The move underscores TOP’s push to diversify income beyond fuel sales by leveraging retail partnerships that enhance station profitability and customer traffic.

Under the agreement, Uncle John’s stores will be integrated into TOP’s full-service Tier 1 Light Fuels stations, offering motorists and nearby communities access to ready-to-eat meals and daily essentials alongside fuel services.

“Our partnership with Robinsons Retail elevates the Light Fuels experience by combining mobility and everyday convenience in one location,” said Eugene Erik Lapasaran Lim, chairman, president, and CEO of TOP. “With Uncle John’s as our anchor tenant, we expect stronger foot traffic and diversified income through non-fuel sales and leasing.”

The collaboration also supports Uncle John’s expansion strategy, particularly in underserved provincial areas where many of TOP’s stations are located.

“Many of our stations are located in underserved areas in the provinces. Through this collaboration, we are making everyday essentials—both fuel and convenience retail—more accessible to consumers across the Visayas,” Lim added.

Tier 1 Light Fuels stations are designed as full-service sites with dedicated commercial spaces for convenience stores, food outlets, and other retail tenants. Located along key transport corridors and high-traffic areas, these stations are positioned to generate steady demand for both fuel and ancillary retail offerings.

TOP currently operates 18 service stations, with 32 more under construction or renovation and scheduled for phased completion through 2026. The rollout of Uncle John’s stores will be carried out progressively as new sites become operational.

Presented during the 4th Meeting of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council (SEIAC) on March 23 at Malacañang, the roadmap positions the Philippines as a premier global packaging partner, targeting $70 billion in semiconductor exports and $40 billion in electronics exports by 2030. A five-year workforce plan will also train and upskill 128,000 semiconductor professionals to meet the industry’s evolving technical demands.

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, who chairs the Council, reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to implementing the roadmap’s priority actions. He highlighted the semiconductor and electronics sector—responsible for nearly 60 percent of the country’s export earnings and employing around three million Filipinos—as a critical driver of economic growth and job creation.

“It is an employment leader and economic winner essential to national progress,” Recto said.

Following the Council’s endorsement, BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa detailed the roadmap’s strategic vision and the government support needed to achieve its objectives.

Developed by DTI in coordination with industry stakeholders, research institutions, and partner government agencies, the PSEI Roadmap identifies interventions across the semiconductor value chain—from advanced packaging and integrated circuit (IC) design to long-term front-end manufacturing capabilities. The plan also includes establishing up to three national semiconductor laboratories, each with specialized research, fabrication, R&D roadmaps, and talent development frameworks.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque stressed the importance of the roadmap in sustaining the Philippines’ leadership in semiconductor exports.

“Semiconductors are our number one export, and we want to keep growing that. The PSEI Roadmap tells us exactly what we need to do—and who needs to do it,” Roque said.
“The more this sector grows, the more jobs it creates for our people.”

Roque added that the roadmap provides a framework for moving up the value chain—from packaging to IC design and, eventually, wafer fabrication.

“The biggest driver of that transition is not just promotion but policy reform, and this roadmap identifies exactly the reforms we need to make it happen,” she said.

The Council also flagged the Philippines’ 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship as an opportunity to highlight the country as an emerging semiconductor hub in the region. Recto directed strict monitoring of the roadmap, including setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and identifying reforms requiring legislation, executive action, or budgetary support.

“Otherwise, it is just paper with ambition printed on it,” Recto said.

The Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) said the country remains a key supplier, with its members accounting for about 73% of national output, totaling 37.81 million dry metric tons (DMT) in 2025.

“The Philippines remains a major player in the global nickel market,” said Charmaine Olea-Capili.

Nickel demand is expected to grow steadily, driven by electric vehicles, renewable energy, and infrastructure, according to the International Energy Agency.

The Philippines, which ranks sixth in global nickel reserves, continues to supply key markets, with China accounting for 66% of exports in 2025—down from 78% in 2024 as buyers diversify sourcing.

PNIA cited opportunities from supply chain diversification, emerging market demand, and increased investments in processing. However, near-term risks include potential oversupply, evolving battery technologies, and slower EV adoption.

Recent policy reforms, including Republic Act No. 12253, are expected to improve the investment climate by providing a clearer fiscal regime.

At the same time, the industry is advancing ESG initiatives and regional cooperation, including collaboration with Indonesia to strengthen supply chains. PNIA said continued improvements in infrastructure, energy readiness, and policy alignment will be key to sustaining growth.

Frequent floods and typhoons continue to disrupt power grids, fuel supply chains, and logistics networks, creating ripple effects that push up costs, strain fiscal budgets, and disrupt business operations. At the same time, Southeast Asia’s rapid adoption of AI and expansion of data centers is driving electricity demand higher, projected to double by 2050. If power generation cannot scale quickly, governments may be forced to rely more heavily on fossil fuels, which could compromise climate goals and energy sustainability.

