BY ALEX ALAGON
ROADWAY Events officially announces the Kadayawan Business Expo 2026, happening on Aug. 17–19, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City.
Held alongside the vibrant Kadayawan Festival, this premier business exhibition is expected to gather over 10,000 attendees, including entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, MSMEs, and consumers from across the Philippines.
Designed as a platform for business growth, innovation, and market expansion, the expo aims to empower local enterprises, strengthen industry connections, and create meaningful commercial opportunities.
Expanding its regional vision, Roadway Events will also stage the VISMIN Expo 2026 on Oct. 2–4, 2026, at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.
Together, these twin expos provide brands with direct access to the thriving markets of Mindanao and the Visayas through business-to-business networking, brand activations, and strategic partnerships.
Exhibitors will benefit from extensive marketing exposure, premium on-site activations, dedicated networking opportunities, and direct engagement with high-value leads.👇 𝗕𝗘 𝗔𝗡 𝗘𝗫𝗛𝗜𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗢𝗥 — 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗪🔗 https://forms.gle/E9v6UvgAeoV6YYyg6📩
Reserve your exhibitor slot today and connect with thousands of potential customers, buyers, investors, and business partners across Mindanao and the Visayas. Email at kadayawan.visminexpo2026@gmail.com, roadway.eventsph26@gmail.com, and roadwayeventsandmarketing.nm@gmail.com.
- Financial optimism broadly holds with 74% of Filipinos expecting their income to improve over the next 12 months
- Household budgets adjust as Filipinos lean into prudent financial behavior – 55% report cutting discretionary spending and increasing saving (49%) and turning to new credit products (48%)
- Despite strong interest in credit, 60% of prospective borrowers drop out of the process primarily due to cost, other funding sources and eligibility barriers
Manila – Filipino consumers remain broadly optimistic about their financial future, but rising living costs are increasingly reshaping how households spend, save and borrow. The Q2 2026 Consumer Pulse Study by TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) shows that while the majority continue to expect their household finances to improve in the coming year, confidence is being tempered by inflation and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the broader economic environment.
Optimism Broadly Holds, but Affordability Pressures Keep Households Cautious
Household income was broadly stable this quarter. While slightly below the 41% seen in Q2 2025, more than one-third (38%) of consumers still reported an income increase over the past three months. Meanwhile, 43% saw no change and only 19% experienced a decline, suggesting that although momentum has eased, overall, the majority of households are not slipping backward. Looking ahead, expectations for earnings remain strong, with 74% anticipating income growth over the next 12 months – more than the 73% recorded a year ago. This resilience continues to underpin a positive financial outlook, as 74% of consumers expressed optimism about their household finances in the year ahead.
Despite this optimism, signs of financial strain persist. Inflation remains the top concern, cited by 84% of consumers in their top three biggest worries affecting household finances in the next six months, and will likely persist as the pass-through effects of the oil price shock materialize. Other key pressures on household finances include job security (54%) alongside recession and interest rates (both at 44%). While data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show inflation easing from 7.2% in April to 6.8% in May 2026, the May rate remains among the highest for that month since 20211. Affordability pressures are evident, with TransUnion’s research showing nearly half of consumers (45%) expecting to be unable to fully pay at least one of their current bills or loans, slightly up from 44% in Q2 2025.
“Filipino households are entering the second half of the year optimistic but clear-eyed. They expect their incomes to stay resilient, which keeps confidence broadly intact – yet they feel the weight of inflation on everyday costs, such as rice prices, and uncertainty over upcoming financial commitments amid broader global economic headwinds,” said Weihan Sun, senior director of research and consulting for Asia Pacific at TransUnion.
Spending and Saving Grow More Cautious, with Rising Reliance on Credit
In the face of persistent inflation and rising living costs, households are responding with deliberate caution – prioritizing essential spending and actively adjusting budgets amid ongoing cost pressures. Over half (55%) of consumers reported reducing discretionary spending like dining out, travel and entertainment in the last three months, up from 47% in Q2 2025. At the same time, they reported strengthening financial safety nets: 49% added to their emergency savings, up from 45%, while fewer (8%) drew on retirement funds, down from 12% a year ago.
