The country’s gross international reserves (GIR), an indicator of capacity to pay maturing foreign obligations, rose to USD101.3 billion as of end-November 2023 from the end-October 2023 level of USD101.0 billion, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.
The unemployment rate in October eased to 4.2 percent, matching the rate in November last year, as agriculture generated around 400,000 jobs compared with the level in September to more than make up for the slack in services and industry.
Philippine manufacturing operations further strengthened in November, bolstered by sustained and stronger expansion in output and new orders and the slowing of input price inflation.
The Philippines remained a net importer of agricultural products in the third quarter, recording a narrower USD2.97 billion deficit in the trade of farm goods, with Filipino consumers effectively enriching farmers in Australia, the US, and other countries in Southeast Asia.
The national government’s (NG) outstanding debt at the end of October reached P14.48 trillion, up by 1.5 percent or P212.13 billion from end-September due to the net debt issuance, availment of loans, and the peso’s depreciation against the US dollar, the Bureau of the Treasury said.
BDO Foundation has reached its 250‑milestone for restored rural health facilities since launching the program in 2012, with Compostela Rural Health Unit in Cebu as the landmark site. The turnover coincides with BDO’s 50th anniversary, following 22 completed facility upgrades across the country so far in 2026.
In professional services, relationships are currency, trust is the product, and talent is the engine. Michael C. Sabado will now be responsible for keeping all three working in SGV & Co.’s favor.
Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) has opened Astra Lifestyle Centre along A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City, adding a retail component to its mixed-use Astra Centre development as property developers increasingly combine shopping, dining, residential and workplace offerings in a single destination.
PLDT Inc. and its wireless unit Smart Communications are accelerating roll‑out of the government‑backed Bayanihan SIM program through expanded network coverage and on‑the‑ground activation efforts, strengthening the group’s role as a key private‑sector partner for national digital inclusion. The Bayanihan SIM initiative gives underserved communities access to basic mobile connectivity, with PLDT‑Smart leveraging its extensive fixed‑fiber and mobile network infrastructure to bring the program to more remote locations.