The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The battle for the construction of an alternative to the ageing and dilapidated Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) continues as the demand for more airports gained added urgency with passenger volumes increasing rapidly. 

Manila is ranked the 19th most dynamic among 134 major cities of the world assessed in the latest study by professional services and investment management firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). 

More institutions have signified their support for the immediate enactment of the Duterte administration’s tax-reform package, which is pending in Congress, to maintain the economy’s growth momentum. 

By Riza Lozada  Trade groups and civic organizations are clashing head-on over the order of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cancel nearly one quarter of the nation’s mining operations.

Despite the human-rights issues repeatedly raised against President Duterte, the Philippines has advanced 12 notches in the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom of the conservative US think tank Heritage Foundation.

State gaming operator Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said it will not stop its Small Town Lottery (STL) operations despite the allegation of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that it is illegal, stressing that only an order from President Duterte will halt the popular numbers game. 

By Riza Lozada  Maintenance work on the Malampaya natural gas facility was completed without a hitch, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said. 

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume flights between Kuala Lumpur and Manila beginning June 8. 

Top oficials of the Philippines and Mexico have agreed to explore free trade and currency agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties and facilitate economic transactions between the two countries. 

The peso closed last week at 50 per $1, its weakest level since November 2006 due to the lower-than-expected initial jobless claims in the US along with sustained rise of US Treasury rates.