#publicservice — Public Fediverse posts

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Net Inflows Fall 18% in First Half of 2026

In what is clearly another sign that the Philippines is the economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows into the country fell by 18% during the first half of this year, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

Foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows into the Philippines contracted 18 percent in the first half of the year to ₱211.3 billion from ₱257.5 billion recorded in the same period last year, weighed down by higher borrowing costs and geopolitical friction.

Data released on Thursday, Sept. 10, by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that the cumulative six-month decline was driven by reduced intercompany borrowings and lower retained earnings, which undercut gains in net equity capital investments.

The central bank noted that FDI pulled back on intercompany lending to their domestic subsidiaries while retaining fewer earnings for local reinvestment.

Among individual components, net investments in debt instruments—which include intercompany borrowing between foreign investors and local affiliates—fell 26 percent in the first half to ₱128.8 billion from ₱173.8 billion a year earlier.

Reinvestment of earnings slipped 19 percent over the same period to ₱51.8 billion, compared with ₱64.4 billion in the previous year.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the cumulative decline in foreign inflows largely stemmed from the fallout of war in the Middle East.

Ricafort said the conflict fueled slower economic activity, sustained inflation, and elevated borrowing costs globally, ultimately raising the cost of direct investment.

Despite the broader downward momentum, net equity capital investments excluding reinvested earnings posted a sharp rebound, surging 59.4 percent to ₱30.6 billion from ₱19.2 billion a year ago. Total equity capital placements climbed to ₱45.3 billion, easily outpacing ₱14.8 billion in withdrawals.

Inflows during the first half originated mostly from Japan, the United States (US), and Singapore, with capital primarily directed toward manufacturing, financial and insurance activities, alongside real estate development.

On a monthly basis, FDI rebounded in June, expanding 35 percent year-on-year to ₱27.9 billion. Even with the bounce, June marked the second-lowest monthly total of the first semester.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think the government’s economic managers should do to attract more FDI? Do you think the Philippines will fall into a recession in 2027 or in the first half of 2028? Are you convinced that hosting the ASEAN Summit will not lead the Philippines to any economic improvements?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

DATE: September 14, 2026
SOURCE: SOCIALWORKER.COM

TITLE: Reflections on My 42-Year Career in Social Work

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/career-jobs/reflections-42-year-career-social%C2%A0work/

“You’re too sensitive” was my family’s response when I informed them that I wanted to become a social worker. I assured them that I could handle it, and I did for a span of 42 years. These are my reflections.

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/career-jobs/reflections-42-year-career-social%C2%A0work/

-------------------------------------------------

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

-------------------------------------------------

#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #SocialWork #CareerReflection #42Years #SocialWorkerLife #Reflections #HelpingProfession #MentalHealthAdvocate #PublicService #CompassionInAction #CareerJourney

DATE: September 14, 2026
SOURCE: SOCIALWORKER.COM

TITLE: Reflections on My 42-Year Career in Social Work

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/career-jobs/reflections-42-year-career-social%C2%A0work/

“You’re too sensitive” was my family’s response when I informed them that I wanted to become a social worker. I assured them that I could handle it, and I did for a span of 42 years. These are my reflections.

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/career-jobs/reflections-42-year-career-social%C2%A0work/

-------------------------------------------------

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

-------------------------------------------------

#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #SocialWork #CareerReflection #42Years #SocialWorkerLife #Reflections #HelpingProfession #MentalHealthAdvocate #PublicService #CompassionInAction #CareerJourney

DATE: September 14, 2026
SOURCE: SOCIALWORKER.COM

TITLE: Reflections on My 42-Year Career in Social Work

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/career-jobs/reflections-42-year-career-social%C2%A0work/

“You’re too sensitive” was my family’s response when I informed them that I wanted to become a social worker. I assured them that I could handle it, and I did for a span of 42 years. These are my reflections.

URL: https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/career-jobs/reflections-42-year-career-social%C2%A0work/

-------------------------------------------------

Private, vetted email list for mental health professionals: https://www.clinicians-exchange.org

Unofficial Psychology Today Xitter to toot feed at Psych Today Unofficial Bot @PTUnofficialBot

-------------------------------------------------

#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #SocialWork #CareerReflection #42Years #SocialWorkerLife #Reflections #HelpingProfession #MentalHealthAdvocate #PublicService #CompassionInAction #CareerJourney

I sketched my late friend Marian's rotating bookshelf while watching John Waters' "Female Trouble" in her parlor on Christmas Day, 1989. #femaletrouble #divine #johnwaters #avantegarde #avantegardemovies #avantegardemovie #dirty #hilarious #satire #gay #gayculture #camp #campfunny #camphumor #camphilarity #jp #justiceofthepeace #justice #juniatajustice #author #authoress #publicservant #publicservice #ink #penandink #penandpaper #sketch #sketches #sketching #sketcher #christmas #1980s

Moody’s Analytics Cuts Philippines 2026 GDP Growth Forecast to 3%

By citing key factors like weak consumption, Middle East oil shock and the collapse in private investment, Moody’s Analytics officially slashed its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 3%, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

MOODY’S ANALYTICS slashed its 2026 growth forecast for the Philippines, amid weak consumption and a collapse in private investment.

In its latest Asia-Pacific Outlook report dated Aug. 24, the analytics firm said it now sees Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 3% this year, slower than its 4% projection in June.

“We lowered our 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3% from 4% in the June vintage after incorporating the second-quarter GDP result, which was far weaker than expected,” Moody’s Analytics Assistant Director and Economist Sarah Tan said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

The Philippine economy slumped to its worst post-pandemic growth of 2.3% in the April-to-June period, as investments and public construction continued to reel from last year’s flood control corruption scandal. Rising prices from the Middle East war-driven oil shock also strained household spending.

