivity.

Jollibee Group earns Golden Arrow honors again

Jollibee Foods Corporation, widely known as the Jollibee Group, has once more earned distinction at the 2026 Golden Arrow Awards from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), securing two Golden Arrows for the second year running. This achievement also marks its fifth consecutive year receiving the prestigious recognition, reflecting steady progress in upholding high standards of corporate governance. The honor follows strong performance in the 2025 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) assessment, where the company improved its overall score compared to the previous year. The Golden Arrow Awards recognize publicly listed Philippine companies that meet rigorous regional governance benchmarks, with the award granted to those achieving a score of at least 75 points across key areas including shareholder rights, stakeholder relations, transparency, board oversight, and sustainability. Group Global President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong emphasized that the accolade underscores years of dedicated work across the organization, noting that robust governance remains central to sustainable growth, greater accountability, and lasting value for all stakeholders. As the business continues to expand, the Jollibee Group affirmed its ongoing commitment to refining governance practices that support both strategic goals and the interests of those it serves.

Maya Crypto lets you start with just ₱1 and win ₱1 million

Curious about crypto but held back thinking it’s too complex or expensive? Maya Crypto changes that — you can buy, sell, and receive supported cryptocurrencies right inside the Maya app, no separate platform needed. You can start purchasing for as little as ₱1, so there’s no big budget required to get started.

RCBC ranks among top Philippine employers for fourth year

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) has secured a place in the Philippines’ Best Employers 2027 list for the fourth consecutive year, ranking among the country's top two privately owned domestic banks.

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

Mindanao farmers get FarmTech boost, bridging digital gap in agriculture

Farmers belonging to the LIBADATATAMA Irrigators Association in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, now have easier access to modern farming knowledge and digital solutions through the FarmTech package recently turned over by the Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Training Institute Region 10. The initiative falls under the wider Digital Farmers Program, a partnership between DA-ATI, PLDT, and Smart Communications designed to bring digital inclusion to farming communities across the country.

BSP’s Project Shoebox Plus reaches Bacolod students, adds financial literacy support

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Employees Association, Inc. (BSPEAI) brought its community outreach initiative Project Shoebox Plus to Bata Elementary School 1 here on October 24, distributing school bags and learning materials to 100 students.

P&G, Red Cross expand disaster relief kit program nationwide

P&G Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) are preparing 90,000 health and hygiene relief kits for disaster-prone communities, extending a partnership aimed at keeping essential supplies accessible when emergencies disrupt daily life.

Vivant Foundation upgrades La Union schools, expands library

Vivant Foundation Inc. (VFI), together with Vivant Energy Corporation and its subsidiary 1590 Energy Corporation, has upgraded electrical systems in three public elementary schools and provided library packages to 14 schools in Bauang South District, La Union, as part of efforts to improve learning environments and support literacy.

Markets

National credit perception hits all-time highs

The Philippines has recorded its highest-ever credit perception score, reaching 75 out of 100 and up by 2 points from the previous year, according to the latest survey by TransUnion Information Solutions Inc.

Scoop Wholefoods brings refill revolution to Manila’s shopping aisles

Australian retailer Scoop Wholefoods has entered the Philippine market with a retail concept that turns bulk buying into a modern shopping experience, letting consumers purchase groceries and personal care products by weight while cutting packaging waste and avoiding the cost of buying more than they need.

Shopee affiliates help small brands turn product demos into sales

Small businesses are turning to creator-led product demonstrations to reach shoppers and drive sales, using affiliate marketing to stretch limited advertising budgets and compete for attention in an increasingly crowded online marketplace.

Peso, oil risks cloud Philippine stocks, 2027 investment outlook

Philippine stocks could face more turbulence toward year-end as a weaker peso, surging oil prices and the prospect of further interest rate hikes raise questions about corporate earnings and investment spending in 2027.

Travel

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Energy

Gov’t eyes LGU fund realignment as El Niño threatens farms, water supply

The government is weighing a realignment of Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) allocations to channel more money toward provinces, cities and municipalities facing the greatest risks from a potentially very strong El Niño, with drought impacts expected to intensify by January 2027.

Prime CoreGen audits affirm safeguards across 2,000-MW gas fleet

Prime CoreGen’s four gas-fired power plants in Batangas have cleared international management system audits, reinforcing operational safeguards across a combined capacity of about 2,000 megawatts that helps meet Luzon’s electricity requirements.

