Agriculture to gain from US tariff adjustments, says DA
Speaking at the sidelines of the 2025 Sustainable Agriculture Forum organized by the ECCP on April 30, 2025, Tiu Laurel said the provisional 17 percent tariff rate, currently paused for three months across sectors, presents a potential advantage for Philippine agriculture and fishery exports like tilapia, bangus and white shrimp.

PCIC seeks P5.5B for 2026 to insure 600k more farmers
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) said it will request a P5.5-billion budget for 2026 or P1 billion more, to increase the number of insured farmers in the country. The PCIC seeks to widen the insurance coverage to 4.8 million farmers from 4.2 million in 2024.

Philippines applying to join CPTPP this year
The Philippines is set to submit its formal application to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade official said.

Marcos calls for regional wage increases, bucks legislated wage hike
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on Thursday called for region-specific wage increases, bucking the labor sector’s call for a ₱150 to ₱200 legislated pay hike to keep up with inflation.

Trade deficit widened as imports surged in March
The Philippines posted its widest merchandise trade deficit in two months in March as imports recorded their fastest growth in nearly a year, beating the modest expansion in exports.

Philippines’ ‘green lane’ program racks up P5.17T worth of projects
The Board of Investments (BOI) said it has tallied P5.168 trillion worth of investments under the government’s green lane program. The roster which now includes 203 projects.

PEZA eyes second pharma ecozone
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is looking to proclaim a second pharmaceutical economic zone (pharma zone) within the year.

Budget gap widens sharply in March
The National Government’s (NG) budget deficit ballooned in March as revenues slipped and state spending jumped ahead of the national election ban, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said.

April inflation likely fell below 2%
Inflation likely remained below 2% for a second straight month in April, analysts said, as the decline in key food prices such as rice kept the figure headline at bay.

Report on 19M illiterate Filipinos should jolt authorities to prioritize education – lawmaker
A report showing that about 19 million Filipino high school and senior high school graduates are illiterate should be considered a ‘national emergency’ and prompt authorities to prioritize education reforms, a congressman said on Thursday.

Fraud rate in PHL digital transactions estimated at 13.4% TransUnion says
The rate of fraud in Philippine digital transactions was estimated at 13.4% in 2024, exceeding the global average of 5.4%, according to a study by TransUnion Philippines.

DoTr hopes to privatize 15 more airports by 2026
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is hoping to privatize at least 15 airports by 2026 as the government seeks to make regional airports “more economically viable.”

Modest growth in farm output seen in 1st quarter
The Philippines’ agricultural output may have posted modest annual growth in the first quarter, as the crops sector benefited from favorable weather conditions, analysts said.

Subsidized ₱20-per-kilo rice rolled out in Cebu
The Department of Agriculture (DA) launched its ₱20-per-kilo subsidized rice program in Cebu City on Thursday.

PPP Center calls for more smart city projects
The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center said more smart city projects are needed, citing the need to incorporate advanced technology in key infrastructure projects.

US tariff deal expected to shift source markets for imports
Any deal lowering tariffs between the US and the Philippines is not expected to flood the Philippines with imports, though the leading source countries for key commodities are likely to change, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

DoF reviewing 'de minimis' rule, says Recto
The Department of Finance (DoF), is currently reviewing the ‘de minimis’ policy that allows duty-free entry for small-value shipments, amid calls from local retailers to close this loophole that gives overseas sellers an advantage.

Marcos: SSS to offer low-interest salary, calamity loans
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on Thursday said the state-run Social Security System (SSS) would cut interest rates on salary and calamity loans starting July as part of efforts to ease borrowing costs for workers amid rising prices.