Money is never just about numbers on a screen. For the thousands of Filipinos living in Taiwan, the link between the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) and the Philippine Peso (PHP) is a lifeline. It’s the difference between sending home a little extra for a birthday or just barely covering the electricity bill.
Right now, in early 2026, the exchange rate is doing some interesting things. If you've looked at the charts lately, you've probably seen the NT currency to Philippine Peso hovering around the 1.88 mark. That means for every 1,000 NT you earn in Taipei or Taichung, you’re looking at roughly 1,880 Pesos.
But why is it stuck there? And more importantly, is it going to get better for the senders or the receivers?
What’s Actually Moving the NTD-PHP Rate?
Usually, when we talk about exchange rates, people get bogged down in "macroeconomics." Honestly, it’s simpler than that. It’s a tug-of-war. On one side, you have Taiwan’s massive electronics exports. When the world wants chips, the NTD gets strong. On the other side, you have the Philippines’ massive appetite for imports—like oil and rice—which can sometimes drag the Peso down.
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Lately, the Peso has been under significant pressure. In fact, just this week, the PHP hit a record low against the US Dollar, closing at 59.44. Because the US Dollar is the "middleman" for most currency conversions, when the Peso weakens against the Dollar, it often weakens against the NTD too.
That sounds like bad news for the Philippine economy, but if you’re an OFW in Taiwan, it’s a bit of a silver lining. Your 100 NTD simply buys more Pesos than it did a year ago.
The Mid-Market Reality
You’ll see a rate like 1.8808 on Google. This is the "mid-market" rate. It’s basically the halfway point between what banks are buying and selling at. But here’s the kicker: you will almost never get that rate.
Banks and remittance centers need to make a profit. They do this by taking a "spread"—a tiny slice of the exchange rate—or by charging a flat fee. So, if Google says 1.88, your remittance app might offer you 1.85.
The Best Ways to Send Your NTD Home
Don't just walk into the first bank you see. That's a rookie mistake. Taiwanese banks are incredibly secure, but their international transfer fees can be steep, sometimes reaching 400 NT or more per transaction.
For most people, apps are the way to go.
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- Wise (formerly TransferWise): They are usually the gold standard for transparency. They give you that mid-market rate we talked about but charge an upfront fee. If you’re sending large amounts, the math usually works in your favor here.
- Skrill: Recent data shows Skrill has been highly competitive for the Taiwan-to-Philippines corridor. They often offer "fee-free" transfers for your first few goes, though they make their money on the exchange rate markup.
- Western Union & MoneyGram: These are the old reliables. If your family back home doesn't have a bank account and needs to pick up physical cash at a Cebuana Lhuillier or Palawan Pawnshop, these are your best bets. Just be prepared for slightly lower exchange rates.
- EEC and Sea-B: If you’ve spent any time in "Little Manila" in Taipei, you know these names. They specialize in the OFW market and often have very simple, flat-fee structures that make sense if you’re sending money every single month.
Why 2026 is Looking Volatile
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is in a tough spot. Inflation in the Philippines has been a bit of a rollercoaster, hitting around 1.8% to 3.0%. When inflation is high, the central bank usually raises interest rates to keep the currency strong. But if they raise them too high, they might hurt local businesses.
In Taiwan, things are steadier. The Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) tends to keep the NTD stable to protect its exporters.
What does this mean for you? Expect the NT currency to Philippine Peso rate to stay in the 1.85 to 1.90 range for the next few months. If the Peso continues to test new lows against the Greenback, we might even see the NTD hit the 1.92 mark, which would be a massive win for remitters.
A Quick Reality Check on "Forecasts"
I've seen some "experts" claiming the Peso will bounce back to 53 against the Dollar by the end of the year. Take that with a grain of salt. Currency markets are influenced by everything from typhoons in the Pacific to elections in the US.
The smartest thing you can do isn't to predict the future, but to time your transfers.
How to Maximize Your Pesos
- Avoid Weekend Transfers: Markets are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Most providers will give you a "safe" (read: worse) rate to protect themselves from price swings when the markets reopen on Monday.
- Use Rate Alerts: Most modern apps like Wise or XE allow you to set an alert. If the NTD-PHP rate hits 1.89, your phone buzzes. That’s your cue to send.
- Compare Every Time: The "cheapest" provider in January might be the most expensive in March. Use comparison tools like Monito or just open three different apps on your phone before hitting "send."
- Watch the Fees, Not Just the Rate: A provider might offer a "high" rate of 1.89 but charge a 200 NT fee. Another might offer 1.87 with a 50 NT fee. If you’re only sending 5,000 NT, the second one is actually better.
What’s Next for the Exchange Rate?
The narrative for the rest of 2026 is going to be about "managed volatility." The Philippine government is pushing for big infrastructure projects, which requires spending. At the same time, Taiwan is navigating a shifting global trade landscape.
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If you are planning for a big expense—like buying a house or paying for tuition in the Philippines—it might be worth locking in a rate now if it's near 1.88. Waiting for that "perfect" 1.95 might result in you missing out if the market suddenly shifts.
To get the most out of your hard-earned NTD, start by comparing your current remittance provider against at least two digital-first apps like Wise or Skrill today. Check the total "landing amount" in Pesos after all fees are deducted, as that is the only number that truly matters for your family's budget.