Philippine business groups, foreign chambers seek deferral of joint pre-border inspection policy
In a March 26 letter addressed to Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary Ralph Recto, the government was called on to reconsider Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 001-2025, which embodies the “digital integrated system for pre-border technical verification (PTV) and cross-border electronic invoicing (CEI).”

GDP growth revised upward to 5.7%
The economy expanded at a slightly faster pace in the fourth quarter of last year and full-year 2024 than initially reported, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

NG debt hits record ₱16.63 trillion
The National Government’s (NG) outstanding debt rose to a fresh high of ₱16.63 trillion as of end-February, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) reported. Latest data from the BTr showed that the debt jumped by 1.96% from ₱16.31 trillion at the end of January.

BSP sees March inflation at 1.7%-2.5%
Headline inflation likely settled within a range of 1.7% to 2.5% in March, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said on Monday.

Gov't upbeat on rising biz confidence for Q2 2025
Malacañang expressed optimism on Monday about the Philippine business confidence outlook for the second quarter of 2025, following a report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) indicating improved business sentiment.

Trump slaps 17% tariff on Philippine exports
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has imposed a 17% tariff on Philippine exports as part of its sweeping “Liberation Day” trade policy targeting over 180 countries.

CREATE MORE Law may shield PH from tariff troubles: foreign biz groups
The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities (CREATE MORE) law can help insulate the Philippines from the effects of trade effects, said Chris Ilagan, co-chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (AmCham)’s legislative committee.

‘Very slim chance’ for EPIRA amendments this year – ERC
The proposed changes in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) face a long road ahead, but the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) still clings to a “very slim chance” of enactment this year.

Producers agree to hold prices steady – DTI
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said manufactures of basic necessities and prime commodities have agreed to not raise prices for the time being.

DOE to introduce new initiatives to increase EV adoption
The Department of Energy (DOE) will introduce new regulatory initiatives and public consultations to ensure a safe, efficient, and sustainable electric vehicle (EV) charging network. In a statement Tuesday, the DOE said the country currently has 912 publicly accessible EV charging stations operational nationwide as of March 31 this year, mostly in the National Capital Region.

DBM: Infra spending reaches P1.545-T in 2024
Infrastructure spending rose by 8.9 percent to PHP1.545 trillion in 2024 from PHP1.419 trillion outturn in 2023, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Wednesday.

DICT readies P163 million for free WiFi in schools
The government is spending P163 million to provide free internet to nearly 200 state universities and colleges (SUCs) across the archipelago in support of the digital needs of students.

DA mulls ‘gradual’ increase in rice tariff
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for the retention of the current rice tariff rate of 15 percent for the next quarter before a “gradual” increase is made to prevent market shocks.

For 4th straight month: Rice tariff collections plunge 63% in February
Rice tariff collections slumped by 63 percent in February from a year earlier, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline since tariff rates were slashed last year to historic lows.

DA eyes MSRP for garlic, eggs amid profiteering concerns
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering the imposition of a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on garlic to prevent possible profiteering, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said.

Agriculture dep’t forecasts lower rice imports this 2025
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is projecting lower rice imports this year due to an expected improvement in local production, better weather conditions and higher stock carryover.

DA to revise 30-year-old rules on pork minimum access volume
The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced plans to “revise and improve” the minimum access volume (MAV) for pork after 30 years of its implementation. MAV, an import system for commodities’ entry formulated in 1996, sets the tariff for pork MAV at 15 percent, much lower than the 25 percent regular tariff rate.

Malacañang says 17% tariff from US on PH goods has ‘minimal impact’
The 17 percent tariff imposed by the United States (US) government on Philippine exports may only have “minimal impact” on the country, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Thursday.

NG budget deficit balloons to P171.4 billion in February
The National Government’s (NG) budget deficit ballooned to P171.4 billion in February despite double-digit revenue growth, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported on Wednesday.

DENR to set up ocean environment task force in Q2
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it will set up a task force to enhance the country’s ocean and maritime governance by this year.

Factory activity shrinks in March
The country’s manufacturing sector slipped into negative territory in March for the first time in 19 months due to weak demand. In a statement yesterday, S&P Global said that the Philippines’ manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.4 in March, down from 51 in February.

Infrastructure spending declines in December
Infrastructure spending slumped by nearly 20% in December, but still exceeded the full-year program, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

Proposed RoW office seen unlikely to ease delays
THE proposed Right-of-Way (RoW) Office will have little to no impact in averting delays in the government’s big-ticket infrastructure projects, according to analysts.

WESM prices spike to highest in 7 months
After hitting a two-year low last month, power rates in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) nearly doubled in March, driven by lower supply and higher demand due to hotter weather.

Philippines gets $800-M World Bank loan for energy transition
The Philippines’ goal of jacking up clean power generation has gained strong financial support as the World Bank (WB) approved an $800-million loan targeted for energy transition.

