Moody’s Debt Rate for the Philippines
Moody’s Investors Service Tuesday changed to ‘Positive’ from ‘Stable’ its outlook on the Philippines’ banking system. In a report dated Dec 18, 2012, the debt watcher attributed the improvement of the outlook to the resiliency of the domestic economy, banks’ diversified loan portfolio and income sources and continued improvement of the sector’s asset quality, capitalization [...]
Growth and monetary policy in ASEAN countries
The Philippines along with some Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries are in the “sweet spot” in terms of growth and monetary policy, Moody’s Analytics said. In a report dubbed “ASEAN Outlook: A Bright Spot” penned by Katrina Ell and Fred Gibson, Moody’s Corporation’s economic analysis arm, said that for one, central banks in [...]
Economic Provisions of 1987 Philippine Constitution Need Change
By Lilybeth G. Ison House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said on Tuesday the Philippine mining industry can grow much further, and contribute more to government revenues, rural development, and economic growth if amendments will be made in the economic provisions of the decades-old 1987 Constitution. “Today, the constitutionality of the Mining Act of 1995 is [...]
Sustainable development of the Philippines mineral resources
By Lilybeth G. Ison Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Tuesday stressed the need of a long-term plan for the sustainable development of the country’s mineral resources. “What we face today is global and unabated environmental degradation. What we need today is a new paradigm shift — adopting a new way of thinking that is in [...]
Feasibility study in using rice straw for power generation
State-run Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has signed an agreement with French firm Enertime to assess the feasibility in using rice straw for power generation. Eufemio Rasco Jr., PhilRice executive director, said that the use of rice straw in power generation could help farmers reduce production cost amid rising petroleum prices. “It’s important to develop [...]
Philippine Stocks and Peso Currency Gain High
By Joann Santiago Local stocks and the peso registered another record-high close Thursday, bolstered by Standard & Poor’s rating upgrade on the Philippines to one notch shy of investment grade at ‘BB+’. The composite index went up by 15.26 points or 0.29 percent to 5,369.98 from 5,354.72 points Wednesday. Its previous record high was last [...]
Improving women’s access to jobs and economic opportunity
The World Bank said on Thursday improving women’s access to jobs and economic opportunity could significantly boost workers’ productivity in the Philippines and the rest of East Asia and the Pacific Region by as much as 18 percent. In a report titled, “Toward Gender Equality in East Asia and the Pacific,” the WB says that [...]
The Philippines is generating from big foreign investors
The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), the largest business group in the country, is urging government to draw a long-term plan to protect and sustain investments in the country. PCCI President, Dr. Francis Chua said with the great interest that the Philippines is generating from big foreign investors, government and the private sector [...]
Technical expertise in public-private partnership (PPP) projects
British firms have expressed interest to assist Philippines by sharing their technical expertise in public-private partnership (PPP) projects. The UK Minister of State Jeremy Browne, expressed support to Philippines’ economic development by offering British expertise in PPP projects. He highlighted UK’s extensive experience in public-private partnership projects in transport, health and education sectors, and financial, [...]
Food Security in the Philippines
President Benigno S. Aquino III stressed that the Philippines under his helm is employing a totally different orientation in all fields especially on food security which, he said, is part of the “transformative character of our administration.” The Chief Executive made this statement in response to a question fielded to him by the moderator at [...]