PCPPI taps First Gen for renewable energy supply, strenghtening sustainable operations

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. (PCPPI) has sealed a partnership with the First Gen Group to power three of its manufacturing plants with geothermal energy, moving forward with its goal of cleaner and more responsible business operations.

OGPI nine-month net income surges 95% to $95.6M

Listed mining firm OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (OGPI) reported a 95.1 percent rise in its net income for the first nine months of 2026, reaching $95.6 million from just $49 million in the same period last year.

Transport & Communications

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Property

Ayala Land expects holiday mall boost from 250 new stores

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is counting on more than 250 new store openings in the fourth quarter to sustain mall leasing growth and capture stronger holiday spending, building on a 10-percent increase in revenue across its shopping center portfolio in the first nine months of 2026.

Ayala Land earmarks P30B for provincial housing projects in 2027

Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) plans to invest about P30 billion in horizontal residential developments outside Metro Manila next year, betting that demand from actual homebuyers will hold up better than speculative purchases in a property market still adjusting to tougher conditions.

ALI sees steady Q4, leasing to drive 2027 growth

Ayala Land Inc. expects leasing to become its main growth engine in 2027 as new malls and hotels mature, betting on recurring income and P55 billion in capital recycling to finance expansion without adding debt.

MOA Complex welcomes over 425,000 runners across nearly 40 events in nine months

The SM Mall of Asia complex in Pasay City has cemented its reputation as one of the country’s premier running destinations, hosting 39 marathons and fun runs that drew more than 425,000 participants over the past nine months alone.

Environment

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Technology

Converge brings digital access, learning aid to remote communities in Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. is stepping up to bridge the digital divide in some of the country’s most isolated areas, bringing connectivity, educational tools, and essential support to underserved learners across the hinterlands.

BOI maps six-node tech corridor to attract AI investments

The Board of Investments (BOI) is mapping out a six-node technology corridor linking mineral processing, chip design, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure to position the Philippines as an investment destination for artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced technologies.

Skyro taps credit network to improve borrower risk assessments

Fintech lender Skyro is strengthening its credit evaluation capabilities through access to a wider pool of borrower information, as it expands beyond purchase financing into broader consumer financial services.

Maya backs DOJ anti-scam campus drive, calls for united action 

Maya has thrown its support behind the DOJ–Office of Cybercrime’s CyberReady Campus Tour at UP Diliman, urging stronger cooperation between government, industry, and the public to fight digital scams.

Health & Science

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Opinion

The showroom is now in your pocket

Buying a car in the Philippines has traditionally involved three things: a dealership, a salesperson who calls you “Sir” or “Ma’am” with enthusiasm, and a calculator poised to reveal how much of your future salary you need to commit. There may also be coffee, a test drive, and a discussion about whether the free tint is really worth installing.

Food security is not a rice-growing contest

Filipinos have long treated food security and food self-sufficiency as though they were the same, as if a country that grows all the food it eats automatically has a well-fed population.

The long way to the starting line

A 29-hour journey is a long time to think about a sporting career. There are connecting flights, airport layovers, uncomfortable seats, and the inevitable question of whether the person beside you has also decided that sleeping on an airplane is an exercise in futility. For nine young Filipino athletes on their way to Dakar, Senegal, however, the long trek is hopefully headed to success. They are about to compete in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, an event that could become an important chapter in their sporting lives.

The living dead of payday

In high school, our mentors taught us noun declensions, Caesar’s campaigns in Gaul and four-part harmony. Somewhere between Latin and music, we also acquired the comforting belief that we were neither rich nor poor. With P50 in our pockets, we could go places and still come home with change. Life was a picnic. We did not realize the picnic had an expiry date.

Sports & Entertainment

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Exclusive

FAST Logistics plots next leg beyond the truck

For FAST Logistics Group, the next leg of growth is not necessarily about moving more boxes faster. It is about making the entire journey work better.

The discipline behind SM’s 68 years in business

Building a business that lasts takes more than expanding into new markets. It requires sound decisions, careful management of risks, and the financial strength to withstand difficult periods.

iPeople targets 200,000 students with global expansion push

iPeople, the listed Yuchengco-Ayala education joint venture, is pursuing an expansion strategy built around international partnerships, new campuses and facilities, sustainability-focused programs, and deeper artificial intelligence integration as it aims to nearly triple its student population to 200,000.

Vivant Water sees 2026 as launchpad for bigger growth 

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.