MANILA, Philippines — Higher local borrowings pushed the national government’s outstanding debt beyond this year’s projection, reaching P17.58 trillion, but it is also expected to ease by yearend with the scheduled repayment of some domestic bonds.

Data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed that the figure breached the P17.359-trillion debt ceiling projected for 2025.

The latest tally was P296.19 billion higher than June’s P17.27 trillion and P1.87 trillion above the year-earlier at P15.69 trillion. It also exceeded the P16.05 trillion recorded at the end of 2024 by P1.251 trillion.

Govt debt swells to record P17.58T, This news data comes from:http://771bg.com

While the debt stock has repeatedly set new highs, the Treasury said it expected a decline toward yearend as it planned to “pay off P814.2 billion worth of domestic bonds by December 2025 and fundraising activities wind down.”

Govt debt swells to record P17.58T

“The Marcos, Jr. administration remains steadfast in its commitment to prudent debt management by leveraging strong investor confidence in peso-denominated securities while ensuring that borrowings are at the lowest possible cost and support fiscal sustainability, inclusive growth, and a stronger Philippine economy,” the Treasury added.

Of the total debt stock, 24 percent was borrowed abroad while 76 percent was sourced domestically.