This chapter contains selected listings of some of the top hotels in Metro Manila and Baguio, helpful tips for business and leisure travellers, and other useful suggestions for travel to the Philippines. This chapter contains an interview with Bárbara Apráiz de Encío, Executive Director, Spanish Chamber of Commerce.…
This chapter examines the legal system of the Philippines, focusing largely on the stipulations of Bayanihan 1 and 2, which were passed into law in March and September 2020, respectively, to address the economic and health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The chapter also outlines new guidelines on remote participation, corporate donations, corporate debt vehicles and draft guidelines for the licensing…
This chapter examines the tax system of the Philippines, focusing primarily on the tax implications of Bayanihan 1 and 2, introduced during 2020 in an effort to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as transfer pricing, the arm’s length principle and audit guidelines. The chapter also includes an analysis of tax compliance efforts in light of the pandemic, and commentary on the…
The Philippines’ universal health care (UHC) system is now operative, after President Rodrigo Duterte signed the bill into law in February 2019 and Francisco Duque III, the secretary of health, signed the implementing rules and regulations in October that year. This set the stage for 2020 to be the first year of UHC, strengthened by collaboration and the expertise of the private sector. Limited financing…
Philippine authorities have worked to develop the digital economy in recent years, prioritising strengthened internet service provision and a more competitive telecoms market. The country saw an increased reliance on online services and digital technologies, such as e-commerce, during the its extended lockdown period in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This increased the impetus for players across…
While Covid-19 has thrown the Philippines’ economy into flux, early indications suggest that construction and real estate is one of the most resilient sectors and could provide a platform for national recovery. However, with construction projects delayed by lockdowns during the second quarter of 2020, and demand for office space and high-end residential developments weakened by mobility restrictions,…
Transport operations and infrastructure development in the Philippines were acutely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic as lockdowns stalled construction projects, movement restrictions prohibited travel even within communities, and a ban on international arrivals in March limited aviation services for the rest of 2020. As the country’s response to Covid-19 began to take shape in the first half of…
Tourism played a central role in the Philippines’ economic development in the years leading to 2020, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability underscores the sector’s importance for the coming years. While the popular island of Boracay has long drawn tourists, local authorities continue work to diversify destinations through the creation of tourism enterprise zones. These endeavours, as well…
Industry has made a sustained contribution to the Philippines’ economy in recent years, accounting for roughly 30% of GDP between 2017 and 2019, with sector growth driven predominately by manufacturing. Expansion was constrained in 2020 as Covid-19 response measures impeded manufacturing activity and reduced the global demand for industrial products. Meanwhile, agriculture comprised 9-10% of GDP…
