ECCP at Work

Philippine financial system under pressure amid Middle East conflict — FSCC

The Philippine financial system is facing mounting pressure as vulnerabilities tied to corporate debt and rising household debt amid the Middle East conflict continue to test its resilience, the Financial Stability Coordination Council (FSCC) said. 

Domestic goods trade falls 20% in Q1

Domestic trade in goods declined by 20% year on year in the first quarter, amid slower economic growth and supply-chain disruptions, analysts said.

Philippine foreign debt payments jump 31%

The Philippines’ external debt service burden got heavier in the first two months of 2026, driven by a sharp growth in principal payments, according to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

‘EVs to make up 45% of car sales by 2035’

More Filipinos could be driving electric vehicles by 2035, with the sector projected to capture nearly half of the Philippine auto market under stronger policies and incentives, a global EV report.

DAR introduces climate-smart, info-driven farming technologies to 5 Zambales ARBOs

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has introduced climate-smart, information-driven farming technologies to 5 agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) in Zambales to help farmers adapt to changing weather conditions and protect crops from pests and diseases.

Philippines needs 20 GW in new renewables to meet clean energy target by 2040

The Philippines will need an additional 20 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy (RE) capacity to meet its goal of sourcing half of its power supply from renewables, a gap that upcoming auctions are expected to help address.

Francis Tolentino named acting DOLE chief after Laguesma quits

Former senator Francis Tolentino has been named acting secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment after Bienvenido Laguesma resigned due to health concerns, Malacañang announced Monday, May 25.

DTI moves to regulate solar panel systems

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is preparing rules that would require manufacturers of solar panel systems to secure government certification, as it seeks to tighten oversight of the quality of such products entering the Philippine market.

ASEAN shifts from crisis pledges to economic action

ASEAN senior economic officials are set to meet in the Philippines this week as the regional bloc moves to translate its Cebu summit pledges on energy security, trade resilience, and economic integration into concrete policy action.

House-approved bill mandates science-based natl land-use plan

All local governments (LGUs) will be required to align their land use plans with a science-based national framework under the proposed National Land Use Act, which was recently approved by the House of Representatives.

Oil crisis, El Niño prompt BARMM state of calamity

Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has placed the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under a state of calamity due to the combined impact of the global oil crisis and the ongoing El Niño dry spell phenomenon.

Oriental Mindoro grid placed under red alert amid supply deficit

The Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (Ormeco) on Monday (May 25) warned consumers of possible rotational power interruptions as the province’s power grid faces a critical supply-demand imbalance due to high electricity consumption and limited generation capacity.

3 in 4 Filipinos back the govt’s defense of PH territory, including WPS

Three in four Filipinos or 76 percent support the government in defending the country’s territory and sovereign rights, including over the West Philippine Sea, according to the March 19 to 25 survey of OCTA Research released on Monday.