Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) – Page 4

Philippines October 2024 inflation rate settles at 2.3%

November 14, 2024November 5, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently it was announced that the inflation rate of the Philippines for October 2024 settled at 2.3%, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. By comparison, the nation’s inflation rate was at 4.9% in October 2023.

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

Inflation continued to settle within the government’s 2 to 4 percent target despite a slight uptick in October this year.

In a briefing on Tuesday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said headline inflation during the month was at 2.3 percent, slightly higher than the 1.9 percent recorded in September this year. Inflation in October last year, however, was higher at 4.9 percent.

The latest data brings the national average inflation rate from January to October 2024 to 3.3 percent.

Mapa said the higher inflation in October was primarily influenced by the faster increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages at 2.9 percent from 1.4 percent in September 2024.

Despite the increase, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) are optimistic that inflation will remain within target this year.

“The latest inflation figures confirm that we are on track to keep inflation within target. The government is fully committed to ensuring price stability and protecting Filipino households from undue shocks,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

Balisacan assured the public that while recent weather disturbances posed challenges to the country’s food supply and logistics, the government will work “relentlessly to keep food available and prices steady, particularly for essential commodities.”

“With targeted support and streamlined food supply chains, we aim to ensure that food is affordable and accessible for Filipino families, especially those most vulnerable to price shocks when disasters hit us,” Balisacan said.

To mitigate the impact of natural disasters, Balisacan said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is implementing the Building on Social Protection for Anticipatory Action and Response in Emergencies and Disasters Program.

The program provides social safety nets and capacity-building measures to support affected communities.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration earlier forecast that La Niña will persist until the first quarter of 2025, with two to eight tropical cyclones expected to affect the country until April 2025.

“The President has mobilized all of government to ensure relief efforts are comprehensive and delivered on time. In addition, he has directed us to craft a robust solution to build the resilience of families and communities amid the onslaught of severe typhoons,” Balisacan said.

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 nation will end up between 2% to 4% for the final two months of the 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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Further rate cuts by BSP could boost demand for condominium units and new residential projects in Metro Manila

October 18, 2024October 10, 2024carlocarrasco

Here in Metro Manila, there is currently an oversupply of condominium units. Further rate cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) could boost demand for existing condominium units and also new residential projects within the metropolis, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

FURTHER RATE CUTS by the Philippine central bank could help spur new residential project launches and drive take-up of existing condominiums in Metro Manila, a property consultant said.

In its third-quarter property market report, Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) said the inventory level of condominium units in Metro Manila has reached 67,600 units across 510 buildings — “the highest since the pandemic.”

“It’s an oversupply of the buildings in the market at 29 months’ supply. (Developers) have been slowly launching new projects,” LPC Research Director Roy Amado Golez said at a briefing on Oct. 8.

Quezon City and Ortigas (plus fringe areas) have the most number of unsold condominium units at 18,000 and 13,500, respectively.

High interest rates may have dampened demand for residential condominiums in Metro Manila. LPC said 6,885 units were sold in the July-to-September period, “close to the 7,000 level for the third straight quarter.”

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had kept its policy rate at an over 17-year high of 6.5% from October 2023 to mid-August 2024. It reduced the benchmark rate to 6.25% at its Aug. 15 meeting.

“The interest rate levels today are still at elevated levels, at 6.25%. However, we’ll be likely seeing rate cuts in October as well as December. Hopefully, those rate cuts will boost… the residential market,” Mr. Golez said.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. earlier signaled the Monetary Board could deliver two 25-basis-point (bp) rate cuts at each of its two remaining meetings this year.

LPC said rate cuts would help ease lending conditions for both developers and homebuyers, as well as encourage developers to launch new projects.

Muted demand may have prompted developers to defer new residential projects. New project launches plunged by 39% to 2,145 units in the quarter ending September, which LPC said was the lowest since the pandemic.

“What developers are most likely doing now is reselling or re-launching or reintroducing marketing programs for their current inventory,” Mr. Golez said, adding that lower interest rates may provide a lift to sales in the next few quarters.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the BSP should reduce the rates soon so that the residential market of Metro Manila will be reinvigorated? Are there any families in your local community who intend to buy a condominium unit and live in it?

