The Department of Trade and Industry is looking to start issuing its decision on requests for price adjustments of basic necessities and prime commodities this January.

The government is likely to meet next week to discuss the implementation and lifting of the price caps on rice, according to the National Economic and Development Authority.

Countries in Asia and the Pacific will need to strengthen cooperation in vaccine development and delivery systems to become better prepared for future pandemic threats, according to the Asian Development Bank Institute.

The Foundation for Economic Freedom has in a petition asked the Tariff Commission to start the investigation for temporary tariff reduction on rice imports to address the increasing price of the staple.