The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is adding another $3 billion to the existing $4 billion it had already invested in the tourism sector of the Philippines, according to ADB East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific Vice President Scott Morris during the recently concluded ASEAN Tourism Summit held in Cebu.  ADB plans to pour in the $3 billion by 2030 …

Travel and tourism contributed $91.8 billion to the Philippine economy, according to the 2025 World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Economic Impact Report (EIR). According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), the report reflected the sector’s importance in driving growth and economic resilience in the country. The report was formally presented by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) during therecent ASEAN …

The Bohol Provincial Government proudly announced the reopening of Virgin Island, more than a year after it was closed due to environmental abuses. However, vendors will no longer be allowed to sell their wares on the sandbar while boat operations will be strictly monitored. The island’s reopening is part of the efforsts of Governor Erico Aumentado to promotesustainable tourism while …

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that EDSA near the corner of West and North Avenues in Quezon City will be closed to traffic beginning February 1, 2026 due to scheduled girder launching activities of Metro Rail Transit 7. The lane closures will ensure safety of the motoring public while heavy equipment and …

The Philippines has a line-up of initiatives supporting the long-term growth of tourism, including expanded air access, language training for tourism workers, and new study-based travel offerings, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the 5th meeting of ASEAN–Russian Federation Tourism Ministers. The tourism chief said the Philippines’ approach reflects the need to rebuild traveler confidence through reliable connectivity, clear …

Major transport groups, including the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP), oppose the proposal by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to allow large private vehicles used for carpooling services to enter the exclusive EDSA busway. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) thanked PBOAP executive director and spokesperson Alex Yague, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers …

It’s scraping bottom for the Philippine economy, but Cabinet officials in and out of Malacañang are still hopeful that the country a high middle-income status before the year ends. In 2025, the economy expanded by 4.4%, much weaker than the 5.7% growth in 2024. This was the weakest notch in five years or when GDP declined by 9.5% in 2020. …

THE Philippines can still hit the goal of becoming a high-income economy despite a run of below-potential growth, Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Thursday. This, following the release of disappointing data on how the national economy performed in 2025. “Our aspiration as a country, as reflected in our long-term plan, is to join our neighbors as a developed …

The Jollibee Group’s South Korean value coffee brand Compose Coffee has achieved the highest customer satisfaction rating among Korea’s leading low-cost franchises. The result was based on a recent survey released by the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA), South Korea’s government-mandated consumer protection institution established to safeguard and advance consumer rights, enhance market transparency and improve overall consumer welfare. Based on …

The Energy Regulatory Commission  (ERC) announced this week that it has approved Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026 setting a “Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy and Rate for the implementation of the Lifeline Program nationwide.” The lifeline subsidy is a passed-on charge against regular-paying consumers to shoulder the discounted rates for the electricity consumption of low-income consumers. Under the resolution, the …