THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Friday reported P35.36 billion in approved investments as of end-February, down 33.19 percent lower than the P52.93 billion a year earlier.
Still, the 52 new and expansion projects are seen to earn $10.44 billion in exports and create 5,049 jobs.
The projected revenue, if realized, could mean a 3,711-percent surge year on year.
PEZA also reported approving six big-ticket projects worth P30.252 billion.
“While PEZA is cautiously optimistic about achieving double-digit growth in investment approvals this year, the approval of 52 new and expansion projects already underscores the continued diversification of industries within our ecozones and the steady expansion of investments across the countryside,” PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said.
“We remain focused on opening new frontiers in ecozone development by broadening industry participation, deepening regional expansion and strengthening the overall competitiveness of our investment ecosystem,” he added.
The agency is targeting a total of P300 billion in investments and 100,000 jobs this year.
Trade Secretary and PEZA Chairman Cristina Roque reiterated the need for aggressive ecozone expansion to attract high-value, export-oriented investments and stimulate regional development.
The strategy includes the integration of micro, small and medium enterprises into ecozone value chains while strengthening the country’s industrial competitiveness in line with the government’s “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda.
Top investor countries
From January to February, South Korea topped the list of foreign investor countries, followed by Indonesia, British Virgin Islands, China and Japan.
The top eight sectors with approved projects were manufacturing (20), ecozone development (12), IT-BPM (seven), facilities (five), logistics (three), domestic (two), tourism (two) and utilities (one).
PEZA also reported signing six big-ticket undertakings worth P30.252 billion.
For February, the agency secured P22.50 billion in 34 new and expansion projects, down by 1.23 percent from the P22.78 billion in February 2025, but forecast to generate $10.382 billion in exports and create 4,044 direct jobs.
The 34 projects include export manufacturing (13), IT-BPM (five), facilities development (five), logistics (two), domestic market project (one), tourism (one) and ecozone developments (seven).
These will be located in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Central and Western Visayas, and Ilocos.
Also part of the February approvals were three big projects spanning tourism, domestic market enterprise and ecozone development in Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac with a combined worth of P18.367 billion.
“These big-ticket investments reflect a strong multi-sectoral enterprise mix and serve as clear proof of the continued expansion and deepening of the country’s ecozone network in growth corridors outside Metro Manila,” PEZA said.
Adaptive investment outlooks
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and volatility in global energy markets, PEZA said there is a need for prudent and adaptive investment outlooks for the rest of the year.
An escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and in other parts of the world, which would lead to a surge in global oil prices and logistics challenges, may affect supply chains and investor sentiment across export-oriented industries, PEZA admitted.
“I understand the uncertainty that these global challenges pose, but PEZA remains confident in the Philippines’ long-term competitiveness,” Panga said.