9-mo infra spending rises 14.6% to ₱982.4B
The government’s spending on infrastructure accelerated as of the end of the third quarter of 2024, exceeding last year’s level and the programmed target for the period by double digits.

With low investment rates, PHL trails Asean neighbors
The Philippines’ anti-investment ecology stifles economic growth and must be reversed to align investment levels with neighboring countries, according to National Scientist Raul V. Fabella.

Philippines, Sweden sign MOU on financial, development cooperation
The Philippines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sweden, which would boost the country’s access to Swedish financing for development initiatives.

PHL rises 31 rungs in index tracking digital tools use
The Philippines has surged to 49th place in the 2024 United Nations (UN) e-Participation Index (EPI), a leap of 31 spots from its 80th rank in 2022, as it leverages digital tools to foster citizen engagement while streamlining government processes.

PHL seeks to attract investments from ASEAN pension funds
The Philippines is eyeing to secure investments from other pension funds in Southeast Asia, which has around $1.3 trillion in collective assets, the top official of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said.

PH innovators to benefit from design law treaty
The Philippines joined 193 member- states under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in adopting the Riyadh Design Law Treaty which streamlines, standardizes and updates the rules on design protection.

Vehicle sales may top 500,000 next year as interest rates go down
Automotive sales may hit 500,000 units next year as lower interest rates and upcoming elections spur economic activity, according to the Federation of Automotive Industries of the Philippines, Inc.

Local airlines seen to post mixed results for 2024
Listed airline companies are expected to deliver mixed results for 2024, primarily due to the anticipated recovery in the sector, which may be counterbalanced by the volatility of the airline industry, according to analysts.

ERC to notify public of actions, decisions for greater transparency
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will apprise the public of the actions and decisions made by the regulatory agency within the week, calling it a “huge step” in fostering greater trust in the public.

BoI targets 60% local-content level for vehicle manufacturing
The Board of Investments (BoI) said it hopes to increase the local-content level for vehicle manufacturers to 60%, citing the need for parts makers to achieve economies of scale. On the sidelines of the Auto Reverse Trade Fair, BoI Industry Development Services Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa said the 60% target is aligned with the requirements of the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) program.

Government urged to improve NAIA cargo services
A customs brokers group is urging the government to break the cargo monopoly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by opening a gate with ramp access that would allow other warehouses to transport cargo directly to and from the aircraft.

Sweden to fund FS for Luzon economic corridor’s freight railway
Sweden is planning to fund a feasibility study (FS) on the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas freight railway, the flagship project of the Luzon Economic Corridor. OSAPIEA said Swedish Trade Commissioner Johan Lennefalk disclosed Swedfund, Sweden’s development finance institution, is planning to invest on the FS.

Maynilad earmarks P30 billion for Rizal water treatment plant
Maynilad Water Services, Inc. is allocating an estimated P30 billion in capital expenditure (capex) to build a water treatment plant in Teresa, Rizal to accommodate the additional supply coming from the Kaliwa Dam once completed, its chief operating officer (COO) said.

Typhoons force rethink of planting strategies in storm-damaged areas
The recent spate of typhoons traversing the Philippines has forced farmers to re-evaluate their planting strategies, with quick-to-mature crops now in favor to increase the likelihood that harvests can be brought in once storm warnings are raised.

Britain, NATO must stay ahead in ‘new AI arms race’, says UK minister
Britain and its NATO allies must stay ahead in “the new AI arms race”, British cabinet office minister Pat McFadden said, warning that Russian cyber criminals are increasingly targeting countries that support Ukraine.

DAR condones ₱727-M debts of Negros Oriental farmers
The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed recently a total of 5,549 certificates of condonation and release of mortgage (CoCRoMs) and certificates of land ownership awards (Cloas) and electronic land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries in Negros Oriental.

NHA Navotas project to benefit 180 families
The National Housing Authority (NHA) has initiated the construction of three low-rise buildings in Navotas Homes 5 Phase 2 in barangay Tanza 1, that will provide housing for 180 beneficiaries once finished.

BARMM health workers get ₱840 million back pay
Government health workers in the Bangsamoro region are set to receive P840 million in back pay for services rendered during the Covid-19 pandemic and last year.

Akap seen as a thorn in ’25 budget bicam talks
The Executive Branch’s social service programs, which have become an object of dispute between administration officials and leaders of Congress, are seen to become the sticking point once the Senate approves the 2025 budget bill and a legislative bicameral conference committee is convened to reconcile conflicting provisions between the two chambers.

New investor joins IDC with P187.93-M deal
Listed Italpinas Development Corp. (IDC) has secured a new investor via a private placement deal worth P187.93 million. On Friday, IDC signed an agreement with businessman Benjamin Tan Co, who purchased 15% of the company’s primary shares at P1.99 each, totaling P187.93 million, through a private placement.