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The Philippine trade deficit widened further to USD4.13 billion in March, as export growth failed to keep pace with the double digit expansion in imports, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

Mayor Abby Binay proudly announced that Makati City was ranked fourth in the latest Numbeo Health Care Index for Q1 2025, a global healthcare list. With an impressive score of 85.0 out of 100, Makati stands as the only Philippine city to make the prestigious list, outperforming numerous cities from Europe and North America.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the country’s fourth largest lender by assets, reported a net income of P12.3 billion for the first quarter, driven by strong loan growth, a robust performance in fee and trading income, and moderating cost increases. 

In a major blow to international drug smuggling, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced Wednesday that it had intercepted an estimated ₱101 million worth of marijuana concealed in balikbayan boxes from Thailand at the Manila International Container Port (MICP). The seizure was the result of a targeted operation by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), which acted on reports indicating the shipment could contain illegal drugs and misdeclared items.

Klook Philippines, in its 2025 Travel Pulse report, projected a significant uptick in domestic and international travel interest among Filipino Millennials and Gen Zs, with hotel bookings showing strong year-on-year growth.