Solid Group is not always the most visible name in Philippine industry, but two of its ecozone developments, Calamba Premier International Park (CPIP) and Laguna International Industrial Park (LIIP), are playing a central role in the recent surge in major investments in areas covered by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.
PEZA highlighted the two estates for helping secure some of the agency’s largest inflows to date, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines’ (Semphil) newly approved P50.7-billion expansion. The project is the first major high-technology investment registered under the CREATE MORE regime.
PEZA Director-General Tereso Panga stressed that CPIP’s involvement was crucial. The park is developed by Starworld Corp., a long-standing joint venture between Solid Group led by business leader Elena Lim and Samsung Corp. of Korea.
“While much has been said about Semphil, little has been publicized about CPIP’s critical role in enabling this major high-technology investment,” Panga said.
Semphil’s expansion required 1.44 hectares of additional space, which CPIP provided by reallocating several common areas. The ecozone developer also worked closely with Meralco and local water utilities to meet the plant’s significant resource needs—270 megawatts of power and 1.825 million cubic meters of water annually.
Beyond utilities, CPIP upgraded infrastructure and operating systems to meet Semphil’s technical standards. These included wastewater treatment modernization, improved links with warehouse and logistics partners, more efficient traffic and cargo flow systems, and strengthened security. Panga noted that these efforts were necessary to keep the project in the Philippines amid competition from Vietnam and China.
A locator at CPIP since 1997, Semphil manufactures Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitors used in a wide range of electronic devices. To date, the company has generated P75.7 billion in investments, 11,162 direct jobs, and USD927 million in exports in 2024. Its latest expansion is expected to add 3,000 more direct jobs and USD363 million in annual exports.
Registered with PEZA in 1998, the 65.6-hectare CPIP currently hosts over 100 multinational and local firms, including Primatech Philippines, II-VI Laser Enterprise Philippines, Avon, Shopee, and dozens of technology-based exporters.
In Biñan, Laguna, the 117-hectare LIIP—launched in 1992—remains one of the country’s pioneer ecozones. It is home to 38 PEZA-registered locators, such as automotive manufacturer Daewa Seiko, ophthalmic lens producer Optodev, fiber-optic maker Draka, and logistics company DHL.
For Panga, these developments highlight the importance of sustained cooperation.
“Ecozones prosper because of the unique relationship between industry champions, government, and developers,” he said.
Solid Group itself has undergone several transformations. Formerly focused on television manufacturing and plastics, it shifted strategy in response to changing market conditions. It later moved into broadband through its acquisition of the Destiny Group’s cable operations, and in 2007 launched its mobile phone brand my|phone, which has since grown into its flagship business.
In ecozone development and beyond, Solid Group continues to position itself as a reliable partner in long-term industrial growth.