“The economy expanded by just 2.3% year on year, with private consumption showing notable weakness and private investment collapsing,” Ms. Tan noted. “This points to softer underlying domestic demand than we had previously anticipated.”

As of the first half of 2026, the country’s GDP growth averaged 2.6%, well below the government’s 3.5%-4.5% full-year target.

If Moody’s Analytics’ forecast holds true, the government will miss its growth target for a fourth year in a row. The economy would also further soften from last year’s post-pandemic low growth of 4.4%.

Economists earlier said that reaching even the bottom end of the government’s target entails a steep climb, as it means the economy must grow by at least 4.4% in the second half.

Moody’s Analytics sees growth recovering over the next two years to 4.6% in 2027 and 5.1% in 2028. The government wants full-year expansion to be between 5% and 6% from 2027 to 2030.

Meanwhile, GlobalSource Partners Country Analyst Diwa C. Guinigundo noted that the Philippines could face a more complicated path toward fiscal consolidation if growth remains below potential.

“Slower growth would make fiscal consolidation and debt reduction more difficult,” he said in a Viber message. “The issue is not simply that government revenues would grow more slowly; a weaker economy also means a smaller denominator for the debt-to-GDP ratio.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think 2026 will end up as a very disappointing year of economic growth for the Philippines? Do you think the economy of the Philippines could still fall into a recession in 2027 or in the first half of 2028? Are you convinced that the Philippines has nothing to gain economically from hosting the ASEAN Summit?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Moody’s Analytics Cuts Philippines 2026 GDP Growth Forecast to 3%

By citing key factors like weak consumption, Middle East oil shock and the collapse in private investment, Moody’s Analytics officially slashed its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 3%, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

MOODY’S ANALYTICS slashed its 2026 growth forecast for the Philippines, amid weak consumption and a collapse in private investment.

In its latest Asia-Pacific Outlook report dated Aug. 24, the analytics firm said it now sees Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 3% this year, slower than its 4% projection in June.

“We lowered our 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3% from 4% in the June vintage after incorporating the second-quarter GDP result, which was far weaker than expected,” Moody’s Analytics Assistant Director and Economist Sarah Tan said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

The Philippine economy slumped to its worst post-pandemic growth of 2.3% in the April-to-June period, as investments and public construction continued to reel from last year’s flood control corruption scandal. Rising prices from the Middle East war-driven oil shock also strained household spending.

“The economy expanded by just 2.3% year on year, with private consumption showing notable weakness and private investment collapsing,” Ms. Tan noted. “This points to softer underlying domestic demand than we had previously anticipated.”

As of the first half of 2026, the country’s GDP growth averaged 2.6%, well below the government’s 3.5%-4.5% full-year target.

If Moody’s Analytics’ forecast holds true, the government will miss its growth target for a fourth year in a row. The economy would also further soften from last year’s post-pandemic low growth of 4.4%.

Economists earlier said that reaching even the bottom end of the government’s target entails a steep climb, as it means the economy must grow by at least 4.4% in the second half.

Moody’s Analytics sees growth recovering over the next two years to 4.6% in 2027 and 5.1% in 2028. The government wants full-year expansion to be between 5% and 6% from 2027 to 2030.

Meanwhile, GlobalSource Partners Country Analyst Diwa C. Guinigundo noted that the Philippines could face a more complicated path toward fiscal consolidation if growth remains below potential.

“Slower growth would make fiscal consolidation and debt reduction more difficult,” he said in a Viber message. “The issue is not simply that government revenues would grow more slowly; a weaker economy also means a smaller denominator for the debt-to-GDP ratio.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think 2026 will end up as a very disappointing year of economic growth for the Philippines? Do you think the economy of the Philippines could still fall into a recession in 2027 or in the first half of 2028? Are you convinced that the Philippines has nothing to gain economically from hosting the ASEAN Summit?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Moody’s Analytics Cuts Philippines 2026 GDP Growth Forecast to 3%

By citing key factors like weak consumption, Middle East oil shock and the collapse in private investment, Moody’s Analytics officially slashed its 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for the Philippines to 3%, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

MOODY’S ANALYTICS slashed its 2026 growth forecast for the Philippines, amid weak consumption and a collapse in private investment.

In its latest Asia-Pacific Outlook report dated Aug. 24, the analytics firm said it now sees Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) expanding by 3% this year, slower than its 4% projection in June.

“We lowered our 2026 GDP growth forecast to 3% from 4% in the June vintage after incorporating the second-quarter GDP result, which was far weaker than expected,” Moody’s Analytics Assistant Director and Economist Sarah Tan said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

The Philippine economy slumped to its worst post-pandemic growth of 2.3% in the April-to-June period, as investments and public construction continued to reel from last year’s flood control corruption scandal. Rising prices from the Middle East war-driven oil shock also strained household spending.

“The economy expanded by just 2.3% year on year, with private consumption showing notable weakness and private investment collapsing,” Ms. Tan noted. “This points to softer underlying domestic demand than we had previously anticipated.”

As of the first half of 2026, the country’s GDP growth averaged 2.6%, well below the government’s 3.5%-4.5% full-year target.

If Moody’s Analytics’ forecast holds true, the government will miss its growth target for a fourth year in a row. The economy would also further soften from last year’s post-pandemic low growth of 4.4%.

Economists earlier said that reaching even the bottom end of the government’s target entails a steep climb, as it means the economy must grow by at least 4.4% in the second half.

Moody’s Analytics sees growth recovering over the next two years to 4.6% in 2027 and 5.1% in 2028. The government wants full-year expansion to be between 5% and 6% from 2027 to 2030.

Meanwhile, GlobalSource Partners Country Analyst Diwa C. Guinigundo noted that the Philippines could face a more complicated path toward fiscal consolidation if growth remains below potential.

