The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is pushing to close a persistent financing gap for micro, small and medium enterprises, with bank loans to the sector reaching more than P580 billion but accounting for only about 6 percent of total business lending.
Treasury bill yields rose across all maturities at Monday’s auction as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ recent rate hike pushed borrowing costs higher and investors braced for the possibility of further monetary tightening.
Philippine inflation eased to a five-month low of 6.1 percent in August, offering some relief after prices accelerated sharply earlier this year, but the reading remained elevated enough to underscore the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ decision to raise interest rates last week.
Treasury bill yields rose across all tenors at Monday’s auction as investors priced in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ recent rate hike and the possibility of further monetary tightening.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Thursday delivered a preemptive 25-basis-point rate hike and left the door open to further tightening as stubborn inflationary pressures threaten to keep prices above the central bank’s target range.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has backed a proposal to declare a state of calamity to mobilize government resources against the worsening effects of El Niño, saying authorities must act quickly as forecasts point to a potentially severe climate event.
Prime Midstream expects demand for natural gas to remain strong as the Philippines faces growing electricity needs, volatile fuel prices and the challenge of balancing renewable energy growth with reliable power supply.
Japanese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Ono Sho attended the 82nd Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings recently at the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, framing his presence as a gesture of friendship spanning the political, defense, economic, and diplomatic spheres.
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has received recognition from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for importing nearly USD370 million worth of American agricultural products in 2026, highlighting the Philippines’ importance as a market for US farm exports.