THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said it supports a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that is well-targeted, amid a campaign by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to extend the fund’s op-erating life.“NEDA is looking at that issue. There are pros, there are cons

THE NATIONAL Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) said its views were solicited on a proposal to build up a 10-day reserve of key agricultural products, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).DTI Consumer Protection Group Assistant Secretary Amanda F. Nograles said that the Department

By Adrian H. Halili, ReporterTHE streamlined approval process for agricultural imports may not result in lower food prices while endangering the livelihoods of domestic producers, analysts said.“There is no assurance that relaxing non-tariff measures will result in lower consumer prices. And it might only encourage

THE National Food Authority (NFA) said Monday that it started paying the new, increased rates for procuring palay (unmilled rice), with prices paid to farmers varying by location.’’“This is unique in a sense that provinces will have different prices depending on the conditions in the

THE Department of Tourism (DoT) said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Qatar State Minister for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi to expand two-way tourism as well as conferences targeted at both countries’ business communities.“Fortifying tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Qatar

THE PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it hopes to obtain proclamations for 11 more economic zones (ecozones) this year following two proclamations in April.On the sidelines of the Eco-Industrial Parks and Green Technologies forum Monday, PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said that President

THE NATIONAL Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is proposing to increase next year’s funding for programs and projects that encourage innovation by P100 million.On the sidelines of the annual National Innovation Day forum, NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said economic planners are proposing to double

THE government should improve digital platforms for distributing agricultural information, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said at an online seminar Monday.“There should be a centralized repository or portal for all government agri-sites and applications, for the convenience of farmers,” Ivory R. Galang, a

PRICE GROWTH of construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) eased at the wholesale level in March, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Monday.Citing preliminary data, the PSA said the March construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) rose 0.8%, easing from 1% a month

from PUV phaseout, PNR closureTHE suspension of some Philippine National Railways (PNR) commuter services and the looming jeepney phaseout will have major economic consequences, an interest group representing the commuting public said.Primo V. Morillo, convener of group The Passenger Forum, said in a Viber message: