The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) are moving to streamline government payment processes, aiming to ease long-standing cash flow problems that have delayed infrastructure projects and strained contractors doing business with the state.
The Philippines’ rise to 47th out of 70 economies in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook marks a notable step forward, but sustaining the momentum will depend on deeper structural reforms, stronger institutions, and accelerated digitalization of government services, according to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has extended to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) the Silver Award representing the highest rating of 92.8 percent or “Very Satisfactory”, among 50 government agencies in the agency’s Report Card Survey (RCS) 2.0.
The national government has approved $1‑million in assistance to cover advisory work for planned changes to the concession deal governing operations and maintenance of the LRT‑1 Extension project, a move officials say aims to put the light rail line on firmer financial footing for hundreds of thousands of daily commuters.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has ordered the immediate suspension of safety certificates for two vessels following separate maritime incidents off Cagayan and Bohol last 31 October 2026, a move signalling tighter sea‑safety checks for passengers and sea travellers nationwide.
For Philippine manufacturers, the next factory may require more than retained earnings and a friendly bank. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is urging them to look beyond traditional financing and prepare to tap the capital markets as they scale up.