ECCP at Work

Inflation picks up 1.4% in June – PSA
Higher electricity prices, transportation costs, and the increase in tuition led to faster inflation in June, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

National Government debt jumps to P16.92 trillion
The National Government’s (NG) outstanding debt hit a fresh high of P16.92 trillion at the end of May as new domestic debt issuances were partly offset by the stronger peso.

BSP says there’s room for 2 more rate cuts
The Philippine central bank could cut its policy rate twice more this year, its governor said, with benign inflation levels providing room to ease the country’s monetary settings. BSP delivered a widely expected rate cut last month, bringing its key rate to 5.25 percent, its lowest level in two and a half years.

Philippines falls $26 short of World Bank 'upper middle income' upgrade
The World Bank has retained the Philippines’ classification as a lower middle income country, despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration pushing for an upgrade to upper middle income status.

11 renewable projects gain green-lane status in June
The government approved 11 renewable energy projects in June for green-lane status, entitling the project proponents to expedited approval processes, according to the Board of Investments (BoI).

Telcos: Lower regulatory fees to bring down internet costs
If the government is serious in lowering internet prices by half by 2028, reducing regulatory fees that would trim business costs and, in the process, consumer rates, should be on the table, telecommunication companies said.

WESM spot electricity prices down 3.9% in June
The average price of electricity sold in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) decreased by 3.9 percent nationwide in June, according to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).

DA to lower maximum price for imported rice by July 16
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it will push for the reduction of the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for imported rice on July 16. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement the MSRP for imported rice will be reduced to P43 per kilogram from the current P45.

P1-B budget sought to start corn procurement program
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking a budget of up to P1 billion to “start the ball rolling” on purchasing corn from farmers beginning next year. The plan to purchase corn through the National Food Authority (NFA) would position corn as an alternative to rice as a staple grain.

More domestic borrowings eyed to fund wider deficit
The government is looking to hike its borrowing program to P2.6 trillion this year from P2.55 trillion previously, to fund the ballooning budget deficit.

Manufacturing PMI expands in June
Philippine factory activity in June expanded at its fastest pace in two months as production rebounded and new orders rose, S&P Global said. The S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) improved to 50.7 in June from 50.1 in May.

Infrastructure spending declines by 28% in April
In its latest disbursement report, the DBM reported that spending on infrastructure and other capital outlays declined by 27.8% to P85.8 billion in April from P118.9 billion in the same month last year.

Marcos directs SEC to reduce transaction costs
The President attended the special bell-ringing ceremony at the PSE to mark the effectivity of Republic Act No. 12214 or CMEPA. Signed by President Marcos on May 29, one of the law’s provisions is the reduction of the stock transaction tax (STT) to 0.1% from the previous 0.6%, a move that is expected to boost stock market activity.

PEZA investments surge in 1st half
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) saw a 59% increase in approved investment pledges in the first six months of 2025, despite a drop in approvals in June.

EV stakeholders told to brace for impact of ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned that the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) Act” may have a negative impact on Philippine enterprises involved in electric vehicle manufacturing and supply-chain operations.