Aboitiz InfraCapital optimistic on growth despite global trade shifts 

Aboitiz InfraCapital, one of the country’s leading industrial estate developers, expressed strong confidence in the Philippine government's ability to steer the economy through the challenges posed by new United States tariff policies, according to a report by Philippine News Agency.

Speaking at the Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates Industrial Summit 2025 in Makati City before the weekend, economic estates head Rafael Fernandez de Mesa said he fully trusts the government to secure favorable outcomes amid heightened global trade volatility.

“I have full faith in our government that is working hard, from the Department of Finance to OSAPIEA (Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investments and Economic Affairs), to DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), supported by different investment promotion agencies, such as PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority), to get us the most favorable position,” Fernandez de Mesa said.

While acknowledging that the full effects of higher US tariffs remain uncertain, he believed the disruption presents new opportunities for the Philippines, as global firms look to diversify risk.

“Why do I think it is good? Because as a business, you are trying to manage that risk and that volatility. And in an industrial sector where it is really a global landscape, you need to have your risk diversified. And I think that is where the Philippines comes into play,” Fernandez de Mesa said.

“Because we are kind of like the middle of the pack. We may not be Vietnam but we are also not at the bottom. So, in a world of uncertainty and volatility, I think there is going to be more movement towards the Philippines,” he added.

This week, SAPIEA Secretary Frederick Go and DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to seek a win-win trade arrangement with the US after President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs worldwide.

The raise has been postponed for 90 days and all countries were slapped with a universal tariff rate of 10 percent.

Fernandez de Mesa said investors do not just look at the tariff advantages of the country, but its efficiency, cost and ease of doing business.

Meanwhile, Fernandez de Mesa said the company has secured three locators for the 384-hectare TARI Estate in Barangay Lourdes, Tarlac City, which broke ground in May 2024.

He said a “very big” investment in the food industry is coming to TARI, with the construction of its 40-hectare development inside the economic zone expected to start within the year.

He added that this investor is also TARI’s first locator.