The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) was recently recognized as one of the world’s most improved gateways by Skytrax, due to recent facilities and service upgrades. The 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards named MCIA as seventh most improved airport in the world, recognizing the gateway’s developments in better services and passenger flow. Under the Most Improved Airport category, Skytrax – one …

Standard Insurance Company Inc. has emerged as the country’s second end-of-life vehicle (ELV) dismantling facility after En Tsumugi Corp. Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP) said in a statement “With two established dismantling facilities now operating in the country, the private sector beefs up the local capacity for responsible ELV management.” TMP said Standard Insurance is part of its Toyota Global 100 …

With limited time remaining before its loan financing for the long-delayed Cebu bus rapid transit (BRT) expires, the World Bank has recommended downscaling the project under the watch of the newly elected provincial and city officials. “The pace of project implementation has slowed down considerably; notably, the major civil works packages are yet to be launched,” the World Bank lamented …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Grab Philippines distributed bicycles and equipment to 20 recipients as part of the agency’s initiative to encourage the use of bicycles as an alternative form of traveling. The recipients received pedal-assist bicycles and helmets donated by Grab Philippines to the DOTr’s Active Transport Project Management Office. The beneficiaries were selected through the Ride to …

When an aircraft carrying 242 passengers crashes, it is understandable why some fear flying. The case of Air India’s Flight 171, utilizing a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, that crashed minutes after taking off last June 12, leaving all but one dead, and killing 19 more on the ground, fuels recent air travel fears. According to Aviation Safety Network, there have been …

Tourism on Camiguin island continues to thrive despite its hot springs losing some of their steam after an earthquake altered the water flow. The 20-kilometre-long island, home to four stratovolcanoes and several flank lava domes, is investing in tourism infrastructure including road upgrades and cruise port development. Camiguin, which saw a 37% increase in visitor arrivals in 2024, targets 1 …

In what is fast becoming a recurring theme in the Philippine justice system, the case of the missing sabungeros—now four years old—has once again made headlines, this time reignited by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s bold insinuation that powerful personalities are involved in the apparent abductions. While this should have signaled a serious escalation in the investigation, it instead triggered …

With Malacañang issuing a cautious, pre-emptive statement on the potential re-implementation of US tariffs under the Trump administration, the writing on the wall is clear: the Philippines is bracing for economic headwinds it feels powerless to resist. Instead of dressing up this passivity in diplomatic language to soothe a jittery business community, it’s time our leaders recognize the strategic advantage …

A 62-year-old player named Benigno De Guzman Casayuran from Quezon Province dropped to his knees in tears after successfully snatching the historic GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup (GTCC): Summer Showdown championship title and the grand prize of 5 million pesos during the 5-day online-to-onground Tongits tournament held from June 12 to 15 in Makati City. GameZone, the country’s newest digital Tongits …

Discipline starts within the family—ArenaPlus, the country’s most trusted name in sports betting, introduced their newest ambassadors last Friday, June 27, 2025, at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. It was a historic signing ceremony as the Ravena family, four prominent athletes in the country, signed together as endorsers for the brand. 4x Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Kiefer Ravena—season 81 …