AGP Executive Report

Lottery & Gaming: PCSO GM Melquiades Robles was elected vice chairman of the Asia Pacific Lottery Association, the first Filipino to hold the post, with a focus on responsible gaming and innovation. Weather & Disaster Risk: The southwest monsoon and multiple cyclones have killed 43 people and damaged agriculture and infrastructure, while PAGASA warns heavy rain may continue across western Luzon and parts of the Visayas. Transport Planning: LTFRB will accept applications for holiday special permits for public transport for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, aiming to prevent stranded passengers. Power & Local Industry: Iloilo City seeks longer-term fixes for recurring outages, pointing to gridwide supply issues and the expected entry of LNGPH. Markets & Inflation: Philippine shares may trade sideways as a weaker peso and higher oil prices weigh on sentiment; wholesale prices also accelerated in July. Trade & Exports: PH exports hit $54.92B in Jan–July 2026, a 35-year high, supported by efforts to meet global standards and expand markets. Mining & Rights: Human Rights Watch urged dropping charges against Indigenous protesters arrested over an anti-mining barricade in Nueva Vizcaya. Energy/ESG in Mining: A new push is emerging to treat ESG compliance as a condition for mining rights access, renewal, and financing—raising the bar for water, Indigenous rights, and rehabilitation. Regional Geopolitics: Stratbase calls China’s Batanes claims an attempt to manufacture doubt, urging a firm diplomatic and legal response.

Flood Control & Due Process: Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s lawyer asked the Ombudsman to let him comment on any new allegations from former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan tied to the multi-billion flood control scam. Public Transport Budget Hit: The DOTr’s proposed 2027 budget reportedly zeroed out funding for the EDSA busway (EDSA carousel), despite its heavy daily ridership and long-running role in Metro Manila commuting. Flood Resilience Push: President Marcos said a P351B Flood Management Master Plan will finally be executed, while DPWH moves to update nationwide flood master plans to match changing climate risks. Energy & Grid Stress: Visayas and Mindanao grids were again placed under red alert amid power shortages and plant outages, with calls for faster, better-defined energy frameworks. Agribusiness Exports: DA-11 said Philippine Saba bananas secured new Hong Kong and New Zealand market deals after supply agreements signed at Asia Fruit Logistica Hong Kong 2026. Cybersecurity: A report alleged attackers used an unpatched ownCloud flaw to access files tied to a Philippine nuclear research organization and a marine engineering firm supporting the Navy. Culture & Creative Economy: Sen. Loren Legarda urged stronger investment in creative industries as the sector reached P2.12T in 2025 and supported 8.71M jobs. Maritime Safety: The Coast Guard assisted two passenger vessels off Zamboanga after engine trouble, helping hundreds of passengers safely return and disembark.

Creative Industries Push: Sen. Loren Legarda urged stronger investment in Filipino culture and creativity as Philippine creative economy output hit P2.12T in 2025, supporting 8.71M jobs, ahead of Creative Industries Month. Flood Resilience Planning: DPWH is updating nationwide flood management master plans with UP NOAH and LGUs, using science-backed hazard mapping and detailed engineering designs in multiple river basins. Power Crunch in Visayas: Cebu faces longer rotational brownouts as NGCP reports nearly 1,000MW of generating capacity unavailable, forcing load reductions that disrupt businesses like the Colon Night Market. Agriculture Exports & Seeds: DA-11 said Philippine Saba bananas are set for new international markets after supply deals signed at Asia Fruit Logistica Hong Kong, while DA collected 300 Palawan heirloom rice varieties for preservation at PhilRice. Sugarcane Pest Emergency: Passi City, Iloilo was placed under a state of calamity as red-striped soft scale insect infestation spreads, threatening sugarcane plantations. Pax Silica Census Update: BCDA began updating the census in Capas, Tarlac for communities that may be affected by the Pax Silica industrial hub, including indigenous peoples, with NCIP support. PAL FurPAL Expanded: Philippine Airlines expanded its in-cabin pet program to include small cats and dogs on domestic flights with required permits and health documents. Mining Dispute: Celsius Resources sought legal remedies to halt the auction of 40% of its Kalinga copper-gold project amid a court ruling and ongoing arbitration.

