Economy

The Board of Investments (BOI) is targeting to release the updated 2025–2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) before the year ends, a senior official said Friday. BOI Investment Promotions Services Executive Director Evariste Cagatan said the refined version, which will require approval from the BOI Board and the Office of the President, will expand the list of sectors eligible for …

Residential real estate prices in the Philippines rose by 7.5% in the second quarter of 2025, slightly slower than the 7.6% increase recorded in the first quarter, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Friday. Areas Outside the National Capital Region (AONCR) drove the growth with an 11.5% increase, while prices in Metro Manila rose by 2.4%. By housing type, …

The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) has partnered with medical device distributor Freya to equip and train personnel for its ₱16.83-million Super Health Center in Casiguran, Aurora, which is expected to open this December. APECO president and CEO Gil Taway IV and Freya managing director Emmanuel Cueto formalized the agreement in Parañaque City on Thursday. Taway said …

The Philippines and Singapore have started negotiations to update their nearly five-decade-old Double Taxation Agreement (DTA), the Department of Finance (DOF) announced Thursday. The first round of talks was held in Manila from Sept. 2 to 4, covering measures to eliminate double taxation on income and prevent tax evasion and avoidance. Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said the review is long …

The country’s ocean-based industries breached the ₱1 trillion mark in 2024, contributing nearly 4 percent to the national economy, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). PSA data showed the ocean economy expanded by 4.7 percent to ₱1.01 trillion from ₱962.49 billion in 2023, accounting for 3.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices. Sectors that posted the …

Let’s be real. Most people don’t have an emergency fund. We live with a “come what may” mindset. The problem is, when trouble comes, it usually comes with a bill attached. Here’s the painful truth: one hospital trip, one job layoff, one broken appliance, and suddenly your wallet is in the ICU. Instead of savings, we resort to borrowing. And …

The Department of Finance (DOF) recently denied reports that South Korea suspended a ₱28 billion official development assistance (ODA) loan to the Philippines due to corruption issues.a “As regards the supposed ₱28 billion ODA loan between South Korea and the Philippines, the Department of Finance categorically clarifies that no such loan exists,” the DOF said in a statement. The agency …

Motorists should brace for another round of pump price hikes this week, with increases projected at ₱1 to ₱1.50 per liter due to global supply concerns. Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said diesel is expected to go up by ₱1.30 to ₱1.50 per liter, while gasoline may climb between ₱1 and ₱1.20, based on the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) …

Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque on Thursday highlighted the growing role of the creative sector in fueling the country’s economic expansion, saying it is fast becoming one of the Philippines’ strongest competitive edges. Speaking at the opening of the Malikhaing Pinoy Expo at SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City, Roque said creativity should be seen not only as …

Philippine exports continued their upward momentum in July 2025, surging 17.3 percent year-on-year to USD7.34 billion, driven largely by strong demand for electronics, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Thursday that exports have now grown for seven straight months, with total shipments from January to July reaching USD48.62 billion—up 13.9 …