March 31, 2022
Power outages, high rates seen in summer
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Lenie Lectura
Expect power interruptions and soaring electricity rates this summer because of unplanned and prolonged shutdown of most power plants, an independent energy think tank warned on Wednesday...
PSA: Covid-19 now PHL’s 3rd top killer
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Cai Ordinario
The Covid-19 pandemic has become the third top killer of Filipinos in 2021, according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)...
Treasury sets P200-B borrowing plan for April
BusinessWorld, March 31, 2022
Tobias Jared Tomas
The National Government is planning to raise P200 billion from the domestic market in April, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Wednesday...
PH ranked fourth globally in ‘crony capitalism’
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Ben O. de Vera
With President Rodrigo Duterte as its chief executive, the Philippines remained among the countries where crony capitalism — where a few favored businessmen close to the government enjoy more economic advantages than others — has been flourishing...
Philippines near-term outlook improving amid risks
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Louise Maureen Simeon
The near-term outlook for the Philippine economy is improving, but the much anticipated recovery remains vulnerable amid developments on the global front, an international think tank said...
BSP projects faster inflation in March
CNN Philippines, March 31, 2022
CNN Philippines Staff
Inflation, or the rate at which prices of goods increase, is seen to accelerate in March, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said...
B.A.I. tightens rules on poultry as bird flu affects 7 provinces
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Jasper Y. Arcalas
The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has further tightened its rules and regulations on poultry industries in the country to curb the spread of bird flu that has affected at least seven provinces this year...
Deadline for ITR filing moved to April 18 — BIR
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Tobias Jared Tomas
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) moved the deadline for filing income tax returns (ITRs) to April 18, as the annual April 15 deadline falls on Good Friday this year...
Senator backs giving Agri, Trade departments authority to confiscate smuggled farm goods
BusinessWorld, March 30, 2022
Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
The Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Trade and Industry (DTI) need to be authorized to confiscate smuggled goods, a Senator said on Wednesday...
BPO agents say law defends WFH
Daily Tribune, March 31, 2022
Raffy Ayeng
As tomorrow is the deadline for business process outsourcing (BPO) firm to end the work-from-home (WFH) option, call center agents said they wanted to meet with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to negotiate for a possible extension of the scheme...
MMDA proposes 2 new coding schemes, 2 other solutions to NCR traffic woes
Manila Bulletin, March 30, 2022
Aaron Recuenco
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is proposing two more number-coding schemes that will greatly reduced the number of vehicles traveling the busy roads of the National Capital Region (NCR)...
Comelec simplifies gun ban exemption process
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
John Eric Mendoza
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has amended Resolution 10728 on the gun ban to fast-track the issuance of certificates of exemptions, Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan announced in a statement issued on Wednesday...
Comelec tweaks guidelines of next presidential debate this weekend
Manila Standard, March 30, 2022
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will introduce changes in the format of its second presidential debate...
Microsoft, DepEd launch Minecraft special edition for students
CNN Philippines, March 30, 2022
CNN Philippines Staff
Microsoft and the Department of Education have launched the pilot run of Minecraft: Education Edition, a special version of the popular video game made for Filipino students...
Ukraine war impact on PHL mild—think tank
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Cai Ordinario
The war in Eastern Europe will cause inflation to breach the Central Bank’s target this year because of spiraling crude oil and commodity prices, according to a local think tank...
PHL logs among lowest daily coronavirus cases in SE Asia
BusinessWorld, March 30, 2022
Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
The Philippines’ daily coronavirus cases is now among the lowest among southeast Asian nations, its health chief said on Tuesday night...
Capital Economics: Near-term PH outlook improving
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Ben O. de Vera
As the Philippines remains relatively unscathed from the fresh Omicron-induced surge in infections being felt across the region, UK-based Capital Economics expects robust economic growth for the country this year despite lingering high inflation risks...
Philippine firms lead Asean in ramping up cybersecurity
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Ronnel W. Domingo
Cybersecurity has become the top concern in the boardrooms of private and public firms in the Philippines as the shift to remote working amid the pandemic increased the risk of, as well as gave rise to, disruptions in their operations, according to a report from Palo Alto Networks...
Chinese coast guard broke maritime laws – Del Rosario
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Pia Lee-Brago
The dangerous maneuver of a Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel that risked collision with a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ship in Panatag Shoal last March 2 was “deliberate” and violated international maritime law and agreements, a former top diplomat of the Philippines said yesterday...
PH, Canada sign agreement on deployment of Filipino workers
The Manila Times, March 30, 2022
William Depasupil
The governments of Canada and the Philippines are set to sign two separate bilateral agreements for the deployment of Filipino workers in two Canadian provinces under a government to government arrangement...
Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine slashes pediatric hospitalization risk — US study
GMA News, March 31, 2022
Michael Erman, Reuters
Children ages 5 to 11 who received the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were 68% less likely to be hospitalized during the Omicron wave in the United States than unvaccinated children, according to a study published on Wednesday...
