Ecozone investments soar 88 percent in 5 months

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June 8, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) saw sustained investment momentum in the first five months of the year with investment approvals soaring by 88 percent from a year ago, despite global economic uncertainties.

In a statement yesterday, PEZA said it approved 135 projects worth P124.84 billion in investments from January to May, higher than the P66.34 billion cleared in the same period last year.

The approved projects from January to May are expected to create 20,012 jobs across manufacturing, ecozone development, information technology - business process management, facilities, logistics, domestic market activity, tourism and utilities.

These approved investments are also expected to generate $2.97 billion in exports, 172 percent higher than the $1.09 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Investments approved by PEZA also include those from companies from The Netherlands, South Korea, Indonesia, Germany, Japan and Singapore.

“Our robust investment growth and the near tripling of projected exports demonstrate that investors continue to see the Philippines as a strategic location for business expansion. Amid global economic headwinds, PEZA ecozones remain attractive because of our stable business environment, skilled workforce, strategic location and strong government support for export-oriented industries,” PEZA director general Tereso Panga said.

For the month of May alone, PEZA approved 31 projects valued at P15.41  billion,  a 447 percent increase from just P2.82 billion in the same month last year.

The approved projects in May are expected to generate $364.73 million in exports, 48 percent higher than the level recorded a year earlier.

These approved projects include three big-ticket export manufacturing ventures with a combined value of over P11 billion to be located in Pampanga, Laguna and Cebu.

“These approvals represent more than investment commitments. They translate into new factories, technology transfers, higher-value exports and greater economic opportunities for Filipinos,” Panga said.

PEZA expects the recent approval of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), which lists activities qualified for incentives, to boost the country’s position as a competitive destination for high-quality investments.

The SIPP is expected to help promote investments in advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, digital infrastructure and sustainability-driven industries.

“Our goal is not simply to increase investment approvals, but to attract projects that introduce advanced technologies, strengthen local industries, expand export capabilities and position the Philippines higher in global value chains,” Panga said.

PEZA is aiming to approve P300 billion worth of investments for this year, higher than the P261 billion approved in 2025.