Enterprise Sustains Growth Momentum on ICT Expansion and Network Modernization

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The Enterprise business reported revenues of ₱12.4 billion for the first quarter of 2026, a 4% year-on-year increase, supported by sustained demand for ICT and digital infrastructure services, alongside strong Wireless performance.

Growth in the quarter was primarily driven by Corporate Data and ICT, which reached ₱9.3 billion, continuing to account for the majority of Enterprise revenues. This reflects organizations increasingly consolidating toward integrated, managed, and analytics-driven platforms to improve efficiency, scalability, and decision-making.

Within ICT, PLDT’s ICT subsidiary, ePLDT, recorded 34% year-on-year growth in technology services revenues, driven by strong performance in managed services and Data & AI solutions. These gains reflect the growing demand for solutions that allow customers to operate in an environment where speed, adaptability, and continuous innovation are critical for maintaining competitiveness.

In the data center segment, ePLDT's subsidiary VITRO Inc. delivered strong double-digit revenue growth. This performance was driven by robust demand from key enterprise industries and hyperscalers, reflecting the continued and growing need for data center infrastructure.

The Fixed business remained broadly stable, supported by sustained enterprise investments in network transformation and modernization initiatives. Fiber lines grew by 6% year-on-year, while SD-WAN lines increased by 17%, reflecting the continued shift of enterprises toward highly resilient fiber connectivity and software-defined networking solutions to support cloud adoption, multi-site operations, and centralized network management.

Meanwhile, PGC Enterprise revenues grew by 26%, highlighting momentum across international connectivity and digital platform services. Together, these developments underscore Enterprise’s continued efforts to enable digital transformation through scalable, resilient, and future-ready connectivity solutions.

On the Wireless front, the business sustained strong growth momentum, expanding by 13% in the first quarter—an acceleration from the 3% growth recorded in 2025. This was driven by the continued performance of Wireless platform solutions such as A2P, Bizload, and IoT, which are expanding the role of Wireless beyond core products like Enterprise Postpaid and Enterprise Broadband. A2P growth was further supported by higher SMS traffic, with an additional 1.4 billion messages versus the same period last year, as messaging aggregators continued to power business communications at scale. Meanwhile, Bizload and IoT supported enterprises in automating load distribution across workforces and improving operational efficiency through connected solutions.

Overall, the Enterprise segment’s performance in the quarter highlights a structural shift toward ICT-led growth, supported by a solid connectivity backbone across Fixed and Wireless solutions. This integrated approach—combining ICT, Fixed, and Wireless—enables enterprises to operate more seamlessly across locations while strengthening the reliability and scalability of their digital infrastructure.

Looking ahead, the Enterprise business is expected to sustain its momentum through continued expansion of ICT services, ongoing network modernization initiatives, and enhancements in service quality and customer experience. These efforts position the segment to capture evolving enterprise requirements as demand for secure, scalable, and intelligent digital infrastructure continues to grow.

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SM’s data privacy efforts recognized anew at National Data Privacy Conference

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SM remains committed to ensuring and maintaining in-depth data privacy standards as a core component of corporate governance.

SM Retail, the retail arm of the SM Group, was recently awarded the NPC Seal of Registration Compliance Excellence Award for the Private Sector by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) during the National Data Privacy Conference.

The NPC Seal of Registration Compliance Excellence Award recognizes private sector organizations that uphold transparency and accountability through visible display of their NPC Seal of Registration across their operations and digital touchpoints.

“We are grateful for this recognition from NPC. We understand how critical data governance is in maintaining customer trust and loyalty. This award reflects the collective effort of the different business units across SM Retail to strengthen data privacy compliance and awareness,” shared Jonathan Ng, President of SM Retail.

SM Retail, the retail arm of the SM Group, received the NPC Seal of Registration Compliance Excellence Award for the Private Sector at the National Data Privacy Conference in Parañaque City. In photo are officers from the SM Retail Data Privacy & Protection Team, from left: Bernadette C. Salinas, Chief Data Officer; Atty. Mikhail Josef P. Soriano, Manager; Leyson N. San Juan, Data Protection Officer and AVP; Lorenz Victor D. Anyayahan, Senior Manager; and Luis Angelo D. De Castro, Senior Manager.

SM Retail was also recognized as a finalist for Privacy Initiative of the Year, a recognition of the company’s significant efforts in further educating its employees through data privacy learning channels, modules and learning sessions. These are key initiatives aimed at strengthening privacy awareness across the organization.

“These programs promote the responsible handling of personal data as part of everyday work using practical, retail-specific scenarios to make privacy more relevant and actionable for employees,” Ng further shared.

SM Retail’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) Leyson San Juan, was also named a Finalist for Data Protection Officer of the Year for the second consecutive year. These recognitions follow SM Retail’s Privacy Management Program Award win last year.

The awarding ceremony in Paranaque was held during the Privacy Awareness Week (PAW). PAW is an annual celebration dedicated to strengthening data privacy awareness and promoting responsible personal data processing in the Philippines.

Puregold Price Club and GCash for Business bring access to end-to-end digital financial tools to more Filipino sari-sari store owners, powering community hubs nationwide

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Puregold Price Club, Inc. has entered into a strategic partnership with GCash for Business to accelerate the digitalization of sari-sari stores and expand access to digital payments and financial solutions among Filipino nano, micro, small, and medium enterprises (NMSMEs).