Pax Silica Watch: BCDA is updating the community census in Capas, Tarlac for the proposed “Clark Advanced Manufacturing Park” (Pax Silica), working with NCIP to map families and IP areas for safeguards as the 1,619-hectare hub moves forward. Sugar Industry Shock: Passi City, Iloilo was placed under a state of calamity as red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation spreads, joining other affected areas and threatening sugarcane farmers nationwide. Mining Crackdown: Security forces in Misamis Oriental halted an alleged illegal small-scale mining operation, seizing ore and ball mill drums and arresting the operator for processing without permits. Power Reliability: Davao Light warned of possible brownouts as Mindanao’s grid faces tight supply, with NGCP issuing red/yellow alerts due to generator unavailability versus peak demand. Digital Payments for MSMEs: PPMI and Alipay+ enabled Alipay+ on QR Ph, letting international users pay at local QR Ph merchants to boost cross-border commerce. Fuel Security Push: Sen. Loren Legarda filed a bill for a Philippine Fuel Security and Strategic Petroleum Reserve framework to improve monitoring and faster government action during fuel emergencies. Water Efficiency Win: Manila Water’s unit recovered about 1.7 million liters per day after a four-month non-revenue water optimization program for PEZA-Cavite. Shipbuilding Skills: Dole is fast-tracking a shipbuilding training center in Zambales with Korean partners to strengthen the local workforce ahead of ASEAN engagements.

Fuel Security Push: Sen. Loren Legarda filed a bill for a Philippine Fuel Security and Strategic Petroleum Reserve Act to tighten monitoring of fuel inventories, costs, and margins and give government temporary powers during fuel emergencies. Telco Infrastructure: PLDT, Globe, and Converge ICT set combined 2026 capex of over $2.2B to expand connectivity and digital infrastructure. Power Reliability in Visayas/Mindanao: DOE targets fixing persistent grid issues before Christmas, using diesel power barges and battery storage while mapping baseload plants for 2028–2030. El Niño Agriculture Risk: DA warned that September is decisive for Northern Mindanao farms, flagging about 141,000 hectares vulnerable to dry-spell impacts. Metro Cebu Haze: Transboundary wildfire smoke kept Metro Cebu’s air quality “very unhealthy” for four straight days, with health advisories for vulnerable groups. Maritime/Seafarers: DMW reported two Filipino deaths after an attack on a Saudi-flagged tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, with repatriation and family assistance underway. Corruption Case Update: Sandiganbayan ordered the release of former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan from hospital arrest after his removal as co-accused. Logistics Disruption: Philippine Ports Authority cancelled some ferry trips due to habagat rains, with no gale warnings reported. Shipbuilding Skills Drive: DOLE is fast-tracking a Zambales shipbuilding training center via partnership talks with Korean firms to strengthen local workforce capacity.

Flood Control Accountability: Sandiganbayan ordered the release of former DPWH chief Manuel “Manny” Bonoan from hospital arrest after prosecutors moved to exclude him from graft and plunder cases tied to the flood control scandal. Arraignment Update: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada declined to enter a plea at his Sandiganbayan arraignment over alleged P573.75M kickbacks for infrastructure and flood control projects. Power Crunch in the South: DOE said it’s targeting fixes for Visayas and Mindanao power woes before year-end, using diesel barges and battery storage while tightening accountability for generation firms. Cebu Air + Electricity Pressure: Metro Cebu faced “acutely unhealthy” haze as the Visayas grid stayed under long red alerts, pushing some classes online. El Niño Prep for Farmers: Northern Mindanao flagged 141,000 hectares vulnerable to dry-spell impacts, while South Cotabato stepped up El Niño readiness for farms and water needs. Inflation Watch: Philippine inflation eased to 6.1% in August as food and electricity price increases slowed, though it remains above the BSP target. Agrarian Reform Delivery: DAR said decades-long farm lot distribution could be completed in 2027 as it pushes parcelization of collective land titles. Ports Disruption: Habagat rains led PPA to cancel some ferry trips in parts of Luzon. Industry Oversight: NBI linked recovered rebars from a Pampanga building collapse to a steel plant under investigation for alleged substandard supply.

Steel Industry Probe: NBI confirmed recovered rebars from the Angeles City building collapse were traced to Chuangxing Steel Inc., as the Senate continues hearings on possible use of substandard steel in construction. Agrarian Reform Push: DAR says it’s on track to distribute remaining farmlots under the World Bank-funded SPLIT project, with about 20,000 hectares left for 2027 and 500,000+ hectares already distributed since 2022. Power Crunch in Mindanao/Visayas: NGCP placed Mindanao under red/yellow alerts as forced outages and reduced plant capacity threaten rotational brownouts; in Cebu, Visayas grid red alert overlaps with “acutely unhealthy” haze, prompting online classes and stakeholder meetings. Flood Control Accountability: Ombudsman Remulla reported 35 flood-control cases now in court and more under preliminary investigation, while Sandiganbayan moved to release former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan after his exclusion from graft/plunder charges. Energy Security & Oil Reserve: Sen. Erwin Tulfo urged DOE and PNOC to fast-track admin steps for a Philippine Oil Reserve, with foreign partners like UAE signaling interest. Transport Funding Gaps: DOTr told lawmakers only 30 of 179 proposed 2027 projects got NEP funding, raising concerns for maritime, aviation, rail, and road plans. Maritime Incident: Palace ordered assistance for families of two Filipino seafarers killed in a Strait of Hormuz security incident involving a Saudi tanker. Agriculture & Climate Prep: South Cotabato stepped up El Niño preparedness, while Pagadian opened a banana tissue culture lab to boost disease-free planting materials. Tourism MICE Drive: Cebu rolled out incentive packages to attract meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions as it hosts EATOF.

