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August inflation eases, but price pressures remain

Philippine inflation eased to a five-month low of 6.1 percent in August, offering some relief after prices accelerated sharply earlier this year, but the reading remained elevated enough to underscore the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ decision to raise interest rates last week.

News Dispatch

Agriculture

DA clears first ASF vaccine for commercial use, aiding swine recovery

The Bureau of Animal Industry has approved AVAC ASF LIVE—developed by AVAC Vietnam—as the first African Swine Fever vaccine for commercial sale in the Philippines, nearly seven years after the 2019 outbreak cut the national hog herd from 13 million to roughly 8 million heads.

Habagat, storm damage to agriculture tops ₱3.39B; economic impact deepens

Damage to the agriculture sector from the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng has climbed past the ₱3 billion mark, rising to ₱3.39 billion as of 2 p.m. September 2, the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed. The figure is up from ₱2.84 billion just 30 hours earlier, at 8 a.m. September 1 — and authorities warn the total will likely rise as field assessments continue.

Gov’t pushes for cheaper feedstock to boost PH bioethanol competitiveness

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Energy (DOE) are exploring cheaper, more varied feedstock options to make local bioethanol price-competitive with imported fuel—while safeguarding farmers and existing crop industries—as the government eyes a higher fuel-ethanol blend and reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels.

DA proposed P198.45-billion 2027 budget: leaner allocation, same critical food security allocation goals

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking a P198.45-billion budget for 2027—P17.25 billion or 8 percent less than the P215.69 billion approved for 2026—even as it faces persistent pressures to secure food supply, boost farm incomes, and strengthen national food security.

Corporate

Proterial, AUSI seal 20-year clean energy PPA

Advent Upgrade Solar Inc. (AUSI) and Proterial Philippines Inc. have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to supply solar power to Proterial’s LIMA Estate facility, marking the industrial park’s first ground-mounted solar project.

Areit names seasoned global finance executive Carballo as COO

Areit Inc., the real estate investment trust sponsored by Ayala Land Inc., has appointed Eduardo Javier P. Carballo as chief operating officer, effective September 7. The appointment bolsters the company’s leadership and financial capabilities as it advances its expansion and portfolio growth goals.

BPI first PH universal bank to bag dual global data security, privacy certifications

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has become the country’s first universal bank to earn both ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security) and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 (data privacy) certifications, underscoring its commitment to protecting customer information amid growing digital transactions.

Security Bank staff paint Iloilo school classrooms, advancing education goals

Fifty-one Security Bank employees from six local branches volunteered August 1, 2026, to paint new classrooms at Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS), supporting the Security Bank Foundation (SBFI)’s education and nation-building mission.

Banking & Insurance

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Corporate Bulletins

Proterial, AUSI seal 20-year clean energy PPA

Advent Upgrade Solar Inc. (AUSI) and Proterial Philippines Inc. have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to supply solar power to Proterial’s LIMA Estate facility, marking the industrial park’s first ground-mounted solar project.

Areit names seasoned global finance executive Carballo as COO

Areit Inc., the real estate investment trust sponsored by Ayala Land Inc., has appointed Eduardo Javier P. Carballo as chief operating officer, effective September 7. The appointment bolsters the company’s leadership and financial capabilities as it advances its expansion and portfolio growth goals.

BPI first PH universal bank to bag dual global data security, privacy certifications

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has become the country’s first universal bank to earn both ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (information security) and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 (data privacy) certifications, underscoring its commitment to protecting customer information amid growing digital transactions.

Globe brings year-round rewards to 917 GDay under “Love Overload” initiative

Globe is expanding its annual 917 GDay celebration beyond September, turning customer appreciation into a year-round experience under the "Love Overload" framework unveiled at the recent Blueprint by Globe event.

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

Security Bank staff paint Iloilo school classrooms, advancing education goals

Fifty-one Security Bank employees from six local branches volunteered August 1, 2026, to paint new classrooms at Iloilo City National High School (ICNHS), supporting the Security Bank Foundation (SBFI)’s education and nation-building mission.

Malampaya Foundation rolls out community-led enterprises in Oriental Mindoro

The Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI), the social development arm of the Malampaya gas project joint venture, has launched two community-run enterprises in Oriental Mindoro—combining steady livelihoods for local residents with ongoing marine conservation work.

Malampaya Foundation backs Mindoro livelihoods, marine conservation

Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) has launched two community-run enterprises in Oriental Mindoro that will provide additional income for fisherfolk while channeling part of their earnings into marine conservation.

Jollibee Group Foundation, UPLB partner to boost smallholder farmers’ productivity, sustainability

The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have formalized a partnership to combine research, innovation and agricultural expertise in support of smallholder farmers. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, the two institutions will collaborate on farmer training, knowledge sharing, technology transfer and capacity building to lift productivity, strengthen farm enterprises and advance sustainable practices nationwide.

