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The Philippine Economic Zone Authority approved 294.26% more investments in the first quarter to P58.947 billion year-on-year
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A total of 66 new and expansion projects were approved, with a focus on manufacturing, IT-BPM, utilities, and ecozone development
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In March alone, PEZA greenlit 27 projects worth P6.014 billion, estimating $223.497 million in exports and generating over 4,500 jobs
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These approved projects are projected to generate $497.461 million in exports and create 16,000 jobs, according to PEZA
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved 294.26% more investments in the first quarter to P58.947 billion from the same period last year.
The latest approval is equivalent to 24% of the agency’s 2025 target, PEZA said in a statement.
A total of 66 new and expansion projects were approved, with a focus on manufacturing, IT-BPM, utilities, and ecozone development. The 66 projects approved in the first quarter span various industries, including in:
- IT-Business Process Management (24)
- export manufacturing (24)
- utility (2)
- ecozone developments (7)
- domestic enterprise (7)
- facilities (2)
The projects will be located in Metro Manila, Regions I, III, IV, VI, VII, X, and XI.
For March alone, PEZA approved 27 new and expansion projects valued at P6.014 billion, a 110.66% jump from the same period last year (P2.855 billion). These projects are projected to generate $223.497 million in exports and create over 4,500 jobs for Filipino workers.
Among the latest approvals for March are two major investments totaling P2.615 billion — a water treatment facility in Batangas and a coconut milk production plant in Misamis Oriental.
The approved projects span diverse industries, featuring 12 IT-BPM initiatives, 10 export manufacturing ventures, two utilities projects, two ecozone development undertakings, and one domestic enterprise. The investments are distributed across key regions, including Metro Manila and Regions III, IV, VII, and X. They are expected to generate approximately $497.461 million in export revenues and create around 16,000 jobs for Filipino workers, the agency said.
“PEZA’s continued upward trajectory reflects our strong commitment towards investment promotion and facilitation, coupled with our most generous fiscal incentives under the CREATE MORE, and the other advantages placing the Philippines in a sweet spot for economic growth and development. PEZA continues to play a vital role in advancing the country’s economic resilience through sustained job creation, increased exports, and enhanced investment attraction,” said PEZA director general Tereso Panga.
Panga expressed confidence that PEZA’s investment momentum will continue into the second quarter of 2025, stating, “(We) intensify our investment promotion initiatives partnered with the CREATE MORE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy) incentives, the most generous fiscal incentives among ASEAN to date. We are already organizing various investment missions with our investment partners, and those led by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs-Department of Trade and Industry.”
“We already received several inquiries and hosted inbound delegations from the US, Japan, China, Taiwan, and Spain who are interested in investing in the ecozones. We are anticipating the influx of more investors looking into the Philippines for their offshore operations in Asia,” the PEZA chief added.
