NEWS & ARTICLES

For those of us who are vegetable eaters, we may be conscious about the price of upland vegetables, like chop suey ingredients (carrots, sayote, Baguio pechay or wombok and beans), which generally come from Baguio if you are in Manila, and Bansalan if you are from Davao City. You should...

When I penned a column in 2013 expressing concerns about the Philippine government’s aggressive push to establish the country as a gambling hub, I feared the social consequences that could follow.* I feared the damage to families, the rise of prostitution, and the increase in...

(2nd of two parts) Corporate leadership entails business transparency, integrity, and accountability, which are manifested in SM’s publication of Integrated and Sustainability Reports, its conduct of forums and public briefings, and its accessible company website, among others. Transparency invites all forms of feedback, including scrutiny, which...

(First of two parts) As the world continues to confront many social, economic and environmental issues, this has increased shareholder expectations on long-term value and the impact corporates have on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. This sentiment has also underscored the...

The 22nd anniversary of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) prompts reflection on its journey and its profound impact on the global business landscape. This reflection is especially crucial in light of the recent recognition of the Philippines as a leading destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). The...

“A sustainability leader is someone who inspires and supports action towards a better world.” — University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership Why do we need sustainability leadership now? As the Philippines races to become a rapidly growing economy in the Asia-Pacific region despite continuing...

A 2023 study by the credit information company TransUnion reported that 8.3% of all digital transactions by consumers in the Philippines were possibly fraudulent. The Philippines also exceeded the global averages for suspected digital fraud rate in different sectors, especially in retail. And it’s not just...

A non-economist, like myself, always wants to see out-of-the-box solutions. Why is our solution so traditional that “economies of scale” is the answer to every agriculture issue? Let us look at various suggestions that are out-of-the-box: ON RICE AND VEGETABLES Did you know that if we...

Aside from the economic climate or the various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives that the country offers, another reason to invest in the Philippines is its ongoing policy reforms. These policy reforms signify the government’s willingness to work with investors and address their concerns. But it...