The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) reported that approved investments in the country’s economic zones continue to grow year-on-year, reaching over ₱66 billion — double the more than ₱33 billion logged during the same period last year.

In a statement on Tuesday, PEZA said that from January to May 2025, it approved 102 new and expansion projects with a total investment of P66.34 billion. These projects are projected to generate over $1 billion in export revenues and create approximately 29,000 direct jobs for Filipinos.

The total reflects an 80.14 percent increase in projected investments compared to the P36.83 billion approved from January to May 2023, underscoring growing investor confidence in the country’s strategic ecozones.

The new and expansion projects span key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, IT-BPM, logistics, and renewable energy — industries central to the transformation of global trade networks.

Employment on the rise

PEZA also reported a 51.39 percent increase in employment, as disclosed during its recent board meeting held on 21 May 2025 at its head office in Pasay City.

PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga welcomed the surge in jobs, saying, “This consistent growth in job creation affirms investor confidence in the Philippine ecozone program, especially in strategic and emerging locations. Our focus remains on inclusive growth by developing ecozones beyond urban centers.”

A notable rise in exports complements the strong employment growth, as PEZA positions the Philippines as a secure hub for friendshoring — catering to businesses seeking resilient and values-aligned markets.

“There remains some uncertainty regarding the US tariffs, which are currently being negotiated. However, at PEZA, we are promoting the China+1+1 methodology to facilitate the growing interest of China-based companies in having a presence in the Philippines. PEZA has received numerous inquiries lately, and we are confident that we can do a quick turnaround and welcome these companies as new locators,” Panga said.

From January to May 2025, South Korea emerged as the top investing nationality, accounting for 16.12 percent of total approved investments. This surge is attributed to the newly implemented South Korea–Philippines Free Trade Agreement, which has boosted investor confidence and strengthened bilateral economic ties.

Other major investors included the United States (4.08 percent), China (3.30 percent), Japan (2.92 percent), and the Netherlands (2.16 percent), reflecting continued global interest in Philippine economic zones.

In terms of sectors, Food and Beverage attracted the largest share of approvals at 43.74 percent, followed by Ecozone Development (32.52 percent) and IT-BPM (7.59 percent). Other sectors, such as Enhanced Messaging Services (3.56 percent) and Automotive (1.43 percent), also saw steady activity.

The continued rise in investor interest is also attributed to the recent passage of the CREATE MORE Act, which enhanced fiscal incentives for export- and domestic-oriented enterprises. This law provides a more competitive, transparent, and performance-based incentive framework, making the Philippines more attractive to global investors seeking long-term, stable locations for their operations.

Furthermore, Panga said that PEZA is also in talks with Malaysian and Indonesian companies that have shown interest in establishing their presence in the country as part of their supply chains.

“We welcome this interest as we continue to grow and strengthen inter-trade ties among our neighbors, making the ASEAN region a more cohesive economic and trade area. As PEZA continues to promote and facilitate investments across the country, it remains steadfast in its mission to drive development in the countryside and create employment opportunities for Filipinos,” Panga disclosed.