PHL aiming to ratify trade agreements by 2028 – DTI
The government is targeting to ratify the country’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with the 27-member bloc European Union (EU), United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Chile by 2028, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Trade gap widens to $5.09 billion in January
The Philippines’ trade-in-goods deficit widened to a three-month high in January as both exports and imports picked up, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

FATF ‘gray list’ exit seen to boost banks
Banks and other financial institutions will likely benefit the most from the country’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “gray list” as more investments are anticipated to flow into the Philippines, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

‘Philippines poised for growth this year’
The Philippine economy is projected to expand by six percent this year, mainly driven by low inflation and anticipated rate cuts, which are expected to stimulate economic activity, according to analysts.

Philippines central bank sees February inflation at 2.2% to 3.0%
Philippine annual inflation was likely to be within a range of 2.2% to 3.0% in February, the central bank said on Friday.

Gov’t to act promptly on impact of dry season, says Palace
The government will promptly respond to the adverse effects of the upcoming dry season, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro vowed on Monday.

Excise tax collection rises to P303 billion in 2024
The higher consumption of “sin” products last year pushed the government’s excise tax collection to P303 billion, with the gap finally narrowing to single digit.

Metal production hits record in 2024 as gold, silver shine
The country’s metallic mineral production last year inched up to a record high of over P250 billion, buoyed by double-digit rate expansions in the value of gold and silver.

Manufacturing growth slows in Feb.
Philippine manufacturing activity in February expanded at its slowest pace in 11 months amid softer growth in orders and output, data from S&P Global showed.

House panel keen on SRP for essential food products
The House Murang Pagkain Supercommittee (Quinta Comm) on Sunday announced that it is ramping up efforts to lower food prices and has urged the implementation of a suggested retail price (SRP) formula for rice, chicken, pork, fish, and vegetables.

Marcos gov't urged to adopt sound fiscal policy
The Philippines needs to adopt sound fiscal management measures and adjust its policies to sustain economic growth despite rising global trade tensions, according to an economist.

Shortfall in rice tariff collection seen to impact fiscal balance
A foreseen shortfall in the rice tariff collections this year may further strain the government’s already limited fiscal space, potentially increasing its reliance on borrowings next year to sustain rice programs, experts warned.

Government eyes Manila port for cruise tourism
As the government embarks on a P4-billion effort to build cruise terminals, it is eyeing to locate the largest one in Manila to promote the city as a potential home port for Asian tours.

Parts makers seek gov't help as input costs, imports rise
Local car parts manufacturers are clamoring for support even as top car brands in the country are optimistic about their sales projections for this year.

Nearly 110,000 business name registrations, renewals filed in February
Business name registrations and renewals filed at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hit nearly 110,000 in February, with over 94,581 new ones signing up during the second month of the year.

DOTr: Rail projects derailed by ROW involving 49K ISFs
The government has a lot of catching up to do in securing the right-of-way (ROW) for big-ticket railways, with nearly 49,000 informal settler families (ISFs) still waiting to be relocated.

MPIC may not revive MRT-3 O&M proposal — Pangilinan
METRO PACIFIC Investments Corp. (MPIC) is unlikely to resubmit its unsolicited proposal for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), its chairman said.

NLEx toll hike takes effect March 2
Motorists using the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) will be paying more starting Sunday, March 2, after the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved another toll increase.

Palace: Pogo ban major factor in PH exit from FATF gray list
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) played a crucial role in the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list, Malacañang said on Sunday.

Peso may sink to P62-per-dollar level this year
The Philippine peso could sink to as low as P62 per dollar this year as a dovish central bank and increased liquidity in the financial system weigh on the currency, Bank of America (BofA) Global Research said.

DOH warns vs heat-related illnesses amid high heat index
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday warned the public about heat-related illnesses amid the state weather bureau’s forecast of ‘danger’ heat index levels in areas of Quezon City, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija.

NCR retail price growth cools to three month low
Retail price growth of general goods in the National Capital Region (NCR) was at its lowest level in three months in January, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said in a report.

DND told to secure gov't sites
The Philippines’ Department of National Defense (DND) should enhance the security of key government facilities, such as military bases and embassies after the spate of arrests of alleged spies, a congressman said on Sunday.

Proposed local online gambling ban to hurt NG revenues — analysts
The proposed ban on Philippine inland gaming operators (PIGOs) may hurt National Government (NG) revenues as well as stocks of listed gaming-related companies, analysts said.

Philippines told to hedge vs Trump after breakdown of US-Ukraine talks
The Philippines should boost its military modernization push and pursue defense ties with other allies to hedge against US President Donald J. Trump’s so-called transactional diplomacy amid increasing tensions with China, political analysts said.

Speaker calls for measures to stabilize vegetable prices
The National Price Coordinating Council and Agriculture department should act to stabilize vegetable market prices, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Sunday.

Strong pipeline of new listings expected this year
A strong pipeline of new listings is seen in the country this year as companies plan to tap the capital markets for funding.

Tomato oversupply exposes logistics, storage shortcomings
The government needs to address logistics bottlenecks and build more storage facilities to avoid wasting the tomato surplus, industry representatives said.

$284-M hot money exits Philippines in January
More foreign capital continued to exit the Philippines, yielding a net outflow for a second straight month in January, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Nat’l fiber backbone phases 2 and 3 to be completed by July
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is expecting to deploy the second and third phases of the National Fiber Backbone by July.

PNOC, CICC to explore use of hybrid solar and wind energy
The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) signed a memorandum of agreement to study hybrid solar and wind energy.

DPWH: Assessment underway on cause of Isabela bridge collapse
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday an analysis is underway to determine the cause of the collapse of a portion of a bridge connecting the towns of Cabagan and Sta. Maria in Isabela province.

Veteran exec tapped to head MPTC
Expressway operator Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) has appointed a seasoned executive as its new head to carry on the responsibility of leading the company in an uncertain period.

BCDA, South Korean firms eye New Clark City complex
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is partnering with a consortium of South Korean and local firms to build a 6.1-hectare affordable housing complex inside New Clark City in Tarlac, estimated to cost P4.8 billion.

Aurora ecozone completes P80M worth of vital facilities
The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone (Apeco) has inaugurated more than P80 million worth of essential facilities inside its 12,743-hectare (ha) hub in Aurora, marking the completion of a new health center, a materials recovery city and the first phase of its central water supply system.