Business

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) kept its policy rate at 4.25 percent following an off-cycle Monetary Board meeting on Thursday to assess the impact of the Middle East conflict on inflation and growth. BSP Governor and Monetary Board Chairperson Eli Remolona Jr. said the rare meeting was called due to the “fast-changing and uncertain environment” caused by the ongoing …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is prepared to provide rapid financial and technical support to developing member countries (DMCs) affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “ADB will deliver rapid, flexible, and scalable assistance to help countries manage immediate pressures and strengthen long-term resilience, notably fast-disbursing budget support and trade and supply chain finance to secure …

Banks in the Philippines are showing stronger adherence to Agri-Agra lending requirements, driven in part by the government’s push for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas official said. BSP Assistant Governor Pia Roman-Tayag noted that more financial institutions are now meeting lending mandates and integrating ESG principles to manage governance and operational risks. “More banks …

LANDBANK and the Commission on Higher Education have partnered to advance agricultural education and fully digitalize scholarship support for nearly one million CHED scholars nationwide. The partnership was formalized by LANDBANK President and CEO Lynette V. Ortiz and CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis during the Higher Education Summit on 12 March 2026 at the SMX Clark Convention Center in …

Chinabank is offering its HomePlus Bundle Promo with a 6.25% p.a. fixed interest rate for five years—the lowest in the market—along with a waiver of up to ₱50,000 in bank fees. Borrowers taking a ₱5 million loan over 15 years could save over ₱90,000 compared to typical competitor rates of 6.50% or higher. To qualify, applicants must apply for a …

Inventories of oil and refined petroleum products which are categorized as “reserves” have never been given priority by the government, as the private sector takes care of oil reserves to last from 15 to 30 days as demanded by the law. That was the case in the local oil industry, with Petron, Caltex, Shell and other oil companies only reporting …

SM Prime Holdings Inc. will open its 90th mall in the country on March 20, boosting further its retail presence in Mindanao. SM City Zamboanga, SM’s eight mall in Mindanao, is a four-level development that will add more than 42,000 square meters of gross leasable space to Zamboanga City’s retail landscape. “Zamboanga is a strong and growing market. This expansion …

DMCI Holdings Inc. plans to spend P24.6 billion this year to support residential construction, expansion in the off-grid power and strategic improvements in cement operations. DMCI Homes is expected to account for 65 percent of aggregate capital expenditures, with up to P15.5 billion allocated for ongoing and new project construction and land banking, subject to market conditions. DMCI Power intends …

MREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust of Megaworld Corp., has secured regulatory approval ahead of schedule for its fourth wave of asset acquisitions. This allows the firm to proceed with a major expansion of its office portfolio. In a disclosure on Thursday, MREIT said the Securities and Exchange Commission cleared its Wave 4 property-for-share swap transaction. This paves the …

The Philippines received a business delegation from Northern Poland to explore possible collaboration in maritime investments, including shipbuilding, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said. “The participation of the West Pomeranian delegation — representing shipbuilding, maritime logistics, industrial engineering, and construction — underscores Poland’s growing interest in the Philippines as a strategic investment hub in the region,” PEZA Director General …