money – Page 3 – Author Carlo Carrasco

Philippines January 2026 Inflation Rate Lands At 2%

February 14, 2026February 9, 2026carlocarrasco

The inflation rate of the Philippines for the month of January 2026 landed at 2% which is the highest in almost a year’s time, 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…

PHILIPPINE INFLATION accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly a year in January amid a faster rise in rents and electricity rates, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

Headline inflation picked up to 2% from 1.8% in December but slowed from 2.9% in the same month last year. This was the fastest pace seen in 11 months or since 2.1% in February 2025.

It also marked the first time in almost a year that the consumer price index (CPI) hit the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2%-4% target.

The January clip was likewise above the 1.8% median forecast in a BusinessWorld poll of 18 economists but was within the central bank’s 1.4%-2.2% estimate for the month.

“The main reason for the higher inflation rate in January 2026 compared with December 2025 is the faster price increase in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which recorded a 3.3% inflation rate,” National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said at a news briefing on Thursday.

Inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels quickened to 3.3%, the fastest since 3.8% in August 2024.

According to the PSA, this commodity group had a 45.9% share in the overall inflation uptick in January.

Broken down, inflation for electricity rose to 6.5% year on year in January from the revised 4% in December, while rental prices picked up by 2.9% during the month from 2.4% in December.

This comes even after Manila Electric. Co. trimmed electricity rates by 16.37 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P12.9508 per kWh last month from P13.1145 per kWh in December, which meant households consuming an average of 200 kWh paid P33 less in their monthly electricity bill.

In January 2025, Meralco charged P11.7428 per kWh.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government is enforcing programs to manage price pressures emerging from the energy sector. It includes improving the Department of Energy’s Net Metering Program by enforcing time-bound local permitting, simplifying utility documentary requirements and expanding consumer incentives.

“The program allows consumers to install eligible renewable energy systems and export surplus electricity to the grid, helping lower electricity costs and support the energy transition,” the DEPDev said in a statement.

Mr. Mapa also noted that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) added price pressures, as inflation settled at -2.8% in January from -5.1% in December.

In January, Petron Corp. hiked LPG prices by P2.18 per kilogram (kg), while Solane imposed a P2.18-per-kg increase.

This means that the price of a household-standard 11-kg LPG tank ranged from P820 to P1,120 last month, based on data from the Department of Energy.

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 could rise to as much as 3% this year? What do you think will be the factors – both internal and external – that will cause the inflation rate to spike?

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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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 @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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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ADB Says Philippine Economy Could Grow Around 6% In 2027

February 7, 2026February 2, 2026carlocarrasco

In its latest economic analysis, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) says that the economy of the Philippines could grow by about 6% in 2027 provided that investments – both public and private – would regain strength, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

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

THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY could return to around 6% growth by 2027 if public and private investments rebound, according to Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries.

“I think (the drivers are a) kind of a little of everything, but return to high investment, public and private, I think would be, to me, the key driver,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Jan. 23.

Last December, the ADB slashed its Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 5% for 2025, from 5.6% previously. For 2026, the ADB trimmed its GDP projection to 5.3% from 5.7% previously.

This comes after a corruption scandal dampened government spending, household consumption, investor confidence and economic activity last year.

The ADB will release its updated economic outlook in April, which will include a 2027 growth forecast.

Mr. Jeffries warned that the cut in Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) budget this year, could trigger a “big slowdown” in locally funded projects.

“I guess the main variable for 2026 was how fast does the public investment recover? We were thinking maybe two quarters, so it’ll start reviving,” he said.

In a meeting with Public Works Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon in December, Mr. Jeffries said they raised concerns about “paralysis,” where key projects risked getting stuck.

“What we’ve heard is they’re trying to make sure the priority projects are not stuck and keep moving forward quickly. I think it’s a twofold exercise,” he said. “It’s cleaning up the problem while full steam ahead on some of the other projects that weren’t a problem.”

Mr. Dizon earlier said the DPWH aims to boost spending while ensuring funds are used wisely and focus on prioritizing the “basics” such as road and bridge maintenance and unfinished projects. The agency’s target spend is set between P200 billion and P250 billion for the first quarter, he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jeffries said the Philippines must raise the share of exports in the economy to support long-term growth, as well as diversify its base, and boost resilience.

