New investments climb 71% since mid-2022

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported a 71 percent surge in approved investments to P3.54 trillion under the Marcos administration from July 2022 to April 2025, driven largely by renewable energy projects, according to a report by Manila Bulletin.

In a statement, Department of Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque said the total includes record-breaking annual figures of P729 billion in 2022, P1.26 trillion in 2023, and P1.62 trillion in 2024, the highest in the Board of Investments' (BOI) 57-year history. 

Roque said that these figures are a testament to the Philippines’ sound investment policies and the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in building an innovation-driven economy.

While 2025 has seen a slowdown in investment approvals, the DTI explained that this is a natural part of the investment cycle as many previously approved large-scale projects move into the implementation phase.

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The department added that external factors, such as tighter global financial conditions and geopolitical uncertainty, have also contributed to a more cautious investment environment.

Roque noted that large-scale projects like offshore wind farms and energy infrastructure require detailed planning and construction, which do not result in immediate foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows but are critical for long-term growth.

Between January 2022 and February 2025, the Philippines experienced fluctuating FDI inflows, which were influenced by global economic conditions. 

Despite these fluctuations, the DTI reported that manufacturing, real estate, and information and communication remained the top sectors for FDI. 

The department noted that the recent downtrend in FDIs is not unique to the Philippines, aligning with a broader global and regional trend. 

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The ongoing US-China trade war has also influenced investor behavior, particularly in the IT-BPM sector, prompting firms to reassess investment timelines.

To further promote the Philippines as an investment destination, the BOI launched the CREATE MORE Roadshows in March 2025 and conducted the Philippine Business Forum in Seoul, South Korea, in April 2025. 

The BOI is also finalizing the 2025 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) and has implemented Executive Order No. 18 to establish "Green Lanes" for strategic investments, streamlining permit applications.

As of May 27, 2025, 208 projects have received Green Lane certification, 78 percent of which are in renewable energy, totaling %u20B15.2 trillion in investment value.