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).
UNIQLO is expanding its Philippine retail network with three new stores and three larger locations for Fall/Winter 2026, extending its reach into Mindanao, major transport hubs, and fast-growing residential markets.
The Department of Tourism is facing a P6.02-billion funding gap for 28 infrastructure projects after the Department of Public Works and Highways shifted responsibility for financing new and continuing tourism projects to the DOT, but the proposed funding was not included in the 2027 national budget.
Green Lane investments worth a total P5.52 trillion remain stuck in pre-development, exposing the gap between faster government approvals and actual project execution, while 10 renewable energy projects worth P137.47 billion have already been dropped after their service contracts were surrendered.
Philips is repositioning home security as a lifestyle upgrade, focusing less on fear of break-ins and more on giving households control over who can enter their homes and access their valuables.