BUSINESS

Recto highlights Luzon Economic Corridor perks for U.S. investors

Raffy Ayeng · Aug 21, 2026, 12:36 AM

MAKING a strong pitch for investments in the Philippines, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto asked American business leaders at the Welcome Reception for the 2026 Philippines Business Mission on 18 August, 2026 to ‘tell us which permit takes too long, which regulation creates uncertainty, which infrastructure gap raises your costs; tell us where the government can do better. We will listen. We will act. We will do the handholding. And we will compete for your investment.’ — PHOTO courtesy of PCO

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto enticed American investors to establish operations at the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and enjoy its perks, providing substantial jobs to the Filipino workforce, developing Filipino talent further, and contributing to shared prosperity.

“That is the partnership we want — not just one business mission, but generations of investment, innovation, jobs, and shared prosperity between the Philippines and the United States,” Recto told American business leaders at the Welcome Reception for the 2026 Philippines Business Mission on 18 August, 2026.

Stay, expand in the Philippines

"Stay in the Philippines. Expand in the Philippines. And build your future in the Philippines,” Recto told members of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), urging US companies to help transform the eight-decade Philippine-American alliance into a forward-looking economic partnership.

He said the LEC will link Subic, Clark, Manila and Batangas into a hub for logistics, manufacturing, connectivity and innovation. The corridor is expected to generate up to one million jobs and help drive economic growth.

He also invited US companies to expand their investments in electronics and semiconductors, particularly in advanced packaging, integrated circuit design, research and development, supply-chain resilience, front-end semiconductor capabilities and critical minerals processing.

Move beyond extracting, exporting critical minerals

The Philippines aims to move beyond extracting and exporting critical minerals by building domestic capacity in processing, manufacturing and innovation.

“We want more factories rising here, critical minerals processed — not just extracted and exported. More electronics proudly made in the Philippines. And more Filipino engineers, technicians and researchers given the chance to thrive,” Recto said.

He said the Pax Silica partnership allows American companies to bring technology, capital, research and training to the Philippines.

“We do not want American companies to simply buy from the Philippines. We want you to bring your technology here. Bring your capital and research here. Train Filipino talent here. And build your next breakthrough here,” he said.

Recto acknowledged that investor confidence depends on a capable workforce, competitive costs, predictable regulations, reliable infrastructure and efficient government.

“Your confidence cannot be demanded. It must be earned. And that is exactly what we intend to do,” he said.