AGP Executive Report

Peso & Power: The peso broke past ₱64 to the dollar, prompting the energy secretary to warn that imported coal, diesel and LNG could push electricity bills higher. The Visayas also faces red and yellow alerts as outages and limited imports tighten supply. Budget Watch: Senators warn that a deadlock over the 2027 budget could delay a key economic stimulus, while a civic coalition has flagged nearly 7,000 added projects worth ₱190 billion without publicly available supporting documents. Investment: The Board of Investments approved ₱900 billion in projects in the first nine months, up 53% year on year. BARMM’s interim chief says the region’s nearly ₱5 billion in recent investments can grow if peace is sustained. Farmers & Tourism: A senator says rice imports arriving during harvest could undercut local farm prices. In Bohol, PAL’s first A330 flight signals more passenger capacity and a potential boost for tourism businesses.

Currency Pressure: The peso hit a record P64.17 per dollar on Tuesday, raising costs for import-dependent businesses and adding pressure on MSMEs. Rising oil prices and external risks are weighing on the currency, while a recent BSP rate hike has yet to reverse its slide. Office Market: Demand for Grade A offices is growing in Cebu as firms seek modern, well-connected workplaces. The city recorded 121,000 square meters of office transactions in 2025, up 71% year on year. Housing: Federal Land will help Pag-IBIG members access financing for selected projects under the Expanded 4PH program, part of a push to widen affordable housing options. Tourism Investment: Property and infrastructure could help attract higher-spending visitors. Tourism contributed P2.27 trillion to the economy in 2025, but inbound visitor spending fell 6.4% to P698.46 billion. Power Supply: The Visayas grid faced red and yellow alerts as available capacity fell below peak demand, highlighting electricity constraints for businesses and households.

Currency & Rates: The peso closed at a record-low P63.95 per dollar, its 32nd record this year, adding to import-cost and inflation pressures after the BSP’s 50-basis-point rate hike. Power Supply: NGCP placed the Visayas grid under red and yellow alerts, with available capacity below peak demand as plant outages and limited imports tightened supply. Budget Oversight: Civil society groups flagged more than P1 trillion in suspected “pork” in the proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 budget; the Ombudsman plans to examine possible budget manipulation following a Supreme Court ruling. Business Costs & Prices: Western Visayas employers warn a proposed P40–P45 daily wage increase could push up prices, while the DTI says monitored basic goods will remain price-capped through year-end. Diesel prices are also set to rise P1.20 per liter, even as gasoline falls by 30 centavos.

Markets and Peso: The peso hit a record ₱63.95 per dollar as the PSEi fell, with investors weighing economic concerns and the BSP’s 50-basis-point rate hike to 5.5%. Inflation has climbed to 7.2% as growth slowed to 2.3%, adding pressure on households and businesses. Budget Watch: Civil society groups flagged more than ₱1 trillion in suspected pork in the proposed ₱7.2-trillion 2027 budget. AI tools helped them review the House plan in a day, while lawmakers debate safeguards and possible revisions. Agriculture and El Niño: The Sugar Regulatory Administration is seeking ₱2 billion for irrigation and pest control as drought risks threaten production. Energy Investment: Citicore secured $552 million for a Philippine solar and battery-storage portfolio, even as tight power reserves highlight the need for more reliable supply. Exports: Electronics exports reached a record $64 billion, with officials urging the country to attract higher-value investment and move up the production chain.

Rates and Peso: The BSP raised its policy rate by 50 basis points to 5.5% as inflation risks intensified, with analysts expecting tightening to continue into 2027. The peso has fallen to a record low of ₱63.615 per US dollar, adding pressure on import costs and household budgets. Trade and Investment: Electronics exports reached a record US$64 billion, but officials say the Philippines must move into higher-value products. The country is still expected to miss its 2026 growth targets, while investment prospects remain uneven. Infrastructure and Power: Infrastructure spending fell for a 14th straight month in August, and the government faces a ₱1.8-billion bill over railway delays. The Visayas grid is also set for a yellow alert, with plant outages limiting reserves. Agriculture: El Niño has caused ₱8.57 billion in farm losses and affected more than 288,000 farmers, raising concerns for food supply as dry conditions threaten to persist into 2027.

