Archives: Business World Article

Foreign investment pledges plunged by 64.4% in the second quarter as investor sentiment turned cautious amid heightened global uncertainty driven by flip-flopping US tariff policies.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the value of foreign commitments approved by investment promotion agencies (IPAs) reached PHP 67.38 billion in the April-to-June period, down from the revised PHP 189.5 billion in same period in 2024.

However, this was the highest amount since the PHP 143.74 billion seen in the third quarter of 2024. It was also more than double the revised PHP 27.99 billion in the first three months of 2025.

During the second quarter, Singapore accounted for the bulk or 79.4% of total approved investment pledges at PHP 53.48 billion. This was followed by the United States with PHP 3.96 billion (5.9%) and the Netherlands with PHP 1.91 billion (2.8%).

Cid L. Terosa, a senior economist at the University of Asia and the Pacific, said the decline in foreign investment approvals reflected drastic changes in external trade and investment environments.

“The uncertainty and instability created by Trump’s trade-related pronouncements was the overwhelming factor that pulled back business and investment plans of investors, not just in the Philippines but in many countries around the world,” he said in an e-mail.

However, the quarter-on-quarter increase was mainly due to the surge of investments in renewable energy from Singapore, Mr. Terosa said.

US President Donald J. Trump first announced the “Liberation Day” tariffs in early April, imposing a 10% baseline tariff on goods from all its trading partners. He also threatened higher “reciprocal” tariffs on most countries but this was postponed until July.

The Philippines initially faced a 17% tariff, but this was hiked to 20% in early July. Mr. Trump eventually set a 19% tariff on Philippine goods, which took effect on Aug. 7.

PSA data showed the investment pledges were approved by seven IPAs — the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), the Board of Investments (BoI), the Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBoI), the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The BoI contributed the biggest chunk or about 84.1% of foreign investment pledges with PHP 56.65 billion in the second quarter.

Meanwhile, PEZA approved PHP 6.92 billion worth of commitments (10.3% share) followed by CDC with PHP 1.1 billion (1.6% share).

During the period, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, John Hay Management Corp., Poro Point Management Corp., Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority did not approve any investment pledges.

About 81.2% or PHP 54.75 billion of the approved foreign investments will be poured into the energy industry, while 6.8% or PHP 4.61 billion will be invested in the administrative and support service activities industry.

The manufacturing sector cornered PHP 4.46 billion, about 6.6% of the total pledges.

By region, Bicol received the highest share of total pledged investments, with 47.8% or PHP 32.21 billion. Calabarzon followed with PHP 21.39 billion (31.7% share) and Central Luzon with PHP 4.05 billion (6% share).

Meanwhile, PSA data showed investment pledges from Filipinos plunged by 56.3% to PHP 231.69 billion in the second quarter from the P530.6 billion a year earlier.

This brought total approved investments to PHP 299.08 billion, down 58.5% year on year.

Should these pledges materialize, around 38,234 jobs are expected to be created.

For the third quarter, Mr. Terosa said year-on-year growth in investment pledges will likely be “weaker.”

“(This is) partly because of base effects and the ‘wait-and-see’ attitude of foreign investors due to the turbulent global trade environment,” he said.

“It is possible, however, that the quarter-on-quarter growth of foreign investments will continue to be strong because of the economic resilience shown by the Philippines as reflected in economic indicators.”

In the second quarter, the Philippine economy grew by 5.5%, a tad faster than the 5.4% in the first quarter.

For the first half, gross domestic product (GDP) growth averaged 5.4%, slower than the 6.2% a year ago. The government is targeting 5.5%-6.5% GDP growth this year.

The PSA data on foreign investment commitments, which may materialize shortly, differ from actual foreign direct investments tracked by the BSP. The central bank’s monitoring goes beyond the projects and includes other items such as reinvested earnings and lending to Philippine units via their debt instruments. — Matthew Miguel L. Castillo, Researcher

The national government’s (NG) outstanding debt is projected to balloon to a record PHP 19.06 trillion by the end of 2026, a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) document showed on Wednesday.

This as the government is planning to borrow P2.68 trillion next year to fund the national budget.

The 2026 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing showed the NG’s debt stock is expected to increase by 9.78% from the revised PHP 17.36-trillion estimate for end-2025.

Of the total, domestic debt is expected to rise by 10.27% to PHP 13.28 trillion by end-2026 from the projected PHP 12.04 trillion by end-2025.

Outstanding external debt is also seen to jump by 8.67% to PHP 5.78 trillion by end-2026 from PHP 5.31 trillion by end-2025.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto told BusinessWorld the NG debt is still manageable, noting the economy will be roughly worth PHP 31.8 trillion by 2026.

