Pasay City – The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) recorded a significant surge in investment approvals in April 2026, marking a strong transition into the second quarter and reinforcing investor confidence in the Philippines as a competitive investment destination.
This comes as the PEZA Board approved last 23 April 2026 a total of 26 new projects worth PhP 63.903 Billion in investments, reflecting a robust increase in investment inflows driven by the entry of large-scale projects. The investment approvals posted a notable increase by 1296.65% as compared to the PhP 4.575 Billion investments approved for the same month last year.
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said, “The rise in the number of approved investments emphasizes PEZA’s pivotal role in catalyzing investment inflow and sustaining the country’s economic momentum despite the current global volatility. As we move into the second quarter, we remain optimistic that we will sustain our positive growth trajectory and provide a conducive environment for both new and expanding enterprises to thrive.”
The PEZA Board during its Board meeting on 23 April 2026
In terms of exports, these projects are expected to generate US$1.695 billion, 385.44% higher than that of last year. The projects are also seen to create 7,621 direct jobs for Filipinos nationwide. Region IV-A (CALABARZON) emerged as the primary investment hub for the month, accounting for (15) projects, followed by Region VII with five (5) projects, Region III with (3), and Regions VI, XI and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) with one (1) project each.
April 2026 Board Approvals
Among these projects, the PEZA Board also greenlighted five (5) big-ticket projects totaling PhP 60.016 billion in investments. These include two (2) EMS-SMS companies and one (1) tourism development project which will expand its operations in Baguio, Clark, and Cebu; one (1) facilities enterprise in Iloilo and one (1) ecozone development venture in Tarlac.
Year-on-Year Performance
The approval of these projects brought PEZA’s total from January to April 2026 to PhP 109.428 Billion, 72.27% higher than the PhP 63.523 Billion approved for the same period last year.
PEZA’s approved 104 new and expansion projects also indicated a 20.93% increase from 86 projects in the same period last year, signaling a more active and expanding investment pipeline. These projects are seen to generate US$2.601 billion in exports and 16,117 direct jobs, reinforcing the Philippines’ growing role in global value chains and export-oriented industries.
Manufacturing led all sectors with 42 projects, followed by ecozone development (19), IT-BPM (12), facilities (12), logistics (10), tourism (3), domestic (4) and utilities (2)—demonstrating both industrial depth and continued strengthening of support infrastructure across ecozones. Geographically, investments remained concentrated in Luzon (86 projects), with steady activity in the Visayas (15) and emerging presence in Mindanao (3), in line with PEZA’s push for more balanced regional development.
This momentum is supported by a diversified investor base led by Dutch, South Korean, Indonesian, Japanese, and Taiwanese firms, indicating sustained international confidence in the country’s investment environment.
January-April Board Approvals
“These figures reflect our resilience even as the global economy navigates a complex period of recovery,” DG Panga said. “While we remain mindful of the prevailing global headwinds and supply chain pressures, the Philippines continues to offer a sense of stability for capital. For our part, we are focused on ensuring that these investments translate into steady, reliable opportunities for our employees and locators,” he added.
PEZA Director General Panga presenting the business matters for discussion and approval of the Board
Strategic Resilience Amid Global Supply Chain Shifts
Recent shifts in the global trade landscape, characterized by changing manufacturing footprints and evolving geopolitical alliances, have prompted multinational firms to seek more secure and integrated production hubs. As global supply chains move toward "friend-shoring" and regional diversification, the ability to provide a predictable and efficient regulatory environment has become a critical differentiator for investment destinations. DG Panga underscored that the Philippines is strategically leveraging on these transitions to capture high-value opportunities.
“In collaboration with the Philippine economic team—including DOF Secretary Frederick Go and DTI Secretary Cristina Roque, we are proactively aligning our investment strategies with the evolving needs of the global market. Challenges brought about by the US-Iran conflict affords us the chance to strengthen Inter-ASEAN trade relations by establishing new supply chains and higher cooperation among key industries like energy, renewables and agriculture. While these external shifts present new complexities, the Philippines’ commitment to institutional stability and investor-friendly reforms serves as a powerful magnet for long-term capital. We are not just observing global trends and strengthening relations with our regional neighbors; we are positioning the country to lead in the new industrial order,” he noted.
As PEZA continues to promote and facilitate investments across the country, it remains steadfast in its mission to drive development in the countryside and create employment opportunities for Filipinos.
Through its hallmark "No Red-tape only Red-Carpet Treatment” and the continuous modernization of the PEZA Law, the Authority reaffirms its role as a stable anchor for foreign direct investment. The Philippines continues to prove its adaptability and readiness as a leading manufacturing and innovation hub, ensuring that growth remains both resilient and inclusive in the face of a changing global economy as envisioned by the President.
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