The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has achieved nearly half of its P300-billion investment approval target for 2026 after first-half commitments almost doubled, signaling sustained investor confidence as global manufacturers continue shifting supply chains toward Southeast Asia.
From January to June, the PEZA Board approved 157 new and expansion projects worth P140.69 billion, up 94 percent from P72.36 billion in the same period last year. The approved investments account for nearly 47 percent of the agency’s full-year target and are expected to generate USD3.37 billion in exports and create 23,140 direct jobs.
“PEZA’s first-half approvals send a clear message: The Philippines remains firmly on the radar of global investors,” PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said.
The investment surge was fueled by 21 big-ticket projects valued at P122.84 billion, highlighting growing interest in the country’s export-oriented manufacturing sector as companies diversify production bases amid continuing global supply chain realignment.
The Netherlands emerged as the largest investment source during the period, followed by South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Germany and Japan.
Electronics manufacturing attracted the biggest share of approved investments, followed by ecozone development and information technology-business process management projects.
In June alone, PEZA approved 22 projects worth P15.85 billion across Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Davao Region and Caraga. Another P14.19 billion worth of IT-BPM and ecozone development projects in Batangas and Quezon City are awaiting board approval.
Panga said the strong pipeline reflects the government’s push to make the Philippines more competitive through the Strategic Investment Priority Plan 2025-2028, alongside infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation and renewable energy investments.
“As companies reconfigure supply chains and look for competitive locations in the region, PEZA is ready to provide the enabling environment, investor support and ecozone platform needed to turn these opportunities into real projects, jobs and exports,” he said.
The first-half performance puts PEZA on track to meet, or potentially exceed, its investment target this year, reinforcing the country’s bid to capture a larger share of manufacturing and high-value investments relocating across Asia.
