‘NG must act quickly to blunt risks to GDP’ By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
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UN WARNS AID TO SUDAN’S DARFUR ON BRINK OF COLLAPSE WITHOUT FUNDS AND SAFE ACCESS
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HE national government must take decisive and urgent action to address local headwinds that have dampened economic growth and could weigh further on the economy in the coming quarters, according to the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). In a statement on Wednesday, BPI lead economist Jun Neri said that the issue with the government’s flood control projects may have affected the economy, but the full effect has yet to materialize. The economy expanded by 4 percent in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Philippine Sta-
tistics Authority (PSA). This is the slowest pace since 2011, if the pandemic years are excluded. “Without decisive action, the fallout could further drag growth in the coming quarters,” Neri warned, as the flood control controversy could impact business and consumer sentiment further and discourage them from spending. The potential multiplier effects of reduced public expenditure on construction, materials, and services could also worsen the economic slowdown, according to Neri. “The country should be putting its resources, effort, and attention on other important matters affecting the economy [such as preparing for the risks related to a potential
disruption of the BPO sector], but it is unable to do so effectively because it is preoccupied with alleged public spending issues,” Neri noted. Furthermore, the Philippines might lag behind its Asean neighbors if the alleged public spending issues continue to divert attention and resources away from the structural reforms needed to accelerate economic development, Neri said. “The Philippine economy is growing, but not enough to close the economic gap with other countries,” Neri said. The GDP per capita of the Philippines is lower compared to other economies in the region. Compared to other economies in the region, the Philippines’s GDP per capi-
ta is lower and would take two years to catch up with the GDP per capita of Vietnam and four years with Indonesia. It would also take 14 years to keep up with Thailand, 26 years with Malaysia and 70 years with Singapore, if their incomes remain stagnant. “In reality, their GDP per capita continues to grow, which means the gap could persist or even widen,” Neri added. To close the widening gap, Neri said sources of growth must be diversified. “The economy must improve in terms of production, especially in agriculture and manufacturing, as they will allow the economy to be more self-sufficient and to reach foreign markets.” See “GDP,” A2
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Thursday, November 13, 2025 Vol. 21 No. 36
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By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto @reine_alberto
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HE Philippine peso weakened to an all-time low of P59.17 against the US dollar on Wednesday, weighed down by local governance issues and strong global demand for the greenback. The peso lost 18.5 centavos against the dollar when it opened at P58.95. It traded at its highest at P59.19 and at its lowest at P58.91, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. This is the highest that the peso has ever closed, already exceeding the previous record high closing rate of P59.13 on October 28. “[This] is expected as it mainly reflects strong global US dollar demand amid expectations that the US Federal Reserve will keep rates higher for longer, coupled with persistent trade deficits and weak foreign inflows on the local side,” John Paolo R. Rivera, senior See “Peso,” A2
WHERE QUEZON MEETS NINOY Photo shows the newly built “Elevated Landscape Promenade” linking the Quezon Memorial Circle, a 27-hectare national park and shrine, and the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, a biodiversity sanctuary featuring a lagoon, arboretum, and wildlife rescue center, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Designed by the Quezon City Architect’s Office, the new walkway promotes eco-mobility and park-to-park connectivity while providing a safe and scenic route for pedestrians and cyclists traveling between the two parks. NONOY LACZA
‘BPO NIGHT-SHIFT WORKERS AT HIGHER RISK OF DIABETES’ By John Eiron R. Francisco
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MPLOYEES in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry face a higher risk of developing diabetes than workers in other sectors, largely due to disruptions in their circadian rhythms, experts say. Dr. Nines Bautista, Vice President of Diabetes Philippines, said at a press briefing in Mandaluyong City for World Diabetes Day that patients with disrupted circadian rhythms—like those who work at night and
stay awake into the morning— face higher risks of developing diabetes. He explained that a circadian rhythm is the body’s internal 24-hour clock that regulates sleep, wakefulness, metabolism, and other key biological processes. When this natural cycle is disrupted, the body’s systems can become out of sync, which may contribute to weight gain, insulin resistance, and other factors that increase the likelihood of diabetes. Dr. Bautista also noted that See “Diabetes,” A12
Calamity fund balance now at ₧3.5B–DOF By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
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TOTAL of P3.5 billion remains in the balance of the country’s calamity fund to provide relief and rehabilitation services to areas affected by disasters, according to the Department of Finance (DOF). In a statement on Wednesday, the DOF said the government has released P17.85 billion under the P21-billion National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) this year. The NDRRMF, also referred to as the calamity fund, supports disaster risk reduction, prevention and preparedness activities, as well as immediate aid, relief and rehabilitation services after a calamity.
The government also allocates funds to the Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the national budget, which serves as a standby fund for the rehabilitation and recovery of communities affected by calamities and other national emergencies. As of November 10, the government has already disbursed P13.96 billion under the QRF, including continuing appropriations from last year. In November alone, the government released P1.68 billion to support immediate relief, rehabilitation and recovery operations across the country, in areas affected by recent earthquakes and Typhoon Tino and Supertyphoon Uwan. “It is important for the government to always have funds ready for an immediate response to
emergencies. As the country’s fundraiser, we at the Department of Finance ensure that we have sufficient resources and the capacity to promptly address the needs of every Filipino during times of disaster,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto was quoted as saying. Beyond securing funds, Recto recently issued a DOF circular directing government financial institutions and other state-run firms to speed up the delivery of services and on-the-ground assistance in areas affected by disasters. The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS) are providing emergency and calamity loans to eligible members and pensioners. Meanwhile, the Home Develop-
ment Mutual Fund, also known as Pag-Ibig Fund, is providing calamity loans and insurance claims to affected housing loan borrowers, including short-term loans for minor property repairs. Land Bank of the Philippines is also facilitating salary loans for employees of government agencies and private companies in disaster-hit areas, while also offering recovery loans to farmers, fishers, cooperatives, small businesses, corporations and electric utilities to help restore their operations. Furthermore, the Development Bank of the Philippines is assisting affected local government units with financial assistance and loan rehabilitation with extended payment schedules.
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 58.9310 n JAPAN 0.3823 n UK 77.5002 n HK 7.5821 n CHINA 8.2794 n SINGAPORE 45.3106 n AUSTRALIA 38.4525 n EU 68.2657 n KOREA 0.0404 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.7132 Source: BSP (November 12, 2025)