Business

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen data sharing for better policymaking. The MOU was signed on Aug. 29 at the BSP head office in Manila, the central bank said in a statement Thursday. “The MOU strengthens our ability to see the whole picture. …

SM Foundation’s development communication initiatives got recognized at the Philippine Quill Awards, earning two distinctions from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines for initiatives that highlight social good. The entry “Uplifting Lives through Social Good” received a Merit Award in Communication Management, while “We Care: The SM Foundation Newsletter” won an Excellence Award in Communication Skills. Both awards …

Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), the Australian cargo handling operation of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., signed a new enterprise agreement with local unions covering all of its operations until March 2029. The agreement, which was secured without any disruption to operations, reflects the strong relationship between VICT and its workforce, providing a solid platform for the future. “This outcome …

In support of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Plan 2023–2028, CVM Pawnshop and Money Changer Corporation (CVM Pawnshop) empowered 850 Filipino micro-entrepreneurs through the “Ka-CEO” Program, equipping them with fresh insights, new opportunities, and practical strategies to strengthen and scale their businesses. The “Ka-CEO” Program provides a wide range of tools, strategies …

Policy stability is among the most critical factors in attracting long-term capital, according to Valentino S. Bagatsing, chairman and chief executive officer of Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP), one of the leading independent investment houses in the country. Bagatsing stressed risk is part of any business endeavor, but what investors have trouble with is policy uncertainty, especially …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation clarified that its National Database of Restricted Persons or NDRP is not a list of gambling addicts but a compilation of names of people who are not allowed to gamble such as government officials. The state gaming regulator said the hacked list did not come from the PAGCOR website but was likely obtained from …

Manila Water is reinforcing its commitment to safety, security, and service reliability through key infrastructure projects in the Balara Compound, designed to withstand the impacts of natural disasters and ensure uninterrupted operations. These initiatives, for completion in 2025, address urgent repair needs and bolster the company’s ability to deliver essential services even in times of crisis. One of the priority …

HOUSE OF FINANCIAL FREEDOM By Chinkee Tan You’d think doubling your income would automatically make you wealthier. For most people, it doesn’t. I’ve seen it countless times as a wealth coach: salary goes up, lifestyle follows, and savings stay flat. This is called the income trap: expenses grow as fast as, or faster than, income. One of my clients experienced …

The country’s trade deficit narrowed in July 2025 as exports posted double-digit growth, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. The balance of trade in goods declined by 17 percent to USD 4.05 billion in July from USD 4.8 billion in the same month last year. Export sales jumped 17.3 percent to USD 7.3 billion from USD 6.2 billion …

The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) on Friday expressed support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to investigate alleged anomalies in flood control projects, saying the move will strengthen accountability and safeguard the public. “Corruption and negligence in flood control projects are not just wastes of taxpayer money—they endanger lives and undermine confidence in government programs,” FPI said in …