“It’s not something that happens overnight. It’ll be a combination of policies and attracting investment and improving the business environment and all of those things combined,” Mr. Jeffries said. “But neighbors have done it and the Philippines can do that.”

He noted the Philippines was shielded from external shocks, largely because exports remain a relatively small part of the economy.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the ADB’s analysis for the Philippines is correct? Do you think the economy of the Philippines has enough strength to grow by at least 6% in 2027?

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 Filipinos Searched For Accommodations In Vietnam In 2025

February 3, 2026January 28, 2026carlocarrasco

While the Philippines continues to endure difficulties on attracting foreign tourists (click here and here), statistics of the global travel platform Agoda revealed that a lot more Filipinos searched online for accommodations in Vietnam, according to a travel article by VnExpress.

It is recalled that Vietnam itself achieved an all-time high of 21.2 million foreign tourist arrivals counted in 2025 and among them are more Filipino visitors. Already operating are direct flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.

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

Travelers from the Philippines showed the strongest interest in visiting Vietnam in 2025, with accommodation searches rising 86% year-on-year, according to travel platform Agoda.

The trend was consistent with official tourism data. The number of Filipino visitors to Vietnam reached 482,173 in 2025, up 81.3% from 2024, according to the General Statistics Office.

Air connectivity between the two countries has also improved, with several carriers launching new direct routes.

In July last year, Philippine Airlines began operating a Manila-Da Nang service with three flights a week. A month later, Vietjet opened the Ho Chi Minh City-Manila route, offering five round-trip flights per week.

“Growing international interest suggests Vietnam is consolidating its position as a leading regional destination, benefiting from improved connectivity, visa policies and diversified travel experiences,” said Vu Ngoc Lam, country director at Agoda Vietnam.

Vietnam welcomed a record 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 20.4% from the previous year and the highest total on record.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think a lot more Filipinos will visit Vietnam this year as the direct flights continue? What is it about Vietnam that captures the interests of foreign travelers? If you have been to Vietnam as a tourist, how much did you spend per day 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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Trump Picks Kevin Warsh As The Next Federal Reserve Chairman

February 1, 2026January 31, 2026carlocarrasco

At long last, US President Donald Trump picked Kevin Warsh as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve replacing Jerome Powell, and already a lot of public officials and high-ranking members of the private sector support the choice, according to the Kyodo News report plus the White House press statement respectively.

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

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday he will nominate Kevin Warsh to be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, with the choice of a Wall Street veteran who was a governor of the central bank over a decade ago seen as intended to avoid roiling financial markets.

Trump’s pick to replace Jerome Powell as the Fed chair caps a process that formally began last summer. While screening candidates in private, he has subjected Powell to relentless public criticism for not cutting interest rates more aggressively and challenged the independence of the world’s most influential central bank.

Trump announced the nomination in a post on social media, saying, “I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best.“

“On top of everything else, he is ‘central casting,’ and he will never let you down,” Trump added. The lengthy post, though it included information on Warsh’s professional experience, did not clearly explain the reason for his selection.

Powell’s term as Fed chief ends in May. The role requires Senate confirmation, which may not be smooth sailing for Warsh due to bipartisan concern over the Fed’s independence under Trump, most recently evidenced by the Department of Justice launching a criminal probe into Powell over a renovation of the central bank’s headquarters.

Trump told reporters later Friday in the Oval Office that he was not worried about the confirmation process, calling Warsh the “most qualified” person to take the helm of the Fed, based on his background and experience.

He also said he did not urge Warsh to cut interest rates, but admitted discussing the topic with him.

“I don’t want to ask him that question. I think it’s inappropriate, probably,” Trump said. “I want to keep it nice and pure. But he certainly wants to cut rates. I’ve been watching him for a long time.”

Warsh was previously appointed to the Fed in 2006 at the age of 35, making him the youngest person ever to serve on its board at that time. He was a board member until 2011.

During the 2008 financial crisis, he served as the Fed’s main liaison with Wall Street and earned a good reputation for stabilizing the situation.

