PH aims for 8% high end of GDP growth target
The Marcos administration yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to sustain a higher growth trajectory in 2025 and keep the inflation rate and poverty incidence within target levels.

New SIPP to be released in H1
The BoI said it is set to release the 2025-2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) in the first half, with the new edition expected to rationalize the sector and tier listings of the government’s preferred investments.

DOTr eyes more airport privatization
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista is stepping up pressure on interested proponents of other airport projects following the successful privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the Ramon Ang-led San Miguel Corp.

SRA to issue rules on local sugar purchase program
The SRA may issue an order this month governing the second voluntary purchase of locally produced raw sugar in exchange for a guaranteed spot in the government’s importation programs.

NSA chief supports declaration of food emergency
National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said on Tuesday that he backed the declaration of a food emergency since food security was a ‘national security interest’ and the move would address high prices of commodities, particularly rice.

World's biggest enterprise software vendor to launch PH operations
The DTI on Tuesday said it has secured a commitment from United States-based tech firm Salesforce to invest in the Philippines this year, a venture that will mark the entry of a company touted as the world’s largest enterprise software vendor.

PH gov't urged to recalibrate tobacco products tax
The national government on Wednesday was asked to recalibrate its taxation of all standard tobacco products given the expected increase in the country’s smokers in the next four years.

2024 BoP surplus narrows sharply 
The Philippines’ balance of payment (BoP) surplus sharply narrowed in 2024, falling short of the central bank’s full-year projection.

AMRO says Philippines likely to post 2nd fastest GDP expansion in region
The Philippines is expected to be the second-fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia in 2025, as further monetary easing boosts domestic demand, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said on Tuesday.

Philippine CEOs confident in economic growth in the next 12 months—survey
Most CEOs based in the Philippines are optimistic about economic growth prospects despite worries over a shortage of skilled workers and technological disruption, a survey showed.

High rice prices may affect BSP’s easing cycle 
Still-elevated rice prices could stoke inflation and threaten the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) pace of monetary easing, GlobalSource Partners said.

What Trump policies could bring for PHL
US President Donald J. Trump's recent policy announcements have mixed implications for the Philippines, with potential benefits from lower energy prices due to boosted oil and gas production but concerns over US inflation and protectionist trade policies that could affect the Philippine economy and its trade relationship with the US, according to analysts.

‘Funding gaps hold back Philippines RE ambitions’
Persistent financing challenges remain a major hurdle in the country’s pursuit of more ambitious energy transition goals, especially in renewable energy, according to the Department of Energy.

ACMobility adding more EV charging points in Makati
ACMobility is putting up 27 more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Makati City within the first quarter, the mobility solutions provider announced on Tuesday. Makati is set to have 74 operational charging across 18 locations, such as offices, malls, and condominiums, the end-to-end mobility solutions arm of the Ayala group said in a statement.

DA launches P85 million project to boost egg output
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will roll out a P85.2-million chicken layer program this year that seeks to boost egg production in the country.

PHL to host Asean Tourism Forum 2026
The Philippines will be hosting the Asean Tourism Forum (ATF) in 2026, giving the country a chance to put its best foot forward and encourage more tourists from the region to visit.

75% of PH CEOs see AI essential to growth strategy — PwC survey
About 75 percent of Philippine CEOs responding to a survey indicated artificial intelligence (AI) is integral to their companies’ core processes, signaling a shift in business leaders’ mindset about growth strategies.

PH posted lower dollar surplus in 2024, says BSP
The Philippines posted a lower dollar surplus in 2024––which also fell short of the central bank’s forecast––due to outflows from a bloated import bill and lower earnings from services exports.

Rice inflation risks high, BSP cautioned
A former Deputy Governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has offered a word of caution on the central bank’s plans to further ease monetary policy, saying that the “precarious rice situation” will not lead to slower inflation this year.

DA short of target on food security

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has failed to meet its target on the declaration of a food security emergency as the agency still awaits the signed approved resolution by the National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC).

Incentives eyed for semiconductor firms 
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is pushing for more incentives for the semiconductor industry, following a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on Tuesday.

Gov’t set to allow unsolicited bids for state assets—DoF
The Department of Finance’s (DoF) Privatization and Management Office (PMO) will release next month new guidelines allowing for the submission of unsolicited bids for state assets

DBS sees below-target PHL growth until 2026 
Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth may fall below the government’s target for this year and next, DBS Bank said, even as easing inflation and lower interest rates are expected to boost consumption.

InstaPay, PESONet transactions surge in ‘24
The value of transactions done via InstaPay and PESONet jumped to P17.42 trillion in 2024, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed.

Rubio affirms 'ironclad' US commitment to Philippines
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that the United States under President Donald Trump remained committed to the Philippines’ defense, as tensions simmer with Beijing in the South China Sea.

BSP easing cycle seen extending until 2026
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) might have to extend its easing cycle up to 2026 to match the slower pace of rate cuts in the United States, Singapore-based DBS Bank said.