The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Secretary Jaime J. Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is deferring implementation of the revised guidelines on toll expressways to October 1st, 2024.  The revised guidelines, contained in Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) no. 2024-01 was signed last August 1 by Sec. Bautista, Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Executive Director Alvin Carullo of …

GRAB Philippines reported that in the first half of the year, nine out of 10 passengers trying to book a Grab ride were successfully allocated a driver within an average of 21 seconds.  Grab attributes the improved service reliability to several factors: driver-partner satisfaction with the platform’s equitable fare system, introduction of innovative technologies on the Grab platform and expansion …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) may no longer pursue its initial plan of privatizing the operations and maintenance of the Light Rail Transit Line 2 (LRT-2) jointly with the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).  The DOTr is having second thoughts on whether it should bid out the concessions for MRT-3 and LRT-2 as one package as earlier planned.  Transportation …

MACTAN-CEBU International Airport (MCIA), recently awarded a prestigious Skytrax 4-Star Terminal rating, is now setting its sights on a new goal — to be recognized as having one of the World’s Best Airport Staff at the Skytrax Awards 2025.  Through the “Abiba Sugbo” Skytrax Launch Event, MCIA is rallying passengers and partners to support its bid by casting their votes. …

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, SEPTEMBER 2024 — As a trusted partner in home improvement, MR.DIY is excited to introduce the Exclusive Everyday Essentials. This special promotion highlights our private label products, carefully curated to offer you exceptional quality and value. With our private label, MR.DIY ensures that you receive the best essentials at unbeatable prices, all while enjoying the convenience and reliability …

Sharp, a renowned manufacturer of home appliances, has reached a significant milestone with the production of its 11 millionth washing machine. The celebratory event, graced by esteemed guests including those from the local government, as well as Sharp Corporation Japan’s Unit General Manager of Cleaning, Laundry and Smart Appliance, Masanori Komori, highlighted the company’s dedication to excellence and its global …

We have been alerted to a fabricated news story circulating on Facebook that falsely claims Enrique K. Razon Jr., Chairman of International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Corporation and Prime Infra, is being sued by the Central Bank of the Philippines following a “recent interview.” This fake news item has been designed to resemble the interface of Inquirer.net’s website …

By Rose de la Cruz First, it was the unabated illegal construction of resorts and houses within the periphery of the famed Chocolate Hills. And now, the vandalism of coral reefs– living natural rock formations under the sea, which could only be reached by divers and so-called nature lovers, whose delight for the beauty and wonders of God’s creation borders …

By Rose de la Cruz In December 2023, Statista (a global data and business intelligence platform founded in Germany covering 80,000 topics and operating in 13 locations worldwide) published a cinema usage survey in the Philippines which said that only 14 percent of consumers in the Philippines have been to cinemas within the past 12 months, 1 percent in the …

To address urgent financial needs during emergencies, Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has expanded its available loan packages for businesses and individuals affected by calamities and natural disasters to help facilitate and fast-track rebuilding efforts.  Under the enhanced LANDBANK CARES+ (Community Assistance and REintegration Support Plus) Lending Program, affected farmers and fishers, cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), …