Unemployment rate lowest since ’05
Philippine unemployment eased to 3.1% in December amid a surge in hiring in the transport and storage sector, bringing the full-year average to a record-low of 3.8%, according to the statistics agency.

Philippine inflation stays at 2.9% in January 2025
The inflation rate for January 2025 remained unchanged from the previous month at 2.9%, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Wednesday, February 5.

Senate approves bill to expand data transmission, connectivity
The Senate of the Philippines approved on Wednesday a bill, certified urgent by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aimed at enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure and expanding data transmission services, a move lawmakers say will promote competition and improve internet access nationwide.

Gov’t procurement law IRR due next week
THE Department of Budget and Management said the new government procurement law’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) will be released next week, having been approved by the procurement board’s technical experts.

Outstanding NG debt hits P16.05T
The National Government’s (NG) outstanding debt hit P16.05 trillion at the end of 2024 amid higher debt issuances and a stronger dollar, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported on Tuesday.

Full electrification by 2028 goal under review on funding doubts
The Department of Energy said it will review its target of achieving total electrification by 2028 amid concerns about the availability of funding.

34 admin priority bills pending as Congress adjournment looms
At least 34 administration priority measures endorsed by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) remain pending in Congress as it prepares to adjourn this week.

Sen Hontiveros backs calls for Palace to certify wage increase bill as urgent
Sen. Risa Hontiveros conveyed to the President on Wednesday the mounting calls for the Palace to certify the Malacañan proposed wage increase bill as urgent, saying that millions of Filipino workers cannot afford further delays amid rising prices of basic goods and services.

Bicam report on capital markets reform OK'd
The Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference report on a measure that seeks to cut the tax on stock transactions from 0.1% to 0.6%, a move that experts hope will boost the Philippine stock market.

Full budget transparency seen taking time
The Philippines is working on initiatives like procurement reform to achieve budget transparency, but it will take time to mainstream these initiatives, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.

Fitch expects Philippines growth to pick up
Fitch Ratings projects the Philippine economy to gain momentum over the next two years, supported by monetary easing, robust infrastructure spending and investment-friendly reforms.

Clark airport operator expects passenger volume to hit 3.4M
Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD) Corp., the operator of Clark International Airport, has revised its passenger volume projection upward for 2025, citing anticipated traffic growth after the transfer of turboprop operations from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Low onion inventories trigger import order for 4,000 MT
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it approved imports of 4,000 metric tons (MT) worth of onions to ensure stable prices with stocks running low.

SRP guide shows price increases for 77 items
Prices of over 70 stock-keeping units (SKUs), including sardines, canned meat and coffee, have increased, according to the latest suggested retail price (SRP) bulletin released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Gas stations may be required to put up EV charging points this year
The Department of Energy (DoE) is looking to start requiring gas stations to have electric vehicle (EV) charging points this year, as part of efforts to boost EV adoption in the country.

Within-target inflation may prompt further rate cuts
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) rate-cutting cycle will be supported by expectations of inflation settling well within target this year, analysts said.

PHL may need 50M sq.m. of industrial space by 2035
The Philippines may need at least 50 million square meters (sq.m.) of industrial space by 2035, with an estimated average price of ₱30,000 per sq.m., to accommodate surging demand rom the manufacturing, logistics, and data center sectors, according to commercial real estate consultancy firm PRIME Philippines.

Pangandaman says gov't could adjust growth target if necessary
Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman on Wednesday said the government’s 6 to 8% gross domestic product (GDP) growth target this year may be adjusted after underwhelming 2024 growth and global uncertainties.

Consumer spending to drive growth this year — BMI
Robust household consumption is seen to prop up the economy this year, Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI said, but warned that inflationary pressures and other risks could dampen this outlook.

P55 per kilogram cap on imported rice takes effect on Feb. 5
The price of imported rice sold in Metro Manila markets will be capped at P55 per kilogram starting Wednesday, February 5.

PHL shares fall on profit taking after 3-day climb
Philippine stocks dropped on Thursday as the market succumbed to profit taking following its three-day rally and amid political uncertainty after the House of Representatives impeached Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

UN-funded program hoping to digitize 15,000 PHL small firms
A program funded by the United Nations is seeking to provide digital tools and training to at least 15,000 small businesses in the Philippines, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said.

E-business one-stop shops eyed for a hundred more LGUs in 2025
The head of the government’s anti-red tape body on Monday said they are targeting to have a hundred local government units (LGUs) establish their own fully-functional online one-stop business shops this year to further improve the ease of doing business in the country.

BSP open to extending regulatory relief for DBP if ‘strongly justified’
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is open to granting state-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) further regulatory relief if they are able to “strongly” justify the need for it.

BIR collects record P2.85 trillion tax in 2024
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected almost P3 trillion in taxes in 2024—the most in two decades, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. announced on Tuesday.

Corporate registrations rise 6% to 52,304 — SEC
New company registrations reached 52,304 in 2024, a 6% increase from 49,506 in 2023, supported by digital platforms that streamlined applications, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said.

Factory activity slows in January
Philippine manufacturing activity in January expanded at its slowest pace in five months as growth in new orders eased.

Power spot prices down in January
Electricity prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) declined in January due to a higher average system margin, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

House carbon pricing framework bill approved on 2nd reading
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading a bill establishing a carbon pricing framework for Philippine companies in a bid to meet the country’s climate targets amid climate change concerns.

Balisacan backs anti-trust legislation for agriculture to boost food security
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said anti-trust legislation will be crucial in ensuring food security.

Philippines urged to take advantage of opportunities amid US-China trade war
The Philippines could be an alternative investment destination for export-oriented firms amid a trade war between the United States and China.

Trump policies pose risks for PHL economy
The Philippine economy may face pressure amid President Donald J. Trump’s policies, which could impact the currency, inflation and remittances, Fitch Ratings said.

JLL: Adjust rates to boost office demand
Office building developers may need to adjust rental rates or offer more favorable lease terms to attract tenants and stimulate demand in the current market, according to property services firm JLL Philippines.

Peso weakens anew vs dollar on cautious Fed
THE PESO weakened anew against the dollar on Thursday on cautious remarks from US Federal Reserve officials amid policy uncertainty in the world’s largest economy.