Category: Economic Indicators





DoE endorses 149 energy projects of national significance worth P795 billion
The Department of Energy (DoE) said it has certified 149 energy projects of national significance (EPNS) to date, with the approved projects involving investment of…


As vaccines roll out, Congress files import-duty exemption bill
A bill seeking to address the initial non-exemption of vaccine imports from duties, taxes, and has been filed in the House of Representatives. Muntilupa Representative…


Agri-Agra IRR amended to expand coverage, eligible loan targets
AMENDMENTS to the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 10000 or the Agri-Agra Credit Act of 2009 have been completed, which will…


PHL ranks 107th in UN human development index, up four places
The Philippines human development index score placed it tied at 107th, up four places from a year earlier but still in the bottom half of…


Power restored to 98% of Albay households after late-year typhoons
Electricity has been restored to 98% of households in Albay, which absorbed extensive damage from the series of typhoons that hit Luzon late last year,…


DoF warns against delaying PhilHealth premium hike
THE Department of Finance (DoF) said proposals to defer the hike in premiums for members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) scheduled for 2021…


SSS opposes suspension of scheduled contribution hikes
THE Social Security System (SSS) opposed proposals to suspend any increases in its members’ contributions, adding this will “jeopardize” its ability to provide benefits. “The…


BIR streamlines digital accounting system registration process
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it will no longer require taxpayers to obtain a “permit to use” (PTU) when registering their computerized accounting…


Overstaying cargo disposals generate P1.1 billion — Customs bureau
THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) raised P1.077 billion from the disposal of 3,514 overstaying containers last year as part of an overall port decongestion effort….


Pressure on telcos to improve services will continue — DICT
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the government, including President Rodrigo R. Duterte, will not ease the pressure on telecommunications companies to…


No-disconnection policy extension urged for poor power consumers
A SENIOR senator on Thursday called on the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and distribution utilities like the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to extend the “no-disconnection”…


Legislator touts P10B potential take from digital services VAT
A PARTY-LIST legislator proposed taxing foreign companies providing digital services, noting the potential to raise up to P10 billion which could go to the government’s…


New COVID wave seen putting construction-led revival at risk
A RESURGENCE of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases will pose risks to any construction-led economic revival because of the prospect of fund diversions away from…


Gov’t agencies’ cash usage falls to 95% in 2020
CASH UTILIZATION by government agencies fell to 95% in 2020 from 97% a year earlier, according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Utilization…


Duterte approves BIR plan to tap P39-M US grant for modernization
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte approved the request of the Department of Finance (DoF) to negotiate with the US government the terms of a grant worth…


DA bans poultry imports from parts of Ireland
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has imposed a temporary ban on poultry imports from parts of Ireland after Dublin reported outbreaks of the H5N8 highly…


Farmgate price of palay up 0.4% in late December
THE average farmgate price of palay, or unmilled rice, rose 0.4% week-on-week to P16.50 per kilogram in the fifth week of December, with the price…


Peso seen strengthening to P46/dollar by end-2021
THE PESO could strengthen further this year to P46 against the dollar by the end of 2021, due in part to the strong performance of…


ADB sees job losses of 24% from BPO, electronics automation
THE PHILIPPINES needs to improve its technical and vocational education to offset the expected loss of 24% of the jobs in the business process outsourcing…


NCR wholesale price of construction materials rises in December
WHOLESALE PRICES of construction materials in Metro Manila grew at a faster pace in December, while retail price growth slowed, according to the Philippine Statistics…