COMMENTARY: Finding happy balance between health and economy
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/ 11 Sept) — I concede that delving into this twin topic “health and economy” is like trekking across an unfamiliar territory, with all its rugged, at times, hostile contours. The reason for it is this. I am neither an economist nor a health expert. But, with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, […].....»»
July BoP deficit narrows — BSP
The balance of payments, or BoP, posted a narrower deficit in July due to proceeds of the national government’s foreign currency-denominated debt from commercial sources, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported. Data from BSP showed that the country’s BOP position hit a deficit of $53 million in July, from a deficit of $1.8 billion a year ago. “The BoP deficit in July 2023 reflected net outflows arising mainly from the National Government’s payments of its foreign currency obligations,” BSP wrote in an accompanying statement. The central bank added that the cumulative BoP level for January to July was a $2.2 billion surplus, a reversal from the $4.9 billion deficit recorded in the same period a year ago. BSP said the reversal mainly reflected the improvement in the balance of trade and the sustained inflows from personal remittances, net foreign borrowings by the NG, trade in services, and foreign direct investments. Meanwhile, the gross international reserves, or GIR, level increased to $100 billion as of end July from $99.4 billion as of end June. Buffer more than enough “The latest GIR level represents a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income,” BSP said. “Moreover, it is also about 5.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.1 times based on residual maturity,” it added. In an emailed commentary, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the country’s BoP data could still be supported by the country’s structural US dollar inflows, such as foreign direct investments and overseas Filipino remittances. The post July BoP deficit narrows — BSP appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BSP posts deficit of $53M
The country's balance of payments (BoP) posted a narrower deficit in July as the government due to proceeds of the national government's foreign currency-denominated debt from commercial sources, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported. Data from BSP showed that the country's BOP position hit a deficit of $53 million in July, from a deficit of $1.8 billion a year ago. "The BOP deficit in July 2023 reflected net outflows arising mainly from the National Government's (NG) payments of its foreign currency debt obligations," BSP wrote in its accompanying statement. The central bank added that the cumulative BOP level for January to July was a $2.2 billion surplus, a reversal from the $4.9 billion deficit recorded in the same period a year ago. BSP said the reversal mainly reflected the improvement in the balance of trade and the sustained inflows from personal remittances, net foreign borrowings by the NG, trade in services, and foreign direct investments. Meanwhile, the gross international reserves (GIR) level increased to $100.0 billion as of end-July 2023 from $99.4 billion as of end-June 2023. "The latest GIR level represents a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income," BSP said. "Moreover, it is also about 5.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.1 times based on residual maturity," it added. In an emailed commentary, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the country's BOP data could still be supported by the country's structural US dollar inflows, such as foreign direct investments and overseas Filipino remittances. He added that the higher GIR in July 2023 could still support the country's "relatively stronger external position," which fundamentally supports the country's relatively favorable credit ratings. For context, the country's sovereign bonds received a "Baa2" rating from Moody's Investors Service, "BBB+" from S&P Global Ratings, and "BBB" from Fitch Ratings. The three debt watchers gave the Philippines a "stable outlook," indicating that there won't be any changes to the rating in the next 12 to 18 months. The post BSP posts deficit of $53M appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Private sector analysts predict inflation rate to dip below 5 percent
Private economists expect the country's inflation rate to ease further for the sixth consecutive month in July from the 5.4 percent inflation rate last June. A Daily Tribune poll of six (6) private sector analysts yielded a median estimate of 4.8 percent for July inflation. