Philippines Business News

URC opens P2.75-B manufacturing plant in Batangas

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said Gokongwei-led Universal Robina Corp. (URC) has opened a P2.75-billion manufacturing facility in Malvar, Batangas as it seeks to further expand its export-oriented operations while supporting domestic demand. In a social media post last week, PEZA said URC’s megaplant was inaugurated on July 31, aligning with the food and […]

Central bank bills fetch higher yield as demand declines

THE AVERAGE YIELD on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) short-term securities nudged higher for an eighth consecutive week as demand for the offering weakened. The 28-day BSP bills drew P35.4 billion in bids on Friday, below the P40 billion auctioned off and the P43.39 billion in tenders for the same volume offered during the […]

Debt yields drop as data temper tightening bets

YIELDS on government securities (GS) traded in the secondary market ended lower last week as Philippine headline inflation came in slower than expected in July, with weak economic growth also dampening prospects of further monetary tightening. GS yields, which move opposite to prices, declined by 13.36 basis points (bps) on average week on week, based […]

CBS, ProFriends team up to provide access to home financing

CHINA BANK Savings, Inc. (CBS) has partnered with Property Company of Friends, Inc. (ProFriends) to help provide access to financing to prospective homeowners. Under the partnership, the thrift bank, through its Housing Loans Division, and ProFriends provides prospective buyers with both property options and accessible financing assistance through its various home loan options with competitive […]

A signal of friendship

On July 30, the Japanese yen staged one of its most violent reversals in decades. It had weakened to nearly 164 per dollar, its lowest level in 40 years.

Analysts flag slow recovery this year

The Philippine economy is now seen growing by only three to 3.9 percent this year, with analysts tempering their outlook after a sharper-than-expected second-quarter slowdown exposed persistent weakness in investment and household spending.

Consumer complaints flood central bank in 2025

Consumer complaints received by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas surged by nearly 73 percent in 2025 as more Filipinos turned to the BSP for help in resolving disputes with banks and other financial institutions.

DA bans imports of animal meat from 7 countries

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has banned the importation of animal and meat products from seven countries amid concern over the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the local animal industry.

Fisheries output grows 2 percent in Q2

The country’s fisheries production expanded to more than a million metric tons (MT) in the second quarter amid stronger output from the marine and municipal fishing subsectors, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

From retail queens to talk show hosts: Robina Gokongwei, Tessie Sy-Coson share limelight at retail conference

Retail tycoon Robina Gokongwei-Pe switched hats and channeled her inner “queen of talk” to ask her friend and business rival Teresita Sy-Coson or TSC a question that has probably been lingering on her mind for quite some time now: “What’s your secret to looking forever 59?”

Government pays P1.23 trillion debt in H1

The country’s debt service bill reached P1.23 trillion in the first semester, largely on amortization payments, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported.

Jollibee opens 1st Compose Coffee store in Philippines

South Korean coffee brand Compose Coffee has officially entered the Philippine market as the Jollibee Group opened the brand’s first store in the country.

Manila cruise port to break ground soon

The P5-billion Manila terminal for cruise vessels is close to breaking ground, with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) eyeing to firm up a lease agreement before the year ends.

Meralco sees electricity demand to pick up in H2

Power utility giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) expects energy sales to pick up in the remaining months of 2026, driven by strong electricity demand amid the El Niño weather phenomenon.

PAL mulls fuel hedging

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is exploring the possibility of hedging fuel in light of the abrupt spike in petroleum prices that lead to elevated airfares.

Pension hike drags down SSS earnings in H1

State-run pension fund Social Security System (SSS) reported a 27.8-percent drop in net income in the first half, as benefit payouts outpaced contributions and investment earnings.

Sand problems hound Bulacan airport

While SMC Infrastructure has greatly improved the facilities of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the timetable for the more modern Bulacan International Airport continues to face delays due to challenges in sourcing adequate sand for landfilling the new airport facility.

SEC, BIR join forces to support ease of doing business initiatives

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have forged an alliance to support ease of doing business and deepen the capital market.

SEIPI turns bullish on electronics exports

The umbrella group of electronics and semiconductor firms in the country now expects electronics exports to grow by 10 percent this year, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers.

Stocks on edge as GDP slows

Trading is seen staying range bound this week as investors are expected to continue digesting the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) slowdown in the second quarter.

We’re in deep doo doo

Last Friday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported some grim statistics showing that our GDP grew by only 2.3 percent year-on-year for Q2 2026, marking the weakest quarterly performance in 17 years outside the pandemic.

As the world rediscovers 'The Odyssey,' disabled actors in Greece explore the pain of war

EPIDAURUS, Greece — As Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” renews global fascination with Homer, a cast of disabled and non-disabled performers in Greece is staging the war’s other story. It’s not about the triumph of returning heroes, but the suffering they left behind. “The Trojan Women,” with a cast of 22, was staged at Epidaurus, the ancient open-air stone arena in southern Greece. It marked what organizers called the first fully accessible perfo

Diplomats' Perspective on Anhui: From Agricultural Province to Regional Economic "Growth Pole"

HEFEI, China, Aug. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from CRI Online: "This is a rare opportunity - we have come to the new engine of China's economic growth, Anhui." So said H.E. Mr. Robert Lee, Fiji's Ambassador to China, at an exchange event in Hefei on the 3rd, which brought together 15 diplomats from Ethiopia, Fiji, Latvia, Türkiye, Botswana and other countries for an in-depth dialogue with the province. Diplomats engage in dialogue with representatives of Anhui enterprises at the launc

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