The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

BAYBAY, Leyte –The families of close to 200 individuals who either perished or disappeared following a landslide in a village here in April received financial assistance from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The distribution of cash aid was held at the city’s gymnasium from October 11 to 13, 2022. PAGCOR released P5.5 million or P30,000 to each fatality …

Manila Water remains committed to maintain its non-revenue water (NRW) after reporting an average NRW level of 12%, as of September 2022. This level of NRW is unprecedented in the history of the Philippine water sector and is among the lowest in the whole of Asia. The standard NRW rate, as recommended by World Bank, is 25% or lower. From …

The CMA CGM Group continues to deploy the largest vessel, in capacity, at the Port of Melbourne (PoMC) breaking their own record previously held by the CMA CGM Ural at 10,622 TEU operated by ANL on the Australia Asia Express 2 (AAX2) service.  Like the CMA CGM Ural, the CMA CGM Estelle berthed at Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) in …

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) continues to ramp up the distribution of cash grants to farmer-beneficiaries under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RCEF-RFFA) Program.  As of 30 September 2022, LANDBANK has produced Intervention Monitoring Cards (IMCs) for 54,188 beneficiaries nationwide, of which 26,523 hail from …

The Philippines is among the world’s most disaster-prone countries. According to World Bank, the country—which is along what is called the Pacific “typhoon belt”—experiences an average of 19 to 20 typhoons per year. Given the threat of climate change, East Zone concessionaire Manila Water is implementing nature-based solutions including the protection, rehabilitation, and enhancement of watersheds to address the increasing …

(A tribute to Apo Whang-Od Oggay, a National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) Elderly Filipino Week (2022) awardee for her outstanding contribution to national culture and the arts.) In the beautiful mountainous province of Kalinga, where breathtaking sky-high views and stunning natural landscapes meet – there lived a 104 year-old centenarian named Whang-Od Oggay, the oldest living “mambabatok” not only …

“I’m so happy and I’m so proud. EB has been here for 39 years and they’re still the number 1 beauty brand in the Philippines…” says Alex Gonzaga (AG) about being the newest face of Ever Bilena. Ever Bilena (EB) introduced us to “AG in Everland” to celebrate the launch of its newest celebrity endorser, Alex Gonzaga, last September 19. …

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur (Branch 24) convicted former officers of the now closed Rural Bank of Magsingal, Inc. (RB Magsingal) for violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 8791 (The General Banking Law of 2000), in relation to RA No. 7653, as amended (The New Central Bank Act), and the Manual of Regulations for Banks (MORB) issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). RTC …

With the perennial rise of the Marikina River, especially during typhoon season, which often causes it to breach its banks, Manila Water continues to improve the flood resiliency of its facilities built near the river to ensure that flooding would not disrupt nor endanger the operations of the facilities, particularly the Olandes Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and Marikina North STP. …

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) recently received from the Social Security System the 2022 SSS Balikat ng Bayan Best Collecting Partner Award under Bank Category. “We are honored to be recognized by the Social Security System as a reliable partner in delivering service to both the agency and the Filipino people,” said Paul Robert Murga, Metrobank Executive Vice President …