Manila Standard Business

25/05/2026

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said Monday it launched a sea fare subsidy program to benefit 10 million passengers and shield commuters from fluctuating fuel prices driven by global energy disruptions.

The initiative, named the Lakbay Alalay ng Gobyerno Program, aims to ease the financial burden on maritime commuters while sustaining the business operations of domestic ship and boat operators.

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25/05/2026

Lawmakers and fiscal experts are calling for a unified excise tax on v***r products, saying the current dual-rate system enables widespread tax evasion and illicit trade.

Proponents say a single tax rate will plug regulatory loopholes, streamline enforcement and increase government revenues.

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19/05/2026

MRT-3 overhaul draws 74 private firms

A major overhaul of Metro Manila’s busiest transit line has drawn 74 local and international private companies from 14 countries expressing strong interest in taking over the system, the Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

The high turnout occurred during a joint market sounding activity at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong City for the MRT-3 Capacity Expansion, Operations and Maintenance Public-Private Partnership Project.

Department of Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the turnout demonstrates the commercial viability of the project, which is backed by high passenger demand.

“This MRT-3 PPP, it is a very viable and promising project,” Batan said.

A major overhaul of Metro Manila’s busiest transit line has drawn 74 local and international private companies from 14 countries expressing strong

19/05/2026

FedEx expands Clark facility to enhance PH trade

Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) has started the expansion of its Clark gateway facility to strengthen the role of the Philippines as a major trans-shipment and logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

The company said the upgraded facility will cover more than 78,000 square meters once completed. It will feature enhanced handling and operational capabilities to improve shipment flow reliability and service flexibility for customers, allowing growth for domestic as well as cross-border trade.

The project builds on the expansion of FedEx in the Philippines following the opening of its Clark gateway in October 2021 and the signing of a land lease agreement with LIPAD in July 2024. Robinsons Land Corp. will develop the project, with construction scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

By Othel V. Campos Federal Express Corp. (FedEx) has started the expansion of its Clark gateway facility to strengthen the role of the Philippines as a

19/05/2026

4-month BOP deficit hits $7.4b

THE Philippines recorded a balance of payments (BOP) deficit of $2.12 billion in April 2026, which widened the cumulative shortfall in the first four months of the year to $7.41 billion, according to data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Tuesday.

The April deficit narrowed from the $2.56-billion gap reported in the same period last year and improved from the $2.64-billion shortfall seen in March. The BOP measures the overall economic transactions of the country with the rest of the world.

Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo Asuncion said the narrower April deficit pointed to some normalization after earlier capital outflows.

https://manilastandard.net/business/314741785/4-month-bop-deficit-hits-7-4b.html

19/05/2026

PhilWeb seeks partners, eyes capital hike by P1-b

PhilWeb Corp. said it is in discussions with potential strategic investors and partners as it seeks to raise fresh capital to fund expansion plans in digital gaming and technology infrastructure.

To facilitate the potential entry of strategic investors, PhilWeb said it will seek shareholder approval to increase its authorized capital stock to P3.6 billion from P2.6 billion. The company said this will give it greater flexibility in pursuing strategic growth, acquisitions and funding initiatives.

Under the proposal, PhilWeb plans to increase its authorized capital stock to 2.55 billion common shares and 1.05 billion redeemable preferred shares, both with a par value of P1 per share.

PhilWeb Corp. said it is in discussions with potential strategic investors and partners as it seeks to raise fresh capital to fund expansion plans in

19/05/2026

Business group to file complaint against Bulacan official over steel furnace
The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) said it plans to file graft and administrative complaints this week against a local official in Bulacan province over the alleged non-enforcement of a local ordinance banning induction furnaces in steelmaking.

In a draft complaint-affidavit, FPI chairman emeritus Jesus Arranza said the local official could face liability under the Local Government Code, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The advocacy group alleged that the official failed to implement Ordinance No. 704 and its accompanying rules.

The Sangguniang Bayan passed the ordinance on Oct. 14, 2024, to ban induction furnaces for smelting metal scrap due to environmental concerns, requiring manufacturers to transition to cleaner technology. The measure took effect in June 2025 with a 6-month compliance window that expired in December 2025.

The Federation of Philippine Industries plans to file graft complaints against a local official in Bulacan over the alleged non-enforcement of an induction furnace ban.

13/05/2026

MGEN turns 2025 growth into community impact programs

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) continues to translate its operational growth into programs that create lasting impact for its host communities.

The company is converting a record 27,289 gigawatthours of energy delivered in 2025 into social investments, including classrooms in Isabela, training rooms in Nueva Ecija, football grounds in Western Visayas, and forests across Panay.

From training the country’s next energy workforce to lighting fields for young athletes, each program reflects a commitment to investing in people and places where energy impact is felt most.

The Visayas now hosts its first Meralco Power Academy (MPA) facility, bringing One Meralco’s technical expertise and learning programs to the region. Named the MGEN Center for Innovation (MCI), the facility is a reimagining of the former GBP Institute for Energy inside the Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC) complex in Iloilo City.

07/05/2026

The Philippine E-Cigarette Industry Association (PECIA) expressed support for tougher enforcement of existing v**e laws and government collaboration while urging lawmakers to ensure compliant businesses are not unfairly penalized for the misconduct of illegal sellers.

Speaking during a Senate hearing on Republic Act No. 11900, also known as the V**e Law, PECIA president Joey Dulay affirmed the industry’s commitment to addressing youth access concerns. Dulay insisted that stricter enforcement of existing laws, rather than destabilizing revisions, is the key to protecting legitimate trade.

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07/05/2026

The Philippine economy grew at its slowest pace in five years in the first quarter of 2026 as contractions in agriculture and industrial sectors dampened overall performance, government data showed on Thursday.

Fuel prices began surging in the last part of March, triggered by the Middle East tensions.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 2.8 percent year-on-year from January to March. This represents a significant cooling for one of Southeast Asia’s emerging markets, driven largely by a slump in industrial and agricultural output.

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