Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Opportunities for business growth are becoming more attainable as advanced digital tools and mechanisms remove some of the physical and logistical barriers that make running a business difficult for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially for people with disabilities.

Veronica Tabrilla, an entrepreneur with an orthopedic disability and owner of sustainable business Vero Denim Bags, said digital payments, delivery services, and online tools have made it easier to manage her business while reducing the need for in-person transactions.

On July 30, Inquirer ESG Edge Connect Network 2026 brought together industry leaders and advocates for a discussion on ‘Empowering an Inclusive Digital Economy: Access, Innovation, and Opportunity for Filipinos.’

Tabrilla, a participant of the forum, told the Inquirer, ‘even with payments-using platforms like GCash-it is now easy to receive payment upfront. It’s not like before, where you had to meet up in person. That’s no longer necessary, thanks to logistics and delivery apps.’

Coverage gap

Globe Telecom said it currently has around 68 million registered mobile customers and provides network coverage to about 96 percent of the Philippine population.

‘We know that connectivity, more than being a utility, is really an enabler of national progress. And we think it’s important that we educate all our stakeholders on the importance of connectivity as an enabler of digital transformation,’ said Chito Maniago, senior director and head for public relations and communications strategy at Globe.

The company said its partnership with Starlink is helping address the remaining coverage gap through a direct-to-mobile satellite service, allowing users in geographically isolated areas to send texts, make calls, and access basic applications through their mobile phones.

Globe also cited its Bayanihan SIM project, implemented with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, under which 180 sites have been completed to provide connectivity to students, teachers and small businesses in underserved areas.

Inclusive lending

Kevin Yu, head of B2B Lending at Fuse Financing, the lending arm of GCash, said MSMEs account for 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines and help drive job creation and economic activity nationwide, yet many small business owners struggle to access traditional loans.

‘Conservative and conventional lenders often require collateral. They require extensive business documents for an established credit history, most of which Filipino business owners don’t really have even if they’ve been running their businesses for years already,’ said Yu.

‘So we don’t look at traditional documents. We look at digital financial behavior, the transactions that you have within the GCash ecosystem. And through that, we’re able to extend forward credit to many Filipino business owners who may have been underserved by conventional lenders,’ said Yu.

Yu said their technology-driven approach enables faster and more inclusive lending decisions while maintaining responsible lending standards.

Financial health

Cesar Augusto Villanueva Jr., deputy director of the financial inclusion office at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said financial inclusion is the foundation, but financial health adds another important dimension to whether Filipinos are actually benefiting from the financial services available to them.

‘Do financial services help them manage their daily expenses? Do they help families prepare for emergencies? Do they help workers and entrepreneurs save and borrow responsibly and insure themselves? Do these services help people feel more in control and confident of their finances?,’ asked Villanueva.

Villanueva noted that the BSP’s role is to create an enabling environment anchored on safe innovation, interoperable payments, and shared digital infrastructure, including InstaPay and QR Ph.

‘The promise of the digital economy is not measured on how transactions become digital or how advanced our technologies become. It is measured by whether more Filipinos can participate in the economy, manage their finances with confidence, withstand life’s uncertainties, and pursue better opportunities,’ said Villanueva.

‘Let’s not be afraid to explore digital mechanisms, especially since it can propel our businesses to a higher level. But we should, of course, exert a certain degree of diligence,’ Villanueva stressed during the panel discussion with Inquirer business features editor Doris Dumlao-Abadilla.

Mentorship needed

Villanueva said consumers can use BOB-the BSP Online Buddy, an AI-powered chatbot available in Filipino and Taglish-which provides round-the-clock assistance for consumer complaints and inquiries involving banks, e-wallets, and other BSP-supervised financial institutions.

Noel Santiago, Go Negosyo adviser for Magandang Business Advice, said entrepreneurs also need mentors who can help them understand how to apply technology to their specific business needs.

‘We do believe that without a mentor guiding them every step of the way, the chance of success is questionable,’ said Santiago, citing their organization’s Kapatid Mentor Me program which aims to guide entrepreneurs through practical aspects of running and expanding their businesses.

Santiago said they use the 3M framework-mentorship, money, and market-by equipping entrepreneurs with the knowledge to run their businesses properly, understand their suppliers and buyers, and navigate compliance, regulatory requirements, and ethical business practices.

Crucial link

Meanwhile, Cheche David, head for enterprise at Power Mac Center, said devices serve as a crucial link connecting the various programs and initiatives aimed at helping businesses embrace digitalization.

‘By providing secure, modern, and accessible Apple-powered environments, we enable businesses of all sizes to adopt technology that expands opportunity, enhances productivity, and supports inclusive growth,’ said David.

She added that digital transformation is no longer something businesses can postpone as a ‘long-term aspiration,’ but an ‘imperative’ as organizations compete in an increasingly connected economy.