(L–R) GCash for Business general manager Paul Albano; G-Xchange Inc. president and CEO Ren-Ren Reyes; and GCash for Business sales head Cleo Celeste Santos

Through this partnership with Puregold Price Club, GCash for Business aims to provide easier access to payment tools for merchants who were previously unable to use them and equip them with the right tools to accept digital payments, manage finances, and grow their business.

Sari-sari stores remain one of the most vital pillars of the Philippine economy, serving as accessible sources of essential goods in local communities across the country. Yet despite their reach, many NMSMEs continue to operate on cash-based systems that limit their ability to accept digital payments, such as QRPH payments and debit and credit cards; track transactions; manage cash flow; and access formal financial services.

Puregold Price Club and GCash for Business are directly addressing these gaps, bringing tools that are easy to access, scalable, and made for them.

“Our partnership with Puregold Price Club reflects a shared vision of empowering communities on the ground, by making digital payments and business solutions more inclusive, practical, and within reach," Ren-Ren Reyes, President and CEO of G-Xchange, Inc, the mobile wallet operator of GCash, shared.

Bringing digital solutions to the local economy

One of the key activations under this partnership took place at the Tindahan ni Aling Puring (TNAP) Convention 2026, one of the country’s largest annual gatherings of sari-sari store owners and small business operators.

The event introduced Puregold Price Club’s TNAP network of entrepreneurs to GCash for Business full suite of easy, simple, and convenient solutions, empowering business owners with flexible digital payment solutions that fit their needs and are functional, such as GCash SoundPay and GCash PocketPay.

GCash PocketPay turns an NFC-enabled Android smartphone into a POS machine, allowing merchants to accept credit card and QRPH payments anytime, anywhere. With GCash SoundPay, each payment transaction is secure with real-time payment confirmations you can hear. Beyond payment acceptance, the GCash for Business Portal provides a centralized platform where merchants can monitor transactions and manage their transfers to their suppliers, with no limits and no fees.

Through on-ground demos and onboarding support, merchants learned how to quickly set up and start accepting digital payments using GCash for Business devices. Doing so has enabled merchants to accept more payments, cater to their customers better, and open more opportunities, truly empowering them to grow.

“Puregold Price Club and GCash have worked hand in hand to empower our Tindahan ni Aling Puring members, who remain at the very heart of our mission. Through our partnership with GCash for Business, we are helping equip members of the Tindahan ni Aling Puring network with digital tools and payment solutions that strengthen their day-to-day operations, support their growth, and enable them to better serve their customers in an increasingly digital economy,” Puregold Price Club, Inc. President, Vincent Co, concluded.

The partnership also extends to Puregold’s retail operations, where GCash for Business solutions are being integrated to support in-store transactions, disbursements, and broader operational processes. This creates a more connected ecosystem between suppliers and the sari-sari stores they serve.

Puregold Price Club and GCash for Business are proactively championing digitalization among NMSMEs by making digital tools and solutions more accessible to businesses of all sizes — empowering even small businesses to adapt to changing consumer behavior, participate in the digital economy, and unlock more opportunities for long-term growth and financial inclusion.

Learn more about GCash for Business solutions for sari-sari store owners and MSMEs at https://gcash.com/business/msme.

DDB Group Philippines Rebrands as GGC Group Asia

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Advertising agency powerhouse DDB Group Philippines has announced its rebranding as “GGC Group Asia,” marking its evolution into an independent creative force.

The move follows the decision of Omnicom Group, the holding company of marketing communications network DDB Worldwide, to retire the DDB brand globally by the end of the first half of 2026, following its acquisition of Interpublic Group in November last year.

Gil G. Chua, Group Chairman and CEO, GGC Group Asia (formerly DDB Group Philippines)

Established in 1992 through a groundbreaking partnership between New York-based DDB Worldwide and pioneering Filipino-owned agency Advertising Marketing and Associates (AMA), DDB Group Philippines had served as the local office of the DDB network in the country for more than three decades until the brand’s dissolution this year.

As GGC Group Asia, the company will continue to collaborate with Omnicom Group as needed, ensuring clients’ continued access to global marketing communications tools and resources.

Legacy and a Bold New Beginning

According to GGC Group Asia Chairman and CEO Gil G. Chua, whose initials inspired the company’s new name, the organization welcomed Omnicom’s global direction to retire the 75-year-old DDB brand while honoring the legacy built through decades of partnership.

“GGC Group Asia moves forward with deep gratitude for our long-standing partnership with Omnicom and DDB Worldwide — a relationship that elevated our standards, sharpened our thinking, and gave Filipino talent a global stage,” he said. "We are entering a defining chapter not by leaving something behind, but by fully coming into our own. We are embracing our future with full independence, full responsibility, and a renewed commitment to shared prosperity."

On a personal note, Chua said this new chapter also allows him to continue building a legacy in an industry to which he has dedicated much of his life.

“This rebrand is more than a change in name — it is a proud affirmation of the legacy, leadership, and vision that have guided our businesses through the years. It is incredibly rewarding and humbling to see my own initials become synonymous with the businesses that my family, our business partners, and I have passionately built, nurtured, and grown together over the years,” Chua said.

Further Rebranding and Integration of businesses

As part of this development, three of the group's integrated marketing communications (IMC) companies that also carry the DDB brand name, or that of its digital arm Tribal Worldwide, have also rebranded: DDB Philippines is now Velocity+, DDB MNL is now Alab MNL, and Tribal Worldwide Philippines is now The Tribe.

The group's other advertising-related companies shall continue to operate under their current names as follows: Optimax Communications (IMC), Agile Intelligence (data analytics), Ripple8 (PR), Touch XDA (media planning and buying), and Bent and Buzz (content and events management).