As part of this shift, consumers are also balancing financial resilience with a growing reliance on credit. Reported use of available credit in the last three months rose to 17% from 15% last year, and looking ahead, 51% expect their bills and loan payments to increase over the next three months, slightly more than 49% in Q2 2025.
“Across these behaviors – from trimming discretionary spending to building savings while leaning on credit more selectively – what stands out is how intentional these choices are. Filipino households are not simply responding to pressure, but prioritizing what matters and being deliberate with every peso, using credit with intention to smooth day-to-day cash flow and bridge spending gaps. This shift toward more active financial management is an encouraging sign of growing financial maturity,” added Sun.
Credit Demand Stays Strong, but Cost and Eligibility Barriers Stall Follow-Through
As reliance on credit increases, it remains central to how Filipinos achieve their financial goals: more than half (58%) see access to credit and lending products as extremely or very important, unchanged from Q2 2025. At the same time, accessibility remains steady, with 44% reporting sufficient access – which is also consistent with a year ago – although almost one-quarter (24%) disagree.
Credit appetite stayed high, with nearly half (48%) of Filipino consumers planning to apply for new credit or refinance existing credit in the next year. Among those who said they would apply, growth is driven by everyday products such as personal loans, rising from 45% in Q2 2025 to 52%, and credit cards, increasing from 31% to 35%. In contrast, demand for mortgages softened to 12% from 17% a year earlier.
Despite robust interest in credit, many consumers continue to encounter obstacles along the borrowing journey. Three in five (60%) of those who considered credit applications abandoned their plans, up from 57% a year ago. The primary reason for abandoning applications was the cost being too high (35%), followed by finding an alternative funding source (32%) and income or employment status (28%).
“More Filipinos are turning to credit for the flexibility it offers, especially in uncertain times. However, when six in ten of those who considered borrowing walk away from a credit application, the issue is more friction than intent. The opportunity for lenders is to make credit more inclusive, so responsible borrowers are not lost to cost, complexity or eligibility barriers, while consumers can play their part by maintaining healthy credit habits. That is how we turn credit access into lasting financial resilience,” said Sun.
TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Study surveyed 961 adults from April 29 to May 19, 2026. This quarterly survey examines shifting consumer attitudes and behaviors based on the dynamics of income, debt, and identity theft. Respondents ranged from Gen Z, 18-29 years old; Millennials, 30-45; Gen X, 46-61; and Baby Boomers, age 62 and above. By capturing insights across generations and financial situations, the study helps promote greater financial inclusion by informing policies, products and education efforts that meet the evolving needs of all consumers.
For more information, please view the full report of the TransUnion Q2 2026 Consumer Pulse Study.
1 Summary Inflation Report Consumer Price Index, May 2026, Philippine Statistics Authority
Maco, Davao de Oro – Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, was recognized as the top real property taxpayer and second largest business taxpayer in Maco, Davao de Oro for 2025 during the 59th Araw ng Maco celebration last June.
With an estimated P23 million real property tax contribution for the year, TMI Mobile 1 helps strengthen the municipality’s fiscal capacity to deliver essential services and pursue key infrastructure projects.
In addition, through corporate social responsibility initiatives, TMI Mobile 1 also supports Maco’s health services, Adopt-an-Estero rehabilitation efforts, disaster response capabilities, and vulnerable sector livelihoods, helping advance inclusive and sustainable development, especially in its host community of Barangay San Roque.
“TMI has been a valuable partner in Maco’s development. Their consistent contributions help us improve public services, strengthen community programs, and create more opportunities for our people. We are honored to recognize their commitment to the progress of our municipality,” said Maco Mayor Arthur Carlos Voltaire Rimando.
TMI was also recognized with the same awards last year for the preceding fiscal year.
“Just as we help provide stability to the power grid, we also strive to be a steady partner in powering progress in Maco,” said TMI Senior Manager for Operations and Maintenance Engr. Benedicto Dejan Jr. “This recognition inspires us to continue creating meaningful impact through our contributions and supporting local development.”
