The Philippines’ goods trade with the rest of the world grew faster in February, ahead of the conflict in the Middle East posing a threat to the country’s exports. The latest preliminary Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data on Friday, March 27, showed that total external trade rose 10.7...
With tough times ahead, austerity is the new buzzword. Yes, Virginia, we are in belt-tightening mode. The legs of inflation have walked their way into every aspect of basic services, with no apparent de-escalation of hostilities on the horizon. As an emerging economy, the Philippines is believed to...
The House of Representatives needs to look into the outrageous prices of diesel in the Philippines, which according to a lawmaker is outpacing those other countries in Asia. Making this call for a House inquiry on Thursday, March 26 was Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes, who...
The government received its initial shipment of imported diesel on Thursday, March 26, marking the start of a state-led effort to stabilize domestic fuel stocks and insulate the economy from global price volatility. The Department of Energy said the agency took delivery of approximately 22,578,000...
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s chief economic manager said the economic team is in dialogue with the Philippines’ development partners, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to secure ample funding for the country’s power and fuel needs. “We are in constant discussion with our...
The government is now one step away from imposing a price ceiling of ₱50 per kilo on imported rice after the proposed policy received the recommendation of the interagency National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC). In a statement on Thursday, March 26, NPCC said it is adopting the Department of...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday, March 26, it will continue to look for possible partners around the world without compromising the Philippines ' interests after the arrival of Russian oil in the country. In a statement, the DFA reiterated its pronouncement deferring...
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged government agencies on Thursday, March 26, to act swiftly to secure additional petroleum supplies amid growing uncertainty in the global market. Gatchalian said this during the second organizational meeting, specifically calling on the Department of Energy (DOE)...
Oil industries expressed support for the removal of the 12 percent value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products at the point of importation, saying the move would be easier to implement and would directly lower pump prices. During the second organization meeting of the Senate Proactive Response and...
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) ride-hailing firm Green and Smart Mobility (GSM), operating as Green GSM in the Philippines, is planning a major expansion in the country to take advantage of rising demand for transport services as fuel prices soar, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said....
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released over ₱60 billion for the nation’s infrastructure program, particularly to fast-track transport systems. The DBM has released ₱16.5 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to settle due and demandable accounts...
After 26 days since the Middle East conflict, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said that it 's "concerning" that the government still has no unified, coordinated national contingency plan to address matters related to the country 's oil supply. In a press conference on Wednesday, March 25,...
