Foreign investments rise 52% in first quarter

Foreign investment approvals in the Philippines rose 52.31% in the first quarter of 2026, with South Korea leading inflows, the Department of Trade and Industry said.

Approved foreign investments from investment promotion agencies reached PHP 42.64 billion, up from PHP 27.99 billion in the same period last year, based on Philippine Statistics Authority data cited by the DTI.

South Korea accounted for PHP 25.37 billion, or 59.51%, of total foreign investment approvals.

Singapore followed with PHP 3.18 billion, while China placed third with PHP 2.54 billion.

Trade Secretary and Board of Investments Chairman Ma. Cristina A. Roque said the figures show continued investor confidence in the Philippines.

“Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., reforms that improve the ease of doing business and strengthen the country’s competitiveness helped drive more than 50% increase in foreign investment approvals in the first quarter. With South Korea accounting for nearly 60% of total inflows, the results reflect the strength of our economic partnership and continued investor confidence in the Philippines as a destination for high-impact investments that generate jobs and support economic growth,” Secretary Roque said.

Total IPA-approved investments reached PHP 125.95 billion in the first quarter.

Domestic investments accounted for PHP 83.31 billion of the total.

The approved projects are expected to generate 21,623 jobs for Filipinos.

Among investment promotion agencies, the BOI contributed the largest share with PHP 58.20 billion from 50 projects.

Of the BOI-approved total, PHP 5.24 billion came from foreign investments, while PHP 52.96 billion came from local investments.

These BOI-approved projects are projected to generate 6,226 jobs.

For BOI-approved foreign investments, Singapore led with PHP 2.97 billion.

China followed with PHP 762.80 million, while the United States contributed PHP 489.35 million.

Other notable BOI investment sources included the Netherlands and Canada.

South Korea also figured in BOI-approved investments, including a 2.000-megawatt-peak/1.600-megawatt-alternating-current solar power project in Camotes Island, Cebu, with total project costs of PHP 93.95 million.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo said the first-quarter performance points to sustained investment momentum.

“This strong first-quarter performance sets the tone for sustained foreign investment inflows in the months ahead, driven by ongoing reforms, improved ease of doing business, and proactive investment promotion,” Undersecretary Rodolfo said.

Energy, including renewable energy, led investment approvals with PHP 29.58 billion, or 23.48% of total investments.

Accommodation and food service activities followed with PHP 24.03 billion.

Manufacturing accounted for PHP 21.89 billion, while real estate activities drew PHP 20.72 billion.

Investments in accommodation and food service activities surged 917.7%.

Arts, entertainment and recreation investments grew by more than 3,000%, signaling renewed investor interest in tourism-related and consumer-driven industries.

The BOI said it remains committed to a whole-of-government approach to investment promotion.

The agency said the strategy aims to position the Philippines as a competitive and reliable investment destination while supporting sustained and inclusive economic growth.