MANILA, Philippines — The economy likely grew faster in the third quarter on the back of strong exports, agricultural production and investments, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said yesterday.
In an interview with reporters, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the economy likely grew at a faster rate in the third quarter compared with the expansion recorded in the first two quarters.
“A faster growth than first quarter and second quarter is something probably easier to say,” Pernia said on the sidelines of the Ease of Doing Business press conference in Makati yesterday.
The economy grew 6.4 percent and 6.5 percent in the first and second quarter, respectively.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol earlier said he expects agriculture growth in the third quarter to be almost at same level as the second quarter. The agriculture sector grew 6.18 percent in the second quarter.
Earlier, Pernia said the Philippines may not attain the upper limit of its economic growth target for 2017.