Bank loan payments improve as rates easePreliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed the banking system’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio eased to 3.32 percent in November from 3.33 percent in October. Bad loans ratio drops to 3.3% in NovemberMANILA, Philippines — The quality of loans held by Philippine banks showed improvement in November last year as fewer borrowers fell behind on their payments, helped by lower interest rates and continued growth in lending. Preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed the banking system’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio eased to 3.32 percent in November from 3.33 percent in October. He also said the continued double-digit growth in bank lending helped mathematically reduce the NPL ratio by widening the loan base, especially as banks strengthened credit risk management in line with global best practices. As of end-November last year, banks’ past due loans increased by 9.5 percent to P695.98 billion from P635.48 billion a year ago, bringing the past due ratio to 4.24 percent.

Eala revved-up for battleMANILA, Philippines — With an entire nation and millions of other supporters around the globe behind her, Alex Eala threads an uncharted territory as she makes her Australian Open main draw debut today. Eala and Parks slug it out at Court 6 of the Melbourne Park in Victoria. Winner of the AO girls doubles in 2020 with Indonesian pal Priska Madelyn Nugroho, Eala ranks higher as the WTA No. In front of the watching Roger Federer, Sabalenka clawed back to deuce but then misfired again to fall a game down in front of a shocked Rod Laver Arena. Sabalenka said she had felt pressure with Federer and Rod Laver watching court-side.

Made in the PhilippinesThe big difference between the Philippines and the Asian nations (South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam) that have overtaken our economy over the last 40 years is having a robust manufacturing sector. Filipino baby boomers like me remember our growing up years and how “Made in the Philippines” was dismissed as inferior, bad quality. Francisco Motors chairman Elmer Francisco told Bilyonaryo.com they faced hurdles from the Fiscal Incentives Review Board that made it difficult to proceed. Having a good industrial policy is getting a second look as dissatisfaction increases with liberalization outcomes. Dr. Toots Albert of PIDS pointed out in a response to a Facebook post, that the Philippines’ long-standing reliance on open markets alone has not delivered sustained industrial upgrading, export diversification or productivity growth.

From what I gathered online, in 2019, Chinese visitors totaled somewhere between 1.7 million to 1.9 million in one year. In terms of revenues, reports claim that the Chinese visitors spent $2.3 billion during their accumulated stay in the country. What many people did not talk about is that in 2022, only 39,627 Chinese visitors arrived. While the Philippines was losing out on the tourism and economic front from China, the rest of our neighbors quietly pivoted from antagonism to diplomacy. All the saber-rattling and huffing and puffing between China and the Philippines may be understandable, but it is also unproductive.

AFP debunks claims of military divisionThe AFP said claims of withdrawal of support for President Marcos and shifting allegiance to Vice President Sara Duterte are fake news and disinformation. MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned the public against “disinformation” in social media posts claiming divisions within the military, political realignments or senior officers backing a political personality. The AFP said claims of withdrawal of support for President Marcos and shifting allegiance to Vice President Sara Duterte are fake news and disinformation. “Let us be clear… Our loyalty is to the Constitution and the Filipino people – not to any political figure or agenda,” the AFP said. The AFP urged the public “to be vigilant and verify information from credible and official sources, and refrain from sharing unverified content, saying it only fuels division and instability.”

Russian vlogger deportedMANILA, Philippines — After nine months in detention, Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy was deported on Saturday, according to the Bureau of Immigration. “Zdorovetskiy harassed and humiliated several Filipinos. Zdorovetskiy has been included in the BI’s blacklist to prevent him from reentering the Philippines, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said. Zdorovetskiy also harassed a security guard, stole a heavy-duty electric fan and hijacked a tricycle, which he crashed into a parked jeepney. Those who engage in harassment or disruptive acts undermine public order and will be sanctioned,” Viado said.

Each of them stressed they’ve always thought of Art Fair as an experience that is always changing, a moveable feast of culture encounters. Dindin was proud of their efforts to finally include work by the late Constancio Bernardo and Solomon Saprid at Art Fair. Developing audiences for contemporary artConsistent with its mission to develop audiences for contemporary art, the fair also presents ArtFairPH/Talks in partnership with the Ateneo Art Gallery and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. “Beyond the fair itself, we are excited to establish and relaunch Art Walk by Ayala Land, a growing initiative that will run in parallel to Art Fair Philippines and extend art beyond designated moments and prescribed spaces. Art Walk by Ayala Land is what happens when art refuses to stay still.

