Tag: economy

AMRO sees Philippine economy growing 6.1% to 6.3% in 2025

AMRO sees Philippine economy growing 6.1% to 6.3% in 2025

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In its recent update, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) sees the economy of the Philippines achieving growth of 6.1% to 6.3% in 2025, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…

THE PHILIPPINES will likely post the second-fastest growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus 3 (ASEAN+3) region this year and in 2025, driven by faster government spending and easing interest rates, according to a regional think tank.

In its October update, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) retained its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines at 6.1% this year and 6.3% next year.

“We didn’t change the forecast for the Philippines. As you can see, we expect growth to be at 6.1%, which will be an improvement from last year’s 5.6%,” AMRO Chief Economist Hoe Ee Khor told a virtual briefing on Thursday.

“This is mainly because we expect government investment spending to be higher this year, together with services exports,” he said.

The AMRO’s projection is within the government’s 6-7% target for 2024. However, its 2025 forecast is below the government’s 6.5-7.5% goal.

Mr. Khor said Philippine economic growth remains one of the strongest in the ASEAN+3 region, which includes members of the ASEAN, China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea.

AMRO’s growth forecast for the Philippines is just behind Vietnam (6.2%), and ahead of Cambodia (5.6%), Indonesia (5.1%), China (5%), Malaysia (4.7%), Laos (4.5%), Brunei Darussalam (4%), Hong Kong (3.3%), Thailand (2.8%), South Korea (2.5%), Singapore (2.4%), Myanmar (1.8%) and Japan (0.5%).

Philippine growth is also projected to be above the projected ASEAN+3 average of 4.2% this year. This was slightly lower than the previous forecast of 4.4%.

“Growth for the region will be driven by continued recovery in external trade, resilient domestic demand, and a boost in tourism due to relaxed visa policies in some economies,” AMRO said.

For 2025, the ASEAN+3 region’s growth forecast was upgraded to 4.4% from 4.3% previously, in line with expectations of steady global growth.

“The region is on track to achieve steady growth this year and the next and this will be underpinned by resilient domestic demand and the ongoing recovery in exports,” AMRO Principal Economist Allen Ng told the briefing.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think inflation the Philippine economy has enough momentum to grow better in 2025 than what AMRO predicted?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

At least 4 more airports expected to be privatized in 2025

At least 4 more airports expected to be privatized in 2025

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Recently the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced that at least four more airports are expected to be privatized in 2025, according to a BusinessWorld news report. Clearly the recent privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) sparked a wave of change with regards to air travel and the need to modernize airports.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…

AT LEAST four more Philippine airports in the countryside are expected to be privatized in 2025, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said last week.

“For next year, we have Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Kalibo [airports],” Transportation Undersecretary Roberto C.O. Lim told reporters on the sidelines of an aviation forum. “We have ongoing negotiations with the proponents.”

The agency also expects to launch the competitive tender for the Davao International Airport under a public-private partnership (PPP) program.

Villar-led Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. holds the original proponent status for both P14.7-billion Iloilo International Airport and P10.24-billion Puerto Princesa International Airport, according to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center website.

Meanwhile, Mega7 Construction Corp. has submitted an unsolicited proposal to operate, upgrade and maintain the P3.62-billion Kalibo International Airport.

Mr. Lim said the government expects to award the contract for the operations and maintenance of New Bohol-Panglao International Airport this year. The contract is undergoing a Swiss challenge, which allows other companies to submit alternative proposals that the original proponent can match.

In September, the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group got the contract for the operations and maintenance of the P12.75-billion Laguindingan International Airport in Northern Mindanao.

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. is expected to sign the contract this month, the Transportation department said, adding that the new private operator would take over operations by next year.

The same company also holds the original proponent status for the operations and maintenance of the P4.5-billion Bohol airport.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you approve of having more airports nationwide to get privatized? Do you have any concerns about the private entities mentioned in the report that want to privatize the other airports?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Due to failure to fulfill energy commitments, Solar Philippines’ 21 contracts with government will be terminated

Due to failure to fulfill energy commitments, Solar Philippines’ 21 contracts with government will be terminated

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Have you ever heard of a corporation called Solar Philippines? That company boasted being the largest solar company in Southeast Asia and the national government awarded them with lots of contracts years ago. The results, however, are disastrous as Solar Philippines failed to fulfill the energy commitments which compelled the government to initiate moves to discontinue 21 of the 42 contracts, according to a GMA Network news report.  