Courtroom Update: Sandiganbayan cleared three Manila officials of graft charges tied to the DPWH flood control mess, while a dissenting justice said the Ombudsman didn’t fully explain Manuel “Manny” Bonoan’s immunity details before his removal from plunder and graft cases. Power & Grid Security: Visayas and Mindanao power supply woes kept both regions under red alerts as multiple plants stayed offline or derated, with Bukidnon electric coop ordering emergency shutdowns to prevent wider collapse. Energy & Consumer Costs: The DOE reported only P80M recovered so far from Leviste’s Solar Philippines P24B penalty, and the BIR is preparing a circular to remove VAT on electricity system loss charges by mid-September. Agriculture & Food Resilience: DA and Pagasa inked a deal to set up an agromet station in Northern Mindanao, as monsoon and El Niño risks push agri losses and inflation worries. Economy & Markets: The peso hit a fresh record low past ₱62.5/$1 amid US-Iran escalation, dragging stocks and sentiment. Trade & Transport: House OK’d PAL’s 50-year franchise extension, while AirAsia Move secured IATA accreditation to sell flights and travel products in the Philippines. Public Safety & Enforcement: NBI seized P63M in counterfeit luxury clothes in Metro Manila.

Agrarian Finance Relief: The House approved on final reading a bill condoning and restructuring unpaid interests, penalties, and surcharges on agricultural loans of farmers, fisherfolk, and agrarian reform beneficiaries, aiming to restore creditworthiness and productivity. Power Cost & Grid Stability: DOE said its 2027 P5.6B budget could help lower electricity prices, while NGCP kept Visayas and Mindanao under red/yellow alerts due to tight supply and forced outages, raising risks of rotational brownouts. Electricity Bill Relief: ERC and BIR move to remove VAT on the system loss charge as early as October or November, with distributors set to revise billing formats. Maritime Safety: Saudi shipping firm Bahri confirmed two Filipino seafarers died after a security incident involving its tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Fisheries & Food Security: DA-BFAR will hold a Seafood and Fisheries Emerging Technologies Conference in Cebu to push tech-driven fisheries management and traceability, as the country also prepares for broader food supply pressures. Labor Protection vs Climate Hazards: The House passed a measure strengthening OSH standards by integrating climate-adaptive safety measures and stiffer penalties for gross violations. Anti-Counterfeit Crackdown: NBI seized about P63M worth of counterfeit luxury sports clothes in Pasay and Valenzuela. Infrastructure Readiness: DPWH began bridge inspections nationwide amid habagat rains to prevent structural hazards.

Agriculture Budget Push: The DA is seeking a P198.45B 2027 budget, saying farm-to-market road funding is too low at P16B versus 55,000 km needs, while also keeping P10B for Rice-for-All and asking more for fertilizer and fisherfolk support. Bioethanol Cost Drive: DA and DOE plan to cut bioethanol feedstock costs as the blend target rises from 10% to 15%, weighing molasses, sugarcane juice, and locally sourced corn. Food Supply Planning: With storms, monsoon and El Niño risks, the agri chief says rice imports may reach up to 5 million metric tons to cover early-2027 consumption. Infrastructure & Roads: DA says P16B for 2027 FMRs is insufficient; a Mindoro lawmaker also pushes to fast-track the Victoria–Sablayan bypass amid tamaraw-related environmental concerns. Power & Energy Procurement: Meralco’s 600-MW supply bid sees SMC and Aboitiz units submit lowest offers, while DOE targets P5.58B for 2027 energy programs with EV funding jumping sharply. Currency & Markets: The peso hit a fresh record low near ₱62.40:$1, while the PSEi rebounded above 6,000 on bargain hunting. Governance & Courts: Sandiganbayan dropped plunder and graft charges against ex-DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan in one set of cases. Security & Compliance: BIR destroyed 240,550 illicit vape products tied to P1.539B tax liability, and a cyber probe flagged unpatched flaws at a Philippine nuclear-related network. Industry & Trade: Jollibee is moving ahead with a plan to spin off its international business for a potential Hong Kong listing.

