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Several transport groups announced Thursday they are canceling their planned transport holiday next week, following the Department of Transportation (DOTr)’s launch of a financial aid and incentive package meant to ease the impact of high fuel prices on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators.

Universal Robina Corp. (URC), the food business of the Gokongwei group, reported Thursday that its net income for the first half ending June reached P6.91 billion, a 10 percent increase from the P6.27 billion recorded in the same period last year. Total revenues for the six-month period also rose 4 percent to P89.33 billion from P85.88 billion a year earlier.

Electricity prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) fell by 13.1 percent nationwide in July, driven by lower overall demand across the country. According to data released by the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) during an online briefing, the national spot price dropped to an averaged P8.31 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of July 25, down from P9.56 per kWh in June.

Cebu Pacific posted a net loss of P5.9 billion in the first half of the year, a sharp reversal from the P8.9-billion net profit recorded in the same period last year, due to surging fuel prices and foreign exchange losses.

The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) is urging the government to fast-track the country's artificial intelligence agenda, proposing a national task force and education reforms designed to equip Filipino workers for an economy increasingly shaped by AI and advanced technologies.