John Lloyd Aleta

Higher purchases of electronics, fuel, and equipment point to continued business activity. Philippine imports continued to climb in June, rising 19.6% to $13.71 billion as businesses brought in more goods needed for production, investment, and domestic demand. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the June import value was the lowest recorded since April 2026, but first-half imports still reached a record $77.53 billion, up 17.8% from the same period last year.

National Government continues to rely on borrowing as domestic debt climbs to ₱12.84 trillion. The National Government’s debt climbed to a record ₱19.07 trillion at the end of June, as the government continued to rely on borrowing to finance its priorities while adding to its long-term debt obligations. Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that outstanding debt rose 2.80% from ₱18.55 trillion at the end of May, driven by higher domestic and external borrowings.

From pickleball courts and EV charging stations to entertainment and dining concepts, SM Supermalls expands beyond shopping to meet changing consumer needs The Filipino mall is evolving, and SM Supermalls is betting on what consumers want next. SM Supermalls is expanding beyond traditional retail as changing consumer habits push mall operators to create more experience-driven spaces that encourage people to spend time, engage with communities, and discover new products and services.