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As an expat in the Philippines, you are dependent on the local news.

Because you are here in the country as a guest.

But don’t go overboard by reading the daily local news. That is stressful and information overload.

Here at Expat.com.ph we try to take the noteworthy updates and share them with you, to keep your knowledge at the top of its game, at the office or at the bar.

If you are looking for more new and timely info, please contact the team and we would love to hear it.

Now, get scrolling and check out the full list of articles on insightful and impactful news in the Philippines today.

A Comprehensive Omicron Variant Guide for Locals and Expats

The pandemic continues to loom over the whole world, and it is showing no signs of stopping or slowing down. Recently, the COVID-19 virus has continued to evolve and branch out into variants. The latest variant afflicting the world today is the Omicron Variant. This comprehensive guide will help both locals and expats understand this new Omicron version of the ...

How Much Money Do PH Online Sellers Make

The Philippines is one of the top countries in ecommerce. It has a young population with high levels of internet usage - and, the market is growing at 30% annually! This means that e-commerce is quickly finding a home in with the Filipino people. Online selling in the Philippines obviously has its perks: it can be done from anywhere and ...

Philippine Covid Cases on the Rise: Should I Fly Abroad or Stay Home

It can get really scary trying to build a home away from home especially in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic. The stress associated with it can have enormous impact on each and every family member. But with the Philippine COVID cases on the rise, should expats fly abroad or continue to stay at home in the Philippines?

Centuries Old Baroque Philippine Churches Worthy as a National Heritage

Baroque-style architecture was first introduced by the Catholic Church in the early 17th century as a way to contradict the Protestant church’s extravagant architecture with grander, taller and highly decorative Catholic institutions. Baroque architects took inspiration from the basic elements of Renaissance designs and exaggerated these. By enhancing domes and colonnades, making them higher and more dramatic, Baroque churches have become art institutions just as much as they are Catholic buildings.

City of Love: Iloilo City Hailed as the “Wakanda” of the Philippines

When Iloilo was threatened by the pandemic, the Ilonggos united to do battle with the unseen, deadly enemy. Everybody did their part in making life a bit better to every resident of the city during this trying time.

Popular Filipino Foods with Hidden Meanings for Special Occasions

A notable Filipino trait is that they love their food, and food always brings people together whether it be with friends, families or colleagues. Filipinos are very religious and superstitious, with beliefs coming from their elders and ancestors. In fact, they associate food into special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, etc., believing that these practices will bring good fortune to them.

Legal Advice and Services for Expats Living in PH

There’s no means of working your way out in this situation except through the services of a lawyer. However, finding a competent one is quite daunting; your lawyer must see to it that your rights are protected at all times and the legal fee is costly. We prepared this guide to help expatriates in case they are faced with this dilemma.

Top Expat Nationalities in PH and Demographics

Based on the latest census, the Philippines has over 200,000 or more expats living in the country and has continued to grow since then. Given the rapid growth of the expat population in the Philippines, it is undoubtedly one of the most preferred locations in the world. Recent HSBC expat explorer survey shows that the Philippines earned the 24th spot in the list of the most preferred countries to settle down in.

Best and Safest Cities to Live in the Philippines

An expatriate traveling to this part of the globe will find the country to have a rapidly growing economy, extraordinary natural beauty, and hospitable, charming people. Whether you are looking for a business environment, unadulterated and powdery beaches, a homey ambiance, or safety is your concern, there is surely a place that will tickle your fancy.

Get a Degree in Any of These Top Philippine Universities

Education is a big deal in the Philippines. Synonymous to being a degree holder is the opportunity to land a good paying job and reach one’s financial and personal goals. While the educational system of the country is shifting to a K-12 setup, there are a number of prestigious colleges and universities an incoming college freshman can consider going to. Whatever degree you are eyeing, it is equally important to choose an educational institution that will prepare you professionally.

Work From Home: Let’s Get You Ready

You may think that it’s hard to be productive when you are stuck at home but thanks to the ever growing job opportunities that require nothing but your computer, an ideally quiet workspace and a stable internet, you can already get some work done at home!

Makati City issues ordinance for safe dining in food establishments during quarantine

Makati City Mayor, Abby Binay announced that the city government issued City Ordinance 2020-165 that sets the guidelines for safe dining in restaurants and other food establishments during a pandemic or similar emergency. This was issued in light of the quarantine protocol in the city being reverted to the less strict General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Included in the City Ordinance ...

U.S. Embassy in the PH Honours 98-Year-Old WWII Veteran, MSgt. Richard Adams

From 1942-1945, the Philippines became a major battleground of World War II in the Pacific. It was a time of great tribulation for the nation but it also gave rise to many war heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom that we have today. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Manila (3 Feb. – 3 ...

