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The country’s headline inflation decelerated to 3.7 percent in June from 3.9 percent in May due to the easing of energy and transport costs, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said. In a press briefing last week, PSA Undersecretary and National Statistician Dennis Mapa said inflation in June last year was higher at 5.4 percent. Year-to-date headline inflation was at 3.5 …

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman on Friday approved the PHP27.453-billion Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the health emergency allowance (HEA) of medical workers. In a statement, Pangandaman said the released fund is expected to compensate 5,039,926 unpaid HEA and 4,283 Covid-19 sickness and death compensation claims of eligible healthcare and non-healthcare workers. She said the …

The Department of Finance (DOF) spearheaded a hybrid roundtable discussion as the lead facilitator for Climate Finance Network (CFN) initiatives in the Philippines to propel mainstreaming climate change components in the public financial management and further scale up access to climate finance. “[W]e at the DOF are pleased to lead the initiatives of the Climate Finance Network in the Philippines, …

There might be a “little bit” of policy shift in the Department of Education (DepEd) with the forthcoming appointment of Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara as Education Secretary. This was disclosed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the sidelines of the distribution of financial assistance in Sulu on Friday. When asked by reporters if Angara’s appointment to DepEd would …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday reduced the total volume offering of the BSP bills (BSPB) to P160 billion. In a statement on Friday, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said the allocation mix was lowered to P90 billion from P100 billion for the 28-day tenor and P70 billion from P80 billion for the 56-day tenor. The weighted …

A joint enforcement operation led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Quezon City, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency intercepted the sale of counterfeit and non-compliant products worth P496,073 from an electrical supplies shop in Quezon City on June 25. The operation conducted through the DTI’s Task Force Kalasag yielded 127 units of …

The Department of Agriculture (DA), led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., plans to blacklist importers involved in smuggling agricultural products.  This bold move aims to combat an issue that undermines Filipino farmers and threatens national food security. Smuggling distorts market prices and introduces substandard products, posing public health risks.  The DA’s decision sends a clear message of zero tolerance …

By Rose de la Cruz High-level Philippine economic managers met with the Japanese business leaders recently highlighting the growth and investment opportunities in the country during the Philippine Economic Briefing on June 21 that saw 500 participants from the Japanese business community. The briefing’s theme: “PH On the Go: Fast tracking Economic Progress,” saw the participation of several Cabinet members …

By Rose de la Cruz While praises and congratulations pour to newly-appointed Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara of the Department of Education– whose second term as senator ends next year– education stakeholders are optimistic that a “sunny” future awaits the department. President Marcos appointed Angara to DepEd a day after the latter indicated willingness to accept, if offered, the post. …

By Rose de la Cruz Deaths from ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke,  in 2023 rose by 18.9 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported. The PSA said 118,936 died due to ischemic heart disease — heart weakening caused by reduced blood flow to the heart — equivalent to 18.9 percent of the 628,554 total deaths in 2023. Neoplasms …