Markets

7-Eleven targets 5,000 stores, shrugs off discounters

Philippine Seven Corp., operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, is pressing ahead with aggressive expansion despite the rapid growth of hard-discounters, confident that its convenience-store format remains sufficiently differentiated to withstand the new competition.

Local entrepreneurs expand Filipino traditions via e-commerce

Many aspiring business owners look far and wide for the next big concept, but some of the most promising opportunities lie right within familiar culture, traditions, and communities.

Inflation, oil risks keep markets cautious September

Philippine markets enter September with little room for complacency, as investors weigh the appeal of battered stock valuations against inflation, oil and currency risks that could keep sentiment fragile.

Global snacking shift meets the mindful, community-centric Filipino palate

Snacking is no longer just a quick fix between meals; it has transformed into an essential part of modern daily life.

Travel

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Energy

PXP Energy stake gains from higher Halcon resources

PXP Energy Corp.’s 12.5 percent stake in Service Contract 80 (SC 80) gained a potentially more favorable resource outlook after operator Tetragon Energy Ltd. reported an increase in estimated prospective resources at the Halcon exploration prospect in the Southwest Sulu Sea.

MTerra Solar starts commercial operations for 600 MW 

MTerra Solar has begun commercial operations for 600 MWac of mid-merit capacity under its power supply agreement with Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), moving one of the Philippines’ biggest renewable energy projects from construction into revenue-generating service.

Primelectric explores power distribution in PEZA ecozones

Primelectric Holdings, Inc. (PHI) is exploring opportunities to develop and operate electricity distribution systems in economic zones nationwide, potentially expanding its utility footprint as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) seeks more reliable power infrastructure to attract investments.

Meralco PowerCamp graduates 28 engineering interns, builds future energy workforce

Twenty-eight top-performing engineering students from across the Philippines have completed the 280-hour PowerCamp internship program of the Meralco Power Academy (MPA), gaining hands-on technical skills, industry exposure, and leadership training to prepare them as the country’s next generation of energy professionals.

Transport & Communications

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Property

Gen Z reshapes SM Supermalls marketing strategy

Gen Z consumers are driving changes in how SM Supermalls markets its malls, designs customer experiences, and develops digital services, with artificial intelligence expected to play a bigger role in personalization.

CREBA pushes housing reforms to boost affordability 

The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (CREBA) will bring developers, policymakers, and housing stakeholders together in Cebu City in October to push reforms aimed at speeding up housing production and making homeownership more affordable.

PHirst gives away two homes, honors top sellers

PHirst Park Homes Inc. awarded two buyers their reserved house-and-lot units for free in the first draw of its nationwide #OwnTheDream raffle promotion, while also recognizing its top-performing sales teams during its Mid-Year Sales Awards.

SM keeps 100-mall goal as visits lengthen

SM Supermalls remains committed to its five-year expansion plan and goal of operating 100 malls by 2030, even as construction delays, higher operating costs, and cautious consumer spending test the retail-property sector.

Environment

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Technology

Globe restores full services; rolls out monsoon relief for customers 

Globe Telecom has fully restored mobile and broadband services disrupted by the Southwest Monsoon, following outages affecting nine NCR towns and two in Rizal for mobile, plus seven NCR cities and municipalities for broadband. Technical teams remain on site to monitor performance and finalize remaining repairs safely and quickly.

PH urged to commercialize homegrown innovation for growth

The Philippines needs to move more homegrown innovations from laboratories and prototypes into commercial use to raise productivity and sustain economic growth as the country moves into upper-middle-income status, government officials said Thursday.

Coherent eyes further PH expansion as AI demand grows

Global photonics company Coherent is exploring further expansion of its Philippine operations as surging demand for artificial intelligence, data centers, and semiconductors drives the need for advanced optical and connectivity technologies.

22nd Philippine Quill Awards and 12th Philippine Student Quill Awards Honor Excellence in Communication

The 22nd Philippine Quill Awards and the 12th Philippine Student Quill Awards recognized outstanding communication work, organizations, and emerging communicators, highlighting the breadth of communication excellence across the professional and academic communities.

Health & Science

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Opinion

No story is worth a reporter’s life

It was drilled into generations of journalists that no story is worth your life. Tell the story. Do not become the story.

Senate finally remembers it is an impeachment court

Eight weeks into the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, the Senate impeachment court has rediscovered a useful legal principle. People involved in a trial should probably stop trying the case everywhere except the courtroom.

Philippine poverty is falling, no time for victory laps

Poverty is not just an empty wallet. It can be a family scrambling to keep a child in school, relatives walking farther to fetch clean water, or a household wrestling with a stubborn internet signal while the rest of the world moves on.

Violent games are no simple school-shooting trigger

Every generation gets its villain. In 1979, it was Voltes V and other Japanese robot cartoons. Today, as the Philippines confronts fresh school shootings, the finger is pointing at Roblox.

Sports & Entertainment

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Exclusive

Vivant Water sees 2026 as launchpad for bigger growth 

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.

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.