PEZA on track to surpass 2024 investments

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is poised to surpass its full-year 2024 performance after investment approvals from January to November 2025 climbed to P207.58 billion — exceeding the P201.55 billion posted in the same period last year.

The momentum signals continued investor confidence in Philippine ecozones despite global uncertainties, supply-chain realignments, and tighter financial conditions.

“Even amid external shocks and a challenging global investment climate, the ecozone industry remains undeterred. Our consistent growth reflects the trust of investors in the Philippines’ competitiveness coupled with PEZA’s brand of service,” said PEZA director general Tereso O. Panga.

Measures strengthening investment ecosystem

“We will continue to champion measures that strengthen our investment ecosystem and position the country as a prime hub for sustainable, technology-driven, and resilient industries,” he added.

The PEZA board approved 281 new and expansion projects, up 17.6 percent from last year, with projected exports surging 89 percent to $7.39 billion and expected job generation reaching 69,737 positions. Japan remained the country’s top investment source, followed by the Cayman Islands, South Korea, China, Singapore and the United States.

Notably, domestic-oriented investments more than doubled to P110.73 billion — an indication of improving regional industrial activity and closer coordination between PEZA and local governments.

In November alone, PEZA said it cleared P32.21 billion worth of investments across 38 projects, spanning export manufacturing, IT-BPM, logistics services, facilities development, and ecozone expansion.

These projects will be distributed across key growth regions including CALABARZON, Central Luzon, NCR, Central Visayas, Ilocos, Bicol, Northern Mindanao and Davao, reinforcing the agency’s push for geographically balanced development.

Big-ticket projects

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina A. Roque and PEZA Board Chair Maria highlighted the approval of P27.26 billion in big-ticket projects in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and ecozone development, saying these demonstrate strong investment momentum heading into 2026.