The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday expressed optimism that the Philippine economy will grow by 6% in the coming quarters, placing the country among the top-performing economies in the ASEAN region.
Speaking at the Vin d’Honneur in Malacañang for the 127th Independence Day celebration, President Marcos cited steady fiscal consolidation, easing inflation, and progress in trade negotiations as key growth drivers.
“Our target of a 6% GDP growth in the next quarters is within reach,” he said. “This projection is backed by the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook, which identifies the Philippines as the fastest-growing economy among the ASEAN-5 this year.”
The country’s GDP already posted a 5.4% growth in Q1 2025, a solid performance amid global economic headwinds.
Marcos attributed the continued economic momentum to policy reforms and strengthened global partnerships, which have boosted investor confidence and improved the country’s investment climate.
He cited landmark reforms such as the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) and the CREATE MORE Act, which provide tax incentives and more flexible investment terms to stimulate long-term growth. He also emphasized a newly signed directive to improve coordination among investment agencies, which aims to eliminate red tape and enhance the ease of doing business.
“These reforms demonstrate our commitment to making the Philippines a premier investment destination,” the President said.
He also highlighted the country’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, which he said signals renewed trust from the international financial community.
President Marcos acknowledged the importance of continued collaboration with diplomatic allies and multilateral institutions in sustaining post-pandemic recovery.
On inflation, he reported a significant drop to 1.3% in May 2025—the lowest since November 2019.
“This is a very encouraging development,” he said, “as it not only creates a stable environment for businesses, but also boosts the purchasing power of Filipino families, especially those in low-income households.”