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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority approved 18 projects worth a total of P12.86 billion in investments in January 2026
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This is 57% lower than the P30.156 billion reported in the same month last year
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The approved projects are 13 locator enterprises and five economic zone developers, projected to generate US$59.74 million in exports and 1,005 jobs
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Three large-scale projects were approved, including the P5 billion tourism ecozone enterprise in Parañaque City, and ecozone development projects located in Misamis Occidental and Batangas with a combined estimated investment of P5.9 billion
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Investments were from key international markets led by Japan, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved 18 projects worth a total of P12.86 billion in investments in January 2026, down 57% from the P30.156 billion reported in the same period last year.
The projects approved during the PEZA Board’s first meeting this year comprises 13 locator enterprises and five economic zone developers, which are projected to generate US$59.74 million in exports and 1,005 jobs, PEZA said in a statement.
New investments span key growth corridors across Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas as well as strategic urban and emerging locations in the National Capital Region, including Parañaque City, Quezon City, and Marikina City.
Outside Luzon, approvals cover Cebu, Camarines Sur, Misamis Occidental, and General Santos City.
Notably, PEZA said investments from key international markets — including Japan, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, and China — were recorded during the month, with Japan again emerging as PEZA’s leading source of approved investments for January.
READ: Japanese firms drive PEZA’s P154.7B investment performance
PEZA said January’s approvals were anchored by three large-scale projects, “reinforcing confidence in PEZA’s medium- to long-term development pipeline.”
A major tourism ecozone enterprise with an investment value of more than P5 billion was approved for establishment in Parañaque City, supporting the country’s efforts to strengthen high-value urban tourism, hospitality, and services exports within integrated and sustainable ecozone developments.
There were two approved ecozone development projects located in Misamis Occidental and Batangas, with a combined estimated investment of P5.9 billion. PEZA said these developments will expand its registered land bank in the regions and ensure the availability of future-ready industrial and commercial spaces for export-oriented enterprises seeking locations outside Metro Manila.
“Investors today are taking a more deliberate approach — prioritizing resilience, efficiency, and long-term value. What is encouraging is that the Philippines continues to offer stable fundamentals that allow export-oriented investments to move forward with confidence,” PEZA director general Tereso Panga said.
READ: PEZA targets P300B investment mark
Trade secretary and PEZA Board chair Ma. Cristina Roque, for her part, said the projects approved in January reflect a geographically balanced investment footprint and reinforces PEZA’s commitment to inclusive growth beyond traditional industrial hubs.
“By encouraging investments that are export-oriented and geographically diverse, we are strengthening the foundations for inclusive growth and ensuring that more regions benefit from global trade and economic opportunities,” Roque said.
As investment strategies continue to evolve, PEZA said it views the current environment as a period of measured adjustment rather than withdrawal. It said investors remain engaged in the Philippine market, taking a more thoughtful approach to timing and scale while continuing to prioritize efficiency, export capability, and long-term positioning.
“Resilience is built not just in times of expansion, but in how economies navigate transition. What we are seeing today is a steady recalibration—one that keeps the Philippines firmly in investors’ long-term plans,” Panga noted.
Looking ahead, PEZA said it remains focused on sustaining investor confidence through policy stability, ease of doing business, and the continued competitiveness of its ecozones.
Targeting P300 billion investments and 100,000 new jobs for 2026, Panga reassured, “We are realistic about the environment, but we are equally confident in our direction. With a robust pipeline and consistent investor engagement, PEZA is well-positioned to work toward achieving our target for this year.”
