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Government budget deficit narrows in February amid revenue surge

The National Government’s fiscal position improved in February, with the budget deficit slightly narrowing to P171.2 billion from P171.4 billion a year ago, as a sharp rise in revenues helped offset faster spending growth.

News Dispatch

Agriculture

Solar irrigation brings big savings to CamSur farmers

Farmers in Camarines Sur now have a more affordable and reliable way to water their crops after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over P332 million worth of solar-powered irrigation systems.

Meat imports surge, led by pork and chicken

Meat imports jumped 22.9 percent in the first two months this year, reaching 292.1 million kilograms, up from 237.7 million kg during the same period in 2025, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reported Tuesday.

DA rolls out measures to shield farmers, fisherfolk from soaring food costs

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has rolled out measures to protect farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers from rising food costs caused by higher fuel prices, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said Tuesday.

Scientists turn plain rice into quiet nutritional upgrade

Researchers from the University of Birmingham are rethinking one of the world’s most familiar staples and asking a simple but intriguing question. Can ordinary white rice become healthier just by changing how it is cooked?

Corporate

SEC set to upgrade corporate filings with paperless amendments

In a major move to modernize corporate compliance, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is set to allow paperless filing of key corporate amendments through its eAMEND system. The draft rules, now open for public comment until April 15, aim to make the process faster, more convenient, and fully digital.

PNB hosts SSS and Pag-IBIG services for Filipinos in Japan

The Philippine National Bank (PNB) has received regulatory approval to allow the Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG Fund to hold client assistance and information sessions at its Tokyo and Nagoya branches.

RLC acquires Victoria Plaza site in Davao for redevelopment

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has announced it will acquire the 9.6-hectare Victoria Plaza complex along JP Laurel Avenue in Davao City, as part of its expansion in key regional areas. The company did not disclose the purchase price.

Bacolod court declares Yanson siblings fugitives

A court in Bacolod has declared four members of the Yanson family as fugitives and barred them from participating in court proceedings until they surrender.

Banking & Insurance

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Corporate Bulletins

SM boosts communication with online platform

SM Investments Corporation is strengthening how it communicates with stakeholders through its online platform, SM In Focus, which has gained over 137,000 subscribers and more than 2.5 million views since launching in late 2024.

Manila Water assures steady supply during Holy Week

Manila Water Company said customers in the East Zone will continue to receive reliable water service throughout Holy Week, even as demand rises due to the summer season.

DMW secures 4th year in ATRAM SDG Fund

D.M. Wenceslao & Associates, Inc. (DMW) has been selected anew as an investee of the ATRAM Philippine Sustainable Development and Growth Fund for 2026, marking its fourth consecutive year in the sustainability-focused portfolio.

Popular smartphone brand now easier to own as Home Credit rolls out big discounts, 0% plans

Home Credit Philippines has launched a nationwide promotion making the Samsung Galaxy S26 Series more affordable for Filipino consumers.

Social Responsibility & Sustainability

OceanaGold Philippines boosts community spending to P569M

OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc. is raising its social investments to a combined P569 million in 2026, marking a significant increase following strong operational and financial performance in 2025 and reinforcing its push for community-centered mining.

Hands that once erred now create hope

Through the Baking Behind Bars program, persons deprived of liberty are discovering that their hands, once tied to past mistakes, can now measure, knead, shape, and create. The same hands that once led them astray are now turning flour and water into something meaningful.

SMC cleanup of Alabang River improves flood control in Muntinlupa

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has cleared a key section of the Alabang River, helping improve water flow and reduce flood risk in nearby communities, roads, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

ILO trains youth for green construction jobs

An initiative backed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) is equipping young Filipinos with green and digital construction skills, as the industry undergoes rapid transformation driven by sustainability and technology.

Markets

IPOPHL expands anti-counterfeit drive to online markets

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines is intensifying its campaign against counterfeit goods, broadening enforcement to digital platforms and local communities as it pursues a “zero counterfeit” goal.

loilo City welcomes “bolanteros” to sell in newly revamped public markets

Iloilo City is making room for a little extra hustle and bustle for various retailers each Tuesday, which is designated market day.