PhilHealth may cover 18% of bills
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said it is eyeing to cover 18% of hospital bills of Filipinos in 2025 to fulfill its mandate of healthcare accessibility under the Universal Healthcare (UHC) Act.

PH remains resilient amid global trade shifts – Finance chief
Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the Philippine economy remains resilient amid global trade shifts. In a statement Thursday, Recto said the government will leverage the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act to attract more investors to locate in the country.

PEZA-approved ecozone investments in March double to P6B
The value of investments approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) more than doubled to P6.01 billion in March, with nearly 4,800 new jobs expected from new business ventures and expansions.

Ecozone investments surge 294% to P58.9 billion
Investment approvals by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) soared by 294 percent in the first quarter from the same period a year ago, amid the government’s continued investment promotion efforts and enhanced incentives system.

DA exec elected as first Filipino chair of UN food and agri body
Agriculture Assistant Secretary and lawyer Paz Benavidez II was elected as the first Filipino chairwoman of the United Nations (UN) Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) during its 20th session in Rome, Italy.

Government to start P700 million rehabilitation of LRT-1
The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) is set to undergo a P700-million rehabilitation until 2027 to fix the facilities, stations and viaducts in the original segment of the railway.

LRT-1 fare hike takes effect April 2
The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) fare hike will be effective starting Wednesday, April 2, amid calls to suspend it.

DOTR: LRT-1 fare hike needed for Cavite rail extension
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) underscored the importance of the fare hike of the Light Railway Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), which takes effect on Wednesday, particularly for the completion of the Cavite rail extension.

San Jose Del Monte city gov't approves new site of MRT stop
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) said the city government of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan agreed last month to the new location of the Metro Rail Transit Line-7 (MRT-7) station in that city.

DOTr lays groundwork for 4.7-km EDSA elevated walkway
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is looking for a general consultant through a bidding process to help realize the EDSA Greenways Project, a 4.7-kilometer (km) elevated walkway along Metro Manila’s busiest corridor.

Government maps out potential nuclear sites
The Marcos administration is assessing several areas across the Philippines, including Bulacan and Palawan, as possible sites for nuclear energy development in a bid to unleash its power by 2032.

Philippine factory gate prices rose 0.8% in Feb, says PSA
Factory gate prices continued to rise in February, driven by the uptick in the selling prices of coke and refined petroleum products manufacturers.

PhilHealth aims to cover 18% of hospital bills in 2025, 28% in 2028
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on Wednesday said it is aiming to raise its coverage of hospital bills for members to 18 percent in 2025, then further to 28 percent by 2028.

DOE eyes non-auction purchase of backup power
The Department of Energy (DOE) may soon allow the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to secure power reserves even without conducting a competitive bidding.

JP Morgan: Philippines positioned to thrive amid Trump tariffs
Global banking giant JP Morgan Chase expects the Philippines, with its consumer-driven and service-oriented economy, to sustain its favorable growth momentum despite the slew of tariffs that are rattling manufacturing hubs worldwide.

Over 60% of CEOs cautiously optimistic on growth – survey
Over 60 percent of Philippine chief executive officers (CEOs) are cautiously optimistic for 2025 amid risks in the domestic market and external environment, according to a survey from Ernst and Young.

Peso rally to fade on Philippine balance of payments deficit
The Philippines’ peso rally may run out of steam after the central bank revised its projection for the nation’s balance of payments to a deficit from a surplus.

Real estate lending to require closer monitoring amid risks – BSP
Lending to the real estate sector will need tighter supervision amid emerging risks that could impact the financial system, a Philippine central bank report showed.

Domestic trade in goods jumps by 23% in 2024 as economy picks up
Domestic trade in goods grew by 23.1% to ₱1.31 trillion in 2024, reflecting the uptick in overall economic activity, economists said. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Commodity Flow in the Philippines report, value of traded goods rose to ₱1.31 trillion in 2024 from the revised ₱1.07 trillion in 2023.

Government allots P4.4 billion subsidies in January
The government ramped up its budgetary support to state-run firms to P4.4 billion in January, with the bulk of the subsidies meant to fund the agriculture sector.

Bank lending growth slows in February
Bank lending growth slowed in February, preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. Outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks rose by 12.2% year on year to ₱13.03 trillion February from ₱11.61 in the same period in 2024. This was slower than the 12.8% expansion in January, which was the fastest in two years.

P1B investment seen to boost early childhood education in PH
An official of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) lauded on Thursday the government’s PHP1 billion investment to fund the construction of Child Development Centers (CDCs) in low-income local government units (LGUs).

Cebu Pacific named best airline in Asia anew
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific was selected by an aviation platform as the best airline in Asia for the second consecutive year in recognition of its fleet and network expansion.

PAL boosts flights from Cebu hub in time for summer
Philippines Airlines (PAL) will increase flights from Cebu to popular island destinations across the country this April in time for the summer.

