GCASH, through its financing arm Fuse Financing, Inc., has partnered with residential solar solutions company Helios to allow Filipino households to access solar power technology.
Under the partnership, Helios’ Tier 1 solar technology will be integrated with GGives, the installment payment feature of GCash, for a green financing solution called the Triple Zero Solar Starter Package.
The financing package, which has zero down payment, interest, and processing fees, is a limited offering and aims to make the shift to solar energy easier for Filipino households to allow them to save on their electricity bills, GCash said in a statement.
“We are thrilled to announce Helios’ groundbreaking partnership with GGives. This marks a significant milestone towards our mission to make solar power accessible and affordable to every home in the Philippines. We look forward to delivering the highest quality and most reliable solar solutions to more Filipino homes through partnership with GCash,” Helios co-founder Alex Aronson said.
“By offering a pioneering green financing solution, GCash underscores its dedication to innovative, disruptive moves in the sustainability space,” Fuse President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Isidro said. — AMCS
On May 19, 2025, DigiPlus’ CSR arm, BingoPlus Foundation, alongside key public and private organizations, led the call for responsible gaming at the 2nd International Conference on Responsible Gambling and Gaming Addiction held at the Quezon City M.I.C. Center, Philippines. In photo (from left to right) are Youth Group Representative Dr. Rica Fatima Arias; Jay Valderama of Rehabilitation and Treatment Center; Dr. Lorolie Vinluan RGC from UP Diliman; Quezon City Healthcare Director Dr. Ramona Abarquez; Municipality of Sta. Rosa, Laguna Representative Elvira Marcelo; Solaire Resort Representative Hexell Tulod; Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of BingoPlus Foundation; Teresita Castillo, President and Chairman of Seagulls Flock Organization; Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, PAGCOR Chairman/CEO Alejandro Tengco; and Atty. Jesi Howard S. Lanete, Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary.
In the fast-growing digital gaming landscape, few players are committed to safety as they are to fun. This Problem Gambling Awareness Month, DigiPlus Interactive Corp., through its social development arm BingoPlus Foundation, reaffirms its industry leadership in responsible gaming, highlighting its pioneering use of in-app safeguards, real-world financial education, and company-wide mental health training to protect and empower Filipino players.
With over 40 million registered users and more than 130 physical sites, DigiPlus is the country’s largest integrated digital entertainment ecosystem. But behind its scale is a human-first approach to gaming — one rooted in empathy, protection, and shared responsibility.
DigiPlus introduces tools for players to control gaming time and bets.
At the core of this commitment is GameSmart, a responsible gaming program grounded on the three pillars: prevention, education, and intervention.
A three-pillar framework: Prevention, education, and intervention
Through advanced in-app tools: custom time and spending limits, facial recognition, and e-KYC protocols, DigiPlus empowers players to take control of their own habits while shielding minors and at-risk groups from exposure. These aren’t just features, they are built-in guardrails designed to make responsible play second nature.
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The Pusta De Peligro campaign launched across social media, TV, radio, and billboard ads, speaks directly to cultural and financial realities. By tapping relatable moments before payday, it encourages players to evaluate whether it’s the right time to play or save for another day.
The Pusta De Peligro campaign launched across social media, TV, radio, and billboard ads, speaks directly to cultural and financial realities. By tapping relatable moments before payday, it encourages players to evaluate whether it’s the right time to play or save for another day.
One of the foundation’s most impactful efforts is the “Pusta de Peligro” campaign, a public advocacy drive that reframes “Petsa de Peligro,” a term familiar to everyday Filipinos, as a moment to pause and reflect on responsible choices.
Education happens where it matters most: in the everyday moments of playing and decision-making. The Foundation’s “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo” campaign delivers financial coaching to both jackpot winners and targeted sectors in barangays, teaching practical skills like budgeting, debt management, and saving smart. From livestreams to barangay halls, the message is the same; real fun means being in control.
Intervention is available when players need it most. DigiPlus has begun training frontline staff and customer service teams to spot red flags and offer mental health first aid. In partnership with organizations like Seagulls Flock, the Foundation is building systems that emphasize compassion, not punishment — ensuring no player feels alone when facing risky behavior.