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Thursday said it is set to discontinue 21 or half of the 42 service contracts it awarded to Solar Philippines following the company’s alleged failure to carry out its energy commitments.

The DOE made the announcement at the Senate finance subcommittee hearing on the agency’s budget after Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada inquired about the matter.

“Twenty-one of the contracts are already being processed for termination because they are not able to deliver the scheduled targets of the work program,” Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said at the hearing.

Estrada said different renewable energy companies were awarded a total of 473 service contracts for the construction of solar farms as of last March, supposedly for 32,359 megawatts of renewable energy supply.

He said that only 174.41 megawatts or 2% had been completed and started commercial operations of the 10,000 megawatts committed by Solar Philippines and its affiliates.

“The vast majority of the total commitment have not yet entered the development stage and remain in various phases of pre-development. How will this affect the department’s targets?” the senator asked.

He was referring to the Iba-Palawig project, Iba-Palawig 2 project, and San Marcelino phase 3 project.

Guevara said that acquisition of land, either through lease or purchase, is the most challenging part of energy companies in constructing power facilities.

“Previously, possessory rights were not required when we issued service contracts. However, under the new guidelines, developers must have possessory rights before service contracts are granted,” she said.

Estrada, however, inquired specifically as to why Solar Philippines, owned by businessman Leandro Leviste, was taking too long to adhere with the terms of its service contracts compared with other developers.

“You know, my conclusion is that while other project developers take an average of around two to three years to develop solar power projects, Solar Philippines and its affiliates have taken more than three years to even take its projects to development phase and much longer for actual construction,” the senator said.

“Bakit masyadong pinagkakatiwalaan itong Solar Philippines? (Why put so much trust with Solar Philippines?) Why do you keep on awarding contracts to them?” he added.

Guevara said 22,000 megawatts of capacity were already fully developed or are in development of 32,359 megawatts covered by service contracts.

“The remaining 10,000 megawatts depend on Solar Philippines, which could significantly compromise the DOE’s ability to meet its commitment to transitioning to renewable energy. I hope you seriously consider this matter,” Estrada said.

Senators Pia Cayetano and Sherwin Gatchalian also inquired about delays in the commitments indicated in the service contracts.

According to Guevara, the DOE would issue new sets of terms of reference for its succeeding green energy auctions, to include the performance of renewable energy companies as qualifying conditions.

In my honest opinion in relation to this development, renewable energy sources like solar and wind are truly unreliable. On the part of Solar Philippines (founded in 2013), generating 174.41 megawatts instead of the required 10,000 megawatts over the years is shocking. That being said, initiating moves to discontinue the 21 contracts with Solar Philippines makes a lot of sense.

Again, in my own view, the government should stop focusing so much on renewable energy and focus more on nuclear power to ensure clean and abundant energy for the entire nation as the energy needs of the people and businesses will only keep on growing. Solar power cannot be relied on as the sun does not shine brightly 365 days per year nor can the power collected through solar panels be enough to meet the needs to the nation.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think it is right for the government to move to terminate the 21 contracts with Solar Philippines? Are you convinced that solar power is not the solution for the nation’s energy requirements? What excuse can Solar Philippines come up with to convince the government to retain the 21 contracts?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) declares Megarahe Sale 2024 a huge success

Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) declares Megarahe Sale 2024 a huge success

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Were you able to attend the Megarahe Sale 2024 inside Alabang Hills Village on September 28 or 29? In recent times, the Alabang Hills Village Association (AHVA) declared this year’s edition of the annual Megarahe Sale a huge success.

To see what Megarahe Sale 2024 looked like, you can watch the video I recorded by clicking right here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from their official website update of October 4, 2024. Some parts in boldface…

We would like to thank everyone for participating in our recently concluded community event, the Megarahe Sale 2024.

The Megarahe Sale showcased a total of eighty eight (88) vendors and a large number of attendees and shoppers. It was a weekend of fun selling by our residents, good finds for shoppers & delicious treats for foodies.

We hope to solicit your support once again to the forthcoming community events that are in store for you for the rest of the year.

To see the rest of the message, click https://alabanghillsvillage.com/2024/10/04/megarahe-sale-a-huge-success/

For the newcomers reading this, the Megarahe Sale (sometimes referred to as “Megarahe Sale & Kids Bazaar, Ukay-Okay!”) is held annually inside Alabang Hills Village. Every time it happens, there were lots of vendors selling a variety of goods such as clothes, shoes, bags, wallets and other household items that customers can choose from. Also present were sellers of food and drinks for the needs of visitors.