BSP may resume policy easing at modest pace amid uncertainties
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could resume its monetary easing cycle this month and cut benchmark rates by at least two times this year but at a modest pace due to global and domestic uncertainties that could stoke inflation, GlobalSource Partners said.

Asia braces for Trump’s reciprocal tariffs to test export model
Asian leaders face tough decisions as President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs pose a generational challenge to a region whose economies were built around exports to the US and a world of low trade barriers.

Term deposit yields inch higher as market awaits US' reciprocal tariffs 
Yields on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposits inched higher on Wednesday as the offer went undersubscribed, with the market preferring to stay on the sidelines ahead of the Trump administration’s announcement of its planned reciprocal tariffs.

‘Tailored’ reforms to cure PH learning poverty urged
Higher government spending on basic education would unlikely result in bigger wages for Filipinos if not targeted at honing the specific skills demanded by the labor market, a study that called for “tailored” policies to cure learning poverty in the country showed.

Pag-IBIG to extend low interest rate for home loans
The Home Development Mutual Fund, commonly known as Pag-IBIG, is extending its low interest rates for home loans until end-June amid an improved financial standing and to address the country’s housing backlog.

Batangas LNG plants to attain full capacity by May — DoE
The Department of Energy (DoE) said it expects sufficient power supply during the warm and dry season, when electricity demand peaks, as two gas-fired power plants in Batangas are set to generate a full combined capacity of 2,500 megawatts (MW) by next month.

PH needs to boost quake preparedness, says OCD
Following the destructive magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand last week which claimed thousands of lives, an official from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday admitted that the Philippines still has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to disaster preparedness.

OCD warns: Substandard steel puts lives at risk if ‘The Big One’ hits Metro Manila
In the wake of a destructive 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and was felt across Southeast Asia, a top Philippine disaster official has warned that the use of substandard construction materials, particularly steel, could lead to deadly consequences if a similar quake strikes Metro Manila.

PHL buildings not ready for 'The Big One', experts say 
Building experts are concerned about the readiness of buildings and the lack of public spaces in case of a major earthquake in Metro Manila, after a 7.7-magnitude quake killed thousands in Myanmar on 28 March.

PHL net external liability position narrows at end-Dec.
The Philippines’ international investment position (IIP) stood at a net external liability of $65.5 billion at the end of December, the central bank said.

Foreign currency bank loans edged up in Q4 2024
Foreign currency-denominated loans granted by local banks grew slightly in the last quarter of 2024, as disbursements exceeded principal repayments.

Over P53 billion grid expansion projects await ERC approval
Power transmission projects totaling over P53 billion are stuck in limbo, waiting for the go-signal from the Energy Regulatory Commission.

PPA to remit record-high P5.2 billion dividends
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is handing over P5.2 billion in dividends to the Bureau of the Treasury for 2024, maintaining its position as one of the highest-contributing state-run firms.

Manufacturers’ supply chain worries multiply as tariff walls start going up
Manufacturers, already worried about the lack of resilience in their supply chains, are bracing for further disruption as trading partners start erecting tariff barriers.

Asia’s factory activity weakens as US tariffs sap confidence
Asia’s factory activity mostly weakened in March as an intensifying U.S. tariff war and slowing global demand hurt business sentiment, private sector surveys showed on Tuesday, darkening the outlook for the region’s economy.

PEZA greenlights P6-billion investment pledges in March
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has approved P6 billion worth of investment pledges in March, bringing the first-quarter approvals to P58.947 billion.

BMI sees 25-bp rate cut next week
THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) is likely to cut benchmark interest rates by 25 basis points (bps) at its meeting next week amid a stable peso and slowing inflation, Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI said.

DOE: No power outages seen amid summer demand
No yellow and red alerts are expected during the summer months despite the forecasted surge in demand caused by warmer temperatures, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

World Bank lends $800 million for Philippines energy transition
The World Bank has approved an $800-million loan to support reforms promoting the shift to clean energy and climate resilience in the Philippines.

For 4th straight month: Rice tariff collections plunge 63% in February
Rice tariff collections slumped by 63 percent in February from a year earlier, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline since tariff rates were slashed last year to historic lows.

Ecozone investments surge 294% to P58.9 billion
Investment approvals by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) soared by 294 percent in the first quarter from the same period a year ago, amid the government’s continued investment promotion efforts and enhanced incentives system.

Researchers cite sink potential of Philippine Rise
The Philippine Rise is a natural carbon sink that could contribute to climate change mitigation, according to a study led by scientists from the World Maritime University, IRD in France, Technical University of Denmark, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Blue Green Future.

US OKs $5.6-B jet deal with Philippines
The US Department of State on Tuesday approved the possible sale of F-16 jet fighters and munitions worth $5.58 billion to the Philippines, a deal that could boost the Southeast Asian nation’s air combat capabilities amid rising tensions with China.