The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business

Joanna Franquelli, national program director and head coach of the Philippine Handball Federation (PHF), believes winning a medal in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Hanoi, Vietnam is possible. When beach handball debuted in the 2019 SEAG hosted by the Philippines, the men’s team finished third behind Vietnam and Thailand. “We are optimistic of our chances to land in …

The Philippine karate team, led by reigning champions Jamie Lim and Junna Villanueva Tsukii, is aiming to surpass its two-gold, one-silver and nine-bronze medal output in 2019 when it competes in the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) on May 12 to 23 in Hanoi, Vietnam. According to Philippine Karate Sports Federation Inc. president Richard Lim, in addition to Lim and Tsukii who won …

City cafés tried to bring the outdoors in. Café Plantcetera always had gardens in mind. Plants and coffee. What better combination can put someone in a good mood and promote good health? Plants, after all, are known to reduce stress levels and even improve the quality of indoor air by reducing volatile organic compounds and the concentration of carbon dioxide. …

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor and Financial Inclusion Steering Committee (FISC) Chairman Benjamin E. Diokno (top, right) leads the ceremonial donning of the financial inclusion pin during the launch of the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2022-2028. The NSFI 2022-2028 builds on the success of the first NSFI launched in 2015 and renews the vision of financial inclusion …

On 18 February 2022, the BSP will begin publishing its Monetary Policy Report (MPR). The MPR, which will replace the quarterly publication of the Inflation Report, will be published four (4) times a year to correspond with the availability of major economic data releases such as the quarterly national income accounts. The MPR will serve as the flagship BSP publication …

More than a month since Typhoon Odette ravaged communities in the Visayas, Manila Water Foundation and its partners were able to reach thousands of families through the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support during emergencies. In coordination with the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard, more than 70,000 liters of drinking water and over 300 cases …

The Department of Trade and Industry urged the establishments to follow the Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS) as the National Capital Region (NCR) shifts to Alert Level 2 starting 01 February 2022.    On 03 February 2022, DTI-Consumer Protection Group (DTI-CPG) Undersecretary Atty. Ruth B. Castelo and DTI Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Assistant Director Marimel Dancel Porciuncula led the surveillance …

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno made a strong case for the country as an attractive investment destination to Japanese investors by highlighting solid economic fundamentals and sustained recovery. The Philippine economy grew by a better than expected 5.6 percent in 2021, exceeding the government’s 5 to 5.5 percent target range. The strong growth is expected to …

Metrobank, in partnership with its insurance affiliate AXA Philippines, hopes to go beyond the basics of financial education by emphasizing the relevance of health and wellness in a person’s financial journey.  “Health is the new wealth,” said Metrobank Chief Marketing Officer Digs Dimagiba. “In line with our promise of providing meaningful banking experiences to customers, we partnered with our sister …

Aimed at updating its existing client-facing website by making it cross-platform and mobile-friendly, Insular Life (InLife) recently launched the latest version of its Customer Portal in the form of a mobile app – TRIBOS.