PHL 5G speed gains vs 4G among world’s largest
THE Philippines posted the second-largest gain globally in terms of 5G download speeds relative to 4G in the fourth quarter, according to UK mobile analytics company Opensignal Ltd.
IP regulator calls for stronger protections to drive innovation
THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said legislators preparing the Intellectual Property Code must increase protections for IP in order to provide a favorable environment for innovation, including the development of startups.
Manila considering ending visa privilege for Chinese nationals
MANILA is considering ending a program giving Chinese nationals a visa upon arrival in Manila due to health and human trafficking concerns, according to a Philippine envoy.
Janssen clinical trials may start this week — DoST
JANSSEN Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson will start clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine in the Philippines this week, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
Gov’t told to address underspending amid COVID-19 pandemic
THE GOVERNMENT should look at underspending issues before it starts talks of a third stimulus package to help sectors hit by a coronavirus pandemic, according to a senator.
CREATE now awaits Duterte’s signature
CONGRESS ratified on Wednesday the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law, which will cut corporate income tax (CIT), streamline fiscal incentives and ease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine importation.
BIR targets 13% higher excise tax collection for 2021
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is aiming to increase excise tax revenues by 13% this year, as it expects economic activity to pick up as pandemic-related restrictions are further eased.
Stocks drop on profit taking, higher gov’t debt
THE MAIN INDEX ended in negative territory on Wednesday following news on the government’s outstanding debt and as investors booked their profits after the market’s two-day rally.
Peso inches up on push for US stimulus, vaccination progress
THE PESO inched up against the greenback on Wednesday amid the push for the urgent passage of a stimulus package in the US and the global vaccination drive.
Checking inflation seen key as firms too weak to raise wages
THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said keeping inflation in check will be crucial for households that are still suffering from their 2020 economic setbacks, noting that many employers remain incapable of raising wages even if required to do so by the boards regulating the minimum wage.
DoE working on backup power for key vaccine sites
THE Department of Energy (DoE) said late Tuesday evening that two of its units are working on providing backup power for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine storage and administration facilities.
PHL debt-to-GDP ratio projected at 45.6% — S&P
DEBT as a proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to hit 45.6% this year due to heavy borrowing during the pandemic, with gradual reductions expected by 2023, S&P Global Ratings said.