ECCP at Work

S&P: Philippines to outpace most Asian peers in next 3 years

The Philippines is expected to remain one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies over the next three years despite a slowdown in 2025 triggered by a corruption scandal, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

BSP watches Middle East conflict for inflation risks

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it was closely monitoring the conflict in the Middle East and its potential impact on domestic inflation and economic activity, adding that it will remain data-dependent in using its monetary policy tools to preserve stability.

DOE plans auction for mid-merit natural gas capacity

The Department of Energy (DOE) plans to conduct a bidding process for mid-merit natural gas capacity to support gas-fired power generation as a transition fuel, especially as more renewable energy plants come online.

FEB CPI UPTICK TO 2.4% WITHIN FORECAST RANGE; ANALYSTS WARN: MIDEAST VARIABLES SIGNAL INFLATION RISKS BUILD-UP

Headline inflation accelerated to 2.4 percent in February, staying within the central bank’s expected range as driven by higher food and fuel costs, but analysts see the recent eruption of fresh hostilities in the Middle East throwing in a new set of variables set to add fuel to a build-up in supply-side pressures.

DTI opens P2B business loan fund to displaced OFWs

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has earmarked P2 billion through its lending arm, Small Business Corp. (SBCorp), to finance a new loan facility aimed at helping displaced overseas Filipino workers start their own small business at home.

2,000 MWh BESS facility eyed in Zambales

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources,  through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB),  has scheduled a public scoping for a proposed 2,000 megawatt hours battery energy storage system (BESS) in San Marcelino, Zambales.

Philippine inflation rises to 13-month high

Philippine inflation accelerated to a 13-month high in February as prices of rice, fuel and utilities increased, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Thursday.

FDA pushes online OTC drug registration to cut backlog

A planned shift to online filing for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines is expected to ease processing bottlenecks at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is grappling with thousands of pending applications at its drug regulation unit.

PH GROWTH SLOWDOWN NEARS BOTTOM — UBS

The slowdown in Philippine economic growth which began in the third quarter of last year is nearing a “trough” or bottom, after which the growth trajectory could start building fresh momentum over the succeeding quarters toward the government target of at least 5 percent for full-year 2026, Swiss universal bank UBS said.

Marcos extends EDCOM II’s life

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has signed into law a measure extending the term of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) for another two years in a bid to intensify efforts addressing the country’s learning crisis and align the national curriculum with global labor market demands.

DOLE continues processing of alien employment permits

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the processing of Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications remains open and operational.

SEC launches program to boost sustainability reporting compliance

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched a capacity-building program to help companies and reporting practitioners comply with the new sustainability reporting framework.

Govt budget 2025 deficit widens to P1.58T – BTr

The national government’s budget deficit widened 4.68 percent to P1.58 trillion in 2025 from the prior year with a slight drop in revenues, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTR) said on Tuesday.

Philippines seen to be more affected by oil shock than Asia-Pacific peers

The Philippines may bear the brunt of the global oil crisis amid the widening conflict in the Middle East compared with its peers in the Asia-Pacific region, a think tank said.

Philippine factory activity surges in February

Philippine factory activity in February expanded at its fastest pace in eight years amid an increase in production and new orders as well as a “surge in business confidence,” S&P Global said on Monday.

PHL central bank may pause easing amid inflation risks from oil shock

Further monetary policy easing may be delayed as inflation could heat up again as oil prices surge amid a widening conflict in the Middle East, analysts said.

DA flags MidEast risk to PH agriculture

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, warning that a prolonged escalation of the conflict could ripple through Philippine agriculture via higher fuel, fertilizer and freight costs.