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On May 6, 2025, BingoPlus Foundation kicked off the “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo” Barangay Caravan at Barangay 686, Paco, Manila, where low-income families and target sectors in barangay learned practical tips on budgeting, spending wisely, managing debt, and saving smart — empowering them to make a better financial decisions for a more secure future. This continues the series of learning sessions initiated since 2024, transitioning from a hybrid webinar to a grassroots program.
On May 6, 2025, BingoPlus Foundation kicked off the “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo” Barangay Caravan at Barangay 686, Paco, Manila, where low-income families and target sectors in barangay learned practical tips on budgeting, spending wisely, managing debt, and saving smart — empowering them to make a better financial decisions for a more secure future. This continues the series of learning sessions initiated since 2024, transitioning from a hybrid webinar to a grassroots program.
Beyond compliance
Beyond its compliance with regulations, DigiPlus believes that understanding the human story behind every player is the key to long-term, sustainable entertainment. Through BingoPlus Foundation, the company brings responsible gaming efforts to where its customers live, work, and play — across stores, digital platforms, and communities.
These efforts are just part of a broader ecosystem of care. BingoPlus Foundation has allocated P150 million in 2025 toward social programs under four pillars: Technology Education, Accessible Healthcare, Community Resilience, and Responsible Digitalization. Responsible gaming is not a one-off campaign — it’s embedded across everything DigiPlus does.
“Problem gambling is real – but so is the power of technology, education, and community to prevent it,” said Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of BingoPlus Foundation. “At DigiPlus, we don’t just check compliance boxes. We’ve built an ecosystem that protects players, empowers families, and multiplies the good across every corner of the country.”
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In partnership with Seagulls Flock Organization, BingoPlus Foundation held its first-ever “Basic Training on Problem Gambling for First Responders” on April 21-23, 2025. The three-day session equipped DigiPlus customer service representatives with critical knowledge and tools to recognize red flags, offer empathetic support, and promote responsible gambling among users — reinforcing the company’s commitment to accessible mental health care and responsible gaming at every touchpoint.
In partnership with Seagulls Flock Organization, BingoPlus Foundation held its first-ever “Basic Training on Problem Gambling for First Responders” on April 21-23, 2025. The three-day session equipped DigiPlus customer service representatives with critical knowledge and tools to recognize red flags, offer empathetic support, and promote responsible gambling among users — reinforcing the company’s commitment to accessible mental health care and responsible gaming at every touchpoint.
Looking Ahead
DigiPlus and BingoPlus Foundation are expanding their efforts even further. This year, the Foundation will launch new digital learning modules, host community dialogues, and scale partnerships with LGUs, schools, and healthcare professionals to build a wider safety net for players.
Because as we play, we can protect. As we win, we can uplift. And as we grow, we can multiply the good together.
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THE PESO dropped further against the dollar on Tuesday as markets expect less rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve this year due to lingering economic concerns.
The local unit closed at P55.56 per dollar, weakening by 14 centavos from its P55.42 finish on Monday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.
The peso opened Tuesday’s session stronger at P55.35 against the dollar. Its worst showing was at P55.57, while its intraday best was at P55.30 versus the greenback.
Dollars traded rose to $1.9 billion on Tuesday from $1.47 billion on Monday.
The dollar was generally stronger on Tuesday amid reduced expectations of rate cuts by the US central bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.
“The dollar-peso closed lower after Fed’s Kashkari reiterated his stance on holding interest rates until more clarity is seen on the tariffs alongside dollar bounce on easing trade tensions between the US and EU (European Union),” a trader said in a phone interview.
For Tuesday, the trader expects the peso to range from P55.30 to P55.70 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees it moving between P55.45 and P55.65.
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said major shifts in US trade and immigration policy are creating uncertainty for Fed officials to move on interest rates before September, as the Trump administration continues tariff talks with numerous governments, Bloomberg reported.
“Anything is possible,” Mr. Kashkari said Monday in an interview on Bloomberg Television in Tokyo. But will the picture “be clear enough by September? I am not sure right now. We will have to see what the data says, but also how the negotiations are going,” he said. If trade deals are struck between the US and other nations over the next few months, “that should provide a lot of the clarity we are looking for,” he added.
While the US economy entered 2025 on solid footing, Mr. Trump’s tariffs and substantial changes to the country’s immigration policy have prompted businesses to rethink investment plans.
