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Metro Manila, Philippines - Pag-IBIG Fund has released ₱5.82 billion under its Special Assistance for Financial Emergencies (SAFE) Loan as of July 22, providing aid to 803,769 members in less than six weeks since the program started on June 10. The SAFE Loan forms part of Pag-IBIG Fund’s continuing efforts to heed the call of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to deliver responsive government services by providing Filipino workers with ready and affordable assistance amid financial challenges caused by the continuing tensions in the Middle East. “President Marcos has called on government agencies to make services more responsive to the needs of Filipino workers. In line with this call, Pag-IBIG Fund is providing ready and affordable financial assistance through the…

Metro Manila, Philippines - As part of its continuous efforts to strengthen account security for Filipinos, LANDBANK is ramping up the rollout of ATM Protect in partnership with Cocogen Insurance, Inc. (COCOGEN), offering affordable insurance coverage against ATM and over-the-counter withdrawal robbery and other fraudulent transactions. Launched in September 2025, the insurance program has been providing affordable protection against deposit account related risks such as forced withdrawals, card skimming, ATM tampering, and other fraudulent transactions across both physical and digital channels—giving ATM and Passbook accountholders greater peace of mind. “At LANDBANK, we recognize that even small, unexpected losses can significantly affect our clients, especially those who rely on their savings for day-to-day expenses. Through ATM Protect, we are making financial…

Metro Manila, Philippines - San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is close to completing maintenance cleanup along the San Juan River, removing over 116,000 metric tons of waste and silt over the last 10 months to help improve water flow and reduce flood risk in San Juan, Manila, Mandaluyong and Quezon Cities. This follows SMC’s cleanup of the river from 2022 to 2024, clearing the waterway of about 322,000 metric tons of silt and waste through 7.6 kilometers of its entire stretch. SMC’s cleanup teams returned in September after monitoring showed a buildup of waste in the river traversing Mandaluyong, Manila and San Juan Cities. To date, 116,157 metric tons of waste and silt have been removed along 6.1 km of its…

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government shelter program benefited new house-and-lot unit owners in Tarlac on Wednesday, July 8, marking further progress under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (Expanded 4PH). Housing Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling and Pag-IBIG Fund CEO Marilene Acosta, together with other officials, led the inspection of Kaia Homes and Brentwood Residences. “The Expanded 4PH Program is delivering on President Marcos’ directive to give every Filipino family a real opportunity to own a home. The completed housing units we saw today in Tarlac, including homes ready for occupancy, show that the program is not just a promise on paper. These are actual homes being built and turned over to Filipino families,”…

Metro Manila, Philippines - After selling out its original Oct. 25 show in just five hours, Silent Sanctuary is adding a “Reverse Day 2” for “Gabi ng Lambing” on Oct. 24, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, giving more fans the chance to be part of the band’s first major solo arena concert. The newly added date turns Gabi ng Lambing into a two-night celebration of love, nostalgia, and 24 years of music. Tickets for the October 24 show will go on sale on July 18, 2026, at 12:00 NN via SM Tickets outlets nationwide and online at https://www.smtickets.com/tickets/GabiNgLambing. For high-demand concerts, Day 2 does not always come after Day 1. Sometimes, the celebration starts earlier. With Silent Sanctuary’s…

Metro Manila, Philippines - BDO Unibank, Inc. said it has shortened the offer period for its sixth peso-denominated ASEAN Sustainability Bonds issue. Originally set to run from July 9 to 21, the bank decided to close the offer period early, on July 10, following strong demand from both retail and institutional investors. The latest ASEAN Sustainability Bonds have a tenor of 1.5 years and bear a coupon rate of 6.26 percent per annum. The issue, settlement, and listing date will be on July 28. The net proceeds of the issuance are intended to finance and/or refinance eligible assets as defined in the bank’s sustainable finance framework, support the bank’s lending activities, and diversify the bank’s funding sources. ING Bank N.V.,…

Metro Manila, Philippines - Eastern Communications underscored the role of digital infrastructure in accelerating regional development during the 10th Convergence of Luzon ICT Champions Conference and Exhibit. Co-organized by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, the Naga City government, and the ICT Council of Bicol, the conference gathered leaders from government, industry, and the technology sector to discuss digital development and regional competitiveness. The event featured a distinguished roster of keynote speakers, including Naga Mayor Leni Robredo, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. As one of the conference’s keynote speakers, Eastern’s chief revenue and innovation officer, Edsel Paglinawan. Paglinawan discussed how telecommunications infrastructure has evolved from a basic utility into a strategic enabler of…

Metro Manila, Philippines - BDO Unibank, Inc. is set to issue peso-denominated fixed-rate sustainability bonds with a minimum aggregate issue size of ₱5 billion, marking the bank’s second sustainability bond this year following a ₱100-billion issue in January 2026. In aggregate, BDO has raised ₱386.7 billion in sustainability bonds through five issuances since January 2022. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed that the proposed issuance complies with the requirements set forth under the ASEAN Sustainability Bond Standards and the SEC ASEAN Sustainability Bond Circular. The proposed issuance will have a tenor of 1.5 years and a coupon rate of 6.26 percent per annum. The minimum investment amount is ₱500,000, with additional increments in multiples of ₱100,000 thereafter. The…

Metro Manila, Philippines - Make the most of your everyday payments with exclusive deals, rewards, and extra savings - all in one payment app. Delight in treats and discounts Use BDO Pay to enjoy exciting promos that rarely come your way. · Enjoy up to 35 percent off at SM Aura. Dine at select restaurants and enjoy up to 35 percent savings until July 26 (Thursday to Sunday), including an extra 5 percent off when you Scan to Pay. · Free treats at Classic Savory. Delight in free crunchy beef strips with a minimum spend of ₱2,000, plus a free dessert when you Scan to Pay with your BDO Credit Card until Nov. 30. · Earn while you pay. Get…

Metro Manila, Philippines - More overseas Filipino workers are preparing for life after overseas work by exploring opportunities to save, invest, and build sustainable sources of income.  During the recent OFW Kabuhayan Expo 2026, BDO Unibank and its partner Xoom joined other organizations in promoting financial preparedness among migrant workers.  “We want to help OFWs make the most of every remittance—not only to support their families today, but also to build lasting opportunities for the future,” said BDO senior vice president and remittance head Genie Gloria.