Alongside this transition, being integrated into GGC Group Asia are DDB Group's sister companies from the FCT Group, comprising business solutions firms, namely, FOSA, Caishen, Track Mnl, Xpress Move, Strawberry Jam, and PhilMovers.

With this integration, the GGC Group Asia will comprise 14 companies across 18 office locations nationwide, with a combined workforce of over 7,500 employees.

This strengthens the group's ability to deliver a full spectrum of solutions—from advertising, public relations, and media planning and buying to logistics and other marketing and sales support services. It also reflects the group’s growing capability to serve markets beyond the Philippines and throughout Asia.

No Changes to Leadership and Operations

The group clarifies that the rebrand will not affect leadership, talent, client relationships, or ongoing operations. All contracts and service agreements will remain fully in place.

“While our name evolves, our commitment to creativity, effectiveness, and strong client partnerships remains unwavering. Our clients and partners can expect seamless continuity of service and the same standard of creative and strategic excellence that has defined the organization from the very start," Chua said.

GGC Group Asia shall also continue to be guided by a commitment to building businesses that create not only profit, but also lasting impact — ensuring that business growth is aligned with the greater good of clients, talent, and the communities it serves.

Carrying Forward a Tradition of Excellence

Prior to the rebrand, DDB Group Philippines had established a strong track record, with the group and its agencies earning local and international recognition for creativity, effectiveness, and advocacy-driven campaigns developed in partnership with clients and non-profit organizations.

Among the group’s most notable achievements are the Philippines' first Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions and first Gold at the Advertising and Marketing Effectiveness (AME) Awards, both won in 2013; the Philippines’ only Gold award at Spikes Asia 2025; the “Best in Management of Business-Network Agency of the Year” award at the 4As Philippines AOY Awards in 2022; and multiple “Agency of the Year” recognitions at the IABC Philippine Quill Awards (2013, 2014, and 2019), and the PRSP Anvil Awards (2024).

DDB Group Philippines also received numerous accolades and certifications recognizing it as a "great place to work" or one of the “best companies to work for” from both local and international award-giving bodies, including the Campaign Agency of the Year Awards–Asia Pacific and Global, HR Asia, the International Stevies, Great Place To Work®, and the BusinessWorld Best Places to Work Awards.

This tradition of excellence and award-winning work will continue into its next chapter as GGC Group Asia.

Home Credit Secures Leadership Roles in CCAP to Drive Consumer Protection and Credit Responsibility

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Home Credit Philippines is reinforcing consumer protection, responsible credit use, and fraud prevention through an expanded leadership role in the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP), an organization that brings together financial institutions to promote safer credit practices for Filipinos.

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Home Credit Philippines expands its leadership in the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP), advocating initiatives in collections quality and fraud prevention to protect Filipino consumers

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(Front row, second from left) Home Credit Head of External Affairs Atty. Jude Romano and (back row, second from left) Lead Collections Quality Assurance Manager Cyrus Ching join fellow CCAP Board members and Committee Chairmen at the organization's planning session in Taipei.

CCAP recently appointed Cyrus Ching, Home Credit’s Late Collections Quality Assurance Manager as the 2026 Collections Committee Chairman. In this role, Ching represented Home Credit together with Atty. Jude Romano, CCAP Corporate Secretary and Home Credit’s Head of External Affairs at the association’s annual planning session in Taipei to help shape the industry’s roadmap for the coming year.

“Taking on this role allows Home Credit to share our best practices in operational discipline with the industry,” said Cyrus Ching. “Our focus is to ensure that collections processes remain empathetic and effective, ultimately helping Filipinos manage their financial obligations with dignity.”

Home Credit’s deepening involvement follows a year of significant contributions to the association. In 2025, Andrew Raymond Fernandez, HCPH Head of Digital Payments, chaired the CCAP Merchant Relations Committee. This consistent presence is mirrored by the company's performance; the Home Credit Collections Team has secured the CCAP Fellowship championship for two consecutive years (2024-2025), a testament to the company’s focus on high-performance standards and ethical collections.

Beyond leadership appointments, Home Credit is a vocal supporter of industry-wide safeguards particularly the #FightBudol and Pilipinas Fraud Awareness campaigns which are designed to equip the public against fraud tactics. Home Credit recognizes that these efforts are increasingly important as social engineering tactics and digital fraud risks continue to evolve.

“As a BSP-regulated institution, we believe that making credit accessible must go hand-in-hand with making it safe,” added Atty. Jude Romano. “Our partnership with CCAP ensures that we are not just providing financial products and services but also building a resilient ecosystem through financial wellness campaigns and robust fraud prevention.”

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).    

For the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph, or follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts.    

TransferGo, GCash partnership brings secure, affordable remittances for Filipinos in Europe

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GCash and TransferGo team up to improve remittances from Europe

As part of its commitment to support Filipinos around the world, GCash, the country’s leading finance superapp, has partnered with TransferGo, a leading international money transfer service across Europe, to provide Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and migrants with a faster, reliable, and cost-efficient way to send money directly to GCash wallets.

For many OFWs, sending money home is often complicated by slow transfer times, hidden fees, or limited payout options. The TransferGo and GCash partnership addresses these challenges by enabling instant, secure fund transfers to the Philippines, giving families easier access to financial support for everyday needs.

With the partnership now in place, TransferGo users in the United Kingdom and across Europe can send money straight to GCash wallets. Recipients can immediately use the funds for bills, online payments, cash withdrawals, or other financial needs, all within the GCash ecosystem.

