PH trade deficit widens to $9.8B in Q1 as Chinese imports surged
Merchandise exports dropped for the fourth straight month in March while imports sustained growth for three consecutive months partly due to a surge in products from China, such that the trade-in-goods deficit widened by over a fifth to $9.8 billion at the end of the first quarter.
— Inquirer.net (very annoying pop-ups)
New threat spreading in West Philippine Sea: Garbage
When a team of young marine scientists sailed to the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to study its biodiversity, they came across an unwanted ocean traveler: man-made garbage.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer (very annoying pop-ups)
Philippines receives funding to scrap mercury use in mining ops
An international organization is pouring in $45 million to seven countries – including the Philippines – to eliminate the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer (very annoying pop-ups)
Rice crisis over? Philippines looks at removal of suggested retail prices as market stabilises
The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is considering the removal of suggested retail prices (SRPs) for rice in the wake of the rice tariffication law being signed earlier this year.
— Foodnavigator-asia
UNICEF: PH immunization coverage dropping at alarming rate
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns over the Philippines’ declining immunization coverage, saying some 2.9 million Filipino children are at risk of contracting life-threatening diseases.
— ABS-CBN News
Philippine exports fall for fifth month in March
Exports from the Philippines declined for a fifth consecutive month in March, dragged down by a fall in shipments of electronics.
— Financial Times
Q1 growth may slow to 6.1% with delayed gov’t projects — poll
Economic growth likely slowed during the first three months of 2019, with analysts pointing to the delayed passage of the budget which stalled government projects.
— CNN Philippines
Duterte raises 2019 SEA Games budget to ₱6B
The budget for the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is now set at ₱6 billion.
— CNN Philippines
IP filings pick up by 13% in first quarter
Applications for intellectual property increased by 13 percent in the first quarter of 2019, reflecting a steady growth in the country’s innovation culture.
— Manila Bulletin
Delay in passing budget dampened spending by P1 billion daily
THE government will seek to make up for the building lag caused by the delayed 2019 budget, which dampened spending by about P1 billion a day, but much will depend on good weather to facilitate construction, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said.
— BusinessWorld Onine
Govt to fast track infra projects
THE government will accelerate the implementation of projects under the Build Build Build program, which was delayed because the government had to operate on a reenacted budget for the first four months of the year, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd.
— The Manila Times
Solon backs Pag-asa seaport project amid growing Chinese presence
The growing presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels around Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) makes it imperative for government to push through with its plans to construct a seaport in the remote Philippine territory, a ranking lawmaker at the House of Representatives said Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
PAGASA records highest heat index in PH so far this year
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration yesterday recorded the highest heat index in the country this year at 52.2 degrees Celsius in Virac, Catanduanes, surpassing the 51.7 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City last April 14.
— Tempo
‘FTAs will shield PHL from trade war’
THE Philippines is keen on forging more bilateral free- trade agreements (FTAs) with several countries amid the intensifying trade tensions between the United States and China.
— Business Mirror
Rappler: Independent media won’t be silenced by ‘silly diagrams, lousy scripts’
Online news website Rappler on Wednesday fired back at Malacañang for tagging it anew to an alleged plot aimed at discrediting President Rodrigo Duterte.
— GMA News
El Niño slashed crops production in Q1–PSA
THE sustained expansion of the livestock and poultry subsectors buoyed the country’s first-quarter farm output, which grew at a slower pace as El Niño affected the Philippines’s major crops.
— Business Mirror
MIAA mulls banning white taxis permanently at Naia
THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is considering permanently banning all white taxis at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), executives said Wednesday.
— Business Mirror
Return to euro bond market possible this month — BTr
The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) yesterday hinted at the possibility of returning to the euro bond market within the month, as investors showed positive response for the upcoming issuance.
— The Philippine Star
Ayala group building P2B cancer specialty hospital
The Ayala group is investing around P2 billion to build what is touted to be the country’s first comprehensive cancer specialty hospital that is envisioned to provide affordable, high-quality cancer treatments.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer (very annoying pop-ups)
Philippines Q1 agriculture output growth slows to 0.67 pct y/y
Philippines’ agriculture sector’s output grew 0.67 percent in the first-quarter, slower than the revised 1.08 percent growth in the same period of last year, the country’s statistics agency said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
HyalRoute to invest up to $2b in Philippines fiber project
Singapore-based shared fiber network provider HyalRoute has signed an agreement with the Philippines’ Department of ICT to invest up to $2 billion expanding to the market.
