Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque on Thursday highlighted the growing role of the creative sector in fueling the country’s economic expansion, saying it is fast becoming one of the Philippines’ strongest competitive edges. Speaking at the opening of the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo at SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City, Roque said creativity should be seen not only as …

Philippine exports continued their upward momentum in July 2025, surging 17.3 percent year-on-year to USD7.34 billion, driven largely by strong demand for electronics, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Thursday that exports have now grown for seven straight months, with total shipments from January to July reaching USD48.62 billion—up 13.9 …

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) recently turned over seven Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs) across the country to help improve healthcare access in remote and vulnerable areas. Beneficiaries include Las Piñas City, Tacloban City (Leyte), and the municipalities of Busuanga (Palawan), San Manuel (Tarlac), Mexico (Pampanga), Kibawe (Bukidnon), and Indang (Cavite). During the ceremonial …

The Philippines’ location, competitive incentives, and skilled workforce make it an ideal site for digital infrastructure, Board of Investments (BOI) Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla said last week. Speaking at the Siemens Tech Forum in Mandaluyong City, Fondevilla highlighted the growing role of the data center industry as one of the cornerstones of the country’s digital economy.  He said the government …

The Economy and Development (ED) Council Investment Coordination Committee – Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC), chaired by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, has approved a resolution to aggregate flood control and management projects within a single river basin. The Department of Finance (DOF) said Wednesday that the resolution, adopted on Aug. 12 upon the recommendation of the Infrastructure Development Committee Sub-Committee on Water …

Potato Corner (PC), the Philippines’ homegrown global leader in flavored fries, has opened its first store in Taiwan. In a recent statement, PC, which is part of Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc. (SPAVI), said the branch located at Xinyi District’s Uni-President Department Store in Taipei opened on Aug. 4. Taiwan is the brand’s 16th overseas market, bringing its global store …

HOUSE OF FINACIALFREEDOMBy Chinkee Tan RA 12214, also known as the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act, is a new law aimed at making investing in the Philippines more attractive. It streamlines rules, reduces certain taxes, and opens the door for more products in the capital market. In short, it’s designed to get more Filipinos to invest instead of keeping money …

The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has granted the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) petition for a refund of ₱24,684 in documentary stamp taxes (DST) it paid in connection with the foreclosure of mortgaged properties of the Rural Bank of San Miguel. In a nine-page decision released Friday, the CTA Special First Division ruled that under its charter, the BSP …

Bank lending grew at a slightly slower pace in July while domestic liquidity picked up, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Friday. Data showed outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) expanded by 11.8 percent year-on-year, easing from 12.1 percent in June. The amount of outstanding loans stood at P13.57 trillion. Lending to residents rose by 12.4 percent …

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr. has once again been named one of the world’s best central bank governors, earning an “A-” rating in Global Finance magazine’s Central Banker Report Cards 2025. This is his second consecutive year on the prestigious list. The report card evaluates central bankers from nearly 100 countries, assigning grades from A+ (highest) …