Before that, he was a special assistant to President George W. Bush for economic policy and executive secretary of the White House National Economic Council.

After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1995, Warsh joined Morgan Stanley’s mergers and acquisitions division, where he worked for seven years and became vice president and executive director.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that the screening of candidates for the next Fed chief had narrowed to four finalists.

The four were said to be Warsh, Kevin Hassett, Trump’s top economic adviser, Christopher Waller, a Fed governor, and Rick Rieder, BlackRock’s chief bond investment manager.

Calling Warsh and Hassett “the two Kevins,” Trump had repeatedly said they were “great” in the weeks leading up to his official announcement.

Warsh was a finalist in the 2017 Fed chair race during Trump’s first term and was reportedly a candidate for Treasury secretary in his second presidency.

During his time on the Fed’s board, Warsh was considered a monetary hawk, meaning he was typically supportive of higher interest rates to curb inflation, even in the middle of the financial crisis.

Compared with Hassett, a close ally of Trump’s who has openly advocated lower borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, Warsh is seen by financial markets as someone who could protect the Fed’s independence from the White House.

However, Warsh, 55, an outspoken critic of the central bank, has increasingly aligned with Trump’s views in recent months. The forthcoming Senate process is likely to test his ability to withstand pressure from the president while also reassuring nervous investors.

In a November opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, Warsh disapproved of the Fed’s current monetary policy and praised the Trump administration for advancing what he called “pro-growth” economic programs, focusing on deregulation and tax reforms.

Meanwhile, the White House press statement revealed a long list of public officials and financial market figures who responded positively to Warsh’s nomination to lead the Federal Reserve. Posted below are selected excerpts from the statement. Some parts in boldface.

The nomination has drawn widespread praise from lawmakers, business leaders, financial experts, and industry voices across the spectrum:

Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chairman Tim Scott: “The Federal Reserve’s decisions touch every American household, from mortgage rates to retirement savings, and President Trump has been clear that bringing accountability and credibility to the Federal Reserve is a priority, and his nomination of Kevin Warsh reflects that focus. As a former Federal Reserve Governor, Kevin has deep knowledge of markets and monetary policy that will be essential in this role. Federal Reserve independence remains paramount, and I am confident Kevin will work to instill confidence and credibility in the Fed’s monetary policy. As Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, I look forward to leading a thoughtful, timely confirmation process that carefully examines his vision for focusing the Federal Reserve on its core mission.”

Sen. Jim Banks: “Kevin Warsh is a brilliant pick by President Trump for Fed Chair. Clear from what he wrote in 2021 he understands scale of China’s ambitions. As member of Banking Committee I look forward to working with him to maintain American financial supremacy.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn: “Kevin Warsh is exceptionally qualified to lead the Federal Reserve as Chairman. I look forward to supporting this nomination in the Senate, and I am confident Kevin will help foster economic growth and create more opportunity for hardworking Americans.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “Kevin Warsh is a fantastic choice to lead the world’s most important central bank at this crucial time.”

Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO Bob Broeksmit: “MBA congratulates Kevin Warsh on his nomination to serve as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. His prior service on the Federal Reserve Board, where he developed a reputation as a prudent, thoughtful voice on monetary policy, paired with his private sector experience, will be invaluable as he leads the Federal Reserve in what has become an increasingly challenging and complicated mission.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark: “Kevin is well known to the business community. We appreciate his years of focus on how we grow the American economy and maintain stable prices for America’s families, and look forward to his confirmation process.”

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon: “Kevin Warsh is a highly respected and experienced leader — across government, business and education — who I have seen act with integrity and a dedication to making our country better.”

Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “Kevin Warsh is the perfect choice to lead the Federal Reserve. He has repeatedly demonstrated understanding of the true driver of inflation: excessive government money printing, not economic growth. Under his leadership, the Fed can finally reach its target inflation rate, something Chairman Powell has continually failed to do, while also expanding access to credit for small businesses. By protecting the value of the dollar, supporting economic growth, and boosting capital access, a Warsh chairmanship can backstop a booming small business economy. The Senate should quickly confirm him.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Considering the wide-reaching positive reactions to Trump’s pick for the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve, do you feel confident that Warsh is the right choice? Do you hope to see Warsh make positive changes once he takes over as the head of the Federal Reserve? Have you been frustrated with the way Jerome Powell led the Federal Reserve and executed financial policies over the past several years?

