Most CEOs upbeat on industry outlook

But urge government action on infrastructure, corruption

MANILA, Philippines — Over 80 percent of Philippines-based CEOs are optimistic on industry and revenue growth, but stressed the need for the government to step up efforts to address corruption and push for infrastructure development.

This is according to a survey of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and PwC Philippines.

Results of the 2025 Philippine CEO Survey showed that 83 percent of CEOs are confident about their industry’s prospects for the next 12 months, down from 86 percent in last year’s survey.

The survey also showed that 84 percent of Philippine CEOs expect revenue growth.

Conducted from July 22 to Aug. 25, the survey covered nearly 200 Philippine-based CEOs.

The CEO’s positive outlook rests on the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals including sound monetary policy, strong banking system and inflation that has remained within the government’s target.

Philippine-based CEOs expect economic growth in the next 12 months to be driven by infrastructure development (65 percent), domestic consumption (62 percent) and government spending (41 percent).

In terms of satisfaction in government performance, Trissy Rogacion, deals and corporate finance partner at PwC Philippines said Philippine-based CEOs are “generally happy with how our government is managing inflation, forging stronger relationships with other nations and pushing for infrastructure.”

Despite being generally satisfied with the government’s performance in these areas, the level of satisfaction dipped to 69 percent in terms of pushing for infrastructure from 83 percent last year and to 65 percent in forging stronger relationships with other nations from the previous year’s 74 percent.

Rogacion said dissatisfaction remains high when it comes to fighting corruption with only nine percent saying the government is performing well in this area.

“With the rising public frustration over failed infrastructure projects, our leaders, our CEOs are closely watching and hoping that our administration succeeds in its fight against corruption,” she said.

Last month, President Marcos said an initial review found that 15 contractors bagged P100 billion or 20 percent of all flood control projects in the past three years.

Roderick Danao, chairman and senior partner at PwC Philippines said the Sumbong sa Pangulo website to investigate irregularities in flood control projects, is seen as a game-changer with the site receiving a rising number of complaints and exposing those involved in projects.

“Now, the next step is for the government to show serious enforcement and legal actions to set the tone moving forward for the sake of our country,” he said.

He said CEOs are closely watching the next actions to be taken by the government.

While the economy is likely to grow between five and six percent without any significant intervention, Danao said the pace of growth could be much faster if the government accelerates infrastructure spending.

“We need more mass transport systems…not many flood control projects. We need tangible outcomes, we need measurable outcomes. We need the people to feel the impact of this massive infra spending to boost the economy,” he said.

In the long-term, he said the country will need to reinvent its economic model from being service-led to becoming industry-led.

“And to do that, we need to build trust. And trust starts with the government,” he said.

In terms of concerns that keep CEOs awake at night, the survey showed geopolitical uncertainty (47 percent), uncertain economic growth (47 percent) and workforce issues (42 percent) topping the list.

When it comes to the tariffs and trade regulations imposed by the United States, the survey showed that only 20 percent are facing threats from such.

The survey also showed that more than half or 52 percent of CEOs in the country do not see their companies as being economically viable beyond 10 years if they remain business as usual.

Key threats to the organizations are risk of inflation (94 percent), macroeconomic volatility (93 percent) and cyber risks (84 percent).

Over the next 12 months, Philippine-based CEOs said they are making investments on upskilling their workforce (82 percent), automation initiatives (78 percent) and advanced technologies (63 percent).