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.
The country’s three largest telecommunications companies are set to jointly invest around $500 million to build a nationwide domestic submarine cable network, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has announced. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda confirmed that PLDT Inc., Globe Telecom, and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. will carry out the project, which will create a far-reaching undersea fiber optic system running from Batanes in the north, looping around Palawan, and linking islands throughout the Visayas and Mindanao.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has formalized a partnership with Japan’s Mitsui to test advanced nanotechnology designed to boost coconut farming, moving forward with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of building a modern, technology-driven and sustainable agriculture sector that raises output and improves the lives of farmers.
Fresh agricultural goods from Davao Region have arrived in Saudi Arabia, marking a major commercial milestone that grew from talks held at an international trade exhibition in Dubai.
forward with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of building a modern, tech-driven and sustainable agriculture sector that lifts productivity and improves farmers’ lives.