EDITION
HOT SELLER THIS WEEK
- The Philippines hosted ASEAN–UK Higher Education Week in Manila on 3–4 November, bringing together universities and education leaders from 12 countries, with 75 universities participating in the partnership exchange. Discussions covered transnational education, research, skills development and student mobility, creating opportunities for education providers and institutional partners. HPC can support international education partnerships, training programmes and institutional development.
- The Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solutions opened public support grants offering eligible projects between PHP1 million and PHP2 million each, with proposals due by 23 November 2026. The funding supports climate adaptation, ecosystem protection and public engagement. HPC can assist with project development, grant applications, sustainability assessments and implementation planning.
- On 6 November, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas increased its target reverse repurchase rate by 50 basis points to 5.50%, following October inflation of 7.8%. The move raises borrowing-cost considerations for businesses, lenders and investors. HPC can support financial modelling, risk assessments, investment analysis and strategic financial planning.
- On 5 November, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said it was targeting PHP315 billion to PHP320 billion in investment approvals by year-end, after approving PHP309.63 billion from January to October. The 240 approved projects are expected to generate US$9.12 billion in exports and 38,815 direct jobs. HPC can support investment research, feasibility studies, market-entry planning and investor advisory.
- On 6 November, the Department of Finance announced a proposed US$12 million, approximately PHP724 million, grant from South Korea to strengthen urgent-care and diagnostic services. The initiative could benefit around 28 million people and includes laboratory modernisation and specialist training. HPC can support healthcare project planning, medical-equipment sourcing and international health-sector partnerships.
- The Philippine Statistics Authority reported on 6 November that employment reached 50.32 million in September 2026, while unemployment stood at 2.86 million or 5.4%. Services accounted for 62.2% of employment, highlighting continuing demand for workforce development and skills improvement. HPC can support HR strategy, workforce research, recruitment planning and professional training programmes.
- Data released on 3 November showed the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index declined to 49.1 in October from 49.6 in September, indicating a second consecutive month of contraction. Weak demand and falling new orders affected production activity, while manufacturers remained cautious about purchasing and hiring. HPC can support supply-chain assessments, operational improvement, procurement planning and industrial market research.
- On 2 November, the government confirmed US$1 million in advisory support to restructure the Light Rail Transit Line 1 extension operations and maintenance concession. The funding will support contract review and negotiations with the private operator, with costs to be shared equally between the operator and government agencies. HPC can support infrastructure feasibility studies, PPP advisory, financial modelling and project evaluation.
- The Bureau of Internal Revenue issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 116-2026 on 5 November, clarifying compliance deadlines when due dates fall on days covered by declared work-from-home arrangements. The circular covers specified submissions, explanations, protests and other tax-related filings. HPC can support regulatory monitoring, tax-compliance reviews and corporate documentation advisory.
- On 5 November, Maharlika Investment Corporation said it was assessing two or three potential transactions in utilities, infrastructure, industrials and agriculture before year-end. If approved, the investments could add PHP2.5 billion to PHP4 billion to its capital deployment. The transactions remain subject to due diligence and board approval. HPC can support transaction screening, due diligence, valuation and investment advisory.
- The Philippine Statistics Authority reported on 5 November that seasonally adjusted palay production reached 4.37 million metric tonnes in July–September 2026, down 17% from the previous quarter. The average farmgate price was PHP22.05 per kilogram, compared with PHP22.14 in the previous quarter. HPC can provide agricultural market research, commodity-price analysis and supply-demand forecasting.
- On 5 November, the Department of Tourism said the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings are expected to bring more than 10,000 foreign delegates and visitors to the Philippines. The government also introduced free modern jeepney rides from 5 to 14 November, using 30 vehicles to promote the event. HPC can support destination campaigns, event communications, B2B promotion and international media engagement.
- On 6 November, Ayala Land announced plans to invest approximately PHP30 billion in horizontal residential developments outside Metro Manila during 2027. The company is focusing on provincial growth centres and homes priced between PHP6 million and PHP15 million, targeting end-user demand. HPC can support property-market research, feasibility studies, valuation and residential development planning.
- No independently verified Philippine startup funding round with a disclosed investment amount was identified for 31 October–6 November 2026. However, the country's expanding digital economy and growing use of AI are creating opportunities for early-stage businesses seeking capital and commercial partnerships. HPC can support startup feasibility studies, business planning, investor readiness and funding research.
- A report released on 3 November by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company projected that the Philippine digital economy would grow 15% to US$42 billion in gross merchandise value in 2026, compared with US$36 billion in 2025. The report highlighted AI adoption, e-commerce and digital payments as major growth drivers. HPC can support digital transformation, AI strategy, technology assessments and market-entry planning.
- Department of Tourism figures reported on 5 November showed foreign visitor arrivals exceeded five million as of 4 November, increasing 3.74% year-on-year. Visitors from the United States reached 986,835, while arrivals from China rose by nearly 70% to 394,384. HPC can support tourism-market research, destination marketing, hotel investment analysis and hospitality strategy.
Sector stories & insights.
The Philippines hosted ASEAN–UK Higher Education Week in Manila from 3–5 November, bringing together university leaders, policymakers and education partners to strengthen cooperation in research, student mobility, transnational education and digital learning. No programme budget was disclosed.
The event creates opportunities for universities, training providers and education consultants to develop international partnerships. HPC can support institutional research, programme planning and cross-border education partnerships.
