THE Department of Trade and Industry is entering 2026 with a strengthened investment and export agenda following sustained approvals from key promotion agencies and new measures to protect exporters against global economic shocks.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) foreign trade units and overseas missions helped secure more than $76 billion, or roughly P4 trillion, in investment commitments in 2025.
The department said these results reflect strong investor interest despite global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions.
A significant portion of the trade strategy involved proactive dialogue with Washington to mitigate tariff impacts on Philippine exports to the US.
The US government recently announced it would grant broader exemptions from reciprocal tariffs to include a majority of Philippine agricultural exports.
These specific products generated over $1 billion in export value in 2024. Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Frasco said the exemption helps protect livelihoods and preserve jobs across agricultural value chains and creates opportunities for communities that rely heavily on exports.
Investment approvals across various government agencies also signaled a robust climate.
The Board of Investments approved an estimated P817 billion worth of projects in 2025, covering more than 260 ventures expected to generate over 32,000 jobs. Key sectors included manufacturing, renewable energy and IT-BPM.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority approved P237.10 billion in commitments, primarily in ecozone development and services.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority also reported about P64 billion in approved investments, led by developments in New Clark City and Camp John Hay.
Clark Development Corp. approved several expansion projects, including aviation-related developments, to reinforce the Clark Freeport Zone as a growth center outside of Metro Manila.
Looking toward 2026, the DTI plans to convert these commitments into actual operations by streamlining processes and intensifying investment facilitation.
The department will also leverage the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026 to promote regional trade integration and supply chain resilience.
Priority sectors for the coming year include the digital economy, innovation-driven industries and advanced manufacturing.
The DTI said it aims to use these sectors to sustain growth and generate quality employment amid an increas-ingly volatile global environment.
