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.
Philippine equities held their footing above the 6,000 level as caution continued to dominate trading, with analysts balancing global headwinds against pockets of domestic resilience.
At least nine power generation firms have signalled their interest in joining the competitive selection process to supply 600 megawatts of baseload power to the Manila Electric Company.
The Department of Energy announced Tuesday that the suspension of the fifth Green Energy Auction Program will end in September, with the actual bidding for up to 3,300 megawatts of offshore wind capacity targeted for December 1, 2026.
The Department of Energy (DOE) says it will hold a series of meetings with other government bodies to carry out President Marcos’ order to scrap systems loss charges and their corresponding value added tax, a move meant to bring down electricity costs for all consumers.
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has formally launched its G-HEALTH initiative, signing its first agreement with Maxicare Healthcare Corporation to support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of improving healthcare benefits for state employees.