“This partnership strengthens GCash’s international remittance network and ensures that Filipino families get their funds quickly, safely, and conveniently. We are committed to financial inclusion and empowering every Filipino to manage their money, whether they are here at home or abroad,” said GCash International general manager Arjun Varma.

For TransferGo, the partnership expands payout options in Southeast Asia, giving users more confidence when sending money home.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing our customers with more opportunities to stay connected with family and friends. We do this by delivering more affordable, fast, and reliable money transfer solutions for the Filipino diaspora. We are proud to have the community's trust and will continue to offer them our very best,” said TransferGo CEO and co-founder Daumantas Dvilinskas.

Reinforcing its vision of Finance for All, GCash ensures that every Filipino, wherever they are, can access essential financial services and support their families with ease and security.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

PLDT Enterprise and 6D Technologies Help Businesses Bring IoT Closer to Everyday Operations

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PLDT Enterprise and 6D Technologies formalize their partnership to expand scalable IoT connectivity and support enterprise digital transformation across the Philippines. (L–R): Gilbert Gaw, First Vice President and Head of IT and Transformation Office, PLDT and Smart; Nico Alcoseba, First Vice President and Head of Product Management and Innovation, PLDT Enterprise; Manish Arora, Executive Director and Chief Revenue Officer, 6D Technologies; and Abhishek Bhalla, Vice President for APAC, 6D Technologies.

For many businesses, growth depends on being able to see what is happening across their operations in real time — where assets are, how devices are performing, when systems need attention, and how teams can respond faster when conditions change.

This is where connected technology becomes more than just infrastructure. It becomes a way for businesses to make better decisions, reduce delays, improve visibility, and serve customers with greater confidence.

PLDT Enterprise is taking another step toward making this possible for more Philippine businesses through its strategic partnership with 6D Technologies, a global telecommunications software company specializing in BSS/OSS platforms, IoT connectivity management, and digital transformation solutions for mobile network operators. Through the collaboration, PLDT Enterprise is strengthening its IoT capabilities to support more scalable, flexible, and enterprise-ready connectivity services across the country.

At the heart of the partnership is 6D Technologies’ IoT Connectivity Management Platform (CMP), a carrier-grade platform that helps telecom operators create, package, deploy, and manage IoT services at scale. It supports the full IoT lifecycle, including SIM provisioning, device onboarding, real-time usage monitoring, automated billing, and enterprise self-service portals.

Helping businesses see more and respond faster

The partnership is expected to support more IoT use cases across industries such as logistics, manufacturing, utilities, retail, and public services — sectors where reliable information and timely action can directly affect operations. It opens opportunities for use cases such as fleet tracking, smart metering, industrial automation, cold chain monitoring, smart surveillance, and connected car solutions.

For logistics companies, this can mean better visibility over vehicles and deliveries. For utilities, it can help improve monitoring across meters and field assets. For manufacturers, it can support smarter automation and equipment tracking. For retailers and public service organizations, it can help teams make faster decisions based on more accurate, real-time information.

Built on Smart’s 5G-enabled infrastructure, the platform is also positioned to support deployments even in hard-to-reach areas, helping bring connected solutions closer to businesses and communities that need them.

Making IoT easier to start, manage, and scale

For many enterprises, adopting IoT can feel complex. Businesses need to manage devices, connectivity, data usage, security settings, and cost — often across multiple sites and teams.

Through 6D’s platform capabilities, PLDT Enterprise can develop more dynamic bundled offerings, create more accessible starting points for SMEs and mid-market customers, and support customers as their IoT requirements grow over time. The platform’s flexible commercial engine, multi-tenant structure, and automated SIM and device lifecycle management are designed to help PLDT Enterprise respond more quickly to market demand and support enterprise growth with less back-end intervention.

With the new platform, enterprises can access capabilities such as seamless roaming support for connected devices across regions, eSIM enablement for more flexible and remote device provisioning, data pooling across multiple devices to optimize usage and cost efficiency, and enhanced APN management for more secure and customized network configurations.

The platform also introduces AI-powered IoT connectivity management — capabilities that go beyond dashboards to proactively flag anomalies, predict connectivity issues before they affect operations, and automatically optimize device performance and network usage across an enterprise’s entire connected fleet. For businesses managing hundreds or thousands of devices across multiple sites, this translates to fewer manual interventions and more reliable uptime.

Leaders from PLDT Enterprise and 6D Technologies come together to formalize their partnership aimed at strengthening scalable IoT connectivity solutions for Philippine businesses. (L–R): Manoj Jain, Global Head of Marketing, 6D Technologies; Abhishek Bhalla, Vice President for APAC, 6D Technologies; Manish Arora, Executive Director and Chief Revenue Officer, 6D Technologies; Gilbert Gaw, First Vice President and Head of IT and Transformation Office, PLDT and Smart; and Nico Alcoseba, First Vice President and Head of Product Management and Innovation, PLDT Enterprise.

A commitment to smarter, more connected businesses across the Philippines

For PLDT Enterprise, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to helping Philippine businesses move beyond basic connectivity and toward more intelligent, device-level digital operations.

“This partnership with 6D Technologies strengthens our ability to deliver more scalable and flexible IoT services to businesses across the Philippines,” said Nico Alcoseba, First Vice President and Head of Product Management and Innovation at PLDT Enterprise. “By enhancing our IoT platform capabilities, we are better positioned to help enterprises adopt connected technologies faster, support new use cases, and build smarter, more responsive operations.”

