The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Electricity consumers can expect slightly lower power transmission charges this October after the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) announced a 1.23 percent decrease in overall transmission rates. NGCP Assistant Vice President and Regulatory Management head Julius Ryan Datingaling said the average transmission rate dropped to ₱1.3998 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from ₱1.4171/kWh in the previous billing period, mainly due …

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will impose a safeguard duty of ₱14 per 40-kilogram bag of imported cement over the next three years, following the recommendation of the Tariff Commission. DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said the measure covers Ordinary Portland Cement Type 1 and Blended Cement and is meant to “level the playing field between domestic manufacturers and …

Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) credited fiscal incentives and supportive government policies for helping local manufacturers stay competitive and sustain growth in the automotive industry. In a statement sent to the media, TMP said it measures government initiatives by their impact on strengthening local manufacturing and the parts supply chain.  “Fiscal incentives on investments in local capabilities, as well as …

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has ordered the creation of a multi-sectoral working group that will develop digital solutions to address tax and non-tax concerns and help strengthen the country’s investment climate. The Department of Finance (DOF) said the group, which will include private sector partners, aims to boost investor confidence and generate more jobs for Filipinos. The directive was issued …

Eton Properties marked another milestone as it officially broke ground on the University of the East’s (UE) first campus in the South, located within the 600-hectare Eton City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. From its inception, Eton City was envisioned as more than just a place to live. It was designed as a complete and connected community where families can grow, …

Money sent home by overseas Filipinos (OFs) continued to climb, rising by 3.2 percent in August 2025 to USD2.98 billion from USD2.89 billion in the same month last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Wednesday. Remittances from land-based workers reached USD2.35 billion, while those from sea-based Filipinos totaled USD626 million. The sustained inflows brought total cash remittances for …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is carefully studying a proposal to demonetize the ₱500 and ₱1,000 bills to curb their alleged use in illegal activities, Governor Eli Remolona said last week. Remolona described the suggestion from former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima as a “tantalizing proposal,” but warned that such a move could cause more harm than good. “It’s not …

BDO Unibank Inc.’s (BDO) BDO Kabayan Facebook Page received recognition at the 21st Philippine Quill Awards for excellence in Social Media Strategy. The award highlights BDO’s Alagang Kabayan advocacy—providing accurate, timely, and relevant financial advice and updates that help overseas Filipinos (OFs) and their families manage daily transactions and achieve long-term goals. “We built BDO Kabayan Facebook Page to be …

LANDBANK continues to strengthen its support for farmers and agricultural stakeholders with the regional rollout of the AGRISENSO Plus Lending Program in Palawan, offering low-interest financing and capacity-building assistance to more farming communities nationwide. Over 1,400 farmers from the municipalities of Aborlan, Bataraza, Brooke’s Point, Narra, Quezon, Rizal, and Sofronio Española attended the launch held on October 10, 2025, at …

BUENAVISTA, Agusan del Norte — The 2025 Indigeneous Peoples Games – Mindanao Leg organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) turned out to be another major success with the Municipality of Las Nieves winning the overall championship over the weekend. With two first-place finishes, two second places and one third place in five events, Las Nieves defeated 10 other municipalities …