PEZA hopes to exceed P300 billion in investment approvals

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December 17, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is targeting to return to its golden era by breaching the P300-billion mark for investment approvals this year or next year.

“It is our aspiration that, if not this year, we will breach the P300-billion mark by 2026,” PEZA director general Tereso Panga said during the investment promotion agency’s Investors’ Recognition Night and celebration of its 30th anniversary.

He said achieving the target would bring the PEZA back to its heyday from 2011 to 2015 when annual investment approvals averaged P290 billion.

For this year, PEZA has set a conservative goal, to approve P250 billion in investments and an ambitious target amounting to P300 billion.

Panga told reporters that the PEZA’s investment approvals from January to Dec. 12 have already reached P238 billion, just P12 billion short of the P250 billion target.

He said the agency continues to receive applications for registration.

The PEZA will determine final investment approval figures after it convenes its last board meeting for the year on Dec. 22, to approve at least four projects.

Panga said the projects in the pipeline involve manufacturing and include an ultra luxury tourism brand.

If the P300 billion ambitious target is not reached this year, the PEZA chief is optimistic of achieving it next year, citing an upcoming meeting with a big-ticket investor in the US in January.

“We’re hoping and praying it’s going to be an upward, consistent trajectory,” Panga said.

He said the continued investor interest shows confidence in the country’s future.

“That means they have the trust and confidence, huge trust and confidence in the current leadership and that eventually, we will surpass all these troubles besetting us now,” he said.

Revelations of flood control corruption issues have dampened investor sentiment.

While the country continues to attract investments, Panga underscored the importance of reforms.

For its part, the PEZA is embracing digital transformation to improve investor experience, promote transparency in transactions and reduce the overall cost of doing business.

Panga said the PEZA commits to roll out an ecozone transfer system, electronic letter of authority, as well as e-visas and e-building permit systems for a more seamless and faster permit processing.

The PEZA is also promoting sustainability and future-proofing in ecozones through the integration of renewable energy and waste-to-resource programs, sustainable operations reporting and eco-industrial park certifications.

In addition, the agency is putting up training facilities to upskill the workforce and prepare them for future work requirements.

Panga said the PEZA’s aim is to continue to promote ease of doing business and job creation and position the Philippines as a top investment hub in Asia.

Since its establishment in 1995, the PEZA has generated over P4.5 trillion in cumulative investments, created more than 1.81 million jobs and contributed over $1.12 trillion in exports.

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