NICKEL miners in the country may expect improved prices for ore in the near term as Indonesia sets an exporting ban for the mineral next year.

THE Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) has approved an additional P1 billion for the Survival and Recovery Assistance Program (SURE Aid), expanding its assistance to 70,000 farmers affected by the plunging price of palay, or unmilled rice.

THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said creditors are close to a deal for the takeover of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines, Inc., with foreign investors currently in talks with banks on how to proceed with the bankrupt shipbuilder’s facilities and work force.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday that the National Food Authority (NFA) will increase the buying price for palay, or unmilled rice, to P19 from P17 while also removing add-on incentive payments under the old scheme.

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Energy efficiency measures or economic activities that aim to reduce the amount of energy required to provide the same amount of benefit or service will play an important role in the generation mix even as their present share remains minimal.

A MEMBER of the House of Representatives alleged that attendance is being “manipulated” and “doctored,” leaving any budget decisions subject to challenge because of lack of quorum.

DAVAO CITY -- The Chinese island province of Hainan is seeking cooperation between Davao City in tourism, agriculture and trade, visiting Chinese officials said.

THE Department of Education (DepEd) said it is currently in talks to improve the career path for public school teachers to ensure a steadier progression to the senior rank of Master Teacher.

DAVAO CITY -- Climate-resilient rice seed is being developed in South Central Mindanao with reduced irrigation requirements for areas that receive limited water apart from rainfall.

THE SENATE ways and means committee may still decide to tax electronic cigarettes at par with traditional tobacco products, depending on the findings that emerge about the products’ health risks, its chairman Senator Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano said.

In 2012, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 35-2012, which clarified the taxability of clubs organized and operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, and other nonprofit purposes.

REPRESENTATIVE Jose Ma. S. Salceda, the House Ways and Means committee chair from Albay’s 2^nd district, said he supports more borrowing by the National Food Authority (NFA) to boost its rice procurement funding to about P22.5 billion.