The Philippines is stepping up efforts to attract global defense companies to set up operations in the country, offering tax breaks and other incentives at a recent conference in Manila.
The Board of Investments (BOI), in partnership with the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, pitched the country as a hub for defense manufacturing and technology development during the two-day 2025 Aerospace, Defense and Security (ADS) mission, hosted by the US-ASEAN Business Council.
Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa, executive director of the BOI’s Industry Development Services, identified a range of fiscal and non-fiscal perks foreign defense firms can tap under the Strategic Defense Revitalization Program (SRDP) Law.
These include tax breaks, procurement preferences, and exemptions from stringent government bidding requirements.
She said the government is committed to fostering an investment environment that ensures long-term growth and collaboration, highlighting opportunities in civil aviation, cybersecurity and disaster resilience.
“We work closely with industry partners to develop projects that build skills, enhance innovation, and strengthen the country’s defense ecosystem,” Halili-Dichosa said, adding the BOI is ready to provide full investment facilitation support.
The SRDP Revitalization Act, signed into law last year, is a cornerstone of the government’s push to develop a local defense industry. Apart from investor-friendly provisions, it prioritizes technology transfer and partnerships that would allow Philippine industry players to integrate into global defense supply chains.
DND Undersecretary Rene Diaz outlined the program’s strategic goals, while Eleazar Ricote, executive director of the PPP Center, stressed the critical role of public-private collaboration in advancing both security and economic resilience.
The BOI said the Philippines is not only bolstering its defense and security posture but also opening doors for high-value job creation, sustainable industrial development and stronger ties with global partners.
