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DOE targets electricity theft to cut power bills as Meralco warns of massive losses

The Department of Energy is eyeing immediate measures to curb electricity pilferage as part of the government’s push to remove system loss charges from consumer bills, though major industry players warn the plan could carry a massive price tag.

News Dispatch

Agriculture

Gov’t seeks to turn local farm goods into premium global brands

The Philippines is moving to turn its top farm and fishery goods into well-regarded global brands, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) sign a renewed partnership to help producers earn better prices, grow local sales, and strengthen overseas shipments. Signed on Wednesday, the updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) revises an earlier deal from 2018 and centers on geographical indications (GIs) as a key part of the administration’s drive to build a more competitive, value-focused, and export-driven agri-fishery sector.

DA launches P22-M seaweed biotech facilities in Sorsogon

The Department of Agriculture has opened the country’s first seaweed biotechnology facilities worth P22 million at BFAR’s National Seaweed Technology Development Center in Sorsogon.

BFAR steps up danggit or rabbitfish production nationwide

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), under the Department of Agriculture, is pushing to expand the culture of samaral or siganids, more commonly known as rabbitfish, as a key part of plans to diversify the country’s aquaculture sector and generate more stable livelihoods for fisherfolk and fish farmers. In a statement released Tuesday, the agency noted that samaral is a highly promising species supported by proven farming methods, rising output, and a ready existing market of consumers.

DA steps up fight vs RSSI threatening sugar industry

The Department of Agriculture and the Sugar Regulatory Administration are ramping up efforts to contain an outbreak of the red-striped soft scale insect that endangers sugarcane crops, especially across Negros Island and Western Visayas.

Corporate

GoTyme ties up with PSA for National ID system link

GoTyme Bank has partnered with the Philippine Statistics Authority to become one of the first local banks to connect directly to the National ID Authentication Services. This integration lets customers open accounts in as fast as five minutes without scanning or uploading physical papers. Instead, they may use their PhilSys ID QR code, card number, or basic name and birth details for real-time, official checks. The move removes common hurdles that keep many Filipinos from accessing banking services, supporting the bank’s goal of easier, more inclusive finance for all.

Aboitiz Power profit leaps 41% on higher energy prices, new clean energy assets

Aboitiz Power Corporation reported a 41 percent increase in core net income for the first six months of 2026, reaching P18 billion compared to P12.8 billion recorded in the same period last year. The company shared these figures in a disclosure filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

Meralco first half net income rises 3.8% to P26.5 billion even as energy sales edge lower

The Manila Electric Company, or Meralco, reported a 3.8 percent increase in its consolidated core net income for the first six months of 2026, reaching P26.5 billion from the P25.5 billion recorded in the same period last year. The company shared these figures at a briefing held on Wednesday, noting the growth came even as overall energy sales saw a slight decline.

SEC rolls out rules for structured warrants 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has formally introduced structured warrants as a new financial product in the Philippine market. At the agency’s en banc meeting on July 23, SEC director Ela R. Xavier-Padilla announced the approval of a memorandum circular setting out the rules and regulations for the registration and trading of structured warrants.

Banking & Insurance

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Corporate Bulletins

GoTyme ties up with PSA for National ID system link

GoTyme Bank has partnered with the Philippine Statistics Authority to become one of the first local banks to connect directly to the National ID Authentication Services. This integration lets customers open accounts in as fast as five minutes without scanning or uploading physical papers. Instead, they may use their PhilSys ID QR code, card number, or basic name and birth details for real-time, official checks. The move removes common hurdles that keep many Filipinos from accessing banking services, supporting the bank’s goal of easier, more inclusive finance for all.

Salmon Finance gets Silver Global Client Protection Certification

Salmon Finance has earned the Silver Level Client Protection Certification under international Cerise+SPTF standards, following an independent review by MicroFinanza Rating.

GSIS releases ₱27B in Ginhawa Go loans to 463,000 workers

The Government Service Insurance System has released over ₱27.29 billion in loans to more than 463,600 active government employees under its Ginhawa Go program, supporting efforts to give Filipinos easier access to affordable financing.

Omega Healthcare named leader and star performer in 2026 Everest Group RCM assessment

Omega Healthcare, an AI-powered healthcare solutions provider, has been ranked both a Leader and Star Performer in the 2026 Everest Group Revenue Cycle Management Operations PEAK Matrix Assessment.

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

Jollibee Group Foundation’s farmer-led agri-tech initiative wins top CSR recognition

The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) has been conferred the Outstanding CSR Project in Enterprise Development award at the 2026 League of Corporate Foundations CSR Guild Awards for its Agri-Tech Facilitators (ATF) Program, an initiative centered on the principle that agricultural innovation delivers lasting impact when driven by farmers themselves.

Food banking seen boosting Philippines’ disaster preparedness, resilience

As stronger typhoons and other climate-related disasters threaten food security, Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP) is pushing for a stronger nationwide food banking system, saying it can help communities recover faster while reducing hunger and food waste.

Converge launches youth tech program to close digital skills gap

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has launched a new initiative to equip underserved Filipino youth with technology skills, as the country pushes forward with digital transformation.