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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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

Over P1 billion deposited through BSP’s coin machines

October 18, 2024October 17, 2024carlocarrasco

A major breakthrough has been realized with regards to recirculating massive amounts of loose change in the Philippines as more than P1 billion in coins have officially been deposited into the coin deposit machines (CoDMs) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, according to a GMA Network news report.

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

Over a year since the launch of coin deposit machines (CoDMs), the monetary value of coins deposited through the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) initiative to promote coin circulation has breached P1 billion.

In a statement on Thursday, the BSP said the total value of coins which coursed through CoDMs has reached P1,008,889,490.24.

The CoDMs, introduced in June 2023, were launched in a bid to encourage the public to make use of their idle coins.

The BSP said that since its launch, the CoDMs have accumulated more than 260,000,000 pieces of coins and facilitated almost 240,000 transactions.

Through CoDMs, people can place legal tender coins in the machines, with the total value credited to e-wallet accounts in GCash or Maya, GoTyme bank accounts, or converted into shopping vouchers.

As of this writing, the BSP’s coin deposit project website has yet to have the latest numbers published. Previously, the official numbers were P950,361,380.76 in overall value, 250,352,704 coins counted and 228,482 transactions registered as of September 15, 2024. You can read my September 26, 2024 post by clicking here.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Have you deposited your loose change into a BSP coin deposit machine in your locality during the past sixty days?

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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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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

US Dollar reserves of the Philippines reach all-time high of almost $112 billion

October 15, 2024October 8, 2024carlocarrasco

Based on the preliminary data of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the American Dollar reserves of the Philippines reached $111.981 billion (as of September 2024 specifically) which counts as a new all-time high, according to a Manila Bulletin business news report.

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

The country’s US dollar stock climbed to its highest level of $111.981 billion as of end-September 2024, surpassing the previous record of $108.794 billion in 2021, as the central bank was accumulating foreign exchange and assets to boost external reserves and defend the local currency.

Based on preliminary data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Monday, Oct. 7, the gross international reserves (GIR) increased by 14.13 percent or by $13.865 billion year-on-year compared to $98.116 billion same time in 2023.

The GIR also rose by 3.82 percent or by $4.125 billion versus end-August this year’s reserves of $107.857 billion.

The BSP-monitored GIR are foreign assets of the BSP invested in foreign-issued securities, monetary gold, and foreign exchange.

The latest GIR level is “more than adequate external liquidity buffer” that is equivalent to 8.1 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It is also about 6.3 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.4 times based on residual maturity, said the BSP.

Basically, a GIR is adequate if it can finance at least three-months’ worth of the country’s imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. This was based on international standards. The GIR is also viewed as more than sufficient if it provides at least 100 percent cover for the payment of the country’s foreign liabilities, public and private, falling due within the immediate 12-month period.

The reserves were higher in end-September because of the government’s net foreign currency deposits with the BSP that includes proceeds from the issuance of ROP Global Bonds.

The GIR likewise got a boost from the BSP’s gold holdings which had a higher value with the increase in the prices of gold in the global market. The BSP’s net income also increased due to its investments overseas.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when the Philippines’ US Dollar reserves grow? Does this development make you feel comfortable when it comes to banking, investing or running a local business? Are you satisfied with the way the BSP has been moving with regards to financial and economy activities?

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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World Bank says that Philippines inflation will likely slow down this year

October 6, 2024October 4, 2024carlocarrasco

The World Bank (WB) recently announced that it sees inflation in the Philippines likely to go down this year and fall within the target range set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

PHILIPPINE INFLATION is likely to slow this year to fall within the central bank’s target range, but higher transport charges and domestic rice production pose upside risks, the World Bank said.

In its latest monthly update, the World Bank said that the entry of more rice imports under lower tariffs should help keep inflation within the government’s 2-4% target.

“Inflation resumed its downward trend in August and is on track to fall within target this year,” the Washington-based lender said.

The consumer price index (CPI) eased to 3.3% in August from 4.4% in July. Inflation averaged 3.6% in the first seven months.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) projects inflation to average 3.4% this year.

“The balance of risks to the outlook has shifted toward the downside given expected reductions in rice prices as more imports arrive under the reduced tariff regime,” the World Bank said.

