The Philippines' inflation rate held steady at 2.9 percent in January, the same level as December and slightly higher than the 2.8 percent recorded in January 2024, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The Department of Agriculture will reduce on Wednesday, February 5, the maximum suggested retail price of imported rice to P55 per kilo, providing much-needed relief to consumers struggling with the high cost of the food staple. The MSRP was previously set at P58 per kilo.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared a food security emergency on Monday that allowed the National Food Authority (NFA) to release buffer stocks for public sale. The declaration, signed by DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., comes in the wake of persistent price increases that have not aligned with global market trends or previous tariff reductions.
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) has raised alarms over the Konektadong Pinoy bill, a key legislative measure designed to expand internet access and encourage new players in the telecom sector.
Foreign investments registered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) through authorized agent banks (AABs) took the high path in 2024, with net inflows totaling USD2.1 billion, a sharp turnaround from the previous year's outflows. This marked a significant 39.2 percent increase from 2023, which saw USD12.9 billion in investments.