PEZA bags fresh investments from Panga’s US mission

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has secured key investment commitments in manufacturing, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and information technology–business process outsourcing (IT-BPM) following a five-day official mission to the United States led by Director General Tereso Panga.

In a statement, Panga said the trip, held from 5 to 9 January, coincided with the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas.

In support of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI), PEZA co-organized the country’s participation at CES 2026, where four Philippine exhibitors presented products and services manufactured exclusively within PEZA-registered economic zones. These were GMV Materials Inc., Ionics EMS Inc., Integrated Micro-Electronics (IMI) Inc., and Macro Wiring Technologies Co. Inc.

While in Las Vegas, the PEZA delegation met with a leading manufacturer of industrial and medical nitrile gloves and glove-making machines to finalize plans for a manufacturing facility in the Philippines this year. The project is expected to serve Western and ASEAN markets, generate about $200 million in investments, and create more than 2,000 jobs across two sites in South Luzon and Cebu.

At CES, Ionics also introduced PEZA to prospective investors involved in the production of advanced portable brain imaging systems. PEZA said the pharmaceutical and medical device sector has emerged as a promising source of foreign direct investment following the launch last year of the country’s first Pharma Park and new registration guidelines for pharma-related projects.

In Buffalo, New York, PEZA—together with SGV & Co.—met with a global aerospace company planning a major expansion of its Philippine operations. The firm, a world leader in flight control systems, has operated in Baguio City since 1984 and is considering New Clark City for its next expansion phase. The project could bring in over $15 million in new investments and create 1,000 additional jobs, adding to its existing workforce of more than 2,000 employees.

The PEZA team also paid a courtesy call on officials of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, led by Consul General Senen Mangalile. Discussions included the three-fold growth of US investments in PEZA zones in 2025 and potential collaboration for future investment promotion, including a US business delegation visit to the Philippines in July 2026 organized by the Philippine Embassy and supported by the Philippine Trade and Investment Center and SGV.

In addition, PEZA, together with Ernst & Young (EY) and SGV, briefed representatives of a leading US mental health services provider exploring the establishment of a global center of excellence in the Philippines. The company is considering IT-BPM operations locally, with potential employment for more than 1,500 Filipinos in its first year.

“This mission sends a clear message that the Philippines—through PEZA—is open, ready, and competitive for high-value investments. From advanced manufacturing and aerospace to medical technology and IT-BPM, global companies continue to recognize the strength of our talent, the reliability of our ecozones, and the impact of the government’s reforms. And the best thing about PEZA is that our projects do not end up on paper alone; they translate to quality jobs, technology transfer, and long-term confidence in the Philippine economy, like it has done so for the past three decades,” Panga said.

PEZA noted it remains the only Philippine agency consistently cited by the U.S. Trade Administration and the U.S. State Department for transparency and performance.

As of November 2025, more than 250 companies with American equity are registered with PEZA, with cumulative investments exceeding P410 billion and direct employment for over 380,000 Filipinos.