Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Philippine Exporters Feeling Uneasy Over Trump’s New 15% Global Tariff

March 1, 2026February 26, 2026carlocarrasco

The new 15% tariff on imports announced by US President Donald Trump after reacting to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision is already troubling exporters of the Philippines, according to a report by BusinessWorld.

There is concern that the new tariff may dampen the export recovery of the Philippines. It should be recalled that the American tariff on Philippine-made goods was set at 19% following the meeting between President Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. last year.

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

THE United States government’s plan to impose a new 15% tariff on imports may dampen the Philippines’ export recovery and disrupt supply chains, according to analysts.

“Under a 15% tariff, there might be a disruption in the supply chain, because other countries might negotiate or diverge [to other markets],” Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr. said in a phone call.

“Unfortunately, our competitors here in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) are supported by their governments, but we aren’t,” he added.

Mr. Ortiz-Luis said the Philippine government must resume negotiations with its US counterparts to ensure exports remain competitive.

Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera said the new tariffs could dampen export recovery, especially for electronics, garments, and agricultural sectors.

“The renewed threat of a 15% global tariff signals that protectionist risks remain and could dampen export recovery if implemented, especially for semiconductors and intermediate goods integrated into US supply chains,” he said in a Viber message.

US President Donald J. Trump said he wants to impose a new 15% duty on US imports from all countries, starting Tuesday, Reuters reported. (Read related story “Asian economies weigh impact of fresh Trump tariff, uncertainties” on S1/11).

This after the US Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program, ruling that Mr. Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed higher tariffs under an economic emergency law.

Government officials emphasized that the US remains an important trading and investment partner.

“We will continue to engage with (the US). A stable and predictable arrangement with the US will be very beneficial to our stakeholders,” Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said in a Viber message.

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go earlier said that the majority of the country’s exports — like semiconductors and key agricultural goods — were already exempted before the US Supreme Court’s ruling.

The US has long been the Philippines’ biggest export market. From January to December 2025, the value of Philippine exports to the US stood at $13.44 billion.

“We don’t know under what authority he (Mr. Trump) will impose those tariffs, and if these will last. We will have to wait until the dust settles to properly assess the impact of his new universal tariffs,” Foundation for Economic Freedom President Calixto V. Chikiamco said in a Viber message.

Reuters reported the new US tariffs are grounded in a separate but untested law, known as Section 122, that allows tariffs up to 15% but requires congressional approval to extend them after 150 days.

Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines President Robert M. Young said its members have been resuming talks with its US buyers.

“We have survived, for the last eight months, the US’ 19% tariff. So, I think we have to just go on with what we are doing, and we’ll try our best to just lower our price to be competitive with other ASEAN nations,” he said via telephone.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Filipino exporters will do better with the new 15% tariff instead of the previous one set at 19%? If you are managing a company that makes products for export mainly to the United States, do you have any backup plans when dealing with new tariffs?

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

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Philippines To Use ASEAN Influence To Lead Southeast Asian Front Against Trump’s New Global Tariff On Imports

February 27, 2026February 26, 2026carlocarrasco

Months ago, it was announced that the Philippines will temporarily lead the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its Chair for 2026. In light of US President Donald Trump’s implementation of a new tariff on imports as a result of the United States Supreme Court’s decision, the Philippines – through its Trade Secretary – announced that it will lead the Southeast Asian front against the said tariff, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Manila is preparing to lead a unified Southeast Asian push for a preferential trade agreement with the United States (US) following Washington’s decision to impose a 15 percent global tariff on imports.

Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the government intends to leverage its 2026 chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to safeguard the region’s export competitiveness and navigate the sudden shift in American trade policy.

Roque added that the government will also raise this matter during the upcoming ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in the coming month.

“Definitely that will be one of the topics that we will be talking about,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the ASEAN Editors and Economic Opinion Leaders Forum.

She, however, said the government has yet to formally discuss the region’s position, given that the US’ new sweeping tariffs were just announced over the weekend.

Finance Secretary Frederick Go, on the other hand, said this is an issue that all ASEAN members “love to talk about when we’re together.”

“What it made clear to us is that we have to open new markets,” said Go.

The US Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 20 that President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) were unconstitutional.

In the aftermath of the ruling, Trump immediately slapped a 10 percent surcharge on imports to the US, later raising it to 15 percent.