The biggest risk to the US economy is the overhang of major new policies, including trade barriers and immigration, Mr. Kashkari said. — A.M.C. Sy
PHILIPPINE SHARES slipped further on Tuesday, with the market mostly moving sideways as investors stayed on the sidelines due to the absence of new catalysts.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) inched down by 0.08% or 5.32 points to close at 6,384.62, while the broader all shares index dropped by 0.05% or 2.10 points to 3,735.54.
“The local market’s sideways movement closed in the negative territory as investors kept a cautious stance amid the lack of fresh leads,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message. “Uncertainties on global trade also weighed on market sentiment.”
“The PSEi stayed below the 6,400 mark amid cautious trading and a lack of fresh catalysts, with most sectors slipping and thin volumes reflecting investor indecision,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.
Mr. Limlingan said players are awaiting the release of key US economic data and comments from central bankers for clearer cues.
Asian shares eased on Tuesday, though US futures rose after President Donald J. Trump delayed his threatened 50% duties on European Union (EU) shipments, Reuters reported.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan fell 0.4%, although Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index outperformed with a gain of 0.4%.
Markets in the US were closed on Monday for a holiday, making for thin overnight trading conditions and leaving investors latching on to lingering optimism from Mr. Trump’s U-turn on his threat to impose 50% tariffs on imports from the EU next month, restoring a July 9 deadline.
Focus for investors this week will be on speeches from a slew of Federal Reserve policymakers and Friday’s US core personal consumption expenditures price index, for clues on the outlook for US rates.
Sectoral indices ended mixed on Tuesday. Mining and oil dropped by 1.44% or 143.55 points to 9,788.83; financials decreased by 0.48% or 11.55 points to 2,392.84; and industrials retreated by 0.46% or 41.20 points to 8,865.74.
Meanwhile, services rose by 0.33% or 6.99 points to 2,127.4; holding firms went up by 0.26% or 14.57 points to 5,447.26; and property climbed by 0.17% or 3.85 points to 2,249.35.
“Bloomberry Resorts Corp. was the day’s index leader, surging 13.86% to P4.60. Puregold Price Club, Inc. was the worst index performer, falling 3.38% to P30.05,” Mr. Tantiangco said.
Value turnover increased to P5.13 billion on Tuesday with 639.26 million shares exchanged from the P4.74 billion with 486.01 million issues traded on Monday.
Decliners outnumbered advancers, 106 versus 90, while 56 names were unchanged.
Net foreign selling went up to P55.76 million on Tuesday from P639,182.05 on Monday. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave with Reuters
THE Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) said it is in preliminary talks to pursue logistics development projects in the Philippines with Dubai Ports World (DP World).
“Basically, we’re just exploring opportunities to develop logistics across the country. The talks are very preliminary, and (will be) logistics-focused,” MIC President and Chief Executive Officer Rafael D. Consing, Jr. told reporters on Tuesday.
Maharlika and DP World signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this month, according to Mr. Consing.
“It is an opportunity for us to study opportunities and see how we can make the movement of goods and people across the nation more efficient,” he said.
He added that the MIC is conducting an internal study to assess how much investment the Philippines needs for port development.
“It might take a bit of time; we literally just started. We can make the recommendations by the end of the year, I think,” he said.
He said that MIC’s collaboration with DP World was pursued with an eye towards reducing logistics costs.
“We are an archipelago, and we think that one way by which we can, in fact, reduce the cost of goods is by investing in logistics platforms,” he added.
Separately, he said the MIC is also looking at healthcare and energy transmission projects.
Asked about the financial closing of the MIC deal to buy 20% of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines deal, he said the deal will close in mid-June.
“We are aiming for that … (We are still waiting) on the signing of the documentation; it takes a bit of time,” he said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
AIR PASSENGER volume rose 10.9% to 15.98 million in the first quarter, driven by a surge in domestic traffic, the Civil Aeronautics Board reported.
In the three months to March, domestic passenger traffic rose 14.38% year on year to 8.51 million.
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific and its Cebgo unit accounted for the largest share of domestic traffic with a combined 4.70 million.
This was followed by Philippine Airlines (PAL) and unit PAL Express at a combined 2.42 million.
Domestic passenger traffic for AirAsia Philippineswas 1.18 million.
