PEZA at 30: How the country’s freeport engine continues to power investments and economic growth

As the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, the institution remains one of the country’s strongest pillars of foreign direct investment (FDI), export expansion and employment generation.

Established in 1995 under Republic Act 7916, PEZA succeeded the former Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) with a renewed and wider mandate: to drive industrial growth, expand export capabilities, and build globally competitive ecozones that attract world-class investors.

During its early years — especially under the transformative leadership of Lilia de Lima, who served for an unprecedented 21 years — PEZA became synonymous with efficiency, predictability and investor trust. Later, director general Charito Plaza broadened PEZA’s horizons by pursuing new types of ecozones, such as agro-industrial, defense and halal parks, which opened fresh avenues for investment and regional development.

Today, the agency’s most significant wave of modernization and resurgence has taken place under director general Tereso O. Panga, the first career Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) to head PEZA in 30 years.

Panga, who has devoted more than two decades to ecozone regulation, has introduced a strategic mix of data-driven governance, policy consistency, digital automation and long-term competitiveness reforms.

“We want PEZA to remain a symbol of good governance and investor confidence,” Panga says. “Our modernization efforts are built on making the Philippines an easier, cleaner and more competitive place to do business.”

Under his stewardship, PEZA has delivered record performance. By November 2025, the agency is set to hit P250 billion to P300 billion in approved investments — its strongest level since the pre-pandemic period. Key drivers include electronics, semiconductors, renewable energy, IT-BPM, and advanced manufacturing, reaffirming the ecozone program’s critical contribution to GDP, export output, and nationwide job creation.

Panga highlights that PEZA has defied global uncertainties by reinforcing its partnerships with global chambers, semiconductor associations, and multinational manufacturers. This approach aligns the Philippines with rapidly evolving supply chains in Asia and beyond.

A major pillar of Panga’s leadership is the push for eco-industrial transformation — integrating sustainability, digitalization, and smart ecozone technologies to future-proof the country’s investment ecosystem.

“Our goal is to build ecozones of the future — greener, smarter, and globally connected,” he explains. This vision has boosted investor confidence and positioned PEZA as a forward-looking institution ready for next-generation industries.

This culture of excellence is likewise showcased in PEZA’s annual Investors’ Recognition Night, which will mark its 30th staging on 15 December  2025. The event honors top-performing locators