Economy

The United States is again threatening to weaponize its tariffs, this time against 54 economies including the Philippines, that have allegedly failed to effectively enforce policies against forced labor. The Philippines could soon face additional duties of up to 12.5 percent on some of its exports to the US as a result of its failure to enforce measures banning the …

While admitting that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) may already be “behind the curve,” Governor Eli Remolona Jr. and the Monetary Board, these overpaid officials who control our monetary system, are thinking of acting now or waiting until their next regular meeting. They are still considering an off-cycle hike in interest rate, Remolona said. Meanwhile, the Filipinos are reeling …

The Marcos administration has no plans to suspend the collection of the feed-in tariff allowance (FIT-All), a charge imposed on consumers to support renewable energy (RE) projects. The policy was affirmed despite the rising cost of electricity, and the ongoing oil shock that started with the West Asia war in Iran that was started by the United States and Israel. …

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) signed a credit line agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) last May 14  to settle P3.6 billion in contractual obligations to Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of LRT-1. This initiative follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the DOTr to …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …