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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority approved P297.14 billion worth of investments in the first nine months of 2026, bringing the agency closer to its P300-billion investment goal for the year
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The approved investments cover 222 new and expansion projects, up 92.07% from the same period in 2025
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The projects are expected to generate US$8.94 billion in exports and 33,331 direct Filipino jobs
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Taiwan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia were the leading sources of foreign direct investment during the period
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In September alone, PEZA approved 26 projects worth P80.675 billion, up 65.08% from P48.869 billion a year earlier
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Five major projects worth a combined P77.617 billion will bring activities including shipbuilding, solar manufacturing, real estate, bioethanol and electronics manufacturing to Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas and Negros Occidental
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved P297.14 billion worth of investments in the first nine months of 2026, bringing the agency within reach of its P300-billion investment target for the year.
The January-to-September approvals covered 222 new and expansion projects and represented a 92.07% increase from the same period in 2025, PEZA reported.
The projects are expected to generate US$8.94 billion in exports and create 33,331 direct Filipino jobs.
PEZA director general Tereso Panga attributed the investment growth to stronger international engagement and the government’s efforts to expand market access and economic partnerships.
“President Marcos has opened doors for the Philippines through his active engagement with world leaders and the international business community. His leadership in strengthening foreign relations and expanding market access gives us a stronger platform to attract investments. PEZA’s role is to build on these relationships, bring concrete opportunities to investors, and turn their interest into projects that create jobs, generate exports, and strengthen local supply chains,” Panga said.
Biggest investors
Taiwan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia emerged as the leading sources of foreign direct investment during the period, reflecting a broader geographic base of investors locating projects in Philippine economic zones.
“These figures show growing investor confidence in the Philippines, with companies from a wider range of markets choosing our ecozones for new and expansion projects. This broader investor base gives us more opportunities to build lasting partnerships and attract investments into priority industries. PEZA will sustain this momentum by helping investors bring their projects into operation, translating these commitments into jobs for Filipinos, stronger exports, and more business for local suppliers,” Panga said.
September approvals
For September alone, the PEZA Board approved 26 new and expansion projects with total investments of P80.675 billion, up 65.08% from the P48.869 billion approved in September 2025.
The projects are projected to generate US$2.342 billion in exports and create 6,292 direct Filipino jobs.
The month’s approvals consisted of nine export manufacturing projects, four facilities, four information technology-business process management projects, three ecozone development projects, three logistics projects, two domestic market enterprises and one utilities project.
The projects will be located in Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon and Central Visayas.
READ: PEZA-approved ecozone projects surge 334% to P64.6B in August
Five major projects with combined investments of P77.617 billion will introduce or expand activities in Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas and Negros Occidental, covering shipbuilding and repair, photovoltaic or solar manufacturing, real estate, bioethanol production and electronics manufacturing.
Target within reach
PEZA said its investment promotion efforts are being supported by the country’s expanding trade and economic partnerships, including progress in negotiations for a Philippines-European Union free trade agreement.
READ: EU, PH agree on terms of free trade agreement
The agency said the Philippines’ growing economic ties with markets across the Indo-Pacific are creating opportunities for companies to diversify their supply chains and use the country as a production and export base.
PEZA currently has 441 operating economic zones nationwide, more than 200 of them within the Luzon Economic Corridor.
READ: 17 transport, logistics projects up for grabs under Luzon Economic Corridor
The agency is targeting investments in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and electronics, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, logistics, renewable energy and other emerging industries.
“Our goal is to make Philippine ecozones a preferred base for the industries shaping the global economy. Wider market access gives investors a stronger reason to manufacture and export from the Philippines. PEZA’s task is to match that opportunity with ready locations, reliable facilitation, and strong industry partnerships—so that more companies bring advanced technologies here, create quality jobs, and build supply chains that include Filipino enterprises,” Panga said.
With the agency already nearing its annual target with three months remaining, Panga said PEZA expects investment approvals to exceed the P300 billion target.
“With P300 billion within reach and with still 3 months to go before the year-end, the agency is sustaining its aggressive investment promotion and investor facilitation efforts to go beyond the target and breach the highest P311 B record investments by PEZA set during the Aquino administration. I am confident that with a whole-of-government approach in place, we will be able to achieve our goals of turning the growing global pipeline into more investments, quality jobs and stronger exports,” Panga added.