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is expected to unveil inflation data in the first week of August. Economists expect inflation to dip below five percent, marking the first time since April 2022, when the average headline inflation was 4.9 percent. Security Bank chief economist Robert Dan Roces and China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez said inflation likely softened to 4.7. In an emailed commentary, Roces elaborated that the deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) suggests a moderate level of inflation. "The favorable base effects that helped offset the increase in food prices may continue to play a role in keeping inflation in check in the short term," Roces said. For her part, Velasquez said lower utility rates offset higher food and fuel prices. She mentioned that electricity rates in all regions fell substantially from the previous month, especially in Mindanao and Batangas. Velasquez added that a stronger peso in July could have also led to the "muted" monthly inflation rate. ING Bank lead economist Nicolas Mapa, who said that headline inflation averaged 4.8 percent in July, mentioned that Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) would consider the data point alongside the path of inflation against developments such as the recent US Federal Reserve's hike in its subsequent decision. Philippine National Bank economist Alvin Arogo said inflation would likely to 4.9 percent in July amid the month-on-month increase due to the minimum wage hike in Metro Manila and the rise in pump prices due to Dubai crude. Arogo said the favorable base effects will continue to be the main driver for the monthly print of year-on-year price growth to be lower than four percent in the fourth quarter amid the "persistence of second-round effects." Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) lead economist June Neri, who said that inflation in July likely eased to 4.9 percent in July, mentioned it would fall within the two to four percent target range of the BSP by the fourth quarter. "Such a print suggests that a sub-four percent monthly print by October or November is possible and increases the chances that the BSP can keep policy rates steady for the balance of 2023," Neri said. Meanwhile, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said that the inflation rate for July likely slowed at 5.1 percent as the recent increase in local rice prices would also slow down the easing trend of "disinflation" at the very least. He said that the possible reduction of rice imports by the Philippines would also coincide with the adverse effects of the El Niño drought, especially from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, potentially reducing local rice production. Ricafort added that the weather phenomenon would also lead to some uptick in local rice prices and overall inflation. However, the country's new central bank said it is still too early to declare victory in the battle to curb consumer price pressures as upside pressures on expenses remain high amid downtrend data, the country's new Speaking at a recent banking community event, BSP governor Eli Remolona said the persisting upside risks to inflation indicate the monetary authority remains open to further tightening. The country's core inflation, which primarily excludes food and fuel expenses, hit 7.4 percent in June. Last month's data declined from May's 7.7 percent to April's 7.9 percent. "Nonetheless, it's too soon to declare victory. Core inflation remains high. There are still upside risks to inflation – for example, risks in the form of El Niño and further supply shocks," Remolona said. Remolona stated that the inflation figures will factor into the analysis conducted by the Monetary Board. He added that data will play a crucial role in influencing their policy rate decision. "We will wait and see. We will analyze the data as they arrive, and that analysis will decide monetary policy down the road," the Central Bank chief mentioned. On the sidelines of the same banking event, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said he expects inflation to continue easing in the coming months but warned that there are still risks to the outlook. Balisacan said that the current downward trend in inflation is expected to continue, but some factors could worsen it. These include rising oil prices and the impact of Typhoons Egay and Falcon on agricultural production. "We are still monitoring the situation, but we hope that the impact of the typhoon will not be too serious," Balisacan said. The post Private sector analysts predict inflation rate to dip below 5 percent appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COMMENTARY: Finding happy balance between health and economy
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/ 11 Sept) — I concede that delving into this twin topic “health and economy” is like trekking across an unfamiliar territory, with all its rugged, at times, hostile contours. The reason for it is this. I am neither an economist nor a health expert. But, with the advent of COVID-19 pandemic, […].....»»
Philippines logs 40 pertussis deaths this year
MANILA, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Forty children have died of whopping cough, a respiratory infection also called pertussis, since this year, the Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) has reported. The DOH said in a statement on Wednesday that cases have continued to increase since the start of this year, recording 568 cases from Jan. 1 to March 16. "The total number of cases for the same period in 2023 was.....»»
Unilab launches hub for health policy issues
Unilab Foundation recently launched the Unilab Center for Health Policy to serve as a venue for stakeholders to examine health policy issues.....»»
