The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Board of Investments (BOI), the Philippines’ lead investment promotion agency, approved Php461.84 billion worth of investments in the first half of 2026, posting a 21% increase from the Php382.24 billion recorded during the same period last year.
The strong performance reflects growing investor confidence in the Philippines’ economic fundamentals, reform agenda, and long-term growth prospects, with the BOI continuing to drive investment promotion, policy development, and facilitation efforts that support the country’s industrial transformation.
From January to June 2026, the BOI approved 124 projects that are expected to generate 14,415 direct jobs for Filipinos, underscoring the agency’s role in translating investment commitments into economic opportunities across the country.
Trade Secretary and BOI Chairman Cristina A. Roque said the strong performance demonstrates sustained confidence in the Philippines as an investment destination and the government’s efforts to create a more competitive and business-friendly economy.
“The strong growth in DTI-BOI-approved investments reflects investors’ confidence in the Philippines and in the Marcos Jr. administration’s reform policies. We are making it easier to invest, expand, and do business in the country. Our focus now is to turn these investment commitments into operating projects that create quality jobs, strengthen industries, and deliver lasting opportunities for Filipinos,” Secretary Roque said.
“The country’s recent attainment of Upper Middle-Income Country status highlights the positive impact of sustained investments and sound economic reforms. Through the BOI’s investment promotion, facilitation, and policy initiatives, we are helping translate economic gains into concrete opportunities for businesses, communities, and Filipino workers across the country,” Roque added.
The energy sector, including renewable energy, accounted for the largest share of approved investments at Php343.47 billion, representing 74.25% of the total. The strong showing reflects continued investor interest in projects that support the country’s energy security, capacity expansion, and long-term development requirements.
Other major contributors to BOI-approved investments included real estate activities at Php36.55 billion, air and water transport at Php36.25 billion, mining and quarrying at Php14.64 billion, hotel, tourism, and accommodation projects at Php7.58 billion, and manufacturing at Php7.22 billion.
Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo said the investment approvals highlight the growing impact of the government’s economic reforms and the BOI’s efforts to guide investments toward industries that will drive future growth.
“The strong investment approvals recorded in the first half of the year affirm the Philippines’ attractiveness as an investment destination and reflect investor confidence in our economic prospects and reform agenda. With the implementation of CREATE MORE, the Strategic Investment Priority Plan, and the Green Lane for Strategic Investments, the BOI is ensuring that investors have both the policy support and facilitation mechanisms needed to bring projects from approval to operation. These reforms are helping position the Philippines as a preferred location for strategic, high-value, and job-generating investments,” Undersecretary Rodolfo said.
Domestic investments reached Php447.32 billion, representing a 41% increase from the same period last year. The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) registered the highest level of approved investments at Php150.40 billion, followed by the Ilocos Region at Php144.13 billion, the National Capital Region at Php48.78 billion, Central Luzon at Php33.55 billion, Caraga at Php16.93 billion, and Central Visayas at Php13.97 billion.
Meanwhile, approved foreign investments totaled Php14.16 billion, with Singapore emerging as the top source of investment commitments at Php3.15 billion. It was followed by China at Php1.13 billion, the United States at Php1.06 billion, Australia at Php961 million, and Japan at Php873 million.
The robust investment performance builds on the BOI’s broader efforts to strengthen the country’s investment ecosystem and position the Philippines as a preferred destination for strategic and high-impact investments. As the government’s lead investment promotion agency, the BOI spearheaded the formulation of the 2026–2028 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP), the country’s investment roadmap under the CREATE MORE Act, which identifies priority sectors and activities eligible for fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. The BOI also leads implementation of the Green Lane for Strategic Investments, which streamlines permitting and accelerates government action on transformative projects.
These initiatives have helped provide investors with greater policy clarity, stronger incentives, and more efficient government support, reinforcing the country’s competitiveness amid a rapidly evolving global investment landscape.
The sustained rise in BOI-approved investments reflects increasing confidence in the Philippines’ economic transformation agenda and complements the country’s recent attainment of Upper Middle-Income Country (UMIC) status. Together, these developments underscore the positive impact of sound economic policies, strategic reforms, and sustained investment promotion efforts in fostering growth and expanding opportunities for Filipinos.
As the country’s lead investment promotion agency, the BOI remains committed to attracting high-value investments, supporting the implementation of the SIPP, facilitating the entry and expansion of strategic projects, and advancing a whole-of-government approach to investment promotion that generates quality jobs and drives sustained and inclusive economic growth.
