Philippines Opens First Lithium-iron-Phosphate Battery Factory

New Clark City, Tarlac – Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday inaugurated the country’s first manufacturing plant for lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, a major step towards sustainable energy. The StBattalion (StB) Giga Factory, located at the Filinvest Innovation Park in New Clark City, Tarlac, was funded by Australian investment firm St Baker Energy. The project … Read more

LTO Launches Online Driver’s License Renewal for OFWs in Taiwan

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has successfully launched a pilot program allowing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan to renew their driver’s licenses online. The two-day pilot implementation, which began Saturday, drew around 500 OFWs on its first day, with 200 of them successfully processing their renewals. One of the first to complete the online … Read more

AUB First Philippine Bank to Integrate National ID eVerify System

Asia United Bank (AUB) has become the first local bank to integrate the National ID eVerify system into its identity verification processes, the bank announced. AUB has been issued an Application Programming Interface (API) key, a security credential that enables the bank’s systems to interact with the National ID API, facilitating secure and efficient verification … Read more

Logistics Conference Draws Large Crowd in Mandaue City

Cebu, Philippines – A high-profile logistics conference drew a large and enthusiastic crowd in Mandaue City on September 12, 2024, featuring a lineup of top industry experts who shared their insights on the future of logistics. The event, held at the Waterworld Hotel Cebu, brought together distinguished speakers including Emilio “Jun” Neri, lead economist of … Read more

Ayala Corp Included in Time’s World’s Best Companies 2024 List

Ayala Corporation has been named the Philippines’ top company in Time Magazine’s World’s Best Companies 2024 list, marking the second consecutive year the conglomerate has achieved the distinction. The recognition comes as Ayala Corporation celebrates its 190th anniversary, with President and CEO Cezar Consing expressing gratitude for the acknowledgement of the company’s commitment to quality. … Read more

LTO Issues Show Cause Order Against Vlogger for Violating Motorcycle Rule on Expressway

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has issued a Show Cause Order (SCO) against a vlogger who deliberately entered the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) on a motorcycle that is not allowed on the expressway. According to the LTO, the vlogger, who is from Quezon City, uploaded a video on social media showing him entering the expressway … Read more

Philippines Returns to Global Markets with $2.5 Billion Bond Offering

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MANILA: The Philippines has successfully re-entered the international capital markets with a $2.5 billion triple-tranche global bond offering, consisting of 5.5-year, 10.5-year, and 25-year bonds. The 25-year tranche marks the country’s sixth environmental, social, and governance (ESG) bond offering in major global markets, underscoring the government’s commitment to sustainable finance. The latest issuance achieved among … Read more

US Embassy in Philippines to Launch New Visa Application Center, Expand Consular Services

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The US Embassy in the Philippines announced Thursday it will open a new Visa Application Center (VAC) and launch an updated visa appointment system, as well as expand call center services to US citizens in the country. The new VAC, located in Parqal Building 8 in Parañaque City, will begin operations on September 28, requiring … Read more

Lessons from Kodak’s Death

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By Anonymous / Source Unknown Remember the Kodak company? In 1997, Kodak had about 160,000 employees.And about 85% of the world’s photography was done with Kodak cameras. With the rise of mobile cameras over the past few years, Kodak Camera Company is out of the market. Even Kodak went completely bankrupt and all his employees … Read more

Digital Libraries Reach Remote Philippine Schools

Four schools in remote areas of Central Luzon have received digital libraries as part of a government program to improve access to educational resources. The project, called STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks), is a partnership between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and BPI Foundation, the charitable arm of … Read more

PAGASA Planetarium Reopens After Renovation

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced today that its planetarium at the PAGASA Central Office in Quezon City has completed renovations and is now open to the public. The renovated planetarium, with a 90-seat capacity, will continue to offer educational and entertaining shows about basic astronomy and the night sky. The … Read more

PNP Chief Urges Quiboloy Supporters to Respect Rule of Law

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil on Monday urged political backers and supporters of fugitive religious leader Apollo C. Quiboloy to advise him to face the accusations against him through legal channels. In a statement, Marbil emphasized that all citizens, regardless of status, are bound by the rule of law. He … Read more

