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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority Board approved 26 new and expansion projects worth a total of P63.903 billion in investments in April 2026, a 14-fold surge from the P4.575 billion approved investments in the same month last year
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The projects are expected to generate US$1.695 billion in exports and create 7,621 direct jobs for Filipinos nationwide
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For January to April 2026, total approved investments reached P109.428 Billion, 72.27% up from the P63.523 billion approved for the same period last year
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Among these projects, the PEZA Board greenlighted five big-ticket projects totaling P60.016 billion in investments
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Board approved 26 new and expansion projects worth a total of P63.903 billion in investments in April 2026, a 14-fold surge or 1,296.65% up from the P4.575 billion approved investments in the same month last year.
In terms of exports, these projects are expected to generate US$1.695 billion, 385.44% higher year-on-year. The projects are also seen to create 7,621 direct jobs for Filipinos nationwide, PEZA said in a statement.
“The rise in the number of approved investments emphasizes PEZA’s pivotal role in catalyzing investment inflow and sustaining the country’s economic momentum despite the current global volatility. As we move into the second quarter, we remain optimistic that we will sustain our positive growth trajectory and provide a conducive environment for both new and expanding enterprises to thrive.” PEZA director general Tereso Panga said.
Region IV-A (CALABARZON) emerged as the primary investment hub for April, accounting for 15 projects, followed by Region VII with five projects, Region III with three, and Regions VI, XI and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with one project each.
Among these projects, the PEZA Board greenlighted five big-ticket projects totaling P60.016 billion in investments. These include two electronic manufacturing services-semiconductor manufacturing services (EMS-SMS) companies, and one tourism development project that will expand its operations in Baguio, Clark, and Cebu; one facilities enterprise in Iloilo, and one ecozone development venture in Tarlac.
For January to April 2026, total approved investments reached P109.428 billion, 72.27% up from the P63.523 billion approved for the same period last year.
These covers 104 new and expansion projects, which was 20.93% more than the 86 projects in the same period last year. These projects are seen to generate $2.601 billion in exports and 16,117 direct jobs.
READ: PEZA approves P46.5B in Q1 2026 investments, notes pivot to high-value activities
Manufacturing led all sectors with 42 projects, followed by ecozone development with 19 projects, information technology-business process management with 12, facilities with 12, logistics with 10, tourism with three, domestic with four, and utilities with two.
Geographically, investments remained concentrated in Luzon (86 projects), with steady activity in the Visayas (15) and emerging presence in Mindanao (3), in line with PEZA’s push for more balanced regional development.
PEZA said this momentum is supported by a diversified investor base led by Dutch, South Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, and Taiwanese firms, “indicating sustained international confidence in the country’s investment environment.”
“These figures reflect our resilience even as the global economy navigates a complex period of recovery,” Panga said.
“While we remain mindful of the prevailing global headwinds and supply chain pressures, the Philippines continues to offer a sense of stability for capital. For our part, we are focused on ensuring that these investments translate into steady, reliable opportunities for our employees and locators,” he added.
PEZA noted recent shifts in the global trade landscape, characterized by changing manufacturing footprints and evolving geopolitical alliances, have prompted multinational firms to seek more secure and integrated production hubs. As global supply chains move toward “friend-shoring” and regional diversification, PEZA said the ability to provide a predictable and efficient regulatory environment has become a critical differentiator for investment destinations.
Panga underscored that the Philippines is strategically leveraging on these transitions to capture high-value opportunities.
“Challenges brought about by the US-Iran conflict affords us the chance to strengthen Inter-ASEAN trade relations by establishing new supply chains and higher cooperation among key industries like energy, renewables and agriculture. While these external shifts present new complexities, the Philippines’ commitment to institutional stability and investor-friendly reforms serves as a powerful magnet for long-term capital. We are not just observing global trends and strengthening relations with our regional neighbors; we are positioning the country to lead in the new industrial order,” Panga said.
