The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

The Department of Trade and Industry-Regional Operations Group, through the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (BSMED), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to roll-out digital entrepreneurship and productivity trainings in collaboration with the DTI’s Regional and Provincial Offices nationwide. Through this partnership, over 20,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and informal …

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will once again hold the Slingshot Conference with the theme “Empowering Future Tech Giants” on November 17, 2022 as one of the major events during the Philippine Startup Week 2022 (PHSW22).   Showcasing the success stories of local startups who have made significant strides, this year’s Slingshot conference will be kicked off by Competitiveness and Innovation …

The Filipino community was set to solemnly celebrate the Undas when Severe Tropical Storm Nalgae, locally called Severe Tropical Storm Paeng, hammered the Philippines and caused widespread damage.  According to the Philippines’ disaster agency, over two million people were affected by widespread flooding and landslides triggered by the heavy rains. It left thousands of houses damaged and many still in …

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) garnered three Merit Awards during the 45th Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) Annual Meeting on 26 October 2022 at the Conrad Hotel in Pasay City. “These recognitions from the ADFIAP highlight LANDBANK’s expanded coverage as a development institution. We will continue our efforts to help address climate …

Members of the Social Security System (SSS) will soon receive their SSS benefits and loan proceeds through their digital-enabled Unified Multi-purpose Identification (UMID) debit ATM cards powered by Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC). The digital collaboration was sealed during the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the SSS and RCBC on October 20 at the SSS main building in …

Since it began operating the water and wastewater system of eastern Metro Manila and Rizal Province, East Zone concessionaire Manila Water has endeavored to provide 24/7 water supply to its current 7.4 million residents. Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Manila Water has been reliably supplying uninterrupted supply not only to residences but also …

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) gathered small farmers and fishers, agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), and their organizations to discuss the National Government’s development plan towards building sustainable and resilient agrarian reform communities. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Bureau of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development (BARBD) Director Dr. Ronald M. Gareza, CESO IV and LANDBANK Program Management Department I Head, …

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has standardized the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) business loan application form of BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) as part of its broader efforts to enhance the availability of financial products and services and foster greater financial inclusion. BSP Circular No. 1156 issued on 30 September 2022 provides a borrower-centric Standard Business Loan Application …

Emerging from the creative minds that continue to push the boundaries of Filipino artisanship, a new collection of home, fashion, and lifestyle pieces was unveiled at the digital sourcing festival FAME+ Market Days last October 21-22, 2022 via the online platform Hopin.  A total of 50 brands and manufacturers were able to develop more than 500 original designs for this year.  …

All it takes is just one poke to save lives. While blood donation drives are often conducted, blood shortages remain pressing in low- to middle-income countries. In the Philippines, blood donation activities were reduced during the height of COVID-19, making it even more challenging for the country to provide blood in times of need.  Amidst the obstacles, organizations and volunteers …