While micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) remain the backbone of the Philippine economy, many continue to face operational challenges due to reliance on cash-based systems and limited access to financial tools.

In response, GCash has launched the Wais Tindera Caravan, a financial literacy and digital inclusion campaign aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with practical business skills and accessible digital solutions. The program, rolled out in partnership with local government units including Muntinlupa Entrepreneurship Financing Division, promotes tools such as GCash Pera Outlet and digital payment systems to help MSMEs improve efficiency, expand income streams, and transition into the formal digital economy.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to聽online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at聽聽to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through聽.

Women entrepreneurs gathered in Brgy. Commonwealth, Quezon City for the Wais Tindera Caravan, where GCash and Fuse Financing, Inc. brought financial literacy, responsible borrowing lessons, and digital tools closer to grassroots MSMEs this Women鈥檚 Month.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to聽online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at聽聽to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through聽.

Earlier in February, Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash and the Asian Development Bank has enabled a more inclusive loan access to women-led and underserved enterprises through a P1.75-billion loan facility.

#WeAreGCash
#FinanceForAll

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to聽online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at聽聽to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through聽.

“In its Final Report, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) highlighted the problems linked to students’ plummeting proficiency rates, and how 鈥榤ass promotion鈥� further amplifies the gaps in the education system.

鈥淢ass promotion is many things. There is no real policy of DepEd (Department of Education) to promote students automatically, but it is a confluence of multiple factors,鈥� EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark R. Yee told 大象传媒 in an interview.

Read: /education/2026/01/29/727239/edcom-2-only-200k-students-retained-despite-declining-proficiency-rates/

Interview by Almira Martinez
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

“The 鈥榤ass promotion鈥� culture in the Philippines could leave a lasting effect on the nation’s economy and workforce if not addressed immediately, according to an expert.

鈥淲e would have hollow foundations and we would not be able to reap what is expected to be a lot of gains from that demographic window,鈥� Karol Mark R. Yee, executive director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), told 大象传媒 in an interview.

The commission highlighted its call to end mass promotion culture and its link to other issues within the education system in its final report, launched on Monday.

Read: /education/2026/01/29/727239/edcom-2-only-200k-students-retained-despite-declining-proficiency-rates/

Interview by Almira Martinez
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

Invest with purpose. Grow with impact. LANDBANK ASENSO Bonds are peso-denominated ASEAN Sustainability Bonds that let investors earn fixed returns while supporting projects that drive agriculture, sustainability, environmental protection, and inclusive socioeconomic development across the Philippines.

With a minimum investment of 鈧�10,000 and a coupon investment rate or as much as 5.1714% (1.5 years) and 5.5615% (3 years), ASENSO Bonds offer Filipinos a simple way to invest in the country鈥檚 sustainable future. The bonds will be available from Jan. 28 to Feb. 6 (or until an earlier closing date based on market demand) via the LANDBANK Mobile Banking app, over-the-counter at LANDBANK branches nationwide, or through authorized Selling Agents.

#
#
#

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to聽online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at聽聽to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through聽.

In alignment with Department of Information and Communications Technology鈥檚 (DICT) digital work and freelancer empowerment initiatives, GCash is rolling out its Virtual US Account, that will allow Filipinos to receive US Dollar (USD) payments and remittances directly into their GCash e-wallets without needing a US-based bank account.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to聽online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at聽聽to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through聽.

Joint pain can significantly impact mobility, and advancements in robotic surgery are changing how surgeons treat orthopedic conditions and sports injuries. Dr. Alan Cheung of Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital explains how these new technologies help patients recover faster and with less pain, even with severe joint conditions.

For inquiries, please contact Mount Elizabeth Hospital鈥檚 patient assistance center, IHH Healthcare Singapore 鈥� Philippine Office, located at G/F-B, Marco Polo Hotel, Meralco Avenue and Sapphire Street, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1600, e-mail manila.ph@ihhhealthcare.com or call 0917-526-7576. Follow them at聽.

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to聽online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at聽聽to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through聽.

Four generations coexist in today鈥檚 Filipino workplace, each with different contexts and expectations. Embracing generational fluency can transform this diversity into a competitive advantage, an expert says.

Interview by Almira Martinez
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

Access to credit widens for micro, small and medium enterprises under LANDBANK鈥橲 LIFTING MSMEs initiative. Startups may borrow up to P500,000; initially-growing businesses up to P5 million; and matured businesses looking to level up a maximum of P50 million. Payment terms and collateral options are designed to fit different needs in order to support businesses as they scale operations.

#
#
#

Spotlight is 大象传媒鈥檚 sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with 大象传媒鈥檚 audience by publishing their stories on the 大象传媒 Web site. For more information, send an email to聽online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at聽聽to get more updates and subscribe to 大象传媒鈥檚 titles and get exclusive content through聽.

The Comprehensive Land Use Plan sets the foundation for the Comprehensive Development Plan, which in turn guides the investments for projects tailored to each province鈥檚 needs.

The budget provided by the Department of Budget and Management should be based on the Comprehensive Development Plan, said Mylene A. Rivera, assistant secretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. It should, in turn, be anchored on the city or municipality鈥檚 long-term land use plan.

Several Philippine government agencies have signed a MoA to harmonize this planning process nationwide, Ms. Rivera said.