Volatility to persist as PSEi tests support

Philippine financial markets are expected to remain fragile this week, with investors bracing for continued volatility as risk aversion dominates sentiment and the benchmark index struggles to regain footing above key levels.

Robinsons Retail exits bourse after years of undervaluation

A dozen years after its market debut, Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. (RRHI) is heading for an exit from the Philippine Stock Exchange, as its board backs a voluntary tender offer by controlling shareholder JE Holdings, Inc.

Travel

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Energy

Lawmaker urges urgent shift to E15 fuel blend to cut costs, save sugar industry

A Negros Occidental lawmaker is pushing for an immediate increase in the country’s ethanol-blended fuel from 10 percent (E10) to 15 percent (E15), calling it a “practical and timely” solution to rising fuel prices and the worsening crisis in the sugar sector.

Nickel Asia subsidiary provides P4.44M for Bataan power line expansion

Jobin-SQM Inc. (JSI), part of Nickel Asia Corp.’s clean energy unit Emerging Power Inc. (EPI), has handed over P4.44 million to the Peninsula Electric Cooperative (Penelco) to fund the expansion of power lines in Bataan.

Fuel supply dips slightly; diesel imports to arrive this month 

The countey’s total fuel supply is projected to last just 50.42 days, down slightly from last week’s 50.94 days, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported Tuesday. The inventory covers gasoline, diesel, kerosene, jet fuel, fuel oil, and LPG, including fuel already in the country and shipments confirmed through May 1.

AdventEnergy powers Frabelle Facilities with aggregated supply deal

AdventEnergy, the retail electricity arm of Aboitiz Power Corporation, has completed the aggregation of two facilities owned by Frabelle Cold Storage Corporation in Navotas, with a combined capacity of 746 kilowatts.

Transport & Communications

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Property

Mead Johnson relocates to Uptown Bonifacio hub

Mead Johnson, a United Kingdom-based nutrition company, is relocating its Philippine headquarters to Uptown Bonifacio in Taguig City, underscoring continued demand for premium office space from multinational firms.

Property recovery uneven; homes lag, offices steady

The Philippine property sector is showing signs of an uneven recovery, with office leasing holding relatively firm while residential demand faces growing headwinds.

Ayala Land approves P10B share buyback

Ayala Land Inc., the property development arm of the Ayala Group, said its Executive Committee has approved a share buyback program of up to P10.0 billion, signaling confidence in its long-term value while providing near-term support to its stock.

4PH housing drive reaches thousands, set to accelerate

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) reported that its Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program delivered housing assistance to thousands of beneficiaries in the first quarter of 2026, as the agency prepares to speed up implementation nationwide.

Environment

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Technology

Surge in cybercrime alarms Filipinos, spurs urgent digital safety drive for youth

A sharp rise in cybercrime cases in 2024 is raising serious concerns over the safety of Filipino internet users, especially the youth who are increasingly active online for school and daily life.

Cyberattacks in PH shift to human manipulation — Kaspersky

Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky warned that cyberthreats targeting Filipinos...

STT GDC Philippines launches new training program for data center workforce

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) Philippines has launched DC Power-Up 2.0, a training and certification program aimed at preparing Filipinos for jobs in the growing data center industry.

Network upgrade boosts Messenger call quality for millions of Filipinos

A major network upgrade by Smart Communications, Ericsson, and Meta is delivering significantly improved call quality for millions of Messenger users across the Philippines.

Health & Science

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Opinion

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.

Eala storms toward WTA’s elite circle

The desert—both in Dubai and Indian Wells—has been kind to Alex Eala.

Sports & Entertainment

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Exclusive

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.

Aboitiz focus on industry, townships follow jobs

For three decades, the Aboitiz Group has been quietly building a real estate portfolio that spans homes, offices, and commercial spaces. But in recent years, it has made a deliberate pivot away from crowded residential battlegrounds toward a less glamorous, far more strategic corner of the market: industrial development. The bet is simple but bold—build where factories, logistics, and infrastructure go first, and let communities grow organically around them.