The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Philippines scooped up six gold medals in chess in the 12th ASEAN Para Games at the Royal University here that carved the Filipinos’ historic performance in the biennial competition. Darry Bernardo led the way by grabbing the men’s individual and team B2B3 gold with Arman Subaste and Menandro Redor to end up with a spectacular six-gold haul—the most by any Filipino here. Cheyzer …

By Robert Andaya There are now new officials for Philippine swimming. Michael Vargas, son of former Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas, was elected as president during the Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) elections at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Parañaque City last thursday. Vargas Is a long-time supporter of swimming Joining Vargas is two-time Olympian Rep. Eric Buhain, who was was named as …

It was in 2001 when the first SM Foundation medical mission was conducted to make basic health care services accessible to those who can barely afford services in private clinics and hospitals for their medical consultation and diagnostic tests.  Since then, SM Foundation has been mounting medical, dental and diagnostic missions throughout the country where SM businesses are located.  Aside …

SM Foundation continues to expand the reach of the Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) to help build empowered farming communities across the Philippines.  Joined by its partners, Moca Family Farm, TESDA, DSWD, DA, DOST, DTI, DOT, SM City Masinag and continuing the recent launches in multiple locations across Calabarzon and other regions in the country, the recently …

Leading fiber broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. scored higher on Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics being tracked by global investment research firm MSCI in its latest review, reflecting its resilience to ESG risks and cementing its reputation as a highly investable and financially viable company.  Converge received a rating of ‘A’ (on a scale of AAA – CCC) …

The proposed privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is proceeding with help from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) which is advising the Department of Transportation (DOTr) how best to turn over the country’s main gateway to a private concessionaire. ADB was contracted by DOTr last February to give technical advice on the project. They have since conducted a …

While the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) awaits review and the President’s signature, the Privatization Council (PC) is preparing to dispose of P2.5-billion worth of non-performing assets “to raise much-needed revenues for priority projects,” according to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. The PC would bid out initially six properties worth P152.8 million, including a bank – the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has instructed the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to provide an alternative means of transportation for the thousands of commuters who are set to be affected when the trains stop operation on July 2 to make way for the construction of the P873.62 billion North-South Commuter Railway. PNR Chairman Michael Ted Macapagal said that on orders …

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual met  Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) following their participation at the ASEAN-Japan Business Week 2023 held on 5 June 2023, in Tokyo, Japan. In the said meeting, they agreed to further deepen Philippines-Japan bilateral relations   especially with the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive …

The 3-day Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (PPASC) Write Shop has lived up to expectations as it ended successfully here in the “air conditioned” City of Tagaytay on Wednesday. The highly-anticipated event aimed at laying down the foundation of a solid plan of action for the country’s elderly to ensure that programs and services are in place and …