Going back to AHVA’s message, they specified the exact number of vendors of the Megarahe Sale 2024 although no numbers nor estimates were provided about the people who attended and/or shopped. Of course, it is very challenging to determine how many visitors arrived and how many individual transactions happened.

As the AHVA mentioned in their post, there are still more community events coming before the year ends. To find out about AHVA’s future events, visit https://alabanghillsvillage.com/ or call them at 88508254. You can visit their office at 1 Don Jesus Boulevard inside Alabang Hills Village from Monday to Friday, 8AM to 5PM. Always remember to follow their rules and speed limits whenever you are in the village.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

IMF sees Philippine economy growing by more than 6% in 2025

IMF sees Philippine economy growing by more than 6% in 2025

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Citing key factors in its research, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that the economy of the Philippines will expand by more than 6% in 2025, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy successfully navigated multiple external headwinds in recent years and is expected to grow by over 6 percent next year, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said.

In a briefing at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas office in Manila on Wednesday, IMF Mission Chief Eli Arbatli Saxegaard said the Philippines remained among the best performing economies in the region.

An IMF team led by Saxegaard held meetings in Manila from Sept. 18 to Oct. 2 to conduct discussions on the Philippine economy for the 2024 Article IV Consultation.

Saxegaard said the Philippine economy is projected to grow by 5.8 percent this year and will further accelerate to 6.1 percent in 2025.

“This pick-up in growth will be supported by more accommodative financial conditions and higher investment,” she said.

The latest projection, however, was lower than the 6 percent and 6.2 percent previous forecast for 2024 and 2025.

“The downward revision from our July forecast reflects our view that private consumption is going to grow slightly with less momentum. So I would like to highlight that the downgrade is very small, 0.2, and reflects the fact that the first half (of the year) private consumption growth was lower than what we had anticipated. And this might be in part driven by the high food prices,” Saxegaard said.

Despite the revision, Saxegaard said the Philippines continues to be one of the highest growing economies in the region.

“I would also like to highlight that the growth forecast for the Philippines remains one of the highest in the region. It’s 6.1 percent growth for 2025, is a very respectable growth rate… So it’s a very small adjustment reflecting the outturns the first half,” she said.

Downside risks to the country’s growth outlook include a slowdown in major economies that could disrupt trade and financial flows; commodity price volatility and supply shocks; and an escalation of geopolitical tensions or regional conflicts.

Easing of global financial conditions, or faster than anticipated private investment linked to public-private-partnerships and larger foreign direct investment inflows, on the other hand, could stimulate higher growth.

The IMF believes that the Philippine economy holds significant potential with its abundant natural resources, untapped blue economy, and a sizable demographic dividend.

Saxegaard, however, said that unlocking the medium-term growth potential will depend on structural reforms and strengthened social protection programs.

She said priority areas include upgrading infrastructure, making significant investments in healthcare and education, addressing land fragmentation and low productivity in agricultural sector, and enhancing governance.

Inflation, meanwhile, is projected to settle within the government’s target for both 2024 and 2025.

“We believe that the decisive monetary tightening and other measures have helped mitigate inflationary pressures in the Philippines, recent tariff cuts on imported rice and other non-monetary measures helped reduce food prices, and should further reduce headline inflation by the year end,” Saxegaard said.

“For this year, our expectation is that for inflation to average 3.3 percent, and for next year, 3 percent. That would be supported by lower food and core inflation remaining well within the target.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines still has momentum to grow better in 2025 than what the IMF predicted?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

President Marcos signs into law VAT on foreign digital services

President Marcos signs into law VAT on foreign digital services

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Foreign entities that provide digital services to their customers here in the Philippines will have to pay their fair share of taxes as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., recently signed into law Republic Act Number 12023 (RA12023) which imposes the 12% value-added tax (VAT) on foreign digital service providers (DSPs), according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law on Wednesday a measure imposing a value-added tax (VAT) on foreign digital services providers (DSPs).

A priority measure of the administration, Republic Act (RA) 12023 imposes a 12 percent VAT on foreign DSPs, such as Netflix, Disney, and HBO, to generate additional revenue for the government.

In his message, Marcos said the new law would level the playing field for local providers.

“If you are reaping the rewards of a fruitful digital economy here, it is only right that you contribute also to its growth. After all, whether you are a small tech startup or a global tech giant based halfway around the world, if you are making money here in the Philippines, you’re a part of our community, and with that comes a shared responsibility,” Marcos said.

According to the President, about PHP105 billion in revenue is expected to be collected in the next five years due to RA 12023.

