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Agriculture
DA ramps up swine repopulation to recover from ASF losses
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is speeding up efforts to rebuild the country’s hog industry after heavy losses from African Swine Fever (ASF).
TESDA, Nestlé expand coffee training for farmers
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Nestlé Philippines are ramping up a joint initiative to upskill Filipino coffee farmers, aiming to boost productivity, enhance bean quality, and create more sustainable livelihoods in rural communities.
Agricultural trade deficit widens in March to $1.17B
The Philippines’ agricultural trade deficit widened sharply in March as import growth continued to outpace exports, highlighting persistent supply constraints despite rising overall trade, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
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.
Corporate
Prime Infra hosts Japanese officials at Batangas LNG facility
Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra) hosted a Japanese delegation during a visit to its liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex in Batangas last Friday, the company said Wednesday.
SMFB profit nearly flat in first quarter
San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) reported a modest 2 percent increase in net income for the first quarter, reaching P11.8 billion from P11.58 billion a year earlier.
NAIA holds disaster readiness workshop with global partners
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recently held a three-day disaster preparedness workshop to improve its ability to respond during emergencies.
Power Mac Center, PLDT Enterprise launch bundled mobile solutions for businesses
Businesses in the Philippines can now roll out mobile technology faster through a new bundled offering from Power Mac Center and PLDT Enterprise.
Corporate Bulletins
Prime Infra hosts Japanese officials at Batangas LNG facility
Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra) hosted a Japanese delegation during a visit to its liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex in Batangas last Friday, the company said Wednesday.
NAIA holds disaster readiness workshop with global partners
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recently held a three-day disaster preparedness workshop to improve its ability to respond during emergencies.
Power Mac Center, PLDT Enterprise launch bundled mobile solutions for businesses
Businesses in the Philippines can now roll out mobile technology faster through a new bundled offering from Power Mac Center and PLDT Enterprise.
RCBC widens MySSS card access via DiskarTech
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., the country’s 6th largest lender by assets, is deepening its push into digital inclusion by allowing users of its DiskarTech app to directly apply for the MySSS Mastercard Debit Card, streamlining access to both banking services and government benefits in one platform.
Social Responsibility & Sustainability
Lender powers 100 branches with renewable energy
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has reached a key sustainability milestone, with 100 of its branches now running entirely on renewable energy.
San Jose del Monte seizes control of PrimeWater operations
The San Jose del Monte city government has assumed control of water supply operations formerly managed by PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., responding to a deepening distribution crisis that has left thousands of households without reliable access.
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.
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.
Energy
Regulators roll out measures to cushion power price hikes
The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said steps are in place to help protect consumers from rising electricity costs.
Rule change seen boosting solar and energy storage projects
The Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance (PSSEA) said the policy changes the government has adopted will help speed up the country’s renewable energy development, especially for solar power and battery storage systems.
BE Group taps COREnergy for Cebu power optimization
The BE Group of Companies has teamed up with COREnergy, the retail electricity arm of Vivant Energy, to supply and actively manage power use across its Mabuhay Towers in Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park—signaling a more strategic approach to energy in two of the country’s fastest-growing commercial hubs.
Meralco says up to P9 billion more in refunds possible, pending ERC decision
The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said it may refund up to P9 billion more to customers, depending on the final decision of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Property
Ayala Land boosts recurring revenues with Arca South mall
Ayala Land is deepening its push into stable, recurring income streams with the opening of Ayala Malls Arca South, a 100,000-square-meter retail hub set to anchor long-term commercial activity in its emerging Arca South estate.
SM Prime revamps Susana Heights Estate with amenities
SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property development arm of the Sy Group, is stepping up its push into the premium residential segment with a phased transformation of Susana Heights Village, signaling continued confidence in demand for low-density, high-value suburban estates despite a softer macroeconomic backdrop.
DDMP REIT raises dividend on strong earnings
DDMP REIT Inc. has declared a higher cash dividend for its shareholders, backed by solid earnings growth and sustained leasing activity across its Bay Area office portfolio.
RL REIT earnings up on asset infusion, high occupancy
RL Commercial REIT, Inc. (RCR) delivered a strong start to 2026, with first-quarter earnings and revenues surging on the back of fresh asset infusions and sustained high occupancy, underscoring the resilience of its leasing-driven income model.
Technology
Globe At Home offers free internet speed boost amid rising costs and energy concerns
Globe At Home is giving its customers a free internet speed upgrade of up to 1Gbps as part of its effort to help Filipino households cope with rising living costs and the ongoing energy situation.
DICT targets up to 80% cut in broadband costs by 2028
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) plans to cut broadband costs in the country by 40 to 80 percent by 2028 under its National Digital Connectivity Plan.
Fortinet report warns cybercrime is faster, smarter, and driven by AI
Cybersecurity tech and research leader Fortinet has released its latest global threat report, showing that cybercrime is becoming more organized, faster, and increasingly powered by artificial intelligence.
Singapore infrastructure cyber incident highlights third-party security gaps
A recent cybersecurity incident involving Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Company Singapore (STECS) has raised concerns about risks linked to third-party contractors in critical infrastructure projects.
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.
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.
