Manila: The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) is experiencing a resurgence under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with investment approvals from 2022 to April 2025 totaling PHP530.59 billion.
According to Philippines News Agency, annual data reveals a consistent increase in PEZA-approved investments, with PHP140.7 billion in 2022, PHP175.71 billion in 2023, PHP214.18 billion in 2024, and PHP63.5 billion from January to April this year. If this upward trend continues, PEZA’s investments may reach or even exceed its historic peak of PHP312 billion set in 2012.
In a video released Thursday, PEZA reported that President Marcos has proclaimed 27 new ecozones from 2023 to November 2024. These new ecozones have attracted investments of around PHP9 billion and have contributed to the creation of 1.8 million jobs within PEZA zones.
PEZA Director General Tereso Panga attributed this growth to the administration’s focus on job creation and economic transformation. Panga emphasized the President’s ambition to elevate the country to an upper middle-income economy through job generation.
Panga recently tendered his courtesy resignation in response to President Marcos’ call for heads of agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) to resign, following an addendum to the Notice to GOCCs issued by the Governance Commission for GOCCs. Panga has been with PEZA since 1998, ascending through various positions to become Director General.
