PEZA-Approved Investments Hit ₱154.7B at End-September, Led by Surge in Japanese Pledges

The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) achieved ₱154.70 billion worth of total approved investments from January to September 2025, reflecting a 33.50% increase from ₱115.89 billion in the same period last year.

At the forefront of Japan's renewed pledges is the registration of a domestic market enterprise in Tarlac City for the manufacturing of food products and processed foods inside the Tari Estate. (Photo: Aboitiz Economic Estates) 

A total of 215 projects were logged in the first nine months of the year, 20.11% higher than the 179 projects recorded in 2024.

These projects are expected to create 50,430 direct jobs and generate US$4.49 billion in exports, PEZA said.

The manufacturing sector remains the backbone of the agency’s approvals growth, with notable gains in electronics (EMS-SMS), automotive and auto parts, and food processing.

PEZA said these industries collectively contributed more than ₱42.4 billion in approvals from January to September 2025, reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a vital hub for advanced and diversified manufacturing in Asia.

In September alone, PEZA approved ₱48.869 billion worth of investments across 36 new and expansion projects, which are expected to generate 10,312 direct jobs and US$1.113 billion in projected exports.

These projects span strategic sectors, including 16 in export manufacturing, nine (9) in IT-BPM, five (5) ecozone developments, three (3) facilities, two (2) logistics ventures, and one (1) domestic market activity. The investments are strategically spread across the National Capital Region (NCR) and Regions I, III, IV-A, V, VII, and XI.

Of these 36 ventures cleared in September, eight (8) were big-ticket projects amounting to a total of ₱44.805 billion.

Meanwhile, Japan reemerged as the country's top investing nationality, with ₱14.778 billion in commitments for new and expansion projects, accounting for 9.55% of PEZA’s total approved investments.

This rebound firmly places Japan back on top as PEZA’s leading investment partner, reaffirming its long-standing role as a driver of Philippine industrial growth and innovation.

At the forefront of Japan's renewed pledges is the registration of a domestic market enterprise in Tarlac City for the manufacturing of food products and processed foods inside the Tari Estate.

This flagship food processing facility, valued at over ₱9.1 billion, is set to cater to both domestic and export markets and help drive industrial growth in the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).