AirSwift Transport, Inc., which was recently acquired by Cebu Pacific, logged 142,381 passengers for the first quarter, while boutique airline Sunlight Air carried 51,077 and Royal Air Charter Service, Inc. 14,586.
International passenger volume grew 7.17% to 7.47 million during the period, with foreign carriers accounting for 3.90 million and domestic carriers 3.57 million.
The operator of the country’s main gateway, New NAIA Infra Corp. is projecting passenger traffic at Ninoy Aquino International Airport to surpass 50 million this year.
The International Air Transport Association, an airline trade association, said it is expecting air passenger volume in the Asia-Pacific to grow 7% in 2025. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
THE Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) law needs to be supported by more funding for programs that affect nutrition, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said.
“These include food security, access to nutritious food at cheaper prices, access to health and social services, as well as nutrition-specific interventions that deal with micronutrient deficiency and other immediate causes of maternal and child malnutrition,” it said in a statement.
“We hope that this law will enable future budgets to be allocated to initiatives and resources that can be made available to nutrition-sensitive programs that will holistically address key underlying determinants of proper nutrition,” MAP said.
On May 8, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12199, also known as the ECCD System Act, with the aim of closing long-standing gaps in care, nutrition, and education for children from birth to five years old.
According to MAP, the law should be anchored on strategies that optimize service delivery for children below five years.
It added that the law should also focus on educating and training parent figures on responsible caregiving and encouraging active involvement in ECCD programs.
“The MAP will welcome the opportunity to participate in the crafting of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the ECCD Law,” it said.
Citing a World Bank study, the MAP said severe malnutrition has been a major issue for about 30 years, with one in every three children below five years old suffering from stunting.
The Philippines has the fifth-worst child stunting rate in East Asia and the Pacific, it said.
“Failure to address this national problem in an urgent and decisive manner will place our country’s future in the hands of stunted children becoming adults whose capacity to be productive, competitive, and creative is limited. That will imperil national development and progress,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it hopes to achieve at least 90% self-sufficiency in seed across all crops by 2028 to insulate farming from supply-chain shocks.
Agriculture Undersecretary Roger V. Navarro said the DA is strengthening plant breeding and seed production programs with a focus on making critical crops such as corn, onion, and garlic affordable for farmers in disadvantaged areas.
Every province has been set a goal of 90% self-sufficiency in seed for all crops produced in the area, he said at a Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI) event.
Seed self-sufficiency has the potential to lower production and shipping costs, according to Mr. Navarro.
He touted domestically produced seed as well-adapted to local conditions.
Timely access to seed also ensures optimal planting for farmers.
Philippine Seed Industry Association Vice-President Julius Barcelona said the private sector, which includes private growers and breeders, remains the main driver of seed innovation, with most seed companies “plowing back” 30%-40% of what they make into developing new seed varieties.
He also noted that domestic seed companies are active in extension and capacity-building programs for smallholder farmers.
Mr. Barcelona noted, however, that seed companies remain reluctant to invest in varieties that are not profitable or in low demand.
In the Asia-Pacific, the demand for seed is in vegetables and rice. Legumes are generally “underrepresented” in companies’ portfolios across the region.
He said many seed companies limit their activities to sales and are not engaged in extension services.
Mr. Navarro said the DA is putting up cold storage facilities not just for harvest crops but also for seed.
It is planning to put up a central gene bank and regional gene banks that will be managed by the BPI, he added.
He said the government also wants state universities and colleges to boost course offerings around plant breeding, plant varietal improvement, and seed health. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
THE GOVERNMENT needs to keep pace with the trade concessions offered to the US by regional competitors like Vietnam, according to Alfredo S. Panlilio, president of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).
“The government has a role to play in terms of sitting down with the US, and I think Vietnam has done the same. The US imposed a high tariff, but they sat down — and I think now it’s down to zero,” Mr. Panlilio told BusinessWorld during the BusinessWorld Economic Forum last week.
The government should also see its role as “ensuring that businesses are less impacted by these tariffs,” he said.
Last month, US President Donald J. Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on most trading partners, with the Philippines assigned a 17% rate, second lowest in Southeast Asia.
Most other Southeast Asian economies were initially charged 24% to 49%, pending negotiations. Only Singapore was assigned the “baseline” tariff of 10%, typically reserved for economies deemed to be pursuing the most open trade policy with the US.
