Philippines Business News

VFS Global enhances 3 visa centers, adds 1 mobile center in PHL

VFS GLOBAL, a visa and passport administration outsourcing company, has enhanced three visa application centers in Manila, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao while adding a mobile center in Bataan to improve visa application of Filipinos intending to travel to the United Kingdom. In a press release, the VFS Global said the premium visa application centers […]

Benguet placed under state of calamity over P1.07-billion damage

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The provincial government of Benguet has declared the province under a state of calamity, following disasters that have affected more than 15% of its population and disrupted over 30% of local livelihoods. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the declaration during its 52nd regular session in Basil, Tublay on Monday, based on the […]

P25-M skyport to boost Nueva Vizcaya adventure tourism

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — A P25-million skyport in highland Ambaguio town in Nueva Vizcaya is set to break ground in the coming days, anchoring Nueva Vizcaya’s tact to make paragliding and other adventure sports major tourism attractions in the province. Ambaguio town received P20 million after winning the Tourism department’s Tourism Champions Challenge in 2024, […]

PHL stocks slide as Middle East conflict continues

PHILIPPINE SHARES closed lower on Tuesday as the lack of a resolution to the Middle East conflict and a weak peso continued to drag sentiment. The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped by 0.98% or 61.15 points to close at 6,190.23, while the broader all shares index fell by 0.65% or 22.45 points to end […]

3.7-M housing backlog not expected to clear by 2028

THE GOVERNMENT’s housing targets are insufficient to clear the estimated 3.7-million housing backlog by 2028, and will require robust private-sector production, according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Offshore wind developers face possible rationing of port access

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it is considering allocating port access by offshore wind developers. The DoE made the announcement after postponing the fifth round of the green energy auction (GEA-5), which is dedicated to offshore wind, to recalibrate the framework and ensure it proceeds under more favorable conditions. In a draft department circular, […]

LPG procured during crisis nearly sold out at P60/kilo

THE GOVERNMENT is about to complete the disposal of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) procured during the energy crisis, but plans to maintain its reserve of diesel, the Department of Energy (DoE) said. Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said state-run Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) is nearly done disposing of its LPG stocks, which it is […]

PEZA investment approvals surge 334% in Aug.

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said investment approvals surged 334.13% year on year to P64.57 billion in August. In a statement on Tuesday, PEZA said the investment approvals were generated by 22 new and expansion projects. By the end of August, the PEZA Board had approved P216.47 billion worth of investments across 196 new […]

Port cargo volume rises 4.39% in Q2

THE Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said cargo volume rose 4.39% year on year in the second quarter, driven by an increase in foreign shipments during the period. Citing preliminary data, the port regulator said cargo throughput for the three months to June hit 86.88 million metric tons (MMT), against 83.23 MMT a year earlier. The […]

PAGCOR developing app to curb access to unregistered platforms

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said it is developing an application that will steer online gamblers to licensed and regulated platforms. Around 50% of online gaming sites accessed in the Philippines are illegal, making it difficult for PAGCOR and law enforcement agencies to attract players toward the regulated sector, PAGCOR Chairman and Chief […]

DA proposes revival of half-cup rice servings

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking to revive the Half-Cup Rice Ordinance for restaurants, citing the need to minimize rice wastage. The DA is running a “Be RICEponsible” campaign led by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), whose aims include steering consumers to waste less rice and choose healthier rice. The DA is also […]

Mondelez bats for review of sugary drinks tax

MONDELEZ PHILIPPINES, Inc. said the government needs to reconsider its proposed tax hike on sugary drinks, noting that any increase in the current level of taxation would strain the industry. “As a company, we urge the government to consider the implications of the SSB (sugar-sweetened beverages) tax not just for the manufacturers, but for the […]

PHL, Thailand express interest in setting targets for bilateral trade

THE PHILIPPINES and Thailand are looking to set goals for bilateral trade, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said. In the Senior Officials’ Meeting at the inaugural Philippines-Thailand Joint Trade Committee (JTC) on Aug. 14, the two sides discussed opportunities to strengthen trade promotion between the two countries. “A key outcome of the meeting […]

PHL needs broader spectrum of poverty measurements, analysts say

THE PHILIPPINES needs to supplement its official poverty data with indicators that track economic vulnerability, living standards and households’ ability to withstand financial shocks, analysts said.

A peek at NAIA T3’s swanky First Meridian — and the coming lounge shake-up

First Meridian has a wine cellar, a golf simulator, and a buffet stacked with shrimp laksa, Japanese beef curry, and burnt cheesecake. PAGSS, meanwhile, has a looming deadline.

IMF chief says global economy weathered Iran war shock well

Bank error, bank loss: Supreme Court rules banks can't reclaim funds due to own negligence

Supreme Court rejects bank's claim against depositor who withdrew funds made available early.

Cantonese opera plus stand-up comedy win over Singapore audiences

SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Yangcheng Evening News: What happens when Cantonese opera meets stand-up comedy in Singapore? On Aug 24th, the "From Zhuji Lane to the World" Guangfu Cultural Exchange Tour was held in Singapore, attracting nearly 400 local spectators. Cantonese opera Renowned Cantonese opera performers from Guangdong performed alongside local Singaporean community groups, while Cantonese-language host Zhang Chi brought an entertaining Cantonese stand-u

Celebrating 20 years of local craft as Padday na Lima builds a sustainable future

CAGAYAN Valley’s vibrant craftsmanship, flavors and entrepreneurial spirit have arrived in Alabang as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2 opened the 20th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair on Aug. 24, 2026 at Festival Mall. With more than 100 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from the region’s five provinces, this milestone fair invites shoppers to discover products that are proudly local and thoughtfully made with sustainability in mind. Carrying the theme

Copycats, not competitors: How fraudulent apps are quietly damaging the online lending industry

It's tempting to see this as a problem that only affects whichever brand happens to be impersonated at a given moment. In reality, the damage spreads much further — and one of its most corrosive effects is something the industry rarely talks about directly: it's warping how the public understands loan pricing.

Global Times: Driving high-quality development to achieve long-term stability and progress: Zhong Caiwen article

BEIJING, Aug. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on July 30 to make arrangements for economic work in the second half of this year, making it clear there is a need to promote sustained innovation-driven, high-quality and sound economic development, ensuring a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30). According to the Global Times, to arrange economic work effectively in the second half of this yea

Global Times: What does China’s 4.7 percent growth in the first half of 2026 tell us? Zhong Caiwen article

True strength is revealed in the storm; backbone is forged through trials. BEIJING, Aug. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the first half of this year, China's economy advanced under pressure and maintained an overall steady trajectory of development oriented toward the new and the better. The gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.7 percent year-on-year. According to the Global Times, we effectively responded to external changes such as geopolitical conflicts and trade frictions, and skillfully n

Marcial’s eighth pro bout important — Gibbons

MANILA, Philippines — Undefeated Eumir Felix Marcial is going for the most important fight in his eighth professional bout when he faces local guy Omar Ulises Huerta on September 19 as one of the undercards of Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz-Nestor Bravo main event bout at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California. International dealmaker Sean Gibbons confirmed on Tuesday that Marcial’s World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight international belt and then most likely another vacant

YINZCAM AND HALO23 ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH

Expanding unified digital platform across the GCC, Australia, and New Zealand. PITTSBURGH, Aug. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YinzCam and Halo23 today announced an exclusive strategic partnership to support YinzCam's growth across the GCC, Australia, and New Zealand. Halo23 brings deep business relationships across these markets, proven commercial expertise, and a track record of structuring complex partnerships for rights holders, venues, and operators. YinzCam brings the proven unified digital and