New Clark City: Preparations for a proposed economic security zone have raised concerns over land conversion, displacement and risks to ancestral lands, farms and water sources. Peso & Power Costs: With the peso at a record low of ₱63.615 per dollar, a lawmaker urged the energy regulator to reject unsupported electricity charges tied to currency weakness. Rates & Markets: The BSP’s larger-than-expected 50-basis-point hike to 5.5% weighed on stocks as inflation and currency pressures mounted. Trade & Industry: Merchandise exports hit a record $64 billion in the first eight months, led by electronics; Russia is also seeking exploratory talks on a free trade deal and has expressed interest in Philippine electronics and farm products. Business & Housing: Customs plans to test a Japan-inspired digital processing system at NAIA and Batangas port, while Pag-IBIG financing for socialized housing jumped 172% in the first nine months.

Monetary Policy: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas raised its key interest rate as the peso hit a record low of ₱63.615 to the dollar. Inflation reached 7.2%, while GDP growth slowed to 2.3%, adding pressure to businesses and households. Capital Markets: GCash parent Mynt raised a record ₱60.9 billion in its Philippine IPO, a landmark deal for the country’s fintech sector. Logistics Costs: A shipping group is urging the removal of RoRo terminal fees to lower transport costs. Housing: Pag-IBIG reported a 172% rise in socialized housing financing, supporting the government’s 4PH program. Local Business: A fire gutted Sorsogon City’s public market, killing five and disrupting livelihoods.

Markets: The peso hit a record low of ₱63.615 to the dollar as Philippine stocks fell again, intensifying pressure on import costs and businesses. Separate reports put inflation at 7.2% and GDP growth at 2.3%, while a Fitch unit sees another rate hike by December. Digital Finance: GCash parent Mynt raised a record ₱60.9 billion in its Philippine IPO, a major boost for the country’s fintech sector; Maya is also weighing an IPO. Infrastructure: The government plans to bid out the ₱103.6-billion MRT-3 concession next year, with nearly 100 firms reportedly interested. Tacloban’s expanded airport is targeted to open by February 2027, adding capacity and improving regional connectivity. Business Climate: The Ombudsman has opened an Investors’ Window for companies to report permit delays, extortion and official abuse. Trade Costs: Domestic shipping operators are urging the government to scrap RoRo terminal fees, saying they raise the cost of moving goods and push up consumer prices.

Currency & Rates: The peso sank to a record P63.615 per dollar as stocks fell. With inflation at 7.2% and growth slowing to 2.3%, the BSP has raised its key rate by 50 basis points to 5.5% and signaled further tightening. Infrastructure & Energy: The government plans to bid out the P103.6-billion MRT-3 concession next year, while Citicore secured P35 billion in financing for 900 MW of Batangas solar projects. Investment Climate: PEZA investments reached P310 billion in 10 months, beating the full-year target. The Ombudsman has also opened an Investors’ Window for businesses to report officials demanding payments or shares of earnings. Digital Finance: GCash parent Mynt’s record-setting IPO has put the fintech firm and its growth plans in the spotlight.

Currency & Rates: The peso fell to a record P63.615 per dollar, its 31st low this year. The BSP raised its benchmark rate by 0.5 percentage point to 5.5% as inflation risks mount; inflation reached 7.2% as GDP growth slowed to 2.3%. Exporters and remittance-receiving families benefit from the weaker peso, while import-dependent businesses face higher costs. Investment & Markets: GCash parent Mynt raised a record P60.9 billion in its IPO. PEZA says investments reached P310 billion in 10 months, surpassing its full-year target, while electronics exports helped push shipments to a record. Energy & Transport: Citicore secured P35 billion in bank financing for 900 megawatts of planned Batangas solar projects. The government is also eyeing a mid-2027 MRT-3 privatization under a P103.6-billion deal. Business Climate: The Ombudsman plans an Investors’ Window for businesses to report alleged extortion and red tape by public officials.