Taguig becomes debt-free city

The Taguig City government ended 2018 on a high note as it officially became a debt-free local government unit for 2019. A total of P1,226,609,848 in loans plus P388,859,293 in interest was incurred under the previous administration which Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano’s administration fully paid as of Dec. 7, 2018, said Atty. Voltaire Enriquez, officer in charge of the ...

PAL readies Manila-New Delhi flights

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is facing better market conditions with the relaunch of flights between Manila and New Delhi in March 2019, an aviation think tank said. CAPA-Center for Aviation said in a report on Wednesday that Indian visitors to the Philippines had more than doubled to 107,000 since 2013, when PAL suspended flights to the Indian capital of ...

Gov’t still hopeful on tax package approval

Even as the remaining months leading to the 2019 midterm elections in May will likely keep legislators running for reelection busy, the Department of Finance (DOF) is hopeful that Congress can still pass the remaining tax reform packages, especially the second batch aimed at reducing corporate income tax while rationalizing the fiscal incentives being enjoyed by investors. “The current Congress ...

PAL to launch flights to Israel in 1st quarter

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) may launch flights to Israel within the year, helping to bolster tourism and trade while providing an easier means for Filipinos to achieve their Holy Land “bucket lists”. Manuel Tamayo, undersecretary for aviation at the Department of Transportation, said they were finalizing certain details for PAL to carry out flights between Manila and Tel Aviv ...

DOF: As inflation slows, PH economy to make comeback in 2019

With inflation seen to ease and return within government target this year, economic growth is expected to “pick up steam” in 2019, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). In a statement, the DOF said it was attributing expectations of a “marked slowdown” in headline inflation this year to the “prompt and decisive” measures undertaken by the economic team last ...

Inflation rate likely eased to 5.5% in Dec

The country’s annual inflation rate likely eased further to 5.5 percent in December from 6 percent in November on tempered food and energy prices, an economist from Dutch financial giant ING said. In a research note, ING economist Nicholas Mapa said that if inflation would continue to soften and return to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) target range of ...

3-year MRT 3 rehab to start this month

Commuters, brace yourself: the multibillion-peso rehabilitation work on Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 is set to begin between the last week of January and the first week of February, and will last up to 43 months, including periodic maintenance. The rehab work will start with the 72 light rail vehicles (LRVs) that make up the entire MRT 3 fleet, and ...

Miss Universe 2018 – Catriona Gray of the Philippines

Photo credit: The Miss Universe Organization and Catriona Gray Official Facebook Page — Last 17th of December 2018, Miss Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray was crowned as Miss Universe 2018. After months of meticulous preparation, her victory brought great excitement for Filipinos and for most people worldwide. Although the Philippines won the Miss Universe title just three years ago, most people ...

Filipino IBO World Champ Michael “Gloves on Fire” Dasmarinas in action, as he faced his opponent, Ghana’s Manyo “Black Flash” Plange, at Marina Bay Sands, Saturday night.

Ringstar Boxing: Filipino Ibo World Champ Michael “Gloves On Fire” Dasmarinas’ Bout At Marina Bay Sands Vs. Plange Ends In A Draw

30 SEPTEMBER 2018 – SINGAPORE: Ringstar Boxing, Asia’s fastest growing sports media property, just staged its biggest boxing match to date, with ‘Roar of Singapore V – The Kings of Lion City’, which took place at Marina Bay Sands last Saturday, September 29, 2018, and was seen all over the world via its broadcast partners. Filipino IBO world champion Michael ...

Airlines add fuel surcharge to ticket prices

MANILA, Philippines — Local airlines have started implementing higher rates in line with the revival of the fuel surcharge. Officials from Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific said yesterday their companies started last Wednesday the imposition of fuel surcharge, which is included in the prices of tickets. Philippines AirAsia Inc. chief executive officer Dexter Comendador said his company has also filed ...

Philippines needs to catch up on power digitization – Schneider

SINGAPORE — Power and digitization should go hand in hand in the Internet of Things (IoT) era to be able to provide efficient and reliable power to people especially in the face of climate change. But the Philippines would need appropriate policies to support and speed up the country’s digital transformation, top officials of French multinational firm Schneider Electric said. ...

Fitch unit: TRABAHO bill to ‘yield little results’

MANILA, Philippines — The second package of the Duterte administration’s flagship tax reform program is likely to yield “little results,” a Fitch Group unit said, adding that the proposal to lower corporate income tax rates won’t boost investment without an improvement to the business environment. Last week, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 8083, ...

Investment bankers still bullish on Philippines growth amid challenges

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines — Foreign investors are still bullish about the strong growth prospects of the Philippines amid concerns about rising inflation as well as the weakening peso, officials of London-based investment bank Barclays and SMBC Nikko Securities of Japan said. “Expectations did not fundamentally change. We have been positive about the growth outlook of the Philippines for quite ...