Related story:
Philippines now turns to technology after flood control projects vanish – 大象传媒 Online

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

John Reinier H. Dizon, president and board member of the Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc., talks about Gross Domestic Product growth, infrastructure, and the other factors shaping cement demand in the Philippines.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

Any path that leads to more transparency is the path the government needs to take, according to lawmaker Brian Poe Llamanzares.

Interview by Almira Martinez and Edg Eva
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

The Marcos administration must strengthen its efforts to hold accountable those potentially involved in the flood control scandal, Victor Andres D. Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute, said.

“To step up more means turning the evidence and documents they said they gathered from interviews into actual arrests. They have started, but the focus has been on smaller people,” he said.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

“Former lawmaker Elizaldy S. Co should go back in the country to prove all his series of allegations against Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the first family, Victor Andres D. Manhit, president of Stratbase ADR Institute, said.

“”So maybe it’s time for him to come home, show the documents if there are any, and really help go after the bigger fish above him, as he keeps saying,”” Mr. Manhit said.

The government needs to communicate why importation is good for both the country and the consumer, an agriculture sector insider said.

There are, at most, a million Filipinos dependent on raising chicken for a livelihood, said Ronald Daniel R. Mascari帽as, former president and general manager of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc.

“If you’re the government, whose interest will you serve? The one million Filipinos” or the rest of the population?, he asked.

鈥淏akit mo pipilitin ang ordinary Filipino to buy P160-P200 na chicken?鈥� he asked 大象传媒 in the sidelines of an event by the Department of Science and Technology 鈥� Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development.

鈥淚f they liberalize importation鈥hicken will be available for P40-60 per kilo. Anong ginhawa ang mabibigay mo sa masang Pilipino [should that happen]?”

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

When is it time to pull the plug on a product? A food industry expert answers.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

There is a gap between South Luzon’s resources and the technology needed to upgrade the system of farming in the region, according to Ferdinand Z. Garcia, regional director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Region IV-A.

“Some of our farmers – even those that use hybrid palay [rice that has not been husked] – have not fully adapted to modern farming yet. They also lack farming equipment,” he said in an interview at the sidelines of the Department of Science and Technology’s Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Summit.

“We have not fully utilized these technologies,” he told 大象传媒.

“I guess the chamber, since some are also landowners or businessmen, could bring these two together,” he added.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Richard Mendoza

The Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026, the first such guide for the Philippines, lists nine Michelin-starred restaurants.

A total of 108 establishments are listed in the guide, varying in distinction from Michelin Guide Selected Restaurants, Bib Gourmand Awards, and Michelin Stars.

Related story: /arts-and-leisure/2025/11/02/709365/a-few-words-from-a-double-starred-chef/

Video editing by Richard Mendoza

Strong products need a “strong, dependable, and trusted name” to succeed, this food industry leader said.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

“CDO Foodsphere, Inc. was initially established in 1975 to help augment the family income of its founder, Corazon D. Ong.

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

Agridom Solutions, Inc. uses advanced drones to help local farmers overcome field challenges.

鈥淲hen you observe farming practices, especially traditional ones, we just broadcast the fertilizer鈥攅ven the seeding鈥攔andomly,鈥� Agridom chief executive officer Dominador L. Subang told 大象传媒.

鈥淏ut with drones, it’s autonomous, automated and mapped,” he added.

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

The state-run LANDBANK has rolled out its Agriculture Growth and Resource Integration through Strategic and Enhanced Delivery of Support and Opportunities (AGRISENSO) Plus lending program, which aims to provide credit assistance to players in the agricultural value chain.

The program’s interest rate for small farmers, fishers, and ARBs is 3% per annum.

“We can also fund the requirements of businesses in the agri-value chain,” said Danilo D. Crobalde, LANDBANK’s assistant vice president and head of the Program Management Department 1. “We will provide the requirements for all stakeholders – from farmers to SMEs [small and medium enterprises] to corporates to new graduates.”

“Our fund for the program is P12 billion total,” he told 大象传媒 in the sidelines of the Department of Science and Technology’s Summit 2025. “If kinulang na siya, then I believe management will provide additional funding.”

Interview by Patricia Mirasol
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

Nascent Technologies Corp. is developing a sodium-ion-based starter battery that is lighter, longer-lasting, and more environmentally friendly than traditional lead-acid car batteries.

Related article: /bw-launchpad/2025/08/06/689681/nascent-bets-on-sodium-ion-for-safer-longer-lasting-car-batteries/

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

Nascent Technologies Corp. is developing a sodium-ion-based starter battery that is lighter, longer-lasting, and more environmentally friendly than traditional lead-acid car batteries.

Related article: /bw-launchpad/2025/08/06/689681/nascent-bets-on-sodium-ion-for-safer-longer-lasting-car-batteries/

Interview by Edg Adrian Eva
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as

Crafting an artificial intelligence (AI) policy for schools should be a priority to maximize its benefits in the education sector, according to Majah-Leah V. Ravago, director of INNOTECH Centre.

鈥淲hen I go around the media, I usually get a negative perception on AI,鈥� she told 大象传媒 in an interview.

鈥淚t鈥檚 also important to recognize the potential benefits and how we can make AI a tool, especially for teachers,鈥� she added.

The Department of Science and Technology launched on October 13 the first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS Ph), outlining the country鈥檚 vision for an AI-driven future.

Interview by Almira Martinez
Video editing by Jayson Mari帽as