The report urges both public and private sectors to take decisive action. Key measures include investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, expanding electricity generation, strengthening transmission networks, and accelerating the deployment of renewable energy. Financial tools, such as insurance and capital-market instruments, can help manage the fiscal impact of climate shocks while supporting private sector investment in sustainable energy solutions.

For ASEAN businesses, the message is clear: proactively adapting to energy challenges is essential not only for operational stability but also for long-term competitiveness. Companies that invest in resilient, sustainable energy systems will be better positioned to weather disruptions, reduce costs, and thrive in a rapidly changing economic landscape.

As one of APECO’s flagship infrastructure projects, the airport is expected to play a central role in transforming Aurora Province into a strategic hub for tourism, logistics, and emerging industries.

APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV said the agency is set to bid out key components of the project, including the passenger terminal building and air traffic control tower, within the second quarter of the year—marking a critical step toward operational readiness.

Positioning Casiguran Airport as an international gateway is seen to enhance direct access to global markets, improve regional connectivity, and strengthen Aurora’s appeal to both domestic and foreign investors.

The project has also garnered strong institutional backing. Aurora Lone District Representative Rep. Rommel Rico T. Angara, in a message during the APECO–InfiniVAN Memorandum of Understanding signing on March 27, expressed optimism that commercial flights could begin operating in and out of Aurora by June 2027.

He added that while Baler currently hosts a domestic airport, the long-term vision for Casiguran is to establish a fully operational international gateway within the APECO zone, with a target timeline of 2028.

With infrastructure development gaining momentum, APECO continues to lay the groundwork for a more connected and investment-ready Aurora—anchored on its vision of becoming a globally competitive and sustainable economic zone.

Executives from more than 20 European companies, speaking during a three-day visit to Brussels, stressed the need for sustained high-level engagement with ASEAN to match the bloc’s growing strategic importance.

Key priorities highlighted included progress on EU trade agreements with ASEAN countries, along with practical cooperation in digital trade, green finance, energy transition, transport, and sustainability. Business leaders argued that stronger EU engagement is vital as rivals like China, Japan, and India expand their influence in Southeast Asia.

EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) Chairman Jens Ruebbert said: “The EU is one of ASEAN’s largest investors, yet it often lags behind other partners whose leaders maintain a strong presence. If the EU wants a permanent seat at the table, its leaders must show up.”

Executives also urged momentum on a region-to-region EU-ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA), citing the upcoming 50th anniversary as an ideal moment to launch negotiations. EU-ABC Executive Director Chris Humphrey added: “Starting FTA talks next year would be a milestone for EU-ASEAN relations.”

Meanwhile, the council called for the swift signing of the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and speedy FTA conclusions with the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Beyond trade, business leaders emphasized practical cooperation, including investments in ASEAN’s Power Grid, sustainable transition projects, and development initiatives supported by the European Investment Bank, Global Gateway programs, and EU capacity-building efforts.

During their visit, EU-ABC members met with Commissioners Dan Jørgensen and Olivér Várhelyi; cabinet members of EVP Stéphane Séjourné, Commissioners Wopke Hoekstra and Jessika Roswall; officials from multiple DGs including TRADE, ENER, and INTPA; European External Action Service Asia Director Erik Kurzweil; advisors to European Council President António Costa; and MEP Wouter Beke.

Ruebbert concluded: “Brussels shows strong interest in ASEAN. The challenge is turning that interest into sustained engagement and practical cooperation that benefits both regions.”

Approved by the BOI in 2025, the CyberKnife project underscores the agency’s strategy of promoting transformative investments that expand access to advanced, high-quality healthcare while strengthening the country’s medical capabilities.

BOI Executive Director for Investment Promotion Services Evariste M. Cagatan emphasized the project’s broader economic and social value.

“This is exactly the type of investment the BOI seeks to nurture—strategic, life-changing, and impactful. By supporting CyberKnife through fiscal incentives, we are helping bring world-class cancer treatment closer to Filipinos who previously had to go abroad,” she said.

Operated by AHMC’s Asian Cancer Institute (ACI), the facility uses a non-invasive, AI-guided platform that enables most patients to complete treatment in one to five sessions, often returning home the same day—significantly reducing both cost and disruption.

For ACI Executive Director Dr. Corazon Ngelangel, the milestone reflects both medical progress and improved patient access.

“Reaching over 100 CyberKnife patients means more Filipinos now have access to precise, less invasive cancer treatment right here at home. What was once only available overseas is now within reach,” she said.

Government-backed incentives have also played a critical role in improving affordability. By lowering operational costs, BOI support has enabled ACI to expand collaboration with PhilHealth, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and other assistance programs.