“Slower growth would make fiscal consolidation and debt reduction more difficult,” he said in a Viber message. “The issue is not simply that government revenues would grow more slowly; a weaker economy also means a smaller denominator for the debt-to-GDP ratio.”

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think 2026 will end up as a very disappointing year of economic growth for the Philippines? Do you think the economy of the Philippines could still fall into a recession in 2027 or in the first half of 2028? Are you convinced that the Philippines has nothing to gain economically from hosting the ASEAN Summit?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

The Guardian: BBC chief proposes ‘public service algorithm’ with YouTube-style user-generated content. “The BBC director general has suggested opening up the BBC to YouTube-style user-generated content as he backed the idea of a ‘public service algorithm’ free from the interests of US tech companies.”

Strong Demand for American Dairy Products in the Philippines Continues

With growing demand for high-quality protein realized, the Philippines will keep importing more dairy products from the United States, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. It should be noted that the Philippines does not have a huge dairy production and local consumption of dairy (and other products that require dairy to be made) kept on growing.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines is expected to increase its imports of dairy products from the United States (US), driven by growing demand for high-quality protein and limited local dairy production, according to the US Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

USDEC Regional Director Dali Ghazalay said US dairy exports to the Philippines are on track to remain strong this year, as demand for dairy products continues to expand.

She said the demand is particularly strong when it comes to meeting the country’s nutrition needs, with dairy playing a crucial role in nutritionally adequate diets.

“The demand for dairy will still be very strong because of nutrition and what dairy can contribute to the nutrition needs of the Philippines,“ Ghazalay said on the sidelines of USDEC’s trade seminar on Thursday, Aug. 13.

Based on USDEC data, US dairy exports to the Philippines are estimated at around 143,000 metric tons (MT). Top exports include skim milk powder, buttermilk powder, and dairy permeate.

Currently, the Philippines is the top export destination for US dairy goods in Southeast Asia, according to USDEC.

Increased demand this year is expected to be driven by dairy products with high-quality nutritional protein, such as skim milk powder.

Ghazalay said demand is also on the rise for whey proteins and milk proteins, which are usually integrated into high-value-added products such as protein powder for fitness purposes.

Ultimately, she noted that increased dairy demand from the US is also a direct result of the country’s subpar domestic output, which remains unable to meet local demand.

“Local dairy production is still very small. And you do need to supplement that with different dairy ingredients to meet all these different products that the consumers here need,” said Ghazalay.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you feel confident that nuclear energy will be realized in the Philippines in your lifetime? Did you encounter a lot of people living with nuclear fear?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Economic Weakness Continues As 2nd Quarter GDP Growth Lands At 2.3%

The economy of the Philippines slowed down even further in the 2nd quarter of 2026 landing at 2.3%, according to a news report by GMA News. Embarrassingly, this made the Philippines an economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

By comparison, the economy of the Philippines achieved only 2.8% growth in the 1st quarter of this year. The nation’s economic growth for 2025 was at 4.4%

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy continued to slow down in the second quarter of 2026, still due to a subdued investor and consumer sentiment amid the lingering effects of the flood control corruption scandal and the inflationary pressure brought by Middle East crisis-induced global fuel price shocks, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

At a press conference, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP)—the value of goods and services produced in a period— grew 2.3% in the April to June 2026 period, slower than the 2.8% growth seen in the first quarter of 2026.

This is the economy’s weakest footing since the fourth quarter of 2009 —excluding the contraction seen during the COVID-19 pandemic years— when the GDP growth rate was at 1.8%.

The 2.8% second quarter GDP growth put the Philippines behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia that already released their April to June economic growth rates such as Indonesia at 5.29%, Vietnam at 8.39%, and Singapore at 5.7%.

The first half of 2026 GDP growth rate stood at 2.6%, still behind the government’s downwardly revised target of 3.5% to 4.5% for the entire year.

Despite the economic slowdown, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said, “What we are experiencing right now, I believe, is transitory, temporary.”

“Domestic demand remained subdued, mainly because total investment continued to contract as public construction declined. Household consumption growth also moderated amid higher inflation, job losses, and lower remittance receipts arising from the Middle East conflict,” Balisacan said.

Household final consumption expenditure grew 2.8%, slower than 5.2% in the same period last year, weighed by contractions in transport (-7.5%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-1.9%), recreation and culture (-0.8%), and restaurants and hotels (-0.2%).

Government expenditure, likewise, slowed down by 8.3% from 8.7% year-on-year; while gross capital formation (GCF) —which measures investments— contracted by 9.2% from a growth rate of 0.9% a year ago.

The decline in GCF was due to the decline in construction at 14.8% with government spending on construction contracting 32.4%.

“Although public construction is a small part of the economy, the amount of contraction, at 32%, brought a significant impact on the economy,” Balisacan said.

“The sharp decline in public construction was the main contributor in the decline in investments… driven by continuous caution due to the flood control scandal,” the country’s chief economist said.

Among the major economic sectors, agriculture posted a growth rate of 2.7%, slower than 7% year-on-year; industry declined by 2.4%, from an increase of 2.1% weighed by the construction’s depreciation; services grew slower at 4.5% from 6.9%.

Agriculture, industry, and services sector contributed 7.5%, 27.9%, and 63.3%, respectively to the total GDP during the quarter.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines will eventually fall into a recession in 2027? Do you believe that the hosting of the ASEAN summit by the Philippines will result in economic miracles and more foreign investment?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Economic Weakness Continues As 2nd Quarter GDP Growth Lands At 2.3%

The economy of the Philippines slowed down even further in the 2nd quarter of 2026 landing at 2.3%, according to a news report by GMA News. Embarrassingly, this made the Philippines an economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

By comparison, the economy of the Philippines achieved only 2.8% growth in the 1st quarter of this year. The nation’s economic growth for 2025 was at 4.4%

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy continued to slow down in the second quarter of 2026, still due to a subdued investor and consumer sentiment amid the lingering effects of the flood control corruption scandal and the inflationary pressure brought by Middle East crisis-induced global fuel price shocks, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

At a press conference, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP)—the value of goods and services produced in a period— grew 2.3% in the April to June 2026 period, slower than the 2.8% growth seen in the first quarter of 2026.

