The Anti-Red Tape Authority is moving to help clear regulatory bottlenecks for the proposed Pax Silica Innovation Ecosystem in New Clark City, while insisting that faster government approvals will not mean weaker legal, environmental, or social safeguards.

The government will tap P4.081 billion in savings from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ 2025 budget to settle overdue automotive manufacturing incentives, including about P1.5 billion owed to Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. under the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy.

The US is reviewing new Philippine safeguards against forced-labor imports as negotiations continue over Washington’s 12.5-percent tariff, while the Department of Trade and Industry said only about 30 percent of Philippine exports to the US are covered by the levy.