Daily Tribune
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has surpassed its 2025 investment target after approving P260.89 billion worth of investments, marking a 21.91 percent increase compared to approvals from January to December 2024.
The figure ranks as the sixth highest in PEZA’s 30-year history and represents the strongest investment growth recorded by the agency since 2016, underscoring renewed investor confidence in the Philippines and its economic zones.
“We are proud to share that despite global headwinds and economic challenges, PEZA has defied the odds as it sustained its upward investment growth trajectory—anchored on the continued trust and confidence of investors in the Philippines, and most especially in our ecozones. We not only surpassed our P250 billion low-end target for the year but also achieved an all-time high since 2016,” PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said.
Buoyed by the strong performance, PEZA has set a P300-billion investment approval target for 2026 to further reinforce the country’s standing as a preferred investment destination.
PEZA said the record-breaking approvals were driven by 314 new and expansion projects, 23.41 percent higher than last year, spanning manufacturing, information technology–business process management (IT-BPM), logistics, utilities, facilities, domestic market enterprises, tourism, and ecozone development.
Most of the projects are located in Luzon, particularly in CALABARZON and the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC), while 44 projects are spread across the Visayas and Mindanao.
Collectively, the projects are expected to generate 78,741 direct jobs, up 8.74 percent from 2024, and produce export revenues of up to US$11.522 billion, a 145.73 percent increase year-on-year.
Of the total, 41 big-ticket projects amounting to P214.603 billion were approved, highlighting sustained demand for the Filipino workforce, improved competitiveness of PEZA-registered firms, and strong global demand for Philippine-made products.
At its final meeting for the year on 22 December, the PEZA Board approved seven new and expansion projects worth P23.689 billion, to be located in the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, and Region III. These are expected to generate 3,821 direct jobs and US$1.304 billion in exports.
Among the approvals were three major investments totaling P23.123 billion, including a tourism enterprise developing an ultra-luxury hotel and MICE facilities in NCR, a manufacturer of medical and non-medical gloves in Batangas, and a firm expanding its EMS-SMS operations in Laguna.
These approvals add to the P29.624 billion in investments earlier approved during the 12 December meeting led by Cristina A. Roque, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and PEZA Board chair, bringing total December approvals to P53.313 billion.
“The continued momentum in investment approvals reflects a stable and predictable policy environment that supports long-term business decisions, with the DTI committed to advancing initiatives that enhance competitiveness, strengthen investor confidence, and drive sustained economic growth,” Roque said.
Panga added, “Building on this momentum, we remain focused on strengthening our ecozone ecosystem, expanding high-quality investments, and creating more jobs for Filipinos, as we position PEZA for sustained growth and greater opportunities in the years ahead.”
To support continued growth, PEZA said it will further strengthen its ecozone development program and create new types of ecozones catering to various industries.
“We thank Executive Secretary Ralph Recto for conveying the Marcos Jr. administration’s support in creating new hubs that will push to spread investments nationwide and fast-track job creation,” Panga said, as PEZA welcomed 10 new and expanded ecozones approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for 2025.
Panga added that 14 additional ecozones remain in the pipeline for proclamation, including the first Mega Ecozone in Ihawig, Palawan, and a Pacific gateway ecozone in Pantao, Albay.
Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the DTI, PEZA said it remains among the country’s top agencies in generating approved investments, with export-oriented manufacturing projects lodged with PEZA accounting for 54 percent of Philippine exports.
With sustained government support, strong investor confidence, and an expanding ecozone network, PEZA said it remains committed to driving inclusive growth, generating quality jobs, and strengthening the country’s long-term economic resilience.
