GMA News – Author Carlo Carrasco

Dedicated Power Plant For Pax Silica’s Energy Needs

August 13, 2026August 11, 2026carlocarrasco

To ensure that the ambitious Pax Silica will have its very own power supply to meet its needs, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) recently announced that the proponents are studying the construction of a dedicated power plant, according to a business news report by GMA News.

Previously a P7 billion investment of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) for Pax Silica’s energy supply was prompted. New Clark City was chosen to host the artificial intelligence (AI) hub.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said Sunday that proponents of the US-led Pax Silica project in New Clark City, Tarlac, are studying the construction of a dedicated power plant to ensure the facility does not compete with nearby residential communities for electricity.

Pax Silica has faced scrutiny over its projected resource requirements, with the BCDA estimating that the facility could require up to 3 gigawatts (3 million kilowatts) of power at full development.

“‘Yung kuryente, pinag-aaralan nila na magkaroon ng dedicated power plant… na hindi ito magsasapanganib sa supply ng kuryente lalo na para sa mga residential na komunidad. Ayaw rin nila ‘yon,” BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(Regarding power, they are studying the establishment of a dedicated power plant so that it will not jeopardize the electricity supply, especially for residential communities. They also want to avoid that.)

Bingcang said officials have discussed power and water requirements with the project’s proponents and partners from the United States, Japan, and South Korea, who also want to ensure that the facility has sufficient utility supplies.

“Kasi kung nakikita nilang wala, hindi rin pupunta ‘yung mga industriya na ito. So gusto nila, ‘pag pupunta rin sila dito, is stable, reliable at maaasahan ang kuryente,” Bingcang said.

(Because if they see that there is insufficient supply, these industries will not come. So if they invest here, they want the power supply to be stable, reliable, and dependable.)

“Kaya ngayon po, kasama na po, hindi lang po sa paggawa ng mga planta doon sa New Clark City, tinitingnan din nila ‘yung ecosystem,” he added.

(That is why they are looking not only at building plants in New Clark City but also at the entire ecosystem.)

Bingcang said this ecosystem includes the availability and reliability of power and water, as well as infrastructure, airports, seaports, and other facilities.

Clean, green energy – The BCDA said Pax Silica aims to use clean and green energy, with solar farms among the primary options being considered.

“So ang una po naming tiningnan dito ay solar farms. So meron na po tayong inaprubahan na solar project po diyan—ang mamumuhunan po ay sa Saudi Arabia,” Bingcang said.

(The first option we looked at was solar farms. We have already approved a solar project there involving an investor from Saudi Arabia.)

“Susunod po, hinihikayat na rin o nire-regulate na rin ng Department of Energy magkaroon ng mga battery storage… Kasi ang solar farm po ay mga ilang oras lang po, ‘pag gabi, wala na, so kailangan meron pong imbakan o storage ng baterya para sa maipon na enerhiya sa mga solar farm,” he added.

(Next, the Department of Energy is encouraging and regulating the use of battery storage. Solar farms generate power only during the day, so battery storage systems are needed to store energy for use when solar power is unavailable.)

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think Pax Silica will eventually have its very own, high-capacity power plant to ensure it has sufficient energy while sparing the local communities that relied on the national power grid? Do you think solar power is sufficient for Pax Silica which will have AI-related projects?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines Economic Weakness Continues As 2nd Quarter GDP Growth Lands At 2.3%

August 9, 2026August 7, 2026carlocarrasco

The economy of the Philippines slowed down even further in the 2^nd quarter of 2026 landing at 2.3%, according to a news report by GMA News. Embarrassingly, this made the Philippines an economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

By comparison, the economy of the Philippines achieved only 2.8% growth in the 1^st quarter of this year. The nation’s economic growth for 2025 was at 4.4%

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy continued to slow down in the second quarter of 2026, still due to a subdued investor and consumer sentiment amid the lingering effects of the flood control corruption scandal and the inflationary pressure brought by Middle East crisis-induced global fuel price shocks, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

At a press conference, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP)—the value of goods and services produced in a period— grew 2.3% in the April to June 2026 period, slower than the 2.8% growth seen in the first quarter of 2026.

