PEZA books P207.57-B investment commitments in Jan. to Nov. 2025

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Tuesday said its approved investment commitments in January to November 2025 surpassed P200 billion, higher than last year’s approved investment projects.

In a statement, PEZA said it approved P207.577 billion worth of proposed 281 new and expansion projects in the first 11 months of the year, up by 2.99% from P201.55 billion approved projects for the same period in 2024.

The investment promotion agency said the growth reflected a 17.57% increase in new and expansion projects from 239 in 2024, as well as an 89.19% increase in projected exports amounting to $7.39 billion, and an expected creation of 69,737 direct jobs.

According to PEZA, Japan continues to be the top source of investment commitments, followed by the Cayman Islands, South Korea, China, Singapore, the USA, and other countries. 

“Even amid external shocks and a challenging global investment climate, the ecozone industry remains undeterred. Our consistent growth reflects the trust of investors in the Philippines’ competitiveness coupled with PEZA’s brand of service,” said PEZA Director General Tereso Panga.

“We will continue to champion measures that strengthen our investment ecosystem and position the country as a prime hub for sustainable, technology-driven, and resilient industries,” he added.

In November alone, PEZA recorded P32.211 billion in approved investment commitments from the 38 new and expansion projects, with $1.741 billion in projected exports and an estimated 9,802 direct jobs for Filipinos.

Among the 38 projects are various types of industries, including 22 in export manufacturing, five in facilities development, four in the IT-BPM sector, three in ecozone logistics service enterprises (ELSE), two in domestic market-oriented activities, and two ecozone developments.

The approved investments in November will be located across the regions of CALABARZON (IV-A), National Capital Region (NCR), Central Luzon (III), Ilocos Region (I), Bicol Region (V), Central Visayas (VII), Northern Mindanao (X), and Davao Region (XI). 

For her part, Trade Secretary and PEZA chairman Cristina Roque noted that “despite the headwinds, there is a bright light in PEZA as they’re about to breach their 2024 performance.”

“Investment acquisition is on stream as we enter 2026, and remains bullish on the upcoming investment prospects into the country as we create more ecozones,” Roque added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News