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.
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. is strengthening its digital banking defenses with new security features designed to give customers greater control over their money as fraudsters become more adept at exploiting stolen credentials and human error.
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is pursuing an aggressive anti-electricity pilferage campaign in a bid to ensure stability and reliability of its distribution network, while promoting public safety.
The Bureau of Animal Industry has approved AVAC ASF LIVE—developed by AVAC Vietnam—as the first African Swine Fever vaccine for commercial sale in the Philippines, nearly seven years after the 2019 outbreak cut the national hog herd from 13 million to roughly 8 million heads.
Damage to the agriculture sector from the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng has climbed past the ₱3 billion mark, rising to ₱3.39 billion as of 2 p.m. September 2, the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed. The figure is up from ₱2.84 billion just 30 hours earlier, at 8 a.m. September 1 — and authorities warn the total will likely rise as field assessments continue.