Good morning.

Today’s issue looks at who really builds classrooms, how retail thinking built the country’s biggest bank, and what recent data says about growth and lending. Quick note. PesoWeekly is expanding brand partnerships. If you have experience in media or sponsorships and believe in value aligned work, email us at [email protected].

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The agreement: The Department of Education has signed a nationwide deal with local government units to accelerate classroom construction, with over 90% of provinces backing the initiative. The pact was formalized at Malacañang in a ceremony led by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., signaling a policy shift to close the country’s classroom gap.

Who does what: Under the agreement, LGUs will lead procurement, contractor supervision, and day-to-day construction. DepEd will identify priority schools, provide standard designs and safety specifications, and review and validate completed projects.

Why it matters: Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the move ends “working in silos” and sets clearer accountability, with strict monitoring and reporting rules to speed up delivery and protect public funds.

The big move: Teresita Sy-Coson did not start in banking. She grew up inside SM stores, watching customers shop. That retail instinct later shaped BDO Unibank into the country’s largest bank.

The insight: Put banks where the people already are. Under her leadership, BDO expanded aggressively inside SM malls. Longer hours. More branches. More ATMs. Banking became less intimidating and more convenient.

The power play: In the 2000s, BDO merged with Equitable PCI Bank. The deal was complex and closely watched. After integration, BDO climbed to number one in assets, loans, and deposits.

The lesson: Retail thinking wins in finance. Know your customer. Meet them where they are. Scale with discipline.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said investor confidence in the Philippines is improving, citing a supply chain index above 50 percent, lower Treasury bond yields, and a recovering PSEi. GDP growth slowed to 4.4 percent in 2025, with recovery seen by the second half of 2026.

ANZ warned Philippine growth may stay weak as a graft probe cut public infrastructure spending by 45.2 percent to P48 billion in November. The 11-month total fell 16 percent to P991 billion. Investment dropped 10.9 percent, while economists see recovery delayed until late 2026.

Bank lending rose 9.2 percent year on year to P14.35 trillion in December, the slowest growth in 22 months, as weaker demand and governance concerns dampened borrowing, the BSP said. Consumer loans grew 21.4 percent but eased month on month, while overall liquidity expansion slowed to 7 percent.

Pag-IBIG Fund members saved a record P160.41 billion in 2025, up 21 percent year on year, driven by strong voluntary contributions under the MP2 program. Mandatory savings reached P66.8 billion. The higher collections strengthen funding for affordable housing and the government’s 4PH program.

UAAP Season 88 opens Feb. 14 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, with eight schools competing in the new volleyball tournament. Defending champion NU leads contenders La Salle, UST, and FEU as the league introduces a green card for fair play. (Read More)

SexBomb Girls will stage their “Get, Get Aw!” reunion concert in the UAE on March 27 at Dubai Exhibition Center and March 28 at 321 Sports, Rochelle Pangilinan announced. (Read more)

Britney Spears sold the rights to her full music catalogue to Primary Wave for around $200 million. The deal includes hits like “…Baby One More Time” and “Toxic.” (Read More)

The DICT launched a direct-to-satellite smartphone service with Globe and Starlink, allowing LTE phones to connect to over 650 satellites for calls, texts, and data, removing mobile dead zones nationwide. (Read More)

PhilRice is expanding its Drones4Rice program to modernize farming, but a study warns that using drones on half of rice lands could displace 460,000 to 540,000 workers and reduce P27.5 billion in wages yearly. (Read More)

The British Embassy in Manila and the AI and Analytics Association of the Philippines launched a partnership during UK Southeast Asia Tech Week 2026 to promote responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence adoption nationwide. (Read more)

Dutch designer Vera van der Burg combined artificial intelligence with ceramics in her From Text-to-Clay project, training an AI model on her work, recreating its images in clay, and repeating the process. (Read more)

WOH G64 in the Large Magellanic Cloud appears dimmer and warmer, with nearby stellar activity affecting its atmosphere. Astronomers say the star may not be nearing the end of its life.

A UP study found small, localized subsidence in Manila Bay Freeport Zone reclaimed lands, with some areas showing up to 17 mm/year. Most zones remain stable but monitoring is advised.

A 10-year study shows more than half of patients with uncomplicated appendicitis recover using antibiotics alone. Surgery is often avoidable, and treatment decisions can follow patient preferences.

Researchers found tumors can reprogram neutrophils to produce CCL3, turning immune defenders into cancer promoters. This molecule may serve as a marker for tumor progression across cancer types.

DepEd is rolling out a crisis-ready learning program to 450 schools with support from PLDT and Smart, helping students continue lessons during typhoons, shortages, and other disruptions. (Read more)

The seized Rolls-Royce Cullinan linked to the Discayas was sold at auction for P29 million, while nine other luxury cars remained unsold. (Read more)

PNP Chief Gen. Nartatez urged caution online, noting scammers target lonely, emotionally vulnerable individuals and have already recorded six cases this year. (Read more)

Three Makabayan bloc congressmen want a House inquiry into alleged Philippine teams that helped Jeffrey Epstein manage his online image. (Read more)

The NCSC will immediately release P100,000 each to four Aeta centenarians, ensuring they receive their benefits quickly and securely. (Read more)

Norway’s royal family faced fresh controversy as Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son denied four rape charges in Oslo court, while newly released US files showed her past contact with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ukraine’s air force said it shot down or neutralized 112 of 129 Russian drones overnight, as reports said Washington is urging Kyiv to end the war soon and consider elections and a peace referendum.

A mass shooting at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia left at least 10 people dead, including the suspected attacker, with seven victims found inside the school and one dying en route to hospital, police said.

📝 Shanghai illuminated by horse-shaped lanterns for Lunar New Year. (Watch)

📝 Reports on J&T express exit from Shopee worries sellers and buyers.

📝 Vlogger investigated for wearing PNP uniform illegally.

📝 McDonald’s serves Chicken McNuggets with caviar for Valentine’s. (Watch)

📝‘One Piece’ Season 2 fan event is set for Manila this March.

Wellness & "Adulting"