THE government is more likely to surpass its economic growth target this year, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno, thanks to a stronger-than-expected third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) expansion.

'Philippines' GDP grew 7.1 percent, year on year, in the third quarter. This stronger-than-expected growth — versus BSP's forecast of 6.2 percent, for example — increases the likelihood that the revised growth projection of 4 to 5 percent in 2021 would be exceeded,' he said in a message to reporters on Tuesday.