The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved 17 new and expansion projects worth PHP11.212 billion during the Board’s first meeting this month, bringing the agency’s total approvals to PHP151.9 billion year to date.
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said that although the month’s investment value was lower than the PHP18.599 billion approved in July 2025, the latest approvals demonstrate significantly stronger export potential.
Projected exports from the July-approved projects reached USD2.538 billion, a remarkable 241.12 percent increase from the USD744 million recorded during the same month last year, while projected employment slightly increased to 2,907 direct jobs, from 2,891 in July 2025.
By industry, the July approvals consisted of six export manufacturing projects, four IT-BPM enterprises, three domestic market enterprises, two ecozone development projects, and two facilities projects, underscoring PEZA’s continued emphasis on export-oriented production and industrial expansion.
The month’s performance was further bolstered by four big-ticket projects worth PHP 8.818 billion, accounting for nearly 79 percent of July’s total approved investments. These include two manufacturing projects to be located in Batangas, an export enterprise to engage in domestic market for its project in Davao del Norte, and an ecozone project to be developed in Cavite.
Seven-month performance
Year to date, the PEZA Board approved 174 new and expansion projects, up 16 percent from 150 projects in the same period last year, with total approved investments reaching PHP151.901 billion, a 66.99 percent increase from PHP90.961 billion in 2025.
The approved projects are projected to generate USD5.905 billion in exports—nearly three times the USD2.003 billion recorded in the same period last year, or a 194.82 percent increase—and create 26,047 direct jobs nationwide. While investment values naturally reflect the mix and scale of projects approved during each Board cycle, the strong export growth underscores PEZA’s success in attracting higher-value, export-oriented investments.
Manufacturing remained the backbone of PEZA’s investment portfolio, accounting for 76 approved projects, followed by 28 IT-BPM, 26 ecozone development, 15 facilities, 13 logistics, 10 domestic market, 4 tourism, and 2 utilities projects, highlighting the continued strength and diversity of investments across Philippine economic zones.
Geographically, 141 projects are to be located in Luzon, 22 in the Visayas, and 11 in Mindanao, supporting PEZA’s push for more balanced regional development while reinforcing established industrial corridors.
Investor confidence likewise remained broad-based, with the Netherlands emerging as the top investment source, followed by South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Germany.
The agency’s performance was further driven by 25 big-ticket projects worth a combined PHP131.661 billion, accounting for nearly 87 percent of total approved investments during the seven-month period, highlighting strong investor commitments to large-scale, long-term operations in the country.
“The first seven months of 2026 demonstrate that investor confidence in the Philippines remains strong. More importantly, we are seeing investments that are increasingly export-oriented, technology-driven, and aligned with the country’s long-term industrial development goals. These are the kinds of investments that generate quality jobs, strengthen our export sector, and deepen the Philippines’ participation in global value chains,” Panga said.
