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.
A hotel getaway may be easier on the holiday budget this year, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Philippines offering accommodation discounts of up to 70 percent across 68 hotels and resorts nationwide.
Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd. (InLife) has won its sixth 4-Golden Arrow Award, the highest recognition given by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) for corporate governance performance, extending its record of recognition under the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard.
Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) has received the highest issuer credit rating from Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings), reflecting its strong capitalization, sound asset quality, leading position in the thrift banking sector and backing from the Metrobank Group.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) expects to miss its 2026 target for new economic zone proclamations, even as investment approvals surge past its annual goal and threaten to eclipse the agency’s 2012 record.