Located in Barangay San Roque, Maco, Davao de Oro, the 100-megawatt TMI Mobile 1 plays a vital role in supporting the stability and reliability of the Mindanao power grid through the provision of ancillary services.
TMI Mobile 1 is also home to the first-ever barge-mounted hybrid Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the Philippines. The BESS project was a strategic response to critical concerns about energy reliability, affordability, and sustainability.
Strengthening Environmental Stewardship. Environmental Management Bureau Davao Region Director Alnulfo Alvarez (Center Left), alongside Safety, Health, and Environment Manager Earl Joey Liquit (Center Right), Nimfa Alipan of DENR-PENRO Davao del Sur (left), and Mary Ann Guillena of LGU Digos City, Davao del Sur, spearheaded the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAMS) in Digos City, Davao del Sur, on June 22, 2026.
DIGOS CITY, DAVAO DEL SUR — In a major boost to regional environmental sustainability, Therma South, Inc. (TSI) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Region XI officially launched the province’s first Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAMS) during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Davao del Sur PENRO compound.
The public-private partnership activates round-the-clock, real-time air quality tracking to empower local data-driven environmental planning and pave the way for Digos City’s designation as a recognized airshed management area.
With the facility’s activation, 24/7 monitoring within a 4-kilometer radius of strategic areas in Digos City. The station is equipped to track fine dust and airborne particles, generating critical baseline data to be used for environmental planning and decision-making at both the local and national levels.
DENR-EMB Region XI Regional Director Alnulfo Alvarez lauded the private sector’s proactive role in supporting local environmental preservation, emphasizing that public-private synergies are crucial in advancing Digos City’s proposed designation as part of an airshed management area.
“We are proposing Digos City as an airshed. In Region XI, Davao City is currently the only designated airshed. Digos City is poised to be the next, followed by Tagum City and Mati City. Our partnership empowers policymakers, stakeholders, and communities to craft responsive ordinances, programs, and interventions that address current and future environmental challenges,” EMB-XI Director Alvarez said.
The official establishment of an airshed will lead to the creation of an Airshed Governing Board, which will oversee a more systematic approach to air quality management in the locality. As a key partner, TSI aims to utilize this platform to foster knowledge-sharing and scale best practices for effective environmental management across the region.
“Ever since Therma South began operations, we have remained committed to protecting the environment beyond our role as a power generator. We value this collaboration and look forward to further enhancing this technology to expand its benefits and better serve our communities,” said TSI SHE Manager Earl Joey Liquit.
The initiative is part of the Adopt-an-Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station Program, a framework under which TSI will continue to support the long-term implementation and sustainability of the facility. This partnership directly advances efforts to reduce air pollutants and build sustainable, climate-resilient cities.
WE ALL know the feeling. You want to order food, restock groceries, or book a ride, but the budget voice in your head says, “Tipid muna.”
GrabUnlimited makes that decision a little easier.
In Grab’s newest online video, viral social media sensation and Pitik Queen Ian Mark Kamangkang puts his signature tight belt and dance moves to good use, turning a familiar Filipino budgeting habit into the campaign’s main story.
Known online for cinching his belt and breaking into his now-iconic moves, Ian Mark brings humor to a very relatable dilemma: when the budget feels tight, should everyday conveniences like food delivery, groceries, and rides be the first to go?
GrabUnlimited offers a different answer. Instead of tightening their belts to cut back, users can make smarter Save Moves that help them lock in more value across the Grab app.
The upgraded GrabUnlimited gives subscribers more ways to save across the Grab ecosystem, from food and groceries to rides and rewards.
For only PHP 48 per month through the annual plan, users can lock in year-round perks designed for everyday needs.For GrabFood, savings are now easier to unlock.
The minimum order value for discounted delivery has been lowered from Php 475 to just Php 390, allowing GrabUnlimited members to enjoy up to Php 49 off on delivery fees with a lower spend requirement.
Members can also get 20% off on food orders from participating merchants, making daily meals, cravings, and group orders easier on the wallet.
GrabUnlimited now also includes GrabMart delivery discounts, giving members up to Php 80 off on delivery fees for groceries, pantry staples, household items, and other everyday essentials.
