By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN The local semiconductor industry stands to realize unprecedented growth when plans for the Luzon Economic Corridor under the Pax Silica initiative of the United States materializes, although many sectors have expressed concern if these developments will indeed result in blessings for Filipinos. The Marcos administration has reserved 1,619 hectares of land in Tarlac for the establishment …
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been actively helping the Philippines, its small businessmen and entrepreneurs, along with ordinary Filipinos, in these times of great hardship and economic challenges. In a meeting between ADB President Masato Kanda and President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. at the Malacañan Palace, the multilateral lender vowed it is ready to provide more funding as the country …
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The Department of Energy (DOE) said on Friday that several new power facilities have been completed and may help augment the 2,4000 megawatts that the grid lost after two major transmission lines tripped this week. These new energy facilities, which can generate up to 1,400 megawatts, are being prepared to be connected to the country’s power grid, DOE Undersecretary Mario …
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced that it is supporting the development of a new international airport in the Philippines. USTDA commits to funding the feasibility study on the proposed Sangley Point International Airport, which would ease congestion at the existing Manila airport. The said airport will serve as a key international aviation gateway for the Philippines as …
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THE PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) expects the proclamation of six new economic zones (ecozones) within the second quarter in key areas like Batangas, Cavite, and Palawan. “A total of six ecozones are for proclamation this quarter,” PEZA Director-General Teresito Panga said. Two ecozones were already endorsed by the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration (ODESGA) and …
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By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN Things are developing fast for the nickel industry in Southeast Asia. If there is one good thing that happened in the ongoing 2026 Asean Sustainability Summit in Cebu City, it is this piece of news about the Philippines and Indonesia joining their resources and expertise together in the production of nickel. Nickel is very much in …
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Lack of jobs still haunts the Filipino nation. The country’s unemployment rate in March rose to 5%, as the number of jobless Filipinos jumped to 2.58 million amid the oil crisis, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. Preliminary results from the March 2026 Labor Force Survey released on Wednesday showed the jobless rate stood at 5% in March, much higher …
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By DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN The first quarter of 2026 saw an increase in international visitor arrivals to the Philippines, notching a 10.43 percent uptick, totaling 1.83 million from 1.66 million a year earlier, it was disclosed by the Department of Tourism (DOT). There were fewer arrivals from South Korea, but this was more than compensated with the influx of Chinese …
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From 1.4% one year ago to a likely 6.4% in April, 2026 — that’s a full 5-percent increase, and that’s the estimate of many officials, including those from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The official inflation rate for last month is scheduled to be announced tomorrow, May 5. The BSP said the higher expectations for inflation are driven by …
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The state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines has extended a ₱2-billion loan to PH1 World Landscapes, Inc. to finance the construction of 8,360 housing units under the government’s flagship shelter program. The financing supports the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which aims to expand access to affordable housing for Filipino families. DBP …
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The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business