The new global tariff brings another wave of uncertainty that may undermine the exports of ASEAN members and ultimately their respective economic growth.

The Philippines is taking an active role in calling for deeper regional integration to accelerate investment flows and future-proof the region.

As ASEAN chair, Roque said a major priority is to oversee the passage and entry into force of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).

DEFA aims to set the region’s common rules on e-commerce, digital trade, cybersecurity, digital payments, emerging technologies, and cross-border data flows.

The agreement is seen doubling the value of ASEAN’s digital economy, which is already on track to reach about $1 trillion by 2030.

“We recognize the complexity of today’s global environment—geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, supply chain shifts, and climate risks. Yet we remain confident in ASEAN’s collective strength. ASEAN bonded together is a force that cannot be ignored,” said Roque.

For the year, Roque said priorities of the ASEAN chairship also include cross-border mobility of digital talent and industrial development of semiconductors and critical minerals.

By observing the attitude of the current administration and its diplomats, the Philippines is acting as if it is a major player on international affairs and world economics. Its chairmanship of the ASEAN is the latest example of this. Clearly the Philippines is afraid of the new global tariff implemented by Trump. Filipino exporters have endured the previous 19% tariff by America. When it comes to economic growth, the Philippines has weakened achieving only 4.4% growth in 2025 and the fallout of the flood control corruption scandal is still being felt socially and economically.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the Philippines will be a very effective leader of the ASEAN this year? Do you think the Philippines is truly standing up for the economic interests of each and every Southeast Asian nation when dealing with Trump tariffs? Is the Philippines leading ASEAN to a potential embarrassment on international affairs and economics?

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

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I Love Israel: Direct Flights Between Israel And Vietnam To Launch This Year

February 22, 2026February 18, 2026carlocarrasco

In connection with the expansion plans of Israel’s EL AL Airlines, direct flights between the Jewish state and Vietnam will commence this year, according to a news report by VnExpress. Already the national carrier of Israel confirmed it will launch direct flights with the Philippines in the near future.

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

Israel’s national carrier El Al Israel Airlines has announced plans to launch a direct route to Hanoi capital of Vietnam as part of a broader expansion of its global network.

The airline said it is entering a new growth phase after nearly three years of focusing on key destinations in Europe, North America and Asia following the outbreak of conflict in October 2023.

Under its upcoming development strategy, El Al plans to introduce nine new routes.

From October 2026, the carrier will operate a long-haul direct service linking Tel Aviv and Hanoi. The route is expected to run three round-trip flights per week.

It should be recalled that the ties between Israel and Vietnam are indeed strong and really cooperative. That said, it makes perfect sense for the two nations to have direct flights with each other. Israelis looking for new destinations for holiday or business can visit Vietnam which is now a major tourist destination of Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese, meanwhile, can discover the Holy Land in Israel and possibly engage in business with the booming Israeli tech sector. There is a lot that Israel and Vietnam can achieve together.

To those in Vietnam reading this, I encourage you all to read my feature articles about the Pool of Siloam, the Southern Steps in Jerusalem, Nazareth Village, the grave of Oskar Schindler, the Dead Sea Beach, and some nice commercial joints (click here, here, here and here).

To all my readers, I encourage you to accept the truth that Israel is the land God designated specifically for the Jewish people (read Genesis 35:10-12) and His command must be followed without hesitation. If you want to be blessed further by the Lord, do so by loving and blessing the Jewish people (Genesis 12:1-3). I did my part when I was in Israel. Also, let me remind you all that the ties between the Jews and Christians are truly biblical!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

If you truly believe in Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Heavenly Father wholeheartedly and you continue to be faithful, you should be aware that Christians are meant to stand united with Israel and love the Jewish people no matter what. You can do your part supporting Israel by donating to Christians United for Israel (CUFI). Do not forget to read the Holy Bible, then pray in tongues to the Lord in the privacy of your room with the door shut.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Indonesia Attracts 15.39 Million Foreign Visitors In 2025

February 14, 2026February 10, 2026carlocarrasco

Indonesia, the 2^nd largest economy of Southeast Asia, successfully attracted 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025 and it is already looking forward to attracting even more this year, according to a news report by VnExpress.

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

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, welcomed 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025, exceeding its target of 14-15 million arrivals.

“We have exceeded our target and performed better than our previous projections,” Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said at a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara News Agency.

