The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has asked the government “to take appropriate measures and initiatives” to convince the government of Kuwait to remove the restrictions it imposed on the carriage of passengers and cargo between Dubai and Kuwait, despite the existence of an air-services agreement with PAL allowing such “fifth freedom” flights. 

By Riza Lozada The Department of Energy (DOE) has reactivated its so-called interruptible load program (ILP) that will tap privately owned generators to ease the currently tight power supply caused by the prolonged dry season. 

While the economy remains in a growth momentum, a credit watchdog has warned the government of a “negative bias” on the country’s current investment grade. 

By Riza Lozada Utility firm Manila Water Co. Inc. is alloting P4.2 billion for capital expenditures to expand its water service and network reliability in the Metro Manila East Zone, in which it has a concession with the government, said Fernando Zobel de Ayala, the firm’s chairman. 

Diversified conglomerate Ayala Corp. has embarked on a five-year plan to increase its net income to P50 billion by 2020 through investments in power and transport infrastructure, healthcare and education, and automotive and manufacturing, Ayala Corp. Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said.

Top property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. will shift its focus on projects in the provinces to cater to the “unserved” housing sector, SM Prime President Hans Sy said. 

The notorious vehicle traffic congestion in two of the Philippines’s largest cities is the target of a tie-up between app-based transport service Grab, government agencies and the World Bank (WB).

Coined during the incumbency of Benigno Aquino III, the global Urban Dictionary as well as an authoritative and well-balanced entry in Wikipedia define “Noynoying” as “used to describe one’s inaction despite having the responsibility to do something.” 

April drizzle maybe less gray and likened to baby’s hair, deceitful in lightness, but still seeps to the bones. Fewer layers of inner wear maybe warm enough but with thin cotton outerwear, you could get soaked with yet icy water.

Barely a month before the May polls, two candidates appear to be set to break from the pack.