On May 14, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) unveiled PH-Progreso or the proposed economic recovery program of the Rodrigo Duterte administration. Building on earlier stages of the government’s four-pillar socioeconomic strategy against COVID-19, PH-Progreso entails a mix of supply-side, demand-side, and tax reform measures that are aimed at supporting a rapid or “V-shaped” recovery for the Philippine economy following the widespread disruption posed by the pandemic in the country.

A curious mix of relief and trepidation (plus exasperation over the lack of transport) has attended the dialing down of Metro Manila’s lockdown from “modified enhanced” to now only a “general” community quarantine. While most people are obviously pleased with the chance to return to work, a feeling of unease still hovers over them owing to the health risks they must face in their simple desire to earn a living.

COVID-19 might have killed “supply-side economics” that since its conception in the 1980s boom, created demand from the surfeit of supply, and plumped up consumer-driven economies.

The peso strengthened to a nearly three-year high against the dollar Friday on increased confidence in an economic recovery as businesses gradually restore operations across the world.

APPROVED foreign investment pledges in the first quarter fell to its lowest level in two years, preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

INSURANCE PAYOUTS related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have reached P326.95 million as of May 8, a survey conducted by the Insurance Commission (IC) showed.

FINANCING and lending companies will no longer be required to offer a grace period for loans that fall due this month as strict lockdown measures eased around the country, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said.

MORE than half of surveyed business leaders in Asia identified lower demand for products and services as the greatest obstacle for business viability as a result of the pandemic, a new report showed on Thursday.

COCA-COLA Beverages Philippines, Inc. is boosting its digital platforms to cope with changing consumer behavior due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday said about 83% of the 30-kilometer Tarlac-Cabanatuan segment of the P14.94-billion first phase of the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEx) is expected to open by December.

CHILDREN’S playground and party place Fun Ranch is closing its doors due to the pandemic as its management felt it would be “too long a wait before the situation becomes ideal for children to play freely and have parties again,” the company told BusinessWorld.

Over the last two and a half months when Metro Manila and many parts of the country were under varying degrees of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, e-commerce site Lazada noted that many people used their time to learn a new skill — including making their own milk teas at home — as their customers bought quite a few interesting things while on lockdown.