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.
