AS THE Philippine peso further fell to a 13-year low last month, the country’s outstanding debt inched up to a new high of 7.16 trillion pesos (Bt4.41 trillion) as of September, the government reported Friday.

THE Philippines’ outstanding debt increased to a record high above US$133 billion at the end of the first quarter, due to a weaker peso and the government’s issuance of debt paper in China in March.