MANILA, Philippines — The total outstanding debt of the national government posted a modest increase in March while external borrowings declined, the Bureau of the Treasury reported.

Total obligations went up by 0.31 percent month-on-month to P16.68 trillion.

Broken down, domestic debt amounted to P11.38 trillion, reflecting a 1.39-percent increase.

Foreign debt totaled P5.30 trillion as of end-March, down by 1.92 percent.

READ: New high: Gov’t debt topped P16 trillion in November

READ: Gov’t debt service bill down by 82% in Feb to P52.2B