FOUR months into the final stretch of 2026, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is within P83.534 billion of its P300-billion investment goal, after approvals more than doubled from a year earlier.
Peza approved P216.466 billion worth of investments from January to August, equivalent to 72.16 percent of its P300-billion target for the year.
The amount was 104.53 percent higher than the P105.834 billion approved during the same period last year.
The increase came alongside a rise in the number of approved projects, with the Peza Board clearing 196 new and expansion projects in the first eight months, 9.50 percent more than the 179 projects approved in the same period in 2025.
The projects are expected to generate $6.604 billion in exports and 26,994 direct jobs nationwide.
August contributed significantly to the year-to-date total. On August 20, the Peza Board approved 22 new and expansion projects worth P64.565 billion, more than four times-or 334.13 percent above-the P14.872 billion approved in August 2025.
‘Our job now is to move these projects forward quickly and ensure their benefits reach more Filipino workers and communities,’ Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said.
Manufacturing accounted for the largest share of approved projects during the eight-month period, with 80 projects.
It was followed by 31 ecozone development projects, 30 information technology and business process management projects, 19 facilities projects, 15 logistics projects, 15 export-oriented projects for the domestic market, four tourism projects and two utilities projects.
Most of the approved investments remain concentrated in Luzon, which accounted for 161 projects. The Visayas had 23 projects, while Mindanao had 12.
The Philippines was the largest source of investors among the approved projects, followed by the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.
Large-scale investments also accounted for a substantial portion of the approvals. About 34 projects were classified as big-ticket investments, with a combined value of P193.713 billion.
The investment approvals come alongside continued activity in existing economic zones.
Peza’s ecozone reports for the first half of 2026 showed actual exports of $32.89 billion, up 2.35 percent from the same period last year. Direct employment in the zones reached 1.82 million, 1.56 percent higher than the first half of 2025.
‘With four months to go, Peza remains relentless in turning investor confidence into lasting economic opportunities for the country,’ Peza Director General Tereso Panga said.