The World Bank expects Philippine economic growth to slow to 3.7 percent in 2026, down from 4.4 percent in 2025, according to its East Asia and Pacific (EAP) outlook released on April 8.
At least five million Filipino farmers are poised to benefit from a USD1-billion World Bank financing package aimed at accelerating a nationwide shift toward higher productivity, diversification, and climate resilience—an overhaul long seen as critical to stabilizing food supply and rural incomes.
The World Bank has approved an USD800-million financing package for the Philippines aimed at strengthening fiscal resilience, improving the business climate and equipping Filipino workers with skills needed for higher-quality jobs.
The Philippines landed at 53rd out of 101 economies in the World Bank Group’s 2025 Business-Ready (B-READY) Report, placing the country squarely at the midpoint of an expanded global ranking and signaling steady reform momentum.
The World Bank and the Philippine government are moving forward with a landmark agreement that could reshape the country’s agriculture sector. At a recent meeting, agriculture secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and World Bank country director Zafer Mustafaoglu reviewed the progress of the Philippine Sustainable Agricultural Transformation (PSAT) loan program, with the goal of finalizing the USD1 billion loan agreement in July.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is exploring ways to reduce the system loss rates charged to electricity consumers while Congress deliberates amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), offering a near-term option to help ease power bills before broader legislative reforms take effect.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reopened Metro Manila to new Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered information technology parks and centers, easing a seven-year investment restriction while keeping the broader ban on other types of economic zones in the capital.
The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has secured final regulatory approvals to merge two of its thrift banking subsidiaries, a move that underscores the lender's push to streamline operations, strengthen capital efficiency, and sharpen its digital banking strategy.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is urging the proposed Pax Silica development to build its own power plant instead of drawing electricity from the Luzon Grid, warning that the project's massive energy demand could strain the country's main power network if left unaddressed.