The Department of Agriculture (DA) is scrambling to correct coordinate errors in eight farm-to-market road (FMR) projects that could cost them funding, while insisting the disputed entries were part of the executive branch’s original 2027 budget proposal and not congressional insertions.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is tightening checks on project details and rolling out system-wide improvements after discrepancies were found in coordinates submitted for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects.

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.

Five young Filipino agribusiness startups brought their products and business ideas to the Asia-Pacific Agrifood Innovation Summit 2026 in Singapore, seeking to connect with investors, industry players, and potential partners as they explore opportunities beyond the domestic market. Supported by the Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmers Challenge (YFC), the enterprises showcased value-added agricultural products and solutions at the October 27–29 summit at the Suntec Convention Centre. The Philippine participation was led by the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, in collaboration with the Philippine Agriculture Office in Bangkok, Thailand. The five startups represented different ways of turning local agricultural resources into higher-value products. L’Reinvente transforms agricultural by-products into skincare products while providing livelihood opportunities for farmers and marginalized communities. CHER Cacao Products Manufacturing, a youth-led bean-to-bar chocolate enterprise based in Negros Oriental, promotes locally sourced cacao through processing and product development. Bluecrust Food Manufacturing develops value-added products from crustaceans, while Aelius makes wellness products from different parts of the coconut, linking product innovation with farmer support and environmental sustainability. Y’Nut Food Products, meanwhile, turns locally grown peanuts into nutritious, market-ready food products. Beyond promoting their brands, the startups had opportunities to network with entrepreneurs, industry representatives and potential business partners from across the Asia-Pacific region. They also attended sessions on food systems, biomanufacturing, regenerative agriculture and food traceability, areas that are increasingly influencing how food is produced, processed and brought to market. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. joined the summit as a featured speaker, outlining the Philippines’ efforts to modernize agricultural value chains through resilience, investment, data-driven governance, inclusive development and collaboration across government and industry. “We also brought young Filipino agripreneurs to the Singapore event to introduce them to a wider market, and expose them to innovations and fresh ideas they can bring home, adapt and develop into viable businesses that create jobs and attract more investment in agriculture,” said Tiu Laurel. The DA also organized the “Innovating Agriculture: Young Farmers Challenge Pitching Showcase,” where participating enterprises presented their business models and products at the summit’s Innovation Stage. Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said young agripreneurs were finding ways to add value to local resources, develop sustainable solutions and connect Philippine agriculture to regional and global markets. The showcase reflects a broader policy challenge for Philippine agriculture. Raising production remains important, but improving processing, product development and market access is just as critical to increasing the value farmers and agribusinesses earn from local resources. Through the YFC, the DA seeks to help young Filipinos establish and expand market-oriented ventures in agriculture and fisheries. Bringing these enterprises to an international platform also exposes them to commercial networks and ideas that could help turn promising startups into competitive businesses.

Metrobank has rolled out EntrepRISE, a financial wellness seminar series helping business clients across Luzon navigate economic shifts and plan for growth. Launched this year, sessions in North Luzon, Metro Manila, and South Luzon gathered nearly 100 clients from various sectors.

EastWest has won Best Digital Banking Initiative – Philippines at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards, recognized for building a connected digital ecosystem that makes banking simpler and accessible for all. Chief Technology Officer Barani Sundaram received the award on the bank’s behalf.

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, is broadening its nationwide push to boost financial literacy and digital learning, reaching thousands of students and teachers in underserved communities.

Profriends, one of the country’s fastest-growing property developers, has renewed its partnership with Dugenia, Marayan, and Associates Company (DM&A Co.), keeping the firm as its official public relations agency.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

For Philippine manufacturers, the next factory may require more than retained earnings and a friendly bank. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is urging them to look beyond traditional financing and prepare to tap the capital markets as they scale up.

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.

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, 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 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.