January 3, 2021 | 10:05 pm Font Size
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THE PESO could weaken against the greenback in 2021 to push it back to the P50-per-dollar level as global trade gradually recovers amid easing restriction measures.
The local unit closed at P48.023 per dollar on Dec. 29 the last trading day of 2020 appreciating by P2.612 from its P50.635 finish on Dec. 27, 2019.
The peso’s stronger finish towards the end of the year was on the back of a narrower trade deficit, said Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.
“Relatively slower recovery in imports that resulted in a narrower trade deficit led to the relatively stronger peso in recent months,” Mr. Ricafort said in a text message.
Inflation eased slightly in Dec — poll bworldonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bworldonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
January 4, 2021 | 12:04 am Font Size
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A BILL has been filed in the Senate to encourage farmers to cultivate higher-value crops and raise incomes in the agricultural sector.
Senate Bill No. 1902, or the proposed “Doubling Income of Farmers Act,” calls for free crop insurance, interest-free loans and a freeze on land acquisition payments for farmers seeking to climb the value chain.
The Philippine Statistics Authority estimated in October that 24.5% of the workforce is involved in agriculture, the second-largest share after the services sector, which has 57.2%.
The industry’s growth between 2010-2019 has averaged 1.89%, lagging the overall economy.
“The sluggish growth experienced by the agricultural sector has resulted in farmers being the poorest sector in the country,” Senator Maria Imelda Josefa R. Marcos said in the bill’s explanatory note.
DTI slashes goal as coronavirus pummels exports bworldonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bworldonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Published January 4, 2021, 5:00 AM
Digital payments platform provider, PayMaya, ends pandemic year 2020 with over 28 million customers transacting in its over 200,000 touchpoints nationwide.
However, in a country with a population of 107 million, it still has a long way to go.
Nevertheless, “This radical shift to cashless for the Philippines will only continue accelerating in 2021,” Shailesh Baidwan, PayMaya President predicted.
Consumers, businesses, communities, and government agencies now use the PayMaya app and wallet.
The platform also powers all kinds of enterprises for eCommerce and everyday transactions.
Already, its Smart Padala Network has expanded to 33,000 agent touchpoints nationwide, enabling Filipinos to conduct transactions, from remittances, bills payments, mobile prepaid loading to QR payments.