Pasay City — Despite global economic headwinds, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved a record ₱260.89 billion worth of investments in 2025, surpassing its annual target and marking the strongest investment growth since 2016.
The figure represents a 21.91-percent increase from approvals in 2024 and ranks as the sixth highest in PEZA’s 30-year history, underscoring renewed investor confidence in Philippine ecozones.
“We not only surpassed our Php 250-billion low-end target for the year but also achieved an all-time high since 2016,” PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said, citing sustained trust from both local and foreign investors.
Buoyed by the strong performance, PEZA has set a Php 300-billion investment approval target for 2026 as it seeks to further strengthen the country’s position as a regional investment hub.
The 2025 approvals covered 314 new and expansion projects across manufacturing, IT-business process management, logistics, utilities, tourism, and ecozone development—23.41 percent more projects than last year. Most investments will be located in Luzon, particularly in CALABARZON and the Luzon Economic Corridor, with others spread across the Visayas and Mindanao.
These projects are expected to generate 78,741 direct jobs, up 8.74 percent year-on-year, and produce up to Php 11.52 billion in export revenues, or nearly triple the level recorded in 2024.
Big-ticket investments accounted for a large share of the total, with 41 major projects bringing in Php 214.6 billion. PEZA said this reflects strong global demand for Philippine-made products and continued confidence in the country’s skilled workforce.
In December alone, PEZA approved Php 53.31 billion worth of investments, including projects in tourism, medical manufacturing, and electronics expansion in NCR, CALABARZON, and Central Luzon.
Trade Secretary and PEZA Board Chair Cristina Roque said the momentum reflects a “stable and predictable policy environment” that supports long-term business decisions and sustained economic growth.
Looking ahead, PEZA is expanding its ecozone development program, with 10 new and expanded ecozones already approved for 2025 and 14 more in the pipeline.
“With more ecozones coming onstream, we are confident that the influx of investments and expansion of projects will continue,” Panga said.
PEZA remains a key driver of the country’s export economy, accounting for 54 percent of Philippine exports, and continues to play a central role in job creation and industrial growth nationwide.