Economy

The Philippine baby boom has hit the snooze button. Parenthood, once almost automatic, is now treated like a major purchase—priced, budgeted, and often postponed. Diapers and infant formula increasingly feel less like essentials and more like luxury items with designer tags. Timing, finances, and ambition are all carefully calculated before committing to the ultimate life investment.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has surpassed its 2025 investment target, approving P260.89 billion worth of projects and beating its P250-billion goal, while posting a 21.91 percent increase from the P214 billion recorded in 2024.p

The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved P977 billion worth of investment projects year to date, signaling robust investor confidence and reinforcing the Philippines’ push to become a regional hub for smart and sustainable investments.

Online sellers received a boost after the Department of Trade and Industry announced it will defer mandatory registration under the Philippine Trustmark program, extending the voluntary phase until December 31, 2026, from the earlier 2025 deadline.

DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc.’s 8912 Asean Avenue has secured a major regulatory boost after the government declared the property a Philippine Economic Zone Authority–registered Information Technology Center, strengthening Aseana City’s appeal to global IT and business process management locators.