Government figures show that average spending per foreign visitor reached US$1,267 in 2025, surpassing the target of $1,220.

Malaysia remained the biggest contributor to Indonesia’s tourism revenue, while the United Arab Emirates posted the fastest growth in visitor numbers.

Arrivals from China rose sharply, reaching 1.34 million in 2025, the highest level in six years, according to Xinhua News Agency. The data indicates that travel from China to Indonesia has not only recovered but has also exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

By doing the math of the numbers revealed in the above news report, US$1,267 multiplied with 15.39 foreign tourists is equal to roughly US$19.5 billion in foreign tourism revenue. That is a huge economic boost for Indonesia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Indonesia? If you have visited Indonesia, what did you enjoy the most while touring there?

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

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Vietnam Attracts 2.5 Million Foreign Tourists In January 2026

February 12, 2026February 7, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, which is already one of the leading players of Southeast Asia on foreign tourism, is off to a powerful start as it successfully attracted 2.5 million foreign tourists in January 2026 alone, according to a news report by VnExpress. The relaxed visa policies and enhanced tourism campaigns were factors behind the early success.

For insight, Vietnam attracted 21.2 million foreign tourists in 2025. It is expected to attract more from Israel as its ties with the Jewish state are getting stronger. Also, a lot of Filipino travelers searched for accommodations in Vietnam online in 2025. These are only a few of many factors highlighting the tourism boom in Vietnam.

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

Vietnam received 2.5 million foreign visitors in January, its highest monthly number ever, thanks to relaxed visa policies and increased tourism campaigns.

It represents an increase of more than 21% from the previous month, data released Tuesday by the General Statistics Office shows.

The composition of Vietnam’s top source markets changed during the month. South Korea overtook mainland China to become the top market with nearly 490,000 visitors, and China was next with 460,000.

Cambodia emerged as the most notable mover with more than 223,000 arrivals to rise to third place overtaking Taiwan. The rest of top 10 comprised Taiwan, Japan, the U.S, Australia, Russia, India, and Malaysia.

Industry insiders attribute the jump to ground-breaking visa policies, strong innovation in tourism promotion and marketing, greater product diversification, and improved service quality.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Vietnam? With the strong start, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract more than 30 million foreign tourists this year? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to tourism in Vietnam?

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

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I Love Israel: Direct Flights Between Israel And The Philippines In 2027 Planned

February 11, 2026February 11, 2026carlocarrasco

Have you ever dreamed of visiting the Holy Land in Israel as well as the many other nice places which welcome tourists from around the world? EL AL Airlines, the national airline of Israel, announced its plans to introduce direct flights between Israel and the Philippines starting some time in 2027, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA). The plans are subject to regulatory approvals as of this writing. The Israel-Philippines route is just one of several new routes EL AL is pushing for.

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

Israel’s national carrier, EL AL Airlines, announced plans to introduce nonstop flights between Israel and the Philippines, following a series of talks.

In a social media post on Monday, EL AL said it is rolling out the broadest route network in its history, with nine new destinations set to launch in 2027.

The expansion includes new long-haul nonstop flights to Hanoi in Vietnam, Seoul in South Korea and Manila, with three weekly flights to each destination to be operated using the airline’s Dreamliner aircraft, offering economy, premium and business classes.

The planned nonstop flight between Israel and Manila comes after discussions on the feasibility of a direct air link, seen as a boost to tourism, business travel and people-to-people exchanges.

EL AL said ticket sales for Hanoi flights are now open, while sales for Seoul will begin in May.

Further details on the Manila route, including the start of sales and flight schedules, will be announced at a later date.

For its part, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) of the Philippines supports the plan citing President Bongbong Marcos’ directive to expand international air connectivity and the strengthening the bilateral ties between nations. High-level talks happened between the DOTr and the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippine Dana Kursh.

Having been to Israel myself, I am delighted with the planned Israel-Philippine direct flights planned by EL AL. Direct flights will help not only Filipinos but also foreign travelers to visit Israel for business, pilgrimage and leisure.

When I first traveled to Israel in 2023, it was on an EL AL flight using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Then our Israel pilgrimage tour took place afterwards and I personally witnessed God’s Word come to life whenever we visited the many sites of the Holy Land. I encourage you all to read my feature articles about the Pool of Siloam, the Southern Steps in Jerusalem, Nazareth Village, the grave of Oskar Schindler, the Dead Sea Beach, and some nice commercial joints (click here, here, here and here).

