PEZA investment approvals double in first seven months of 2025

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved P18.6 billion in new and expansion projects in its July 17 board meeting, bringing total approved investments for the first seven months of 2025 to P90.96 billion — a 100% increase from the same period last year.

PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said the surge reflects growing investor confidence in the Philippines as a resilient and competitive investment destination, citing policy stability and infrastructure improvements across ecozones.

Year-on-Year Performance Highlights

From January to July 2025, PEZA generated an impressive PhP 90.96 billion in approved investments – a 100% year-on-year surge from the PhP 45.48 billion recorded during the same period in 2024.

The 150 newly approved and expanding projects mark a 25% increase from the 120 projects approved during the same period last year, highlighting strong investor confidence and sustained trust in the Philippines as a premier investment hub. These ventures are projected to create 35,874 direct Filipino jobs — a notable 42.02% rise from the 25,259 jobs generated in the same period in 2024. Moreover, PEZA posted a 24.37% growth in its projected exports, reaching US$ 2.003 billion.

This underscores PEZA’s strategic role in driving high-value, technology-driven, and job-generating investments that are fully aligned with the country’s priority industries and economic roadmap.

PEZA July 2025 Board Approvals

Specifically for the month, the PEZA Board approved 17 high-impact new and expansion projects that are poised to inject PhP 18.6 billion in investments, generate an estimated US$ 744.06 million in annual export revenues once fully operational, and create 2,891 direct jobs for Filipino workers.

These projects span a range of industries, including 11 in export manufacturing, three (3) in facilities development, two (2) in IT-BPM, and one (1) in domestic-market-oriented manufacturing. Strategically located across Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas, these ventures support PEZA’s mission of expanding industrial and innovation hubs, driving balanced regional growth across the countryside, and advancing the country’s overall global competitiveness.

PEZA July 2025 Board Approvals

“Every approved ecozone project becomes an anchor for supply chains, MSME linkages, technology transfer, and quality jobs where they are most needed. Countryside ecozone development remains a core PEZA mission — we are bringing opportunities to the countryside, ensuring growth reaches every region,” DG Panga emphasized.

Among the approved July projects, PEZA greenlighted one major venture set to invest above PhP 13 Billion in an advanced manufacturing expansion under the Electronics/Semiconductor Manufacturing Services (EMS-SMS) sector. Soon to operate in Batangas, this high-value facility will specialize in the manufacturing of computers, electronics, optical products, semiconductor devices, and other electronic components, all of which will be 100% exported to the United States.

This strategic investment underscores the Philippines’ growing role as a trusted partner in high-reliability electronics supply chains bound for the U.S., leveraging competitive costs, skilled talent, and preferential trade advantages to boost local value-added manufacturing and technology-driven growth.

PEZA Board officials discuss key agenda items and developments

Sustaining Momentum: PH’s Competitive Edge Amidst Global Trade Shifts

With the 100% year-on-year surge, PEZA is confident in sustaining its upward growth trajectory for the remainder of the year. The agency is converting this momentum into a strategic advantage for global manufacturers seeking a reliable China 1 1 location amid U.S. tariff shifts, advancing a strong pipeline in electronics, EV components, healthcare IT, aerospace, and smart logistics — all backed by policy stability, globally competitive incentives under the CREATE MORE law, a skilled workforce, and a nationwide network of ecozones designed to foster balanced development.

“The EMS-SMS expansion in Batangas worth above PhP 13 Billion and fully dedicated to U.S. exports, proves how PEZA locators can diversify supply chains while ensuring quality and efficiency amid global trade shifts,” DG Panga noted. “Global companies are repositioning, and the Philippines is ready to seize these opportunities. Through our mission of ecozoning the country, we are not just matching investors with ready sites — we are building inclusive and sustainable growth corridors that translate to jobs, exports, and shared prosperity.”

Following the recent U.S.–Philippines trade deal, PEZA remains optimistic as the Philippines continues high-level negotiations to compensate the newly adjusted 19% U.S.-imposed tariff on Philippine exports. Led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick D. Go, DTI Secretary and PEZA Board Chair Ma. Cristina Roque, and the country’s economic team, this development signals a step forward in strengthening trade ties and expanding market access between our two countries.

As the Philippines remains among countries with lowest U.S. tariff rates in Southeast Asia, government and industry leaders are hopeful as well that the renewal of the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the start of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US will drive the country’s future growth.