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6 October

DEPDev seeks P15.34-B budget for disaster resilience, planning in 2026

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) is proposing a ₱15.34-billion budget for 2026 to boost government planning and development programs, with stronger emphasis on disaster risk reduction, resilience, and climate adaptation. During the agency’s budget presentation on Friday, Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the proposed allocation will enable DEPDev and its attached agencies to strengthen programs that safeguard communities …

6 October

Will justice catch up with widespread corruption?

The recent flurry of corruption cases filed by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and other government agencies offers a familiar mix of hope and cynicism for the Filipino public. Dozens of complaints now implicate regional DPWH engineers, contractors and even legislators. On the surface, this crackdown signals a long-overdue reckoning. But …

6 October

Unity, accountability in the wake of the Cebu quake

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bago City, Cebu, on September 30 shook more than just the ground—it rattled a nation already grappling with the weight of corruption, poor governance, and deep regional inequalities. As the rubble is cleared and aftershocks still threaten already damaged homes and buildings, we must take stock not only of what was lost, but what can …

6 October

GSIS enhances loan buyout program to ease members’ debt burden

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has upgraded its Ginhawa Max Loan Buyout program to help members free themselves from high-interest loans and predatory lenders. GSIS President and General Manager Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso said the enhanced program enables government workers to consolidate and buy out expensive loans with GSIS, offering lower rates and more flexible terms. “The Ginhawa Max Loan …

6 October

SEC warns against online groups preying on scam victims

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday cautioned the public against persons and groups offering supposed assistance to scam victims through social media platforms, warning that such schemes are meant to defraud them a second time. In a statement, the SEC said these offers circulate via Facebook pages, online groups, and other platforms, and typically involve promises to recover …

6 October

Construction materials price index in NCR posts slower decline in September

The wholesale price index of construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) slipped by 0.2 percent in September, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Friday. The decline was slower than the -0.5 percent recorded in August, mainly due to an uptick in the heavily weighted index of concrete products, which rose by 0.2 percent from a 0.6 percent drop …

6 October

SEIAC unveils 5-year plan to boost Phl semiconductor, electronics sector

The Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC), chaired by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), has mapped out a five-year action plan to build a skilled workforce and strengthen the country’s position in the global semiconductor and electronics industry. The plan was presented during the council’s second meeting, where discussions …

6 October

DOE seeks long-term roadmap from data center industry to align power needs

The Department of Energy (DOE) said last week that while power supply remains sufficient to support the growing data center industry, it needs the sector’s long-term roadmap to properly assess its impact on the energy market. Speaking at the ABS-CBN News Channel forum “The Clean Energy Shift: Powering a Green Economy with Renewable Energy” in Quezon City, DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara …

6 October

PEZA-approved foreign investments up 33.5% to P154.7 billion in Jan-Sept 2025

Foreign investments approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) surged by 33.5 percent in the first nine months of 2025, reaching around ₱154.7 billion from nearly ₱115.9 billion in the same period last year. In a statement last week, PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said the approvals, covering 215 projects, highlight “enduring investor confidence in the Philippines” and keep …

6 October

FCDU loans rise 0.9% in Q2

Foreign-currency-denominated loans granted by banks in the second quarter of the year inched up by 0.9 percent to USD15.93 billion from USD15.78 billion in the previous quarter, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. Year-on-year, foreign currency deposit unit (FCDU) loans were higher by 1.9 percent. These are loans extended by local banks’ FCDUs or branches of foreign …

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October, 2025