The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has expanded its innovation-driven investment portfolio with the launch of the country’s first Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Park Ecozone at De La Salle University (DLSU) Laguna Campus — marking a key milestone in the Philippines’ transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

Developed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and PEZA, the DLSU Innovation Hub is the first KIST Ecozone led by a private higher education institution (HEI). The zone was officially designated under Presidential Proclamation No. 985, series of 2025, issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“These ecozones are not just physical spaces, but centers of convergence where science and technology meet entrepreneurship, and where bold ideas are transformed into opportunities that create jobs, foster businesses, and stimulate inclusive economic growth,” said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.

Located in Biñan City, Laguna, the Innovation Hub will focus on advanced biotechnology systems and engineering, including biomedical technologies, genomics, bioinstrumentation, and translational health sciences. It will also house R&D laboratories, startup incubators, and platforms for technology transfer and commercialization.

PEZA Deputy Director General Rowena Naguit said the launch reflects the agency’s sustained effort to link innovation with investment promotion. “As we stand in this exciting new frontier, let us remember, every innovation begins with imagination, every transformation begins with education, and every milestone begins with partnership,” she said.

The DLSU KIST Ecozone is the second of its kind in the Philippines, following the Batangas State University KIST Park established under Presidential Proclamation No. 947 in 2020. PEZA noted that more than 30 KIST applications are currently under review, including one from another private university.

The KIST initiative forms part of PEZA’s broader strategy to attract high-technology and knowledge-intensive industries to economic zones. In recent months, PEZA has strengthened partnerships with research institutions and local governments to develop innovation and agro-industrial zones, particularly across Luzon and the Visayas. The effort aligns with PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga’s goal of adding 30 more ecozones by year-end.

Earlier this year, PEZA also signed agreements with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and DOST to streamline accreditation for technology-based locators and bolster the country’s participation in global value chains. In July 2025, the agency reported P72.36 billion worth of approved investments from January to June—up 59.1 percent from the P45.48 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.

“This continued surge in investments affirms PEZA’s role as a vital engine for economic growth and job creation,” Panga said. “We are reaping the fruits of our aggressive promotion efforts, investor-centric reforms, and continued commitment to making the Philippines a competitive and resilient hub for global industries. The confidence shown by both new and existing investors is a strong signal that our ecozones are thriving and open for business.”