This is the economy’s weakest footing since the fourth quarter of 2009 —excluding the contraction seen during the COVID-19 pandemic years— when the GDP growth rate was at 1.8%.

The 2.8% second quarter GDP growth put the Philippines behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia that already released their April to June economic growth rates such as Indonesia at 5.29%, Vietnam at 8.39%, and Singapore at 5.7%.

The first half of 2026 GDP growth rate stood at 2.6%, still behind the government’s downwardly revised target of 3.5% to 4.5% for the entire year.

Despite the economic slowdown, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said, “What we are experiencing right now, I believe, is transitory, temporary.”

“Domestic demand remained subdued, mainly because total investment continued to contract as public construction declined. Household consumption growth also moderated amid higher inflation, job losses, and lower remittance receipts arising from the Middle East conflict,” Balisacan said.

Household final consumption expenditure grew 2.8%, slower than 5.2% in the same period last year, weighed by contractions in transport (-7.5%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-1.9%), recreation and culture (-0.8%), and restaurants and hotels (-0.2%).

Government expenditure, likewise, slowed down by 8.3% from 8.7% year-on-year; while gross capital formation (GCF) —which measures investments— contracted by 9.2% from a growth rate of 0.9% a year ago.

The decline in GCF was due to the decline in construction at 14.8% with government spending on construction contracting 32.4%.

“Although public construction is a small part of the economy, the amount of contraction, at 32%, brought a significant impact on the economy,” Balisacan said.

“The sharp decline in public construction was the main contributor in the decline in investments… driven by continuous caution due to the flood control scandal,” the country’s chief economist said.

Among the major economic sectors, agriculture posted a growth rate of 2.7%, slower than 7% year-on-year; industry declined by 2.4%, from an increase of 2.1% weighed by the construction’s depreciation; services grew slower at 4.5% from 6.9%.

Agriculture, industry, and services sector contributed 7.5%, 27.9%, and 63.3%, respectively to the total GDP during the quarter.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines will eventually fall into a recession in 2027? Do you believe that the hosting of the ASEAN summit by the Philippines will result in economic miracles and more foreign investment?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines July 2026 Inflation Still Above Government Ceiling

August 8, 2026August 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Inflation here in the Philippines for the month of July 2026 landed at 6.2% which is clearly above the government’s comfortable ceiling of 2% to 4%, according to a business news report by GMA News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News business report. Some parts in boldface…

The country’s inflation rate slowed down further for the third straight month in July 2026 amid improved fuel supply conditions during the period, when the Middle East conflict was waning.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, National Statistician and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) chief Claire Dennis Mapa said inflation — the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services — slowed down 6.2% last month from 6.4% in June 2026.

July’s inflation print brought the year-to-date rate to 5%, still above the government’s comfortable ceiling of 2% to 4%.

Mapa said the main contributor to the downtrend was the slower increase in the Transport index at 11.9% from 12.8% month-on-month.

“Ito [Transport] ay may 57.4% share sa pagbaba ng pangkalahatang inflation sa bansa (It had a share of 57.4% to the overall deceleration of the country’s inflation),” the PSA chief said.

This as inflation for gasoline and other passenger transport by road slowed down to 34.1% from 39.2% and 5.3% from 5.4%, respectively.

Meanwhile, food inflation was steady at 5.3%, as lower meat prices and slower increases in vegetable prices offset sharper rice inflation.

“Every peso saved from slower price increases means more room for the family budget for food, transport, education and other essential needs,” Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

“While challenges remain, particularly in managing food price pressures, these results show that our interventions are making a difference in easing the impact on Filipino households,” Balisacan said.

