Government agrees to restore interest deductions
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties."Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government's restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code," says Assoc.....»»
Investor interest in power gaining steam – Lotilla
Investor interest in the country’s power sector, particularly in the renewable energy space, continues to gain steam, according to the Department of Energy......»»
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell discusses interest rate cut timeline | The Daily Guardia
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has declared that interest rate cuts are improbable in the coming months, despite a robust economy and declining inflation. The.....»»
People s Initiative or Politician s Interest?
People s Initiative or Politician s Interest?.....»»
MPTC offers P2.5 billion to buy out government share in CAVITEX
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. is willing to spend as much as P2.5 billion to acquire the remaining interest of the government in the operations and maintenance of the Manila-Cavite Expressway......»»
Government sets P585 billion borrowings in Q2
The government is set to borrow P585 billion from the domestic market in the second quarter amid hopes of more favorable interest rates here and abroad......»»
Government borrowings inch up to P2.19 trillion
The Philippines slightly increased its borrowings to P2.19 trillion last year amid a high interest rate environment here and abroad, with the government almost hitting its entire financing program......»»
Government to limit debt as new taxes hang
With outstanding debt at a record high, the government may have to go slow with its borrowing spree, at least for now, amid its no new taxes stance and the still elevated interest rate environment......»»
10th ID bashes Canadian gov’t for travel advisory vs Mindanao
The 10th Infantry Agila Division (10ID) of the Philippine Army criticized the Canadian government for issuing a travel advisory against all parts of Mindanao, which includes their area of responsibility. Major Mark Anthony Tito, spokesperson for the 10th ID, emphasized that the regions under their jurisdiction are peaceful and free from terrorism and violent threats, contrary to the Canadian embassy's advisory. The division oversees 12 provinces, seven cities, and 72 municipalities in various parts of Mindanao. Tito expressed bewilderment at the basis of the travel advisory, asserting that the Canadian government lacks awareness of the actual situation on the ground. He highlighted the peaceful nature of the entire Davao Region throughout 2023, with no recorded incidents of terrorism or insurgency. Despite the exclusion of Davao City from the advisory, Tito noted that the region would still be impacted. The Canadian embassy's advisory warned its citizens to avoid visiting Mindanao due to ongoing terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, high levels of violence, and encounters between rebel forces and government security authorities. Specific provinces and regions were singled out for caution or non-essential travel, including Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Mindanao. Contrary to the advisory, the 10th ID has been actively weakening and eliminating guerilla forces within its jurisdiction as part of the Philippine Army's efforts to establish an insurgency-free zone. In fact, on October 27, 2023, the Davao Region celebrated its first anniversary as an insurgency-free region in the Philippines. This dispute has led to other related stories, including the Chamber's intention to engage in discussions with the Canadian government regarding the travel advisory, as well as refutations from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and celebrations of the Davao Region's insurgency-free status by the Regional Peace and Order Council. In summary, the 10th ID vehemently opposes the Canadian government's travel advisory, citing the peaceful and secure nature of the regions under their jurisdiction, and highlighting the significant strides made in eradicating insurgency in the Davao Region......»»
Romeo Lumagui: Beyond taxes
Whether it’s a selfie, an autograph or a video greeting — the country’s top taxman willingly obliges as he tries to bring the difficult yet necessary concept of tax closer to Filipinos. There is a running joke that in every administration, only one or two government officials will have a more appealing look that would often pique the public’s interest beyond their official job description......»»
Debt payment rises threefold in January
The government jacked up its debt service by more than threefold to P159 billion in January as payments for interest and amortization both increased......»»
Economy grew by 5.6% in 2023
The Philippine economy expanded at a slower pace in 2023 than the previous year, falling below the government’s growth target amid high inflation and interest rates that affected consumption......»»
ULAP Leads Insightful Webinar on Enhancing Marine Resources and Maritime Spaces in the Philippines
The Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), in partnership with The Asia Foundation and Waypoints, successfully hosted a timely webinar entitled “Advancing the Interest of an Archipelagic Nation: The Role of Local Government in Enhancing the Country’s Marine Resources and Maritime Spaces” last January 22. The webinar featured distinguished panelists shedding light on […].....»»
Bond issuances decline by 53 percent in 2023
Government and corporate bond issues tumbled by more than half last year amid a challenging environment including high interest rates......»»
Mati City, 10 municipalities in Davao Oriental suspend classes, work
Following the impact of a Low-Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Northern and Southern Mindanao, local government units (LGUs) in Davao Oriental have collectively suspended classes and government and private offices. The City of Mati and 10 municipalities, including Baganga, Governor Generoso, Cateel, and others, have issued Executive Orders in line with Presidential Executive Order No. 66, series of 2012. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has forecasted moderate to heavy rains in Davao Oriental due to the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) and LPA, posing a risk of landslides and flash floods. The Provincial Local Government Unit of Davao Oriental and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils have reported landslides in Lupon and Cateel, with ongoing clearing operations. The Bureau of Fire Protection and other government agencies have rescued families affected by flash floods in Cateel and Caraga. Franz Irag from the Office of Civil Defense-Davao Region confirmed that around 200 individuals or close to 500 families in Davao Region have been displaced and are now in evacuation centers. Additionally, five LGUs in the province of Davao de Oro have also declared the suspension of classes and work in both public and private offices......»»
DPWH tallies 268 gov’t and school buildings partially destroyed in Hinatuan quake
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Davao Region reported that a total of 268 school and national government buildings were partially destroyed by the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur on December 2. The estimated damage amounted to P108,497,894.84 for school buildings and P1,899,365.60 for national government buildings. The damages included cracks on walls and falling debris such as ceilings. According to Engr. Alexander Turingan of DPWH XI, there were no reported damages in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur. Franz Irag, Office of Civil Defense (OCD) XI operations head, emphasized the importance of addressing damages to school buildings, which also serve as evacuation centers during calamities. Dean Ortiz, spokesperson of DPWH XI, highlighted the agency's focus on national roads and bridges, clarifying that they will respond to requests to inspect private and government buildings. Architect Kashagar Toghyani, officer-in-charge of the Office City Building Official (OCBO) of Davao City, urged private building owners to promptly engage professional engineers to assess structural integrity, especially for buildings housing more than 10 individuals. He emphasized the necessity of fire inspections and transparency with building occupants to ensure their safety. The recent earthquakes did not affect government buildings in the Davao Region, and DPWH is committed to conducting thorough assessments and ensuring the safety of buildings and their occupants in the aftermath of the quake......»»
House backs Comelec plan to ban substitution by withdrawal
Administration lawmakers have expressed support for the plan of the Commission on Elections to prohibit candidates from taking advantage of substitution by means of withdrawal of their certificate of candidacy and advancing their personal interest......»»
First rate cut likely 25 basis points - The Manila Times
MONETARY authorities will cut key interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) once inflation settles around the midpoint of the target range, the chief of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said. "Right now, if we ease, it will just be 25 basis points. But we'll see," central bank Governor Eli Remolona Jr. told reporters on Monday. "Anything more than 25 [bps], it's like there's a recession alrea.....»»
A drought and famine for solutions
For several decades now, I have had an interest in solar power for residential and recreational applications......»»
PHLPost to bring Guinness pope stamps on roadshow
he Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) is planning to bring the Guinness World Records’ largest collection of Pope Stamp Exhibit to the Visayas and Mindanao to spur interest in philately......»»
More banks keen on green financing – BSP
More banks in the Philippines have expressed interest to finance green and sustainable projects in the country amid the need to fund efforts that would mitigate impacts of climate change......»»