APPROVED foreign investments in the Philippines rose by 52.3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, led largely by South Korean pledges, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday.
Data showed approved foreign investment (FI) pledges jumped to P42.64 billion from P27.99 billion in the same period last year.
However, total approved investments, including those from Filipino nationals, fell by 30.8 percent to P125.95 billion from P181.97 billion previously. Filipino nationals accounted for the bulk of approved investments at P83.31 billion, equivalent to 66.1 percent of the total.
Foreign investment approvals during the quarter were recorded only by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Board of Investments, Clark Development Corp., Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Clark International Airport Corp., Philippine Economic Zone Authority, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
South Korea emerged as the Philippines’ biggest source of approved foreign investments during the quarter, contributing P25.37 billion or 59.5 percent of the total FI pledges.
Singapore followed with P3.18 billion or 7.5 percent share, while China accounted for P2.54 billion or 5.9 percent.
By industry, arts, entertainment and recreation attracted the largest amount of approved foreign investments at P10.38 billion, representing 24.4 percent of the total.
Manufacturing came next with P9.08 billion (21.3 percent), followed closely by accommodation and food service activities at P9.07 billion (21.28 percent).
Central Luzon remained the top destination for foreign investment commitments, receiving P33.08 billion or 77.6 percent of total approved foreign investments during the quarter.
The Calabarzon followed with P3 billion (7.0 percent), while the National Capital Region received P2.13 billion (5.0 percent).
Meanwhile, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply projects accounted for the largest share of total approved investments from both foreign and Filipino nationals at P29.58 billion or 23.5 percent.
Accommodation and food service activities followed (P24.03 billion or 19.1 percent) and manufacturing projects (P21.89 billion or 17.4 percent).
The PSA also said approved investments in the first quarter of 2026 are expected to generate 21,623 jobs, lower by 31.9 percent from the projected 31,758 jobs in the same period last year.
Of the total projected employment, 13,108 jobs or 60.6 percent are expected to come from projects with foreign interest.
