The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to award the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEx-SLEx) connector road project to its original proponent after no other company submitted a comparative proposal on July 25. 

Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano ordered the filing of criminal charges against the officials of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zones (Apeco) for the illegal conversion of some 2.5 hectares of agricultural land in Sitio Landing, Bgy. Esteves, Casiguran, Aurora. 

Sen. Loren Legarda filed a bill seeking to create the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DHUD), which aims to address the country’s housing needs and other related issues through an efficient and holistic national shelter program. 

A new World Bank report has highlighted the need for Pacific Island countries to better incorporate climate and disaster-risk management into their planning and development, while proposing priority investments and policies to boost resilience until 2040. 

A bill filed by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson seeks to help Filipinos benefit from sustainable development by establishing a Land Administration Authority (LAA) that unifies the government’s land administration functions. 

The Negros Oriental Tourism Council (NOTC) recently passed a resolution for the conservation and preservation of historical structures in the province in line with with Republic Act 10066, or National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009. 

Story and photos by Alvin I. Dacanay More than three months after introducing its TheaterMax virtual-reality (VR) technology with its Vibe X3 and Vibe K4 Note smartphones, top computer and mobile-phone firm Lenovo continues its drive to cater to more VR users by launching its new Vibe K5 Series smartphones. 

NEC Corp. announced recently the development of the its ARmKeypad Air, where “smart glasses” are used to turn the arm of a wearer into a virtual keyboard that enables contact-free operation. 

Television host Iya Villania, who is scheduled to give birth to her first child—a boy—with TV host-husband Drew Arellano in a few months, has advised expectant mothers like her to keep themselves fit and avoid negative people. 

By Nikki Garde-Torres / Photos by Alvin I. Dacanay First of two parts Last July 17, the 12th Virgin Labfest (VLF) ended with the usual mix of tears, hugs, laughter, and tumultuous applause. Tradition dictated that the titles of the three plays to be “revisited”—that is, restaged—next year be announced, and they were indeed announced: Ang Sugilanon ng Kabiguan ni Epefania …