PEZA investment approvals climb to ₱207.58 billion, despite global headwinds

The agency posts 2.99% YTD growth in investment commitments, driven by domestic-oriented projects and regional economic zones.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it approved ₱207.58 billion worth of investments in the first 11 months of the year, covering 281 new and expansion projects across various special economic zones.

PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said in a statement Tuesday that the latest figure represents a 2.99 percent increase from the ₱201.55 billion recorded in the same period last year. The total number of approved projects also rose 17.57 percent, from 239 a year ago.

“Even amid external shocks and a challenging global investment climate, the ecozone industry remains undeterred,” Panga said. “We will continue to champion measures that strengthen our investment ecosystem and position the country as a prime hub for sustainable, technology-driven, and resilient industries.”

Economic impact and investment sources

PEZA said the approved investments are expected to boost the country’s exports by $7.39 billion and generate 69,737 direct jobs for Filipino workers.

For Filipino businesses, the continued expansion of ecozone projects means more job opportunities outside Metro Manila and a broader supply chain network for local enterprises. This spread of investments helps local economies grow faster, allowing more communities to tap into higher-value industries.

• Top Investors: Japanese investors continue to lead PEZA-approved commitments, followed by those from the Cayman Islands, South Korea, China, Singapore, and the US.
• Domestic Investment: The agency also highlighted the rise of domestic market-oriented investments, which reached ₱110.73 billion, citing stronger collaboration with local governments to tap regional economic potential.

For November alone, PEZA approved ₱32.21 billion worth of investments from 38 new and expansion projects, which could generate $1.74 billion in exports and 9,802 direct jobs.

Regionally distributed growth and future outlook

Japanese investors continue to lead PEZA-approved commitments, followed by those from the Cayman Islands, South Korea, China, Singapore, the US, and others. The agency also highlighted the rise of domestic market-oriented investments, which reached ₱110.73 billion, citing stronger collaboration with local governments to tap regional economic potential.

“Through its foreign initiatives, PEZA continues to widen the reach of its ecozones by attracting multinational companies and forging stronger partnerships with global investors,” the agency said.

For November alone, PEZA approved P32.21 billion worth of investments from 38 new and expansion projects, which could generate $1.74 billion in exports and 9,802 direct jobs. The amount, however, is 58.59 percent lower than the ₱77.79 billion approved in the same month last year.

Bullish on investment acquisitions

The 38 projects include 22 export manufacturing, five facility development projects, four IT-BPM projects, three ecozone logistics service enterprises (ELSE), two domestic market-oriented projects, and two ecozone development projects. These will be located across CALABARZON, NCR, Central Luzon, Ilocos, Bicol, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region—part of PEZA’s push for more regionally distributed growth.

Trade and Industry Secretary and PEZA Board Chair Maria Cristina Roque noted that the agency is on track to surpass its 2024 performance of ₱214.18 billion, supported by the recent approval of five big-ticket projects worth ₱27.26 billion. Four of these involve electronic and pharmaceutical manufacturing, while one is for ecozone development. The projects will be located in Camarines Norte, Laguna, Tarlac, and Batangas.

“Investment acquisition is on stream as we enter 2026, and we remain bullish on upcoming prospects as we create more ecozones,” Roque said.

PEZA earlier said it aims to attract ₱250 billion in investments this year.

 

 

Despite a tougher global climate, PEZA remains optimistic as domestic-oriented investments rise and big-ticket projects move forward.

 

 

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