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Agriculture
Private sector urged to boost meat industry resilience
CEBU CITY — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. called on private businesses to take a bigger role in strengthening the country’s meat sector, saying government and industry must work together to secure food supplies, stabilize prices, and protect public health.
Davao durian shipped to Oman in new trial export
The Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that 56 boxes of Davao durian, weighing 1.08 metric tons and worth around P183,000 ($3,000), have been sent to Oman. The shipment from Engseng Food Products of Davao City is bound for Jeel Almaaly International in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate.
DA rules out rice import ban to secure buffer stocks amid El Nino threat
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will not ban rice imports for the rest of the year, choosing instead to build up emergency food reserves ahead of expected El Niño weather disruptions.
Record Q2 palay harvest masks looming El Niño risks
Philippine palay production surged to a record second-quarter high, giving the government a timely boost in its bid to stabilize rice prices, although an expected weather-induced slowdown later this year underscores the fragile nature of the gains.
Corporate
GCash wins top YouTube award as AI campaign drives loans
GCash emerged as the biggest winner at the YouTube Works Awards Philippines 2026, capturing the coveted Best of Philippines award with a campaign that turned creative storytelling and artificial intelligence into measurable business growth.
San Miguel Food and Beverage net income drops 4% amid tighter consumer spending
San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. (SMFB) reported Wednesday that its net income fell 4 percent to P22.1 billion in the first half of the year, down from P22.96 billion in the same period last year. The decline came as higher commodity prices, slower economic growth, and global supply chain issues reduced consumer spending and hurt some export markets.
AboitizPower, KHNP sign MOU exploring nuclear energy cooperation in Philippines
Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 31 at KHNP’s headquarters in Gyeongju, South Korea, to explore cooperation on nuclear energy technologies and their possible use in the Philippines.
Boracay Water bolsters El Niño response to secure island’s water supply
Boracay Water has ramped up measures to keep water services steady across Boracay Island as El Niño brings prolonged dry conditions. The utility is boosting river monitoring, cutting water losses, and protecting watersheds to ensure reliable supply for residents, businesses, and tourism.
Corporate Bulletins
GCash wins top YouTube award as AI campaign drives loans
GCash emerged as the biggest winner at the YouTube Works Awards Philippines 2026, capturing the coveted Best of Philippines award with a campaign that turned creative storytelling and artificial intelligence into measurable business growth.
AboitizPower, KHNP sign MOU exploring nuclear energy cooperation in Philippines
Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 31 at KHNP’s headquarters in Gyeongju, South Korea, to explore cooperation on nuclear energy technologies and their possible use in the Philippines.
Meralco steps up smart metering upgrades to fortify distribution network
Manila Electric Company (Meralco), headed by Manuel V. Pangilinan, is pushing ahead with improvements to its Elevated Metering Transformation (EMX) as part of ongoing efforts to modernize its power distribution system.
Seven Philippine firms join Forbes Asia elite list
Seven Philippine-listed companies have been named to Forbes Asia's 2026 Best Under A Billion list, underscoring the resilience of the country's mid-sized enterprises as they continue to grow despite a challenging global business environment.
Social Responsibility & Sustainability
Aboitiz Foundation expands Cebu community forest restoration work
Aboitiz Foundation is growing its partnerships with local groups across Cebu to boost community-led forest restoration under its CarbonPH climate initiative. Working with officials in Danao City and Balamban, the foundation is providing training and resources to help residents restore forests while building sustainable livelihoods.
BDO Foundation, ADDU launch scholarship and career program for needy students
More deserving young Filipinos from low-income families will get better access to higher education and stable jobs under a new partnership between BDO Foundation and Ateneo de Davao University.
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.
Markets
DTI, DA tighten market checks to keep food prices fair
The Departments of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Agriculture (DA) have intensified joint market inspections to keep rice and other essential goods fairly priced, signaling closer government oversight as authorities seek to contain food inflation and protect consumers' purchasing power.
Markets await key data amid cautious investor outlook
Philippine financial markets are entering a pivotal week as investors weigh a heavy lineup of economic data, corporate earnings, and global developments that could shape sentiment and expectations for monetary policy.
Shopee, Iloilo forge MSME digital commerce program
Shopee Philippines and the Iloilo City government are shifting from one-off entrepreneurship training to continuous digital business development, launching a year-round program designed to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) build sustainable online businesses.
Ayala boosts Ayala Land stake with P2.38B buyback
Ayala Corp. has accelerated its accumulation of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) shares, spending about P2.38 billion to acquire 141.55 million common shares through market purchases disclosed between July 16 and July 31, reinforcing its confidence in the property giant's long-term prospects while taking advantage of what it believes is an undervalued share price.
Energy
Semirara profit climbs as power offsets weaker coal business
Integrated energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) posted higher second-quarter earnings as a strong rebound in its power business more than compensated for weaker coal production, highlighting the benefits of its integrated business model amid volatile energy markets.
Meralco steps up smart metering upgrades to fortify distribution network
Manila Electric Company (Meralco), headed by Manuel V. Pangilinan, is pushing ahead with improvements to its Elevated Metering Transformation (EMX) as part of ongoing efforts to modernize its power distribution system.
Power theft crackdown seen key to lower electricity costs
The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) is calling for a tougher crackdown on electricity theft and illegal power connections, arguing that reforms to reduce consumers' electricity bills will have a greater impact if they also address long-standing inefficiencies that continue to drive up costs across the power sector.
DOE awards first PGSSP contract to Metatek for PH energy resource mapping
The Department of Energy (DOE) has given the initial contract for the Philippine Gradiometry and Seismic Survey Project (PGSSP) to global geophysical services firm Metatek.
Property
PH1 World tops off first expanded 4PH housing tower
PH1 World Developers has completed the first major construction milestone for its flagship project under the government's Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, signaling accelerating private sector participation in efforts to narrow the country's housing backlog.
Park Inn Bacolod turns sustainability into advantage
Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod is making sustainability and community engagement central to its growth strategy, five years after opening at the height of the pandemic.
ARTA launches e-HOPC to cut housing permit requirements
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and 15 government agencies have rolled out Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2026, introducing a unified digital permitting system designed to significantly reduce documentary requirements and processing time for housing projects as the government moves to accelerate residential construction.
Filinvest REIT boosts dividends as H1 profit surges
Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT) declared P391.1 million in quarterly cash dividends after delivering stronger first-half earnings, underscoring how a more diversified property portfolio is helping cushion the lingering softness in the office leasing market.
Technology
AI could add $50.7B to PH economy by 2030
Artificial intelligence is projected to unlock US$50.7 billion in economic value for Philippine businesses by 2030, driving growth and competitiveness. While most firms have started using AI, 65 percent remain stuck in pilot stages due to gaps in infrastructure, system integration, and skilled talent.
Smart rolls out Apple Pay for load and bill payments starting Aug. 4
Smart Communications has launched Apple Pay for its subscribers, offering a fast, secure way to buy load and settle bills beginning August 4.
PCCI calls AI hub Philippines’ chance to reshape economy
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has endorsed the proposed Pax Silica AI hub, calling it a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for the country to secure a foothold in one of the world's fastest-growing industries and move up the global technology value chain.
Atome, ECPay launch in-app mobile load purchases via Atome Card
Atome Philippines has partnered with ECPay to let users buy Globe, SMART, and DITO prepaid load directly through the Atome app and pay using their Atome Card. ECPay is part of Mynt, Globe Telecom’s fintech arm that runs GCash, and operates one of the country’s largest payment networks.
Opinion
Private prosecutor steals spotlight in VP impeachment trial
Courtroom dramas are supposed to be solemn affairs. Then Atty. Lorna Kapunan walked to the lectern and reminded everyone that wit can be just as effective as a legal citation.
Supreme Court ruling reels in Philippine seafood export risks
The Supreme Court's decision striking down Fisheries Administrative Order No. 266 has cast a wide net over the Philippines' fisheries sector, raising questions that reach well beyond the country's waters.
MPBL game-fixing ban to reignite online betting debate
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League has done what every sports league eventually must when confronted with game-fixing allegations: make an example of someone.
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.
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.
