MANILA (Reuters): Credit ratings agency Fitch revised the Philippines' outlook to "negative" from "stable" on Monday, citing risks to medium-term growth from disrupted public investment and the country's high exposure to the global energy shock.
The Philippines is particularly vulnerable to the Middle East conflict due to its heavy reliance on imported energy and the risk of softer remittance inflows from the Gulf region, the agency said. While the government has rolled out targeted subsidies for vulnerable sectors, Fitch said consumers are absorbing the bulk of energy price increases.
