The Philippines has achieved a major milestone in investment generation, with the Board of Investments (BOI) approving a massive ₱1.56 trillion worth of projects in 2025. This marks the second consecutive year the agency has surpassed the ₱1.5 trillion mark, securing the second-highest level of investment approvals in its 58-year history.
Energy Sector Powers Historic Investment Inflows
The driving force behind the 2025 approvals was the energy sector, which alone attracted ₱970.09 billion in investments. This surge underscores the sustained national momentum in power generation and critical energy infrastructure development.
Following energy, other top-performing sectors were:
- Mass Housing with ₱241.65 billion
- Transportation and Storage at ₱230.06 billion
- Manufacturing with ₱62.16 billion
- Information and Communication at ₱26.56 billion
These figures highlight robust investments in logistics, digital infrastructure, and industrial expansion across the country.
Regional Distribution and Foreign Investment Leaders
Domestic capital formed the bedrock of the investment boom, with local investments accounting for ₱1.41 trillion of the total. Geographically, the National Capital Region (NCR) led as the top destination, securing ₱383.71 billion.
The other leading regions were:
- Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR): ₱373.39 billion
- Calabarzon (Region 4-A): ₱257.83 billion
- Bicol Region: ₱123.61 billion
- Central Luzon (Region 3): ₱105.13 billion
Foreign investment approvals reached ₱149.45 billion, led by Singapore (₱80.37 billion). The Netherlands, Thailand, the United States, and Switzerland completed the top five sources of foreign capital.
Catalyst for a Resilient and Innovative Economy
DTI Secretary and BOI Chairperson Cristina Roque stated that maintaining approvals above ₱1.5 trillion for two years straight reflects strong policy credibility and investor confidence. She emphasized that these strategic projects are transformative, targeting renewable energy, digital infrastructure, high-value manufacturing, and mass housing.
"These investments reinforce our commitment to building a resilient, innovation-driven economy anchored on sustainability and inclusive growth," Roque said.
Looking forward, the BOI identifies strong prospects in renewable energy, electric vehicle components, semiconductors, smart manufacturing, and data center development. Secretary Roque noted that several large-scale projects remain under active evaluation, as the agency follows a prudent process to ensure they align with the country's long-term development goals.
The 322 approved projects are projected to generate 40,175 jobs nationwide, with the BOI focused on ensuring these translate into quality employment, technology transfer, and sustainable economic growth for all Filipinos.
