This is a brief rundown of what is being reported today in the Philippines and about the Philippines in the international press.
It endeavours to highlight the narratives currently shaping the country’s economic, financial, and business news landscape.
Ed’s note: I’m always looking for new sources with unique insights. If you have anything to share, reach out: mark.barnes@the-shiv.com
CEO survey
Philstar is reporting that more than 80 percent of Philippine chief executives expect their industries and company revenues to grow over the next 12 months, according to a PwC-MAP survey.
The survey of 176 CEOs found 83 percent confident about their industry’s prospects, while 81 percent expect their companies’ revenues to increase. View source→
Outsourcing expanding despite AI
Philstar is reporting that the Philippine outsourcing industry continues to expand despite concerns that artificial intelligence could reduce demand for outsourced services, according to HSBC Global Investment Research.
HSBC said exports of business services, largely generated by business process outsourcing, have continued growing, although more slowly than before the pandemic. View source→
Fuel prices to increase
PNA is reporting that Philippine fuel prices are expected rise sharply today as escalating Middle East hostilities and a weaker peso increase import costs.
The Department of Energy said gasoline will rise by up to PHP 4.69 per litre, diesel PHP 5.18 and kerosene PHP 5.58. View source→
S&P commentary peso depreciation
Business World Online is reporting that the Philippine peso’s depreciation is likely to hurt the economy more than help it in the short term, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Principal Economist Harumi Taguchi said higher import costs are already increasing inflation, while improved export competitiveness from the weaker currency has yet to materialise. View source→
PSEi falls
Business World Online is reporting that the Philippine Stock Exchange index fell 0.11 percent on September 7 as the weak peso and US-Iran conflict weighed on investor sentiment.
The peso touched a record intraday low of PHP 62.775 per US dollar before recovering to close at PHP 62.586. View source→
Airline passengers H1
Manila Times is reporting that Cebu Pacific remained the Philippines’ largest domestic airline in the first half of 2026 and overtook Philippine Airlines internationally.
Cebu Pacific and subsidiary CebGo carried 10.01 million domestic passengers, accounting for about 57.6 percent of the domestic market. View source→
ADB on GDP growth expectations
Business World Online is reporting that the Asian Development Bank has said the Philippines could still achieve 3.8 percent economic growth in 2026.
ADB President Masato Kanda said government investment must accelerate significantly, while household consumption needs to recover following weak first-half growth. View source→
EV ride-hailing permits
ABS-CBN is reporting that the Philippines has opened 7,500 new ride-hailing slots in Metro Manila exclusively for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board also reserved half of 650 new slots in Ilocos and half of 600 in Bicol for electric vehicles. View source→
Unemployment rate rises
Business World Online is reporting that Philippine unemployment rose to 6 percent in July, its highest level since June 2022.
The number of unemployed Filipinos reached 3.14 million, up 550,000 year-on-year, despite employment increasing to 49.21 million. View source→
Dollar reserves
Business World Online is reporting that Philippine foreign exchange reserves rose to a five-month high of US$104.81 billion at the end of August, up 1.45 percent from July.
The reserves were sufficient to cover 6.8 months of imports and 3.7 times the country’s short-term external debt based on residual maturity. View source→