Foreign-currency-denominated loans granted by banks in the second quarter of the year inched up by 0.9 percent to USD15.93 billion from USD15.78 billion in the previous quarter, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed. Year-on-year, foreign currency deposit unit (FCDU) loans were higher by 1.9 percent. These are loans extended by local banks’ FCDUs or branches of foreign …

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will put several real properties and transportation equipment up for sale through electronic public bidding (e-bidding) later this month. In a statement last week, PDIC said bids will be accepted through its e-bidding portal (https://assetsforsale.pdic.gov.ph) starting 9 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2025 until 1 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2025. Submitted bids will be opened …

Bank lending continued to grow in August but at a slightly slower pace, while domestic liquidity expanded at a faster rate, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Thursday. Preliminary data showed outstanding loans from universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) rose 11.2 percent year-on-year in August, easing from 11.8 percent in July. Total lending during the month reached ₱13.61 trillion. …

The national government’s debt stock slightly eased to ₱17.47 trillion as of end-August 2025, down 0.5 percent from ₱17.56 trillion in July, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) reported Tuesday. The decline was attributed mainly to the government’s full repayment of its largest local bond for the year, worth ₱516.34 billion, as well as the peso’s appreciation, which lowered the …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) remains upbeat about the Philippines’ economic prospects, saying the country will stay resilient amid a challenging global environment. In its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2025 report released last week, the ADB projected the Philippine economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year and slightly quicken to 5.7 percent in 2026. While the 2026 forecast was trimmed …

NLEX Corporation will allot P200 million in technology and infrastructure for the upgrade of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX). In a media release, NLEX President and General Manager Luis S. Reñon said, “The system enhancement program in SCTEX is essential not only for ensuring faster and smoother travel, but also for enforcing stricter road discipline. These upgrades will significantly improve the …

Department of Transportation (DOTr) acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered Iloilo International Airport to remove the initial security screening to free up space for passengers and ease congestion. After Lopez recently inspecting the airport, Lopez gave airport management a 15-day deadline to submit an action plan for the improvements. He said the initial screening was redundant and stressed the need to …

Demand for air travel continues to soar as shown by the reported 11% increase in air passenger traffic in the Asia-Pacific region from January to August 2025, as the number of leisure and business trips reach new levels despite tariff-induced setbacks. According to the latest Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) report, Asia-Pacific airlines carried 258.04 million passengers in the …

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) is urging Congress to reallocate funds in the 2026 national budget for the completion of the EDSA Busway system. MAP president Alfredo Panlilio and MAP Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chair Eduardo Yap wrote Congress, saying, “Government’s commitment to ease the plight of bus commuters must be met.” The letter was addressed to Transportation …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reported that all airports and seaports in Central Visayas, particularly those in Cebu, are safe and fully operational following the devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake. DOTr directed an immediate inspection of all transportation facilities to ensure the safety of personnel and passengers. “Inspection results confirmed no visible damage was sustained in our airports and ports. All …