The country’s gross international reserves increased to US$112.5 billion as of end-January 2026, based on preliminary Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas data, providing a strong external buffer at a time when the local currency has shown some weakness against the US dollar.
December is usually when cash registers ring nonstop, delivery vans double-park with abandon, and seasonal jobs pop up like Christmas lights. This time, though, the Philippine labor market delivered a quieter jingle. Despite peak holiday demand, joblessness refused to melt away, hinting that even Santa’s factory may have sent a few elves home early.