THE Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) are exploring a strategic alliance to unlock new economic opportunities for nonresident Filipinos (NRFs) and expand diaspora-led investments in the country.
In a recent consultative meeting, CFO Chairman Secretary Dante Ang II conferred with PEZA Director General Tereso Panga and New Perspective Media CEO Karen Remo to formulate collaborative frameworks centered on diaspora capital mobilization, local economic development and increased NRF participation in domestic enterprise.
The meeting centered on three key discussion areas.
The bilateral talks focused on leveraging the country’s economic zones to create viable investment channels and business opportunities for global Filipinos.
The Diaspora Investment & Enterprise is aimed at structuring programs that allow NRFs to invest directly in key growth sectors and ecozone-based enterprises.
The Economic Zone Utilization entails enhancing awareness of PEZA’s ecozones as secure, high-yield venues for both domestic capital and overseas Filipino investors.
For returning NRFs and retirees, the Retirement Destination Appeal seeks to develop incentives and institutional support to strengthen the Philippines’ position as an attractive, full-service retirement and lifestyle hub.
As an immediate outcome of the exploratory dialogue, the CFO and PEZA are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding, which will establish a structured pipeline connecting nonresident citizens with trade, commercial and investment channels managed under PEZA’s ecozone framework.
Through targeted interagency partnerships, the CFO aims to build sustainable, institutionalized pathways for the overseas Filipino community — shifting diaspora engagement beyond traditional remittances toward long-term equity, wealth generation and national economic development
