The Ocean Cleanup marks first milestone with Meycauayan plastic Interceptor rollout

The first Interceptor barrier in the Manila Bay region to be operational by June 2026

Global non-profit organization, The Ocean Cleanup, reinforces its commitment to mitigating ocean-bound plastic waste from the Manila Bay region, with the deployment of its first Interceptor™ barrier in the Philippines, set to be in the Meycauayan River by June 2026. 

This follows the recent announcement of Interceptor deployments in the entire Manila Bay region, as part of The Ocean Cleanup’s global initiative, the 30 Cities Program, which aims to accelerate efforts to intercept and remove ocean-bound plastic pollution from rivers globally by up to one third, by the end of the decade.

SNAP continues to strengthen sustainability performance in 2025

Renewable energy provider SN Aboitiz Power Group (SNAP) continues to strengthen its sustainability performance across its operations, with improvements in safety, environmental stewardship, and community programs.

In 2025, SNAP delivered 1.72 TWh of renewable energy, supporting the country’s clean energy transition while improving its operational reliability. The company achieved an availability factor of 95.2% – well above the global average for hydro of around 81% – and an improvement from its availability factor of 93% in 2024. Safety remained a top priority, with SNAP achieving over 10.8 million safe man-hours with zero lost-time injuries across its operations. This reflects the company’s continued emphasis on a strong safety culture and proactive risk management.

Vena Energy Formalizes Community Support through a Check Turnover Ceremony to host Indigenous Cultural Communities

Quezon Wind Energy Corp. (QWEC), a subsidiary of Vena Energy, a leading green energy solutions provider across the Asia-Pacific region, marked a key milestone in its community engagement efforts through a check turnover ceremony for its host community, the Dumagat/Remontado Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) of Tanay. The ceremony was held in Quezon City on 21 April 2026.

The event reflects Vena Energy’s continued commitment to inclusive development and to respecting the rights and heritage of its host communities. The turnover formalizes the remittance of community funds to the Tanay ICCs through the Tanay Dumagat Remontado Ancestral Domain Development, Inc. (TDRADDEVI), the Implementing Indigenous Peoples’ Organization (IPOs) established through the Free, Prior and Informed Consent process.

Innovative Organic Spa Products That Mitigate Flash Floods Through a Restorative Economy Approach

A Sustainable Development Initiative in Pulu Village

Dilah Sahim posing together with Consumers holding Lana Tumbavani Citronella Products

Across the globe, the wellness industry has evolved far beyond lifestyle trends into a powerful engine of national and regional economies, driven by surging demand for natural, plant-based personal care. In the Philippines, traditional wellness is now emerging as a fast-growing economic driver rooted in biodiversity and cultural healing practices. As close ASEAN neighbors, the Philippines and Indonesia are increasingly connected through this shared foundation, advancing a regional push for “clean-label” products that turn rising global demand for aromatherapy and natural medicine into sustained growth for community-led enterprises across Southeast Asia

SM Coastal Cleanups Go Beyond Trash, Teach Communities to Care

In celebration of World Water Day, SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, organized coastal cleanup activities across six locations with seven participating malls across nationwide, reinforcing its long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable waste management in its most-loved malls.

This year’s coastal cleanup emphasized enhanced waste segregation education to deepen understanding among volunteers and communities on proper sorting, recycling, and disposal of collected waste. It also underscored that everyday actions—from responsible waste disposal to recycling—play a critical role in protecting marine ecosystems.

Tropical Transformation: How Bananas Are Fueling Innovation and Empowerment in Southeast Asia

Women in Indonesia’s Penyandingan Village protect customary forests and advance empowerment through banana-based livelihoods.

The mothers of KUPS Anak Belai head to the Ghimbe Pramunan Customary Forest to collect bananas

More than just a global celebration, World Banana Day highlights how Southeast Asia was a pioneer in turning bananas into a tool for innovation and empowerment. In the Philippines, the banana serves as a symbol of resilience and resourcefulness, famously exemplified by Maria Orosa’s wartime invention of banana ketchup.

As global banana production is projected to reach 166 million tons by 2034, growing threats from climate change, crop diseases, and land conversion also rise. Philippine initiatives like the Barangay Calube Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (BACFA-MPC), which transforms harvests into value-added products such as flour and chips, are one initiative to utilize the banana. 