El Niño & Food Security: The DA says El Niño and monsoon risks may force rice imports up to 5M metric tons, while it also seeks more 2027 budget for fertilizer and fisherfolk support; lawmakers also heard calls for 10–12 “mega food hubs” to cut middlemen and boost farmer margins. Flood Control & Infrastructure Accountability: Sandiganbayan developments in the DPWH flood-control graft case include the dropping of plunder/graft charges against former DPWH chief Manuel Bonoan, while separate hearings spotlight funding gaps and environmental delays in farm-to-market roads and projects like the Victoria–Sablayan bypass. Power & Grid Reliability: NGCP issued new red/yellow alerts for Visayas and Mindanao, and Metro Cebu still faces brownout risk; Meralco also moved forward with baseload power procurement and a US-backed nuclear study. Manufacturing Momentum: S&P Global reported Philippine factory activity expanding to a near-decade high in August, lifting business confidence and helping the PSEi rebound. Trade, Logistics & Industry Moves: Peregrine Cold Logistics entered Indonesia via a joint venture to expand cold storage capacity, signaling continued growth in temperature-controlled logistics. Public Health & Enforcement: BIR destroyed over 240K illicit vape products, and Metro Manila haze linked to Indonesia fires triggered precautionary measures and some class suspensions. Energy Policy & Investment: The Philippines is in the running for a potential larger Millennium Challenge Corp compact after a $60M energy-sector threshold program.

Fuel Watch: Local oil firms cut pump prices to start September, with diesel and kerosene rolling back by nearly P4 per liter and gasoline down by as much as 40 centavos, easing pressure after two weeks of hikes tied to Middle East-driven supply worries and FX moves. Power Reliability: NGCP issued new Visayas and Mindanao power alerts, with a Visayas red alert for seven hours and Mindanao yellow alert hours, raising the risk of rotational brownouts if plants trip. Disaster Impact: NDRRMC reported 178 areas under state of calamity affecting 9.1M people across 10 regions as storms and monsoon rains continue to batter Luzon and nearby provinces. Infrastructure Accountability: DPWH ordered a halt to Taguig Laguna Lake reclamation projects amid claims of misuse, while Quezon City moved to penalize projects that leave construction debris, waste, or damaged facilities behind. Agri Logistics: DA opened bidding for three cold storage facilities worth P750M in Bukidnon, Occidental Mindoro, and Sorsogon to cut postharvest losses and stabilize supply. Energy Transition Finance: DOE’s geothermal derisking facility ($170M) is set to support more exploration groups via cost-share drilling, with about five more applicants still being assessed. Retail Trade Policy: Philippine retailers renewed calls to scrap the de minimis rule, warning it enables tax-free imports and hurts local stores ahead of peak holiday sales. Fintech Lending: JuanHand launched “top-up” loans letting eligible borrowers borrow additional funds within their credit limit without fully settling existing debt, using AI underwriting for fast approvals.

Flood Control Accountability: Sen. Panfilo Lacson flags ₱3.713B in alleged wasted DPWH flood-control and multipurpose reclamation spending in Taguig, calling out “ghost” and misused projects. Disaster Response & Infrastructure Oversight: DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon sacks a Las Piñas-Muntinlupa maintenance chief over delayed calamity response as Metro Manila and Luzon face renewed heavy rains; Quezon City also moves to penalize projects that leave construction debris via a new site restoration compliance rule. Energy Reliability & Cost Pressure: NGCP issues red/yellow alerts for Visayas and Mindanao, warning of possible rotational brownouts; Metro Cebu braces for one-hour rotational cuts while MPTC reports higher H1 profits despite softer local traffic. Food Security vs Climate Risks: The DA updates El Niño response plans, including shifting production areas, cloud seeding, solar-powered irrigation, and water efficiency; it also proposes geofencing up to 3M hectares of flat rice lands to protect agriculture from solar expansion. Coconut & Exports Push: DTI backs higher-value coconut exports as exports hit $3.6B in 2025, while a nationwide planting drive targets millions of seedlings to revive productivity. Clean Energy Investment: SunScout signs a definitive deal to acquire a 25MWp solar-plus-storage project in Panay, while Asean calls for more clean energy and digital infrastructure investment. Industry & Community Safety: A Subic Freeport landslide kills two workers and injures two, prompting calls for an independent probe into project planning and monitoring. Digital Economy Revenue: BIR says tax collections from foreign digital service providers reached ₱17.5B in the first half, driven by stronger compliance.

