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.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded mixed movements in the prices of agricultural commodities in mid-January, with potential implications for inflation. January inflation data are due 5 February.
The Philippine economy showed resilience in 2024, posting a 5.6 percent year-on-year growth in gross domestic product (GDP), despite challenges such as the contraction in agriculture due to El Niño and a series of storms. However, this growth fell short of the government’s target of between 6.0 percent and 6.5 percent.
Petron Corp., the country’s largest oil refiner and fuel retailer, reported a 37 percent increase in net income to ₱9.7 billion for the first nine months of the year, up from ₱7.1 billion in the same period last year.
Globe Telecom is stepping up efforts to boost online security nationwide through its growing application programming interface (API) ecosystem. The company is moving beyond traditional one-time passwords (OTPs) toward next-generation authentication methods designed to better protect users from phishing and online fraud.
Colliers reported sustained improvement in Metro Manila’s residential market in the third quarter, the second consecutive quarter of rising pre-selling condominium net take-up. The property consultancy firm said this uptrend indicates that demand is holding firm, supported by attractive ready-for-occupancy (RFO) promotions and discounts offered by developers.