Manila, April 15 -- The country's economic team is taking steps to cushion the impact of global uncertainties on the Philippine economy, Malacanang said Wednesday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the assurance, following projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the Philippines' growth targets.

Castro noted that external factors, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, continue to affect not only the Philippines but also other Asian economies.

"Hindi ginusto ng pamahalaan at Pangulo ang nangyayaring kaguluhan po sa Middle East (The administration and the President do not want the ongoing conflict in the Middle East)," she said in a Palace press briefing.

The IMF downgraded its 2016 growth forecast for ...