Having direct flights between the Jewish state and the Philippines will also help my native country attract more foreign tourists as well as Israeli investors and technology developers. The Philippines right now is experiencing slower economic growth, having trouble attracting foreign investors and it remains a weak compared with its Southeast Asian neighbors when it comes to attracting foreign tourists.

As such, I encourage all of you to pray to God for the planned Israel-Philippines direct flights of EL AL Airlines to be fulfilled, and for improvements in the ties between Israel and the Philippines. As I mentioned many times online, Israel-Philippines ties are essential!

I encourage you all to pray to the Lord God in support of Israel, to love and bless the Jewish people, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Always be the fearless and aggressive church of Lord Jesus!

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Malaysia Aiming At Overall Title Of The 2027 SEA Games

February 4, 2026January 29, 2026carlocarrasco

This early, Malaysia is aiming at the top of the 34^th edition of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) which it will host in 2027, according to news report by VnExpress. Malaysia finished 4^th place in the 2025 SEA Games held in Thailand with fifty-seven gold medals won.

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

Malaysia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has set the goal of the country being overall champions at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in 2027, which will be hosted by Malaysia.

Newly appointed Youth and Sports Minister Mohd Taufiq Johari said after taking office on Jan. 16 that the ministry, together with the National Sports Council (NSC), will strengthen cooperation with national sports associations and others to work towards that goal.

He expressed confidence that Malaysia could emerge as the strongest team at the SEA Games 2027, and voiced optimism about repeating the overall championship the country secured when it last hosted the event in 2017.

Taufiq praised the dedication and fighting spirit displayed by Malaysian athletes at the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand, saying he hoped they will maintain the same qualities when Malaysia hosts the Games in 2027.

He added that the KBS, together with the NSC and relevant agencies, have already drawn up detailed plans and a clear timeline, including the organization of workshops, to ensure medal targets can be achieved.

Apart from being a highly competitive nation in the SEA Games, Malaysia itself is the 2nd most visited nation of Southeast Asia in 2025. Hosting the SEA Games in 2027 could help it attract more foreign tourists in the short term.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the preparations initiated by Malaysia will pay off nicely during the 2027 SEA Games? Being the host nation, what sports do you think Malaysia could add to or subtract from the 2027 SEA Games? Do you feel excited about the next Southeast Asian Games?

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

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Thailand Sets Ambitious Tourism Targets For 2026

January 25, 2026January 20, 2026carlocarrasco

Thailand, the 2^nd most visited nation of Southeast Asia in 2025, has set ambitious tourism targets for itself for 2026 and it includes achieving US$95 billion in tourism revenue, according to a VnExpress news release. Thailand attracted over thirty million international arrivals last year which was actually a decline of more than 7% compared to 2024.

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

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has expressed confidence that the country’s tourism sector will earn 3 trillion THB (US$95.35 billion) in revenue this year through its “Amazing 5 Economy” strategy.

The plan targets an 11% increase in international visitors, enhanced domestic tourism, and a focus on sustainable, high-quality growth despite global challenges.

TAT aims for 36.7 million international arrivals and about 210 million domestic trips in 2026. Meanwhile, the revenue target includes 2 trillion THB from international markets, with an expected 11% increase in international tourist arrivals, and 1 trillion THB from domestic tourism, projected to grow by 4%, said TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool.

In 2026, TAT plans to reignite quality tourism growth by addressing challenges such as geopolitical tensions, increasing global competition, and domestic factors like the strong baht, household debt, safety concerns, and natural disasters. The key to success lies in the “Amazing 5 Economy” framework, which includes life economy, sub-culture economy, night economy, circular economy, and platform economy.

In 2025, Thailand recorded total tourism revenue of approximately 2.7 trillion THB. International arrivals reached 32.97 million, down 7.23% year-on-year.

It saw declines in short-haul markets such as Malaysia and China. However, long-haul markets showed strong momentum, with visitors from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa reaching a record 10.8 million.

Notably, arrivals from the U.K. and the U.S. each surpassed one million for the first time. Domestic tourism also expanded, with more than 202 million trips, up 2.7%.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Thailand before? If you did, how long did you stay in Thailand and how was your overall travel experience there? Do you think Thailand will be to achieve its ambitious tourism targets 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.

