ECCP at Work

DOE launches carbon credit framework to boost PH emission-cutting efforts

The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a new national framework for managing carbon credits, a move the agency believes will significantly boost the Philippines’ efforts to lower carbon emissions and attract investments in clean energy projects.

The policy aims to unlock new opportunities for energy stakeholders, mobilize investments in clean energy, and advance the country’s climate and sustainable development goals by establishing a clear mechanism for the trade of carbon credits.

Agriculture department earmarks P3.3B for rice facilities

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P3.3 billion to improve rice yield and reduce postharvest losses over the next three years.

DICT pushes blockchain, AI to combat corruption

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will pilot a blockchain-based system for the 2026 national budget and deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze government contracts, DICT secretary Henry Aguda said on Thursday.

DOF: VAT cut may cripple government payroll, hike borrowings

The Department of Finance (DOF) has warned that proposals to lower the value-added tax (VAT) rate could severely impact the government’s ability to fund essential operations, potentially forcing the government to borrow more for even basic expenditures.

PBBM leads launch of ₱74-B food project

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos led the launch of the P74-billion Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Vouchers (REFUEL) Project, which will raise the number of household beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) food aid program to 750,000 by next year.

Philippines cash remittances jumps 3.2% August

Cash remittances rose by 3.2% in August from a year earlier to $2.98 billion, the Philippine central bank said on Wednesday.

PH to benefit from ASEAN-wide energy sector projects—DOE

The Department of Energy (DOE) is optimistic that the country will benefit from ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation on matters related to the energy sector within the ASEAN region.

PHL will close borders to sugar imports until Q2 of 2026

The government said it would not allow sugar imports until the second quarter of 2026 amid concerns over the drop in the farmgate prices of the sweetener.

ADB OKs $400 million loan to boost Philippines insurance industry

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400-million loan to support reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the insurance industry in the Philippines.

In a statement yesterday, ADB said the policy-based loan for the Insurance Reform Program, Subprogram 1 is intended to support reforms in regulation and supervision and to help strengthen the role of institutions in providing long-term credit for government infrastructure projects.

DoF vows to address businesses’ tax concerns

FINANCE SECRETARY Ralph G. Recto has ordered the formation of a multi-sectoral working group to address tax woes raised by business leaders, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.

The working group will be led by the DoF and include private sector representatives, giving the business community a chance to raise any tax concerns.

Rice output higher during lean season—PSA

The country’s palay output likely jumped by double digits in the third quarter due to the expansion of harvest area, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The PSA said palay harvest may have grown by 18.1 percent to 3.93 million metric tons (MMT) in July to September from 3.33 MMT last year. The third quarter is usually considered the lean season for rice.

Philippine named best beach, dive, island destination in Asia

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and some of its tourist destinations have been honored by a global award-winning body and a leading Western travel magazine.

The country took home six awards during the Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony organized by the World Travel Awards (WTA) in Hong Kong on Monday, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT).

DTI to adopt safeguard duty recommendation for imported cement

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will impose the safeguard duty amounting to PHP14 per 40-kg bag of cement, based on the recommendation of the Tariff Commission, for the next three years.

Philippine firms expect 5.2% pay hike in 2026 as 1 in 5 workers plan to quit

Companies in the Philippines are projecting only modest pay increases next year despite facing the steepest employee turnover rates in Southeast Asia.

The 2025 Salary Increase and Turnover Study by British-American consulting firm Aon projects an average 5.3% salary increase across Southeast Asia in 2026, signaling a stable but cautious compensation outlook as firms confirm a region-wide retention crisis and widening skills gaps.

Ilocos Norte expands demo farms for Taiwan garlic varieties

LAOAG CITY – Taiwan garlic cultivation is being tested in various towns in Ilocos Norte in an effort to boost garlic production using advanced farming techniques.

Chonito Baldovi, high value crops development program coordinator of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that land preparations are ongoing for the planting of at least three Taiwan garlic varieties in Ilocos soil.

Palay farm gate hits lowest level in nearly 5 years–PSA

THE average farmgate price of palay in September plunged to its lowest level in nearly five years, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Data from the PSA showed that the average farm gate price of unmilled rice fell by 30.5 percent to P15.60 per kilo in the reference month from P22.43 per kilo last year

Marcos aims to complete ₱27.5-B farm-to-market bridges program

PRESIDENT Marcos wants to fast-track the completion of the P27.7-billion Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program (FMBDP) within his term, Malacañang said.

The project, which was approved by the Economy and Development Council in June, aims to build at least 300 bridges from 2026 to 2029.