Economy
BOI falls short in 2025 despite record investment approvals
The Board of Investments (BOI) approved P1.56 trillion in investment pledges in 2025, surpassing the P1.5-trillion mark for the second consecutive year and posting the second-highest approvals in its 58-year history.
Philippines pitches Cebu as tourism comeback
Facing a dip in foreign visitor arrivals, the Philippines is rolling out a high-stakes tourism pitch by hosting the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) this month—using Cebu as both stage and symbol of a hoped-for rebound.
Startup hesitation shadows Philippines’ entrepreneurial pulse
The Philippines saw fewer Filipinos take the leap into solo entrepreneurship in 2025, as new business name registrations slid 15 percent to 879,304, down from 938,681 a year earlier.
Furniture exporters seek lifeline overseas
Philippine furniture exporters are calling for stronger government support for international promotion as rising costs and weak global demand cloud the sector’s outlook, with shipments expected to remain flat in 2026.
Factory optimism flickers as PMI rebounds
The Philippine manufacturing sector showed tentative signs of recovery in December as activity returned to expansion territory, signaling improving demand conditions after a volatile fourth quarter.
