MANILA – The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) approved ₱175.37 billion worth of projects from January to October 2025, up 41.72 percent compared to the same period last year, bringing the agency closer to its ₱250-billion investment target for the year.

Data released by PEZA showed that the 243 new and expansion projects approved by the agency’s board are expected to generate around USD 6.079 billion in exports and create 59,937 direct jobs for Filipinos.

Most of the investments came from Japan, followed by the Cayman Islands, South Korea, China, Singapore, and the United States, among others.

Investments in domestic market-focused businesses reached ₱84.31 billion, which PEZA said reflects “strong domestic investor confidence and the sustained interest of global players in PEZA ecozones.”

For October alone, the agency approved ₱20.66 billion in new and expansion projects — a 162.64 percent jump from ₱7.87 billion in the same month last year. These projects are expected to generate USD 1.588 billion in exports, up 182.33 percent year-on-year, and create about 9,507 jobs, higher by 95.53 percent from 2024.

PEZA Director General Tereso Panga said the growth in investment commitments demonstrates sustained investor confidence despite global and domestic uncertainties.

“These figures reflect the continuing confidence of our locators and partners in the ecozone program and the country’s long-term investment potential,” Panga said.

He added that the agency’s focus “remains on strengthening our ecozone program and ensuring a stable, transparent, and competitive business environment that supports sustainable growth.”

“With over 70 percent of our investment target already achieved within ten months—and with strong pipelines of projects still under review—we are confident and optimistic of meeting and hopefully even exceeding our 2025 investment goal of ₱250 billion,” he said. (PNA)