With this, we anticipate a renewed boost in business and consumer confidence in Mindanao,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement. Citing the central bank’s latest Business Expectations Survey, the NEDA noted a more positive business outlook for the fourth quarter, with the confidence index having risen to 51.3 percent from 42.7 percent. Consumer sentiment was also more upbeat with the confidence index at 17.8 percent for the fourth quarter from 13.6 percent in the previous quarter. “This confidence is expected to be reflected in the country’s gross domestic product growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2017 and the succeeding quarters of 2018,” Pernia noted. The ensuing peacebuilding efforts will also help ensure stability in the Mindanao region and help attract longer-term investments and boost greater consumer confidence,” Pernia said.

Source: Manila Times October 24, 2017 15:45 UTC