MDPPA Shares Fuel-Saving Tips for Motorcycle Riders

With fuel prices continuing to rise, the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) encourages riders to adopt simple habits that can help reduce fuel consumption. Whether you use your motorcycle for daily commuting, business, or weekend leisure, small changes can go a long way in making every gasoline liter count.

Here are seven practical tips to help improve your motorcycle’s fuel efficiency:

1. Ride Smoothly and Steadily

Avoid rapid acceleration and sudden braking. Maintaining a steady speed on open roads and anticipating stops by easing off the throttle early allows the engine to run more efficiently, helping conserve fuel.

DENR Takes the Lead on Philippines' Coastal and Blue Carbon Protection Plan

The National Blue Carbon Action Partnership (NBCAP) Roadmap was formally turned over by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Philippines to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the Philippine Mangrove Conference 2026 held last March 26, 2026. 

According to the DENR, the immediate next step is to convene the Leadership Steering Committee and Technical Working Group in April, followed by formalization through a DENR Administrative Order or Executive Order.

Lenovo Announces Global Partnership with David Beckham

Lenovo today announced a global partnership with David Beckham, bringing together one of the world’s most recognized cultural figures and one of the world’s leading technology companies.  

The collaboration builds on Lenovo’s expanding role in global football, including its position as the Official Technology Partner of FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.  This first of its kind Lenovo partnership will see David Beckham participating in Lenovo’s work on sports-focused AI-driven solutions that are transforming the game for clubs, players, officials, and fans, specifically related to improving performance for teams, creating better experiences for fans, enabling more efficient operations, and driving new revenue streams through AI-driven innovation.

As someone who runs his own businesses, David Beckham brings a perspective that resonates well beyond the pitch. Whether it's the professional managing their day from a single device, the small business owner trying to do more with less, or the enterprise rethinking how entire teams work, David Beckham will help bring to life the idea at the heart of the collaboration: that the right technology, powered by AI, can help anyone operate at their best.

David Beckham will also feature in Lenovo’s upcoming global marketing campaign, due to go live in May, one month before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Philippine Mangrove Conference 2026 Forges Accountable Pathways for Mangrove Conservation and Coastal Resilience

The  Global Mangrove Alliance Philippines and DENR-BMB convened PMC 2026 from March 24–26 in Quezon City, uniting government, science, communities, and the private sector to assess a decade of mangrove commitments and forge accountable pathways for coastal resilience.

The Conference delivered key milestones — the NBCAP Roadmap 2026–2030 under full government stewardship, the Blue Carbon Quantification Protocol as the country's first science-based carbon accounting framework, and the National State of the Coasts 2025 Report — anchoring mangrove conservation in national policy and science.

Pursuit of a more biker-inclusive SM yields Record-breaking 36 wins from DOTr, Mobility Awards

When the pandemic put the country in a standstill, many of the everyday yet vital services Filipinos had access to were revoked—one of which was transportation.

The absence of public transportation due to social distancing effectively limited every household's capability to commute for essentials, and many relied on biking as their lifeline. 

Women Entrepreneurs Shine at SM Supermalls this Women’s Month

Successful Women Strong Network event launched at SM Lanang showcasing women-led MSMEs. L-R: Irene Boey Lin Fong, Chairperson of AWEN Singapore, Toukta Chounramany, Focal Point of AWEN Laos, Rhoda Caliwaran, Chairperson of WomenBizPH, Maika Nurhayati, Focal Point of AWEN Indonesia, Baby Montemayor, Trustee of Women Biz PH Davao, Mylene Abiva, Trustee of WomenBizPH, Mr. Lin Fong and Russel Aldaba, SAVP for Marketing in Mindanao of SM Supermalls. 

The Water Stewardship Journey Continues for SM Supermalls

From building its first Sewage Treatment Plant in SM Southmall, to embracing a holistic approach to water stewardship, SM continues to advance its commitment to protecting and conserving water resources.

For three decades, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) has steadfastly advanced responsible water stewardship for a more resilient water future through SM Supermalls, its operating arm. 

SM Prime invested in its first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in the late 90’s with SM Southmall. STPs are essential for protecting public health and the environment, along with supporting community development. Since then, STPs have become a standard fixture in all 89 malls, reducing water waste and pollution, and safeguarding water resources.