The Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB) reported a net income of ₱6.37 billion for the first quarter of 2026, marking a 5 percent year-on-year increase, supported by sustained growth in core banking operations, higher lending activity, and disciplined cost management. The bank said growth was driven by improved loan volumes and steady expansion in its revenue streams despite a volatile …

AFTER BEING cleared of African Swine Fever, Taiwan’s pork can now enter the Philippines. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Philippines can now import domestic and wild pigs and its by-products, including meat, pig skin and semen from Taiwan. The DA said it had confirmed all reported cases of ASF in Taiwan were resolved with no additional outbreak …

BEYOND ELLIPTICALBy Rose Marie de la Cruz I BEG to disagree with the forecast of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. about rice retail prices reaching P62 per kilogram by September. In my last trip to the public markets in the third week of April, I saw prices ranging from P55 to P60 with some reaching as high as P64/kg …

ON September 16, 2021 a simultaneous national bamboo and tree planting activity was held in celebration of the World Bamboo Day and to promote commercial planting. Bamboo– aside from its vital role in preventing soil erosion, floods and other negative impacts of climate change–  also has a lot of commercial, industrial and infrastructure uses.  What led to the commercialization and …

OCEANA, an international conservation NGO, raised possible alarm about the possible water and fish contamination near the Navotas landfill since the garbage fire on April 10 that affected around 90 percent of the 44-hectare sanitary landfill, emitting toxic smoke that brought the air quality in northern Metro Manila (the whole of Quezon City), Bulacan and Bataan to dangerous levels. Oceana’s …

By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN The first quarter of 2026 saw an increase in international visitor arrivals to the Philippines, notching a 10.43 percent uptick, totaling 1.83 million from 1.66 million a year earlier, it was disclosed by the Department of Tourism (DOT). There were fewer arrivals from South Korea, but this was more than compensated with the influx of Chinese …

From 1.4% one year ago to a likely 6.4% in April, 2026 — that’s a full 5-percent increase, and that’s the estimate of many officials, including those from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The official inflation rate for last month is scheduled to be announced tomorrow, May 5. The BSP said the higher expectations for inflation are driven by …

Concepcion Industrial Corp. (CIC), the Philippines’ leading provider of home and enterprise solutions, officially returns as the “Powered By” sponsor for the 2026 Philippine Franchise Expo, held from April 24 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center. Highlighted in this year’s participation is “The Carrier Air Authority Center,” the country’s first and only retail air conditioning (AC) franchise by Concepcion-Carrier …

The SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) considers the West Asia war as a manageable disruption, betting that its diversified consumer-driven portfolio and disciplined capital management will shield it from global volatility. Amando M. Tetangco Jr., SMIC chairman, said the company, one of the leaders in retail, banking, and real estate, is using pre-emptive liquidity and operational flexibility to weather global instability. …

TotalEnergies, together with its partner Nextnorth, a Philippines-based renewable energy developer, announced that they reached financial close and started the construction of a 440 MWp solar power plant. Located in the City of Ilagan, Province of Isabela, the project owned by TotalEnergies (65%) and Nextnorth (35%), will be operational by the end of 2027. Once operational, it will produce 13.5 …