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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority has approved a total of P52.933 billion worth of investments in the first two months of the year, a 337.58% surge from the P12.097 billion recorded in the same period last year
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These are for 39 new and expansion projects, which are 39.29% higher year-on-year
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For February alone, the PEZA Board approved 26 new and expansion projects, anticipated to attract P22.777 billion in investments, generate $241.787 million in exports, and create 7,793 direct jobs
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has approved a total of P52.933 billion worth of investments in the first two months of the year, a 337.58% surge from the P12.097 billion recorded in the same period last year.
These are for 39 new and expansion projects, which are 39.29% higher year-on-year. These projects are expected to generate 11,063 direct jobs, which is a 209.02% increase year-on-year, PEZA said in a statement.
Notably, PEZA saw an increase in investments from domestic market enterprises (DME), injecting P37.972 billion or 71% of the total investments approved for the first two months of the year.
Since 2024, PEZA already approved 15 DME projects injecting more than P130 billion investments.
Three of these projects are expected to enjoy a longer set of incentives for its above P15 billion investments, the authority noted.
“This remarkable upswing reflects our continuous efforts through various foreign investment missions, with more initiatives from diverse industries planned for the rest of the year,” PEZA director general Tereso Panga said.
“Despite geopolitical challenges, these results underscore the Agency’s pivotal role in advancing the country’s economic resilience through sustained job creation, increased exports, and enhanced investment attraction—key factors in accelerating the nation’s economic development,” Panga added.
For February alone, the PEZA Board approved 26 new and expansion projects, anticipated to attract P22.777 billion in investments, generate $241.787 million in exports, and create 7,793 direct jobs.
These projects encompass various types of industries, including nine export manufacturing, eight information technology-business process management projects, three domestic market projects, two facilities development initiatives, and four economic zone developments.
These projects are also distributed across Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Central and Western Visayas, Ilocos Region, and Davao Region.
Two major ventures are set to generate P15.989 billion combined investments in its upcoming projects in Tarlac and Batangas.
Among these projects is a South Korean ecozone development project worth P10.450 billion. With the Philippines-South Korea Free Trade Agreement now in effect, PEZA said it is collaborating with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the creation of this multifaceted ecozone
that will accommodate multiple sectors, including manufacturing, agro-industrial, tourism, and information technology, further enhancing economic opportunities and sectoral development.
Moreover, PEZA said this development paves the way for more South Korean companies to establish operations in the country’s ecozones, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a prime investment destination and deepening economic ties between the two nations.
PEZA also anticipates the entry of more investments into the country following the recent signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 12066, or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.
CREATE MORE Act strengthens the original CREATE Act, or RA 11534, by streamlining fiscal incentive policies, clarifying investment rules, and improving ease of doing business.
“The IRR supports PEZA’s core mandate to drive investment growth, create jobs, and promote sustainable development, especially in the countryside. We now provide even more benefits to investors who wish to locate in the Philippines,” Panga said.
PEZA is bullish it is on track to hitting its target 9-10% increase in investment this year.
