Reuters

The Philippines successfully hosted the first quarter of the 2026 ASEAN-related events backed by a massive digital infrastructure push from telecom giant Globe, marking a significant milestone in public-private collaboration for national development. Working in tight coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission, and the ASEAN National Organizing Council, Globe proactively deployed free mobile signal enhancements, optimized network capacities, and rolled out targeted 5G coverage across key venues in Metro Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, and Boracay. This nationwide initiative ensured that international delegates, organizers, and media experienced seamless, high-speed communication throughout the high-profile regional summits.

A stark divide has emerged between what Filipinos know about money and how much they have actually saved, prompting proactive workplace interventions. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas 2025 Consumer Finance and Inclusion Survey, basic financial literacy among Filipino adults has risen to 74 percent, up from 69 percent in 2021. However, this knowledge has not yet translated into financial security, as a worrying 30 percent of Filipinos report having enough savings to weather an emergency or sudden income loss, and fewer than half are satisfied with their current financial state.

Telecom giant PLDT Inc. has officially secured the backing of the Tagbanua Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) for its new undersea fiber-optic project, clearing a major path to boost internet reliability across Palawan.

Former finance secretary and Philippine Stock Exchange chairman Jose T. Pardo called on the private sector Wednesday to keep investing and hiring, even amid rising inflation, warning that economic recovery cannot wait.