Renewable energy projects supported by the feed-in tariff allowance (FIT-All) provided about P99.2 billion in power savings in two years, according to a think tank.

Based on an analysis from the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), the savings logged were nearly half of the P220.5 billion consumers have paid through the FIT mechanism since it started in 2015.

The FIT-eligible projects helped ease upward price pressure in the country’s wholesale electricity spot market (WESM) for 2024 and 2025, bringing down electricity costs by P0.3916 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

WESM is a platform where power is traded between producers and distributors to boost supply.

The savings recorded exceeded the recent hike in FIT-All, reaching P0.3359 per kWh. This increase, which began this month, was approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

FIT-All is a charge collected from on-grid Filipino power consumers to provide incentives to renewable energy producers.

‘The sharp decline in renewable energy costs over the past decade shows that sustained policy support, when paired with competition, can turn emerging technologies into affordable and competitive sources of electricity,’ said Pedro Maniego, ICSC’s senior policy advisor.

‘The priority now is to build on these gains by expanding renewable energy, so more consumers can benefit from lower-cost electricity and reduced exposure to fuel-price volatility,’ he added.

ICSC said the deployment of more renewable energy assets has led to more competitive pricing, with solar projects backed by the FIT program costing roughly P3 to P4 per kWh from P9.68 per kWh in 2014.

The green energy auction-allowance (GEA-All), through a series of bidding, has also helped keep solar energy prices in the range of P3.68 and P4.48 per kWh.

‘Renewable energy can reduce electricity prices beyond the projects directly supported by FIT-All and GEA-All. Because solar and wind are often generated during periods of high electricity demand, they can displace more expensive power plants and lower prices in the WESM,’ ICSC said.

Budget watchdogs feel sidelined from the House of Representatives’ scrutiny of the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 national budget, a civil society group representative and an analyst said on Wednesday, raising concerns about transparency in the budget process.

Lawmakers entered the second week of budget talks, yet civil society organizations (CSOs) remained excluded as rules for their participation remain unclear, blocking access and leaving their queries unanswered.

‘The House appropriations committee has gone cold on us,’ said Tim Salomon, program officer at Caucus of Development Non-Government Organizations Networks (CODE-NGO).

‘We were ‘seen-zoned’ when we send interpellation questions or call for dialogue,’ Salomon told the Inquirer in a text message.

CODE-NGO was among the groups accredited by the House to observe the budget talks last year, when CSOs were allowed to pose questions and send representatives to the hearings.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing, chair of the House appropriations committee, did not immediately respond to an Inquirer request for comment.

Consequential budget

But a person familiar with the accreditation process said a member of the committee will reach out to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department and the Office of the Secretary General to identify ‘implementation bottlenecks’ and streamline CSOs’ participation.

The House last week began its scrutiny of the National Expenditure Program submitted by Malacañang. It has since held marathon hearings on government agencies’ spending plan, hoping to pass the budget bill by Oct. 9.

Next year’s budget is deemed consequential as it comes ahead of the 2028 national elections. The 2027 spending plan is the last full budget to be implemented by the Marcos administration.

That underscores the need to keep the budget clean, according to Salomon. ‘We’re afraid because the Local Government Support Fund and aid programs are discretionary funds that, historically, have been used for elections,’ he said.

Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno earlier called for clear rules on the allocation of special funds to local governments to keep them from becoming tools for political patronage ahead of the elections.

‘Not walking their talk’

Sen. Panfilo Lacson also flagged ‘questionable’ lump-sum appropriations for infrastructure projects.

In early August, Suansing said the appropriations committee could have a ‘closer coordination’ with CSOs so that their queries can be addressed directly to the agencies concerned.

But her remarks felt like hot air, according to public finance specialist Zy-za Nadine Suzara.

‘They are not walking their talk,’ she told the Inquirer on Wednesday. ‘They promised to make the budget process transparent and accountable but they have not taken any concrete steps to allow CSOs and watchdogs to meaningfully engage in the process.’

The committee’s lack of commitment to let CSOs join appeared to be the biggest stumbling block, Suzara said.

The Philippine economy’s growth potential is unlikely to exceed 6 percent over the next two decades as low productivity, weak manufacturing and the concentration of workers in low-productivity sectors constrain its expansion, according to economists at the De La Salle University (DLSU).

In their latest book, ‘The Philippine Economy Toward 2050,’ launched on Wednesday, DLSU economists said the country’s growth would gradually slow over the long term, falling to about 5.1 percent by 2040 and 3.6 percent by 2050.

This is well below the 6.5-percent to 8-percent long-term vision outlined in AmBisyon Natin 2040. The forecasts also assume no major crisis over the period, meaning an economic shock could further weigh on the country’s growth prospects.

