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The government should consider including farmers under coverage of the cash transfer program as a result of the lifting of restrictions on rice imports this year that will signal greater competition among foreign suppliers and rice importers, as well as a decline in domestic prices, which will likely reduce farmers’ income, state thinktank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said. 

By Luis Leoncio  Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in whose term economic experts attributed the start of critical economic reforms that had propelled growth, gave the most convincing argument in favor of Congress passing a complete tax-reform package, saying that revenues shrank during her term after the piecemeal approval of fiscal reforms. 

The Philippines is expected to grow at the fastest pace among key Southeast Asian economies until next year, while the regional bloc as a whole continues to evolve into a fertile ground for investors, regional investment powerhouse Maybank Kim Eng Group said. 

Several infractions with tax laws were slapped against local cigarette producer Mighty Corp. that saw the company, once bruited as a threat to multinational tobacco companies, fall in disgrace. 

By Riza Lozada  Local business groups wanted their voices heard in the crafting of trade strategies as they reiterated that government-private sector collaboration is now more critical than ever in formulating policies, especially those concerning foreign trade negotiations, to ensure Philippine interests are promoted. 

The local business process outsourcing (BPO) sector will continue to have US companies to remain its largest market even in the next few years, despite the inward-looking policy of United States President Donald Trump.

President Duterte assured Chinese-Filipino businessmen of his support, so long as they pay the right taxes and help him in his reform initiatives.

The Japanese government has granted $6.2 million (P310 million) to children’s agency United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to support peace building and education efforts for conflict-affected children of Mindanao, including children disengaged from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) armed forces. 

The 5th Kalikasan GP3 (Green Purchasing, Green Productivity towards Green Philippines) will highlight bamboo and wood industry for sustainable forestry as well as sustainable consumption and production, sustainable tourism and cultural heritage. 

The United States government has maintained its commitment since 2013 to help elevate the lives of less fortunate Filipinos in far-flung provinces after it turned over an almost P1 billion project to provide safe and clean drinking water.