ECCP at Work

Philippines may grow below 4% in near term

Philippine economic growth may fall below 4% in the near term as the billion‑peso flood control scandal drags on, affecting government spending and dampening consumption and sentiment.

Green-lane agency to start 2026 with projects worth P2.95 trillion

The Board of Investments’ (BoI) One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI) said it ended 2025 with about P2.95 trillion worth of projects not yet registered with investment promotion agencies (IPAs) whose permits it will fast-track under the green lane system.

VAT cut may reduce revenue by 17% – BIR

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) warned that the proposed cut in value-added tax (VAT) to 10 percent from 12 percent could significantly affect government revenue, while economists weighed in on its potential economic impact.

Philippines plans 2026 imports of 3.8M tons as supply fears linger

The Department of Agriculture said the Philippines may import as much as 3.8 million metric tons of rice in 2026, as domestic production is expected to remain flat while demand continues to rise.

Government set to conduct tender for renewable energy contracts

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced Thursday it will auction off renewable energy (RE) projects with a combined capacity of 105.4 megawatts (MW) under the fifth Open and Competitive Selection Process (OCSP5).

PHL all set for Asean summits and related meetings in 2026

The Philippines is gearing up to host the region’s most significant diplomatic gatherings this year, as it formally announced the dates and venues for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Leaders’ Summits in 2026.

Analysts see steady but uneven growth for PHL retail this year

The Philippine retail sector is expected to post positive but uneven growth this year, supported by favorable demographics, steady household spending and continued digital adoption, analysts said.

DA may hike price cap on imported rice to P45 per kilo

The Philippines is considering raising the price cap on imported rice to P45 per kilogram when a higher tariff takes effect on Jan. 16, with a weaker peso and shifts in global prices driving up import costs.

DOTr opens P895M bidding for airport upgrades Flags projects to watch in 2026

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has opened the bidding for nearly P895 million worth of airport development projects in three areas from southern Luzon to northern Mindanao.

Govt released ₱20.677B in calamity funds in 2025

The government released a total of P20.677 billion in calamity funds last year to finance its relief and rehabilitation efforts. 

National govt debt grows to P17.6T

The national government’s outstanding debt rose to P17.65 trillion as of end-November 2025, up slightly from P17.56 trillion in October, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Wednesday.

Veto yanks ‘critical lifeline’ from auto industry, parts makers say

The removal from the budget of fiscal support for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) and the Revitalizing the Automotive Industry for Competitiveness Enhancement (RACE) programs removed a “critical lifeline” to an already-struggling industry, auto parts makers said.

Inflation eases to 1.7% in 2025, slowest in 9 years

Higher food prices during the holiday season lifted inflation to 1.8% in December, although the full-year average eased to 1.7% — the slowest in nearly a decade, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.

Philippine jobless rate climbs despite holiday hiring

The Philippines’ unemployment rate unexpectedly rose year on year in November 2025 despite the start of the holiday hiring season, as bad weather and job losses in key industries outweighed the usual fourth-quarter lift, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

CARS funding veto ‘breaks promises’ made to investors

The removal of budget funds to incentivize domestic auto manufacturing could undermine foreign investor confidence, Sen. Sherwin T. Gatchalian said.

Manufacturing output faltered in November 2025

The Philippine manufacturing sector was left at a standstill in November as output dropped and factory gate prices barely moved, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).