This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in the Philippines and about the Philippines in the international press.
It endeavours to highlight the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
Ed’s note: I’m always looking for new sources with unique insights. If you have anything to share, reach out: mark.barnes@the-shiv.com
Thai floating solar project
The Inquirer is reporting that Philippine developer SunAsia Energy and Thailand’s Gunkul Engineering have partnered to build a US$1 billion floating solar project in Laguna de Bay.
The project is planned to have about 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity. View source→
ABS-CBN equity injection
The Inquirer is reporting that ABS-CBN is seeking shareholder approval to triple its authorised capital to PHP 4.5 billion, enabling a PHP 6 billion (US$96 million) equity injection.
I&C Holdings will invest PHP 3.5 billion, while three other investors will contribute PHP 2.2 billion and Lopez Inc. another PHP 300 million. View source→
BYD car sales
The Inquirer is reporting that BYD sold 28,399 vehicles in the Philippines during the first eight months of 2026, surpassing its full-year 26,122 in 2025.
Plug-in hybrid sales rose 95 percent to 22,555 vehicles, while battery-electric vehicle sales increased 115 percent to 5,844. View source→
Small business impacts waste collection fee changes
Philstar is reporting that small businesses in Manila are cutting staff and taking loans after the city sharply increased garbage collection fees in January.
Under Ordinance 9151, some commercial garbage fees increased as much as twelvefold from previous levels. View source→
Electricity spot price record
Philstar is reporting that electricity spot prices in the Visayas and Mindanao surged to record highs in August following simultaneous outages at several power plants.
Visayas prices rose 64.9 percent to PHP 18.59 (US$0.30) per kilowatt-hour, while Mindanao prices jumped 88.2 percent to PHP 19.56 (US$0.31). View source→
PPP acceleration
Business World Online is reporting that the Philippine Public-Private Partnership Center expects agencies to accelerate project approvals and awards before the current administration ends.
Its pipeline currently includes 266 projects worth PHP 3.07 trillion (US$49.1 billion), with 180 national and 86 local government projects. View source→
Gov’t strategy tackling unemployment
Business World Online is reporting that the Philippine government will focus on improving the ease of doing business to attract investment and create jobs after unemployment reached a four-year high. View source→
Palm oil production expansion plans
The Manila Standard is reporting that the Philippine Department of Agriculture is seeking at least PHP 300 million (US$4.8 million) in 2027 to expand domestic palm oil production.
The government aims to develop up to 300,000 hectares of palm plantations, with 100,000 hectares by 2028 considered a significant milestone. View source→
Tax incentives mining suggestion
The Manila Bulletin is reporting that the OECD has urged the Philippines to shift towards expenditure-based tax incentives to attract more mining investment, arguing that existing income-based incentives have been ineffective.
It has recommended accelerated depreciation, which would reduce taxable income and improve cash flow during the capital-intensive early years of mining projects. View source→