Jollibee Danao plant earns landmark green building certification 

The Jollibee Group has set a new benchmark for sustainable manufacturing after its Danao Commissary in Cebu became the first manufacturing facility in the Philippines to receive LEED certification for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), signaling that industrial plants can pursue ambitious environmental goals without sacrificing operational efficiency.

Markets

Tala loans fuel growth for Filipino microbusiness owners

Accessible digital credit is becoming an increasingly important growth tool for the country's smallest entrepreneurs, with one in four Tala borrowers in the Philippines now using their loans to build or expand small businesses.

Shopee sharpens MSMEs focus with smarter seller tools

Shopee Philippines is sharpening its focus on helping Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grow online, expanding seller support programs as competition intensifies in the country's fast-growing e-commerce market.

Peso weakness, stock volatility test Philippine markets ahead

The Philippine financial markets are entering another week with little room to breathe as the peso hovers near record lows and local stocks brace for another bout of volatility. 

PSEi rally gains steam as stable peso lifts outlook

The stock market could be entering a stronger recovery phase after the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) broke through key resistance levels, with a stable peso adding to optimism that local equities can sustain their recent gains despite inflation concerns and geopolitical risks.

Travel

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Energy

YGC unit taps Lopez Group for Batangas-Laguna exploration project

Maibarara Geothermal Inc. (MGI) has signed a deal with Lopez Group affiliate ThermaPrime Drilling Corp. to carry out exploratory drilling across Batangas and Laguna from 2026 to 2027. Led by the Yuchengco group, MGI said the work will check untapped areas for possible new geothermal power facilities. The project will involve up to four wells drilled to depths of up to 3,000 meters, with operations set to begin in October this year and finish by May 2027. MGI currently runs a 32-megawatt geothermal plant in Batangas.

DOE targets electricity theft to cut power bills as Meralco warns of massive losses

The Department of Energy is eyeing immediate measures to curb electricity pilferage as part of the government’s push to remove system loss charges from consumer bills, though major industry players warn the plan could carry a massive price tag.

Philex returns to profit as Padcal rebounds, metals stay strong

Philex Mining Corp. swung back to profitability in the second quarter as its flagship Padcal mine returned to full operating strength after a major rehabilitation, allowing the company to capitalize on still-elevated gold and copper prices.

Nine power gencos vie to supply Meralco 600 MW

At least nine power generation firms have signalled their interest in joining the competitive selection process to supply 600 megawatts of baseload power to the Manila Electric Company.

Transport & Communications

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Property

Big developers prioritize malls as retail thrives

The Philippines’ biggest property developers are placing greater emphasis on malls as retail continues to outperform other real estate segments, supported by resilient consumer spending and the appeal of stable recurring rental income.

SM Prime lines up over 20 events at New SM Seaside Cebu Arena

SM Prime Holdings Inc. announced on Thursday that its newly opened SM Seaside Cebu Arena will host more than 20 shows this year, as the property developer seeks to tap into the growing demand for live events in the Visayas region.

Havitas moves into wellness real eatate

Boutique developer Havitas Properties Inc. has entered the fast-growing wellness real estate sector, and unveiled the second phase of its Aya Hills resort villa community in Talisay, Batangas, overlooking Taal Lake.

Manila emerges as world’s second prime housing market

Manila has emerged as the world’s second-fastest growing prime residential market, underscoring the Philippine property sector’s resilience despite geopolitical tensions, elevated inflation and a slowdown in new project launches.

Environment

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Technology

ASEAN digital pact seen boosting Philippine tech growth 

Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the landmark ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) could reshape regional commerce by lowering barriers to cross-border digital trade, opening a larger market for Philippine businesses and accelerating Southeast Asia's digital economy into a multi-trillion-dollar growth engine.

Senator Aquino pushes blockchain bill for transparency

Senator Bam Aquino is pressing the House of Representatives to pass a landmark transparency measure that would use blockchain technology to track government spending, arguing that digital innovation should be as much about rebuilding public trust as modernizing the economy.

Digital permits drive stronger city tax collections, PIDS finds

Cities that have fully digitized business permitting are collecting significantly more local business taxes than those still relying on paper-based processes, adding fresh evidence that digital government can directly strengthen local economies.

Globe partners with e& to boost secure international voice services

Globe has teamed up with e& Carrier & Wholesale Services, the global wholesale arm of technology group e&, to deliver safer, more reliable international voice services for users worldwide, especially Overseas Filipino Workers, their families, and local businesses.

Health & Science

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Opinion

Eala stuns Zheng, handshake steals spotlight online

For all the breathtaking rallies Alex Eala and Zheng Qinwen produced in Washington, the most replayed moment lasted about two seconds. It wasn't Eala's fearless comeback. It wasn't Zheng's unraveling. It was...the handshake.

System loss: who should foot the bill? 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s proposal to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and remove system loss charges from electricity bills is a political winner. After all, who wants to pay for power that never reaches the socket?

Pax Silica pits silicon dreams against sovereignty concerns

Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, was often portrayed carrying an olive branch. Ironically, her modern namesake has arrived carrying semiconductor blueprints, investment pledges—and a healthy dose of controversy.

Elon Musk learns trillion-dollar fortunes can wobble

Elon Musk has just misplaced about USD260 billion. Before anyone starts a crowdfunding campaign, though, he's still worth an estimated USD745 billion—comfortably enough to remain the world's richest person.

Sports & Entertainment

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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.