The Marcos administration has approved 46 special economic zones since taking office, with the developments projected to draw P141.2 billion in investments and generate about 189,000 jobs, although new ecozone activity this year remains heavily concentrated in Calabarzon.
Seven of the 10 economic zones proclaimed from January to August 2026 are in the region, underscoring its continued pull on industrial and commercial development even as the government seeks to spread investment beyond Metro Manila.
Press Officer Claire Castro said 43 of the 46 ecozones approved during the administration’s term are outside the capital, reflecting efforts to broaden the geographic distribution of investment and employment opportunities.
Luzon accounts for 29 of the approved zones, while the Visayas has 12 and Mindanao has five.
Data from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) show that four of this year’s 10 proclamations are in Batangas, two in Cavite and one in Laguna. The remaining three are in Cebu, Iloilo and Sarangani.
Batangas alone accounts for 40 percent of the year’s additions. These include First Industrial Township in Tanauan, First Philippine Industrial Park II in Santo Tomas, Light Industry & Science Park IV in Malvar, and Biz Hub at Lima Estate in Lipa.
The concentration points to the continuing importance of established industrial corridors south of Metro Manila in attracting new ecozone developments. While the administration’s broader figures indicate a reach beyond the capital, this year’s additions show that investment activity remains unevenly distributed across regions.
The Visayas accounted for two proclamations through West Cebu Industrial Park and Atria Gardens in Iloilo, while Mindanao had one, Malbang Industrial Ecozone in Sarangani.
The 10 ecozones proclaimed through August this year match the number recorded for the whole of 2025.
The projected P141.2 billion in investments and 189,000 jobs cover the 46 zones approved since the administration began, not just the 10 proclaimed this year.
