The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar led the first batch of motorists to drive through the new elevated expressway that connects Diosdado Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminals 1 and 2 in Parañaque City in a simple last Thursday. 

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has issued a notice of award (NOA) to the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. (MPTDC) and its subsidiary Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx)– South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) Connector Road Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Project. 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is encouraging the private sector to come up with innovative projects with the use of advance technology to aid the agency on flood control, solid waste management, health and public safety, and urban planning and renewal. 

An urban drainage system project costing P96.5 million in Butuan City that is part of Agusan River Basin Flood Control Project has been completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 6 (Western Visayas inaugurated three fish-landing centers, costing P2.85 million each, in strategic areas in the coastal communities of Aklan, Capiz and Iloilo provinces. 

The National Housing Authority (NHA) has started the construction of a 754-unit row-housing project in Guindaponan village, Culaba town, Biliran province. 

Leading telecommunications firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) recently launched its SmartLife Global mobile app, which was created to cater to the needs of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). 

Power Mac Center is seting the stage for the third edition of its Sync Sessions by introducting masterclass sessions by Filipino music legends and technical trainings on music-production apps, and by featuring in-store live performances by local independent musical acts. 

Story and photo by Alvin I. Dacanay  Blockbuster biopic Heneral Luna crushed its competition at the 34th Luna Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) on Sept. 18, garnering all but one of the 11 trophies it was up for during a ceremony that marked the end of the protracted movie-awards season for 2015. 

One week after Ladies Who Launch’s Never Again: Voices of Martial Law and Artist Playground’s Lagablab (Conflagration) opened, two more Filipino productions are set to debut this weekend, proving once more the vibrancy of the Manila theater scene, as well as the rich and varied options now available to faithful theatergoers.