The Philippines has opened a new export market for its local cacao sector, with the first-ever commercial batch of fermented cacao beans sent to New Zealand, the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced Wednesday.

Combined agriculture losses from the enhanced monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay reached P197 million as of August 11 — up from P135.3 million — the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported Wednesday. Rice accounts for P143 million of the total, with vegetables and irrigation facilities making up the rest.

To shield domestic livestock producers from market disruption caused by foreign supply spikes, the Department of Agriculture has activated special safeguard duties on select imported meat products. Issued under Department Order No. 24, series of 2026, by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the directive establishes temporary protective tariffs after government monitoring confirmed that incoming import volumes crossed official safety thresholds.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is advancing import substitution efforts by supporting Basic Necessity Inc., a Filipino-owned firm building a state-of-the-art enoki mushroom facility in Silang, Cavite. This fully private-sector-funded venture aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goals: localize key industries, grow agro-industry, create jobs, and ensure steady access to affordable, nutritious food.

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has been recognized by the Bankers Institute of the Philippines (BAIPHIL) as one of its most active member institutions, underscoring the deposit insurer’s support for professional development and a stronger Philippine banking industry.

Pru Life UK has introduced PRUCare Cancer Protect, a 10-year renewable term insurance plan aimed at making cancer coverage easier to access, amid rising health and financial risks faced by Filipino families.

Globe is expanding Starlink Mobile coverage with leading tech firms and device makers, bringing satellite-to-mobile service to remote areas beyond traditional cell tower reach.

Jollibee strengthened its standing as one of the Philippines’ leading consumer brands after winning 11 awards at the 2026 Marketing Excellence Awards, led by a Gold award for Marketing Team of the Year.

San Miguel Corp. has grown its Backyard Bukid initiative to nine sites nationwide, marking its first presence in the Visayas as the project shifts from urban farming to boost community food security and livelihoods.

The planned Pax Silica industrial hub in New Clark City is targeting its first 10 to 20 locators within five years of construction, with an ambitious goal of generating as much as USD200 billion in exports over a 30-year development period.

Accessibility is often measured in inches and angles, in ramps, elevators, doorways, and pathways. But its real measure is simpler. It is whether a place allows people to move through it with dignity, independence, and ease.

Living without electricity or paved roads has been a lifelong reality for Liezel Sarmiento, a barangay councilor and member of the Dumagat-Remontado tribe in Sitio Cablao, Quezon.

Philippine markets may stay on edge as investors juggle Middle East risks, oil prices and the next move by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, but fading rate-hike bets are giving both the peso and stocks some breathing room.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping Philippine retail, but technology alone will not determine which businesses succeed, according to venture capital firm Kickstart Ventures, which says disciplined execution and sound business fundamentals remain the strongest drivers of sustainable growth.

Philippine retailers are bracing for another challenging year, with industry growth expected to remain in the single digits as higher operating costs, cautious consumers, and intensifying competition from online sellers continue to squeeze margins, according to the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA).

The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) on Thursday urged businesses to accelerate their adoption of artificial intelligence while ensuring that technology complements, rather than replaces, the human connections that underpin customer loyalty.

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.

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.

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.

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.