The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it passed with flying colors the IPA (Investment Promotion Agency) performance review for calendar years 2022-2023 conducted by the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) last March 18-20, 2025.
The FIRB conducted an onsite review of PEZA’s processes covering project evaluation, project registration, Certificate of Entitlement to Tax Incentives (CETI) issuance, income and non-income tax incentives, monitoring, and zone importation procedures.
With PEZA’s brand of service showcased through these processes, PEZA received commendations from the FIRB, citing the agency’s automation and streamlining initiatives including the use of the Fiscal Incentives Registration and Monitoring System (FIRMS), monthly monitoring of performance commitment, comprehensive online and paper documentation for verification processes, and proactiveness in resolving RBEs’ issues or clarifications.
FIRB further commented that the positive findings all contribute to why PEZA has the biggest number of locators and is the country’s best IPA in terms of investment facilitation.
They likewise lauded PEZA’s registration processes, emphasizing that even before they can issue any findings, PEZA has already laid out solutions in the pipeline that will address the same.
“PEZA maintains its policy of enhancing its world-renowned brand of service and ease of doing business practices in its ecozones because we know that our best promoters will always be our happy and satisfied investors, all in pursuit of making the Philippines the best investment hub in the region,” said PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga.
PEZA has maintained its ISO 9001:2015 certification 16 years and counting.
PEZA’s ease of doing business measures have also been recognized by various international organizations including Bloomberg AiQ in 2023, citing PEZA as a unique factor for the Philippines in terms of FDI attraction. The US Department of State also noted in its 2024 investment climate statement for the Philippines that, “PEZA has received positive feedback for its regulatory transparency, no red-tape policy, and one-stop shop for investors.”
Furthermore, PEZA was recognized by ARTA as a top GOCC in 2024 having received Gold Award for its EODB measures.