That’s the amount that dismissed public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has reportedly promised in restitution to the state. How much more could have gone in kickbacks to higher ranking officials who had a say in public works projects? Still, working stiffs like you and me can’t help wondering how much in ill-gotten wealth state witnesses get to keep, if they can give up P1 billion and fleets of luxury vehicles. When suspects turn state witnesses, you wonder: what’s in it for them? Fadullon said the amounts are approximations based on the public works projects wherein the suspects had a hand.

Single contract eyed for LRT-1, MRT-3For investment viabilityMANILA, Philippines — The country’s busiest railways – Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) – could end up being managed by a single group eyeing to operate train services jointly to make them profitable assets. The DOTr is willing to package the concession agreements for the MRT-3 and LRT-1 into one. Originally, the DOTr had wanted a single operator for the MRT-3 and the Recto-Antipolo railway of Light Rail Transit Line 2. “The MRT-3, along with the LRT-1, is intended to be covered in an unsolicited (proposal) being developed by a certain group,” Lopez told The STAR. Lopez declined to identify the private group planning to consolidate the MRT-3 and LRT-1, but he confirmed that it is already in the business of rail operations.

Meneses said under the bottom-up budgeting framework, the DPWH would seek to involve communities in identifying the infrastructure projects that the DPWH should consider for priority funding under the National Expenditure Program. “Under the bottom-up budgeting system, communities will be directly involved in identifying or proposing infrastructure projects. It will not be the congressman or a senator who will submit proposals or a wishlist of projects,” Meneses said. In a press conference last Friday, IBMI called on the Senate and Congress to pass the legislation of a policy implementing and institutionalizing the bottom-up budgeting system. Catalina Cabral in allocating infrastructure funds and identifying projects to be funded by the DPWH budget.

Dizon forms Oplan Kontra Baha task forceMANILA, Philippines — Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon has formed a task force for the government’s Oplan Kontra Baha, which will be spearheaded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) this year. In an order issued last Jan. 14, Dizon had constituted the DPWH-Oplan Kontra Baha Task Force and named Public Works Undersecretary for special concerns Charles Calima Jr. as task force commander. Dizon also ordered the creation of similar task force units in the 17 DPWH regional offices all over the country. Dizon has given the task force a six-month timeline, or until July, to accomplish its task. Dizon had announced the DPWH’s launch of the Oplan Kontra Baha, which he said will avoid the previous push of the DPWH in putting up costly flood control.

Rider’s license suspended after knife-wielding road rageMANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has ordered the suspension of the driver’s license of a motorcycle rider who figured in a knife-wielding road rage incident. “The use of a bladed weapon on the road is not only illegal, but also a direct threat to the life and safety of the people. Road rage has no place on our roads. The rider’s driver’s license was placed under a 90-day preventive suspension. The rider was ordered to surrender his license to the LTO upon receipt of the show-cause order.

Carrick refuses to get carried away by United success at Old Trafford derbyPatrick Dorgu shoots to score United’s second goal against City during the derby at Old Trafford.

When Bella TED-talkedLast week, I went to San Juan to listen to my youngest daughter, Bella, give a TED Talk. I watched Bella practice for a whole month to give the 12-minute talk to an audience made up of mostly young people like her. Bella always had an entrepreneurial streak, likely because she grew up surrounded by people who are in business. To see Bella talk about her entrepreneurial journey, she would strike you as confident, decisive and self-assured. I, too, am excited to see who Bella will become, knowing she’s found her courage to begin.

Another FQS? I had just turned 16, and was a senior and an activist at the Philippine Science High School. What happened next that afternoon, when both groups of protesters converged at the Senate, would change Philippine political history. Very soon, placards had turned into missiles, and the sound of broken glass punctuated the yelling: soft-drink bottles were flying, too. The effigy was down on the ground, still burning.”The Jan. 26 rally and the trouble that erupted would lead to the Jan. 30-31 demos that would prove even more violent, and what would become the First Quarter Storm or the FQS was born.