Rates and Markets: The BSP delivered a larger-than-expected 50-basis-point rate hike to fight inflation as the peso sank to a record P63.52 per dollar and stocks retreated. Trade and Investment: Electronics exports helped push Philippine exports to a record, while PEZA reported P310 billion in investments over 10 months, already beating its 2026 target. Agribusiness: The US pledged $34.1 million to support the Philippines’ ube industry and 12,500 farmers, aiming to expand production and export capacity. Capital Markets: GCash parent Mynt raised P60.9 billion in a record Philippine IPO, offering a rare boost to market activity. Growth Outlook: A separate forecast warned the country is likely to miss its 2026 growth targets, as investment prospects remain uneven.

Monetary Policy: The BSP raised its key rate by 50 basis points to 5.5% as inflation surged and the peso sank to a record low of ₱63.52 per US dollar. Digital Fraud: Money-mule scams could cost the Philippines up to ₱603 billion a year—nearly 3% of GDP—while fewer than 2% of cybercrimes are formally reported, a new study says. Energy Risks: The Visayas grid faced red and yellow alerts amid power plant outages, as escalating Middle East attacks pushed Brent crude above $111 a barrel and heightened risks to global growth. Investment and Markets: Mynt’s record-breaking IPO raised about ₱60.9 billion, lifting the PSEi above 5,800, even as a report warned that the Philippines’ FDI slowdown reflects uneven investment prospects across Southeast Asia.

Transport: The government plans to test electric ferries on the Iloilo–Bacolod route and hybrid vessels between Batangas and Calapan, aiming to cut fuel costs and emissions. Banking: BPI named consumer banking chief Ginbee Go as its next president and CEO, effective April 2027. Manufacturing: Phinma opened a ₱700-million insulated-panel plant in Pampanga, with capacity to make up to 1 million square meters a year and reduce import reliance. Agriculture: Hog raisers face pressure from imports and low farm-gate prices, while the DA warns a severe El Niño could cause up to ₱20 billion in farm losses. Markets: Mynt’s record ₱60.9-billion IPO lifted the PSEi, even as the peso fell to a new low.

Markets: GCash parent Mynt raised a record P60.9 billion in its IPO, lifting the PSEi on debut, while the peso hit a new all-time low. Economic Outlook: The Asian Development Bank is providing $1.5 billion in emergency financing to cushion the Philippines from the Middle East crisis. Public Finance: The Supreme Court ruled provisions of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 national budgets unconstitutional, sharpening scrutiny of budget changes ahead of 2027. Trade: The Philippines’ 2025 trade deficit with China reached $29.13 billion—more than its combined shortfalls with its next four largest deficit-generating partners. Food and Energy: El Niño risks are raising concern over food supplies and power demand; the government is stepping up farm and irrigation preparations, while the energy chief is pressing for nuclear power to support clean-energy goals. Business Climate: The DILG urged local governments to establish dedicated business-permit offices to make it easier for firms to secure permits.

Capital Markets: GCash parent Mynt closed flat at ₱6.60 after a record ₱60.9-billion IPO, a landmark for Philippine fintech; the peso, meanwhile, stayed near a record low of ₱63.09 as stocks rose. Fiscal Oversight: The Supreme Court struck down parts of the 2024–26 budgets, ruling Congress cannot raise total appropriations beyond the President’s recommendation and setting tighter limits on unprogrammed funds. Prices and Trade: The British Chamber warned a proposed pork-tariff hike could add to inflation, which reached 7.2% in September. Pakistan’s rice exports to the Philippines also surged, adding about $124 million in sales in the first quarter of its fiscal year. Energy and Agriculture: Leyte is seeking national support to prepare for super El Niño, citing risks to rice farming, water supplies and electricity. Green Investment: President Marcos ordered a national carbon-market framework to guide the country’s participation in carbon-credit trading.

Capital Markets: GCash parent Mynt began trading after a record P60.9-billion IPO, the Philippines’ largest, giving the market a boost as investors remain cautious. Currency and Trade: The peso closed at a record-low P63.09 per dollar for a second day, while September’s balance-of-payments deficit widened to $3.14 billion. Filipino-Chinese business leaders warned that sanctions against China’s envoy could invite retaliation and hurt trade. Energy and Climate: Norwegian and Danish funds are investing in a 500-megawatt Philippine solar project. With a severe El Niño looming, officials are also weighing water limits for heavy-using businesses and a nearly P62-billion response plan.