Port fees rise at Manila and Batangas starting Jan. 1
Major port operators began implementing the first round of approved fee increases at the Manila and Batangas ports on January 1, 2026, following approval by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).
DA bets on more sili to cool price spikes
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is zeroing in on one of the most volatile items in the Filipino kitchen: chilli pepper or sili. With prices swinging sharply during the rainy season, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing a plan to ramp up production, harden farms against extreme weather, and bring more predictability to supply and prices.
Human Settlements fast-tracks approvals to jumpstart housing
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) is starting 2026 with a clear message to developers: if your papers are complete, expect faster approvals.
Philippines pitches Cebu as tourism comeback
Facing a dip in foreign visitor arrivals, the Philippines is rolling out a high-stakes tourism pitch by hosting the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) this month—using Cebu as both stage and symbol of a hoped-for rebound.
Startup hesitation shadows Philippines’ entrepreneurial pulse
The Philippines saw fewer Filipinos take the leap into solo entrepreneurship in 2025, as new business name registrations slid 15 percent to 879,304, down from 938,681 a year earlier.
