Manila Times

President Marcos Highlights Village Leaders' Role in Grassroots Governance

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. praised village executives as key partners in delivering public services and advancing national development at the community level.

Government Awards Land Titles to More Than 200 Residents Under 4PH Housing Program

More than 200 residents in Antipolo received land titles through the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino housing program, advancing the government's efforts to provide secure home ownership.

Occidental Mindoro Broadens Rice Assistance to 14,000 Families

Local authorities expanded rice distribution under the Local Government Support Fund program to strengthen food security for thousands of households facing economic pressures.

Rice Cooperatives Secure 128 Million Peso Supply Contract Under Sagip Saka Program

The Philippine Rice Research Institute helped local cooperatives secure a 128 million peso contract, expanding market opportunities and supporting higher incomes for rice farmers.

Government Expands School Feeding and Literacy Programs in Nueva Ecija

The Department of Education launched new nutrition and literacy initiatives in Nueva Ecija to reduce malnutrition and improve learning outcomes for schoolchildren.

Philippine Stock Market Retreats After Recent Rally

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 1.57 percent to 6,037.17 points as investors took profits, while the peso weakened slightly against the U.S. dollar.

Bureau of Internal Revenue Signs Digital Tax Administration Partnership with Swiss Business Group

The Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Swiss Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines agreed to cooperate on digitizing tax administration and improving taxpayer services to support more efficient fiscal governance.

Securities Regulator and Mynt Partner to Strengthen Consumer Protection in Digital Finance

The Securities and Exchange Commission and Mynt Inc. signed an agreement to promote financial literacy and strengthen consumer safeguards, with particular attention to the responsible use of digital lending services.

Visayas Power Grid Placed Under Yellow Alert Amid High Electricity Demand

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines declared a two-hour yellow alert in the Visayas after several power plants became unavailable while electricity demand remained high.

Energy Regulator Extends Suspension of Green Energy Auction Charges

The Energy Regulatory Commission prolonged the suspension of Green Energy Auction Allowance collections for July and August, providing temporary relief for consumers facing elevated electricity bills.

World Bank Data Shows Vietnam Extending Income Lead Over the Philippines

World Bank figures show Philippine gross national income per capita reached a record 4,850 dollars in 2025, while Vietnam increased to 4,970 dollars, highlighting the continuing competition between the two economies to attain upper-middl...

Northern Mindanao Advances Major Airport and Highway Projects

The Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao reported progress on a 12.75 billion peso airport expansion and the Central Mindanao High Standard Highway, projects aimed at strengthening trade and transport links with the Davao re...

President Marcos Orders Faster Delivery of Build Better More Infrastructure Projects

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways to accelerate infrastructure construction after the rapid completion of a key steel bridge in Pangasinan, reinforcing the administration's push to impr...

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Advances Wholesale Digital Currency for Financial Settlement

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said a wholesale central bank digital currency could be introduced to improve securities settlement and large-value cross-border payments, marking another step in the country's digital finance agenda.

Philippine Trade Climbs 16 Percent in May as Goods Exchange Reaches 21.23 Billion Dollars

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that total external trade in goods rose 16.1 percent year on year in May, suggesting a recovery in trade activity despite continued uncertainty in the global economy.

Philippine Air Force Expands Focus on Personnel Training, Safety and Mental Well-Being

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said modernization extends beyond new equipment, directing the Air Force to strengthen intelligence training, flight simulation, mental health support and rigorous airworthiness standards as it continues na...

President Marcos Reaffirms Philippine Air Force Modernization at 79th Anniversary Celebration

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged to sustain the Philippine Air Force modernization program by investing in advanced surveillance systems, aircraft and intelligence training while stressing that stronger defense capabilities are ess...

Export Development Canada Opens Manila Office to Strengthen Bilateral Business Links

The opening of an Export Development Canada office in Manila is expected to improve access to trade financing and support closer commercial ties between Canadian and Philippine businesses.

Agriculture Sector Receives New Support to Improve Fertilizer Security

The Department of Agriculture is receiving technical assistance from the Asian Development Bank to strengthen fertilizer procurement and improve productivity for domestic rice and corn farmers.

Philippines Strengthens Coordination With US Indo-Pacific Command on Maritime Security

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and maritime agencies have expanded joint coordination with the United States Indo-Pacific Command following recent maritime incidents, with a focus on protecting the country's exclusive economic zone ...

Social Protection Programs Expanded With Asian Development Bank Support

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is working with the Asian Development Bank to strengthen assistance programs aimed at helping low-income households cope with rising energy and food costs.

Philippine Infrastructure Program Continues to Prioritize National Connectivity

Infrastructure agencies are pressing ahead with the Build Better More program, focusing on projects that improve transport links, reduce logistics costs and strengthen connections between agricultural regions and domestic markets.

Bank of the Philippine Islands Eliminates Interbank Transfer Fees for Mobile Users

The Bank of the Philippine Islands has permanently waived InstaPay and PESONet transfer fees through its mobile application, supporting the central bank's goal of expanding digital financial inclusion.

Philippines Pursues Broader Trade Agreements Across Canada and the Indo-Pacific

The Department of Trade and Industry is accelerating negotiations on new trade frameworks, including efforts linked to Canada and the wider Indo-Pacific, as Manila seeks to diversify export markets and strengthen manufacturing resilience.