— Telecomasia.net
Philippine National Bank boosts war chest by P27B
Tycoon Lucio Tan-led Philippine National Bank has raised its lending capability with proceeds from a P13.87-billion local bond debut and a $250-million syndicated loan facility.
— Inquirer.net (very annoying pop-ups)
Duterte needs big win in midterm vote
Millions of Philippine voters are headed to midterm elections on 13 May to vote for new lawmakers who will determine the fate of President Rodrigo Duterte’s pitch to revamp the political and tax systems.
— The Asean Post
PH, Singapore celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations
The Philippines and Singapore on Wednesday jointly unveiled the official commemorative logo of the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations, symbolizing the start of year-long activities to be held in both Manila and the Lion City.
— Manila Bulletin
BSP enhances working ties with anti-money laundering unit
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno has established a closer coordination and cooperation with the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in a more empowered way under the amended BSP Charter, which was signed into law last February by President Duterte.
— Manila Bulletin
Davao drug den raid nets 7 suspected users
Seven individuals were arrested by the joint forces of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Davao Region (PDEA-11) Philippine National Police (PNP) in a recent buy-bust operation against a suspected drug den in Davao City.
— Davao Today
Number coding scheme for provincial buses lifted May 10, 14
THE number coding scheme for provincial buses will be lifted on Friday, May 10, and Tuesday, May 14, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.
— BusinessWorld Onine
Brace for another round of OFW job losses in Saudi, POEA warns
More displacement of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other foreign workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) looms as the Saudi government intensifies the nationalization of its work force.
— Business Mirror
Liberal Party, other groups tagged in plot to discredit Duterte
The opposition Liberal Party (LP) and other groups are conspiring to discredit President Rodrigo Duterte and boost their candidates’ chances of winning in the upcoming mid-term polls, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
KCC brings South Korean docu fest to PH on May 14-15
The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) has announced the staging of South Korean documentary film festival, the DMZ International Documentary (DMZ Docs), at the University of the Philippines Film Institute in Quezon City on May 14-15.
— Philippine News Agency
A U.S. Ally Is Turning to China to ‘Build, Build, Build’
Vince Dizon makes sure his guests take in the view from his ninth-story office before they leave. A set of windows looks out over a hazy, expansive airfield that was the center of the United States’ largest overseas military base, until it was handed back to the Philippines in 1991.
— The Atlantic
‘Economy to slow in 2019’
PHILIPPINE economic growth is expected to slow this year, with risks to it primarily driven by government underspending and tight liquidity in the financial market, economists say ahead of the …
— The Manila Times
Magnitude 4.7 aftershock jolts Eastern Samar
A magnitude 4.7 earthquake shook San Julian, Eastern Samar on Wednesday, the strongest aftershock recorded so far after the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that rocked the sleepy town on April 23, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
— Philippine News Agency
Duterte-Xi meeting may tackle South China Sea dispute » Manila Bulletin News
A Malacañang official said it would be better if President Duterte would push through with his China visit next week so he can meet President Xi Jinping and talk about the South China Sea dispute face to face.
— Spratly Islands
Comelec, gov’t forces in Davao ready for Monday’s election
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the over 7,000-strong police and military forces in Davao are ready for Monday’s elections, with about 2.8 million voters across the Davao Region expected to cast their votes.
— Philippine News Agency
1st BARMM Ramadan trade fair opens
The Ministry of Trade and Industry of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MTI-BARMM) opened Wednesday the first-ever Bangsamoro Ramadhan Trade Fair inside Shariff Kabunsuan Complex, the seat of BARMM in this city.
— Philippine News Agency
Comelec not keen on placing 2 Cebu LGUs under its full control
With only five days to go before the electorate select new political leaders, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here said it is not keen on placing this city and the violence-ridden town of San Fernando in southern Cebu under its full control.
— Philippine News Agency
Cebu City police prevent journalists from interviewing detained suspects
A memo issued by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) prohibits journalists from interviewing detainees under their custody without prior permission.
— Rappler
Dept of Energy preps up for coming polls
The 300-megawatt Therma South Power Plant in Binugao, Toril, Davao City. The Department of Energy has assured that the Mindanao Grid will have adequate power during the May 13 elections.
