Pasay City – The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) entered the second half of 2026 on a strong footing, reporting Php151.901 billion investments approved for the first seven months of the year. This comes as the PEZA Board approved an additional 17 new and expansion projects worth Php11.212 billion during its Board meeting on 16 July 2026.
"The first seven months of 2026 demonstrate that investor confidence in the Philippines remains strong. More importantly, we are seeing investments that are increasingly export-oriented, technology-driven, and aligned with the country's long-term industrial development goals. These are the kinds of investments that generate quality jobs, strengthen our export sector, and deepen the Philippines' participation in global value chains," Director General Tereso O. Panga said.
January to July 2026 Investment Approvals
Seven-Month Performance (January-July 2026 Approvals)
From January to July 2026, the PEZA Board approved 174 new and expansion projects, up 16% from 150 projects in the same period last year, with total approved investments reaching Php151.901 billion, a 66.99% increase from Php90.961 billion in 2025.
The approved projects are projected to generate US$5.905 billion in exports—nearly three times the US$2.003 billion recorded in the same period last year, or a 194.82% increase—and create 26,047 direct jobs nationwide. While investment values naturally reflect the mix and scale of projects approved during each Board cycle, the strong export growth underscores PEZA's success in attracting higher-value, export-oriented investments.
Manufacturing remained the backbone of PEZA's investment portfolio, accounting for 76 approved projects, followed by 28 IT-BPM, 26 ecozone development, 15 facilities, 13 logistics, 10 domestic market, 4 tourism, and 2 utilities projects, highlighting the continued strength and diversity of investments across Philippine economic zones.
Geographically, 141 projects are to be located in Luzon, 22 in the Visayas, and 11 in Mindanao, supporting PEZA's push for more balanced regional development while reinforcing established industrial corridors.
Investor confidence likewise remained broad-based, with the Netherlands emerging as the top investment source, followed by South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Germany.
The agency's performance was further driven by 25 big-ticket projects worth a combined Php131.661 billion, accounting for nearly 87% of total approved investments during the seven-month period, highlighting strong investor commitments to large-scale, long-term operations in the country.
July Board Approvals Reinforce Export-Led Growth
Building on the strong performance recorded during the first half of the year, the PEZA Board approved 17 new and expansion projects amounting to Php11.212 billion in investments. Although the month's investment value was lower than the Php18.599 billion approved in July 2025, the latest approvals demonstrate significantly stronger export potential.
Projected exports from the July-approved projects reached US$2.538 billion, a remarkable 241.12% increase from the US$744 million recorded during the same month last year, while projected employment slightly increased to 2,907 direct jobs, from 2,891 in July 2025.
July 2026 Investment Approvals
"These figures tell us that, despite the economic headwinds both locally and abroad, today's investments are increasingly moving back toward more export-intensive and higher-value operations," said DG Panga, "While monthly investment values naturally vary depending on the mix of projects approved by the Board, what matters is that the investments entering our ecozones continue to strengthen the country's export base, create quality employment, and position the Philippines deeper within global value chains,” he added.
By industry, the July approvals consisted of six (6) export manufacturing projects, four (4) IT-BPM enterprises, three (3) domestic market enterprises, two (2) ecozone development projects, and two (2) facilities projects, underscoring PEZA's continued emphasis on export-oriented production and industrial expansion.
The month’s performance was further bolstered by four (4) big-ticket projects worth PhP 8.818 billion, accounting for nearly 79% of July's total approved investments. These include two (2) manufacturing projects to be located in Batangas, an export enterprise to engage in domestic market for its project in Davao del Norte, and an ecozone project to be developed in Cavite.
PEZA Board meeting led by PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga on 16 July 2026
Converting Investor Confidence into Economic Growth
PEZA attributed the sustained investment momentum to the country's improving investment climate, reinforced by the implementation of the CREATE MORE Act, the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) 2025–2028, and the agency's sustained investment promotion efforts in key markets across Asia, Europe, and North America.
The agency noted that recent investment missions and high-level engagements with global companies are increasingly translating into actual project registrations and Board approvals.
With more than half of its annual investment target already secured in just seven months, PEZA remains bullish that the second half of 2026 will be marked by continued conversion of investment leads into concrete projects that will expand the country's production capacity, exports, and employment.
"Despite the trade headwinds and global geopolitical challenges, the encouraging results of our first seven months reflect the stronger investment pipeline we have been building together with the Philippine economic team and our private sector partners. As global companies continue to diversify their operations and strengthen supply chain resilience, PEZA is well-positioned to convert these opportunities into new investments, quality jobs, higher exports, and long-term industrial growth for the country. We remain fully committed to our 'No Red Tape, Only Red Carpet' approach as we work toward achieving our investment targets and supporting the administration's broader economic agenda." DG Panga said.
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