Business proposals hit P3.54T under PBBM

Raffy Ayeng·31 May 2025, 3:43 am·1 min read

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Business proposals hit P3.54T under PBBM — Economic sweetspot The Philippines is positioned to support economic growth, a key advantage amid ongoing global trade shocks, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor for the monetary and economics sector Zeno Ronald Abenoja. Speaking on behalf of BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr. at a joint policy forum organized by the BSP and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, Abenoja emphasized that the country’s current inflation rate of 1.4 percent, as of April 2025, allows the bank to lower interest rates.
Photograph courtesy of BSP

The premier investment promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Board of Investment (BoI), has reported the current investment approvals delivered under the Marcos Jr. administration since 2022 when it started its tenure are now at P3.54 trillion, a 70.64 percent increase compared to the same period under the previous administration.

The DTI on Friday said that as the Marcos administration marks its third year in office, investment approvals posted a continued momentum, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a hub for innovative and sustainable manufacturing and services amid evolving global economic conditions.

Broken down, from July to December 2022, the BoI recorded P499 billion, followed by P1.26 trillion in 2023 and P1.62 trillion in 2024.

On the other hand, from January to April 2025, total approved investments reached P158 billion.

For the yearly record, total approved investments reached P729 billion in 2022; P1.26 trillion in 2023, and P1.62 trillion in 2024 — the highest in the BoI’s 57-year history, driven largely by renewable energy projects.

147K new jobs created

The total approved investments are expected to generate 147,304 jobs, reflecting the administration’s commitment to translating investment growth into meaningful employment opportunities for Filipinos.

“These record-breaking figures are a testament to the Philippines’ sound investment policies and enduring appeal as a regional hub. But even more importantly, they reflect the strong leadership and clear directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to build a strong, innovation-driven economy anchored on high-quality investments that generate jobs, enhance infrastructure, and elevate our global competitiveness,” said Secretary Cristina A. Roque.

“Under President Marcos’ administration, we are not only pursuing numbers — we are pursuing meaningful transformation. Through strategic policy direction and whole-of-government coordination, we are laying the foundations for long-term, inclusive, and innovation-led growth,” the trade chief added.

While investment approvals in 2025 have seen a slowdown, this trend is expected and reflects the natural cycle of investment activity. The majority of previously approved large-scale projects have now entered their implementation phase.

“It is important to understand the nature of strategic investments. Projects such as offshore wind farms, logistics corridors, and energy infrastructure are large-scale undertakings that involve detailed planning, permitting, and construction phases. These do not translate into immediate FDI inflows, but they are critical to long-term growth and competitiveness,” Roque explained.

Between January 2022 and February 2025, the country experienced fluctuating foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, influenced by global economic conditions and ongoing policy reforms.