Editorial photo #14001576 Economy, Business and Finance
Economic Challenges Take Center Stage Ahead Of President Marcos’ Fifth SONA
Filipinos walk through Metro Manila's central business district in Quezon City, Philippines, on July 24, 2026, ahead of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address (SONA). The country's economic performance is expected to be one of the topics of President Marcos on his fifth SONA. The address comes as the Philippine economy expanded 2.8% in the first quarter of 2026, while inflation slowed to 6.4% in June, remaining above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' 2-4% target. The Philippine Statistics Authority reported 48.89 million employed Filipinos in April, alongside 2.41 million unemployed and 7.41 million underemployed, as workers continue to face higher living costs despite an PHP85 daily minimum wage increase that recently took effect in Metro Manila. (Photo by Ryan Eduard Benaid/NurPhoto)
