The total volume of rice the Philippines will import in the first quarter is likely to be significantly lower compared to the same period in 2024, as local farmers begin the harvest season and traders hold off on imports, awaiting further softening of global prices.
Lower food prices in February contributed to a drop in inflation to 2.1 percent for the month. This was slower than both central bank and market forecasts, and marked a significant decline from 2.9 percent in January.
Palay production in the first quarter of 2025 is expected to reach 4.72 million metric tons, with higher yields offsetting a decrease in rice planting area, according to the latest estimate of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) has asked the government to slow down the implementation of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, warning that rushing complex policies during a national crisis could harm the industry.
The Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) on Wednesday urged the government to pair its energy emergency response with targeted support measures, warning that surging fuel costs are squeezing exporters and threatening global competitiveness.
Vertiv is targeting double-digit revenue growth in the Philippines this year, buoyed by surging demand tied to data center expansion and accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, senior executives said.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) began accepting applications on March 25 for its Ginhawa Solar Energy Loan (GSEL), aimed at helping government employees install solar power systems at home.