BEYOND ELLIPTICAL By Rose Marie de la Cruz Just glancing at the idea of imposing seasonal tariff for rice, I don’t know just how systematically this can be implemented, without opening the floodgates for corruption and other trade malpractices. As it is, EO 62, which was revised in June 2024, including changing its nomenclature, failed in its mission to protect …

The country’s meat imports surged by 25.9 percent (year-on-year) in the first quarter of 2025 due to higher demand for pork and chicken imports, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) reported. The BAI data released Tuesday showed that total meat imports in the January to March this year rose to 344.59 million kilograms from 273.64 million kg for the same …

Tax-paid local cigarets cost P140 per pack while those smuggled or untaxed are sold at P66.15 per pack, with the P100 per pack difference endangering the profitability and sustainability of homegrown tobacco. Thus, the Philippine Tobacco Institute  asked the government to calibrate the taxes for homegrown tobacco against the smuggled ones and called for tighter enforcement of laws against smuggling …

Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Southern Leyte are joining the subsidized rice initiative with an initial combined order of 673,000 (50 kilo) bags and sell these to their constituents for P20/kg. in keeping with the campaign promise of President Marcos in 2022. The National Food Authority (NFA) said that it had shipped 35,000 bags of well-milled rice to Cebu on Monday …

Bloomberry Resorts Corporation, whose subsidiaries own and operate Solaire Resort Entertainment City, Solaire Resort North , and Jeju Sun Hotel and Casino,  reported an increase of 14 percent in its Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) — from P14.8 billion to P16.8 billion —  in the first quarter of 2024. Based on its unaudited consolidated financial results for the three months ending …

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) Baltic Container Terminal (BCT), Gdynia, acting in coordination with the Port of Gdynia Authority, has completed Phase 1 of a two-phase major upgrade of its Helskie Quay. The project, implemented over 400 meters of quay line, represent an important step in the Port of Gdynia’s goal to accommodate larger vessels. This objective will become …

In what was once a predominantly agricultural barangay of Santa Maria, Bulacan, a grassroots initiative that began with a handful of farmers under a sampaloc tree has blossomed into one of the province’s most progressive cooperatives. Backed by LandBank, the Catmon Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) has thrived by growing alongside its community– evolving to meet changing needs while staying true to its …

Metro Retail Stores Group, Inc. (MRSGI) recently held its Annual Stockholders Meeting,  reporting solid 2024 performance marked by continued expansion, operational efficiency, and a smooth leadership transition as the company prepares for its next phase of growth. In her first address as Chairperson of the Board, Ms. Sherisa “Baby” Nuesa highlighted Metro Retail’s resilience amid a dynamic market environment. The …

San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI) has reported a significant reduction in malnutrition among children covered by its expanded mother-and-child health program, “Happy si Mommy, Malusog si Baby,” now reaching over 1,000 beneficiaries in 24 barangays nationwide. Data from the program show that 89 percent  of children enrolled have reached normal height and weight, underweight cases have dropped to 2 percent, …

Manila Water has successfully completed significant operational enhancements at the Olandes Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Marikina City, repurposing its unutilized capacity for Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) treatment. This initiative underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and compliance with updated effluent standards. The P129.31-million BNR operational adjustment project, completed in November 2024, focused on optimizing the Olandes STP …