{
  "id": 2177038,
  "title": "MAP: Business outlook muted for Q4",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/map-business-outlook-muted-for-q4",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-20T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/08/21/2550644/map-business-outlook-muted-q4"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The outlook for Philippine businesses in the fourth quarter of 2025 is cautious, according to the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP). Donald Lim, MAP's president, stated that while businesses anticipate a potential improvement in conditions next year, the current economic climate is characterized by a slow economy and a weak peso. This has led to subdued consumer spending, which is a key driver of the Philippine economy.\n\nThe country's economic growth in the second quarter slowed to 2.3 percent, the weakest in five years, due to ongoing issues such as the Middle East crisis and the flood control controversy. This resulted in an average growth rate of 2.6 percent in the first half of 2025, falling short of the government's revised target of 3.5 to 4.5 percent for the year.\n\nDespite the gloomy outlook for the remainder of 2025, Lim expressed optimism for the following year. He believes that resolving geopolitical issues, such as the Iran-U.S. crisis, could help bolster the economy. Lim also believes that election-related spending next year could further stimulate the economy, as preparations for the 2028 elections are expected to commence in 2026.\n\nTo revive the economy, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized the importance of addressing reduced infrastructure spending and consumption. He highlighted the Senate's focus on the Master Plan for Infrastructure and National Development (MIND Bill) to institutionalize the country's 30-year infrastructure masterplan. Additionally, the Senate aims to address high power costs through amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and the adoption of the Waste-to-Energy Bill, which could provide waste management solutions and an additional energy source. To boost consumer demand, the Senate plans to support the GINHAWA Bill by providing tax relief to increase take-home pay. The government will also offer a general tax amnesty and abolish the travel tax.",
  "summary": "Businesses have a muted outlook for the rest of the year but remain hopeful that conditions will improve next year, according to the Management Association of the Philippines.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}