Philippines’ first complex energy efficiency project gets BOI nod

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Board of Investments (BOI), awarded a Certificate of Registration to Philippine DCS Development Corp. (PDDC) on Feb. 18, marking the country’s first Complex Energy Efficiency project approved under Republic Act No. 12066 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) Act.

PDDC is a joint venture between local conglomerate Filinvest and French energy company ENGIE.

The PHP 400-million project, set to operate in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, involves retrofitting and upgrading a facility’s cooling system to improve reliability and significantly reduce energy consumption. As the first complex energy-efficient project granted fiscal incentives under CREATE MORE, the initiative reinforces the government’s push to scale high-impact energy efficiency investments.

Trade Secretary and BOI Chair Cristina A. Roque commended PDDC and underscored the importance of aligning investment policy with sustainability goals.

“This first-of-its-kind award under the CREATE MORE Act underscores our commitment to making the Philippines a premier destination for smart, sustainable investments. PDDC’s project is a testament to how calibrated fiscal incentives can lead to sophisticated energy solutions that benefit the entire value chain. Through this; we are endorsing a future where Filipino enterprises lead the way in resource efficiency and global industrial standards,” said Secretary Roque.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said PDDC exemplifies the role of the Third-Party Project Developer (TPPD) in making high-impact, system-level projects possible.

“This award shows what is possible when government policy and private sector innovation work hand in hand. As the country’s lead investment promotion agency, the BOI helps signal where investments matter most. Energy Efficiency and Conservation is clearly identified as a priority—not just as an energy strategy, but as a driver of economic and industrial development,” Undersecretary Rodolfo said.

Beyond its core investment, PDDC will also provide solar panels and its accessories to Filinvest Alabang Elementary School, anchored in BOI’s Corporate Community Partnership for Development (CCPD) Program, which links corporate tax incentives to a mandatory social obligation for national development. The initiative is also supported by the Academe-Industry Matching! (AIM!) Program, an institutionalized, inter-agency platform designed to improve synergies among academic institutions, industry, and the government.

The collaboration was recognized during the Educational Investment (ENvest) Forum, a platform that synergizes the CCPD and AIM! programs by allowing registered business entities to meet and discuss potential partnerships with academic institutions.

Filinvest Development Corporation chief executive officer Rhoda Huang expressed appreciation to the DTI-BOI and the Department of Energy (DOE) for the awarding of the certificate.

“Being the first Third-Party Project Developer registered for a Complex Energy Efficiency Project is a milestone. But more importantly, it is a strong signal that the country is serious about scaling energy efficiency—fast, credibly, and with measurable outcomes,” said Huang.

PDDC general manager Jonathan Z. Urbano emphasized that the awarding of the certificate was a milestone not only for PDDC but also for sustainable energy efficiency in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Filinvest Land, Inc. chief operating officer Ysmael V. Baysa said that as a TPPD, PDDC uses technical expertise and strategic investment to transition the Philippines toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy in partnership with the DTI, BOI, and DOE.

The CREATE MORE Act, signed into law in 2024, expanded fiscal incentives for priority investments in the Philippines, including energy efficiency and conservation projects. The law aims to enhance the country’s competitiveness as a destination for high-value and sustainable investments.