The DEPDev chief the government’s UPLIFT Committee will continue implementing targeted interventions to protect vulnerable sectors from the effects of higher prices and other economic shocks.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the government is running out of new ideas on bringing down inflation? Do you think the high inflation is a sign that the economy of the Philippines will grow weaker going into 2027? Do you think inflation will end up above 5% by the end of this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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LTO Says Local Government Units Have No Legal No Basis To Confiscate Drivers’ Licenses

August 6, 2026August 3, 2026carlocarrasco

Did a local government unit (LGU) outside of Metro Manila confiscate your driver’s license because you committed a traffic violation within their jurisdiction? The Land Transportation Office (LTO) clarified publicly that all LGUs have no legal basis to confiscate the licenses of drivers who committed traffic violations, according to a news report by GMA News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Land Transportation Office on Thursday said local government units have no legal basis to confiscate the drivers’ licenses of traffic violators.

“The LTO wishes to clarify to the public that it is currently implementing Department of Transportation (DOTr) Memorandum Circular No. 001-2026, which sets the policy regarding the non-confiscation of driver’s licenses during apprehension,” the agency said in a statement on its official Facebook page.

“Bilang pagsunod sa kautusan, pansamantalang hindi kinukumpiska ng mga law enforcement officers na may deputasyon mula sa LTO ang driver’s license ng mga motoristang lumalabag sa batas-trapiko,” it added.

(In compliance with the directive, law enforcement officers deputized by the LTO are temporarily not confiscating the driver’s licenses of motorists who violate traffic laws.)

The LTO said it seeks to clarify that existing Supreme Court jurisprudence does not grant traffic enforcement officers the general authority to confiscate motorists’ driver’s licenses.

The agency issued the statement after the City of Bacoor in Cavite on Wednesday issued a, “Clarification on Traffic Enforcement in Bacoor,” on social media.

“The City Government of Bacoor reminds the public that, pursuant to City Ordinance No. 11‑2019, Section 23 of the Revised Traffic Code, our traffic enforcers are duly authorized to confiscate driver’s licenses of motorists who violate traffic laws within the city,” the city announced on Facebook.

The Bacoor LGU said that “the recent Supreme Court ruling applies only to Metro Manila LGUs under the MMDA. Bacoor, being outside Metro Manila, continues to exercise its authority under the Local Government Code and its duly enacted ordinances.”

To which the LTO countered: “Existing administrative issuances from the (Department of Transportation) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government—including Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2008, issued by the former DOTC and DILG—acknowledge that traffic enforcers from local government units (LGUs) may issue citation tickets but lack the legal basis to confiscate motorists’ driver’s licenses.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Is the clarification by the LTO clear and transparent enough? When was the last time a local government confiscated your license because you committed a traffic violation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Time For The Philippines To Revisit Nuclear Energy Production

August 1, 2026July 28, 2026carlocarrasco

During his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., declared that it is time for the nation to revisit nuclear energy production, according to a news report by GMA News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said it is time to revisit nuclear energy production, as he touted some 200 energy projects in the pipeline in a bid to boost the country’s power supply and bring down power rates.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said the administration is working to revisit nuclear energy, as it is already being used in medicine, agriculture, water filtration, and the upcycling of plastic.

“Pushing the envelope further, perhaps it is time for us to revisit nuclear energy production,” he said, noting confidence in its capacity “to reinforce our energy security and bring down the cost of electricity in our country.”

“Titiyakin nating ito ay ligtas. Titiyakin din nating maipaliwanag nang mabuti sa publiko ang magandang dulot sa atin ng enerhiyang nukleyar” he added.

(We will make sure that this is safe. We will also make sure to explain the benefits of nuclear energy properly to the public.)

According to Marcos, the administration has a pipeline covering some 200 power projects across the country that will have a combined capacity of nearly 10,000 megawatts (MW) — 45 of which have already been completed, while 31 are set to be completed this year. The remaining 124 are targeted to be completed by 2028.

These are on top of 1,700 megawatts that the projects will contribute to energy storage systems, which Marcos said will boost energy security.

“Ang mga proyektong ito ay napabilis nang dahil sa mga bagong patakaran at proseso na nagpapadali ng pagnenegosyo dito sa ating bansa, para sa mga Pilipino at dayuhang negosyante,” he said.

(These projects were expedited because of the new regulations and processes that eased doing business here in the country for Filipinos and foreign investors.)

