The Philippine government plans to encourage water reuse and revive a 'green revolution' to mitigate the impact of a strong El Niño on water supply and food security. President Marcos announced initiatives including distributing buckets for rainwater harvesting and providing guidance on water purification.
Vice President Sara Duterte remains the leading choice for president in a Pulse Asia survey, while Sen. Bong Go tops the vice presidential preference. The survey was conducted amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.
The Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered power giant Meralco to refund P2.64 billion to its customers over six months, stemming from a "true-up" calculation reconciling past overcharges.
The Philippine House of Representatives approved the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 on final reading, with the Department of Education receiving the largest allocation of P1.1 trillion. However, some lawmakers raised concerns about political considerations and inadequate health funding.
Philippine Energy Secretary Sharon Garin is facing calls for her resignation over the power crisis in the Visayas region. She stated her fate rests with President Marcos, while facing questions about power supply delays and accountability. Meanwhile, the DICT Secretary has confirmed his resignation.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced that there will be no deployment ban for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to Saudi Arabia, despite a recent attack on its international airport. The DMW stated that economic activities continue and Filipinos remain safe. However, some OFWs are stranded due to flight cancellations and are receiving assistance.
Tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan has further consolidated his control over Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) by acquiring shares worth approximately P2.19 billion from the San Miguel Group. This move underscores his significant influence in the Philippines' power infrastructure.
Mynt Inc., the parent company of Philippine e-wallet giant GCash, has secured significantly oversubscribed demand for its initial public offering (IPO), poised to be the country's largest. The offering saw strong interest across brokerage firms, exceeding allocated shares.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) has approved nearly 40,000 self-exclusion requests, a significant increase reflecting its intensified campaign for responsible gaming and support for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
The Philippines has emerged as a major hotspot for scam operations within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to the ASEAN Foundation, Filipinos lost an estimated P121.8 billion to scams over the past year. In response, the "Scam Ready ASEAN" capacity-building initiative has been launched in the Philippines.
Amid escalating tensions with China over disputed waters, the Philippines achieved record-high sales of $60 million at the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), highlighting economic ties despite diplomatic challenges.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) anticipates over P10 billion in additional revenue from increased pork import tariffs, which it plans to allocate to the Animal Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (AnCEF) to support the livestock sector. However, meat importers warn of higher consumer prices.
The Philippine government's debt servicing bill plummeted by 89% to P76.12 billion in August, primarily due to the absence of a large bond maturity payment that occurred in the same month last year. This marks a significant decrease in government expenditure on debt.
Online defamation against the deceased is becoming a serious social issue in the Philippines, with continuous acts harming the reputation of the deceased and the feelings of their families, prompting calls for legal measures and ethical discussions.
The Jollibee Group in the Philippines is transitioning nearly 200 company-owned stores to geothermal power supplied by First Gen Corp. This move aims to reduce carbon emissions and stabilize electricity costs, utilizing the government's Retail Electricity Aggregation Program (RAP).
The Philippines is seriously considering the inclusion of nuclear power in its energy mix to meet the rising electricity demand driven by the growth of AI and data center industries. Diversifying energy sources and reducing import dependency are also key objectives.
Three family members were killed and two others injured in a road accident in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday. Police are hunting for the truck driver who fled the scene.
Two grenades and ammunition were discovered in a garbage pile in San Juan City, approximately 300-400 meters from the Philippine National Police headquarters. Police are investigating the incident as a case of improper disposal.
DMCI Homes has reached a major construction milestone for its 7.5-hectare Solmera Coast beachfront estate in Batangas, with the resort component slated to open in February next year, attracting interest from investors and beach enthusiasts.
STI Education Systems Holdings Inc., a major private school network in the Philippines, celebrates its 50th anniversary as a publicly listed company on the Philippine Stock Exchange. The company is recognized for its bold transformation into the education sector and its enduring commitment to empowering Filipino youth.
A Filipino national was arrested in Laos with P3.5 billion worth of illegal drugs. Philippine authorities are investigating the connection to domestic drug syndicates and noting potential shifts in smuggling routes.
The Philippines is advocating for deeper integration among ASEAN nations to bolster food security and expand market linkages. The country emphasizes the importance of robust trade agreements and reciprocal investments to address climate and geopolitical challenges impacting domestic production.
The Social Security System (SSS) has ordered five employers in Pasay City to settle P3.19 million in unpaid contributions and fines for failing to remit their workers' social security payments, as part of its 'Run After Contribution Evaders' campaign.
The Philippines' Department of Energy (DOE) warns that the Visayas region faces a renewed risk of grid alerts due to power shortages, exacerbated by the super El Niño. Concerns rise for 2026-2027, with increased demand and reduced hydropower output anticipated.
The Philippine Department of Transportation is considering special bus routes between Antipolo City and Manila to alleviate congestion caused by reduced LRT-2 train availability. The plan involves designated bus stops near existing LRT-2 stations.
Philex Mining Corp. announced that its mining operations at the Padcal mine continue without interruption, despite an ongoing workers' strike. The company has implemented measures to minimize the impact of the labor action.
The National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC) has reached a new milestone in Philippine housing finance by successfully issuing Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS) worth approximately P1.46 billion. This move is expected to invigorate the domestic mortgage market.
Over P5 billion in loans extended by state-owned banks to jeepney operators and drivers under the Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP) are now delinquent. This situation raises concerns about the program's sustainability and necessitates exploring new funding and business models.
The forecast for bank lending growth in the Philippines has been revised upward, but high interest rates and economic slowdown are expected to temper credit expansion through 2027. Monetary tightening to curb inflation is anticipated to impact household and business borrowing demand.
A temporary pontoon bridge has been opened to the public in Tarlac City, Philippines, serving as a replacement for the collapsed Aquino Bridge. Installed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the bridge spans the Tarlac River and facilitates pedestrian movement, with limitations on nighttime use.
Cebu province in the Philippines experienced a 12.78% increase in tourist arrivals from January to August this year, driven by intensified tourism promotions and enhanced international connectivity. Foreign arrivals saw a significant surge, highlighting the importance of further strengthening international flight routes for sustained growth.
Three teenagers were allegedly shot dead by a drunk man, believed to be a security personnel, in Quezon City for reportedly violating curfew hours. The incident has once again raised concerns about public safety.
The Department of Education (DepEd) honored Bryan Ezel Pamonag, a 14-year-old student, with the DepEd Heroes Award for his bravery during a school shooting in South Cotabato, where he protected classmates. The ceremony coincided with the launch of National School Safety Week.
Senator JV Ejercito is advocating for an increase in the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) for government employees from P2,000 to P5,000 monthly. This allowance has not been adjusted since 2009, failing to keep pace with inflation.
Prosecutors presented a 13-second video allegedly showing suitcases being delivered to the Forbes Park residence of former Speaker Martin Romualdez in a plunder case. A former bodyguard testified that the suitcases contained cash.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated the Philippines is seriously considering nuclear energy to meet the anticipated surge in power demand from AI and data centers. He highlighted its viability as a stable, non-oil-dependent energy source and referenced past nuclear power plant plans.