Anna Leah Gonzales

Business Reporter, PNA

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

JUST IN: Cash remittances from overseas Filipinos continued to grow in May this year, increasing by 2 percent to $2.71 billion from $2.66 billion in May last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Wednesday (July 15, 2026). @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

JUST IN: The number of employed Filipinos went up to 48.89 million in April this year from 48.67 million in April 2025, the Philippines Statistics Authority says on Tuesday (June 9, 2026). @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

Mapa said the Philippine economy grew by 2.8 percent in the first quarter.

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

Happening now: National Statistician Dennis Mapa (left) and Department of Economy, Planning and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan hold press briefing on Thursday (May 7, 2026) for the first quarter 2026 performance of the Philippine economy. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the unemployment rate during the month was at 5 percent, slightly lower than the 5.1 percent recorded in February. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

JUST IN: The number of unemployed Filipinos went down to 2.58 million in March this year from 2.66 million in February, the Philippine Statistics Authority says on Wednesday (May 6, 2026). @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

In a briefing, Mapa said faster annual increases observed in transport index at 21.4 percent in April from 9.9 percent the previous month, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels at 8.2 percent from 4.7 percent, also contributed to the higher inflation. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

JUST IN: Headline inflation picks up to 7.2 percent in April this year from 4.1 percent in March due to the faster increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, National Statistician Dennis Mapa says Tuesday (May 5, 2026). @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

@pnagovph The Philippine economy meanwhile, is projected to grow by 4.4% this year, slower than ADB's 5.3% earlier forecast due to rising global uncertainties particularly from the Middle East conflict. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

Happening now: Asian Development Bank Senior Economist Jaqueson Galimberti discusses the impact of the Middle East conflict to Asia and the Pacific's growth prospects. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

Galimberti said the Middle East conflict is projected to weigh on developing Asia and the Pacific's outlook. Under an early stabilization scenario, regional growth is projected to hit 5.1% in 2026 and 2027. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

In a briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the higher inflation in March was due to the increase in transport index at 9.9 percent from an annual decrease of 0.3 percent un February. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

JUST IN: Headline inflation rate rose to 4.1 percent in March this year from 2.4 percent in February, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Tuesday (Apr. 7, 2026). @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

The BSP said inflation is projected to breach the 4% ceiling this year amid higher domestic fuel prices and transport fares.

It also sees a continued weak economic growth in 2026.

"To raise the policy rate at this time would delay the recovery," the BSP said. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

JUST IN: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the Monetary Board met on Thursday (March 26, 2026) in light of fast-changing developments and uncertain economic conditions.

The Monetary Board decided to maintain the policy rate at 4.25%. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

@pnagovph Del Prado said survey results showed that 306,000 were still looking for jobs while other survey participants said they're still waiting for results of previous job applications. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

JUST IN: The country recorded an unemployment rate of 5.8 percent in January this year, up from the 4.3 percent seen in January last year, Philippine Statisticd Authority Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia Del Prado said on Friday (March 13, 2026). @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

@pnagovph Del Prado said survey results showed that 306,000 were still looking for jobs while other survey participants said they're still waiting for results of previous job applications.

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

Roque said the Marcos Jr. administration recognizes that green economy is a new engine of growth. @pnagovph

[Anna Leah Gonzales @leigons20]

Happening now: Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque delivers her speech at the launch of the "Advancing the Green Economy Transition in ASEAN" report on Thursday (March 12, 2026) in Ascott, BGC. @pnagovph