Economy

Foreign currency deposit unit (FCDU) loans fell 5 percent to US$15.13 billion in the third quarter of 2025, down US$802 million from the previous quarter, data showed. Year on year, loans declined by 3.9 percent, even as foreign currency deposits continued to grow.

Congress must treat funding for the creative industries as an investment—not an expense—because it will return billions of pesos in future dividends, Negros Occidental Rep. Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez said, pressing lawmakers to rethink budget priorities for one of the country’s strongest economic performers.

Residential property prices in the Philippines rose at a much slower pace in the third quarter, pointing to easing demand and more cautious activity in the housing market, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The country’s balance of payments (BOP)—which shows how much foreign currency the country earns and spends with the rest of the world—is expected to move from a small surplus in 2024 to deficits in 2025 and 2026.

Philippine export sales at the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) cooled to USD269 million, reflecting softer headline numbers but steady underlying demand from Chinese buyers for Filipino food and agricultural products.