Tuesday, 10 February 2026, 3:59 am

    Just in

    Top News

    PAL expands Airbus maintenance deal

    Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed an expanded maintenance support agreement with Airbus covering 63 aircraft in its fleet.

    News Dispatch

    Agriculture

    DA forms group to guide rice imports, steady supply, protect farmers

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) has created a technical working group (TWG) to manage rice imports using data, with the goal of keeping prices stable, ensuring enough supply, and protecting local farmers.

    Stronger farms, lower costs: DA launches village feed system

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) is introducing a village-based feed ecosystem to help farmers increase corn and livestock production, lower feed costs, and strengthen rural incomes through cooperative-led agribusiness.

    Meat importers sound alarm on forex losses, port congestion

    Meat importers say foreign exchange losses and ongoing port congestion are major challenges this year, prompting calls for government action to prevent supply disruptions and price pressures.

    DA looks to replicate banana export gains across more high-value crops

    The Department of Agriculture (DA) is stepping up efforts to boost exports of other high-value food crops by replicating the strategies that helped revive the country’s banana industry, which posted strong export growth last year.

    Corporate

    Lazada Refreshes Platinum Perks, Raises Loyalty Stakes

    Lazada is giving its top shoppers another reason to stay loyal—and logged in. The eCommerce platform has elevated its Platinum Membership in the Philippines with a monthly refresh of premium brand partners, kicking off February with a lineup of more than 60 big-name collaborators.

    Watsons Philippines bags 5 wins in Anvil

    Watsons Philippines just turned recognition into a masterclass in modern PR. At the 61st Anvil Awards, the retailer clinched five trophies—two Gold, three Silver—proving that purpose-led storytelling can sell, scale, and still serve the public good.

    SMC Global Power approves up to P30B bond issuance

    San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., the power generation arm of San Miguel Corp., has approved the issuance of up to P30 billion worth of peso-denominated bonds, underscoring its continued access to capital markets as it expands its energy portfolio.

    Manila Water keeps water losses low in 2025, improving supply for customers

    Manila Water rounded 2025 with non-revenue water (NRW) at 13.55 percent, one of the lowest levels in Asia, showing strong efficiency in managing its water system. For the full year, average NRW stood at 14.27 percent, reflecting steady performance in reducing water losses from leaks, illegal connections, and meter issues.

    Banking & Insurance

    spot_img

    Corporate Bulletins

    Lazada Refreshes Platinum Perks, Raises Loyalty Stakes

    Lazada is giving its top shoppers another reason to stay loyal—and logged in. The eCommerce platform has elevated its Platinum Membership in the Philippines with a monthly refresh of premium brand partners, kicking off February with a lineup of more than 60 big-name collaborators.

    AboitizPower expands MobileAP App with new flexible bill payment option

    AboitizPower has added a new payment feature to its MobileAP app, allowing customers to pay their electricity bills using Billease through QR Ph. The update gives users more flexible and convenient ways to manage their power payments, including pay-later and installment options.

    Bell appoints INAEC as maintenance center for Bell 429 in PH

    Bell Textron Inc. has appointed INAEC Aviation Corporation as its approved maintenance center (AMC) in the Philippines for the Bell 429 helicopter.

    Jaime Bautista takes flight at San Miguel Food 

    San Miguel Food and Beverage Corp. has elected former Transportation Secretary and aviation veteran Jaime J. Bautista as its newest independent director, effective February 6. Bautista, 68, will serve the unexpired term of Ferdinand K. Constantino, who resigned as director and treasurer at the end of January.

    Social Responsibility & Sustainability

    Filinvest charts clear path toward net-zero

    Filinvest Development Corp. is formalizing its transition to low-carbon operations, setting a 2040 net-zero emissions target and placing renewable energy at the center of the strategy. 

    Disaster relief tops San Miguel Foundation work in 2025

    Disaster response made up the largest part of San Miguel Foundation’s activities in 2025 as the country faced a series of major calamities, the foundation said.

    SM Group trains first  on GeoRiskPH

    SM Investments Corporation has become the first Philippine conglomerate to complete enterprise-wide training on GeoRiskPH, a suite of science-based digital tools designed to pinpoint location-specific vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience against disasters and climate change.

    Converge conducts tree-planting, health outreach in Pampanga Aeta community

    Converge ICT Solutions Inc. carried out an environmental and health outreach activity for an Aeta community in Angeles City, Pampanga, combining watershed reforestation with medical services.

    Markets

    Markets cool off as peso flexes quiet strength 

    Global markets are taking a step back—not because of panic, but caution. Investors are reducing risk as they navigate uncertainty around inflation, interest rates, and global tensions. 

    Qualcomm shares drop as memory shortfall clouds outlook

    Qualcomm shares fell Thursday as investors reacted to warnings that industry-wide memory supply constraints are hurting the company’s near-term handset outlook, overshadowing record quarterly revenue and a confident long-term strategy.

