Proposed amendments to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) charter seek to significantly expand the agency’s autonomy, giving it broader regulatory control and faster decision-making powers in a bid to sharpen the Philippines’ competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investments.
At the core of the proposal is the streamlining of ecozone proclamation requirements with the Office of the President, a move expected to shorten approval timelines and accelerate the establishment and expansion of economic zones. The reforms also aim to consolidate regulatory functions within PEZA, including oversight of environmental compliance, labor standards, fire safety, and building permits inside ecozones—reducing the current overlap with multiple national agencies.
A key structural shift is the proposed granting of exclusive jurisdiction over utilities and facilities within PEZA zones, covering power, water, telecommunications, and wastewater systems. This would effectively strengthen ecozones as self-contained investment hubs with faster infrastructure deployment and fewer external bottlenecks.
The amendments also expand PEZA’s mandate to issue development permits, register embedded utilities, and issue Certificates of Origin, reinforcing its long-standing “one-stop shop” model for investors. Longer visa validity for foreign investors and technical personnel is likewise being considered to improve workforce stability and operational continuity for locators.
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said the reforms are designed to keep pace with regional investment promotion agencies that increasingly compete on speed, predictability, and ease of doing business rather than incentives alone. He emphasized that stronger autonomy would allow PEZA to respond more efficiently while maintaining accountability.
Additional provisions include creating more deputy director general positions and improving flexibility in hiring and retaining technical experts, reflecting the agency’s expanding operational scope.
Industry stakeholders say the reforms, if enacted, could materially reduce bureaucratic friction, improve investor confidence, and accelerate the rollout of new industrial and export-oriented projects across the country.
