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.
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is pursuing an aggressive anti-electricity pilferage campaign in a bid to ensure stability and reliability of its distribution network, while promoting public safety.
The Bureau of Animal Industry has approved AVAC ASF LIVE—developed by AVAC Vietnam—as the first African Swine Fever vaccine for commercial sale in the Philippines, nearly seven years after the 2019 outbreak cut the national hog herd from 13 million to roughly 8 million heads.
Damage to the agriculture sector from the enhanced southwest monsoon (Habagat) and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng has climbed past the ₱3 billion mark, rising to ₱3.39 billion as of 2 p.m. September 2, the Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed. The figure is up from ₱2.84 billion just 30 hours earlier, at 8 a.m. September 1 — and authorities warn the total will likely rise as field assessments continue.