Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Roque (middle) presides over the September 2025 meeting of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Board. The agency reported on Tuesday (Sept. 30, 2025) the 35 percent jump in PEZA-approved investments in the first nine months this year to PHP154.7 billion, with nearly 10 percent of which is accounted for by Japanese investments. (Photo grabbed from PEZA FB page)
Foreign investment approvals by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) soared by 33.5 percent in the first nine months of 2025, reaching about PHP154.7 billion from nearly PHP115.89 billion in the same period last year.
PEZA said the 215 approved projects underscore investors’ sustained confidence in the Philippines.
“These approvals demonstrate enduring investor confidence in the Philippines. Backed by sustained momentum and robust investment activity, we are on track to attain our PHP250 billion goal and strengthen our standing as a leading investment destination in Asia,” PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said.
Manufacturing accounted for the bulk of investments with 98 projects, followed by information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) with 55; economic zone development with 17; domestic investment with 18; facilities with 15; logistics with seven; and utilities with four.
These projects are expected to generate 50,430 jobs and USD4.49 billion in exports.
Japan emerged as the largest source of investments so far this year, pouring in PHP14.778 billion, or about 9.55 percent of the total.
“Japan’s return as our leading partner reflects the fruit of our investment missions and strong collaborations with stakeholders. With nearly 10 percent of this year’s total project approvals coming from Japanese companies, we see undeniable proof of the Philippines’ standing as a trusted and highly competitive hub in Asia,” Panga said.
For September alone, PEZA approved PHP48.87 billion worth of investments from 35 new and expansion projects, which are projected to create 10,312 direct jobs and USD1.113 billion in exports.
“Given the robust interest and caliber of projects underway, we are not merely on track to meet our goal—we are positioned to deliver even bigger economic wins for the country and our people as we achieve our 2025 investment targets,” Panga added.