The reciprocal tariffs were later paused until July, but a baseline 10% tariff remains in effect on most trading partners pending the outcome of negotiations with Washington.
Ruben J. Pascual, secretary general of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industrysaid the 17% reciprocal tariff imposed on the Philippines should be an advantage, but the government is not leveraging it enough.
“Those reciprocal tariffs… put us in an advantageous position against our neighbors, who are our competitors in many industries,” Mr. Pascual told BusinessWorld during the same event.“We’re shooting ourselves in the foot by not taking advantage of this.”
Mr. Pascual said that the government must look ‘very carefully’ at its trade policy and closely monitor the central bank’s interest rate settings.
He noted that with the peso strengthening, the government can guide the exchange rate to favorable levels for exporters.
“These are the things we are closely watching to ensure that all these policies work in tandem and that there is a cohesive strategy — both economic and monetary policy — as well as a focus on domestic growth alongside global integration,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Philippine delegates, led by Secretary Frederick D. Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, flew to Washington for tariff talks.
Mr. Go said in a statement after returning that the talks “went very well,” with the interests of both sides put forward. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
Image via IndustriALL Global Union/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter
THE Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) said that the industry can post double-digit growth this year if the Philippines is granted favorable trade terms by the US.
“Even just a simple announcement from the US Trade Representative that they are willing to negotiate a sectoral agreement with the Philippines (will mean) we will achieve double-digit growth,” CONWEP Executive Director Maritess Jocson-Agoncillo told reporters on Monday.
“Things will move fast because (trade will shift) from Cambodia and Vietnam (if) the Philippines is singled out favorably,” she added.
She said that without a preferential deal, the industry could still post 4-6% growth in exports this year.
She said confidence in the 4-6% growth forecast is underpinned by US strategic interest in the Philippines. Philippine imports from the US typically outweigh its exports going the other way.
“We are still geopolitically sensitive and important to the US,” she added.
CONWEP is among the industry groups whose input was solicited by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs before the Philippine delegation traveled to the US to negotiate a tariff deal.
“There will be specific industries that need to be carved out. We are still looking at three to four years of this Trump administration,” she added.
The US announced higher reciprocal tariffs in early April, with Philippine goods assigned a 17% tariff. These rates have since been suspended, with a 10% “baseline” rate imposed on most trading partners.
Ms. Jocson-Agoncillo said US President Donald J. Trump’s recent pronouncements concerning the wearables and textiles are a positive development, signaling that much of the industry could stay in Asia.
Mr. Trump said over the weekend that he aims to promote domestic manufacturing of defense and technology products, rather than commodities like socks and T-shirts.
“That only means that he is not interested in bringing it back to the US … (The industry is likely to) stay in Southeast Asia,” she said.
ACTIVE job seekers have declined with employees now more likely to negotiate salary increases instead of switching jobs, recruitment agency Michael Page Philippines said.
In its 2025 Talent Trend report, Michael Page Philippines found that workers who said they are actively looking for jobs in 2025 accounted for 53% of the 49,396 survey sample, against 74% a year earlier, with professionals preferring to seek improved compensation from their current employers.
It also found that workers in salary negotiations accounted for 42% of the sample, up from 27% previously.
“While fewer professionals are actively seeking new roles, more employees than ever are confidently negotiating their salaries and exploring growth within their current organizations,” Michael Page Philippines Director Rhiannon Guilford said.
The study found that 36% of those surveyed were reluctant to switch jobs because of their success in salary talks.
The success rate for such negotiations rose to 23% from 8% previously.
“This signals a maturing workforce that values stability but isn’t afraid to advocate for fair compensation and career progression, even in uncertain times,” she added.
The study also found that 54% of the survey sample preferred to preserve their work-life balance by declining promotions.
“This underscores the increasing importance of opportunities that allow for career growth without compromising personal well-being,” Michael Page Philippines said.
It added that workers are seeking more salary transparency and gender equity, with 41% of respondents believing that their organization’s salary structure is not transparent.
“A quarter of women now report pay disparities, compared to 16% of men,” it said.
Workers have also reported that age discrimination remains a significant concern, with workers aged 50 and above the most affected. — Adrian H. Halili
