The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) are moving to streamline government payment processes, aiming to ease long-standing cash flow problems that have delayed infrastructure projects and strained contractors doing business with the state.
The Philippines’ rise to 47th out of 70 economies in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook marks a notable step forward, but sustaining the momentum will depend on deeper structural reforms, stronger institutions, and accelerated digitalization of government services, according to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA).
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has extended to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) the Silver Award representing the highest rating of 92.8 percent or “Very Satisfactory”, among 50 government agencies in the agency’s Report Card Survey (RCS) 2.0.
Philippine inflation accelerated to 7.8 percent in October from 7.2 percent in September, driven by sharply higher transport costs, rising housing and utility expenses, and persistent rice price increases that continued to squeeze household budgets despite some relief from slower food inflation.
OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. grew its third-quarter net income by 5 percent to USD28.3 million as higher gold prices, improved by-product credits, and lower sustaining capital expenditures boosted margins and generated USD51.4 million in free cash flow at its Didipio gold-copper mine.
Maynilad Water Services Inc. increased its net income by 10 percent to P12.6 billion in the first nine months of 2026, as higher billed water volume, improved network efficiency, and lower financing costs supported earnings despite elevated operating costs and inflationary pressures.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is tapping 200 economic zones along the Luzon Economic Corridor to attract manufacturing and technology investments, as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s position in regional supply chains and turn the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas route into a more integrated industrial hub.