Stocks climb on surge in US yields, vaccine arrival
LOCAL STOCKS climbed on Monday as investors chose to stay in the market after yields on US bonds surged last week.
Manila starts vaccination of health workers
THE PHILIPPINES started immunizing its most vulnerable people against the coronavirus on Monday after receiving 600,000 doses of CoronaVac donated by China.
Philippines orders a million more shots of Chinese CoronaVac
THE PHILIPPINE government has ordered a million more doses of the coronavirus vaccine made by Chinese drug maker Sinovac Biotech Ltd. worth P700 million that would arrive this month, according to the country’s vaccine czar.
Senators want limited face-to-face classes to start
SEVEN senators on Monday filed a resolution asking the government to start the pilot tests for face-to-face classes in more than a thousand public schools amid a coronavirus pandemic.
Energy-efficiency labeling rules expected soon
THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it expects to publish the implementing guidelines for the labeling of energy-consuming products (ECPs) in one or two months.
Creatives seek more representation in industry council
CREATIVE industry groups are requesting broader representation in the council proposed under a measure being considered by the Senate which will develop the sector.
Lazada, Shopee sign agreement to crack down on fakes
E-COMMERCE PLATFORMS Lazada and Shopee have signed an agreement establishing a procedure for dealing with counterfeit products on their platforms, in coordination with brand owners.
Law protecting indigenous people’s IP rights proposed
THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) on Monday recommended the drafting of a law that will protect the intellectual property (IP) of indigenous people.
Russian poultry banned after bird flu human transmission case
THE PHILIPPINES has temporarily banned poultry imports from the Russian Federation after that country reported the world’s first case of human transmission of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu).
Inflation likely hit 26-month high in Feb – poll
HEADLINE INFLATION is likely to have breached the central bank’s target for a second straight month in February, as food and fuel prices remain elevated, according to economists.
Philippines’ big banks lend less money in Q4
THE COUNTRY’S biggest banks lent less to households and firms in the fourth quarter of 2020, as profits fell and soured loans increased amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Peso expected to weaken vs dollar as focus turns to vaccines
THE PESO will likely weaken against the greenback this week on risk-off sentiment due to the recurring delay in vaccine delivery, which is seen dimming prospects for the country’s recovery, as well as expectations of quicker inflation.