Ayala Corp signs deal with Philippine jail bureau for staff benefits

Ayala Corp (AC.PS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to provide exclusive access to its products and services for BJMP personnel, the company said on Saturday. The program, called “Saludo sa Serbisyo,” offers benefits including home and car ownership assistance, financial education, livelihood training, health … Read more

President Marcos Praises Philippine National Police for Transformative Efforts on 123rd Anniversary

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday praised the Philippine National Police (PNP) for its transformative efforts, saying the force has become more disciplined, transparent, and fair. Marcos made the remarks during the PNP’s 123rd Police Service Anniversary celebration at the PNP Multi-Purpose Center in Quezon City. The event was themed “Sa … Read more

Job Creation Drives Philippine Economic Growth, Government Reports

The Philippine government is leveraging employment generation as a key strategy to boost economic growth, with recent data showing promising results. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reported a 6.3% economic growth in the second quarter, placing the Philippines among the top performers in Asia and ASEAN. The unemployment rate dropped to 3.1%, one of the lowest … Read more

Philippines Leads Asian Economic Growth in Q2 2024

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine economy accelerated its growth in the second quarter of 2024, reaching a robust 6.3% expansion compared to the revised 5.8% in the first quarter. This stronger-than-expected performance has the country well on its way to achieve its 2024 targets and transition to upper-middle income status by 2025. According to the … Read more

Philippine Tax Academy Officials Visit Customs Port in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Representatives from the Department of Finance’s Philippine Tax Academy visited the Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu on Thursday to discuss potential collaboration on training and development for customs officers. PTA Chancellor Atty. Noemi B. Alcala-Garcia led the delegation, which met with District Collector Romeo Allan R. Rosales and other customs … Read more

Equipment Rental Startup 2Quip Launches AI-Powered Marketplace

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US-based startup 2Quip on Tuesday launched an artificial intelligence-powered marketplace aimed at modernizing the equipment rental industry. The platform, dubbed “Platform 3.0”, introduces features including AI-assisted equipment listing and search capabilities, a rental protection plan, and business activation subscription services. 2Quip, which describes itself as a peer-to-peer equipment-sharing marketplace, seeks to connect equipment owners with … Read more

Central Bank Opens New Branch in Cotabato City

COTABATO CITY – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas inaugurated a new branch building in Cotabato City on Monday, expanding its facilities and operational capabilities in Mindanao. BSP Deputy Governor Bernadette Romulo-Puyat led the ceremony, joined by government officials including Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and … Read more

Philippine Navy’s Homegrown Hero: BRP Tagbanua Completes Epic 2,370-Mile Journey

The Philippine Navy’s BRP Tagbanua (LC296) has completed an extensive 2,370.2 nautical mile journey across the archipelago, showcasing the vessel’s crucial role in military operations and supply distribution. The mission, which spanned from May 27 to June 16, 2024, saw the Tagbanua navigating through key strategic points across the nation. Beginning in General Santos, the … Read more

Philippine Central Bank Holds Rates Steady, Sees Downside Risks to Inflation

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The Philippine central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6.50% on Thursday, citing easing inflation pressures and downside risks to the outlook following recent policy measures to lower rice prices. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) maintained the overnight deposit facility rate at 6.00% and the overnight lending rate at 7.00%, as widely … Read more

Ransomware Costs Soar for Energy, Water Sectors: Report

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Recovery costs from ransomware attacks on energy and water sectors have quadrupled to $3 million over the past year, a new report reveals. Cybersecurity firm Sophos’s “State of Ransomware in Critical Infrastructure 2024” study found these costs are four times higher than the global cross-sector median. Nearly half (49%) of ransomware attacks against these critical … Read more

Deepak Chopra Partners with GetSmarter for Online Courses

Deepak Chopra, renowned author and expert in integrative medicine, is teaming up with online education platform GetSmarter to launch a series of immersive digital courses. Chopra, a multiple New York Times bestselling author and one of TIME magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People,” has spent decades studying consciousness, leadership and wellbeing. These topics will form … Read more