Manila Times
Upholding Truth. Empowering the Philippines
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025
The Nation's Story is Told with Honor
Philippine Investment Approvals Surge Under Marcos Administration
Investment approvals reach PHP 3.54 trillion, driven primarily by renewable energy projects amid global economic shifts.
Makati City, Philippines – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced significant growth in investment approvals during the Marcos administration, marking a notable PHP 3.54 trillion in approved projects between July 2022 and April 2025. This figure represents a 70.64% increase compared to the previous administration and underscores the Philippines’ evolving position as a center for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services despite challenging global economic conditions.
The annual breakdown of the investments shows PHP 729 billion in 2022, PHP 1.26 trillion in 2023, and PHP 1.62 trillion in 2024. The latter figure is the highest recorded in the history of the Board of Investments (BOI), with a substantial emphasis on renewable energy projects.
The total approved investments are anticipated to create 147,304 jobs, emphasizing the government’s objective of aligning investment growth with employment generation.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque stated that these figures reflect the country’s robust investment policies and assert President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to developing a high-quality, innovation-driven economy.
Roque highlighted that the government aims not only for quantitative growth but also for meaningful transformation through strategic policies.
Despite achieving these milestones, the DTI noted a slowdown in investment approvals in 2025, which is viewed as a natural phase within the investment cycle as many large-scale projects begin their implementation.
Factors such as tightening global financial conditions and rising geopolitical uncertainties are influencing a more cautious investment atmosphere.
Secretary Roque explained that many large-scale projects, including offshore wind farms and energy infrastructure, necessitate intricate planning and construction, which may not result in immediate foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows but are vital for sustainable growth.
From January 2022 to February 2025, the Philippines encountered fluctuating FDI due to a mix of global market dynamics and domestic policy reforms.
Despite these variations, the manufacturing, real estate, and information and communication sectors have maintained a strong performance in attracting FDI, with the manufacturing sector consistently leading in investment share.
The current global landscape, heavily influenced by the US-China trade tensions, has also had implications for investor sentiment, particularly within the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector.
Although there has been limited direct impact, the uncertainty surrounding trade policies has led firms to reevaluate their investment timelines and sourcing strategies.
In response to these challenges, demand for outsourced services in the Philippines remains strong, driven by the expansion of global capability centers.
Although there are fears of automation risks associated with the rise of artificial intelligence, it is also anticipated to stimulate demand for upskilling and the creation of new roles, particularly those requiring complex decision-making abilities.
When effectively leveraged, AI could enhance innovation across several sectors, including agriculture, electronics, logistics, healthcare, and finance.
To further bolster the Philippines as an attractive investment destination, the BOI initiated the CREATE MORE Roadshows in March 2025 to showcase opportunities provided by the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE MORE) Act, targeting both local and international investors.
Additionally, the BOI conducted the Philippine Business Forum in Seoul, South Korea, in April 2025, marking the inception of several global investment outreach efforts aimed at promoting the Philippines as a focal point for high-value investments.
The government remains focused on refining its investment strategies, as shown by the ongoing development of the 2025 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP).
To enhance the business environment, measures such as Executive Order No. 18 were enacted in 2023, establishing “Green Lanes” to accelerate the processing of permits for strategic investments.
By May 27, 2025, 208 projects qualified for Green Lane certification, predominantly in renewable energy, reflecting a combined investment value of PHP 5.2 trillion since its implementation.
The DTI continues to promote inclusive, innovation-driven economic growth through effective policy-making and transparent governance.
The annual breakdown of the investments shows PHP 729 billion in 2022, PHP 1.26 trillion in 2023, and PHP 1.62 trillion in 2024. The latter figure is the highest recorded in the history of the Board of Investments (BOI), with a substantial emphasis on renewable energy projects.
The total approved investments are anticipated to create 147,304 jobs, emphasizing the government’s objective of aligning investment growth with employment generation.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque stated that these figures reflect the country’s robust investment policies and assert President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s commitment to developing a high-quality, innovation-driven economy.
Roque highlighted that the government aims not only for quantitative growth but also for meaningful transformation through strategic policies.
Despite achieving these milestones, the DTI noted a slowdown in investment approvals in 2025, which is viewed as a natural phase within the investment cycle as many large-scale projects begin their implementation.
Factors such as tightening global financial conditions and rising geopolitical uncertainties are influencing a more cautious investment atmosphere.
Secretary Roque explained that many large-scale projects, including offshore wind farms and energy infrastructure, necessitate intricate planning and construction, which may not result in immediate foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows but are vital for sustainable growth.
From January 2022 to February 2025, the Philippines encountered fluctuating FDI due to a mix of global market dynamics and domestic policy reforms.
Despite these variations, the manufacturing, real estate, and information and communication sectors have maintained a strong performance in attracting FDI, with the manufacturing sector consistently leading in investment share.
The current global landscape, heavily influenced by the US-China trade tensions, has also had implications for investor sentiment, particularly within the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector.
Although there has been limited direct impact, the uncertainty surrounding trade policies has led firms to reevaluate their investment timelines and sourcing strategies.
In response to these challenges, demand for outsourced services in the Philippines remains strong, driven by the expansion of global capability centers.
Although there are fears of automation risks associated with the rise of artificial intelligence, it is also anticipated to stimulate demand for upskilling and the creation of new roles, particularly those requiring complex decision-making abilities.
When effectively leveraged, AI could enhance innovation across several sectors, including agriculture, electronics, logistics, healthcare, and finance.
To further bolster the Philippines as an attractive investment destination, the BOI initiated the CREATE MORE Roadshows in March 2025 to showcase opportunities provided by the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE MORE) Act, targeting both local and international investors.
Additionally, the BOI conducted the Philippine Business Forum in Seoul, South Korea, in April 2025, marking the inception of several global investment outreach efforts aimed at promoting the Philippines as a focal point for high-value investments.
The government remains focused on refining its investment strategies, as shown by the ongoing development of the 2025 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP).
To enhance the business environment, measures such as Executive Order No. 18 were enacted in 2023, establishing “Green Lanes” to accelerate the processing of permits for strategic investments.
By May 27, 2025, 208 projects qualified for Green Lane certification, predominantly in renewable energy, reflecting a combined investment value of PHP 5.2 trillion since its implementation.
The DTI continues to promote inclusive, innovation-driven economic growth through effective policy-making and transparent governance.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
