PEZA approves P151.901B investment pledges from January to July 2026

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) on Friday said it approved P151.901 billion worth of investment pledges in the first seven months of 2026.

In a statement, PEZA said the amount came from 174 new and expansion projects its board approved during the period.

This was 16% higher than 150 projects approved in the same period last year.

Year-on-year, total approved investment commitments grew by 66.99% from P90.961 billion in the same period last year.

PEZA said approved investment pledges are also expected to generate $5.905 billion in exports, 194.82% higher year-on-year, and create 26,047 direct jobs nationwide.

The agency said manufacturing accounted for the lion’s share of approved projects at 76, followed by IT-BPM at 28, ecozone development at 26, 15 facilities, 13 logistics, 10 domestic market, four tourism, and two utilities projects.

The bulk of the approved projects, at 141, are to be located in Luzon, while 22 will be in the Visayas, and 11 in Mindanao.

PEZA said the Netherlands emerged as the top investment source, followed by South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Germany.

The agency added that of the total approved investments, 25 are big-ticket projects worth P131.661 billion, accounting for nearly 87% of the total.

"The first seven months of 2026 demonstrate that investor confidence in the Philippines remains strong. More importantly, we are seeing investments that are increasingly export-oriented, technology-driven, and aligned with the country's long-term industrial development goals. These are the kinds of investments that generate quality jobs, strengthen our export sector, and deepen the Philippines' participation in global value chains," said PEZA director general Tereso Panga.

"Despite the trade headwinds and global geopolitical challenges, the encouraging results of our first seven months reflect the stronger investment pipeline we have been building together with the Philippine economic team and our private sector partners," he added.

The PEZA chief said it is well-positioned to convert these opportunities into new investments, quality jobs, higher exports, and long-term industrial growth for the country, he also said. —LDF, GMA News