THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has lauded the lifting of the moratorium on new information technology (IT) park and center applications in Metro Manila through Administrative Order 45, series of 2025, which amends AO 18, series of 2019.
PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said the amendment resolves a long-standing policy restraint, enabling the agency to respond more effectively to the evolving needs of the IT-BPM industry while opening opportunities for property developers.
“AO 45 is a major policy breakthrough that strengthens our ability to compete for the next wave of IT-BPM, global capability center, and other technology-enabled investments,” Panga said, thanking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, and Finance Secretary Frederick Go for supporting it.
The new policy allows developers to register and market projects as PEZA IT parks and centers, making them more attractive to enterprises expanding within Metro Manila.
PEZA said the timing aligns with the country’s push into relatively untapped outsourcing markets such as Australia and Japan, where demand is growing for digital operations, engineering, and other knowledge-based services.
Five projects currently have pending applications: MJ Landtrade Development Corp.’s Altaire in Makati; Triumvirate Development Corp.’s One Trium Tower, Muntinlupa; Ayala Land’s ARCA South 1, Taguig; Aseana Holdings’ Parqal, Parañaque; and San Lorenzo Ruiz Investment Holdings’ Yuchengco Centre, Makati.
However, under amended PEZA Board Resolution No. 00-411, developers of these projects remain ineligible for fiscal incentives — though qualified IT-BPM locators moving in may still avail of existing benefits.
PEZA maintained that reopening IT ecozone development in Metro Manila would not undermine countryside growth, noting that a wider metro investment pipeline could serve as a gateway for expansion into central and southern Luzon and other emerging centers.
“Many global companies first establish themselves where there is already a deep talent pool, mature infrastructure, and an established business ecosystem. As they grow, we have the opportunity to bring their succeeding sites to other parts of the country,” Panga explained.
Real estate management firm Colliers said upcoming office developments in Quezon City, Mandaluyong, and the Bay Area stand to benefit, while Manila, Navotas, and Valenzuela may also gain as qualified projects seek IT ecozone status.
It is expected to address a supply-demand mismatch — Colliers estimates 44 percent of PEZA office space in Metro Manila is aging, with few options available for occupiers needing 5,000 square meters or more.
Metro Manila currently hosts 178 IT centers and parks occupied by 1,072 companies employing over 740,000 Filipinos.
