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 Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is pursuing at least USD50 million in initial investment from a European aircraft maintenance company, alongside a separate US aerospace manufacturing proposal, as it seeks to expand Clark’s role in the aviation industry.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is tightening checks on project details and rolling out system-wide improvements after discrepancies were found in coordinates submitted for farm-to-market road (FMR) projects.
A P14.8-billion water supply and wastewater project proposed by Maynilad Water Services Inc. and South Korea’s K-Water for New Clark City has cleared a key hurdle after attracting no competing bid, putting the consortium closer to securing the contract.
BPI Foundation, the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, is broadening its nationwide push to boost financial literacy and digital learning, reaching thousands of students and teachers in underserved communities.