Pasay City – On track to achieving its target of a 9-10% investment growth this year, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) recorded an outstanding PhP 52.933 billion in investments following the board meeting last 20 February 2025 at the PEZA Head Office.
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga stated, “PEZA’s rising investments reflect its dedication to supporting various sectors and propelling the country’s economic progress. By attracting projects from priority industries—such as emerging technologies in the EMS-SMS sector—and fostering strategic collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry among others, PEZA continues to draw investments that stimulate regional economic growth and advance the nation’s industrial landscape.”
Trade Secretary and PEZA Board Chairman Cristina Aldeguer-Roque likewise highlighted the role of the CREATE MORE Act in this performance. She said, “The CREATE MORE Act is a game changer in the entry of foreign [direct] investments into the country [which] encourages more international investors to come given the longer set incentives being offered.”
Year-on-Year Performance
From January to February alone, the Agency achieved a staggering 337.58% increase in investment approvals, reaching PhP 52.933 billion as compared to PhP 12.097 billion in the same period in 2024.
The approval of 39 new and expansion projects for this period also recorded a 39.29% rise from that of last year. Additionally, employment saw an impressive 209.02% surge, with 11,063 direct Filipino jobs expected to be created.
Notably, PEZA saw an increase in investments from domestic market enterprises (DME), injecting PhP 37.972 Billion or 71% of the total investments approved for Jan-Feb 2025.
Since 2024, PEZA already approved 15 DME projects injecting more than PhP 130 Billion investments. Three of these projects are expected to enjoy longer set of incentives for its above PhP 15 Billion investments.
“This remarkable upswing reflects our continuous efforts through various foreign investment missions, with more initiatives from diverse industries planned for the rest of the year. Despite geopolitical challenges, these results underscore the Agency’s pivotal role in advancing the country’s economic resilience through sustained job creation, increased exports, and enhanced investment attraction—key factors in accelerating the nation’s economic development,” expressed DG Panga.
February 2025 Board Approvals
In the latest board meeting, the PEZA Board approved 26 new and expansion projects, anticipated to attract PHP 22.777 billion in investments, generate US$ 241.787 million in exports, and create 7,793 direct jobs.
These projects encompass various type of industries, including nine (9) export manufacturing, eight (8) IT-BPM projects, three (3) domestic market projects, two (2) facilities development initiatives, and four (4) ecozone developments. Strategically distributed across Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Central and Western Visayas, Ilocos Region, and Davao Region, these investments aim to drive regional competitiveness and development.
Big-ticket Projects
Two (2) major ventures are set to generate PhP 15.989 billion combined investments in its upcoming projects in Tarlac and Batangas. These big-ticket projects will further boost investments in the country, supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of elevating the Philippines to an upper-middle-income economy.
Among these projects is a South Korean ecozone development project worth PhP 10.450 billion. With the Philippines-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) now in effect, PEZA is collaborating with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) for the creation of this multifaceted ecozone that will accommodate multiple sectors, including manufacturing, agro-industrial, tourism, and information technology, further enhancing economic opportunities and sectoral development.
Moreover, this development paves the way for more South Korean companies to establish operations in the country’s ecozones, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a prime investment destination and deepening economic ties between the two nations.As investment approvals continue to soar, PEZA remains at the forefront of positioning the Philippines as a premier business hub in the region. The Agency reaffirms its dedication to driving economic resilience and industrial competitiveness through strategic partnerships, policy enhancements, and investor-friendly initiatives.
More investments to come with the signing of CREATE MORE IRR
PEZA also anticipates the entry of more investments into the country following the signing of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the CREATE MORE Act last 17 February 2025.
Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go noted, “The IRR stayed consistent with the intent of the CREATE MORE law and its goal to generate investments and create more jobs for Filipinos.”
DG Panga added, “The IRR supports PEZA’s core mandate to drive investment growth, create jobs, and promote sustainable development, especially in the countryside. We now provide even more benefits to investors who wish to locate in the Philippines.”
As the agency moves forward with its mission, PEZA upholds its focus on sustaining this momentum—welcoming more high-impact projects, expanding industry opportunities, and reinforcing the Philippines’ position as the smart investment destination in the region.