This is the economy’s weakest footing since the fourth quarter of 2009 —excluding the contraction seen during the COVID-19 pandemic years— when the GDP growth rate was at 1.8%.

The 2.8% second quarter GDP growth put the Philippines behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia that already released their April to June economic growth rates such as Indonesia at 5.29%, Vietnam at 8.39%, and Singapore at 5.7%.

The first half of 2026 GDP growth rate stood at 2.6%, still behind the government’s downwardly revised target of 3.5% to 4.5% for the entire year.

Despite the economic slowdown, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said, “What we are experiencing right now, I believe, is transitory, temporary.”

“Domestic demand remained subdued, mainly because total investment continued to contract as public construction declined. Household consumption growth also moderated amid higher inflation, job losses, and lower remittance receipts arising from the Middle East conflict,” Balisacan said.

Household final consumption expenditure grew 2.8%, slower than 5.2% in the same period last year, weighed by contractions in transport (-7.5%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-1.9%), recreation and culture (-0.8%), and restaurants and hotels (-0.2%).

Government expenditure, likewise, slowed down by 8.3% from 8.7% year-on-year; while gross capital formation (GCF) —which measures investments— contracted by 9.2% from a growth rate of 0.9% a year ago.

The decline in GCF was due to the decline in construction at 14.8% with government spending on construction contracting 32.4%.

“Although public construction is a small part of the economy, the amount of contraction, at 32%, brought a significant impact on the economy,” Balisacan said.

“The sharp decline in public construction was the main contributor in the decline in investments… driven by continuous caution due to the flood control scandal,” the country’s chief economist said.

Among the major economic sectors, agriculture posted a growth rate of 2.7%, slower than 7% year-on-year; industry declined by 2.4%, from an increase of 2.1% weighed by the construction’s depreciation; services grew slower at 4.5% from 6.9%.

Agriculture, industry, and services sector contributed 7.5%, 27.9%, and 63.3%, respectively to the total GDP during the quarter.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines will eventually fall into a recession in 2027? Do you believe that the hosting of the ASEAN summit by the Philippines will result in economic miracles and more foreign investment?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Economic Weakness Continues As 2nd Quarter GDP Growth Lands At 2.3%

The economy of the Philippines slowed down even further in the 2nd quarter of 2026 landing at 2.3%, according to a news report by GMA News. Embarrassingly, this made the Philippines an economic weakling among the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

By comparison, the economy of the Philippines achieved only 2.8% growth in the 1st quarter of this year. The nation’s economic growth for 2025 was at 4.4%

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy continued to slow down in the second quarter of 2026, still due to a subdued investor and consumer sentiment amid the lingering effects of the flood control corruption scandal and the inflationary pressure brought by Middle East crisis-induced global fuel price shocks, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Friday.

At a press conference, PSA chief and National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the economy, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP)—the value of goods and services produced in a period— grew 2.3% in the April to June 2026 period, slower than the 2.8% growth seen in the first quarter of 2026.

This is the economy’s weakest footing since the fourth quarter of 2009 —excluding the contraction seen during the COVID-19 pandemic years— when the GDP growth rate was at 1.8%.

The 2.8% second quarter GDP growth put the Philippines behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia that already released their April to June economic growth rates such as Indonesia at 5.29%, Vietnam at 8.39%, and Singapore at 5.7%.

The first half of 2026 GDP growth rate stood at 2.6%, still behind the government’s downwardly revised target of 3.5% to 4.5% for the entire year.

Despite the economic slowdown, Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said, “What we are experiencing right now, I believe, is transitory, temporary.”

“Domestic demand remained subdued, mainly because total investment continued to contract as public construction declined. Household consumption growth also moderated amid higher inflation, job losses, and lower remittance receipts arising from the Middle East conflict,” Balisacan said.

Household final consumption expenditure grew 2.8%, slower than 5.2% in the same period last year, weighed by contractions in transport (-7.5%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-1.9%), recreation and culture (-0.8%), and restaurants and hotels (-0.2%).

Government expenditure, likewise, slowed down by 8.3% from 8.7% year-on-year; while gross capital formation (GCF) —which measures investments— contracted by 9.2% from a growth rate of 0.9% a year ago.

The decline in GCF was due to the decline in construction at 14.8% with government spending on construction contracting 32.4%.

“Although public construction is a small part of the economy, the amount of contraction, at 32%, brought a significant impact on the economy,” Balisacan said.

“The sharp decline in public construction was the main contributor in the decline in investments… driven by continuous caution due to the flood control scandal,” the country’s chief economist said.

Among the major economic sectors, agriculture posted a growth rate of 2.7%, slower than 7% year-on-year; industry declined by 2.4%, from an increase of 2.1% weighed by the construction’s depreciation; services grew slower at 4.5% from 6.9%.

