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Visa Eyes Big Leap in Philippine Payments with NFC Tap-to-Pay Rollout

Visa is gearing up to revolutionize the payment landscape in the Philippines by launching its highly anticipated Visa Pay tap-to-pay service by the end of the year. This initiative will allow Filipino consumers to use their NFC-enabled smartphones to make contactless payments at any Visa-supported Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal—signaling a major shift towards frictionless, digital transactions. Fintech Collaboration Leads the Way The first phase of the rollout will be in collaboration with fintech powerhouse Maya, aiming to seamlessly bridge Visa Pay across digital wallets and participating merchants. Ezra Escolar, Visa Philippines Head of Products, highlighted the ease of integration and the potential for broader adoption. Meanwhile, Country Manager Jeffrey Navarro emphasized that further expansion hinges on the readiness of additional partners, with negotiations actively underway. Empowering Sellers through Visa Accept Visa isn’t stopping at consumers. The launch of Visa Accept...
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Modernizing Philippine Agriculture: Marcos Administration Boosts Farmers with Machinery and Science

In a powerful demonstration of commitment to agricultural progress, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spearheaded a dual celebration on June 30, 2025, distributing cutting-edge farm machinery to Nueva Ecija’s rice farmers while honoring the country’s top agricultural innovators at the 50th Gawad Saka Awards.   The event underscored the administration’s vision: transforming subsistence farming into profitable agribusiness through technology, investment, and recognition.   Photo Courtesy:  Department of Agriculture P95.1-Million Farm Machinery to Revolutionize Rice Farming   At the heart of the initiative was the turnover of P95.1 million worth of agricultural machinery, a game-changing investment for Nueva Ecija, the Philippines’ rice granary. The package includes:   A state-of-the-art Rice Processing System (RPS) (worth P64 million), featuring a rice mill and two recirculating dryers   16 combine harvesters A four-wheel tractor...
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NFA’s Palay Purchase Limit: A Well-Intentioned Move That Needs Deeper Scrutiny

The National Food Authority (NFA) has recently rolled out a plan to limit its purchase of unmilled rice (palay) from farmers to just 100 bags per planting season. This initiative aims to ensure that benefits are shared more fairly among small-scale farmers. While the intention behind this—preventing a handful of large farmers from monopolizing sales—seems admirable, it raises important questions about how this will play out in reality, its practicality, and whether it truly tackles the underlying issues that farmers face. The NFA’s Rationale: Spreading the Benefits NFA Administrator Larry Lacson pointed out that, under the current system, farmers with larger plots can sell far more than 100 bags, putting smaller farmers at a disadvantage. By setting a limit for each farmer, the agency hopes to enable two or three farmers to benefit where only one did before. Photo Credit: wirestock At first glance, this appears to be a fair change—favoring equity over sheer volume. The NFA has also in...
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CIMB Revi Credit Review Philippines: Is It Worth It?

With a fast-paced lifestyle these days, having ready access to credit can be a lifesaver. CIMB Bank Philippines, which is a top digital bank, provides Revi Credit, which is a convenient loan product for financial ease. Whether you require funds for emergency use, for business, or other personal expenditure, Revi Credit offers a revolving credit line with the flexibility to take a term loan. But what is it, and how does it work, and is it for you? In this review, we'll summarize the features, interest rates and advantages of CIMB Revi Credit to assist you in making a decision. What is CIMB Revi Credit? CIMB Revi Credit is a revolving facility that enables eligible users to take cash advances up to their approved amount and repay it in a flexible manner. If your credit limit is at ₱100,000 or higher, you can repurpose 30% of this as a term loan with a tenor of up to 3 years, and 70% remains as revolving credit. This hybrid product turns Revi Credit into an adaptable finan...
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Halter Raises $100 Million to Expand Smart Cattle Tech in the U.S.

