Benitez: EBET most effective training modality in TESDA
TESDA Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez on Wednesday said enterprise-based education and training is the agency's most effective training modality. Speaking before various executives and the ECCP, Benitez said graduates of EBET programs have an 85.48 percent employment rate.

Philippine GDP grows 5.4 percent in first quarter of 2025
The Philippine economy grew 5.4 percent in the first three months of the year, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday. This was faster than the 5.3 percent GDP growth seen in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Jobless Rate In March at 3.9%, Up from Feb, Steady On-Yr
The Philippine unemployment rate stood at 3.9 percent in March, up slightly from 3.8 percent in February but steady from March last year, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.

Inflation further cools to 1.4% in April
Headline inflation slowed to its lowest in over five years in April, amid a drop in food prices and transport costs, the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA) said, giving the central bank room to further cut rates.

DTI vows ‘targeted support,’ market access to industries
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will expand market access, provide “targeted support” to industries, and attract high-quality investments to ensure inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the Philippines.

Green investments in Philippines slide in 2024
The Philippines’ private investments in green projects declined in 2024 as higher investments in solar and wind energy projects were offset by the drop in waste management and green cement projects.

‘PHL must seek FTAs even outside top trade partners’
The Philippines should engage in more Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) not only with its top trade partners but with other economies, according to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev).

Agricultural output rises 1.9% in Q1
Data from the PSA showed the value of agriculture and fisheries production rose by 1.9% in the January-to-March period to P437.74 billion, faster than 0.2% in the first quarter of 2024.

ADB urges PHL to boost investments in agri, energy
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said the Philippines can benefit from shifting trade dynamics if it can make bigger investments in key sectors like energy and agriculture to boost its capacity for trade.

PHL retreats four places in Human Dev't Index ranking
The Philippines fell four spots on the Human Development Index (HDI) rankings, coming in at 117th in the 2023 evaluation, despite posting improving scores, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said.

NG debt hits record P16.7-T at end-March
The National Government’s (NG) outstanding debt edged up to a fresh high of P16.68 trillion as of end-March, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said on Wednesday, adding that this debt “remains manageable.”

Philippine government approves more infrastructure flagship projects
The government has approved more infrastructure flagship projects (IFP), bringing the total to 207 projects worth $178 billion (around P9.86 trillion), the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said.

DoF: PHL vulnerability warrants more financial support from multilaterals
The Philippines will still need financing assistance due to its exposure to shocks like climate risks and even as it graduates to upper-middle income status, the Department of Finance (DoF) said, urging the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to continue expanding its support to the country.

DOTr chief to release order allowing motorcycle taxis to continue operating while waiting for law
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon on Tuesday said he will sign a department order allowing motorcycle taxis to continue operating while waiting for Congress to enact a law legalizing their operations.

Intra-regional trade seen shielding PHL ports from worst of US tariffs
Philippine ports will not feel the worst of US tariff disruptions because of healthy intra-regional trade, according to S&P Global Ratings.

PHL unlikely to issue more global bonds this year – BTr
The Philippine government is not likely to issue another global bond this year as it has almost completed its program for foreign borrowings, the Bureau of Treasury (BTr) said.

12% digital VAT raises Philippines Netflix rates
Filipinos would have to pay as much as P70 more to watch films, series and shows on streaming giant Netflix, following the application of a 12-percent value-added tax (VAT).

April rice stocks rise 45.3% month on month
The national rice inventory rose 45.3% month on month to 23.4 million metric tons (MMT) as of April 1, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

ADB eyes additional funding for major PHL infrastructure projects
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is eyeing to extend about $4 billion in financing for the Philippines this year, which will fund key infrastructure projects like the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge and Laguna Lakeshore project.