Peza investment approvals surge to P15.4B in May

MANILA, Philippines – Approved investments under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) surged to P15.41 billion in May, providing a significant boost to the agency’s investment pipeline after a slow start to the year.

Data released by Peza on Sunday showed the value of the 31 projects approved during the month was 446.89 percent higher than the P2.82 billion recorded in the same period last year.

READ: Peza keeps ’26 P300-B target despite 23% drop in Q1 investments

In terms of projected export value, May approvals rose 48.29 percent to $364.73 million.

Peza Director General Tereso Panga said the robust performance proved the continued attractiveness of Philippine economic zones despite uncertainties stemming from global headwinds, such as the spillover effects of the Middle East conflict.

“Amid global economic headwinds, Peza ecozones remain attractive because of our stable business environment, skilled workforce, strategic location, and strong government support for export-oriented industries,” Panga said. 

Despite economic headwinds

The May approvals lifted Peza’s total approved investments for the first five months of the year to P124.84 billion, up 88 percent from the same period in 2025. The projects are expected to generate 20,012 jobs.

Peza data also showed a stronger tilt toward export-oriented industries this year. As of May, the approved projects carried a projected export value of $2.97 billion, nearly triple the $1.09 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Manufacturing remained the biggest investment driver in May, accounting for 16 approved projects. Seven IT-BPM projects followed, while domestic market, ecozone development and logistics enterprises secured two approvals each.

Three big-ticket manufacturing projects approved during the month are set to locate in ecozones in Pampanga, Laguna and Cebu. Combined, they accounted for more than P11 billion, or nearly three-fourths of all approvals in May.

High-tech investments sought

Panga said the agency is also banking on the recently approved Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) to attract more high-value investments in the coming years.

Approved by President Marcos in May, the revised SIPP places greater emphasis on advanced manufacturing, innovation-driven industries and emerging technologies.

READ: Marcos OKs revised Philippine investment priority plan

“Our goal is not simply to increase investment approvals, but to attract projects that introduce advanced technologies, strengthen local industries, expand export capabilities, and position the Philippines higher in global value chains,” Panga said. 

Peza said it remains confident it can sustain investment momentum for the rest of the year.

The agency is targeting P300 billion in investment approvals for 2026. If achieved, this would represent a 15-percent increase from the P260.89 billion approved in 2025, when Peza exceeded its lower-end target of P250 billion. /pai INQ