The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Energy Regulatory Commission  (ERC) announced this week that it has approved Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026 setting a “Uniform National Lifeline Subsidy and Rate for the implementation of the Lifeline Program nationwide.” The lifeline subsidy is a passed-on charge against regular-paying consumers to shoulder the discounted rates for the electricity consumption of low-income consumers. Under the resolution, the …

The City of Manila recorded a 40 percent increase in new business permit processing alongside robust renewal activity, showing strong local business momentum, Bureau of Permits Director Levi Facundo reported Monday to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso. As of January 25, 2026, the city processed 384 new business permits, up sharply from 176 during the same January 1–25 …

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is raising the stakes as it ushers in 2026, promising bigger thrills and greater winning potential for lottery players nationwide. Beginning February 1, minimum jackpot prizes across all major PCSO lotto games will significantly increase, giving every ticket a stronger chance at becoming a life-changing win right from the opening draw. Under the updated prize …

SEN. Joel Villanueva on Wednesday filed a bill aiming to lift some restrictions in the country’s existing bank secrecy law to enable “measured“ transparency and fight corruption. Senate Bill 1728 seeks to “modernize a legal framework that has remained virtually untouched for more than seven decades.“ Senator Villanueva declared in Senate: “For over seventy years, the Philippines has maintained one …

Cocolife will soon extend its emergency insurance services to Grab Philippines and its motorcycle taxi arm Move It. In an announcement,  Grab and Move It said that under their expanded emergency insurance framework with Cocolife, rider-partners and passengers gain 24/7 access to a wider network of more than 700 Cocolife-accredited hospitals nationwide for emergency situations involving its booked ride. Under …

Great things are moving at LANDBANK. The bank  has partnered with the Social Security System (SSS) to launch a microloan facility through the bank’s mobile platform. The SSS Loan Lite Program allows members to apply for loans digitally via the LANDBANK app, with automated eligibility checks, streamlined processing and rapid crediting of proceeds. “This new product clearly is something that …

Insurance Commission (IC) Commissioner Reynaldo Regalado is calling for a stronger push toward microinsurance as a way to bring insurance protection closer to millions of Filipinos who remain outside the formal financial system. Speaking on Friday, Regalado underscored the role of microinsurance in widening access to coverage, noting that the product is specifically designed to meet the risk-protection needs of …

The government has provided guarantees to nearly P640 billion in loans as of December 2025, as Philippine Guarantee Corp. (PhilGuarantee) ramped up efforts to strengthen lending to priority sectors and support inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In a statement, PhilGuarantee said its partnerships with 200 lending institutions have enabled P639.58 billion in cumulative guaranteed loans since 2019, helping expand access …

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is planning to offer peso-denominated bonds that could fund sustainable initiatives. The bank is looking to issue fixed-rate papers that will be drawn down from its P200-billion bond and commercial paper program, it said in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Thursday. In 2022, RCBC doubled the size of its bond program from the …

by Boy Villasanta In life as in death, National Artist for Film Nora Aunor is still phenomenal. The Noramania has come alive anew. Three months short of the observance of her first death anniversary, Noranians all over the world continue to flock daily to her grave at the Libingan ng mga Bayani to bring back and create memories and to …