The amount is enough to build 42,000 classrooms, more than 6,000 rural health units, and 7,000 km of farm-to-market roads, the Chief Executive noted.

Additionally, 5 percent of the revenues generated by the law will be allocated to the local creative industry.

“This means our artists, filmmakers, musicians, the very people who fill our platforms with storage and the content, will directly benefit. It ensures that our creative talents are not just surviving in a competitive digital market, but will be allowed by fairness and progress,” Marcos said.

The President thanked the legislators for passing the measure even as he called on companies covered by the law to support and heed the rules of the Act.

‘Fair and square’ tax policies – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said the new law is expected to address revenue losses by clarifying the taxability of non-resident digital service providers and addressing the ambiguity in the previous law.

“We believe in the importance of creating an environment where our digital services providers, whether they are nonresident or local, operate under fair and square tax policies,” Gatchalian said in a statement. He said the new measure does not mean a new tax imposition.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the new law will be good for the economy of the Philippines? Do you think that the foreign digital service providers will somehow raise the subscription rates and fees for their customers here in the Philippines in response to the new law?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Philippines inflation down to 1.9% this past September, lowest since May 2020

Philippines inflation down to 1.9% this past September, lowest since May 2020

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The inflation rate of the Philippines fell down to 1.9% for the month of September 2024 which marks a 4-year-low, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The country’s headline inflation further eased to 1.9 percent in September this year, the lowest recorded since the 1.6 percent in May 2020.

Headline inflation was at 3.3 percent in August and 6.1 percent in September last year.

In a briefing on Friday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the latest data brought the year-to-date inflation to 3.4 percent, which is well within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target.

Mapa said the downtrend in the overall inflation was due to the slower annual increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 1.4 percent from 3.9 percent in August.

Food inflation, in particular, eased to 1.4 percent in September from 4.2 percent the previous month.

Mapa said the deceleration in food inflation was due to the slower inflation rate of rice at 5.7 percent from 14.7 percent in August.

Other contributors to the lower food inflation include the faster decline in the inflation of vegetables, tubers, cooking bananas, and pulses.

Lower inflation rates were also reported for corn, flour, bread and other bakery products, meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals, and ready-made food and other food products.

In a separate statement, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) assured the public that the government remains committed to stabilizing commodity prices.

“The continued slowdown in inflation is expected to boost consumer confidence, driving higher spending and consumption and fueling business expansion,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

“Additionally, easing food prices will relieve low-income households, enabling them to allocate more to other essential needs such as education and health. We will sustain the momentum as we assure the public that we will continue to pursue and carry out strategies to maintain stable prices of food and other commodities,” he added.

Balisacan said the Executive Order issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which reduced the rice tariffs to 15 percent, helped bring down rice prices.

“While we expect lower tariffs to reduce rice prices, we should continuously support local production through increased agricultural funding to complement this short-term measure,” Balisacan said.

The NEDA chief assured the public that the government is ready to address other inflationary pressures affecting food, such as the continuing prevalence of African swine fever (ASF), through the delivery of vaccines.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the lower headline inflation will be helpful for local businesses that have been struggling with cutting down their expenses?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

World Bank says that Philippines inflation will likely slow down this year

World Bank says that Philippines inflation will likely slow down this year

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The World Bank (WB) recently announced that it sees inflation in the Philippines likely to go down this year and fall within the target range set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), according to a BusinessWorld news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld report. Some parts in boldface…

PHILIPPINE INFLATION is likely to slow this year to fall within the central bank’s target range, but higher transport charges and domestic rice production pose upside risks, the World Bank said.

In its latest monthly update, the World Bank said that the entry of more rice imports under lower tariffs should help keep inflation within the government’s 2-4% target.

“Inflation resumed its downward trend in August and is on track to fall within target this year,” the Washington-based lender said.

The consumer price index (CPI) eased to 3.3% in August from 4.4% in July. Inflation averaged 3.6% in the first seven months.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) projects inflation to average 3.4% this year.

“The balance of risks to the outlook has shifted toward the downside given expected reductions in rice prices as more imports arrive under the reduced tariff regime,” the World Bank said.

An executive order cutting tariffs on rice to 15% from 35% took effect in July. This helped rice inflation ease to 14.7% in August from 20.9% in July.

However, the World Bank said higher transport and electricity charges, as well as possible global oil and food price shocks still provide upside risks to the inflation outlook.

“Domestic rice production and prices also remain vulnerable with the La Niña weather phenomenon expected to bring more rainfall and intense typhoons in the remaining months of the year,” World Bank said.