2 more Filipinos in New York attacked
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Pia Lee-Brago
Two Filipinos are the latest victims in a string of unprovoked attacks in New York City, the Philippine consulate general reported yesterday...
UN rights chief warns of 'war crimes' in Ukraine conflict
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Nina Larson, Agence France-Presse
Russia's widespread and indiscriminate attacks in Ukraine are of "immense concern", the UN rights chief said Wednesday, warning that they could amount to "war crimes"...
WHO warns of virulent COVID-19 variant risk
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Agence France-Presse
The World Health Organization on Wednesday laid out three possible paths that the Covid-19 pandemic might follow in 2022 — with a new, more virulent variant the worst-case scenario...
Ukraine preparing for new Russian offensive in the east, Zelenskiy says
Rappler, March 31, 2022
Reuters
Ukrainian forces are preparing for new Russian attacks in the east of the country as Moscow builds up its troops there after suffering setbacks near the capital Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday, March 31...
Singapore readies Changi Airport as travel curbs ease
Rappler, March 30, 2022
Reuters
Singapore’s Changi Airport is gearing up to receive more passengers as the city-state eases travel and other COVID-19 restrictions, amid hopes it will see a return to pre-pandemic levels of traffic...
Russia approves 'parallel imports' after top brands halt sales
ABS-CBN News, March 31, 2022
Reuters
Russia has authorized retailers to import products from abroad without the trademark owner's permission, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said, after global brands halted sales or stopped exports over Moscow's military campaign in Ukraine...
People raised in cities are worse at navigation, study shows
ABS-CBN News, March 31, 2022
Agence France-Presse
People who grew up in the country have a better sense of direction and navigational skills than those raised in cities, a study said Wednesday...
Global flood losses hit $82 billion last year, as study highlights UK risk
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Reuters
Flooding cost the global economy more than $82 billion last year, accounting for nearly a third of all losses from natural catastrophes, reinsurance agency Swiss Re Institute reported Wednesday...
EU readying new Russia sanctions, may retaliate over rouble payments for gas – sources
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Reuters
The European Commission is readying new sanctions against the Kremlin over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, EU sources told Reuters on Wednesday, with the magnitude of the new measures depending on Moscow’s stance on gas payments in roubles...
Towering ice volcanoes identified on surprisingly vibrant Pluto
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Reuters
A batch of dome-shaped ice volcanoes that look unlike anything else known in our solar system and may still be active have been identified on Pluto using data from NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft, showing that this remote frigid world is more dynamic than previously known...
Ukraine says Russia planting mines in Black Sea
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 30, 2022
Reuters
Ukraine accused Russia on Wednesday of planting mines in the Black Sea and said some of those munitions had to be defused off Turkey and Romania as risks to vital merchant shipping in the region grow...
US says Putin misinformed, on the outs with advisors
Manila Standard, March 31, 2022
Agence France-Presse
President Vladimir Putin has been poorly informed on the course of the war in Ukraine and his relations with his own staff have deteriorated, the White House said Wednesday on the basis of declassified US intelligence...
Ukraine’s Zelensky dismisses Russian claims of scaleback
Manila Standard, March 31, 2022
Agence France-Presse
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday dismissed Russia’s vows to de-escalate fighting against its neighbour, saying his army was getting ready for further fighting in the east...
Russian oil tankers are vanishing off the map
CNN Philippines, March 31, 2022
Matt Egan, CNN Business
Russia's invasion of Ukraine made the country a pariah in the global energy market. Since the war started, a de facto embargo on Russian oil has emerged, with oil companies, trading houses, shippers and banks backing away, all at the same time...
The Great Resignation is taking root around the world
CNN Philippines, March 31, 2022
Julia Horowitz, CNN Business
In the past 12 months, a record number of Americans have quit their jobs, and workers around the world have been paying attention...
Taal victims to get DTI livelihood kits, DOLE cash-for-work support
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Samuel P. Medenilla
The government will extend cash-for-work, livelihood kits and other forms of aid to around 6,000 individuals affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano...
‘DA has no access to green lane data of BOC’
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Jasper Y. Arcalas
Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said Wednesday that there are discrepancies in the government’s trade data system as the Department of Agriculture (DA) does not have the data of imports that are classified under the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) green lane...
PHL businesses seen increasing cybersecurity budgets this year
BusinessWorld, March 31, 2022
Arjay L. Balinbin
Many Philippine organizations are increasing their budgets for their cyber defenses this year, as they see heightened danger from online threats, global cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks said...
Duterte blasts partylist system
Daily Tribune, March 31, 2022
MJ Blancaflor
With barely two months before the 9 May elections, President Rodrigo Duterte blasted the country’s partylist system for serving as electoral vehicles of the rich and alleged communist groups...
DepEd eyes taller school buildings
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Jane Bautista
The Department of Education (DepEd) showcased on Tuesday the design for medium-rise school buildings to meet a shortage of 243,000 classrooms nationwide, said Education Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua...
