ECCP at Work

House OKs bill scrapping travel tax on 2nd reading

The House of Representatives on Wednesday evening approved on second reading a proposal to scrap the travel tax, advancing the measure seeking to cut the levy seen as burdensome for Filipinos.

ASEAN retreat to focus on minimizing trade frictions

The upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers Retreat will tackle minimizing trade barriers as a response to the ongoing fuel crisis and the uncertain global trade environment, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

ERC: WESM rates may go up by ₱4/kWh

System-wide Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) average rates are likely to increase anywhere from P2 to P4 per kilowatt hour (kWh) next month, not only because of rising fuel prices but also due to rising demand for electricity as the dry season begins.

Jan unemployment grows to 5.8% 

Unemployment in the Philippines rose to 5.8 percent in January from 4.3 percent a year earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Friday.

Agri sector secures $3.15B in farm loans, grants

The Philippines has secured at least $3.15 billion in loans and grants from multilateral institutions to finance projects aimed at modernizing agriculture and improving rural infrastructure, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.

Agricultural trade deficit widens 2.2% in January

The deficit in the agricultural goods trade in January widened 2.2% year on year to $1.03 billion, according to preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

IMF to assist PHL in achieving integration with ASEAN region

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it will continue to assist the Philippines in deepening its integration within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

GSIS to roll out ‘green’ loans for solar homes

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will roll out a program that will allow government workers to install solar panels at home as part of efforts to conserve energy amid rising global oil prices linked to the Middle East war.

Govt targets 20 FTAs by end of Marcos term

The Philippines aims to conclude 20 free trade agreements with its foreign partners by the end of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said on Wednesday as the government stepped up its push to widen market access for the country’s exports.

PHL infra spending needs to be better distributed, AMRO says

The Philippines should direct its infrastructure spending towards less-developed regions, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said.

FDI net inflows slump to five-year low in 2025

Net foreign direct investment inflows into the Philippines dropped 17.1% to $7.79 billion in 2025, the lowest level in five years, mainly due to a sharp decline in investments in debt instruments, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data.

Oil shock to bring inflation above 4%

The Iran conflict could cut 0.2–0.3 percentage points from Philippine GDP growth and drive inflation above 4%, prompting lawmakers to consider suspending fuel excise taxes to cushion the impact of rising global oil prices.

Philippines improves in global connectedness — DHL report

The Philippines improved to 59th place in the DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026, reflecting stronger global integration, though the report highlights the need to improve logistics, trade competitiveness, and investment flows.

SEC eases rules for early stockholders’ meetings

The Securities and Exchange Commission has relaxed rules allowing publicly listed companies to hold annual stockholders’ meetings earlier without prior approval, requiring only advance notice to ensure compliance with disclosure and shareholder protection requirements.

ASEAN to sign digital economy deal in Nov.

Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to sign the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) by November, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.