The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Philippines’ population growth rate is slowing down. However, recent data continues to show a concerning rise in adolescent birth rates, particularly in the very young age group of under 15 years old. According to the 2024 Census of Population, the annual population growth rate dropped to 0.80% (2020 to 2024), a significant decrease from 1.63% (2015–2020). This demographic shift …

MANILA, Philippines — Who says everyday essentials have to come with everyday high prices? Not at MR.DIY! This September, the country’s favorite one-stop Familyhan store is turning the dial on savings with its first-ever DIYscounted Exclusives promo. Running from September 1–30, 2025, the promotion gives shoppers the chance to enjoy up to 50% off on a wide selection of home …

As the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumed its high-profile hearings into massive infrastructure-related corruption, another political earthquake rippled through the nation—this time from The Hague. On July 4, the International Criminal Court (ICC) formally charged former President Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, related to his bloody and controversial war on drugs. The implications are enormous—not only …

by Boy Villasanta It takes a school teacher to redirect the path a remote barrio has embarked to attain progress in many levels of its rural life. This is the defining moment of the film “Madawag ang Landas Patungong Pag-asa” that won the Best Film plum at the awards night of the 7th Sinag Maynila Film Festival held at Gateway …

800 stores strong, bringing everyday essentials closer to home—and closer to heart TAGUIG CITY, PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 – Leading home improvement retailer MR.DIY marked a historic milestone with the grand opening of its 800th Store at Vista Mall Taguig on September 23. With the theme “Close to Home, Closer to Heart,” the event highlighted the brand’s nationwide expansion and …

There’s a kind of joy that only toys can bring—the kind that lights up a child’s face the moment they step into a store filled with color, imagination, and endless possibilities. This September, MR.TOY invites families to rediscover that joy through its “September to Remember” celebration, a month-long fiesta of play, surprises, and unbeatable deals. From September 1 to 30, …

Investor jitters over alleged anomalies in government flood control projects dragged the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) lower for a fifth straight day Friday, while the peso closed flat against the US dollar. The PSEi slipped 0.25% to 6,027.12, while the broader All Shares index shed 0.24% to 3,644.80. Property (-1.55%), Services (-0.88%), and Holding Firms (-0.12%) pulled the market …

Starbucks announced Thursday that it will slash nearly 900 non-retail jobs and close dozens of stores in North America as part of a restructuring plan to curb costs. The US-based coffee giant said its company-operated store count in the region will shrink by about 1% in fiscal year 2025, bringing the total to nearly 18,300 outlets across the US and …

The Board of Investments (BOI) is targeting to release the updated 2025–2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) before the year ends, a senior official said Friday. BOI Investment Promotions Services Executive Director Evariste Cagatan said the refined version, which will require approval from the BOI Board and the Office of the President, will expand the list of sectors eligible for …

Two subsidiaries of D&L Industries, Inc. have secured a two-year extension of their Income Tax Holiday (ITH) for their manufacturing facilities in Tanauan, Batangas. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday, D&L said the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) granted Pioneer Status to D&L Premium Foods Corp. (DLPF) and Natural Aeropack Corporation (NAC), moving their ITH expiry …