    FirstMetroSec rolls out Active Trader to support faster, more dynamic market trading

    First Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation (FirstMetroSec) has launched Active Trader, a new trading interface under its FirstMetroSec PRO platform, as part of its ongoing push to strengthen its digital trading ecosystem amid increasingly active market conditions.

    Asian Terminals plans PSE exit in April

    Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) has filed a petition with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) to voluntarily delist its shares, setting April 3 as the target exit date, following a strategic investment by the country’s sovereign wealth fund.

    Travel

    spot_img

    Energy

    Laguna Hydro Plant turnover seen as boost to grid stability 

    The 797-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydroelectric complex in Laguna has been formally turned over to the Thunder Consortium, marking a major step in strengthening the country’s power system as more renewable energy comes online.

    Local power utilities push for global best practices in PH power distribution

    A group of Philippine power distribution utilities is pushing for the adoption of global best practices to improve the country’s electricity services, as energy systems become more complex and technology-driven.

    SMC Global Power approves up to P30B bond issuance

    San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp., the power generation arm of San Miguel Corp., has approved the issuance of up to P30 billion worth of peso-denominated bonds, underscoring its continued access to capital markets as it expands its energy portfolio.

    Fuel prices rise for fifth straight week as global tensions push costs up

    Retail fuel prices will go up again this week, marking the fifth consecutive week of increases in 2026. Starting Tuesday morning, gasoline and kerosene prices will increase by ₱0.60 per liter, while diesel will rise by ₱1 per liter.

    Transport & Communications

    spot_img

    Property

    Megaworld accelerates wellness-driven living in Palawan

    Megaworld Corp., the listed property development arm of tycoon Andrew Tan, is accelerating its expansion in Palawan as it introduces a new wellness-focused residential concept within its 462-hectare ecotourism township, Paragua Coastown, in San Vicente.

    ItalPilipinas subsidiary eyes P1B notes facility

    One of the subsidiaries of ItalPilipinas Development Corp., a listed property developer, is preparing to tap the debt market to fund a new residential project.

    BCDA weighs new Market!Market! lease amid transit-oriented development 

    The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is evaluating the possible renewal of Ayala Land’s lease over Market!Market! ahead of its 2027 expiration, as plans for a large-scale, transit-oriented development (TOD) in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) gain momentum alongside the Metro Manila Subway Project.

    Greenfield builds cities where wellness feels natural

    Wellness has long been marketed as an escape: drive out of town, book a retreat, breathe deeply, then return to traffic on Monday. Greenfield Development Corp. wants to retire that idea. Its message is refreshingly grounded—well-being shouldn’t live on the fringes of city life. It should be woven into it.

    Environment

    spot_img

    Technology

    AboitizPower expands MobileAP App with new flexible bill payment option

    AboitizPower has added a new payment feature to its MobileAP app, allowing customers to pay their electricity bills using Billease through QR Ph. The update gives users more flexible and convenient ways to manage their power payments, including pay-later and installment options.

    GenAI exposure puts Philippine jobs at risk

    More than one in four Philippine jobs are now exposed to generative artificial intelligence, putting the country at the top of ASEAN economies with comparable data—and placing women squarely in the line of disruption.

    Greenfield builds cities where wellness feels natural

    Wellness has long been marketed as an escape: drive out of town, book a retreat, breathe deeply, then return to traffic on Monday. Greenfield Development Corp. wants to retire that idea. Its message is refreshingly grounded—well-being shouldn’t live on the fringes of city life. It should be woven into it.

    When cell towers fall, satellites answer Filipinos’ call

    For a country where typhoons feel like subscription services and earthquakes show up uninvited, connectivity is not a luxury. It is survival. This year, help is not coming by truck or chopper. It is coming straight from the sky.

    Health & Science

    spot_img

    Opinion

    Philippine paradox: Doing right, paying wrong

    Even when the government acts with moral clarity, ordinary Filipinos often end up holding the short end of the stick. 

    Airport knife shooting thrusts security governance into spotlight

    A knife-related shooting at Iloilo International Airport has forced an uncomfortable reckoning inside aviation security circles: what happens when systems meant to stop danger at the door allow it to fester into a crowded terminal.

    Regulatory stress test for PH aviation: The PR113 lavatory fiasco

    The reported handling of a lavatory system failure on Philippine Airlines Flight PR113 should not be treated as a one-off operational lapse.

    Demeter meets CRISPR: Self-replicating rice takes on the seed economy

    For decades, hybrid rice has been the most frustrating agricultural miracle: spectacular yields, structurally expensive. Farmers get abundance—then a bill. Because hybrids don’t reliably reproduce, the system forces growers onto an annual seed treadmill. Productivity, yes. Ownership, no.

    Sports & Entertainment

    spot_img

    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.