INVESTMENT pledges approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) from January to May surged by 88 percent to P124.84 billion from P66.34 billion a year earlier.
The commitments covering 135 new and expansion projects were projected to generate $2.97 billion in exports — nearly three times the $1.092 ___ seen in the same period last year — and generate 20,012 jobs.
"Our robust investment growth and the near tripling of projected exports demonstrate that investors continue to see the Philippines as a strategic location for business expansion," PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said in a statement on Sunday.
"Amid global economic headwinds, PEZA ecozones remain attractive because of our stable business environment, skilled workforce, strategic location, and strong government support for export-oriented industries," he added.
Eighteen of the 134 comprise big-ticket projects, the PEZA said. The investment pipeline was also said to be “increasingly composed of technology-driving, export-oriented and capital-intensive projects."
Fifty-eight of the total pledges involve manufacturing projects, followed by ecozone development (21), information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) (19), facilities (13), logistics (12), domestic market (6), tourism (4) and utilities (2).
By location, Luzon led with 110 projects, followed by the Visayas (19) and Mindanao (6).
The Netherlands topped the list of foreign investor countries, followed by South Korea, Indonesia, Germany and Japan.
For May alone, investment approvals jumped by 446.89 percent to P15.40 billion from P2.817 billion a year earlier. If all 31 commitments are realized, they are expected to generate $364.734 million in exports — 48.29 percent higher compared to May last year — and create 3,895 jobs.
Three of the projects — manufacturing ventures in Pampanga, Laguna and Cebu — are big-ticket items worth a combined P11 billion, the PEZA said.
Manufacturing (16) again accounted for the biggest share with IT-BPM (7), domestic (2), ecozone development (2), logistics (2), facilities (1) and tourism (1) following.
Twenty-four of the projects will be located in Luzon, with most (16) in the Calabarzon region and the rest in the National Capital Region (6) and Central Luzon (2).
The Visayas accounts for four — three in Cebu and one in Iloilo — and Mindanao three (Cagayan de Oro, Davao del Sur and South Cotabato).
“The figures reflect the continuing expansion of investment activity across both established growth centers and emerging economic corridors nationwide,” the PEZA said.
Panga said the agency remained focused on attracting high-quality, innovation-driven projects that generate long-term value for the Philippine economy.
"Our goal is not simply to increase investment approvals, but to attract projects that introduce advanced technologies, strengthen local industries, expand export capabilities, and position the Philippines higher in global value chains," he said.
The PEZA, which approved a record P260.89 billion in pledges last year, is aiming for P300 billion this year.
CHYNNA GRACE ONG
