The World Bank confirmed the Philippines’ upgrade to the upper-middle-income category in its latest country income classification update on Wednesday, after the country’s gross national income (GNI) per capita reached $4,850. The figure exceeded the $4,636 threshold for the current fiscal year.

That ended the country’s run as a lower-middle-income economy dating back to 1987.

“The Philippines achieved its reclassification through broad-based expansion. GDP grew at an average of 5.8 percent per year over five years, reflecting gains across all major industries, not a single sector boom, but an economy-wide shift,” the World Bank said. “After nearly four decades as a lower-middle-income country since 1987, this milestone affirms that the economic policies we have pursued over the past four years have been effective,” President Marcos said.

Economists were quick to separate the statistics from lived experience. Gross national income per capita is a national average, not a measure of how income is distributed among households, and it includes income earned by Filipinos abroad.

29 June

Visiting troops

The President inaugurated the new headquarters and support facilities of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) 9B in Maimbung, Sulu, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening law enforcement and sustaining peace in the province.

The new Camp Hadji Suod B. Tan features a four-story administration building, separate barracks for male and female personnel, a firing range and other essential support facilities designed to enhance the battalion’s operational readiness.

The RMFB serves as the Philippine National Police’s mobile reaction force, supporting internal security operations and assisting local police units during emergencies and high-risk missions.

President Marcos also received the surrendered firearms of former rebels and local government units as part of the day’s activities.

P371M to Zamboanga

After the inauguration, President Marcos proceeded to Camp Gen. Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo to the headquarters of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division before continuing his official engagements in Zamboanga City.

The President turned over P371.8 million to the Zamboanga Peninsula under the Socio-Civic Project Funds-Bawat Bayan Makikinabang Program.

The funds were received by the provincial governments of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and the city government of Zamboanga.

30 June

Massive protest cancels engagements

Due to the rally organized by the religious group, Iglesia ni Cristo, President Marcos decided to cancel all his scheduled engagements to monitor the situation at the EDSA People Power Monument on Tuesday.

1 July

Air Force will keep flying

President Marcos graced the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) 79th Founding Anniversary at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City where he vowed that the government would continue to extend its support to the PAF and its modernization program.

Marcos said that under the PAF Modernization Program, operational capabilities have been strengthened with the acquisition of helicopters, aircraft, and surveillance radar systems.

The President said the government will also support programs that protect the mental health and overall well-being of every airman and airwoman of the PAF.

As their Commander-in-Chief, Marcos encouraged the PAF personnel to continue upholding the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and integrity.

Tacloban shooting victims aided

On the same day, the Chief Executive extended more than P1 million in financial assistance to the families of the students who were killed and wounded in the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.

The President said the family of each of the three students who died received P150,000, while each of the 18 students injured in the incident received P50,000.

In the evening, the President, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and some Cabinet members, left the country for a three-day official visit to Canada.

2 July

Canada trip expands alliance

The President arrived in Canada as part of an intensified campaign to diversify the Philippines’ partnerships with like-minded nations.

Among those who welcomed President Marcos were Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, Consul General Gina Jamoralin, and Defense Attaché to Washington Brig. Gen. Ray Anthony Derillo.

The President underscored the need to strengthen ties with Canada, the Philippines’s longstanding friend and partner, as the two nations navigate the shared challenges they face as Pacific nations.

High on the agenda during the visit were trade, defense, and maritime cooperation, people-to-people ties, and enhanced air links.

Wide collaboration in industries

Specifically, the President said in his departure statement that the visit will build on the “very positive trajectory as we pursue new collaborations in niche areas, such as mining, critical minerals, and renewable energy.”

In Canada, the President welcomed the Philippines’ official transition to upper-middle-income country status, noting that the milestone affirms the effectiveness of the government’s economic policies implemented over the past several years.

The World Bank said in its latest income assessment, released Wednesday, that the Philippines has reached upper-middle-income status after attaining a gross national income per capita of $4,850, exceeding the $4,636 threshold.

Income status attained

President Marcos welcomed the Philippines’ official transition to upper-middle-income country status, noting that the milestone affirmed the effectiveness of the government’s economic policies implemented over the past four years.

“Our steady economic growth, broadly stable currency, and long term reforms have strengthened our economy even amid global uncertainties. It validates the progress we have made and the resilience of the Filipino people,” the President said.

3 July

Free trade deal coming

During a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Marcos announced that the two countries made a renewed commitment to conclude talks on a Philippine-Canada Free Trade Agreement before the end of the year, as well as to increase bilateral trade, stand against economic coercion, and build a resilient supply chain.

Among Canada’s top imports from the Philippines are electronics and machinery, while its major exports include mineral ore, meat, cereals, aerospace parts and fertilizer.

President Marcos and Prime Minister Carney had a one-on-one meeting to discuss the positive trajectory of the two nations’ bilateral relations and future partnership.

Ties elevated to strategic

The two countries’ bilateral relations were also elevated to a Strategic Partnership in pursuit of a shared commitment to adapt to the shifting global realities, address shared challenges, and build capacities for a future-ready partnership.

Further, President Marcos said he and Prime Minister Carney welcomed the signing of the Status of Agreement in Manila and await ratification by their respective legislatures, as well as the signing of the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and the Statement of Intent on Strengthening Defense Cooperation between the Philippines and Canada.

The President said he and Carney underscored the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and Canada’s increasing engagement in the region under its Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Dark intents detected

The President also thanked Canada for its Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) rogram deployed to the Philippines to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and increase maritime domain awareness. Marcos requested continuous access to the DVD for the next five years.

And as the Philippines celebrates the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award on the South China Sea, the President expressed gratitude to Canada for its consistent support for a rules-based order in the South China Sea, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and in upholding the legally binding arbitral award.

1-M Pinoys, partnership’s heart, soul

The President recognized the contributions of the one million-strong Filipinos in Canada, who serve as the heart and soul of the Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Canada.

A strategic partnership between countries is a long term diplomatic framework aimed at deepening cooperation across multiple dimensions such as defense, economics, technology and politics.

The two also made a side trip to a Jollibee branch in Vancouver, a Filipino-Canadian-owned business that reflects the growing business ties between the two nations. The two leaders were also introduced to different Jollibee offerings.