Tariff Issue Clouds PH Growth Outlook

Highest of Target Now Less Likely

- By LOUELLA DESIDERIO

"We are keeping for now the six to eight percent growth (target). We're still quite confident that we may hit at least the low-end part," NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a press briefing yesterday, noting that many international institutions are forecasting growth to be close to that level.

When asked if the government is looking to narrow down the growth target, he said there is a need to wait for more information including the first quarter gross domestic product (GDP) performance to be released next month.

He also said that the upper end of the growth target may no longer be possible.

"I think that given the uncertainty, which is not something that's likely to disappear soon, the eight percent (growth) may not be a realistic assumption," he said.