Meanwhile, the World Bank said recent external and domestic developments have given the BSP more space for policy easing.

“Peso appreciation, driven by a wider US interest rate differential, supports domestic disinflation. This gives more room for further normalization of domestic monetary policy,” it said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think inflation in the Philippines will continue to slow down as the end of 2024 approaches?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Las Piñas City Vice Mayor Aguilar appears at TUPAD orientation

Las Piñas City Vice Mayor Aguilar appears at TUPAD orientation

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Recently in the City of Las Piñas, Vice Mayor April Aguilar appeared during the TUPAD orientation which was attended by hundreds of displaced and disadvantaged workers, the City Government announced via social media.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the City Government’s announcement. Some parts in boldface…

City Vice Mayor April Aguilar graced the TUPAD Orientation held at the City Hall Multipurpose Building on Monday, September 16, where hundreds of displaced and disadvantaged workers gathered to benefit from the program. The event, facilitated by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), aims to provide temporary employment opportunities to those in need within the community.

Vice Mayor Aguilar expressed her continued commitment to supporting programs that uplift the livelihoods of Las Piñas residents. The TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) initiative, in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), helps beneficiaries gain temporary employment, allowing them to earn a living while contributing to community projects.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: If you are a resident of Las Piñas City, what is your reaction to this development? Are many members of your local community covered by the TUPAD program?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 35

What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 35

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Welcome back, my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching. Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following topics and the related videos I found.

#1 The disappointing 9th console generation  – If you are a long-time gamer who owns a PlayStation 5 (PS5) and/or an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console, you might have noticed how disappointing the 9th console generation (started in late 2020) has been when compared to the previous four generations.

Apart from the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic deeply altered the games industry on the sides of gamers and game developers, the 9th console generation has seen lots of unfulfilled promises from the console makers, Xbox Game Pass (XGP) changing for the worse, great gaming experiences not being realized, consumers getting screwed, the lack of focus towards the fans, woke garbage involved in game productions and a lot more. To understand what is going on in the 9th console generation, I urge you to watch the selected videos below.

#2 Illegal immigration in America is the new slave trade – More than ten million people illegally entered the United States through the US-Mexico border since 2021, resulting in rising crime, increased taxpayers’ money spending on illegal aliens, and more hardship for America’s own citizens. That’s not all. There are cartels taking advantage of the open border in the south that kept thousands of people – including children – flowing into America and those illegal aliens themselves are forced to repay the debts to the cartels. These should remind you how bad immigration became in America under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (border czar who loves criminals and terrorists). This PrageU video is a must-watch.

#3 Retro gaming reported by KTLA 5  – It is not every day you get see retro gaming reported on mainstream news outlets. In America, KTLA 5 made a video news report about the resurgence of retro gaming and it’s not limited to gamers buying collected editions of decades-old games for their modern game consoles. In fact, the video game store in KTLA 5’s report is selling old games in physical copies as well as old game consoles at affordable rates. Watch the video below.

#4 The history and American origin of the Lawson convenience store enterprise – Here in the Philippines, the convenience store chain Lawson has been gradually growing and becoming more competitive with the likes of 7-Eleven and Uncle John’s. Not only that, Lawson is gaining a following of customers who keep on returning because of the variety of food and beverage items offered plus convenient ways of doing financial transactions. While it is common knowledge that Lawson is from Japan and is a Japanese enterprise, not too many people are aware of its American origin. To learn about the history of Lawson, watch the video below.

#5 Israel’s intensified campaign against Hezbollah – After the recent attacks against several members of the Iranian-sponsored terrorist group Hezbollah through their pagers, Israel’s military campaign against the terrorists intensified. This happened even as Hezbollah kept on firing at Israel (in response to the pagers attacks) and even hitting Nazareth which itself has many Arabs and Muslims in its local population. Don’t let the pro-terrorist, pro-Islamist mainstream news media fool you with their persistent lying. Watch the videos from credible news sources below to realize the truth. Lastly, keep praying to the Lord to support Israel and bring down the forces of evil.

6. Kamala Harris’ dishonesty and pathetic acting about border security explained

In recent times, the Communist Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris visited the US-Mexico border to check on the situation there as illegal immigration added so much to crime. The problem here is that Kamala was simply acting to be responsible and working, and it is not a secret that the Democrats hired Communist Hollywood people to stage it behind the scenes. Sky News Australia’s video below is a must-see and remember that Democrats always love illegal aliens, criminals, abortion and terrorists. Kamala herself publicly declared her support for illegal aliens and defended them.

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