ECCP at Work

DA: Sustainable farming an urgent task
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. says there is a pressing need for the country to adopt sustainable farming practices amid such challenges as climate change, a growing population, and decreasing farmlands.

Tiu Laurel calls for urgent reforms in farming
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has called for urgent reforms in Philippine farming, stressing the need for sustainable, climate-smart practices to address the growing threats of climate change, shrinking farmlands, and population growth.

ASEAN+3 to ramp up regional financial cooperation to cushion global trade shocks
Finance ministers and central bank governors from ASEAN+3 economies have pledged to further regional financial cooperation to withstand rising trade uncertainty, with the Philippines also seeking to ramp up trade with its neighbors.

Poll: GDP likely grew by 5.8% in Q1
Philippine economic growth may have picked up in the first quarter thanks to cooling inflation and faster government spending ahead of the election ban, a BusinessWorld poll showed.

Data center growth shifts to SE Asia with PHL gaining ground
The Philippines is experiencing growing demand for digital infrastructure, with more large-scale data centers expected to rise across the country in the coming years, according to an industry expert.

Payments operators pressed to lower digital transaction fees
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) wants financial institutions to establish a “market-based” and “fair” pricing mechanism for fees they collect on electronic fund transfers, in a bid to lower—if not eliminate—transaction costs for Filipinos.

Government rolls out 10-year job creation program
The government has launched a long-term masterplan for job creation that aims to bring down the unemployment rate and increase the labor force participation rate (LFPR) by 2034.

House to focus on job creation, food security
The Leadership of the House of Representatives on Sunday vowed to address the critical issues of job creation and food security, a commitment reinforced by the findings of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

FDA expects speedier drug permit process
The new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) application procedures are expected to reduce the drug permit process by as much as half, an official said.

Airport fee increases need to go into upgraded facilities, analysts say 
The increased terminal fees for air passengers will need to be backed up by improved facilities, though the impact on traffic volume is expected to be minimal, analysts said.

National Government's gross borrowings slump in March
The National Government’s (NG) gross borrowings dropped in March as external debt declined, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported.

DOTr sets new rules for PUV drivers after fatal crashes
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is requiring all drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to undergo regular alcohol and drug testing as part of sweeping measures to address the increasing number of vehicular accidents that make roads unsafe for all Filipinos.

Factory activity rebounds in April
Philippine manufacturing activity bounced back in April after a contraction in the previous month, supported by a pick-up in demand.

ADB ramps up support for food security to $40 billion by 2030
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ramping up its support to enhance food security in Asia and the Pacific to $40 billion up until 2030.

Energy dep’t outlines measures to ensure reliable power for polls
The Department of Energy (DoE) said on Monday that measures are in place to ensure stable and reliable power during the midterm elections, and also directed the removal of campaign materials attached to power infrastructure.

PHL industry welfare 'central' to US tariff negotiating stance
Secretary Frederick D. Go said the Philippine delegation to Washington pursued tariff negotiations with the US with an eye towards ensuring the welfare of Philippine industries.

Rice prices retreat in mid-April
Prices rose for most major agricultural commodities in mid-April except for rice, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Metro Retail direct-to-market tie-up with small farmers set for expansion
Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. said it is keeping its direct-to-market partnership with smallholder farmers beyond a current ongoing program in Cebu province.

Labor Day job fair has low turnout despite 260k slots
Despite offering over 260,000 job vacancies nationwide, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recorded a low turnout in its recent Labor Day job fair.

Peso may stay at ₱55 level with dollar still under pressure due to tariff jitters
The peso may stay at the ₱55 level this week as the dollar may remain under pressure as markets await developments in the ongoing tariff negotiations between the United States and its major trading partners.