Agriculture, industry, and services sector contributed 7.5%, 27.9%, and 63.3%, respectively to the total GDP during the quarter.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines will eventually fall into a recession in 2027? Do you believe that the hosting of the ASEAN summit by the Philippines will result in economic miracles and more foreign investment?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Beyond the Map: Surveying Then and Now | Ordnance Survey [UK]
--
https://youtu.be/RkOkapW66OU?si=1jLLwWqT1MATSQd9 <-- shared video
--
H/T @Ordnance Survey
“Britain's map has changed a lot over the years - and so has the way it's made.
Meet Brian and Will, OS Surveyors from different generations, sharing how surveying has evolved and what it means to help map Great Britain. Here's part one of their story.
From long days in the field with paper maps and handwritten notes to modern GPS and digital technology, surveying has come a long way. But one thing hasn't changed: the people behind the map…”
--
“Will's grandfather Brian helped map Britain. Today, Will does the same job with very different technology.
Together, they reflect on their careers as Ordnance Survey surveyors, sharing stories from different eras of surveying.
From paper field books to GPS and digital mapping, discover how surveying has evolved, how maps are made, and the technology behind the data millions rely on every day.
Whether you're interested in mapping, surveying, geography, cartography, or the history of Ordnance Survey, this is a fascinating insight into the people and processes that help put Britain on the map…”
#UK #OS #survey #history #GIS #spatial #mapping #Britian #surveyors #GreatBritian #family #technology #oldschool #cartography #geography #careers #publicservice #publicgood #publiclands #civilservice #UK
#OrdnanceSurvey

What To Watch On YouTube Right Now – Part 148

Welcome back my readers, YouTube viewers and all others who followed this series of articles focused on YouTube videos worth watching.

Have you been searching for something fun or interesting to watch on YouTube? Do you feel bored right now and you crave for something to see on the world’s most popular online video destination?

I recommend you check out the following videos I found.

#1 Heaven’s Gate Revisited – What is there to be said about the 1980 historical epic Heaven’s Gate apart from the facts that it failed spectacularly and brought down United Artists a lot? To its credit, it has a grand look that required a massive amount of money to be spent and the sheer depth of authenticity implemented under the direction of Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter) is eye-catching. The film also had fine performances by Kris Kristofferson, Jeff Bridges, Christopher Walken and Isabelle Huppert. Historically, the massive failure of the movie impacted Hollywood as a whole and movie studios rarely grant the final cut privilege to movie directors. That said, there is a lot more to learn about Heaven’s Gate and I encourage you all to watch the video below.

https://youtu.be/bISZ2cGv1hc?si=xKPWXCzpnAP13JwQ

#2 Moments That Destroyed Political Careers – Imagine yourself working so hard to get elected into public office in America followed by efforts to solidify the trust of voters who helped you win. With huge expectations, there obviously is pressure on you (the elected official) to serve them and fulfill your promises. Then one day, you committed a blunder or a very embarrassing moment that eventually leads you into a painful downfall. In America, there are Democrats and Republics who saw their political careers get destroyed because of the moments gone wrong. Watch and learn from the video below.

https://youtu.be/c9tIaa-GgaA?si=B2JbzjybRQkyggIA

#3 History Of Sega And Its Impact On Video Gaming – Remember long ago when Sega was a highly prolific and innovative maker of games for arcades and consoles? Remember seeing consoles and add-ons with Sega branded on them? Decades ago, Sega was a gaming titan and it was a powerful competitor with Nintendo during the so-called 16-bit wars of the 1990s. Today, Sega is still operating but it is a shadow of what it used to be. To find out what happened, watch the very informative video game documentary below. It also has interviews with Tom Kalinske and other important video game personalities.

https://youtu.be/-qkmvMS3GoU?si=FqOZzc2Ph3I84vP8

#4 Totally Whatever Reacts To Deep Impact – Back in 1998, I encountered some people who claimed to have cried while watching Deep Impact inside the movie theaters. When I saw it in the cinema, I saw a few other moviegoers near me having tears flowing from their eyes. Indeed, Deep Impact was made to move viewers emotionally with its themes of family, strained ties, and the struggle to remain intact before a massive tragedy happens. That said, you must see how the movie impacts the YouTubers in the video below.

https://youtu.be/fPNI6pX9-lo?si=rBkQOP8j4zyHqtYO

#5 Tuna In Japan – Whenever I visited Japan, I always made the effort to enjoy a meal with tuna on it. I enjoy eating sashimi (specifically raw tuna), sushi and cooked meals that have tuna in different forms in them. If you love eating tuna and if you plan to visit Japan soon, watch the video below. Learn the details.

https://youtu.be/UbIp1h7MJAI?si=ZEv9VkHx6BfYZ0JQ

#6 Child’s Play 3 Reaction/Review Videos – Believe it or not, the 1991 movie Child’s Play 3 was released less than a year after Child’s Play 2. The movie followed the character Andy Barclay again, only this time he was portrayed as a troubled teenager who enters a military school. Unsurprisingly, the evil Chucky was revived and pursued Andy once more. Having seen Child’s Play and Child’s Play 3 on home video just months apart from each other, the viewing experience was unique given each film’s differences in terms of casts and settings. When Child’s Play 3 came to an end, there was this feeling among many moviegoers that the film series concluded solidly. To see what kind of reactions the 1991 movie attracted from YouTubers, watch the videos below.

https://youtu.be/4G7AQkZFNUc?si=n5duzcTyVWFu-_Ez

https://youtu.be/9bcQsG8w1RU?si=S9B6MiAanaL8MGI-

https://youtu.be/MwXAvTW_nvU?si=DwJgdPPTtkm_ICjd

https://youtu.be/HAV9CXIsgdA?si=ZOpla_r4yKiexJyC

#7 The Legend Of The Lone Ranger’s Failure Explained – As a young boy, I saw The Legend of the Lone Ranger on home video and enjoyed it. Back then, I was completely unaware about the controversy regarding past Lone Ranger actor Clayton Moore who was legally barred from appearing in public wearing the trademark black mask. That controversy alone hounded the movie and was arguably the single biggest factor behind its failure. By the way, the film’s star Klinton Spilsbury was dubbed over as the Long Ranger and he never acted again. To learn more, watch the video below.

