The Philippine government is moving to translate the World Bank’s Public Finance Review into concrete fiscal reforms, with economic officials stressing that better tax collection and spending will matter only if recommendations result in measurable improvements for citizens.
The Philippine government said it will act on recommendations from the World Bank’s latest Public Finance Review, putting a sharper focus on broadening the tax base, improving revenue collection and ensuring that public spending translates into measurable gains for Filipinos.
Accelerating power sector reforms could slash electricity prices, create more than 161,000 jobs and lift about 730,000 Filipinos out of poverty by 2030, with the World Bank arguing that lower energy costs may be one of the country's biggest catalysts for faster and more inclusive economic growth.
The World Bank Group has approved a USD268.6-million, or about P15.6-billion, water and sanitation project for the Philippines that is expected to create up to 46,500 jobs over the next 25 years while improving climate resilience in three island provinces.
Foreign business groups welcomed the Philippines' elevation to upper middle-income economy status as a strong endorsement of the country's economic progress, while urging the government to accelerate reforms needed to convert the milestone into sustained investment and long-term growth.
The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday approved the ₱670 million initial public offering of Aznar Shipping Corp. The SEC en banc also approved the company’s registration statement covering up to 3.59 billion common shares.
Industry groups are calling on the government to review a proposal to sharply raise excise taxes on sweetened beverages under the ProGRESS Bill, warning it would hurt local sugar farmers, businesses and consumers while raising questions over its real benefits.
Newly installed Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Robert Joseph M. de Claro is pushing for an organizational restructuring to boost the department’s performance and deliver more effective digital public services to Filipinos.
GCash is marking its 22nd anniversary with a nationwide promotional campaign offering free MRT-3 rides, P10 chicken meals and prizes worth up to P100,000, as the financial technology platform seeks to reward users through October 31.