Gov't raises P507B from RTB offer

Driven by “very strong market demand,” the national government concluded its offer period for five-year retail treasury bonds (RTBs) last week, borrowing a total of P507.2 billion from both local and foreign lenders.

- By DERO ROSAL

Of the total, issued at a six-percent annual interest, P425.5 billion came in as new money or fresh funds, including the P210 billion awarded during the rate-setting auction on Aug. 5, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

Another P81.7 billion was raised through a bond exchange in the first four days of the offer period.

National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza told reporters on the sidelines of the 2026 budget briefing at the House of Representatives on Monday, Aug. 18, that “foreign participation [during the RTB sale] is substantial, which we didn’t see in the past.” She said foreign participation increased from less than five percent previously to a double-digit participation rate.