The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Volleyball’s epicenter rumbled in Southeast Asia with the inauguration on Friday of the first-ever Asian Volleyball (AVC) House in Bangkok with Thailand entering the last two days of its hosting of the FIVB Women’s World Championship and the Philippines taking its turn to host the men’s global tournament in a week’s time. “This is the home of Asia volleyball now …

National University faces tough opposition in its title-retention bid against a strong field eager for a taste of glory in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup starting September 20 at the Playtime FilOil Centre. Sixteen teams, six from UAAP and all 10 from the NCAA, will duke it out for the crown in the fourth staging of …

Nine top pole vaulters from around the world are coming to the Philippines to compete in the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge set at the Ayala Triangle in Makati City on September 20 and 21. The roster includes Filipino pole vault star and current World No. 7 EJ Obiena, whose vision it was to hold the event in the …

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 …

Security Bank provides MSMEs with comprehensive, customer-centric banking solutions Makati, Philippines— MSMEs make up 99.5% of all businesses in the Philippines and employ over 60% of the country’s workforce—yet they continue to face systemic barriers to growth, from limited access to credit to persistent cash flow issues and administrative hurdles. Recognizing their critical role in driving inclusive economic development, Security …