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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority approved 22 new and expansion projects worth P64.565 billion in August 2026, a 334.13% surge from P14.872 billion in August 2025
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The new approvals bring the total approved investments from January to August 2026 to 196 new and expansion projects worth P216.46 billion, 9.5% higher than the 179 projects and up 104.53% from the P105.834 billion recorded in the same period last year
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The first eight-month figure already amounts to 72.16% of the P300 billion annual investment target for 2026
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The approved projects for the first eight months of the year are projected to generate US$6.604 billion in exports and create 26,994 direct jobs nationwide
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved 22 new and expansion projects worth P64.565 billion in August 2026, an expansion of 334.13% from P14.872 billion in the same month last year.
These new approvals during the PEZA Board’s meeting on August 20 brings the total approved investments from January to August 2026 to 196 new and expansion projects worth P216.46 billion, 9.5% higher than the 179 projects and up 104.53% from the P105.834 billion recorded in the same period last year.
The P216.49 billion investment approval for the first eight months of the year also already amounts to 72.16% of the P300 billion annual investment target for 2026, PEZA said in a statement.
“Reaching more than 72% of PEZA’s annual target in only eight months shows that investor confidence in the Philippines is translating into real commitments,” Trade secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said.
“Our job now is to move these projects forward quickly and ensure their benefits reach more Filipino workers and communities,” Roque added.
For his part, PEZA director general Tereso Panga said these “results are a clear vote of confidence in the Philippines’ capacity to compete for high-value investments.”
“With P216.46 billion already approved, we are building stronger production and export capabilities, creating more jobs, and deepening our integration into global value chains. We will sustain this momentum and continue turning investor confidence into tangible economic opportunities for Filipinos,” Panga added.
READ: PEZA-approved investments surge 67% to ₱152B in Jan–July 2026
The approved projects for the first eight months of the year are projected to generate US$6.604 billion in exports and create 26,994 direct jobs nationwide.
Manufacturing continued to lead PEZA’s investment portfolio accounting for 80 of the 196 approved projects. This was followed by 31 ecozone development projects, 30 information technology-business process management, 19 for facilities, 15 for logistics, 15 export-oriented projects for domestic market, four tourism, and two utilities.
Geographically, 161 of these projects are to be located in Luzon, 23 will be created in the Visayas, and 12 in Mindanao, supporting PEZA’s push for more balanced regional development while reinforcing established industrial corridors.
PEZA said investor confidence likewise remained broad-based, with the Philippines emerging as the top investment source, followed by the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Big-ticket investments
Thirty-four of these projects were classified as big-ticket investments worth a combined P193.713 billion, “reflecting sustained investor confidence in large-scale, long-term operations in the country”, PEZA noted.
Among these, nine big-ticket projects worth P62.05 billion were greenlighted in August. These include two facilities enterprises with combined investments worth P35.39 billion to be located in Tarlac; two electronics manufacturing services-semiconductor manufacturing services projects with combined investments worth over P3 billion to be created in Laguna; and a P1 billion export-oriented enterprise to venture into domestic market to be located in Tarlac.
Four ecozone development projects with combined investments worth P22.39 billion will soon rise in Cavite, Bataan, Davao del Sur, and Cebu.
In addition, ecozone reports for the first half of the year recorded actual exports of $32.89 billion, 2.35% higher compared to the same period last year, with actual direct employment totaling to 1.82 million or 1.56% higher than that in the first half of 2025.
READ: Marcos approves four new ecozones in first half
With more than 70% of its annual investment target already secured, PEZA said it remains optimistic that the remaining four months of 2026 will see continued conversion of investment leads into concrete projects that expand the country’s production capacity, exports, and employment.
Through strategic global trade missions and targeted partnerships, the agency will continue to pursue investments in green industries, advanced technologies, and other high-value sectors, while working to close the remaining gap toward its Php300-billion investment target for the year.
“We will use this momentum to push further, attract more high-value investments, expand our export capacity, and create more quality jobs for Filipinos. With four months to go, PEZA remains relentless in turning investor confidence into lasting economic opportunities for the country,” Panga said.
