DTI races to secure trade deals amid China row

Inquirer.net - Oct 21, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Manila is pushing to conclude several free trade agreements (FTAs) before the end of the year, as a worsening diplomatic dispute with China raises questions about the potential implications for trade between the two countries. Any disruption to trade between Manila and Beijing could have significant implications for the Philippines, which relies heavily

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Cardinal Health International Philippines Advances Child Wellness Through Nutritious Meals, Digital Access, and Employee-Led Community Programs

Oct 21, 2026

Cardinal Health International Philippines Advances Child Wellness Through Nutritious Meals, Digital Access, and Employee-Led Community Programs

MANILA, Philippines — Digital access is growing in the Philippines, but the divide remains real. In 2024, fewer than half of Filipino households had internet access at home. By 2025, DepEd reported that nearly seven in ten schools still had below-ideal student-to-device ratios. For many learners, access to a computer at school can be an

BPI, DMCI Homes simplify payments for US-based buyers

Oct 21, 2026

BPI, DMCI Homes simplify payments for US-based buyers

MANILA, Philippines — Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has partnered with DMCI Homes to let its US-based property buyers pay through their American bank accounts, simplifying overseas payments and the developer’s collections. On Tuesday, the Ayala-led bank said DMCI Homes is the first developer to use its overseas collection arrangement (OCA), which combines digital enrollment,

GCash debuts on PSE with record P53-B IPO

Oct 21, 2026

GCash debuts on PSE with record P53-B IPO

MANILA, Philippines — GCash parent Mynt Inc. debuted on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Tuesday following a P53-billion initial public offering (IPO), the largest in Philippine history, drawing strong demand from local and institutional investors. Shares opened at their P6.60 offer price under the ticker “GCASH.” READ: GCash IPO: 3 Ways Mynt’s Stock Market Debut

Higher electricity demand seen in 2027

Oct 21, 2026

Higher electricity demand seen in 2027

MANILA, Philippines — A Department of Energy official said Tuesday that the super El Niño will drive power demand above this year’s levels in 2027. Based on data from the DOE, electricity demand for next year may reach 22,231 megawatts (MW). The figure is significantly stronger than this year’s forecast, which may range from 17,993 MW

PH auto sales revved up in September

Oct 21, 2026

PH auto sales revved up in September

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine automotive market showed signs of a fightback in September, with sales jumping 20.6 percent from the previous month, although they remained below year-ago levels as consumers continued to feel the pinch from the war in the Middle East. A total of 35,722 vehicles were sold in September, down 5.8 percent

DA delays inspection facility construction to next year

Oct 21, 2026

DA delays inspection facility construction to next year

MANILA, Philippines — Increasing costs forced the Department of Agriculture (DA) to delay construction of inspection facilities in strategic areas nationwide to 2027, from the original schedule this year. Under the 2026 national budget, the DA received P1.2 billion to build cold examination facilities in agriculture (CEFAs) in Manila, Subic, and Davao. READ: DA eyes Subic

Sugar sector opposes tax hike amid El Niño, pest threats

Oct 21, 2026

Sugar sector opposes tax hike amid El Niño, pest threats

MANILA, Philippines — The sugar industry is urging the Department of Finance (DOF) to reconsider its proposal to raise the excise tax on sweetened beverages, warning that the increase could further hurt local producers already grappling with pest infestations, El Niño, and other production challenges. On Tuesday, the Philippine Sugar Millers Association Inc. (PSMA) said in a

More MROs coming to Clark airport, says BCDA

Oct 21, 2026

More MROs coming to Clark airport, says BCDA

MANILA, Philippines — Lufthansa Technik Philippines will not be the last maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider to set up shop at Clark International Airport, as the government is eyeing an agreement with another European company as early as November. Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Joshua Bingcang said a prospective investor

DOF stands pat on BIR, BOC collection targets

Oct 21, 2026

DOF stands pat on BIR, BOC collection targets

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) sees no need yet to revisit the government’s tax revenue targets for the year despite the mixed performance of its two main collection agencies, with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) still trailing its goal while the Bureau of Customs (BOC) remains on track. This is according

BSP’s RRR cut plans clouded by inflation pressures

Oct 21, 2026

BSP’s RRR cut plans clouded by inflation pressures

MANILA, Philippines — Further cuts to banks’ reserve requirements remain an option for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), but its ongoing campaign to raise interest rates to tame inflation means the move is not an immediate priority, Nomura Global Markets Research said. In a report following discussions with central bank officials across Southeast Asia, Nomura

Marcos admin open to selling Bataan nuclear power plant

Oct 21, 2026

Marcos admin open to selling Bataan nuclear power plant

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government might opt to sell the Bataan nuclear power plant (BNPP) in Morong, as the Department of Energy (DOE) saw encouraging results in reviving the mothballed facility. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said that aside from disposing of the asset, the government can also take part

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