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 Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau has scheduled public scoping sessions for the 200 megawatt wind farm spanning across the Laguna municipalities of Kalayaan, Lumban, Paete, and Cavinti.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued a cease and desist order against EF Easy Franchise Technological Ventures Inc. for illegally soliciting investments from the public without proper authorization. The directive covers the company, its officers and representatives including Jose Anton Ojeda, Charmaine Isabel Lim, Gianpaolo Acosta, Karla Dela Cruz, Angelica Carlos, Rene Ledesma, Jr., Jose P. Magsaysay, Jr., Emerson Tan, Angela Kirsten Villaluz, as well as related entity Sunspark Holdings, Inc., and all parties acting on their behalf.
Philippine gaming firm DigiPlus Interactive Corp. has become the newest member of the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR), marking its growing presence in the Brazilian gaming sector. IBJR said that DigiPlus’ membership strengthens the institute’s work and helps build a fully sustainable, responsible betting environment across the country, adding that the move unites more industry players around ethical practices and efforts to curb illegal gambling.
Seventeen young agripreneurs from the Department of Agriculture’s Young Farmers Challenge have finished a five-day agribusiness and technology training program in Singapore.