On 5 November, the Department of Finance announced that it was advancing a proposed US$20 million grant from the United Arab Emirates to support the Pasig River Restoration Project. The funding remains proposed and is not yet a confirmed disbursement.
The initiative creates opportunities in water-quality improvement, environmental engineering and climate-resilient urban development. HPC can support ESG assessments, environmental research and sustainable project planning.
On 5 November, reported inflation reached 7.8% in October, the fastest pace since February 2023, increasing pressure on household spending, operating costs and financial planning. No specific investment or financing amount was attached to the inflation report.
The rise creates demand for financial forecasting, cost reviews and risk management. HPC can support economic analysis, financial modelling and investment advisory.
Philippines Advances Proposed US$20 Million Pasig River Restoration Grant
The Department of Finance announced on 5 November that it was facilitating a proposed US$20 million grant from the UAE for the Pasig River Restoration Project. The proposal forms part of government efforts to secure international support for environmental infrastructure.
The project creates opportunities for public-sector planning, grant management and environmental procurement. HPC can support project evaluation, funding research and government advisory.
On 6 November, the Department of Finance announced a proposed PHP724 million grant partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency to strengthen the Department of Health’s Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services programme. The initiative is expected to benefit around 28 million Filipinos, but the funding remains proposed.
The programme creates opportunities for medical-equipment suppliers, healthcare consultants and service providers. HPC can support healthcare research, procurement planning and medical-infrastructure assessments.
Data reported on 6 November showed that the number of unemployed Filipinos reached approximately 2.86 million in September, highlighting continuing labour-market challenges. The report did not announce a dedicated employment programme budget.
The figures create demand for workforce development, recruitment planning and skills assessments. HPC can support labour-market research, HR strategy and employee training programmes.
The Philippines’ manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 49.1 in October from 49.6 in September, according to figures reported on 3 November. A reading below 50 indicates contraction, reflecting weaker demand, lower output and reduced purchasing activity. No financial support package was announced.
Manufacturers may need stronger supplier strategies, cost controls and operational reviews. HPC can support supply-chain research, procurement analysis and industrial market assessments.
On 2 November, the government approved US$1 million in advisory support for restructuring the operations and management concession agreement of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 extension. The funding will come through the Project Development and Monitoring Facility.
The decision creates opportunities for infrastructure consultants, transaction advisers and engineering specialists. HPC can support feasibility research, PPP analysis and infrastructure project planning.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 116-2026 on 5 November, clarifying deadlines for tax filings, replies and other submissions when due dates fall on days covered by declared work-from-home arrangements. No new tax rate or financial charge was introduced.
Businesses need to review filing schedules and maintain accurate compliance records. HPC can support regulatory monitoring, tax-process reviews and corporate compliance advisory.
On 5 November, Maharlika Investment Corporation said it was considering two or three additional transactions before the end of 2026 in utilities, infrastructure, industrials and agriculture. Potential additional deployment could reach PHP2.5 billion to PHP4 billion, subject to board approval.
The pipeline creates opportunities for investment partners and businesses seeking institutional capital. HPC can support transaction research, due diligence and financial assessments.
October inflation reached 7.8%, according to figures reported on 5 November, with higher prices increasing pressure on consumers and businesses. The latest data provides a basis for tracking purchasing power, operating costs and market conditions; no separate research contract value was disclosed.
Companies can use the figures to review pricing strategies and demand forecasts. HPC can provide economic research, market intelligence and sector-specific analysis.
The Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN Summit and related meetings are expected to attract more than 10,000 foreign delegates, according to reporting on 5 November. The government also introduced free modern jeepney services on two Metro Manila routes through 14 November as part of preparations; no overall event marketing budget was disclosed.
The international gathering creates opportunities for destination promotion, corporate communications and business networking. HPC can support media campaigns, event promotion and investor communications.
On 6 November, Ayala Land announced plans to invest approximately PHP30 billion in horizontal residential developments outside Metro Manila in 2027. The company expects demand from homebuyers to support expansion into provincial housing markets.
The investment creates opportunities for property developers, construction suppliers and housing-service providers. HPC can support property-market research, feasibility studies and development investment analysis.
Maharlika’s Investment Pipeline Opens Potential Opportunities for Growing Businesses
Maharlika Investment Corporation said on 5 November that it was evaluating up to three additional investments in utilities, infrastructure, industrials and agriculture, potentially adding PHP2.5 billion to PHP4 billion in capital deployment before year-end. These are proposed transactions, not confirmed startup funding rounds.
The pipeline may create opportunities for innovative businesses and smaller suppliers seeking institutional partnerships. HPC can support business planning, financial projections and investor-readiness services.
Smart Expands 5G Coverage in Siargao Ahead of International Surf Event
On 5 November, reports highlighted Smart’s expansion of 5G coverage around General Luna, Siargao Airport and the seaport as the island hosted its first World Surf League Championship Tour event. The investment amount was not disclosed.
Improved connectivity creates opportunities for tourism technology, digital services and local businesses. HPC can support digital transformation planning, technology assessments and connectivity-focused business research.
Foreign tourist arrivals exceeded five million as of 4 November, rising 3.74% compared with the same period in 2025, according to figures reported on 5 November. Visitors from China increased by nearly 70% to 394,384, while the United States remained the largest source market with 986,835 visitors.
The growth creates opportunities for hotels, airlines, tour operators and destination businesses. HPC can support tourism research, destination marketing and hospitality investment analysis.