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 2025 GDP Growth Lands At 4.4%

January 30, 2026January 29, 2026carlocarrasco

After much anticipation, the full gross domestic product (GDP) growth of the Philippines registered final pace of 4.4% for the whole year of 2025, according to a Manila Standard business news report.

For insight, the 4.4% 2025 GDP growth is even lower than what others anticipated (click here and here). It should be recalled that GDP growth in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters of last year showed clear signs of economic weakness. The said weakness is connected with the flood control corruption scandal that rocked the nation.

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

The Philippine economy expanded 4.4 percent in 2025 as a sharp slowdown in the final three months of the year dragged down the annual performance, government data showed on Thursday.

The gross domestic product grew 3.0 percent in the fourth quarter, marking the weakest quarterly expansion in five years. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the industrial sector contracted by 0.9 percent during the period, while gross capital formation, a measure of investment, tumbled 10.9 percent.

Wholesale and retail trade, financial activities and public administration remained the primary drivers of growth during the October to December period.

Public administration and defense led the gains with a 7.9 percent increase, followed by financial and insurance activities at 5.6 percent and trade at 4.6 percent.

For the full year, the services sector led the economy with a 5.9-percent expansion, while agriculture, forestry and fishing grew 3.1 percent. The industrial sector recorded a modest 1.5 percent increase for all of 2025.

Consumer spending, which traditionally anchors the Philippine economy, rose 3.8 percent in the fourth quarter and 4.6 percent for the full year. Government spending saw a significant annual jump of 9.1 percent despite the year-end cooling.

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 be able to bounce back strongly this year and achieve 5% growth later? Do you think the reforms being implemented by the national government will create positive economic results soon? Are you convinced that the flood control corruption scandal turned off a lot of 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.

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What to watch on YouTube right now – Part 120

January 28, 2026January 23, 2026carlocarrasco

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 Tremors Revisited – The first time I ever saw the 1990 monster adventure movie Tremors was on home video. The movie turned out to be more thrilling and more enjoyable than I expected, and eventually I replayed it a number of times on cable TV and DVD in the years after. There is already a 4K Blu-ray of Tremors that I have yet to acquire. For me, Tremors is still a significant movie to watch again and its concept of having huge monsters that travel underground is still engaging to see. As the 1990 became a massive success AFTER its not-so-hot theatrical run (note: it achieved massive success on home video sales/rentals, cable TV and the like), Tremor is now a popular part of American pop culture and it is not surprising to see many retrospective YouTube videos about it. Posted below for your enjoyment are videos I selected.

#2 Luxury Food In Japan Sold At Bargain Rates –In Japan, there a certain types of food that are often sold at high prices in relation to their quality, availability and other socio-economic factors. Wagyu beef, for example, is a premium meat that recently has been in high demand in Japan as the very high number of foreign tourists are buying and consuming it there. Still, there are times when premium food items are temporarily sold with low prices that locals can take advantage of. Watch and learn from the Nippon TV video below.

#3 How MIT Students Used Math to Win Millions of Dollars From Casinos – When you visit a casino, you often see people placing their bets in different games of gambling. Among the most popular forms of gambling is the card game which often requires discipline, precision and luck to win. Believe it or not, there were students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) who were trained to win in card games with an emphasis on mathematics, discipline and teamwork. Decades ago, these students played in many casinos and won tens of millions of Dollars over a period of years before law enforcement and technology ended their streak. Watch and learn what happened in the video below.

#4 The Rise Of Solo Dining In South Korea – Have you been in South Korea over the past twelve months? Due to the rise of single-person households in the country, solo dining became a new trend there and there seems to be no sign of it slowing down. Watch the video below to discover what solo dining is and what created it.

