The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) delivered its biggest interest rate hike in more than three years yesterday, as worsening inflation pressures prompted a more aggressive monetary policy response. At its fifth policy meeting this year, the Monetary Board raised its benchmark rate by 50 basis points to 5.50 percent. The larger-than-expected increase marked the BSP’s fourth consecutive rate hike this year and its first 50-basis-point adjustment since February 2023.