Philippine inflation decelerated to 1.8 percent in March, its slowest pace since the 1.6 percent registered in May 2020 when the economic activities was challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns. This decline, down from 2.1 percent in February, was largely driven by lower food prices, particularly rice, which saw a significant annual decrease.
The decision of President Donald Trump to set new global tariffs has forced economists to revise their economic forecasts, with many predicting slower growth and rising inflation.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has revised estimates for the country’s economic performance, covering both 2023 and 2024, with updates on quarterly and annual figures by industry and expenditure.
The average price of electricity sold at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) skyrocketed by 95.5 percent in March, signaling a strain on the Philippine energy market due to rising demand and tightening power supply.
US President Donald Trump signed an aggressive "Reciprocal Tariff" policy on Wednesday, escalating tensions and increasing the likelihood of a trade war that could slow global economic growth.