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The Philippine steel industry remains cautiously optimistic despite slowing construction activity, pinning its long-term growth hopes on the government's infrastructure pipeline and a long-awaited industry roadmap aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Finance (DOF) have approved the lifting of the moratorium under Administrative Order (AO) 18, clearing the way for more office developments to qualify as Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) economic zones and expanding location options for information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) investors.

Bronze medals rarely dominate the headlines, but Alas Pilipinas' Under-18 girls made sure this one came with a story worth telling.

The Philippines is accelerating talks on two major trade fronts, aiming to conclude an updated economic partnership agreement with Japan by November while edging closer to a free trade deal with Canada as the Marcos administration pushes to expand export markets and attract more investments.

Philippine shares could finally catch their breath this week.