‘We stress that the Philippines will experience progress, income per capita will continue to increase and poverty will decline, though the pace and scale of change will likely fall short of the ambitious and unrealistic goals set by the government,’ DLSU economists said.

Average growth from 2024 to 2050, meanwhile, is seen at 4.8 percent.

According to DLSU, the forecasts fall well below the growth rates needed to reach the Philippine government’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2033 or a $6.6-trillion economy by 2075.

A zero-poverty economy is also unlikely, as the rate is expected to be 7.9 percent by 2040.

‘First, while the Philippines may continue to do well during the coming decades, things will not be like what the government claims. The Philippine economy will do fine and progress steadily, but this is as far as it can go,’ DLSU economists said.

‘Achieving a 7-percent growth rate and sustaining it is unlikely. Add a crisis into the mix, and the transition into a high-income nation will take longer. Second, the push to achieve even just a 6-percent growth rate consistently for the next 25 years is simply impossible,’ they added.

Should another crisis occur, DLSU said it could reduce gross national income per capita in 2050 by $1,400 and set back economic progress by three years.

‘These results show the significant long-term implications of even just a single crisis. It is important to understand that this scenario is quite likely, given the frequency of crises in the past,’ they said.

‘It is also possible that recovery will be slower than what we present here. This means that real wages will grow by less, poverty incidence will decrease at a slower rate, and it will take the economy more time to become a high-income nation. This moves the Philippine economy further away from the Ambisyon Natin 2040 vision,’ they added.

Among the growth constraints cited by DLSU is the structure of the economy, where a large share of workers remain in agriculture and low-productivity services.

On the manufacturing side, the economists said that while manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade will have among the highest output shares, collectively accounting for close to 40 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), their shares are not expected to change significantly.

Agriculture is also a weak spot, with the sector expected to account for only 4 percent of GDP by 2050. Its contribution to economic growth is also projected to gradually decline as the number of agricultural workers falls and the sector continues to face low productivity.

The PANATA Awards 2026 enters a new chapter in its 17th year with a campaign that reflects what the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) stands for: the responsibility of advertisers to uphold standards that advance effective, responsible, and impactful brand building.

As ‘The Award for Advertisers, By Advertisers’, PANATA occupies a unique position in the industry. Judged by senior brand builders and leaders across the industry, it recognizes work that delivers measurable business results while upholding the highest standards of strategic thinking, creativity, and responsible brand stewardship.

Recognition matters not simply for the prestige it brings, but for the shared responsibility behind the work it celebrates.

Not only success-but the principles that define it.

Not only achievement-but the values that endure beyond it.

For PANA, the PANATA Awards represents more than honoring exceptional campaigns. It reaffirms the Association’s commitment to define, uphold, build upon, and elevate the standards of Philippine brand building.

This year, PANA invites advertisers, brand builders, agencies, and marketing partners to submit their most effective work from 2025 and join the country’s leading brand builders as part of an institution that celebrates not only achievement, but lasting impact.

As the country’s foremost recognition for effective, responsible, and impactful brand building, PANATA continues to honor the work that sets today’s standards and inspires the work that will shape tomorrow.

Important Dates

Early Bird Submission – August 30, 2026

Final Submission – September 11, 2026

Awards Night – November 18, 2026, Manila Ballroom, Manila Marriott Hotel, Pasay City

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recommended placing the entire province of Occidental Mindoro under a state of calamity following massive damage from recent storms that intensified the southwest monsoon.

So far, the province has recorded over P2 billion in estimated damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, projects, power supply, and other sectors from Aug. 6 to 19, according to the assessment presented at the meeting.

The PDRRMC recommended the province-wide state of calamity in a virtual meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano, where consolidated reports from local governments and national government agencies on the impact of the recent disasters were discussed.

The agency said the extent of the damage and its impact on communities warranted the declaration to facilitate faster response, rehabilitation, and recovery efforts across the province.

The recommendation will be submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for consideration during its regular session on Sept. 1.

If approved, the declaration would allow the provincial government to mobilize additional mechanisms and resources to address the needs of affected communities, including the P30,166,788.90 30% Quick Response Fund.

Board Members Alex Del Valle and Allan V. Credo and Magsaysay Mayor Cesar M. Tria Jr., along with representatives of various government agencies and offices, attended the meeting.

Representatives from the Philippine Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade, 68th Infantry Battalion and 76th Infantry Battalion also presented reports and assessments on the extent of the disasters’ impact on communities.

The provincial government said it would continue its response efforts to address the immediate needs of affected residents and help communities recover from the disasters.

RJ Abarrientos has done enough to be part of the conversation on the PBA’s best clutch shooters today.

And even if he hasn’t shown his touch with Gilas Pilipinas yet, the star Ginebra guard isn’t fazed.