Hope for more survivors from Baltimore bridge collapse fades
BALTIMORE – The coast guard announced on Wednesday that hope of finding more survivors of the Baltimore bridge collapse has dimmed, and efforts have switched to searching for the bodies of the missing persons, as well as seeking more answers as to why a container ship crashed into the span. The coast guard announced on.....»»
Pertussis or whooping cough: 40 child deaths so far this year – DOH
MANILA, Philippines — Assistant Health Secretary Albert Domingo reported on Wednesday that as of March 16 this year, some 40 children had died of whooping cough — a respiratory infection also called pertussis. An increase in new pertussis cases nationwide had been observed nationwide, with 28 cases reported from March 10 to 16. READ: What.....»»
Let’s not forget about sexual reproductive health and rights
I once read that in the ’80s, NASA wanted to send astronaut Sally Ride – the first American woman in space – on a space mission with 100 tampons. Her trip was six days. They could have spared that embarrassment by simply talking about it......»»
Negros Occidental health office urges masking amid pertussis threat
The Negros Occidental provincial health office is campaigning for the use of face masks amid the threat of pertussis or ”whooping cough.”.....»»
Go inspects Bacolod Super Health Center
Sen. Bong Go, chairperson of the Senate committee on health and demography, inspected a Super Health Center in Bacolod City on Sunday......»»
Paolo Contis happy for It s Showtime, open to guest in new GMA noontime show
Kapuso actor Paolo Contis is glad that ABS-CBN noontime show "It's Showtime" found a new home in GMA. .....»»
Paolo Contis masaya sa paglipat ng ‘It’s Showtime’ sa GMA
HAPPY ang Kapuso actor at dating host ng noontime program na “Tahanang Pinakamasaya” na si Paolo Contis sa pagkakaroon ng bagong tahanan ng “It’s Showtime”. Sa kanyang exclusive interview sa GMA News nitong Lunes, March 25, natanong ang aktor kung bukas ba siya sa posibilidad na maka-work ang mga Kapamilya hosts ng naturang noontime program......»»
EAM Jaishankar, Singapore PM exchange views on deepening engagement in fintech, digitalization, green economy
New Delhi [India], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong exchanged views on deepening engagement in fintech, digitalization, the green economy, skills development and food security. EAM Jaishankar concluded his visit to Singapore on March 25. He was on an official visit to Singapore from March 23-25, the first leg of his visit to Singapore, Philippines and Mala.....»»
DOH orders 5 million measles vaccine doses
The Department of Health has procured five million doses of measles vaccine as part of its renewed and intensified campaign against increasing cases of measles in the country......»»
More jabs vs pertussis, measles arriving soon — DOH
The health department said in a statement Monday that it is already distributing 64,400 pentavalent vaccines to curb the spread of pertussis, a highly contagious respiratory infection......»»
EAM Jaishankar, Singapore PM exchange views on deepening engagement in fintech, digitalization, green economy
New Delhi [India], March 26 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong exchanged views on deepening engagement in fintech, digitalization, the green economy, skills development and food security. EAM Jaishankar concluded his visit to Singapore on March 25. He was on an official visit to Singapore from March 23-25, the first leg of his visit to Singapore, Philippines and Mala.....»»
Elijah super yakap kay Miles, sweet na sweet uli sa isa’t isa
FEELING ng kanilang mga respective supporters, totoong nagkabalikan na talaga sina Miles Ocampo at Elijah Canlas. Of course, super happy ang mga fans sa development na ito at kung true nga na binigyan uli ni Miles si Elijah ng second chance para sa part 2 ng kanilang love story. Sa litratong ibinahagi ng direktor ng.....»»
Masking, lockdown not needed for rising pertussis cases – DOH
Despite the alarming increase in pertussis cases in the country, an official of the Department of Health said there is no need for a lockdown or mandatory wearing of face masks......»»
Measles vaccine drive launched in BARMM
The Department of Health is conducting a non-selective immunization program against measles in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to contain an outbreak......»»