“The Philippines represents one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic IoT growth markets, and we see this partnership with PLDT Enterprise as a significant step in realizing that potential,” shared Manish Arora, Executive Director and Chief Revenue Officer of 6D Technologies. “Our platform is built to give operators the speed, visibility, and flexibility to launch and scale IoT services on their own terms — and we look forward to putting that to work for Philippine enterprises.”

By combining PLDT Enterprise’s network strength with 6D Technologies’ platform flexibility and automated lifecycle management, the collaboration aims to help more enterprises deploy connected solutions that are easier to manage, more responsive to operational needs, and built for long-term growth.

 

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About PLDT Enterprise 

PLDT Enterprise is the corporate business arm of PLDT, the leading telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines. Dedicated to delivering innovative fixed-line, wireless, and ICT solutions, PLDT Enterprise enables businesses to adapt to evolving technological needs, optimize efficiency, continuity, and connectivity, and enhance customer experience. With a strong commitment to doing business responsibly, PLDT Enterprise aims to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by enabling digital transformation, championing meaningful innovations, and bridging the digital divide.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.

About 6D Technologies

6D Technologies is a global telecommunications software company delivering BSS/OSS platforms, IoT connectivity management, and digital transformation solutions to mobile network operators worldwide. With a presence across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, 6D Technologies enables operators to launch, manage, and scale digital services with greater speed and flexibility. Its product portfolio spans revenue management, subscriber lifecycle management, IoT connectivity, and AI-powered analytics — helping operators modernise their operations and create new revenue streams in an evolving digital landscape.

For more information, visit 6dtechnologies.com.

 

SM Group raises renewable energy sourcing to 31% in 2025

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SM Investments Corporation (SM Investments), the parent company of the SM Group, said the Group increased its renewable energy sourcing to 31% of total electricity consumption in 2025, up from 27% in 2024, as it continued expanding cleaner energy use across its businesses.

The Group sourced approximately 730 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity from renewable energy sources during the year.

The shift to renewable electricity helped avoid 370,644.07 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to taking around 296,954 electric-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year.

The Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC)’s Mak-Ban steam field located in Batangas and Laguna is one of the company’s sites supporting a stable, low-carbon renewable energy production.

“For us, investing in renewable energy is both a sustainability and business decision,” SM Investments President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio said. “It helps us manage long-term energy costs, improve operational efficiency and build more resilient businesses to help us better serve our customers, tenants, communities and other stakeholders.”

Leading the Group’s broader renewable energy strategy is the Philippine Geothermal Production Company (PGPC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SM Investments that currently operates the Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in the Provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Albay supplying geothermal steam that can generate up to 400 megawatts of clean renewable energy to power households, offices and industrial facilities around the clock.

PGPC is developing new geothermal sites in six locations in Luzon that have the potential to provide up to 400 additional megawatts of clean, renewable geothermal power for the country.

Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in Laguna and Albay alone can generate enough geothermal steam to power up to one million households annually.

“Reliable and affordable energy is important not only for businesses but also for communities and the broader economy,” Mr. DyBuncio added. “We believe renewable energy, particularly geothermal, can help strengthen long-term energy security while supporting economic growth.”

The SM Group operates the country’s largest rooftop solar panel network nationwide among property developers. Its investment in renewable energy started in 2014 with the very first installation of solar panels in SM North EDSA.

Across the Group’s integrated developments, renewable energy adoption continues to expand. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. has installed more than 200,000 solar panels across 69 properties as part of its broader energy efficiency initiatives.

The Group’s renewable energy transition is also increasingly reflected across its broader business ecosystem.

The Tiwi steam field in Albay is one of PGPCs geothermal sites

Alfamart recently installed solar panels at its Saraiya Distribution Center in Quezon Province with a solar peak capacity of 120.28 kilowatt-peak (kWp), helping improve operational efficiency within its supply chain network.

Meanwhile, the Group’s banking units continue to support sustainable financing initiatives. As of end-2025, BDO Unibank, Inc. has funded a total of PHP 1.21 trillion in sustainable projects, including 71 renewable energy developments amounting to PHP 177 billion. China Banking Corp., for its part, provided PHP72 billion in financing for energy access, renewables and energy efficiency projects in 2025.

SM Investments said the Group continues to integrate sustainability and operational efficiency across its retail, property, banking, and portfolio investments.

Manulife Philippines Appoints Manish Sangal as Deputy CEO

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Sangal will drive strategy and execution across priority transformation and business initiatives, advancing agency distribution, digital, and AI innovation across the business

Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading international financial services provider Manulife, announced the appointment of Manish Sangal as Deputy Chief Executive Officer. As Deputy CEO, he will join the Company’s executive committee and will report directly to Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines.

Over the past three years as Chief Agency Officer in Vietnam, Sangal has delivered sustained quality growth and built a highly engaged, high-performing team. His appointment reflects Manulife’s continued investment in the Philippines as a market central to the company’s Emerging Markets strategy and underscores the insurer’s focus on building enterprise-level capabilities across its business.

“Manish is a proven insurance leader who combines strategic clarity with disciplined execution,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “His track record in agency development and digital transformation, along with his strong culture-building leadership, will help us accelerate our growth ambitions, strengthen our competitiveness, and create even more value for our customers and distribution partners in the Philippines.”

In his new role, Sangal will be responsible for driving strategy and execution across priority transformation and business initiatives, partnering across teams to advance technology and AI innovation, agency transformation, expanded Corporate Solutions, and enhanced digital journeys for advisors and customers, deepening customer value and distribution excellence.

