Your Morning Fix

• Economic managers expect strong economic and investment ties between the Philippines and the US to continue despite tariff threats from the Trump administration. Among the topics they discussed recently is the CREATE MORE Act to boost economic opportunities.
• US Federal Reserve officials expressed concerns that Trump’s initial policies, particularly on tariffs, could drive inflation higher, with businesses planning to pass on costs to consumers. They said trade policy and supply chain disruptions could slow disinflation and raise inflation expectations.
• The BIR’s Tax Compliance Verification Drive reached over 200,000 establishments nationwide, revealing that 12% were unregistered. Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. emphasized the agency’s shift toward a taxpayer-centric approach, using the findings to improve business registration compliance.
• Approved building permits fell 10.8% in December, reversing the 1% growth from the previous year, according to preliminary PSA data. The number of projects, total floor area, and construction value all declined.
• Philippine vehicle sales rose 10.4% year-on-year to 37,604 units in January, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). While passenger car sales dropped 8.5%, commercial vehicle sales surged 16.6%, dominating the market at 79.5% of total sales.