Business

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) reported a 14-percent increase in consolidated core net income (CCNI) to ₱40 billion as of end-September 2025, driven by strong performance of its power generation business. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, Meralco said its distribution utility (DU) business remained the biggest income contributor, accounting for 55 percent or ₱21.9 billion …

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) assured the public on Thursday that its investment operations are guided by strict governance standards and multiple layers of safeguards to ensure the prudent management of its members’ contributions. Speaking at *The Agenda* media forum, GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso emphasized that transparency and discipline are at the core of the pension …

The Philippine peso recovered slightly on Thursday, closing at ₱58.69 against the US dollar after touching a record low of ₱59.13 the other week. The local currency strengthened by 44 centavos from its previous level of ₱59.26 to $1. Analysts said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), which earlier signaled tolerance for a weaker peso, may have intervened in the …

The national government’s total outstanding debt continued its slight decline, settling at ₱17.46 trillion as of end-September 2025, down from ₱17.47 trillion in August, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). In a statement Thursday, the BTr said the marginal decrease reflected the government’s “sound fiscal discipline, strategic borrowing strategy, and proactive liability management,” supported by stable market conditions …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects inflation in October to settle between 1.4 percent and 2.2 percent, driven by higher prices of rice, fish, vegetables, electricity, and the peso’s depreciation. In a statement Thursday, the BSP said these upward pressures may be partly offset by lower prices of oil, meat, and fruits. “Going forward, the BSP will continue to …

The Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expressed renewed commitment to support the Philippines’ energy-sector initiatives as the country seeks to meet growing demand and position itself as a regional energy player. In an interview on the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) on Wednesday, ADB Senior Director for Energy Priyantha Wijayatunga said the bank is looking to …

The Swedish government has extended a 12 million Swedish krona (about ₱74 million) grant to support the feasibility study for the Luzon Economic Corridor’s (LEC) flagship Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas (SCMB) railway project. The Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) said the grant agreement between Sweden, through Swedfund International, and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) …

Maya Philippines Inc. has launched Maya Stocks, a new feature that allows users to participate in initial public offerings (IPOs) directly through the Maya app — making investing in newly listed companies faster and easier than ever. The fintech firm said upgraded users can now open and fund a brokerage account within minutes, view available IPOs, and subscribe through participating …

Communities hosting energy resources and power-generating facilities will receive a major funding boost starting January 2026, as the Department of Energy (DOE) triples the financial benefits under the Energy Regulation (ER) Program No. 1-94. Currently, host communities receive ₱0.50 per kilowatt hour (kWh) under the program, but this will increase to ₱2.50/kWh next year.  The financial benefit derived from electricity …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the National Privacy Commission (NPC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen data privacy protection and ensure regulatory compliance across the gaming industry. In a statement last week, PAGCOR said the agreement, signed on October 20, aims to address data privacy challenges, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and promote a secure and …