CREATE MORE IRR signed, BPOs will be ‘very happy with 50% work from home’ – Go
The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act has been signed, the country’s economic czar said on Monday.

‘Intersessional sessions’ to fast-track EU-PHL FTA
Negotiating teams will hold “intersessional sessions” to fast-track the talks for the Philippines’ free trade deal with the EU. Allan B. Gepty DTI Undersecretary for International Trade Group, revealed this as the Philippines and EU wrapped up their second round of talks for a free trade deal last week.

Mining firms told to include UN-SDGs in social devt programs
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is mandating mining companies to incorporate the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) into their Social Development and Management Programs (SDMPs).

Approved foreign investments drop to P544B in 2024
Approved foreign investments in the Philippines fell by 38.9% last year to P543.62 billion, the steepest decline in four years, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Thursday.

Philippines needs faster growth to reach UMIC status by '26 – analysts
Increased public expenditure and investments are needed to boost economic growth and bring the Philippines closer to becoming an upper-middle income country (UMIC) by 2026, analysts said.

PHL solar manufacturing seen hindered by power, import costs
The government will need to address the high cost of electricity and imported materials before the manufacturing of solar photovoltaic modules can become competitive, an industry association said. “The main challenges here are the cost of electricity and the cost of importing materials,” Philippine Solar and Storage Energy Alliance Chairman Ma. Theresa Cruz-Capellan said via Viber.

Create More IRR signed, investment roadshows set
THE signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (Create More) Act sends a message to the world that the Philippines means business, according to Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto.

DTI begins study on safeguard measures for imported paper products
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has begun an investigation into whether or not the government needs to apply safeguard measures for imported corrugating medium, a crucial paper product used in making paper boards and cardboard boxes.

PH office vacancy zoomed to record high 19.8% in 2024
Philippine office space vacancy rose to an all-time high in 2024 due mainly to the exit of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), with this level likely climbing higher this year on the back of upcoming inventory.

ASEAN agricultural trade touted as opportunity to boost food security
The government needs to pursue more agro-food deals with the rest of Southeast Asia to address still-high food costs, economists and industry officials said.

DA wants to talk with DPWH on farm-to-market roads, bridges’ upgrades
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking an audience with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure the smooth flow of agricultural goods and lower transport costs through improvements in infrastructure.

World Bank prepares $2.75-B lending program for Philippines in 2026
The World Bank is committed to extending around $2.75 billion in loans to the Philippines for fiscal year 2026.

Remittances jump to record $34.49B
Cash remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) hit an all-time high of $34.49 billion in 2024, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

Cebu BRT contracts fully awarded in H1
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will award the remaining contracts for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) within the first semester, as it is on schedule to top off the initial phase of the project next month.

DA seeks legal review of profiteering
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking to revise the definition of profiteering in existing laws in order to provide it with the power to curtail unscrupulous wholesalers and retailers of commodities in the market.

Philippines must strengthen global ties – NEDA
The Philippines must strengthen its economic resilience and global partnerships to adapt to global megatrends, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Philippines remains heavily dependent on coal power plants, says IEA
Despite the government’s ban on new coal-fired power plants, the Philippines remains heavily dependent on coal to meet its growing energy demand, according to the International Energy Agency.

PH financial system’s resources cross P33 trillion
The total resources of the Philippine financial system expanded in 2024 to hit the P33-trillion mark, sustaining a growth that continued to support the financing requirements of the country’s growing economy.

External debt service burden jumps 14% as of end of November
The country’s external debt service burden jumped by 14% as of end-November amid a rise in both principal and interest payments, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

Rise of dollar forwards builds risk for Asian central banks
Central banks across Asia are increasingly using derivatives to protect their currencies against a strong dollar, raising questions over how long they can do so and whether they are just storing up trouble for the future.

Singaporean RE developer eyes $300-M investment in Philippines
Singapore-based renewable energy (RE) developer Gurīn Energy plans to invest approximately $300 million (around ₱17 billion) in the Philippines to develop one gigawatt (GW) of RE projects over the next two to three years.

Trade war may hamper policy path
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely to continue its easing cycle, but second-round effects from a looming global trade war could hamper its policy path, analysts said.

Bukidnon is top contributor to Philippines agriculture, fishing output
Bukidnon emerged as the top contributor to the country’s P1.8 trillion worth of agriculture, forestry and fishing (AFF) output in 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

Price growth of building materials in Metro Manila slows in January
Price growth of construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) eased in January amid lower interest rates and a weaker peso, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

Recto says PHL is ‘Trump 2.0-ready’
The Philippines is ready to face the uncertainties brought by US President Donald J. Trump’s trade policies as it implements the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act, Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said.

PH banking system saw record profit in 2024
The Philippine banking system saw profits grow to a new record high in 2024, with the industry’s net interest income crossing the trillion-peso mark amid high borrowing costs.

Remolona: Peso slump to 60:$1 still possible
A peso fall to the 60-level against the US dollar remains “a possibility” despite the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) decision to hold rates steady, Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said, adding that hitting the pause button on easing was the “less disruptive” action for the market.

Meralco share price rises on capex news
MANILA ELECTRIC Co.’s (Meralco) share price increased last week following news of its capital expenditures (capex) plan amounting to P215.36 billion, as well as higher generation costs due to fluctuations in foreign exchange, according to analysts.

TUCP seeks Locsin’s help for new UK deal for seafarers
THE country’s largest trade federation is pushing for the signing of a new bilateral labor agreement (BLA) to protect Filipino fishermen from exploitation in the United Kingdom (UK). Citing a 2023 Financial Times report, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said Filipinos were among the thousands of migrant fishermen denied proper labor protections by UK fishing operators by exploiting transit visa loopholes.

T-bill, bond rates may climb as BSP pauses cuts
Rates of the Treasury bills (T-bills) and Treasury bonds (T-bonds) on offer this week may rise after the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) unexpectedly paused its easing cycle.

Uy says ComClark to resubmit air navigation control proposal
ComClark and Technology Corp. intends to resubmit its unsolicited proposal to take over the management of the country’s air navigation, traffic, and control system, the company’s chief executive officer (CEO) said.