The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) is on a strong path to reach its ambitious investment approval goal for the year, with its chief expressing confidence despite the approaching deadline.
Closing in on the P300-Billion Goal
During the agency's 30th-anniversary celebration in Pasay City on Monday night, Peza Director General Tereso Panga shared an update on their 2025 target. He revealed that following a Board meeting on December 12, 2025, the total value of approved investments for the year has reached P238 billion.
"We're still getting some applications. They all want to be approved by Dec. 22 (next Board meeting), so we'll know," Panga told journalists. The agency is aiming for a total of P300 billion in approved investments before the year ends.
Big-Ticket Applications in the Pipeline
The optimism stems from several high-value projects currently under review. Panga identified at least four significant applications, describing them as "big-ticket items." These include proposals from an ultra-luxury brand from Japan and another from the United States.
A substantial portion of these pending investments is earmarked for the manufacturing sector, among other areas. Panga assured that even if the precise target is not met by December 31, the momentum guarantees its achievement shortly thereafter. "If the agency will not achieve its approvals target for 2025, it will hit it next year 'for sure,'" he stated.
Building Momentum for a Peza Renaissance
Panga attributed this positive outlook to Peza's relentless promotional efforts overseas, including a scheduled trip to the U.S. next month. He believes these activities are reigniting investor confidence.
"This will bring us back to (the) heydays of Peza. We're hoping and praying (that) it's going to be an upward consistent trajectory," the Director General said. He emphasized that the commitments signal deep trust in the country's economic direction. "These investors are investing in the future more than the present. That means they have their trust and confidence, huge trust and confidence, in current leadership."
To sustain this growth, Panga added that Peza is committed to implementing reforms aimed at further improving its policies and services for investors.