https://youtu.be/oNvIUmdOWJI?si=3LX5J7PcrOMv9hoV

#8 Minty Comedic Arts Examines Tales From The Crypt – When you hear the title Tales From The Crypt, do you think about the about the horror anthology TV series or the original comic book series published by EC Comics in the 1950s? I myself read several reprints of EC Comics – including Tales From The Crypt – and saw some episodes of the TV series. That said, both the TV series and the comic books delivered a very unique kind of entertainment that is sadly missing today. In his video, Minty Comedic Arts revealed a lot of interesting details about the TV series as well as EC Comics. I encourage you to watch his video now.

https://youtu.be/kvWkBcHeUUg?si=6rlEitFCclA819wM

#9 The Unification Church Exposed – When former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated in 2022, the killer Tetsuya Yamagami committed the act not because of politics but because of the perceived connections the politician had with the controversial Unification Church which he blames for financial ruining his family and his own life. The killer’s own mother was a member of the Unification Church and because she donated so much money to it, her own family ended up lacking money for survival, education and other needs. The murder investigation eventually unraveled decades of allegations about financial exploitation, shattered families and the immense influence the said church had on its members from Japan to South Korea and the United States. There are a lot of very intriguing details in Dark Asia with Megan’s video below and I encourage you all to watch it.

https://youtu.be/2VZeTfH6smc?si=MkadkuW0hFZ8Da7W

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Palestinian Arrested In Quezon City For Stealing Money Bag

For some time now, I have been monitoring the criminal acts committed by people who are present in different countries as foreigners. Here in the Philippines, a Palestinian man was arrested in Quezon City for stealing a bag containing a lot of cash from the café of a hotel, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

As it turns out, the Palestinian already has a history of committing other forms of crime. Could it be possible that, apart from violence and terrorism, theft and an obsession of committing crime are parts of the Palestinian nature?

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A 36-year-old Palestinian man was arrested after allegedly taking a money bag containing P5,020 and an empty cash box from a hotel café on Timog Avenue in Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City, at around 11:06 p.m. on Thursday, July 23.

The suspect, identified as “Ham,” was intercepted by hotel security personnel at the establishment’s exit after the incident was detected through the hotel’s CCTV monitoring system.

Initial investigation showed that the suspect entered the café and allegedly took the money bag and empty cash box without the knowledge or consent of the 24-year-old male cashier.

Recovered from the suspect were P5,020 in various peso bills and coins, the cash bag, the empty cash box, and a backpack.

Personnel of Kamuning Police Station (PS 10) later responded and took custody of the suspect from the hotel security personnel.

Further verification showed that the suspect had previous criminal records for estafa, unjust vexation, resistance and disobedience to a person in authority, use of a fictitious name, and concealing his true name in October 2025, as well as theft in May 2026.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are there a lot of Palestinians living in your local community right now? Are you aware of the fact that a lot of Palestinians follow Islamic terrorists as their leaders? How many Palestinians do you think are present all over the Philippines today? Did you notice an increase of the number of foreign Islamists in your local community over the past twelve months? Do you think the national government is secretly allowing Palestinians to enter the Philippines as high-priority refugees with immigration in mind?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan Commits To Transfer Military Equipment To The Philippines To Enhance Its Defense Capabilities

The Philippines’ capability to defend itself will be enhanced soon as Japan committed to transfer crucial military equipment to them as part of the defense cooperation, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

Japan has pledged to beef up its defense cooperation with the Philippines through the provision of military equipment and technology aimed at enhancing the Philippine forces’ capabilities.

The commitment was made after a summit meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday.

In a joint statement, the two nations committed to step up collaboration to facilitate the transfer of defense equipment, including destroyers, TC-90 aircraft and radar systems.

This was in accordance with the two nations’ Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and the Official Security Assistance (OSA), a collaborative effort to enhance defense capabilities and strengthen security cooperation.

Takaichi reaffirmed Tokyo’s commitment to contributing to the capacity building of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), especially in the maritime area.

The two leaders vowed to advance cooperation in defense sector to support the development of mutually beneficial industrial capabilities, enhance supply chain resilience, and contribute to interoperability and long-term defense readiness.

The Philippines welcomed Japan’s newly revised Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and its implementation guidelines, acknowledging that such efforts contribute to regional peace and stability.

Marcos and Takaichi recognized that the closer cooperation between their defense authorities in recent years has laid “a robust foundation for their bilateral partnership.”

They agreed to the early convening of the next Philippines-Japan ‘2+2′ (Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting) to strengthen strategic coordination and ensure effective high-level policy discussions.

Maritime cooperation – Both leaders also stressed the need to advance maritime cooperation, considering that the Philippines and Japan are “neighbors connected by the sea.”

They acknowledged that enhancing maritime cooperation, underpinned by respect for international law, promotes peace, stability, and mutual trust.

Marcos also expressed gratitude to Japan over its continued support in enhancing Philippine Coast Guard’s capabilities through the provision of patrol ships.

The two leaders vowed to promote mutual exchanges between the maritime law enforcement agencies through joint training and capacity-building activities aimed at ensuring maritime safety and upholding the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Philippines will be better in defending itself once it receives military equipment from Japan?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Deal Signed For Vietnam To Supply Rice To The Philippines

On the sidelines of the recent summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a new agreement was signed for Vietnam to supply the Philippines with 1.5 million metric tons of rice which will last until April 2027, according to a news report by the Manila Standard.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Standard report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines and Vietnam signed a new rice supply agreement on Thursday during high-level bilateral talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu City, as Manila moves to secure stable imports amid rising global uncertainties.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Philippines secured a one-year agreement for the supply of 1.5 million metric tons of rice from Vietnam, ensuring uninterrupted shipments through April 2027. The deal helps stabilize the domestic market against geopolitical risks and climate-related production threats.

