Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala Corp., struck a cautiously optimistic tone on the Philippines’ economic outlook, projecting a rebound as near-term risks begin to ease and structural strengths remain intact.
The Philippines faces a markedly weaker growth trajectory after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its 2026 expansion forecast to 4.1 percent, citing intensifying global shocks and a softer domestic backdrop.
Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the looming effects of El Niño are emerging as twin headwinds to Philippine growth, with remittances and inflation pressures forming a potentially volatile mix.
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan cautioned lawmakers that a prolonged Middle East conflict could trigger a severe economic shock in the Philippines, with surging oil prices threatening to reverse gains in poverty reduction.
Treasury bill yields continued to ease at Monday’s auction as investors positioned for a possible shift toward monetary easing by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) amid weakening economic momentum.
Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is expanding its Bohol footprint with a 5.6-hectare residential project in Tagbilaran City, adding a third site as the Visayas-Mindanao developer taps rising housing demand in one of the region’s fastest-growing markets.
SM Development Corp. (SMDC) is making more of its housing inventory available to Pag-IBIG Fund borrowers, widening homeownership options for Filipino workers, particularly middle-income earners, through government-backed financing.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) has renewed its drive to expand agricultural exports by returning to Asia Fruit Logistica after nearly ten years, reconnecting local fruit sellers with key buyers across the continent’s major fresh produce market.
More than 24 million Filipinos have used their National ID to verify their identities and open GCash accounts, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).