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 Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing to roll out a P2.9-billion fund intended to help agricultural cooperatives expand production and improve their competitiveness, with the agency initially targeting about 12 applicants.
Bloomberry Resorts Corp. is stepping up its push into the Philippines’ expanding digital gaming market, rolling out a P30-million year-end promotional campaign for its online gaming platform, FUNaloMAX, as operators compete to attract and retain players.
Around 100 local and international companies have expressed strong interest in taking part in the proposed P103.6-billion concession for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), highlighting growing confidence from both foreign and domestic investors in upgrading the country’s main urban railway network.
Globe Telecom Inc. announced Friday that more than 1,000 of its cell sites are now running on renewable energy as of August 2026, marking a key step in the company’s push toward cleaner and more reliable operations. The shift was made possible through the government’s Retail Aggregation Program, making Globe the first telecommunications provider in the country to reach this milestone.