BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said the Monetary Board adjusted the overnight deposit and lending rates to 5 percent and 6 percent, respectively, reflecting the central bank’s shift toward a more accommodative stance, following months of stable price movements.
Bank of the Philippine Islands lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. said that the BSP has room for further monetary easing in the first half of 2025, provided no significant supply shocks disrupt the inflation trajectory.
Warning signs of a slowing Philippine economy may prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to implement “jumbo” cuts that would bring the policy rate back to the prepandemic level.
Gov. Remolona said that, while some risks such as potential increases in electricity rates and external factors remain, the Monetary Board believes that easing price pressures and strong economic conditions warrant a shift towards a less restrictive monetary policy stance.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Tuesday that it expects the country’s inflation rate to ease for the rest of the year and into next year, after the government released official figures showing that prices of goods and services spiked in July.