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.
The Department of Energy has confirmed the national government is open to selling the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, also referred to as the Philippine Nuclear Power Plant, to private investors, after a South Korean feasibility study found promise in reviving the long‑idle facility.
When an unexpected loss strikes, grieving families are often forced to make quick financial and logistical choices amid emotional distress—with only days to lock in funeral arrangements, coordinate with relatives, and gather funds for related costs. Pre‑planning, pre‑need provider PhilPlans says, is key to reducing this heavy burden for consumers, while also helping service providers deliver smoother, more predictable support during difficult periods.
BDO Unibank, Inc. reported a nine‑month 2026 net income of ₱63.6 billion, slightly higher than the ₱63.1 billion recorded in the same period of 2025, with a 13.1 percent return on equity reflecting the bank’s solid core business performance.
China Bank Savings (CBS) is expanding its home financing business through partnerships with three property developers, targeting growing residential markets in CALABARZON and Central Visayas as it seeks to widen access to homeownership.