“I’m honored to take on this role and to partner with our talented teams across Manulife Philippines,” said Manish Sangal, Deputy CEO, Manulife Philippines. “Backed by 119 years of rich understanding of the Filipino customer, we have an exciting opportunity to scale our agency strength, enhance customer engagement through data, digital, and AI, and bring innovative and market-leading health and life protection solutions—making decisions easier and lives better for more families in the Philippines.”

TGP franchisees highlight purpose-driven entrepreneurship through stories of service, community impact

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For many franchisees of TGP, building a business began with a practical goal: to create a stable livelihood for their families. But over time, their decision to franchise became more than a path to growth. It became a way to serve communities by helping make affordable medicine more accessible to the people who need it most.

For franchise owners in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and Bacolod City, their TGP journey was shaped by the same questions many aspiring entrepreneurs ask: What do you want to build? What kind of life do you want for your family? How can you create something that truly makes a difference?

In Cabanatuan City, husband and wife Jul and Darlene De Guzman were already managing small businesses before joining TGP. What drew them to the brand was its clear sense of purpose.

“Before joining TGP, my wife and I were already running small businesses together. We were young, learning, and trying to figure out what kind of work truly mattered to us,” said Jul De Guzman.

“What made TGP stand out was the mix of service and long-term contribution to the community. I used to write mission statements for our other businesses from scratch. With TGP, the mission was already built in — to provide affordable medicine to people and communities,” he added.

The De Guzmans opened their first TGP branch in 2008, personally handling operations and learning the business step by step. From one store, they eventually expanded across Central Luzon.

But for the couple, growth was not just about adding more branches.

“TGP made us grow, individually and as a couple. It taught us how to lead people, how to handle pressure, and how to serve others. In many ways, it helped shape the kind of family we are today,” De Guzman said.

In Bacolod City, TGP franchisees Tweet and Daves Campos saw the opportunity from a personal need. As a young family with three small children, they had moved to Bacolod in search of a calmer, more family-oriented environment.

“We were a young family then, married for less than ten years with three small children. We wanted to raise our kids in a calmer, family-oriented environment,” said Tweet Campos.

Their frequent trips between Manila and Bacolod made them notice the price difference in medicines.

“Whenever we flew between Manila and Bacolod, we would always buy our medicines at the TGP branch near our condo in Greenhills because the prices were significantly more affordable. That’s when we realized something important — there was no TGP branch in Bacolod,” Campos said.

The couple opened their first TGP branch in November 2009. Like many entrepreneurs, they faced early challenges, including decisions on location, pharmaceutical requirements, and building trust within the community. Over time, the store became a reliable option for customers seeking safe and effective medicines at more affordable prices.

“Many families rely on our stores because they know they will get safe, effective medication at prices that fit their budget. For some, this makes a huge difference in their monthly expenses and overall health,” Campos said.

Both franchisees are also open about the realities of running a business, from forming the right team and competing with long-established pharmacies to relocating branches when needed and managing pharmacist shortages.

They credit TGP’s support system for helping them navigate these challenges.

“TGP helped us in every way. From training, product knowledge, store support, and guidance on how to run things well,” said De Guzman.

“TGP provided strong operational guidance, training, and consistent support systems. Their branding, supply chain, and established processes made it easier for us to run the business confidently,” Campos said.

For the franchisees, the brand’s values remain central to the business.

“TGP stands for care and compassion. You feel it in the brand and in the people behind it,” De Guzman said.

“TGP is grounded in service, integrity, and community care. Their brand is not just commercial — it has a genuine heart for the people it serves,” he added.

For aspiring entrepreneurs considering a new venture, both franchisees said the best time to start is when there is a clear purpose behind the decision.

“Go for it. Just start! So many people with so much talent. Build something and contribute. You already have everything you need. It’ll be one of the most fulfilling and fun rides you will take!” said De Guzman.

“Start with a business that fills a real need and makes life better for the community. With TGP, you’re not just building a source of income — you’re helping families live healthier, more secure lives,” Campos said.

Their stories show how entrepreneurship can be rooted not only in business growth, but also in service and community impact. Through TGP, franchisees are able to build livelihood opportunities while helping more Filipino families gain access to affordable healthcare. ###

Bacolod City Modernizes Public Safety with Unified 911 Solution from PLDT Enterprise

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Bacolod City, Philippines — The City Government of Bacolod has formally partnered with PLDT Enterprise to deploy the Unified 911 system, with the city serving as the pilot site for the enhanced nationwide 911 platform powered by the Genesys cloud-based system.

PLDT Enterprise and the City Government of Bacolod formalize their partnership to deploy the Unified 911 solution, supporting enhanced public safety and emergency response systems. Atty. Marty Go, City Executive Secretary; Mae Agnes Legaspina, Relationship Manager Executive – NIR, PLDT Enterprise; Dr. Anna Marie Pornan, DRRMO Head; Hazel Amoyan, CRM Head – Visayas, PLDT Enterprise; Hon. Greg Gatasaya, City Mayor, Bacolod City; Sarah Jane Martin, Business Head – Western Visayas, PLDT Enterprise; and Edrian Robete, City MIS.

The partnership marks a significant step in Bacolod City’s ongoing digital transformation and smart city initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to modern, technology-enabled public safety systems.

“Through this partnership, we seek to empower and equip local government units with reliable and secure digital infrastructure, in order to protect, serve, and help save lives,” said Hazel Amoyan, Customer Relationship Management Head – Visayas, PLDT Enterprise. “With Bacolod City as the pilot site for the enhanced 911 platform powered by Genesys, we are supporting a more responsive and coordinated public safety system that aligns with the city’s smart governance vision.”

