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7 April

Stricter gun control urged amid surge in road rage incidents

In response to a surge in road rage cases, senatorial candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas are advocating for stricter enforcement of existing laws, greater police presence, and legislative measures to curb violence and tighten gun control. During a press conference in Antipolo City, the candidates addressed concerns over high-profile road altercations, including an incident involving a sport utility …

7 April

March inflation drops to 1.8%

Inflation in the Philippines cooled to 1.8% in March 2025, the lowest recorded since June 2020, largely due to the continued decline in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices—especially rice—according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In a press briefing on Friday, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa noted that the March figure was lower than both February 2025’s 2.1% and the …

7 April

Phl to export sugar to US amid ample supply

The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) last week assured the public that the country’s sugar supply remains sufficient and prices remain generally stable, even as the Philippines gears up to export over 66,000 metric tons of sugar to the United States this April. Speaking during the Bagong Pilipinas interview, SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the industry remains in good shape, …

7 April

Recto says Phl economy resilient amid global trade shifts

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto last week said the Philippine economy remains stable and adaptive amid global trade disruptions, with the government poised to capitalize on opportunities through key economic policies. In a statement, Recto emphasized that the CREATE MORE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy) Act will be instrumental in attracting investors …

7 April

Manufacturers remain upbeat despite March dip in factory output

Manufacturers in the Philippines are showing stronger business confidence for the year ahead, even as factory activity declined in March, according to the latest S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report released last week. S&P Global noted that business sentiment last month was the most positive since December 2024, with manufacturers expressing optimism that demand will rebound in …

7 April

Philippines fiscal targets on track

The government remains on course to meet its fiscal goals this year, with both revenues and expenditures registering strong double-digit growth in the first two months of 2025, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr). In its latest cash operations report released Wednesday, the BTr reported a budget deficit of P103 billion as of end-February, higher than the P76.7 …

7 April

Pag-IBIG partners with PCG

The Home Development Mutual Fund, more commonly known as Pag-IBIG, has teamed up with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to expand access to housing and financial programs for over 34,000 uniformed personnel across the country. In a meeting with PCG senior officials, Pag-IBIG Fund’s Marketing, Product Development, and Sales Cluster discussed opportunities to bring its services directly to Coast Guard …

7 April

WB grants $800-M loan to push Phl clean energy, water reforms

The World Bank has approved an $800 million loan to support the Philippines in accelerating its clean energy transition, enhancing electricity market competition, and improving water management systems. In a statement released last week, the World Bank said the newly approved First Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Development Policy Loan aims to help the country shift toward renewable energy and …

7 April

Bank lending grows 12.2% in February

Bank lending sustained double-digit growth in February while domestic liquidity also expanded, according to preliminary data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last week. Outstanding loans issued by universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) climbed by 12.2% year-on-year in February, slightly easing from the 12.8% growth recorded in January. The total loan portfolio reached P13.02 trillion, a marginal increase …

7 April

BDO, PEZA forge alliance to lure foreign investments

BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirming their shared commitment to drive foreign direct investments and promote economic growth in the Philippines. This collaboration aims to widen the investment horizon for global enterprises eyeing expansion or entry into the local market. PEZA, as the …

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April, 2025