It is a timely upgrade for users who want to save not only on food delivery, but also on the things they regularly need at home.
Furthermore, Grab is rolling out Top-Up Packs, giving GrabUnlimited members access to preferential rates and discounts at participating GrabFood restaurants and GrabMart stores.
For a minimal upfront fee starting at PHP 29, subscribers can purchase restaurant- or store-specific voucher bundles from participating brands and unlock up to PHP 1,500 in extra savings.
GrabUnlimited members will also continue to enjoy transport perks, including 8% off GrabCar rides with a minimum fare of PHP 99 and an increased maximum discount of PHP 70.
Members also exclusively earn base GrabCoins on all cashless transactions, helping them collect points faster and unlock more savings across the app.
The upgraded subscription comes with a more budget-friendly annual plan that brings the cost down to only Php 48 per month.
For users who regularly order, shop, or book rides through Grab, the annual plan offers a practical way to lock in savings before the spending even begins.
With GrabUnlimited, Grab is giving Filipino users more ways to make everyday convenience feel more sulit. Whether it is a weekday lunch, a grocery run, a ride across the city, or a planned purchase from a favorite brand, the subscription helps users stretch their budget without giving up the services that make daily life easier.
As Ian Mark Kamangkang shows in the campaign, tipid does not always mean saying no. With the right Save Moves, it can also mean knowing where to get more value out of every peso.
THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development Davao partnered with the Davao City Health Office (CHO) to boost the local implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
The City Council approved on Tuesday an ordinance authorizing Mayor Sebastian Duterte to sign a partnership agreement with the DOH.
The agreement paves the way for the DOH to release P1,650,000 to the Davao City Health Office (CHO) to boost the local implementation of Republic Act 11223, or the UHC Law.
According to Dr. Annie Larosa, cluster head of the local health system of the Davao Center for Health Development, downloaded funds will be heavily utilized to strengthen the city’s health framework.
Larosa expressed that while Davao City has achieved a 100% score in the “Preparatory” phase (Level 1) of its health system maturity, data shows the city still faces structural gaps. It currently stands at 55% for the “Organizational” phase (Level 2) and 50% for the “Functional” phase (Level 3), with local authorities targeting a 90% functional rate by the end of the year.
Larosa emphasized that to bridge the remaining gaps, the city must pass a mandatory city-wide health integration ordinance and complete unmet disaster risk management training for emergency responders.
Sherrie Amor Campaner, acting head of CHO Technical Services Division, reported that the city currently has 19 identified primary care facilities, all of which are fully accredited by PhilHealth for its primary care benefit package, “Yakap” formerly “Konsulta.”
However, only six of these facilities hold official DOH licenses, while the remaining 13 are still processing compliance documents.While PhilHealth has granted a moratorium for 2026 allowing unlicensed facilities to remain accredited, she said that a strict DOH license-to-operate requirement will be enforced starting next year.
“Starting next year, a DOH license to operate will be strictly required for PhilHealth accreditation,” she said.
The capabilities of these facilities vary as some operate as “4-in-1” units featuring birthing facilities, primary care, a TB-DOTS facility, and family planning services, while others host animal bite centers or infirmaries.
Current data from the CHO also reveals underutilization of the local primary health system.
Campaner said while the city’s public doctors can accommodate up to 600,000 patients under standard DOH ratios (1 physician per 20,000 population), only about 300,000 residents have actively registered. Of those registered, actual medical availability or “first patient encounters” remains low at just 20% to 30%.
Health officials urged residents to manually register with their local health centers to access free laboratory procedures and check-ups covered by PhilHealth.
A ROUTINE curfew patrol escalated into a late-night maritime rescue operation early Sunday morning after 11 minors jumped into the sea to evade local barangay authorities along the Davao City Coastal Road in Barangay Leon Garcia, Agdao around 12:40 a.m. on July 5.
According to the police report, barangay peacekeepers (tanods) were enforcing the City Curfew Ordinance when they spotted a group of adolescents loitering along the seawall.
Panicking at the sight of the approaching officials, the 11 minors leaped directly off the edge into the open waters below.
