Walang taas-presyo sa basic goods hanggang May 10 — DTI

ni Lulet Abania @Business News | April 17, 2026

‘There’s no need to panic’

Ipinahayag ng Department of Trade and Industry ngayong Biyernes, April 17 na walang pagtaas ng presyo para sa mga pangunahing bilihin sa mga major groceries at supermarket sa buong bansa hanggang Mayo 10, 2026.

Ayon kay DTI Secretary Cristina Roque, sumang-ayon ang mga manufacturer at retailer na ihinto ang anumang mark-up hanggang sa unang bahagi ng susunod na buwan, kasunod ng kamakailang rollback sa presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo.

Ginawa ni Roque ang anunsyo sa isang supermarket inspection sa Muntinlupa City, kung saan napag-alaman niyang ang mga presyo ng mga basic goods ay sumusunod o mas mababa pa sa suggested retail price (SRP) ng ahensya.

Aniya, “For the price cap, there’s no need for the basic necessities because we still are able to keep the prices stable up to May 10… There’s always a request (to increase prices) pero nakakaintindi rin naman ‘yung manufacturers ng needs ng mga consumers.”

Tiniyak din ni Roque sa publiko na walang panganib at hindi dapat mag-alala na magkaroon ng food shortage o kakulangan sa pagkain.

“There is enough supply so again there’s no need for them to panic, there’s no need to hoard,” saad pa ni Roque.

Pag-IBIG Fund, CHED push affordable rental housing for SUCs nationwide

by Info @Brand Zone | April 17, 2026

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Marilene C. Acosta addresses participants during the consultative meeting for Project BALAY: Bridging Access to Learning, held on April 15, 2026, at the CHED Auditorium in Quezon City. The initiative, a strategic partnership between Pag-IBIG Fund and the Commission on Higher Education, seeks to expand access to affordable rental housing for educators, students, and non-teaching personnel in state universities and colleges nationwide.

During the meeting, Pag-IBIG Fund presented its Rental Housing Construction Loan program, which offers state universities and colleges financing at a subsidized interest rate of 3 percent per annum for the first 10 years, payable for up to 30 years.

Pag-IBIG Fund has allocated P6.3 billion to support the development of dormitories and rental housing facilities within or near campuses.

Also present were Pag-IBIG Fund Deputy Chief Executive Officer Alexander Hilario G. Aguilar, Commission on Higher Education Commissioners Dr. Ricmar Aquino and Dr. Myrna Mallari, Officer-in-Charge Deputy Executive Director Ian Evangelista, and Director Aline Magalong. Discussions focused on practical and sustainable housing solutions tailored to the needs of the academic community.

The consultative meeting gathered more than 30 state universities and colleges, with participants providing inputs on site development, financing, and implementation. To date, 11 state universities and colleges have already engaged with Pag-IBIG Fund, reflecting strong momentum for the program’s nationwide rollout.

PAPI courtesy call strengthens ties with Aklan leaders

by Info @Brand Zone | April 16, 2026

Kalibo, Aklan – A meaningful and productive courtesy call was held between the officers of the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) and key leaders of Aklan, further strengthening collaboration between the media sector and local government units.

Leading the delegation were PAPI Chairman Nelson S. Santos and PAPI Vice President for Visayas Giecel Toriano-Albar, who engaged in discussions with Aklan’s top officials on media partnership, public information dissemination, and community development.

The delegation was warmly received by prominent Aklan leaders including Kalibo Municipal Mayor Hon. Juris Bautista Sucro and Vice Mayor Hon. Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr., who both expressed their support for responsible journalism and strengthened media relations in the municipality.

Also present were 1st District Representative Hon. Jesus “Papa Jess” R. Marquez and former Congressman Carlito S. Marquez, whose presence underscored the importance of unified leadership in advancing Aklan’s development agenda. Representing the Provincial Government, Honorable Governor Jose Enrique “Joen” Miraflores extended his support through Provincial Administrator Atty. Selwyn Ibarreta, highlighting the province’s commitment to transparency and cooperation with media organizations. Malay Municipal Mayor Frolibar “Fromy” Bautista was also in attendance, further demonstrating a collective commitment among Aklan officials to foster open communication with the media.

The courtesy call also served as part of the preparations for the upcoming 2026 PAPI Midyear Conference, which will be held in Kalibo and Boracay from June 24 to 27, 2026. The event is expected to gather media practitioners from across the country, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and strengthening the role of community journalism in national development.

Overall, the courtesy call served as a platform to discuss future collaborations, strengthen institutional relationships, and reaffirm the shared goal of promoting truth, accountability, and development through responsible journalism. This initiative reflects PAPI’s continuing mission to build strong partnerships with local government units across the country, ensuring that accurate information reaches communities and empowers citizens. (PAPI Team)