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the highlighting of nuclear energy production in the State of the Nation address will lead to breakthroughs for a nuclear-powered Philippines? Are people in your local community still afraid of nuclear energy? Do you think unchecked corruption inside the government of the Philippines will derail any nuclear-related efforts?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines Electricity The Most Expensive In ASEAN

July 28, 2026July 22, 2026carlocarrasco

Due to the low supply of electricity and the high demand recorded this past June, the Philippines had the most expensive electricity rates among member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a news report by GMA News.

Be reminded that the Philippines is experiencing weak economic growth, high inflation, and has been weak when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment. Could imagine how foreign investors would react to the expensive electricity here in the Philippines?

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines had the most expensive electricity rates among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in June due to low supply and high demand recorded during the month, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported Monday.

According to DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, the country reported an average rate of P12.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June, surpassing that of Singapore by P0.093 per kilowatt-hour.

“Sa Visayas, siya talaga ‘yung pinakamahal dahil talagang may kakulangan tayo sa supply doon. Meron tayong 21 plants na naka-forced outage and therefore, dependent siya talaga sa Luzon at sa Mindanao for imported power,” she said in a virtual briefing.

(Visayas was really the most expensive because there was really a lack of supply there. There are 21 plants on forced outage, and therefore, it is really dependent on imported power from Luzon and Mindanao.)

“Alam niyo naman, naka-yellow alert sila palagi (As you know, they have been on yellow alert regularly) since May 13, and that is the one that is driving the price high for Visayas,” she added.

The Visayas grid has been on yellow alert — indicating that the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement — for several days in June, due to the continued forced outage of major coal plants in the region.

Among the outages recorded were Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) units 1 and 2 and Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).

“For the rest… Meron kasi din tayong mga matataas na demand during the summer months, and therefore we have to operate the more expensive power plants. Imbes na mag-blackout, paandarin na lang ‘yung mga medyo mahal na plant,” Guevara said.

(For the rest… Demand was also high during the summer months, and therefore, we have to operate the more expensive power plants. Instead of blackouts, we ran more expensive plants.)

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think must be done to ensure abundant electricity for the Filipinos? Are you convinced now is the time for the government of the Philippines to go all-in on nuclear power? How much was your electric bill this past June?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines Attracts 2.9 Million Foreign Tourists In First Half Of 2026

July 25, 2026July 22, 2026carlocarrasco

For the first half of this year, the Philippines attracted 2.9 million foreign tourists and 1.13 million of that came from the United States and South Korea combined, according to a news report by Business Mirror. The figure does not include the 260,717 overseas Filipinos or balikbayan.

When compared to its Asian neighbors’ first-half foreign tourist numbers, the Philippines is still way behind Vietnam which attracted 12.3 million and Japan which attracted 21 million.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Business Mirror report. Some parts in boldface…

MORE relaxed visa entry requirements have enabled the Philippines to attract an increasing number of foreign tourists, lifting total visitor arrivals by 5.41 percent in the first half of the year.

Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed 3.16 million inbound tourists from January to June 2026, of which 2.9 million were foreign nationals and 260,717 were overseas Filipinos. The latter are described as Philippine passport holders permanently residing abroad. This year’s arrivals are 76.5 percent of the 4.13 million total in the first half of prepandemic 2019.

The DOT stressed that the data are based on e-travel records provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and are not final until Bureau of Immigration records are taken into account. E-travel registration is mandatory for those arriving in the Philippines except foreign diplomats, dignitaries, foreign government officials and their delegation, visiting business executives and students sponsored by the Philippine government or international organizations, and their immediate family members (9e visa).

Of the total foreign nationals, which were up 6.3 percent from the 2.73 million year on year (yoy), tourists from China and India were the most improved by 64.54 percent and 43 percent, respectively. Residents from both countries have been allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free for tourism purposes for 14 days.

The top 12 source markets of visitors for the Philippines all recorded increases, except for South Korea, with long-haul markets like Germany even showing monthly increases yoy, despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which had jacked up jet fuel prices.

