Business

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government is enforcing programs to manage price pressures emerging from the energy sector. It includes improving the Department of Energy’s Net Metering Program by enforcing time-bound local permitting, simplifying utility documentary requirements and expanding consumer incentives.   “The program allows consumers to install eligible renewable energy systems and export surplus …

More and more Filipinos in the labor force are finding it hard to land a job. The number of unemployed Filipinos increased to 2.26 million in December, higher than the 1.63 million logged in December 2024 and the previous month’s count of 2.25 million. For 2025, the jobless rate averaged 4.2%, equivalent to 2.14 million jobless Filipinos. This was higher …

Ten industry divisions performed so badly last year that the country’s manufacturing output decreased. This was according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Preliminary results of the PSA’s Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries showed that the Volume of Production Index (VoPI) for manufacturing posted an annual average decline of 0.02 percent last year, indicating a downtrend from the 0.7 …

THE transition from a scholar to a legal professional is rarely a straight path. More often, it is a test of endurance.  For Atty. Jermagne A. Ceria, passing the 2025 Bar Exam was not just a personal milestone, but the culmination of a decade-long journey fueled by a “never-say-die” spirit and the unwavering support of SM Foundation. Jermagne’s story begins …

International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI)’s wholly owned subsidiary Victoria International Container Terminal Ltd. (VICT) has signed a 26-year extension of its contract to operate and manage the Webb Dock East terminal at the Port of Melbourne. Port of Melbourneand VICT announced the extension today, which will see VICT continue to operate and manage the terminal until 2066.   This …

FIRST Metro Securities Brokerage Corporation (FirstMetroSec) continues to strengthen its already robust digital trading ecosystem as it prepares investors for increasingly dynamic market conditions, reinforcing its long-term commitment to technology-driven investing. As market participation grows and trading activity becomes more fast-paced, FirstMetroSec has continued to invest in platform enhancements that improve speed, visibility, and the overall trading experience.  Recent upgrades …

NINOY Aquino International Airport (NAIA) recorded its highest monthly passenger traffic on record in January 2026, extending the momentum from its strongest year to date. New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of NAIA, said 4.96 million passengers passed through the airport during the month, exceeding the 4.86 million recorded in December 2025 and making January the busiest month …

East West Banking Corporation (EastWest Bank) expects low- to mid-teen growth in assets and loans this year, building on strong performance in 2025. While full-year results for last year are yet to be released, the bank reported that as of end-October, net income rose 14 percent to ₱6.6 billion, revenues grew 16 percent to ₱37.3 billion, and consumer lending increased …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Thursday said its monetary easing cycle is “nearing its end,” as domestic demand is expected to improve following a series of policy rate cuts since 2024. January inflation rose to 2 percent from 1.8 percent in December 2025, remaining at the lower end of the government’s 2–4 percent target and within the BSP’s …

The Philippine government’s total liabilities reached ₱17.71 trillion at the end of 2025, up 10.3 percent from ₱16.05 trillion at the close of 2024, as authorities emphasized that the debt portfolio remains resilient with the bulk sourced domestically. Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed domestic creditors accounted for 68.4 percent of the total, or ₱12.12 trillion, while …