Business groups are urging lawmakers to strengthen proposed amendments to the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), warning that persistently weak credit access shows decades of policy efforts have fallen short.
Industry leaders are pressing the government to roll out stronger fiscal incentives and establish dedicated industrial zones to accelerate the Philippines’ shift into value-added nickel processing and close the gap with regional competitors.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could shave up to 1.3 percentage points off economic growth in developing Asia and the Pacific over 2026–2027, while pushing inflation higher by as much as 3.2 percentage points if energy disruptions persist for more than a year.
SM Supermalls will open later on weekdays nationwide starting March 30, shifting mall hours to 11:00 a.m. from Monday to Friday as part of efforts to conserve electricity during the ongoing National Energy Emergency. On Saturdays and Sundays, the malls open 10 a.m. Closing hours on all days will be at 9 p.m.
St. Peter Life Plan Inc. is encouraging Filipino families to consider memorial arrangements as part of their broader financial and emergency preparedness, saying advance planning can help reduce uncertainty and ease decision-making during difficult times.
Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) is targeting growing commercial vehicle demand in Mindanao as logistics, agribusiness, and cold-chain operators invest in specialized trucks to move goods more efficiently.
The Philippines is using its 2026 ASEAN chairship to expand its P2.12-trillion creative economy into a larger regional export and investment platform, seeking to connect Filipino talent with Southeast Asian and global markets.
The Philippines is sending its largest-ever delegation to the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), using its return as Country of Honor to put Philippine exports, tourism, and investment opportunities before Chinese and regional markets.