The National Government (NG) posted outstanding debt of P15.18 trillion at the end of February, higher by P388.51 billion from January due mainly from fresh domestic debt issuances.
The Bureau of the Treasury said around 30.3 percent of total debt stock was owed to external lenders and the balance was borrowed domestically.
Total domestic debt at the end of February reached P10.58 trillion, up P414.51 billion compared with the level in January due to the net issuance of government securities, including 5-year retail treasury bonds.
Domestic debt gross issuance totaled P708.74 billion, including the P584.86 billion from retail bonds. Principal payments amounted to P293.57 billion, resulting in a net issuance of P415.17 billion.
External debt in February stood at P4.60 trillion, down P26.00 billion from end-January level. The decrease was attributed to favorable foreign exchange movements by both local- and third-currencies against the USD amounting to P18.79 billion and P9.96 billion, respectively. These more than offset the P2.75 billion net availment of foreign loans.
NG-guaranteed obligations decreased by P3.73 billion in February to P344.93 billion.
