Philippine palay production surged to a record second-quarter high, giving the government a timely boost in its bid to stabilize rice prices, although an expected weather-induced slowdown later this year underscores the fragile nature of the gains.
Sluggish economic growth and stubborn inflation are expected to keep the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in a policy bind later in August, as fresh data are likely to show the economy remained soft in the second quarter while price pressures persisted.
Construction activity lost momentum in May as fewer projects secured permits, signaling a softer pipeline for the property and infrastructure sector despite resilient spending on residential developments.
The Philippine government is strengthening its foreign direct investment (FDI) reporting system by linking key government databases, a move aimed at giving policymakers a clearer picture of investment flows while boosting transparency and investor confidence.
The Philippines' unemployment rate climbed to 4.8 percent in May, the highest in a year, as fewer Filipinos found work despite a modest month-on-month increase in employment, underscoring persistent cracks in the labor market.
Treasury bill yields climbed across all maturities at Monday’s auction as investors priced in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ recent rate hike and the prospect of further monetary tightening amid an elevated inflation outlook.
The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) launched 10 new classrooms in Calasiao, Pangasinan and Bacolod City for its 34th anniversary, benefiting four public schools. Two classrooms each go to Nalsian-Bacayao, Bued, and San Miguel Elementary Schools; four to Emiliano Lizares Elementary.
India-based iSON Group is committing up to USD375 million to expand its Philippine operations, led by a USD300-million telecommunications infrastructure program that will bring its tower network to 3,000 sites over the next decade.