As of June, the Philippines’ sovereign debt hit a fresh high of PHP 17.27 trillion, up 11.5% from PHP 15.48 trillion in the same month in 2024.

This brought the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio to 63.1% at the end of June, the highest ratio since 2005. This is above the 60% debt-to-GDP threshold considered by multilateral lenders to be manageable for developing economies.

“It’s still consistent with our MTFF (Medium Term Fiscal Framework). But we want it at least 60%, that’s the international standard,

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman told reporters on the sidelines of the 2026 National Expenditure Program turnover in the House of Representatives.

“Hopefully, we get to that or if possible, even lower around 59% or 58%,” Ms. Pangandaman said.

The DBM said it now expects the debt-to-GDP ratio to settle at 61.3% by end-2025, slightly higher than the previous target of 60.4%.

By end-2026, the debt-to-GDP ratio is seen to pick up to 61.8%.

Budget Assistant Secretary Romeo Matthew T. Balanquit said the higher projections for the debt-to-GDP ratio factored in expectations of slower economic growth.

Economic managers in June narrowed the GDP growth target range to 5.5-6.5% this year from the previous target of 6-8%, “reflecting a more measured and resilient outlook amid global headwinds.”

The growth target was also trimmed to 6-7% for 2026 to 2028 from 6-8% previously.

Mr. Balanquit said the massive debt was accumulated by the government during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We are paying our debts during the pandemic times. We really need to step up our interest payments. But the good thing here is, interest rates are actually going down,” he said.

“We will also see that the cost of borrowing will be lower over the next few years. Admittedly, our interest payments are increasing,” he added.

Borrowing program

Meanwhile, the government’s borrowing program for 2026 was set at PHP 2.68 trillion, up 3.15% from PHP 2.6 trillion this year.

Mr. Balanquit said the borrowing mix remains at a 80:20 ratio in favor of domestic sources to minimize risks from external shocks.

Gross domestic borrowings were set at P2.05 trillion for 2026, 2.7% higher than the PHP 2.11-trillion program in 2025. This includes PHP 1.99 trillion in fixed-rate Treasury bonds and P60 billion in Treasury bills.

On the other hand, gross external borrowings were set at PHP 627.1 billion for next year, 28.46% higher than PHP 488.17 billion this year.

This includes PHP 302.100 billion in bonds and other inflows, PHP 263.29 billion in program loans, PHP 61.71 billion in project loans.

At the same time, the debt service bill is set at PHP 2.01 trillion in 2026, down 2.36% from PHP 2.05 trillion this year.

The government said it will spend PHP 1.06 trillion for principal amortization next year, 12.48% lower than PHP 1.21 trillion in 2025.

For interest payments, the government allocated PHP 950 billion, down by 12% from PHP 848 billion this year.

Tax revenues

For 2026, the NG aims to collect PHP 4.98 trillion in revenues, 10.24% higher than the PHP 4.52-trillion projected collection this year.

The government expects to collect PHP 4.63 trillion in tax revenues next year, a 9.96% increase from its PHP 4.21-trillion projection this year.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue is expected to collect PHP 3.58 trillion, while the Bureau of Customs is seen to generate PHP 1.01 trillion.

On the other hand, nontax revenues are expected to fall by 17.38% to PHP 249.1 billion next year from PHP 301.5 billion this year.

Proceeds from the government’s privatization program are expected to surge to PHP 101 billion in 2026 from PHP 5 billion this year. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) proposed double-digit increases for the Education, Health and Transportation departments under the 2026 national budget, but reduced the allocation for the Public Works department by 12%.

The DBM on Wednesday submitted the PHP 6.793-trillion National Expenditure Plan for 2026 to the House of Representatives, just over two weeks after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s State of the Nation Address, where he acknowledged public frustration and promised reforms in health, education and transport.

Next year’s budget is equivalent to 22% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), and is 7.4% higher than the PHP 6.326-trillion national budget this year.

“The growth of our economy, the biggest contributor is government spending and infrastructure spending,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman told reporters after the turnover ceremonies. “Given what’s happening now, with global uncertainties, we also want to invest more in our people.”

The budget for the Education sector was increased by 16% to PHP 1.224 trillion from PHP 1.055 trillion this year, according to the President’s budget message.

This covers the allocation for the Department of Education (PHP 928.5 billion, up by 18.7%), state universities and colleges (PHP 134.9 billion, up by 6.1%), Commission on Higher Education (PHP 33.9 billion) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (PHP 20.2 billion).

“For the first time, the budget for basic and higher education has been increased monumentally to meet UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recommended education spending target of at least 4% of the country’s GDP,” said Ms. Pangandaman.

National Government spending on education for next year would also meet the UNESCO-recommended 15-20% of total public expenditure.

