The San Pedro City, Laguna, northbound interchange of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) finally opened on August 1, 2025, providing the city and its neighbouring areas with the fastest route to Metro Manila and the most convenient entry from farther south. The ceremonial inauguration of the entry/exit interchange was led by DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bon...

The Department of Public Works and Highways, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is intensifying efforts to finalize updated flood control master plans for the Pasig-Marikina and Cagayan River Basins — two major waterways in Luzon that play a crucial role in supporting the economic growth of Metro Manila and the Cagayan Valley ...

The Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) and the Philippine Tax Academy (PTA) have formalized a three-year partnership to advance transparency, accountability and fiscal literacy in the country’s extractive industries. Through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on 5 August at the Diamond Hotel in Manila, the two in...

Integrated energy company Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) posted a net income of Php4.1 billion in the second quarter of 2025, down 33% from Php6.1 billion in the same period last year. The decline was primarily due to the continued stabilization of coal and electricity prices. “While energy prices eased, we ramped up coal production and boosted...

Philex Mining Corp. reported a net income of Php171 million in the second quarter of 2025, bringing its first-half profit to Php301 million, even as core earnings and revenue showed signs of strain amid fluctuating commodity prices. The company’s second-quarter earnings were down from the Php215 million posted during the same period last year. Core net...

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have successfully concluded the wrap-up meeting for the ongoing Fact-Finding Mission on the Second San Juanico Bridge (SSJB) Construction Project. Held on July 25, 2025, the meeting marked a key milestone in the project, with DPWH Senior Undersecret...

The Philippines' infrastructure sector is set to receive a major boost in foreign investment as Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP)—a part of BlackRock and one of the world’s leading infrastructure investors—moves toward finalizing a strategic partnership with Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV). The discussions include GIP’s potential acquisition of a...

Construction giant EEI Corporation recently marked its 50th year as a listed company at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). During a bell-ringing ceremony, the PSE recognized the company’s legacy as one of the leading construction firms to participate in the equity markets through its public listing. “This half a century of our presence in the stock e...

By Ronald S. Recidoro, Executive Director, Chamber of Mines of the Philippines After more than a decade of uncertainty and policy flip-flops, the reconciled version of the Mining Fiscal Regime Bill, once signed, will mark a turning point in Philippine mineral policy. It is not just the culmination of years of legislative advocacy; it is the resolution ...

From humble beginnings in Barangay Urbiztondo, Claver, Surigao del Norte, to securing a License to Operate as a food manufacturer from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Urbiztondo Crop Producers’ Cooperative (UCPC) is making a name for itself, one cassava chip at a time. On March 12, 2025, the cooperative, composed of 21 women, officially rec...

The Karaang Banwa Marine Protected Area in Barangay Urbiztondo was recognized as 2nd Runner-Up for Best Managed Marine Protected Area in the 2025 HIPADA Siganid Awards, honoring its outstanding marine conservation efforts and strong multi-sectoral collaboration. Karaang Banwa, a thriving marine sanctuary, is an area adopted and actively protected by Ta...

Manicani Island, Eastern Samar — Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) environmental team recently conducted an on-site engagement with residents of Manicani Island to address their environmental concerns related to its subsidiary, Hinatuan Mining Corporation – Manicani Nickel Project (HMC-MNP). The NAC environmental team, composed of in-house foresters, marin...

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has intensified construction work on the twin-tube mountain tunnels of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Construction Project, as excavation of the southbound tunnel nears its breakthrough phase. In an inspection report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain noted t...

Grand Terra Mining Resources Inc. (GTMRI) has successfully produced the first nickel metal from Philippines laterite ores at its demonstration leach plant in Leyte. The President of GTMRI, Leoben Evangelista said, “This is a great achievement for the Philippines. The innovative vat leaching system and the use of resins to purify solutions followed by elec...

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has reached a major milestone in the Bucana (Davao River) Bridge Project in Davao City with the final concrete pouring of the bridge deck slab, signifying the completion of the project’s major structural components. Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who oversees DPWH Infrastructure Flagship Project...

The construction of the Samal Island–Davao City Connector (SIDC) Bridge, a flagship infrastructure project of the national government, has reached the 40% completion mark, according to a recent progress report by Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan. This milestone reflects th...