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Banks likely to maintain lending standards in Q2 2026

Most banks in the Philippines plan to keep their lending standards unchanged in the second quarter of 2026, suggesting continued credit support for the economy despite global uncertainty caused by the Middle East conflict.

News Dispatch

Agriculture

DA steps in as palay prices drop in some areas

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is taking action to stabilize palay (unhusked rice) prices after declines were reported in several major rice-producing provinces.

Philippine bamboo holds ground, but bugs still bite

In a country increasingly dependent on non-wood forest products as timber supplies tighten, bamboo has become a practical stand-in for everything from furniture and handicrafts to panels and housing materials. It grows quickly, is widely available, and supports rural livelihoods. 

Stronger dry-season rice harvest expected as palay prices recover

The Department of Agriculture (DA) expects a stronger rice harvest this dry season, helped by the recent increase in palay (unmilled rice) prices.

Typhoons drag down Q1 rice, corn output

Rice and corn production declined in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting lingering damage from late 2025 typhoons that disrupted planting schedules and destroyed standing crops across key farming regions.

Corporate

Arthaland Corp. says projects on track as costs rise

Property developer Arthaland Corp. said it has not delayed any of its project launches despite rising construction costs, as it had already secured prices for some materials in advance.

Philippine bonds to join Global Index in 2026

Philippine government bonds will be included for the first time in the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index–Emerging Markets starting January 29 next year. The index is widely used by global investors to track bond markets in developing countries.

Tanduay rums win top awards at international spirits competition

Rum maker Tanduay earned multiple awards at the International Spirits Competition by Enthusiast Report, highlighting its continued focus on quality and global standards.

Security Bank unveils mural in Makati to mark 10-year partnership with MUFG

Security Bank has unveiled a new public mural at the Paseo de Roxas underpass to celebrate its 10-year partnership with MUFG Bank.

Banking & Insurance

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Corporate Bulletins

Tanduay rums win top awards at international spirits competition

Rum maker Tanduay earned multiple awards at the International Spirits Competition by Enthusiast Report, highlighting its continued focus on quality and global standards.

Security Bank unveils mural in Makati to mark 10-year partnership with MUFG

Security Bank has unveiled a new public mural at the Paseo de Roxas underpass to celebrate its 10-year partnership with MUFG Bank.

Jollibee tops Southeast Asia chicken fast-food rankings

Jollibee has been named the No. 1 chicken quick service restaurant in Southeast Asia based on 2025 sales, according to Euromonitor International.

S.P. Madrid taps PLDT Enterprise for nationwide push

Credit recovery and financial services firm S.P. Madrid Corporation is expanding its operations nationwide through a partnership with PLDT Enterprise to improve connectivity and data security.

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

Manila Water strengthens heat safety measures for workers amid rising temperatures

Manila Water has rolled out additional safety measures to protect its workers and contractors from heat-related illnesses as high temperatures continue across Metro Manila’s East Zone and Rizal Province.

Parañaque fishers get financial training support

Fisherfolk in Barangay La Huerta are getting help to better manage their income through a new financial education program led by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Parañaque city government, and BDO Foundation.

Ilocos Norte, ACEN roll out solar access program

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte has launched a first-of-its-kind campaign to bring rooftop solar to households, partnering with ACEN and GCash to make clean energy more accessible and affordable.

Ayala Land affiliate donates land for Laguna civic hub

An affiliate of Ayala Land Inc. has formalized plans for a new civic hub in Laguna, advancing efforts to expand institutional infrastructure in southern Luzon’s fast-growing corridor.

Markets

PSEi range-bound amid global risks, weak peso

The Philippine stock market is expected to stay under pressure in the near term, as global uncertainties and a weak peso continue to dampen investor sentiment, according to 2TradeAsia.com.

Peso slides, stocks stall as caution builds

Philippine financial markets are in a consolidation phase, with the peso and equities under pressure as tighter monetary conditions and inflation concerns weigh on sentiment.

Women entrepreneurs drive economy but need more support to scale

Filipina entrepreneurs—many of them mothers—play a major role in the Philippine economy, owning 66 percent of existing businesses and 62 percent of newly registered enterprises. Despite this strong presence, many women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) struggle to grow due to limited access to funding, low digital adoption, and the challenge of balancing business and family responsibilities.

Peso stalls, stocks drift amid global uncertainty

The Philippine peso edged weaker last week, pausing after two consecutive weeks of gains as the dollar-peso pair settled into a narrow trading band.

Travel

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Energy

Fuel prices seen to rise this week after weeks of cuts

Fuel prices in the Philippines are expected to increase next week, ending three straight weeks of big price rollbacks, a local fuel retailer said.

Public scoping set for P800M iron mining project in Ilocos Norte

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), has scheduled a public scoping on May 11, 2026 for a proposed P800-million iron mining project in Piddig, Ilocos Norte.

TotalEnergies, Nextnorth start construction of 440 MW solar plant in Isabela

TotalEnergies and its partner Nextnorth have reached financial close and begun construction of a 440-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power plant in Ilagan City, Isabela.

OceanaGold Philippines boosts government share to P2.14B

OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. has sharply increased its contribution to the national treasury, remitting P2.14 billion in Additional Government Share (AGS) for fiscal year 2025. 

Transport & Communications

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Property

Affordable housing fuels Metro Manila condo recovery

Metro Manila’s residential condominium market is beginning to show signs of recovery, largely fueled by sustained demand for affordable housing—even as vacancy rates remain elevated, according to Colliers Philippines.

SMHCC taps Lucas to lead SMX, launch SMXCITE

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) has named industry veteran Sherwin Lucas as general manager of SMX Convention Center Manila, entrusting him as well with leading the rollout of SMXCITE (SMX Center for International Trade and Exhibitions), the company’s flagship venue slated to rise within the Mall of Asia Complex by 2027.

Ayala Land leans on recurring income growth 

Ayala Land Inc., one of the country’s largest property developer, reported first-quarter 2026 net income of P5.4 billion on revenues of P37.5 billion, as the property giant sharpened its focus on recurring income streams and disciplined capital deployment amid a more cautious operating environment.

PEZA office shortage squeezes Metro Manila options

The supply of Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-accredited office space in Metro Manila is tightening, particularly in major central business districts, raising concerns over limited expansion options for key occupiers.

Environment

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Technology

Organizations push ahead with AI despite risks — study

A new global study by TrendAI shows that many organizations are rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) even when they have serious security and compliance concerns.

Globe boosts network readiness to minimize outages during power disruptions

Globe Telecom Inc. is strengthening its network operations to keep customers connected during power outages and reduce service interruptions.

Featherless.ai raises $20M to expand open-source AI platform

Featherless.ai, a fast-growing platform focused on running open-source artificial intelligence (AI), has secured $20 million in Series A funding. The round was co-led by AMD Ventures and Airbus Ventures, with support from Kickstart Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Panache Ventures, and Wavemaker Ventures.

Asurion PH expands services beyond core operations 

Asurion Philippines is scaling up its customer solutions business as it broadens its footprint beyond its long-standing manufacturing and repair operations.

Health & Science

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Opinion

A house divided: Lopez family rift tests corporate governance

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every house divided against itself will not stand.” In the Lopez corporate universe, the verse now reads less like scripture and more like a live governance case file—complete with injunctions, contested boardrooms, and competing versions of who nearly switched off the lights.

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.

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.