Coal & Power Security: The DOE is drafting rules to force stalled coal projects to either build or surrender permits to unlock up to 5 GW of delayed capacity, as grids tighten and aging plants derate. Visayas Grid Strain: NGCP flagged another Visayas red alert for Aug. 31, citing unavailability of major coal plants and lower Mindanao imports. Renewables Deals: First Gen signed a 25 MW geothermal supply deal with Alliance Global facilities across Metro Manila, Iloilo and Davao, while Meralco PowerGen signaled interest in a proposed coal-blending terminal. Energy Governance Watch: A Pax Silica plan drew fire for lacking details, as DENR said Pax Silica’s environmental impact assessment is not yet assessed. Disaster & Infrastructure: Heavy monsoon rains left 8.4 million affected and triggered calamity declarations; Tarlac declared a state of calamity after two bridge collapses. DPWH officials faced scrutiny after a maintenance chief was sacked for delayed calamity response, and lawmakers warned of possible DPWH budget “insertions” in the 2027 GAB. Currency & Inflation: The peso hit a record low near ₱62.265/$, with manufacturers warning of cost-push inflation; August inflation is seen easing but still above target. Industry & Investment: IFC approved up to $170M for YCO Cloud’s data center expansion; Security Bank outlined a three-year push into wealth, entrepreneur, and corporate banking. Labor & Logistics: DHL warehouse workers in Laguna stayed on strike as management moves to shut a site and end jobs, with union groups alleging anti-bargaining tactics. Agri Supply Risks: Hog repopulation delays are worrying local producers, while biodiesel blend policy may rise to B5 once CME prices stabilize. Tourism & Media: DOT-North America partnered with DreamWorks’ “Forgotten Island” for a Philippines travel sweepstakes; Jollibee won eight honors at the Philippine Quill Awards.

Disaster Response & Infrastructure: Habagat and cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng have affected about 8.1–8.4 million people, with 32 deaths and damage estimated at P6.16B to infrastructure and P2.32B to agriculture; a state of calamity covers 117 areas across multiple provinces, while Metro Manila and parts of Luzon remain under red rainfall warnings and evacuation centers are filling up. Energy & Consumer Costs: Sen. Erwin Tulfo renews calls to amend the Oil Deregulation Law, pushing for stronger DOE oversight and pump-price transparency to curb “arbitrary price shocks,” as oil firms prepare a rollback starting Sept. 1 (diesel down about P3.50–P4/L; gasoline down 25–75 centavos/L). Food Security & Agriculture: The DA creates an Interim Rice Industry Development Office to tighten rice-sector coordination, as the USDA flags high food insecurity in the Philippines; meanwhile, the DA revises El Niño plans toward front-loaded aid and shifting production to less-affected areas. Economy & Markets: The peso weakness and BSP rate hikes dragged the PSEi to around the 5,900 level, reflecting growth concerns and foreign selling. Industrial & Trade Moves: PEZA eyes more shipbuilding locators as global demand and South Korea’s capacity constraints redirect orders to Philippine yards. Policy & Governance: DPWH faces scrutiny over possible “insertions” in the 2027 budget, and a DPWH maintenance chief was relieved amid reports of delayed calamity response. Health & Regulation: Groups urge a P80+ tax on vapes to protect youth, arguing current proposals won’t stop access and addiction. Cybersecurity: PaperCut servers are being probed, with many installations still unpatched.

Severe Weather & Power: The Visayas grid was placed on 12th red alert for Aug. 30 as NGCP said available capacity fell short during peak hours, setting up possible rotational brownouts amid forced outages and reduced imports. Disaster Risk: Heavy habagat rains also triggered floods and landslides across Luzon, with authorities reporting 30+ deaths and issuing la har warnings tied to rain-driven hazards. Local Agriculture Hit: In Pangasinan, Bayambang declared a state of calamity after Tropical Storms “Luis” and “Maymay” and habagat caused over ₱31.28M in farm losses affecting hundreds of farmers. Food Security: USDA data flagged the Philippines as facing 15.4M food-insecure people this year, one of the highest in Southeast Asia. Health Policy: Health advocates pushed lawmakers to raise vape taxes to at least ₱80 to curb youth addiction, arguing current proposals are too low. Industry & Finance: Digital lender JuanHand rolled out top-up loans for existing borrowers, while cooperatives asked Congress to lift their tax exemption ceiling to ₱100M. E-commerce & AI: Great Deals said the next growth wave is AI commerce, where agents help sell and eventually assist buying.