#5 Final Fantasy IV Revisited – Final Fantasy IV is the first-ever Final Fantasy game I ever played as well as one of the very first Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) I played. The story had solid structure, the characters were memorable, the gameplay was challenging yet fun, and the fantasy settings were special. Released in America as “Final Fantasy II” on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), the game succeeded commercially and critically, and it paved the way for the greater acceptance of JRPGs on consoles in the West. To learn more about Final Fantasy IV and why it is significant, watch the video below.

#6 Ranting For Vengeance Slams New Lara Croft – Recently a new live-action version of the video game icon Lara Croft was revealed with actress Sophie Turner playing her. This early, long-time fans of Croft and the Tomb Raider video game franchise in general rejected the newest live-action version. Ranting for Vengeance posted his own video reacting to Sophie Turner’s Lara Croft, explaining the legacy of the Tomb Raider franchise, and standing up for the long-time fans. His video is indeed critical but you have to watch it entirely to fully understand his reaction and logic. The video will also remind you that there is a woke mob out there and they are becoming the FAKE FANS of established entertainment franchises and icons.

#7 Silent Hill Movie Revisited – Just seven years after the release of the original Silent Hill video game, a live-action movie was released with the same title. While the early Silent Hill video games were critical and commercial hits, the effort to make an official film adaptation did not start immediately. In fact, Christophe Gans sent to Konami a video interview of himself (talking about Silent Hill) with Japanese subtitles which eventually convinced the publisher to award him the film rights. The Silent Hill movie did not gather much appreciation from film critics but it still succeeded in entertaining many moviegoers with its unique approach to horror and suspense. To see and feel the impact of the Silent Hill film and discover its production history, watch the videos below.

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IMF Trims Philippines Economic Growth Projections For 2026 And 2027

January 27, 2026January 20, 2026carlocarrasco

As far as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is concerned, issues of corruption and climate disruptions are enough to convince them to project economic growth of the Philippines at a slower pace not just for this year but also for next year, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

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

Washington-based multilateral lender International Monetary Fund (IMF) has tweaked downwards its economic growth projections for the Philippines this year and the next, following its more somber outlook for 2025 amid corruption allegations and climate disruptions.

According to the IMF’s updated World Economic Outlook (WEO), Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) is now seen expanding at a slower 5.1 percent, down from its earlier forecast of 5.4 percent—both of which fall short of the country’s already lowered target of at least 5.5 percent.

Despite the cut, the IMF’s forecast remains slightly more optimistic than the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) assumption of a 4.6 percent growth rate, which the central bank has attributed to a loss of confidence tied to governance concerns.

For 2026 and 2027, the IMF also trimmed its growth forecasts to 5.6 percent from a previous 5.8 percent, and to 5.8 percent from 6.1 percent, respectively. The central bank’s projection of 5.4 percent for 2026 stands lower than the IMF’s forecast, while its 6.2 percent forecast for 2027 is higher.

These projections still fall within the revised targets, based on National Socioeconomic Planner Arsenio M. Baliscan’s lower growth assumptions. Baliscan expects growth to clock in at five to six percent in 2026, and 5.5 to 6.5 percent in 2027—both lowered from the earlier goals of six to seven percent.

According to the IMF, the downward adjustment for 2026 and 2027 “reflects the carryover impact from a downward revision in the IMF’s growth forecast for 2025—from 5.4 to 5.1 percent—and a slower pace of capital accumulation.”

It noted that the slashed GDP growth forecast for 2025 reflects the output slump in the third quarter of 2025 “amid recent corruption allegations and climate shocks impacting economic activity in the second half of the year.”

To recall, the Philippine economy expanded by four percent in the third quarter of 2025—the weakest in four and a half years.

Looking ahead, output expansion could accelerate slower than expected mainly due to the potential “escalation of trade restrictions and prolonged uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and disruptive financial market corrections.”

“On the upside, accelerated implementation of structural and governance reforms can boost investment and foreign direct investments (FDI), increase fiscal multipliers and boost potential growth,” the lender said.

What would drive the economy in the medium term is robust private consumption and higher investment, the IMF said, “supported by monetary policy easing and the authorities’ recent policy initiatives to support private investment.”

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 can somehow grow faster than what the IMF projected for 2026 and 2027? Do you think foreign investors have been turned off by the flood control corruption scandals?

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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