— Philippine Information Agency
Iligan City marks World Malaria Day
“Zero Malaria Starts with Me” is the World Health Organization (WHO) theme for the 2019 World Malaria Day which falls every 25th of April focusing on raising awareness and funds for the treatment and prevention of malaria.
— Philippine Information Agency
Army spox says US wants to increase its soldiers for joint exercises
The spokesperson of the Philippine Army on Wednesday said the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) wants to increase the number of its troops who would join the Salaknib exercises next year.
— GMA News
Meralco Prepares Portable Generators, Flood Lights For Election Day
Power distributor Meralco prepared portable generators and floodlights for the May 13.
— Philippine News
LRTA admin, other employees face raps before Ombudsman
The administrator of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly violating the procurement law.
— GMA News
Logistics leader W Express launches new e-payment platform ECPay
W Express, one of the country’s pioneering logistics companies, has launched ECPay, a new service designed to make payments hassle-free for its customers.
— BusinessWorld Online
Malaybalay triumphs in fight vs rabies
Malaybalay City received the prestigious “Best Implementer for Rabies Eradication” award from the provincial government for its unwavering support, tireless dedication, and excellent implementation of Rabies Eradication Program.
— Philippine Information Agency
SEC registers country’s first one person corporation
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently approved the registration of the first one person corporation (OPC) organized under Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.
— Philippine News Agency
Cloud seeding operations start over Bulacan dams
The Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has begun its cloud seeding operations over the dams in Bulacan, particularly Angat Dam, to create artificial rain that could increase the water level in the facilities.
— Philippine News Agency
Leyte town administrator shot dead
The municipal administrator of San Isidro, Leyte was shot to death Wednesday morning outside the house of the town mayor, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported.
— Philippine News Agency
Japanese Government Scholarship open until May 31
Do you want to study in Japan? Good news! The Japanese Government is offering scholarships for high school and college graduates.
— Philippine Information Agency
Marginalized Antique fisherfolk await distribution of fiberglass boats
The 900 marginalized fisherfolk identified by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as recipients of fiberglass boats could receive the boats by June or July once their engines are delivered by the supplier.
— Philippine News Agency
P1-M damage as fire razes CDO dad’s property
A fire that broke out on a building owned by a city councilor here destroyed an estimated PHP1 million worth of properties Tuesday evening.
— Philippine News Agency
Brace for rain as 2 LPAs enter PH–Pagasa
Brace for rains in some parts of Luzon due to two low-pressure areas.
— Manilastandard.net
Napoles charged with graft anew
Convicted plunderer Janet Lim-Napoles has been charged with graft anew in the Sandiganbayan along with former Nueva Ecija Rep. Aurelio Umali and six others for the alleged misuse of P15 million from Umali’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation in 2005.
— Inquirer.net
Comelec, PNP remove illegal campaign ads in Calabarzon
A truckload of illegal campaign advertisements, tarpaulins and posters were hauled in Tuesday’s simultaneous removal operation in this city, with the materials mostly breaching the Commission on Elections (Comelec) prescribed sizes and placed out of the common-poster …
— Philippine News Agency
Comelec holds final sealing, testing of VCM, VRVM in Basilan
The Commission on Elections here conducted the series of final testing and sealing of Vote Counting Machines (VCM) and Voter Registration Verification Machines (VRVM) starting May 7, 2019.
— Philippine Information Agency
BIR: Teachers’ allowance for polls tax-exempt if annual income below P250K
The allowances and honoraria of teachers who will serve as members of electoral boards during the May 13 midterm polls are tax-exempt if they fall below the P250,000 annual income threshold, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said Wednesday.
— Inquirer.net
Protect interests of Filipino business owners, consumers: solon
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday said foreign-owned businesses and enterprises that violate the country’s laws should be shut down to protect the interests of both Filipino consumers and business owners.
— Philippine News Agency
Nueva Ecija villagers learn organic backyard farming
Some 87 residents of Barangay Daang Sarile here, mostly beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), finished a 45-day training on urban gardening on Wednesday.
— Philippine News Agency
Feature photo Mongabay
This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Migratory Bird Day, May 11.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Philippines morning news for May 9 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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Stella-maris Ewudolu
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.
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