With a proven track record of securing record-breaking investment pledges, the Board of Investments (BOI) enters its 58th year by building on its successes.
In a dynamic global economic landscape, the BOI has transformed into a proactive and agile institution, acting as the primary catalyst for foreign and domestic capital, particularly in high-impact and future-proof sectors. Its recent contributions and milestones, from record-shattering approvals to pioneering new policy frameworks, are the clearest indicators of its enduring purpose and vital role in the nation’s economic ascent.
BOI milestones
The most compelling story of the BOI’s effectiveness lies in the numbers, which tell a tale of monumental growth and sustained investor confidence. In 2024, the agency achieved an unprecedented milestone, approving a staggering P1.62 trillion in investment pledges. This monumental figure not only set an all-time high for the BOI but also represented a significant year-on-year increase from 2023’s already record-breaking P1.26 trillion. Entering its 58th year, the BOI has continued its strong performance in 2025.
While the first seven months of the year saw investment approvals reaching P398.94 billion, the agency has set an ambitious target of P1.75 trillion for the full year, an 8 percent increase from its 2024 achievement.
For several years, renewable energy and power have consistently dominated the investment landscape, reflecting the BOI’s commitment to the global green transition. In 2024, projects in electricity and gas supply, largely driven by renewable energy initiatives, accounted for a substantial portion of the approved investments. This trend continues in 2025, with renewable energy projects leading the investment mix, underscoring the Philippines’ burgeoning potential as a clean energy hub. This is a direct outcome of the government’s policy to open the renewable energy sector to 100 percent foreign ownership, a landmark move that the BOI has actively championed and promoted to global investors.
Beyond energy, the agency has also successfully channeled significant capital into other priority areas, including transportation, manufacturing, and digitalization, all of which are essential for diversifying the economic base and creating a more resilient industrial ecosystem.
Better processes
In addition to its role in securing investment pledges, the BOI has also been at the forefront of policy innovation and process improvement. A significant milestone for 2025 is the finalization of the new Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) for 2025 to 2028. This updated blueprint identifies key economic activities that are eligible for incentives under the CREATE MORE Act, an enhanced version of the landmark CREATE Law. The new SIPP is designed to align with the Marcos administration’s socioeconomic agenda, focusing on sectors that promise high-impact job creation, value chain upgrading, and technological innovation. It categorizes projects into tiers, with each tier offering tailored tax incentives. This strategic approach ensures that incentives are not just a handout but a tool to shape the economy toward specific national development goals, such as food security, advanced manufacturing, and a robust digital infrastructure.
Another crucial contribution has been the BOI’s continued success with the “Green Lane” system, established by Executive Order No. 18. This initiative streamlines the permit and licensing processes for strategic investments, drastically cutting bureaucratic red tape and accelerating project implementation.
As of mid-2025, the BOI had endorsed numerous projects for Green Lane treatment, collectively valued at trillions of pesos. A significant majority of these were renewable energy projects, with others spanning digital infrastructure, public-private partnerships, and manufacturing. This initiative is a practical and direct response to a major pain point for investors—the complexities of government approvals. By simplifying the process, the BOI not only makes the Philippines a more attractive investment destination but also ensures that investment commitments quickly translate into tangible jobs and economic activity on the ground.
The BOI’s story, however, is one of evolution, not just recent triumphs. It began as a bold experiment in national economic management. The agency was officially created on September 16, 1967, through the “Investment Incentives Act,” or Republic Act No. 5186. At its inception, its purpose was clear and singular: to promote and guide the flow of both domestic and foreign investments toward priority industries crucial for the country’s industrialization. The BOI was tasked with administering a system of tax and non-tax incentives to attract capital and technology, thereby helping to build a self-sufficient and diversified economy in the post-war era.
Its role was expanded and cemented with the passage of the “Omnibus Investments Code of 1987,” which consolidated various investment laws and positioned the BOI as the lead investment promotion agency and a “one-stop shop” for investors.
Today, the BOI’s fundamental purpose remains anchored in its foundational mandate, though its scope has broadened to encompass the complexities of a globalized, knowledge-driven economy. As an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, it continues to serve as the government’s principal arm for investment promotion. Its core mission is to create a conducive investment climate and to strategically steer capital into sectors that will create quality jobs, foster innovation, and promote inclusive growth. The agency’s work is not limited to attracting foreign capital; it also plays a critical role in supporting and incentivizing local industries, thereby strengthening the domestic economic base. It is a dual mandate that recognizes the importance of both external and internal engines of growth.
On its 58th year, the BOI stands as a testament to strategic vision and institutional resilience. By putting its recent, record-breaking achievements front and center, it showcases its dynamism and its critical role in shaping the nation’s economic future. The milestones of 2024 and the ambitious targets for 2025 are not just a point of pride but a promise of things to come. The agency’s success in attracting a fresh wave of investments, particularly in green and high-tech sectors, is a clear signal that the Philippines is on a path to a more sustainable, competitive, and prosperous future.
Ultimately, the BOI’s journey from a regulatory body to a strategic economic partner is a narrative of continuous adaptation and a deep commitment to unlocking the nation’s full potential.
