ECCP at Work

March deficit widens as spending outpaces growth in revenues

The National Government’s fiscal gap widened in March as spending growth outpaced revenue gains, even as the first quarter still ended with a narrower deficit due to stronger cumulative collections.

Economic target adjustments likely due to energy shock, Balisacan says

The government will adjust its economic targets due to inflationary and growth pressures stemming from the Middle East war, Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said.

At $6.8B, Philippines got the biggest slice of ADB funding in 2025

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) stepped up its financial support for the Philippines in 2025, aiming to help its host country confront a widening set of development challenges amid global trade tensions, climate risks and governance concerns.

Cebu set to be regional logistics hub–Marina

Cebu is set to strengthen its position as a leading maritime and logistics hub in the Philippines and the wider Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region, as construction of the New Cebu International Container Port (NCICP) progresses toward its targeted completion in 2028.

DICT: Upgrade of eGovPH app underway

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is working to strengthen the back-end systems of the eGovPH Super App after recent outages left users unable to access services.

BSP hikes rate as war sends inflation past target

The Philippine central bank increased its benchmark interest rate for the first time in more than two years, warning of a deteriorating inflation outlook as the Iran war drives up energy prices.

Philippines entry into J.P. Morgan bond index hailed

The Philippines' first inclusion in the well-tracked J.P. Morgan's Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets reflects confidence in the country's economic management, the Department of Finance said.

BSP: Philippine inflation to exceed 4% target until 2027

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects the country’s inflation rate to breach its 4 percent target until next year due to consumer price shocks from the Middle East war.

DOTr secures more land for rail projects

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Thursday it has made strides in securing land for two of the country’s flagship rail projects, with right-of-way acquisition for the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) North section surging from 7.59 percent in March 2025 to 65.5 percent, while the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) reached 90.80 percent from 51 percent previously.

Demand seen shifting to EVs as incentive plan release approaches

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is confident that demand for electric vehicles (EVs) will grow strongly in the wake of the oil price shock, as it prepares to release an incentive program for the segment that could reflect updated demand assumptions.

PHL ‘A’ rating goal at risk as war dims prospects

The Philippines might miss its target of achieving an “A”-level credit rating within the next two years as another debt watcher cut its outlook for the country, with the Middle East war and slowing public investments putting the country’s growth prospects at risk.

‘Philippines may grow by over 5% in 2026, 2027’

The Philippines is expected to grow at a faster pace this year and the next, but the ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses risks, according to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

DA races to lock in fertilizer supply, eyes first urea plant

The government is moving on two fronts to shield Philippine agriculture from the latest fertilizer shock, scrambling to secure supplies from Southeast Asian neighbors while reviving plans for what could become the country’s first urea manufacturing plant.

PHL courts long-term bets across priority industries

The Philippine government is courting long-term investments across multiple priority sectors as it continues to position the country as a stable destination for global capital amid shifting economic conditions.

PBBM: Economy must keep running

Wary of a possible economic “stagnation” amid the Middle East crisis, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to ensure the country’s economic activities will continue to run smoothly with sufficient fuel supplies, reduce logistic costs, and increased government spending.

Cebu prepares for massive e-bus rollout plans

As the country’s energy crisis persists, the Cebu Provincial Government is preparing to launch electric buses (e-buses) across the province as revealed in their Facebook page on Tuesday morning, April 21, 2026. Besides mitigating transportation challenges brought by the current energy crisis, the proposed e-bus system could also improve connectivity to island destinations such as the Camotes Islands and Bantayan Island, with officials highlighting its potential to boost tourism in said areas.