The Philippines saw a modest rise in construction activity in March 2025, as approved building permits reached 14,973, up 3.4 percent from 14,477 in the same month last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Despite widespread access to basic education, nearly 25 million Filipinos—or about one in every five people aged 10 to 64 years old—are still “not functionally literate,” according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
According data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, the number of working children aged 5 to 17 dropped to 863,000 in 2024 from 1.09 million in 2023 and 1.48 million in 2022. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s fight against child labor, bringing figures even lower than the pandemic-era low of 872,300 in 2020.
Rice prices continued to ease in early May, indicating a potential further slowdown in inflation after headline inflation decelerated in April to its slowest pace since November 2019.
Foreign investment approvals plunged 82 percent in the first quarter to a total P27.99 billion compared to P155.26 billion in the same period last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
In a shift from stern audits to street-level support, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) fanned out across the country on February 23 for a Nationwide Simultaneous Friendly Tax Compliance Verification Drive (TCVD), putting dialogue ahead of discipline.
Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI) reported an attributable income of ₱4.17 billion in 2025, nearly unchanged from ₱4.16 billion in 2024, citing higher interest rates, more selective homebuyers, and structural shifts in the office sector.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague on Monday opened confirmation of charges proceedings against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, a crucial step that will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send the case to full trial. Prosecutors, defense lawyers, and legal representatives of the victims are set to present their evidence and arguments before ICC judges, who have up to 60 days to decide if the case will move forward. The 80-year-old Duterte was arrested in March last year and has remained in detention while awaiting the court’s ruling on whether he will stand trial. Outside the ICC chamber, protesters from the families of the victims and those who support Duterte gathered to voice the opinions.
Caloocan City’s People’s Park has reopened following a P50-million redevelopment funded by the Melco Resorts (Philippines) Foundation Corporation (MRP Foundation). The renovation was inaugurated in February by mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan and MRP Foundation chairman Clarence Chung, coinciding with the city’s 64th cityhood anniversary celebration.