The Philippine economy is headed for a sharper slowdown in 2026 as elevated energy costs, weak public investment and subdued business confidence weigh on domestic demand, the World Bank said, while lowering its growth outlook for next year.
The Philippine government is moving to translate the World Bank’s Public Finance Review into concrete fiscal reforms, with economic officials stressing that better tax collection and spending will matter only if recommendations result in measurable improvements for citizens.
The Philippine government said it will act on recommendations from the World Bank’s latest Public Finance Review, putting a sharper focus on broadening the tax base, improving revenue collection and ensuring that public spending translates into measurable gains for Filipinos.
Accelerating power sector reforms could slash electricity prices, create more than 161,000 jobs and lift about 730,000 Filipinos out of poverty by 2030, with the World Bank arguing that lower energy costs may be one of the country's biggest catalysts for faster and more inclusive economic growth.
The World Bank Group has approved a USD268.6-million, or about P15.6-billion, water and sanitation project for the Philippines that is expected to create up to 46,500 jobs over the next 25 years while improving climate resilience in three island provinces.
Philippine cement makers are banking on a pickup in government infrastructure spending to stabilize demand at about 34 million tons this year, as the industry grapples with excess capacity, high energy costs, and a weaker peso.
Travel experts often say the best trip moments are the unplanned ones — happy detours, new activities or unexpected finds that never made the original itinerary. Now Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) are encouraging Filipino travelers to embrace that spirit with their joint “We Don’t Wait for Fun” and “SG Sige G!” campaign.
NLEX Corporation held the inauguration of a new stretch of the NLEX‑C5 Northlink project on Thursday, timed before the big holiday traffic buildup for Undas.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) saw its net income plunge 85 percent to P2.17 billion in January to September 2026, as a steep decline in electronic gaming revenues and higher statutory remittances squeezed its earnings.