The Board of Investments reports on Monday (Jan. 5, 2025) that investment approvals in 2025 again breached the P1.5 trillion mark. The bulk of the P1.56-trillion investments are in the energy sector. (Infographics courtesy of the BOI)
Energy-related projects once again dominated investment approvals in 2025, pushing total commitments cleared by the Board of Investments past the P1.5 trillion mark for the second consecutive year and underscoring sustained investor interest in the country’s power and infrastructure pipeline.
Data released by the BOI on Monday showed that approved investments reached P1.56 trillion last year, the second-highest annual total on record after the P1.62 trillion logged in 2024, although still below the agency’s P1.75 trillion target. The 322 projects approved in 2025 are expected to generate around 40,000 jobs nationwide.
Energy projects accounted for the lion’s share of approvals, totaling P970.09 billion, reflecting what the BOI described as continued momentum in power generation and related infrastructure. Mass housing followed at PHP241.65 billion, with transportation and storage close behind at P230.06 billion.
Manufacturing projects reached PHP62.16 billion, while information and communication investments stood at P26.56 billion.
Domestic investors continued to drive overall approvals, contributing P1.41 trillion, while foreign investments amounted to P149.45 billion. Most local investments were concentrated in the National Capital Region at P383.71 billion, followed by the Cordillera Administrative Region with P373.39 billion, Calabarzon with P257.83 billion, the Bicol Region with P123.61 billion, and Central Luzon with P105.13 billion.
Among foreign investors, Singapore led with P80.37 billion, followed by The Netherlands at P33.29 billion, Thailand at P7.75 billion, the United States at P6.91 billion, and Switzerland at P4.33 billion.
Despite the slight dip from the previous year’s record, Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque said the continued breach of the P1.5 trillion threshold highlights the Philippines’ growing competitiveness and the sustained confidence of both local and foreign investors.
“These investments reinforce our commitment to building a resilient, innovation-driven economy anchored on sustainability and inclusive growth,” Roque said.
She added that several large-scale, strategic projects remain in the pipeline but require more time to complete the evaluation process. Moving forward, the government’s priority, she said, is to ensure that approved investments translate into quality jobs, technology transfer, and long-term, inclusive economic growth that benefits Filipinos across the country.