ECCP at Work

ASEAN forum pushes transport investment, green mobility

Government and industry leaders have called for stronger private-sector investment and better-integrated transport networks to improve connectivity, road safety and sustainable mobility in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.

ASEAN reaches consensus on enhanced power grid

ASEAN member states have reached a consensus on an enhanced memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), according to Energy Secretary Sharon Garin on Thursday.

Marcos ‘very excited’ on Pax Silica’; touts reforms before investors in Singapore

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. touted the Philippine government’s efforts to harbor a resilient investment climate and expressed enthusiasm about the country before hundreds of global business leaders and investors in Singapore.

Firms urged to assess supply chain compliance risks

PHILIPPINE COMPANIES should strengthen their monitoring of suppliers to manage potential regulatory and financial risks arising from environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements, industry executives said.

DoE cites promising signs in Koloma hydrogen exploration

US-BASED Koloma, Inc.’s exploration for naturally occurring hydrogen in the Philippines has yielded encouraging preliminary findings, according to the Department of Energy (DoE). Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said the company had gathered survey data indicating the possible presence of native hydrogen in areas being explored.

Philippines aims to cut oil dependence by 50% by 2040

“Our Fuel Transition Plan sets a 50% reduction in oil dependence by 2040,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in a keynote address at the joint opening ceremony of the 44th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministers on Energy Meeting and the ASEAN Energy Business Forum on Wednesday.

PHL policy tradeoff complex: Rising inflation, low growth

THE Philippine economy’s policy trade-off is becoming more complex as the central bank is expected to hike policy rates further to combat inflation—which has peaked anew recently—amid a still-weak growth backdrop.

GIR at 3-year low, but it’s ‘not yet a red flag’

Preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) revealed the Gross International Reserves (GIR) settled at US$99.997 billion as of end-September 2026—the lowest level in three years or since September 2023 when the GIR amounted to $98.116 billion.

Merchandise exports could top $100B this year, exporters say

PHILIPPINE GOODS exports could exceed $100 billion this year, driven by demand for electronics and minerals, the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said.

Philippines, World Bank sign €212.7-M water project loan

THE PHILIPPINES has signed a €212.7-million (around P14.9 billion) loan agreement with the World Bank to finance water supply and sanitation projects in Bohol, Siargao and Jolo, according to a document released by the multilateral lender.

Gokongwei-led airport proposal fails completeness review

THE GOVERNMENT has returned the unsolicited proposal of a Gokongwei-led consortium to develop, operate, and maintain three regional airports after the submission was found to have incomplete documentation, according to the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center.

Philippines raises P168 billion from RTB 32

THE PHILIPPINE government has raised P167.25 billion from the Retail Treasury Bond 32 (RTB 32) offering, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Friday.

Budget realignments may address social needs but growth impact unclear

THE HOUSE of Representatives’ P116.32-billion realignment of the proposed 2027 national budget may help address immediate social needs, but analysts said its long-term impact on the economy will depend on where the additional funds go and which programs face cuts.

UN: El Niño will intensify, then peak in December

El Niño will intensify even more before peaking in December, the United Nations said Thursday, warning it could be among the strongest witnessed since at least 1950. The naturally occurring weather phenomenon is set to bring higher temperatures to much of the planet, the UN’s weather and climate agency said, with its impact compounding the effects of man-made climate change.

Senate OKs bill restricting socmed for under-18s

The proposed “Safe Media Access and Responsible Technology for Kids in Digital Spaces (SMART KIDS) Act,” was passed, seeking to ban minors’ access to “high risk digital services”