Business

The Philippine National Bank (PNB) has expressed support for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ issuance of the ₱10 ASEAN commemorative coin, which began circulating nationwide in January 2026 to mark the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The initiative, issued under Memorandum Circular Letter No. CL-2025-049 from the BSP Regional Operations and Advocacy Sector, calls on banks …

The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has relocated its branch-lite unit (BLU) in Naga City, Cebu to a more strategic site to improve access and convenience for its clients. DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said the transfer of the DBP Naga branch-lite unit to the Naga City Hall Building in Purok Diamond, Barangay East …

By Jesse C. Ong Ang pagbuo ng maliit na negosyo sa Pilipinas ay hindi biro. Maraming sumubok, marami rin ang nadapa—pero marami ring nagtagumpay. Kaya naman, kinapanayam natin ang ilang successful small business owners at inipon ang kanilang practical na payo para sa mga aspiring entrepreneurs. 1. Dapat may puso at kapit-tuko ka. Ayon sa mga negosyanteng matagumpay na ngayon, …

By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN Things are developing fast for the nickel industry in Southeast Asia.  If there is one good thing that happened in the ongoing 2026 Asean Sustainability Summit in Cebu City, it is this piece of news about the Philippines and Indonesia joining their resources and expertise together in the production of nickel. Nickel is very much in …

Lack of jobs still haunts the Filipino nation. The country’s unemployment rate in March rose to 5%, as the number of jobless Filipinos jumped to 2.58 million amid the oil crisis, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Preliminary results from the March 2026 Labor Force Survey released on Wednesday showed the jobless rate stood at 5% in March, much higher …

If you increase the income tax exemption threshold, the government loses money to fund its various projects and services.  Thus, the legislative branch would need to find a replacement fund to cover the revenue losses. This, in summary, is the position of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) headed by Economy Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. “Of course, that would …

For a more improved productivity and enhanced competitiveness, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) teamed up to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups through an enhanced platform of financing on May 4. In a ceremonial signing, DOST and LANDBANK inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the LANDBANK …

Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) has announced its project with JG Summit Holdings, Inc., one of the Philippines’ largest and more diversified conglomerates, for a ServiceNow implementation and managed services engagement supporting its IT modernization journey.  Operating a conglomerate with a portfolio as diverse as JG Summit’s presents a unique set of management challenges. Conglomerates often face significant operational complexity, stemming from …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has pledged to take necessary policy actions to bring inflation back to target levels, as price pressures continue to accelerate due to higher global fuel and food costs. In a statement Tuesday, the central bank said it remains committed to its mandate of maintaining price stability and ensuring inflation returns to its 3-percent target within …

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported a net income of ₱12.6 billion in the first quarter of 2026, supported by steady asset growth, improved margins, and stronger fee-based revenues. In a recent statement, the bank said net interest income rose by 13 percent to ₱33.4 billion, reflecting sustained lending activity and better yields. Gross loans expanded by 9.2 percent, …