Pasay City – Continuing to be the top investment promotions agency (IPA) and hosting 4,670 locator companies in the country to date, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) in its 26 years reached ₱4.018 trillion of investments. Celebrating milestones, the agency awarded its registered ecozone locator, developers, and investors during the annual Investors’ Recognition Day 2021 (Galing Pinas Excellence Awards) last 25 November, in PEZA Head Office, Pasay City.
PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza said, “Our locator companies, whose investments, expansion projects, and reinvestments have totaled to a whopping 4.018 trillion pesos for the last 26 years. Their export revenues in our zones have reached 916.53 billion US dollars and counting.”
In terms of employment, the PEZA Chief proudly reported that, “To date, we have 1,725,855 direct jobs in our economic zones. But, if we consider the other economic activities spurred by the presence of an economic zone in the locality, we can multiply this figure to five times or a total of 8,629,275 jobs created.”
Department of Trade and Industries (DTI) Secretary Ramon “Mon” M. Lopez who physically attended the annual event, lauding PEZA, said that, “Even in the middle of pandemic, foreign investors continue to stand by the Philippines and invest in [our country] partnered with PEZA’s long-term strategic projects.”
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, and Senator Win Gatchalian also sent their video messages to appreciate PEZA and its awardees for their combined efforts and contributions in keeping the nation’s economy thriving amidst the pandemic (see messages at PEZA’s facebook page).
List of Awardees
Aside from commending PEZA on the success of Investors’ Recognition Day, President Duterte also congratulated the Agency’s partnered stakeholders and locators. He said, “May you continue to foster a conducive investment climate for the country’s economic progress. As we welcome another year, may we further contribute to our recovery efforts as we build a more prosperous nation.
This year, PEZA awarded 24 companies and developer-operators in the PEZA Excellence Awards, while 34 for the Special Citation Awards with a total of 58 awardees.
PEZA Excellence Awards:
Outstanding Exporter Awardees
- Dyson Electronics Pte. Ltd. – Philippine Branch
- Cebu Mitsumi, Inc.
- Continental Temic Electronics (Philippines), Inc.
- Concentrix Daksh Services Philippine Corporation
- Optum Global Solutions (Philippines), Inc.
Outstanding Employer Awardees
- Reed Elsevier Shared Services (Philippines), Inc.
- Concentrix Daksh Services Philippine Corporation
- Concentrix CVG Philippines, Inc.
- JT International Asia Manufacturing Corp.
- ING Business Shared Services B.V. Branch Office
- Brother Industries (Philippines), Inc.
Outstanding Community Project
- Reed Elsevier Shared Services (Philippines), Inc. (**)
- Brother Industries (Philippines), Inc.
- JT International Asia Manufacturing Corp.
- Philippine Sinter Corporation
- ON Semiconductor Philippines, Inc.
- Continental Temic Electronics (Philippines), Inc.
- QBE Group Shared Services Limited Philippine Branch
- Canon Business Machines (Philippines), Inc.
- WeServ Systems International, Inc.
Outstanding Environmental Performance
- WeServ Systems International, Inc.
- Denso Ten Philippines Corporation
- Brother Industries (Philippines), Inc.
- TDK Philippines Corporation
Special Citation Awards:
COVID-19 Response Award
- TDK Philippines Corporation
- Brother Industries (Philippines), Inc.
- WeServ Systems International, Inc.
- Amkor Technology Philippines, Inc.
- Techlog Center Philippines (dba Asurion)
- Cognizant Technology Solutions Inc.
- Conduent Business Services Philippines, Inc.
- Continental Temic Electronics (Philippines), Inc.
- Denso Ten Solutions Philippines Corporation
- HSBC Electronic Data Processing (Philippines), Inc.
- Keppel Philippines Marine, Inc.
- Nestle Business Services AOA, Inc.
- Nexperia Philippines, Inc.
- Quantrics Enterprises, Inc.
- Teradyne Philippines Ltd
GALING PINAS! Award
- TI (Philippines), Inc.
- Epson Precision (Philippines), Inc.
- Nidec Philippines Corporation
- Wu Kong Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Canon Business Machines (Philippines), Inc.
- Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc.
- Del Monte Philippines Corporation
- Pilipinas Kao, Inc.
Elevation to the Hall of Fame Award
- STMicroelectronics, Inc.
- B/E Aerospace B.V. – Phil. Branch
- Sutherland Global Services Philippines, Inc.
- Denso Philippines Corporation
- Canon Business Machines (Philippines), Inc.
- Analog Devices Gen. Trias, Inc. (**)
- Samsung Electro-Mechanics Philippines Corp.
Billionaires Award
- Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR)
- TI (Philippines), Inc.
- Toshiba Information Equipment (Phils.), Inc.
On the part of the Department of Trade and Industry, Secretary Mon Lopez noted to PEZA stakeholders, “You are really our inspiration as we move our [country’s] economy forward. All of you are also the reason why our country, as of 3rd quarter [this year], has experienced 7% economic growth, 12% growth in the 2nd quarter, and a year to date of 4.9% growth in GDP.”
Further, Lopez emphasized that “because of you [investors], the Philippines has experienced 20% growth in exports as of September 2021 which is even higher than the pre-pandemic situation by 5%.”
Unveiling of PEZA’s Special Projects & Showcasing Transformation Road Map
In line with PEZA’s Transformation Road Map, Director General Plaza together with DTI Secretary Lopez and her deputy director generals, have officially launched the Agency’s special projects namely the new PEZA logo and flag, an improved PEZA website, the Innovator Man Statue, new Business and Investment Center, PEZA e-payment system, and the PEZA Visa for foreign investors. The agency also launched its 25th year Coffee Table Book last November 23, 2021.
The PEZA Chief added that in terms of ease of doing business in the country and adapting to technological innovations, “PEZA has recently rolled out its Electronic Payment and Collection System (EPCS) for a more accessible, convenient, and efficient way to perform transactions and settle PEZA fees.
PEZA clients can now pay their fees whenever and wherever using their mobile wallet, credit or debit cards, bank transfer, or with over 80,000 payment counters nationwide.
A recent Signing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between PEZA and Meralco was also made just this Wednesday, 24 November, on the issuance of the electronic Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection or e-CFEI for PEZA companies.
“PEZA can now submit in advance a list of the approved CFEIs to MERALCO through electronic mail before the physical certificates are actually sent,” said Plaza.
During the Investors’ Recognition Day, Director General Plaza also gave a glimpse of the new PEZA-Visa and e-Payment and Collection System, as well as PEZA’s future 13-story and state-of-the-art Head Office building in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
Ending 2021 with positive hopes and growth
Director General Plaza said, “As we traverse the last months of the Duterte administration, we proudly look back at what we have accomplished so far, but still, I can’t help but be more excited with what the next years have in store for PEZA.”
“I can assure you that whatever may be thrown our way, PEZA will remain as your most stalwart and most vigilant ally,” added the PEZA Chief.
Meanwhile, while the pandemic continues to pose challenges to PEZA investors, government agencies, and private sectors in making ends meet, Senator Bong Go said, “I am proud on how you managed to persevere, and I am happy that we are working together in recovering the momentum we have lost before the pandemic.”
Go also added, “As we gear towards better days ahead, I hope we continue the partnership [we have] forged between the [national] government and our industries so we can continue building more avenues for businesses that will truly benefit everyone. Magtulungan at mag-bayanihan tayo.” #