The Philippine Economic Update (PEU) will provide the most recent summary of key economic and social developments, important policy changes and the evolution of external conditions over the past six months. It will also present findings from recent World Bank studies on the Philippines, situating them in the context of the country’s long-term development trends and assessing their implications for its medium-term economic outlook. The PEU will cover issues ranging from macroeconomic management to financial market dynamics to the complex challenges of poverty reduction and social development. It is intended to serve the needs of a wide audience, including policymakers, business leaders, financial firms and investors, and analysts and professionals engaged in the social and economic development of the Philippines.