“Securing import volumes until next April is crucial amid geopolitical uncertainties and climate risks,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that stable supply is essential to keeping rice prices manageable in the domestic market.

Both sides finalized pricing and logistics arrangements and agreed on a benchmark price of $450 per metric ton for the widely consumed DT8 rice variety. Vietnam remains the Philippines’ largest rice supplier and accounts for the bulk of the country’s imported grain requirements.

Tiu Laurel said Manila is prioritizing reliable supply channels as regional demand continues to rise, fueled partly by tensions in the Middle East and concerns over possible production disruptions from another El Niño episode. He added that Vietnam seeks a long-term trade framework covering rice and other agricultural commodities.

“Even the Vietnamese prime minister consistently highlighted this during the bilateral meeting,” Tiu Laurel said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnam Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng pushed the deal during the latter’s first ASEAN Summit appearance in Cebu. The two leaders also commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the 2 countries while discussing expanded cooperation in trade, tourism, agriculture and investment.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the new rice supply agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam ensures food security for the Filipino people? Have you ever tasted rice imported from Vietnam? Do you think the Philippines should focus more on harvesting a lot more local rice grain and support more domestic rice farmers to ensure a better internal supply?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Inflation Accelerates To 7.2% In April 2026

Considering the immense economic impact the conflict in the Middle East had on the world, the inflation rate of Philippines unsurprisingly accelerated to 7.2% in April 2026, according to a news report by GMA News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

Inflation rate accelerated to its fastest in three years in April 2026 as higher global fuel prices brought about by the Middle East petroleum crisis spilled over to food, local petroleum, and utilities costs during the period.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, National Statistician and PSA chief Claire Dennis Mapa said inflation — the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services — accelerated to 7.2% last month from 4.1% in March 2026 and 1.4% in April 2025.

This was the fastest inflation print since March 2023, when the inflation rate clocked in at 7.6%.

April’s inflation brought the year-to-date rate to 3.9%, still within the 2% to 4% comfortable ceiling set by the government for the entire 2026.

“Ang pangunahing dahilan ng mas mataas na antas ng inflation nitong Abril 2026 kumpara noong Marso 2026 ay ang mas mabilis na pagtaas ng presyo ng Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages na may 6% inflation rate,” Mapa said.

(The main contributor to the increase in inflation rate in April 2026 compared to March 2026 was the faster hike in the prices of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages which posted a 6% inflation rate.)

Also contributing to the uptrend of the overall inflation in April 2026 was the faster annual increases seen in the Transport index at 21.4% in from 9.9% in March as well as the Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels at 8.2% during the month from 4.7% in the previous month.

Moreover, faster increment were likewise seen in the indices of the following commodity groups last month:

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco – 4.8% from 3.7%; Clothing and footwear – 2.8% from 2.6%; Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance – 3.5% from 3.1%; Health – 3.8% from 3.4%; Information and communication – 0.9% from 0.7%; Recreation, sport and culture – 4.9% from 4.7%; Restaurants and accommodation services – 6% from 5%; Personal care, and miscellaneous goods and services – 3.3% from 2.9%.

Food inflation – Food inflation, which tracks the price movements of food items in a “basket” commonly purchased by household, soared to 6.1% from 2.7% month-on-month driven primarily by the faster increase in rice inflation at 13.7% from 3.5% in March 2026.

Faster increments were also seen in corn (21% from 12.3%), flour and other bakery products (3% from 2.5%), fish and other seafood (9.4% from 6.6%), fruits and nuts (6% from 4.7%), vegetables (10.4% from 7%), and ready-made food (2.5% from 2.4%).

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the inflation rate of the Philippines will end up at 5% by the end of this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippine Economic Growth Slows Down To 2.8% In 1st Quarter Of 2026

While the Philippines is hosting the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the economy of the nation grew only 2.8% in the first quarter this year and it is the slowest growth in five years, according to a business news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy grew at its slowest pace in five years, expanding just 2.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026, as the country grapples with the persistent government spending slump and mounting inflation shocks.

The country’s economy, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), decelerated from the 3.0 percent expansion recorded in the final three months of 2025.

It also significantly missed the 3.4 percent median growth projected by economists in a survey, and marked the weakest quarterly output for the country since the first quarter of 2021, when the economy contracted 3.8 percent during pandemic-era lockdowns.

Growth was severely dragged down by a prolonged slump in public construction following a massive government flood-control scandal late last year, which has continued to stall state spending.

Moreover, the global energy shock triggered by the Middle East conflict in late February also sent domestic oil and input costs soaring, severely denting consumer and business confidence.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think heavy government spending will boost the economy somehow? Could it be possible that the Philippines could fall into a recession this year or next year? How do you rate the performance of the economic managers of the national government?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

South Korean Fugitive Arrested In Las Piñas City

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it apprehended a South Korean fugitive  in Las Piñas City for illegal online gambling operations

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BI’s official announcement. Some parts in boldface…

In line with the directive of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. to intensify the crackdown on foreign fugitives and transnational crimes, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported the arrest of a South Korean national wanted by international authorities for operating illegal online gambling operations.

BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) agents, in coordination with the Korean National Police Agency and the Philippine National Police–Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group, arrested Lee Jonghak, 37, on Tuesday morning , April 14, at a residence in a subdivision in Pamplona Dos, Las Piñas City.

Lee is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued in 2025, stemming from an arrest warrant released by the Incheon District Court on the same year for violations of South Korea’s National Sports Promotion Act related to illegal online gambling operations.

Investigations by Korean law enforcement revealed that from August 2021 until recently, Lee and his accomplices operated at least 23 illegal online gambling websites from different locations.

The group reportedly managed sports betting and casino-style games, recruited members, and facilitated financial transactions, generating over KRW 5.33 billion in profits. Authorities estimate the syndicate’s total earnings to have exceeded KRW 350 billion.

