The unemployment rate in the Philippines declined in April to 4 percent from 4.5 percent in the year-ago period, with the economy creating more jobs in industry and services to take up the slack in agriculture because of the adverse impact of El Nino on the farm sector.
Inflation nudged higher in May to 3.9 percent, lower than most analysts' forecasts averaging 4 percent, versus only 3.8 percent in April, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Wednesday.
The NEDA Board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has approved the reduction of tariff on rice to 15 percent from 35 percent to substantially lower the cost of the staple and ease its impact on inflation, whose elevated level has kept the central bank from cutting interest rates to help spur greater economic activity.
The total outstanding debt of the national government in April reached P15.02 trillion, marking a rise of P91.50 billion or 0.61 percent from March 2024.
The various ports across the country posted revenue collection averaging 2.5 percent more in 2023 than in previous year, based on preliminary data generated by the Bureau of Customs in April this year.
The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved P977 billion worth of investment projects year to date, signaling robust investor confidence and reinforcing the Philippines’ push to become a regional hub for smart and sustainable investments.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to speed up the deployment of additional passenger ships at Lucena ports to uuuaddress the growing number of travelers heading to Romblon for Christmas.
The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists, Inc. (IPAO) have launched the National Vision Screening Program (NVSP), which requires vision checks for all kindergarten learners nationwide.