ADB shifts Philippines lending focus to transport infrastructure

MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is rebalancing its financial assistance to the Philippines to cover more transport infrastructure projects under its new six-year country partnership strategy (CPS). The bank’s board of directors approved on Sept. 19 the CPS for 2018 to 2023 under which ADB’s programs and projects in the country would be focused on three priority ...

Stocks dive further into bear territory

MANILA, Philippines — The bloodbath in the market has not abated as another round of foreign outflows plunged the market deeper into bear territory. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi)plunged by another 86.50 points, or 1.19 percent, to end at 7,134.73 while the broader All Shares likewise dipped to 4,411.96, down 42.75 points, or 0.96 percent. The rest of ...

Gov’t set to OK SMC’s Bulacan airport project

MANILA, Philippines — A proposed new airport at Bulacan province from conglomerate San Miguel Corp. could finally get a go-ahead from the government by early next year, paving the way to its construction meant to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “Hopefully, if everything is agreed upon, the proponent can be granted final approval and award of the contract by ...

PT&T investing P7 billion for broadband

MANILA, Philippines — Third telco player aspirant Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (PT&T) is preparing to spend P7 billion over the next two years for the expansion of its broadband network as part of plans to strengthen its position as one of the major players in the country’s telecommunication market. PT&T president and chief executive officer James Velasquez said the ...

Philippine Airlines hikes flight frequencies in select routes

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is increasing flight frequencies in select domestic and international routes starting late next month. PAL said the expanded selection of flight timings, which will commence on Oct. 28, would provide passengers greater convenience and better flexibility through a wider array of flight departure and arrival times. It said the increased frequencies would also ...

Grab Philippines urges LTFRB to lift TNVS supply cap

As the re-imposition of the controversial P2-per-minute travel charge draws near, Grab Philippines is urging the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to lift the cap on transport network vehicle services (TNVS). “We lost around 10 percent of our drivers since the P2 got suspended,” Cu said in an interview in Makati City on Wednesday. “The news that the ...

Subic locators may relocate if TRAIN 2 law is enacted

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Several locators here are toying the idea of relocating to other countries if the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN 2) law is enacted. “I have heard that there are locators who would relocate to other countries if the proposed new version of TRAIN law is passed because they might reduce if not lose their ...

Inflation hits new 9-year high of 6.4 percent in August

Inflation hits new 9-year high of 6.4% in August

Inflation hit a new nine-year high of 6.4 percent in August, the government reported Wednesday. It was the fastest rate of increase in prices of basic goods and services since the 6.6 percent posted in March 2009. In a press conference, Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said the government expects the inflation rate to taper off in the fourth quarter. ...

$82.9M in business deals signed in Duterte’s Israel trip – Lopez

JERUSALEM — A total of $82.9 million worth of private business agreements and letters of intent were signed during the four-day official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte here, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Wednesday. Lopez said the agreements and letters of intent were expected to generate around 790 jobs in the Philippines. A total of 21 agreement and intent ...

Grab no longer required to reimburse 2 pesos per minute charge

Grab no longer required to reimburse ₱2/minute charge

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 4) — Regulators no longer required transport network company Grab to reimburse the per-minute charge that it said was unauthorized. In an order penned Tuesday, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said Grab will not reimburse passengers for the previously imposed ₱2 per minute charge from June 5, 2017 to April 19, 2018. ...

Boracay can handle only 55,000 people a day, says DILG

Before its shutdown in April, Boracay Island, comprising of only three villages, had been hosting an average of 15,000 people daily beyond its ideal carrying capacity of 55,000, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday. In a telephone interview, Epimaco Densing III, interior undersecretary for operations, confirmed recent statements made by acting Interior Secretary ...

PAGASA tracking LPA that may develop into tropical cyclone

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is tracking a low pressure area outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). According to the state weather bureau, the LPA was spotted 1,530 kilometers east of Northern Luzon early Tuesday. Weather specialist Ariel Rojas said the weather disturbance is not likely to intensify into a tropical cyclone in the next ...

U.S. to maintain presence in South China Sea amid exclusion threat

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 29) — The United States will maintain its presence in the South China Sea, a senior U.S. official said Wednesday, amid moves by China to exclude the country from proposed joint military exercises and energy exploration in the disputed seas. “The United States has been part of this region for 200 years. We’re not gonna change ...

Stock analysts pick top companies to invest in

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) — The numbers are in. Twenty-one out of the 30 most actively traded companies, comprising the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) posted positive net income growth in the first half. Holding firm LT Group led the advances, with a net income of ₱4.5 billion, or 97% higher from the same period in 2017. Stellar corporate ...

Immigration Bureau insists on deporting Sister Patricia Fox

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 29) — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has junked Australian nun Patricia Fox’s appeal to remain in the country. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed this on Wednesday. The bureau denied Fox’s appeal on a July 19 resolution that ordered her deportation. The Immigration order also barred her re-entry by placing her on its blacklist. Guevarra earlier ...

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