New Zealand agtech startup Halter has secured $100 million in a Series D funding round, valuing the company at $1 billion. This makes Halter one of the few unicorns in New Zealand as it pushes further into the U.S. market with its cattle management technology.   The investment was led by tech firm Bond, with participation from venture capital group NewView and existing investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC, Blackbird, Icehouse Ventures, and Promus Ventures.   Halter’s system uses smart collars, connectivity towers, and a mobile app to help dairy farmers remotely manage their herds. The technology allows ranchers to guide cattle using sound and vibration cues, improving grazing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.   The company plans to use the new funds to grow its U.S. operations, where it already works with around 150 ranchers across 18 states.   "Many U.S. farmers are over 55, and rural labor shortage...
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New Tarantula Species Discovered in Romblon by Philippine and German Researchers

Tarantula Photo Credit: PIA A collaborative team of researchers from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Romblon State University (RSU), and Germany’s Theraphosid Research Team has identified a new species of tarantula in Romblon, Philippines.   Characteristics of Tarantulas  Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders, but despite their fearsome appearance, most pose minimal threat to humans. Their venom is typically no more potent than a bee sting.   The New Species:  Selenobrachys ustromsupasius The newly discovered tarantula has been named Selenobrachys ustromsupasius in recognition of several Philippine institutions, including:   University of Santo Tomas (UST) Romblon State University (RSU) Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology University of the Philippines Diliman Philippine Arachnological Society, Inc. Research Findings and Publication The discovery was published in the international journal ZooKeys on March 31, 2...
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BSP Must Crack Down on Financial Firms Like E-Wallets to Remove Casino Features

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has a critical role in ensuring that financial platforms promote healthy financial habits among Filipinos. However, many e-wallet providers, including GCash, Maya Bank, and Coins.ph , have integrated casino-like games such as Scatter, Lucky Spin, and other gambling-themed features into their platforms. These games encourage addictive behavior and contradict the BSP’s mission of fostering financial inclusion and stability.   It’s time for the BSP to intervene and mandate these e-wallets to remove all gambling-related features, replacing them with wealth-building tools that encourage savings, investments, and responsible spending.   Why E-Wallets Should Remove Casino Games 1. Promotes Gambling Addiction Many users, including minors, are exposed to casino-style games embedded in these apps. Features like Scatter, Lucky Spin, and betting mini-games mimic real gambling, leading to compulsive behavior and financial losses....
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New Digital Bank Eyes Philippine Market with AI-Powered Services

The Philippines may soon welcome a new digital banking player from Europe, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The applicant has submitted all necessary documents and is awaiting approval to operate in the country.   BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier revealed that the European bank has proposed using advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to serve underbanked Filipino customers. "They have a solution where you can easily gather information," Fonacier explained, highlighting the bank's data-driven approach to financial services.   This comes after the BSP reopened applications for digital banking licenses in January, ending a three-year freeze. The central bank is allowing up to four new players to enter the market, either as new entities or through existing banks converting to digital operations.   Currently, six digital banks serve the Philippine market, but only two have achieved profitability so far. ...
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Court Orders DAR, Land Bank to Pay P28.49 Billion to Hacienda Luisita

Picture Credits: ca.judiciary.gov.ph The Court of Appeals (CA) has directed the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Land Bank of the Philippines to pay P28.49 billion to Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) as compensation for agricultural lands in Tarlac acquired under the government’s agrarian reform program.   The CA’s Special 12th Division overturned a 2023 ruling by the Tarlac City Regional Trial Court (RTC), which upheld Land Bank’s valuation of the 4,500-hectare property at only P304 million. In a 35-page decision, the appellate court found that DAR and Land Bank incorrectly relied on industry data to compute the land’s value, a method permitted only when the landowner’s data is unavailable.   The court stated, “Respondents (DAR and Land Bank) appear remiss in their duty and erroneously resorted to industry data for valuation. We are not persuaded to affirm the RTC’s decision that Land Bank’s assessment was correct.” Background of the Case - In 2013...
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Fintech Ramp’s Valuation Hits $16 Billion in Funding Round Led by Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund

Picture Credits: Gage Skidmore/Flickr Corporate finance platform Ramp has raised its valuation to $16 billion in a new $200 million funding round led by Founders Fund, the venture firm co-founded by Peter Thiel, according to CNBC. This marks a $3 billion increase from its $13 billion valuation in March 2025.   Founded in 2019, Ramp provides corporate cards, procurement, bookkeeping, travel booking, and vendor management services, processing tens of billions in annual purchases for 40,000 companies, including CBRE, Shopify, Anduril, and Notion. The company ranked No. 6 on the 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50 list.   Expansion and AI Integration   Ramp has expanded its offerings for enterprise clients, launching Ramp Treasury in January, which allows businesses to earn 2.5% on idle operating cash. It also acquired Venue, an AI-powered procurement startup, to enhance vendor payment tools. Last June, Ramp entered the corporate travel space with Ramp Travel, p...
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