Pasay City – The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) closed out the first eight months of 2026 with total approved investments of Php 216.46 Billion, successfully securing 72.16% of its Php 300 billion annual investment target for 2026.
During the 20 August 2026 Board meeting chaired by Secretary Cristina A. Roque, the PEZA Board approved 22 new and expansion projects worth PhP 64.565 Billion—334.13% up from the Php14.872 billion approved in August 2025.
The PEZA Board held its Board meeting at the PEZA Investment and Corporate Center last 20 August 2026
“Reaching more than 72% of PEZA’s annual target in only eight months shows that investor confidence in the Philippines is translating into real commitments. Our job now is to move these projects forward quickly and ensure their benefits reach more Filipino workers and communities,” Secretary Roque said.
Secretary Roque presiding the monthly PEZA Board meeting
For his part, PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said, “These results are a clear vote of confidence in the Philippines’ capacity to compete for high-value investments. With PhP 216.46 Billion already approved, we are building stronger production and export capabilities, creating more jobs, and deepening our integration into global value chains. We will sustain this momentum and continue turning investor confidence into tangible economic opportunities for Filipinos.”
Eight-Month Performance (January-August 2026)
From January to August 2026, the PEZA board approved 196 new and expansion projects, up 9.50% from 179 projects in the same period last year. These projects recorded total approved investments worth Php 216.466 billion, a 104.53% increase from Php 105.834 billion in 2025.
The approved projects are projected to generate US$6.604 billion in exports and create 26,994 direct jobs nationwide.
January-August Board Approvals
Manufacturing continued to lead PEZA’s investment portfolio accounting for 80 of the 196 approved projects from January to August 2026. This was followed by 31 ecozone development projects, 30 IT-BPM, 19 for facilities, 15 for logistics, 15 export-oriented projects for domestic market, 4 tourism, and 2 utilities, reflecting the diverse range of industries expanding and establishing operations within Philippine economic zones.
Geographically, 161 of these projects are to be located in Luzon, 23 will be created in the Visayas, and 12 in Mindanao, supporting PEZA's push for more balanced regional development while reinforcing established industrial corridors.
Investor confidence likewise remained broad-based, with the Philippines emerging as the top investment source, followed by the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Secretary Roque and DG Panga engaging in discussions on matters before the PEZA Board
Thirty-four (34) of these projects were classified as big-ticket investments worth a combined Php 193.713 billion, reflecting sustained investor confidence in large-scale, long-term operations in the country.
Among these, nine (9) big-ticket projects worth PhP 62.05 Billion were greenlighted in August. These include two (2) facilities enterprises with combined investments worth PhP 35.39 Billion to be located in Tarlac; two (2) EMS-SMS projects with combined investments worth over PhP 3 Billion to be created in Laguna; and a billion-peso export-oriented enterprise to venture into domestic market to be located in Tarlac. Meanwhile, four (4) ecozone development projects with combined investments worth Php 22.39 Billion will soon rise in Cavite, Bataan, Davao del Sur, and Cebu.
In addition, ecozone reports for the first half of the year recorded actual exports of $32.89 Billion, 2.35% higher compared to the same period last year, with actual direct employment totaling to 1.82 million or 1.56% higher than that in H1 2025.
Translating Momentum into Long-Term Economic Gains
With more than seventy percent of its annual investment target already secured, PEZA remains optimistic that the remaining four months of 2026 will see continued conversion of investment leads into concrete projects that expand the country's production capacity, exports, and employment.
Through strategic global trade missions and targeted partnerships, the agency will continue to pursue investments in green industries, advanced technologies, and other high-value sectors, while working to close the remaining gap toward its Php300-billion investment target for the year.
DG Panga discussing key agenda items during the PEZA Board meeting
“Surpassing 72% of our annual investment target in just eight months further highlights the Philippines’ growing strength as an investment destination. We will use this momentum to push further, attract more high-value investments, expand our export capacity, and create more quality jobs for Filipinos. With four months to go, PEZA remains relentless in turning investor confidence into lasting economic opportunities for the country,” DG Panga said. ###