Among the first 100 patients, all were covered by PhilHealth with varying levels of out-of-pocket expenses, while a portion received additional government medical assistance. Cases treated included both primary tumors—such as brain, liver, pancreas, lung, prostate, and head and neck—and metastatic lesions affecting the brain, spine, and lungs. Despite the complexity, CyberKnife demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in over 70% of cases.

AHMC President and CEO Dr. Beaver Tamesis said the milestone validates the hospital’s investment decision.

“Introducing CyberKnife to the Philippines required both vision and conviction that Filipinos deserve the best cancer care. Reaching 100 patients confirms that this was the right investment—not just for our institution, but for the country,” he said.

CyberKnife is a real-time, image-guided radiation system capable of delivering highly targeted treatment with sub-millimeter accuracy in as little as 15 to 20 minutes. As the only system of its kind in the Philippines, it offers a non-surgical option that minimizes damage to healthy tissue and allows patients to resume normal activities shortly after treatment.

The project highlights how targeted government incentives can catalyze private sector investments in frontier healthcare technologies—positioning the Philippines as an emerging destination for advanced medical services while improving outcomes for Filipino patients.

The event was also the first time the Philippine President hosted a Bhutanese leader at the Malacañan Palace.

President Marcos conveyed to the Prime Minister during the meeting that the current efforts to organize the representation for non-resident ambassadors between the Philippines and Bhutan will become more important to enhance ties, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

The President also expressed elation over the present engagement between the Philippines and Bhutan through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for skills training and upskilling of workers.

President Marcos likewise stressed that after the pandemic, there is a realization of the need to forge new partnerships with friends around the world, not only in tourism and cultural exchange, but also in people-to-people, trade, and investment.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who is visiting Manila to attend the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Pacific Food Systems Forum (APFSF) 2026 this March, requested a call on the President on the sidelines of the event.

The Bhutanese leader’s visit is the first in the era of formal diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Bhutan since their establishment on October 6, 2025.

The meeting between the two leaders is an important opportunity for substantive engagement on priority areas of bilateral and broader cooperation.

The Philippines has been exporting commodities to Bhutan that include electronic products, machinery, and transport equipment, as well as woodcrafts and furniture.

Its top import commodities from Bhutan, on the other hand, are wine, fresh grapes, and virgin olive oil.

In terms of tourism, the Philippines welcomed 335 Bhutanese tourists as of November last year. In 2024, there were 380 tourist arrivals from Bhutan.

As for the Filipino diaspora in Bhutan, available information indicates that Filipinos work there as hotel managers.

The return marks InterContinental’s comeback to the capital after more than 15 years, reaffirming IHG’s commitment to the country’s growing luxury tourism market. Strategically located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the hotel will be at the heart of Metro Manila’s modern business and financial hub, home to the Philippine Stock Exchange and key multinational offices.

The hotel will feature all-day dining, a signature specialty restaurant and bar, flexible event spaces including ballrooms and meeting rooms, a full-service spa, fitness center, and an outdoor pool with a poolside bar.

Vivek Bhalla, IHG Managing Director for Southeast Asia & Korea, said: “InterContinental Manila has a storied history as a symbol of luxury. Its return underscores strong long-term fundamentals for luxury travel in the Philippines and reinforces our commitment to expanding our Luxury & Lifestyle presence across the region.”

IHG is partnering with Keyland Corporation, Philippine Realty & Holdings Corporation, and Greenhills Properties Inc. to deliver the project. Jose Ma. Montinola, President of Keyland Corporation, added: “We are proud to build on InterContinental’s legacy in Manila and set a new benchmark for luxury stays in the city.”

Globally, InterContinental operates over 240 hotels and resorts, with two additional properties in the Philippines in the pipeline. This year, the brand celebrates its 80th anniversary, continuing to define the standard for luxury hospitality worldwide.

PLDT, in collaboration with the National Telecommunications Security Council (NTSC), is expanding risk-mitigation programs with barangays, other telcos, and NTSC stakeholders. A multi-telco emergency response initiative is also being implemented to improve crisis management and operational continuity.

NTSC Chair Ramie Rey, of Converge ICT Solutions, highlighted that coordinated industry action is critical to anticipate and mitigate evolving threats.

“Collaboration is one of our strongest defenses,” said Wilfredo F. Gonio, Head of PLDT’s Security Central Command and Administration Center.

In the second half of 2025, PLDT’s Asset Protection Divisions (APD) nationwide recovered network equipment valued at ₱18 million, reflecting the effectiveness of coordinated field operations, law enforcement, and community engagement.

“As cybersecurity and operational risks evolve, so must the industry,” said Leo A. Gonzales, Vice President for Property, Facilities, and Asset Resiliency Management.

These initiatives reinforce NTSC’s mission to secure critical telecommunications infrastructure and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).