Business sentiment down in Q1
More companies turned pessimistic in the first quarter (Q1) with sentiment said to be weighed down by concerns over reduced demand following the holiday season, a slowdown in business activities and potential inflationary pressures.

Inflation likely eased further in March
Inflation likely slowed further in March amid easing food prices and lower transport costs, strengthening the case for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to cut rates as early as April, analysts said.

Govt Jan debt payments drop 32.97% – BTr
Debt payments by the national government fell 32.97 percent in January from a year earlier as amortization dropped during the period, data released by the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Sunday showed.

BIR: E-facilities to make tax return filing, payment ‘hassle-free’
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Friday reminded taxpayers to file and pay their 2024 annual income tax returns simultaneously on or before April 15 to avoid penalties.

Philippines to establish an AI think tank
The National Innovation Council (NIC) has greenlit the creation of a think tank to prepare the Philippines for the emergence of artificial intelligence. NEDA said NIC last March 26, approved the establishment of a specialized technical group made up of experts and leaders from industry, academe, and the government.

ERC rushes power supply deals for electric co-ops
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is ramping up the approvals of power supply agreements (PSAs) to minimize electric cooperatives’ (co-ops) exposure to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) as the summer season approaches.

DTI intensifies crackdown vs substandard building materials
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will intensify its drive against substandard building materials, including steel, under the Task Force Kalasag as construction activities pick up this coming dry season, DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said.

SWS: Hunger rate at 27.2%, highest since pandemic
More Filipinos experienced involuntary hunger—or being hungry and having nothing to eat—at least once in the past three months, results from a recent national survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) and Stratbase showed.

Philippines' limited role in tariff wars reflects its manufacturing sector lagging behind
While the Philippines would be insulated from the tariff wars initiated by United States (US) President Donald Trump, it cannot reap the potential benefits from the supply chain restructuring of affected businesses in targeted countries.

PHL told to strike balance in US, China ties or risk economic retaliation
The Philippines needs to strike a balance in preserving its diplomatic and trade ties with China amid Manila’s pursuit of stronger military ties with the United States or risk economic arm-twisting from its neighbor, according to a security analyst.

Expanded livelihood sought for transport workers, small businesses amid EDSA rehab
The Philippine government has been urged to expand livelihood assistance to transport workers and small businesses likely to be affected by the impending year-long rehabilitation of the Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA) this April.

Support for local producers sought as food prices soar
The government should boost its support for farmers and other local food producers and agrarian reform efforts to achieve its food security goals, farmer’s groups said citing its failure to address spiraling prices despite the declaring of a food emergency.

NFA targets palay procurement of 880,000 MT
The National Food Authority (NFA) said on Sunday that it plans to procure around 880,000 metric tons (MT) of palay, or unmilled rice, this year. The planned volume will allow the NFA to meet its commitment to maintain a minimum reserve requirement of 555,000 MT rice, which is equivalent to 15 days’ consumption, the NFA said in a statement.

Philippines' trade deficit narrows to $3.15 bln in Feb
The Philippines’ trade deficit fell to its lowest level in nearly four years in February as exports sustained their recent growth, although at a slower pace, and imports declined, preliminary official data showed on Friday.

Government debt service bill fails to ₱107B in Jan. 
The National Government’s (NG) debt service bill plunged in January as amortization on domestic debt declined, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) said. Latest data from the BTr showed that the NG’s debt repayments fell by 32.97% to ₱106.51 billion in January from ₱158.9 billion in the same month a year ago.