ECCP at Work

WB: Businesses key to PHL becoming ASEAN growth engine

The Philippines’ ambition to become Southeast Asia’s next economic growth engine depends on the private sector’s ability to invest, expand and innovate with confidence, the World Bank (WB) said.

AI adoption urgency rises as Philippines risks missing growth gains — DICT chief

The Philippines should accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) adoption by upgrading infrastructure and boosting regulation, as slow uptake could prevent the country from fully capturing productivity gains, government and industry leaders said.

81.3% of 2026 PH budget released by April

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released 81.3 percent of the P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget as of the end of April, though the pace remains slower than last year as infrastructure-related disbursements have yet to fully recover.

Phl loses P151 billion revenue to illicit tobacco trade – report

The Philippine government may have lost $2.5 billion (around P151 billion) in revenues over the past two years due to rampant illicit cigarette and e-vape trade, funds that could have been used to address the Middle East crisis, a new report said.

DLSU economists cut growth forecast to 3.1%

The Philippine economy is staring at another year of underperformance, with economists from De La Salle University (DLSU) slashing their 2026 growth forecast to 3.11 percent as war-driven oil prices and mounting second-round inflationary pressures batter domestic demand.

Infrastructure spending down 48% as corruption mess slows disbursements

Infrastructure spending slumped by 48% year on year in March due to lower disbursements and tighter processes in the wake of a corruption scandal involving government projects.

Philippines ranks four spots lower in global good governance index

The Philippines dropped by four spots to rank 59th out of 133 countries in a good governance index after recording low scores for key indicators like leadership and foresight, global influence, and reputation.

Kim Robert De Leon is Marcos' new budget chief

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed University of the Philippines assistant professor and former budget undersecretary Kim Robert De Leon as the secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.

DA seen extending P50/kg rice price cap

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said the price cap of P50 per kilogram (kg) on imported rice may be extended to mitigate the lingering impact of the Middle East conflict on retail prices.

House bill aims to cushion effect of oil price increases

A priority measure seeking to establish a permanent, nationwide government response system to cushion Filipinos from oil price spikes and economic disruptions is set to reach plenary debates in the House of Representatives with approval targeted before the sine die adjournment next month.

BSP cyber rules test PH banks’ real defenses — cybersecurity firm

Philippine banks are being pressed to treat the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ new cybersecurity self-assessment rules as a test of actual defense capability, not a compliance exercise.

Peza, BCDA in investment tieup for New Clark City

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) have consolidated their investment promotion efforts for New Clark City in Tarlac, presenting it as a single, coordinated destination for locators and developers.

GOCC subsidies up by 70% as govt boosts sectors

Subsidies extended to state-run corporations surged by 70 percent in March, as the national government ramped up budgetary support for key sectors amid the energy crisis.

Philippines eyes ADB financing for critical minerals development

The Philippines is interested in tapping a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) financing facility aimed at supporting the development of critical minerals supply chains in Asia-Pacific, according to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Asean 2026: Europe’s 4 oil shock lessons

In 2026, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) central banks are, in several respects, ahead of where Europe once stood decades ago.

PH among top 50 economies at risk of food price surge

The Philippines ranks among the 50 countries most vulnerable to a surge in food prices if energy and fertilizer costs remain elevated amid the Middle East conflict and the coming El Niño develops into an extreme weather event, Nomura Global Markets Research said.