Lee reportedly served as an assistant manager overseeing multiple operational teams composed of around 300 employees. The exact amount he personally received remains under investigation.

Records from the BI showed that Lee last arrived in the Philippines in 2024 and was admitted under a probationary permanent resident visa. He was later included in the Bureau’s blacklist and watchlist as an undesirable alien and fugitive from justice.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you thankful to the Bureau of Immigration for arresting the fugitive?  

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagement, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

Slower Economic Growth And Higher Inflation For The Philippines

With the higher fuel prices, a limited oil storage capacity, a very vulnerable currency and other economic uncertainties happening around, the Philippines is headed towards higher inflation and slower gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the near future based on the latest analysis of Moody’s Ratings, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface…

MOODY’S RATINGS lowered its growth forecast for the Philippines and raised its inflation outlook, reflecting the impact of soaring global energy prices amid the Middle East conflict.

In a credit opinion on Tuesday, Moody’s cut its Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection to 4.9% this year from 5.5% previously. This is below the government’s 5-6% target for 2026.

For 2027, Moody’s trimmed its GDP growth forecast to 5.3% from 5.6% previously. If realized, this will be lower than the economic managers’ 5.5-6.5% target range for 2027.

“The conflict in the Middle East has increased downside risks to the Philippines’ economic outlook by raising global energy prices and external cost pressures,” it said.

Moody’s said it expects domestic demand and industrial activity to remain subdued due to high oil prices and fuel shortages.

“Higher energy and broader import costs are expected to erode real incomes amid high pass-through, dampen consumption, and weigh on industrial activity, reinforcing a firmer inflation trajectory,” it said.

Moody’s also noted that trade uncertainty and climate risks may also dampen economic activity.

“Our baseline assumes that the recovery in public investment will be gradual and begin only in the second half of 2026, as the government continues to take concrete measures to address the temporary slowdown. Meanwhile, higher energy import bills amid rising prices and peso depreciation, together with slower remittance growth, are expected to widen the current account deficit,” it said.

The Philippines is currently under a year-long national energy emergency as the Middle East crisis threatened its fuel supply. The government rolled out targeted subsidies and implemented energy conservation protocols.

“Together, these measures should mitigate the risk of significant supply disruptions,” Moody’s Ratings said.

Moody’s also hiked its average inflation forecasts to 3.7% in 2026 from 3% previously, and to 3.5% in 2027 from 3.2% previously, as oil prices remain elevated due to the Middle East conflict.

Moody’s forecasts are below the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 5.1% inflation projection this year and the 3.8% projection for 2027.

Inflation quickened to a nearly two-year high of 4.1% in March, breaching the BSP’s 2-4% target amid rising fuel and transportation costs.

“Inflation is expected to remain above the BSP’s target range, reducing policy flexibility and increasing the risk of policy tightening, even as softening growth and a negative output gap support a broadly accommodative stance in the near term,” Moody’s said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think the government of the Philippines should do to stimulate economic growth and attract more foreign investors?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Subduction Retrieval [XKCD]
--
https://xkcd.com/3218/
--
“PSA: Please stay out of the Pacific Ocean today. Someone lost their wedding ring in a subduction zone and USGS is pulling the plate back up to retrieve it…
Aww, the oceanic crust and the continental crust are getting married!...”
#PSA #geology #platetectonics #subduction #margins #XKCD #fedservice #publicservice #RingOfFire #weddingring #humor #humour #PacificOcean
#USGS #XKCD

"Who Is Government? - The Untold Story of Public Service"
--
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219551344-who-is-government-the-untold-story-of-public-service <-- shared book details
--
https://www.youtube.com/live/GuA_TUxi-5k?si=WbxW5iCGbzVMZNYW <-- shared video overview from the author
--
My other ½ heard about this book in her #NOAA #bookclub - and got it for me for Xmas! 😀
I am very much looking forward to this series of essays...
#fedservice #fedscience #readingforpleasure #publicservice #publicgood #government #civilservice #society #resource #workers #stories #businessofgovernment #consequences #returnoninvestment #usecase

A quotation from Herbert Hoover

   The duty of public men in this Republic is to lead in standards of integrity — both in mind and money.
   Dishonor in public life has a double poison. When people are dishonorable in private business, they injure only those with whom they deal or their own chances in the next world. But when there is a lack of honor in Government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned.
   Some folks seem to think these are necessary evils in a free government. Or that it is smart politics. Those are deadly sleeping pills. No public man can be just a little crooked.

Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) American engineer, bureaucrat, US President (1929-33)
Speech (1951-08-30), “Concerning Honor in Public Life,” Iowa Centennial Celebration, Des Moines, Iowa (radio broadcast)

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/hoover-herbert/18705…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #herberthoover #badgovernment #cleverness #corruption #freegovernment #goodgovernment #government #graft #immorality #integrity #morality #necessaryevil #politics #publicfigure #publicservice #publicservant

@chris It would be a great #PublicService for meetings with #FossilFuel & other #ecocide #CorporateLobbyists with ANY of our public elected #PublicServants to be open to #PublicTransparency #PublicAccountability #PublicScrutiny.

Too many #politicians forget that they are elected public servants. That means, their job is to serve us, the public, not corporate lobbyists. If they're not guilty of selling out the public for their own corporate lobbyists & political benefits - they'd not be so damn scared of full public transparency.

#BCpoli #CDNpoli #CitizensUprising #StopTheGreenwash #StopTheWhitewash #ClimateActionNOW #ClimateCrisis #FailureToAct #Sellouts #Crapitalists #ColonialExploiters #Ecociders #Bribery #Corruption #PriceOfPoliticians #BackroomBribery #FOIs #CitizensRevolt #DoYourJob