ECCP at Work

Lawmakers push grid updates, Senate probe as power rates climb

Senators are stepping up calls for reforms in the country’s power sector, with proposals ranging from modernizing the national transmission grid to investigating recurring electricity rate hikes and unexplained charges passed on to consumers.

IBPAP cuts 2028 revenue, jobs targets

The Philippine IT and business process management industry has scaled back its 2028 revenue and employment targets as artificial intelligence, geopolitical shifts, and growing competition reshape the global outsourcing market

BOI certifies P351 billion green investments

The Board of Investments (BOI) has certified P351.02 billion worth of investments under the green lane initiative in the first half, enabling the projects to benefit from streamlined permit processing. In a statement yesterday, the BOI said that the 17 projects certified under the green lane initiative are expected to generate 39,368 jobs.

Philippines hopes to conclude FTA talks with Canada in November

The Philippines is looking to conclude negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada by November, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

LandBank extends P4.05B for Citicore solar energy projects

The Land Bank of the Philippines has extended a P4.05-billion project finance facility to Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) for two solar power plants with battery storage in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija. The loan will finance two 41-megawatt solar facilities, each paired with a 53-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system, CREC and LandBank said Wednesday. Upon completion, the projects will add a combined 82 MW of solar capacity and 106 MWh of battery storage to CREC’s portfolio.

Philippines urged to diversify economic base as AI threatens BPOs

As artificial intelligence threatens to disrupt jobs in the sector, global management consulting firm Kearney said the country's new upper-middle-income status should push the government and businesses to build more engines of growth, from manufacturing to tourism, and invest in the infrastructure needed to support them.

PH secures $6.8-M grant to boost climate investments

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) extended a USD6.78 million grant to help the Philippines implement climate investments that will protect communities from the impacts of climate change, accelerate the transition to clean energy and support sustainable and inclusive economic growth. 

Clark maps 759-hectare airport district as cargo traffic rises

The Clark AeroDistrict master plan covers maintenance and repair facilities, aviation support services, general aviation and freight operations, a proposed 30-hectare Cargo City, and land reserved for the future expansion of the airport’s passenger terminal and related infrastructure.

PSEi slips on Middle East tensions, late selling

Philippine shares ended marginally lower on Tuesday as renewed fighting in the Middle East and rising oil prices kept investors cautious and triggered late-session selling. Philstocks Financial Inc. Research Manager Japhet Tantiangco described the market’s movement as sideways as geopolitical risks continued to restrain trading activity.

OFW remittances to stay resilient despite global uncertainty — Maybank

Maybank Chief Economist Suhaimi Ilias and economist Azril Rosli said they still expect cash remittances to grow by 2.8% to $36.5 billion in 2026, noting signs of resilience in underlying remittance trends.

Gov’t targets sale of 3 major assets

The government plans to sell three more big-ticket assets this year, including the Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) and Mile Long properties, the Privatization and Management Office (PMO) said. This after the PMO on Thursday completed the sale of state-owned properties at the Atrium of Makati. 

Marcos orders faster completion of Tarlac irrigation project

The Balog-Balog project, approved in 1988 after feasibility studies began in 1978, restored irrigation service to 12,475 hectares under its first phase. Phase II will add irrigation to another 21,935 hectares, bringing the total service area to 34,410 hectares.

NFA: Palay buying price to increase to P21/kilo

The National Food Authority (NFA) will hike the buying price for palay or unmilled rice during the incoming rice harvest season in September, Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said. The NFA will set the minimum buying price for palay at P21 per kilo, higher than the previous P17 per kilo for palay harvest.

Stocks advance anew ahead of Q2 earnings results

Share prices sustained gains for a second day as investors bought blue chip stocks to bolster their portfolios ahead of the release of second quarter corporate earnings results. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) yesterday gained 0.36 percent, or 22.65 points, to close at 6,325.15, as investors stayed optimistic for a second consecutive day.

Stocks slip as cautious trading persists

The local stock market declined for a second straight session as investors kept a cautious stance amid concerns over the conflict in the Middle East. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped by 0.15 percent or 9.7 points, settling at 6,256.02.

DOF exceeds 2026 asset sale goal on P1B Makati property deal

THE Department of Finance (DOF) has exceeded its 2026 privatization revenue target after selling the government’s P1-billion stake in the Atrium of Makati, underscoring efforts to accelerate the disposal of idle state assets and generate additional funds for public programs. The sale, completed through the Privatization and Management Office (PMO), involved one floor of the Atrium of Makati consisting of 24 condominium units and 21 parking slots.