Economy grows by 5.5%

The Philippine economy expanded by 5.5 percent in the second quarter of 2025, one percentage point (ppt) slower than the 6.5 percent recorded in the same period last year.

- BY DERCO ROSAL

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that while this pace was significantly slower than last year's, it remains faster than the first quarter's 5.4-percent growth. This four-quarter high economic growth also hit the lower end of the lowered government's growth target of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent.

By hitting the lower limit of the goal, National Socioeconomic Planner Arsenio M. Balisacan said reaching the full-year target has now become more attainable.

"That's already around the corner. But I think that we'll do better in the second half. I'm confident that the inflation has gone down quite substantially and the past reduction in the policy rates is now beginning to be felt," Secretary Baliscan said during an Aug. 7 press briefing.

Meanwhile, to reach the 6.5 percent gross domestic product (GDP) expansion this year, National Statistician and PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the local economy must grow by at least 7.5 percent for the remaining quarters.