The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

THE Department of Transportation (DOTR) has acquired a total of 90.76 percent right-of-way (ROW) and properties for the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) as of December 2025, while clearing at least 56 percent of land for free and buildable right-of-way for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System north segment. President Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to speed up the …

To ensure continuous flow of raw water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces, a P1.93-Billion worth of  aqueduct is being constructed and expected to be completed next year.  Patrick James Dizon, department manager of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, said the construction will also provide additional raw water transmission capacity. “The construction is ongoing for the replacement aqueduct,” Dizon …

The Department of Energy said Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, Inc. is facing P24 billion in fines for its failure to deliver nearly 12,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) over the last two years. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in a press briefing, said “out of the 17,904 MW of terminated contracts for 2025 and 2024… Solar Philippines would be 11,427 …

A YEAR-round exhibition of Philippine products across home and lifestyles, fashion and accessories, traditional arts and crafts, food and beverage, and wellness, reflecting nation’s heritage, creativity, and design excellence dubbed as Likhang Filipino starts to let the public experience the heart of Filipino craftsmanship. One of the excited participants is the tandem of couple Michelle Bautista-Tañada and Noel Tañada where …

Security has been tightened at airports and seaports across the country as the Philippine National Police ramps up efforts to arrest businessman Charlie “Atong” Ang, who is facing a court-issued arrest warrant in connection with the case of missing cockfight enthusiasts. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units have been instructed to work closely with …

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto on Thursday said the Marcos administration has fully carried out the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds—and has gone further by increasing the agency’s budget to strengthen public health services. Recto said that while he respects the right of any party to seek legal remedies, his focus remains on enforcing …

Despite what he described as efforts to divert public attention, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said Filipinos remain firmly focused on holding high-ranking officials accountable for corruption, particularly those implicated in the controversial flood control projects. Speaking at a recent media forum, Ridon dismissed concerns that public clamor for justice in the flood control scandal would fade, stressing that …

Construction has begun on two major port projects in the island municipality of Laoang, Northern Samar, in a move seen to boost maritime connectivity and spur long-term economic growth in the province, Mayor Charlene Lademora-Ongchuan said. Ongchuan said work on the Mualbual Port and Laoang Port officially started on January 13, 2026, following a coordination meeting with officials of the …

Japan and the Philippines have signaled their readiness to further deepen their trilateral partnership with the United States amid what both sides described as a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex regional security landscape. Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu made the statement after his bilateral meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro in Pasay City on Thursday. “The Secretary …

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has issued a strong warning against individuals or groups claiming to provide cash assistance through private messages by using supposed “backers” inside the agency. In a statement Thursday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao clarified that DSWD programs and services are never processed via private social media accounts, personal messages, or unauthorized intermediaries, and …