Abarrientos has settled into the role of a pure point guard, a facilitator for the national team that is set to open its bid in the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers against Jordan on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

‘Of course, as a guard, I’m very excited to have these players [as teammates], to have players [as tall as] AJ (Edu) and June Mar (Fajardo),’ he said. ‘As a guard, they are the biggest impact for the team.’

‘As a guard … I need to focus on how we can execute as a team, in offense and defense. That’s my job, to make their job easier inside the court.’

Abarrientos picked passing over hunting down his shots in a heartbreaking 106-102 double overtime loss to New Zealand in the previous qualifying window, finishing with 10 assists that helped four players finish in double figures.

With Kai Sotto back in the fold, Abarrientos sees his playmaking duties get a tad easier.

‘The most crucial [thing] for me as a guard is to be vocal for them also and give the right help for the bigs,’ said the Best Player of the Conference awardee. ‘There were a lot of failures in our practices, but we know that we can fix it. I’m very thankful that I have teammates, legends and veterans here in Gilas who can also support me in my career in PBA.’

‘I’m very happy that I’m here and I can help them.’

Abarrientos and his teammates have their work cut out for them in this window, where they will also face Iran.

The Philippines finished 2-4 in the previous windows and sit outside the top four teams that will advance. Gilas Pilipinas is seeking no less than a sweep to grease their path, beginning with the 8:30 p.m. duel against the Jordanians.

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) on Thursday said it will strengthen its maintenance protocols for its LRT-1 fleet following a recent water leak incident in one of its trains.

The LRMC made the pronouncement as it assured the public that its maintenance team is already ‘fully on top’ of the water leak incident that occurred on one of its LRT-1 railway carriages.

‘Our Maintenance Team identified a defective air-conditioning unit (ACU) drain line valve, which broke unexpectedly prior to its expected 3-to-5-year lifespan,’ the LRMC said in a statement.

‘The affected valve has since been replaced, and the unit is undergoing rigorous safety and maintenance checks to ensure optimal performance,’ it added.

With this, the LRMC announced that it will enhance its maintenance protocols by increasing the inspection frequency of the ACU drain valve from every 10,000 kilometers to every 5,000 kilometers.

‘In the longer term, we plan to replace these valves across the fleet to help prevent similar occurrences in the future,’ the LRMC said.

A clip of the water leak incident went viral on social media on Wednesday, Aug 26, prompting netizens to point out how the country’s flood problem seemed to spill over beyond the streets and into trains.

The Visayas Grid will continue to be on red and yellow alerts on Thursday, Aug. 27, said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

In an advisory, the NGCP said the Visayas Grid will be placed under red alert from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.

It will then be placed under yellow alert 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

‘A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement,’ the NGCP said.

Meanwhile, a yellow alert is issued when the operating margin ‘is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.’

According to the NGCP, the red and yellow alerts continued as nine power plants remained on forced outage, while 16 plants were still running on derated capacities.

This number of compromised plants reflected a total of 916.2 megawatts unavailable to the grid.

Furthermore, Visayas’ large coal plants TVI 1, TVI 2 and KSPC 1 also remained unavailable as only limited power imports could also be received from Mindanao.

Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to shell out extra money when using digital payments to settle your electricity, toll fee, water or other merchant fees?

This, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan, is next on the banking regulator’s digitalization push. Earlier, the order to rationalize fund transfer fees created a bandwagon of banks (led by Bank of the Philippine Islands) waiving Instapay fees.

Like what it has done with money transfer fees, the BSP does not intend to force banks to waive payment fees for services, utilities and/or goods.

All the BSP has to do is to standardize digital payment practices to enforce an often-overlooked rule.

There is already an existing rule that such fees should be shouldered by the merchants, utility or collecting firms, not the paying consumer, Tangonan pointed out.

‘The rule says that it should be the merchant or the biller who will pay.’ Tangonan told Biz Buzz. ‘Just follow their own rules.’

‘So they need to make the billers or the merchants pay for it, not the consumer. Kasi ikaw na nga nagbabayad (You are already the one paying),’ he added.

Recently, Land Bank of the Philippines started waiving fees on online payments to government agents. But what the BSP is envisioning is to relieve consumers and shift the burden to all merchants/billers. That extra P5, P10, P12 or P15 won’t have to disappear from your e-wallet or bank account.

So the payment platforms will still collect that fee, but get it from their billers.

And from the BSP’s perspective, it’s not too much to let the billers take that burden.

‘Delivery of that service has a cost. But you know, it’s the same platform that you use for other things, like bills payment, merchant payment. So they can still make money from those services … and then they cross-sell credit products,’ Tangonan said.

‘For them, what’s the alternative if they don’t have digital channels? They have to set up multiple offices to collect cash payments. Do they want that?’

That will be another big win for consumers.