Published January 29, 2021, 8:08 PM
Former speaker and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday challenged the leadership of the House of Representatives to spearhead efforts to stop the continuous rise in prices of basic goods that has affected millions of Filipinos facing the COVID-19 public health threat.
Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano
Together with his wife, Taguig Rep. Lani Cayetano and loyal allies, the former House leader filed House Resolution 1515 calling on the Lower House to swiftly initiate moves that would arrest the soaring prices of meat and vegetables.
For starters, Cayetano said the House must “investigate the issue to be able to determine what actions the government has taken to address” it.
January 29, 2021 | 6:58 pm Font Size
PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS
After Thursday’s announcement that the country experienced its worst economic decline since World War 2 last year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Friday called on the government to provide a wage subsidy to workers.
In a statement released on Friday, TUCP President and Party-list Rep. Raymond C. Mendoza said, “We have long been urging the Government to get ahead of the recession and put into place wage subsidies for those who are struggling to stay afloat. A wage subsidy is urgently needed, as the economy has not bounced back as predicted by the economic managers.”
January 29, 2021 | 6:46 pm Font Size
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THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) fully awarded P100 billion in short-term securities on Friday as the financial system remains flush with liquidity.
The BSP’s offer of 28-day bills was oversubscribed as tenders reached P150.9 billion. However, Friday’s bids were lower than the P162.8 billion in demand seen last week.
“The sustained robust demand for the BSP bills shows that financial system liquidity remains ample as cash demand continues to normalize,” BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said in a statement.
The BSP has made full awards of its offer of 28-day bills for 18 consecutive auctions since it launched its weekly securities auctions in September.
January 29, 2021 | 6:08 pm Font Size
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HEADLINE INFLATION likely settled between 3.3% to 4.1% in January on fuel, energy and food price hikes as well as higher excise taxes on consumer goods, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Friday.
“Higher prices for fuel and meat as well as increased Meralco (Manila Electric Co.) power rates and excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco contributed to upward price pressures during the month,” BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said in a Viber message to reporters on Friday.
Mr. Diokno said the central bank sees a point inflation of 3.7% for this month, closer to the upper end of its 2-4% target for the year. This would also be faster than the 3.5% print logged in December as well as the 2.9% seen in January 2020.
Friday, January 29, 2021 09:18
At the National Convention Centre in Hanoi where the 13th National Part Congress is taking place (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) –
Vietnam is in the position to reap
further economic and political success, and the
Communist Party of Vietnam’s 13th National Congress will be a factor that helps ensure the nation’s political
stability, according to
Stratfor, a US-based geopolitical intelligence platform.
An article published on the Stratfor website on January 29
noted that Vietnam’s handling of domestic COVID-19 outbreaks and prioritisation
of production continuity will enable it to mobilise capital to low-end production
operations.
Meanwhile, in an article published on January 28, the