ECCP at Work

3 reform bills on Joint Foreign Chambers’ enactment wish list
Three legislative measures are on the wish list of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce (JFC) for enactment before the end of the 19th Congress. These are the Konektadong Pinoy Act, Enhanced Fiscal Regime for Large-Scale Metallic Mining Act and amendments to the Investor’s Lease Act.

Trade gap shrinks to $3.49 billion in April
Preliminary data from the PSA showed the country’s trade-in-goods balance reached a deficit of $3.49 billion in April from the $4.51-billion deficit in March and the $4.73 billion gap a year earlier. It was the slimmest trade gap in two months or since the revised $2.97-billion deficit in February.

Senate targets approval of 12 priority bills
The Senate will resume regular sessions today, as it targets to pass 12 priority measures during the next six two weeks before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13. The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) agreed to fast track the approval of the legislations during its meeting last week.

House to ‘work hard’ to pass bills in bicam
The House of Representatives will “work very hard” to pass the Marcos administration’s priority bills still pending at the bicameral conference committee level before the 19th Congress ends, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Monday.

Inflation likely eased further in May
Headline inflation likely slowed further in May to another over five-year low amid the continued decline in food prices and a stronger peso.

Job opportunities expand as new law requires agriculturists nationwide
Private companies and national government agencies involved in agriculture must now employ or engage with registered agriculturists after President Ferdinand Marcos signed Republic Act (RA) No. 12215 also known as the Philippine Agriculturists Act.

Pickup truck tax reimposed as Marcos signs CMEPA with partial vetoes
Expect pickup trucks to be more costly after the provision reimposing the excise tax on the vehicle type was approved, alongside other tax reform measures under the proposed Capital Market Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA).

P200 wage hike bill up for final House vote, but time running out
The first legislated wage hike in more than three decades is up for third reading at the House of Representatives. But with just two weeks left before the 19th Congress adjourns, its fate remains uncertain.

BoI approves P329.52 billion in investment pledges as of May
The Board of Investments (BoI) has approved P329.52 billion in investment pledges in the first five months of 2025 and expects to process at least P1.12 trillion worth of projects in the next two quarters.

P200 wage hike bill up for final House vote, but time running out
The first legislated wage hike in more than three decades is up for third reading at the House of Representatives. But with just two weeks left before the 19th Congress adjourns, its fate remains uncertain.

Mining fiscal reform bill stalls over ore export ban
A bill establishing a new fiscal regime for large-scale miners has hit an impasse at the bicameral conference committee, with legislators failing to resolve a deadlock over a proposed ban on ore exports

Importers of sugar alternatives must register with SRA by November
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has given importers of sugar alternatives until the end of November to register as an international sugar trader or else run the risk of their shipments being held at port.

Lending growth slows to five-month low in April
Bank lending increased to its slowest pace in five months in April as the growth in loans to key industries eased, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

President Marcos postpones EDSA rehabilitation
President Marcos deferred the EDSA rehabilitation for a month, citing the need for further studies and concerns raised by different groups.

More bus, MRT trips set despite EDSA rehab suspension
The Department of Transportation will still deploy additional buses in the EDSA busway and trains in the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 despite the one-month deferment of the EDSA rehabilitation project.

World Bank-PH partnership framework’ very much aligned’ with Marcos’ inclusive growth agenda — Recto
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto welcomed the newly approved Country Partnership Framework (CPF) of the World Bank Group (WBG) for 2026 to 2031, describing it as very much aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s development agenda for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Philippine factory activity cooled in May as US trade war bit
Global trade uncertainties stalled Philippine factory activity in May, as Filipino producers grappled with weaker demand from international markets.