An executive order cutting tariffs on rice to 15% from 35% took effect in July. This helped rice inflation ease to 14.7% in August from 20.9% in July.

However, the World Bank said higher transport and electricity charges, as well as possible global oil and food price shocks still provide upside risks to the inflation outlook.

“Domestic rice production and prices also remain vulnerable with the La Niña weather phenomenon expected to bring more rainfall and intense typhoons in the remaining months of the year,” World Bank said.

Meanwhile, the World Bank said recent external and domestic developments have given the BSP more space for policy easing.

“Peso appreciation, driven by a wider US interest rate differential, supports domestic disinflation. This gives more room for further normalization of domestic monetary policy,” it said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think inflation in the Philippines will continue to slow down as the end of 2024 approaches?

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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More than P950 million deposited through BSP’s coin machines

September 26, 2024September 24, 2024carlocarrasco

Almost a billion Pesos worth of coins have been deposited through the many coin deposit machines (CoDMs) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as of September 15, 2024, as published on their website.

Based on the latest statistics, a total of P950,361,380.76 (14.26% higher than the previous count of P831,774,151.23) in coins got deposited into BSP machines on 228,482 transactions (13% higher than the previous count of 202,110 transactions) from customers. In terms of physical quantity, 250,352,704 in coins were deposited. The previous count of deposited coins was 223,021,306

Doing the math on the latest statistics, customers averaged P4,159.46 per transaction (versus the previous count of P4,115.45 per transaction) at the machines. As for the grand total Peso amount divided by the number of coins deposited, the average is P3.7961 per coin deposited (versus the previous average of P3.7296 per coin deposited).

When it comes to the number of coins involved with each transaction, 250,352,704 coins divided by 228,482 transactions resulted in an average of 1,095.72 coins per transaction. This result shows that a lot of people out there are making big deposits by the jars and bags at the coin deposit machines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Does your household or your local business still have plenty of loose change that you could possibly deposit into the nearest BSP coin deposit machine? Are many members of your local community aware that they can deposit their excessive coins into BSP coin deposit machines so that they can money into their respective GCash accounts?

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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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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

NEDA sees faster Philippines GDP growth in the 2nd half of 2024

September 17, 2024September 12, 2024carlocarrasco

Citing some factors, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) sees faster gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the Philippine economy in the 2^nd half of this year which should result in a full 2024 growth rate of 6% to 7%, according to a BusinessWorld new report.

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

PHILIPPINE gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second semester could be faster than the 6% average in the first half amid easing inflation and lower policy rates, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

“Now, with inflation lower, with policy rates lower, with the labor market continuing to be robust, I think we would see an even better second half than in the first half,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of a Senate hearing on Wednesday.

In the second quarter, GDP expanded by 6.3%, bringing the first-half growth to 6%.

“We are expecting 6-7% (GDP growth) for the full year, and I think that the likelihood that we’ll achieve that is now very high,” Mr. Balisacan said.

However, even as inflation eased to a seven-month low of 3.3% in August, Mr. Balisacan noted that the economy remains sensitive to inflationary pressures.

Year to date, inflation averaged 3.6%, settling within the 2-4% target range of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The inflation downtrend has allowed the BSP to begin its easing cycle with its first rate cut in nearly four years last August. The Monetary Board lowered the policy rate by 25 basis points (bps) to 6.25% from the over 17-year high of 6.25% previously.

Mr. Balisacan noted the impact of lower policy rates “is not almost instantaneous.”

Despite this, the Philippine and US central banks’ expected easing path should help boost investment activity and support growth, he said.

“Especially now that the expectations everywhere with the Fed expected to decrease (interest rates)… then, there is now greater stimulus for us to continue lowering the policy rates,” he said. “With the business community hearing that, they are likely to rethink their investment plans.”

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. earlier signaled another 25-bp cut in the fourth quarter. The last two Monetary Board meetings for the year are scheduled on Oct. 17 and Dec. 19.

Meanwhile, GDP growth is expected to settle within the government’s target range this year, but may fall short of the growth goals in the next two years, according to the latest forecasts from the BSP’s Policy Analysis Model for the Philippines.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the economy of the Philippines has enough momentum to achieve GDP growth of 7% for 2024?