A Commitment to Supporting Smart and Resilient Local Governments

Bacolod City has been actively modernizing its services through smart city initiatives such as upgraded command centers, e-governance platforms, intelligent infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning.

The city’s objective is to become a future-ready, data-driven, and highly efficient smart city—enhancing public safety, streamlining government services, strengthening connectivity, and ensuring transparent and reliable delivery of public services.

The deployment of the Unified 911 system directly supports this vision.

Mayor Greg Gasataya of Bacolod City shared that PLDT Enterprise has been a reliable partner in modernizing the city’s emergency communications and strengthening fiber connectivity across government sites. “We thank the PLDT for going the extra mile to provide our requirements for this initiative. We value their continued support as Bacolod serves as the pilot city for the upgraded 911 platform.”

Addressing Fragmented Emergency Response Systems

As Bacolod City continues to strengthen its emergency response capabilities, the local government is prioritizing enhancements to existing systems. These aim at improving response times, streamlining coordination, and enabling more efficient and reliable public safety services.

Through its collaboration with PLDT Enterprise, Bacolod City implemented:

• A Unified 911 system for seamless and centralized emergency call handling
• A cloud-based Genesys contact center platform to support command and dispatch operations
• GPS tracking, video streaming, and integrated incident reporting capabilities
• iGate Premium and FiberBiz connectivity across 30 sites to ensure reliable and stable network infrastructure supporting emergency operation

The solution forms part of the national initiative to modernize and unify the Philippines’ 911 system, with Bacolod’s adoption aligned with the broader rollout strategy.

Enabling Faster and More Reliable Emergency Response

The upgraded 911 platform strengthens Bacolod City’s emergency response capabilities by enabling faster call handling, improved coordination among emergency units, reliable nationwide 911 connectivity, and a scalable cloud-based system designed to support evolving operational requirements.

By integrating secure connectivity and centralized dispatch capabilities, the city enhances its ability to respond efficiently to emergencies while reinforcing its broader smart city goals.

Through the Unified 911 deployment and strengthened connectivity infrastructure, the partnership between PLDT Enterprise and Bacolod City reinforces a shared vision of building safer, smarter, and more resilient communities.

To learn more about PLDT Enterprise’s solutions, visit https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-bacolod-city-unified-911-pr.

Vena Energy Accelerates Green Energy Transition in the Philippines with Dual Groundbreakings for 380 MWp Solar Projects in Ilocos Norte

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Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions provider across the Asia-Pacific region, has commenced construction of two major solar projects in Ilocos Norte, marking another significant step in supporting the Philippines’ clean energy transition.

Groundbreaking and time capsule ceremonies for the Astra Solar and Opus Solar projects were held on 5 May 2026 in Currimao and 6 May 2026 in Paoay, respectively. Together, the projects represent approximately 380 MWp of new capacity and will increase Vena Energy’s total solar footprint in Ilocos Norte to around 480 MWp once operational.

The events were attended by Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos, Vice Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, Currimao Mayor Edward Quilala, and Paoay Mayor Shiella Galano, alongside Vena Group Chief Operating Officer Juan Mas Valor, Vena Energy Head of Philippines Samrinder Nehria, and Head of Project Development Mia Jarumayan.

Astra Solar

On 5 May, Astra Solar Energy Corp. broke ground on its 80.6 MWp Astra Solar Power Project in Currimao. The project is supported by a ₱2.7-billion green project finance facility from Security Bank. It is expected to generate approximately 142 GWh of clean energy annually, which is enough to power around 120,500 Filipino households. It will also avoid an estimated 95,400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. This impact is equivalent to planting approximately 1.5 million trees.

Opus Solar

Following the Astra Solar event, Opus Solar Energy Corp. held its groundbreaking ceremony on 6 May for the 300 MWp Opus Solar Project in Paoay. Spanning 190 hectares across Barangays Bacsil and Mumulaan, the project marks a milestone in the Philippine energy sector. It is the first fully non-recourse renewable energy project in the country to be financed solely by international banks, supported by a US$210-million green loan from seven global financial institutions.

Once operational, Opus Solar will supply clean energy equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 445,000 households. It is also expected to avoid around 349,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

"We are proud to see how our investments continue to create local jobs, support community aspirations, and drive the Philippines’ energy transition forward," said Juan Mas Valor, Chief Operating Officer of Vena Group.

A Legacy of Community Progress

These new projects build upon the success of Vena Energy’s existing facilities in Ilocos Norte, including the Mirae Asia Energy Corporation (20MW) and Nuevo Solar Energy Corp. (83.3MW) solar projects.

The company’s presence in the region has consistently delivered long-term community benefits, including:

• · The generation of hundreds of local jobs during both construction and operational phases.
• · Financial contributions through ER1-94, as well as increased local tax revenues for host communities.
• · Continued support for education, health, infrastructure and the environmental initiatives through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

“Opus Solar and Astra Solar demonstrate how strong cross-border and local collaboration can accelerate the transition to clean energy while upholding high standards of environmental and social governance,” said Samrinder Nehria, Head of Philippines, Vena Energy.

Both projects contribute to the Philippines’ national targets of increasing the renewable energy share to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

About Astra Solar Energy Corp. and Opus Solar Energy Corp.

Astra Solar Energy Corp. and Opus Solar Energy Corp. are project companies under Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions provider in the Asia-Pacific region.

