MANILA — Cash remittances sent by overseas Filipinos (OFs) continued to rise in May 2025, reaching US\$2.66 billion, a 2.9% increase from US\$2.58 billion recorded in the same month last year, according to official data.

Sea-based OFs posted a slightly faster growth, with remittances climbing 3.1% year-on-year to US\$536 million. Land-based workers still accounted for the larger share, sending US\$2.12 billion, up 2.8% from May 2024.

From January to May 2025, total cash remittances coursed through banks grew 3.0% to US\$13.77 billion, compared to US\$13.37 billion during the same period last year.

The United States remained the top source of remittances, followed by Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

The continued increase in cash inflows also lifted personal remittances, which include bank transfers, informal channels, and in-kind contributions. Personal remittances rose 3.0% to US\$2.97 billion in May from US\$2.88 billion a year ago.

Cumulative personal remittances for the first five months of the year hit US\$15.34 billion, up 3.0% from US\$14.89 billion in the same period in 2024.