Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
In the first quarter of 2026, the Philippine economy grew by only 2.8 percent — its weakest growth since the pandemic recovery. But the slowdown was not everywhere.
Services were still growing. Consumers were still spending. Exports were strong. The real weakness came from investment, public construction, inventories, agriculture, inflation, and the peso.
This video explains why the economy did not collapse, but still hit a wall.
Narrated By Tom McKay
instagram.com/tmckay715
youtube.com/@UC8blX3YnHDG9e9_E9KjPK6g
Inquiries: behindasian@gmail.com
Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.
Source(s):
Sources used: Philippine Statistics Authority Q1 2026 National Accounts for GDP, services, household spending, exports, investment, construction, agriculture, and industry data; Reuters on Q1 2026 GDP and delayed budget passage; Reuters on the 2026 budget, flood-control controversy, and DPWH budget cut; PSA April 2026 inflation data; PSA March 2026 merchandise trade data; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas exchange-rate and policy-rate data.
In the first quarter of 2026, the Philippine economy grew by only 2.8 percent — its weakest growth since the pandemic recovery. But the slowdown was not everywhere.
Services were still growing. Consumers were still spending. Exports were strong. The real weakness came from investment, public construction, inventories, agriculture, inflation, and the peso.
This video explains why the economy did not collapse, but still hit a wall.
Narrated By Tom McKay
instagram.com/tmckay715
youtube.com/@UC8blX3YnHDG9e9_E9KjPK6g
Inquiries: behindasian@gmail.com
Brought to you by the Behind Asian Team.
Source(s):
Sources used: Philippine Statistics Authority Q1 2026 National Accounts for GDP, services, household spending, exports, investment, construction, agriculture, and industry data; Reuters on Q1 2026 GDP and delayed budget passage; Reuters on the 2026 budget, flood-control controversy, and DPWH budget cut; PSA April 2026 inflation data; PSA March 2026 merchandise trade data; Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas exchange-rate and policy-rate data.
