DICT says creating IoT roadmap
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is creating a framework or roadmap for the Internet of Things or IoT. IoT market value in the Philippines is expected to hit P164 billion this year, based on Statista. And that figure is expected to grow further.

August infrastructure spending declines 11%
Infrastructure Spending by the National Government declined by an annual 11.1% in August as heavy rains hampered the implementation of public works projects, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said. Month on month, infrastructure spending dropped by 13.1% from P125 billion in July.

Govt debt slightly up at P15.89T as of Sept
The national government’s total outstanding debt reached P15.89 trillion as of end-September 2024. In a statement yesterday, the BTr said the total outstanding debt rose by 2.2 percent compared to the end-August 2024 level due to the net availment of new external and domestic debt.

BSP sees some gaps in digital payment use
The Philippines has made progress in promoting digital payments, but there are still many barriers to hurdle before it meets its digitalization goals. BSP Director mentioned the need to improve access to digital infrastructure, enhance internet connectivity, and make fees for digital payments more affordable.

High health costs, access gaps mar UHC goals
Despite strides in expanding health service coverage, high out-of-pocket costs and regional disparities continue to impede equitable healthcare access for Filipinos.

PHL motor vehicle production jumps 35% in Aug.
Philippine Motor Vehicle output jumped by 34.7% in August, logging the second-fastest growth in the region, the ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF) said. In a report released on Tuesday, the AAF said the country produced 10,941 units in August, 2,816 more than 8,125 units produced a year earlier.

IOT market in PHL projected to grow 20%, to hit P160.4 billion
The Internet of Things (IoT) industry in the Philippines is poised for exponential growth, with both the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and private sector players such as Packetworx and Converge ICT Solutions championing IoT adoption across industries.

Government on track in food stamp program
The government is on track to achieve its target of 300,000 registered beneficiaries for its Food Stamp Program (FSP) for next year.

Airports ready for peak travel, CAAP says
With the anticipated surge in air travelers during Undas, the DOTr has assured that the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system is fully operational and it has contingency plans in place to minimize potential flight disruptions during this peak travel period.

BoI cites E-PUV potential for creating jobs
Electric public utility vehicles (E-PUVs) to modernize the jeepney fleet need to be largely domestically made to create jobs, the Board of Investments (BoI) said, adding that it intends to offer “solutions” for manufacturers planning to do so.

More testing labs seen needed to support pharma manufacturing
A World Bank (WB)-funded project to capacitate elementary school teachers in Mindanao has suffered delays due to procurement and budget issues. The Teacher Effectiveness and Competencies Enhancement Project of the Department of Education (DepEd) is co-funded by the World Bank with $110 million.

Fish production down by 13% in September
Regional ports registered lower fish unloading volume in September, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) reported. Data from the PFDA showed the fish unloading volume in September declined by 13 percent to 36,844.39 metric tons (MT) from the previous month’s 42,354.45 MT.

DA pledges P1-B support for NorMin coffee farming, reduced imports
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has pledged at least PHP1 billion in support for the coffee farming industry, with a focus on farmers in Northern Mindanao. During his visit to the Bukidnon Integrated Coffee Center in Malaybalay City, on Tuesday, DA Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. said he would seek an additional budget allocation from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Region 8’s economic gains ease poverty: NEDA
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional office said sustained economic growth contributed to the 1.9 percent reduction in poverty incidence in Eastern Visayas last year.

T-bonds fetch higher yield on Oct. 29 auction
The Auction Committee of the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) fully awarded the PHP15-billion re-issued 10-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) on Tuesday. The T-bonds were oversubscribed attracting PHP43.28 billion worth of tenders as the debt paper fetched higher yield.

Western Visayas workers to get P33-P40 wage hike
Private sector workers in the Western Visayas region can expect a P33 to P40 increase in their daily minimum wage starting next month. In an advisory released by the Department of Labor and Employment on Tuesday, the new minimum pay for workers in non-agricultural establishments employing more than 10 workers will increase by P33, bringing their salary from P480 to P513.

Legislator proposes large water impounding structures for Bicol
Inspired by Bonifacio Global City’s six-story-deep water impounding structure, the chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations on Tuesday proposed the construction of large-scale water impounding facilities across the Bicol Region to alleviate flooding and ensure water availability during the dry season.

‘Rice prices remain high as retailers make a killing’
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will convene the leaders of large markets in Metro Manila next week to discuss and address why retail prices of imported rice remain above P50 per kilo despite the softening of wholesale prices.

Power plants in Batanes shut down ahead of Leon
The Basco and Itbayat Diesel Power Plants (DPP) have implemented a total plant shutdown as a precaution for the approaching Super Typhoon “Leon” (international name: Kong-rey) on Wednesday (Oct. 30).

Retail fish prices rise by P160 per kilo after 'Kristine'
In the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), Metro Manila markets are seeing a surge in retail fish prices by as much as P160 per kilogram.