https://www.philstar.com/rss/business Philippine News for the Filipino Global Community (c) 2026, philstar.com. All rights reserved. 15Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:30:17 +0800 en https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533274/manulife-mcbl-launch-investment-linked-savings-plan-critical-illnessAubrey Rose Inosante Manulife Philippines and Manulife China Bank Life launched a new investment-linked savings plan that doubles as critical illness and life insurance coverage, aimed at helping Filipinos stay financially prepared when health setbacks occur. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533274/manulife-mcbl-launch-investment-linked-savings-plan-critical-illness https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533275/ai-boom-opens-growth-opportunities-philippinesAdrian Kenneth Halili The Philippines should capitalize on the growing artificial intelligence infrastructure boom to support the country’s economic growth, an official of the World Bank said. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533275/ai-boom-opens-growth-opportunities-philippines https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533276/discovery-capital-secures-unionbank-credit-line-sme-lendingKeisha Ta-Asan Discovery Capital Finance Corp. has secured a credit facility from Union Bank of the Philippines to expand lending to small businesses, particularly those in underserved areas outside major urban centers. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533276/discovery-capital-secures-unionbank-credit-line-sme-lending https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533277/petrogreen-gets-approval-capiz-solar-farmBrix Lelis Yuchengco-led PetroGreen Energy Corp. is moving a step closer to the construction phase of its utility-scale solar farm in Capiz after securing an environmental compliance certificate. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533277/petrogreen-gets-approval-capiz-solar-farm https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533278/doe-seeks-keep-strategic-oil-reserve-national-budgetBrix Lelis The Department of Energy is exploring alternative funding options for the country’s planned strategic oil reserve to ensure the project could proceed without drawing on the national budget. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533278/doe-seeks-keep-strategic-oil-reserve-national-budget https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533279/chinabank-names-new-compliance-chiefKeisha Ta-Asan China Banking Corp. has named a former Citibank executive as its new chief compliance and governance officer as part of a senior management refresh approved by its board. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533279/chinabank-names-new-compliance-chief https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533280/much-needed-regulationMary Ann LL. Reyes The Department of Trade and Industry wants to require both local and foreign manufacturers of solar energy components to first secure a Philippine Standards safety and quality certification mark before they can be sold in the market. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533280/much-needed-regulation https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533281/eastwest-expands-wealth-management-businessKeisha Ta-Asan East West Banking Corp. is expanding its wealth management business after assets under management in its priority banking segment reached P120 billion last year, as affluent clients seek more investment options amid market uncertainty. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533281/eastwest-expands-wealth-management-business https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533282/bancnet-eyes-future-ready-networkKeisha Ta-Asan BancNet is gearing up for cross-border interoperability, mobile-based payment capabilities and wider platform connectivity as it prepares for sustained growth in digital commerce and financial inclusion after transaction volumes more than doubled last year. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533282/bancnet-eyes-future-ready-network https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533283/haircuts-and-tv-prices-economicsFrancis J. Kong People often talk about how prices keep going up. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533283/haircuts-and-tv-prices-economics https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533284/upper-wawa-dam-east-zones-reliable-friend With climate experts warning of a possible strong El Niño episode developing in the coming months and potentially lasting into 2027, concerns over water security are once again taking center stage in the Philippines. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533284/upper-wawa-dam-east-zones-reliable-friend https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533285/palawan-towns-set-record-gsmis-nationwide-bottle-recycling-program Communities in Palawan collected more than 70,000 used bottles in just six months under Ginebra San Miguel Inc.BOTEful Philippines program, the largest collection recorded under the initiative since it began in 2017. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533285/palawan-towns-set-record-gsmis-nationwide-bottle-recycling-program https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533286/social-sustainability-work-japanese-students-immerse-deaf-education-manila Representatives from the National University Corp. Tsukuba University of Technology recently engaged in a two-day immersive experience in deaf education, culture and inclusive employment practices in the Philippines. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533286/social-sustainability-work-japanese-students-immerse-deaf-education-manila https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533287/cebu-pacific-bets-fuel-efficient-fleet-navigate-crisisIris Gonzales It was good catching up with Cebu Pacific’s executives, led by its CEO Michael Szucs, during a recent roundtable discussion with editors and reporters. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533287/cebu-pacific-bets-fuel-efficient-fleet-navigate-crisis https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533288/da-eyes-p93-million-budget-ube-rdJosiah Antonio The Department of Agriculture is eyeing to increase the budget for ube research and development to P93 million, given the root crop’s rising global demand. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533288/da-eyes-p93-million-budget-ube-rd https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533289/boi-approved-investments-decline-p582-billion-q1Louella Desiderio Investments approved by the Board of Investments fell by 48 percent in the first quarter due to a drop in both foreign and local investment commitments. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533289/boi-approved-investments-decline-p582-billion-q1 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533290/government-eyes-more-high-value-investmentsLouella Desiderio The country’s new investment promotions blueprint is expected to open the door to more investments in advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure and other smart and sustainable technologies, according to the Department of Finance and investment promotion agencies. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533290/government-eyes-more-high-value-investments https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533292/rate-hike-remains-table-economistsKeisha Ta-Asan The softer-than-expected inflation print in May may give the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas room to take a more measured approach to tightening, although economists said another rate hike remains likely as underlying price pressures persist. Sun, 7 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/07/2533292/rate-hike-remains-table-economists https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/06/2533054/nda-pushes-digitalization-improve-regulatory-operationsAdrian Kenneth Halili The National Dairy Authority (NDA) is seeking P140.5 million to fund its digitalization program, which can streamline its regulatory services and consolidate information from satellite offices. Sat, 6 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/06/2533054/nda-pushes-digitalization-improve-regulatory-operations https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/06/2533055/dbp-quezon-based-rural-bank-ink-p100-million-loan-dealAubrey Rose Inosante State-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has approved a P100-million credit assistance to Quezon-based rural lender Bayanihan Bank Inc. to boost financing for small-scale farmers and fisherfolk looking to expand their operations. Sat, 6 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0800 https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/06/06/2533055/dbp-quezon-based-rural-bank-ink-p100-million-loan-deal