The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Four human trafficking victims were rescued at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Pasay City, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Friday. The victims, aged 28, 31, 35, and 43, were intercepted by members of the Immigration Protection and Border Enforcement Section (I-PROBES) during an operation on January 22. Initially claiming to be officemates traveling to …

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced on Friday his plans to combat the illicit trade of cigarettes and vapor products, aiming to address government revenue losses and mitigate health risks linked to smoking and vaping. According to data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the government incurred a revenue loss of P40 billion from 2021 to 2024 due to the illegal …

The Supreme Court said on Friday that taxpayers acquitted of criminal tax charges remain obligated to settle their tax liabilities. This decision followed the dismissal of tax evasion cases against E & D Parts and Supply, Inc. and its treasurer by the Court’s Second Division, citing a lack of evidence. The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) had filed the …

The Marcos administration has committed to addressing the rising cases of teenage pregnancies in the country, Malacañang announced last week. “The government will do its part, whatever it entails na maibsan natin ‘yung (to lessen the) increasing rates of teenage pregnancies,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said during an event in Pasay City. He described the issue as a “very serious …

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday highlighted efforts to improve waste management in the National Capital Region through its “Road to Zero Waste” expo. The expo, part of the agency’s zero-waste campaign, aims to promote sustainable waste management practices. It featured unified materials recovery systems across Metro Manila under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas” …

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released the budget for the P7,000 annual medical allowance for government employees, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced on Friday. “The funds have been distributed to our departments and agencies, along with the guidelines,” Pangandaman said, providing an update on the allowance’s rollout. Government agencies have begun processing the grant, which is similar …

The Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) has been introduced as a bold step toward driving infrastructure and economic growth in the Philippines.  However, this ambitious initiative has sparked heated debates over its feasibility, transparency, and potential risks.  As the government moves forward with its implementation, it is crucial to critically examine whether the MIF truly aligns with the country’s current priorities …

BEYOND ELLIPTICAL By Rose Marie de la Cruz Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito (now a columnist for Inquirer) wrote recently about the youth and agriculture and why it is so difficult to attract young people to go into farming (not as farm laborer) —  a path where they could become their own bosses and where their creativity and curiosity …

By Rose de la Cruz Weather  permitting, the Department of Agriculture is hopeful that this year’s harvest of 20.46 million metric tons would surpass the record in 2023 of 20 MMT.  But  in a La Nina year, where either abundant rainfall  or very hot weather could prevail, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said he is optimistic about achieving bumper rice …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allotted P85.19 million to establish a network of egg production facilities for small-scale growers. In Memorandum Order No. 2, the DA said the program will fund the construction of small-scale egg production facilities as a Livelihood Opportunities and Viable Enterprise project, Business World reported. “The Chicken Layer Project involves the establishment of small egg …