Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
Domestic demand lags regional peers
Manila Bulletin
|November 21, 2025
Singapore-based Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. (OCBC) sees the Philippine economy as a laggard in the region in terms of domestic demand, forecasting that yearly growth will miss government targets.
EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP State-run Social Security System (SSS) and Manulife Philippines will provide group credit life insurance coverage to pensioners who availed of the SSS' pension loan program. In photo: Manulife Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Rahul Hora (third from left) and SSS PCEO Robert Joseph de Claro (third from right) during the ceremonial contract signing held at the SSS head office in Quezon City.
According to an OCBC report published on Nov. 19, Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to expand by 4.8 percent this year, falling short of the already downscaled 5.5to 6.5-percent target.
OCBC said in an earlier Nov. 17 report that, while the outlook for domestic demand is "mixed" in the "standouts," such as Malaysia and Vietnam, it is clear that the Philippines and Thailand are the "laggards" in the region.
This story is from the November 21, 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin
Manila Bulletin
'Sa lokal lang po ako': Mayor Isko brushes off 2028 talk
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso downplayed talks linking his name to a possible bid for higher office in 2028, saying he intends to stay focused on leading the capital city.
2 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Marcos raises local gov't support fund to record ₱58B
Orders faster fund release to LGUs
5 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Nuclear eclipses coal in new energy order
As the country moves away from reliance on fossil fuels, the Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a new framework that officially prioritizes nuclear power and emerging technologies over conventional coal for the country's 24/7 electricity requirements.
1 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
A wedding in the family
We are a small family, so every occasion is important for me.
3 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Bong Go calls for prayers as Duterte faces ICC confirmation hearing
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Monday, February 23 called for prayers as he expressed his support for former president Rodrigo Duterte as the latter is set to face the confirmation of charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
1 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
This is how you are to pray
To address God as “Father” (Aramaic Abba) is the cornerstone of prayer which gives us our “Christian identity.”
1 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Luzon industrial parks must evolve—Colliers
Property developers in the Philippines should modernize and expand industrial facilities in central and southern Luzon to capture a steady inflow of manufacturing investments, according to Colliers Philippines.
1 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
Taxman turns to educ in expanding BIR base
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected approximately P358 billion in January, a marginal increase from the P355.1 billion recorded in the same month last year, as the agency bets on steady economic expansion to meet its annual targets.
1 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
House initiates 2026 impeachment proceedings vs VP Duterte
This year's impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have officially been initiated by the House of Representatives.
2 mins
February 24, 2026
Manila Bulletin
French artist JR's installation will transform Paris' oldest bridge into a giant cave
He is known as the French Banksy — or simply JR.
3 mins
February 24, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size