PCA Board creates transition committee to develop coconut industry

THE Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Board said on Friday that it has created a transition committee to be chaired by the Trade department, which...

PSA signaling 7.5% year-on-year rise in first-quarter palay output

THE PHILIPPINE Statistics Authority (PSA) said it upgraded its first quarter estimate for production of palay, or unmilled rice, from a previous estimate made in January, with the latest projection representing a 7.5% rise in output from a year earlier.

DA formally requests state of emergency to deal with ASF

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has officially submitted its proposal to President Rodrigo R. Duterte for a state of national emergency to help contain African Swine Fever (ASF).

ARTA launches app integrating business permit process, contact tracing

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) will launch a digital platform unifying business permit transactions and contact tracing systems next month.

Construction starts fall on weak confidence

CONSTRUCTION starts, as measured by permit approvals, fell sharply in the fourth quarter, headlined by a 20% decline in the largest segment, residential buildings, as commercial construction declined nearly 32%, the Philippine Statistics Authority, noting disruption and reduced confidence due to the pandemic.

Legislator expresses optimism Senate will support economic amendments to Constitution

A DEPUTY SPEAKER said deliberations on economic amendments to the Constitution will likely continue in May for timely transmission to the Senate, where he is confident the amendments will find support.

LGU real property tax cases worth P4.53B resolved in 2020

THE Central Board of Assessment Appeals (CBAA) resolved cases raised by local government units (LGUs) last year involving an estimated P4.53 billion worth of real property taxes, the Department of Finance (DoF) said Thursday.

LANDBANK sees 15 listed firms likely qualifying for GUIDE aid

THE Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) said 15 listed companies “of strategic importance” could qualify for government assistance under a bill authorizing the injection of capital to key companies affected by the pandemic.

Employers express support for law making pensions portable

EMPLOYERS Confederation of the Philippines President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said he supports a proposal to make pensions transferable as workers change jobs.

Housing agencies seeking up to P130 billion to address backlog in accommodations

THE HOUSING backlog is expected to require up to P130 billion to close the deficit of about six million units, a legislator said at a virtual briefing Wednesday.

ERC soliciting comment on draft wheeling rates, regulatory reset process

THE ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) has asked the energy industry to comment on the draft policies on distribution wheeling rates and the regulatory reset process for the years 2022 to 2026.

DA’s Dar calls corruption in pork MAV process unlikely but starts probe

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has formed a committee to investigate alleged corruption in the process of certifying that pork imports are within the minimum access volume (MAV) quota, qualifying them to pay lower tariffs, though Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said the possibility of corruption in issuing the document is “remote.”