Recognizing the immediate threat of drowning, barangay officials immediately radioed for emergency reinforcement. Personnel of the Davao City Police Office and the Philippine Coast Guard rushed to the scene, successfully pulling all 11 individuals safely out of the water.
The minors were transported to the Sta. Ana Police Station for immediate medical evaluation and formal profiling. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and none of the minors were found in possession of illicit items.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) was brought in to conduct psychosocial evaluations and intake processing.
Moreover, barangay officials convened mandatory late-night conferences with the minors’ respective parents and legal guardians.
Following the standardized counseling sessions and official documentation, all 11 minors were safely released into the custody of their parents later that morning.
Authorities issued a fresh reminder to families to strictly monitor their children’s whereabouts, especially at night.
- Six minors in custody after daylight stabbing of high schoolers in Damosa
THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) arrested six minors following a broad-daylight stabbing that left two high school students hospitalized on Monday afternoon.
The incident, which transpired at approximately 4:20 p.m. on July 6, occurred at the busy corner of Diamond Village in Damosa—a heavily trafficked area frequently packed with students heading home from nearby campuses.
According to police investigators, the two victims were walking home when they were ambushed and swarmed by a group of youths.
The first victim sustained three deep puncture wounds to his back, while the secondary victim suffered a single stab wound.Both teenagers were rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (MPMC) to undergo emergency medical treatment and stabilization.
Elements of the DCPO Police Station 4 (Sasa) immediately launched a hot-pursuit operation. Tracking intelligence leads to San Jose, Buhangin, officers cornered and took custody of the six minors involved.
Among those apprehended was the primary assailant, identified only as alias Justin.” Following positive identification by the victims, Justin surrendered the weapon used in the assault—a Swiss knife—to the arresting officers.
Because the suspects are legally classified as Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), the DCPO is handling the case under specific protective and restorative justice protocols.The DCPO reassured anxious parents and local school administrators that campus security remains a top priority.
“This prompt resolution highlights DCPO’s proactive interventions in addressing cases involving CICL and Children-at-Risk (CAR),” DCPO chief PCOL Peter Madria said.
The rescued minors and the recovered Swiss knife are currently being held at Police Station 4 for formal documentation, proper disposition, and turnover to social welfare authorities for further legal processing.
Volunteers from the McDonald’s Restaurant Support Center went on a “Good Trip” to help clean, repair, and repaint classrooms at Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School in Quezon City.
Manila — As students prepare to return to school, McDonald’s Philippines once again joined the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela program, mobilizing over 10,000 volunteers from its nationwide store operations network to support more than 700 public schools across the country.
Volunteers helped clean, repair, and repaint classrooms while also providing McDonald’s meals to teachers, parents, and community volunteers. In Quezon City, employees from the McDonald’s Restaurant Support Center (RSC) participated in Brigada Eskwela at Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School through Good Trip, the company’s employee volunteerism platform. Volunteers repainted Grade 4 and Grade 5 classrooms, cleaned school facilities, and distributed school kits that included raincoats for students.
Building a Culture of Malasakit
The activity reflects McDonald’s core value of Malasakit, which guides how the company serves both customers and communities.
“It is a powerful reflection of who we are as McDonald’s. It speaks of our culture of malasakit, our spirit of volunteerism, and our shared commitment to make a difference in the lives of others, especially for the benefit of our youth,” said Ben Marasigan, Vice President for McDonald’s Human Capital Group.
For Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School, which serves nearly 5,000 students, the support helped ease resource constraints. Aside from classroom improvements, the school received cleaning tools, school supplies, signages, and raincoats to help students stay protected during the rainy season.
“Our partnership with McDonald’s is important because it reminds us that we are not alone in our mission of providing children with a better future,” said Assistant Principal Enelda Martinez.
Making a Difference Together
For employees like Senior Financial Analyst Francesca Acop, whose grandparents were public school teachers, volunteering through Brigada Eskwela was a meaningful way to give back and help create a better learning environment for students.
More than preparing classrooms for the new school year, McDonald’s Brigada Eskwela participation demonstrates how collective action, volunteerism, and Malasakit can help build stronger communities and brighter futures for Filipino students.
