Business

On World Ocean Day (June 11, 2026), global logistics leader DP World launched its first global seagrass restoration initiative on Geoje Island, South Korea. Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Green Foundation and the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA), the project kicked off with volunteers and local fishermen transplanting roughly 6,000 seagrass shoots along the Dadae …

The Philippines’ outstanding external debt declined to US$147.35 billion at end-March 2026 from US$147.65 billion a quarter earlier and remained manageable. Key debt indicators remained sound. External debt as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) improved slightly to 30.0 percent from 30.3 percent in the previous quarter, despite slower economic growth. Liquidity conditions also strengthened. Short-term external debt based …

Foreign direct investments (FDI) posted net inflows of $611 million in March this year, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), reflecting continued but slightly moderating investor activity. The March figure was higher than the $485 million recorded in the same month last year, but 4.2 percent lower than February’s $638 million, indicating month-to-month fluctuations amid …

Consumer finance platform Billease has injected ₱500 million in fresh capital into its banking arm, the Rural Bank of Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur, as part of a broader push to strengthen digital banking capabilities, governance, and product innovation. The company said the investment will support an end-to-end upgrade of the bank’s core systems, enabling a more scalable and digital-first …

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will auction off two prime commercial lots and dozens of other properties across Luzon through an electronic public bidding scheduled on July 8 and 9. In a statement last week, PDIC said the submission of bids will run from 9 a.m. on July 8 until 1 p.m. on July 9, with the opening of …

State-owned Land Bank of the Philippines has temporarily closed several branches in South Cotabato and Sarangani following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake as part of precautionary safety measures. In an advisory issued last week, LandBank said the affected branches in South Cotabato include Calumping, General Santos Highway, General Santos-Pioneer, and Koronadal Highway. Also closed are the Alabel and Glan branches in …

Philippine National Bank (PSE: PNB) has strengthened its push for global-ready financial services through a new partnership with Japan’s JCB International, aimed at expanding access to secure, innovative payment solutions for Filipino customers. The agreement was formalized on May 19, 2026, at Okada Manila, bringing together PNB’s domestic banking network and JCB’s international payment expertise under a shared goal of …

TO help partner drivers further maximize their earning opportunities amid the current economic crisis, Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery and ride-hailing platform, is extending its 0%  commission scheme for its ride-hailing service, Lalamove Ride, until the remainder of 2026—a model that has been in place for six months, beginning last December of 2025. Launched in February 2025, Lalamove Ride started …

Loans from universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) increased by 11.4 percent year-on-year in April, from 10.7 percent in March. After adjusting for seasonal fluctuations, outstanding U/KB loans were higher by 1.1 percent month-on-month, reflecting banks’ expectations of steady loan demand from businesses and households in Q2 2026. Outstanding loans to residents expanded by 11.8 percent year-on-year in April from 11.1 …

IN support of this year’s Brigada Eskwela and the reopening of schools for S.Y. 2026-2027, Manila Water Non-East Zone subsidiary Laguna Water donated refrigerated drinking fountains (RDFs) to six public schools in the municipality of Biñan, Laguna.  This is part of the Lingap Laguna project, which aims to provide access to clean and potable water in public spaces. In partnership …