Companies

LANDBANK and the City Government of Naga have partnered to launch new joint initiatives aimed at boosting local entrepreneurs and government employees through expanded financing, business development support, and digital financial services. Formalized on July 24, 2026, by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and Naga City Mayor Leni G. Robredo, the collaboration introduces the LIFTING MSMEs Lending Program …

Legislative reforms for a stronger deposit insurance system. The Philippine Deposit  Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is pursuing legislative reforms to amend its Charter and  ensure a deposit insurance system that is broader in coverage, faster in response, stronger  in times of crisis, and worthy of public trust. This was shared by PDIC President and CEO  Roberto B. Tan (inset and 2nd …

Boracay Water has reinforced its El Niño mitigation strategies to ensure a stable and reliable water supply across Boracay Island despite prolonged dry conditions. Operating with a robust production capacity of 25 million liters per day against an average demand of 10 MLD, the utility utilizes real-time river level monitoring of the Nabaoy River, intensified leak detection, and pressure management …

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) chairman Manny V. Pangilinan warned that the power industry in the country “may not survive” if utility companies alone shoulder the costs of system loss charges. “The bill is too big for the industry to absorb all of it. So, there’s got to be that discussion. It’s going to impact the entire power industry in this …

Aboitiz Power Corp. posted a strong 41-percent core profit growth in the first six months of 2026 on higher energy prices and boosted capacity from its hydro and solar segments. The group said its core net income had jumped to P18 billion from P12.8 billion in the same period last year. For the period, beneficial earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation …

Osaka-based Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. is making its first overseas pumped storage hydro (PSH) investment in the Philippines, joining tycoons Enrique Razon Jr. and Federico Lopez in a large-scale project in Rizal. Japan’s second-largest power utility has entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 14-percent equity interest in PMJVCo Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of Razon’s Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. …

Crystal Bridges Holdings Corp., a holding firm owned by the family of retailer Lucio Co, has earmarked more than P6.7 billion for the initial phase of its rehabilitation and expansion program for Primewater Infrastructure Corp., following the completion of its acquisition of the water utility in May. The investment will fund infrastructure upgrades and service improvements across the company’s network …

By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN Unknown to ordinary Filipinos in the country, the ubiquitous SM logo is making waves in China.  In fact, the highly diversified conglomerate that started from selling shoes and retail merchandising in Quiapo and founded by Henry Sy Sr. has been dominating Fujian province in China’s south, particularly Jinjiang and Xiamen. The dominant Filipino brand in malls …

The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s electronic tax clearance system (eTCS) is now available nationwide. The bureau said last week that the eTCS is now available to taxpayers registered under Revenue Regions Nos. 1 to 19, pursuant to Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 76-2026. The web-based system enables taxpayers to conveniently apply for, pay and download their Tax Clearance Certificate online. The …

The Philippine ocean-based industries reached over PHP1 trillion last year, accounting for almost 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Data released Thursday showed that the country’s ocean economy went up by 5.3 percent to PHP1.08 trillion in 2025 from PHP1.02 trillion in 2024. The gross value added of ocean-based activities contributed …