Thrift bank sector assets grow in Q1 with credit expansion

THE THRIFT banking industry posted growth in the first quarter on the back of credit expansion among lenders.

Business confidence steadies in Q2

OPTIMISM among firms in the country steadied in the second quarter from the preceding three months -- though it dropped from a year ago -- in the face of expectations of higher prices of goods and as businesses continued to adjust to a new tax regime, a recent central bank survey showed.

‘Good reception’ seen as RTB sale begins

THE FIRST DAY of sale of the three-year retail Treasury bonds (RTB) bared strong demand for the debt papers amid ample liquidity in the market.

Infrastructure, other capital outlays surge

STATE SPENDING on infrastructure and other capital outlays nearly doubled in April as the government ramped up construction and improvement of roads and flood control systems and bought more equipment for its schools, the Budget department reported on Wednesday.

BSP readies regular poll on bankers’ outlooks

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) will conduct a regular poll to get bank executives’ outlook on economic growth and business prospects.

URC to build P1-B Vita Soy facility

UNIVERSAL ROBINA Corp. (URC) is investing around P1 billion to build a new facility that will locally produce its Vita Soy drinks, its chairman said.

Meralco to build microgrids outside franchise area

MANILA ELECTRIC Co. (Meralco) plans to build microgrids outside its franchise area to serve communities that remain without access to electricity, its president said.

VLL to end year with 30 malls

VISTA LAND & Lifescapes, Inc. (VLL) targets to have 30 Vista Malls by the end of 2018, located near its master planned projects to support the needs of its residents.

PhilCare rolls out OFW plan

PHILHEALTHCARE, INC. (PhilCare) is rolling out a new product catering to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) starting with those based in Israel, as part of the firm’s venture into alternative market segments to expand their coverage.

Consultations geared up prior to bidding on 3rd telco player

THE TERMS of reference (ToR) for the bidding on the third major telecommunications player are being finalized as government agencies aim to resolve issues on the additional player.

House panel mulls local tax shield for firms in line with TRAIN 2

THE HOUSE committee on ways and means will look into how businesses in the Philippines can be shielded from dealing with varying tax schemes among local government units while still rationalizing fiscal incentives under the second package of the tax reform program.

Duterte reaffirms ‘entire island’ of Boracay to go under land reform

AMID REHABILITATION efforts in the tourist island of Boracay, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Wednesday, “I’m declaring land reform for the entire island of Boracay.”