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ALTHOUGH the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program has exceeded some of its objectives, the World Bank cited as a concern a reduction in number of families covered and missed targets in other metrics, as well as inefficient distribution channels.

BENGALURU -- Crude oil prices look likely to trade below $70 per barrel in 2019 as surplus production -- much of it from the United States -- and slowing economic growth undermine OPEC-led efforts to shore up the market, according to results of a Reuters poll released earlier this week.

VOLATILITY that rocked the bourse in 2018 will likely persist this year, as the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies and fears of a recession in the United States continue to make investors skittish.

INFLATION likely eased further in December as fuel and food costs continued to ease, analysts said in a BusinessWorld poll, even as some flagged that a spike in demand during Christmas may have buoyed prices.

THE 90-DAY deadline for processing value-added tax (VAT) refund claims now covers the actual payment of the amount, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said.

THE QUEZON CITY government kicked off the new year by announcing relief for real property and business tax payers.

INFLATION likely eased further in December, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said, with the rate possibly settling at the five percent level given lower fuel and rice prices.

THE government is looking to borrow P360 billion during the first three months of 2019 through a mix of short and long-term papers, a third bigger than the amount programmed the previous quarter.

JAPAN remains the biggest source of foreign funding for the Philippines, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said on Friday, accounting for nearly half the loan portfolio.

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT’s fiscal deficit grew more than fourfold in November as expenditure growth continued to outpace revenue increase, driving the year-to-date gap closer to 2018’s full-year program, the Bureau of the Treasury reported on Thursday.

THE UNITED STATES Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a travel advisory for the Philippines, citing insufficient security at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

PHILIPPINE COMPANIES are expected to raise around P 200 billion ($3.8 billion) through bond issues next year to fund expansion plans and debt payments, the country’s bond market operator said on Thursday.