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A Lot More American Fruits And Vegetables Imported By Vietnam In 2025

January 23, 2026January 22, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, a nation previously ravaged by war which eventually emerged as a major tourism destination in Southeast Asia, imported a lot more fruits and vegetables from the United States of America resulting in a jump of 67% to US$900 million, according to a news report by VnExpress. Vietnam’s exports to America, however, were not too great which resulted in a trade surplus of more than $350 million for America on fruits and vegetables.

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

U.S. fruits and vegetables are pouring into Vietnam, with 2025 imports rising by nearly 67% to US$900 million, but Vietnamese exports to the U.S. are not keeping pace.

This marked a 10-fold jump in imports from the U.S. from a decade ago, with cherries, apples, grapes, and oranges being among the top fruits bought, according to Vietnam Customs.

Vietnam’s vegetable and fruit exports to the U.S. were worth $546 million last year, a minuscule 1.49% share in a market is dominated by suppliers such as Mexico, Canada and South American countries.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, said the U.S. is a very large market but also one marked by stringent technical standards and also long geographical distance for Vietnam.

Vietnam’s position as the 13 largest fruit and vegetable supplier to the U.S. is owed to the great efforts made by businesses in recent years, he added.

There is room for growth as the list of fresh fruits permitted for export to the U.S. continues to expand, and now includes pomelo, mango, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, star apple, rambutan and, most recently, coconut.

Consumer trends in the U.S. are shifting toward novel fruits, health-oriented products and more deeply processed items such as frozen fruit, dried fruits and juices, with Vietnamese products like coconut, durian and pomelo becoming increasingly popular.

But exports do face many challenges. Starting this month the U.S. began tightening regulations on traceability and food safety, particularly with respect to pesticide residues.

Vietnamese oversight of planting area codes and packing facilities remains uneven, which threatens to bring warnings or even temporary import suspensions by the U.S.

The high logistics costs due to the distance make it difficult for Vietnamese fruits and vegetables to compete on price with suppliers close to the U.S. such as in Mexico, Peru or Thailand.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider Vietnam’s heavy importing of American fruits and vegetables in 2025 big economic victories for Trump’s America? What do you think is the main reason as to why Vietnam purchases so much fruits and vegetables from the United States? Do you think Trump’s tariffs are already helping American producers of fruits and vegetables?

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

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Nomura Says Philippine Economic Growth May Fall Below 4% In The Near Term

January 15, 2026January 9, 2026carlocarrasco

By pointing to the effects of the flood control corruption scandal as well as other factors, Nomura Global Markets Research stated that the economic growth of the Philippines may fall below 4% in the near term, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

PHILIPPINE economic growth may fall below 4% in the near term as the billion‑peso flood control scandal drags on, affecting government spending and dampening consumption and sentiment, Nomura Global Markets Research said.

“I think going forward, these spillover effects (from the graft scandal) will also expand,” Nomura Chief Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economist Euben Paracuelles told Money Talks with Cathy Yang on One News on Thursday.

The scandal, which curbed state spending last year, is expected to dampen household consumption and business investment amid weaker sentiment, he added.

“If the drag is now sort of becoming more broad-based, not just the drop in government spending, you’ll see growth coming potentially below 4%, at least in the near term,” he said.

Nomura now expects the gross domestic product (GDP) to expand by 5.3% in 2026 from 5.6% previously. This is still within the government’s recently revised 5-6% target this year.

Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan earlier said growth targets were lowered through 2027, after GDP growth likely slowed to 4.8-5% in 2025 amid the flood control controversy.

The government cut its 2026 projection to 5-6% and to 5.5-6.5% for 2027 from the earlier 6-7% range. The 2028 target was retained at 6-7%.

Mr. Paracuelles anticipates that the government will roll out catch-up spending plans, possibly in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, the Philippines may earn a credit rating upgrade if the government manages to resolve the flood control corruption issue within a year, Mr. Paracuelles said.

“The key for me is 12 months from here, when they need to decide on whether they need to upgrade the Philippines, I think it’s still quite uncertain,” he said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economic growth of the Philippines is indeed slowing down right now? Would you be surprised to see the nation’s economic growth reach less than 4%? Do you think the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is working sufficiently to restore its credibility?

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

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