Treasury bill yields were mostly higher at Monday’s auction as investors appeared to price in the possibility of tighter monetary policy ahead of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ interest rate-setting meeting later this week.
The Philippines’ gross international reserves (GIR) fell to USD103.3 billion at the end of July from USD104.7 billion a month earlier, while the country posted a USD1.5-billion balance of payments (BOP) deficit, reflecting continued pressure from external transactions.
Digital payments accounted for nearly two-thirds of retail transactions in the Philippines last year, putting the country within its national target range and underscoring how quickly electronic payments are replacing cash in everyday commerce.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) is among the first banks to join Direct Debit PH, a new automated recurring payment facility championed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to modernize the country’s payments system and accelerate the shift toward a cash-lite economy.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas expects inflation to remain elevated in 2027, with the government adopting a 4 percent to 5 percent inflation assumption in crafting the proposed national budget amid continued global and domestic price risks.
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines is urging the local meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry to turn growing opportunities for business events into actual bookings and broader economic gains as competition across the region intensifies.
Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) is using the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th ASEAN Summit to showcase Lexus hybrid vehicles while extending a mobility partnership that puts its, premium brand at the center of official transport for visiting leaders.
The Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) is simplifying access to emergency financing for farmers and fisherfolk hit by recent flooding, offering zero-interest, collateral-free loans that could be credited on the day of approval.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) is strengthening player protection measures, including a 24/7 problem gambling helpline, as gaming becomes an increasingly important part of the country’s leisure and tourism industry.