ECCP at Work

OCBC maintains Philippine growth, inflation outlook

The Philippines will likely see a new post-pandemic low growth this year as the Middle East conflict continues to weigh on domestic demand and the country’s external position, Singapore-based Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC) said.

Inflation slows to 6.8% in May

The country’s inflation eased to 6.8 percent in May from 7.2 percent in April as transport and food prices softened amid the Middle East conflict-driven energy crisis, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

Govt vows targeted aid as inflation eases

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government will sustain targeted measures to protect households from price shocks after inflation eased in May, even as food, fuel, and electricity costs remained elevated.

April manufacturing output rises faster, but sales lose pace

Manufacturing output grew at a faster pace in April, driven largely by petroleum products, electronics, and food production, even as sales growth slowed, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Friday.

More EV charging projects pushed

The government is preparing a new rule that would cut the approval time for electric vehicle (EV) charging projects by as much as half, as it seeks to keep pace with the rising demand for electrified transport. 

Garin: P30 billion needed for strategic oil reserve

The Philippines will need about P30 billion to build a strategic oil reserve capable of providing an additional 30 days of fuel security in the event of supply disruptions, according to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.

Gov’t can meet financing needs despite market volatility, treasurer says

The National Government (NG) is confident that it can secure its borrowing needs for this year to help fund its spending plan, even with interest rates surging and risk sentiment souring as the protracted Middle East war fuels uncertainty.

Economy ‘largest collateral damage’ in Senate drama

The Philippine economy, which is currently marred by elevated fiscal pressures and persistent inflation concerns due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, could become the “largest collateral damage” amid the political drama that has gripped the Senate since a month ago, a former central bank deputy governor warned.

Hot money outflows hit $4.4 billion in 4 months

Foreign portfolio investments exited the Philippines in the first four months as investors turned more cautious amid geopolitical tensions, a strong dollar and uncertainty over global interest rates. 

OECD cuts PHL growth outlook from 5.1% to 3.2%

In its latest Economic Outlook released on Wednesday, the OECD cut its Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection for 2026 to 3.2 percent from the 5.1 percent it forecast in February, citing the combined impact of an energy shock, weak consumer demand, and sluggish investment.

‘Green lane’ pipeline shrank to P6.32T in April

Data released by the Board of Investments (BOI) on Thursday showed endorsed green lane investments stood at P6.32 trillion as of April, down 1.71 percent from the P6.43 trillion recorded from the program’s launch in February 2023 through March.

Philippines unlikely to cut poverty rate to single digits by 2028

In its report “Building the Filipino Middle Class: Towards Resilient Futures and Poverty Eradication,” the World Bank projected the national poverty rate to drop to around 12.3% by 2028 “if the pre COVID growth-poverty relationship holds.”

House approves 3 key education measures on third reading

The House of Representatives on Wednesday advanced several landmark education reforms with the approval on third reading of House Bills Nos. 9358, 9377, and 9466, measures aimed at strengthening educational governance, promoting constitutional literacy, and expanding nutrition support for Filipino learners.

UNCTAD warns of risks from $20-B oil import bill’s surge

The Philippines, while not directly importing crude oil from Iran, remains exposed to global price swings due to its reliance on Middle Eastern supply routes and Asian refining hubs tied to the Persian Gulf.

Govt to launch agricultural insurance pool in Jan 2027

The country’s first agricultural co-insurance pool was announced by Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel V. De Mesa after the creation of the insurance pool has been approved by the Cabinet-level Investment Coordination Committee. 

AMRO cuts Philippine growth forecasts for 2026, 2027

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) lowered its Philippine growth forecast for this year and in 2027, as stronger inflationary pressures are expected to weigh on domestic demand.

Debt dips to P18.47 trillion

The Philippines saw a lower outstanding debt stock as of end-April, as repayments of domestic securities tempered the impact of a weakening peso, according to the Bureau of the Treasury.

Marcos approves 2026 investment roadmap prioritizing energy, AI

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), placing energy security, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and other high-value sectors at the center of the country’s investment strategy.

DA flags 36 retailers for violating price cap for imported rice

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued notices of violation to 36 retailers nationwide for failing to comply with the mandatory price ceiling of P50 per kilogram for imported rice.

ASEAN framework seen boosting investment in PHL digital economy

The recently-signed Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) is expected to attract investment that supports transformation and increased participation in the Philippine digital economy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Deforestation worst where governance is weak, says data analyst

As public criticism grew over the cutting of trees along Quirino Avenue in Manila last week, an Inquirer analysis found that deforestation in the Philippines is “concentrated, persistent and often occurring where governance is weakest.”

Middle East war re-escalation, higher oil prices may drag peso to P64.50

The peso could plummet to as much as P64.50 against the dollar if the Middle East conflict further escalates and drives global oil prices higher, MUFG Global Markets Research said. In its foreign exchange outlook for June, the Japan-based think tank said a re-escalation of the Iran conflict and a fresh spike in oil prices could bring the peso above P62 to as high as P64.50 per dollar.

DTI slaps duties on cement imports from China, Indonesia to protect local industry

The Department of Trade and Industry said that it is imposing a P14/ 40kg bag or P349/metric ton temporary tariff on cements from China and Indonesia as imports from these countries rise to an 11 percent and 6 percent market share, respectively.

Philippines may face new US tariffs

The Philippines is facing the prospect of additional US tariffs, after a US Trade Representative (USTR) investigation found it and 59 other economies had not done enough to curb the importation of goods that were made with forced labor.   

Marcos pushes supplemental budget as Senate stalls

“We were thinking that maybe we could have a supplemental budget,” the President said, without specifying an amount. “This is necessary so that we can assist the people because of the oil crisis,” he added, citing discussions in a committee tasked with crafting measures to ease the effects of the Iran war.

PHL buys more rice as strong El Niño looms

Imported rice arrivals rose to 2.22 million metric tons (MMT) as of end-May, as traders increased their purchases in preparation for the possible decline in local paddy output due to weather-related shocks. Latest government data showed that rice imports jumped by 15.18 percent in January to May, from 1.93 MMT in the same period in 2025.