The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

August 15, 2025 – One Ayala Concourse, Makati City — In a move to empower Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) officially launched its Tap-to-Phone payment solution, becoming the first commercial bank in the Philippines to introduce this innovative technology. RCBC Tap-to-Phone transforms any NFC-enabled Android smartphone into a secure point-of-sale (POS) terminal without …

Bold, authentic, and aspirational – that’s what Finix is all about. FINIX is a seven-member P-Pop girl group under GKD Records, composed of Aki, Tris, Minhea, Zia, R-Lo, Cole, and Rikka. GKD Records is a US-based independent music label with deep operational roots in the Philippines. This up-and-coming P-Pop girl group, already making waves as one of the most promising …

Ricky Lee’s best-selling novel, Para Kay B, whose story that left audiences in tears and laughter, will return for a limited rerun from September 12 to 28 at The Doreen Black Box Theater, Ateneo De Manila University. Based on the National Artist’s  ground-breaking first novel, Para Kay B dares to ask the unflinching question: “Sa limang umiibig, isa lang ba …

The budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) more than doubled in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), receiving the biggest jump in allocation, according to Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman DOTr will get a budget of P196.62 billion for next year, which is P110 billion more than this year’s budget of P87 billion, based on the 2026 NEP that was …

Travel from Manila to Clark in Pampanga will only take approximately 45 minutes through the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), expected to be finished by 2032. Recently, Transport Secretary Vince Dizon and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno led the clearing operations along Old Antipolo Road corner Abad Santos St. in Manila to allow the delayed construction of the NSCR. According to Moreno, …

Transport Secretary Vince Dizon announced that Beep cards priced half for students, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens will be available starting September for use at the MRT and LRT lines. Students, PWDs and senior citizens get a 50% discount at MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2. Sec. Dizon explained that the 50% discount will already be programmed into the special …

The forms filled up by students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to avail of discounted Beep cards at the MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2 lines have been removed. Transport Secretary Vince Dizon said this is to improve queuing and reduce long lines at train stations. Dizon observed a student/commuter who took a minute to one minute and 30 seconds …

The feasibility study for a busway system along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City is expected to be completed next year, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The busway line along Quezon Avenue starting at Espana, will replicate the successful EDSA Bus Carousel, providing a dedicated bus lane for commuters in Manila and Quezon City. Funding will come from the …

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon ordered the perpetual revocation of the driver’s license of a motorist who was caught on CCTV driving counterflow at the Skyway. The vehicle was seen on CCTV moving against traffic at 3:32 AM, creating serious safety issues for other vehicles. “A suspension is not enough for this driver because the CCTV footage clearly …

By Tracy Cabrera President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s campaign against corruption is gaining momentum, with several civic groups throwing their full support behind his efforts to hold erring officials and contractors accountable. The Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement rallied …