PEZA investments double to PHP 90.96B in 2025 surge

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has approved PHP 90.96 billion worth of investments from January to July 2025, marking a 100% year-on-year growth compared to PHP 45.48 billion during the same period last year.

In a board meeting held July 17 at its Makati headquarters, PEZA greenlighted PHP 18.6 billion in new and expansion projects, continuing the agency’s momentum into the second half of 2025.

“This 100% surge in investment approvals in just seven months is a resounding vote of confidence in the Philippines as a competitive, resilient, and innovation-ready investment destination,” said PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga.

He attributed the increase to the country’s “stable policies, world-class talent, and our whole-of-government commitment to building smarter, greener, and more inclusive growth centers.”

Year-on-Year Performance Highlights

From January to July, PEZA approved 150 projects — a 25% rise from 120 projects during the same period last year.

These ventures are expected to create 35,874 direct jobs for Filipinos, a 42.02% increase from the 25,259 jobs generated in 2024.

Projected exports from these approved projects grew 24.37% to reach US$2.003 billion.

Seventeen projects received approval in July alone, spanning sectors such as export manufacturing, IT-business process management (IT-BPM), facilities development, and domestic manufacturing.

These initiatives are expected to generate US$744.06 million in export revenues and create 2,891 direct jobs.

Strategically distributed across Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas, these projects are seen as vital to PEZA’s goal of fostering inclusive regional development.

“Every approved ecozone project becomes an anchor for supply chains, MSME linkages, technology transfer, and quality jobs where they are most needed,” Panga said.

He emphasized PEZA’s focus on countryside development, stating, “We are bringing opportunities to the countryside, ensuring growth reaches every region.”

Among the July approvals was a major investment exceeding PHP 13 billion in the Electronics/Semiconductor Manufacturing Services sector.

Located in Batangas, the facility will specialize in producing computers, electronics, optical products, semiconductor devices, and related components — all of which will be exported to the United States.

This move positions the Philippines as a growing hub for high-reliability electronics exports, especially to the U.S. market.

“The EMS-SMS expansion in Batangas worth above PHP 13 billion and fully dedicated to U.S. exports, proves how PEZA locators can diversify supply chains while ensuring quality and efficiency amid global trade shifts,” Panga said.

He also cited the Philippines’ increasing appeal as a China+1+1 destination for manufacturers reconfiguring supply chains amid shifting U.S. trade tariffs.

PEZA said it is supporting a strong investment pipeline in electronics, electric vehicle components, aerospace, smart logistics, and healthcare IT — all aligned with national development priorities.

PEZA’s outlook remains optimistic, backed by stable investment policies, globally competitive incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) law, and a skilled workforce.

The recent trade agreement between the Philippines and the United States adds further momentum to this growth trajectory.

Philippine officials, including President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick D. Go, are also in high-level talks to address the newly adjusted 19% U.S. tariff on Philippine exports.

Industry leaders are hopeful the ongoing negotiations, potential renewal of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and the initiation of a free trade agreement (FTA) will help further boost export competitiveness.

“As one of the countries with the lowest U.S. tariff rates in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is in a strong position to strengthen trade ties and expand market access,” PEZA noted.