ECCP at Work

JFC forum participants call for clarity on cross-border services tax rules

The discussion highlighted the importance of translating tax policy into clear and consistent implementation, particularly as companies assess compliance requirements and the potential impact of tax treatment on cross-border transactions.

Will AI take Filipino jobs? The answer depends on what we do now 

How the Philippines can harness artificial intelligence and the clean-energy transition to create decent work and shared prosperity through skills development, strong institutions and closer cooperation among government, business and workers.

PH levels up to UMIC status on steady growth

The ECCP said the upgrade reflects the country’s sustained growth and reform efforts and strengthens the case for concluding an ambitious EU-Philippines free trade agreement, building on strong Philippine exporter use of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus.

Senate foreign relations panel endorses committee approval of 7 international treaties 

Senator Zubiri vowed to swiftly clear the backlog of international agreements while ensuring that the Philippines would be able to secure fair and equitable agreements and would not be shortchanged by its global partners.

Diesel up by P2.31/liter, gas by P1.08

Fuel prices in the Philippines rose Tuesday, August 25, after the Department of Energy said pump prices would increase by P1.08 per liter for gasoline, P2.31 per liter for diesel and P0.95 per liter for kerosene for the August 25-31 pricing week

PH critical minerals policy could attract German investors

THE Philippines’ new critical minerals policy could attract German mining companies by providing greater regulatory certainty and supporting investments in mineral processing, German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke said Monday.

DENR chief urges Asean focus on climate change

Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, speaking at a climate forum in Makati organized by political consultancy firm Stratbase and the German Embassy, called for an integrated approach to climate security that links environmental resilience with Asean’s political, economic and security priorities.

Fuel prices rising anew on Aug. 25

Motorists will bear the brunt of higher fuel prices, as local fuel retailers will implement up to a P2.31 per liter increase in petroleum products beginning August 25.

₱7B: Cost of phased removal of nontechnical system loss 

On Monday, the DOE announced a system loss action plan, which will be reinforced by a broader package of policy and institutional measures. This program is a multistep initiative designed to reduce nontechnical system loss such as electricity theft and uncollected bills for ECs through anti-pilferage enforcement, consumer education, collection efficiency, meter management, database cleaning, and policy reform.

Most experts expect 25-bps policy rate hike

Analysts cited above-target inflation, food and oil price risks, peso weakness and external pressures as reasons for another increase, while slower growth limited expectations for a larger move. Inflation eased for a third straight month to 6.2% in July from a three-year high of 7.2% in April but stayed above the BSP’s 2% to 4% target, while second-quarter GDP growth was 2.3%, below the government’s revised 3.5% to 4.5% goal for 2026 .

PH-Japan defense logistics agreement takes effect 

An agreement between the Philippines and Japan took effect Saturday, giving the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces a legal framework for reciprocal exchanges of supplies and services, covering logistics support for activities involving the two militaries.

EDCOM2: 1 guidance counselor associate needed for every 500 students

DepEd plans to expand school mental health support after officials said fewer than 1,000 registered guidance counselors serve more than 45,000 schools nationwide. Undersecretary Willie Cabral said the agency will use RA 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, to hire at least 10,000 school counselor associates this year.

DBM turns over P27B to DOH aid program for patients 

The Department of Budget and Management released ₱27.410 billion for the Department of Health’s Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients program, which helps Filipinos who cannot fully pay for treatment and other medical services nationwide