Canada-Philippines Partnership Expands Through Investment and Defense Cooperation

Canadian direct investment in the Philippines has grown by more than 40 percent over the past year, with both countries seeking deeper cooperation in defense, military training and economic development.

Government Maintains Fuel Subsidies and Tax Relief to Cushion Energy Price Volatility

The Marcos administration said it will continue fuel subsidies and excise tax reductions for vulnerable sectors while keeping emergency support measures in place for farmers, fishers and public transport operators affected by higher ener...

Bangko Sentral Raises 2026 Inflation Forecast as Global Supply Pressures Persist

The Philippine central bank has increased its average inflation forecast for 2026 to 6.4 percent, citing continued global supply disruptions and reaffirming its commitment to containing inflation and supporting the peso.

Philippine Central Bank Sees June Inflation Easing but Signals Tight Monetary Policy Will Continue

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said inflation likely slowed to between six and seven percent in June as oil prices eased, but maintained that price growth remains above target and that higher interest rates will remain necessary.

Asian Development Bank Offers Up to $1.75 Billion to Help Philippines Address Energy Crisis

The Asian Development Bank has pledged up to $1.75 billion in financial support for the Philippines to strengthen social protection, improve fertilizer security and reduce the economic impact of volatile global energy prices.

President Marcos Welcomes New US Ambassador Lee Lipton for Strategic Talks

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. received newly appointed US Ambassador Lee Lipton at Malacañang Palace, where discussions focused on the Luzon Economic Corridor, maritime security and continued economic cooperation under the Mutual Defens...

Philippines Pushes for Legally Binding South China Sea Code of Conduct During ASEAN Chairmanship

As ASEAN chair in 2026, the Philippines is seeking to conclude negotiations on a legally binding South China Sea Code of Conduct by the end of the year, presenting the agreement as a key test of regional diplomacy and maritime cooperation.

President Marcos Begins Canada Visit to Advance Trade, Security and Critical Minerals Cooperation

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has begun a four-day visit to Canada, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney to accelerate talks on a bilateral free trade agreement and expand cooperation on maritime security, critical mi...

Bangsamoro Government Expands Housing Assistance for Displaced Marawi Families

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has launched a new phase of housing assistance for displaced families in Marawi City. The program is part of continuing reconstruction and community recovery efforts following past conf...

Provincial Healthcare Expansion Continues With Hospital Upgrades in Misamis Occidental

The Calamba District Hospital in Misamis Occidental marked its 59th anniversary by announcing facility upgrades, reflecting continued investment in provincial healthcare infrastructure. The improvements form part of broader efforts to ex...

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Delivers Patient Transport Vehicles Across the Visayas

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has distributed 18 patient transport vehicles to 10 provinces in the Visayas to strengthen emergency medical services. The program is intended to improve access to healthcare for communities in g...

Department of Tourism Launches "Discover More to Love" Campaign

The Department of Tourism has introduced its "Discover More to Love" campaign, offering 3,000 travel deals to encourage domestic and international travel during the off-peak season. The initiative is intended to support tourism businesse...

President Marcos Opens First Walang Gutom Kitchen in Mindanao

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has inaugurated Mindanao's first Walang Gutom Kitchen in Zamboanga City as part of a broader initiative to address food insecurity. The visit also included the turnover of more than 300 million pesos in soc...

ING Says Philippine Consumer Recovery Continues to Lag Regional Peers

A report by Dutch bank ING says consumer spending in the Philippines remains weaker than in countries including Japan, Australia and India. The analysis points to limited household financial buffers, sensitivity to inflation and structur...

Anti-U.S. Demonstration Prompts Security Advisory Near Embassy in Manila

An anti-U.S. protest on Kalaw Avenue near the United States Embassy in Manila has led to traffic disruptions and a heightened police presence. U.S. embassy officials have advised foreign nationals to avoid the area, remain alert and moni...

China Challenges 2016 South China Sea Arbitration Ruling in New Assessment Report

China's Ministry of Natural Resources has released an assessment disputing the legal basis of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration case brought by the Philippines. The report argues that Manila misused the United Nations Convention on th...

Vice President Sara Duterte Cites Iglesia Ni Cristo Protest as Sign of Public Discontent

Vice President Sara Duterte said protest actions by the Iglesia Ni Cristo at the People Power Monument reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the Marcos administration. She criticized the government's handling of the economy, risi...

China Conducts Combat-Readiness Patrols Around Scarborough Shoal After U.S.-Philippines Exercises

China's Southern Theatre Command and the China Coast Guard carried out naval and air patrols around Scarborough Shoal following joint military exercises by the United States and the Philippines. Beijing said Manila was undermining region...

Philippines Sees Continued Growth in Private Solar Investment

Regional reports indicate that high electricity prices continue to encourage businesses and households across the Philippines to invest in private solar energy systems, supporting the country's expanding renewable energy market.

Ombudsman Weighs Former Public Works Chief as Witness in Flood Control Investigation

The Office of the Ombudsman is considering former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan as a potential state witness in its investigation into alleged irregularities involving flood-control projects.

Authorities Continue Multiple Investigations Into Aurora Teambuilding Tragedy

The Department of Labor and Employment is continuing its inquiry into the work authorization of former Ateneo basketball coach Thomas Anthony Baldwin, while the Department of Justice reviews whether minor officials should remain responde...