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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Improving foreign investment outlook for Philippines seen

September 12, 2024September 4, 2024carlocarrasco

As far as analysts are concerned, the foreign investment outlook for the Philippines is improving and should result in more investments, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

LOWER INTEREST RATES will help drive the entry of more foreign direct and portfolio investments into the Philippines, analysts said.

“The outlook for foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) in the Philippines appears promising, with current trends suggesting the country could meet or potentially exceed the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) targets,” Security Bank Corp. Chief Economist Robert Dan J. Roces said in a Viber message.

The BSP expects to record FDI net inflows of $9.5 billion this year. For foreign portfolio investments, it forecasts $3.1 billion in net inflows by yearend.

“The BSP’s forecast for the year sounds reasonable, as it wouldn’t be too far a stretch, with that sort of level of annual FDI coming into the Philippines almost consistently over this period, barring the coronavirus-hit year in 2020,” Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief Emerging Asia Economist Miguel Chanco said in an e-mail.

In the January-to-May period, FDI net inflows jumped by 15.8% year on year to $4.024 billion, data from the BSP showed.

Meanwhile, short-term foreign investments yielded a net inflow of $1.46 billion in the January-July period, surging from the $157.3-million net inflows in the same period a year ago.

FDIs are considered long-term investments, while portfolio investments or “hot money” are seen as more fickle due to the ease by which these funds enter and leave the economy.

Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc., said the BSP’s investment targets are doable amid easing interest rates.

“Offering attractive rates will be the key. All around will be declining key rates, thus, offering sensible investments now will lock in gains for prospective investors. I would like to believe that there is time,” he added.

Mr. Roces said the further reduction in policy rates this year and next year “should stimulate investment activity, particularly for FDI, by making borrowing more attractive.”

At its August meeting, the Monetary Board cut rates for the first time in nearly four years or since November 2020. It reduced borrowing costs by 25 basis points (bps), bringing the benchmark rate to 6.25% from the previous over 17-year high of 6.5%.

The central bank could also deliver another 25-bp rate hike in the fourth quarter, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said earlier.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you agree with the findings of the economic analysts pointing to improving foreign investment outlook for the nation?

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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More than P831 million deposited through BSP’s coin machines

August 6, 2024July 29, 2024carlocarrasco

More than P831 million worth of coins have been deposited through the many coin deposit machines (CoDMs) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as of July 15, 2024, as published on their website.

Based on the latest statistics, a total of P831,774,151.23 (6.1% higher than the previous month’s count of P783,628,810.29) in coins got deposited into BSP machines on 202,110 transactions (5.4% higher than the previous month’s 191,804 transactions) from customers. In terms of physical quantity, 223,021,306 in coins were deposited. The previous count of deposited coins was 211,689,731.

Doing the math on the latest statistics, customers averaged P4,115.45 per transaction (versus the previous month’s P4,085.57 per transaction) at the machines. As for the grand total Peso amount divided by the number of coins deposited, the average is P3.7296 per coin deposited (versus the previous month’s average of P3.7018 per coin deposited).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you able to deposit your excess coins into a BSP coin deposit machine in your locality recently? Has the BSP coin deposit machine near your been breaking down a lot in recent times?

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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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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

More than P783 million deposited through BSP’s coin machines

July 4, 2024June 26, 2024carlocarrasco

Over P783 million worth of coins have been deposited through the many coin deposit machines (CoDMs) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as of June 23, 2024, as published on their website.

Based on the latest statistics, a total of P783,628,810.29 (10.7% higher than the previous month’s count of P707,661,554.41) in coins got deposited into BSP machines on 191,804 transactions (9.8% higher than the previous month’s 174,656 transactions) from customers. In terms of physical quantity, 211,689,731 in coins were deposited. The previous count of deposited coins was 193,901,254.

Doing the math on the latest statistics, customers averaged P4,085.57 per transaction (versus the previous month’s P4,051.74 per transaction) at the machines. As for the grand total Peso amount divided by the number of coins deposited, the average is P3.7018 per coin deposited (versus the previous month’s average of P3.6496 per coin deposited).

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Were you able to deposit your excess coins into a BSP coin deposit machine in your locality recently? How long did you have to wait in line before depositing your coins at the BSP machine?

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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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 engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

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