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Total foreign investments approved in the first quarter of this year plunged 82% to P27.99 billion from P155.26 billion in the same period last year
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Seven of 13 Investment Promotion Agencies reported FI approvals during the first quarter of 2025
Total foreign investments (FI) approved in the first quarter of this year plunged 82% to P27.99 billion from the same period last year’s P155.26 billion, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Seven of 13 Investment Promotion Agencies reported FI approvals during the first quarter. These are the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Board of Investments, Clark Development Corporation, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
South Korea led the FI pledges from January to March, with commitments amounting to P12.36 billion, or 44.2% of the total approved.
The US followed with P3.08 billion (11.0%), and China with P2.88 billion (10.3%).
The largest share of foreign investments came from the real estate sector, amounting to P10.79 billion (38.5%), followed by the manufacturing sector with P6.14 billion (21.9%) and administrative and support service activities with P5.35 billion (19.1%).
Receiving the highest share of foreign investment pledges was Central Luzon, totalling P14.90 billion (53.3%). The National Capital Region followed with P6.78 billion (24.2%), then CALABARZON with P3.95 billion (14.1%).
Foreign and Filipino nationals’ total approved investments in the first quarter of 2025 hit P181.93 billion, which was a 43.7% decline from the P323.27 billion reported in the same quarter of 2024. Filipino nationals contributed P153.94 billion or 84.6% of the total approved investments.
The electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply industry had the largest share of total approved investments, amounting to P61.98 billion (34.1%), followed by the manufacturing industry with P38.24 billion (21.0%), and real estate with P34.98 billion (19.2%).
Foreign and Filipino nationals’ approved investments in the first quarter of 2025 are expected to generate 31,848 jobs, representing a 4.7% decline from the 33,431 employment projected in the same period of 2024. Of the total expected employment, 19,303 (60.6%) are attributed to projects with foreign interest.
