The Department of Finance (DOF) welcomed the Philippines’ new status as the top emerging market for investor relations, emphasizing that the milestone will drive long-term employment and boost economic confidence.
According to the Investor Relations and Debt Transparency Report released by the Institute of International Finance (IIF) on July 8, the Philippines outperformed 56 other emerging economies.
The study assessed nations on investor engagement, debt transparency, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures, awarding the Philippines a near-perfect Investor Relations Country Score of 49.3 out of 50.
Finance Secretary Frederick Go praised the milestone for its potential to draw global capital.
“This recognition sends a strong signal that the Philippines is a credible and reliable investment destination. It reflects growing confidence in the Philippine economy and in the reforms we are pursuing,” Go stated.
The IIF report underscored that strong investor relations foster institutional maturity and sovereign credit stability. The Philippines placed in the top three for debt transparency, scoring 12.3 out of 13, and joined Hungary, Uruguay, and Chile in securing a flawless 4.0 score for ESG data dissemination.
This proactive transparency yields a “Transparency Dividend,” which the IIF notes helps countries mitigate investor uncertainty, enhance market resilience, and lower borrowing costs.
Moving forward, the DOF noted that the global accolade validates its current governance initiatives. Go highli
ghted how these macroeconomic achievements translate to tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
“By strengthening investor relations through transparency, trust is built. Strong investor confidence helps the government access financing on better terms, allowing us to invest more in priority programs and services that create jobs, support businesses, and expand opportunities for Filipino families,” Go said.