The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The continued drop in headline inflation, from 4.4 percent in July to 3.3 percent in August, signals that government efforts to manage rising prices are beginning to bear fruit.  This rate falls comfortably within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) forecast range of 3.2 to 4.0 percent and keeps the year-to-date average at 3.6 percent, well within the government’s inflation …

By Rose de la Cruz Unbelievable but true. In my recent visit to a huge grocery in Quezon City, I was surprised, even shocked, to see that pork prices have risen beyond P400 per kilogram, depending on choice cuts, some even reaching past P550. Even the usual panggisa (saute) item giniling na baboy fetched beyond P380 or P400– depending on …

The unstoppable rise in commodity prices and the failure of wages to keep up with household’s needs have resulted in a “cost of living crisis” in the region, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Unescap) in a recent blog. But then again, such cost of living crisis is not unique to the …

Joint elements of the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs seized 3,200 cartons of fresh oranges worth P8.422 million, which the Bureau of Plant Industry said did lacked sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import permits to ensure the safety of consumers and the country’s agriculture sector from pest and diseases. The BoC seized at the Manila International Container Port …

A few decades ago, the Philippines was a top exporter of sugar, pineapple, rice (yes, rice), bananas, mangoes, logs, coffee. cacao, fiber and textiles and garments and even steel bars. But now, yes, we still are the leader in importing these same items from the world, esp. from our neighbors in Asia. Sad how our complete embrace of the global …

By Rose de la Cruz Several areas of the Philippines, notably Metro Manila, are sinking–  based on satellite imagery, physical evidence and other studies–  as sea levels rise because of climate change. This, according to a study done by the UP Resilience Institute, which discussed the cause of Manila’s sinking and its effects in terms of flooding and land subsidence. …

By Jinky Jorgio Due to transport infrastructure by the government, particularly the rail and road developments, the Philippines’ construction sector will rebound strongly this year according to Fitch Solutions Country Risk & Industry Research. In its report, the Fitch unit noted an increase in construction activities and infra expenditures over the past months. The same report noted that the Philippine …

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported the completion of infrastructure projects worth P121 million in the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Negros Occidental. DPWH Region 3 Central Luzon Director Roseller Tolentino identified the five infrastructure projects in the towns of Aliaga and Carranglan and the cities of San Jose and Munoz with a combined cost of P34.55 …

The Department of Energy (DOE)  is currently studying a policy for the repurposing of diesel-fired power plants by integrating biofuel blends of as much as 55% (or B55) by volume. Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said they are developing a strategy for B55 to enable the continued operation of diesel power plants. But Fuentebella also admitted there are major concerns …

A world-class International Convention Center will soon rise in Tacloban City. The world-class venue will be built within the 6.1-hectare complex of the former Leyte Park Resort Hotel, according to a report by the  Department of Public Works and Highways.  DPWH Regional Information Officer Cressida Paula Mangaporo revealed that a budget of P70-million for the feasibility  study has already been …