Business

The country’s  competitiveness in the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) sector got a further boost following the lifting of the seven-year moratorium on the establishment of IT parks in Metro Manila. This was stressed by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso Panga Thursday, following the release of Administrative Order (AO) 45, which was signed by President Ferdinand R. …

The country’s trade deficit widened in June from a year earlier on higher imports and exports, preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed on Thursday. At $4.94 billion, the shortfall was 12.3 percent higher than the $4.4 billion posted a year earlier. It narrowed, however, from the $6.1 billion seen in May. Total trade in goods reached $22.48 …

Most Philippine banks expect to maintain their lending standards in the third quarter of 2026, signaling continued stability in the country’s banking system despite lingering geopolitical uncertainties, according to the latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) survey. Results of the BSP’s Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS), released on Thursday, showed that 75.5 percent of respondent banks expect no change …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has reminded Philippine companies and government entities planning to secure foreign loans to submit their Foreign Borrowings Plan (FBP) for the fourth quarter of 2026 and full-year 2027 on or before Sept. 30. The requirement covers resident entities intending to obtain medium- and long-term foreign loans or borrowings from non-residents, including those planning offshore …

State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has partnered with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to integrate geohazard information into its risk management system and strengthen lending and investment decisions. DBP President and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. de Jesus said the agreement gives the bank access to PHIVOLCS’ GeoRiskPH platform, enabling it to use science-based hazard …

BDO Unibank, Inc. posted a net income of ₱40.7 billion in the first half of 2026, slightly higher than the ₱40.6 billion recorded in the same period last year, as strong lending activity and improved asset quality offset higher provisions for potential risks. The bank reported a return on equity of 12.7 percent, reflecting the sustained strength of its core …

EastWest is widening access to its Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) products through new partnerships with DragonFi and Luna Securities, making it easier for Filipinos to invest for their retirement through digital platforms. The partnerships enable customers to access EastWest PERA through online investment platforms designed to simplify retirement planning and encourage long-term saving. PERA is a voluntary retirement …

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 …