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13 October

Employment rises to 50.1 million in August

The number of employed Filipinos rose to 50.1 million in August 2025, up from 46.05 million in July, according to the latest Labor Force Survey released by the Philippine Statistics Authority. National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the employment rate stood at 96.1 percent, with the services sector accounting for 61.5 percent of total jobs, followed by agriculture (20.4 percent) and …

13 October

Spain-based firms to help develop food, cold chain hub in Aurora

Spain-based firms are set to assist in developing a food and cold chain logistics hub inside the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) in Casiguran, Aurora. APECO president and CEO Gil Taway said the project, which will cover five to 10 hectares, was among the key topics discussed with Spanish engineering firm IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U., and …

13 October

Construction materials prices in NCR dip 0.2% in September

The construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) dropped by 0.2 percent in September, slightly slower than the 0.5 percent decline recorded in August, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported recently. The PSA said the slower decrease was mainly due to higher prices in the heavily weighted index of concrete products, which rose by 0.2 …

13 October

POGO exit, oversupply pull down condo rental rates

The oversupply of residential condominium units, partly caused by the exit of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), has dampened gains from rental properties, according to Leechiu Property Consultants. Roy Golez, the firm’s director for research and consultancy, said the sharpest drop in rental rates compared to pre-pandemic levels was recorded in the Manila Bay area, which covers Parañaque and Pasay …

13 October

The policy flaws in RTL

BEYOND ELLIPTICALBy Rose Marie de la Cruz The Rice Tariffication Law (RA 1123) enacted on March 5, 2019 to replace quantitative restrictions on rice imports to liberalize trade, reduce rice prices (which did not happen) and enhance the competitiveness of local rice farmers, has gaping holes that made life more miserable to farmers and consumers alike. As Prof. Ted C. …

13 October

DA discovers ghost Farm-to-Market roads in Mindanao

By Rose de la Cruz Farm to market roads are vital for farmers to bring their produce to the market and for suppliers of farm inputs and seeds to sell their inputs to farmers. Without FMRs, the cost of bringing food supplies and farm inputs to their intended markets would be exorbitantly high and prohibitive for suppliers, traders, consumers and …

13 October

PCC sees ‘dual setback’ in rice import bans

The Philippine Competition Commission sees a ‘dual setback’ arising from imposing rice import bans if it is proven that traders and wholesalers are involved in importing the grain. PCC Director Carlos Juan Paolo Vega said the import freeze could pose an uptick in retail rice prices while farmers might remain at the mercy of those holding power over rice supply. …

13 October

Biodiesel to perk up demand for coconut in 2026

The United Coconut Association of the Philippines said it is confident that local coconut production will recover next year and boost the supply of coconut oil for biodiesel. UCAP Vice Chair Dean Lao Jr. said the expected rebound in output next year would create an ideal environment to raise the biodiesel blend to 4 percent (B4). “The government should increase the …

13 October

721 ARB farmers freed from debt

The Department of Agrarian Reform has released 721 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the clutches of debt from Davao Oriental as DAR Davao Region distributed Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs). DAR awarded 1,001 COCROMs to 721 ARBs, effectively condoning P9.93 million in amortization and interests pursuant to Republic Act No. 11953, which provides significant financial relief and …

13 October

Enchanted Kingdom celebrates 30 years of magic and fantasy

PASSERBYBy Nestor Cuartero Enchanted Kingdom (EK), the first and only world- class theme park in the Philippines, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with the launch of new rides and heightened excitement for entire families. A media launch was held October 4 at the park’s Eldar’s Theater in Santa Rosa, Laguna. Mario O. Mamon, Enchanted Kingdom President and Chairman, promises …

TimeLine Layout

October, 2025