S. Korea plunges 13.7% – The United States continues to be the top source market for the Philippines with arrivals at 581,565 in the first half of the year, an increase of some 6.9 percent from the same period in 2025. Most of the market continues to be composed of Americans of Filipino decent, or Filipino immigrants, who visit the Philippines usually during the holiday season in December and January.

Some 300 Filipino-Americans are currently in the country as part of government’s long-running Very Important Pinoy (VIP) tour, and visiting destinations other than Metro Manila such as Cebu, Dumaguete, and Siquijor.

In second place are tourists from South Korea at 552,860, slumping by 13.7 percent, yoy. This was followed by Japan at 581,565 (+6.87 percent); China at 219,796 (+64.54 percent); Australia at 174,257 (+12.3 percent); and Canada at 156,763 (+15.6 percent), another haven of Filipino immigrants. Air Canada began offering direct flights from Vancouver to Manila in April last year, while flag carrier Philippine Airlines offers nonstop flights between Manila and Vancouver, and Toronto.

Tourists from Taiwan were in seventh place at 111,134, an increase of 11.85 percent; folowed by the United Kingdom at 92,829 (+1.7 percent); Singapore at 78,069 (0.35 percent); India at 60,583 (43.03 percent); Malaysia at 53,437 (+11.5 percent); and Germany at 48,657 (+6.9 percent).

Under the General Appropriations Act of 2026, the DOT committed to attract 6.7 million foreign tourists this year.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will be able to attract 6.7 million foreign tourists by the end of this year? What do you think are the three most serious problems the Philippines has when it comes to attracting foreign tourists?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines Supreme Court Upholds Law Granting VAT Refund To Foreign Tourists

July 12, 2026July 6, 2026carlocarrasco

Remember the law granting value-added tax refund (VAT refund) to foreign tourists signed a few years ago? That law was challenged and recently the Supreme Court of the Philippines upheld the constitutionality of Republic Act 12079 (the act creating a VAT refund mechanism for non-resident tourists), according to a news report by GMA News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…

The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the constitutionality of a law that grants value-added tax (VAT) refunds on select local purchases by non-resident foreign tourists.

In a 30-page decision, the SC En Banc dismissed a petition challenging the validity of Republic Act 12079, or an act creating a VAT refund mechanism for non-resident tourists, adding Section 112-A to the National Internal Revenue Code.

“Granting VAT refund to foreign tourists was not arbitrarily done. It is a policy decision based on legitimate state interests, i.e. the need to remain competitive as a global tourist destination,” the SC said.

“In fine, foreign tourists may be granted privileges and benefits that are not extended to Filipino citizens, so as long as these distinctions are based on reasonable and justifiable classifications, as in here,” it added.

According to the SC, the VAT refund applies to goods brought from duly accredited stores and taken out of the country within 60 days from purchase. The goods must be priced at least P3,000 per transaction.

Meanwhile, the SC said Section 5 of the law’s implementing rules and regulations limit the refund to retail and tangible goods, including clothing, apparel, electronics, gadgets, jewelry, accessories, souvenirs, food or non-food consumables, and other items intended for personal use.

The petitioner, however, argued that the law violates the constitutional guarantee of equal protection as it excludes Filipino citizens.

For its part, the SC said equal protection does not require identical treatment for all persons.

It said the act also distinguishes foreign tourists from Filipino citizens.

According to the SC, the VAT refund system follows the basic rule of VAT that goods are taxed where they are consumed. If the goods are consumed in the Philippines, they remain subject to Philippine VAT.

Meanwhile, the SC added that VAT refund for foreign tourists is a well-established international practice.

“The Philippines is among the last few countries in Asia to adopt such a system. Our Asian neighbors, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Japan have long implemented this VAT refund mechanism for foreign tourists,” it said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s decision on the law about VAT refund for foreign tourists? Apart from the VAT refund for foreign tourists, what problems that plagued the Philippine tourism industry should the government solve this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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BPI Customers Can Withdraw And Deposit Cash At Grocery, Convenience Stores And Other Commercial Joints

July 7, 2026July 2, 2026carlocarrasco

Customers of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) are able to withdraw and deposit cash at grocery, convenience stores and other commercial joints thanks to the a newly launched campaign between the bank and over a thousand partner stores, according to a news report by GMA News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…

The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) on Wednesday launched its “Himala” campaign, allowing customers to withdraw and deposit cash at 1,369 partner stores, including grocery and convenience stores.

