Millions of Filipinos abroad sent home US$1.44 billion in September, up 8.6 percent from a year ago as continued strong global demand for Philippine labor boosted remittances, the central bank said Monday.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered an oil price freeze to avoid major increases in the wake of devastation from two previous storms, a top aide said Monday.

A weak US dollar and the global financial turmoil will cause Philippine exports to plunge a bigger-than-expected 20 percent this year, an industry association leader warned Friday.

Filipinos working abroad sent home US$1.4 billion in August, up 2.8 percent from a year earlier, as the global economy recovered and job prospects improved, the central bank said Thursday.

Philippine inflation rose to 0.7 percent in September, the government said Tuesday, as analysts forecast further price pressure to come after two deadly storms devastated large areas of agricultural land.

The Philippines has sold a record 78 billion pesos (US$1.6 billion) of bonds targeted at individuals, giving Treasurer Roberto Tan room to consider reining in regular debt sales. Bonds and the peso advanced.

Unemployment in the Philippines jumped more sharply than expected in July to 7.6 percent, with 2.9 million people out of work, the government said on Tuesday.

Top Philippines firm San Miguel said Tuesday it was on the prowl for big natural resource investments abroad as part of an increasingly aggressive expansion outside of its core brewing business.

The Philippines economy could grow by up to four percent in next year, officials said on Tuesday, adding that the budget deficit is expected to fall within its target.

Looking down the main drag of this farm town, Police Chief Eric Noble marvels at the modern conveniences — byproducts of the fierce ties binding Philippine families.