The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) joined the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Transportation Science Society of the Philippines (TSSP), and Asian Development Bank (ADB) at the 2nd Philippine Railway Conference last 7 November 2024. Discussions at the conference centered on safety and security in the railways sector. Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista shared his passion for …

Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) celebrated its first-ever visit to the Philippines, with Carnival Panorama arriving at the South Harbor’s Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in Manila. The ship’s top officers, Captain Luca Lazzarino, Chief Engineer Stefano Gazzolo, and Hotel Director Hector Groves, led the commemoration activity along with local dignitaries and representatives of Cruise Administration Services, Inc. and Open Sea Crewing …

Excitement is building up for residents of the southern part of the Metro Manila as Phase 1 of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension will partially open within November. Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said the rail line’s additional five stations—Redemptorist-ASEANA, MIA Road, PITX, Ninoy Aquino Ave., and Dr. Santos Stations—will help alleviate vehicle gridlock in Metro Manila’s southern area. “We will …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is urging Italian firms and investors to consider funding Philippine transport projects as an ideal sector for business growth. Speaking before the high-level ASEAN-Italy Economic Relations on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista underscored the viable and business potential of big-ticket infrastructure in the transportation sector. “We are presenting these projects to you, hoping Italian …

Bringing Next-level Fluency and Durability in the Philippines Innovative technology brand TECNO has announced the debut of its latest smartphone in the Philippines, the SPARK 30 Series, featuring a dynamic lineup of four models including an exciting SPARK 30 Series TRANSFORMERS Edition. The new series brings revolutionary durability and playability with 5-year guaranteed lag-free performance, more immersive audiovisuals, an incredible …

By Rose de la Cruz What leaders of palay farmers groups have been saying all along– that the reduced tariff on imported rice from 35 to 15 percent did not result in a P1 price cut in the retail market– is now being confirmed by data of the Philippine Statistics Authority since the implementation of EO 62 in August. The …

Pagsanjan, Laguna—His is a face that could launch a thousand, even million fans. Indeed, Dindo Arroyo commanded his throng of followers to swarm around him when he went to this town and paid his last respects to its former mayor, actress Maita Sanchez. It was a sight to behold when Dindo was mobbed by supporters in the middle of the …

By Rose de la Cruz For months now, I have been ‘advising’ the Department of Agriculture and the Philippine Statistics Authority not to be over-dreaming their palay production and rice inventory figures, which reality like extreme weather patterns could wipe out in just seconds. So now, the DA is resigned to the reality that production would plunge– much to their …

Leading broadcast media company GMA Network won five awards at the 2024 National Council for Children’s Television Awards (NCCT) on October 18, 2024. The awarding ceremony was part of a series of activities celebrating NCCT’s 27th Anniversary. For its commitment to producing world-class and meaningful entertainment programs with values and purpose, GMA Network was conferred with NCCT’s Child-Friendly Content Standards …

By ISABELLA E. CUARTERO An overwhelming number of multiple, inter-related film events await  lovers, practitioners, and followers of cinema with the staging of the 12th Quezon City International Film Festival and its affiliated projects. On November 4 in a media conference,  the QCinema International Film Festival (QCIFF) proudly announced the second year of the QCinema Project Market (QPM), scheduled to …