The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said Tuesday it approved P52.93 billion worth of investments in the first two months of 2025, up by 337.5 percent from P12.09 billion in the same period in 2024.
“This remarkable upswing reflects our continuous efforts through various foreign investment missions, with more initiatives from diverse industries planned for the rest of the year,” said PEZA director-general Tereso Panga.
PEZA approved 39 new and expansion projects as of Feb. 25, 2025, up by 39.29 percent from a year ago. Employment also saw an impressive 209.02-percent surge, with 11,063 direct Filipino jobs expected to be created.
Investments from domestic market enterprises (DME) grew substantially, contributing P37.972 billion, or 71 percent of total approvals from January to February.
Meanwhile, February approvals brought P22.77 billion in new and expansion projects, expected to generate 7,793 direct jobs and $241.78 million in export receipts.
Approved projects include nine export manufacturing ventures, eight IT-BPM projects, three domestic market initiatives, two facilities development projects and four ecozone developments.
The projects are strategically located across Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Central and Western Visayas, Ilocos Region and Davao Region.
Two major ventures in Tarlac and Batangas will contribute a combined P15.98 billion in investments. Among them is a P10.45-billion South Korean-led ecozone development.
PEZA said it is teaming up with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to develop the ecozone project that will host industries across manufacturing, agro-industrial, tourism and IT, driving economic growth and innovation.
Panga said PEZA anticipates a surge in investments following the signing of the CREATE MORE Act’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) on Feb. 17, 2025.
Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go said the IRR “remains true to the intent of the CREATE MORE law—driving investments and creating more jobs for Filipinos.”