The recent enactment of Republic Act 11524, also known as the Coconut Famers and Industry Trust Fund Act (or Coco Levy Act) brings into sharp focus the significance of the coconut industry. “Can we call the coconut industry a sleeping giant?” inquired Agriculture Secretary William Dar in an...
SECRETARY RAMON M. LOPEZ Department of Trade and Industry (Photo by Mr. Mark Ches Ang) As the Philippine economy continues to tread the path towards post-pandemic recovery, keeping Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) relevant remains a challenge for us at the Department of Trade and...
The Philippine government will no longer extend the price ceiling on pork and chicken in Metro Manila, but will impose a price cap or suggested retail price (SRP) on imported pork only starting Friday, April 9. Agriculture Secretary William Dar announced during Wednesday, April 7 virtual briefing,...
SECRETARY RAMON M. LOPEZ Department of Trade and Industry (Photo by Mr. Mark Ches Ang) While there’s a growing awareness of the global competitiveness of Filipino products, there are still some Pinoys that are biased towards imported products because they think locally-made goods are not “high...
The Philippine Constructors Association (PCA) has warned that the move to further open the domestic construction industry to foreign contractors could displace Filipino firms, especially the small players. PCA President Wilfredo Decena issued this warning amid a projected growth in the sector...
The Philippines is a country of diverse talents. One of the many indicators of this is how Filipino MSMEs parade creativity and craftsmanship with their proudly local products. From everyday staples and necessities to products that one would consider a luxury, name it and it’s highly likely that...
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Administrator Benjamin Madrigal assured that the farmers’ representatives that will join the reconstituted PCA Board will be selected solely by farmers without the influence of the government. In a phone interview with Business Bulletin, Madrigal assured...
A purchase may seem trivial, but the collective effort to patronize local products spurs patriotism and love of country. Fortunately, some Filipino MSME owners are seeing an optimistic trend, with more local consumers looking to buy their products. Majority of local MSMEs in the country are also...
The business sector is asking the government to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination because they are already in the “last phase,” stressing that adding six months or one year more of quarantine would mean closures of most enterprises to the detriment of more Filipinos, especially the poor. ...
Secretary Ramon M. Lopez Department of Trade and Industry We should never think small when we talk about micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs). The implementation of stricter health lockdowns in the first quarter of 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 had severely affected businesses,...
Philippine garment factories expect to receive new orders worth up to $500 million from top global fashion brands as they start transferring production orders from troubled Myanmar to the Philippines and other Asian countries. Photo credit: (Philexport News and Features) Foreign Buyers Association...
The proposed Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act or Coco Levy Act, which will pave the way for the release and the utilization of the P100-billion coco levy fund, will lapse into law next week. This is 30 days since the enrolled copy of the Coco Levy Act has been sent to Malacanang on...