The service effectively turns participating outlets into “mini BPI branches,” enabling customers to complete cash transactions without visiting a physical bank branch.

The partner network includes Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) stores such as Robinsons Easymart, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Robinsons Department Store, Toys “R” Us, and Uncle John’s.

The service is also available at non-RRHI outlets, including Amesco, Fitmart GenSan, CVM Pawnshop, Falcor Marketing, Prince Retail, Prince Warehouse, Rodamel Drugstore, Savers Depot, Tacurong Fit Mart Inc., and Tambunting Pawnshop.

Customers can generate a barcode through the BPI app for cash deposits and withdrawals, then present it at any participating store for processing. They may also send the barcode to another person, who can use it to deposit or withdraw cash at a partner outlet.

Customers may deposit or withdraw a minimum of P100 through the partner network. Deposits are limited to P10,000 per barcode and P50,000 per day, while withdrawals are capped at P10,000.

Select services, including account opening and applications for BPI products, are also available through the bank’s network of 8,000 retail partners, which includes pharmacies and gas stations nationwide.

According to BPI Agency Banking head Rally Jereza, the Ayala-led lender is in talks to onboard more partner stores, with the goal of expanding the network to 10,000 outlets within the year.

“For now, I’m satisfied with 8,000 because we want to encourage people to use [the service]. But in terms of expanding, with existing BPI clients, corporate clients… it’s easy to expand. Right now, we just want to be able to maximize all of those footprints,” he said.

Jereza said the initiative also supports BPI’s “May BPI Dito” campaign, which aims to make the bank’s services available in as many locations as possible.

“What began in 2023 as product application points has evolved into a fully integrated banking ecosystem. Every phase—from enabling transactions on tablets to barcode withdrawals and now barcode deposits—was built to ensure safety, simplicity, and trust,” he said.

“This is not just expansion; it is a redefinition of what a bank can be in the digital age,” he added.

BPI said it has onboarded more than one million new-to-bank customers through its agency banking network and aims to increase the figure to 10 million.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a BPI customer, have you experience the convenience of doing important transactions at the grocery or at the convenience store lately?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japanese Embassy Confirms Temporary Visitor Visas Remain Free For Filipinos

June 28, 2026June 25, 2026carlocarrasco

Following the recent announcement of significant increases of foreigner entry visa fees that will take effect on July 1, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines confirmed that the temporary visitor visas (good up to 90 days maximum) are still free of charge for Filipinos, according to a GMA News report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…

Temporary visitor visas for Filipinos remain “gratis” or free of charge, the Japanese embassy in Manila announced on Thursday.

The embassy’s announcement came in the wake of the Japanese government’s announcement that single-entry visa fees for foreign nationals will increase fivefold, from 3,000 yen (about P1,170) to 15,000 yen (around P5,850), for applications filed starting July 1.

“Please note that a temporary visitor visa (for a stay of a maximum of 90 days) for a Philippine national remains gratis,” the embassy announced on its website and on Facebook.

The Japanese embassy in Manila also announced the “Cabinet Order on Fees Collected by Consular Officers,” which sets forth visa fees, has been amended and comes into effect on July 1, 2026.

“For visa applications accepted at overseas diplomatic missions on or after that date, the fee, converted into Japanese yen, will be approximately 15,000 yen for a single-entry visa and approximately 30,000 yen for a multiple-entry visa,” the embassy said.

“As a general rule, payment shall be made in the local currency of the country (region) where the Embassy or Consulate-General of Japan issuing the visa is located,” it added.

The embassy said fees may not be required or the amount may differ, “depending on the purpose of your visit and your nationality.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this good news will encourage more Filipinos to visit Japan using the temporary visitor visa? Do you know anyone who applied for a Japanese visa lately?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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