“This is because we are determined to deliver immediate action on child nutrition, address the education crisis and support our youth so they can find jobs,” Ms. Pangandaman said. “If you have a young person who can read, who can study and is healthy, they will contribute to our workforce.”

Infrastructure

Next year’s budget for the infrastructure program stood at PHP 1.556 trillion, equivalent to 5% of the Philippine GDP, according to the budget document.

“We are fast-tracking infrastructure development to create more livable communities, modernize transportation systems and address long-standing challenges,” the DBM said in the budget document.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was allocated PHP 881.3 billion, 12% lower than this year’s PHP 1.007-trillion budget.

“There are still many ongoing (DPWH) projects,” Ms. Pangandaman said in Filipino. “If you peg it at the same level (as last year), their absorptive capacity, they might struggle.”

On the other hand, the Department of Transportation’s proposed 2026 budget was more than doubled to PHP 197.3 billion from PHP 87.2 billion this year.

The government is prioritizing 54 flagship projects next year such as the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge (PHP 27.9 billion), Laguna Lakeshore Road Network (PHP 22.9 billion) and the fourth phase of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Program (PHP 7.4 billion).

The government also earmarked PHP 124.1 billion for rail transport upgrades, including PHP 76.1 billion for the North-South Commuter Railway System and PHP 45.4 billion for the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project.

Around PHP 69.7 billion will go to so-called Sustainable Infrastructure Projects Alleviating Gaps  programs that involve the construction of roads, bridges and flood control projects.

The Department of Health was earmarked PHP 320.5 billion under next year’s budget, up by 29% from this year’s PHP 248 billion.

State hospitals in Metro Manila were allotted PHP 27.7 billion, while regional hospitals will receive PHP 99.5 billion to boost healthcare capacity.

The Defense department and its attached agencies, such as the Philippine military, was allotted a PHP 299.3-billion budget, up by 10.3% from PHP 271 billion for this year amid growing tensions with China in the disputed South China Sea.

The Philippine Army, Air Force and Navy will collectively receive PHP 260.6 billion under the proposed budget, while PHP 40 billion will go to the Armed Forces’ modernization efforts, based on the budget document.

The government is proposing a PHP 256.5-billion budget for the agriculture sector next year, 81% higher than this year’s PHP 141.7 billion.

Of this amount, PHP 153.9 billion will go to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies, PHP 45.1 billion for the National Irrigation Administration and PHP 17.4 billion for the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The budget for the DA’s National Rice Program went up by 37.8% to PHP 29.9 billion for next year, while the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund will receive PHP 30 billion.

About P10 billion will go towards funding the Marcos administration’s Rice for All Program to help expand access to cheaper rice, with PHP 11.2 billion allotted for the government’s rice buffer stocking initiative.

No ‘AKAP’ funds

Next year’s funding for the Department of Social Welfare and Development stood at PHP 223.4 billion, which is 2.7% higher than the PHP 217-billion budget in 2025. The bulk or PHP 113 billion will go to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, while PHP 49.8 billion will go to social pension for indigent senior citizens.

The government did not allot funds for the Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) for this year, Ms. Pangandaman said.

AKAP is a social welfare scheme that provides one-time cash assistance worth PHP 3,000 to PHP 5,000 to workers whose income falls below the poverty threshold. It drew criticism last year after concerns that its disbursement could be politicized by lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the government has allotted PHP 10.77 billion for confidential and intelligence funds (CIF), 11% lower than the PHP 12.1-billion budget this year.

Ms. Pangandaman said the Office of the President was allocated PHP 4.5 billion in secret funds, with the Defense department receiving PHP 1.9 billion under the proposed budget. The remaining funds would go to other agencies, like the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and Anti-Money Laundering Council.

CIFs are meant to finance surveillance and intelligence information gathering activities, according to a 2015 joint circular between the Commission on Audit, Defense, Budget and Interior and Local Government departments.

On the other hand, the government plans to allocate nearly PHP 1 trillion in 2026 for debt servicing, taking up 14.4% of the proposed budget for next year. This is 12% higher than the PHP 876.73 billion allotted this year.

‘Limited fiscal space’

“While (next year’s budget) is 7.4% higher than this year’s PHP 6.326-trillion national budget, the economic team carefully considered the available fiscal space and worked diligently to tighten the budget,” Ms. Pangandaman said.

The government slashed agency budget proposals by 33% to PHP 6.793 trillion for 2026 from an initial PHP 10 trillion, by prioritizing expenditures that could support economic growth, she added.

“Given our limited fiscal space, we carefully evaluated all submissions,” said Ms. Pangandaman.

The government is targeting 5.5-6.5% GDP growth this year, and 6-7% growth from 2026 to 2028. It also aims to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio to 60.4% by the end of 2025, and to 56.9% by 2028.

Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing, who heads the House Appropriations Committee, said budget discussions will start on Aug. 18, giving congressmen nearly two months to scrutinize and approve the budget bill before submitting it to the Senate.

“From Aug. 18 to Oct. 10, we will carefully examine the budget,” she told reporters in Filipino. “We will ensure that deliberations for next year’s budget are thorough.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

Philippine rice imports are projected to decline by 500,000 metric tons (MT) this year compared to initial projections due to the two-month import ban set to take effect in September, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In its Grain: World Markets and Trade Report issued in August, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service estimated that the country’s rice imports will fall by 9.3% to 4.9 million MT this year, from an earlier projection of 5.4 million MT.

The US agency attributed the lower projections to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s order to suspend rice imports for two months beginning Sept. 1 to protect local farmers.

He made the decision after the Department of Agriculture recommended the two-month ban amid declining farmgate prices.

Despite the lower projections, the USDA report showed the Philippines will remain the world’s largest rice importer this year.

The Bureau of Plant Industry reported that 2.58 million MT of rice had arrived in the country as of Aug. 7. Last year, the country imported 4.81 million MT of rice.

Meanwhile, the USDA projected for the Philippines’ milled rice production to reach 12.37 million MT in the marketing year 2024 to 2025, while it anticipates an output of 12.3 million MT for the marketing year 2025 to 2026.

The marketing year for rice starts in July and ends in June of the following year.

Earlier this year, the DA said that it expects the country to achieve a record rice harvest of 20.46 million MT or even surpass it.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the first six months of palay production reached 9.08 million MT, up 6.41% from 8.53 million MT in the same period last year.

In 2024, the country’s palay production reached 20.06 million MT, the highest-ever harvest of the Philippines’ national staple.

Sought for comment, Federation of Free Farmers National Director Raul Q. Montemayor said that the original projection of over 5 million MT in rice imports “was excessive in the first place.”

“Removing the supply glut through the import ban, and hopefully reverting the tariff to 35%, will bode well for farmers in terms of palay prices,” he said in a Viber message.

“In any case, the original USDA projection of rice imports of more than 5 million tons was excessive in the first place,” he added.

Mr. Montemayor also noted that rice prices should not increase “given current international prices and ample supply in the market.”

However, he warned that the mere suspension of rice imports will only lead to the rescheduling of rice imports, and not necessarily reduce it.

“The import ban will temporarily halt further decline in palay prices but will also raise prices at the retail level. While import volume will be lower than last year, imports will remain substantial at around 4 million MT,” former DA Undersecretary Fermin D. Adriano said.

Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura Executive Director Jayson H. Cainglet said that the impact of the import ban is negligible.

“The prevailing 15% tariff on imported rice remains unchanged. This low rate makes rice importation still highly profitable,” he said.

“While we welcome the import ban, the agriculture sector is steadfast in its appeal to restore rice tariffs to their original levels to discourage excessive importation and protect local producers,” he added.

For the marketing year 2024-2025, the USDA projects world rice imports to reach 62.04 million MT and reach 61.71 million MT in the following year.

Meanwhile, the USDA also projected a 4.2% decline in Philippine wheat imports for marketing year 2025-2026 to 6.9 million MT due to lower feed consumption.

It was initially expected to reach 7.2 million MT.

Vietnam to challenge Philippines’ import ban

Meanwhile, the Vietnam Food Association has asked the country’s Trade ministry to challenge a move by the Philippines to suspend rice imports for two months, two sources told Reuters, with traders saying it will harm local production.

The Philippines, Vietnam’s biggest rice buyer, said last week that it would suspend rice imports for 60 days starting from Sept. 1 in an effort to protect local farmers impacted by falling prices during the harvest season.

“The Philippines is Vietnam’s largest rice export market and the suspension would have significant impacts on rice production in Vietnam,” said one of the sources, a trader with knowledge of the matter.

The association and the Ministry of Industry and Trade didn’t immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comments.

Vietnam exported 2.44 million metric tons of rice to the Philippines in the first seven months of this year, accounting for 44.3% of its total rice shipments over the period, according to official customs data.

Last year, the Philippine market accounted for 46.7% of Vietnam’s total rice exports, with shipments in September and October higher than monthly average.

Vietnam early this year signed a memorandum of understanding on rice trade with the Philippines, where rice production is often prone to flooding and typhoon risks. “They are suspending rice imports this year to protect their farmers ahead of an expected bumper harvest,” said a second trader based in Ho Chi Minh City.

Traders said the Philippines’ move to suspend rice imports will put pressure on export prices of Vietnamese rice.

Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $395 on Tuesday, down by nearly 30% from a year earlier, according to data from the association.

“We fear that prices will fall further if there’s the suspension,” the second trader said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter with Reuters