Newsbytes.ph

The Philippines has joined the US-led Pax Silica initiative, with both countries announcing plans to establish a 4,000-acre industrial hub in Luzon aimed at strengthening supply chains for critical industries such as semiconductors and electronics. In a statement dated April 16, the US Department of State said the Philippines became the 13th signatory to the initiative, which frames economic security as part of national security.

RELX | Reed Elsevier marked its 15th year of operations in the Philippines, highlighting its expansion from editorial services to technology and analytics work across multiple industries. The company, which started local operations in 2011, now employs more than 6,000 workers and has expanded beyond Metro Manila to sites in Iloilo, Alabang, Cebu, and Davao.

Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro has rebranded its enterprise cybersecurity business unit as “TrendAI,” as companies grapple with rising risks tied to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). The move signals a shift in positioning, with the company framing cyber risk management as a core business concern rather than a purely technical function, as enterprises increasingly integrate AI, data, and automation into operations. “This is not a cosmetic change.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has reached one billion users in just three years, far faster than earlier technologies such as the internet and mobile phones, according to cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks, underscoring both its rapid adoption and the growing security risks tied to its use. The company said the speed of AI adoption is expanding the cyberattack surface, with threats such as ransomware becoming more sophisticated and faster to deploy.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its financing arm Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), is launching a ₱2-billion loan facility aimed at helping small transport operators and drivers transition to electric vehicles. Under the program, eligible borrowers with business licenses may access up to ₱1.5 million per vehicle, subject to a maximum loan cap of ₱3 million per borrower.

As summer temperatures rise, appliance brand TCL is promoting its latest air conditioning lineup, highlighting energy efficiency and smart features as electricity and fuel prices continue to climb. The company said demand for cooling appliances remains strong among Filipino households despite economic pressures, with consumers looking for ways to manage energy consumption while maintaining comfort.

There is no shortage of technology today. Across industries in the Philippines, companies are investing in AI, digital platforms, and automation at a pace we haven’t seen before. From banks rolling out digital ecosystems to retailers integrating omnichannel capabilities, the push to modernize is well underway. And yet, the results are uneven. Some organizations are clearly moving forward — more efficient, more responsive, more relevant to customers.

Data center operator Equinix has rolled out a new AI-powered networking platform aimed at helping enterprises manage increasingly complex infrastructure as artificial intelligence adoption accelerates. The company said its newly launched “Fabric Intelligence” platform serves as an AI-native operational layer designed to automate network management across cloud, data center, and edge environments.

VST ECS Phils, Inc. has been appointed as the local distributor of US-based edge cloud platform provider Fastly,in a move aimed at expanding the availability of content delivery and cybersecurity solutions to local enterprises. The partnership comes as companies face increasing pressure to handle higher volumes of digital traffic and respond to evolving cyber threats, including automated bot attacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) incidents.

Renewable energy firm GreenHeat Corp. is urging local households and businesses to consider rooftop solar systems as a way to manage rising electricity prices, citing the country’s continued dependence on imported fuel for power generation. GreenHeat director Glenn Tong said fluctuations in global fuel supply are likely to keep electricity rates volatile.