President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. secured P56.3 billion in investment expansion commitments from four major Japanese firms during business meetings on the sidelines of his State Visit to Japan, promising roughly 10,300 direct and indirect jobs for Filipinos.
Philippine business sentiment turned more pessimistic in April 2026, marking the second straight monthly decline, largely due to risks from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Results from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Business Expectations Survey show the confidence index fell to -35.8 percent from -24.3 percent in March, meaning more firms hold negative views about current conditions.
The Philippines and Japan have sealed a landmark new tax convention aimed at boosting cross-border investments and deepening economic ties, as both countries also move to explore possible upgrades to key regional trade agreements.
Chinese bearing manufacturer C&U Group is ramping up its Philippine expansion with a USD132 million investment in its Sto. Tomas, Batangas facility, further cementing the country’s role in the company’s global manufacturing network.
The Philippines’ tourism sector posted a more nuanced performance in 2025: employment continued to rise, but its overall economic footprint softened, pointing to a recovery that is steady in participation but uneven in value generation.