during the Central Banking Symposium in Panglao, Bohol on 24 November 2025.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) held its inaugural “Central Banking Symposium” on 24 November 2025 in Panglao, Bohol. The event served as a platform for dialogue on contemporary central banking issues.
In his opening remarks, BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona said the symposium’s theme, “Anchoring Policy in an Era of Shocks,” captures the challenge of monetary policy today. He explained that anchoring policy is necessary to keep the economy steady. As the Governor illustrated, “Fisherfolk say that when strong currents shift, the first thing to check is the anchor. If the anchor holds, you will be okay.”
Meanwhile, former Bank of Thailand Governor and keynote speaker Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput echoed former Bank of England Governor Mervyn King’s view that a successful central bank should be boring. “In this era of unprecedented shocks, stability requires that we also be robust. To put it simply, robust is the new boring,” he said.
Discussions were led by BSP Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja, University of the Philippines Professor Emeritus Dante B. Canlas, and ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office Philippine country economist Andrew Tsang.
The symposium gathered Members of the Monetary Board, BSP senior officials, leaders from the banking industry, financial market associations, economists from academia and government agencies, and members of the BSP press corps.
Topics included how Filipino households form their inflation expectations, the dynamics behind deposits and financial stability, and the role of exchange rate in monetary policy.
Through this new annual forum, the BSP aims to broaden understanding of macro-financial issues and strengthen evidence-based policymaking in the Philippines.
