THE PHILIPPINES made the biggest stride in terms of financial inclusion by adopting “enabling” rules for digital financial services, international think tank Brookings Institution said in a report. Read the full story.

THE FIRST spending program of the Duterte administration that took office on June 30 has entered the legislative mill, reflecting increased focus on social services and infrastructure as the government seeks to ensure that fewer are left behind as the country continues to lead much of the region in terms of economic growth. Read the full story.

MORE FILIPINOS experienced involuntary hunger at least once last quarter compared to the preceding three months, according to results of a survey the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted days before the country’s leadership change, alerting the new administration to limitations of its predecessor’s anti-poverty approach. Read the full story.