The Marcos government has proposed a P7.2tn 2027 budget to revive growth slowed by the flood-control corruption scandal, raising public-works spending while cutting education and health. The House has passed it and the Senate is reviewing it, while the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte (begun in July) and the November ASEAN summit in Manila dominate the political calendar.
What a Korean company can do now
- 2 open tenders — next deadline 2026-11-17Concreting of local access road, Brgy. Caulayanan (Contract No. 009-2026)
- Korean support you can useEDCF infrastructure loans to the Philippines · Export-Import Bank of Korea
- Promising business opportunityProgress and spending-monitoring dashboards for infrastructure projects
Government · leader
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (head of state and government)
Key national agenda
- Economic recovery and normalised infrastructure spending (5–6% growth target for 2027–2030)
- Flood-control corruption probe and greater budget transparency
- ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 (November summit in Manila)
- Digitalised government services to improve the business climate and curb corruption
- Response to energy prices and cost-of-living stability
Government programmes
2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP)P7.2tn
P7.2tn (about US$118bn, 21.7% of GDP), up 6% on 2026; the 2026 budget is re-enacted if not passed by year-end
DPWH budgetP644bn
Restored with a 22% increase after a roughly 40% cut in 2026 amid corruption allegations
Education and health budgetsEducation P1.15tn; health P353.8bn
Education P1.15tn (down 11.5%), health P353.8bn (down 21%), drawing criticism over social-service cuts
New Clark City manufacturing hub
1,620 ha in Tarlac designated as a semiconductor and rare-earth supply-chain hub under the US-led Pax Silica initiative
Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island BridgesUS$56.6m (EDCF)
Inter-island bridge project financed by a US$56.6m Korea Eximbank EDCF loan
Business opportunities
Progress and spending-monitoring dashboards for infrastructure projects
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
AI chatbots and workflow automation for LGU permits and citizen services
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Open this week
Feasibility and site advisory for Korean manufacturing SMEs entering New Clark City
A semiconductor and rare-earth supply-chain hub site has been designated and supplier recruitment is starting.
BCDA, Korean parts and materials SMEs
Low-cost digital learning and school administration automation tools
🔒 Why-now and buyers — analysis member ₩19,800/mo
Free members get a human-reviewed summary by email for up to 3 countries a month (sent within 24h). BUILD members get them all.
Tenders
- Purchase and delivery of ICT equipment for various offices, Janiuay, Iloilo · Municipality of Janiuay (presumed) · Deadline 2026-11-03
- Supply and installation of construction materials, glass windows and doors for a motorpool, Brgy. Dinginan, Roxas City · Roxas City (presumed) · Deadline 2026-11-20
- Concreting of local access road, Brgy. Caulayanan (Contract No. 009-2026) · Local government (not stated) · Deadline 2026-11-17
Korean support schemes
- EDCF infrastructure loans to the Philippines · Export-Import Bank of Korea — EDCF loans fund bridges and other infrastructure such as the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridges, opening design and supervision opportunities.
- KOICA Philippines programmes · KOICA — The Philippines has been a major KOICA partner for over 30 years in agriculture, education and health.
- Export Voucher programme · MSS/KOSME and MOTIE/KOTRA — Vouchers cover market research, certification and local marketing for entering the Philippines.
Official notices
Presidential Communications Office
- 2026-10 President Marcos declares 16–18 November special non-working days in Metro Manila for the ASEAN Summit (15–17 November)
- 2026-07-06 Senate opens the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte (aims to finish by year-end)
- 2026-07-10 Cabinet approves the P7.2tn 2027 national budget proposal
- 2026-08-10 Mercado appointed Health Secretary
Disaster · conflict · epidemic
Watch 2026-11-07
Kanlaon volcano eruption (GDACS orange, 10 Oct); Taal volcano activity (8 Oct) · Mayon volcano activity (GDACS, 30 Oct) (single source) · Flooding (GDACS, 3 Nov) (single source)
—
—