ABOUT VENA GROUP

Vena Global Group Pte Ltd (“Vena Group”) is a major green solutions provider driving the energy and digital infrastructure transition across the Asia-Pacific region. Through its renewable energy and digital infrastructure arms, Vena Group delivers integrated, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions that enable the region’s transition to a low-carbon, AI-driven future.

For more information, please visit www.venagroup.com.

About Vena Energy

Vena Energy is a leading green energy solutions provider in the Asia-Pacific region, accelerating the transition to sustainable and affordable renewable energy that delivers lasting environmental, social, and economic benefits to host communities and stakeholders.

We deliver green energy solutions through a renewable power portfolio of 38GW across Onshore Wind, Solar, and Offshore Wind projects[1], and a green energy infrastructure pipeline including 25GWh of BESS[2] and 848 KTPA of Green Hydrogen and Ammonia.

With over 1,000 employees across 80 corporate and site offices globally, Vena Energy is committed to advancing the adoption of low-carbon energy, contributing to global climate goals, and engineering a greener future.

For more information, please visit www.venaenergy.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.

PLDT Enterprise Supports Alfamart’s Rapid Expansion with Smart's Superior Mobile Connectivity

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Delivering reliable, high-performance connectivity across over 2000 retail stores nationwide

Alfamart Trading Philippines, Inc. (Alfamart), the minimart chain of the SM Group, continues to strengthen its retail operations nationwide through its longstanding partnership with PLDT Enterprise, leveraging reliable mobile connectivity on the high-performance network of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) to support its growing workforce and expanding store network.

PLDT Enterprise and Alfamart leaders come together during a partnership engagement aimed at strengthening connectivity and supporting Alfamart’s expanding retail network nationwide. The collaboration highlights both organizations'' shared commitment to reliable digital solutions that enable efficient operations across Alfamart’s growing store footprint. From left to right: Mary Ann Pagsuyuin, Senior Relationship Manager, PLDT Enterprise; Tony Radovan, Head of Key Industries Group – Retail; Armie Sason, Head of Key Industries Group II, PLDT Enterprise; Victor Genuino, Head of Key Industries Group, PLDT Enterprise, and President and CEO, ePLDT and VITRO Inc.; Harvey Ong, Chief Operating Officer, Alfamart Trading Philippines, Inc., Jason Ngo, Chief Technology Officer, Alfamart Trading Philippines, Inc.; Carmelita King, Head of Fixed Assets and Supplies, Alfamart Trading Philippines, Inc.; Eli Bonsol, Senior HR Manager for Corporate Branding – Human Capital Group, Alfamart Trading Philippines, Inc.

Known for its aggressive growth and expansion plans, Alfamart has built a strong presence across the Philippines, particularly in underserved communities, by providing access to essential goods at competitive prices. With a total network of 2,494 existing branches and plans to open at least 400 new stores annually, reliable communication across its stores and office-based teams is critical to sustaining day-to-day operations and supporting continued growth.

A Commitment to Supporting the Retail Industry

PLDT Enterprise’s collaboration with Alfamart underscores its commitment to supporting the retail sector, particularly large-scale retail operations that rely on seamless coordination across geographically dispersed locations. By providing dependable communication support, PLDT Enterprise helps ensure that retail teams remain connected, responsive, and operationally efficient as Alfamart continues to scale.

To support Alfamart’s communication needs, PLDT Enterprise provides Smart Postpaid Plans, enabling employees across stores and offices to benefit from wider network coverage and reliable mobile connectivity brought by Smart. Running on Smart's superior and resilient mobile network, these solutions help facilitate day-to-day coordination, improve responsiveness, and support the operational demands of a fast-growing retail organization.

“Retail operations depend on consistent and reliable connectivity, especially as store networks continue to grow,” said Victor Genuino, Head of Key Industry Group at PLDT Enterprise and President and CEO of ePLDT and VITRO Inc. “Through our longstanding partnership with Alfamart, PLDT Enterprise remains committed to supporting their operations with mobile solutions that help keep teams connected and enable business continuity.”

A Partnership Built on Reliability and Service

With Alfamart’s transition to Smart services starting in 2020, highlighted by the advantages of nation-widest network coverage and aftersales service, the partnership has now reached its third renewal, with PLDT Enterprise continuing to support Alfamart’s postpaid requirements for both store-based and office-based users. The collaboration reflects a shared focus on reliability, service quality, and long-term partnership—key factors that support Alfamart’s continued expansion and operational efficiency.

From Alfamart, Harvey Ong, Chief Operating Officer, shared that the partnership with PLDT Enterprise continues to play a role in supporting the company’s expanding operations. “As Alfamart grows its store network across the country, having a reliable telecommunications partner is essential. PLDT Enterprise’s mobile solutions and service support our teams as we continue to serve communities nationwide.”

Through this collaboration, PLDT Enterprise reinforces its role as a trusted technology partner for large retail organizations—supporting Alfamart’s mission to improve accessibility to essential goods, generate employment opportunities, and contribute to local economic development across the Philippines.

To learn more about PLDT Enterprise’s solutions, visit [UTM]

About PLDT Enterprise

PLDT Enterprise is the corporate business arm of PLDT, the leading telecommunications and digital services provider in the Philippines. Dedicated to delivering innovative fixed-line, wireless, and ICT solutions, PLDT Enterprise enables businesses to adapt to evolving technological needs, optimize efficiency, continuity, and connectivity, and enhance customer experience. With a strong commitment to doing business responsibly, PLDT Enterprise aims to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by enabling digital transformation, championing meaningful innovations, and bridging the digital divide.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com.