The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez Department of Finance (DOF) is poised for steady and effective leadership under the stewardship of  Secretary Frederick D. Go. His appointment by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reflects the administration’s confidence in his expertise, integrity, and proven capacity to manage complex economic challenges critical to national development. As the government’s primary institution responsible for fiscal …

The Philippines was recognized as Asia’s Best Retirement Destination at the recent 11thTripZilla Excellence Awards, buttressing the Department of Tourism’s goal of positioning the country as a top retirement location in the world. TripZilla also recognized the Philippines as the Best Dive Destination and Destination of the Year. TripZilla is a leading Southeast Asian online travel platform. DOT Secretary Christina …

Philippine Airlines (PAL) recently unveiled a unique inflight safety video that taps into Filipinos’ enduring fondness for classic TV soap operas or teleserye. The distinctively Filipino-appealing safety video veers away from the mandatory safety audio-visual demonstrated by the cabin crew and ignored by passengers. Released online on the last day of 2025, the six-minute production leans heavily into the cliches …

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) recorded 6,095,624 passengers passing through different seaports nationwide during the recent holiday travel rush. PPA reported the number of travelers peaked from Dec. 15, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026. Top five ports with heaviest influx of passengers are in Panay (Guimaras), Batangas, Mindoro, Bohol and Negros Oriental (Siquijor). Christmas and New Year travel brought the …

The Philippines will chair and host this year’s meetings of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), starting with the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum scheduled from January 28 to 31 in Cebu. The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it has been collaborating closely with the Cebu provincial government, especially with the Cebu City Tourism Commission, and other national government agencies. …

Spreading online posts saying entry to Canada is “visa-free” for Filipinos need clarification. To qualify for a visa-free entry from the Philippines, the traveler must meet the following criteria: Must have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or a current non-immigrant visa for the US. Must have a valid passport. Must be traveling via air. These …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) insists they did not pay Philippine Topics magazine to feature the Secretary of Tourism for its cover story. DOT sought to address misleading online posts claiming the magazine featured the face of Tourism Sec. Cristina Garcia-Frasco on its cover, instead of promoting local destinations. DOT emphasized Philippine Topics is a private publication and not a …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will construct three new EDSA Busway stations this year to improve efficiency and accessibility on Metro Manila’s most efficient road transport project. The new stations will be located in Cubao, Magallanes and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed DOTr to improve the busway’s time and motion to encourage more …

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) continues its calendar tradition with the release of the 2026 edition. This time it commemorates the 100 years of Art Deco in the Philippines, coinciding with the global celebration of the architectural style and highlighting its beauty and enduring impact on the country’s landscapes. Titled “A Century of Art Deco in …

THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) rated and classified 171,972 materials in 2025, as part of the Agency’s dedication to promote responsible viewing amid a rapidly growing digital media landscape. The classified materials included 127,704 television programs, 40,505 TV plugs and trailers, 1,695 publicity materials, 10 optical media materials, 1,380 movie trailers, and 671 films, of which …