Diokno: PH economy grew likely at at 6.5% in 2018By The Manila TimesTHE Philippine economy likely grew by 6.5 percent in 2018, hitting the lower end of the government’s official target range, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday. “The country’s growth is domestic-driven as we invest heavily in our infrastructure through the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, and we also do the same for our human capital,” Diokno said in a news briefing. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is currently running below the 6.5-6.9 percent goal for 2018 based on latest data, averaging 6.3 percent as of end-September following first to third quarter outturns of 6.6 percent, 6.2 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively. Growth in 2017 was 6.7 percent, near the lower end of the 6.5-7.5 percent target. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Source: Manila Times January 16, 2019 05:48 UTC