Gov’t submitting anti-drug ops report to ICC
Daily Tribune, March 31, 2022
MJ Blancaflor
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered law enforcers to submit reports on their anti-drug operations to the International Criminal Court (ICC), hoping that the tribunal would be convinced why his administration had to launch a drug war...
LTO’s new plate-making machine operational – DOTr
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Richmond Mercurio
With the Land Transportation Office (LTO)’s second automated plate-making machine now operational, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects the problems in the issuance of motorcycle license plates to be resolved...
PH drug war, rights situation back under global scrutiny
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Dexter Cabalza and Krixia Subingsubing
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) has assailed the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) for noting in its latest report the “extrajudicial targeting” of persons suspected of drug-related activities — a violation of international drug control conventions...
Phivolcs to lower Taal alert level
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Michael Punongbayan and Helen Flores
Taal Volcano’s status may be downgraded to Alert Level 2 if the situation continues to improve in the next two weeks...
Power outages, water rationing feared
Manila Standard, March 31, 2022
Alena Mae S. Flores and Macon Ramos Araneta
The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) warned of threats of power outages and continued increasing power rates, especially in the next two months due to the maintenance shutdown of baseload power plants...
Rody to BIR: Collect unpaid estate taxes
Manila Standard, March 31, 2022
Vito Barcelo and Julito G. Rada
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night called out the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for its failure to collect a certain estate tax due, saying it could help the cash-strapped government bankroll some of its programs...
Duterte red-tags 5 party-lists
The Manila Times, March 31, 2022
Vito Barcelo and Maricel Cruz
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night claimed communist rebels had infiltrated Congress through five party-list groups acting as their “legal fronts,” a charge that was immediately denounced as false by the groups he identified...
Higher risk of diabetes among COVID’s long-term effects
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Ben O. de Vera and Kathleen de Villa
People who contracted COVID-19 may be at a higher risk of developing diabetes as a long-term effect of the coronavirus...
More Filipinos get their news online – study
The Manila Times, March 31, 2022
Kaithreen Cruz
A study conducted by the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) showed that more Filipinos, or 79 percent of those surveyed, get their news online, particularly from their Facebook feed...
Comelec rushes to delist dead registered voters ahead of May polls
The Manila Times, March 30, 2022
William Depasupil
With a little over a month left before the national and local polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is still grappling with the slow process of delisting the names of registered voters who have died amid concerns that it would affect the credibility of elections...
DA declares bird flu outbreak in PH
Manila Bulletin, March 30, 2022
Faith Argosino
The Department of Agriculture (DA) declared on Wednesday, March 30, an outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) or H5N1 in the country...
Construction begins in H1 for ADB-aided NCR bridges
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Bernadette D. Nicolas
Construction of three Metro Manila bridges funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is set to begin in the first half of this year, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said...
Stable business regime to unlock big mining potential–COMP
BusinessMirror, March 31, 2022
Jonathan L. Mayuga
Big players in the mining industry are pushing for a stable business environment to enable the sector to support the country’s post-pandemic recovery efforts...
Shipping costs seen to drive inflation
BusinessWorld, March 31, 2022
Luz Wendy T. Noble
The surge in global shipping costs will likely continue causing faster inflation in economies that are reliant on imports until the end of the year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)...
Diokno sees rate rise to 2.5%-2.75% as reasonable
BusinessWorld, March 31, 2022
Bloomberg
Philippine Central Bank Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said raising the key policy rate to between 2.5% and 2.75% as part of an exit from pandemic-era accommodation would be “reasonable and consistent” with the nation’s economic growth and inflation targets...
Producer price index up anew in February
The Manila Times, March 31, 2022
Anna Leah E. Gonzales
The producer price index (PPI) for manufacturing grew at a faster up in February, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said...
COMP urges next administration: allow mining industry to ‘flourish’
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 31, 2022
Jordeene B. Lagare
The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said the next administration must ensure a stable business environment whereby policies are reliable, contracts and investments are protected and rules are not changed mid-stream...
15 new inbred rice varieties approved for farmers' use
The Manila Times, March 31, 2022
Eireene Jairee Gomez
The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) announced that 15 new inbred rice varieties have been approved for commercial release by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)...
Stocks rebound as peace talks make progress
Philippine Star, March 31, 2022
Iris Gonzales
Share prices returned to positive territory yesterday, in line with gains in Asian markets, on hopes for a negotiated resolution to the war in Ukraine...
Manufacturing firm sees business picking up but inflation risks remaining
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 30, 2022
Miguel R. Camus
D&L Industries Inc., a food and plastics manufacturing giant whose products are found across restaurant chains and consumer goods, sees business picking up this year with the revival of economic activity but risks from surging inflation remaining...
12 new ‘iconic’ bridges planned in Metro Manila to ease road gridlock
Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 30, 2022
Ben O. de Vera
The government plans to build 12 new “iconic” bridges across Metro Manila’s major waterways in the next few years to help in road decongestion, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said on Wednesday (March 30)...