President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. used his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday to present an agenda centered on lowering household costs, strengthening energy security and accelerating infrastructure, signaling a renewed focus on economic resilience as global uncertainties persist.
The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) has backed Executive Secretary Ralph Recto's call for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to enhance benefit packages for direct contributors, saying workers and employers who consistently pay into the national health insurance system deserve better value and more meaningful protection.
AC Health is expanding its support for the government's universal healthcare drive by growing its network of clinics and pharmacies accredited under key Philippine Health Insurance Corp. outpatient benefit programs, widening access to free consultations, laboratory tests, and essential medicines.
Universal healthcare in the Philippines may be gaining momentum through expanded PhilHealth benefits, but healthcare leaders say the path to affordable care extends far beyond the state insurer’s coverage packages.
Filipinos could see major changes in how healthcare is delivered and paid for over the next two years as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) rolls out reforms aimed at strengthening primary care, expanding targeted benefits, and reshaping how hospitals are reimbursed.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) stood at $97.4 billion as of end-October 2026. This dip in foreign currency reserves was primarily driven by the central bank’s active foreign exchange interventions, downward adjustments in the value of gold assets amid shifting global prices, and the national government withdrawing funds from its central bank deposits to cover foreign debt service obligations alongside other international funding needs.
Motorcycle sales among the country’s four major manufacturers rebounded in the third quarter of 2026, rising 8.1 percent year-on-year to 524,860 units as stronger monthly volumes in August and September reversed the previous quarter’s contraction.
The Philippines will bring some of the world’s biggest business names, regional policymakers and Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie to Manila on November 11 for a summit focused on how Southeast Asia can protect economic resilience, accelerate digital transformation and ensure growth reaches smaller businesses and underserved communities.
The enduring friendship and diplomatic ties between Japan and the Philippines took center stage during the 82nd commemoration of the historic Battle of Surigao Strait, jointly organized by the City of Surigao and the Province of Dinagat Islands.