The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Simbang Gabi, which begins on December 16 Saturday for those attending physical dawn masses (4 or 4:30 a.m.) around the country and on December 15 Friday (for those attending physical anticipated masses of 7 or 8 p.m.), is a tradition that Filipinos hold so dearly. More, however, are lured to the dawn masses because of side attractions like the puto …

The Philippines’ total external debt (EDT) stood at US$118.8 billion as of end-September 2023, up by US$915 million (or 0.8 percent) from the US$117.9 billion level as of end-June 2023.  Despite the increase in the debt stock, the external debt ratio (EDT expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product) improved to 28.1 percent from the previous quarter’s 28.5 percent …

The One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI) of the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) has granted Green Lane Certificates of Endorsement to two of Metro Pacific’s projects. These include a vegetable farm project located in Bulacan and a dairy farm project situated in Laguna. The total cost of the projects amounts to P3.4 billion. Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing …

Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno has highlighted the need to strengthen real property taxation to boost the financial capacity of local government units (LGUs) during the Key Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Collaborating for Local Government Commitment to the Local Governance Reform Project (LGRP) on December 11, 2023. “[W]e must strengthen the potential of real property taxation to empower our local units …

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has capped its nationwide roadshow pitching the capital market as an accessible funding source for small businesses and startups for the year. At the same time, however, the Commission has launched a new platform for small businesses and startups to explore and learn more about their financing options in the capital market. The SEC …

During the 5th Joint Commission on Economic Cooperations (JCEC) Meeting, the Philippine and Hungarian governments took note of the progress made in their trade and investment relations. They discussed opportunities to boost economic activities between the two countries.  The two officials cited constant increases in bilateral trade, both exports and imports, for the last three years. The Philippines’ top exports …

The Philippines and the European Union (EU) convened the Third Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Development Cooperation in Brussels, Belgium on November 21, 2023. At the meeting, both the Philippines and EU emphasized their shared interests and values, as well as their commitment to continue their partnership through development cooperation under the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The Sub-Committee Meeting …

Lotto bettors are in for grand Christmas prizes, after the  Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) offers more than P1-B in combined winnings for lucky bettors. This was announced recently by PCSO General Manager Mel Robles saying the Grand Lotto (6/55) and Ultra Lotto (6/58) games will have a guaranteed minimum grand prize of P500 Million. The high-stakes games started last …

McDonald’s Philippines (Golden Arches Development Corporation) continues to pioneer sustainability in the quick-service restaurant industry with the grand opening of its 7th Green & Good flagship store at Ayala Cresendo, Tarlac. Through its Green & Good platform, McDonald’s Philippines has been steadfast in testing and learning different eco-friendly solutions in the construction and operation of its stores, reducing plastic waste …

Remaining at the forefront of digital education in the country, Mapúa University has received another recognition from Cengage, a United States-based education and technology company.  In its letter addressed to Mapúa president Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, Cengage commended the University for achieving impressive milestones in the past academic year.  “Through your foresight and determination, Mapúa University has successfully embraced digital …