Maya Philippines Inc. has launched Maya Stocks, a new feature that allows users to participate in initial public offerings (IPOs) directly through the Maya app — making investing in newly listed companies faster and easier than ever. The fintech firm said upgraded users can now open and fund a brokerage account within minutes, view available IPOs, and subscribe through participating …

Communities hosting energy resources and power-generating facilities will receive a major funding boost starting January 2026, as the Department of Energy (DOE) triples the financial benefits under the Energy Regulation (ER) Program No. 1-94. Currently, host communities receive ₱0.50 per kilowatt hour (kWh) under the program, but this will increase to ₱2.50/kWh next year.  The financial benefit derived from electricity …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen data privacy protection and ensure regulatory compliance across the gaming industry. In a statement last week, PAGCOR said the agreement, signed on October 20, aims to address data privacy challenges, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and promote a secure and …

A top official of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said recently that the country’s young and dynamic workforce could help cushion the impact of the 19-percent tariff currently imposed by the United States on Philippine exports. PCCI Innovation Committee Chair and EMS Group of Companies CEO Perry Ferrer said the Philippines’ demographic advantage remains a strong asset …

The Chery Group of Companies, the umbrella conglomerate of which Omoda & Jaecoo exists, held a very successful 5-day Chery International User Summit 2025 in Wuhu, China. With the theme “CO-CREATE · CO-DEFINE,” the parent company of Omoda & Jaecoo, the said Summit was attended by more than 3,000 participants from more than 100 countries who not only witnessed the debut of Aimoga’s strategic roadmap, an introduction into robotics, but also illustrated the parent company’s systematic transformation from an …

Make way for the Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM, a testament to advanced engineering, that was officially launched in a grand celebration last week at The Cove Manila in Okada Manila in Paranaque City. The president of the Jetour Auto International Ke Chuandeng, planed in from China to grace the blue-ribbon event that was also led by Jetour Auto Philippines chairman Rommel Sytinand Jetour Auto Philippines managing director Miguelito Jose. The sophisticated hybrid powertrain of the all-new Jetour T1 Lightning i-DM combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine generating …

By Rose de la Cruz For the longest time it has been common knowledge that smuggling has been thriving because Chinese suppliers have been paying government officials to turn a blind eye on their operations. Through the years, the operations have evolved from clandestine to outright open smuggling. It was not surprising that in the recent hearing at the Senate by …

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. urged rice retailers to follow the maximum suggested retail price of rice (MSRP) of P43 per kilogram or prepare to be given show cause orders, or warnings, for why they violate the government-mandated price ceilings for the staple. DA Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra said the department is sending shortly warning letters to four Metro …

To help small municipal fishermen against more sophisticated commercial fishing boat, the Makabayan bloc of lawmakers have filed the Atin ang Kinse Kilometro bill. Called Atin ang Kinse Kilometro (15 Kilometers is Ours), the bill seeks to “uphold sustainable fishing practices over destructive and environmentally harmful commercial fishing operations.” The Makabayan solons who filed the bill are Kabataan Representative Renee Co, …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has amended the rules governing Islamic Banking Units (IBUs) to attract more players and strengthen the country’s Islamic finance industry. In a statement last week, the BSP clarified that IBUs will no longer be required to maintain separate capital since they operate as divisions or departments within conventional banks, even while observing Shari’ah principles …