Resilience in the age of digital leadership: 2026 mid-year economy and industry updates

Digitalization. Artificial intelligence. Economic uncertainty. Geopolitical shifts. These themes have dominated recent headlines, with both local and global forces continuing to reshape the Philippine economy and business environment. 

Against this backdrop, organizations must do more than monitor change: they must also understand where the economy is headed, identify where opportunities are emerging, and determine how technology can be used to improve efficiency and strengthen strategy, decision-making, and resilience. 

To help better understand these shifts, P&A Grant Thornton has recently held its annual internal knowledge-sharing session, “2026 Midyear Updates: Trends, Insights, and the Outlook,” gathering key perspectives from experts on the economy, sector outlooks, and the growing importance of digital leadership in today’s business landscape. 

From economic signals and industry movements to the rise of digital leadership, one message stood out: the future will favor organizations that do not merely react to change, but those who understand and prepare for it. 

Let’s examine the trends, insights, and outlook shaping today’s business environment and how these can guide organizations in tackling what lies ahead.

The economy at a glance 

Carlo Asuncion, Chief Economist of the UnionBank of the Philippines, framed the 2026 midyear economic outlook as a shift “from stabilization to strategic execution.” While the Philippine economy continues to grow, he emphasized that the engines of growth have changed. For 2026, the key challenge is navigating weak domestic demand; for 2027, the task is positioning for a selective recovery. With headline GDP growth understating the underlying softness in the economy, businesses must look beyond aggregate numbers.  

One of the key messages from the discussion was that the consumer is no longer carrying the economy in the way it traditionally has. Household consumption remains positive, but spending has become more defensive. Remittances continue to provide support to households, partly aided by peso depreciation. However, this cushion may become thinner as overseas job deployment shows signs of weakening. For consumer-facing businesses, this points to a market shaped by value-conscious spending rather than a broad consumption surge. Investment also remains a critical concern, with weak investment potentially affecting job creation, income confidence, consumption behavior, and ultimately domestic demand. 

Despite these challenges, the economy is better described as uneven rather than simply weak, according to Asuncion. Services remain a key anchor, while industry continues to show softness. External demand is doing more of the heavy lifting, supported by areas such as technology manufacturing, business process outsourcing, logistics, health, education, financial services, and professional services. With growth becoming more selective, businesses must identify pockets of resilience, reassess exposure to cautious domestic consumers, and position themselves in sectors and regions where structural momentum is emerging.

Industries at the Forefront 

Beyond the broader economic outlook, the session also highlighted how specific industries are navigating disruption, digitalization, and shifting market needs. Perspectives from real estate, healthcare, and fintech showed that while each sector faces distinct challenges, industry growth will increasingly depend on how effectively organizations use data, technology, and human judgment to create value. 

For the real estate sector, Roy Golez, Director for Research, Consultancy, and Valuations for Leechiu Property Consultants, Inc., discussed how digital adoption is reshaping the way properties are discovered, managed, marketed, and experienced. The industry is moving towards a more transparent and data-driven ecosystem, with a focus on digitalizing processes and improving access to information and services. According to Golez, the key differentiator will no longer be who simply possesses data, but who can interpret it effectively, generate meaningful insights, and translate them into action. 

In healthcare, Joselito Diga, Senior Vice President of Finance for Unilab Inc., pointed to a sector poised for sustained growth, with Philippine healthcare expected to expand significantly by 2030, driven by aging demographics, rising per capita income, health consciousness, and the increasing incidence of chronic diseases. Both public and private healthcare players are expanding services, while technology is helping patients navigate an increasingly complex healthcare network. Standardization initiatives are key as the sector seeks to improve efficiency, strengthen delivery systems, and build a stronger foundation for future growth. 

For fintech, Catherine “Catz” Jalandoni, Philippine Country Director for the Global Finance & Technology Network and President of the Global AI Council Philippines, emphasized the importance of data quality amidst AI adoption. In the financial sector, inclusive digital finance remains a key priority, particularly in extending digital payments, credit access, financial literacy, and last-mile banking services. With regulations evolving, the fintech sector’s ability to combine innovation with trust, oversight, and inclusion will be critical to its continued growth.

What’s next for Philippine businesses 

During the panel discussion, industry leaders emphasized that digital leadership must move beyond adoption, into a clear understanding of how technology can augment the way businesses operate, serve clients, and solve human challenges. The true value of technology lies in how well it’s integrated into strategy, governance, and decision-making. 

The discussion also emphasized that artificial intelligence should not be viewed as a replacement for people, but a tool that supplements human capability. With information becoming more accessible and processes moving faster, organizations must continue to invest in upskilling people who can interpret insights, exercise sound judgment, and apply digital solutions responsibly. 

Ultimately, resilience in the age of digital leadership requires more than reacting quickly. We must understand change with clarity, respond with purpose, and lead with both innovation and accountability. As businesses navigate the second half of 2026 and prepare for the years ahead, those that can combine economic insight, industry awareness, and responsible digital adoption will be better positioned to create long-term value and empower progress.

As published in The Manila Times, dated 19 August 2026