The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) lauded LandBank for its unwavering commitment to agricultural development and rural progress during the opening of the 2025 Agraryo Trade Fair (ATF) on December 1 at Gateway Mall 2, Quezon City. In a press conference at the event, DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III highlighted LANDBANK’s pivotal role in uplifting small farmers, fishers, and …

IN celebration of its 44th year last September, McDonald’s Philippines has opened its latest store in Cebu City, not only showcasing an integration of style and sustainability, but also highlighting the importance of supporting the socioeconomic and community needs of the people.  Located at Il Corso, the seaside development of Filinvest Mall along Cebu South Coastal Road, the new store …

ByEunice Jean C. Patron ACCORDING to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the Philippines recorded nearly 189,000 new cancer cases and more than 113,000 cancer-related deaths in 2022.  Globally, IARC also projects that the number of new cases will rise to over 35 million by 2050, which is a 77 percent increase from 2022 figures. Meanwhile, the 2025 …

Manila, Philippines, 15 December 2025—Following the Omnicom-IPG merger, the agency formerly known as MullenLowe TREYNA will rebrand to TREYNA as the MullenLowe brand retires. Named after its founders and current leaders, TREYNA traces its roots to Lintas, headed by Francis B. Trillana (one of the industry’s OG mad men) in 1978. Over 47 years, the agency has consistently ranked among …

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – As graduation season nears, FWD Life Insurance and JA Philippines are empowering future professionals with critical financial skills and insurance literacy through JA Forward Your Success 2025. The two-day program equipped 100 university graduating students with practical tools and confidence to navigate life beyond college. The seminar focused on three essential pillars: financial literacy, career preparation, and …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has completed the nationwide rollout of the ₱20-per-kilo “Rice for All” program, following its final launch in the towns of Barira, Buldon, Matanog, Sultan Kudarat, and Sultan Mastura in Maguindanao del Norte. Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initiative is now present in all 82 provinces, with stocks supplied by the National …

The turnover of the locally developed Controller Operated Battle-Ready Armament (COBRA) system from the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) to the Department of National Defense (DND) is a major stride toward a more self-reliant and capable Philippine military. Civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, chairman emeritus of several cause-oriented groups—including ABKD, PADER, LIPI and the FDNY Movement—hailed the development …

Power consumers will see a slight increase in their electricity bills starting January 2026, as the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved a new charge of ₱0.0371 per kilowatt-hour to fund the Green Energy Auction Allowance (GEA-All). The new charge stems from the National Transmission Corporation’s (TransCo) request to establish a funding mechanism for power plants awarded under the government’s Green …

Ride-hailing fares are set for a temporary adjustment this Christmas season as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) moves to limit surge pricing during the year’s busiest travel period. LTFRB Chair Vigor Mendoza II announced that the reduced surge cap will take effect from December 17, 2025 until January 4, 2026, following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos …

Malacañang on Friday emphasized that the criminal complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte must undergo a thorough and impartial investigation. The statement came after several charges — including plunder, graft, bribery, and malversation — were lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro …