Marcos bets on speedy economic recovery
President Marcos said yesterday that he expects the economy to recover after the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew at its slowest pace in four years in the third quarter, as the flood control controversy weighed on consumer and investor confidence.
Approved investment pledges plunge 49% in Q3
Approved foreign investment pledges plunged nearly 50% in the third quarter as investor sentiment soured due to the corruption scandal involving government infrastructure projects, the local statistics agency said.
New BIR chief targets plugging tax leakage
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will prioritize maximizing revenues by strengthening tax enforcement to plug leakages, while pursuing reforms to modernize and professionalize tax administration under its new leadership.
DA, TESDA to kick-start training courses to equip farmers with latest tech
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have strengthened their partnership to update agricultural training in line with new technologies and innovations.
Crop damage due to typhoons hits P744M
Damage to agriculture caused by Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) and Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) hit P743.83 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
DOTr says rail PPPs remain highly viable
As the Metro Pacific Group considers a possible exit from the light rail business, the government is confident public-private partnership (PPP) interest in big-ticket projects would remain, noting that dozens of investors are already eyeing to bid for future concessions.
DA farm-to-market road takeover expected to cut costs 20%, accelerate completion
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it expects to speed up construction and save at least 20% once it takes over the farm-to-market road (FMR) program from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) next year.
Marcos appoints Charlito Mendoza as new BIR chief; Lumagui out
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed Finance Undersecretary Charlito Martin R. Mendoza as the new Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner, replacing Romeo D. Lumagui, Jr.
Calamity fund balance now at ₱3.5B–DOF
A total of P3.5 billion remains in the balance of the country’s calamity fund to provide relief and rehabilitation services to areas affected by disasters, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
PHL in trade talks to push bid to join trans-Pacific bloc
Following the Philippines’ submission of its formal application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in August, the country is now in informal talks with trade ministers of Canada and New Zealand as it pursues accession to the 12-member regional trade bloc—a move seen to “complement” the country’s goal to expand its market access.
BSP to implement 24/7 payment system in 2026
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) will implement a payment system that works around the clock starting in 2026 as part of efforts to expand real-time and cross-border transactions, a top official said.
UN lauds Philippines preparedness as it warns of worse typhoon risks
The United Nations warned that powerful storms like Typhoon Fung-wong, locally known as Uwan, will become more frequent as the climate crisis warms the seas around the Philippines.
Following a record low, the Palace remained optimistic that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) will improve in the last quarter of 2025.
‘₱1.3-T Q4 budget may save growth goals’
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains optimistic the country can still reach its economic targets for 2025 with increased government spending as well as the projected rise in consumption during the holidays and exports during the last quarter of the year, according to Malacañang.
Government mobilizes P2.1B for startup ecosystem, targets 4 unicorns by 2030
The Innovative Startup Act Steering Committee announced Monday it has mobilized P2.1 billion in government funding for Philippine startups, supporting 212 companies directly while incubating 2,233 more through a network of 158 technology business incubators and innovation hubs nationwide.
BIR may miss collection goal this year
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) may struggle to meet its P3.219-trillion collection target this year as sluggish government spending weighed on overall tax receipts, a development its chief said may prompt a tweak of its full-year target.
Proposed tobacco tax cut unlikely to curb illicit trade — AER
The Action for Economic Reforms (AER) and government officials are opposing bills that seek to cut tobacco excise taxes, arguing that such measures are unlikely to curb illicit trade without stronger enforcement and a nationwide licensing system.
Watchdog to government, private sector: Future proof power, transport, ICT
A watchdog on Tuesday urged the national government and the private sector to future-proof, undertake and adopt a unified national framework that integrates power, transport, and telecommunications resilience towards a proactive program to face the challenges from future disasters and calamities.
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