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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority Board approved 135 new and expansion projects worth P124.836 billion from January to May 2026, up 88% from the P66.340 billion in the same period last year
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The approved projects are expected to generate US$2.966 billion in exports, nearly three times the $1.092 billion recorded in the same period last year
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For May 2026 alone, the PEZA Board approved 31 projects valued at P15.408 billion, an almost five-fold 446 increase from the P2.817 billion in May 2025
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Among the notable approvals were three big-ticket export manufacturing projects to locate in Pampanga, Laguna, and Cebu, with a combined above P11 billion in investments
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Board approved 135 new and expansion projects worth P124.836 billion from January to May 2026, up 88% from the P66.340 billion in the same period last year.
The approved projects are expected to generate US$2.966 billion in exports, nearly three times the $1.092 billion recorded in the same period last year, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a competitive hub for export-oriented industries, PEZA said in a statement.
PEZA director general Tereso Panga said the positive performance during the period also reflects sustained investor confidence in the Philippines despite ongoing global economic uncertainties.
“Our robust investment growth and the near tripling of projected exports demonstrate that investors continue to see the Philippines as a strategic location for business expansion. Amid global economic headwinds, PEZA ecozones remain attractive because of our stable business environment, skilled workforce, strategic location, and strong government support for export-oriented industries,” Panga said.
Beyond the numbers, Panga emphasized that the approved projects are expected to deliver tangible economic gains for the country.
“These approvals represent more than investment commitments. They translate into new factories, technology transfers, higher-value exports, and greater economic opportunities for Filipinos,” Panga added.
May approvals
For May 2026 alone, the PEZA Board approved 31 projects valued at P15.408 billion, a 446.89% increase from P2.817 billion in the same month last year.
The projects are expected to generate $364.734 million in exports, 48.29% higher than the level recorded a year earlier.
Of the projects approved in May, 16 are export manufacturing enterprises, seven are information technology-business process management projects, two are domestic market enterprises, two are ecozone development projects, two are logistics enterprises, one is a facilities enterprise, and one is a tourism enterprise.
READ: PEZA approves P64B investments for 26 projects in April
In terms of geographic distribution, Luzon accounted for 24 projects, led by CALABARZON with 16. The National Capital Region registered six projects, while Central Luzon recorded two. The Visayas accounted for four projects — three in Cebu and one in Iloilo — while Mindanao posted three projects located in Cagayan de Oro, Davao del Sur, and South Cotabato.
PEZA noted the figures reflect the continuing expansion of investment activity across both established growth centers and emerging economic corridors nationwide.
Among the notable approvals in May were three big-ticket export manufacturing projects to locate in Pampanga, Laguna, and Cebu. Combined, these projects account for above P11 billion in investments and are expected to strengthen the country’s manufacturing base, expand export capacity, and reinforce the Philippines’ role in regional and global value chains.
While projected employment from approved projects reached 20,012 jobs from January to May 2026, compared with 22,337 jobs during the same period last year, PEZA noted that the current investment pipeline is increasingly composed of technology-driven, export-oriented, and capital-intensive projects.
PEZA said investments are supported by a diversified investor-base led by companies from the Netherlands, South Korea, Indonesia, Germany, Japan, and Singapore, reflecting sustained confidence in the Philippines as a strategic investment destination in the region.
Panga said PEZA remains focused on attracting high-quality, innovation-driven projects that generate long-term value for the Philippine economy.
“Our goal is not simply to increase investment approvals, but to attract projects that introduce advanced technologies, strengthen local industries, expand export capabilities, and position the Philippines higher in global value chains. As companies continue to diversify their supply chains, PEZA remains committed to providing a competitive and investor-friendly environment that supports strategic investments and sustains the country’s growth as a preferred destination for high-value, long-term export-oriented industries.”
With investment approvals already surpassing P124 billion in the first five months of the year, PEZA remains optimistic that 2026 will further strengthen the country’s investment and export growth trajectory as more projects move through the pipeline in the coming months.
The recent approval of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priorities Plan is expected to further boost the country’s investment competitiveness by promoting advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, digital infrastructure, and sustainability-driven industries.
PEZA said the updated investment roadmap complements its efforts to attract high-value, innovation-led projects that support export growth and industrial upgrading.
Panga welcomed the new SIPP, saying it reinforces the country’s readiness to compete for the industries of the future while building on the strong investment momentum recorded in the first five months of 2026.
READ: PEZA aligns ecozone strategies with 2026 investment priority plan
