The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is preparing a circular to remove value-added tax (VAT) on allowable system loss charges, a move that could help lower electricity bills for consumers.

The Social Security System (SSS) paid P205.56 billion in benefits to members, pensioners, and beneficiaries in the first seven months of 2026, as contribution collections continued to provide the bulk of funding for payouts.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) has alerted the public to widespread haze across several key regions, including the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and portions of Central Visayas. Monitoring and weather assessments link the condition to smoke from ongoing fires in Kalimantan, Indonesia, carried to the country by prevailing winds.