How can the Philippines cope with the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump, who has upended the rules-based global trading system with a tariff war he is waging against scores of countries? “We cannot predict what Trump will be doing next [during his second four-year term]. We can’t rely on the US to maintain rules-based...
Category: Business
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Lease of Grande Island under review after arrest of Chinese spy suspects
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is looking into its lease contracts with a Philippine company after the arrest last week of several Chinese nationals for alleged espionage on Grande Island in Subic Bay. Eduardo Aliño, chair of SBMA, issued instructions to review the specifics of its extended leasehold agreement with Silver Dragon Cruises...
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Election spending, lower inflation to help boost economy, says report
Election spending, along with falling inflation, is expected to give the Philippine economy a boost as the campaign for the midterm polls in May goes into full swing, according to Unicapital Securities Inc. (USI). “All-out election spending, both on the local and national scale, coupled with easing inflation, will boost household spending and ultimately favor...
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Enhanced training programs and verified social media platforms to advance financial literacy
As 2025 began, SmarTrade reaffirmed its commitment to advancing financial literacy and trading education in the Philippines by expanding its reach both online and offline. It announced the launch of an enhanced training program and the recent verification of its social media platforms, assuring aspiring traders access to high-quality learning resources and a trusted community...
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In 2024, workers were caught between economic difficulties and political intramurals
Last year, workers faced severe challenges in their wages, benefits and working conditions as they were caught in the vise of economic difficulties brought about by the cost-of-living crisis and escalating intramurals between the two leading political dynasties in the country. While the average inflation of 3.2% in 2024 was almost half compared to 2023,...
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When apps are gamified, workers rarely win
On a Thursday afternoon, just after the lunchtime rush, a pack of motorcycles pulled into a narrow alleyway in a Metro Manila city. Their riders parked their bikes in front of a makeshift rest area. The space resembled a typical “tambayan.” Equipped with a wall fan, and a water and a charging station, it was...
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As Bulacan airport project advances, salt farmers fear loss of livelihood
BULAKAN, Bulacan—In the waning heat of the day, 57-year-old Reneboy Ybañez would begin raking salt from clay-lined salt ponds in Barangay San Nicolas in Bulakan town. By 3 p. m., most of the seawater in the ponds had evaporated, leaving salt crystals that he and the other workers would harvest. Reneboy and his wife May,...
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‘Ride Safe 2.0’ expands the initiative on bike safety
Ride Safe, a campaign begun in 2021 by leading insurance company Allianz PNB Life to push public awareness on bike safety and the benefits of active transport, has been beefed up. Having worked with local government units and partnered with key cities such as San Juan, Taguig and Manila in building more bike-friendly infrastructure, Allianz...
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Displacement, commute woes plague communities near delayed MRT-7 project
The ride from San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan to Diliman in Quezon City—a distance of about 23 kilometers—shouldn’t take more than one hour and a half. But for commuters like students Sarwen Abad and Lei Ann Soreto, it takes two and a half hours. “It’s suffering before the success,” 19-year-old Abad said. He...
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Forced to move, coastal communities in Bacoor struggle with relocation
(Last of two parts) Bert Cabornay, who at 56 has been fishing for three decades, used to farm clams and mussels in the area now occupied by the Manila-Cavite Expressway or Cavitex. Forced to move farther out, he now takes 20 minutes in his boat to reach his mussel farm in Bacoor Bay. Building his...