The Philippines is heading into 2026 with economic resilience that continues to impress global observers—but experts warn that sustaining momentum will demand sharper reforms and more agile policymaking.
Inflation cooled to 1.5 percent in November, its slowest pace in three months, as rice and corn prices stayed down and cost pressures across several key consumer items eased, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Friday.
The outstanding loans from universal and commercial banks continued to rise in October although growth eased a bit. Preliminary Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data show bank lending grew 10.3 percent year-on-year, down from 10.5 percent in September. On a month-to-month basis, lending increased 0.6 percent after seasonal adjustments.
The outstanding debt of the national government climbed to P17.56 trillion in October, rising by P106.78 billion from September as fresh borrowings and a weaker peso pushed obligations to a new record high.