The Philippine peso dropped to a fresh record low against the US dollar on Wednesday, closing at 59.17 per dollar. This surpassed the previous low of 59.13 recorded last October, reflecting weak market confidence amid ongoing governance concerns in the Philippines.
The depreciation of the peso has mixed effects on the economy:
In recent weeks, the peso has hovered between 58 and 59 against the dollar due to heightened risks to economic growth, exacerbated by governance issues and severe weather disruptions.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas signaled it will allow the exchange rate to be determined by market forces and will not intervene to regulate daily fluctuations.
The Philippine peso’s plunge to a record low highlights persistent economic challenges, with mixed consequences for the country’s growth and inflation outlook.