PEZA forecasts investment approvals above ₱311 billion record
Four major projects are in the pipeline, including three in New Clark City and a Japanese electronics firm's planned investment in Laguna.
Investment approvals in the Philippines’ economic zones are expected to reach a new high in 2026, according to Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director general Tereso Panga. He said four major projects in the pipeline would help approvals exceed the agency’s 2012 record of ₱311 billion.
Speaking to reporters at the Arangkada Philippines Forum 2026, Panga said approvals for January–September totalled ₱297.14 billion. PEZA’s full-year target is ₱300 billion.
New Clark City in Tarlac is the proposed location for three projects involving semiconductors, aviation and hyperscalers. Panga said applications for those projects would be made during 2026, with a minimum investment of ₱50 billion from each locator. A Japanese electronics company separately plans two manufacturing facilities in Laguna, with an investment of US$1 billion.
An upcoming PEZA board meeting is expected to approve investments of around ₱10 billion, Panga said. The agency also expects to secure some deals through planned roadshows in Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.
Panga said the removal of restrictions on establishing new information technology parks and centres in Metro Manila should attract more global capability centres and support further approvals.
For 2027, PEZA has yet to set a target but wants approvals to surpass its 2026 performance. Panga identified electric-vehicle and electronics firms as prospective drivers of additional investment.
